Vistas
PINNACLE
the newsletter for pinnacle presbyterian church, scottsdale, az |
December 2015
Tracings A Letter from Dr. Wes Avram
Dear friends, December! Advent, then Christmas. Then the adventure of a new year. And with all of that, there’s also the adventure of new things at Pinnacle. Soon, members and friends of PPC will be receiving a mailed copy of a new statement of Vision for Pinnacle. This is the product of a year of dedicated work in honor of our 25th anniversary, to look ahead for what God might be calling us to in the next period of our ministry. Many of you participated in one or another part of this visioning effort. We also sought outside consultation, did Dr. Wes Avram, significant research, and worked to center the effort Senior Pastor in prayer and scripture. What comes now is a Session-approved summary of our core values, our core strengths, and three potentially exciting strategic initiatives for Pinnacle. They take our strengths and call us to go further—following the Spirit. We’re not done. Next steps for meeting these goals need to be considered and implemented. There will be more to come in the weeks ahead. But for today, I enthusiastically invite you to take a close look at this statement of vision. If you don’t receive a copy in the mail, the church office can get you one. We’re also in the midst of our 2016 Stewardship Campaign. Commitment Sunday was November 15, but, as we move into December, we still have many members considering their commitment for 2016. Our vision will depend on strong support for all of our ministries. My stewardship sermon from November 8 is included as an insert in this issue of Vistas. I hope you’ll take a look at that as well and consider how you will support our vision with your presence, your money, your time, your talent, and your prayer. And, finally, you’ll also find in this issue of Vistas a special thank Please see TRACINGS on next page 2
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
TRACINGS from page 2 you to Dr. Terry Swicegood for his ministry here at Pinnacle for the past three years as he heads into retirement. His grace and presence has impacted us all, and we’re grateful to God and to him for that. Congratulations to him on completing his retirement and blessings. Advent joy to you,
INSIDE... THANKS, TERRY Pinnacle sends best wishes to Rev. Swicegood SEE PAGE 4 SPECIAL OFFERING to aid the homeless and homebound SEE PAGE 9 YOUTH MINISTRY has fun while serving SEE PAGE 13 Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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OUR COMMON LIFE
Thanks Terry! By Dr. Wesley Avram Dr. Terry Swicegood wound his way into so many of our hearts in a short time. His thundering, yet encouraging voice in prayer and preaching. His tender way with memorial services. His relaxed and faithful pastoral care. His broadcast style when emceeing Celebration of Christmas. His sense of humor and perfectly toned Bible study or discussion leadership with SAGE and Men’s Breakfast. His fellowship with Amigos. His example of gentle and loving caregiving as we walked with him during the months before his mother’s passing. His friendship and contagious faith. Terry and I knew when he took this position that his long commute might take its toll, and that he had a lot of other interests in his life that drew passion and attention alongside his love for ministry. But we knew that however long the run lasted, it would be good—and would be worth the effort. And it’s been just that. Thanks, Terry. You’re a part of Pinnacle’s story, and we’re grateful. As you head into a full retirement, we send many blessings to you and to Barbara for travel, golf, good health, and the freedom to do anything you choose. Terry will be preaching in response to our Children’s Pageant on December 13, and then again on December 20. We’ll have a reception for him following our 10 am worship service on December 20.
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Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
Prepare for Christmas with Our Advent Devotional Advent—the season of waiting and watching. But what is it that we are watching for? Is it the parties, decorations, carols and presents that always seem to describe the weeks leading up to Christmas, or is there something more? Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the season we lose sight of the mystery of Jesus’ birth. The God who shaped the cosmos also came as a baby. Look for your copy of The Jesse Tree Daily Devotions for Advent in the Chapel and Sanctuary narthexes, Fellowship Hall, the church office, or visit www.pinnaclepres.org/advent-daily-scripture-re. Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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OUR COMMON LIFE
Pinnacle Hikers Tuesday, December 8 | 8:30 am Lost Dog Wash Trailhead | 12601 N. 124th St., Scottsdale Join us for an easy three-mile hike to the Old Jeep Overlook and enjoy views of the south and west valley as well as the solitude of the Sonoran Desert. Water is available at the trailhead, and this is a good trail for dogs. There will be no hike Tuesday, December 22, due to the Christmas holidays. For more information, contact Christine Schild at hikers@pinnaclepres.org.
Compadres Sunday, December 13 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm Belmont Village | 13850 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale Join Compadres for caroling and fellowship as we participate in the Christmas Open House at Belmont Village, an assisted living facility. This is an intergenerational event. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Sign up after the 10 am Worship service on December 6. Contact Christine Schild at compadres@pinnaclepres.org for more information.
LOVED AND LOST A Grief Support Group
Third Tuesday of each month 1 pm | Chapel Library
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Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
OUR COMMON LIFE
JOIN IN! Find ways to get connected by viewing all the various ministry and social groups here at Pinnacle! Go to MyPPC at https://pinnaclepres.ccbchurch.com, and from the Home page, click the Groups tab. To see all groups, click the Advanced Search link and then Search at the bottom of the page. See a group that interests you? Click Join Group or Request to Join. Don’t have a login? If you are a member or attendee of Pinnacle, click Sign Up from the login page. Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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PINNACLE FINANCE
Finance Report 10/31/2015 10/31/2015 10/31/2014 YTD Budget YTD Actual YTD Actual
2015 vs 2014
%
Total Income
$406,847
$537,596
$458,610
$78,986
15%
Total Expenditures
$598,448
$600,420
$633,268
($32,848)
-5%
(Over)/Under
($191,601)
($62,824)
($174,658)
Cash BalanceRestricted
$115,027
$156,488
Mortgage Debt
$504,369
$932,436
($428,067)
54%
Bank Debt
$200,000
$250,000
($50,000)
80%
Debt to Restricted Funds
$48,000
As can be seen here, our income is up fiscal year over fiscal year and we have reduced our mortgage debt. Yet as in previous years, we are dependent upon end of year giving (pledged and unpledged) to balance the year’s expenses and reduce our bank debt. Please consider a special gift. Our annual stewardship campaign is also upon us and we hope the results are helpful in filling the gap. With everyone’s help we’ll be successful.
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Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
MISSION AT PINNACLE
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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MISSION AT PINNACLE
The Syrian Refugee Crisis by Cap Dean Pre-war Syria, before the war began in March 2011, had a population of roughly 22 million people. Syria's population now is estimated by the United Nations to be about 17 million. That's five million people -about 23 percent of the population -- who have either left the country as refugees or are among the more than 200,000 people who have died in the conflict. Additionally, seven million people in Syria are internally displaced. That amounts to more than half of the country's population which has had to move from their homes. That level of Paul Jeffrey/ACT human suffering is almost incomprehensible. The solution to the ongoing crisis in Syria, and eventually the refugee crisis, will not come soon nor will it be easy. Terrorist attacks, such as the recent attacks in Paris, show the complexities of addressing the underlying issues. The resolution of the crisis will not be solely military nor solely diplomatic; some combination of the two will almost certainly be needed to resolve the numerous issues in Syria, including the evils of both ISIS and the al-Assad government. In the meantime, is there anything that we in Pinnacle Presbyterian Church can do? Here are a few websites people might visit if they wish to help address this issue: • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: PDA pda.pcusa.org/situation/syria/. • The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI): www.cidi.org/ or www.cidi.org/syria/#.VjPppctZ2ak. • The International Rescue Committee (IRC), Phoenix: www.rescue.org/us-program/us-phoenix-az. Please see SYRIA on next page 10
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
MISSION AT PINNACLE
Pinnacle’s 21st Annual Adopt-A-Family for
Christmas
It’s as easy as 1,2,3! Look for the Christmas trees and Angels in the Chapel and Sanctuary beginning November 22. 1. Choose an Angel and bring to a committee member to record your name and the Angel information. 2. Purchase the gift. Attach the Angel to the item purchased. Please do not wrap the gift. 3. Bring the gift to the church by December 6. Tables will be set up on the Sanctuary patio (at the 10 am service) and outside the Chapel (at the 8 am service) to accept these gifts. Those who would rather make a financial contribution, please make your check out to Pinnacle Presbyterian Church and designate it “Adopt-A-Family”. Thank you on behalf of all the families who will feel the spirit of Christmas through your joyful and generous giving.
SYRIA from previous page And, of course, one of the most important ways we can assist with the Syrian refugee crisis is through prayer. Prayer, as well as some of the other suggestions above, can help with this issue which is having an increasingly serious impact on the Middle East, Europe and the United States. The complete version of this abbreviated article can be found on our website at http://tinyurl.com/PPC-syria. Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY AT PINNACLE
Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 13 | 10:00 am | Sanctuary
Join us for a special Christmas service that will combine music, worship and “living” scripture presented by the children in our Children’s Ministries and Pinnacle Presbyterian Preschool.
December Church School This month we take the children deep into the true “reason for the season” by exploring one of the most well-known Bible verses of all: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIRV.) Each week we will look at a different part of the Christmas story from a perspective that challenges us through two powerful Bible truths. God gave us the greatest gift, so what will we give? God provides us with the most amazing news, so how will we spread it?
Club 45 Celebrates Christmas Sunday, December 13 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm | Fellowship Hall Our 4th and 5th grade fellowship club will enjoy this annual event. We will play games, decorate cookies, enjoy snacks and maybe a Christmas movie before doing our own version of silly gift swap. RSVP to Kelly Horn at khorn@pinnaclepres.org. 12
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
YOUTH MINISTRIES AT PINNACLE
Parents Day Out Sunday, December 6 | 11:15 am - 3:00 pm | Teen Center The Christmas season is upon us. The hustle and bustle of shopping and parties makes it hard to get everything done. Let the youth of Pinnacle help!!! Youth and their leaders will give parents and grandparents an afternoon to themselves by providing childcare at the church. We will eat pizza, play games, watch a movie and more with your children. All we ask of you is to make a donation to help support the youth ministries of Pinnacle. If you are in 6th - 12th grade and would like to help out while receiving community service hours, please RSVP to Frank at fharmon@pinnaclepres.org by Friday, December 4.
Adopt-A-Family Shopping night Sunday, December 13 | 5:30 - 8:00 pm | 6 - 12 grade Be a part of the Christmas spirit this year as we help make Christmas a little happier for families in need. Jr. and Sr. High Students are invited to help fulfill some of the needs of our Vista del Camino and IRC AdoptA-Families. We will meet at the church at 5:30 and then grab dinner and do some shopping. We ask that you bring $10 for dinner and $10 (if you can) to help buy gifts for these needy families. Please RSVP by Friday, December 11, so we can line up drivers. This is a great opportunity to invite your friends to serve God’s kingdom and our community while having fun at the same time.
Jr. High Christmas Party Saturday, December 19 | Time & Location TBA It is time to get creative as 6th - 8th graders come together to celebrate Christmas. We hope that you will join us this year for our annual Christmas party. Plan on bringing a wrapped $10 gag gift - the funnier and more outrageous the better. Please bring a side dish if you are a boy, and a dessert if you are a girl. The main dish will be provided. Invite your friends to join us for this fun night. Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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YOUTH MINISTRIES AT PINNACLE
Plan Ahead for Jr. High Winter Camp February 19 - 21 | Leinweber’s Cabin (Cornville, AZ)
Students in grades 6-8 will be returning to Cornville this winter for our annual Jr. High Winter Camp. The cost for the weekend is $125 per student, and $100 for each additional sibling. Registration forms and $150 deposit are due January 10 and final payment is due by February 7. This will be a great time to have fun, play games and grow closer to God and each other. We hope you will join us.
Sr. High Christmas Party Sunday, December 20 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Teen Center High School Students!!! Join us after the 5 pm Worship ANEW service for our annual Christmas party. We will have dinner, play games, and have a gag gift exchange. If you plan to attend, bring a wrapped $10 gag gift - the funnier and more outrageous the better. Boys are asked to bring a dessert, and girls, a side dish. The main dish will be provided. Invite your friends to join us for worship followed by a night of fun. 14
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
YOUTH MINISTRIES AT PINNACLE
Sr. High Camp Pondo January 15 - 17 | Big Bear, CA This year join us as we head to Southern California on January 1517 for a weekend retreat at Camp Ponderosa Pines. If you have never a experienced Winter Camp you won’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity to join hundreds of high school students in stretching your faith and expanding your relationship with God. There will be fun, games, snow and an option of skiing/ snowboarding on Saturday afternoon. The cost for transportation and the camp is $225. Meals while traveling, snacks at camp, and skiing/ snowboarding is additional. We will meet at Pinnacle at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 17, and return around 6:00 pm on Sunday. Spots are limited so please RSVP today. The Camp Pondo registration form and Pinnacle medical and permission forms can all be found at www.pinnaclepres.org/pinnacle-youth-forms/.
Sr. High Mission Trip July 8 - 17, 2016 | Belize, Central America Are you ready for a trip of a lifetime? If you are currently in 8th - 12th grade we have just the opportunity for you. This July we will travel to Belize for a week of serving God as we work with the Belizean people. The cost for this trip starts at $350 and requires students to work at our annual rummage sale. Students who are interested in this trip should fill out a registration form and pay the $100 deposit before December 31 to guarantee a spot. Forms can be found at the church website at tinyurl.com/belize-reg. We hope that you will join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Contact Rev. Frank Harmon at fharmon@pinnaclepres.org for more information. Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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PINNACLE PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL
Pinnacle Preschoolers Joyfully Sing During the 10 am service on December 13, the children of Pinnacle Presbyterian Preschool will participate in the special Christmas service presented by the children of Pinnacle and sing a few Christmas songs. This will be the first time that Pinnacle’s preschoolers, ages 3 - 5, will be part of a Sunday worship service, and they look forward to celebrating the season with the congregation through song.
Preschool Registration for 2016 – 2017 It’s almost time to register for the 2016-2017 school year! Priority registration begins on January 8, 2016, for families that are currently enrolled, siblings of previously enrolled children or church members of Pinnacle for six months or more. Following priority registration, enrollment is opened up to the community on January 19, and it’s highly recommended to tour the preschool prior to registering. Tours are held at 10 am on the dates indicated below. To limit distractions, parents are encouraged to attend without their child, when possible. For more information or to schedule a tour, call the preschool office at (480) 5859448 ext. 2. Tour Dates December – 2, 10, 18 March – 2, 10, 22, 30 January – 7, 15, 20, 26 April – 5, 13, 21, 29 February – 4, 12, 17, 25 May – 3 OUR CHURCH FAMILY
SYMPATHY OF THE CONGREGATION EXTENDED TO: Colleen Smith and family on the death of Colleen’s husband, Harlan Smith. Shari Davis and family on the death of Shari’s husband, Jim Davis.
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Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS
Pat & Chris* Seyer
Patricia Auch
Elaine & John Napolitan
Diane & Norm Petersen
Mary & Marlan Polhemus
Carol Skiff Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
Elaine* & Spike Paul
Bev & Al Roselieb
Rose & Chuck Smilgys *Not pictured 17
HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS December 1 Olivia Wilson December 2 Ava Bianco Skip Garrod December 3 Tracee Balvin Meredith Fedyna Bryce Fitzgerald Sam Nelson Stephanie Webster Anne Wells Derek Wilson December 4 Karen Moore Adam Rogers Mary Westoby December 5 Alex DeWeese Katie Kalina Sarah Klemmer Owen Rhodes Curtis Sorenson Caitlyn Walker December 6 Teresa Hanson Paul Premo Nile Wessel December 7 Alyssa Coughenour Barb Dios Dianne Drake Harlan Stratton December 8 Jack Coubrough Richard Ebert Michael Hegeman Leyla Hobbi Luke Neumann Andy Yaconis December 9 Chris Hylton Brodie Moore December 10 Dean Coughenour 18
Vicki Dillon December 11 Jeanee Dean Rosalea McLemore Ann Swanson December 12 Alec Bright Chris Harper December 13 Kelsey Casas Herb Dixon Marilyn Reese Tony Walker December 14 Karis Conner Lynda Elliott Roselyn O'Connell Marcia Sobek December 15 Terri Baker Caitlyn Croll Hannah Hampton L.A. Kowal Jeff Miller Grayson Morris Parris Richie December 16 Doug Brown Taylor Clarkin Sharon Dolan December 17 Karen Armknecht Jamee Balvin Ivey Martin Lily Martin December 18 Paul Avram Henry Beattie Blair Myers Elyce Walthall December 19 Jan Halliday Nancy Noyes Greer Pattison Matt Rank
December 20 Nancy Lipscomb December 21 Justin Augustine Clare Cline Patricia Frankel Jarett Upchurch December 22 Carolyn Baer Jack Mason December 23 Pat Pollock Jade Wells December 25 Virginia Belt December 27 Jim Keegan John P. Klecker Mary Joy Stead December 28 David Miller Alice Roe December 29 Jan Crews Davis Hartman Bud Koyen Abigail Reiss December 30 John Brenalvirez Tom Clark Teresa Corelli Joan Hutton Meg Thorstenson December 31 Kerry Croll Wallace Davis Aubyn Howe Mary Vedder DO WE HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY ON FILE? If not, please call the church office.
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
VISTAS CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME To submit articles for Pinnacle Vistas, please contact Carol Skewes at cskewes@pinnaclepres.org. The deadline for the January issue of Pinnacle Vistas is December 10.
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VISTAS, YOUR WAY Pinnacle Vistas is available in both printed and digital flipbook format. If you would like to change the way you receive your copy, please contact Carol Skewes in the church office at cskewes@pinnaclepres.org. Printed copies are always available in the church office and in brochure kiosks in the narthexes of the chapel and sanctuary.
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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
25150 N. PIMA RD. | SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 480.585.9448 | PINNACLEPRES.ORG
Stewardship Sermon, November 8, 2015 Builders Wes Avram preaching 1 Peter 2:1-6; 1 Chronicles 29:9-20 Last Sunday I preached about “vision.” I tried to describe what a Christian “theology of vision” might look like. I said that vision is like the light from a lighthouse that keeps us moving. I said that it’s different than plans, or strategies, or blueprints. I said that I think vision is both fiercely idealistic and it’s fiercely realistic at the same time. And that it’s both because vision is rooted not just in what we see but also in what God might see, and because of that vision is also fiercely hopeful. This week I’m going to keep going. And I’m going to try to connect all of that to stewardship. Yup. That’s right. Today is what we call our annual Stewardship Sermon, when you give me permission to tell you what I want from you--and what the church wants from you. And you’re not running for the exits. That always impresses me. I’m going to ask you for money. I’m going to ask you for time and energy and imagination. I’m going to ask you for passion and commitment and trust. And, this year, for this year’s stewardship sermon, I’m going to ask you to commit all of those things I just mentioned--money, time, energy, imagination, passion, commitment, and trust--to build from vision. I’m going to ask you to steward vision. If you’re a guest here today, or if you’re tending to personal challenges that make it hard to hear this kind of message today, I hope you’ll be forgiving. I also hope that you might Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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somehow hear in this sermon a word of hope and liberation-even vision--for you too. ~ ~ ~ I remember seeing a billboard back in the 1970s, at the entrance to the main terminal inside the old Detroit Metro Airport. It had a large photograph of the then brand new Pontiac Silverdome, once home of the Detroit Lions. Under the photo was bold black print with the name of the construction company that built the thing. On top, you could read five words: “Built on time. Within budget.” The image of efficiency and calculation, to cause envy in the smallest of house remodelers or the largest of highway contractors. In a modest sense, the words simply meant, “we kept our promise.” In a grand sense, they were like God recommending this company to anyone who had plans and wanted someone to execute them well. I think that a lot of stewardship appeals in churches land about like that billboard. I’m not criticizing that. It’s important. Church should be on time, after all. It should be convenient and meet as many of your expectations for church as it can, and be the kind of community you want. That’s worth committing time and energy to--and money as well. And I don’t mind budgets, either. I mean, budgets pay my salary--and my family appreciates that. Budgets pay all your staff. Budgets keep the air conditioning working in this beauti22
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
ful sanctuary and tune our pipe organ. Budgets provide programs. Budgets allow us to do a little for folks in need. All good. But timeliness and budgets don’t equal vision. They can enable vision, for sure. But they aren’t the vision that guides us. So I want you to imagine a sign on the top of a billboard of Solomon’s Temple, which you heard about in 1 Chronicles, or over a billboard of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church. What would it read? “Built on time. Within budget.”? How about, “Built over time. Within God’s Spirit.”; or, “Built by faith. With peace, and with justice.”; or “Still being built. With God’s provision and the people’s faith.” I don’t know. Think again about what you heard in 1 Chronicles. David is preparing his inexperienced son Solomon for Solomon’s appointed task to build the Temple that David himself could not build. David was not the one to do the work because he was a person of practical worldly struggle, and even war. Solomon, though, was called to be formed not by struggle but by vision. And he gained that vision from worship. That was to be the fire within him, to inspire him to build. So it is when Peter calls the church a holy priesthood. We are called to use what we have--our knowledge, our resources, and our talents--not to win battles, or prove points, or corner some spiritual market, but to carefully and lavishly fill vision, and to do everything in the light thrown by vision. Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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When we do that we’re builders of the church, not just users of the church. When we do that we’re involved with something extraordinary, not just something common or familiar. And this kind of vision stretches us far beyond what we think limits us. And so it is here that the word from 1 Peter rings true, I think--that what we build is strong only if its center is a spiritual center, born from vision. ~ ~ ~ So that’s what I want to sell you today. And that’s what I want to ask you to invest in as you make decisions about how to use your resources: your time, your talents, and your money. Last Spring, a little bit before my sabbatical, I was thrilled to tell the congregation about an electrifying investment that has been pledged to Pinnacle to help us reshape and expand our adult formation ministries. It was a call that your Session accepted, to follow the vision and challenge that our own Fran Park first gave us over a decade ago: That vision is to let education be more than a few modest programs to help us to learn the faith (as helpful as those programs can be); but to let education become a way we invite any and all--from within the congregation and beyond, believers and non-believers alike, clergy and laity, those who know little and want to know more and those who are ready to consider how God is calling them into service; to partner with great institutions and great teachers to create innovative opportunities for education; to invite every one of you and anyone else who would to grapple with what a believer needs to know in our quickly changing culture: about the bible, about the world in which we live, about the tradition we claim, about science, politics, business, personal life, family life, marriage, 24
Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
international issues, and more; and to find ways of learning that fit the changing lives of younger people. And here’s the true light of this vision: to see this as our gift to the community; our kind of evangelism, our kind of mission, and a big part of how we build church--right alongside all the things we’ll keep loving, like music and fellowship. That’s part of the vision I want you to see. ~ ~ ~ But there’s more. For, you see, our vision has always also included being multi-generational, to be as faith-inspiring to 9-year-olds as we want to be to 90-year-olds, and also to folks in between. So I want to sell you on that part of the vision too. I want to inspire you with a vision whose form we might not see yet, but that we truly want to be committed to. This is a vision of ministry to children and youth and their families that is unique to who we are: vision that understands, intuitively, that ministry to children can never be separated from ministry with their families, that children are capable of committing their lives to Christ and that families of many shapes deserve our love and support. This vision sees the whole church involved with this work, including more than parents. This is a vision that’s sees the deep and real challenges facing children and their caregivers all over the world, and sees those challenges as our concern. For youth, this is a vision of ministry that is both to youth and with youth, empowering youth to learn and serve the world around them--not just later, but right now. They’re capable. And so this is vision that sees the deep and very real crises that youth are facing in our culture too: with levels of depresPinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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sion, suicide, substance abuse, emotional struggle, distraction, temptation, and intellectual challenges to faith like none of us have ever seen. I want you to embrace a vision, with me, with our pastor for youth, and with all our volunteers working with youth that encourages our young people to take risks for the sake of truth, adventures for the sake of the gospel, and to make life-commitments for the sake of compassion and service—no matter what job they choose. I want you to decide that that’s a vision you want to support, and I hope you will. ~ ~ ~ Now I could talk of many more areas of our ministry, couldn’t I? I could talk about worship and care-giving and Christian fellowship. I’m inspired by the new experience we’re offering Sunday evenings, alongside the ongoing worship we offer on Sunday mornings. I’m inspired by what Stephen Ministry is offering the congregation, and by the vision of pastoral and lay leadership that is bringing that to us. And I’m inspired by new friendships and new energy coming to us in new members and participants in our ministries. But instead of an even longer list, I want to say how much I am personally inspired by you. You are a resourceful, able, and hopeful group. In my six short years with you I’ve been amazed, more than once, by the ambition, and the ingenuity, and the fearlessness, and the principles by which you live your lives--even through your tougher times. You are a congregation of servant leaders, wanting and waiting for vision.
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And so for all of you at all points of life—from college students wanting to know what a meaningful life feels like, to working people wanting more than a treadmill-life, to retired persons with skills and wisdom still to share, and to seniors with stories and prayer and strength still to give: I envision a church that empowers you. I envision a church that informs, and inspires, and organizes, and offers a little wisdom, and even shapes a vision for how you, too, each one of you, might see your life as a ministry for Christ. ~ ~ ~ And so let me return to the topic of the day. How would you add to this vision? What words would you give it? What prayers would you pray to push us along? How would you write yourself into the story? And . . . How will you steward the vision? - Will you steward with your money, beyond what just a budget would expect of you? - Will you steward with your time, beyond what just a list of programs would invite from you? - Will you steward with your heart, beyond what just membership would ask of you? ~ ~ ~ Some years ago I heard a brief interview on NPR with Jason Cole, who at the time was the Associate Pastor of Parkway Baptist Church in Natchez, Mississippi. It was just after Hurricane Katrina. It seems that Parkway, like some other church Pinnacle Vistas • December 2015
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es in the area, gave its building over to Red Cross relief efforts after the storm. 700 people took temporary refuge there— sleeping in the basement, using the bathrooms and kitchen, kids playing among the pews and in the pulpit. As time went on it became clear that for many of those 700, the need was not so temporary. Weeks turned into months, and some hundred and fifty people were making Parkway Church their long-term home. And the church kept saying yes, nervous committees and all. When asked by the reporter if they were looking forward to things “getting back to normal,” Pastor Cole responded without hesitation: “We don’t want to go back to normal. We have seen people’s hearts broken. We have seen people step up and be in ministry. We have seen less self-centeredness and more sacrifice. Our hearts have been changed. We don’t want to go back to normal.” Christian vision can come by surprise, in circumstances we haven’t chosen. Christian vision can also come through study, listening, arguing, and naming. Christian vision can also come through silence, prayer, and openness to the Holy Spirit. But however it comes, it always asks something of us. It doesn’t leave us alone. It is never normal. It builds hope. And that’s what we want do here. Will you help? Amen.
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