Yesterday, Sunday though it was, I was not feeling my tip toppest. I was in something of a funk...until I spent time with God's people.

Sundays are a beautiful thing because they always afford us the opportunity to hear God's Word and be refreshed by the music and the liturgy and the sacraments; all of which calls us out of ourselves and focuses us on God and His things. These things that are so much bigger than ourselves and our subjective experience. But for me yesterday it was really in the interaction with God's people that I was blessed and ministered to. I was blessed as I watched those around me worship in the liturgy and I was uplifted by our fellowship around the meal table at our regular monthly (soon to be bi-monthly) Community Meal.

Real, authentic, Christian community is such a blessing. It is one of the tools of soul-healing when put in the Hands of the Great Physician.

Recently one of our members emailed me thanking me for the reminder to stay on top of our Lighthouses of prayer initiative (see post below) and the 2&2 Challenge (namely - my challenge to the congregation to seek to bless 2 people a week and have dinner with 2 people a month; one inside and another outside the church). She also said she took a class once and learned that theoretically that will be a more effective outreach effort than any corporate program we could come up with. And I agree (of course - that's why we're doing it right?!).

I think it will be more effective particularly as outreach for two fundamental reasons. 1.) Our people will actually do it. And 2.) people will actually respond. I think seeking to bless an "outsider" and/or have her over to dinner seems a lot less daunting and a more attainable goal than expecting us to go knocking door to door inviting people to church. And best of all it forces us to form natural, real relationship which the experts agree unanimously is the context where the most effective sharing of the hope and good news of the Gospel happens.

But like all worthwhile investments - it does take more time to grow and pay dividends. But it does pay dividends both in the life of the believer and in the life of those around her.

This week all of my spare time has been sucked up devouring a book my wife has been begging me to read for a couple years now, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. My wife first read it 4 years ago when we were in seminary and insisted that every seminarian ought to read it. I am beginning to believe she is right. Far from reverent (though she has her moments) Ms. Lamott has taught me a lot about the extent of grace and how no one is beyond the reach of the God who pursues us even unto death - pursues sometimes in and through strange and unlikely ways.
The book begins,

I came across these posts on the blog of a dear old friend in Chicago (her husband is a fellow priest, one of my dearest friends and pretty much the smartest guy I know). Anyway, in this series of 3 posts actually our friend explores what it is about liturgy and ceremonial that seems to be drawing people to churches like ours. I think it is well worth a read. You can get to her three posts on the topic by following the links below (I hope - I am relatively new at this).

1. Church Plant Update Plus
2. Who Needs Ritual and Ceremony?
3. More on Ritual and Ceremony

Here is a recap of this past Sunday's announcements.

Please remember the youth group kickoff event. Our house (email shoskins@pobox.com for directions) Sunday October 14th. This will be a cookout - everything will be provided. If you are a youth or have a youth please plan to attend. Anyone interested in understanding our philosophy of youth ministry and what the youth group will be doing this year is welcome to attend. You can contact our new Youth Pastor, Brad Jones with any questions (970.590.9763).

Please remember again to pick up a Lighthouses of Prayer booklet and begin praying that God would show you the Sphere of Influence that He would have you adopt and pray for. And then start praying for them!

Also, College Students/Young Adults: we will have our second Bible Study this Thursday night, 8:00PM at the Starbucks on the corner of Horsetooth and College. We are studying the book of Isaiah together. Last week we looked at Isaiah chapter 1 and how it sets us up to understand what Isaiah is going to tell us in his book. This week we will consider Isaiah chapter 5 together (fyi - we agreed to read and study chapters 2-4 on our own this week. Feel free to come with any questions from those sections).

Prayer Requests:
Please pray for Darrin Wetzbarger who was let go from his job last week. Pray for peace and trust for Darrin as well as the Lord's provision of a new job.

Please continue to pray the same for the Brown family as Bob experienced the same thing two weeks ago when his company downsized and let him go after 22 years of service.