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Sunday Recap

June 22, 2014 — Leave a comment

Today was a great day of celebration and excitement at SLW. Here’s the rundown:

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Pastor Jesse launched our Summer message series, Summer Road Trip. Here are some of the message highlights (the message will be on the SLW Podcast soon):

 

A life of faith is a journey of adventure. Too many of us are living out our faith in safe, unadventurous ways…

Spiritual “Road Tripping…”

… Is less about the destination and more about the journey.

…Is less about enduring and more about developing.

…is less about going alone and more about going together.

 

To get the most out of this road trip, we’ll need:

  • A full tank (How are we being filled with the things of God?)
  • Good tunes (Where do we hear God; how are we staying tuned into his heart?)
  • An adventurous spirit (Is there room in our routine for adventure?)
  • A willingness to do crazy things (Will we Live S.E.N.T. — Seek God; Eat Together; Needs–Meed Them; Tell the story?)

Join us throughout the summer as we enjoy “Unbelievable Sights, Unexpected Detours, and Unscripted Connections” together.

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mercy v. sacrifice

June 17, 2014 — 2 Comments

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image: Mark Brannan @ Flickr

But go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Mt. 9:13, NIV)

These words of Jesus to the religious elite who were called to bring the people of Israel nearer to God and his ways (and tried to do so in a clumsy way that focused on legalistic observance more than righteous freedom) can almost seem like a well-deserved slam against these same religious leaders. But the context indicates something more like a loving directive rather than cold correction from Jesus.

He gives this religious group time to learn the meaning of what he has said. And later—the very next time we see interaction with this same group, there’s disappointment that they have not taken to heart his loving directive: If you had known what these words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent.” (Mt. 12:7, NIV)

What I love about these interactions is that Jesus himself doesn’t immediately move toward condemnation or open rebuke, but mercifully gives time to those who should know better to have a paradigm shift. They don’t, and it results in them beginning to to pursue the destruction of the one come to rescue them.

This interaction has me thinking:

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sunday recap

June 16, 2014 — Leave a comment

Yesterday was a fantastic day at SLW!

Here’s a quick recap:

:: Dads – We took a few moments to celebrate dads. In honor of our dads, we’re sponsoring a backpack as part of the Lakeview District Backpack Program which facilitates nutritious meals for underserved children right in our own community. SLW has the opportunity to help provide backpacks for over 30 children in the new school year.

OASIS_RECT:: Oasis – Nate shared about last week’s first gathering in Meadville as Oasis which included two baptisms! Go God! If you haven’t already signed up to be a prayer partner and to learn more about what God is up to in Meadville through Oasis, connect with him here.

If you’re a part of SLW, you can support both Oasis and the Backpack Program by giving through our Glocal Outreach missions focus–both are missional partnerships we’re excited to be part of.

 

279901_160_e30132SUMMER SPORTS XTREME begins tonight. It’s not too late to register the kiddos (potty trained 3yo – 6th grade) for this free sports camp facilitated by qualified coaches and includes some interaction with professional athletes. Check out slwchurch.org for more info!

 

 

original image: Vyacheslav Argenberg on Flickr

original image: Vyacheslav Argenberg on Flickr

We stepped into chapters 3-5 of Joshua before pausing in The Book of Joshua for our summer series, here are some highlights from that message:

:: What does it look like to live–in the midst of our impossible, impassible, unnavigable situations–as those ready for God to do the miraculous? (Joshua 3:5)

:: God is the God who goes 3,000 feet ahead of His people, showing the way, overcoming the most powerful obstacles, and subjugating things to Himself. (cf. Joshua 5:1)

:: Following Jesus means we can stop thinking like slaves and rebellious wanderers…and start living as people of the promise. (cf. Joshua 5:9-12)

What would you do in the overwhelming situations you face if you were certain God is going before you, that He is more powerful than the most significant obstacles you face, and that He is FOR you?

The podcast will be available soon, you can check it out by heading to SLW’s podcast site at slwchurch.podomatic.com.

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New Series @ SLW Begins Sunday

May 28, 2014 — Leave a comment
original image: Vyacheslav Argenberg on Flickr

original image: Vyacheslav Argenberg on Flickr

 

Only be strong and courageous! (Joshua 1:18b)

What happens when we finally receive what we’ve been waiting for…when what for so long seemed impossible is now made real? How should we live when it seems we have made it to the place our journey has been preparing us for all along?

The story of the book of Joshua is one where the children of Israel are at long last taking ownership of land in fulfillment of a generations-old promise of God. Their season of living out the Promise is one of challenge: a different way of living than they had ever experienced (and maybe one they never even anticipated) is now required.A new level of strength, courage, and submission to the leadership of God and his agents will be vital.

What can we learn from their experiences? What might we uncover about our own relationship with God and his desire to lead us into deeper faith and active obedience?

Join us throughout the new church year as we step in and out of the story of the Book of Joshua and discover strength, courage, leadership, and faith for today.

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Reflections

May 25, 2014 — Leave a comment

image: “Binoculars” by Peter Miller on Flickr

 

Today was “Vison Sunday” at SLW—not that “vision” is contained just to this one day each year, but it’s the Sunday when we take some time to celebrate God’s faithfulness over the past year and get a glimpse of what’s to come. As part of that, we hosted our Local Church Conference. What follows are the personal reflections given as part of my report this year:

If 2013-2014 could be summed up in a single word as far as life at SLW is concerned, I’m pretty sure we would all agree “transition” would say it nicely: Senior leadership transition, adjustments in various ministry environments, celebrating the Alsdorfs’ move to church planting in Meadville, and identifying new interim (and searching for permanent) ministry team members are just a few of the things we’ve navigated together.
Transition is never easy, but ours has been one of the smoothest seasons of leadership and ministry transition I have ever seen. As I have shared with others, though this is a testimony of God’s grace, faithfulness, and favor to us… it is also evidence of your gracious spirit and desire to lean into “next” with one another. Additionally, it speaks volumes about the caliber of our senior leaders: Pastors Shawn & Beth finished well, but that is only half the story—Pastor Jesse started well and has led our ministry team with a focus, determination, and grace which has allowed God to use us as a church for amazing things.

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