Christmas Pictures

We are ahead of schedule this year! Christmas pictures are already taken and Christmas cards already ordered. As many of you know we send out about 250 Christmas cards to the entire church family so the task of getting pictures taken, design selected, and then ordered has in the past hung over our heads like an never ending cloud, but this year my wife wisely suggested that we take the pictures before heading out to our family Thanksgiving party and so we did. Here are a few great ones that didn't make the final cut.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. Although over the last few years it seems that more and more people are skipping this holiday to focus solely on the gift giving of Christmas. It makes total sense for those who make money off the materialism and consumerism of the Christmas, after all its hard to encourage people to be thankful while at the same time pointing out how much they need your product. The last few days have been a wonderful time at our home. Cecil and I have gotten lots of time with the kids and haven't been too rushed. We went into this holiday season with that as the goal (since we constantly seem to find ourselves overly committed to too many things. The list of things I'm thankful for could go on and on and on but I thought I would just leave you with my top 10 (not necessarily in order of importance):
1) God - I'm glad I have someone to express my thanks too, otherwise life would truly be a cruel joke
2) A wonderful wife
3) Two beautiful, healthy children
4) My awesome church family
5) Great parents and in-laws that are fun to be with
6) A home to welcome guests too
7) That I have a job I love
8) Friends to share life with
9) The promise of heaven and eternity with Christ Jesus
10) Eggnog :)

Chronicles of Narnia - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Every now and then as a pastor I get invited to an early screening for a movie that in some way promotes Christian values. Hollywood film makers have realized that the Christian market is a large and important demographic and they are learning to tailor certain movies to that audience. The first movie that really demonstrated that was the Passion of the Christ directed by Mel Gibson. So last Thursday my wife and I (absent our children thanks to friends) headed out for a date which included dinner and then a screening of the new Chronicles of Narnia movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Now just in case you were not aware, the Chronicles of Narnia is a book series written by a wonderful Christian theologian, C.S. Lewis. This delightful series is embedded with tons and tons of Biblical theology and Christian symbolism. I have seen both of the previous movies and found them very good and this movie was no exception. Below I've attached one of the more spiritually meaningful scenes. If you get the chance I hope you will support this movie (disclaimer - some scenes are a little too intense (in my opinion) for those under 7 or 8 years of age).

Checking Back In

Well it has been a while since I posted. Life has been busy (although that's not a good excuse).The last few months have been really good at MSC. Just this last Sunday I counted eight new families that were there that have begun attending over the last few months. We have also been working on remodeling the worship center. Attached are a few pictures of some of the finished project. Special thanks to the following people who helped out in a big way: Terri Sudbrook (picked out color schemes), Gary Simas (sent over an employee from his painting company), Jack Latreille, Tim Magee, Andrew del Rosario, the band, Cecil Wroten and Carrie Pitta. And a special, special thanks to Howard Harter and Lee Pitta for answering the last minute call for help from the pastor.

Veteran's Day

I have always been especially thankful for those who serve in our armed forces. So for all the men and women that wear or have worn the uniform, my sincere thanks for your service. As always I am truly proud to be an American!