Getting Ready for Worship, April 3, 2011

I was watching TV the other evening when a new commercial popped up for a web site called “beenverified.com” for identity verification. It was kind of unnerving as three people gave testimony to how helpful it was before meeting their first date, checking on an employee, or doing background search on professionals they were thinking about using. The whole commercial was driven by fear, suspicion and doubt; doubt that people are who they say they are.

Reputations are both important and fragile. A good reputation takes a long time to build and a moment to lose. In the text for Sunday, Jesus asks his disciples about his reputation: Who do people say that I am? (Matthew 16:13). Then Jesus pushed the question deeper when he asked the disciples “Who do you say I am?”

As you prepare for worship this Sunday, ask that question of yourself: who do I say Jesus is? What are the first words that come to my mind when I think about Jesus? How do I describe who Jesus is to others?

Peace,

Don

1. Sunday is sign-up day for Santa Barbara Clean-up on Saturday April 9.

2. A Parenteen Seminar will be held next Saturday (April 9) at Community Covenant Church from 9 a.m. till noon. Register at dlindberg@community-covenant.org for discounted pre-registration ($10).

3. Dr. Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary, will be preaching at MCC on Sunday, April 10 at both services and again in the evening at a special M-4 Soup Supper. Please R.S.V.P Sunday or call the church office.

4. Whale-watching anyone? MCC is thinking about chartering the Condor Express on Sunday, June 26 from 1-5 p.m. as a fun event. We need at least 140 people willing to pay $50 per/person. Email Don donnjohnson@mac.com to indicate your participation or use the connection card in the sanctuary.

5. Budget Update as of March 30, 2011

a. Income Needed YTD: $180,385

b. Income Received (% of YTD needed): $136,186 (72.7%)

c. Expenses YTD (deficit): $151,610 ($20,424)

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