STATE OF THE CHURCH
There were three sisters—ages 92, 94, and 96—who lived together. One night, the 96-year-old drew a bath. She put one foot in, and then paused. “Was I getting in the tub or out?” she yelled. The 94-year-old hollered back, “I don’t know, I’ll come and see.” She started up the stairs but stopped on the first one. She shouted, “Was I going up or coming down?” The 92-year-old was sitting at the kitchen having tea, listening to her sisters with a smirk on her face. She shook her head and said, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful,” and knocked on wood for good measure. Then she yelled, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door!”
Whether it’s brain power, age, or distraction, the ability to remember is a gift that often gets lost until you need it. It’s no coincidence that the word “remember” is stated about 166 times in the Bible. Why is that? Because the God who created us knows how easily we forget what’s most important. We can forget who He is and what He has done in our lives. We can forget the hundreds of promises He has made to us. So, let it be our prayer today, “may we never forget!”
As we intentionally work to never forget God’s Word and promises here at Deer Flat, we also give ourselves to remembering our history as a church family. Where did we come from and what has led to the health and favor that we experience today? Every year we set aside a day to remember, celebrate and dream. We call this day the State of the Church, and that day is this Sunday. Remembering last year’s State of the Church, we left with a dream of taking the church outside the walls of 17703 Beet Rd (church address) and engaging our community in greater ways. Over the past 365 days you, the church, has done just that. The number of community outreach endeavors have been stunning. Here are just a few:
– Continually aided and supported the international students at College of Idaho.
– Weekly serve the Nampa Women’s shelter.
– Volunteered at Lifeline Pregnancy and Stanton Healthcare to serve expectant moms who chose life.
– Helped minister to students and met practical needs through Hope House (ahome2come2.com).
– Promoted and resourced families to join the ministry of adoption and foster care.
– Lavished love and served our military members and their families on Gowen Field.
– Volunteered at remarkable organizations like Love Inc, Meals on Wheels, Genesis Community Health, senior care centers, and many more.
– Over 500 meals prepared and served for the Idaho Special Olympics (done in partnership with MEPMeals.com, owned and operated by one of our own Deer Flat family’s).
When I look over this list and the many more faithful endeavors not listed, I am in awe at God. Thank you, Lord, for using us and thank you for giving us a body who wants to serve this valley. I couldn’t be prouder of the response you all have done to take church to our community. There is no doubt that we will continue to find ways to love and serve the Treasure Valley, but we also stand ready to step into even more. As stated, this Sunday is going to be an amazing day for you and your friends to “remember” where we came from. A day to celebrate what God has been doing through us over the last year, and it will also be a day to hear about what God is doing through us in this next season. I can’t wait to see you this Sunday, but first I need to go see who’s at the door!
Til then, I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Ryan