As the story goes, mythical no doubt, one of the Rector’s grandkids organized a preschool escape on her second day. The first day must have been reconnaissance. Her siblings seemed not to have followed suit. The preschool has blessed the socks off our family. The preschool can touch us in a lot of different ways. Just its daily presence brings an ambiance of joy to our New Covenant campus. But Chuck Hazama’s testimony is unique and stunning, and will likely bless your socks off, too.

"We’ve checked into the hotel earth overnight on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem. Earth is not our home!” That’s something Brennan Manning often said and over the thirty years of our friendship, it really sunk into me, I’d say, it shaped my soul. Some relationships do that -- change us, shape us.

1+1+1=1 Reducing the doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity primarily to mathematics leads to absurdity. (Reducing anything significant to mathematics almost always does.)

Summer Sunday School begins this weekend, May 31, but we still need one more volunteer. Nancy Plum is managing the entire process and can help teach the PreK class, but we need someone who feels called to lead it. Please prayerfully consider volunteering to teach the PreK children this summer. Contact Nancy Plum at 407-310-0010 if interested.

The Sharing Center opened in 1986 with the goal of helping churches be better stewards of the monies, times and talents that God gave them. All needs are directed to the Sharing Center, which works to eliminate duplication of services while ensuring all needs are addressed. This year they received the Non-Profit Business of the Year from both the Greater Sanford Regional and the Seminole County Regional Chambers of Commerce. The center not only provides support for the church and community, it also provides an excellent opportunity to serve. For more information visit our website or read their Church Handbook 2015. If you feel led by the Spirit, join in.

Dear Friends, First, we carried the remainder of the cord back to its stack in the woods. Then the floor was to be swept, as were the screens. The porch was now ready for the summer furniture to be brought from the garage rafters and basement. As if there were marks on the concrete floor, each piece had its place and was positioned precisely. Last to be put in its place, next to the brick chimney, was the hibachi. Soon we would be grilling again. Summer was officially here.

The last time Barb and I headed out of town on a weekend to simply be attenders, i.e. not having a scripted part in the ceremony, was on a day of two funerals. (I say scripted because attending, being there, is a critical part in all ceremonies.)

“They took in my family and me when no one else would have us. Why would I leave for money and prestige?” So said Mike Pressler, famous for the Duke lacrosse sex scandal of almost a decade ago, when asked why he continues coaching at Bryant University while turning down offers for more than three times his current salary at division one colleges and more prestigious universities.

Last week was a very full one. We entered into the worship service on Easter Sunday having taken a long route through Lent and Palm Sunday to the services of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Lent has (by grace, through fasting) loosed us from the distraction of good things that can delay us on our journey and has dislodged some things (by grace, through repentance) that so often entangle us as we walk. And so, we journey this week with Jesus, retracing the steps of his final days and hours with a clearer mind and sharper focus, waiting to see again, as for the first time, the marvel of His Holy Week.