Wednesday Gathering: May 28, 2008

Tonight, we gathered to talk about James 4:13-17 (Warning about Self Confidence) and we read through James 5:1-6 in preparation/warm-up for the next gathering on June 11th.

At the end of the night, we also talked further about the group: how to build relationships so we feel safe enough with one another to challenge each other in following Christ in response to what we learn in Scripture, and possible changes to the format of the group. We each change and so that does lead the group to adapt. People are sharing openly. We’ll see how God guides our group in the days to come and the conversation will continue. Please continue to pray for one another and this process.

We are off next week, June 4th — the first week of the month.

Next Communion Feast is scheduled for Saturday, June 14th, 6:30pm at the Petersons. Details to follow.

Have a good week, everyone. “If the Lord wants us to, we will do this or that.” James 4:15 (NLT) Be a good “mist.” :-) (James 4:14 (NIV)

Think About These Things

This is the information from the signature of house church e-mails. Are these true for our group? How are we doing, then?

We are committed...

• To participate consistently in gatherings and friendship, as we learn to care for one another, grow together through the joys and struggles, and extend grace.
• To dig in God's Word in conversation together and live differently in response; tough questions and honest sharing are welcome, encouraged, and kept confidential.
• To move forward in serving, identifying opportunities for giving, for sharing resources, and for taking action.
• To celebrate the goodness of God in times of shared life in communion, fellowship, and gatherings.

Sharing in God’s story of reconciliation, community, and blessing...
Looking for our story in God’s story
Walking in honesty together on our journey.

*Mobile: able to move quickly, freely or easily in response to needs
*Exegetical: relating to the study and interpretation of Scripture

“Personalities united can contain more of God and sustain the force of his greater presence better than scattered individuals.” Dallas Willard

What's Going on with Milton House

On Wednesday night, May 21, we discussed James 4:1-12 — a big passage about humility, quarrels, friendship with God, and grace.

After we closed in prayer, we began a conversation about the group — who we are, what we want, why we come, and what’s next.

Participation in Wednesday nights has been faltering this spring. It, again, was a small group on Wednesday night. Some of those who were absent had contacted Cindi to let us know they’d be absent. Five were in attendance. Everyone present expressed their thoughts, feelings, and ideas about the group and it was a beneficial conversation, Part II of a discussion three had begun the Wednesday prior.

We need to continue this conversation with all who are still interested in and committed to the group. We will consider everyone’s ideas and come to some conclusions for the time to come. We need to choose a time and place to have this conversation, probably on a weekend. Be in prayer about the direction God has for each of us and together.

We also need to select the next communion feast night and place.

James Dates:

• Wednesday, May 28th: James 4:13-5:6 — Warning about Self-Confidence; Warning to the Rich
• Wednesday, June 4: No gathering
• Wednesday, June 11: James 5:7-20 — Patience & Endurance; the Power of Prayer; & Restore Wandering Believers
• Wednesday, June 18: James Reflection & Application -- how will I live differently in light of the Scripture?

Church News

1. We would like to send big congratulations to two families in our group with their youngest kids graduating from high school in June. Congratulations to Philip & Laura on the graduation of Dora, and to Bob & Rene on the graduation of Zach.
2. Jeff is speaking at WCHS’s Baccalaureate on Sunday, June 1st, 3:00pm. If you’d like to go and support him in this nice opportunity, we’ll see you there! No tickets needed.
3. Tabeth's husband finished his master's degree in school administration! Also, she is having major surgery on June 17th (I think that’s the most recent date I’ve heard). She may need our help in the recovery stage with meals or other support — definitely prayer.
4. Karen’s sister and brother-in-law, niece and nephew will be moving to the San Francisco area, once school is out; this is her only family in the area.
5. 20% of proceeds on Wednesday, June 4th from meals served at Ruby’s will be donated to the short term missions team headed to Estonia this summer. The group is composed of college kids from a local church going to teach English and share Christ. If you are looking for a place to eat that night between 4:00-9:00, and Ruby’s is an option, consider it a great way to eat and contribute.

Be sure your emails are correctly addressed . . .

Tonight's funny story about the email is from Wes Robert's Blog titled ". . . on so little sleep

Wake up . . . Be Alive . . . Stay Curious

The Truest Index of Our Real Situation

Our lifelong nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy, but the truest index of our real situation.

- C.S. Lewis