Missed a Party!
I missed a big anniversary. June 9, 2024 was the FIFTH anniversary of worshiping Jesus as a church-planting community in Port Orchard! Sunday afternoon, June 9, 2019, Don was hauling speakers and the Shy Boys and Wendy were planning to sing. Popsicles were brought, blankets spread, and we lifted the name of Jesus in the waterfront park of Port Orchard.
We still prioritize so many of the same things as five years ago – being in the neighborhood, praying, worshiping, feasting.
Summer’s so quickly upon us it seems this year. Schools are just about out. Sun’s out. Can I please entreat you: don’t let summer run away! It’s such a holy season, especially where we live, to gather in ways that other seasons just don’t quite allow in the same way.
Invite the Spirit to prompt you for this summer – is there a way you want to lean into summer? A friendship you want to pick back up? A neighbor who looks like they could use some help? A backyard BBQ you want to put on the calendar? A part of Scripture you want to memorize as you’re walking?
With the whole congregation in mind, I want to raise some invitations into some of the things that were true of us 5 years ago in our very beginnings and are still true!
PRAYING – we have gotten to participate in what God’s doing in some truly memorable ways in prayer – just look at 703! We got to participate in its restoration in prayer! We’ve been gathering in backyards during the summer since 2020 to grow in prayer. Do you want to grow in prayer this summer? Please take a moment to email me and help our summer prayer cohort take shape – What would you say are your longings as it regards prayer? Your challenges? Thank you for taking a moment to share with us!
OUTSIDE, FAMILY-STYLE WORSHIP – in the month of July we’ll be meeting at Cedar Heights outside! We’re excited to lift up the name of Jesus with a different view toward this place that he loves. We’ll have some hands-on, child-like prayer experiences as we are shaped by John 17, Jesus’ significant time of prayer for us! And bonus - we’re able to offer some respite to our set up/tear down teams and the custodial team at Cedar Heights.
FEASTING – July 21 and September 8 – have those in your calendars! The first one in July will be a potluck celebration for the congregation of all that God has done this past year – our annual congregational meeting, Kitsap House style. The latter in September will be an invitation to a feast for all our neighbors to join at 703 Kitsap St, and we’ll be calling for donations to benefit Coffee Oasis.
What a joy this community is! May we know God’s presence with us in the ways we get to lean into prayer, worship, and feasting in our glorious PNW summer sunshine!
Pastor Megan
