Weekly Update: October 30, 2024
Word from the Pastor:
I pray this weekly newsletter finds you doing well as we anticipate cooler temperatures. This past Sunday I was outside chatting with Elianna and Sophie about one of their art concepts. It's their concept, so I don't want to give it away, but it reminded me of an awareness game we used to play as a family when our kids were young. Oftentimes it is easy, especially in this climate, to see the negative, and right now that negative ranges all the way from political chaos, cultural takeovers, ever changing landscapes, ecological disasters and more... In other words, it doesn't take much to find what's wrong with this world. I have also noticed something in my short 48 years on this earth, I have never once found it good or productive for the human soul to highlight and concentrate on the negative. Not. Once. Yet, it's our tendency...it might be an old evolutionary protection mechanism - I don't know, I just know we gravitate to what seems to be wrong in our world.
As a family we would play this awareness game, and it began with the question, "from a character and nature perspective, who is Jesus?" Words like "good", "kind", "loving" "faithful", "inspiring" would surface to the top. Then the awareness game began, "Okay, look for Jesus today." We would all go about our day, and come back around the dinner table, ready for a conversation that was initiated by one simple question: "Where did you see Jesus today?" We found Jesus in some pretty interesting places: we found him with some of our homeless friends. We found him on playgrounds. We found him in deep conversations over bottles of wine. We found him on bike rides around the neighborhood. The truth is, we found him everywhere, all we had to do was use a little intentionality, and look. I wonder how much our perspective on life would change if we began our day with the commitment to find Jesus.
I wanted to tell you one more thing, Sarah and I will not be at service on the 3rd, as we will be away celebrating our 25th anniversary, but we WILL be back with you on the 10th as we begin the home stretch in the Sermon on the Mount. In my absence, my new friend, Joey will be there to share with you about Life & Godliness out of 2 Peter!
Matthew
Cell 512-787-2429 | Email mdh1199@gmail.com
Instagram @liveordinarywell | Facebook Matthew Hansen
Upcoming Events
Driftwood Historical Conservation Society Community Dinner: Saturday, November 2, 2024, 6:30 pm
Located at Driftwood Community Center directly behind the church. Bring your favorite covered dish and/or dessert. Participate in this local tradition that’s been around since the 1950s!
Thanksgiving Dinner: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 6:30 pm
Located at Driftwood Community Center directly behind the church. Bring a dish and come meet your neighbors as our congregation shares Thanksgiving dinner with our friends at the Driftwood Historical Conservation Society! The church will provide turkey and ham. Please click on the following link to RSVP with the number of people who will attend in your party and what you will bring so we can make sure we have plenty of ham, turkey, plates, etc. Please also let us know if you can help set up and clean up. This is your opportunity to serve!
Click here: Sign Up For Thanksgiving Dinner
Christmas Jam, Date TBD
The Gospel Band will be hosting a community wide Christmas Jam.
Christmas Tree Mittens
More information coming soon! This is our annual gift donation drive
Trustee Status Updates
Two trustee positions end in December. Susan White will be rotating off, along with Darrell Thomas, who was recently elected to fill the remainder of Jeff Smith’s position which also ends in December. We are taking nominations for these two positions through December 1. You can provide your nomination to any trustee, or write it on a piece of paper and drop it in the offering plate. Elections will be held Sunday, December 8 immediately following the Sunday morning service. Please be praying for God’s guidance as we fill these important positions.
Trustee Nominations and Elections: December 1 and 8, 2024
On December 1, we will be asking our members for nominations for two Trustee positions that will be open in January 2025. Following the nomination process, we will have elections on December 8. Please be praying for God’s guidance as we fill these important positions.
Social Hour: Sundays at 10:00 am
Our social hour is a great way to get to know each other over breakfast tacos! We meet in the Education Building at 10:00 a.m. before the 11:00 a.m. church service.
Volunteer Opportunity
Thanks to Ben Roberts for serving in the lector position! We continue to need volunteers for this position, preferably for monthly commitments at a minimum. Responsibilities on Sunday mornings include welcoming the congregation, announcements, leading the scripture reading and the Nicene Creed. Please be in prayer about this need for our church. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please complete this form or contact a trustee or the pastor.
Dripping Springs Helping Hands Pantry
October donation requests for the pantry are canned meat (Spam, tuna, chicken), boxed cereals & oatmeal (individual packets). We accept any non-perishable food items at any time, as well as diapers and wipes. You can place your donations in the bin in the Education building. The Pantry is very appreciative of our donations.
If you missed last Sunday's service, you missed a great message from our pastor. I took notes, which I find helpful to reflect on through the week. I record them in my journal and/or bible. ~ Barbara G.
Three things Jesus is saying:
(1) What and how we see reality is a reflection of our heart.
(2) What we invest our lives in is less of a reflection on wisdom and more of a reflection of our perception.
(3) What we prioritize is a revelation of where our faith is directed.
Concerns:
Volunteer needs for our church family
Unnamed person for healing
The Hansen family for clarity in finding a Driftwood home
Steve's foot procedure
The Shultz' family
Those affected by the hurricanes in Florida
Great niece injured in bad accident
Those traveling
Pastor Matthew's back injury
Those suffering with illnesses
We need rain!
Those battling cancer
Israel
Praises:
Norman’s 95th birthday!!
Linda’s grandbaby is on the way
Grandson, Tony’s visit
Craig's mom's ankle is healing
Frank's daughter's completion of her PHD dissertation
Baby lambs
Special Music
Craig's dad, Bob, in remission
Our Nation
Gatherings & Neighbors
Family Reunions
Events where we can be "church" to others
We are sorry if we have missed any prayer needs. Please let us know by sending us an email. Your updates to the prayer list are appreciated.
Our trustees are Shelby Eckols, Craig Glanville, Darrell Thomas, Susan White and David Younger.
God's blessings and love to you,
Driftwood Community Church