Weekly Update: February 26, 2025
Word from the Pastor:
I pray this weekly newsletter finds you doing well, but now, let’s continue our conversation on Lent’. RECAP: Lent is about repentance—not just feeling sorry, but truly turning around and following a new way.
A friend of mine recently quoted Galatians 5:19-24 to criticize secular culture, echoing a well-known pastor. He read Paul’s list of sins as a reflection on and call to repentance for today’s world. However, this is a misappropriation of scripture. Paul wasn’t writing to condemn or define the world; he was calling the church to live differently.
I responded to my friend by saying, “I’m less concerned about a culture marked by these things and more about a church that isn’t known for turning the other cheek, loving enemies, and living out the Sermon on the Mount.” Paul’s message wasn’t about judging outsiders—it was about holding the church to a higher standard. When people walked away from Jesus, it wasn’t because of the sins Paul listed; it was because truly living out Jesus’ teachings, especially loving enemies, or as the apostles interpreted it, repaying evil with good, is incredibly difficult and requires grace. Assuming the extent of grace is for the empowerment to turn away from the list in Galatians, is what Bonhoeffer would have called, "Cheap Grace."
When the church stops settling for avoiding the sins in Galatians 5:19-24 and instead commits to the radical love and sacrifice Jesus calls us to in the Sermon on the Mount, we will become a community that draws curiosity and interest from the world. Until then, we are just another annoying “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” in the noise-pollution of culture wars.
So what does Lent have to do with this? Lent is a perfect time to repent for focusing on things we were never called to and instead commit to what truly matters—living out Jesus’ teachings, loving enemies, repaying evil with good, and caring for the poor and needy.
If you are like me and my family, you like to use guides, books, or devotionals to guide you through certain seasons in life or the church calendar. Below I have created a short list (with links included) of devotionals, books, and even a movie that I would highly recommend for this season of Lent:
Practicing The Way - this is not a Lent-specific book, but it would be a good Lenten focus
Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter
Pause for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days
Silence - this is not a Lenten book, in fact, this is not about Lent at all, but is a good narrative often recommended by Pastors to read during the season of Lent - there was also a movie made about this
See you on Sunday!
Matthew and Sarah
Cell 512-787-2429 | Email mdh1199@gmail.com
Instagram @liveordinarywell | Facebook Matthew Hansen
Website
Here's a link to our church website. Be sure to check it for more information, podcasts, donation link and more.
https://www.driftwoodcommunitychurch.org
Upcoming Events
Church Clean-Up Days
Thank you to everyone for a great job working on organizing the church last Saturday! There's more work to do and we need anyone who is willing to help. The next clean up day is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on March 8.
Volunteers Needed
Our church needs your support! If God is calling you and you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please complete this form or contact one of the trustees or pastor. Thank you! https://forms.gle/K2AFU9b9fbeoiZyM7
The Board has a working list of volunteer needs relative to the church service and maintenance items at the church. Be on the lookout for this list and be in prayer about how you can help.
If you have a gift of organizing and/or managing, please consider the Hospitality Coordinator volunteer position. This is an organizational role responsible for recruiting and assigning volunteers for the Sunday Social Hour, 5th Sunday luncheon, holiday meals and general business meeting snacks, etc. Duties of the volunteers that you recruit would include set-up, clean-up, and keeping the kitchen stocked with supplies (coffee, sugar, creamer, paper goods, condiments, juice).
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.
Dripping Springs Helping Hands Pantry
Beginning the month of February, the 2nd Sunday of each month is designated for pantry donations. Please place your nonparishable food items in the blue barrel in the Education Building.
Matthew 25 Ministries
Norm encouraged everyone to bring empty plastic medicine bottles as a donation to this ministry. Bring them to Norm at church and he will take care of getting them donated.
Concerns:
David Wallace family
Pat J.
Jeff W.
Dallas G.
Those grieving lost loved ones
Those suffering with illnesses
Those battling cancer
Israel
Praises:
Frank - recovered from flu and Happy Birthday!
Our church volunteers
Our church's beautiful new sign
Families, friends and neighbors!
Beautiful tree work on church grounds
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, Ben Roberts and David Younger.
God's blessings and love to you,
Driftwood Community Church