A New Creation

Greetings Lifers,

So it’s been too long – how are you doing, my Lifer friends? I am groggy from a 5:30 wake up call with my 3 high school kids (they catch a bus at like 6:20 – yikes), but other than that I am pleased to say life is quite satisfying right now. I am still reading through a book called “Grace Walk” by Steve McVey, and I find it quite edifying. Here’s an excerpt of what I read this morning:

“The human spirit is the essence and core of our existence. Before we trusted Christ, we had no meaningful identity because our spirit was dead. But when we trusted in Christ, the Spirit of Christ came into us and we gained an identity grounded in Christ. Peter said we became partakers of the divine nature. Since the Spirit of Christ comes into a person’s spirit at salvation, and because the essence of what we are is determined at the spirit level, one who has trusted Christ becomes a Christian.”

(this is the good part)

“To say that you are a Christian doesn’t simply refer to the particular set of doctrinal beliefs you hold. It doesn’t just refer to the way you live. It points to what you are at the deepest level of your being. At the center of your being is Christ! He has become your very life!”

“The totality of the Christian life is contained in Jesus Christ! The Christian life is not about Christ. It is Christ. It is God’s purpose to bring every Christian to the place where he no longer lives for self, but where Christ is allowed to live His life through us.” (pgs. 70-71, “Grace Walk”)

I know it’s only a couple of sentences, and I recognize that this Steve guy is not writing a part of the Bible or anything, but I hope you are picking up the implications of what he is saying. I find that I too often operate my life outside of my identity in Christ. I settle for “old Mark” when he doesn’t even exist anymore, if I am a new creation in Christ (which I am). I need to be less consumed with trying harder to be good and just learn to accept that I am good because of what Christ has done, is doing, and will do in the future through me. Anyway, great book so far – encourage you to read it.

I wrote for a specific reason – to invite you to get “Out of the Box” with me and the rest of the Lifers on this Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. in our Worship Center. Meet your new Life Group (sign up online if you haven’t yet or come to Out of the Box and find a group there), enjoy some wacky game show-type games (Let’s Make a Deal, anyone?), and then hear some short but important challenges for the year to come as together we seek to get out of some the boxes our fears and flesh put us in as we seek to let Jesus live through us. Then of course there's the ice cream to cap it all off, and what’s better than ice cream? Free ice cream, that’s what.

So if you’ve been hearing us talk about it at our weekend services or if you’re just hearing it now, plan to join us this Sunday night. If you have kids kindergarten age and below, their will be childcare provided. Otherwise, the older kids will have plenty to keep them occupied with the rest of us –  there’s even a game show game dedicated to them and their parents (it’s a “kids say the darnedest things” meets “the newlywed game” thing – awesome).

If you are coming, do let us know if you haven’t already. Email Melanie Langston at mlangston@baylife.org and tell her who is coming with you. If you need childcare, let Tammy Paul know at tpaul@baylife.org. Till this weekend, may God bless you with the knowledge that if you are in Him, you truly are a new creation, and the old you is dead. May we all surrender to Jesus as He lives His life through us.

 Peace.

Mark Saunders

Pastor

At the INFOdesk@baylife.org

• Prayer Night – August 30 | 7 pm in the Student Center
• Ladies Bible Study – August 31| 7 pm in the lobby of the Worship Center
• Ladies Bible Study – September 1 | 9 am in the lobby of the Worship Center
• Worship Choir – September 1 | 7 pm in the Worship Center
• Baptism – September 10 & 11 | Pre-baptism meeting Aug 27 & 28 at the fountain in the courtyard after each service

Reaching our Neighbors, Co-workers, Classmates & Friends

At the INFOdesk@baylife.org

• Life Group Leader Training – August 21 | 6:30 pm in the Worship Center
• Worship Arts Fall Kick-off – August 25 | 7 pm in the Worship Center
• Bay Life Out-of-the-Box – August 28 | 6 pm in the Worship Center
• Prayer Night – August 30 | 7 pm in the Student Center

Greetings Lifers, [Written Aug 11th]

Well, so far, so good – the first week of three services has come and gone and our church seems none the worse for wear (I’ve said that saying before, but I am not entirely sure what it means – felt weird typing it, actually – but I digress....). To all who served so capably and faithfully in making each service run smoothly, I say a heartfelt “thank YOU”. The 10 o’clock service was our most populated (as you might guess), but with our high school group meeting at 11:30 for the first time this week, I am praying for things to even out between the two later offerings. All of you 8:30 people were AWESOME considering the earlier hour – way to go and praise God for coffee (?).

Anyway, just a quick reminder of why we are doing this – there are just over 3,100 people packed in to every square mile in Brandon alone (I didn’t look up the surrounding regions – sorry), a total of 103, 000 souls (according to 2010 census numbers). My best guess is that the 105 churches (source: superpages.com (phone book)) in our area may welcome about 20,000 people to worship (based on a Gallup poll that found that 20% of any American population goes to church each week), and too many of those churches either aren’t preaching the Gospel or stopped caring about the people in their community who are staring down a Godless eternity. 80,000 people spending their weeks, months, years with no face time with Jesus. I know, the numbers are a bit fuzzy, but can we all agree that any number above zero is too many?

That’s why we went to 3 services – to afford us the chance and motivate us toward reaching our neighbors, our coworkers, or classmates and friends for Christ. When you come to one of our services and see some empty chairs, my prayer is that you’ll picture your Names in the Wall sitting in them next to you some day, singing praise to Jesus and being changed by His Word. Can you see them? That’s why we are doing three services – so our friends can know Christ.

So I will see you this weekend – I am looking forward to our dialogue on what it means to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith”. Hope to see you – have a blessed weekend!

Peace,

Mark

3 Sunday Services 8:30, 10 & 11:30 am - See you there!

At the INFOdesk@baylife.org

• Bloodmobile – August 7 | 8:30 am – 1 pm in the north parking lot
• Life Group Basic Training – August 7 | 6 pm in Room 603
• Free Blood Pressure Screening – August 14 | after service in the Cry Room
• Life Group Leader Training – August 21 | 6:30 pm in the Worship Center

Greetings Lifers,

It has truly been a while since I last wrote an email to you all – how’s it going? I am getting re-acclimated to my environment after some time away in Africa (awesome) and with my family (different, but equally awesome). I am looking forward to three nights with my bride to myself this weekend – this is our first year to send all of our brood on the same summer camp (high school). Be praying for a great weekend for our students, and in addition, would you pray that God would bring our next youth pastor to us soon? We have had some gifted candidates apply and are now deliberating on who God would have for this important role. Thanks.

It’s a big weekend for us as a church as we move to 3 services Sunday – 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30. Figured out which one you’ll be going to? For the record, I’m going to all three. I know that many of you have already committed to work in the various areas of ministry that will be needed in these services – huge thanks to you for your service. Remember why we are doing this – so that more of the people in our community can come to know and follow our savior Jesus Christ. This happens when we “the found” make ourselves available to the lost, the let down, and those looking for their next church home, befriending them and then inviting them to church. I talked to a Lifer in his 30’s this past week who just a few years ago reunited with a younger brother that hadn’t grown up with him. The two were living in the same town and didn’t know it. They started piecing together their sibling friendship, and as a result, the long lost brother started asking questions about God. This past week I got to meet this brother at our Saturday night service – he had come with his big bro to church. How great is that? Years apart, reconnected, and walking together in their journey with God.

It’s stories like these that leave me wondering how many more people are out there in need of someone who will lead them to Jesus. There has to be tons of folks who are just waiting for an invitation – maybe it’s that family member of yours who’s going through that “thing”, or that coworker you share lunch with, or that classmate you shouldered that semester project with last year. Our heart and hope as a church is to see God change people – I pray that we are all available to do our part.

There’s more to know about this weekend and beyond, so let me turn this email over to those details – pray you have a great weekend, and see you at one of our 4 services!

Free,

Mark Saunders

Pastor

Bay Life Kids:

Preschool and Nursery Families:  You may check in your children at any registration station when you arrive, however, the hallway doors will remain closed until the directors clear the hallways for the next service. For the safety of all of our children, pick up from the previous service must occur before drop-off starts.  Our coordinators will clear the hallways as quickly as possible, but we ask for your patience as we manage the process.  You're welcome to wait in the Student Center lobby until both doors open and drop off can begin for your service.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Elementary Families: Elementary student drop-off  happens in the center of the Family Chapel, the Large Group area. Each row is labeled with a group name and coaches will be available to direct you to the correct area. Pick up your student at their small group tables located on the left (Kindergarten through 2nd grade) and right (3rd & 4th grades) sides of the Family Chapel after service.

Back to School Supplies:

This is the last weekend to drop off backpacks and school supplies for the YMCA Back-to-School Supplies Fundraiser. No time to shop? You can still participate by donating $35 to fill a backpack. If you need school supplies for your children, stop by the INFOdesk  to complete a request for assistance. 

5 Family Members, 3 Continents - Oh My!

At the INFOdesk@baylife.org

• Practical Prayer Training – June 26 | everyone welcome – 1 pm Room 603
• Prayer Night – June 28 | 7 pm in the Children/Student Building
• Kids First Step Class – July 10 & 17 | Register in Children/Student building
• Welcome Lunch – July 17 at 12:30 pm | Register at the INFOdesk, childcare is available with pre-registration
• Baptism – July 23 & 24 | Register at the INFOdesk
• High School & Middle School Camp registration forms are available at the Family Ministry counter.
• We need people with sign language skills. Contact the INFOdesk for further information.  

Greetings Lifers,

From my favorite booth at my second favorite local Mexican restaurant, I greet you - warm salutations to you in this already beyond warm summer. Pray you are all well. I am on the brink of another day off from work (my Saturday is really Friday - I work most weekends). it's a busy month coming up for the Saunders clan - Eleanor and I head to Africa (Village of Hope, Pastor's Training Conference and a wedding of a friend over the course of 12 days) as our 2 youngest head to their Aunt and Uncle's in Illinois and our oldest spends 2 weeks in Costa Rica. 5 family members, 3 continents, oh my.  Be praying for us please as we travel.

This weekend at Bay Life we are uncorking an all too familiar theme - the fact that good things often give way to bad/hard to handle things. "Life was going along fine, and then all of a sudden..."and everybody can fill in their own blank. Why does this stuff happen? What is God doing in the midst of our disappointments? How does God want us to walkthrough the hard things we face? Come and hear the story of the church at Ephesus as they worked through (or rather, God worked on their behalf through) the incredibly difficult circumstances surrounding their formation some 2,000 years ago. We can all be encouraged by we have to learn from them.

Alright then - signing off and shipping out - see you this weekend!

Mark

1200 arms and 1200 legs ...

At the INFOdesk@baylife.org

• Practical Prayer Training – June 26 | everyone welcome – 1pm Room 603
• Prayer Night – June 28 | 7pm in the Children/Student Building
• Kids First Step Class – July 10 & 17 | Register in Children/Student building
• Welcome Lunch – July 17 at 12:30p | Register at the INFOdesk childcare is available with preregistration
• Baptism – July 23 & 24| Sign up at the INFOdesk or email cperkins@baylife.org
• High School & Middle School Camps registration forms are available at the Family Ministry desk.  

Greetings Lifers,

What has 1200 arms and 1200 legs, sounds like a jet plane taking off, has the raw energy of a nuclear power plant, and smells like a barn? If you guessed Kidapalooza here at Bay Life, you’d be correct (okay, they don’t all smell like barn animals – smiley face). If you haven’t been up here any night this week, you’ve been missing out on 580 plus kids and leaders having the time of their lives – games, LOUD singing, teaching time, awesome skits, and of course, the now customary “sliming” of an adult leader. Our Children’s Staff and volunteers are doing an amazing job!

Here’s why I mention it – the gospel will be clearly spelled out for these kids on Friday night. Potentially we could see dozens of young men and women find faith in Jesus for the first time. How many of us can trace our faith origins back to a camp or an outing like Kidapalooza? So here’s the deal – we need to pray for our vision to be realized, that these kids might become Christ followers who eventually make followers who make followers. It is “go” time, church – let’s all spend a moment right now in prayer for the young hearts that God is going to call to Himself this Friday night. Pray against distractions that would keep kids from attending and the fears that would keep them from confessing faith in Christ. The harvest is plentiful – may we see God reap!

Have a great weekend and do make it to one of our services on Saturday or Sunday – remember, we are committed to gathering, growing, giving and going.

Here’s why I mention it – the gospel will be clearly spelled out for these kids on Friday night. Potentially we could see dozens of young men and women find faith in Jesus for the first time. How many of us can trace our faith origins back to a camp or an outing like Kidapalooza? So here’s the deal – we need to pray for our vision to be realized, that these kids might become Christ followers who eventually make followers who make followers. It is “go” time, church – let’s all spend a moment right now in prayer for the young hearts that God is going to call to Himself this Friday night. Pray against distractions that would keep kids from attending and the fears that would keep them from confessing faith in Christ. The harvest is plentiful – may we see God reap!

Have a great weekend and do make it to one of our services on Saturday or Sunday – remember, we are committed to gathering, growing, giving and going.

Blessings!

Mark

Pastor

Bay Life Church

P.S.

Prayed for the kids yet?

The Life Groups/Connections office at Bay Life Church is currently accepting resumes for a full-time Administrative Assistant position. If interested, please submit a resume to jweaver@baylife.org.

Let Jesus Live In Us

At the INFOdesk@baylife.org

• Kidapalooza – June 13-17 | applications available at the INFOdesk or online
• Blood Pressure Screening – June 12 | after services in the Cry Room
• Welcome Lunch – June 12 | Register by June 5
• Chick-Fil-A cards at the INFOdesk | Missions Benefit - last day to purchase is June 5
• Men's Choir for Father's Day – June 19 | Meet on stage following any service on June 11 or 12 to participate

Greetings Lifers,

I know it’s a busy season – graduations, school wrapping up, etc., but I really need all Lifers on deck for this weekend’s services – I have much to say about our direction and future in my time with you on Saturday or Sunday. So please join us.

So I am reading a book (just started actually) that is challenging me to remember who I am in Christ and how I am to live my life with Him. I have taught you all to live like Jesus lived (and lives), but this book is saying that we need to let Jesus live in us, that Christ is in you and He will live the abundant life He has given you through you as you allow. It’s not a “He will help me live the life” thing, but a “He will live the life Himself” thing. I just need to get out of the way.

Like I said, I am just starting, but I like the authors point so far (he co-writes with another guy – their names are Dan Stone and David Gregory and the book is called “The Rest of the Gospel”). He uses 2 Corinthians 4:18 to set up for us the focus of life -

“...as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

He argues that we all too often make the seen/temporary things of life the focus of life (how much money do I have, who loves me, how important am I at work?) rather than living for the unseen/eternal things (how can I honor God with my money, how much does He love me, how important is God to me?). The unseen (eternal) things coexist with the seen (temporal), but since we can’t see them, we tend to neglect them for what we can see.

But this should not be the case with those who have been saved by the grace of God through Christ. We are to live as Paul teaches the Romans in 12:1-2 (The Message)

1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

So here’s my question – is your focus on things you can see, or things you can’t? Are you well adjusted to your culture and unaware of your Savior? May it not be so for any of us. See you this weekend.

Free,

Mark

Mark Saunders

Pastor, Bay Life Church

Perceptions and Realities

Greetings and Salutations Lifers!

Out of the Shoot Shout Out: if you are in town this weekend, join us on Saturday night or Sunday morning for a time of worship and connection. If you are looking for an awesome way to spend your Saturday afternoon, look no further than the Bay Life Car Show from 10-3. Hundreds of cars, tons of food and booths – a great day for bringing your name in the wall to something at church!  (Shout Out concluded – on with our email)

It has been too long since I last typed you all – I pray that your day/week/month has been laced with grace and that you are keenly aware of God’s hand in your life despite your current circumstances (good or ghastly). I am writing this email as a replacement for one that I started yesterday (I had 7 or 8 paragraphs going – I was on a roll) but lost to a power outage/glitch that popped the lights off here at the church for a second or two.  This one may be shorter than the previous, but no less from the heart.

Had a great time with one of my life groups last night – are you in one of these things? Don’t know how somebody does the Christian life without the shoulders of other Christians – I learn so much from leading my groups. Anyway, we got on the subject of perceptions and realities while discussing the train wrecks that our tongues can cause (James 3) and how our words get misinterpreted by other people’s perceptions. We decided that it’s best to choose words wisely. Turns out that this was God’s idea from the beginning.

So we’re riffing on this whole area of perception and it occurs to me that our view of things is a real life-shaper. I was talking to a friend just today who is in a “required relationship” with someone who is not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (read: a real jerk). When I asked him if it was possible to perceive what this guy says or does as anything other than “jerky”, he admitted having a difficult time in granting him grace. Seems that people only go so far when it comes to making up their minds about people – with certain folks, we decide and then that’s it.

I guess the wrath that comes when a marred being judges another marred being is to be expected. It’s kind of like my daughter’s chorale concert the other night. I was in the back of the auditorium out of range of my corrective lenses. From where I stood, most of the girls looked the same, and picking my jewel from the lineup of black dresses was near impossible. I just wasn’t close enough to see. I think that’s what happens far too often in our relationships – our vision of each other is blurred by our perception lenses, and we aren’t about to cut someone some slack.

I am certainly grateful that is not the way of our God. His perception actually is reality and He chooses to love us anyway.  Always. When we were at our worst He offered us Himself. I wish I were better at that.

So I’m running a check on me right now – am I judging someone unfairly? How about you all - are you perceiving someone in a certain light and unwilling to change your mind about them? Oh that God would clarify and grant us grace for those around us. May we be more like Him in our dealings with each other.

Free,

Mark Saunders

Lead Pastor
Bay Life Church