It’s Good to be Home

Dear First Family,
 
After many months away, I returned to work this past Monday with a profound sense of gratitude. You blessed me and my family with the tremendous gift of a Sabbatical this summer. I was able to spend almost the entirety of the time with the three most important people in my life – my wife Stephanie and our two children, Anna and Jack. 
 
It was so good to be home with them and I am looking forward to being home with you. I will be sharing a bit more in worship this weekend about what the experience of this extended time of Sabbath has meant for me. 
 
And this weekend is a big one for us as we begin a new season together with our Ministry Kickoff event this Sunday evening at 6 pm. 
 
This will be an opportunity for you to get to know your church beyond the sanctuary and see all the ministry and serving opportunities we will be offering this fall. One of our core values is to be a church that embraces doing ministry in this city that is for this city which means that we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our congregation and community.
 
This Sunday is an opportunity to experience how we are seeking to live into our mission of Making and Maturing Disciples of Jesus Christ who love God, love others and serve the world. 
 
I hope to see you Sunday Night and in preparation for this special time, want to invite you to take a moment and review this map to see what ministries will be available and the activities we will have on campus as well. 
 
With opportunities spread across our campus (don’t worry, it is mostly inside), we want to encourage you to utilize our remote parking lot across Pleasant Ridge Drive where we will have a shuttle available to drop you off on our main campus. 
 
I’ve missed you and look forward to seeing you in worship and at our Fall Ministry Kickoff this weekend. 
 
Grace and Peace, 
 
David