Dear Friends,

Times are changing, times are changing, drastically. I don’t think anyone is surprised by this statement. But it is amazing how far we have come. I was remembering when I was a teenager, growing up in Southern California. During the hot August days I wasn’t even thinking about the start of a new school year - school wouldn’t start until after Labor Day. Instead, I would head down to either Newport or Huntington Beach, put on my baby oil, with a little added iodine, to bronze my sculpted body, and from time-to-time, go out and body surf. But not now, during these hot August days our kids, teachers and administrators have returned to the school campuses to begin a new year. It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t have the addition of the many challenges and crises that our nation and world are facing - an economic roller coaster, an international growing conflict, a political arena unlike any we have seen before, and add to that, the terrorist plot for Taylor Swift concerts in Austria. No wonder there is a growing sense of anxiety and depression among our young people, and an even greater challenge for our teachers and administrators to provide a safe and normal environment on our campuses. That’s why this Sunday is so important - it is our annual Educators’ Sunday, when we will dedicate all those who have a roll in the lives of our kids.

The church is one place we go where we are united around the goal of loving God, loving others and living a life of sacrifice and generosity, and living our life on purpose. Join me this Sunday morning, as we lift up our students and educators in prayer. Wait a minute, don’t wait until Sunday to pray. Pray for them every time you drive past one of our many schools. And if you know an educator, invite them to come to our service - we have a special gift for each of them.

I’ll see you Sunday,

Pastor Mark

P.S. I’m thinking of grabbing my towel and baby oil and heading on over to the beach and body surf, why don’t you join me?