Weekly Updates
UPDATE FROM 1/9/2022
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
This past week, I have heard this phrase over and over again, “Everyone seems to know someone who has had, has or is waiting to see if they have, COVID.” What has been your experience in this next stage of the pandemic?
As we have done at each new stage of the pandemic, our Session met last night to discuss what we need to do now with the Omicron variant having an impact on families, businesses and schools.
At our meeting last night, the leadership reaffirmed our present course of action: continue our in-person worship and live streaming with the requisite to wear facial covering for those of us who gather for worship in the sanctuary.
Because of the highly transmissible nature of this new variant, wearing facial coverings is a simple way to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus to those in our congregation who want to worship in person. We are very aware of those who are most vulnerable and the impact this virus could have if they are infected.
The Session recognizes that our congregation is diverse in our views of the efficacy and need for facial coverings at this stage in the pandemic.
Our request is that everyone will continue wear facial coverings in worship through this last stage of the pandemic to show love and care for each other no matter where you land on your preference and opinion on facial coverings.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday or being seen by you online. God has provided for Monte Vista this past year – so many good things.
I am grateful we serve Christ together,
Pastor Tom on behalf of the Monte Vista Session.
UPDATE FROM 11/20/2020
Update on Sunday Morning Worship
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
What a year! As things continue to shift in response to the pandemic and government directives, I am so thankful for this thought from St. John of the Cross
“Well and good if all things change, O Lord God, provided I am rooted in You.”
At Monte Vista, we are committed to staying rooted in God’s love that was demonstrated through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
As you have likely heard, Ventura county has been moved back into the purple tier of the California County Corona Virus risk level. Under the State and County guidelines, this means all churches in Ventura county are unable to hold in person worship inside their buildings. With that shift in mind here is our plan for Sunday morning worship.
PLAN FOR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
- We will continue our Live Stream from inside the sanctuary for those who want to continue to worship at home.
- You are also invited to join us on the steps of the sanctuary to “Worship Together Outside” as we participate via our JumboTron on the church steps. We’ll have ushers and one of our pastors outside for worship while live worship takes place inside. Chairs will be available as we practice all the good physical distancing/mask wearing guidelines.
The Worship Team wants to create a place to gather on Sunday morning while maintaining our quality of the Live Stream for those at home.
Here are the links for this week’s LiveStream:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SltOZ9BGM04
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX2S9-StFB4
If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please write me at tom.stephen@montevistanp.church. Our elders and staff are working hard to live well into this pandemic and the shifting guidance from our Public Health Officials.
I look forward to seeing you on the steps of the sanctuary on Sunday for our “Worship Together Party” or being seen via the Live Stream.
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 11/13/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
How are things today in your world? I would love to hear from you (and know how to pray for you), write me at Tom.stephen@montevistanp.church.
In the meantime, check out this familiar (to some) Proverb that has been rolling around this morning:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6
in all your ways acknowledge to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
Today, God has got your back – or you could say, “God’s got this.” However, and this is a big however, we, too, have our responsibility, and that is to TRUST GOD and to LEAN ON GOD for wisdom and to ACKNOWLEDGE GOD in every part of our lives. I’m in the process of doing that even as I write this email. As you read this, take a moment to do just that, say a prayer of trust, of leaning on God and so doing you are acknowledging God in all things.
I am so looking forward to seeing you on Sunday (if you join us in person) or being seen by you (if you join the live stream). We have a powerful/important passage of scripture from our study in 1 John. If you want to check it out ahead of time, go to 1 John 4:1-6.
Here are the links for our Live Stream:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiEjDent6eY
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aul6V5b127Q
Also, on Sunday, we are having our final (for the year) live discussion on a biblical understanding and response to the racial tensions that exists in our country. I hope you’ll join us either in the sanctuary or online. Bring your questions as we have this important discussion. See flyer below.
In the ACORN yesterday, the country health officials requested that more people get tested for COVID19 at the free testing centers. Here’s a link to the article: https://www.toacorn.com/articles/county-residents-urged-to-get-tested-for-covid-19/. I appreciate all that our local health officials are doing to help us mitigate risk of infection in our county and to help us to keep businesses, schools and churches moving forward in this difficult time.
See you on Sunday.
I hope you have a GREAT Friday.
Tom
UPDATE FROM 10/31/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
As we prepare to share communion tomorrow (Nov. 1st) together in the worship building or at home on Live Stream, I wanted to share this thought from one of my favorite Old Testament scholars - he shares what is so desperately needed in our homes, community and country right now - Shalom. Check this out:
"Shalom is a persistent vision of joy, well-being, harmony, and prosperity, many dimensions and subtle nuances: love, loyalty, grace, salvation, justice, blessing, righteousness. Shalom is the freight of a dream of God that resists all our tendencies to division, hostility, fear, drivenness, and misery." - Walter Brueggemann
No division.
No hostility.
No drivenness.
No misery.
Shalom is God's gift to humanity. This gift is what we gift to others so they too might know peace.
Today, tomorrow, let's just say for the month of November, we'll speak and act in ways that people see God's gift of Shalom in us.
You in?
Tomorrow, as we share communion, that is a doorway to Shalom. It's the doorway God created through Jesus' death on the cross - he was the Prince of Shalom.
We are so looking forward to being with you tomorrow either in person or online.
I hope you have a wonderful Saturday.
Tom
UPDATE FROM 10/30/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
First reminder: we change our clocks on Saturday night – Fall Back so you get an extra hour of sleep. And yes, things will be darker in the late afternoon but at least we’ll have more light for our 6am job :>).
Second reminder: I am so looking forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday or you seeing us on our Live Stream. If you are joining on the Live Stream, here are the link:
8:30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quX6zi1mwWo
10;30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHxWauF5n4Q
Third reminder (or perhaps you are hearing this for the first time). You are invited to join others from churches across our community for a prayer walk this Sunday at 2pm. This walk is to pray for our upcoming elections, our community and our nation. This is not a political walk but a prayer walk. Time to pray for God’s peace and wisdom as we move into next week. People will gather on the far end of the Thousand oaks Mall where the Farmer’s Market normally takes place (see image below).
I hope you’ll check out the other announcements in the attachment – good things are happening at Monte Vista.
I hope you have had an outstanding Friday so far.
Tom
UPDATE FROM 10/9/2020
Good Friday Morning Monte Vista,
As you may have heard on the news, Ventura County has moved into the Red Tier which frees us to move back into the sanctuary for Sunday morning worship while we practice the guidelines from Public Health to mitigate the risk of infection.
Here’s the lead: We will be worshipping in the sanctuary this week while at the same time continuing our Live Stream.
We want everyone to be able to worship freely which means worshipping in a way that reduces the risk of infection from the COVID19 for you and others in your life. Whether you worship at home or join us in the sanctuary, I am so stoked we get to worship together! As you’ll see from the attachment and subject line, my sermon title this week pays tribute to song performed by Eddie Van Halen while at the same time draws us deeply in our text from 1 John. I so look forward to exploring this with you.
For those worshipping on the Live Stream, here are the links for this week:
8:30am Worship; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEGs-utwxQg
10:30am Worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVjKu6FDEME
For those gathering in the sanctuary, here’s what you can expect:
- We will be wearing facial coverings – please bring your own or we’ll have some for you.
- We are also limited to 25% of the capacity of the building so seating will be limited. That means 70 chairs will be available at both services. If we have more than 70, we’ll have overflow seating on campus.
- Our ushers will help with seating: entering and exiting.
- We ask that you only sit with folks that live in the same household or family group.
- As you enter the sanctuary, we’ll have hand sanitizer available in addition you can wash your hands in the sanctuary restrooms.
- We still will not have food or drinks in sanctuary on Sunday mornings and we will be waiting to re-institute any kind of coffee hour.
- We are also waiting to reinstitute Sunday school. No formal children’s ministry on campus yet, but children are more than welcomed to join with you in worship on campus. We have packets for children to use in the sanctuary.
- We will also tend to the county guidelines in regards to singing indoors.
From the beginning of the pandemic, at Monte Vista we have pivoted with the changes in the Public Health guidelines. I am thankful our county has entered into the new zone of being able to worship inside.
And, I have so enjoyed worshipping outside! Speaking of that, can you give a huge round of applause for all those who made outside worship possible and accessible – lots of folks doing a lot of work.
For those who come on Sunday, it will be so good to be together. For those who worship from home, it will be so good for us to be together. Bottom line, it is a joy to worship and serve with you at Monte Vista,
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 10/2/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
As I woke up to the national news this morning with all the trauma of President Trump and his wife Melania being tested positive for COVID19, as I read in the ACORN about two young brothers killed in Westlake by a prominent member of our community who was driving drunk, as I read a text from a homeless friend at 6am who is once again in a very horrible situation, my mind heard these words from Psalm 46….
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” - Psalm 46:1-3
From the beginning of time, God has been both a place of refuge when we are overwhelmed by circumstances and God is our strength who empowers us to bring love and light into situations of despair and darkness.
Monte Vista Family, today is a day to pray and to act.
Will you join me in prayer for our President and all those who are living with COVID19? Will you join me in prayer for the family and friends of the two brothers who were killed in Westlake Village? Will you join me in prayer for those living on the streets in these unprecedented times? Will you take time today to pray for those things that are on your heart and mind knowing that prayer is where we find refuge and strength?
And will you act in love today on behalf of yourself and others.
Each of us have places where we can care and love another person. In your home, via social media, at your workplace (if you are able to be at work), in the grocery store, through an agency that cares for others – will you act today in a way that demonstrates God’s love to someone in your life? Stranger or neighbor. Enemy or friend. Let love shine today.
God can and will use your words and actions, to be a refuge and strength for another.
I look forward to being with you on Sunday. Whether you join us on campus in the courtyard (we remain open for worship) or join us online via Livestream, we will worship together and explore the profound, scandalous and overwhelming love of God. If you are joining us on campus, be sure to bring your facial covering and if you like your favorite beach/camping chair. We can also provide a chair for you.
Here are the links for the live stream:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swcVxWT2KQ
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxMfGI2QI2k
This Sunday, October 4th is World-Wide Communion Sunday. We are bringing communion back this week in a way that mitigates risk for those who choose to participate on campus and invites you to share communion at home if you are watching via the Livestream.
On campus, we’ll have individually packaged communion elements that will be set out by one person wearing gloves. You’ll be invited to pick up the elements after I lead us in the words of consecration. If you are at home, be sure to have bread and juice ready for the moment I invite all of us to partake together.
I would love to hear from you. Please write me at tom.stephen@montevistanp.church to let me know how I can pray for you. Today, will be a day of prayer and study on behalf of you and our community.
Sending love and hope,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 9/25/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
"Just Do The Next Right Thing."
A friend of mine shared this phrase with me years ago. In our conversation, he was talking about how to live in recovery from addiction. That phrase is not just for recovery , in fact, it has helped me in my walk with God. When facing a difficult time, when I am confused on the long term solution to a problem, I just need to just do the next right thing (aligned with God’s guidance).
This Sunday, I am super excited to explore with you, how we can live into our calling to bring peace, love, forgiveness and hope to our families, friends and community. In other words, how to just do the next right thing (according to God’s guidance).
You can join us online at the links below or you can join us on campus in the courtyard. We've been open for in person worship for the summer months and that continues. If you come to campus, you can bring your favorite beach chair in which we’ll practice appropriate physical distancing (we can also provide a chair) and be sure to bring a facial covering. I love our current set up that feels like an open amphitheater on a weekend retreat.
We look forward to being you either in person or on the Live Stream.
Here are the links for the Livestream:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqsr2or79A4
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw9EUWDWSfM
It would be outstanding if you would forward these links to your family and friends who would appreciate being able to worship safely at home. We have folks joining us from across the country and even into Mexico and Brazil. If you have family and friends elsewhere, invite them to our live stream.
Attached you’ll find a variety of announcements, be sure to check them out.
TOMORROW AT 10AM, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY WIDE PRAYER TIME FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND FAMILIES.
Throughout the Conejo Valley, we'll gather at 10am at local schools to pray for teachers and school administrators to have endurance, wisdom and creativity as they do the hard work of making online school outstanding. We'll also pray for families who are living with the challenging role of facilitating online school. If you are in the area, show up and pray at the school of your choice. I'll be at Banyan Elementary at 10am if you want to join us there.
After prayer, you'll be invited to bless a local restaurant by either grabbing lunch or buying a gift card to share with someone who needs it.
I look forward to seeing you this weekend (or being seen on Livestream).
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 9/18/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
I am so excited to introduce to you, Dana Rouse, our new First Service Worship Leader. Be sure to be with us at 8:30am this Sunday to meet Dana. Dana is a super talented musician who teaches voice both privately and at CLU in addition to co-leading the Los Robles Children’s Choir. Her commitment to Christ and to worship are inspiring.
Make every effort to either join us on campus in the quad (bring a facial covering and if you like, your favorite beach chair) or online as we welcome Dana to our Monte Vista Family.
Here are the links if you want to join us online:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X0QMXWq5rg
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNqwkgDDNmw
Zoom Coffee Hour with Digital Gift
If you are joining us online you can still interact with others at Monte Vista at our Zoom Coffee Hour. Go to our website, https://montevistanp.church/ click on the link for the Coffee Hours. Around 9:40m grab your favorite cup of coffee and breakfast treat and enjoy great conversation with others from Monte Vista.
By way of encouragement and humor, the worship committee has created a Free Digital Gift to make you smile and to a favorite memory for many at Monte Vista (although I still shiver at this particular memory :>). But wait there is more, we’ll also invite those who attend the first service to walk by the JumboTron to say “hi” to all those online.
Always Open For Worship – Join us on the quad.
We are worshipping on the grass in front of the sanctuary each Sunday – last week we had a beautiful day. This Sunday, looks like we should have nice weather. We’ll stay physically distant, wear masks and enjoy our time together if you’d like to come down.
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 9/11/2020
Greetings from Tom’s Office,
On my daughter Hope’s 21st birthday (this past Thursday), she and I were talking about God, life and her 21st year. And then she busted out with this theologically sound and pastorally sensitive comment:
"The spiritual journey is like many trust falls with God. And with each fall, the platform gets higher" - Hope Stephen
Throughout history, God has proven Himself to be trustworthy. From walking with us through hard times to creating moments of intense joy, God is faithful AND when we place our trust in Him, God always makes a way. The spiritual journey with Christ is a process of deepening and widening our love for God and others. And that’s what we’ll be doing again this Sunday in worship. I am super to be with as you as we deepen our fellowship with God and with each other.
Guess what?
We’ll do that in two ways this week.
First, fellowship with each other:
This week we’ll have a ZOOM Coffee hour between services. Our lay pastor, Carol Benson, will host this Coffee Hour beginning around 9:40am. Bring your favorite coffee and enjoy time with others from Monte Vista. There will be a day when we are gathering under the sail for coffee and food, but until then, I hope to see you this week on Zoom.
Here's the link and information for our Zoom Coffee Hour
Topic: Coffee Hour Between Services
Time: Sep 13, 2020 09:30-ish to 10:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89223585065?pwd=dlVvY2RWVk04MXd6NHVRcW5uV0RRUT09
Meeting ID: 892 2358 5065
Passcode: 2468642
Ok, Lay Pastor Carol is hosting our Coffee Hour and I am super excited to hear Pastor Matt preach this week from 1 John 2:12-17. Check it out ahead of time to prepare.
Matt will be preaching from the steps of the sanctuary. As we move into Fall, we are moving TOWARDS the sanctuary. Bring your favorite chair (or we can provide one for you). Bring your facial covering (we have those too). Join us for another exciting day of worship.
If you prefer to join us online, here are the links:
8:30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekA_sWtTr9A
10;30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDFCx9PggW8
Lots of other announcements, so be sure to check out the attachment – you’ll be excited to see what will be happening at our First Service next week - super excited.
Hoping you have a wonderful weekend. See you on Sunday (or at least you’ll see me)
Tom
UPDATE FROM 9/4/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Leadership Folks,
Did you know we have a calendar on our website?
Here it is: https://montevistanp.church/calendar
Did you also know that sense we no longer have some in the office daily, that folks can no longer “check the church calendar?”
By way of making changes to better communicate, I would love to see us regularly check and then update the calendar. When someone has a question, hopefully they’ll be able to check the calendar online.
If you can check out the calendar, see what is missing and then send me updates, I’ll pass those along to Jenny Reese (she is presently volunteering to keep our website updated).
Thanks.
Tom
UPDATE FROM 9/3/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
Check out this super important passage from 1 John (that we’ll explore on Sunday);
9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves a sister or brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his sister or brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. – 1 John 2:9-11
In other words, Don’t Be A Hater. If you sense a growing levels of unkindness in our culture, make every effort to be with us this Sunday. Our study this week will offer a HUGE remedy for that.
We will continue in our sermon series in 1 John and we’ll explore another power “three word” phrase that can carry us from day to day. Last week, we had, “Let God Lead.” A few weeks ago we had “God’s got this.” Can you guess this week? If so, write me at tom.stephen@montevistanp.church. If you guess correctly, I’ll give a bit of a “shout out” on Sunday morning.
But wait there is more! We are having a CONGREGATIONAL ZOOM MEETING AT 12pm TO ELECT FOLKS TO OUR PRESCHOOL BOARD. Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82812160784
If you are joining us at home for worship, here are the LIVE STREAM links.
8:30am worship link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltd8gSR5zJI
10:30am worship link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nSYcU2yL4I
If you are joining us on campus, dress for the hot weather, bring water and a facial covering – we are going to enjoy another great day on our campus.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend – see you on Sunday (or at least you’ll see me),
Tom
UPDATE FROM 8/28/2020
Greetings Monte Vista Family.
Way too many things to think about lately. Well, at least that is how it feels to me and so many other people who talk with me during the week. I’ll make this quick and easy with information for Sunday.
1) Worship on Sunday – join us on the patio (with facial coverings) or online – Super excited to preach on the “one problem we all have that lies at the root of every other problem we face” and the good news on how God has addressed that “one problem”.
Here are the links for worship:
8:30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71OyQBr9ASA
10:30am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbkNfpD6ZHs
For those of you who are adjusting to school with your kids, know that we are holding you in prayer. It’s been a crazy week figuring things out. We’ll have a special song and activity for your kids this week in worship as a way to give them a little fun on Sunday morning.
2) An On Line Discussion on Race – make every effort to join this on Sunday at 5pm.
As we experience an outbreak of violence and outrage in Kenosha, as the NBA and other sports teams shut down activity, it is vital to have the tough discussions that will make healing and justice possible towards the racial tension in our country. JOIN US for this second event on racial healing, Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM. Livestream: MPCLIFE.org. The speakers will be live at Moorpark Presbyterian.
Click on this link at 5:00pm to join the conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT2ndQEvgr4&feature=youtu.be
Ok, that’s it. Except that you are in my prayers
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 8/20/2020
Good morning Monte Vista,
This will be a quick email. With school starting this week, many of us have been inundated with emails.
Here are the links for our Live Stream for Sunday morning worship:
8:30am. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXRSApLeHTg
10;30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTLe33pg80c
We would also love to have you join us on campus for worship under the sail. Be sure to dress for the heat, bring your facial covering and a favorite beach chair. Attached you’ll find a variety of announcements of things that are happening at Monte Vista – plus lyrics for the songs we’ll sing this week at both services. As you look at the attachment, be sure to find the words, “Did you know?” I suspect you might be surprised at what you find out.
Also, note the flyer at the bottom of this email – we are having our second Open Conversation About Race. I am honored to be a part of this important discussion that can lead to some super positive actions.
Would love to pray for you – write me at tom.stephen@montevistanp.church
Tom
UPDATE FROM 8/14/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
I hope you are surviving the heat and humidity. If you are worried about anything today, here’s a verse of scripture that might help:
"Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised!"
- Psalm 113:2-3
Worry or Worship? Today we have a choice.
How about if we take the next 8 hours to give God praise every time we start to worry? Not to ignore the problem but rather to focus on the One who has the answers. What do you think? Want to join me in a day in which we allow those moments of worry be a time when we spend saying a short prayer of thanks or praise?
I so look forward to seeing you on Sunday (or at least you seeing me). You can join us on campus to worship under the sail (be sure to bring a facial covering and favorite beach chair) or on our Live Stream. Here are the links to the Live Stream
8:30am. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSZoGNKrMPI
10:30am. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1g-eyATvPU
Attached you’ll find some important news about things happening at Monte Vista in addition to lyrics to the songs we’ll be singing on Sunday. Be sure to make a copy of the lyrics for your worship experience this week.
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 8/9/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
“God’s got this.”
I have been dwelling on this phrase this week. Another way to say it would be, “ I trust in the providence of God knowing that all things work together for the good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose.”
“God’s got this.”
My hope is that we will continue to deepen our walk with God and love for others as we discover how God is bringing light into the darkness of uncertainty surrounding the COVID19 Coronavirus Pandemic and everything that is happening in our country right now. And how God is bringing his wisdom and comfort personally to you.
“God’s got this.”
This Sunday, August 9th, we’ll have our third and final installment of a three part sermon series called, “Faith-Filled Resiliency.” On Sunday, we’ll have two guiding verses: 2 Kings 6:17 and Philippians 4:8-9. You’ll learn very practical ways to have hope and help in times of difficulty.
If you are joining us online, here are the links:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4aFTwrM8-4
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3m27QCiqGY
We are also worshipping in person on the patio as our church remains open to those who want to be on campus and outside. When you come, bring your favorite beach chair, dress for the heat and bring a facial covering. You’ll have a wonderful time in worship.
Attached you’ll also find lyrics to our worship songs this week so you can sing loudly at home.
I am so looking forward to Sunday.
Take care and God bless,
Tom
p.s. Our FM Radio Transmitter is in need of repair. If you plan to come and be in the parking lot, you’ll still be able to hear, you’ll just need to keep the windows rolled down.
UPDATE FROM 7/31/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
Ready for school? How about a short vocabulary lessons?
re·sil·ience - noun
1. 1. the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
2. 2. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
How is your resilience today?
On Sunday, August 2 (this Sunday), I hope you’ll either join us on campus under the sail or on Livestream as I preach the second sermon of a three part series on Faith-Filled Resilience. Right now, my sense is that so many of us need a bit of encouragement to keep moving forward in the knowledge of God’s presence and power.
This week you’ll hear about two vitally important actions we can take every day to not only survive but to thrive in this season of a pandemic. Come dressed for the heat and bring a chair (plus facial covering) if you are joining us on campus. You can also worship from your car with our radio transmission in the parking lot.
If you prefer to join us on Livestream, here are the links:
8:30am Worship Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF5yi9haLWI
10:30am Worship Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9PBi4dQWqo
Can you share this email with your friends and family? These sermons are designed to be super practical to help everyone to live better in the midst of all the uncertainty. My prayer is that you/your family/your friends will worship with us according to your sense of how to best mitigate the risk of infection. The past two weeks of my vacation, I took advantage of both on campus worship and the livestream.
Two weeks ago (my first Sunday of vacation) it was wonderful to worship via the livestream while Matt preached. I had my coffee and donut while I sat on the couch in my pajamas for the first service. I then took a walk with my son and sat down with some water for the second service (yes, I watched both). It was outstanding.
And then last week, I cannot express how much I appreciated being able to worship at Monte Vista as I sat in the shade while Carol preached a powerful sermon on unity. As she said, “we are all in this together” and it was great to see others and to worship with them on campus. If you know folks who are looking to gather on Sunday mornings, I hope you’ll invite them to join us for our informal worship service under the sail (bring your favorite beach chair and facial covering).
I am so thankful for the leadership at Monte Vista for creating multiple venues for worship so that you can decide how to best mitigate the risk of infection according to our particular situation.
I look forward to being with you on Sunday whether at home or on campus. And thank you for some time away – it was needed and appreciated.
Take care and God bless,
Tom
UPDATE FROM 7/4/2020
Good morning Monte Vista Family,
I wanted to let you know that BOTH our services tomorrow (July 5) will be held outside on the patio (Live streamed as well for those staying at home).
I am calling it, "Dress for the Beach Sunday." With all the beaches closed I thought we could dress casually this week as the weather will be warmer. We will worship outside at both our 8:30am and 10:30am services. We will not be in the sanctuary at 10:30am but outside. So bring a beach chair (or chair of your choice), bring your facial covering and come celebrate worship outside on the patio.
Wait, I need to clarify...dress for the beach as you'd dress if you were going for a nice long walk on the boardwalk with family and friends not as if you were laying out trying to deepen a tan. Whew...that could have been an interesting day.
Here are the links for Livestreaming for all those staying at home:
Here are the links to our Livestream:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU_JRhobrOE
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKK3J7_7WQ
May God's grace and peace cover you on this 4th of July Weekend.
Tom
UPDATE FROM 7/3/2020
Greetings Monte Vista Family!
Ready to celebrate this weekend?
In elementary school when I said the Pledge of Allegiance, I would always say the last phrase loudly, “and liberty and justice for all.” That phrase echoed in my soul. As I grew in my faith, I realized why. That’s exactly what God wants for every human being. Embedded in the history of God’s love is calling that all people might experience freedom and justice.
And check this out: as we celebrate this weekend, we are reminded that same promise is embedded in our country’s founding. And that is something to celebrate.
Even as I write that, I am reminded that we have both powerful examples of people living into that promise and painful demonstrations of those who have strayed from our God-given calling.
We carry in our history the story of heroes of all ethnicities who gave their lives so that others might live in a county with freedom. We also carry the selfish and horrific acts of conquering and enslaving our fellow human beings. As a country we have said, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,,’ and we have allowed other priorities to distract us from this promise of liberty.
As a country, we see a growing divide on how to fulfill our pledge of liberty and justice for all people. How can we help to heal that divide?
Seek God. Pray. Then we act on behalf of justice and mercy.
Seeking God has a way of humbling us to listen more clearly to each other. Faith, prayer and action are the gifts that God gives us so that we can help bring about a better America – in fact, a better world.
I look forward to being with you in worship (either online or in person). We will not only spend time in prayer and worship but we’ll take time to discover a way to create a better community – helping others to find faith. A faith that calls us to prayer and action. A faith that calls us to care for all those longing for freedom and justice.
Here are the links to our Livestream:
8:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU_JRhobrOE
10:30am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKK3J7_7WQ
If you are joining us on campus for worship this week, remember to wear a facial covering and if you are coming to the 8:30am service, bring a chair. If you like, you can also sit in your car at 8:30am for worship in the lower parking lot and listen to the service on your radio.
I hope you have a meaningful 4th of July celebration on Saturday. I look forward to being in worship either in person or online on Sunday.
Take care and God bless,
Tom