Thursday, January 24, 2013

ManTime















Attention Guys! Save the date! Join other Sunset Chapel men as we huddle for a great time of fellowship at Pastor Russ DeBord's house on Saturday February 9th at 12 noon. "Man Time" will give us the opportunity to eat some award winning and tasty Shorty's - BBQ Ribs, Cole Slaw and Fries! You will be challenged and inspired to live a transformed life by a very special "mystery guest speaker!" He will also inform us of an opportunity to partner with thousands of other men for a gathering in one venue for what many church leaders are describing as the beginning of a new men's movement in America! Details will be revealed at our upcoming gathering together. Please RSVP your attendance at any weekend service or by contacting the church office at 305-271-4094.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

We experienced another remarkable weekend here at Sunset Chapel not only in ministry, but also in attendance. We have already set an unofficial record in monthly first time guests during a month that didn't include Easter or Christmas and we still have one weekend remaining! During our staff meeting this week we will be discussing ideas and ways to stay connected with all of our first time guests and assist them in becoming part of our Sunset Chapel church family. Keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to become an "unstoppable church" that continues to advance forward for Christ! This year we are taking aggressive measures to live and dream for more in 2013! As a team we are committed to "Imagining More" as we reach out to transform unconvinced people to become followers of Christ!

I am so thankful for what God has accomplished in just the first three weeks of the new year and I'm very excited for what lies ahead! I want to encourage everyone to come back this weekend as we continue "The Circle Maker" series! All of our presenters who have thus far participated in our messages have done an extraordinary job of sharing succinctly some very significant insights on the topic of prayer! As we continue to circle our lives, families, church and community, we are asking God for His blessing, favor, and graciousness! You can sense the energy, enthusiasm and momentum building week after week! Come this weekend with a packed car full of your friends and expect more!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Recently, my wife Shari and I resumed our daily walks around a nearby park in our neighborhood. On one early morning trek we were amazed to watch an older woman scoot around the sidewalk pushing her walker as she zoomed around the half mile track. Every bit of being 80-90 years of age, once we caught up to her I complimented her on her mobility and determination to go all the way around the course without stopping once. She looked at us both with a wry smile and replied, "What I'm thinking young man is censored." Even though what she was thinking may have been vulgar and unbecoming, she chose to wisely refrain from speaking her thoughts out loud. I mentioned to my wife as we continued on our way, "there's a lesson for many to learn." Many people speak without thinking, rashly insulting others, saying hurtful words, and expressing themselves in unnecessary ways.

Luke 6:45 (NLT)
"A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say."

May God cleanse our hearts and purify our minds so that what "slips" out of our mouths is acceptable and God-honoring!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

What an unbelievable start to the New Year here at Sunset Chapel! Our new series "The Circle Maker" has already, in the first few weekends, impacted our church in ways we never dreamed or imagined! The results of our renewed focus on prayer has been amazing! All of us have been deeply challenged to imagine for more in 2013!

We just completed our week long emphasis on prayer and fasting. We offered corporate prayer times in our sanctuary daily in both morning and evening sessions. While our numbers were not as we had anticipated, the turnout wasn't indicative of the impact those prayers have had in our lives, families and church. As a church family a great number of us joined together this past Sunday morning to "Break-The-Fast." We had a wonderful time as we gobbled down lots of pancakes, omelets, and waffles then washed it all down with fresh coffee and orange juice! The energy and fellowship then carried over into our morning worship service where once again God's Presence was tangibly noticeable!!












I cannot overstate the fact that what we are beginning to see at Sunset Chapel is a "God Thing!" We are committed as a leadership team to do what is humanly possible and leave the divine possibilities to God and we are reaping the benefits of having made that decision.

*Already we've seen an unprecedented increase in first-time guests to our church and ministries during the first two weeks of 2013!
*There has been massive improvement in the levels of expectancy, energy, and enthusiasm in our services.
*Rocketing upwards is a renewed sense of clarity, purpose and productivity towards our vision of connecting people with God!
*One thing has become quite clear to all of us is that our vision and goals for the new year are greater than our resources. Dreaming bigger and praying bold audacious prayers will stretch us! But we are committed to putting our faith into action as a leadership team!
*Sunset Chapel has a new shine! Everyone senses that heaven's rays are aimed upon us. We are both grateful and humbled by all that has already been initially accomplished. Our leadership team and host of volunteers are excited for what lies ahead of us as the year progresses!


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Enjoyed an incredible First Sunday of 2013 at Sunset Chapel. Our Communion service time was so humbling and inspiring as I watched everyone come forward and participate. Here are a few photos from this morning!


  This week our church is praying and fasting. After tonight I will go silent for a week as I shut down all my media connections and spend that extra time with God. That means no texting, FBI, Twitter or TV for our house as we intentionally draw closer to God. We have prayer times scheduled at Sunset Chapel 7-8 AM and 7-8:30 PM Monday through Friday. Join us when you can as we pray circles around our families, church and community! We'll break the fast together next Sunday morning 9-10:25 AM with an all church breakfast!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Make your plans to begin 2013 in God's House at our 10:30 AM worship service. Enjoy a special time of praise, worship, Communion and our first message in our new series "The Circle Maker". Join other Sunset Chapel family members as we share life together in the coming year!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

 Let's start the year off strong by setting aside 7 days to pray, fast and connect with God. This is a great way to begin the New Year in a fresh and powerful way. Here's how you can be a part:

PRAY and FAST
~Come to church and learn how you can learn how to pray circles around yourself, your family, our church and our community.
~Plan to fast at least one full day.
~Consider turning off all media (TV, Facebook, Twitter, and yes Pinterest too!)
~Set aside time to get alone with God through prayer and with daily reading God's Word. ( You can go to youversion.com and choose a reading plan)
~Connect with other people by joining us at 7-8 am for early morning prayer before going off to work or plan on attending our evening gatherings 7-8:30 pm Monday through Friday!

BREAK-THE-FAST TOGETHER!
~Come join the Sunset Chapel church family as we "Break-The-Fast together on Sunday January 13th from 9-10:25 am! Delicious Pancakes, Omelets and Waffles will be served! (A donation will be taken to offset our expenses)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

I am very excited about 2013 and the potential opportunities that are ahead of us! As each day unfolds we will be given the opportunity to create something incredible from the many gifts our Lord gives to us. In the coming year He has promised us the tools, skills and resources we will need to realize the plans and purposes He has in mind for us as a church family. The New Year will be filled with numerous ways for our Sunset Chapel church family to experience God, become immersed by His Spirit and be involved in ministry and outreach.

Here is a noteworthy update to consider attending. Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Classes begin at Sunset Chapel with a special Preview Night this Wednesday (Jan. 2) at 7 pm. This 9 week study is a life changing experience that will help you get out of debt and become financially savvy. Contact the church office 305-271-4094 for registration details. (Cost is $93 for book, Cd's and other resources) Childcare will be provided each Wednesday evening!