Tornado Respone

 Monday afternoon, immediately after devastating tornadoes struck Moore, Okla., a Convoy of Hope assessment team was in the area and their tractor-trailers were being loaded with emergency supplies at COH World Distribution Center in Springfield, Missouri.   

Early Tuesday morning those tractor-trailers and specially-trained, disaster

response team members departed for Moore. This is only the first phase of a full-scale response that will last for many weeks, if not months. In the coming days they will send more food, water and supplies to help families begin rebuilding their lives. 

 Because of the support of friends like you, Convoy of Hope is able to launch a massive response that will touch thousands of families. To learn more about this Christian organization click here.

 As an organization, Convoy of Hope's goal is always to be among the first to arrive during times of disaster and one of the last to leave.

Sunset Chapel shares a great partnership with this outstanding ministry. Here is how you and I can respond to the overwhelming needs in Oklahoma. You can make an online contribution marked Tornado Relief, by clicking here. www.sunsetchapel.com This is a safe and secure way to make a donation. This Sunday May 26th, we will also receive a special offering for these tornado victims.

 Sunset Chapel let me say thank you in advance for your compassionate and generous donations! Your heart and love for those suffering has always been demonstrated in the past and I believe that we will once again rise to the needs of those who have been devastated this week.

God bless you,

Pastor Russ

Are you facing a crisis that appears to be insurmountable?
Is your marriage crumbling?
Are you without a job and struggling financially?
Are you in failing health?
Are you involved in the biggest battle you've ever faced?
Do feel unfulfilled?

No matter what circumstances you are currently facing, God is on your side! It's through His strength and wisdom that you're able to accomplish the dreams that are hidden in your heart, experience genuine peace of mind and repurpose your future! His daily involvement allows your life to be lived in a dramatically different way! By including Him in every facet of your life, you are setting in motion an exciting future!! Make the decision to let God lead your life....today!

Call To Action!

Sunset Chapel celebrated a great Easter weekend! It was great welcoming so many new faces to our church during our Good Friday Service, Glow In The Dark Egg Hunt and Easter Service! Our next BIG DAY is tomorrow. I am asking everyone who calls SC their home church to join me for Sunday Morning Prayer in the sanctuary from 10-10:30 am for greater growth and impact into our city.

"When you get with the right people, in the right place, at the right time, the right things will happen!" (Keith Craft)

Who we pray for on Sunday...will affect them for eternity. Invite that person you know who is struggling with a burden, conflict or issue in their life to join with us for this Sunday morning prayer. You don't want to miss this! I hope to see you in the morning!  

Easter weekend is just days away and the level of excitement is building in my heart! So much has been accomplished already and more behind the scenes action is taking place to insure that you and your guests have an experience you'll never forget! We finished our Easter Stage Design today and it looks absolutely amazing! I can't wait to preach the "The Stone Rolled Away!" message this weekend. I definitely won't be sleeping much as I complete my final preparations.

Do whatever you need to in order to invite AND bring as many people with you as possible! Thousands of people live in Miami-Dade and they are just one invite away from not only attending but potentially having their life changed!

Don't be late for Easter Service this weekend. Fifteen minutes early is right on time!

Forgiveness

This coming weekend we will continue our series "Stones" with our youth pastor Jose Rivera presenting the fourth message entitled "The Stone Not Thrown". Believers at their worst are capable of holding on to grievances. We can be stubborn, unchanging and unforgiving. If two believers cannot resolve their differences, then either both or one is not in fellowship with God. Is there someone that you will not forgive...that you have no desire to forgive even though this person has humbly sought your forgiveness? If so, you need more of Christ. If you are full of Him, you will be like Him...forgiving. It is Christlike to forgive and forgiveness opens your heart and life to receive all of God's blessings. If one is unwilling to forgive then feelings of malice can develop and cause greater hurt and then lead to more destructive sins. Join us this Sunday for a relevant and potentially life changing message!

No other letter that Paul wrote is as Christ-centered as this one. Paul emphasizes that Christ was sufficient for the total Christian life from beginning to end. In our day of massive confusion and distortion many people are without truth. They seek answers to help them navigate through life better only to find out that they have taken unnecessary detours. Join with us on Wednesday's as we journey through this timeless letter that provides much needed guidance and exceptional encouragement!

If you made the decision to follow Christ we invite you to join others in taking the next step in your spiritual journey and be baptized in water during our 10:30 AM service! Please sign up this Sunday in the church foyer or contact the church office to participate 305-271-4094. Each individual will receive a free "Watermark" t-shirt! Be sure to invite your family and friends to come celebrate with you!!

All of our Sunset Chapel men are invited to join us as we travel to Orlando for two power packed days of ministry April 19-20 that will forever change your lives! Register this Sunday or contact the church office 305-271-4094. Cost is $134 and includes registration, hotel and Champions Breakfast!

 To achieve destiny every man needs to experience a God-moment -- an encounter with the living God that changes his life forever. Then he needs to be equipped and trained with the life-skills that enable him to achieve the God-dream inside of him. Most of all, he needs to learn to walk with men who can support him and hold him accountable for his success.

ManTime builds men. These two days will give you the opportunity to powerfully experience God, understand your destiny and get a clearer picture of your role in the marketplace and in your home. You will glean from some of the most successful leaders in the region and learn how to lead in your home, church and workplace. During the ManTime conference, you will fellowship with other men and form life-long friendships.

Start the journey -- join us for ManTime.

The kick off to our new series "Stones" has been well received! Why a message series about stones? It's because they are a symbol of permanence. They stand the test of time. They also speak to us. The stones found in the Bible teach us about sin, grace, forgiveness and hope. They reveal to us some bedrock truths in our quicksand world. These messages will freshen your faith and bring you into new places of courage and spiritual health in the rock-hard places of your life!

March 3- Stones of Remembrance
March 10- Traveling along a Stoney Path
March 17- Stones of Offense
March 24- The Stone not Thrown
March 31- The Stone Rolled Away! (Easter Sunday)

This coming weekend will be packed with opportunities to get connected at Sunset Chapel! We've placed our BBQ order for this Saturdays "Man Time" gathering 12 noon at my house. It's still not too late to get your RSVP into the church office if you would like to attend! 305-271-4094

This Sunday is going to be another great time of worship and becoming built up in our faith!

We are on an unprecedented pace in regards to first-time guests attending our weekend services! Each Sunday I'm meeting more and more new people! Has anyone else noticed that we are beginning to see a stream of UM students popping into our services?? That is ridiculously exciting to me! What we have praying circles around for our church.... is beginning to unfold right before our eyes!! I can't wait to meet your invited guests this weekend!

I will be sharing two HUGE announcements concerning our upcoming Easter Season plans here at Sunset Chapel on Sunday! You will have the opportunity to impact hundreds by your involvement! Momentum is building and we want to position ourselves as a church to reach as many people as possible who are not yet connected to Christ! Let's continue to "Imagine More" as this new year unfolds!!

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.

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!!

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!

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!

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!

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!

 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)

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!