Everyone has a story...

We survived Family Camp! Actually, we more than survived! It was a fantastic weekend! We had a group of 66 at camp and an additional 9 that joined us at the lake on Saturday. We had the opportunity to build new relationships, reconnect with established relationships and get to know each other as a family. We played games at camp and at the lake, we ate together, we laughed together, we worshiped together...it was a great weekend! God was bigger than our last minute cancellation. He took care of our camp and we grew as a community. If you weren't able to join us, I hope you can join us for our Rasar State Park camp at the end of July or our Labor Day camp at the end of August! It is always an enjoyable experience!

One activity we did as a group was that we each had a special fun fact about ourselves that we had listed anonymously. We got that collective list at the beginning of the weekend and our job was to do some detective work and strategically ask people about their facts and try to figure out who belonged to which fact. It was great to see how this activity gave us all a chance to learn things about everyone, even those we are closest to! There were facts about travels, special skills, interesting experiences, funny stories...you name it, we had them on our Fun Fact sheets. At the end of the weekend we knew some fun things about each other, we were able to share stories and understand each other on a new level.

Through this activity I remembered an important detail. We each have our own story. God created us with unique qualifications, skills, abilities, experiences. We each have our individual stories that make us unique, intriguing and amazing! Sometimes we might feel like our stories aren't significant or maybe we feel our stories are shameful and we run from ever being truly understood or sometimes our stories might seem overwhelming to us and those that happen to hear them. We all have feelings about our own stories but the reality is that we have an opportunity to reach and understand people better through our stories. We were created so that we could in turn share our stories and relate to people around us in ways that are unique and powerful. I heard so many stories being shared this weekend and there are hundreds more that are represented in our church. Tell those you come in contact about the impact and difference that GOD has made in your life. What makes you different from the world and how can God change your heart? What is your story? Who have you told lately?

Brent challenged us to reach out to those in our neighborhoods. He encouraged us to throw a BBQ, spend a little extra time chatting while mowing or gardening, bake a plate of cookies and deliver them to a neighbor...find a way to reach out and share life with those around us. This is a tough challenge, what if our neighbors are shy or what if our lives are just too busy to take the time? How do we fit it in? It is a challenge to me as well but I am encouraged to know that I have the opportunity to know God and share his love with those in my life and who am I to decide who it is that God is trying to reach? I just need to be willing to be available and open to what He is trying to accomplish. I am going to do my best to open my eyes, be available to opportunities to reach out to my neighbors and see what God does.

We all have a story to share and I challenge you to share it...

Elizabeth

bombers in the car

So I was at a meeting with a friend today. The weather was nice so I left the sun roof open. Not a bad idea. When the meeting was through we got into the car so I could take him back to his place of work. As I was driving on this little country road outside of Snohomish with a fresh cup of coffee in my hand I was attacked by a bumble bee who apparently was laying in wait for a victim. He was like a World War II bomber. I could hear him but I couldn't see him until he hit me in my right temple. All I can say is the coffee I had just purchased now was on the dash board and windshield as well as on all of the front half of me. I would have been able to pull over if it wasn't for the car behind me tailgaiting and the fact that there was NO place to pull over! I almost went into the ditch but was able to catch myself by some very nimble moves I learned in college football. Tuck and roll took on new meaning. It reminded me of a time I was hiking in northern Idaho and found a really cool cave to camp in. In the middle of the night I had to turn my light on to look for something and found a heard (I don't think that's correct) of bats on the ceiling. They came to life the moment my light went on. Problem was, I was the only thing between them and the opening to the cave. When the light came on they all made a mad dash for the cave opening. The dance moves I made would have impressed John Travolta!

At any rate, after pulling over and getting the bomber out of the car I sat laughing at what life throws at us. We are never free from unscheduled events in our lives. We seem to always find new adventures. Well this week has been one of those weeks. With the Entiat camp ground canceling our family camp, Brent, Elizabeth and I have been working to pull something together. The good news is, WE HAVE A CAMP! We will be meeting at a camp near Leavenworth for our Memorial day camp. There are about 70 of us still going. Though its about half of what we would have had, we will still have a great time together. We will also have a family service at 11:00 on Sunday at the Lynnwood campus. I encourage all who are still in town to come. I will be teaching on the miracle of Peter's release from prison in Acts chapter 12. It was totally the result of the church praying. I will be teaching on that as well. I hope to see you all there on Sunday (unless you are camp). Look out for the bombers!!!!

Great Days Ahead!

Pastor Steve

Rain, Rain, Rain!

Have you ever noticed that when you want rain you don't get it and when you want sun it doesn't seem to stop raining? well, that's the story of our week. We just hydroseeded the 33,000 sq ft field in the back of our property. The cost was substantial and so we attempted to time it so we would have rain in the forecast, to help with the watering process. Every weatherman in town said rain. I have found that being a weatherman is the only position you can be wrong 90% of the time and still get a raise at the end of the year.

So, Brent and I have been water boys this week. I don't know what it is about Lynnwood and weather. It rained in virtually every surrounding town this week. Lynnwood? Not so much! Oh well, we are well on our way to a great field and a bunch of fun on the grass. The youth are already planning several summer activities. In the evening of July 2nd we'll have an outside movie on the grass. Brent is salivating over the possibility of having a field for deerbase. If you don't know what deerbase is I can't explain it in writing. I can barely explain it in person. Needless to say it is high energy and a blast!

On another note we are really excited about our Memorial Day Family Camp. We have 111 people signed up so far, many are new families. It will be a great time to be with old friends and to make new ones. If you are in town that weekend we will have one service at 11:00 am. I'll be coming back to teach that day. I'll be teaching on another great story out of the book of Acts. I hope you will join us.

I just looked outside. IT'S RAINING!!!!!!

Great Days Ahead,

Steve (The water boy)

We all need some Amazing

My wife Julie is so amazing. After we attended the Financial Peace University class that was held at Silver Creek in the the fall, we determined that to reach our financial goals she would need to head back to work. She has now been working at Starbucks, in Mukilteo, for close to four months. She has consistently been getting scheduled for the opening shift, which means she has to be at the store by 4am. Which has her getting out of bed a touch after 3am.

I love Julie, but she is not naturally a morning person. The good news is, she's not actually getting up in the morning, it's still the stinking middle of the night. When I say she's amazing it's not because she is able to get up at this time but her motivation to get up when the alarm clocks blares it's ugly noise. She's committed to the future of our family. She cares about our three kids and sees the benefits for them if we are able to get ourselves completely out of debt. If we get out of debt there's a good chance that we can help each of our kids with college costs, hopefully more than the $150 we currently have saved up for their college education. Getting out of debt will give us the freedom to be more generous with others that we see in financial need. It will also mean that someday we can retire. Ultimately, she goes to work for the betterment of her family.

Julie is often tired in the afternoon and is certainly wiped out by around 8pm, following those early morning shifts. But she is sacrificing in a tremendous way for us, she is truly an incredible example of a loving and caring, wife and mother. In the same way that I started this note, she is amazing.

This got me thinking, we all need amazing people in our lives. We all have so many shortcomings or areas where we could just use some help or a little extra care and attention. The problem is that it's not really practical to hold up a sign requesting someone to be amazing for you. Here's my solution.

Rather than any of us holding interviews for amazing people, what if all of us watched for and took opportunities to be a little bit of amazing in other peoples lives. When we see an area of need or something we could do to make someone's life a little better, let's do it. If all of us would commit to being amazing for those around us, think how incredible our community would be. Both as a community within Silver Creek and the community in which we live.

Thanks Julie for being so amazing and an example for the rest of us to consider being amazing for each other.

Brent

It's May? Really?!

Well, its been about a month now that I have been resisting the fact that, as much as I would like to pretend its warm, it is still WINTER out there! I know the calendar says its May but rainy and 50 degrees doesn't exactly qualify as shorts, flip flops and tank top weather...that being said, I am a true Seattle-lite and if I waited around for the weatherman to tell me what to wear, I would never get out of my fleece and winter boots. SO, I continue to live in denial, wear capris and short sleeved shirts and freeze!! I am looking forward to sunny 70-75 degree days! I don't need HEAT...just warmth! The school year is wrapping up, kids are still engaged in school and projects but are starting to realize that days are getting longer and sun might be in our near future (ever the optimist).

The beginning of summer is always marked by a few key events. The first major marker is our Memorial Day Weekend Family Camp. Our family has had the privilege of celebrating the past 3 Memorial Days in Entiat. Our kids know the routine. We put away school books, pack the car to capacity and head over to Entiat for some warm weather and an amazing weekend of fun with a church family that we love. We spend days at Lake Entiat, evenings are spent back at camp by the campfire, reconnecting with friends and new acquaintances, enjoying Margo's cooking and taking a break from the daily grind. Kids team up for tent sleepovers, parents stay up to the wee hours of the night playing ridiculous games and acting like kids again. Sunday we get to spend time worshiping together at the lake and baptisms are celebrated. Entiat marks the beginning of summer for our family. We know that we will return to one final month at school but for now...on that weekend...we get to spend time doing nothing but enjoying each other's company and spending time with so many that we love.

I hope that you will consider joining us in Entiat over the Memorial Day Weekend. It is a few hours away, the traffic can be crazy, camping can be an experience in and of itself but ultimately, you will look back with fond memories and build relationships that will last a lifetime.

Looking forward to getting away! Hope you can join us! Sign up at the info kiosk this weekend! Cabins are limited but campsites are still available.

See you Sunday!
Elizabeth Volz
Executive Pastor

God Visited Us

I came to church last Sunday morning with a little fear because I knew the lesson I was about to teach was going to be an important one. Not that every other week isn't important, Brent and I work hard to honor your time when we stand before you. But last week I felt God's presence in my own life in an unusual way. As we spoke of what happened the day of Pentecost with the newly formed church I was aware that God might be do something special in our service. He did.

We were able to pray for people to be healed, for relationships to be restored, for people who had lost the fire of their faith to be renewed, and one young man prayed to receive Christ as his personal savior. It is an understatement to say God visited us, but that's exactly what happened.

Many people shared with me experiences in the past where they were healed. Powerful stories. Sometimes, even most times when we pray for physical healing it doesn't happen. I don't know why that is. John Wimber said once that sometimes when he prays for people they are healed other times they are not. The one thing that is clear is when we don't pray for people to be healed they never are. That is a very good thought. So while we don't have all the answer about healing we do know that God wants us to continue to pray for it. So we will.

The staff is in the midst of an ongoing dialogue about this series on the book of Acts and what God is wanting to say specifically to Silver Creek Family Church. I want to ask you to join us in regularly praying for the outpouring of God's Spirit among us when we are together. The staff meets on Tuesday mornings for a time of prayer for our church and our people. As we pray, we ask you to remember the church in your private times of prayer and devotion. Let's dedicate ourselves to be the people God wants us to be.

I often end my emails or notes with a statement like "Expecting Gods' Best!" or "Great Days Ahead!" I have never believed that more than I do today.
Hope you have a great week and, see you in church.

Great Days Ahead!

Pastor Steve

Now What...

For those of you who don’t know me, you may recognize me as the guy who plays bass or guitar or mandolin on most Sunday mornings. In the past few months, I have begun the process of becoming more involved at Silver Creek, in the capacity of an internship. I will be taking on roles as a need arises, but I am really using this opportunity to sort-of test the waters in a long debate I’ve had with myself and, sometimes, God.

One of the first things I can remember wanting to “be when I grow up,” was a children’s pastor. Primarily, this urge came from a fantastic relationship with my children’s pastor throughout my grade school years. I saw a man who loved what he did and was, without a doubt, striving to fulfill God’s desire for his life. And it was infectious to me.

As I grew, I swayed back and forth between a call to ministry, but what I knew for sure was that I wanted to be in the center of God’s will for me. The big trick was figuring out exactly what that was.

I’ve struggled and wrestled and lost sleep over wondering whether or not God wants me to pursue full-time ministry, and if I was to say that I felt one-hundred percent confident that that was the case, I’d be lying to you. But what I can say with great certainty is that the more I pursue this call, the more I am reassured that, at least right now, I am where I am supposed to be.

I tend to be skeptical about miraculous signs. Not because I don’t believe in them, but because I don’t want to be a sucker, seeing things that aren’t there. But a while ago, I think I saw a proverbial “burning-bush.”

I repair computers, usually in people’s homes, for a living. As a result, I drive. I drive a lot. Sometimes a hundred miles in a day. So, needless to say, I have a lot of time by myself in the car. During the past season of Lent, I gave up listening to the radio for a week, and committed to pray in the car. After being distracted time and again, I resolved to try praying out loud. It was weird at first. And I imagine that people next to me on the interstate thought I was a bit crazy, talking out loud with no one else in the car, but after a while, I got comfortable with it. It was strangely liberating. At one point, on a drive to Tacoma, I was asking God to show me his plan for me. I prayed, “God, if I can’t know your will for my future, then I pray you would show me your will for me in my present. Make my next steps clear.” And then I got greedy and asked God for a sign. A sign as to whether I am supposed to go into ministry. When I got to the customer’s house in Tacoma, I began to work on his computer. In the middle of working on it, he came up to me and asked me, out of the blue, “So are you going to become a minister or what?” True story. If that wasn’t the greedily-requested sign I asked for, then I don’t know what else would qualify.

So here I am, seeking God’s will for me, and for Ashley, on a day to day basis. And, just like we’re talking about on Sunday mornings, asking God “Now What?” at each juncture I come to. I am confident that He will continue to be faithful to reveal and help me discern each step, if nothing else, one moment at a time; and I am confident that one day, I will look back and see His hand guiding me the whole way.


Travis Gingrich