SUMMIT LAKE COMMUNITY CHURCH

New Website!

2009-05-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Greetings SLCC Family,

We hope you are doing well and enjoying the beautiful spring weather! Well, we have some great news to share with you today. The official Summit Lake Community Church website is finally up! The address is www.summitlakecommunitychurch.org.

Due to the sacrificial service and generous donations of some of our members we've been able to create and publish this beautiful site for our church and for the glory of God. Going forward, this will be our main online resource, so please save it to you "favorites" and begin referring to it on a regular basis for church announcements, sermon downloads, etc.

What about our current blog site? We will maintain the blog for a time for written entries, but eventually we'll be phasing it out and utilizing only our website, which has its own blog feature in addition to everything else we need.

Keep in mind that the website is still a work in progress, so changes and enhancements will continue to be made. If you have any suggestions, church pictures, or other helpful contributions, please feel free to pass them along.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeff

The Blessed Ministry of Motherhood

2009-05-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

Who Is Your Father? - John 8:37-47

2009-05-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Clarifying Thoughts about Yesterday's Sermon

2009-04-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings SLCC Family,

I trust you are rejoicing in the Lord today and enjoying the beautiful foretaste of summer sunshine!

As usual, yesterday’s sermon has been posted below for the sake of those who could not be with us and for those who would like to give it another listen. Having reflected on the message myself, I realized that there was something I said that was slightly controversial and required more clarification than I gave in the sermon, so I’d like to blog a few thoughts to hopefully clear things up. Here goes…

As I was expounding upon the misery and enslavement of a self focus, I mentioned the rising statistics related to “depression” in our culture. I went on to say that many have been prescribed anti-depressant medication in order to cope with such struggles, when in fact the core of the issue is often not chemical, but rather spiritual and related to a self-focus. Realizing that what I said could be construed as an across-the-board prohibition of these types of medications, I quickly added that I do not deny the fact that there is a place for them in certain situations.

As I’ve given this more thought, I’ve realized that even with my qualifying statement, this part of the message still could have come across overly simplistic and somewhat insensitive to those in our flock who are taking these types of medications. Therefore, I wanted to again stress that while I stand by the basic principle I shared yesterday regarding depression and its link to a self-focus, I do realize that depression is a very complex matter and can be related to legitimate biological problems. Consequently, it often requires medical attention in addition to pastoral shepherding.

Regarding the pastoral shepherding side—which is my department—I wanted to invite any of you who would like further clarification to please contact me. I would welcome the opportunity to explain more fully my position and to come alongside to help you with the depression you face in your life. It is a very common problem, and the Lord has a great deal to say about it in His Word. As you know, He is gracious and kind and is glad to enter into all of our struggles in order that we might find strength to overcome them for His glory.

Psalm 103:13-14 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

Serving our King,

Pastor Jeff

The Truth Will Set You Free - John 8:31-36

2009-04-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Our Heavenly Rescuer - John 8:21-30

2009-04-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday Sermon

2009-04-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

Resurrection Sunday

2009-04-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hello SLCC Family,

We are looking forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Savior with you this Sunday! We will be starting the morning with a special Easter breakfast at 9:30 am during our usual Sunday school hour. The worship service will follow at 11:00 am.

We’ll see you there!

Pastor Jeff

If you are bringing a dish for the breakfast, please plan to arrive a few minutes early to help set up.

I Am the Light the World - John 8 12-20 - April 5, 2009

2009-04-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

Drop Your Stones and Celebrate Your Savior - John 8:1-11 - March 29, 2009

2009-03-29T17:19:00.001-07:00

Responding to Jesus - John 7:40-53 - March 22, 2009

2009-03-23T15:27:00.000-07:00

Council Member role and selection criteria

2009-03-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

Dear SLCC Family,

We trust you are all doing well as you rejoice in our great Savior today!

In light of the upcoming council member vote on April 5th, we wanted to take the opportunity to ensure that all voting members of SLCC understand both the criteria for selecting council members and the role of council members once elected. We have received several questions along these lines in the past, and we want to be faithful to answer them as clearly as possible as we head toward the upcoming vote.

Therefore, we have included below the excerpt of the constitution specifically devoted to this office of our church. We have also included a copy of our statement of faith (below the constitution excerpt), so that you might be aware of the particular doctrinal affirmations made by all nominees prior to being considered for the council.

So please take a few moments to read over the following excerpts, and as usual do not hesitate to contact Pastor Jeff, Pastor Don, or any of the current council members (Leonard Hays; Ron Elson; John Stuhlmiller; Scotty Ireland; Ray Drape; Tom Anderson) with any questions.

Gladly serving,
SLCC Council

The following is an excerpt from the Constitution and By-Laws of Summit Lake Community Church:

Section C: Church Council:

1. The Church Council shall consist of a Pastor and 9 elected members. The Church Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of the congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God. The duties of the Church Council shall include the following:

To lead the congregation in stating its mission to do long range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals.

To seek to involve all members of the congregation in worship, learning, witness, service and support.

To oversee and provide for the administration of the congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission.

To maintain supportive relationships with the Pastor(s) and other professional leaders and help them annually to evaluate the fulfillment of their calling.

To be examples individually and corporately of the style of life and ministry expected of all its baptized persons.

To promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill, and as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding.

To arrange for pastoral service during the sickness or absence of the Pastor if he or she is unable to do so.

To approve and supervise the establishment and conduct of all institutions and societies within the congregation, such as: parochial school, Sunday school, youth and adult organizations, singing groups, etc.

To bring the call to the professional leadership of the church to the attention of the congregation, particularly the youth.

2. It shall be the responsibility of the Church Council for maintaining and protecting its property and the management of its business and fiscal affairs. The Church Council shall not, however, have the authority to buy, sell or encumber real property unless specifically authorized to do so by a meeting of the Voter's Assembly. It shall prepare an annual budget for adoption by the congregation, shall supervise the expenditure of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption, and may incur obligations of no more than $1,000.00 in excess of anticipated receipts only after approval by a meeting of the Voter's Assembly. The Church Council shall ascertain that the financial affairs of the congregation are being conducted efficiently, giving particular attention to the prompt payment of all obligations. It shall be responsible for the congregation's investments and its total insurance program. It shall provide for annual review of all accounts of the congregation.

3. The Church Council shall see that the provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws are obeyed and that the resolutions of the congregation are carried out.

4. The Church Council shall be responsible for the employment and supervision of the salaried workers of the congregation.

5. The Church Council shall be responsible for the employment and compensation of the Pastor(s).

6. The Church Council shall normally meet once a month. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor (or the president/vice-president) and shall be called at the request of at least one-half of its members. Notice of each meeting shall be given to all who are entitled to be present.

7. The elected member's place on the Church Council shall be declared vacant if the member: a. Ceases to be a voting member of the congregation, or; b. Is absent from four successive meetings without excuse.

8. The Church Council shall submit a comprehensive report to the congregation at the annual meeting.

9. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of 50% of the members of the Church Council, including the Pastor, except when such person requests or consents to be absent and has been given prior approval to an agenda of routine matters which shall be the only business of the meeting.

10. A Council member must be a voting member who, upon examination by the council, meets the qualification of deacon as set forth in 1 Timothy 3.

The following constitutes the Statement of Faith of Summit Lake Community Church:

We, the congregation of Summit Lake Community Church, in order to establish our spiritual identity as a true church of Jesus Christ before the Lord God Almighty and mankind, submit this statement of faith:

We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God, “profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and for instruction in righteousness” (KJV) and is therefore the final and only source of absolute spiritual authority. II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:21

We believe that the Holy Scriptures are composed of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe in matters concerning the will of God, that the Bible is the final court of arbitration. We believe in one God, the Lord God Almighty Who through Scripture is revealed in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord God Almighty is the creator of heaven and earth. Matt. 28:19; John 1:1-4; 14:13-10, 26; Gen. 1:1, 26-27; I Pet. 1:2

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God, and fully human, yet He is not two, but one Christ. He is God, in that He is eternal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He is man, in that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of a woman, the virgin, Mary. John 1:1-14; Matt. 1:20-23; Luke 1:31-35

We believe that Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried. We believe that God raised Him bodily from the grave on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father. John 14:10-30; 11:25; Acts 4:33; Rom 8:34; Heb. 12:2; Eph 1:20

We believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are in need of salvation. We believe that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ paid mankind’s debt of sin to God. All sin, past, present, and future. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world; “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”. (KJV) Acts 4:12; John 14:6-7; Rom. 3: 23; 6:23; I Jn. 1:9

We believe that mankind is saved by God’s grace “through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works- lest any man should boast.” (KJV) Eph. 2:8-9 We believe that Jesus Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the resurrection of all mankind; the saved into everlasting life, and the unsaved into eternal punishment. We believe and practice two sacraments: water baptism (which is an outward witness of our receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior) and the Lord’s Supper. Jn. 5:29; 3:16; Tit. 2:3-4; Matt. 23:18-20; I Cor. 11:23-30; Titus 2:13-14

We believe that all we hold to be true, teach and do should be done for the glory of God alone. Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:1-15; Eph. 4:11-13

What or who are you drinking from?

2009-03-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Jeff's sermon yesterday was both encouraging and convicting. The sermon is now posted on the SLCC blog ("Going Against the Religious Flow-Part 6"). Please listen to it when you get a chance. After having an afternoon and morning to chew on what was presented, here are two summarizing/challenging points:

1. What is flowing from your life? Yesterday’s sermon was focused on John 7:37-38 where Jesus, in the middle of a huge crowd, declares “if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him!”

We should all, like the crowd who heard Jesus, be shocked at what He said. Not in the sense that we are startled at the fact that Jesus yells something in the middle of a huge ceremonial service. We should be shocked and amazed that Jesus offers exactly what we all are seeking-- Living Water: perfect and eternal sustenance, provision, strength, encouragement, joy, satisfaction, security, hope, spiritual fruitfulness and peace.

Scripture portrays God as “the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 17:13). Jesus offers living water to the Samaritan woman at the well calling it the “gift of God” that will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:10 & 14). And now Jesus proclaims that this same living water will also flow out from the person who believes in Him.

So, let me ask you again, what is flowing from your life? Is it life giving, grace filled, love producing, redemptive Living Water? How about this, would people around you classify the streams pouring from your life as Living Water? You see, it doesn’t count if others don’t see it.

This is exactly why Jesus says, “by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). And just in case you think that this particular passage only refers to the disciples…read I John 3:14, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” (For a crash course on what biblical love is please read I Corinthians 13:1-13 thirteen times)

The non-negotiable atmosphere of our lives and of our church must be filled with the fresh breeze of love that is constantly stirred by the streams of Living Water that rush out of the heart of every redeemed person.

2. What flows from your life is determined by what you are drinking! If your life is not characterized by God’s Loving and Living Water then you must take an honest look at what you are drinking. As Jeff mentioned yesterday, Jesus more than likely made His shocking statement after the priest read Isaiah 12:2-3 which declares, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

The source of the living water of Scripture is obviously God. He is our salvation and therefore He is where we go in order to draw from the wells of salvation. Salvation simply means deliverance from the power and effects of sin and preservation from destruction. Drinking from the well of salvation is therefore constantly remembering what God has done for us in salvation. Instead of pouring out justice and judgment on His rebellious, treacherous creatures, God mercifully pours out Grace and compassion. We are to constantly drink of the grace and mercy of God. This incredible “drink” gets better the more you understand your own sinfulness before the perfect, almighty and Holy God.

It is no mystery then that Isaiah goes on to declare, “Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.” This takes us right back to what should be flowing out of our lives. Scripture repeatedly describes the redeemed child of God as one who joyfully sings praises to God because of His amazing act of merciful kindness.

So, if you recognize that flowing out of your life are streams filled with things other than God’s Loving and Living Water then you MUST take an honest look at what and who you are drinking from. Jesus makes it perfectly clear, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him!”

What is flowing from your life? Are you truly drinking from the well of Salvation, the spring of Living Water?

In Christ's Love,
Pastor Don

Going Against the Religious Flow - Part 6

2009-03-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

Snow Again?!

2009-03-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone! Due to the surprising snow, Sunday School has been cancelled for this morning, March 15th. Hwy 8 and Summit Lake Road are slippery. However, the worship service will continue as scheduled. Use your best judgment before deciding to negotiate the roads. You can look at the intersection of Summit Lake Road and Hwy 8 at the following link (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/cwcam.aspx?cam=1151). If the webcam is still covered with moisture then check this link, http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/cwcam.aspx?cam=8052.

Have a great morning. Remember, you are recipients of God's Grace every minute of the day!

Pastor Don

Going Against the Religious Flow - Part 5

2009-03-08T15:37:00.000-07:00

A Few Reminders for Sunday

2009-03-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

Hello SLCC,

I hope you are doing well and enjoying the beautiful weather God has given to us today! I just wanted to pass along a few reminders for this Sunday:

Daylight Savings. This Sunday, March 8th, officially begins daylight savings time, so please remember to set your clocks forward one hour (spring forward!) when you go to bed Saturday night!

Mini-Service at the Barnhart's. A small group of us will be heading over to Barney and Bernice's house for a mini-service with them after our morning service at the church. You are welcome to join us for the fellowship if you would like...as long as you are healthy. Thanks!

Looking forward to fellowshipping soon,

Pastor Jeff

Going Against the Religious Flow - Part 4

2009-03-01T13:26:00.000-08:00

Going Against the Religious Flow - Part 3

2009-02-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

Going Against the Religious Flow - Part 2

2009-02-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

Going Against the Religious Flow - Part 1

2009-02-08T14:45:00.000-08:00

Love: A Way Beyond Comparison

2009-02-05T15:17:00.000-08:00

True Discipleship vs. False Discipleship

2009-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Important Service Tomorrow

2009-01-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

Hello SLCC Family,

I hope you are all doing well today and looking forward to worshipping together tomorrow! There are a few updates regarding our service that we wanted to share with you. For starters, Pastor Don will be giving a brief talk regarding the nature of our current leadership structure and the future plans for leadership at SLCC. We received some inquisitive feedback following our service last week, so we have realized the need to make some clarifications regarding this important aspect of our church.

As per our constitution, we will also be continuing forward with our vote on the two current council members who are up for a 2nd term (John Stuhlmiller; Ron Elson). However, we have decided to postpone the vote on potential new council members until a later time in order to clarify our leadership structure and selection process.

Please plan to attend and cast your vote tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you all there. Also, please feel free to contact either Don or myself with any questions. Thanks!

For our King,

Pastor Jeff

Taking the Self-Righteous Beyond the Bread - January 25, 2009

2009-01-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Vote For Council Members

2009-01-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hello SLCC,

I hope you all are well today! As your leadership council, we wanted to inform you in advance that in one week from this Sunday (2/1/09) we will be voting on council members to serve from 2009-2011. Two current council members will be up for a second term of service (John Stuhlmiller; Ron Elson), and two new nominees will be voted on concerning initial entrance onto the council (Dave Haller; Terry Elson).

Please plan to join us and cast your vote on Sunday, 2/1/09.

For review, the voting criteria from the consititution are as follows:

"Voting members are communicant believers who have reached the age of 16 years, have regularly participated in the life of the congregation, and have made contributions of record through offerings of money and/or service during the preceding year."

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to approach myself, Pastor Don, or any of the other council members prior to the vote. We welcome your feedback!

Counting it a privilege to serve you at SLCC,

Pastor Jeff for the Council

A Recipe for Revival

2009-01-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

Creation vs. Evolution

2009-01-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

Greetings SLCC Brothers and Sisters,

I trust that you are all rejoicing in our great Creator and Savior today! I wanted to give another quick plug for our Sunday School study of the book of Genesis. We will be finishing the introductory lesson to the book this week and then delving into Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Because this verse is at the heart of the impassioned "Creation vs. Evolution" debate that is raging on today, we're going to consider and discuss the topic together for at least one class...maybe two (yeah, probably two!). My hope is that we might learn to understand our culture (mission field) a bit better and also that we might learn to engage unbelieving evolutionists in a proper, Christ-honoring way.

Please pray that it is a profitable study and please plan to join us!

Blessings,

Pastor Jeff

Introduction to the Church

2009-01-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Services will be conducted on December 28th

2008-12-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I hope you had a wonderful week with family and friends. The snow has been quickly melting away with warmer weather and rain. Thanks to Jimmy Japhet, the church parking lot is now clear of over 20 inches of ice and snow. All services for Sunday, December 28th, will be conducted as normally scheduled. Sunday school starts at 9:30 a.m. and our worship service will start at 11:00 a.m. The JoySong concert has been rescheduled for this Sunday night at 6 p.m.

I hope to see all of you tomorrow as we remember what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Don

P.S. Thank you, Steve Scott, for clearing the church driveway last week!

Christmas Eve Service Cancelled

2008-12-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! We have cancelled the Christmas Eve service due to a number of safety considerations. First, the roads are driveable but still very dangerous. Second, another storm system is on the way possibly bringing more snow. And third, the church parking lot is buried under a foot and a half of snow and ice.

Please check this blogsite later this week for an update regarding Sunday services on December 28th. Have a wonderful week celebrating the birth of our Savior! I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Pastor Don

Snow Storm Update!

2008-12-20T14:23:00.001-08:00

The snow has started to fall already here in Olympia (as of about 12:30 p.m.) The winter storm predicted for tonight is still on track to deliver its goods as promised. Due to safety considerations all services for tomorrow (Sunday, December 21st) have been CANCELLED!

We will continue to monitor the weather this week in order to determine its impact on our Christmas eve candlelight service. As of right now, our candlelight service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Also, the JoySong concert has been tentatively rescheduled for Sunday December 28th. We will publish more information later next week.

Have a wonderful, safe and warm weekend. Remember, God is the One who is in charge of the storehouse of snow and everything He allows to happen is for His glory and our good!

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:10-14

In Christ's Love,
Pastor Don

Snow Storm!

2008-12-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I hope you all are warm and safe this week after God decided to give us some beautiful snow. Just in case you don't know...He apparently isn't done yet. We are currently under another winter storm warning for Saturday (20 December) and Sunday (21 December). And if the weather folks are right, we are possibly going to get a bunch of new snow in a short period of time. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Western Washington. There is a good possibility that we could receive between 6 and 12 inches of new snow on Saturday night followed by ice on Sunday morning. For more information go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/weather/default.aspx

Due to the current dangerous road conditions and the possible incoming snow and ice, we have CANCELLED the JoySong concert for Sunday night. We will continue to monitor the progress of the storm and its impact on our Sunday morning service. Should the leadership of SLCC decide to cancel our service this Sunday we will notify the congregation via blog, email and phone. Please make sure and check this site and your email inbox for an update on Saturday evening.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend remembering how much grace God has poured out upon you through His Son Jesus Christ. And as you see people in need remember to LOVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN LOVED!

Pastor Don

Christmas Open House

2008-12-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings SLCC,

Just wanted to remind you all about the Christmas Open House at the Stuhlmiller’s this Saturday, December 13th, between 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Please plan to stop by with a plate of your favorite Christmas cookies and an appetizer to share.

Please RSVP to Allyson if you plan to attend (Her number is in the church directory).

I look forward to fellowshipping with you there!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Jeff

Taking Seekers Beyond the Bread

2008-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Come Celebrate Jesus as Our Living Bread...

2008-12-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

Hello SLCC!

In light of Don's penetrating sermon last Sunday, I trust you are all thankful this week! Convicting wasn't it?...And at the same time, very encouraging! God truly has been so good to us in Christ. No matter what is going on in your life, if you have Jesus, you have much to be thankful for! If you were not with us and have not yet heard the message, you will want to listen to it via the blog entry below ("Thankfulness - Part 2").

Well, this Sunday we'll be coming together to express our gratitude for the Savior once again. This time the service will be revolving around the theme of Jesus as our living bread. I'll be picking up where I left off and preaching from John 6 where we'll watch as Jesus takes the seekers beyond the ordinary physical bread to the extraordinary spiritual bread--the living bread that is found in Him. Then as we close the service, we will once again remember this blessing by partaking of the bread and the cup of the Lord's Supper. Finally, following the service we will be celebrating our union in Christ by breaking bread together in our monthly potluck meal.

So please come with a grateful heart that is ready to celebrate Jesus as our living bread!

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeff

Thankfulness - Part 2 - November 30, 2008

2008-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

Thankfulness - Part 1 - November 23, 2008

2008-11-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

Opportunity to LOVE

2008-11-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I trust that you all have been growing in Christ over the course of this last week. God has been doing much in our church body to increase our belief and faith in Him. Please continue to pray that God would help each of us to find our joy, peace and hope in Christ as we either experience or observe others experience various trials and suffering. Remember, God’s purpose for our lives is Christ-likeness. Any and all types of suffering in the lives of God’s children are the means by which God changes us so that we can know Him more and knowing Him is eternal life (John 17:3).

There is something else that conforms us into Christ-likeness—LOVE. Jeff and I have a burden for the saints of Summit Lake Community Church. The burden is this: to love as we have been loved. The words of John are very clear:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” I John 4:7-11

The Bible clearly shows us that the world will know we are followers of Christ by observing how much we LOVE. This love is to be obvious through the way we live and act toward believers and unbelievers alike. Just think for a minute how much God has loved you. While you were His enemy deserving of His complete and eternal judgment—He saved you changing you from His enemy and making you one of His blessed children. And now He tells us to love others as He has loved us. Do you love others, including those who are not your friends and family? If so, is it evident? How?

Although it seems insignificant compared to what God has done for us, this next week we would like to love a number of families by providing a gift card that will help them purchase food. Six of the families do not attend our church. They are local families of soldiers who are currently working in support of the global war on terrorism. Please pray that God would use this gift to meet both a temporal and eternal need in the lives of these families. Pray that the Gospel would be displayed both in word and deed.

If you are aware of anyone who is in dire need of help, financial or otherwise, please let myself, Jeff or any of the council members know. We will gladly and thankfully accept donations to help purchase the gift cards mentioned above. You can either mail your contribution or give during the regular Sunday offering (please write “benevolence/gift cards” either on your check or envelope).

In the weeks and months ahead there will be many opportunities to love others. Please ask God to give you a growing love for people who are in need both physically and spiritually. Ask Him to teach you how to develop a lifestyle that is committed loving others. Remember, LOVE IS NOT AN OPTION.

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
I John 3:14-18

See you tomorrow!

Pastor Don

John 6:16-26 - God's Trustworthiness & Man's Selfishness - November 16, 2008

2008-11-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

John 6:1-15 - Making Much from Little - November 9, 2008

2008-11-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 1:1-14 - Our Blessings In Christ - November 2, 2008

2008-11-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

This Sunday's Service

2008-10-31T08:30:00.001-07:00

Greetings SLCC!

I trust that you are all doing well and rejoicing in our great Savior today. I wanted to remind you about the special service we will be having this Sunday.

For starters, we will be deviating from the Gospel of John this week in order to look at a very encouraging passage in Ephesians 1. In light of the unsettling times we're living in right now, with the political and economic situations being what they are, I've decided to share a special message regarding our blessings in Christ. What better way to transcend the natural troubles of this world than to focus on "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:3) that is imparted to us through Christ. Please plan to join with us in our study of the word to be brought nearer to your Savior and further from your worries!

Also, we will be sharing again in the Lord's Supper during the service and our potluck meal after the service. Please plan to join in the fellowship and please bring a dish to share!

We look forward to seeing you there.

God bless!

John 5:31-47 - Jesus' Sonship on Trial (Part 2) - October 26, 2008

2008-10-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

As promised, I’ve included below the practical principles we concluded with in yesterday’s sermon. If you were not able to be with us, please take the time to listen to it so that you will see how we gleaned these principles from the bad example of the religious Jews in the passage. I believe it was a very important message for the life and health of our church.

You have missed Christ in your Bible study if…

1.) You fail to consider how every biblical passage, OT and NT alike, points to Christ and your salvation in Him. (cf. Luke 24:27; 1 Cor 2:2; Col 2:6-17)

2.) You turn biblical teaching into a religious code of conduct whereby you in some way contribute to your righteous standing with God, instead of clinging solely to Christ as your righteousness. (cf. Rom 3:23-34; 9:30-32; 2 Cor 5:21)

3.) You come away from your study weighed down by rules and regulations instead of experiencing a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, your freedom in Christ. (cf. Matt 11:28-30; Gal 5:1)

4.) You come away from your study puffed up by the facts you’ve learned instead of being humbled by your lack of understanding, love, and service of Christ. (cf. 1 Cor 8:1)

5.) You come away from your study with a judgmental attitude, using its teachings to condemn other people in your mind, rather than being humbled by your own sin and need of Christ’s forgiveness, and rather than desiring others to find forgiveness in Him as well. (cf. John 8:1-11; Luke 18:11-14)

Missing Christ in your Bible study reveals that you are reading through the lenses of pride rather than humility. You are guilty of the same approach to Scripture that the self-righteous, religious Jews took. On the other hand, a humble approach to Scripture always centers around the person and work of Jesus Christ!

A theologian by the name of J. Knox Chamblin has wisely said, “The Spirit does not take his pupils beyond the cross, but ever more deeply into it.” This is a true and powerful statement that relates to every aspect of our life, including our study of the Bible. All of its content is intended to drive us deeper in our love and gratitude for Him and His sacrifice. And from there we live out lives of humble obedience, displaying His redemption to the world around us.

If we fail to see this glorious reality, we have followed the example of the self-righteous, religious Jews, and we have missed God’s intent. So, let’s commit to the supremacy of Christ and His cross in every area of our life, including our study of God’s Word!

Have a blessed day delighting in the cross of Christ!

A break in the clouds

2008-10-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all are growing in Christ this week. I am writing you from the beautiful, and fairly cool, state of South Carolina. In case you didn’t know, I am attending a two week Army chaplain course which is equipping me to love others as God has loved us. Your prayers for my family, our soldiers, our church and our community are cherished.

Well, we truly are going through an incredible time of history. If you were to concentrate on the news, hope and happiness would not be words that would probably come to mind. To use a metaphor that all of us in the Pacific Northwest would definitely understand—There doesn’t seem to be any break in the clouds UNTIL or UNLESS you look to God’s Word where real hope and happiness are found.

Every day we have chapel at 8 am. Yesterday, the Scripture reading was from Psalm 27. And the words of David through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were truly amazing and perfect for this gloomy time.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.” Psalm 27:1-3

David was no stranger to what would humanly be construed as hopeless and fearful circumstances. I don’t know about you but I would be scared to death if evildoers were out to “devour my flesh.” As a matter of fact if there were people who were actually striving to kill me I wonder what my attitude toward God would be. Look at David’s attitude…

Instead of pleading or even bargaining with God for the preservation of his life David declares, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” David had NO FEAR due to His focus on the Almighty Creator of the universe. Belief in the ONE who created life by simply speaking a word puts our problems into perspective. The perspective is this: God is in complete control and everything that happens ultimately is for His glory and our good. Therefore our hope and our joy is in Him even if people are seeking to kill us, even if every bank goes bankrupt, and yes—even if an extremely liberal politician is voted in as president. We should be enthralled with God instead of this temporary, depraved, and decaying world.

“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalm 27:4-7

Instead of requesting temporary deliverance from suffering and pain David’s one request was to live in the presence of God. Instead of wallowing in depression and fear he relishes the thought of seeing the beauty of the LORD and meditating in His Word. Therefore He proclaims, “…I will sing praises to the LORD.”

When you look in Scripture there is indeed a break in the clouds. In fact, there really are no clouds at all. The hope and joy that we have in God through Christ transcends every fearful thing that this world produces. Remember, GOD IS IN CONTROL! And as you remember this, let the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension; guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I will be praying for you.

In the service of the King,
Pastor Don

John 5:18-30 - Jesus' Sonship on Trial (Part 1) - October 19, 2008

2008-10-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Family Night This Friday!

2008-10-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Family Night is this Friday at 6:30 pm. Please plan to come and join in the fun!

We will have a time of praise and worship singing in the sanctuary, and then we will head downstairs for food and games. We may even enjoy a bonfire together...weather permitting of course. : )

Feel free to invite a friend, and please remember to bring your favorite board game and a snack to share.

See you then!

John 5:1-17 - Making Jesus' Priorities, Our Priorities - October 12, 2008

2008-10-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

John 4:43-54 - Mercy Evangelism: Taking Sinners from Grief to Relief to Belief - October 5, 2008

2008-10-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

John 4:27-42 - An Advanced Lesson in Evangelism - September 28, 2008

2008-09-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Luke 16:19-31 Sermon - September 21, 2008

2008-09-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

Mt. Rainier Visit

2008-09-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Good morning SLCC!

I mentioned in church last Sunday that we were finally able to visit Mt. Rainier National Park last week and that we had a wonderful, spiritually-refreshing time while we were there. I wanted to share our reflections with you, so please follow the link below if you would like to see some pictures and a description of our trip on our personal blog.

http://www.thejapierces.blogspot.com/

I am praying for you all and I look forward to seeing you next Sunday!

Sermons Available Online

2008-09-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Good morning SLCC,

I trust you are all rejoicing in the Savior today. Well, we've got some big news for you: We're now able to post sermons on the blog! We'll be uploading them this way for the time being until our website is up. So, if you would like to hear them again, or if you weren't able to be with us on a Sunday, you can now listen via the blog! Check out last week's sermon below. See you soon!

True Worship: What it isn't; What it is!

True Worship

2008-09-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings SLCC!

I hope you're all doing well today. I've been reflecting on yesterday's message and by God's grace I'm seeking to be a true worshipper of Him as I go about my business today. I trust the Lord is helping you to do the same!

Here is a snippet of yesterdays sermon in case your spiritual batteries are in need of a little recharge today:

John 4:23-24 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

We hear a lot of talk these days about politicians who want to “shake things up” in Washington, don't we? Well, Jesus came on the scene a few thousand years ago shake things up in a major way in the religious world! When He arrived, He ushered in an era of profound change. Among other things, His teaching revolutionized people’s understanding of the proper way to worship God the Father.

People in Jesus’ day tended to get all caught up in externals, the location of worship and the rituals of worship. And on a large scale religious people are still guilty of this today, aren’t they? They consider their mere attendance and observance of the rituals of their local churches, mosques, and temples as acts of worship.

If we are not careful, we can fall into the same trap of externalism even at our relatively informal, non-ritualistic services at SLCC. We can begin thinking of our worship as merely an external thing, believing that going to church on Sunday, sitting in a pew, singing a few songs, praying a few prayers, and listening to a sermon are somehow by themselves tokens of worship that satisfy God.

Well, while those things can be sincere expressions of worship, they are not by themselves the essence of worship. True worship is not an external thing; it is an internal thing. God is seeking for worshippers who understand this and who worship Him from the heart!

God the Father is spirit. He is not physical. He doesn't have a body, arms, hands, legs or feet. He is not an old man with white hair and a long beard as many artists have sought to portray Him. He is a spiritual being, not a physical being. And what is most important about Him is not what He looks like, but what He is like. Therefore, what is most important for us in our relationship to Him is not to know and admire His outward, physical form—that is not the issue—but rather to know and admire His inward character and attributes—that is the issue! That is preeminent!

Likewise what is most important about us in our relationship to God is not our physicality or the outward things of our lives. It is not about what we wear, or where we go, or how often we go, or the rituals we engage in externally. It is about who we are and what we think on the inside. It is about our heart! The question is, do we worship Him from the depths of our being; do we worship Him in “spirit”?

And also, do we worship Him in “truth.” If what is important about God is His character, what He is like, what pleases Him and what displeases Him, then what is important for His people is that they know what He is like, what pleases Him and what displeases Him, right?

Where do we learn these things? Where do we go for these truths? We learn the truths of God from the Word of God. In Psalm 119:60 we are told, “The sum of Your word is truth.” And, in His prayer to His Father recorded in John 17:17 Jesus proclaimed, “Your word is truth.” So, the Bible is the storehouse of divine truth!

Therefore, it is in our study of His Word that we grow in our understanding of truth and our capacity to worship God in truth. It is in our study of the Word that our eyes are opened to the “wonderful,” awe-inspiring attributes of God (Ps. 119:18). It is in our study of the Word that we are confronted with the glories of God’s nature and character. And it is our understanding of these truths that grounds our worship of God; it is what drives it and fuels it and guards it from error and perversion! So, we must worship God in truth as well as in spirit, with our minds as well as our hearts. That is the kind of worshipper that God desires.

So in light of all this, where is the right place for worship and when is the right time? Everywhere is the right place and all the time is the right time. Worship should be a 24-7 reality for us. It takes place constantly as we reflect on who our God is and all that He has done for us in Christ.

Well, I trust you are renewed in your zeal to worship God in spirit and in truth today and the rest of this week. It's as easy as turning our minds away from self and the distractions of this world and fixing them on biblical truths--the truths that reveal to us the beauties of our God! I look forward to seeing you next week when we meet again to allow our individual worship to flow out into corporate worship at SLCC. See you then!

Greetings!

2008-09-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

I trust that you are all well in the Lord today! This is a very exciting moment as I wade into the waters of the blogosphere for the very first time. Now that we have this resource, I can’t resist the urge to post my afterthoughts from Sunday’s sermon. I think it has always been the preacher’s dream to go back and re-preach the sermon inserting all the things I “shoulda,” “coulda,” “woulda” said. Now, that dream is a reality (Don't worry, I won't re-preach the whole thing!) So, please check out my sermon afterthoughts below. I’ll try to give a brief recap early each week for the benefit of those who weren’t able to be with us on Sunday and for the further meditation of those who were.

Blessings!

"Are You Still Thirsty?"

2008-09-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

Last Sunday we concluded that God has created us as spiritual beings with souls that thirst for spiritual refreshment! That refreshment cannot be found in any created thing in this world. It is not found in any of the pleasures of this life that our flesh longs for apart from Christ. Those waters can never satisfy. You might enjoy the taste going down for a few moments, but the satisfaction is only temporary and in the end you’ll end up just as thirsty as you were before you drank—if not more!

That was certainly the experience of the Samaritan woman. She too had been created by God to enjoy a relationship with Him, but like the rest of us she wrongly aimed her affections toward fleshly pleasures in this world rather than toward spiritual pleasures in Christ. In her case, the fruitless pursuit was through sexual relationships. And, did those experiences satisfy her? No! Having had 5 husbands in the past and working on her 6th revealed that she had still not yet found the contentment and fulfillment she was seeking.

So, Jesus graciously confronted her with the reality that she would never find ultimate refreshment in those fleshly waters. There was only one place it could be found. What she needed was living water! She needed to drink the water of eternal life; she needed to experience the delights of fellowship and harmony with the living God. Those are the spiritual waters of which a person drinks and finds his soul’s thirst forever quenched!

My brothers and sisters, please reflect on this truth today and throughout the week. Remember that nothing in the creation can quench your soul’s thirst for the Creator. All the things we desire in this life apart from and more than Christ are part of a fleeting and fallen world. They are consumable; they are perishable; they are temporary; and they can never satisfy the longings of your soul. They always keep you coming back for more, and you’ll never get enough. In the words of the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah, they are “broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13).

No amount of money, no material things, no experiences, no relationships, not even religion can quench the thirst of your soul. Only Jesus can with His living water! So, please set your heart on Him and long for the water He freely offers you. Cultivate in your heart the same yearning as the psalmist who said,

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

As you seek to be satisfied in Him, and as you drink of His living waters, you will find your heart’s thirst fully quenched and even overflowing with the blessings of eternal life!

Rejoice in the Lord!

2008-09-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I hope all of you have been rejoicing over the course of the last week. Rejoicing over the fact that God has poured out His amazing Grace upon us through Jesus Christ. Remember, Joy is a state of being glad--it is having a happy heart. A happy heart that is the result of understanding that we deserve the eternal wrath of God but instead we are given grace and mercy because of His great love. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes from understanding what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1-7:

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Last week our family had the privilege of experiencing joyful and gracious fun with family and friends in Eastern Washington. Everytime we are able to get out and enjoy God's beautiful creation I am again reminded of God's incredible grace. In Omak Washington we stayed in a little cabin located on 170 acres of land bearing the fruit of thousands of apple and pear trees. Seeing the fruit of God's physical blessing on mere trees pales in comparison to what He has given to us spiritually. As if salvation from His wrath was not enough, God promises to show us the surpassing riches of His grace for the rest of eternity. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

God continues to bless Summit Lake Community Church. On August 24th, the vote to extend Jeff's stay as co-pastor was unanimously approved! God has provided for our church in a miraculous way so that both Jeff and I can minister as co-pastors together. I will be working on a temporary basis with the Washington Army National Guard as a chaplain ministering to soldiers and families of soldiers who have deployed in support of the global war on terrorism. Please pray that we would be stewards of the Grace that God has given us as a church as we look for ways to minister to those in our community who need to experience the love of God through His people. There are hundreds of people in our community alone who are ready to hear the Gospel through both words and deed.

One more friendly reminder: we will be having our annual "work" day at the church this Saturday, September 6th, starting at 9 am. Lunch will be provided and we will work until Leonard Hays gets tired! We will be doing various odd jobs around the church to include weeding, cleaning and tearing up some decking. Childcare will be available for those of you who have very young children. I hope to see you there. Have a great rest of your week.

In the service of the King,
Pastor Don

Recommendation to the Congregation

2008-08-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Saturday. God has blessed us with beautiful weather. The following motion will be presented to the congregation on Sunday, August 24th.

"The Summit Lake Community Church Council recommends that the congregation extend the call of pastor to Jeff Pierce for an indefinite period of time. During this time the Council will oversee the work of both Pastor Don Brewer and Pastor Jeff Pierce, assess the work monthly and advise the congregation periodically. Should this configuration need to be changed, the council will prayerfully recommend appropriate action to the congregation for approval."

Please prayerfully consider how either approval or disapproval of this motion will spiritually impact our church. The leadership of SLCC is striving to be obedient to God's Word. And like the Apostle Paul, "We proclaim Him (Christ), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ." Colossians 1:28

I will post the result of the vote and the proposed roles and responsibilities after the congregational meeting tomorrow afternoon. I will pray that you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory!

Pastor Don

Informational Letter

2008-08-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

The letter below was distributed to the congregation last Sunday (August 17th) in order to provide information regarding how God has been working in our church over the course of the last 19 months. This Sunday (August 24th) we will be voting on extending pastor Jeff beyond the original "interim" time period. We are trusting that God will continue to work through both Jeff and I for His glory and the good of His people. I will be posting the proposed motion very soon. Have a great day!

To the congregation of Summit Lake Community Church,

This letter is to summarize the events that have taken place at Summit Lake Community Church over the course of the last 19 months and to provide information regarding the proposal that will be presented to the congregation on August 24th, 2008. In September 2006 I accepted the offer of Summit Lake Church to become their pastor. This offer was presented by the church after praying, researching and deliberating for over 6 months. The job was accepted with the understanding that deployment overseas was very likely. Due to the needs of Summit Lake Community church and impending deployment overseas The Master’s Seminary agreed to allow me to leave the graduate program prior to completing all of the required courses. An agreement was made to allow me to finish the course work via distance learning.

On January 1st, 2007 I assumed the role as pastor of Summit Lake Community Church. March marked the month in which I was officially notified that I would be activated into full-time service with the military in support of the Global war on terrorism. The leadership of the church worked proactively to prepare for this possibility. Through much prayer, discussion and research the church agreed to offer Jeff Pierce a position as the interim pastor of Summit Lake Church for the duration of my full-time service with the Army. In July 2007, Jeff Pierce assumed the role as interim pastor of Summit Lake Church and I was activated into full-time service by the Army in support of the Global War on terrorism.

I returned in June 2008 from serving as a Chaplain for the Army at Camp Buehring Kuwait. I continued to be employed as a full-time chaplain with the Army through July 29th 2008. My responsibilities as a chaplain continue from July 30th to September 30 in the “post-deployment” phase of activation with the Army. During this time I continue to function as a chaplain while integrating back into my role as pastor of Summit Lake Church. Also during this time, I have been afforded the opportunity to complete the graduate studies that were postponed after accepting the position at Summit Lake Community Church and being activated by the Army. I will complete my required course work no later than September 30th.

God has incredibly blessed His ministry at Summit Lake Community Church through both spiritual and physical growth. God has established a focus on Christ-centered, Bible-based teaching, preaching and counseling. He has also sent over 19 new families representing approximately 68 people. The congregation now consists of about 140 people including children. All of this has happened in the midst of what could be perceived as a time of uncertainty in our church due to the Army deployment and the employment of an interim pastor. God works in amazing ways. Scripture declares, “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

God is indeed in control of His church. It is with that understanding that I acknowledge that God has continued to pour out His grace on us through the teaching, preaching, and shepherding ministry of Jeff Pierce. Through much prayer and discussion I believe that it would be spiritually beneficial to our church to keep Jeff as a pastor at SLCC to work alongside myself toward the spiritual maturity of this flock, the continued proclamation of the Gospel in our community and the building up of the spiritual foundation of our church. Maintaining the current daily operation of our church can be accomplished by one person, but establishing the biblical foundation and implementing additional, essential aspects of ministry is going to require hard, loving labor by many.

We have been prayerfully considering how this can be done due to the current financial situation of our church. Two weeks ago I was offered an unsolicited temporary position as a full-time chaplain with the Washington Army National Guard. This temporary chaplain position is directed at serving soldiers and families of soldiers in the South Sound region who have served in support of the Global War on terrorism providing the opportunity to minister to many who are unsaved and unchurched. The position is based out of Camp Murray which is less than 35 miles from Summit Lake Community Church. Accepting this temporary position would allow both Jeff and I to combine efforts while serving as pastor’s at SLCC. SLCC would have my leadership and participation as Pastor at no salary cost to the Church, other than a few expenses such as a cell phone to maintain contact with SLCC members.

My duties as a temporary chaplain would enable me to minister to both saved and unsaved people who live in our local community, the fruit of which could be the salvation of some and their commitment to our local body. Although my time commitment would be reduced temporarily, my potential employer has assured me that I would be afforded flexibility during the week to continue to serve as pastor of SLCC. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity for our church. Additional information will be distributed via email this week prior to the congregational meeting and vote on 24 August. Please contact me or any council member if you have any questions or would like further clarification.

In the service of the King,

Pastor Don Brewer
(360) 915-6903
Donald.c.brewer@us.army.mil

To God be the Glory!

2008-08-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I trust that you all are living with a joyful understanding that God is pouring out His grace upon you every second of the day. Summit Lake Community Church is finally entering the modern age. Welcome to our church blog. I hope that this is a format in which we are able to communicate what God is doing in our church and proclaim the riches of His glorious mercy through the discussion and proclamation of the Gospel.

Please pray for the leadership of our church as we pursue God's will for His flock at SLCC. Information regarding the congregational meeting and vote will be posted tomorrow and/or Saturday. Please pray that God give us the strength to follow Him. I encourage you to pray that God give you wisdom as you vote allowing you to consider the spiritual well-being of the congregation. Remember, God is in control!

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:28-31