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How often have you heard variations
on the statement, “I do not need church to believe in God. I can be a
good person, and feel close to God, out in nature, by myself, with my
family. I do not need church. (At least, not this Sunday)”? Perhaps
you’ve said it yourself.
I wonder. Worship at its heart
recognizes the presence, the power, the
love of God, and that draws us out of those immediate needs and
situations that tend to preoccupy us. We need to worship, to be part of
the dynamics of this world that are larger than we are. We want to grow
closer to knowing the love of God in Jesus Christ. We yearn to be
connected to what God in the Holy Spirit is doing in this world. That
is important. We do that best with other believers.
I think, on our own, we tend to
what we already know. We focus on what
we need. We stop with what we are sure we can accomplish. The joy of
life is more than that.
In worship together, we are part
of the Body, a living, changing,
working whole. We are connected; we are enlightened by others’ lives
and journeys to do better in our own journeys. We can do more together
than the sum of what we can do or experience or be on our own. That is
the mysterious power of the Holy Spirit. And we experience it best
together.
We want to share that experience in worship with you. Because we feel
we have something pretty great here at Savage Memorial. And because we
believe you will add something valuable and pretty great to the Body of
believers here.
This summer, when the days are
longer and the lights are stronger than
we often can bear, take a look at your life, what blessings you have,
and what is missing. I believe you will want to make time to praise and
thank God for every good and perfect gift. I hope you will say to
yourself, “You know, I want to be closer to God this week, and worship
makes me feel that way.” I know you will find the love of Christ
working in the "real world" here.
Chris Grewe, co-pastor
PARISH NEWS
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Welcome Church
family: for some people, these two words are synonymous.
For
others, the family in which they grew up
included a particular
church, the celebrations and familiar feel of church.
For some, the words conjure up a closed
picture of a clan you have to be born or marry into.
But that is not us. At
Savage Memorial, we are proud to be a church family.
For us, that means people of all generations
are valued and included. That means the
ties of love are continually extended to include new life, new people,
new
experiences. Church family means we eat
together, celebrate together, cry together, and grow together in faith. We
welcome folks of every worldly condition into our church family,
regardless of
race, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or
economic
condition. We are committed to the grace
of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. We
are members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and as such are a
worship-centered, Biblically-ordered, and Spirit-led expression of the
larger
church. Connections to other believers,
congregations, and ministries keep us personally involved with Christ’s
worldwide work. In worship,
fellowship,
and mission, we joyfully give all praise and honor and glory to God. Our
people are connected to the world and our communities.
Thoughtful awareness and genuine engagement
with the workings of the world are valued here. We
come
from
around
the corner, across the country,
and the world over,
and we relish the diversity of a family with broad roots.
Our dedication has long been captured in the
line – To the Glory of God and the Service of our Community. Yes, that’s us. We
invite you to join us as we offer ourselves to God and are prepared for
God’s
service in the world. There is a place
for you at our family table. Shalom
– Susan & Chris Grewe, co-pastors |
Our Church's address:Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church 1740 SE 139th Avenue Portland, OR 97233-2311 |
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