New and Improved Sermon Site

Hello Folks!

We've signed up for a much more accessible and reliable sermon delivery site. This one doesn't require Internet Explorer, is compatible with Macs, and should be altoghether better.

I'd love to hear your comments about the site. The links have all been updated. Thanks!

http://cithsermons.org

"And a penitent lent to you too!"

Saying "Happy Lent" doesn't exactly feel like the appropriate greeting to welcome in this season in the life of the church. I'm not sure what we should say as we enter into the season of waiting and preparing for the cross and the resurrection.

I saw some packskis for sale yesterday at the grocery store and thought, "Are people more likely to eat a packski than they are to worship on Ash Wednesday?" I know that's a goofy question, but I wonder about the discipline that comes with Lent and whether we in the church have a difficult time really getting into Lent.

I think where we live here in Northern Michigan helps us understand the coming of Easter better than most. I don't know about you, but I find this time of winter is particularly difficult. It feels like it's never going to end, even though we know it will eventually. We have such a hard time seeing the green trees and warm weather that really is just around the corner. If anything, the gloominess of late winter helps us appreciate those springtime feelings that much more.

Take the time to appreciate the change from Advent to Christmas, from Christmas to Ash Wednesday, from Ash Wednesday to Lent, and from Lent to Easter. This to shall pass.

We're Famous!

Hello Friends!

The Traverse City Record Eagle just did a nice article on our Spirituality:unTapped group while covering another similar operation going on in TC. It's a good representation of what we're trying to accomplish with this small group and I'm glad to see the positive coverage. Our very own Don Hoyt offers some feedback and quotes. Check it out at this link:
http://www.record-eagle.com/faith/local_story_038095703.html?keyword=topstory

They're Here!

The picture directories are in! The DIRECTORIES ARE HERE!!!



Come pick yours up this Sunday before or after worship.

Spirituality:unTapped

We're into the fourth week of Spirituality:unTapped at Short's Brewery on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. I couldn't be happier with the results. It's become an open forum for people to explore their faith, ask questions about the world around us, and meet with other people who are still learning about their faith. You can check out the website at:

http://bellaireuntapped.blogspot.com/

Let me know what you think!

Well worth the wait

It's been a while since I've posted, so here's an interesting video to make up for it. Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_dZTrjw9I

Don’t Let Christmas Pass You By

The hardest transition I’ve had these past six months with baby number 2 has been the scheduling. I feel I count all time in terms of how it relates to my children’s sleep habits. How long has Denali been down for a nap? How long do we have until Bryce wakes up again to eat? Why are they waking up SO EARLY this morning?! Literally, our whole week seems punctuated by the sleep patterns of two little ones. I find myself scheduling things based on whether or not they are sleeping, about to sleep, or about to wake up…and my wife and I walk around in a haze.

That’s the best comparison I can offer about Advent and the Christmas season. I find myself planning my life around how many days we are from Christmas, what we will do on Christmas, and what happens immediately following Christmas. The season feels extremely rushed and moving at such a rapid pace toward something that we just don’t have time to slow down and live in the moment. I inwardly laugh each time I hear someone make the same cliché statement: “Can you believe it’s (insert date) already? Why, the time is just flying! Christmas is only (insert number) days away!”

I think it is a cultural and societal tragedy that we do not seem to live in the moment. We are always moving to the next date, the next activity, the next game, the next holiday, the next job, the next everything. Rarely do we sit in the moment and really appreciate what is happening around us at that very time. We spend so much time each year gearing up for Christmas without really stopping to appreciate what the season means while it is happening. It’s like the couple who plan their wedding for months and months, only to see the day go by so quickly as they forget to really experience what is going on around them during the blessed day.

Please take the time this Christmas or Christmas Eve to stop and join with a community to remember what we are building up toward this time of year. Worship with your friends and family together and in the moment. Church in the Hills is again offering a late night service at 11:00 pm on Christmas Eve that we’d love for you to attend. In any event, we hope you go somewhere this time of year to stop, give thanks, and be united with the community around you in faith, hope, and love. Live in the moment and experience Christmas anew.