An update before Spring: finding Faithfulness.


written by Jeff on March 8, 2013

An update was sent out on March 6th, 2013 to friends and supporters of RENEW. Below is an excerpt featuring most of it; see the rest here.

FINDING FAITHFULNESS

our 3rd prayer newsletter

Lots has changed since the New Year. Here’s a quick update on life and happenings with RENEW Church in Oregon City, a bit about our family, and a little something free for you. (Note: it was free on that day.)

We hope 2013 is marked by Faithfulness — God’s and ours. Right now our son is setting up furniture to make a tree where he can hang as a sloth. Guess he gets the the slowness of faithfulness.

BUILDING FAITHFULNESS
There’s a faithful group of a dozen families learning to be “a church in the making,” asking God to renew our hearts and strengthen us for His good work. We’ve moved beyond needing nametags, and are dreaming about the future a bit.

First, off RENEW meets weekly, now at 4:30 PM on Sundays, beginning with worship in the “living room,” followed by dinner together in the “dining room.” We use our imaginations to make the place feel awesome. You are welcome to visit sometime, just drop me a note and I’ll connect you to the details. (For example, we meet in various homes this Sunday, so you might show up to a Civil War re-enactment or something else at the Pioneer Community Center if you just drop in.) Plus, there may soon be a transition in meeting places … more on that in a second.

A few visiting worship leaders have helped us along, and let me know if you can recommend a song leader who is not already “plugged in” with a local church. Godly character and renewal as a way of life are just as vital as musical skills.

GOD BUILDING HIS CHURCH
In 2013 we’ve been venturing through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, discovering God’s ultimate purpose. The messages are now online (RSS, with notes, iTunes), though I hope these audio messages in no way replace your regular rhythm of gathering in worship, in true community, as you’re challenged by God’s Word in your local church.

The primary purpose of putting them online is that a good number of servants are busy with the RENEW KIDS on various Sundays and thus miss the Gospel message.

FAITHFUL MEN & WOMEN
The RENEW women are getting together with great intentionality and finding a good rhythm together. The men are reading Faithmapping together, which is “a Gospel atlas” for our spiritual journey. Far from a “how to” manual of pragmatic do-isms, Faithmapping “maps” out the Gospel landscape so we can readily find ourselves on it, figure out where we are headed, and learn how to get there. If you’ve ever heard me talk about WHOs before DOs, I am grateful there’s finally a solid book helping us move forward without guilt, fear or pride as the motivation. God’s grace leads us to grace-driven effort.

We are convinced that “success” right now for our family and for the RENEW family is found in cultivating faithfulness to the Gospel message, community, and mission. We do this by becoming who we already are in Christ, as Sons & Daughters, Worshipers, Learners, Family, Servants, and Missionaries. As we embrace and embody the grace and truth of Jesus our King, He will multiply our faithfulness and make us fruitful!

A SPOT FOR FAITHFULNESS
For at least six months Kari and I have been praying about a specific location in Oregon City, a meeting space for RENEW in the “Singer Hill” part of the McLaughlin Neighborhood (not to be confused with highway 99E). This is the area where the first established pioneers set up shop, and was once a thriving part of the city. It’s renewing!

Every other morning I head out for a run and go by this place, praying as I go. Until recently this building was not in great shape, but alas a new owner is renovating this historic place, and seems enthusiastic about the vision of RENEW and what it would mean for us to become a renter and occupy that space on Sunday afternoons/evenings. Of course, I’m being vague on the details, as it all is super-secret right now 😉

Getting into this place will require some expenditures, so we’re going into this with eyes wide open. If you desire to learn more about this opportunity, reply to this email. We welcome contributions too.

FAITHFUL NEIGHBORS
On other fronts, living here in the city has us cultivating more and more friendships, such as with those who hop on bus 32 right at the foot of our front porch. The sun came out last week for at least 15 minutes, so met more of the neighbors on our block. The elderly man next door apparently knew all about me and used some colorful language. Glad I went over there without the kids this time, :-) Joined the Chamber of Commerce for a meet-and-greet a couple weeks ago. Today I’ll sit down for lunch with at least a couple dozen pastors in the city, and tomorrow night be at the neighborhood association meeting. Grateful for new connections.

FAITHFULLY FRUGAL
Okay, here’s the freebie I promised above. Today only (3/6), Kari’s newest e-book, Faithfully Frugal is FREE for you to download from Amazon. (While it’s built for Kindle, it really can work through one of their apps on any computer or mobile device.)

In 82 quick-hitting pages Kari closes the gap between what it means to spend less, give more, and live more.

Generosity takes courage, and we pray you would be emboldened the the stories and principles shared.

“The real measure of our wealth is how much we’d be worth if we lost all our money.” —John Henry Jowett

Kari tells about the release here. Even created a faux men’s version, as it’s not just a book for the ladies, y’all.

Get Faithfully Frugal for free today (3/6), and see the real retro cover.

FAITHFUL FRIENDS

We are grateful for the relational network of encouragers and pray-ers supporting RENEW and us as a family. Many have sent a handwritten note of timely words of grace. Others have sensed God’s good pleasure in giving financially to this pioneering work. We’re humbled by the generosity and thoughtfulness.

One final question for you: Will you consider contributing financially to the work of RENEW?

Read the rest here.

Thank you for praying with us and for us!

The PattersonsBeing renewed by the Faithful One,

Jeff, Kari, Dutch & Heidi


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