New Springs News

View Online August 25, 2016 Newsletter This year, Pastor Corey and Pastor Dave are preaching through the Gospel of Mark. ​This Sunday we will be in Mark 10:13-16. Join us for Worship at 10:00 a.m. From Pastor Dave Dear Friends, ​One of our small groups was recently reminded of a word that is connected with the power of memory. The word is anamnesis. Many dictionaries offer a definition like, "recalling something to mind." We recall something, but the experience is deeper. It is more like, "we are there once again." Have you ever had that experience? I remember walking into the home of an older couple in Platte, South Dakota. The scent was identical to the home of a friend in high school, and I was there again! In our guest room at home we have a lovely rug that my mom bought for my dad's home office, on the occasion of his retirement. The other day was cool, and the air was clean. We threw open the windows. Ronda called out, "Dave, you have to come up here!" I came to the guest room, and I smelled my parent's home in California. So did Ronda. And she didn't tell me what she smelled, either! Anamnesis. We were there again. For followers of Jesus, anamnesis is what happens when we worship corporately. In fact, anamnesis is one of the two primary reasons we worship. Not because we like the music, or the preacher, or because the programs for the kids are great, or because the church meets our needs. We worship, because God invites us to collectively be there once again. By the shore of Galilee, listening to Jesus preach. In the upper room, breaking bread and sharing cup. At the cross, watching God's great love for our great need. At the empty tomb, having lost everything, even his body. In his resurrected presence, seeing that death can never have victory over God. Corporate worship is the group practice of offering ourselves to the collective memory of the Church through the generations. This is why we believe weekly corporate worship is absolutely central and essential to a healthy spiritual life. We try not to be legalistic about it, of course. And we recognize that God is kind, and reaches out to us in other ways through each and every day. But quite simply, we just can't remember together again, without the "together" part. That's why the author of the book of Hebrews tells it straight: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25) You may be having trouble experiencing God these days. Or, the connection between faith and practice may seem tough right now. The questions may be bigger than the answers. The doubts and despair may be stronger than the certainties and the joy. If that's true, and even if its not, I have a question for all of us. How's your memory? See you on Sunday. In Christ's Love, Pastor Dave For information and to register for a course, click on the button below. THE MARRIAGE COURSE FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED Things left to do for Children's Ministry: 1. Painting 2. Trimming the area where the wall was removed 3. Install the Carpet Strip 4. Hang Dry Erase Boards 5. Clean Classrooms 6. Clean Floors 7. Get Classrooms set up 8. Decorating Scheduled works days: Aug. 27 and 31, Sept. 3 and 7. Pastor Corey's small group will be there the Aug. 31 and Sept. 7. Corey will also be there next week in the evenings. We need lots of help, if you want to help out contact Pastor Corey corey@newspringscommunity.org. Visit us at newspringscommunity.org