A few weeks back, Jeremy concluded his weekly letter to everyone in this way:  So, as you come to worship on Sunday morning, will you please ask the Lord to help us lean into this Community Building Initiative rather than lean away from it?  Will you pray that God gives you the energy and opportunity to connect in a new way with others in our congregation?  Will you pray that God helps us to be flexible and patient?  Finally, will you pray that God fills us with a spirit of joy because of the great work that He is doing in us for His glory?

     How's it going in your group?  Are you still praying for everything that God has for us in this new season?  Are you seeing God at work among your group?  What we're doing right now reminds me of the parable of the mustard seed, "It is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."  So far, I'm guessing that our Community Group stories might be more "mustard seed" than "big tree" size.  After all, we've only met twice, and it takes time together to build Christian community so we can reach out more effectively into our neighborhoods.   

     Brian and I are part of the Central/Edison/Fresno High Community Group.  As we've met the last two weeks, I've been grateful for folks "leaning into" the experience, and making the most of this built-into-our-Sundays opportunity to connect in new ways.  Just last Sunday, I learned that one of our elders is involved in Fresno area Search and Rescue.  Maybe you knew that about Rick Friesen, but I had no idea, even after serving on Session together for three years!  And we got to witness a sweet, new intergenerational connection forming between Tess Mott and Giovanni James as they introduced each other to our group.  Theirs is a budding relationship that crosses every 'dividing line': generation, gender, age, stage, ethnicity, length of time at First Pres, and maybe even a couple more.  That's God's Kingdom come, friends. 

     This Sunday we're having our second Community Building Event of the summer initiative, the All Church Potluck, see event calendar for details.  I encourage you to plan to come because we'd love to see you there.  One of the things we're going to do is hear stories about what God is up to in your Community Group, too. There will be time to share at tables, and time to share with the whole group. Between now and Sunday, would you be thinking about something you've noticed and would be willing to share?  Let's celebrate together!  Of course, there will be lots of great food from our First Pres cooks, and time to continue building new relationships through good ol' fellowship, too.

     We're in the early stages of building relationships that we pray will become transformational partnerships - helping us grow as disciples and live out the Gospel together. How exciting is that?  I think it's terrifically exciting!  It's fun, and a little bit of a free-for-all, and we can't point to a finished product, but I'm seeing mustard seeds everywhere.

Blessings and stay cool, 

Pastor Lana 

P.S. If you will miss, or have missed, meeting with your Community Group because of vacation or for other reasons, please come back and "lean into" this important all-church initiative.  You're welcome to jump right back in; there is definitely a place for you!