When I was in kindergarten I was given a picture of a puppy and a boy.  It was a nice picture with a happy dog and a happy boy.  Our instructions from the teacher were, “Color the picture and stay within the lines.”  I took a look at the paper and discovered the lines as the edges of the paper and thought the teacher’s directions to be good, because I didn’t want to color on the table. 

So, with colors galore I stayed within my understanding of the parameters and colored a beautiful picture with sky and grass and all kinds of reds and browns and yellows.  I was careful not to color on the table and stay within my lines.  When the teacher came by I showed it with childlike pride and she scolded me and swatted my fingers for not coloring within the lines of the puppy and boy.  I was told it was a mess, and was asked to color another one “correctly” while my original was thrown away.

When God came into the world as a baby and grew up into a child, and then a youth, and then a man, and then died; God was coloring outside the lines of our human understanding.  When Jesus was resurrected and fellowshipped and enjoyed the company of the disciples and friends; Jesus was coloring outside the lines of our human understanding ushering in a new and powerful way of life with God.  When God moves in history and changes lives, and the power of the Holy Spirit directs us to live as a new community in Christ with compassion and joy and peace, God is coloring outside the lines of a staid and static church. When we spend time with a friend or colleague and pray with them, or visit someone bereaved, or pray for our schools and teachers, or enter into a God discussion with someone we work with, we are coloring outside the lines of our fears, and are well within the boundaries of God’s grace!  When someone stands in worship and shares what God is doing in their life, or someone cries during a song we sing, or the community of faith is inspired as they come to communion, or the expression of laughter in church causes the community to feel closer; God is coloring outside the lines of our church perceptions and causing a community to be formed in grace.

Our God works in the otherwise, outside the lines, and in spite of our “norms” of doing church stuff.  This is good news for so many people in your life, and you must share it.  God is not in a box at SPC!  God brings new life and vibrant colors to every inch of our pages of community life at SPC.  Let us gather our crayons of worship and discipleship and evangelism and use the colorful gifts God has given us, and color all over the pages of SPC’s ministry.  Color by inviting another family to church with you and don’t stop asking them until they come.  Color by praying with someone over the phone or at their home.  Color by telling your faith story to someone at work, or to a friend (take them to lunch and share your faith with them; no strings attached).  Color by giving of yourself in service to Amazing Grace or Mission Possible.  Color a rainbow of love with God in this world and celebrate it with everyone at SPC. 

Color by (you fill in the blank).

Thanks SPC for another amazing year of growing with each other in this community of faith.  Here’s to growing with God and coloring our hearts in shades drawing us closer to Christ, expressing Christ, and sharing Christ more as a new year’s blank canvass is presented to us.

Outside the lines and in Christ,

Deacon Corner

This month's Deacon Corner is written by Deacon Donna Tate

2007 is coming to a close and the Deacons of Summerlin Presbyterian Church have had a wonderful year full of blessings looking after the needs of the people of S.P.C. and our community.

We held our harvest banquet this fall and shared stories of thanksgiving and praise as well as learning that we have some wonderful cooks amongst us who have obviously kept their talents well hidden.

The 3^rd annual ice cream social was held at the home of Mary and BJ Jamison.  From hot dogs and hamburgers, to all kinds of ice cream, to swimming and conversation, it was a wonderful time of fellowship for all those who were able to attend. 

Providing meals for the Street Teen program during this year’s Lenten season was a blessing for each one who participated.  Although it seemed to pass by quickly it did inspire 55 Alive to sponsor a Christmas shoe box ministry for the teens.  What an amazing inspiration to each of us as we witnessed the enthusiasm and generosity of those in 55 Alive step up and go out into the community and become a blessing for the Street Teens.  Kudos to all those who participated; the Lord will surely say, “Well done good and faithful servants”.

The Deacons continued to partner with members and friends of S.P.C. to support Amazing Grace Ministries.   On the third Wednesday of each month volunteers served food, clothing, and compassion to the homeless in our community.  We as a church have been blessed by this opportunity to serve Christ in this local mission area.

Mission Possible 007, the mission trip to Pearlington Mississippi this past June was attended by 11 members of our church; two of the mission team members are Deacons.  This trip to bring hope and grace to the people of Pearlington is an experience that none of us will ever forget – it is forever etched in our hearts and minds.  To be invited into the homes and lives of the people there and work along side them rebuilding their churches and homes. To witness the love and gratitude from those who have so little but who are over flowing with God’s grace, love, and hospitality.  By staying in touch with them and praying for them every day. 

Mission Possible?  Absolutely! 

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.  I was a stranger and you invited me in.  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Matthew 25: 35 – 36

A bevy of ladies from Summerlin Presbyterian Church visited my home this morning for a wonderful pot luck brunch and Christmas cookie exchange.  It was a wonderful morning of friendship and fellowship, followed by COOKIES!  There were eggs casseroles, potatoes, bagels, pasta salad and hot coffee, eventually. (my coffee making skills are questionable but nobody was poisoned)

I love the tradition of swapping cookies because it’s fun to see all of the different kinds of cookies, some are new recipes and some are old family recipes.  Donna Tate brought some wonderful raisin cookies that were the size of a Frisbee and so delicious that is an old family favorite.  Jo Haas bakes some cookies that look like waffles with a beautiful design.  Kathy Lobaugh tried something new and ended up with a cookie she calls “zebra feet” but some of us call twisted checkerboard.  I made some chocolate cake balls that Rick told me I’d better out of our house soon or he was going to make himself sick eating them.  I’m not sure who belonged to some of the cookies; next year we’ll have to put names on the recipes we traded.

Josie Hopballe brought her friend Juanita, so we tasted some new cookies and made a new friend.

It was a warm wonderful get together on a drizzly cold day.  My heart is warm, my Holiday spirits are high and I am blessed by the best spice of all – FRIENDS!

Joy to the World; Christmas Blessings to all of you, and thank you for being such wonderful friends.

Have a story you'd like to share with SPC about your life, traditions or faith?  Send them to "Family Fireside" care of Scott Thrasher at scott@thrasherarts.com.