Weekly Update // Pastor Will
Hi friends,
A few weeks back, I shared a story about John Ortberg and his mentor, Dallas Willard. Dallas advised John to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" from his life, stressing the importance of managing busyness. This story highlights the value of mentors, even for accomplished individuals like John Ortberg. Though Dallas has passed away, John likely seeks guidance from other mentors. We all need wise figures we can confide in and seek counsel from—sometimes they come into our lives unexpectedly, perhaps through divine intervention, while other times, we actively seek them out. Regardless, their presence is invaluable. Reflecting on my own journey (and trouble I’ve gotten into), I'm reminded of Proverbs 13:20 (NLT): "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." Fortunately, I'm surrounded by people who continue to guide me toward wisdom and growth.
I mention this because Joel Lusz serves as one of those mentors for me, if not the primary one. He'll be preaching this Sunday at Asbury United Methodist Church. I remember my initial uncertainty about him when he became the Youth Pastor at Suntree while I was a 15-year-old (just a couple of years ago). But over time, he became a mentor, a friend, and someone I still look up to today (figuratively and literally)! With over 30 years of experience in Youth Ministry, Joel has a deep passion for Jesus and youth, and I'm excited for him to share his insights with you all this Sunday. He'll be continuing our Sermon Series: Faith At a Crossroads, focusing on Technology, another area close to his heart. Join us for our Celebration/Contemporary Service at 9:30 am or our Traditional Service at 11:00 am. If you can't attend in person, don't worry—we'll be live-streaming both services on Facebook and YouTube.
This Saturday, Our United Methodist Men have their monthly meeting at 7:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Dr. Frank Steig, a friend of Jim Esch, will be the guest speaker, discussing "Blessed are the children—the anxious generation," a topic we can all relate to. Feel free to bring a couple of bucks and invite a friend along!
That's all for this week! I hope and pray for a wonderful, blessed, and restful weekend, and I hope to see you on Sunday, if not before!
Take care!
Pastor Will