if you've never been, this is a great excuse

At our church, saying "goodbye" is something you just have to get used to doing. Its mission: to raise up, equip, and send out. Well this time, it's Pastor Derek, a tougher pill to swallow. If you've never had the opportunity to hear him preach, here's your chance. The topic will be "Change" (a fitting one at that).

Ren once had a few things to say about Pastor Derek's teachings but don't that that deter you! Perhaps some of you will even remember this story in the local news:

Pastor's Sermon on Stealing Generates Surprising Response

A pastor's sermon on stealing has produced some surprising returns with his Minneapolis suburb congregation. Derek Rust put up special "amnesty bins" in the aisles of the Hosanna Lutheran Church in Lakeville, encouraging parishioners to return anything they had swiped. Prompted by his sermon on the eighth commandment, based on a series on the Ten Commandments, Rust was amazed at the response. In the vast 2,000-seat sanctuary, ersatz thieves have been coming in to return stolen loot - not during worship, but during the week, when they could slink in unnoticed. Items left in the bins include men's shirts, a rubber toy eagle, a soldering iron, CDs, a broom, power drill, Bubble Yum gum, baby clothes and towels pinched from hotels and motels. One woman gave Rust $30, payment for several years' worth of snacks, pilfered from a convenience store where she worked. Rust believes the impact goes beyond the bins. 'The Ten Commandments should be lived,' he said. 'That's what sermons should be about, applying truth to our lives.'

If you're interested in stopping by, click HERE for service details.