Tag: Moses

Pastor’s Notes 3/7/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

‘This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants”; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. –Deuteronomy 34:4-5

We all know the classic fable of the Tortoise and the Hare—the speedy hare dashes ahead, confident he’s got the race won, while the slow, steady tortoise keeps moving forward. But the hare, full of overconfidence, gets distracted and loses focus. In the end, it’s the tortoise, persistent and unwavering, who crosses the finish line first.

This timeless story reminds us that how we start isn’t as important as how we finish. Endurance, faithfulness, and preparation matter far more than hubris, unsustainable zealousness, and lost focus.

This Sunday, officially kick-off the first Sunday of Lent and our theme, “Finishing Faithfully.” We turn to Deuteronomy 34, where Moses stands atop Mount Nebo, gazing into the Promised Land, a land he has led the Israelites toward for forty years, yet will not enter himself. His journey was long and filled with hardship, but his faithfulness never wavered. Though his role was ending, his preparation ensured the people would continue forward under Joshua’s leadership.

Like Moses, we are all called to prepare for what comes next, not just for ourselves, but for those who will follow. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation, urging us to think about what it means to finish faithfully as Christ’s beloved. This season we will put our penitential energies into ensuring that we finish this earthly life as faithfully as we can. Whether our journey has been smooth and steady or full of detours and distractions, the invitation is the same: keep going. Stay faithful. Prepare well. And trust that God’s promises extend beyond what we can see.

I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube Sunday as we explore what it means to finish faithfully—to live with purpose, prepare with care, and leave a legacy of love and faith.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 1/10/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. –Deut. 6:6-7

Happy New Year Sun City Christian Church family!

I wish to begin with gratitude for the staff Christmas bonus we received. I feel most grateful, and loved and can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the year ahead. Turning 50 was a good year for our congregation as we have come together in meaningful and faithful ways. The work we have done together sets the stage for many possibilities for the year ahead.

In worship over the next two weeks, we will highlight the work of our digital storytelling team, Disciple’s Women Outreach Ministry, and our Health and Wellness Ministry. God is moving through us and there are ample opportunities for you to get involved. On Sunday we explore the importance of taking our faith to heart and sharing the stories of our lives with others. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 will be our scriptural inspiration.

The Book of Deuteronomy is a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. It serves as a renewal of the covenant between God and Israel and a call to obedience as they face the challenges of establishing a new life in Canaan.

Chapter 6 is part of Moses’ second address, following the proclamation of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5. The emphasis here shifts to the central commandment to love and serve God with total devotion. Moses urges the people to center their lives on God and ensure future generations understand and live by these principles. This was crucial as the Israelites were moving into a land filled with foreign influences and temptations to forget their covenant with Yahweh.

Living as Christ’s extension of love in the world today in no small task but together as the body of Christ we serve God and community! I look forward to worshipping with you in person and on YouTube this Sunday. 

Brett