Dear Church Family, Well, you have certainly delivered on your promise of warm weather once spring rolled around! Indeed, it is “warm” to say the least.  My wife, children, and I are enjoying the weather as we have our dinners outside and leverage our arsenal of water toys and accessories.   Warmth is important not only for our survival, but also for relationships and growth as followers of Christ.  Relational warmth is the number one determining factor as to whether a church will thrive.  It’s true.  Imagine how important that is for you as you worship on Sundays and look to integrate into Bidwell’s ministries.  Warmth is magnetic and vitalizing.   I am thrilled beyond words to have more time on Sunday mornings to get to know you on the patio and to form relationships throughout the summer.  I care deeply about our warmth.  Last week, I received an email that said, “I so appreciate it when you are there at the door to shake my and my husband’s hands as we leave worship.”  I am intent on taking extra time to share the warmth of God’s love not only in service, but in our life together on Sundays.  In fact, I am devoted to our relationships being not only warm, but “hot,” if you catch my drift (see Revelation 3:15)!   It’s a wonderful season we are entering into.  I am excited about the following events, which are just the tip of the iceberg (cold, not hot!) of what’s happening at Bidwell:   My wife and I are hosting a casual brunch for parents of young children at our home on June 3.      Sunday, June 4 will be a celebration of Pentecost and you—servants of Christ—who make all our ministries happen. VBX! Yes! Need I say more about the wonderful Kelly Hock and her outrageously talented and energetic team of staff and volunteers? Praise God! If you have signed up to volunteer – THANK YOU!   Greg Cootsona, former Bidwell pastor, will be leading worship once a month in June, July and August.  He will be preaching here on July 9.  I am grateful for his friendship (going back to 2001, when I interned for him at Fifth Ave. Presbyterian Church in Manhattan) and amazing giftedness as a pastor.    Jenna and I are also joining efforts with a young couple in hosting Pizza in the Park, an event for parents and children set for June 11 and July 16.  We are excited to form more relationships with the remarkable parents at Bidwell and their amazing kids, many of whom are the ages of our three -Madeline (2), Hayden (3), and Hartley (5). Camp Bidwell is an all church camp at beautiful Lake Siskiyou,  July 13-16.   I am starting an eight-week series of short video devotionals called “Getting to Know Chico: Finding God in the Off-season,” featuring yours truly exploring Chico and including scriptural insights related to locations throughout our lovely town! Alpha coming up in fall!   I.  Cannot.  Wait.   It’s a 10 week Wednesday night offering that begins September 13.  If you didn’t see the video on Sunday, watch it below to learn more about Alpha and why we are planning to go through this study as a church.    Finally, our summer sermon series is titled, “Your Story and God’s: How Ancient Words Shape our Lives.” This series includes not only messages based on scripture passages chosen by members of our church, but also these members’ testimonies about how those passages have shaped their lives.

Friends, there is much to be excited about.  Between these ministries that have been developed over the past couple of months and what our Session is envisioning for the upcoming year, not only is there WARMTH ahead but incredible JOY.  You see, the warmth and joy factors (per last Sunday’s message) are precisely the business we are in.       To date, in making all of these ministries happen, we need $60,000 to reach our projected income for May.  Our joy is predicated on our firm belief in Gods’ eternal promises in our lives.  I so appreciate Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  ” I love this insightful reference to how God’s blessings lead us to generosity and gratitude toward God.  Isn’t that amazing? The connection Paul makes here is that God has created us to be generous and live gratefully.  It’s a sign of not merely a “warm” church, but a hot one (see again Revelation 3:15).       I am looking forward to what this upcoming season brings.

With much gratitude and joy,

Pastor Henry

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