May 18, 2008
The Rev. Dr. Marcus McFaul, Senior Pastor, preaches at 11am
"What Kind of God?"

Scripture:
The Psalm Lesson: Psalm 8
The New Testament Lesson: II Corinthians 13:11-13
The Gospel Lesson: Matthew 28:16-20

Hymns:
Come, Thou Almighty King
Glory Be to the Father
How Majestic Is Your Name
Lord, You Give the Great Commission

Special Music:
Holy God, We Praise Your Name
Trinitarian Blessing

Marcus' Mid-Week Missive

Sunday’s Lectionary Readings:
*Genesis 1:1-2a
*II Corinthians 13:11-13
*Psalm 8
*Matthew 28:16-20

God is good.  Christ’s love is present.  And the Holy Spirit’s prompted guidance is faithful.  This is how I feel after Pentecost Sunday’s worship; and also (of course!) grateful for your spirited response and warm affection.

OK-about my verbal gaffe:  I promise on my W.A. Criswell Handbook for Pastors (tongue firmly and fundamentally in cheek) that it was a mistake when I called you “odd.”  HOWEVER, in the spirit of this weird city, I say we market and sell T-shirts and caps with the saying:  “Keep Highland Park Baptist Odd!”  Whatya say?

Now to this upcoming Sunday.  Once again I encourage you to try your best and enter the sanctuary by 10:50 a.m.  I’ll speak a word of welcome and invocation at 10:55 so that the prelude starts promptly at 11:00 a.m.  The liturgical Christian year/calendar now enters a post-Pentecost cycle and this Sunday, known as Trinity Sunday, is a celebration of the Christian church’s understanding that God is known and experienced as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Creator, Christ, and Sustainer).  How we name God reveals much of how we image and represent the Holy One in Three.  On the heels of my first sermon “What kind of Church” is this week’s title “What kind of God.”

On more practical matters, let me update you on the housing front: we sold our house in Lawrence and have an accepted offer on a house in Austin!  I think the house is in Austin though it seems so far to the west I wondered if I’d driven into eastern New Mexico.  Actually, the home is in the Round Rock School district in a subdivision named Canyon Creek (on 620 between 2222 and 183—nowhere near Burnet Road!)  If all goes as planned the closing in our Kansas home (May 30) and closing here (June 2) will allow for one move - praise God and pass the moving boxes.

I leave tomorrow for Lawrence to celebrate Mitch’s 16th birthday (he’s getting his drivers license) and Griffin’s 8th birthday together.  My return flight is Saturday afternoon.  As ever, I’m grateful to God for your prayers and the MANY, MANY, MANY thoughtful expressions of hospitality and welcome.  Honest to goodness, I can’t hardly believe how you’ve overwhelmed me with kindness.  I think your actions and heartfelt behaviors reveal something beautiful about...God, in three persons (as in community), blessed Trinity.

Glory be to Creator, Christ, and Spirit,
Rev. Dr. Marcus W. McFaul