I hope that everyone had a great Easter. Although it was a very different experience for us, I found peace and comfort in the fact that we are all in this together. And the resurrection of Jesus is true and fully grounded in history, no matter our current circumstances.

It is currently raining as I write this update. I have to admit that I am a big fan of the rain. It started for me when I lived in the Seattle area over 20 years ago. Now I bet I know what you are thinking. Isn’t the constant rain in Seattle partially the cause of so many people be depressed in the area? Why would anyone want to live in a place that basically rains 10 months of the year?

Well, rather than being depressed, the rain for me was strangely comforting and therapeutic. It made everything so green all the time, and the colors of the flowers (like tulips) were so brilliant, it was breath-taking. Plus, there are few experiences that are better than sitting inside drinking coffee, reading a book, and watching the rain fall outside.

So where am I headed with all this?  It got me wondering what the Bible says about rain.  In the Old Testament God often withheld the rain to show people that they were living sinful and rebellious lives (2 Chronicles 6:26-27).  He also made rain to be a blessing and provision for all people who desperately needed the water to survive in an agrarian society (Psalm 147:7-11). And Jesus himself once said in a passage about loving your enemies that we, “should pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  "He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45). Basically, when I see and experience rain, I am grateful for God’s love and provision. I am also aware that rain is a good opportunity to reflect upon the state of my often-deceitful heart. And God loves all people and brings the rain for the righteous and unrighteous, so I need to pray more often for my enemies.

Thus the rain brings hope, a sense of healthy reflection about my spiritual life, and a challenge to remember God loves everyone, even those that do not follow Jesus. So let’s think about these things the next time it rains.

I hope you and your family are well, and I look forward to being together soon.

God Bless,

Pastor Derek

View the Pastor's Update Video.

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This Week's Online Sunday Service 

We hope you join us for our Online Worship Service which will include receiving communion, so have your bread and juice ready if you would like to participate.  Josh King, Director of Student Ministries, will give the final message in our "Jesus Is.." series. The service will premiere at 9:30 am but can be watched at any time following it. 

• Watch on YouTube Channel: Chapelcares or at our Chapel Website, click "View Sunday's Service"
• Sermon Series: Jesus Is... In this series, we will be resting in the identity and character of Jesus.
• Part 5: Jesus Is... Hope
• Scripture: Romans 15:13

In case you haven't seen it yet, you can watch Easter Sunday's service Jesus Is... the Key to Everything.