If you missed Sunday Worship this week you missed a good time. There was cheering, dancing, jock jams, and an interpretive dance / commentary to "Eye of the Tiger". And also fudgeeos. Next week we kick off our next series, more info on that below, and then we will be going back to finish up our time in Romans. This is a big week for me. I turn 30. I will miss my 20's. Good times, good times. In my 20's I had my worst job, my best job, 2 other jobs, got my drivers license, got married, had two wonderful children (and one absolutely awful dog), bought my first house, traveled outside of North America for the first (and second) time, have become friends with some great people (like you folks, with a few notable exceptions) (Ok I need to clarify that for the "notable exceptions" I mentioned in between the last set of parenthesis it's not that they aren't great people or my friends it's just that I met them before my 20's) (Ok quick quiz, first correct answer wins a coffee of their choice at the place of their choice with the pastor from Deep Water of their choice. There are 7 people other than my wife who regularly attend Deep Water who I met before I was 20 - who are they) (Upon further reflection these (parenthesis) are not really necessary.)

This Sunday we will be doing a three week series called "Honest to God". We are going to be answering some foundational questions about how we as people communicate with God and we will explore the idea that at it's heart praying "right" is not about a ritual or a formula it's about being brutally open with God. This series will help some of us who have been following Jesus for years a fresh understanding of what it really means to talk to God and it will also be a great introduction to God and prayer for folks who are seeking. Why not invite a friend who isn't a follower of Jesus to come with you to Deep Water on March 2nd. As a special bonus we have a guest speaker to kick the series off - Rob McDowell. Rob is a long time friend of mine and great communicator.

One of the most common questions I get asked by people who visit or begin attending Deep Water is "do you guys ever take up a collection or and offering or anything?" The answer is no, not really. We don't want those who are our guests to feel compelled or pressured in any way to give. Many of us who call Deep Water home do contribute on a regular basis and in order to facilitate that there is an offering box that is located in the theatre on one of the railings along the middle isle as you first come in. Do you have a question you would like to see answered in the loop some week - fire it off to me. If I pick your question to answer next week than you... um... will know the answer.

In the spirit of this past week's sermon, the compassionate ministry event for this month will be a PARTY (WOOHOO)! Saturday night, March 15, we'll be having a St. Patrick's Day PARTY as a fund raiser for the international community project we are currently investigating and planning. It starts at 7 pm at 122 Beech Tree Run. Minimum suggested donation is $10. This will be an opportunity for you and the friends you invite to have fun celebrating and being a part of Deep Water's international ministry.

Once again Jennifer vanGennip has worked her magic to produce the Sunday Morning Ministry schedule for this month. If you are on a team (worship, connection, kids ministry, set-up, etc) and you haven’t checked it out yet you should.

We will be hosting a combined Good Friday Worship Gathering with Hillside Wesleyan and Metro Wesleyan on March 21st at 10:30am at the theatre. Good Friday is always a very meaningful time. It's an honor for us to be hosting Hillside and Metro as both of these churches help back Deep Water financially and it's a great chance for them to get a sense of what Sunday at Deep Water looks like. We hope to see everyone there.

And now you're in the loop.