So This Is Love

Hey there SCC Family !

Welcome to the new year… and The Bridge Weekly Vol 3. Issue 2!
Love gets talked about a lot, yet Sunday reminded us how clearly it comes into focus when we look at Jesus. Through the cross, God’s love becomes personal, trustworthy, and close to everyday life. Colby invited us to see faith through that lens again, letting love for God shape how we pay attention, stay present, and respond to the people around us. It was a grounding reminder that real love shows up in ordinary moments and keeps forming us, one faithful step at a time.

Pre-Service Prayer
Before the service begins, our prayer team will be available from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. in front of the Prayer Room in the Great Room. This is an easy way to settle your heart, share a prayer need, or simply be prayed for as the morning starts. You’re welcome to stop by for a moment of quiet and connection before we worship together.

This Sunday will look a little different as we take time to send Colby well. Many of us have watched him grow up here, and this service gives space to name what God has been shaping in him over time. Through a panel conversation, prayer, and commissioning, we’ll talk honestly about listening, trust, and saying yes when clarity comes. It’s a shared moment for our whole church as we release him with prayer and support.

As Tracy shared on Sunday, December 21, the Youth Group Leadership Planning Meeting was an encouraging time. Engagement was strong, and the gathering reflected a clear sense of health, unity, and spiritual maturity among both youth and leaders.

As we continue to walk through this season of change with Elev8 Youth, we want to invite the church into intentional prayer.

This is a time of listening and paying attention—a time of trusting that God is already at work among our teens and those who serve them. While we will begin the search for a Youth Pastor, we also recognize that this in-between space matters. God is speaking in the middle of it, and we don’t want to miss what He is saying in our desire to arrive quickly at an outcome.

Please join us in praying for:

• Our youth, that they would continue to encounter Jesus in worship, community, and everyday life.

• Our Youth Leaders, both long-standing and newly stepping in, for strength, unity, and joy as they serve.

• Wisdom and clarity as we begin the Youth Pastor search in January.

• A spirit of discernment, that we would recognize what God is opening and what He is inviting us to wait on.

• The right people to step into support roles, including communication and coordination, at the right time.
  

We are grateful for the faithfulness already present in this community and for the way God continues to shape and lead Elev8 Youth. Thank you for covering this season in prayer as we listen, discern, and walk forward together.

HERE + NOW is a night of worship and prayer happening this Sunday, January 11 at 6:00 p.m. at Elmsdale Nazarene. This evening is open to people from every church background and creates space to pause, worship, and seek God together. As the year begins, HERE+NOW invites us to pay attention to the present moment and welcome God’s nearness right where we are. If you’re longing for space to listen, worship, and re-center, you’re invited to be part of the night.

God still speaks, and learning to recognize His voice is part of everyday life with Jesus. In the video below, Joel shares a bit about the heart behind the upcoming Hearing God course and what participants can expect. The course begins January 18 and meets Sundays from 1–3 p.m. If you’re curious, attentive, or wanting to grow in clarity as you follow Jesus, sign up at the Hub or using the button below.

Money Matters is a relaxed, conversation-style evening for anyone wanting a steadier and more practical approach to finances. It takes place Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. and includes short talks followed by open Q&A. Topics will cover budgeting, debt, savings, and tithing, all shared in a low-pressure setting. The evening will be hosted by Darren with insights from Temba Ngwenya, Scott Nash, Ron Goddard, and Don DesRoches. Sign up at the Hub or the link below, and yes, refreshments will be waiting.

Pace shapes more than our schedules. It shapes what we notice, what we carry, and how we respond. Sabbath offers a way of living that makes room for attentiveness and trust, even in full weeks. A small pause can steady the heart and remind us that following Jesus grows through presence, not pressure.

Connect Groups are starting back up the week of January 11, with some meeting even sooner. Each group has its own rhythm, so the best way to get details is to reach out directly to the group leaders by email. You can explore the full list of groups and find contact info on our Connect Groups page below.

Looking to get more involved? Joining a team is a great way to build community, discover your strengths, and help others experience Jesus along the way. From making coffee to running slides, greeting at the door to helping with kids—there’s a place for you. Let’s find it together.

There’s always something taking shape at SCC—and we’d love for you to be part of it. From upcoming events to ways to serve and grow, our website is the best place to explore what’s happening. Take a look and find your next step.

Thanks for being part of what God is building here. We love walking this out with you. See you Sunday.

P.S. Love often shows up quietly. Pay attention.