Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, and then your mind starts racing, and you can’t get back to sleep? I had one of those moments last week. My insomnia found it center at thoughts that are unique to me, but most people can understand. I was told recently by our financial Director that we are entering the last few months down financially. I’m guessing that most of you have experienced money anxiety in the middle of the night. I sometimes feel like I’m the only one who carries this burden at Canyon Springs. I don’t think my team wakes up in the middle of the night wondering if they will get a paycheck. I’m OK with that. When I get anxious about this, I feel like it’s my lack of faith.

Generally, when I fear of any kind, one of my first responses is to pull my Bible into my lap and pray to our God. More times than not, the sorrow I feel in the night is joy in the morning. In this particular case, I felt God whispering to me a reminder of where we have been through in the last two years. Some of you might remember that I wandered into church on the last Sunday of 2019 with a prayer request. The Friday before, my financial Director told me that we were $60,000 behind in our giving with only a few days to make it up. Typically on a Sunday, I invite people to come forward if they want me to pray for them. On that day, I asked my friends at Canyon Springs to come forward and pray for our church and me and our deficit. That is a day I will never forget. Four different individuals found me with the checks for Canyon Springs totaling over $60,000. Not only did we finish in the black, but we ended up $100,000 over our projected giving for the year. A few short months later, a global pandemic hit our world. That $100,000 was a gift from God to help us make it through one of the most challenging seasons for the American church. During every step of the journey, Jesus showed up. As we are slowly walking out of one of the darkest seasons in church history, God has moved again. The Cove is hopping four nights a week with kids celebrating and learning and loving Jesus. All our children and student ministries are up and running at near pre-Covid numbers. We have more small groups going than at any other time in our history. Men’s and women’s groups are thriving and growing. Our people are gathering and having heartfelt discussions about the healing power of Jesus. Jesus didn’t stop loving us during this pandemic. He provided the opportunity for us as a church to continue to connect and love the next one. On our last Sunday at the park, I met a man and woman who had not been at any church for years. He told me he had been to church two times in the last 40 years. I baptized her two weeks ago.

There is one more way that Jesus is on the move. It looks like Canyon Springs is going to exit this season with a permanent home.

I don’t know what it will look like this year, but I want to give you an invitation. Join us. If God is placing you in a position to give year-end, be a part of the story. Use the enclosed envelope to make a donation or visit our safe and secure online giving page at www.canyonsprings.org/give We have much to be grateful for this year as we have sought to build our lives on His foundation. Thank you!

Wishing you a joyous Christmas season,

Pastor Jack

December Events

Sunday Services

Our Sunday Services will run normally at 9:30am throughout the entire month of December.

Christmas Eve Volunteer Opportunities

Our Christmas Eve services are a large production and wouldn’t be made possible without the gracious help from our volunteers.

Duties are extremely basic and range from setting up cookies and candy canes (we won’t tell if you enjoy one beforehand) to greeting guests as they enter. And if you can spot an open seat and smile, then you’ll be awesome as an Usher. Childcare options are available (though limited) and we can always use help setting up and breaking down.

Perfect for everyone: those going at it solo, a couple, or entire families!

Year End Giving

We are grateful for your generosity to Canyon Springs Church! Your faithfulness makes it possible for us to be a church that is innovative and responsive to the needs of our community. If you find it in your heart to give financially, and take advantage of that year-end tax deduction, visit our online giving page.