Shepherd's Heart 5/22/26
Friends,
Friends,
I have two updates for you today, and I hope you are able to take the time to read both.
As I write this, our team is setting up everything we need for Claimed by God Sunday, our annual celebration of baptisms, which will once again help us celebrate Pentecost and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our community.
Some of you are already planning on being baptized. This is something you’ve already talked to a pastor about or a ministry leader, and you’re showing up READY to go! It’s going to be a thrilling morning.
Some of you are planning on remembering your baptism. Maybe that looks like you getting fully immersed in water, maybe that it looks like having someone offer a blessing as they put the sign of the cross on your forehead. Either way, you’re intentionally creating space between you and God and how you are claimed by Him. I’m so excited!
Here’s my challenge to you. Some of you are going to worship on Sunday and you’re going to feel like God wants you to take a step of faith and participate in Claimed by God Sunday. We’ll have some extra towels, and your clothes will dry. Don’t let logistics get in the way of something like this!
With that challenge, I also have an invitation.
All of us are invited. Some of you have been around for Claimed by God the last couple of years, and some of you were here when we did Claimed by God before COVID. I want to make abundantly clear that this is a celebration of baptisms for our whole community. This isn’t just a party in the parking lot for our younger members of the church. This is for everybody.
All of this is happening outside of Door 1, so anyone will be able to physically get to this part of our parking lot. With the option for a sign of the cross being placed on your forehead, there’s no need to worry about getting your clothes or hair or makeup wet right after church. Most importantly, I promise you that the joy of witnessing someone, even someone you haven’t met yet, take a step in their faith life by getting baptized or remembering their baptism is always worth it. I’ve had so many amazing, life-changing moments in this community, but the joy of Claimed by God is truly unique, and I hope all of you will be a part of this. Don’t rush out on Sunday. Linger between services. Stay late after the second service. Join us, and see what God will do.
Lastly, I want to let you all know about an important update to our timeline with opening the Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship. If you’ve been tracking closely with us, you know that we were hoping to open the Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship on June 7, 2026. As we look ahead to that date and see the technical complexity of what’s left to be completed, we decided to adjust that date to June 28th. Again, barring any major setback, June 28, 2026 will be when we open our Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship. I’m excited about what God is going to do in that environment, and anxiously awaiting that reveal weekend when you all will see what our team has been working so hard ever since we moved back to the Activity Center. God’s timing is always perfect, and I’m confident He is working on something truly special for that Sunday.
I, for one, can’t wait.
-Ryan Hammer
Worship & Creative Arts Executive Minister
Friends,
I have two updates for you today, and I hope you are able to take the time to read both.
As I write this, our team is setting up everything we need for Claimed by God Sunday, our annual celebration of baptisms, which will once again help us celebrate Pentecost and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our community.
Some of you are already planning on being baptized. This is something you’ve already talked to a pastor about or a ministry leader, and you’re showing up READY to go! It’s going to be a thrilling morning.
Some of you are planning on remembering your baptism. Maybe that looks like you getting fully immersed in water, maybe that it looks like having someone offer a blessing as they put the sign of the cross on your forehead. Either way, you’re intentionally creating space between you and God and how you are claimed by Him. I’m so excited!
Here’s my challenge to you. Some of you are going to worship on Sunday and you’re going to feel like God wants you to take a step of faith and participate in Claimed by God Sunday. We’ll have some extra towels, and your clothes will dry. Don’t let logistics get in the way of something like this!
With that challenge, I also have an invitation.
All of us are invited. Some of you have been around for Claimed by God the last couple of years, and some of you were here when we did Claimed by God before COVID. I want to make abundantly clear that this is a celebration of baptisms for our whole community. This isn’t just a party in the parking lot for our younger members of the church. This is for everybody.
All of this is happening outside of Door 1, so anyone will be able to physically get to this part of our parking lot. With the option for a sign of the cross being placed on your forehead, there’s no need to worry about getting your clothes or hair or makeup wet right after church. Most importantly, I promise you that the joy of witnessing someone, even someone you haven’t met yet, take a step in their faith life by getting baptized or remembering their baptism is always worth it. I’ve had so many amazing, life-changing moments in this community, but the joy of Claimed by God is truly unique, and I hope all of you will be a part of this. Don’t rush out on Sunday. Linger between services. Stay late after the second service. Join us, and see what God will do.
Lastly, I want to let you all know about an important update to our timeline with opening the Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship. If you’ve been tracking closely with us, you know that we were hoping to open the Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship on June 7, 2026. As we look ahead to that date and see the technical complexity of what’s left to be completed, we decided to adjust that date to June 28th. Again, barring any major setback, June 28, 2026 will be when we open our Sanctuary for Contemporary Worship. I’m excited about what God is going to do in that environment, and anxiously awaiting that reveal weekend when you all will see what our team has been working so hard ever since we moved back to the Activity Center. God’s timing is always perfect, and I’m confident He is working on something truly special for that Sunday.
I, for one, can’t wait.
-Ryan Hammer
Worship & Creative Arts Executive Minister