DEAR MENLO CHURCH,

It was just over a year ago that Menlo Church restarted in-person worship services. I remember the excitement of those first Sundays when we were back in person. After fifteen months of isolation we were so eager to see people again and experience worship together. I also remember being anxious. Would people really come back? What would it be like? What if people preferred the comfort of watching services from their couch? How many donuts should we order?

A year later we have answers to many of those questions. Yet I have come to see that these questions are driven by an attachment to the past. How can we get back to what we did before? When will things be normal again? These are understandable concerns, but they also are fear-based and turn our focus inward.

We know that the experiences of the past two years have impacted our world and that things are different. People have moved away, adopted new patterns, or made significant changes in their lives. Yet, in the midst of all of the change and disruption, we know that God remains our steady rock.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2

If we can rest in God’s faithfulness and promises, we can ask different questions. What new thing are you doing Lord? How can we serve you and join in your work here in our community? Who needs to know about your love and life-saving grace? If we turn our eyes outward we will see the opportunities that God puts before us to be a light for the Gospel.

Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19

So let’s move past our old questions and turn our eyes forward to the new thing that God is doing in our midst. We are a church that proclaims God’s love through service in our local community. We pray for our friends and neighbors and want to lead them to Jesus. We live our lives surrendered to God’s will because that is where our hope is found.

Below you will find opportunities to engage in spiritual conversations, and to serve. So many great things are happening in these summer months.

May God focus our hearts outward and forward in the days and months ahead.

Blessings,

Scott Palmbush
Acting Head of Staff

PS - We are excited to welcome former Menlo Pastor Scotty Scruggs to the pulpit July 17th. You won’t want to miss it.

HELP END HUNGER GLOBALLY AND LOCALLY
August 13 | Come together for our food kit build as we work to reach our goal of providing 285,000 meals to the poorest of the poor in Vietnam! We will also collect food items for our Bay Area partners to distribute locally. Invite your friends, family, and co-workers! REGISTER TODAY

HELP SHAPE MENLO'S LEADERSHIP
The search for Menlo’s leadership starts with you! Know someone who has a heart for Menlo and the gifts to help lead the spiritual, financial, and organizational health of the church? Let us know! We’re looking for new Elders to serve on Session, our churchwide governing board. Review the responsibilities and NOMINATE SOMEONE today!

ANNUAL MEETING: SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, August 28, 1pm | Mark your calendar! Join in person at our Mountain View campus or watch it live online. Meet our new Elder candidates and hear an update on the Senior Pastor search, followed by a community Q&A. In-person attendees can enjoy ice cream and connect with fellow congregants!

JULY SENIOR PASTOR SEARCH UPDATE
Just posted days ago—read the latest information about the Senior Pastor search! Updates are posted about once a month, so make sure to check our website regularly to stay on top of all the latest news.