Singer-Songwriter Toby Mac, in his hit song “Made to Love,” sings about how we were created to love God, find Him, adore Him and are made just for Him. And he also reminds us that we were made to be loved by God.

Our God didn’t us create us to be robotic machines that just do His bidding and have no say in the matter. He didn’t want to be just another idol in our lives. He wanted a two-way relationship with us. He wants us to love Him and He wants to love us right back. And through that love, He has called us to communicate that love to one another showing the relationship that is available to all who let Him in to love them back.

How much does God love us? Well, Scripture tells us this, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. (John 3:16 The Message)

I love our congregation so very much. And this is why…because we are full of people who love. This church family loves…loves God and His son, Jesus…they live lives that show their understanding of how God loves them through all phases and facets of life…they love one another…love the people in their communities who they don’t even know…and this church family loves and demonstrates that love through many different acts of service at this church, in our own families, with our friends, in their neighborhoods, and in their communities…even a pandemic has not stopped the work of the people of God who do this work in love.

Circling back, here’s what we need to remember: We were made to love…God made us to love and be loved by Him…He made us to love others every day and through that relational love to express the love God has for each and every one of us. This is how we obey the commandments of Jesus and live out the Gospel messages.

Bonnie Boe, Commissioned Lay Pastor, (805) 529-8422, x2

1. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Simi Valley, Ca, so I did not settle too far from where I was raised.
2. Hobbies? Favorite vacation spot(s)? I enjoy camping, fishing, and surfing. My favorite vacation spots are Jalama Beach and June Lake.
3. What’s your role and why do you like being a deacon? Deacon Moderator. As a deacon for 6 years, I have enjoyed the people I have met and connections I have made with them which has brought me closer to God.
4. Our family has been at MPC for the past 15 years. We really enjoy the people of MPC and how much this church feels like a family.
5. My wife Amy and I have been married for 20 years. Amy and I have two children, Rose (16) and Vin (13).
6. Favorite ice cream? Vanilla. You can always get vanilla anywhere you go.

In this month that celebrates all things LOVE, here is a glimpse of some of my favorite things.

What I love and value most is my faith in God and the beautiful family He has blessed me with. I love that after almost 40 years of marriage (later this year), my husband Jeff can still surprise me and make me laugh. I love that our 3 adult children, now grown and flown, are my favorite humans!

While Jeff and I are adjusting to life as empty nesters, we are also about to become members of the exclusive club known as Grandparents. While our children continue to jockey for the position of favorite, and we assure them that they are each our favorite, clearly the one giving us a grandchild this Spring has an edge, (wink,wink).

Working in Children’s Ministries at MPC is a passion project. It doesn’t get any better than combining Jesus and sweet children! While thinking about what to share for this issue of The Latest, I was reminded of the many ways we each receive and show LOVE. I enjoy baking, crocheting and gardening and I love to share these things as a way to show someone I am thinking of them and that I care about them. But, I was reminded that everyone receives love differently and that I need to be mindful of how others feel loved and appreciated.

Then, I remembered the Love Languages books by Gary Chapman. Going to my bookcase I pulled down my copies of “The 5 Love Languages”; “The 5 Love Languages of Children” and “The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers”. To my surprise and delight, the quizzes we did as a family some 15 plus years ago came fluttering out of the books. If you have never done this exercise with your family, I highly recommend giving it a try. It was fascinating to hear and share how each member of our family felt most loved. We still reference this today. 

After 2 ½ years at MPC, I am still in awe of the way this faith community shows their love. I have felt appreciated and supported since day 1 and have witnessed each of you being the hands and feet of Jesus in your daily walks. Covid or not, the love of Jesus is alive and well at MPC.

Please provide your Deacon/Elder recommendations by Monday, March 1 at 5:00pm.

Joseph Baugh is a southern California based composer, music director, performer and guitarist.

Starting his professional career at the age of 16, Joseph has toured internationally and recorded with artists such as Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Kenny Loggins and many more.

As a composer Joseph has produced and written music for NBC, FOX, MTV, and MAVTV as well as many other networks, films and ad campaigns.

Joseph is co-owner of Transmitter Studios in Ventura and oversees all types of musical projects including producing worship and secular music for independent artists along with film and TV composing duties.

Joseph feels deeply that worship music strengthens his faith and feels called to lead others in worship to be closer to God.

Joseph is grateful to be part of the Moorpark Presbyterian family as Music Director.

Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.

What does this look like here at MPC? We will start with our Ash Wednesday service – a more contemplative and somber reflection on our sinfulness and our need for a resurrected savior.

We will continue throughout the Lent with sermons focused on Christ’s last words from the Cross and small group engagement that will further our reflection on these “7 Last Words from the Cross.”

A week before Easter, we’ll gather for a celebratory service for Palm Sunday.

And then during Holy Week (the week right before Easter) we will gather for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then our final gathering of celebration on Easter Sunday (more info on the specifics of these events to follow).

We hope you will join us as we attempt to engage on many levels with the author and perfecter of our faith – Jesus Christ.

The word “love” can be a little frustrating, with its vague meaning that can be applied in so many different ways. I can say I love the KU Jayhawks, Pink’s hot dogs and my wife Jillian, but for the sake of our marriage I should find a better way to phrase that! The Bible uses several words to describe different kinds of love, with the big four being: Storge (Familial Love), Philia (Friend Love), Eros (Romantic Love) and Agape (Unconditional Love from God). Personally, I’m a big fan of all four, and I thought I’d use them to frame my letter this week.

Storge: I am so overwhelmingly, profoundly, immeasurably grateful for my family. If you don’t know them, here’s a quick rundown. Jillian and I have been married for just over 21 years (more on her later), and we have four amazing kids! Madison is our oldest and is a freshmen at Azusa Pacific University where she’s studying to be an actress. Aiden is a junior at Oaks Christian and is creative and absolutely hilarious. Bella is in 8th grade at Mesa Verde and is incredibly smart, witty and kind. Olivia is the baby of the family, a fifth grader at Arroyo West. She is funny, witty, adventurous and a voracious reader. Our family is an amazing gift from God.

Philia: I consider any and all of my friends to be a gift, but as I write this I am especially grateful for the many friends who have shown us love here at MPC. Our family feels deeply blessed to be part of such a loving, kind and encouraging church family. Thank you!

Eros: Let me tell you about my amazing wife! She’s the funniest person I’ve ever met. She seems quiet, but she has a razor sharp wit that often only I get to appreciate and I kind of love that! She is beautiful, she loves Jesus with every fiber of her being and she is the kindest, gentlest person I have ever known. She is a deep well of wisdom, encouragement, love and grace. It would be impossible for me to talk about love and not talk about her.

Agape: Agape love goes so far beyond my understanding that often I can do nothing more than thank God for it and awe at its very existence. I am so profoundly grateful for the grace, hope, forgiveness, salvation, love and life that I have found through Jesus. I couldn’t imagine walking through this world without the knowledge of God’s abounding love. Every day I strive to be worthy of that love and to do my best to share it with those God puts in my path. Some days I feel like I do that well, others not so much. Yet God persists in loving me without limits, and I am ever grateful for that.

I love the music of the late Rich Mullins. In his song, “Let Mercy Lead” (which inspired us to name our son Aiden) Rich sings the words
“Let mercy lead
Let love be the strength in your legs
And in every footprint that you leave
There’ll be a drop of grace”

May it be so for all of us.