Dear Church Family,
 
Before we look toward an important weekend at CityRise, I want to pause and remember an important day in the life of our nation.
 
Tomorrow marks twenty-five years since the attacks of September 11, 2001. We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day, the courage of first responders and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger, and the families whose lives were forever changed. We also remember the men and women who served our country in the years that followed.
 
For many, September 11 remains deeply personal. I hope you will take a moment tomorrow to pray for those who still carry its grief and to thank God for those who sacrificially serve and protect others. Psalm 46 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Twenty-five years later, that truth remains our hope.
 
Now this weekend, we will also celebrate something we have hoped and prayed for and worked toward for a long time.

On Sunday, our CityRise Missouri City and CityRise Missouri City Español church families will return to their newly renovated building for New Beginnings Sunday! After four years of perseverance, these congregations will once again worship, gather, and serve from these renewed spaces.

What excites me most is what will happen inside the building. We anticipate celebrating the baptisms of several new believers that morning. There is hardly a better picture of a new beginning than men and women publicly declaring that Jesus has given them new life.
 
At 9A, our English- and Spanish-speaking congregations will gather for a brief bilingual dedication service. The morning will continue with worship, Community Groups, baptisms, our Children’s Choir, a youth drama, fellowship, and a special welcome to community partners who have walked alongside the church.
 
I know many of you will be serving and worshiping at your own CityRise campus Sunday. But if you are able to join our Missouri City church family for any part of the morning, I know your presence would be an encouragement to them.
 
For those planning to attend, please be aware that parking on campus will be very limited. Additional parking will be available at the funeral home next door, at E.A. Jones Elementary about a quarter-mile away, and along nearby side streets. Please allow a little extra time when you arrive.
 
Many across CityRise have prayed, given, served, and encouraged this congregation through these years. Thank you. This Sunday is a reminder that our Pathways efforts are ultimately about making room for people to hear the gospel, grow in Christ, and find a church family.
 
Please pray for Campus Pastor Mark Edworthy, Español Pastor Justo Robinson, and the entire CityRise Missouri City and CityRise Missouri City Español teams. Pray especially for those preparing for baptism and for every guest who walks through the doors Sunday.
 
May God receive all the glory for what He has done and what He will continue to do.
 
 
Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger