Digital Bulletin
Sun, Jan 18, 2026
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Sermon Notes
Psalm 145:4; Matthew 22:34-40 (NRSV) • Notes by Rev. Dr. Alf Halvorson
This is the second in our short two-week series on updating the congregation regarding our Master Planning process. You can get more information on our website at masterplan.mdpc.org, and also offer input or feedback by sending an email to
Or, if you want to talk to someone with skin on, face to face, we would love for you to reach out to members of the Master Planning Committee (listed on the website) or current elders, deacons, and pastors regarding your thoughts, concerns, hopes, and dreams about possible next steps and even a finished project.
- Have you ever been part of a remodel or expansion of your house, business, a second property, or your church? What were the worst parts of that process? And what were the best parts of the process and result? (Think not only about physical challenges or blessings, but the emotional, relational, and spiritual opportunities/ramifications.)
- Read Psalm 145:4. What is the responsibility of the current generation to the next generation regarding faith and faithfulness? What does it mean to contemplate that “The faith is only one generation away from extinction”? How was the faith passed down to you? How might we in word and deed and physical location “declare God’s mighty acts”?
- In addition to The Great Commission in Matt. 28:16-20, which I focused on last Sunday, The Great Commandments of Jesus in Matt. 22:16-20 somehow summarizes all the law and the prophets that came before in the Old Testament. Jesus reveals here how He taught and lived. Read Matt. 22:16-20 and answer this question: What are ways we can love God and our neighbor(s) as ourselves? What might this vertical and horizonal relationship look like in the church? Can architecture facilitate or inhibit love of God and love of neighbor?
- I shared in my message about the Four Strategic Pillars or Goals that session approved in 2023-2027 to serve as a filter through which to view all our programs and activities, and present and future plans. That each idea must pass through this filter in order to gain approval. If the activity or future plan does not advance one or more of the pillars, it is dropped or modified until it meets those criteria. We believe this will advance the Great Commission and The Great Commandments of Christ. How does framing put our possible building campaign into perspective? Which possible ideas were you most excited about from the visual part of my presentation? Are there any things that were missing? Or are there any of the options that you believe missed the mark? What ways can we carry out The Great Commandments and The Great Commission right now and not wait until some future project is completed?