Dear Cypress Family and Friends,

So did you hear the news…our neighbors directly to the south in St. Pete have been given the dubious title as being the saddest city in America. St. Pete…really? Sadder than Detroit? Bluer than Cleveland? More long-faced than Fargo? Sulkier than Seattle? Wow, who would have guessed that sipping margaritas on the beach in the sunshine could make one so downcast? Nevertheless according to the recent edition of Men’s Health magazine after reviewing suicide rates, jobless indexes, anti-depressant prescriptions and people just generally feeling the blues…don’t relocate to St. Pete if you need some cheering up.

Well, not to make light of it all…really…but it sounds like people in our county could use a little Christmas joy. So why don’t you do what I’m doing and invite everyone you know to join you at the Cypress Christmas production this year. After reviewing the elements of this variety-type production I feel really certain that a couple of things will happen. First, people will certainly enjoy an entertaining laugh or two. Second they will find themselves ambushed by the grace that once proclaimed “joy to the world the Lord has come” at the birth of Jesus. So invite. Invite with the boldest love you have in your bones. You can send an e-invite complete with video teaser at www.cypressmeadows.org/christmas and don’t forget to reserve your own tickets there as well. (December 16-18)

One more thing, this weekend our own Molly Bail will join me in all the services for an update on Springs of Hope Kenya. And cheer up you could be living in…you know where.

Blessings,
Douglas