Weekly Update: July 30, 2025
Word from the Pastor:
I hope this weekly newsletter finds you well and staying cool in the Central Texas heat.
This past Sunday, we reflected on the liturgical act of confession—both the confession of belief and of sin—and how speaking the unvarnished truth about our lives is countercultural, yet essential to our formation as God’s people. We ended the service with a communal confession (included below). In this newsletter I want to go deeper into why confession is so powerful.
At its core, confession is truth-telling. While Paul often links confession with salvation, this has sometimes been misunderstood as causal—as if saying the right words causes salvation. It doesn’t. Jesus saves - period.
In Paul’s world, confession meant verbal integrity—naming aloud what was being made visible in a transformed life. To confess “Jesus is Lord” wasn’t private belief; it was a public declaration of new allegiance. The words made sense of a life already being lived differently.
But over time, especially in Western Protestantism, we’ve separated the “spiritual” from the “real,” reducing confession to mere words or mental agreement. This disconnect has allowed many to speak Christian truths while still living by the same political, economic, and relational norms as the wider culture. That’s not what Paul meant.
For Paul, to confess Jesus as Lord was to embrace a new way of life—with new loyalties, values, and community. Confession wasn’t just expression; it was alignment.
And even more—like the sacraments, confession is a portal. It opens us to the Holy Spirit, who not only forgives, but empowers us to imperfectly leave sin behind and live as if Jesus truly is King. We can’t do that alone. We need the Spirit’s help.
So, as promised, I’ve included the confession of sin we used on Sunday. I invite you to read it slowly a few times. Pay attention to any line that stirs conflict, defensiveness, or excuses within you. Sit with that, don't rush past it, allow it to make you uncomfortable.
Ask:
Why does this line bother me?
Why do I feel the need to justify myself here?
What part of me resists this truth?
Then invite the Holy Spirit to meet you there—and ask for the courage to live in the freedom that line points to. Let that confession become not just repentance, but a declaration of how you now live.
God of grace and mercy, we confess that we have sinned—in what we have done, and in what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church, breaking your law and turning away from your love.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves, and have too often responded to enemies with retaliation instead of love.
We have ignored suffering we could not deny, turned a blind eye to the cries of the needy, and indulged in excess while others go without.
We have avoided facing hard truths. Forgive us, we pray. Turn us back to you, that we might walk in your light, live by your justice, and embody your love—through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
See you Sunday!
Matthew
Cell 512-787-2429 | Email mdh1199@gmail.com
Instagram @liveordinarywell | Facebook Matthew Hansen
Website
Here's a link to our church website. Be sure to check it for more information, podcasts, donation link and more.
https://www.driftwoodcommunitychurch.org
Upcoming Events
First Fridays - Friday, August 1, 5:00 pm
Matthew and Sarah will be at Hays City Store from 5-6:30 pm. and everyone is welcome to join. There's no set agenda—just a time to connect and enjoy good company.
Volunteers Needed
Our church needs your support! If God is calling you and you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please complete this form or contact one of the trustees or pastor. Thank you! https://forms.gle/K2AFU9b9fbeoiZyM7
The Board has a working list of volunteer needs relative to the church service and maintenance items at the church. Be on the lookout for this list and be in prayer about how you can help.
If you have a gift of organizing and/or managing, please consider the Hospitality Coordinator volunteer position. This is an organizational role responsible for recruiting and assigning volunteers for the Sunday Social Hour, 5th Sunday luncheon, holiday meals and general business meeting snacks, etc. Duties of the volunteers that you recruit would include set-up, clean-up, and keeping the kitchen stocked with supplies (coffee, sugar, creamer, paper goods, condiments, juice).
Social Hour: Sundays at 10:00 am
Our social hour is a great way to get to know each other over breakfast tacos! We meet in the Education Building at 10:00 a.m. before the 11:00 a.m. church service.
Dripping Springs Helping Hands Pantry
The 2nd Sunday of each month is designated for pantry donations. Please place your nonparishable food items in the blue barrel in the Education Building.
Concerns:
All the flood victims in Central Texas
Caregivers of the hurting
Those grieving lost loved ones
Those suffering with illnesses
Those battling cancer
Israel
Praises:
God’s healing, compassion, and mercy
Our church volunteers
Our church's beautiful new sign
Families, friends and neighbors!
Beautiful tree work on church grounds
Our Nation
Gatherings & Neighbors
Family Reunions
Events where we can be "church" to others
We are sorry if we have missed any prayer needs. Please let us know by sending us an email. Your updates to the prayer list are appreciated.
Our trustees are Shelby Eckols, Craig Glanville, Darrell Thomas, Ben Roberts and David Younger.
God's blessings and love to you,
Driftwood Community Church