As far as our culture is concerned, the church is a lost cause.  Out of step, out of date and out of touch.  Fallen preachers and hidden scandals haven’t helped.  When you compare the statistics of “professing Christians” in America against declining church attendance, it does appear that “I love Jesus but not the church” is a ‘real thing.’  And that’s not good, for no other reason than it’s not how Jesus sees or understands His Church.     Over the next five weekends, we will hear Jesus speak to the Church.  We need to hear what He has to say about us.  If we listen well and apply what we learn, Jesus will reset our understanding of Church and even deepen our love for Church.  The series is entitled “Dear Church,” because each sermon focuses on a truth that Jesus wants the Church to learn – truths about who we are and what He wants us to do.  This weekend, we begin with “Dear Church, You are My Bride!”