Sunday Reflections

- It was an exciting Sunday, to say the least.  68 in worship.  A delicious Thanksgiving meal after church.  

- I hope that I was able to connect Thanksgiving and Stewardship well.  If Jesus was serious in telling of us that we are cared for more than the birds or lilies, then I think that we should be open to being stewards of that which we are entrusted.  Stewardship is not about money, it is about a life orientation.  We should give all that we are/have/dream/want/had to God.  He promises to care for us.

- The music was good this week, huh?  

- I noticed as we invited the congregation to come take communion that the noon Catholic bells went off.  I hate those bells.  I hope that the Spirit was moving in a way that it didn't matter that we went a touch late.

- The Hanging of the Greens was a great time.  The church looks beautiful.  The service was short, but meaningful.  The chili afterward was FANTASTIC!  Thank you to Laura, Linda, Teresa, Nathaniel, Danny, Angela, Cindy T., Gary, Patrick, Megan, Charryse, Mackenzie, Mike for helping.

- Angel Food was fantastic this weekend.  How about the efficiency we showed this time?  The line at the church was great!  I am so excited about how this ministry is shaping up!  We are making some good connections!

- We delivered 18 Thanksgiving meals to folks (well, some picked them up).  What a great ministry!

- I am excited about the future of our church.  Things are really starting to pick up.  I am hoping for a great Advent season!

Sunday Reflections

- I am glad that I do not have to preach on sex every week.  It was tough.  But, I hope that I convincingly showed that God's plan for sexuality within the marriage covenant, just as He has covenanted with His people.  

- I didn't do much the rest of the day.  Unlike many pastors, I usually have energy to spare on Sunday afternoons.  Often I try to play soccer to work out some of the excess energy.  Not this week...I sat on the couch like a lazy person.

- We had 58 folks in church this week.  That is SO exciting.  God is doing good things amongst us.

- Our church had a story written about it in the Norwood Times.  It was well-written by a local college student and did a good job talking about some of things we have been up to lately (especially Angel Food and Don't Go to Church...).

- Music was good this week, I thought.  I am excited about Christmas music coming...always love the season.

- That's it for this week.  Love you guys.

Sunday Reflections

Sorry there was no post last week.  It was so busy!  But, I got some things done, including my preaching calendar for 2009!  How cool!?!  My mom was in town for the last two weeks.  Having her help with Mackenzie was great!  Don't know how I get by without her!

- Yesterday's service was good.  I was afraid to talk so much about myself, but I thought the point would connect.  For those of you not there, I talked about things that were/are important to me.  Things like the Red Sox, my Dad's baseball glove, my schools, etc.  I think most people knew most of this stuff about me.  Then I noted that this was because we have taken the risk of relationship with one another.  Legalism (issue of the day) does not allow relationship.  God is about rules to a legalist.  Our goal in the church should be to foster relationship between God and the world, and allow formation to flow out of that.  

- Missed Alex (our video/slide man) at church.  Where, oh, where was Alex?

- I missed a lot of people on that note.  I love that I get bummed about an attendance of 48!  Remember when that was an outstanding Sunday?

- I hope the Sears and Edwards had fun on their Gatlinburg get away.

- Wednesday night was a great prayer service.  We set Acts to the side, for the week, and we prayed.  We prayed for folks in our church, the new leadership of the country, and more.  It was a powerful time.  In fact, I can't believe you are still missing this if you are still missing this!

- On a similar vein, I am amazed at the heavy needs in our church right now.  The financial crisis is starting to hit some of us square.  I'll be praying for the families of our church, would you be as well?

- On a sports note, it isn't 2007 any more.  All of my teams were dominate in 2007.  I liked 2007 way better!  

- The quarterback position is it in football.  No quarterback, no big season.  Simple as that.  My LSU quarterback was thrown off the team and my Pats QB tore is knee up.  Both seasons are worse than last year.  It is no coinsidence.

Thanks for reading.  Keep me and the church in your prayers!