Monday Downloads

*The weather was so wonderful last night that we could've had church outside. Matt claims he doesn't need a microphone anyways...
*Great service last night. Matt was our "guest preacher" and he did a great job. Feel free to e-mail Matt at viktorynlyfe@yahoo.com with any questions or comments you have.
*I was missing Nathan's guitar last night but there is something about the violin that just gives me goosebumps. Carroll is a good and Godly man and I enjoy it when Donovan brings him in with us.
*I'm thankful to have great volunteers in our media and sound booths. Erika does an excellent job on the screens and Joe has to be everywhere at once, yet maintain the sound. The tech jobs only seem to get noticed when something goes wrong and I am just so thankful for Joe and Erika.
*I am amazed every week at how God answers our prayers. Joe and Donovan and I have been praying that the Lord would draw people to His service and we keep getting story after story from people that say they weren't planning on coming, but the Holy Spirit just kept reminding them and pulling them out of their house and to the church. I love that!!!
*I'm excited about the future of this service. Joe and I met Friday night and had a great talk about what ministry really is and about loving people and trying to really focus on discipling others. We can't do any of that if our own relationships with Jesus are not strong, so that is where everything starts.
*Not preaching last night gave me some extra time to actually hang out and talk to people. We have a really diverse congregation. I found myself challenged and loved and taught by many people last night as I walked around and talked to everyone. I also love that we have a wide age range. We have just as many people that are over 50 as we do that are under 30. We have teenagers, singles, couples, grandparents, new parents and expecting parents. I've said it before and I want to lay it out there again: the church has a lot of ministries that focus on certain generations (youth ministries, young adult ministries, senior saints ministries, etc.)but there is nothing like having everyone together in worship. A young couple can look across the aisle and see Judy and Larry still in love after decades of marriage. Some of our older folks can look around and see the energy and zeal that some of our youth have for Jesus. New parents can find grandparents and older parents to talk to and vice versa. I see the need for generational ministries, but there is nothing like corporate gatherings.
*I can't wait until next Sunday...