Sunday Rumination (12-23-07)

One more week of 2007 and then we're OFF to a new year. We're kickin' off the new year with two GREAT sermons series that will literally take head on two subjects that are debilitating our country. Finances and sex. I'm VERY excited about both of those series to see what God has to teach us.

Here is the rumination on today.

--- Don't know the final count (need to confirm with Adam and Grant), but there at least 5 people at 9 AM and another 5 at 10:30 that acknowledged they accepted Jesus into their hearts today. I can't tell you how important that is to the life of a church. Churches need to offer a consistent opportunity to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. Very exciting to see people acknowledge that decision.

--- We had more money come in today to add to the over $940 that had already come in for the four moms we adopted. That money went to offset the cost of purchasing many of the items that Element bought for the families. Three of the families gifts have been delivered and our family is delivering the last one tonight. So far the families have been overwhelmed by your generosity. Our Life Group adopted another family as well and we'll be delivering those gifts tonight too.

--- All total, we supported 6 families (4 through the church and 2 others from Life Groups). Grants Life Group went and worked at the Comea Shelter last night and also took some milk in for them. Grant met with the directors there and they said their two biggest needs are $$ and milk.

--- 218 in attendance today. Didn't know what to expect for our first Christmas weekend. Typically you either see a LARGE increase or decrease. We were about the same as the previous weeks up some from last week.

--- Terri told me the offering but I already forgot the #. I know it was over $3000. $3300 maybe. lol It was a good offering. Nice to be consistently in that area. As stated before, we also had some more $ come in for the adopt-a-moms. Can't wait to do more of that.

--- We had a great set up team today. Set up was quite possibly the best we've had. Done in plenty of time and gave the band ample time to practice.

--- Band...Another fantastic job in leading worship today. Adam opened the service with an original rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Instrumental). It is a really cool version (Dare I say Phil Keaggy like?). Leigh, one of our new vocalists ended O come O come Emmanuel with a kickin' solo. He really let loose in 2nd service (wish we had the video of that).

--- 2nd service...wow, 2nd service was unusual. I think it was one of those moments where God allows stuff to just foul up to remind us that it's not about us. In the middle of Adam's opening song we lose ALL power to the sound board and computers. That means ZERO amplification for the guitar, for vocal, for ANYTHING. Adam was on an island of uncomfortability. Pam (sound trainee) went running upstairs to check the breaker. Wasn't it. I was on the floor under the computer table checking the power strip. NOTHING! Adam was ad-libbing on stage getting ready to do his best Backstreet Boys accapella rendtion of O Holy Night. FINALLY after what seemed like 10 minutes (probably 2) we figured out that the extension cord had come out of the wall out in the hallway killing the power to the sound board and computers. Then the theater projector wouldn't come back on. Somehow it just popped on right when we needed it. It was BY FAR the biggest interruption I've ever experienced in church. Thankfully it wasn't during an intimate worship song or the sermon. Everyone laughed (hopefully with and not AT us) and was very understanding. It was definitely an awkward moment.

--- I'm going skiing tomorrow with Jonah. That is his Christmas gift from us. Sabrina took the girls to Princess Wishes On Ice recently for their gift. I love spending time with Jonah like that and watching him enjoy life. He is in a spiritual inquisitiveness mode lately. He asked how old Jesus would be on Tuesday. How do you explain that really, He always has been, but that he came as a man 2000 years ago? Fully human, fully God! Explain that to a 6 year old. He's been asking a lot of spiritual questions lately. We try and answer them as best we can. He asks questions about heaven and hell a lot. He's very concerned that people actually go to hell. I hope that concern makes him into an effective witnesser for Jesus.

--- Jaydah turned one today. We are celebrating her birthday tonight with some friends who are really more like family to us. Every Sunday night we get together with Grant and Terri Clark, Ben and Jill Roberts, and Jen and Brian Thomas. Being so far from our family the Clarks and Roberts' soon became like family to us in Gillette. Jen and Brian have recently joined the clan and we are glad to have them. We have a blast hanging out together. It's a good way to unwind on a Sunday night.

--- Ok, I need to load the Suburban with the gifts we're delivering. I'm excited to help these families. Anything else I'll add as a rumination addition.

Thanks Elementers for supporting us! You guy's are AWESOME!!

Following Christ,

Jeff