Easter 2009:
Seeing as it is the week of Easter, I thought this would be a great time to share some thoughts with you. Let's start off with Easter...
First of all, can I just say how excited I am that I and my family will be celebrating Easter with you this year! The resurrection is something that needs to be given high priority and I'm so thankful that I serve alongside people who are products of the resurrection. With that said, it's gearing up to be a big day.
The schedule is as follows:
9:30AM Easter Egg Hunt
9:45-10:30AM Coffee and Fellowship time. (No Sunday School)
10:30AM Easter Celebration Service!
Let me just say a few things about the schedule. We've heavily promoted the Easter Egg Hunt to the soccer kids as well as in house. We are hoping that there will be great participation. The age group will be from anyone who is old enough to walk to kids in 5th grade. It will be fun, hopefully not too wet and cold, and fun---I already said that.
You'll notice the coffee and fellowship time. This is ON PURPOSE! This is your time to meet some new people, mingle with visitors, and really put Community Church's best foot forward. We'll have some music playing in the background, goodies upstairs and downstairs, and just generally a relaxed atmosphere where people can mingle and get to know each other. Take advantage of it. These are visitors in your home. Make them feel welcome, begin conversations, don't be shy and stick it out there.
Of course, following the food time is the service. We'll be having some special children's participation during the service (maybe you've heard them practicing?). Consequently, there is no children's church. This is a family day and we're excited about celebrating the resurrection together!
One final note---not that I'm all that special or anything, but if you bring a guest, make sure you introduce them to me. Like usual, I'll be running around like crazy, but I really want to meet the people you bring with you and make a connection!
Soccer:
Whew! Let's see. What else. Oh yeah! SOCCER! What a blast! We had a ton of new participants this year and it was exciting to be a part of it. We're continuing a lot of our contact with these families via Easter, the Pinewood Derby, Vacation Bible School, etc. Will you partner with me and pray that God continues to keep their interest in Community Church fresh and intense so that when these opportunities arise they are more inclined to be responsive? Thanks again to the group of volunteers that made soccer such a huge success!
Pinewood derby:
OK. Since I brought it up I might as well talk about it. My pinewood derby car is so sweet. I've been practicing some new woodworking techniques and I am having a blast with it. Not really being too competitive by nature, I'm a little concerned with myself regarding how much thinking I am doing about my car. It's probably not normal human behavior which isn't really much of a deviation for me---yet the concern remains. I'm cutting, sanding, painting and polishing now in my dreams. Are you? Well, I'm happy to report that over 60 people have signed up to do the pinewood derby (mostly kids) and most of those kids are from the soccer program! AWESOME! More people sign up as the days go by. The derby is on May 2nd and it will be pretty intense! Music, computer technology---the works! And for you adults, the challenge still stands. Take the adult first place trophy away from me and I owe you a large, virgin crust, pepperoni with extra cheese from Infusino's. If I win, you have to watch me eat it.
Oh, I've enjoyed helping my boys build their first pinewood derby cars too.
On a more serious note, we're having two "work days" here at the church on the Wednesdays of April 15th and 22nd from 6-8PM. If you need help cutting out your car or you have kids that need help and you don't have access to the tools, pop on over to the church. Also, if you have some tools and would like to help, pop on over as well. Tools needed are jig saws, band saws, small hand saws, sandpaper, etc.
Brian Hanson in concert:
Let's move on. BRIAN HANSON WILL BE HERE THE SUNDAY AFTER EASTER! Brian Hanson is a humorist and pianist who lives in the Nashville area. He actually grew up in my old haunt, Oskaloosa, IA. Brian is a laugh riot and you'll want to make sure you keep those Easter connections you make fresh so you can invite some folks back for the concert. We'll take a love offering after the concert to cover some expenses. Brian really is a great guy and you'll have a blast that morining. Plan now! click for more...
There's a lot more I want to say but I'll refrain from it for now. However, I do have one important thing to note...
Family Circle session:
There is a family circle session at the church on Sunday April 26th from 6:30PM - 8PM. This is one of those Family Circles where we need as many of you here as possible. We will be sharing some important information regarding the ministry of the church in the next year. We'll be sharing a bit of financial info, but the majority will be regarding how we will be structured next year for better functionality as well as increased growth. It is vital that as many people as possible understand the proccess! Of course, will do some goofy stuff too like I usually come up with, but I am asking you to make this one a priority. This is the final Family Circle session of the year and it's an important one. Thanks.
Well folks, here we are. What a week. I'm excited, are you? If you're not, grab someone who is and catch whatever they've got because it's contagious! Praying for you!
9 M A R C H 2 0 0 9
Good Afternoon All!
Mission service:
Wow! What an incredible service yesterday as God shared with us through a missionary to a Creative Access Area. You all stepped up to the plate and we were able to send the missionary off with a check for $1602.00 to use toward the World Mission Program. The missionary kept going on and on about the service. We had the missionary in our home on Sunday afternoon after the dinner and the missionary just couldn't say enough about the service.
Community Kids Soccer:
Soccer is going absolutely fabulous thanks to all the hard work of the volunteers every week. Rumor has it that on Friday nights after they set everything up there is a little adult scrimmage that takes place. I've not been there to see it but if you are lacking for Friday night entertainment, this might fit the bill. Seriously though, soccer is going great with 100+ kids a week having a blast every Saturday. It's half over with four more Saturdays to go. I'd encourage you, even if you don't have any kids playing, to come on out and spend a few minutes taking it all in. Thanks to all you hard workers!
Easter time:
Another item to note is that EASTER IS COMING! I don;t know about you---but time is flying by. We're starting a new series this Sunday called, "Worth A Thousand Words" and it deals with some of the pictures of Jesus that we tend to overlook. I think you'll really enjoy it and I've been praying that it will be a challenge to all of us as we move closer to Easter. Speaking of Easter, take a look around this Sunday since we are going to have some invites and such available for you to use to invite friends and relatives!
I realized about two minutes ago that I shouldn't have started this message with only five minutes before I have to go. There's just too much to share!
I will throw in one more item though.
Pinewood Derby:
The Pinewood Derby. Call me crazy. (Did you do it?) (Call me crazy that is.) I'v e never heard of a church having a pinewood derby before for literally everyone, but we are. My wife and the rest of the caravan workers have assembled a pinewood event to rival all pinewood events. (If you can;t tell---I'm kind of pumped!) There is an adult category (which is why I'm pumped) and I am issuing the following challenge. Are you ready?
I will buy one large, virgin crust, pepperomi pizza from Infusino's for the adult who steals first place away from me. Seriously. If I win first place, you have to watch me eat it. Normally, I'm not very competitive. However, there is something about a pinewood derby that gets me going. So---consider yourselves challenged. Of course, the derby is for the kids too!
Hey folks---have a great week and know that I love you and am privileged to be in the adventure with you!
7 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9
Hello One and All!
Just thought I'd bring any and every one up to speed on the current life and times of Community Church. Random thoughts and such. In the future, look to this spor for more specific updates!
Community Kids Soccer:
There are now over 100 kids signed up for the soccer league! Games begin in two Saturdays and if you have shown interest in being a coach, you should be receiving a letter post haste. Once you receive your letters, it will be up to you to contact your team members! What an awesome privilege to be a part of this! Many of the kids who are signed up have never played here before and this will be their first exposure to Community Church. Let's make it a great one! If you aren't doing anything over the next several Saturdays, they can always use more help in the concessions in the basement! Just show up and we'll put you to work!
RiOT Ski Retreat:
This weekend about 17 of our folks will be headed to the great white north for the Wisconsin District Youth Ski Retreat! Please be praying for these kids that God will crack the door to their hearts that much wider and the message of Christ will penetrate deep! Be praying too for safe travel!
The BASICS:
Last Sunday we began "The Basics" series and this Sunday we're excited about having Jon Nelson share with us as we begin discovering the keys to Spiritual Growth as they tie directly into glorifying God by the way we live our lives. Remember, the master key to Spiritual Growth is living out your position by your practice. Get ready for a great Sunday!
Community Marriage Agreement:
Next Monday night, Pastor's from throughout the community will be getting together to begin the proccess of adopting a Community Marriage Agreement. What this means is that each church will assume the responsibility of upholding some specific standards in regards to how pre-marital counseling is done as well as follow-up on married individuals. This is a much needed advance in the City of Racine. I think we would all agree that strong marriages are one of the backbones not only to healthy churches, but society as a whole. Please be in prayer as the pastor's of Racine get together to deal with this important matter.
Financial Peace University:
Since this morning, several families in the church have registered to be a part of the launch of Financial Peace University at Community Church. This is a big undertaking and God will surely bless it.
Church Board Planning Sessions:
Where are we going? What are we doing? When will it happen? All great questions. The Church Board has committed to meeting numerous times between now and June to begin the process of re-evaluating the mission, values and more specifically the vision of the church and begin the process of hashing out a strategic plan to launch some initiatives through Community Church. One of the things that I've realized is that if we are going to do what we feel God wants us to do, we will have to have a stable foundation and the structure in place to support those endeavors. There are several issues that I am hoping to have accomplished by the turning over of the next Church Year at the end of June. I'm am working on a church board structure as I type this that will better facilitate the ministry of the church in the future and better use the talents and gifts of the church board. We will also be working on a new budget creation system that marries together that structure with the financial practices of the church. As you've learned through the Family Circle Sessions as well as through the "Integriship" series, our financial systems are doing exceedingly well and there is high accountability and accounting taking place. Our budget system for the next year will match up with that. Also, as the church board goes through the vision proccess we are using the tools that you have provided for us in the Family Circle Sessions. You might remember when I posed the question to you...
"If you knew you could not fail, and money was not an issue, what would we as a church do for the glory of God?"
Well, you came up with some great answers and insight and that is some of the fuel that is stoking the vision discussions and will throughout the rest of the winter into the Spring.
Obviously, this is a lot to tackle in the next 4 to 5 months. However, this groundwork will lay a foundation that I believe is neccessary for the future. Thanks for your participation in the proccess as well as for your prayers in this matter. The next planning session is February 22nd from 3-6PM. It would be great if several of you would take time during that session to pray for your church board.
Easter:
So I got this crazy idea. Easter is a little later this year (April 12) and I thought to my self, "Self, what's more fun than an Easter Egg hunt?" When I threw the idea out there the obvious first question was, "Uh, what if it snows." Good point. We're going to do it anyway. So, the schedule for Easter is as follows...
Easter Egg Hunt: 9:30AM
Fellowship and Food in the Basement: 10:00AM
Easter Celebration Worship: 10:30AM
Should the snow fly or should the bitter arctic air be too brutal for tender litle faces, we'll move it inside.
Brian Hansen:
The Sunday following Easter a good friend of mine Brain Hansen, will be here for a concert in the morning service. Brian is an accomplished pianist from Nashville (originally from Oskaloosa, IA) and is one of the funniest men I've met in my entire life. This will be an excellent time together.
SS on the rise!
Our Sunday School attendance has been on the increase and it is due in large part to the excellent work of our Sunday School teachers and staff. If you have not plugged into a SS Class yet, you're missing out on some great fellowship and in depth study with others. Take advantage of what the church is providing for you! If you are looking for a group to plug into, contact Loretta Hall and she'll point you in the right direction: lorettahall@earthlink.net.
Men's Growth Group:
Ernie Pazera is a guy who has a passion for men and there is a great opportunity every Tuesday night for you if you are looking for a group of guys to meet with and grow together. Contact Ernie at Ernest.Pazera@ge.com or ernestpazera@gmail.com for more info.
Listen, if I keep going I'll never stop. Obviously, there are tons of other things I could list like the Young Adult Fun Night this Saturday, Gayla Sharpe stepping up and becoming our new Nursery Director, a new Membership Class coming up, invitation cards available for you to use to invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, the Month of May Family Emphasis, Becky Stephenson and Brenda Nelson stepping up to begin a full Women's Ministry Program for the church, the women's and men's retreats, the Alabaster Offering, the donation list for the Racine County Jail (which will be in your bulletin this Sunday), the increasing useage of our facilities, etc.
OK, I just need to stop now. If you've read this far, it's time to get back to work. Just know that I love you and am so thankful to be working alongside some fine and fantastic people who have a passion and heart for God.
