Sunday Night Reflections 08
It is Sunday night and both my head and heart is full!
My head is full because this week is going to be crazy getting ready to go to Costa Rica and we are going to spend the next two days with a consultant helping us to think thru the warehouse space we are praying about – a little more about that in a minute!
My heart is full after experiencing another incredible Gathering today! I know that for those who are on the KW Team you read this blog to see what you missed – can I just say THANK YOU! KW Team you rock – we had 80 in KW today – we had 20 - 3 & 4 yr olds – that is a lot of kids in a small space!! Carlee told me they had 5 babies so it was rockin in KW. For those who did not get into the adult environment here are some things we experienced!
- Parent Dedication – it was great getting to pray for and give Scott/Michelle/Silas and Jeff/Kimberly/Benjamin a prayfull charge to "train up" their sons the way they should go. So good to know that there is a community of faith that holds the bar of marriage and parenting high. We need to pray for each other to be all that God desires us to be.
- The Elmwood band taught us a couple of new tunes – both from Passion's new CD called God of the City. God of the City needs to be our theme song for Elmwood – love that song and what is says and declares!
- We talked through Scriptural Baptism – spent just a few minutes discovering what it is, what it symbolizes and why we should do it. We had some info packets that explains it a little more and included is a message that Pastor Jerry Gillis gave to Crosspoint called Markers. We are going to be having our first Baptism Celebration Gathering on March 19 at the Buffalo Christian Center. If you want to be a part of this "first" experience please take a Baptism Packet on Sunday and fill out the form and turn it back in. We had like 20-25 people take all of our packets today so we will have more this Sunday – that is crazy cool!!!!
- We had 327 today – all total – 4 weeks in a row we have busted over that 300 marker – Once again first time guest all over the house – we have been averaging 20 first time guest every Sunday the last 6-7 weeks. Keep inVITING and inVESTING ELMWOOD!
- We had an incredible experience today as we celebrated Communion together. We did it a little different today – had everybody go to a "station" where there was a large glass of grape juice and a loaf of bread, people came forward and tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the juice and then ate it – it was really a sweet time as we REMEMBERED what Jesus Christ did for us. Band did a great job helping us worship through this time in an incredible way – thanks you guys – love you!
- We then wrapped up the morning by bringing the Costa Rica Team and commisioning them to go out and be ambasasdors of Elmwood and most important as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. We have raised over $2000 to help send this team OUT! Way to GO!
Heart goes out to the two families that lost two teenage girls in the snowmobile accident yesterday – dont' know either family but can only imagine the pain they are experiencing today.
Today was the last day of our "official" 21 day challenge about what God would have us go and do in the days to come concerning the warehouse on Elmwood Ave. We will be going through a 60 day period starting today that will allow us to do "due dilligence" and to actually see if this space will be a good fit for us. Please keep praying for – spending time everyday regarding this issue and for your own growing relationship with God – there is so much that He wants to do through us individually and collectively but it starts with what He does in us first!
Love you Elmwood!
