As most of you know.....a huge part of every suburb and town in our area is sports for our kids. Every day of almost every week has tons of kids playing sports in our area. Kids play, parents coach, parents cheer (sometimes inappropriately) and everyone has a good time. It is as American as Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chrysler ....I mean Fiat!
To have a well organized local town sports association it takes money and volunteers. Many times those are exactly the two things that many places are short on.
Enter...Team Church!
The Porter Ridge Athletic Association is having their Little League Opening Day fair this Saturday. This is a great day for kids to ride rides, play, eat and have fun. It is also a fundraiser for the association to help cover the cost of running such an organization. A few months ago we heard from some of our parents who live in that area that this would be a huge help to that community if Team Church would use this as one of our service projects. We agreed. Here is the info straight from our web site:
Porter Ridge Athletic Association Opening Day
Saturday, April 4 | 8:30am-11:00am
Team Church is partnering up with the Porter Ridge Athletic Association for "Opening Day". The PRAA will hold their baseball Opening Day on Saturday, April 4th. The event is at Hemby Bridge Elem School fields. Team Church volunteers will be helping with parking, selling baked goods, picking up trash, coordinating teams for the parade and photos and making sure all the kids and families have a great time! This is an easy, but important outreach to families in the Porter Ridge area and is one where you can participate in just one area or in several areas throughout the day. Be on the look out for sign-up information on Sunday mornings.
Most important though, is we need people to bake cookies, brownies, cupcakes, anything that is quick and easy to eat. The association will be selling these baked goods at the opening day. We need these goods delivered to the church by Friday noon.
If you can serve for 1-3 hours this Saturday, please contact Kathy Shephard at kathyshephard@gmail.com If you live in the Hemby Bridge/Porter Ridge area this is your backyard. We would love to have you "represent" and serve those who will recognize you! If your kids play in this association....this is a no brainer.
Here is the link to our website 10 year anniversary.
“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:33-37
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
When God Says SLOW
By the end of the last service my voice was gone......but everything went great. Huge crowd and great energy! Moreover I think the worship and message hit home for a lot of people. It is never easy getting the answer to our prayer as SLOW...WAIT....CAUTION.
However, when we get those answers......we can explore what it is that God wants us to do, to know and experience while he gives us the SLOW yellow sign. Remember, when go does not give you a clear NO or Yes....it is because their is something else going on. God is far more concerned with your heart, character, obedience and the process of your life than He is in just making you happy for a moment.
Here is what we learned yesterday.....
God may say SLOW....when the timing of your request wrong!
God may say SLOW ....when YOU need to Grow.
* You may need to grow in your faith, trust, or just maturity.
God may say SLOW.....when you have un-confessed sin in your life OR you are choosing to live a sinful life.
God may SLOW....when you need to gather more information because you are going to have to make a decision based on the Wisdom of God and not the Will of God.
If you are getting SLOW from God.....check and see if any of these apply! Also, a few people asked about the book I referenced. It is called he • Contrarian Guide To Leadership by Dr. Steve Sample. It is also on my recently read book list.
Never make a decision today that can reasonably be put off to tomorrow. Learn To think gray. Don't form opinions if you don't have to...until you have to.
Dr. Steve Sample
However, when we get those answers......we can explore what it is that God wants us to do, to know and experience while he gives us the SLOW yellow sign. Remember, when go does not give you a clear NO or Yes....it is because their is something else going on. God is far more concerned with your heart, character, obedience and the process of your life than He is in just making you happy for a moment.
Here is what we learned yesterday.....
God may say SLOW....when the timing of your request wrong!
God may say SLOW ....when YOU need to Grow.
* You may need to grow in your faith, trust, or just maturity.
God may say SLOW.....when you have un-confessed sin in your life OR you are choosing to live a sinful life.
God may SLOW....when you need to gather more information because you are going to have to make a decision based on the Wisdom of God and not the Will of God.
If you are getting SLOW from God.....check and see if any of these apply! Also, a few people asked about the book I referenced. It is called he • Contrarian Guide To Leadership by Dr. Steve Sample. It is also on my recently read book list.
Never make a decision today that can reasonably be put off to tomorrow. Learn To think gray. Don't form opinions if you don't have to...until you have to.
Dr. Steve Sample
Friday, March 27, 2009
"CANDY CANDY CANDY"
As you know we will officially launch our new campus in Lancaster County, South Carolina on Easter morning. After a few great "pre-view" services we are ready to go!
On the Saturday before Easter we are hosting a community-wide Easter egg hunt and family fun event at a park in Kershaw, SC. This will be a HUGE event for that area and we are making it one of our anniversary service projects. Hundreds of Team Church volunteers will be there to make this Saturday event a great success.
However, we need candy! Tons of it! SO here is your chance to help support our big Easter launch for our new campus. Just bring some candy with you to church this Sunday. It needs to be packaged candy with a wrapper on each piece so that it can be placed inside plastic eggs. We will be stuffing thousands of eggs with this candy....so bring as much as you can!
Look for the sign and the drop off bucket on Sunday morning!
Also, on Sunday you will see our brand new Welcome Center! This is a rolling info desk platform. This will be for all our new guest that continue to show up. If you are a regular at Team Church this area is not for you. Lets keep it clear for our guest who need quick info on where to go and where to take their kids. Thanks!
See you Sunday....hopefully we wont need an Ark to get to church this Sunday.
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
Matthew 6:1-3
On the Saturday before Easter we are hosting a community-wide Easter egg hunt and family fun event at a park in Kershaw, SC. This will be a HUGE event for that area and we are making it one of our anniversary service projects. Hundreds of Team Church volunteers will be there to make this Saturday event a great success.
However, we need candy! Tons of it! SO here is your chance to help support our big Easter launch for our new campus. Just bring some candy with you to church this Sunday. It needs to be packaged candy with a wrapper on each piece so that it can be placed inside plastic eggs. We will be stuffing thousands of eggs with this candy....so bring as much as you can!
Look for the sign and the drop off bucket on Sunday morning!
Also, on Sunday you will see our brand new Welcome Center! This is a rolling info desk platform. This will be for all our new guest that continue to show up. If you are a regular at Team Church this area is not for you. Lets keep it clear for our guest who need quick info on where to go and where to take their kids. Thanks!
See you Sunday....hopefully we wont need an Ark to get to church this Sunday.
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
Matthew 6:1-3
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Summer Camp....help your kids experience something different
I believe in Summer Camps for kids and teenagers. As a youth pastor I saw hundreds of teenager's lives changed at summer camp. I am talking about changes that actually lasted....not emotional decisions that don't make it past the first day home! The last two summers at Team Church we have also seen great success at summer camp.
Summer camp is a time for our kids to get unplugged from all the ridiculous technology that floods their lives....IPOD, XBOX, Facebook, Phones, Internet and the beat goes on. In and of themselves these items are not evil...however, a week away from them can do a lot of good. Camp is a time to get unplugged from the media that does affect their mind and morals.
It is a time to be a kid! To run, play, climb, fall, swim and the like. (It is unbelievable to me that we have to have government and other campaigns that encourage kids to "get out and play.")
It is a time to have great Bible learning and worship every evening so that they can learn that this alone can help them live the best life possible as they strive to be all they can be! It is a time to have caring adults build into their lives at this crucial stage of their maturation process. It is time to be with friends! It is a great time!
Sign up for kids and teenager camps are happening now. You can even sign up now and start paying a little each month as we lead up to Summer.
Kids Camp is June 21st - 24
Student Camp is June 28th - July 3rd
Email clintnewton@teamchurch.com for 3-5th grade.
Email bradsaab@teamchurch.com for 6th - 12th grade.
Also, if you don't have kids that age but would like to help a kid go to camp through helping with scholarship money...let them know that too.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Summer camp is a time for our kids to get unplugged from all the ridiculous technology that floods their lives....IPOD, XBOX, Facebook, Phones, Internet and the beat goes on. In and of themselves these items are not evil...however, a week away from them can do a lot of good. Camp is a time to get unplugged from the media that does affect their mind and morals.
It is a time to be a kid! To run, play, climb, fall, swim and the like. (It is unbelievable to me that we have to have government and other campaigns that encourage kids to "get out and play.")
It is a time to have great Bible learning and worship every evening so that they can learn that this alone can help them live the best life possible as they strive to be all they can be! It is a time to have caring adults build into their lives at this crucial stage of their maturation process. It is time to be with friends! It is a great time!
Sign up for kids and teenager camps are happening now. You can even sign up now and start paying a little each month as we lead up to Summer.
Kids Camp is June 21st - 24
Student Camp is June 28th - July 3rd
Email clintnewton@teamchurch.com for 3-5th grade.
Email bradsaab@teamchurch.com for 6th - 12th grade.
Also, if you don't have kids that age but would like to help a kid go to camp through helping with scholarship money...let them know that too.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Waiting On God
Have you ever been praying to God for an answer and yet He remains silent on a clear Yes or No? He seems to be saying that you should just Slow down and wait. Sometimes the Slow down or "not yet" answer is harder than a clear No. Why does God do that? Doesn't He know that we have things to do, places to go and waiting just does not help? Or does it?
This coming Sunday I will be teaching on this most frustrating of all answers that God gives to us. Many of us have been praying for a clear answer on something for many weeks, months and even years.
When I think of God not working on our time table and forcing us to have patience as he continually told us SLOW.......I think of our church's journey from eight people and owning nothing to where we are today. God seemed to never be working on our time table. However, through this 10 year journey we have learned so much and grown in our faith.
If you have been at Team Church (CSF) for a number of years you know that many times we pray for something to happen quickly.....and it happens slowly. We pray for things to happen smoothly and without any challenges and we have had hurdles around every corner. From the early days of this church where we prayed for a place to meet and our first choice was always delayed, to the buying and then selling of the first piece of property, to finally having God allow us to purchase this beautiful land....we have had God say to us "not-yet." Even since owning this land and building our first building we have been faced with many obstacles in our pursuit of what we believe God has for us to do here.
However, along this journey of faith we have always seen God come through in the end. At the end of each challenge we could see why God did not give us a quick Yes and allow things to be easy......but many times gave a Slow. The challenges have made us stronger. The delays have only made our resolve and faith more steel like as we trust in God. Going through SLOW times, challenges and having God not to allow us to have things easy only makes us enjoy and appreciate what we have even more! As this campus develops and grows we will enjoy what we have all the more! From the many sports fields, walking trails and expanding buildings that will be alive seven days a week with people from every age..... God has given us a great place to help reach and impact people with the message of Christ. As we move forward into the next 10 years we fully expect more challenges and Slow prayer answers ....however, we know that God is in control. He has been in the past and He will be in the future.
My guess is that you have been praying too....and God seems to be saying SLOW. This Sunday lets explore the why of that and what we can do about it.
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
- Booker T. Washington
This coming Sunday I will be teaching on this most frustrating of all answers that God gives to us. Many of us have been praying for a clear answer on something for many weeks, months and even years.
When I think of God not working on our time table and forcing us to have patience as he continually told us SLOW.......I think of our church's journey from eight people and owning nothing to where we are today. God seemed to never be working on our time table. However, through this 10 year journey we have learned so much and grown in our faith.
If you have been at Team Church (CSF) for a number of years you know that many times we pray for something to happen quickly.....and it happens slowly. We pray for things to happen smoothly and without any challenges and we have had hurdles around every corner. From the early days of this church where we prayed for a place to meet and our first choice was always delayed, to the buying and then selling of the first piece of property, to finally having God allow us to purchase this beautiful land....we have had God say to us "not-yet." Even since owning this land and building our first building we have been faced with many obstacles in our pursuit of what we believe God has for us to do here.
However, along this journey of faith we have always seen God come through in the end. At the end of each challenge we could see why God did not give us a quick Yes and allow things to be easy......but many times gave a Slow. The challenges have made us stronger. The delays have only made our resolve and faith more steel like as we trust in God. Going through SLOW times, challenges and having God not to allow us to have things easy only makes us enjoy and appreciate what we have even more! As this campus develops and grows we will enjoy what we have all the more! From the many sports fields, walking trails and expanding buildings that will be alive seven days a week with people from every age..... God has given us a great place to help reach and impact people with the message of Christ. As we move forward into the next 10 years we fully expect more challenges and Slow prayer answers ....however, we know that God is in control. He has been in the past and He will be in the future.
My guess is that you have been praying too....and God seems to be saying SLOW. This Sunday lets explore the why of that and what we can do about it.
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
- Booker T. Washington
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Look To The Ant!
On Sunday all the toilets in the our beautiful church building stopped working during the second service. Not good......
Luckily, none of them "back-up" and over flowed causing any real mess. It was quickly determined that one of the large trucks that were here on Saturday for the work day must have run over the sewer line leading out to the septic tank area. On Monday he search began for the crushed line. After digging around no crushed line could be found. Then, by chance, one of our volunteers who was working with our facilities manager checked the electric box that runs the pump at the septic tank area. This pump keeps the "stuff" flowing from the lines, to the tank, to where ever the final resting place may be!
Sure enough the electric box that runs the pump had its lines damaged, fried, blown and cut in half. They noticed that millions of ants had invaded the electric box, dug under the earth and came back out the conduit holding the wires and had eaten the plastic around the wires, the wires and everything else causing it to blow and short circuit. Fried ants everywhere! However, millions of other ants we loving their super charged new home.
Take a minute to think about how long it took those little tiny ants to do that. Think of the hard work and the team work. Think of how many died in the process so that the "task" could be completed for their little nation of ants. The Queen must have been real pleased with all the little ants that worked so hard.
Is it no wonder that the Bible implores us to look to the ants to see how hard they work. How dedicated they are to the task. How they are not afraid of sacrifice for the greater good and how they work as a Team.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 30:25
Ants are creatures of little strength,yet they store up their food in the summer;
In a crazy but very biblical way I want to be seen as an Ant! I want our church to be known as a Team of Ants! One Purpose, Shared Responsibility, Personal Devotion!
click on that link and read again what we are about here at Team Church! We are reaching and impacting our city like never before!
Luckily, none of them "back-up" and over flowed causing any real mess. It was quickly determined that one of the large trucks that were here on Saturday for the work day must have run over the sewer line leading out to the septic tank area. On Monday he search began for the crushed line. After digging around no crushed line could be found. Then, by chance, one of our volunteers who was working with our facilities manager checked the electric box that runs the pump at the septic tank area. This pump keeps the "stuff" flowing from the lines, to the tank, to where ever the final resting place may be!
Sure enough the electric box that runs the pump had its lines damaged, fried, blown and cut in half. They noticed that millions of ants had invaded the electric box, dug under the earth and came back out the conduit holding the wires and had eaten the plastic around the wires, the wires and everything else causing it to blow and short circuit. Fried ants everywhere! However, millions of other ants we loving their super charged new home.
Take a minute to think about how long it took those little tiny ants to do that. Think of the hard work and the team work. Think of how many died in the process so that the "task" could be completed for their little nation of ants. The Queen must have been real pleased with all the little ants that worked so hard.
Is it no wonder that the Bible implores us to look to the ants to see how hard they work. How dedicated they are to the task. How they are not afraid of sacrifice for the greater good and how they work as a Team.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 30:25
Ants are creatures of little strength,yet they store up their food in the summer;
In a crazy but very biblical way I want to be seen as an Ant! I want our church to be known as a Team of Ants! One Purpose, Shared Responsibility, Personal Devotion!
click on that link and read again what we are about here at Team Church! We are reaching and impacting our city like never before!
Monday, March 23, 2009
When God Says NO!
Yesterday was a great start to what I believe will be a life-changing series for many people. When we pray God will always answer.....His answer will basically be three different answers....NO, SLOW and GO! We learned yesterday that there are reasons why God will say NO to our prayer request. He does this as a loving and all knowing God.
When does God say No to our prayers?
God will say NO when our actual request is wrong!
* When our request goes against God's Moral Will....he will always say no!
God will say NO when our motives are wrong...even though the request may be okay.
* When our Motives and heart are impure as it pertains to the request...God may say No.
God will say NO when the request goes against what He has set in motion as His Providential Will.
* We live in a "cause and affect world" and one that has things that are just going to happen and our prayers may not change those things.
If you have been praying and getting a NO answer....check it against the backdrop of these reasons. Then move forward trusting God.
Yesterday afternoon we had a HUGE group show up to do the Demolition at the Howell Center. We finished the whole demo project in 2 hours. Over the next few weeks crews from Team Church will be going in to do the electric, plumbing and new drywall. Then in May we will have another large group service project day there as we complete the task. I was so proud of the people of Team Church yesterday....that was hard and dirty work! Great Job!
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
When does God say No to our prayers?
God will say NO when our actual request is wrong!
* When our request goes against God's Moral Will....he will always say no!
God will say NO when our motives are wrong...even though the request may be okay.
* When our Motives and heart are impure as it pertains to the request...God may say No.
God will say NO when the request goes against what He has set in motion as His Providential Will.
* We live in a "cause and affect world" and one that has things that are just going to happen and our prayers may not change those things.
If you have been praying and getting a NO answer....check it against the backdrop of these reasons. Then move forward trusting God.
Yesterday afternoon we had a HUGE group show up to do the Demolition at the Howell Center. We finished the whole demo project in 2 hours. Over the next few weeks crews from Team Church will be going in to do the electric, plumbing and new drywall. Then in May we will have another large group service project day there as we complete the task. I was so proud of the people of Team Church yesterday....that was hard and dirty work! Great Job!
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Friday, March 20, 2009
First Day Of Spring!
Don't let the cool temperatures fool you....Spring is here!
What do you do when you have prayed for something to happen and God's answer is NO! Do you get mad? Do you stop praying? What do you do? This Sunday we explore why God says no to some of our prayers and what we should do about it.
Speaking of prayers that were answered "No" by God....tomorrow I will be leading memorial service for a 44 year old healthy wife and mom. She first came to our church last week. Four days later a virus attacked her heart and she died on Tuesday. Her family prayed all weekend for God to save her. They prayed for her to be alright and live. Again....we are doing her funeral in the morning.
Why did God not answer their prayer? If you listen to the non-sense preaching on TV it was because they did not have enough faith. Or, maybe their was un-confessed sin in their life. Or, maybe they did not send in enough money to the TV preacher and lay their hands on the TV screen and really believe. Those guys and gals are hucksters who prostitute the gospel for a Charismatic teaching that does not, nor has ever, been in the Bible. If the name it and claim TV preachers could do what they say they can do....then their would be no need for a Howell Center for people like my daughter and others who have serious medical issues that they were born with and God has answered our prayer of healing and normalcy every time with a "No".
We live in a fallen and sinful world that has sickness and death. We live in a cause and effect world that sometimes hurts. We live in a world where things happen and we don't have any good answers....except God loves us and in the end, and for eternity, we will live in a perfect body in a perfect world with Him....Forever.
Pray for Team Church as we minister to this new family at the funeral and for the coming months.
"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."
Martin Luther King Jr.
What do you do when you have prayed for something to happen and God's answer is NO! Do you get mad? Do you stop praying? What do you do? This Sunday we explore why God says no to some of our prayers and what we should do about it.
Speaking of prayers that were answered "No" by God....tomorrow I will be leading memorial service for a 44 year old healthy wife and mom. She first came to our church last week. Four days later a virus attacked her heart and she died on Tuesday. Her family prayed all weekend for God to save her. They prayed for her to be alright and live. Again....we are doing her funeral in the morning.
Why did God not answer their prayer? If you listen to the non-sense preaching on TV it was because they did not have enough faith. Or, maybe their was un-confessed sin in their life. Or, maybe they did not send in enough money to the TV preacher and lay their hands on the TV screen and really believe. Those guys and gals are hucksters who prostitute the gospel for a Charismatic teaching that does not, nor has ever, been in the Bible. If the name it and claim TV preachers could do what they say they can do....then their would be no need for a Howell Center for people like my daughter and others who have serious medical issues that they were born with and God has answered our prayer of healing and normalcy every time with a "No".
We live in a fallen and sinful world that has sickness and death. We live in a cause and effect world that sometimes hurts. We live in a world where things happen and we don't have any good answers....except God loves us and in the end, and for eternity, we will live in a perfect body in a perfect world with Him....Forever.
Pray for Team Church as we minister to this new family at the funeral and for the coming months.
"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Huge Crowd....25 Baptisms
As my son would say....."Last night was Beast!" It was great to listen to the stories of all those who were baptized. From those who had never really been in church to those who went as kids but stopped going after high school...to some of our kids who have recently confessed Christ....all the stories were great.
I personally had a great time as I was able to baptize another boy that I have been coaching on our football team for three years. The bonus was that his dad, who also coaches with me, was also baptized. Even the older sister was baptized. Other coaches, leaders, and players from MARA who have also been impacted by God at Team Church were baptized too. It was a great night!
This Sunday starts a great new message series. It is a small 3 part series that will help to answer the questions that surround God's answers to our prayers. As you know, God answers prayers. However, not always the way we had hoped or not in the time frame we desire. Why is that?
When we pray....God will answer NO, SLOW or GO! How do you know the answer? Why does God answer in such ways. How do we know the will of God when we pray? We will be looking at this over the next few weeks? Here is the link on our website that you can look at and share with a friend!
Bring a friend....and we will see you Sunday!
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:4-13
I personally had a great time as I was able to baptize another boy that I have been coaching on our football team for three years. The bonus was that his dad, who also coaches with me, was also baptized. Even the older sister was baptized. Other coaches, leaders, and players from MARA who have also been impacted by God at Team Church were baptized too. It was a great night!
This Sunday starts a great new message series. It is a small 3 part series that will help to answer the questions that surround God's answers to our prayers. As you know, God answers prayers. However, not always the way we had hoped or not in the time frame we desire. Why is that?
When we pray....God will answer NO, SLOW or GO! How do you know the answer? Why does God answer in such ways. How do we know the will of God when we pray? We will be looking at this over the next few weeks? Here is the link on our website that you can look at and share with a friend!
Bring a friend....and we will see you Sunday!
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:4-13
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
You Thought I Had Forgotten!
We have been receiving thousands of emails and calls about the fact that my BLOG was not posted by noon! People letting us know that a year and half ago I promised to BLOG daily by noon every day....M-F. Of course as you know....minus vacation or Holidays I have NEVER missed a day in almost two years! Until today....my computer crashed and I could not get to another computer until now. ( I spent the morning at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association leading the chapel today and then helping Champion Christian Center with some details in their newly purchased warehouse!)
Okay.....maybe not thousands of emails....but at least a few people thought I had finally forgot to BLOG as promised. Nope.....just no working computer. Everything is back to normal now.....
Baptism & Communion Service tonight at 7pm!
Also, Here is a note from Kurt Wood the volunteer leader for our HUGE Howell Center Project:
"Ready…Set…Demo! This Sunday is the start of yet another Team Church service project. Please be at the Howell Center @ 1pm to begin work. We are scheduled to be done by 6pm. With a good showing of willing hands we could be done sooner, so don’t be afraid to bring help. There are no age restrictions, so if you feel your child is able to help out with the following feel free to bring him/her along. (10+ years)
Come ready to tear out and haul away dry wall, duct-work & insulation. If you have any of the following please bring them with you:
Wheelbarrows
Step Ladders
Crowbars / hammers
Shovels
Brooms
Work gloves / safety glasses
The Howell Center is located 11950 Howell Center Drive Charlotte NC 28227!
You can drive yourself there or meet at the church at 12:45 to follow others over.
Okay.....maybe not thousands of emails....but at least a few people thought I had finally forgot to BLOG as promised. Nope.....just no working computer. Everything is back to normal now.....
Baptism & Communion Service tonight at 7pm!
Also, Here is a note from Kurt Wood the volunteer leader for our HUGE Howell Center Project:
"Ready…Set…Demo! This Sunday is the start of yet another Team Church service project. Please be at the Howell Center @ 1pm to begin work. We are scheduled to be done by 6pm. With a good showing of willing hands we could be done sooner, so don’t be afraid to bring help. There are no age restrictions, so if you feel your child is able to help out with the following feel free to bring him/her along. (10+ years)
Come ready to tear out and haul away dry wall, duct-work & insulation. If you have any of the following please bring them with you:
Wheelbarrows
Step Ladders
Crowbars / hammers
Shovels
Brooms
Work gloves / safety glasses
The Howell Center is located 11950 Howell Center Drive Charlotte NC 28227!
You can drive yourself there or meet at the church at 12:45 to follow others over.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Computer Failure
I know, I know.......my BLOG is late. I have a good reason. My laptop is broke. It is down for the count.
Hopefully it will be up and running tomorrow.
One thing....a man just came into the church office. He introduced himself and said that he and his family have come here once. They came last week. He then said that his wife has had a virus attack her heart and she is now on life support and not expected to make it through the week. Wanted to know if we could help as this was going to be the church they chose after coming once.
Of course, we told him yes. It was one of those moments that i hate as a pastor......then I reflected on Sunday's straightforward message. WOW.
Please pray for this family even though I will not yet give their name.
Hopefully it will be up and running tomorrow.
One thing....a man just came into the church office. He introduced himself and said that he and his family have come here once. They came last week. He then said that his wife has had a virus attack her heart and she is now on life support and not expected to make it through the week. Wanted to know if we could help as this was going to be the church they chose after coming once.
Of course, we told him yes. It was one of those moments that i hate as a pastor......then I reflected on Sunday's straightforward message. WOW.
Please pray for this family even though I will not yet give their name.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Third Project Exceeds Goal!
Hundreds of volunteers worked hard and also brought stuff to be sold in our special garage sale this past Saturday. As you know, all sales were for Christ Our Shepherd Ministries here in Matthews. In talking with Christ Our Shepherd they had shared with us that they were in need of supplies and materials for the ministry that amounted to needing just over four thousand dollars. So that is the number we set for our goal.
It was cold and rainy on Saturday. So volunteers cleared out the auditorium and every inch of the atrium area on Friday night. Many volunteers worked till Friday and then came back very early on Saturday to get "stuff" set up. By 8am it was pouring rain....but people were flooding into our building looking to find a deal.
Deals were found and stuff was bought. By noon much of what was brought had been sold and we exceeded our goal for them. Today we will cut Christ Our Shepherd a check for $5,000! The people there could not believe it and were very thankful and excited. In these tough economic times places like Christ Our Shepherd have their request for help go up.....but their giving goes down.
Great job Team Church! This is the BEST way to celebrate our 10 years as a church in this community! Doing what we have always done.....Reach and Impact those who are not in church and those who are need.
This event was spearheaded by our Home Team Ministry and the Newton Home Team won the prize for making the most money! Great Job!
This coming Sunday we have a BIG work afternoon at the Howell Center. We need strong, tough and gritty men, women, boys and girls to be a part of the demolition crew that will rip out the ceiling, dry wall and other things in the indoor therapy pool area. This job will not take long if we have a bunch of strong backs! Plan to be at the Howell Center in Mint Hill at 2pm THIS Sunday!
"I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their position in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your who you are in life—this is indeed a gift from God."
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
One more note: Sport fans everywhere are excited! March Madness is here. That's right all over the country College fans are pumped! This is a great month! Spring Football practice has started on College campuses everywhere! This is truly a great month for college sports. It is the official start to the 2009 college football season!
It was cold and rainy on Saturday. So volunteers cleared out the auditorium and every inch of the atrium area on Friday night. Many volunteers worked till Friday and then came back very early on Saturday to get "stuff" set up. By 8am it was pouring rain....but people were flooding into our building looking to find a deal.
Deals were found and stuff was bought. By noon much of what was brought had been sold and we exceeded our goal for them. Today we will cut Christ Our Shepherd a check for $5,000! The people there could not believe it and were very thankful and excited. In these tough economic times places like Christ Our Shepherd have their request for help go up.....but their giving goes down.
Great job Team Church! This is the BEST way to celebrate our 10 years as a church in this community! Doing what we have always done.....Reach and Impact those who are not in church and those who are need.
This event was spearheaded by our Home Team Ministry and the Newton Home Team won the prize for making the most money! Great Job!
This coming Sunday we have a BIG work afternoon at the Howell Center. We need strong, tough and gritty men, women, boys and girls to be a part of the demolition crew that will rip out the ceiling, dry wall and other things in the indoor therapy pool area. This job will not take long if we have a bunch of strong backs! Plan to be at the Howell Center in Mint Hill at 2pm THIS Sunday!
"I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their position in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your who you are in life—this is indeed a gift from God."
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
One more note: Sport fans everywhere are excited! March Madness is here. That's right all over the country College fans are pumped! This is a great month! Spring Football practice has started on College campuses everywhere! This is truly a great month for college sports. It is the official start to the 2009 college football season!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Cold & Rainy .....Ministry Still Goes On
Well... the Spring like weather is gone. It is cold and rainy and will be that way all weekend. The mountains are even getting snow again!
Some may think that we will cancel our third mission event in our ongoing 10-year anniversary celebration. If you think that....you don't know the people of Team Church very well! We have promised Christ Our Shepherd Ministries a HUGE yard sale where they will get all the proceeds! We are going to deliver!
If it is raining in the morning......the entire yard sale mission event will be held in our building. We will clear out the chairs, turn on some music and let people shop-til-they-drop! If we have to we will use the Atrium area, the up stairs kids area, the hall way and every square foot we can. It will seem like a morning at IKEA...minus the Swedish Meatballs! (ADHD moment....have you been to that place. What a ingenious concept. One way in...One way out. You have to walk through the whole place if you want to buy one thing. Of course that means.......you are tempted like a kid in a candy store for the two hours that it takes to traverse the mammoth place. I felt like I was in Epcot center going to different "Rooms" in your house.....thought over!) Please make sure your Home Team knows, your church friends know, your neighbors know and that everyone knows.....the largest Yard Sale in the South Charlotte area is on tomorrow morning! Christ Our Shepherd Ministry is counting on us and we will be there to help them raise a ton of money as they continue to help those in need in Matthews.
Do you have a friend that you have been thinking of inviting and bringing one Sunday? This is A GREAT Sunday to bring a new person who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus! As a matter of fact....everyone should make it a goal to get at least one person here this Sunday. I promise, just like every Sunday in our Graceful series....this one will be talked about! It will change lives!
Use our web page WWW.Teamchurch.com
to invite people and share the excitement about Team Church. They can read about Team Church, watch powerful videos, watch and/or listen to Sunday messages and learn about our other great ministries.
Also, be praying as we have our third preview service at Team Church Lancaster County. We are getting ready for the big launch on Easter! You can go to our website and click on locations on the top of the opening page. This will give you the option of clicking on the Lancaster location.
See you Sunday!
Some may think that we will cancel our third mission event in our ongoing 10-year anniversary celebration. If you think that....you don't know the people of Team Church very well! We have promised Christ Our Shepherd Ministries a HUGE yard sale where they will get all the proceeds! We are going to deliver!
If it is raining in the morning......the entire yard sale mission event will be held in our building. We will clear out the chairs, turn on some music and let people shop-til-they-drop! If we have to we will use the Atrium area, the up stairs kids area, the hall way and every square foot we can. It will seem like a morning at IKEA...minus the Swedish Meatballs! (ADHD moment....have you been to that place. What a ingenious concept. One way in...One way out. You have to walk through the whole place if you want to buy one thing. Of course that means.......you are tempted like a kid in a candy store for the two hours that it takes to traverse the mammoth place. I felt like I was in Epcot center going to different "Rooms" in your house.....thought over!) Please make sure your Home Team knows, your church friends know, your neighbors know and that everyone knows.....the largest Yard Sale in the South Charlotte area is on tomorrow morning! Christ Our Shepherd Ministry is counting on us and we will be there to help them raise a ton of money as they continue to help those in need in Matthews.
Do you have a friend that you have been thinking of inviting and bringing one Sunday? This is A GREAT Sunday to bring a new person who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus! As a matter of fact....everyone should make it a goal to get at least one person here this Sunday. I promise, just like every Sunday in our Graceful series....this one will be talked about! It will change lives!
Use our web page WWW.Teamchurch.com
to invite people and share the excitement about Team Church. They can read about Team Church, watch powerful videos, watch and/or listen to Sunday messages and learn about our other great ministries.
Also, be praying as we have our third preview service at Team Church Lancaster County. We are getting ready for the big launch on Easter! You can go to our website and click on locations on the top of the opening page. This will give you the option of clicking on the Lancaster location.
See you Sunday!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New Life In Christ
I watch the news. I read the news. I keep up with what is happening in politics and our country. (I am always frustrated by adults who complain about something in our country but do nothing to help it or worse yet......they are CLUELESS about what is really happening. They don't know what is happening in government or in the world.)
Because I keep up with what is happening I found myself a little irritated and sad this week when it comes to what is happening in our country as far as the continual decline of Christian values and morals. I see current government trends and fear for the country that we will turn over to our kids. Things spiraling down and out of control while many Christians just pretend that nothing is happening adversely to the moral fiber of our great country. They seem clueless to what is happening and are only concerned about what they are doing this weekend and will the rain affect it.
In this mental state I drove onto our church campus yesterday afternoon. At that moment my mental state began to change......I was reminded again of what we are doing here at Team Church and that it is making a difference. I walked into the atrium area and saw teenagers and college kids setting up for pursuit. They were serving with a smile and enthusiasm that only comes from dedicated teenagers! I stepped in and saw the "all-high school" band and tech teams warming up for Pursuit. Those kids are good!
While standing and waiting for my meeting that was to start at 6:30pm....I watched as younger kids came in with their orange Team Kid T-shirts on and were running upstairs with their parents in tow....excited about the night. Then I had a Baptism talk with a man from our church who will be one of the many being baptized next Wednesday. His story of where he has been and where he is now reminded me of why we do what we do at Team Church. He thanked me for what Team Church is doing for his family....I should have thanked him for letting me hear his story. As I walked out of the office heading for my Home Team I saw teenagers hanging out eagerly waiting to get into Pursuit. This site gave me hope that all teenagers are not just what we see on T.V. At our Home Team I sat with young families who are reading, searching, and studying about how to raise their kids in a godly way in a culture that is fast becoming more ungodly in values and legislation.
That night I came back to the church to pick up my son from Team Kid and had a teenager come running up to me to say that she is getting baptized next week and wanted to know if I would be the person to baptize her? She was smiling from ear to ear and excited about her faith, her church and life.
I got in my Jeep (top off) drove home with my son and a friend's daughter and listened to them talk about Team Kid and how they can't wait for the next "Season" to start in three weeks. With the moon shining down and the stars lighting up the night.....I heard God whisper in my ear: "Things are not all how they should be....but the joy and excitement about New Life in Christ you saw tonight is the Hope that made this country great and will be the only Hope your kids can count on for the future of their lives and the future of America."
Team Church has never been about resting and just watching the world go by.....we are involved, interactive, engaging and willing to meet culture where it is and lead it to where God wants it. We are not afraid of our culture nor are we antagonistic toward it.....but where we see it going astray we are willing to hit it head on and stand up for what is right. To make a difference that is positive in our neighborhoods, city, state and even country.
I am glad you are a part of this life-changing place we call....Team Church.
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Because I keep up with what is happening I found myself a little irritated and sad this week when it comes to what is happening in our country as far as the continual decline of Christian values and morals. I see current government trends and fear for the country that we will turn over to our kids. Things spiraling down and out of control while many Christians just pretend that nothing is happening adversely to the moral fiber of our great country. They seem clueless to what is happening and are only concerned about what they are doing this weekend and will the rain affect it.
In this mental state I drove onto our church campus yesterday afternoon. At that moment my mental state began to change......I was reminded again of what we are doing here at Team Church and that it is making a difference. I walked into the atrium area and saw teenagers and college kids setting up for pursuit. They were serving with a smile and enthusiasm that only comes from dedicated teenagers! I stepped in and saw the "all-high school" band and tech teams warming up for Pursuit. Those kids are good!
While standing and waiting for my meeting that was to start at 6:30pm....I watched as younger kids came in with their orange Team Kid T-shirts on and were running upstairs with their parents in tow....excited about the night. Then I had a Baptism talk with a man from our church who will be one of the many being baptized next Wednesday. His story of where he has been and where he is now reminded me of why we do what we do at Team Church. He thanked me for what Team Church is doing for his family....I should have thanked him for letting me hear his story. As I walked out of the office heading for my Home Team I saw teenagers hanging out eagerly waiting to get into Pursuit. This site gave me hope that all teenagers are not just what we see on T.V. At our Home Team I sat with young families who are reading, searching, and studying about how to raise their kids in a godly way in a culture that is fast becoming more ungodly in values and legislation.
That night I came back to the church to pick up my son from Team Kid and had a teenager come running up to me to say that she is getting baptized next week and wanted to know if I would be the person to baptize her? She was smiling from ear to ear and excited about her faith, her church and life.
I got in my Jeep (top off) drove home with my son and a friend's daughter and listened to them talk about Team Kid and how they can't wait for the next "Season" to start in three weeks. With the moon shining down and the stars lighting up the night.....I heard God whisper in my ear: "Things are not all how they should be....but the joy and excitement about New Life in Christ you saw tonight is the Hope that made this country great and will be the only Hope your kids can count on for the future of their lives and the future of America."
Team Church has never been about resting and just watching the world go by.....we are involved, interactive, engaging and willing to meet culture where it is and lead it to where God wants it. We are not afraid of our culture nor are we antagonistic toward it.....but where we see it going astray we are willing to hit it head on and stand up for what is right. To make a difference that is positive in our neighborhoods, city, state and even country.
I am glad you are a part of this life-changing place we call....Team Church.
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A big day in a boy's life
Yesterday when I got home from work I was privileged to share in my oldest son's big day. A coming out party of sorts for a boy........he got to mow the yard all by himself. I personally hate yard work. I don't enjoy it all. I like a nice yard but I really don't like "working in the yard." However, at age 11 Peyton was looking forward to it. He could not wait to crank up the mower and set out on the yard. The grass only needed mowing in a few places but I let him mow the entire yard for practice. I told him he had to figure out the best "plan" in covering the whole yard. I walked with him to show him how to line it up straight with each "swipe". I showed him how to let the auto drive off while turning it and how to set it back straight before engaging the tire again.
When he was done, it really looked nice. The best part for me was watching his face as he turned off the mower, dumped the grass and rolled up the cord from the edger. He looked satisfied. He felt like a......well...he felt like a "man". He had the look of accomplishment that comes from when you complete something for the first time that you have been looking forward to doing.
Now..... I know their will soon come a day when he will not see mowing the yard as a privilege. He will see it as another thing in his list of chores. However, for a little while, he sees it for what it is to him. A right of passage. Something fun that makes him feel BIG. Their will be a day ( I hope for his sake it is at least a year) that he will not want to do it....for now he loves it and asked how long did I think it would be before the grass would grow and he could do it again.
In thinking of this and then also listening to Mr. Clint (our kid's pastor) I love the fact that at Team Church we have a kid's ministry that does all the normal church things that happen at many places. However, we also have a Kid's pastor who is a man, an ex Air-Born army guy, a sports guy who loves kids and lets boys be boys. In a day and culture with so many single parent homes and little boys who don't get a chance to be "little boys" our Kid's ministry is a great place for boys. I know this Sunday afternoon a bunch of them are going back into our back 40 acres to spend the afternoon in the woods doing what 4th and 5th grade boys love doing. They will climb trees, make forts, jump the little creek, have contest of who can do certain things that go along with being in the woods. They will have a great time and they will be doing it as part of a "church" event.
Our kid's ministry of course does all the normal stuff like crafts, games, Bible learning, stories and the like. However, I know my son has always enjoyed the extra life skills and more boyish practical learning about how to be a boy who will be a man in this ever changing and sometimes "anti-boy" culture we live in. Great job Clint and the entire Kids Ministry Team.
Team Kid and Pursuit have their last night of the Winter Season tonight. Don't let your kids miss it!
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years." - Mark Twain
When he was done, it really looked nice. The best part for me was watching his face as he turned off the mower, dumped the grass and rolled up the cord from the edger. He looked satisfied. He felt like a......well...he felt like a "man". He had the look of accomplishment that comes from when you complete something for the first time that you have been looking forward to doing.
Now..... I know their will soon come a day when he will not see mowing the yard as a privilege. He will see it as another thing in his list of chores. However, for a little while, he sees it for what it is to him. A right of passage. Something fun that makes him feel BIG. Their will be a day ( I hope for his sake it is at least a year) that he will not want to do it....for now he loves it and asked how long did I think it would be before the grass would grow and he could do it again.
In thinking of this and then also listening to Mr. Clint (our kid's pastor) I love the fact that at Team Church we have a kid's ministry that does all the normal church things that happen at many places. However, we also have a Kid's pastor who is a man, an ex Air-Born army guy, a sports guy who loves kids and lets boys be boys. In a day and culture with so many single parent homes and little boys who don't get a chance to be "little boys" our Kid's ministry is a great place for boys. I know this Sunday afternoon a bunch of them are going back into our back 40 acres to spend the afternoon in the woods doing what 4th and 5th grade boys love doing. They will climb trees, make forts, jump the little creek, have contest of who can do certain things that go along with being in the woods. They will have a great time and they will be doing it as part of a "church" event.
Our kid's ministry of course does all the normal stuff like crafts, games, Bible learning, stories and the like. However, I know my son has always enjoyed the extra life skills and more boyish practical learning about how to be a boy who will be a man in this ever changing and sometimes "anti-boy" culture we live in. Great job Clint and the entire Kids Ministry Team.
Team Kid and Pursuit have their last night of the Winter Season tonight. Don't let your kids miss it!
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years." - Mark Twain
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
10 Year Anniversary Project # 3 this Saturday
This Saturday in the church parking lot hundreds of people will be bringing their good used stuff to sell at our HUGE Home Team's Yard sale. Here is the best part.....ALL money made from EVERY sale will go to Christ Our Shepherd Ministries in Matthews. This is a place in need of money as they help serve single moms and their kids here in the Matthews area.
Each Home Team is setting up their tables and will take care of their own "Stuff" coming and going. If you are looking for some great buys in challenging times.....this is the morning for you. Please tell your neighbors and friends about this event. I know that many people at Team Church are bringing nice stuff that they were going to use in their own yard sale....but instead are bringing here to sell with their Home Team for the good of Christ Our Shepherd. Click Here for details.
This is a perfect example of Teaming up with our community! We will have it rain our shine.....
Speaking of shine.....what great weather we had the last three days. I went bike riding on Sunday afternoon with Peyton and some friends at Col. Beatty Park to enjoy it. That place was packed. From the bike/walking trials to the play ground. It reminded me of one of the reasons we purchased and got rezoned all 60 acres. It would be great if we could very soon get our playground installed along with our walking trails. The playground we have planned and rezoned for is like the ones you see at such parks and would be greatly used by Team Church folks and those in our community. I know these are tough economical times....but I am trusting God to allow us to get that playground in....sooner than later. What about you?
Their is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.
French Proverb
"There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end the choice you make...makes you!" Legendary Coach, John Wooden
Each Home Team is setting up their tables and will take care of their own "Stuff" coming and going. If you are looking for some great buys in challenging times.....this is the morning for you. Please tell your neighbors and friends about this event. I know that many people at Team Church are bringing nice stuff that they were going to use in their own yard sale....but instead are bringing here to sell with their Home Team for the good of Christ Our Shepherd. Click Here for details.
This is a perfect example of Teaming up with our community! We will have it rain our shine.....
Speaking of shine.....what great weather we had the last three days. I went bike riding on Sunday afternoon with Peyton and some friends at Col. Beatty Park to enjoy it. That place was packed. From the bike/walking trials to the play ground. It reminded me of one of the reasons we purchased and got rezoned all 60 acres. It would be great if we could very soon get our playground installed along with our walking trails. The playground we have planned and rezoned for is like the ones you see at such parks and would be greatly used by Team Church folks and those in our community. I know these are tough economical times....but I am trusting God to allow us to get that playground in....sooner than later. What about you?
Their is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.
French Proverb
"There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end the choice you make...makes you!" Legendary Coach, John Wooden
Monday, March 9, 2009
I have never done that before
On Saturday I was thinking of what could I possibly do to get across the importance of Grace Giving. At 2am on Sunday morning I awoke with idea confirmed in my mind. I hope the site of me on the stage with with a suit on with no pants or shoes is forever impressed on your mind. (Now of course....the checkered shorts I had on was just that....they were shorts and not boxers)
Let me remind you today that Grace Giving means that we discover joy, pleasure, excitement and thanksgiving when we give back to God from what He has given us. I hope everyone took home some of the fake money we had printed (almost like what the government is doing...) and will look it over every time you pull it out of your wallet or purse and see that it says "Everything Belongs To God", "In God We Trust" , 2 Cor 8:6 and a few other reminders. Here is what we learned yesterday:
Biblical View Of Money/Stuff: Everything belongs to God, comes from God and is distributed by God.
* Joyful giving comes from a heart that is thankful for what we have been given!
* Joyful giving happens when I TRUST God completely.
* Joyful giving is easy because I know God will bless me.
* Joyful giving comes when I KNOW that it Blesses Others.
* Joyful giving flows from being obedient to God.
Today as you leave this BLOG...say a prayer for all those who are really struggling today in these economic times.
Pray for the church in St.Louis who had a gunman walk into their early service and shoot the pastor while he was preaching. Pray for the pastors family as he leaves behind a wife and 2 kids.
Let me remind you today that Grace Giving means that we discover joy, pleasure, excitement and thanksgiving when we give back to God from what He has given us. I hope everyone took home some of the fake money we had printed (almost like what the government is doing...) and will look it over every time you pull it out of your wallet or purse and see that it says "Everything Belongs To God", "In God We Trust" , 2 Cor 8:6 and a few other reminders. Here is what we learned yesterday:
Biblical View Of Money/Stuff: Everything belongs to God, comes from God and is distributed by God.
* Joyful giving comes from a heart that is thankful for what we have been given!
* Joyful giving happens when I TRUST God completely.
* Joyful giving is easy because I know God will bless me.
* Joyful giving comes when I KNOW that it Blesses Others.
* Joyful giving flows from being obedient to God.
Today as you leave this BLOG...say a prayer for all those who are really struggling today in these economic times.
Pray for the church in St.Louis who had a gunman walk into their early service and shoot the pastor while he was preaching. Pray for the pastors family as he leaves behind a wife and 2 kids.
Friday, March 6, 2009
I hate it.......but need it
It is 5:30am and I am getting ready to leave for my work out. I really hate working out. I like the results of being healthy and all that comes with a good workout regiment....but I don't really enjoy it. What I would rather be doing right now is still be in bed sleeping where it is warm and cozy. Hmmmmm....I think there is a spiritual lesson here. Can you draw your own spiritual lesson from the above statement. C'mon....you can do it. The teacher in you wants to draw the parallel.
As I get ready to go....it is still pretty cold out side. This reminds me that THIS Sunday all of our winter Team Church clothes will be on sale. Sweatshirts and jackets will be $10 and everything else will be $5. (In the voice of those crazy sales guys on car commercials) EVERYTHING MUST GO....TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW SPRING/SUMMER STUFF!
Also, as I get ready to leave I am reminded that TIME CHANGE is this Sunday. We will be Springing Forward. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead! Trust me you do not want to miss this Sunday's service......it can change your life even in these hard financial times.
Well.....time to hit the cold weather and get to my workout. Yipeeeeee
See you Sunday. Come ready for a great day, bring a friend and lets get ready for a great Spring at Team Church.
As I get ready to go....it is still pretty cold out side. This reminds me that THIS Sunday all of our winter Team Church clothes will be on sale. Sweatshirts and jackets will be $10 and everything else will be $5. (In the voice of those crazy sales guys on car commercials) EVERYTHING MUST GO....TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW SPRING/SUMMER STUFF!
Also, as I get ready to leave I am reminded that TIME CHANGE is this Sunday. We will be Springing Forward. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead! Trust me you do not want to miss this Sunday's service......it can change your life even in these hard financial times.
Well.....time to hit the cold weather and get to my workout. Yipeeeeee
See you Sunday. Come ready for a great day, bring a friend and lets get ready for a great Spring at Team Church.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Big Plans For The Howell Center
This time last year, my wife and I made one of the hardest decisions of our lives. We placed our mentally and physically handicapped daughter in a home. We believed it was best for her and our family. One year later....it is always hard to know that your daughter lives in a "special home" and not your home. We miss having her with us....but we know that it is best and she loves being there.
The Howell Center is located off I485 and only minutes from our home. Over the last year while going to visit Ellie I have noticed that the Howell Center is in need of some outdoor playground equipment and other such things. Knowing that we were having our 10 serving projects to celebrate our 10 year anniversary...I contacted the Howell Center about us serving there and providing some clean up and some new outdoor play areas and just nice sitting areas for the people who live there. They were of course delighted. However, they wanted to know if we could first focus on their largest need....that being their indoor therapy pool. The roof had started leaking 5 years ago and other things went wrong too. So, they closed the pool down 5 years ago. As you can imagine, for many people there who can't walk and live their lives in a wheelchair this has taken away their only means of free movement. It also is a great physical work out for people with physical disabilities.
Once they asked us to look into it......I brought some Team Church members who work in this kind of area over to the Howell Center to see if they thought it was possible. As expected, they said this would be hard. It would be challenging. It would cost lots of money. It would take a lot of volunteer hours.......SO..."YES! Let's do it!" We have set our goals to redo the indoor pool room AND do the out door recreational areas. BIG GOAL....BIGGER GOD!
So started what will be a five month process. As you read last week a Middle School Home Team went over and cleaned the pool area. We have a Team Church lead crew that has made an attack schedule for the next few months. We have also caught the attention of a local store that may help with some material donations. We have had other companies that are represented by our volunteer crew to chip in with some free or at cost supplies as we have to completely redo the inside of this pool room. Everything from sky lights, to dry wall, to a new bathroom. Ty Pennington would be proud.
Next week we will release the workday schedules. Here are the days to be looking for 3/22 , 4/5 and the BIG day is May 16th. Not all can do each day we have...but maybe you can hit one.
For now I need to put out the call for a professional electrician. We need someone to monitor and advise in this area. Please email Kurt Wood for information.
When this is done.....it will be the single greatest volunteer project we have ever accomplished......and it will be for people who will never sit in our great seats at our church. This is what I love about all 10 of our service projects. They are truly mission focused and it is costing us where it hurts....our time and money.
In these hard economic times people like the ones we are helping can't count on a Spending Bill from the Government....nor should they. They can and should count on local churches like Team Church to do the job of the church.
Great job TEAM CHURCH
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
- James 1:27
The Howell Center is located off I485 and only minutes from our home. Over the last year while going to visit Ellie I have noticed that the Howell Center is in need of some outdoor playground equipment and other such things. Knowing that we were having our 10 serving projects to celebrate our 10 year anniversary...I contacted the Howell Center about us serving there and providing some clean up and some new outdoor play areas and just nice sitting areas for the people who live there. They were of course delighted. However, they wanted to know if we could first focus on their largest need....that being their indoor therapy pool. The roof had started leaking 5 years ago and other things went wrong too. So, they closed the pool down 5 years ago. As you can imagine, for many people there who can't walk and live their lives in a wheelchair this has taken away their only means of free movement. It also is a great physical work out for people with physical disabilities.
Once they asked us to look into it......I brought some Team Church members who work in this kind of area over to the Howell Center to see if they thought it was possible. As expected, they said this would be hard. It would be challenging. It would cost lots of money. It would take a lot of volunteer hours.......SO..."YES! Let's do it!" We have set our goals to redo the indoor pool room AND do the out door recreational areas. BIG GOAL....BIGGER GOD!
So started what will be a five month process. As you read last week a Middle School Home Team went over and cleaned the pool area. We have a Team Church lead crew that has made an attack schedule for the next few months. We have also caught the attention of a local store that may help with some material donations. We have had other companies that are represented by our volunteer crew to chip in with some free or at cost supplies as we have to completely redo the inside of this pool room. Everything from sky lights, to dry wall, to a new bathroom. Ty Pennington would be proud.
Next week we will release the workday schedules. Here are the days to be looking for 3/22 , 4/5 and the BIG day is May 16th. Not all can do each day we have...but maybe you can hit one.
For now I need to put out the call for a professional electrician. We need someone to monitor and advise in this area. Please email Kurt Wood for information.
When this is done.....it will be the single greatest volunteer project we have ever accomplished......and it will be for people who will never sit in our great seats at our church. This is what I love about all 10 of our service projects. They are truly mission focused and it is costing us where it hurts....our time and money.
In these hard economic times people like the ones we are helping can't count on a Spending Bill from the Government....nor should they. They can and should count on local churches like Team Church to do the job of the church.
Great job TEAM CHURCH
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
- James 1:27
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Did Team Church Make That Music Video?
The service ended on Sunday with a powerful song and video. Since Sunday I have talked to people who thought that the video of the shadow figures behind the screen was something we purchased. Nope.... that was Team Church actors being filmed on Tuesday night up in the room where the projector is located and shines onto the the big screens. Brad, our production pastor, filmed them from the opposite side of the screen and made the shadow figures. What you saw on Sunday was a video of the actors dancing. It was pretty cool!
Throw in the song and it was a moving experience at the end of the service. For those who were not there or those who want to show others the video.....we will see if we can get it up on our website or facebook.
This past Sunday was a perfect example of what we aspire to do each Sunday. Give you truth that can be used practically, an experience that is memorable, worship that is meaningful and an overall service that taps into all your senses so that you leave with a powerful impact from God. Of course this happens each Sunday with people who are Christians and those who are not. Why? Because Team Church is place where people who do not know God or who are far from God by choice come to explore the truth of His amazing grace for their life.
Each Sunday our auditorium has many people who are spiritual seekers in it. They have come as a guest to see if this God thing is real. They have come because their life is a mess and they are maybe now ready to give God a chance. They have come because they see the difference that God has made in a friend's life and they want to see what all the "good change" is about.
People come for many different reasons......and we are all there on Sunday! We are all there and hundreds of people like the "shadow dancers" Team up and use our unique gifts as we gather as the Church on Sunday.
This Sunday will be no different.....it will be another Sunday you wont want to miss!
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 1 Corinthians 12:14-18
Don't forget tonight is Team Kid and Pursuit. Doors open at 6:30pm for pizza, ESPN, Ping Pong, chat time and time to just relax and be a kid. Each group starts at 7pm
Throw in the song and it was a moving experience at the end of the service. For those who were not there or those who want to show others the video.....we will see if we can get it up on our website or facebook.
This past Sunday was a perfect example of what we aspire to do each Sunday. Give you truth that can be used practically, an experience that is memorable, worship that is meaningful and an overall service that taps into all your senses so that you leave with a powerful impact from God. Of course this happens each Sunday with people who are Christians and those who are not. Why? Because Team Church is place where people who do not know God or who are far from God by choice come to explore the truth of His amazing grace for their life.
Each Sunday our auditorium has many people who are spiritual seekers in it. They have come as a guest to see if this God thing is real. They have come because their life is a mess and they are maybe now ready to give God a chance. They have come because they see the difference that God has made in a friend's life and they want to see what all the "good change" is about.
People come for many different reasons......and we are all there on Sunday! We are all there and hundreds of people like the "shadow dancers" Team up and use our unique gifts as we gather as the Church on Sunday.
This Sunday will be no different.....it will be another Sunday you wont want to miss!
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 1 Corinthians 12:14-18
Don't forget tonight is Team Kid and Pursuit. Doors open at 6:30pm for pizza, ESPN, Ping Pong, chat time and time to just relax and be a kid. Each group starts at 7pm
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
New Home Team Format
(Yesterday morning we had about 10 different families out sledding on the church hills. It was great. Everyone was taking pictures too. If you went out and did something fun in the snow...send us ONE picture that is your favorite to KCClark@teamchurch.com and we will post them on our Facebook.)
Did you see the Home Team ad in the Sunday Handout? We have made some changes to how we run our Home Teams. I want to encourage you to go to the Home Team page on on web site and read about it. I really like what Aldyn and her team have come up with as we continually seek to make Home Teams a viable option for all people. The best part is that you have the option of staying with a Home Team forever and ever.....or you can switch when your life setting changes, you want to study something different or you just want to meet some new people on a different day.
This new format will allow all the new people who are coming to Team Church to quickly get in a Home Team because every "Season" we add many new ones and all the old ones are available. I know I personally love the fact that the Home Team "Season" run with our very popular Team Kid and Pursuit for Students. Many parents are taking advantage of having all their kids in one of these groups on Wednesday nights....then they join their Home Team on the same night. Having all of this in 8-10 week "Seasons" keeps it fresh and key volunteers get 3-4 weeks in between to catch their breath.
Whatever you do....don't stay on the relational sideline and not get into a Home Team. They are fun, vital to relational growth, very important to Biblical growth and the best place for true Fellowship and care. For those who are parents....there is nothing better for your kids to see you setting time aside to being involved.
"Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you!" Robert Fulghum
Did you see the Home Team ad in the Sunday Handout? We have made some changes to how we run our Home Teams. I want to encourage you to go to the Home Team page on on web site and read about it. I really like what Aldyn and her team have come up with as we continually seek to make Home Teams a viable option for all people. The best part is that you have the option of staying with a Home Team forever and ever.....or you can switch when your life setting changes, you want to study something different or you just want to meet some new people on a different day.
This new format will allow all the new people who are coming to Team Church to quickly get in a Home Team because every "Season" we add many new ones and all the old ones are available. I know I personally love the fact that the Home Team "Season" run with our very popular Team Kid and Pursuit for Students. Many parents are taking advantage of having all their kids in one of these groups on Wednesday nights....then they join their Home Team on the same night. Having all of this in 8-10 week "Seasons" keeps it fresh and key volunteers get 3-4 weeks in between to catch their breath.
Whatever you do....don't stay on the relational sideline and not get into a Home Team. They are fun, vital to relational growth, very important to Biblical growth and the best place for true Fellowship and care. For those who are parents....there is nothing better for your kids to see you setting time aside to being involved.
"Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you!" Robert Fulghum
Monday, March 2, 2009
SNOW DAY
What a great GIFT God gave us this morning. Yesterday we talked about making our kids a priority, making sure they know that you want to be with them and making sure you make memories. I hope that you will take some time to get out this morning and play in the snow. It wont be here long.....
My guess is many of you are like me, after the roads are clear you will need to get into the office, so....that means you have a few hours before you have to leave.
The Hibbards are eating breakfast now and will be in the snow by 8:30!
The auditorium was full of tears yesterday. That is good.....if those emotions actually determine some change in your life. If not.....just a wasted cry fest.
Have fun in the snow!
My guess is many of you are like me, after the roads are clear you will need to get into the office, so....that means you have a few hours before you have to leave.
The Hibbards are eating breakfast now and will be in the snow by 8:30!
The auditorium was full of tears yesterday. That is good.....if those emotions actually determine some change in your life. If not.....just a wasted cry fest.
Have fun in the snow!
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