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Kenny Hibbard's daily BLOG is at a new site! Click here to go there and then save this to your bookmark daily page.
It is Kennyhibbard.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday.......Great Sunday
Welcome to the new BLOG.....You may never see this that I am writing. Why? Because I am not sure how to use the style just yet! HA HA
Easter is this Sunday! We need all Team Church regulars that will be here for both services to park in the new upper parking on the hill or to park across the street at the warehouse parking.
We need all Team Church regulars to sit up front and close together in the auditorium. Lets leave the back for our guest who may want to slip in and grab a back seat.
Tomorrow, tons of volunteers are driving to be a part of our Easter Egg Hunt and family day for the launch of Team Church, Lancaster Co. We are expecting huge crowds on Saturday and Sunday for the official launch of our new campus. This will be a great weekend for both campus locations.
Today is Good Friday. The day we remember the brutal death on the Cross of Jesus. Today is Friday....but Sunday is coming!
Luke 23
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate
1 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”
3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”
5 Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”
6 “Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. 7 When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.
8 Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. 9 He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 10 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)
13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
The Crucifixion
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
Easter is this Sunday! We need all Team Church regulars that will be here for both services to park in the new upper parking on the hill or to park across the street at the warehouse parking.
We need all Team Church regulars to sit up front and close together in the auditorium. Lets leave the back for our guest who may want to slip in and grab a back seat.
Tomorrow, tons of volunteers are driving to be a part of our Easter Egg Hunt and family day for the launch of Team Church, Lancaster Co. We are expecting huge crowds on Saturday and Sunday for the official launch of our new campus. This will be a great weekend for both campus locations.
Today is Good Friday. The day we remember the brutal death on the Cross of Jesus. Today is Friday....but Sunday is coming!
Luke 23
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate
1 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”
3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”
5 Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”
6 “Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. 7 When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.
8 Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. 9 He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 10 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)
13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
The Crucifixion
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
New Look & New Site
Our new Team Church website has been up and running since January. Each month we are able to add new aspects to the website to better serve YOU! One of these new aspects is the ability for new BLOGS by a few staff members. Our Student Ministry and Kids ministry each have their own BLOG to help keep YOU updated and informed. Rick Faulkner, our Executive Pastor, will be using a BLOG format to keep you posted on the "Business" side of the church and I too have a new site. It is just Kennyhibbard.com Tag that site and replace the old one so that it comes up automatically. (my other site had the word blog in it and was not linked to our website.)
Have you been to our website and clicked around? You should go and see all the cool stuff. The site is not full of stuff that is useless information that is hard to find. KC Clark did a great job in designing the site to be easy to navigate and only have needed info on it. Moreover, you can use it to peak someones interest in Team Church by having them go and learn about the different ministries we offer, or our 10 for 10 anniversary project that is impacting our city in ways that is shocking people in this economy!
Maybe you need to keep up with what is happening at our new campus in Lancaster Co. The website is something you should save as your computers home page and make sure you keep up! Things at Team Church happen fast and this is a great way to stay involved and current with what is going on.
Who are you inviting to Easter? It is going to be great as we celebrate Easter and launch our new series.
Luke 22:47-71
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”
Peter Denies Jesus
54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”
57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”
58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”
“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.
59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” 65 And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him.
Jesus before the Council
66 At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,[a] 67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?”
But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”
70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?”
And he replied, “You say that I am.”
71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”
Have you been to our website and clicked around? You should go and see all the cool stuff. The site is not full of stuff that is useless information that is hard to find. KC Clark did a great job in designing the site to be easy to navigate and only have needed info on it. Moreover, you can use it to peak someones interest in Team Church by having them go and learn about the different ministries we offer, or our 10 for 10 anniversary project that is impacting our city in ways that is shocking people in this economy!
Maybe you need to keep up with what is happening at our new campus in Lancaster Co. The website is something you should save as your computers home page and make sure you keep up! Things at Team Church happen fast and this is a great way to stay involved and current with what is going on.
Who are you inviting to Easter? It is going to be great as we celebrate Easter and launch our new series.
Luke 22:47-71
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”
Peter Denies Jesus
54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”
57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”
58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”
“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.
59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.
63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” 65 And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him.
Jesus before the Council
66 At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,[a] 67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?”
But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”
70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?”
And he replied, “You say that I am.”
71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Lesson on Obedience and Patience
Peyton, my eleven year old, is getting to old for me to use him as much for Sunday morning message illustrations anymore. The older he gets the more in tune he is to what is said on Sunday and of course he now dislikes it when someone says something to him that I said on Sunday....so I have stopped telling as many stories.
However, he does not read the BLOG and most of his buddies do not either. So....the WWW is free game for a little while......
Last night as I was getting ready for bed I heard a scream and some crying. Peyton came limping into our room saying he had hurt his foot and it was bleeding. I took him into the bathroom and by this time Kelly had also joined us. Sure enough he had two toes bleeding and they look cut and smashed all at the same time. He will probably lose two toe nails and be limping for a day or two. While getting ready to take care of him....I asked him...."how did this happen?"
To make a long story short....He had a friend over to stay the night (Spring Break) and wanted to show him his picture album project from his trip to Williamsburg last year. His friend had just got back with his school last week. Peyton had asked his mom where it was and could he get it. She told him it was in the top of the closet with a bunch of stuff on it and that she wold get it in the morning. She told him NOT to try and reach it himself and just to wait until in the morning.
While listening is usually something he will do, patience is not a virtue in his vocabulary. His lack of patience won out and he tried to get the album himself. While doing this, a heavy wooden item fell and "smashed his toes." My empathy for his smashed toes quickly vanished as I learned the reason why it happened.
In our last series I mentioned how easy it was to understand why God says to us No, Slow or Go. It is easy to understand why God does a lot of things when we just think about why we do what we do as parents. Moreover, it is easy to see why we sometimes get wounded and smashed in life.....because we disobey our Heavenly Father. Or, because we simply are not patient. It really is pretty simple.....
As Peyton stopped crying, but was still feeling the pain of throbbing toes....I thought I would help him have a teachable lesson from his memorable experience. I told him with a hint of humor:
1) Always remember....."if you do the crime....you will do the time."
2) "Your sins will find you out...what is done in the darkness will be brought to light."
He looked up at me with a "you have got to be kidding me" look. I kissed him on the forehead and jokingly said to him as I went back to bed and left him with his ice pack...."bet you wont do that again?" HA HA
The next three days I will give you the verses to help you prepare for Easter!
Luke 22
The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.
He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
However, he does not read the BLOG and most of his buddies do not either. So....the WWW is free game for a little while......
Last night as I was getting ready for bed I heard a scream and some crying. Peyton came limping into our room saying he had hurt his foot and it was bleeding. I took him into the bathroom and by this time Kelly had also joined us. Sure enough he had two toes bleeding and they look cut and smashed all at the same time. He will probably lose two toe nails and be limping for a day or two. While getting ready to take care of him....I asked him...."how did this happen?"
To make a long story short....He had a friend over to stay the night (Spring Break) and wanted to show him his picture album project from his trip to Williamsburg last year. His friend had just got back with his school last week. Peyton had asked his mom where it was and could he get it. She told him it was in the top of the closet with a bunch of stuff on it and that she wold get it in the morning. She told him NOT to try and reach it himself and just to wait until in the morning.
While listening is usually something he will do, patience is not a virtue in his vocabulary. His lack of patience won out and he tried to get the album himself. While doing this, a heavy wooden item fell and "smashed his toes." My empathy for his smashed toes quickly vanished as I learned the reason why it happened.
In our last series I mentioned how easy it was to understand why God says to us No, Slow or Go. It is easy to understand why God does a lot of things when we just think about why we do what we do as parents. Moreover, it is easy to see why we sometimes get wounded and smashed in life.....because we disobey our Heavenly Father. Or, because we simply are not patient. It really is pretty simple.....
As Peyton stopped crying, but was still feeling the pain of throbbing toes....I thought I would help him have a teachable lesson from his memorable experience. I told him with a hint of humor:
1) Always remember....."if you do the crime....you will do the time."
2) "Your sins will find you out...what is done in the darkness will be brought to light."
He looked up at me with a "you have got to be kidding me" look. I kissed him on the forehead and jokingly said to him as I went back to bed and left him with his ice pack...."bet you wont do that again?" HA HA
The next three days I will give you the verses to help you prepare for Easter!
Luke 22
The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.
He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Stage Is Set
On Sunday afternoon Team Church volunteers began the process of tearing down the old stage design and building the new one. Yesterday I saw it almost complete.....and it is incredible. It will be a great way to help celebrate Easter and kick off our new message series called Uncommon.
I love the fact that our Sundays are so creatively driven! It only happens because of our great staff and volunteers who oversee the stage, tech, lights, video, worship and even the look of each service. Great job!
As I said on Sunday.....we will make sure Easter is a great experience for all who come. Moreover, they will experience the power and grace of God in a special way. One of your responsibilities is to invite and bring a a friend, family member or even an enemy to church with you. At Team Church we say that we have One Purpose and a Shared Responsibility! One of those Shared Responsibilities is to Share Christ with others. You can do that by inviting to a Sunday service. Easter is great time to do that! Lets all Team up this Sunday and bring someone who needs experience Jesus Christ in a new and fresh way....those of us who are responsible for the service will do our part!
"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
The Last Supper
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.""Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.
He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."
Luke 22:7-13
I love the fact that our Sundays are so creatively driven! It only happens because of our great staff and volunteers who oversee the stage, tech, lights, video, worship and even the look of each service. Great job!
As I said on Sunday.....we will make sure Easter is a great experience for all who come. Moreover, they will experience the power and grace of God in a special way. One of your responsibilities is to invite and bring a a friend, family member or even an enemy to church with you. At Team Church we say that we have One Purpose and a Shared Responsibility! One of those Shared Responsibilities is to Share Christ with others. You can do that by inviting to a Sunday service. Easter is great time to do that! Lets all Team up this Sunday and bring someone who needs experience Jesus Christ in a new and fresh way....those of us who are responsible for the service will do our part!
"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
The Last Supper
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.""Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.
He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."
Luke 22:7-13
Monday, April 6, 2009
Big Baby!
What a great Sunday we had yesterday! The Green Light message was a great way to end a very good series. We are set and ready for Easter coming this coming Sunday.
However, it was the end of the second service that I really liked. I walked by the Crisis Pregnancy Center display that we had put in the information kiosk area and noticed that there were only about 15 bottles left. As you know, this is our 5th service project out of 10 for our anniversary. We are asking people to fill these baby bottles with change and then return it to our display at the church. At the end of this month we will take the filled bottles back to the center. Yesterday we filled the crib with 400 baby bottles. Again, after only one Sunday.....all but 15 were gone. We will get more for next week!
We chose the Crisis Pregnancy Center because of the great work they do fro unwed ladies who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and in crisis mode. Too many times the church in America speaks out against abortion but does not do anything to help in the time of crisis. We don't want to be a church that stands against something, yet does not offer solutions and help. Our new Presidential administration supports abortion and is giving federal aid to support it here and in other countries. Like no other time we must help support agencies that will give moms a better option.
I can't wait until the day that Team Church will have a Crisis Pregnancy Center and Adoption support system on our campus. The need is great and will now only get greater! Great job Team Church!
Don't forget to pass out the Uncommon Easter cards and to use our website to invite people this Sunday to Easter!
However, it was the end of the second service that I really liked. I walked by the Crisis Pregnancy Center display that we had put in the information kiosk area and noticed that there were only about 15 bottles left. As you know, this is our 5th service project out of 10 for our anniversary. We are asking people to fill these baby bottles with change and then return it to our display at the church. At the end of this month we will take the filled bottles back to the center. Yesterday we filled the crib with 400 baby bottles. Again, after only one Sunday.....all but 15 were gone. We will get more for next week!
We chose the Crisis Pregnancy Center because of the great work they do fro unwed ladies who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and in crisis mode. Too many times the church in America speaks out against abortion but does not do anything to help in the time of crisis. We don't want to be a church that stands against something, yet does not offer solutions and help. Our new Presidential administration supports abortion and is giving federal aid to support it here and in other countries. Like no other time we must help support agencies that will give moms a better option.
I can't wait until the day that Team Church will have a Crisis Pregnancy Center and Adoption support system on our campus. The need is great and will now only get greater! Great job Team Church!
Don't forget to pass out the Uncommon Easter cards and to use our website to invite people this Sunday to Easter!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Building In Use
Last night was a great night for the vision and mission of Team Church.
In the main auditorium 60 parents gathered to begin a 10 week video/group discussion Home Team called Grace Parenting. This is led by Clint Newton, our Kid's Pastor and Lisa Grant, one of our staff counselors who specializes in family matters.
In the upstairs auditorium there were over 40 people from Champion Christian Center. They were here for their monthly church leadership training. They do not have a church facility of their own...so we Team up with them to help them accomplish their mission. Moreover, to fulfill our stated vision when we built this great facility....as a church...they can use the pace for FREE! It is our privilege to help them!
Down stairs in the kids rooms were to more Home Teams that were meeting. One really cool group is Wild At Heart group. This is a group of dads who are learning how to raise boys who will be men of God. They are learning what boys need and what specific challenges their sons may have! Great idea!
I love sharing these kinds of things about our church every so often.......why? Because just over a year ago we stated that our desire was that this incredible campus would be used as much as possible to help reach our community, teach and train our kids and teens, and that this 60 acre campus would develop into a place of destination for thousands of people to have their lives changed. We stated that we believed that kids, teens and even adults cannot grow into fully devoted followers of Christ if they just show up here for a "great service" once a week. Especially for kids and teens....in this culture....they need more avenues of growth, encouragement and learning. This past Wednesday night our Student Ministry had it largest night ever for Pursuit. Word is getting out in the High Schools that Team Church Wednesday night is AWESOME!
We cannot have a life that revolves around the claims of Christ if we only check into a Sunday service once a week. Now, of course, that is a great way to start for many at Team Church. These days we are having more new people each week. However, full devotion is just that.....Full Devotion! Moreover, it takes serving each other and our community to make a lasting difference. I love the fact that we have taken serious the call of Team Church by getting involved in the community! I talked with a guy yesterday who told me that every time he turns around he sees where Team Church is "doing and working" in the community to help others. Faith in action!
Team Church will be in full force tomorrow morning at the Porter Ridge Athletic Association opening day. We will have volunteers there to help run the whole morning! This is a great way to help an association that helps kids!
Great Job Team Church.....We are truly Reaching & Impacting our city in real ways that are changing lives here at our church and all over the city!
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
James 2:14-18
In the main auditorium 60 parents gathered to begin a 10 week video/group discussion Home Team called Grace Parenting. This is led by Clint Newton, our Kid's Pastor and Lisa Grant, one of our staff counselors who specializes in family matters.
In the upstairs auditorium there were over 40 people from Champion Christian Center. They were here for their monthly church leadership training. They do not have a church facility of their own...so we Team up with them to help them accomplish their mission. Moreover, to fulfill our stated vision when we built this great facility....as a church...they can use the pace for FREE! It is our privilege to help them!
Down stairs in the kids rooms were to more Home Teams that were meeting. One really cool group is Wild At Heart group. This is a group of dads who are learning how to raise boys who will be men of God. They are learning what boys need and what specific challenges their sons may have! Great idea!
I love sharing these kinds of things about our church every so often.......why? Because just over a year ago we stated that our desire was that this incredible campus would be used as much as possible to help reach our community, teach and train our kids and teens, and that this 60 acre campus would develop into a place of destination for thousands of people to have their lives changed. We stated that we believed that kids, teens and even adults cannot grow into fully devoted followers of Christ if they just show up here for a "great service" once a week. Especially for kids and teens....in this culture....they need more avenues of growth, encouragement and learning. This past Wednesday night our Student Ministry had it largest night ever for Pursuit. Word is getting out in the High Schools that Team Church Wednesday night is AWESOME!
We cannot have a life that revolves around the claims of Christ if we only check into a Sunday service once a week. Now, of course, that is a great way to start for many at Team Church. These days we are having more new people each week. However, full devotion is just that.....Full Devotion! Moreover, it takes serving each other and our community to make a lasting difference. I love the fact that we have taken serious the call of Team Church by getting involved in the community! I talked with a guy yesterday who told me that every time he turns around he sees where Team Church is "doing and working" in the community to help others. Faith in action!
Team Church will be in full force tomorrow morning at the Porter Ridge Athletic Association opening day. We will have volunteers there to help run the whole morning! This is a great way to help an association that helps kids!
Great Job Team Church.....We are truly Reaching & Impacting our city in real ways that are changing lives here at our church and all over the city!
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
James 2:14-18
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Team Depot & Team Church....Equals A Great Team!
Yesterday at around 5pm I got the call! Home Depot has agreed to Team up with us in our efforts to serve the Howell Center as we restore their indoor therapy pool area, build some outdoor playground sets and clean up the outdoor play area with new mulch and plants. Team Depot as they call call themselves.....has agreed to send out volunteers to work with us and will also donate $10,000 worth of supplies! That is awesome!
In the last three months since we have gone public with our new name Team Church...we have had the opportunity to Team up with many public and religious organizations. People are coming out of the woodwork to Team up with us to do many great things in our own church and of course in the community. It has been amazing how people will offer to help us do creative and life changing things.....when they don't have the perception that we are a church that is only looking for what we can do to serve ourselves and get more people to sit in our seats on Sunday morning. We have always had this value....but our name is very unique and very open with what we are trying to do in our city, state, country and world! I believe that people in the community are looking for churches to reach out and make an impact that does not affect them and their bottom line or their Sunday morning count. When they find such churches.....they agree to serve along side in a way that radically changes our city in a way that only a church full of fully devoted followers of Christ can.
On May 16th hundreds of volunteers from Team Church and Team Depot will join together and help make these special people have a better place to call home and a place to swim and play! When we are complete that day it is estimated that we will have provided the Howell Center with things that would have cost them about $350,000 to have done professionally! Beyond Home Depot we are receiving supplies and labor from Meridian Homes, England Custom Homes, Kurt Wood, Jeff Ross Plumbing and a few others who attend Team Church that are freely giving of their special talents in such areas!
Team Church.....new name, an old concept of what the Bible says the church is about, a proven strategy of how things get DONE WELL! Team WORK!
Here is one of my favorite stories in the Bible of Team Work!
"Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!
When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!
We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
Nehemiah Chapter 4
In the last three months since we have gone public with our new name Team Church...we have had the opportunity to Team up with many public and religious organizations. People are coming out of the woodwork to Team up with us to do many great things in our own church and of course in the community. It has been amazing how people will offer to help us do creative and life changing things.....when they don't have the perception that we are a church that is only looking for what we can do to serve ourselves and get more people to sit in our seats on Sunday morning. We have always had this value....but our name is very unique and very open with what we are trying to do in our city, state, country and world! I believe that people in the community are looking for churches to reach out and make an impact that does not affect them and their bottom line or their Sunday morning count. When they find such churches.....they agree to serve along side in a way that radically changes our city in a way that only a church full of fully devoted followers of Christ can.
On May 16th hundreds of volunteers from Team Church and Team Depot will join together and help make these special people have a better place to call home and a place to swim and play! When we are complete that day it is estimated that we will have provided the Howell Center with things that would have cost them about $350,000 to have done professionally! Beyond Home Depot we are receiving supplies and labor from Meridian Homes, England Custom Homes, Kurt Wood, Jeff Ross Plumbing and a few others who attend Team Church that are freely giving of their special talents in such areas!
Team Church.....new name, an old concept of what the Bible says the church is about, a proven strategy of how things get DONE WELL! Team WORK!
Here is one of my favorite stories in the Bible of Team Work!
"Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!
When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!
We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
Nehemiah Chapter 4
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Panthers Sign Jay Cutler! Yipeeeee
For all you non-football fans.....Jay Cutler is the current QB for the Denver Broncos who asked to be traded. He is very good young QB. For all you football fans who knew that...I am only kidding! April's Fool Day!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is Team Kid and Pursuit start back tonight!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that we are having larger attendance than ever before and we need many of you to help with our parking challenges. This is especially true for second service. If you are here for two services we need for you to park in the upper grass temporary parking area, the warehouse parking across the street (for those reading who are wondering....we do have permission from the businesses there) or please make sure you park in our far back right lot. Thanks!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that we are looking at style of seats and the cost to complete our balcony. Please be praying that we can very soon make this a reality.
A fact that is not an April Fools joke is that our septic/sewer system is working again. So come Sunday ready to drink all the coffee you want!
A fact that is not an April Fools joke is that Christa, our awesome preschool director, is redecorating each room to make them look more fun and creative for Sunday morning. IKEA is a great place!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that our great Kid's pastor has 70 people signed up for his Parenting Home Team called Graced Based Parenting. This video and group discussion led series will take place on Thursday nights in the main auditorium.
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that next week on Easter we officially launch Team Church Lancaster County. We mailed out over 25k mailers to the area. Volunteer teams are passing out Easter Egg Hunt invitations door to door in some neighborhoods. Next Saturday we will have another HUGE service project there as we have an Easter Egg hunt, games and jump castles for the kids and plenty of free food! It is a great way to let that area know we are starting a new church! Steve Miller the Campus Teaching Pastor and Scott Whaley the small groups and spiritual Development pastor have the troops there fired up and ready to go!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that Team Church impacting our city and beyond in amazing and impacting ways. Great Job!
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."
John 15:5-8
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is Team Kid and Pursuit start back tonight!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that we are having larger attendance than ever before and we need many of you to help with our parking challenges. This is especially true for second service. If you are here for two services we need for you to park in the upper grass temporary parking area, the warehouse parking across the street (for those reading who are wondering....we do have permission from the businesses there) or please make sure you park in our far back right lot. Thanks!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that we are looking at style of seats and the cost to complete our balcony. Please be praying that we can very soon make this a reality.
A fact that is not an April Fools joke is that our septic/sewer system is working again. So come Sunday ready to drink all the coffee you want!
A fact that is not an April Fools joke is that Christa, our awesome preschool director, is redecorating each room to make them look more fun and creative for Sunday morning. IKEA is a great place!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that our great Kid's pastor has 70 people signed up for his Parenting Home Team called Graced Based Parenting. This video and group discussion led series will take place on Thursday nights in the main auditorium.
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that next week on Easter we officially launch Team Church Lancaster County. We mailed out over 25k mailers to the area. Volunteer teams are passing out Easter Egg Hunt invitations door to door in some neighborhoods. Next Saturday we will have another HUGE service project there as we have an Easter Egg hunt, games and jump castles for the kids and plenty of free food! It is a great way to let that area know we are starting a new church! Steve Miller the Campus Teaching Pastor and Scott Whaley the small groups and spiritual Development pastor have the troops there fired up and ready to go!
A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that Team Church impacting our city and beyond in amazing and impacting ways. Great Job!
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."
John 15:5-8
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