8/30/09

Hey Gang ~

Can it really be the end of August? The fast flight of time is causing me to have a mid-life crisis. I guess my next vehicle will be a little red sports car. Maybe I'll just dye my hair. Any other M.L. crisis suggestions?

This week should be interesting. We are going to "flashback" to the late 70's and do a medley of songs that were popular back then. The theme is about being like Jesus, being a servant. I'm going to talk about serving, so we'll see how it goes...

Please pray for the services, and that God will use these songs:

I Will Call Upon the Lord
Did You Feel the Mts?
Our God Saves
(Medley)
Make Me a Servant
Lord, Make Me Like You
Beautiful
Scripture ~ Mark 10:43b - 45
Lord, Make Me LIke You
Make Me a Servant
Majesty
Adoration
Made Me Glad

Scripture ~ 2Tim 2:22 - 26

This week we will all be back together again, which will be nice. It's been about 6 weeks since the whole team has been there. Trust me, if any one of you is gone, we miss you VERY much! Have a great week!

Be Blessed,
Matt

Wednesday Worshipers

Wow, another great mid-week service! The music and the message were both so inspiring! I really can't understand why more people don't come out for this. It's such an encouragement, and shouldn't we desire to learn more and grow in our faith? I feel like, if we call ourselves Christians, we should striving to be more like Him. I'm not trying to be judgmental here, just trying to figure out what people are thinking. I know I need all the help I can get in trying to be Christ-like!
Anyway, all that to ask that as you pray over all things worship this week, that you include the Wednesday night service. We've started a great study that has the potential to change our whole church. Pray, pray, pray!!!

Blessings,
Matt

8/23/09

Greetings Team ~

Was Sunday a perfect day, or what? Beautiful, sunny day...no wind. The outdoor service was great, and the baptism at the river was awesome! Let's remember to pray for Steve and Dave & Pam. It was an honor to be present at their baptisms.
I hope everyone enjoyed another week off, but "vacation" is over. It's time to get down to business again. Actually, Russ just told me that someone is doing a presentation on Sunday, so we'll probably have to cut a couple of songs. Well, not another vacation, but an easy week. Although, we are introducing a new song this week. It is called "Made Me Glad" by Hillsong. You can listen to it on Youtube to get an idea of how it goes, if you don't already know it.

Let's remember to continue to pray for Dawn during her final days in Canada, and pray for continued healing for Julie. And if you don't mind, pray for me too. We are having another "mass exodus" of employees from the pool which means we are short-handed, which means my stress level goes through the roof...
Also, let's start praying over Night in Bethlehem. This can be a great outreach event, and I'm going to need everyone's help pulling it off (especially with the situation at the pool).
Ok, please also pray over this week's services and these songs:

Light the Fire Again
Forever
Jesus, Messiah (possibly cut)
Made Me Glad (new song)
He Knows My Name (possibly cut)
Oh, My King
God With Us

Scripture ~ Prov 3:21-26

Looking forward to having the whole team back together again.
Have a great week!
Be Blessed,
Matt

It's All About Love

It's all about love! I've been reminded about that over and over again. That's brings to mind an old chorus we used to sing in church...I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and over and over again. I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by, oh what a love between my Lord and I, I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again.
Matthew, 22:37-40 ~ Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Hmmm... all your heart, all your soul, all your mind. Do we really love God like that?
The second one is even harder in my opinion...love your neighbor as yourself. Ouch!

Now for even more of a challenge... read 1 John verses 7-21. Wow! I share verses 7 & 8 here to get you started... Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Finally, here's a little reminder of what love is: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I'm really working on loving people and all these verses help. Hopefully, they will help you too. I think there are very few people who really love like this.

Having no worship practice tonight was a little weird. It did give me chance to spend some time here which is good. This is really what I wanted the blog to be, I just never have the time to do this.
Looking forward to the outdoor service tomorrow. Enjoy the day, and being in the congregation instead of up front.

Be Blessed,
Matt

8/16/09

Greetings Team ~

Another great week! Gil did an awesome job, as always. His messages are always good, and everyone can apply them to their lives. Bradley did a great job filling in for Matthew again. The new song went well, and I heard several positive comments.
Everyone (except Matthew) gets another week off this week. You guys are getting really spoiled. We are having one service at 10:30, outside in the yard. Then, there is a baptism service at Jed Smith in the afternoon.

As always, I ask that you lift this weeks service in prayer, and these songs:

What a Privilege
Shine Upon Us
Love the Lord
You're Worthy of My Praise
The Only One
Your Love is Extravagant
Here I Am To Worship
There Must Be More

Scripture - Psalm 40:1-10

Hey, you all have a great week, and I'll see you all at church, outside on Sunday!
Be Blessed,
Matt

8/9/09

Greetings,

Wow! That group from Cal Baptist was really awesome. They are so talented. God really used them to uplift and encourage. I'm so glad we were able to host them again this year. What did you think of that song, "Child of God"? Pretty cool.
Anyway, I want to thank all the team members who provided food on Sat. and/or Sunday. It was really good, and the group was very thankful.
How about that Nooma video? It was really good too. I got lots of positive comments about it. I hope it will encourage all of us to be more generous.

So, this week we will have Gil speaking. It's always interesting to see what he shares. He often has a unique perspective. We will also have a guest guitar player. Matthew is going camping this weekend, so Bradley Peterson has agreed to step in again. Last time he played it was a great experience, so I'm certain it will be again. He is also going to help us introduce a new song called "Your Love is Extravagant". Casting Crowns did it on their first CD. Bradley played it last Wednesday night (you guys are really missing out on those Wed. night meetings)and it was great.
Please pray over the these songs & the serevices this week:

All Who Are Thirsty
You Are Holy
Your Grace is Enough
Your Love is Extravagant
Amazed
This is My Desire
Something Heavenly

Scripture ~ Psalm 36:5-10

Please, also continue to pray for Julie's recovery (thanks also to those of you who have provided meals for them).
For Dawn's upcoming trip to Canada (and health issues)
Lora & Lexie
Jim's mom & Vicki's niece
Heather's mom
Russ & Liz and the church leadership

If I've forgotten anyone please forgive me, and let me know.
Have an awesome week!
Be Blessed,
Matt