Sunday recap 02/21/10

Really interesting Sunday on a lot of levels. Let's see:

• We have a well pump with running water now in the lobby. 
• May have achieved  a record for the length of the announcements. 
• Had one of those days when the Scripture and what is happening in people's lives right then cross paths.

We're seeing the results of what the Child2Child girls led us to do right now in Africa as a well is being repaired, financed in part by New Hope. And this year the goal is to completely fund a well there. John Anderson shared how some of the kids sponsored by folks at New Hope walk several kilometers to get water. One of them said that was her favorite chore. We feel led to help. Pray for us.

Our involvement in "Buckets Of Hope" for Haiti continues as more completed buckets were placed in the lobby. A filled bucket will feed a family for a week. The SBC has distributed 20 tons of rice already through our Haitian church partners and has 40 more tons in country. Combined with medical help and now increasing help in planning reconstruction and it's great to be a part of a group making a real difference.

Child2Child is continuing (along with Niara) to help us look at human trafficking and are calling us to act to change it. Kind of fitting we sung "God of This City" given that song's background.

I guess you can see why the announcements were long. There's a lot going on at New Hope. It's all good. :) No better place to find your opportunity to work with God to change the world one heart at a time.

Song set: God of This City, Forever, A Shield About Me, It Is Well With My Soul, Jesus Paid It All

We're working through Philippians and came to the last chapter.



There's a lot in there of the "things you ought to do" category. Human effort - or trying harder in other words - won't get it done. It can only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit as we give up our schemes and plans and embrace God's way - following Jesus with heart, mind, and soul. Just to tell yourself "don't worry", will not work. But replacing that with a fixation on the goodness and grace of God? Winner.


I closed the sermon with a video of Fernando Ortega singing a tribute to Ruth Graham. It seemed to sum up so much of what Paul was hoping the Philippians (and what I'm hoping the "New-Hopians") turn out to be.

Sunday Recap 02/14/2010

Yes, I know, it's Tuesday night. LOL  Better late than never.

One of those Sunday's you'd love to repeat again and again. Great Spirit among the congregation and I felt good about what the message turned out to be. During the week as I've gone through Philippians, I've read the chapter we are focusing on again and again sometimes several times a day. Feels like I'm getting more understanding of the passages. Sometimes I can get so drawn into word studies or contextual work that I might not spend enough time just reading and reflecting on the text itself. I'm grateful that God keeps drawing me deeper into His Word. Keep praying for me friends.

Our song set this week:
He Reigns - second week in a row
Whole World In His Hands
Amazing Grace - traditional version
Come Home Running



I made a conscious decision this year to try and get more congregational participation during the message while also digging deeper into the texts. And I AM LOVING IT. Getting the people I love and serve to stay engaged in the message is not only fun, I'm getting some great feedback about what people are learning and how the Bible's content is affecting them. To the last sermon I ever preach I want to keep growing in my effectiveness as a communicator and in my capacity to love God and love the people He's given into my care.

New Hope Sunday Recap 01312010

One of those days you wish you could repeat again and again. The Spirit showed up during the announcements and the love of Christ overflowed throughout the worship gathering.

Darron Fannon was introduced. Doug and Ellen adopted their former foster child and that became final during the last week. So we marked it with a note in the bulletin and an announcement from the congregation that swelled into spontaneous applause. What an example of the love of Christ lived out loud!

The Child2Child girls made an announcement about their focus for the next two months and then the Niara older girls were set to make theirs. The focus of the older girls is on human trafficking all year, and they are working with the Child2Child group for the first two months to help an organization called "Love146". They showed a great video highlighting the problem and Love146's answer. When Jamie Roberts began to speak, she was overcome with emotion. You could feel the love of Christ reaching out to her in support and approval. Just one of those moments that gives you chills.

Our music for this week:

Heart of Worship
How Can I Keep From Singing
Still
Just As I Am

The message was from Philippians about the absolute faithfulness of God and His fidelity to finish the good work He has begun. So many people get discouraged in their walk because they put all the responsibility on their actions instead of allowing God to be God and form them into the image of Christ. Seemed to really connect with people and I had a lot of fun with the congregational involvement.

Sunday Recap 3 Jan 2010

New Year and new horizons brought a real excitement to worship today as many who had been away for the holidays returned. I had been working for a couple weeks on what to preach on today and the text in Luke 19 I posted earlier just kept coming back. So Zacchaeus it was.

It seemed to have the potential to challenge people to make some changes to adjust to where God was calling them. That was my hope.

Couple of quick notes about that -

The changes may come, but they might be unexpected and have unwanted effects..
And just repeat that for the second note.



For worship - we did "God of This City", "Indescribable", "How Can I Keep From Singing", "A Shield About Me", and "Softly and Tenderly."

Spent some time after with two of our deacons and their wives at lunch. Very grateful for their service to God and their love for their pastor and his family.