Expanding Our Borders

Wow! - What an amazing kick start to our multi-service worship experiences. First, Praise God for His faithfulness. Second, we have an amazing team of volunteers that serve at Horizons - because Jay is preaching right now, I get a chance to roam around during the service and visit/check in with different ministries. Yesterday, I got to see people in pre-school ministry sharing the story of Jesus and the love of God with our little guys and gals - I got to visit Children's Church and see them experiencing the truth of how God wants us to live pure lives and then visit the nursery and see the faithful people loving the little ones. Finally, Jay did an awesome job of preaching the truth about purity and Norm lead us in a time of great/intimate worship.

• Overall, it was a great Sunday and we had over 470 people attend the two services and if you take out the duplicates(those that attend/serve both services) we had about 440
• Since we started two services - we have had attendance over 400 each week and grown in average weekly attendance by 10%
• Yesterday, the church contributed almost $2000 for the Rwanda Water Project - our first act of kindness this year
• It's so cool to see the fellowship that occurs between the two services

So thanks to everyone that is helping Horizons empower people to be fully devoted followers of Christ.

On another front-sadness sets in as another football season comes to an end - no more laptop - no more 3 games on a Sunday, no more fantasy football and stats during the week and trash talking and....you get the point - until next fall

My Redskins - Danny boy what are you thinking - First Joe is gone and then you fire the OC and DC - another rebuilding - great(sarcasm)

Talk at you soon

Rich

Why?

Why did Joe Gibbs have to leave - I understand the need his family has to have him around and respect his decision - but don't leave us Coach

Why did the writers go on strike - no more LOST - no more 24 - although I hear LOST has some episodes already done?

Why do people act so unethically - recently I have witnessed situations where people - lie, cheat, steal -

I know most of these answers as I ask these questions - but WHY? I guess a better question is what can I learn from these experiences - (ok, not the writers on strike although I am sure there is a lesson there as well)

Talk at you soon

Rich

You Never Let Go

I love hearing my kids worship God. Recently, my son Grant has been taking drum lessons - so his rhythm is getting pretty good - but he has always had a heart to worship God - much like my daughters. Well, last week we were driving somewhere and the Crowder version of You Never Let Go(yes, another crowder reference) came on and Grant says to me from the back seat -hey Dad turn that song up please.

Here is some of what that song says - in joy and pain, in sun and rain - you're the same, you never let go - This past Sunday, we had an awesome time of worship - I spoke for a few minutes and during that time I asked those gathered who was on a mountain top and a few hands went up - but then I asked how many were in a valley experience and the majority of the congregation raised their hand - and I want you to know He never let's go - He is there, even in your pain -

I believe God wants to do something tremendous through our church in 2008, but it will take all of us joined together - in our shared joy and pain - working together realizing that we must rise above our circumstances and be the people God wants us to be - I for one am committed to that cause -even in my own valley experience -

Thanks for your prayers and Talk at you soon

Rich