Pastor Rich's Blog

Awesome Conference

2008-05-03T12:43:00.002-04:00

The Pastoral team of Horizons and Jim Egyud - our A/V/T (audio visual technology) guy at HC - we all just went to the Worship Facilities Conference in Indianapolis - it was great.

* We sure have been blessed by an amazing team that helped us design our building
* We learned some new stuff to add to our facility - saw some cool sports flooring and video "stuff"
* Time to start Master Planning for our future - we will begin that process this fall

My kids are counting down how many days of school are left - for those of us not in school - don't you miss those days.

Lauren graduates from High School - June 14 - she is going to prom next weekend - maybe we can post some pictures of that - will have to get permission.

I just realized that two of my best friends are named Mike - Jay and I have had some cool hanging out time recently - we have been dreaming and talking about the future God has for Horizons - but I need to get him on the golf course and find out who is the best golfer.

God is so good - Recently - I have just had a great sense of His calming presence in my life - I pray you experience His peace as well.

Talk at you soon.

Rich

Thanks

2008-04-21T15:23:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone who prayed for me during the Grace Period series. Overall, God really moved during the series and I pray that your understanding of God's Grace has been expanded - now remember to be graceful to others.

Cool Stuff from this Weekend
* Great testimonies from the baptism service on Saturday
* Crowd was down due to the rain on Sunday - but it was cool to see all the ministry taking place - great job life group drama - music team was awesome on Moving Forward - thanks Deb for helping with the Popcorn - the aroma of grace and popcorn - ( do you ever wonder what food we will get to have in Heaven - will there be popcorn?) - Jay had 11 people attend membership at his house on Sunday night - and another crowd of people at Horizons 101 Sunday morning - cool stuff

* My son played soccer ever though he was not feeling well -scored the tying goal
* Lauren is on a roll
* Our family watched Narnia together Sunday night
* Brooke baked cookies
* Morgans team suffered defeat - but they were robbed
* My Reds won in extra innings on Sunday
* I got to play golf Friday Afternoon

New music to check out - Kingdom Come by Delirious

Talk at you soon.

Rich

Grace to Live

2008-04-14T12:16:00.002-04:00

WOW! What another great Sunday - last week(that being April 6 - more on April 13 in just a bit) - we had a HUGE crowd - over 460 people attended. Our support teams continue to amaze me.

It is so cool to see all the LIFE that happens on a Sunday morning - Jay was able to lead a baptism class - support teams get to meet on Sundays - people coming to one service and then hanging out and fellowshipping or strategizing for upcoming ministry events - and then of course just the way God shows up in our midst to minister to people. All great stuff.

So, this past Sunday - did u enjoy your propel water? God gives us a grace to live - he propels us forward in all that we do - so let's live this grace filled life.

Life

* We visited JMU with our oldest daughter Lauren - what a great school
* Reds baseball - started out with a bang - now 6-7 - we shall see - now we have pitching but no bats
* Desperate for football - watching some of the replay games on the NFL network
* Grant and Morgan continue to excel on the soccer teams
* Brooke needs to start going to conditioning for next years basketball season
* Paula and I celebrate 20 years of marriage on April 23
* Ready to do some grilling out

More random thoughts and maybe even something inspiring later this week.

Talk at you soon.

Rich

Grace to Stand

2008-04-02T10:31:00.002-04:00

Amazing- that is what our teams at Horizons Church are - simply amazing. Every week we see over 5o volunteers serve in various ministries. I am blown away every week by each persons heart to serve - I know most of you work long hard weeks in both paying jobs and non-paying jobs and we appreciate your heart to serve the Lord at Horizons.

We started our grace period series last Sunday and once again - I am thankful for all the people who serve - our artistic/creative team did an outstanding job creating an environment up on the stage and our worship team did a wonderful job leading us into God's presence (cudos to Tim Frye who lead last Sunday)

Appreciate your prayers for this Sunday as we look at how grace helps us to stand. Remember, you can never have enough grace(seinfeld reference)

Updates:

Kids are doing great - Looks like Lauren will be attending JMU this fall - Brooke is having fun going to school and working on her piano skills (she also does a great job keeping us full of brownies :) - Morgan is having fun playing Travel Soccer and Grant is enjoying his Classic Soccer team as well - although it's funny because he looks like a giant compared to some of the other kids on his team.

Paula and I celebrate 20 years together this April 23 - actually 20 years of marriage - we have been together since Oct 26, 1984 - we met our freshmen year of college.

My mortgage office is moving this week - looking forward to the new digs but ughh dealing with a move.

Don't know why this is important but - things I miss

1. Green grass in our yard - too many weeds - not enough time
2. Playing guitar on Sunday - gotta figure that one out
3. Going to baseball games - specifically - the Reds
4. Playing Golf - it's almost time

I'm sure that there are more things -but that will suffice for now.

Finally - talk at you soon.

Rich

It is Amazing Grace

2008-03-28T14:31:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited - this weekend we being Grace. That's the title of the new sermon series - I don't mean we are finally starting to live out grace at Horizons or preach grace; but rather - we are beginning a new sermon series called grace period. See - it's that simple and yet it is pretty complex - maybe it's a paradox (that is for Jay)- you see he is working on a sermon series called paradox. Anyway, I digress - or maybe I'm just being verbose. just kidding :)

On a serious note - I appreciate your prayers for this series.

NEWS FLASH - Horizons just had its largest attendance ever this past Sunday - over 550 people atteneded our two worship services this past Easter Sunday - we had many people who made commitements to the Lord and the worship/special ministry team hit a home run ministering to us. Our support ministries are simply amazing - great job to everyone.

Updates

Mortgage Business - can u say wild financial swings - the mortgage market continues it topsy turvy cycles

Family -kids are doing great - we got a new scale - the old one kept fluctuating too much - here is an insider note - I weigh myself 3 times a day - once in the morning - once when I get home from work and once at night- talk about needing therapy. My dogs - China and Dakota are amazing but barking too much recently. Our family is having a March Madness tourney - we all picked brackets and the winner gets to call in a favor from each of the other family members.

Baseball - yes, I love baseball - root for the Cincinati Reds and once again we wait with baited breath for a new season (that doesn't sound too good does it- waiting with baited breath)

Amazing- final thought - God's grace is truly amazing - He is all we need and He is perfect - I for one am glad the He made a way for us.

Talk at you soon.

Rich

What's so amazing about Grace.

2008-03-17T15:31:00.003-04:00

I am so excited - I get to preach again this Sunday for Easter and then the next 4 weeks - we are going to examine Grace. -what it is - what grace motivates us to do and how we are to reflect grace in our world. I appreciate your prayers.

I love our pastoral team - these guys just love to do ministry and do it well - Jay Hawpe, Jim Black and Andy Rogers are 3 guys who just love Jesus and love doing God's work. We are so blessed to have such amazing volunteers and awesome leaders. Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with the Worship Team - these people are not only incredible musicians and vocalists but also people whose hearts are focused on and surrendered to God's purpose. I appreciate their commitment and service at Horizons.

Pennington Update -

Morgan is playing on a travel soccer team and her team took 2nd place in the St Patricks day tourney this past weekend(oops - didn't wear green today - do people still pinch you if you don't and where did that tradition come from)

Lauren is still on pins and needles waiting to hear from UVA and WM and Mary -

Brooke helped out at the special olympics this past weekend - she is so caring and giving.

Grant is having fun playing the new Wii game Smash Brothers

Dad had some fun playing as well -

Paula is helping to lead a special song for Easter and is having fun playing chauffeur to the non-driving kids - btw - Brooke can get her permit in 2 months so be on the lookout

Talk at you soon.

Rich

On Task

2008-03-06T14:03:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it takes everything within us to stay on task - to not be distracted. That's how life is for me right now. Lately, work has been burdensome - but you can't quit or give up - you must press forward(am I preaching to myself right now - do I need therapy because I'm having a conversation with myself in the middle of this blog - what's up with the use of the word myself?) Anyway - must stay on task - see how hard it can be.

So that's my encouragement to you - stay on task - if you committed to a diet then stay on it - don't give in to temptation - if more importantly you committed to a time of prayer of fasting during lent - then stay with it - don't quit - if you've recently turned the corner on some character issue - then keep moving in a God direction - don't turn back. And you know what - He promises that He is faithful - that His grace is sufficient. More on grace in a couple of weeks.

Updates

TV SHOWS -

Football is still over -

LOST - glad they answered a couple of questions only to ask a dozen more - please someone bring this to a nice and tidy close- still addicted though

Church - WOW! God is great - the church continues to grow - the two services have really turned out to be fantastic - I get to attend one service and then teach at another - a Horizons 101 - an Assimilation Team Training - etc - btw - our teams at HC are amazing - every week they show up and serve and are a tremendous blessing - we just had our largest non-Easter attendance last Sunday - cool!- but more importantly - God is preparing us as a church for something big - don't miss this coming Sunday.

Talk at you soon.

Rich

Just Around the Corner

2008-02-18T15:20:00.002-05:00

I love that expression - the weather the last few days has given me the feeling that spring is just around the corner and since it appears that it isn't going to get cold enough to snow, then i would prefer that we get our spring early. BTW - I'm in trouble - you see we have a tradition in the Pennington family that we make pizza when the first snow comes and the snow we had a couple of weeks ago was deemed unpizza worthy by someone who will remain nameless and now the kids of the Pennington clan aren't too happy with that nameless individual :)

Anyway, it's just around the corner - what you may ask - better days say I - we are to live with the expectancy that God is on our side and somehow, someway it's just around the corner. And it's not always what we want, but rather what God sees fit.

Sunday service was awesome yesterday. Our new 2 service format gives opportunity for other types of teaching/classes to take place and yesterday 14 adults came to Horizons 101(between the morning and evening events; and over 15 people made a new or fresh commitment to the Lord. Jay did a great job delivering the message and our worship team hit a home run - thanks to all of our amazing volunteers that work so hard to minister with excellence.

Updates

Coaching changes - ughh -who knows, maybe, not sure, etc.

Kids - Brooke's Bball team won their last game of the season, Morgan's Bball team won the championship game, Lauren is still on pins and needles awaiting college acceptance and Grant got to go hunting with dad.

Talk at you soon,

Rich

Update and Frail

2008-02-08T09:57:00.000-05:00

I feel weak today - not sure why - got up and worked out, but the other side of 40, my goodness. By the way the title of the blog is also a great Jars of Clay song - check it out...

Football - it's over - I mean the season but maybe also the future of the Redskins - still no head coach and not sure who wants to coach this team.

TV - not much to watch- that's a good thing except that all the good shows are on Thursday night - LOST - Survivor - Deal or No Deal(ok not a great show but with DVR it goes quick)

Work - too much - but thankfully we are busier than we were in the 4th quarter.

Church - WOW! - it's amazing - these are exciting times for our church as we continue to grow numerically. But more importantly as we see people making commitments to the Lord and people signing up for ministry and to be baptized - people joining the church as members - the building moving forward as we prepare to cross the Finish Line on that one - and all the great people that so faithfully serve each week in the various ministries - Special props to our hospitality and set up teams for the amazing jobs they have done as we transitioned to two services.

New Sermon Series - I will be preaching again Easter and for the next few weeks after on Grace.

Family - they grow up too fast - Lauren is on pins and needles waiting to hear back from colleges for this fall - Brooke is coming to the end of her basketball season and has really grown as a player this year - Morgan just made a travel soccer team - Grant is all boy and is gearing up for soccer this Spring - but more importantly - all my kids love Jesus and it shows in their lifestyle - they are not perfect but I am very proud of them -

Talk at you soon

Rich

Expanding Our Borders

2008-01-28T11:30:00.000-05:00

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?

2008-01-12T13:09:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-05T10:20:00.000-05:00

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

Merry Christmas

2007-12-22T12:13:00.001-05:00

What a great year at Horizons - we celebrated some victories on December 16 - our church had over 100 salvations in the church and through our outreach ministries - we finally broke ground on our new worship facility - we had over 80% of our members engaged in ministry - our church took or sponsored 3 missions trips -all great stuff and all of the glory goes to God.

Some of the other pastors at our church have been doing there top lists for Christmas - I'll give you the Pennington's top Christmas movie - It's a Wonderful Life - it's the story of how one man impacts his whole community - of course, for believers we know that Jesus Christ has come and He's coming again (btw -if you haven't yet purchased the new Crowder CD -Remedy - why not? - Great songs - my favs are Remedy, Surely We Can Change and Oh, The Glory of it All) and He has brought change to all of us - and no matter what your life looks like right now - God Loves you and He has given you and me the best gift.

I just have to pause and give some credit to some amazing people- all of the volunteers at our church - thanks for all of the hard work for the cause of Christ - hundreds of people who each month serve - and you do a great job!

I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas.

Talk at you soon

Rich

Surely We Can Change

2007-12-10T16:26:00.001-05:00

Thanks to all of you who read this post and prayed for the Life Swap series. I appreciate your prayers. And thanks to all for your feedback about the series - now let's all focus on how we can better understand and love each other according to God's word- let's focus on others and not just be interested in our own lives. You can make some positive strides over the next couple of weeks - pray that you will take a pause and think about another persons needs - what's important to them.

If you want to listen to any of the messages - please visit our website - horizonschurch.com

Also - if you are looking for a good, quick and positive read - read The Christmas Jars - it will inspire you - I do think the end is a little contrived but overall a nice read.

Random thoughts - it was nice to see the Redskins finally get a win - and now for optimist Rich - if they win their remaining three games they can still make the playoffs.

Please pray for Paula as she recently broke her pinky finger.

TV - Heroes -done. Survivor - done this week - other shows - lost interest, writers strike
Could somebody please beat the Patriots -the new team we all love to hate.

Yeah - it's Christmastime - remember to take a moment each day and reflect on why you celebrate.

Talk at you soon.

Rich

What I Am

2007-11-28T10:19:00.001-05:00

Flashback - Edie Brickell song - What I am is What I am - You what you are, or what?

A first and important step in growing in character is to really take some time to understand who you really are - the whole picture - the good the bad and the ugly.

All of us are shaped uniquely and are given a certain type of personality - but the story does not have to end there -our experiences shape us but it it God who transforms us. Every personality has strengths and weaknesses - and our desire should be for God to transform those weaknesses in our life.

Not only that - but our positive knowing of ourselves should also be focused outward to the positive knowing of others so that we can better understand and serve them.

That's what I've been preaching about right now - you can listen to the messages at horizonschurch.com

What I am discovering is that relationships take a lot of work and a lot of vulnerability -and that's tough stuff, but it also makes for GREAT relationships.

On a personal note - Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Sean Taylor who was murdered this past week(he is a football player for the Redskins)

Talk at you soon.

Rich

Life Swap

2007-11-17T18:15:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had a time in your life when you could swap lives with someone else because you think they have a better life. As a pastor, and just as a person I have come to realize that everyone and I mean EVERYONE has problems. Alot of our problems are spiritual, financial or physical but we also have alot of relational problems. This week - actually tomorrow as I write this we are beginning a new series that will focus on how we can understand and relate to one another better - so make sure to come or listen in at horizonschurch.com

On another note - my Redskins lost in a heartbreaking fashion last Sunday to the Eagles and now they have to go to Dallas and try and get a win against a very good Cowboys team - yeah that's right, I admitted that the Cowboys are good - you hear me Deb or Missy - btw - how does a true Redskin fan marry a cowboys fan - if you want to understand that - then ask our youth pastor Andy Rogers.

Went to the Crowder concert last Sunday - WOW! What a cool time of worship and great music.
I am still digging the new Crowder CD.

TV Show Update

Heroes - back and forth, but last week was very fulfilling.

Survivor - same ole' and yet I'm still watching -love the human dynamics

Overall, life is good - brighter days ahead - especially because this Thursday is National Pumpkin Pie Day - OK - better known as Thanksgiving - but YUMMY.

Talk at you soon - thanks for your prayers

Rich

Winner

2007-11-06T13:13:00.000-05:00

That's how God sees you! Sometimes we look in the mirror and see a different picture.

I know this is another football reference, but you are reading my blog :)

So, this was the week of the comeback kid - for my Redskins, in both my fantasy football leagues and it's the message I want to focus on for this week - You may feel like you are losing the game of life right now - you may be down some points in the fourth quarter, but don't quit - keep holding on - keep praying and believing because victory is often just around the corner.

So the Redskins basically were losing the entire game, but they put together a 4th quarter drive and then won the game in overtime - and in both my fantasy leagues I was behind but thanks to Big Ben and the Steeler Tenacious D I had dramatic come from behind shocking victories(sorry Jim Black and JP(John Pennington, my brother))- well I'm not really sorry, just...don't even know what to say....better luck with someone else...

OK - need your prayers because I start a new sermon series Nov 18 called Life Swap - it's about how we need to think about and be concerned for the needs of others, more on that to come.

Talk at you soon.

Humiliating

2007-10-29T14:35:00.000-04:00

Life is like that sometimes. Take my beloved Redskins yesterday - 52-7 loss at the hand of the NE Patriots; it was just humiliating.

So what do you do when life hits you with such a loss - like in my personal life right now - many of you know that I'm an owner of a mortgage business - the downturn in this industry has been humiliating and it has affected Covenant as well - so what do we do - quit, or bury our head in the sand - NO - you learn whatever lessons are to be learned, knock the dust off of you and get back in the fight - at least that's my perspective.

So if life has humiliated you recently, remember that everybody hurts sometimes and get back in the game. God is on our side, He is with us.

Talk at you soon.

I'm Back

2007-10-20T10:20:00.001-04:00

Thanks for all your prayers while we were away in China - what an amazing trip. We were able to complete our mission objective which was to help our friends in Appletown learn how to make apple butter and dried fruit - but more importantly we were able to be a shining light and testimony in a dark place.

Horizons Church is awesome - God has blessed us with an amazing church body and if you are a part - Thanks. We just wrapped up a 6 week series on Heroes and finished our service Sunday by celebrating with a Chili Dinner. First, we have some very talented chili cookers in our church - yummy, Second, it was so cool to see everyone fellowshipping and working together to pull off this event. Sometimes, we forget how dependent we are on God and each other to live out this life of faith.

Let me encourage you to write that note, pick up that phone, send that email when you feel prompted - it often makes a world of difference.

Talk at you soon

A Few Pictures

2007-10-05T09:49:00.001-04:00

A Far Away Place

2007-10-04T09:01:00.000-04:00

That's where I am right now - if you took a left at the end of civilization and went for a very long time - that' s where you would find me right now - I am in China with a team of wonderful people from our church and we are here to help bring the gospel to a far away people.

But the amazing thing is that these people are not far away from God for He never leaves us - Our God is always near (btw - you have to check out the new Crowder cd and listen to the song Remedy) - That's why God has sent this team to this far away place - to let them know that He is near - we have had several witnessing opportunities - please pray for someone named Donna (we never use their real Chinese name)

Remember - God is near.

Talk at you soon

Rich

I'm sailing away...

2007-09-28T14:17:00.000-04:00

Ok - maybe not sailing and no- I'm not on that midnight train to Georgia or any other expression - I'm on the long flight to China - Ok not as of this blog - but by Saturday afternoon.

Appreciate your prayers.

Talk at you soon.(oct 15)

Wins and Losses

2007-09-24T12:43:00.000-04:00

Life is full of victories and losses - but it's how we handle those moments on either of side of the transaction that matters. We can't win them all and we won't lose them all but we can do our part, have the right character and no matter the outcome prepare for the next chapter/fight/battle, etc.

Speaking of which - I am heartbroken - but joyful - my beloved Redskins lost a game they should have won - and in the fantasy football world I won in one league and lost in another - see that's life.

Leaving for China this Saturday - I appreciate your prayers.

Talk at you soon

Seasons

2007-09-18T09:45:00.000-04:00

I love the change of seasons - I guess I really like change in general, but the change in seasons provides us with a reminder of the natural rhythms that God has given us here on planet Earth. My tomato plants are reaching the end of their fruit bearing cycle and it reminds me of the necessity we all have to have seasons of growth, rest, fruit bearing and pruning. So, as fall approaches think about where you are right now - what season of life are you in, maybe you're in different seasons in different areas of your life- that's how it is for me right now - different seasons for different areas.

This past weekend was our church picnic and week 2 of our Heroes series - it was a very cool church picnic - in more ways than one - but especially because (slight smirk on face as he makes this comment) because Paula and I won the badminton tourney! Ah, the sweet smell of victory.

Speaking of which, how 'bout those Redskins - 2-0 which is the same record I have in both my fantasy leagues (some boys never grow up) :)

Talk at you soon.

We Win

2007-09-11T09:45:00.000-04:00

At the end - we win(also a great Crowder song- btw- he has a new album coming out the 25th of September, so pre-order now - well, not right now, but after you read the rest of this blog). Still it is a great thought -WE WIN! We may not win every battle but we will win the war. Isn't great to know that God has you in the palm of His hands and that because of what He has done - we have victory.

What stirred this up - My Redskins won on Sunday(in dramatic fashion), and I started in both of my fantasy football leagues with wins and we had a win on Sunday - it was the first week of Heroes and just another example of the grace of God - didn't fell like I did a great job preaching - had some issues during the service and yet 3 people committed/recommitted their lives and a lot of positive energy during the ministry fair and after service - so thanks for your prayers.

Vacation continued- all good things must come to an end and after the cruise - we spent a few more days in London visiting Castles and then we had to come home -overall, it was an amazing time with the family - lots of great memories with family and friends.

Talk at you soon