Weekend Flashback

I haven't posted a "Weekend Flashback" in a while. Things have been insanely busy the last few weeks and I have had little time to blog...

But this past weekend was about as incredible a weekend as I have ever experienced in ministry... so here are some thoughts:

• Friday night, our high school and middle school students came out to set-up all the AIDS Caregiver Kits supplies (enough for 300 kits!) so that we could assemble the kits during the weekend services. They did an amazing job helping make sure this project worked!

• Saturday morning, I was part of a great 40 Days of Community Small Group. I was really encouraged by how well the group went!

• After small group, I joined up with our Class 101 which was already going on. I love being part of this class for people considering membership at St. Paul's. Always very fun!

• The Saturday service was great and we had a turn out and a great dinner afterwards. I'm really encouraged by how the Saturday service is developing and excited about the community and culture that is developing Saturday night.

• The Jazz Brunch is going great -- I love the new format and am fired up about it!

• I thought music at the 6PM (as well as energy) was unbelievable ... the 4PM has also gained great energy this semester.

• We dealt with more tech issues this weekend than we have in a while... I'm really proud of our tech team for staying focused and getting through it.

• Record attendance this weekend, by the way! 329 people! Only the 2nd time we've broken 300 on a weekend (Christmas excluded). The first time was two weeks ago.

• During the service, I talked about our missions philosophy, our commitment to The P.E.A.C.E. Plan and the Global P.E.A.C.E. Coalition, and also talked about the 6 missions projects we are focusing on as a congregation during 40 Days of Community. You can find out about all six here.

• During the service, as part of our practical application of Jesus' teaching and also as part of our worship -- a sacrament of service -- we assembled 300 AIDS Caregiver Kits. Watching folks put these kits together, write encouraging notes to the careworkers, praying for the kits... really one of the most powerful things I have ever seen! Watching kids doing it with their families was awesome! (by the way, if you want to see some additional pictures, I've posted some in the Project: AIDS group in Unifyer... check them out.)

Overall, I left Sunday night exhausted, humbled, excited, and in awe at God's goodness and all that He is doing in our community! It is such a powerful thing to watch the Gospel lived out in practical and significant ways. And I am so thankful to be part of a community that takes following Jesus so seriously!