Exiled Community

the weekend that was: It’s Labor Day weekend. Andrea’s parents were in for most of the weekend. Abbie had a fever during the early part, so we could go to the beach on Friday as planned. Saturday, I golfed with Andrea’s dad and two friends from church. Beautiful course. I hit the ball really well on the front nine, and then looked like I have never played before on the back nine. Sunday was Sunday (see below)

Church Review: Worship was alright. For a holiday weekend, we had a decent turnout and people seemed engaged for the most part. I preached for the second week on Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom. This week was a little more difficult than last, but I think it went alright. It was week two of our new service. We had just over 30 there. As I said last week, I think this number will go up in a couple of weeks. The new service is nice because it is so small an intimate.

where i am at the moment: I am at home enjoying a few minutes before Andrea and Abbie wake up.

On to-do list this week: It’s a short week this week. I’ll be getting ready for the weekend services, but also updating a procedural policy for our church. And, I start school this week, which means I’ll be spending 30 hours in Philadelphia.

What Abbie is up to: More teething. She’s been running a low grade fever for four days. On Sunday, she screamed most of the day/afternoon. We took her to the ER yesterday because we were certain she had an ear infection, and Tuesday was a long time to wait to get to the doctor. After screaming all the way until we got to the ER, when we got to the waiting room, she was running around as if nothing was wrong. But it turns out she does have an ear infection, so we got some antibiotics. We’re just waiting on the teeth!

book i’m in the midst of: I have not made much progress on the two I mentioned last week. They were Suprised By Hope by N.T. Wright, and Reasons to Believe by John Marks.

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Nothing. I listen to a new worship CD by john Augee and did not like it at all.

How I feel about this week: One word- School. Uggh.

• The other day, I saw a guy on a Harley wave to someone on a scooter in front of me. Come on! It was a scooter, not a hog!
• Even School Bus drivers get in on the action with a friendly wave to each other.
• Owners of Jeeps know that the rest of us just would understand because it’s a Jeep Thing. Now that’s brotherhood.

So, for the sake of community- to make this world a better place; I am proposing that all owners of crappy cars begin saluting each other so that others can be envious of our community. The wave should look like this:

the weekend that was: It was a so-so weekend. Friday night, we went over to a friends house and had a great dinner. Saturday we hung out and went down to the outlets and out to dinner. Sunday we were at home most of the day. It was good to be home, but nothing spectacular.

Church Review: What does a response to God in worship look like? Can you stand with your hands in your pockets and truly respond to God? Well, you can. Do 250 people respond in the same way? I doubt it, but that is what happened Sunday. I thought the music was good, the message was to the point about living our lives as a worship response…and then, hands in pockets as we close. I am really feeling that we need to get to October to do our series on worship and what it is.

On another note, we began a new service Sunday with 35 people. It was nice being in the more intimate group. It will get larger when Sunday School kicks in. But as far as first weeks go, it was alright.

where i am at the moment: Just finished staff meeting and sitting in my office.

On to-do list this week: I have to schedule some of our leadership for our worship gatherings and prepare a sermon. A little lighter week this week than last week.

What Abbie is up to: Abbie is silly. Andrea got a musical birthday card with Cindi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun on it. Abbie opens it up, the music plays, and Abbie dances around the living room. We really need to have a video camera out when she does this.

book i’m in the midst of: I have not made much progress on the two I mentioned last week. They were Suprised By Hope by N.T. Wright, and Reasons to Believe by John Marks.

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: I got Family Force 5’s new CD, Dance of Die, from Best Buy the other day. There are a few really good songs (Fever is at the top of the list). And while the disc certainly fits who FF5 is, there are less guitars and more beeps. There is a 80’s New Wave sound in the midst of it. While I would give their freshman CD five stars, their sophomore disc would only get 3. Not bad, but not great.

how i’m feeling about this week: Hopeful that it will be a great week. No meetings on Monday or Tuesday, which means more time with the family.

1. Mom’s should not pick out clothes for their late-teen sons: I don’t know how it works for mothers and daughters…but mom’s and son’s are pretty far apart on this. I can remember some battles with my mom over styles of shirts, jeans, etc. (“Mom, acid wash jeans are so 10 years ago!)
2. Disco should be banned from our vocabulary: Yes, I panic when I hear the word disco. It brings up so many bad images of a brief time where leisure suits were accepted and everyone wanted to dance like John Travolta. Disco, as a music, should only be played for people coming out of a 30 year coma who need to be slowly reintroduced into the modern world of music.

For anyone interested, here is a daily dose of disco to save you from the genre.

the weekend that was: The weekend went by pretty quick, but it was a good one. On Friday, we took 8 young adults camping and whitewater rafting. It was a blast to be together. The rapids weren’t as big as I had hoped, but it was still great to spend that much time together outdoors. On Sunday, I spent 13 consecutive hours at church. After 3 worship services, we had an Eagle Scout ceremony for one of our students, a surprise birthday party for another, and youth pastor interview. Then we met with our college students until 12:30 a.m. Essentially, I worked a 17 hour day on Sunday.

Church Review: Several thoughts about worship. First, I preached yesterday. I was happy with the sermon content…it was on the life of Joseph and how he extended mercy to his brothers/family when they came seeking help during the famine, and how as Christians we are to extend mercy to those around us. I had some positive feedback….not in the “nice sermon” way, but that some people were challenged by the message to strive to show mercy in their family or work situations.

Also, Erin and Becky picked out the music and Rock n Roll church returned. It is hard to believe that they are leaving for college. They have been apart of the worship gathering for 5 years and have each volunteered over 1000 hours during that time. It will be a big hole to fill.

where i am at the moment: I am home in my pj’s, really needing to get ready for work.

On to-do list this week: This week is my study week, which means I will be at various locales working on getting through my list of books I wanted to finish this summer. I will also be doing sermon planning for the entire fall. Also on my list is prep our fellowship hall for the launch of our new worship service on Sunday.

What Abbie is up to: Abbie really missed her mommy and daddy while we were rafting. I still think she is teething. She is honestly never cranky (if she has slept well, which she almost always does.), and she has been cranky this weekend. Again, no physical evidence, but I think they are in the works.

book i’m in the midst of: I have not made much progress on the two I mentioned last week. They were Suprised By Hope by N.T. Wright, and Reasons to Believe by John Marks.

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: I have not listened to much music this week. I have listened to Delirious’ Kingdom of Comfort CD. I feel perpetually let down by Delirious. I saw them in concert at Ichthus several years ago, and it ranks as one of the most moving shows I have ever seen. They have the talent and the ability to be an amazing rock band…yet, to me, they seem to stop short of doing that. I wasn’t overly impressed with the new release.

how i’m feeling about this week: relieved that last week is over.