Today I attended the WCA Leadership Summit, held as a satellite venue on the Grace Covenant Campus. While walking down the hall I ran into Jennifer, one of the amazing volunteers from last weekend's Bash!
She attends Grace Covenant. I'm not sure how she got hooked up w/ Bash but the stories she shared today were unforgettable, as have so many of your stories been!
I'll confess, I didn't have a lot of time to see the "God moments" b/c I ended up dealing w/ issues that came up . . . . but to hear the stories of those who served, those are the "goosebump" stories that remind me of the vastness and greatness of God's love!
Today Jennifer shared that after she prayed w/ the little boy she had put shoes on his feet, he grabbed her hands and said, "Let us pray . . . Dear God, thank you for ALL these people who were so kind to share their stuff with us. Thank you for all the fun things we get to do here. Thank you for the food. Thank you for the school supplies. This is just the best day ever God so thank you SO MUCH!"
NOW . . . if that wasn't the voice of Christ nudging OUR hearts . . . I don't know what was or IS! To have the one being served then take it upon himself to share prayers of gratitude and blessings on those who are serving . . . . it is a reminder that amazing things happen . . . LOVE happens, when we work together in a common purpose and mission!
2700+ Kids were served!!!!
Over 500 haircuts!!!
AND I already have at least 10 emails from folks saying, "I would LOVE to serve on the vision team for this event in 2012!" THAT is the BEST NEWS EVER to my ears!!!! What started as 4 people around a table in a restaurant in 2010 . . . . that went to a team of 20 in 2011 and transposed to over 750 volunteers . . . . will now be UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Last week when Leslie said in the video "I'm ready to start working on Bash'12 tomorrow!" I thought "ARE YOU CRAZY??????" But honestly, after worship on Sunday @ West . . . I was ready to get started immediately!
In fact - Bash'11 IS NOT DONE!!!!!
WC was contacted by an organization in Statesville, associated w/ the Statesville Housing Authority. They are hosting a Bash in one week and asked if we had any left over supplies!
Here are the God things in that conversation and circumstances:
- We actually had supplies left OVER for the first time ever!!!! HOW we don't know . . . short of a miracle. BUT we do. AND we will be donating those to the Statesville Kids!
-I asked what the organizational structure is for this Bash b/c I wanted to make sure that the kids actually receive the items! They are SO similar to the way we are doing it and I asked her if she would like to partner with us for next year so we could actually serve the entire county - not just one little part! SHE READILY AGREED!!!!!
You see - she attends The Cove, which is one of our partners! Her vision is the same as the Bash'10 and Bash'11 vision . . . so now we will begin working together to ensure that for Bash'12 we don't have to turn ANYONE away!!!! ALL ISS schools will hopefully be able to be served!!!!
IRONIC that happens today as I listen to leaders declare we need to have BOLD vision and we need to "DO SOMETHING!"
It is an honor and privilege to be a pastor at a church where folks are NEVER afraid to DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to see where God takes this over the next year! Thank you for YOUR support of the Bash!!!!
Grace and Peace,
Andrea
About Me
- Andrea
- So grateful for passionate people and a passionate place in which to be in ministry . . . West is ONE YEAR OLD!!!! YEAH! And looking forward to a great year ahead . . .
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Is the Thunder REALLY all that necessary?
It really did seem like things were moving a little too smoothly!
Yes there were the normal kinks . . . we needed more supplies, we needed more money, we needed more hair cut people . . and EACH time we needed something more - God provided.
In fact, it made the Charlotte Observer last Sunday (I found this out today) that one of the businesses helping with the event said, "I think they bit off more than they can chew."
Well, our human selves may have bitten off more than we can chew but what that lady did not seem to remember is that we are not in this whole "Bash'11" thing alone! God is a LOT bigger than we are and as a volunteer shared this morning as we had the first of many "crisis points" of the day . . . God never "bites off" more than God can chew!
It did seem like if it "could" go wrong - it DID go wrong this morning . . . grill issues, charcoal issues, water issues, forklift issues, generator issues (that was the biggest!!!!!) . . . and each time we turned around something else was wrong!
However, the most amazing thing was and is that at every turn where there was a problem - God was also working w/ us to provide solutions. And the solutions were far bigger and better than the original one each time!!!!!
I guess the final straw came for me when I got an email chastising us for not "qualifying the children" so we could make sure we were helping only the poor! The individual was disgusted with the way we went about it, felt we were misadvertising, etc. The email left me greatly, greatly unsettled!
Yet - there was God again! Which is why the blog is called, "Its those things again." Those things - are GOD things!!!! God really does not ever let us fall . . . .
As soon as I read the email that stung pretty badly . .. there was one from a new West family -
"I really enjoyed Sunday’s message and as I sat there thought about how incredibly lucky to have such a passionate and talented woman helping me in my faith. I hope life hasn’t hit your blind side too hard this week."
I don't know what tomorrow will bring . . . . but as I sit in my office and hear the thunder outside I am reminded of the Mercy Me song, "Bring the Rain." It's all good - b/c really - the fact that we have:
Bash’11 has collected over $15,000 from area churches and business organizations . . .
Bash’11 has over 550 DIFFERENT people being the hands and feet of Christ . . .
Bash’11 will serve over 3000 students in our local community with either school supplies, shoes, and haircuts . .. or for many – all 3!
Bash’11 has 45+ different people to come cut hair on a church property . . . .less than ideal “salon” circumstances . . .
Bash’11 will show folks in our community what it means to show love and generosity in the name of Christ.
ALL that is a God thing!!!!
So . . . go ahead . . . and let it rain!
Yes there were the normal kinks . . . we needed more supplies, we needed more money, we needed more hair cut people . . and EACH time we needed something more - God provided.
In fact, it made the Charlotte Observer last Sunday (I found this out today) that one of the businesses helping with the event said, "I think they bit off more than they can chew."
Well, our human selves may have bitten off more than we can chew but what that lady did not seem to remember is that we are not in this whole "Bash'11" thing alone! God is a LOT bigger than we are and as a volunteer shared this morning as we had the first of many "crisis points" of the day . . . God never "bites off" more than God can chew!
It did seem like if it "could" go wrong - it DID go wrong this morning . . . grill issues, charcoal issues, water issues, forklift issues, generator issues (that was the biggest!!!!!) . . . and each time we turned around something else was wrong!
However, the most amazing thing was and is that at every turn where there was a problem - God was also working w/ us to provide solutions. And the solutions were far bigger and better than the original one each time!!!!!
I guess the final straw came for me when I got an email chastising us for not "qualifying the children" so we could make sure we were helping only the poor! The individual was disgusted with the way we went about it, felt we were misadvertising, etc. The email left me greatly, greatly unsettled!
Yet - there was God again! Which is why the blog is called, "Its those things again." Those things - are GOD things!!!! God really does not ever let us fall . . . .
As soon as I read the email that stung pretty badly . .. there was one from a new West family -
"I really enjoyed Sunday’s message and as I sat there thought about how incredibly lucky to have such a passionate and talented woman helping me in my faith. I hope life hasn’t hit your blind side too hard this week."
I don't know what tomorrow will bring . . . . but as I sit in my office and hear the thunder outside I am reminded of the Mercy Me song, "Bring the Rain." It's all good - b/c really - the fact that we have:
Bash’11 has collected over $15,000 from area churches and business organizations . . .
Bash’11 has over 550 DIFFERENT people being the hands and feet of Christ . . .
Bash’11 will serve over 3000 students in our local community with either school supplies, shoes, and haircuts . .. or for many – all 3!
Bash’11 has 45+ different people to come cut hair on a church property . . . .less than ideal “salon” circumstances . . .
Bash’11 will show folks in our community what it means to show love and generosity in the name of Christ.
ALL that is a God thing!!!!
So . . . go ahead . . . and let it rain!
Monday, July 11, 2011
It Comes Full Circle
The Jamaica Mission Team is working away in the mountains of Jamaica surrounded by the Deaf Village that has become a part of the heart of WCUMC.
Look on the right of the page for the link to their blog!
One of the components of the trip is to visit the Infirmary and spend time with them on Sunday afternoon. Then return mid-week and take them a meal and continue hanging out and building relationships.
The most interesting component of this is the "Infirmary" is a cross between a nursing home and mental ward. Never in America would there be ANY place like this - conditions are abhorable and the people, for the most part, lie there waiting to die, flies, heat, and hopelessness surrounding them. Or so it seems . . .
For any American it would seem that hopelessness abounds . . . yet upon some time with the people you quickly learn they are not immersed in anything other than peace. They derive their peace from a source much bigger than themselves so it matters not that they have nothing but a bed and maybe, if they are lucky, a plastic box with a few possessions, they are at peace with who and where they are.
The most interesting thing to me, however, is that when the team arrived there yesterday (a year after the last visit w/ NO communication during the year - there's no way to communicate with them) . . the people of the infirmary, the men and women lying in their own states of helplessness called the people from WC by name.
They greeted our people by name.
They remembered.
I really, really, really try hard to remember people's names when I meet them! Unfortunately sometimes I "rename" people because I forget . . but more often than not I forget completely . . I struggle to remember, even though it is something I really want to do!
How is it that men and women in another part of the world, marked by cultural differences,distance,and failing health can remember a 1 hour visit and call the people by name?
Obviously something happens in that one hour visit that is a catalyst for changing someone's life.
I'm not sure quite yet what that means for me . . . but what I do know is that I hope every encounter I have can be a catalyst for change. Not just for who I am "encountering" . . . because frankly, that's the least of my concern . . . the change needs to happen within me.
Whereas I pray for the folks in the infirmary that they will feel God's peace, strength, encouragement, etc. I may want to revisit that prayer . . the ones who have nothing, who are presented with days lined with no hope out of a dismal situation, are the ones who are content. At peace.
I struggle a bit because my entire family is out of the country, on a trip I hold so dear to my heart, and I'm here . . . alone . . . little "pity party" can we say? And then I read their blog post - and I am reminded . . . like the Apostle Paul said,
"For me, to live is Christ. To die is gain."
Maybe my focus shouldn't be AT ALL on me! That's where the contentment comes from . . . . may God KEEP reminding me of that and may God keep on using those folks in the villages of Jamiaca to draw all people to the peace and perseverance that only God provides.
Grace and Peace, A
Look on the right of the page for the link to their blog!
One of the components of the trip is to visit the Infirmary and spend time with them on Sunday afternoon. Then return mid-week and take them a meal and continue hanging out and building relationships.
The most interesting component of this is the "Infirmary" is a cross between a nursing home and mental ward. Never in America would there be ANY place like this - conditions are abhorable and the people, for the most part, lie there waiting to die, flies, heat, and hopelessness surrounding them. Or so it seems . . .
For any American it would seem that hopelessness abounds . . . yet upon some time with the people you quickly learn they are not immersed in anything other than peace. They derive their peace from a source much bigger than themselves so it matters not that they have nothing but a bed and maybe, if they are lucky, a plastic box with a few possessions, they are at peace with who and where they are.
The most interesting thing to me, however, is that when the team arrived there yesterday (a year after the last visit w/ NO communication during the year - there's no way to communicate with them) . . the people of the infirmary, the men and women lying in their own states of helplessness called the people from WC by name.
They greeted our people by name.
They remembered.
I really, really, really try hard to remember people's names when I meet them! Unfortunately sometimes I "rename" people because I forget . . but more often than not I forget completely . . I struggle to remember, even though it is something I really want to do!
How is it that men and women in another part of the world, marked by cultural differences,distance,and failing health can remember a 1 hour visit and call the people by name?
Obviously something happens in that one hour visit that is a catalyst for changing someone's life.
I'm not sure quite yet what that means for me . . . but what I do know is that I hope every encounter I have can be a catalyst for change. Not just for who I am "encountering" . . . because frankly, that's the least of my concern . . . the change needs to happen within me.
Whereas I pray for the folks in the infirmary that they will feel God's peace, strength, encouragement, etc. I may want to revisit that prayer . . the ones who have nothing, who are presented with days lined with no hope out of a dismal situation, are the ones who are content. At peace.
I struggle a bit because my entire family is out of the country, on a trip I hold so dear to my heart, and I'm here . . . alone . . . little "pity party" can we say? And then I read their blog post - and I am reminded . . . like the Apostle Paul said,
"For me, to live is Christ. To die is gain."
Maybe my focus shouldn't be AT ALL on me! That's where the contentment comes from . . . . may God KEEP reminding me of that and may God keep on using those folks in the villages of Jamiaca to draw all people to the peace and perseverance that only God provides.
Grace and Peace, A
Sunday, June 26, 2011
On "Fire" for Jesus . . . or Feeling like it anyway!
When West was created we said we wanted to be "Different" . . . certainly today was testimony to the DNA of a different church! I don't think I could have been more frustrated by the end of the sermon. Then this afternoon I received a "forward" from a friend and it was a devotion by Saddleback and it was entitled "Jesus laughed." He reminded me that today Jesus would have laughed and it would have been ok!!!! And he was right . . .
That, along with feedback from the Leadership Team, has reminded me that it is ok to laugh . . . it is ok for bizarre Sundays! Because even in the "differences" there were the "God moments" that won't be easily forgotten!
There is something powerful and spiritually moving when a faith community unites together to lift up people within the community in prayer.
I know that Don, Jake, and Jason felt the power of prayer from their faith community. And despite the CRAZINESS of the day . . . the heat, the phantom microphone muting, the random flying objects, etc. somehow we ended up in a place and time of worship! Thanks for being a part of West!
Now . . . for a bit of humor from the day . . . my top "10" list of why it was fine for there to be ZERO air @ West today!
The Top 10 Reasons that No Air @ West was a Good Thing!
10. All participants in worship or Wired/Sparked lost a guaranteed 1.5 pounds.
9. In addition to teh new weight loss, an additional 200 calories were burned as a result of fanning.
8. If you are unable to experience vacation in a tropical area you were able to experience what one could potentially feel like and not spend a DIME!
7. You had the opportunity to see first hand how many different colors the shirts of the band/worship team could be, depending on degree of sweat.
6. It allowed you an opportunity to sit close to the stage without seeming like an "over-eager" worshipper. (Don't you want to sit that close every week?)
5. Many were able to reminisce to the days of their childhood of "No Airconditioning."
4. Those who load/unload the trailers and experience new body smells after they are done w/ the physical labor now have something in common with the rest of those who attend West.
3. We now know how much it takes to send Andrea to the edge in worship . . .
a. Heat that takes your breath away when you walk on stage
b. Tons of movement in front of people's faces so no eye contact can be gauged.
c. Flying insects coming in from all the open doors that have potential to sting consistently flying in Andrea's face, around her body, and refusing to leave her alone until she yells at it and offers up a prayer, "God I need a break!"
d. Hearing every outside noise possible because of all the open doors.
e. Actually having written out a sermon while on vacation only to have the inability to focus and "engage" because of the bizarre circumstances
2. IF the theology of West was a "Fear Based Theology" today would have been a prime opportunity to preach on Hell. AND we will always have this to fall back on as an example.
1. I've always wanted to be a "Hot" preacher w/ a "Hot" church! ;)
Seriously - We have now witnessed that we can withstand LOTS of factors!
a. Worship Leader Interview in worship in which he ignored every direction of worship team and pastor
b. The beautiful rendition on the Sunday before Christmas of "She's Got Legs" and "If You Wanna Be My Lover" playing pre-worship and then during the announcement video
c. The Palm Sunday experience in which we sang 9,423 choruses of "He Reigns" while waving palm branches in the air because the children forgot to leave.
d. The Palm Sunday monologue in which Andrea was being rolled out on a bed w/ curlers in her hair, pajamas, fuzzy bedroom shoes, and a face mask as she is sitting up in the bed yelling at the Worship Team to "sit them down" because the congregation was still standing and it was time for the monologue.
d. Today.
And each time those who make "West" "West" carry themselves with grace. I am not exactly sure what grace I carried w/ the whole bee/wasp thing . . .because at that point I wanted to just give up . . . but I decided that was not my best option!
I am grateful for the folks that come and fill those seats each week . . . and believe it or not - we had a first time worshipper today and her quote to someone was . . .
"Well, it was a little warm but we had a great day at church!"
So . . .there you go! God does work through and in all things!
I'm so blessed to be able to be a pastor at such a amazing church!
That, along with feedback from the Leadership Team, has reminded me that it is ok to laugh . . . it is ok for bizarre Sundays! Because even in the "differences" there were the "God moments" that won't be easily forgotten!
There is something powerful and spiritually moving when a faith community unites together to lift up people within the community in prayer.
I know that Don, Jake, and Jason felt the power of prayer from their faith community. And despite the CRAZINESS of the day . . . the heat, the phantom microphone muting, the random flying objects, etc. somehow we ended up in a place and time of worship! Thanks for being a part of West!
Now . . . for a bit of humor from the day . . . my top "10" list of why it was fine for there to be ZERO air @ West today!
The Top 10 Reasons that No Air @ West was a Good Thing!
10. All participants in worship or Wired/Sparked lost a guaranteed 1.5 pounds.
9. In addition to teh new weight loss, an additional 200 calories were burned as a result of fanning.
8. If you are unable to experience vacation in a tropical area you were able to experience what one could potentially feel like and not spend a DIME!
7. You had the opportunity to see first hand how many different colors the shirts of the band/worship team could be, depending on degree of sweat.
6. It allowed you an opportunity to sit close to the stage without seeming like an "over-eager" worshipper. (Don't you want to sit that close every week?)
5. Many were able to reminisce to the days of their childhood of "No Airconditioning."
4. Those who load/unload the trailers and experience new body smells after they are done w/ the physical labor now have something in common with the rest of those who attend West.
3. We now know how much it takes to send Andrea to the edge in worship . . .
a. Heat that takes your breath away when you walk on stage
b. Tons of movement in front of people's faces so no eye contact can be gauged.
c. Flying insects coming in from all the open doors that have potential to sting consistently flying in Andrea's face, around her body, and refusing to leave her alone until she yells at it and offers up a prayer, "God I need a break!"
d. Hearing every outside noise possible because of all the open doors.
e. Actually having written out a sermon while on vacation only to have the inability to focus and "engage" because of the bizarre circumstances
2. IF the theology of West was a "Fear Based Theology" today would have been a prime opportunity to preach on Hell. AND we will always have this to fall back on as an example.
1. I've always wanted to be a "Hot" preacher w/ a "Hot" church! ;)
Seriously - We have now witnessed that we can withstand LOTS of factors!
a. Worship Leader Interview in worship in which he ignored every direction of worship team and pastor
b. The beautiful rendition on the Sunday before Christmas of "She's Got Legs" and "If You Wanna Be My Lover" playing pre-worship and then during the announcement video
c. The Palm Sunday experience in which we sang 9,423 choruses of "He Reigns" while waving palm branches in the air because the children forgot to leave.
d. The Palm Sunday monologue in which Andrea was being rolled out on a bed w/ curlers in her hair, pajamas, fuzzy bedroom shoes, and a face mask as she is sitting up in the bed yelling at the Worship Team to "sit them down" because the congregation was still standing and it was time for the monologue.
d. Today.
And each time those who make "West" "West" carry themselves with grace. I am not exactly sure what grace I carried w/ the whole bee/wasp thing . . .because at that point I wanted to just give up . . . but I decided that was not my best option!
I am grateful for the folks that come and fill those seats each week . . . and believe it or not - we had a first time worshipper today and her quote to someone was . . .
"Well, it was a little warm but we had a great day at church!"
So . . .there you go! God does work through and in all things!
I'm so blessed to be able to be a pastor at such a amazing church!
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