Sunday Recap: At the movies (The Santa Clause)

Metal Wreath
Metal Band!

Today was a "very merry metal Christmas" service at actionchurch. I talked about "what to do when Santa falls off the roof...when Destiny calls...when God moves and everything changes." So many people wonder if their "destiny" is already written...if they've missed their chance to do something great...if they've messed up too much to be part of Gods plan. Today I told folks that "Destiny" moments still happen...they're often disguised as "problems", our choice is whether we are going to respond with fear...or faith-like Mary, and Joseph...and Scott in the movie "The Santa Clause". "When Santa falls off the roof we have a choice...whether to run away... or climb the ladder, jump in the sleigh...and fly away.

The Highlights:

Extreme! Christmas Makeover...

• It was absolutely inspiring to see the gifts pour in today for our "adopted family"...the action bus is filled with really great stuff... including a brand new dining room table and chairs...gift after gift for the children...lots of stuff for mom's kitchen. A new futon for the living room...too much stuff to list...actionchurch folks are simply the best...so generous! I'm looking forward to giving everyone an update about the "reveal" next week.
• Chambered on Stage... O holy moly these guys brought it hard today! I have to get a copy of the recording today of their version of "O come, O come Emmanuel". It was so heavy...so powerful. We are probably the only church in America today that had a "Five Finger Death Punch" (Never enough) song...and a Christmas Carol in the set list...I love this band, and I love being part of actionchurch!
• Josiah made the most "Deadly" sharp wreath out of twisted shards of galvanized roofing...it was so cool...and you could literally kill someone with it if you had too. (not sure why you would need to...but you could)
• Speaking of Josiah it was great to have him back doing his thing this week...even though he made me laugh and lose my place during the service... you had to be there.
• This week we had an even bigger lighted deer on stage than last week...along with lots of other assorted Christmas "crap". Our stage looks like the most "decorated home in the trailer park"...no offense to trailer parks. :-)

• Crystal made a much less "deadly" but really amazing fabric actionchurch "cog" ornament...we have some really creative folks...Thanks!

  
• I heard we were setting up chairs as folks came in...today was our highest attendance ever as a church...hard to believe that this week last year was our first "test drive" practice service...God has really blessed us this year.
• Also one of our largest offerings ever today. Thanks so much for your generosity. I know times are difficult...and so many people have purchased gifts for our Extreme Christmas Makeover...thanks so much for contributing financially as well.
• I was "accosted" by someone from another local church (what the..?) as I was taking down the signs by the road today. He wanted to quiz me on what I knew about the bible after I told him I was the pastor. He also wanted to "inform" me that we weren't teaching the right things (even though he had never attended actionchurch). I asked him if his "approach" ever worked...if he had ever "argued" someone into loving Jesus? He said "people don't listen to me because they don't want to know the truth". I told him (my exact words) that "people don't listen to you because you are annoying!!!" I don't think they will be inviting me to speak at their church...but he did offer to "pray for me" :-)
• What a great week, I absolutely cannot wait for next Sunday to get here. If you attend only one service at actionchurch for the rest of the year it should be next week (actually next week is the last actionchurch service of the year) but I guarantee you that you will not want to miss it!

Don't forget!

I know it's a very busy season, so just a quick reminder to bring your Christmas Makeover gift and ornament back to church Sunday. We will be delivering all the items to Bridge of Hope volunteers for "our" adopted family on Saturday the 20th.

Remember the list? I'm going to be announcing Sunday that every item on it has been donated thanks to your generosity. We just got a donation of the final item this week (the deep freeze) so everything is now covered.

We are still accepting donations to cover the cost of the new washer and dryer, X-box 360, and Nintendo DS's purchased jointly by the actionchurch family.

Thanks to everyone who has participated. "Our" adopted family has no Idea what a great Christmas (and beyond) this will be because of you!

Sunday Recap: "Mindset" pt. 3

What a great day at actionchurch! Today I talked about thankfulness...and I am truly thankful for all the great people we have been blessed with. Jesus "gave up his rights" to the greatness of heaven and came down to live and work in our little "neighborhood" we call earth. Instead of angels his associates were fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors. Instead of the mansions of heaven he chose homelessness. Instead of feasting in heaven he thanked God for a few smelly unrefrigerated fish...and turned them into lunch for 5000. Jesus chose to be thankful for what he had...and "give up his rights" to the "things he deserved". That's the example I'm convinced we must follow if we want to live a thankful, content, happy life...

The Highlights:

• We started out the day with 69 ornaments (above) on the "Extreme Christmas Makeover Tree"...it was a big list...and after everyone was gone the tree was virtually bare! The only things left on the tree were the "big Ticket" items such as the x-box, TV, etc. and a few furniture items. We will be purchasing these items as a church... (more details on the grand total to follow) Thank you everyone for caring for our "adopted family". I know that they are simply going to be overwhelmed that so many people that they don't know would care about them! Way to focus on others!
• The only items that we need to cover still are a day bed/ or sleeper sofa (can be used but excellent condition), a Bakers rack or small kitchen work cart, a rectangular kitchen table and chairs, and a small chest type deep freeze. If you have one of these items and would like to donate them let me know.
• Even thought we are entering a Holiday week everyone was there for set-up...even Dave who actually came for set-up before leaving to attend a family gathering...our crew is simply the best.
• Today was the debut of "The Pledge" on stage... I heard from several people about what a great band they are-I definitely agree....hard to believe today was their first performance. I am looking forward to having them back in December. (Looking forward to a visit from Torn From Red after the first of the year to debut their new songs also!)
• I'll be posting some pics later in the week of actionkidz...they are truly doing an outstanding job...we are seriously going to need more space for the "kidz" before long.
• The new set up in the lobby/cafe area worked really nice and seemed much less "cramped". Thanks to Michele for the idea and Jerry for allowing us to make the "road case" coffee bar...
• ...anything can look cool if you paint it black and slap an actionchurch logo on it.
• Speaking of "cogs" I love the "santa cog" that Josiah made for the Christmas season... I haven't found anything yet that he can't create...
• The "Baby Bus" was fully operational-yeah!
• As I said in the sermon today...I really struggle with overlooking the great things that are happening by constantly looking forward to the "next thing" or the "next level"...I am truly grateful for the amazing thing that is happening at club 19 on Sunday mornings. It's beyond anything we could ever "deserve".

Experiment:

So we have our Extreme Christmas Makeover list... It's a big one. (I just got an update this morning for what the little girl wishes for). Can we do it? I believe we can.

The question is Why? Why care for a family we have never met? A family that doesn't attend actionchurch? Couldn't the money be "better spent" taking care of "ourselves"?

Those are all valid questions and I think the answer is found in the "Mindsets" we've been talking about on Sunday Mornings. We are to have the "same attitude" as Jesus. He left heaven...with all of it's benefits...to care for people who would eventually turn on him and have him murdered. Now that's an unselfish life that "Focuses on others"!

From the very beginning of actionchurch we have chosen to put our faith in action by focusing on those outside of the church. Just a few weeks after our launch we gave cash away...no strings attached. We've donated money and services to the Relay for life in York. We give stuff away at the fair. Two weeks ago it was the York Rescue Mission... It's in our DNA. It's what we do...

We have been extremely blessed as a church. We've never had a lot (read almost none :-) of cash, but we have been blessed in spite of that. Every Sunday morning I look around and cannot believe that we get to bring our friends to a venue like Club 19! That all the Gear we need to do church "actionchurch style" has been donated. It is simply undeniable that without God's blessing, a 9 month old church plant with no denominational backing should not have the venue, the equipment, the talent, and the crowds we have come to expect on Sunday Morning. It simply shouldn't be happening.

So why care for those "outside" of our crowd? Because it is what Jesus did. Because "Focusing on others" and allowing God to provide for our needs is the essence of Faith. ...the essence of unselfish living. Because ultimately actionchurch believes that "Doing Good for others-is good for us". As I said Sunday it's a "Grand experiment". I hope you'll jump in and be part of it...I do not believe you will be disappointed!

Extreme Christmas Makeover

Latest Update: Click Here
Here we go! Below is the master wishlist for the family we are "adopting" for Christmas at actionchurch in partnership with Bridge of Hope -York County. Our family now has a place to live...but little else. We're going to change that! On Sunday you will be able to take an ornament (marked with a specific item) off the "Extreme Christmas tree" at church...If you see something on the list that you definitely want to provide before we put them up for grabs...let us know. Questions about other items? info@actionchurch.com

What you can do to help: Donate an Item or service, or make a cash donation to actionchurch. This is an "all skate" event. We will not be taking up separate donations. Instead, we will be purchasing some of the larger items from regular church donations.

The "Rules": All appliances, electronics, toys, and clothing should be new. Furniture may be in "as new" condition. Let's do this in the spirit of the Extreme Home Makeover show...our goal is not to gather second hand items...the family could do that themselves...our plan is to completely "overwhelm" this family with love and generosity this Christmas! Two of our core beliefs are "Doing nothing half-way" and "Giving- with no strings attached"! Let's put them into action!

Stay tuned for more details on Sunday...

The Master List

Houshold Needs

Washer and Dryer- . purchased by the actionchurch family...thanks
Kitchen Table and Chairs- Rectangular is needed - Donated-thanks
Sofa Couch. The townhome is only a two bedroom and she has a boy and girl 8-10 and they have the two bedrooms. Our Mom has a twin size bed in the livingroom where she sleeps. A daybed that could be disguised as living room furniture would be fine. -Donated-thanks
Set of pots and pans -Donated-thanks
DVD/VCR Combo -Donated-thanks
Larger TV ( they have a 13 inch in the LR. No Cable, doesn’t plan on getting it.
Small Deep Freeze for ahead meal prep and freezing. Her freezer is tiny. -Donated-thanks!

10 year old Boy- Blonde Hair Blue Eyes (Loves anything Scooby Doo, this would be an ideal theme for his room)

new dress shoes for church size 2 black preferably -Donated-thanks
new sneakers ) loves Vans- his are way to small. Donated-thanks
dress shirts – and camoflauge themed clothes ( size 8/10) he very thin and somewhat tall. Likes plaid shirts too. Donated-thanks
a complete bed set, sheets, comforter, blanket, new pillow, curtains ( Scooby Doo) Window is 84 inches wide- drapes would be ideal. Donated-thanks
an alarm clock -Donated-thanks
new jeans, snap button only Donated-thanks
new slippers. The floor is carpeted but it is cold. Donated-thanks

Christmas wish list...

the Scooby Do and the Goblin King DVD- has a couple VHS movies but cant watch .em they don’t have a playe Donated-thanks
Has a living room lamp in his room, wants a normal lamp Donated-thanks
Loves to draw- has no crayons, markers, coloring pencils, paper, etc. Donated -thanks
Likes to tye dye
Likes science and mystery books
Likes spongebob
Play Swords -Donated Thanks
Toy Box Donated -thanks
Christian Music CD’s preferably the kids versions of todays hits. WOW Worship for kids? Donated thanks
Guitar Hero, but has nothing to play it on
Santa Claus Costume
Nintendo DS ( Scooby and Spongebob games) Purchased by actionchurch...thanks for your donations
Wallet size frames to give his school pictures as Christmas gifts. Donated Thanks
Electronic Monopoly Game? Donated thanks

The 9 year old girl- Blonde Hair Green eyes

Complete bed set and curtains as the 10 year old boy, only she likes the Philadelphia Eagles 1st and Nascar 2nd
Bed Frame for a twin bed, that is currently on the floor -Donated Thanks!
Alarm Clock

Christmas Wish List

Wants
Prankster Kits _ Fake bugs, whoopee cushions, etc
Spiderman Toys
Play Swords
Nerf Guns

Edit: Here is her complete Christmas wish list.

Guitar Hero
Nintendo DS purchased by actionchurch...thanks for your donations.
XBOX 360 purchased by actionchurch...thanks for your donations
Pokemon Books Donated-thanks
Shrek “Operation” Game -donated thanks!
Shrek Stuffed Animal -donated thanks!
DVD- Shrek the Halls -donated thanks!
Spongebob Square Pants- DVD Donated-thanks
Music CD – Kids WOW Worship Donated-thanks
Eagles PJ’s Donated-thanks
SpongeBob thermal underwear Donated-thanks
Toy Fire Truck Donated-thanks
Tonka Dump Trucks Donated-thanks
West Coast OCC Choppers Shirt Donated-thanx
Magnetix Set Donated thanks
Lycos – Star Wars
Toy Dinosaurs

General Family needs:

- Mom wants to theme her kitchen with lighthouses
Trash cans for bathroom and kitchen Donated Thanks
Pots and pans (complete set for cooking and baking)
Electric Can Opener Donated Thanks
Basic household tool kit- Hammer, nails, screwdrivers, picture hangers, etc Donated Thanks
Welcome Mat Donated Thanks
Hampers for the kids rooms Donated thanks
First Aide Kit
Entrance way rug Donated thanks!
Broom and Dust Pan Donated Thanks
Vacumn Donated thanks
Coffee Table Donated Thanks
Bathroom Towels and washcloths Donated thanks
Shower Curtain and liner. She only has a liner and it is see through.- No color scheme or them to the bathroom. Donated Thanks
Robes for the kids Donated Thanks
Food Storage containers ( Rubbermaid, etc)
Bakers rack of small worktop cart. Her counter space is almost non existent Donated Thanks
Dishrack for clean dishes – no dishwasher Daonated Thanks
Ice cube trays Donated thanks!
Oil Changes/Tire Rotation- General Maintenance for her vehicle -donated thanks!
Haircuts for all -donated Thanks!
General Cleaning supplies
Paper products.

As Tye would say..."let's get to shopping"!