More pics from Sunday

Jerry and the ac all-stars kickin' it off!

Here's a link to some new pics from Asheley Z. She uses a thing called a camera to take pictures instead of our phones like Garrett and I, weird... :-) (link for sunday gallery)

Dave surprising Michele and I with a gift from you all...thank you!

I double dog dare you...

...to not miss the final Sunday morning at actionchurch in 2008 this weekend. (No service on 12/28). This Sunday is the final week of the "at the movies" Christmas edition...and I get to talk about my favorite holiday movie, "A Christmas Story". Jerry and the ac all-stars have got an amazing "funky Christmas" line up planned ... (there's James Brown and Chuck Berry in the Set list). I'll? be giving you a full report about the outcome of the Extreme Christmas Makeover. And, to top it all off, we are putting an "actionchurch twist" on the "traditional" candlelight service to end the year. The weather is probably going to be "frightful"...it doesn't matter...bring a friend...ski in if you have to...don't miss it!

Here's the original theatrical trailer from "A Christmas Story" to get you "in the spirit":

Thank you note...

(Link to original list and info)

Next Saturday afternoon (12/20) Bridge of Hope volunteers will be placing all of our donated items in the home of our "adopted family" (the family will be out for the day). Best Buy will be delivering and installing a brand new GE Washer and Dryer...dozens of presents will be put under the tree...bedrooms will be "made over" with all the furnishings you have donated...new clothing ready to be unwrapped and put in the closets...a brand new dining room table and chairs will be set up...the living room will be furnished for the first time with a new futon, coffee table and television...the kitchen will fully stocked and ready to prepare family meals. They will have a deep freeze...a new x-box 360...(2) handheld Nintendo DS's under the tree...a packet of gift certificates for car car and hair cuts...stuff they need now...stuff they never dreamed of actually owning...other stuff that they have needed but done without for years. In short, this Saturday, because of you, everything will change for this family.

I'm looking forward to giving a "full report" of the big day on Sunday. I won't be able to share pictures or video because we want to preserve "our" mom's anonymity...we want this to truly be an extravagant gift to a needy stranger...no strings attached! I couldn't wait 'till Sunday to say a few words of thanks to you all.

Thanks for caring about the needs of a stranger.
Thanks for being so generous and faithful in difficult financial times.
Thanks for returning your gift and tags...no one "knew" who took each tag...yet almost all of the tags came back with the gift or items attached (we are purchasing the few missing items this week.)
Thanks for actually giving above and beyond what you were challenged to do. I can't tell you how many gifts came back with " a little something extra"
Thanks for continuing to support actionchurch financially-allowing us to purchase the appliances and large ticket items as a church family. (and pay the rent :-)

Above all else Thank you for being part of this thing we call actionchurch...whether you are in "blog world" or show up on Sunday...you folks are the reason we are able to be a church that even attempts something like this Extreme Christmas Makeover...without you none of this happens. Thank you!

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!

Sunday Recap: At the movies "Elf"

Yep, that's a lighted reign deer and Santa on stage :-)

Today was the first day of "at the movies" (Christmas edition). I talked about how being a follower of Jesus is sort of like being a "human raised by elves"... if we actually follow the teachings of Jesus we're still completely human (and prone to sin) and a God's Child (So we don't "fit" in with our old way of living). We are free from sin...not free to sin (1 Peter 2:11-17) When we mess up and lose our way we can trust God to forgive us and take us back...instead of abandoning our faith because "we're not good enough". God loves nothing better than to to "silence the stupid comments of foolish people" through our good works. Don't give up...Don't quit...even if you feel like a "misfit toy" or elf... we are on an important mission far more important than just "bringing toys to good little boys and girls"...we get to bring the good news of Jesus to everyone...with our words or actions.

The Highlights:

• The Pledge on stage (along with about half of Wal-mart's Christmas department) I love these guys (and Gal) they are great musicians, have great hearts, and how can you not love a band that brings a lighted animated reign deer and Santa on Stage. Great Set...and thanks for decorating my mike stand.
• Ended up with "O Holy Night" with band playing acoustic guitars and bass, toms, and jingle bells. It was absolutely beautiful...I saw a lot of people wiping their eyes after the song...I might have been one of them.
• Had 3 key production crew folks Josiah, Bill, and Ryan out today (traveling). Thanks to Dave for being the "inspector" and Rob, Ashley, Crystal, and Jeremy for showing up and Jumping in! You Guys really made it happen!
• You could definitely tell Josiah was out today (even beyond the fact that he wasn't there to "persecute" me for my denim jacket) we are still looking for a "sorcerers apprentice" for him. I can't believe when we started out I used to run graphics...It was really difficult and we didn't even have Josiah' full set up online.
• The gifts and household items are rolling in for our Extreme Christmas Makeover...remember next week is the final week to turn your stuff in.
• Thanks to Garrett for running the stage, cueing the videos...and plugging in all the Christmas lights...all with out showering or brushing his teeth :-)
• Packed house again this week...club 19 is definitely allowing us to grow.
• I can recite about half of "Elf" by heart by now... Favorite line (Buddy to "fake Santa") "You're not really Santa...you sit on a throne of lies"
• I know it's SANTA that comes down the chimney...not SATAN...same letters...different spelling.
• Thanks for inviting, investing, and getting involved! Even on a very busy, difficult week...I am grateful to be able to be part of actionchurch.

a couple more pics...

Extreme Christmas Makeover: Update

Status update: Sunday everyone headed for the Christmas Makeover tree like shoppers at Wal-mart after they announce that a new check out lane is actually going to open. I had people actually telling me that they "didn't get to the tree quick enough to get an ornament." Simply awesome! For those of you who didn't get an ornament...hate to shop...or just want to help out in a different way...you can still be part of this opportunity to completely change one families life at Christmas.

What we purchased as a church "family": Yesterday we purchased the "big ticket" items on the list. (Kind of like the "big" gifts at Christmas that the whole family or office chips in on). Michele was in full "shopping ninja" mode and we shuttled back and forth between Best Buy and Circuit City matching prices, waving coupons from the Sunday paper, and just generally squeezing the most value out of every purchase. Thank God for Michele's shopping savvy...I would have got half the stuff for twice the price! We picked up a brand new GE washer/dryer set (to be delivered and installed by Best Buy on the "reveal day") An X-box 360 with two free games, a Nintendo DS for each of the kids with a free character stylus (whatever that is), and a couple of games for the Nintendos. I still have to pick up a TV (nobody beats Wal-mart) but basically the "big" shopping is done. Is this going to be a Christmas "our" family will never forget? You betcha...

What we still need: The only items that we do no have spoken for are:

• Small deep freeze
• Rectangular Kitchen table and Chairs (can be used-great condition)
• Sleeper sofa/Day bed for the living room (mom sleeps there)
• Kitchen Cart/Bakers rack (Can be used-great condition)

Wow I just realized that I am listing 4 things we DON'T have yet...instead of this list from last week! I love it!

"Reveal" Day: 12.20.08 Bridge of Hope Volunteers will be have arranged for our family to be out for the day. They will place all the presents and household items in the home (The family has no idea that we are doing this so they will be completely surprised!)

What Can I do?: If you have an ornament please purchase your item and return it to the tree (with ornament attached). December 14th will be the last Sunday before the family will be receiving their gifts. I forgot to mention on Sunday-check the back of your ornament for additional descriptions of the items needed. Didn't get an ornament or just want to do more? Please donate to actionchurch to be part of purchasing the appliances and electronics that we will be donating to our "adopted family".

Thanks to everyone for being part of this opportunity to completely change a deserving family's life at Christmas. "Extreme" generosity isn't just something you see on Television...