Weekend Reflections
I'm not sure exactly how to describe our Saturday Night services. I honestly feel like I'm hanging out with family in my family room. They feel so natural and intimate.
I barely made it through out 7:07 service. I honestly hate crying, but sometimes you feel such a deep prayer burden that emotions say more than words! I got seriously choked up praying for Steph Modder, our worship coordinator. Steph has some vocal chord issues, but we're believing God for an unmistakable miracle when she goes to see the doctor this week.
We kicked off The Office series. I feel like this was one of those messages where I leveraged my pastoral capital to talk straight-up about a tough topic--integrity. I think it hit some spiritual nerve endings. Who doesn't struggle with integrity issues? To be perfectly honest, it's one of those messages you don't feel 100% qualified to talk about :) But I feel like God used this message to inspire me and inspire NCC to epic integrity!
For what it's worth, the Bible is hi-larious.
I talked about the story in I Samuel 24 where Saul relieves himself in the cave where David is hiding out. How funny is that? I had a blast with the text, including my exegetical opinion on whether Saul went number one or number two. If you want to study that passage in greater depth check out the webcast, podcast, or evotional.
One last reflection. I continue to marvel at our momentum this fall. We experienced a 25% growth spurt in one month and our services at Ebenezers and Union Station are pretty packed. Not sure what to do in 07. We'll launch NCC in Espanol @ Ballston in February 07, but I think we'll need to add a sixth service in early 07 to accomodate growth at Union Station or Ebenezers. Our growth was pretty stagnant for about 12 months so it's encouraging to be back on the growth curve. I've learned not to take that granted. We plant and water, but God is the one who gives the increase!
I barely made it through out 7:07 service. I honestly hate crying, but sometimes you feel such a deep prayer burden that emotions say more than words! I got seriously choked up praying for Steph Modder, our worship coordinator. Steph has some vocal chord issues, but we're believing God for an unmistakable miracle when she goes to see the doctor this week.
We kicked off The Office series. I feel like this was one of those messages where I leveraged my pastoral capital to talk straight-up about a tough topic--integrity. I think it hit some spiritual nerve endings. Who doesn't struggle with integrity issues? To be perfectly honest, it's one of those messages you don't feel 100% qualified to talk about :) But I feel like God used this message to inspire me and inspire NCC to epic integrity!
For what it's worth, the Bible is hi-larious.
I talked about the story in I Samuel 24 where Saul relieves himself in the cave where David is hiding out. How funny is that? I had a blast with the text, including my exegetical opinion on whether Saul went number one or number two. If you want to study that passage in greater depth check out the webcast, podcast, or evotional.
One last reflection. I continue to marvel at our momentum this fall. We experienced a 25% growth spurt in one month and our services at Ebenezers and Union Station are pretty packed. Not sure what to do in 07. We'll launch NCC in Espanol @ Ballston in February 07, but I think we'll need to add a sixth service in early 07 to accomodate growth at Union Station or Ebenezers. Our growth was pretty stagnant for about 12 months so it's encouraging to be back on the growth curve. I've learned not to take that granted. We plant and water, but God is the one who gives the increase!
4 Comments:
that last line says it all... "We plant and water, but God is the one who gives the increase!" Lovin it!
How great! It's unbelievable. I preached the same basic passage (1 Sam. 24-25) and comment about the humor of Saul's situation. My message was "Road Rage" in a series called "Rush Hour." I was talking about how David overcame his anger, frustration, potential unforgiveness. Good stuff!
I came from a church background that was rather remote... there was a lot of ceremony and it was all done far away from me. It left me starving for a connection - both with other believers and God. When I started attending NCC, I went to Union Station - I was engaged and challenged spiritually and I had even made some personal connections with some fabulous NCCers.
It was not until I came to Ebenezer's that I felt inspired to reach deeper in my walk. Joining the Hospitality team and experiencing that room - wow - it's made all the difference. I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now( manning the side door at the 5:05, bulletins in hand...LOL).
" God bless the broken road, that let me straight to (NCC)"
Badly paraphrased from Selah (or Rascal Flats) "Bless the Broken Road"
Peace
After contributing to that "growth spurt" last Saturday night, I thought it would be nice to drop in a few lines.
I'm not a local. Actually, I live in Puerto Rico and was in town on business and visiting some friends- though they would argue I "will move to the DC area within a year". If what they say actually happens, then I will need a new church... and I love both movies and coffee! ;)
"Hanging out with family in my family room" is a good description of how the environment felt like Sat night. It was truly a hard topic to talk (even worst, preach) about. Yet, I thought the way it was addressed was perfect for the audience NCC targets.
Service at Ebenezer's was sharp and very polite (plus coffee was good!). The team at the door & terrace (greeting/praying committee??) were very courteous.
Well, I was given a pop-corn box with information (and pop-corn), which is how I got to your website (yes, people do sometimes read the written materials that are given to them!).
Thank you for taking care of ministering to all of us young professionals inside (and outside) the beltway. Due to my current job assignments, I'll most likely see you again before the end of the month.
God bless!
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