Yesterday we were guests at a new church plant in Morgan Hill. Pastor Max Hudson and his wife, Debbie, planted Oakridge Church (http://www.oakridgechurchonline.org/) about two months ago and are averaging 70 in attendance, meeting at the Morgan Hill Community Center. Originally, I was just going to sing "O Holy Night" as a solo, but I ended up also leading the music for the worship time and playing the offertory on the piano as a duet with their gifted pianist (nice work, J.T.!)
After singing with my brothers for the Nutcracker at noon, Pastor Max and his family took us to lunch in downtown San Jose. A great time of fellowship, and we hope to get together again soon. Meanwhile, I'll be playing the piano for their worship service this coming Sunday. Scary thought, as I'm not a congregational pianist and they are used to a fabulous guy at the keys. Humility, humility, humility.Aargh. Why does humility have to be practiced in FRONT of people? I'd be happy to work on it privately!!
In the evening, we attended another church plant in nearby San Martin, as they were ordaining three new deacons. Fellowship of San Martin (http://www.fellowshipofsanmartin.org/) was started in February by one of my mentors, Dr. Mike Stewart, and they have a great plan to reach out to their community with their Sunday-night-only approach to worship services and deacons who reallly serve and minister to the families of the church. I'm sure we'll be back, as it is a nice place for us to land on Sunday evenings while we minister in various churches Sunday mornings.
Showing posts with label Small Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Church. Show all posts
Monday, December 3, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Preaching review
Katie and the girls joined me for what turned out to be a delightful service at First Baptist Church of King City. About an hour and 45 minutes south of us on 101, King City is a town with a growing Hispanic population and with a very distinct small-town flavor.
Arriving at 10am, we checked the girls into the nursery, Katie joined an adult Sunday School class, and I spent some time in the pastor's study/church office.
The music was above average for a small church, with guitar, drums, and vocals under the leadership of their keyboardist, Steve. I officiated during communion, and then delivered the sermon. My text was 1 Peter 1:3-9 and I titled it "Time Trials". (Amy Choate, a lady I had recently hired at my previous church, sent me an encouraging note last week that included this text and, in addition to really ministering to me, I also felt that the Holy Spirit wanted me to use it as my text for King City.)
In this passage, Peter is encouraging believers to remember the "living hope" and "inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade" even though we have had to suffer for a little while. My question at the end was "How much time do you spend reflecting on the glory versus the grief?"
Thanks to those of you who prayed for me. I definitely felt God's presence and His Holy Spirit prompting me throughout the message. What a humbling thing to be used of Almighty God as His spokesperson to His people.
We were given a generous honorarium and taken to lunch by Steve and his wife before heading back home. A full day, but a productive one in which we certainly felt we were blessed.
Arriving at 10am, we checked the girls into the nursery, Katie joined an adult Sunday School class, and I spent some time in the pastor's study/church office.
The music was above average for a small church, with guitar, drums, and vocals under the leadership of their keyboardist, Steve. I officiated during communion, and then delivered the sermon. My text was 1 Peter 1:3-9 and I titled it "Time Trials". (Amy Choate, a lady I had recently hired at my previous church, sent me an encouraging note last week that included this text and, in addition to really ministering to me, I also felt that the Holy Spirit wanted me to use it as my text for King City.)
In this passage, Peter is encouraging believers to remember the "living hope" and "inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade" even though we have had to suffer for a little while. My question at the end was "How much time do you spend reflecting on the glory versus the grief?"
Thanks to those of you who prayed for me. I definitely felt God's presence and His Holy Spirit prompting me throughout the message. What a humbling thing to be used of Almighty God as His spokesperson to His people.
We were given a generous honorarium and taken to lunch by Steve and his wife before heading back home. A full day, but a productive one in which we certainly felt we were blessed.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Preaching this Sunday
Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be preaching at First Baptist Church of King City this Sunday, November 25th, so please keep me in your prayers.
The church has been looking for a senior pastor for a while, so I'll help fill the pulpit this Sunday and also help conduct their communion service. Katie and the girls are planning to join me, so it should be a fun trip.
For more info, you may call the church at 831.385.3819. Thanks for praying!
The church has been looking for a senior pastor for a while, so I'll help fill the pulpit this Sunday and also help conduct their communion service. Katie and the girls are planning to join me, so it should be a fun trip.
For more info, you may call the church at 831.385.3819. Thanks for praying!
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