Beginning Nov. 6-7, 2010
Extreme Weekend Make Over Worship Schedule
Extreme Weekend Make Over Worship Schedule
Saturday 6:00 PM Contemporary
Sunday 8:30 AM Traditional
9:45 & 11:15 AM Contemporary
To some of you the thunder storm that rolled through early this morning was a welcome change. Though awakened by booming thunder and pounding rain you simply pulled up the covers, sunk deeper into your beds relishing in the comfort and shelter of your home. The lightning, bright and cracking like a loud whip in the still of night, was cleaning the air and super charging the rain with nitrogen. The dry places of planet earth were receiving much needed nourishment; God was taking care of his creation. You rolled over and went back to sleep knowing that all was well and a fresh new day would soon begin.
To others the storm was just the opposite, a startling, unwelcome interruption of your comfortable, routine sleep patterns. The loud thunder and lightning streaked sky so startled your rest that you were unable to go back to sleep. Maybe you even jumped out of bed and stared out the window hoping that your gaze could cause the storm to dissipate so the night could return to normal. Though you were awake you were not rested and dreading the approaching sunrise. You sought comfort, assurance that the storm would not last.
Some of you were surprised by the sudden sound of the heavens releasing its power but for some reason you were not shaken. You lay there eyes wide open pondering the new reality, contemplating the impact it would have upon your upcoming day and adjusting your mind and plans accordingly. Soon you went back to sleep while the fresh rain fell and the clouds collided. Change is inevitable.
A few of you were energized by the changing horizon that came when the routine of night was interrupted by the unexpected weather patterns because you know that storms means added work. Down power lines, turned over fences, interrupted internet, knocked out traffic signals, high water, broken limbs and sundry other problems will impact the lives of people. Those people expect help and demand answers.
Ten days ago a thunder storm moved across our church family when our Extreme Make Over weekend worship schedule was announced and understandably the responses have been the same. Some are excited about the change, believing that God will use the new schedule to reach new people for Christ. Some are hurt, angry, confused, startled that their service time has been changed and worried that things will never be the same. Some are surprised by the announcement and though they aren’t excited about the change see the big picture and are ready to adapt. And then there are lay leaders, elders, deacons and staff who are excited about the possibilities to reach new people for Jesus but feel a particular responsibility and burden for those 10:55 worshippers who are being asked to make the greatest sacrifice.
Your session and staff have been praying, researching, working and conversing with you since last November about this make over schedule. Go to our web site for a snapshot of the factors and criteria that led to our conclusion. Ultimately after much prayer, considering and evaluating the feedback and ideas from the body, considering all of the options and more prayer, the session acted on their understanding of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
When a storm moves across a community the experience of each member is different, not wrong, better, worse, or perfect, just different. So what do we do?
We rally the wagons. We listen and pray. We comfort, reassure, encourage and pray for those who are having a hard time adjusting. We plan, trust, communicate, execute the plan and we pray. We stay in the Word and we pray. We recite our purpose statement over and over again and we pray. We listen for the Holy Spirit, pray and act accordingly. We grieve and pray for those who will leave the St. Matthew family. We think and pray for the lost, the unchurched, and the hurting who will be reached by the new schedule. We pray and invite others to join our efforts to reach the world for Christ. We pray some more.
Ultimately, I invite you to join me in praying that God will use this storm to saturate our souls with the freshness and power of the Holy Spirit so that “streams of living water” flow in us and then through us into a world that needs Jesus. Together we can, together we will.
I love you.
Rick
“ ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit……….” John 7:37-39
