I think it was near the end of the second service yesterday when I had this thought:
"We've given God our very best today".
That's a good thought!
I was thinking back to all that had gone in to the preparation of the service, all the people who had worked so hard, all the people who showed up to worship, the way the elements came together, the way people were singing and connecting with the message, etc.
Let's continue to give God our very best.
Monday, March 17
A Very Large Double Double
It's history! The very first time that Olivet has gone to two Sunday A.M. services. We planned, we prayed, we prepared, we got a weekend without snow, and the day was a huge success!
We weren't sure how many to expect in the first service @ 9:00 A.M. A bunch of us were doing some speculating on Saturday night: Me (60 people), Ruthie (90), Stephen (50), Mark (I can't remember). 85 very awake and energetic people showed up for the 1st service! When we subtract the doubles who were in both services (yes, we do that) there were around 250 here!
Some of the highlights include cinnamon buns and fruit trays to go with the Second Cup coffee, Welby playing "JUMP" on the keyboard, Kim Henry opening the service with "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", the band was absolutely amazing, Pro Presenter was very cool and didn't disappoint, a montage of great jumps in history including the Olivet Double Double (we're right up there with Evil Knievel and Michael Jordan!), Pastor Mark doing the lead on the message wrap-up song "Grace Will Be My Song".
The "JUMP" series has been quite a jump for a lot of people. We've had people jumping in to accept Christ as their Saviour, jumping in to say they need to go deeper with Christ, or asking us to pray for them as they are close to jumping in. It's been quite a series so far!
GOOD FRIDAY! Plan to be with us for our 6 PM Good Friday service. It will be an impacting time designed to help us nail down the message of Easter.
Easter Sunday. If you close your eyes and imagine there is no snow, it might feel more like Easter :] It's early this year for sure, but it is still Easter! People you know, people who you see everyday, would be willing to attend an Easter service. Hey, you can even come early at 9 A.M. and get an early start on your Easter dinner preparations. Invite people, offer to meet them here or pick them up, sit with them, and God will do the rest! Also, we need to remember the 'special Easter offering' to dig us out of a few snow Sundays. I'm excited that we are not just taking an offering for regular church expenses, but that we are going to be using a part of the offering to bless a family that is in need. How cool is that?!
Alpha update: We have around 20 people who are meeting each Sunday night to take the Alpha Course. It is a perfect opportunity for anyone to explore the claims of the Christian faith in a laid back "dinner and a movie" atmosphere. The course is almost half done and I am thinking that we should offer it again sometime soon. Thanks to Heidi and Shane Hoyt who prepared an awesome meal for us last night. Kim Goodine was getting us all hooked on rice cookers :] Thanks for helping Kim! The bbq wings were my favorite last night. Yum.
Board meeting tonight. Yee Haw!
It's Monday...but Sunday's a comin'
We weren't sure how many to expect in the first service @ 9:00 A.M. A bunch of us were doing some speculating on Saturday night: Me (60 people), Ruthie (90), Stephen (50), Mark (I can't remember). 85 very awake and energetic people showed up for the 1st service! When we subtract the doubles who were in both services (yes, we do that) there were around 250 here!
Some of the highlights include cinnamon buns and fruit trays to go with the Second Cup coffee, Welby playing "JUMP" on the keyboard, Kim Henry opening the service with "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", the band was absolutely amazing, Pro Presenter was very cool and didn't disappoint, a montage of great jumps in history including the Olivet Double Double (we're right up there with Evil Knievel and Michael Jordan!), Pastor Mark doing the lead on the message wrap-up song "Grace Will Be My Song".
The "JUMP" series has been quite a jump for a lot of people. We've had people jumping in to accept Christ as their Saviour, jumping in to say they need to go deeper with Christ, or asking us to pray for them as they are close to jumping in. It's been quite a series so far!
GOOD FRIDAY! Plan to be with us for our 6 PM Good Friday service. It will be an impacting time designed to help us nail down the message of Easter.
Easter Sunday. If you close your eyes and imagine there is no snow, it might feel more like Easter :] It's early this year for sure, but it is still Easter! People you know, people who you see everyday, would be willing to attend an Easter service. Hey, you can even come early at 9 A.M. and get an early start on your Easter dinner preparations. Invite people, offer to meet them here or pick them up, sit with them, and God will do the rest! Also, we need to remember the 'special Easter offering' to dig us out of a few snow Sundays. I'm excited that we are not just taking an offering for regular church expenses, but that we are going to be using a part of the offering to bless a family that is in need. How cool is that?!
Alpha update: We have around 20 people who are meeting each Sunday night to take the Alpha Course. It is a perfect opportunity for anyone to explore the claims of the Christian faith in a laid back "dinner and a movie" atmosphere. The course is almost half done and I am thinking that we should offer it again sometime soon. Thanks to Heidi and Shane Hoyt who prepared an awesome meal for us last night. Kim Goodine was getting us all hooked on rice cookers :] Thanks for helping Kim! The bbq wings were my favorite last night. Yum.
Board meeting tonight. Yee Haw!
It's Monday...but Sunday's a comin'
Thursday, March 13
Great Quote
"Now, the question is not, 'If you died tonight do you know where you'd go?' The question is, 'If you live tomorrow, who will you follow?'" - Todd Hunter, Alpha USA (March/April Issue of Outreach Magazine, p.62)
Tuesday, March 11
Ramping Up
We had an excellent planning/creative session this afternoon! Ruthie (worship leader) brought me some Peruvian coffee which made the meeting even better. Meetings are always better with coffee.
We have some elements coming up in the next three services (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday) that are going to be impacting. I'm seriously looking forward to what God accomplishes at Olivet in the next couple of weeks.
We had a pleasant surprise guest to our meeting. John Sherwood showed up and joined us for a few good minutes of discussing worship. John is an amazing guitarist and we are blessed to have him on the Olivet team! Many hours go into the planning and preparation of each of our services. And it's all worth it!
Easy Worship has died! That's the program that takes all of the media for worship and 'presents' it in a seamless package. Well, that's what it's supposed to do and it stopped doing it a week or so ago. We've been researching various other solutions and we've decided that the best all around way to go is with "Pro Presenter". It's a Mac based platform so we will be running it off of my Mac or Pastor Mark's.
We're getting into the heart of the Easter season. I hope you have been taking some time to reflect on all that Christ was going through to save you from your sin. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all history. Give Matthew 21 a read this week. Read it slow, let it sink in, and listen to the Holy Spirit. "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Matthew 21:9
Youth all-nighter this weekend. I'll be asleep :]
Pray for those you are inviting to church!
We have some elements coming up in the next three services (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday) that are going to be impacting. I'm seriously looking forward to what God accomplishes at Olivet in the next couple of weeks.
We had a pleasant surprise guest to our meeting. John Sherwood showed up and joined us for a few good minutes of discussing worship. John is an amazing guitarist and we are blessed to have him on the Olivet team! Many hours go into the planning and preparation of each of our services. And it's all worth it!
Easy Worship has died! That's the program that takes all of the media for worship and 'presents' it in a seamless package. Well, that's what it's supposed to do and it stopped doing it a week or so ago. We've been researching various other solutions and we've decided that the best all around way to go is with "Pro Presenter". It's a Mac based platform so we will be running it off of my Mac or Pastor Mark's.
We're getting into the heart of the Easter season. I hope you have been taking some time to reflect on all that Christ was going through to save you from your sin. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all history. Give Matthew 21 a read this week. Read it slow, let it sink in, and listen to the Holy Spirit. "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Matthew 21:9
Youth all-nighter this weekend. I'll be asleep :]
Pray for those you are inviting to church!
Monday, March 10
Jumping in an ice-storm!
JUMP got off to a great start yesterday, despite our entire area being covered in ice Sunday morning. We heard many stories of broken scrapers, broken wiper blades, one-lane roads, and all-around miserable conditions for getting out to church. I'm glad that we didn't cancel because God was preparing hearts for something special.
The only way to open a series titled "JUMP" is with the band playing the song by Van Halen. Van Halen's probably been played in a Wesleyan Church somewhere before, but we had hoped of adding a twist to it. We were going to have the three sections of the church engaged in a little (okay, big) jumping contest while we video taped them. It may still happen this Sunday. Wear your sneakers!
The worship was awesome yesterday. I really loved Emily Woodworth's rendition of "None Like Jesus" by David Crowder. Very cool.
We introduced a "JUMP Card" that we are using for the series. 2 People indicated that they are jumping in with both feet and prayed to receive Christ!! There were many other cards that came in with people checking off "pray for me, I'm close to jumping in" and "I have decided to recommit my life to Christ". This is why we do what we do. The local church is the hope of the world and there is nothing like the local church when it is working as it should. Give God all the praise.
The Olivet Double Double happens this week!!! The wind ripped our banner off the church Saturday night. 2 identical services, 9:00 and 10:45. Those of you who crawl out of bed early and show up at 9:00 will be a part of history as we celebrate our very first 2-service day! Also, there is a new class meeting in the Fellowship Hall ('big room of eating') @ 10:45. Stephen Woodworth is teaching the class and it is going to be fantastic. (no pressure Dr. W!)
More flooring is going down this week. They are working on the office hallway, copy room, and office entrance.
Good Friday service - this is shaping up to be a 'don't miss' event. 6 P.M. The church should be packed!
The only way to open a series titled "JUMP" is with the band playing the song by Van Halen. Van Halen's probably been played in a Wesleyan Church somewhere before, but we had hoped of adding a twist to it. We were going to have the three sections of the church engaged in a little (okay, big) jumping contest while we video taped them. It may still happen this Sunday. Wear your sneakers!
The worship was awesome yesterday. I really loved Emily Woodworth's rendition of "None Like Jesus" by David Crowder. Very cool.
We introduced a "JUMP Card" that we are using for the series. 2 People indicated that they are jumping in with both feet and prayed to receive Christ!! There were many other cards that came in with people checking off "pray for me, I'm close to jumping in" and "I have decided to recommit my life to Christ". This is why we do what we do. The local church is the hope of the world and there is nothing like the local church when it is working as it should. Give God all the praise.
The Olivet Double Double happens this week!!! The wind ripped our banner off the church Saturday night. 2 identical services, 9:00 and 10:45. Those of you who crawl out of bed early and show up at 9:00 will be a part of history as we celebrate our very first 2-service day! Also, there is a new class meeting in the Fellowship Hall ('big room of eating') @ 10:45. Stephen Woodworth is teaching the class and it is going to be fantastic. (no pressure Dr. W!)
More flooring is going down this week. They are working on the office hallway, copy room, and office entrance.
Good Friday service - this is shaping up to be a 'don't miss' event. 6 P.M. The church should be packed!
Saturday, March 8
JUMP starts tomorrow!
Hey everyone! I hope you have had a great Spring Break week. It seems like half our church took off for the Caribbean and you can hardly blame them with the winter we've had! Our JUMP series starts tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it. I think this will be our most impacting series of the year as we invite people to JUMP at God's offer of grace. Are you praying? Have you invited anyone? Who would you like to see make that JUMP?
We've got some creative stuff planned for tomorrow that I won't let out of the bag yet. Sorry, you have to come to find out what's goin' on. All I can say is it will be on par with "that's never been done at Olivet Wesleyan before and maybe never done in a Wesleyan Church anywhere before!".
Pastor Mark created a "JUMP" communication card that we will use at the end of each service. It looks awesome.
We made a "Bangor Run" with our family yesterday. It was 53 degrees in Bangor and felt like Spring. Fun!
We had around 60 show up for 1st Wednesday in a freezing-rain storm. The dinner was great as always, but I'm guessing that people brave the weather because they simply love that 1st Wednesday service. If you haven't been to one yet, April is coming!
I am really pleased with how our Good Friday service is looking. Help us get the word out -- 6 p.m. service of authentic worship and meaningful creativity nailing down the message of Easter.
2 Services, the Olivet Double Double, starts next Sunday! Crazy! 9:00 and 10:45 identical services. Stephen Woodworth is going to be teaching a new class in the 10:45 hour, in the Fellowship Hall. He'll teach for 3 weeks and then Pastor Conard is going to take it on.
Don't forget to move your clocks ahead one hour tonight!
We've got some creative stuff planned for tomorrow that I won't let out of the bag yet. Sorry, you have to come to find out what's goin' on. All I can say is it will be on par with "that's never been done at Olivet Wesleyan before and maybe never done in a Wesleyan Church anywhere before!".
Pastor Mark created a "JUMP" communication card that we will use at the end of each service. It looks awesome.
We made a "Bangor Run" with our family yesterday. It was 53 degrees in Bangor and felt like Spring. Fun!
We had around 60 show up for 1st Wednesday in a freezing-rain storm. The dinner was great as always, but I'm guessing that people brave the weather because they simply love that 1st Wednesday service. If you haven't been to one yet, April is coming!
I am really pleased with how our Good Friday service is looking. Help us get the word out -- 6 p.m. service of authentic worship and meaningful creativity nailing down the message of Easter.
2 Services, the Olivet Double Double, starts next Sunday! Crazy! 9:00 and 10:45 identical services. Stephen Woodworth is going to be teaching a new class in the 10:45 hour, in the Fellowship Hall. He'll teach for 3 weeks and then Pastor Conard is going to take it on.
Don't forget to move your clocks ahead one hour tonight!
Monday, March 3
Have you ever...
Have you ever heard a clear presentation and invitation of what it means to be a Christian and wished that you had invited "____________" to hear it?
Have you ever left church thinking about specific people who you know are searching and would have enjoyed the service?
Have you ever prayed for someone who is far away from God and then asked God to give you an opportunity to invite that person to church?
The next 3 Sundays @ Olivet are going to be Sundays that can change a person's life for eternity. Seriously, if you have ever thought about inviting someone to church, NOW IS THE TIME!
Will you join me in praying for our "JUMP" series? Let's pray that God will do amazing things in our church over the next 3 Sundays and beyond. Let's pray specifically for those who will be in attendance and are needing to make the JUMP of Faith.
********************************************************************************************************************************
Thanks to all of you who got up early Sunday a.m. and shoveled your way to church! We had a great time in worship with the Lapointes! Steve & Kathy Brewer live 2 million miles from the church, out on Keswick Ridge, and they were among the first ones here!
It was good to see Todd and Karen Robinson and their kids (growing too fast!)
1st Wednesday this week :-) Dinner together, creative worship environment, and relevant teaching make a fantastic evening. Hope to see you there.
We are two weeks away from the 1st two-service Sunday morning in Olivet's history!
Have you ever left church thinking about specific people who you know are searching and would have enjoyed the service?
Have you ever prayed for someone who is far away from God and then asked God to give you an opportunity to invite that person to church?
The next 3 Sundays @ Olivet are going to be Sundays that can change a person's life for eternity. Seriously, if you have ever thought about inviting someone to church, NOW IS THE TIME!
Will you join me in praying for our "JUMP" series? Let's pray that God will do amazing things in our church over the next 3 Sundays and beyond. Let's pray specifically for those who will be in attendance and are needing to make the JUMP of Faith.
********************************************************************************************************************************
Thanks to all of you who got up early Sunday a.m. and shoveled your way to church! We had a great time in worship with the Lapointes! Steve & Kathy Brewer live 2 million miles from the church, out on Keswick Ridge, and they were among the first ones here!
It was good to see Todd and Karen Robinson and their kids (growing too fast!)
1st Wednesday this week :-) Dinner together, creative worship environment, and relevant teaching make a fantastic evening. Hope to see you there.
We are two weeks away from the 1st two-service Sunday morning in Olivet's history!
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