Began our new series, UFC:  Something Worth Fighting For this morning at the Living Stones Church.

Week 1:  Getting Apathy to Tapout

After a week of vacation, it was great to be back at the Living Stones Church.  It was especially great because it was Father’s Day.  Highlights:

• Loved the set design for the morning including fencing that imitated an octagon feel and look.
• Posters of UFC fighters with weekly message promos that were placed in the lobby AND in the men’s room above the urinals and bathroom stalls
• Watched this morning as Jeff Gritton and Glenn Hammerquist pulled in with trailers and trucks to unload grills.
• Grilled brats for all the men to celebrate Father’s Day.
• Had a raffle to hand out rib-eyes to four lucky winners! (with a root beer to wash it down)
• Introductory song - Eye of the Tiger.  Sky Medor brought it.  It was awesome.
• Great videos to celebrate Father’s Day and to transition into message.
• Preached a message that I feel VERY passionate about.  (that isn’t a statement about its quality…only that I feel very passionate about it)

Great morning with a great turnout.  After church Kelly and I reflecting on the morning just appreciated the reality of being in a church that LIKES to have fun.  It seems that people come with a spirit of fun and a desire to enjoy the worship experience.  Do you know how many pastors long for such a spirit in their church?  By contrast, it is difficult to do anything with excitement and energy when you have to prepare yourself for the group of people who are ALWAYS looking to be upset, complain, or criticize anything and everything.  That is why I love this place!

Many thanks to a newly formed Creative Arts team facilitated by Carolyn Coleman who pulled off much of what you saw and experienced this week.  This was their first planned worship service.  They did AWESOME and I only look forward to more in the future as God has gifted us with many creative people!!

Finally, got me some Outback Cheese Fries for lunch.  Happy Father’s Day to me!