Upcycled Message Series

I got an e-mail message from Kyra Hammett that The Nate Show (which I don’t watch on principle ) today was highlighting upcycled art.  What is upcycled art you ask?  Good question!

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.

It’s like the Macgyver of the art world.  You take pieces that in-and-of-themselves seems like mundane, ordinary, or even – junk and you use them to create something of greater purpose and value:

Ordinary items or junk

and you turn it into this:

An Upcycled Bike Handlebar Bag w/reflectors

In the same way – God takes what seems like mundane, ordinary – and sometimes “junk” people and through the power of the Holy Spirit  he “Upcycles” our life into greater purposes and beauty!

So, this Sunday, we begin a new message series out of 1 Corinthians entitled “Upcycled Church.”  It will be an expository series as we walk through 1 Corinthians together.  Because of that – if you have a Bible – you are encouraged to bring it…along with a friend (or two…or 15!)

One last thing:  In conjunction with the Upcycled Message series we are working on an upcycled art project.  To help us, you are invited to bring us your “trash” over the next several weeks.  We will be collecting items that represent you…anything will do:  cans, bottles, a pair of jeans, a gift from a relationship you’ve left behind, wrappers, shredded paper…anything.  And with your trash, we will form a piece of art that represents for Living Stones:  We want an upcycled life.  If you have questions, feel free to send an e-mail to Jennae Gee here.

Saying Good-Bye to Greg Frohna

Greg either napping or illustrating the finer point of planking in my office.

OK…that title might sound too much like an eulogy piece.  Fortunately, Greg has not died *breathe a sigh of relief.*  UNFORTUNATELY (for us), Greg and his family are moving to Kansas City, MO to become the Next Steps Pastor for the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.

Greg got a call last September from one of his best friends and a minister on staff with the church in Kansas City informing him of a new position they were creating and how he thought Greg would be perfect for it.  Because Greg & Wendi were in the process of adopting two boys from Russia they passed on the opportunity, but not without Greg’s friend encouraging him to prayerfully consider the possibility.  And then…the friend called again and REALLY encouraged Greg to consider, given his passions and gift-set, the position.  Ultimately, Greg interviewed with the church and received an affirmation and calling to go serve in Kansas City.  I’m sad to see Greg go.  I have greatly appreciated his work, leadership, and friendship during his time at Living Stones.  But I too had to confess that when I heard about the details of the new position – I knew Greg would be great at it!

Even though we announced to the church a few weeks ago his future plans, THIS Sunday will be Greg’s last Sunday with us at the Living Stones Church.  We know God has been a part of this whole process, including the successful sale of his home (like in record time…there are three houses for sale in his neighborhood and the average duration of being on the market before a final sale is over 250 days!).  Continue to pray for Greg, Wendi, Etara, Adam, Alex, and Nick as they begin a new work and a new life in Kansas City, MO.