Yesterday morning at our 9:30 & 11:30 services we were blessed to witness 14 people give their lives to Jesus in baptism!!  It is always exciting and truly a highlight!

This year we have had the high honor of witnessing 52 people (and counting) get baptized!

So…to Melissa, Michael, Brandon, Toni, Patti, A.J., Kayla, Mitchell, Judy, Rebekah, Michelle, Kymmi, Patrick, and Jon...CONGRATULATIONS!!  We love you and we’re praying for you!

(Thank you to Doug Harsch for putting the video together…on top of an already very busy week…thank you my friend for your sacrifice of time)

On Sunday another 13 people have decided to get baptized!!!!  We met last night to talk about baptism, answer any questions, and go over the logistics of the morning (as well as instructions to not wear a speedo for their baptism…not because it is a sin, but because it is gross ).  Very exciting to watch people make MAJOR life decisions for Jesus.  So, don’t miss this Sunday as we celebrate together one of the most ancient of Christian practices!!!

This morning was just one of those mornings that I have little words for.  It was a first for us.  It was an amazing experience.  I was humbled, overwhelmed, thankful, happy, etc.  We gathered ALL together for the first time since going to two services this morning.  It was awesome to see that gym FULL of Living Stoners!!  We baptized 36 individuals.  And we sang the YMCA .  We worshiped and ate fried chicken.

I need to say a HUGE “THANK YOU” to so many people who invested so much time and energy to make this morning happen.  I was so impressed with the organization, planning, execution, dreaming, etc. that came together today.  I even had a LAMINATED list of people getting baptized.  LAMINATED!!  And how did all that happen?  Because of people like Ann Lynn, Jennae Gee, Doug Harsch, Paco Bayer, Matt Hooton, Alex Peek, Karin Gilbert (YMCA Youth Director and LSC attender), an incredible 1st Impressions team, an incredible Praise team, a crew of people who were willing to sacrifice time and energy to set everything up Saturday evening, people who at the last moment rescued us with heavy lifting (thanks Kenny Boyce and Brad Wilson), a food serving crew, and an additional crew of people who were willing to pack everything up and move it out. It was the first time we had done something like this but watching Saturday night’s assembly (especially all the sound and visual equipment – Thanks Paco & Matt) was just down right professional!  Thank you thank you thank you thank you!! I’m so humbled and honored.  What a joy it is to serve alongside you in our mission of God’s love!

And to the 36 individuals who got baptized – Jamie, Cody, Kyle, Kayla, Ed H., Lori, Wilma, Ed K., Bill, Elaina, Anne, Sara, Emily, Jennifer, Taide, Greg, Gloria, Aric, Adrian, Adam, Pam, Sara, Matt, Chad, Nelfa, Leon, Nick, Quentin, Amber, Kristi, Jabari, Destiny, Tatiyana, Lacy, Doreen, Johnny – congratulations and thank you for letting us journey with you on your next steps in Christ!!  We are praying for you!

Highlights:

• The video of stories and confessions.  Fought to keep it together emotionally.  I did…because I’m manly.  Doug Harsch put it together…and it was GREAT!
• Watching so many people just pour into the YMCA.
• We sang the Village People’s YMCA getting started
• Worshiping together as one church.
• Not a single hitch (that I was aware of) in sound, video, etc.  Really…we were in a new place…and a gym!!  Amazing.
• Watching everyone’s face when they ate the “bread” that came with the 2-in-1 bread/juice combo (new portable communion option)…your faces were priceless…in the words of Sky Medors – “foam.”  Don’t worry – back to normal next week!
• Used Martin’s fried chicken buckets to take up collection and connection cards
• Seeing that our church was excited to be excited.  Energy was great.  We said today was “celebration” and you came ready for “celebration.”
• Getting the high honor of baptizing 36 people!  I can’t explain how that feels.
• After the baptisms my mom and dad came up to me crying and said they were  proud of me.  This was special to my dad.  No one knows our collective story better than my dad.  Long before I got here, he planted the seeds for what happened today.
• As we left the pool deck Randy Templeton, dad, and I took a moment to remember where we have been.  Trust me – there were some very difficult times.  Today, we committed again that we would do it all over again to get to see what we got to see today.
• I kept turning around to see what needed to be done next – and Ann, Jennae, Matt, Paco, (and many others) had it already taken care of.
• Fried Chicken.

Here are a few pictures from the morning.  There are WAY better pictures that were taken by some gifted photographers.  This is what Kelly and I grabbed off our personal camera -

Phenomenal help tonight setting up for tomorrow’s service. HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped!!!

10:00 a.m. – YMCA – Baptismal Celebration

One tip for tomorrow:  dress in cool clothes (and by cool I don’t mean “hip” – I mean summer attire).

Last night we had our pre-baptismal meeting that included a video taping session of people’s stories.  WOW!!!! So much of the spiritual life is in some way intangible.  It is hard to measure, gauge, and assess…difficult to put hard statistics and counts on things spiritual.  So our primary measurements take the form of STORY.  It is the narrative of God’s work in people’s lives and the stories that were shared were INCREDIBLE.  You will hear portions of these stories via video at Sunday’s baptismal celebration (YMCA @ 10:00 a.m.).

I’m sure barring death you already plan on being there (oh…and those of you that I know were already scheduled to go out of town or whose employers who are making you work)

But for the rest of the Living Stones Church family I just want to give you one last encouragement that this is a day for us to gather and really celebrate.

1.  We get to gather for the first time since August 10th, 2008 as ONE whole church.  God has really blessed us over the past year with growth and an enlarging family.  The evidence of that will be a combined service where we get to collectively witness what God has done among us.  We will see the “brothers” and “sisters” that God has added to the Living Stones Church and be able to celebrate together that he has been faithful and good and allowed the church at 718 E. Donmoyer Ave. to participate in his mission of love in our community!!  The effective power of this collective gathering necessitates YOU!! And your presence in-and-of-itself will be an encouragement to those who have gathered too (Hebrews 10:25).

2.  We will celebrate about THREE DOZEN people getting baptized and sharing their story of God’s rescue.  Baptism is A MAJOR decision and event in life (think about it like you would someone’s wedding, 50th anniversary party, retirement party, graduation party, celebration of a new child, etc…you don’t miss those events because they are important events in the life of those we love), and we are gathering to support, celebrate, and encourage those who are making A HUGE decision and step on Sunday.  This day is about God…and the celebration of those he has rescued.  The Christian life calls us to live for the sake of others…this is a morning where our presence to witness, celebrate, and encourage IS for the sake of others.

We know from Scripture (Luke 15:10) that there will be a great celebration in heaven over this day with us.  And what happens on earth (even at the YMCA in South Bend, IN) will be a reflection of that celebration in heaven (Revelation 5:13).  So, again, I know some of you because of work or travel will be unable to attend.  But for the rest of you – Sunday morning IS NOT the time to decide to get a little more sleep; it IS NOT the time to hit the golf course; it IS NOT the time to take the kids to the zoo to see if the rumor about the passing of Susie Bear the Asiatic bear is true (it is…you don’t need to go); it IS NOT the time to head over to Kohl’s for some great sales.  That would be…to put it bluntly…uncool.

Don’t let in the midst of heaven’s celebration for God to ask, “Where’s _____________ (fill in your name)?”  Only to hear as a response, “Rather than joining your party…they decided to go to the garage sales.”

(How is that for pastoral guilt and pressure!!!!?   ) – But I love you.

Did I mention we are going to have a butt-kicking Baptismal Celebration this Sunday @ 10:00 a.m. at the YMCA?!!!

It isn’t too late to decide to go public with your faith in Jesus if you have never done so…or don’t remember.  If you want to be a part of the baptisms shoot be an e-mail here.

If you are curious about baptism and what it is all about you can listen to this message here.

It is going to be great!!

In preparation for this year’s baptismal celebration, Doug Harsch put together a video from footage of last year’s celebration.  I’m getting excited about this year’s baptism.  Great interest so far!!  Don’t forget…one combined service at the YMCA at 10:00 a.m. on June 7th, 2009.

Very excited about some plans for our baptismal service.

After some conversations with the Executive Director of the YMCA here in South Bend, with the assistance of Karin Gilbert – we are going to rent the YMCA on June 7th to have ONE combined worship service, baptism, and lunch celebration to follow!  It is perfect (or at least in my mind it is) !!!

They have a large gym that we have rented chairs for so we can fit EVERYONE at Living Stones into ONE service.  I’m especially excited about this because since we have moved to two services, we have never had a combined service and I think it will be exciting and fun to celebrate seeing the total church come together as one!  I think you will see 1st hand the excitement of growth we have experienced!

Second, they have a large pool for us to do the baptisms including a bleacher area around the pool and then all around the pool are windows for people to watch what is going on.  And as a bonus, and by law, we will actually have a trained lifeguard on duty!!  Never needed one before.  We’ve never lost anyone in a baptism, but just in case you have ever been concerned about your safety in a baptism – we have a lifeguard!!!  In addition, they have a great shower/dressing rooms area for people to get ready for baptism.

Third, after the baptism, they have a great courtyard/picnic/pavilion area that we will be able to celebrate the baptisms with a ton of Fried Chicken and all the rest!!

We’ll need some crews to help put everything together.  Ann Lynn is organizing everything…BUT I WAS UBER EXCITED WHEN THEY CAME THROUGH!

So, put on your calendar now – HUGE WORSHIP/PARTY at the YMCA on June 7th!!!

I know it is still over a month away BUT I’M GETTING SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT (yes…that is me yelling in the office in my excitement)!!!!!  A few great things happened yesterday which I think will be awesome for us in regards to the baptismal celebration.  We’ll know for sure next week, when we get a definitive answer I’ll let you know.  BUT if you have never experienced baptism or can’t remember your baptism…let me encourage you consider being a part of this baptismal celebration.  June 7th.  If interested, send Ann Lynn an e-mail here and we will send you a packet of information all about baptism and the celebration coming up.  It’s going to be OFF THE HOOK!

Oh…free t-shirts for those getting baptizedl!!! (don’t let that be the reason for getting baptized…I’m just saying…extra perk!)

Amazing day!  The baptismal celebrations are my favorite Sundays of the year.

Excellent crowd to watch a dozen people get baptized! 

Highlights:

• Watching Glenn, Barb, Nikki, Cathryn, Jessica, Anya, Laurence, Sammi Jo, Ashlynn, Julie, Brittanie, and Johnnita get baptized!!!  Right on dudes and dudettes!
• The video Doug Harsch put together of everyone’s story and confession – most excellent.
• A baptistry that was as warm as bath water!
• Dedicated one more baby.  Aletta Holloway (Matt & Karen’s baby girl) unfortunately went to the hospital last week on our baby dedication.  She is a miracle baby.  The Holloways have suffered through six miscarriages, 2 1/2 years of fertility treatments, and after ending the treatments…God answered their prayers with little Aletta.  So sweet!
• Martin’s Fried Chicken.  Great meal afterwards.  We had to go with Plan B (eat inside) because of the weather.  But it worked out great.  Thanks to everyone who set up and cleaned up…you were awesome.
• TONS of children.  Note to parents: next week we resume normal children’s activities you have endured well.
• I preached for about seven minutes.  I think that is a record.
• Memaw’s Growth Group served lunch (much better than everyone grabbing their own stuff).
• Hardly any leftovers…very close count and prediction on amount of food to get.
• Dana Hooton had a garage sale at her house this weekend and gave the money towards the church’s vision…how awesome is that?
• Parking lot lights are ALL in working order…thanks Chad Newport.
• Watching volunteersall over doing their thing…some as early as pre-6:00 a.m. (seriously) it’s beautiful!  I am always amazed at the things I “happen” on that no one could possibly know is going on at the Living Stones Church.  And there is no telling how much more is happening that I have absolutely no clue about!
• Muchos Gracias to Ann Lynn for coordinating/organizing the WHOLE day.  Everything ran smoothly (except our stupid MediaShout/computer program which she had nothing to do with).

Excellent day!  But on this Sunday evening…I’m wiped!