Christmas Eve Thank Yous

Visual proof we had a trombone present

This past Saturday evening Living Stones Church had two Christmas Eve services.  I thought they were excellent.  It was a great way to enter into Christmas!  Because I get a view “behind the scenes” I know how much time, energy, effort, planning, and preparation goes into the service.  And ESPECIALLY when it comes at an already hectic and busy time, I’m especially appreciative of those who made Saturday night such a great experience.  So I want to say some thank yous to:

Greg Frohna (our Creative Arts Pastor)

Doug Harsch, Emily Bayer, and Don Martin (Our Worship Leaders and the ones who planned the entire service)

The most incredible band and vocalists:  Josh Hren (hello Acappella solo!), Jim Waltman (guitarist extraordinaire), Michael May (displaying the versatility by moving to the Bass), Mark Osterhout (triple duty on keys, vocals, and trumpet), Jeff Harness (I think “the lovely Jeff” whose posture is always ready to rock it out but also knows how to lead a section in foot stomping), Sarah Thompson – (who had is like an explosion of energy – “Go Tell it On the Mountain” mmm…good), Sky Medors (dude…I’m still singing that “Beautiful” song), Isaac Barrington (my Little Drummer Boy…don’t tell him I said that), Kelly Barrington (my Little Harmonizer…that doesn’t sound very affectionate does it?  Kelly can harmonize anything.  Anything.), Ed Holstein (playing on the trombone!).

Thank you to Sherri Vreugdenhil (amazing dramatic reader) and Clive Neal (who may or may not be a good dramatic reader but no one really knows because his English accent entrances everyone)

Thank you to Paco Bayer for bringing in a digital board and all of the technical equipment necessary to pull off all the elements of the evening and being and extraordinary sound technician.

Thank you to Jim Ruth, Chad Newport, and Michael Russell who kicked butt on the lighting and MediaShout presentations.

Thank you to Ann Lynn & Jennae Gee on the LSC staff for helping all the prep work for the service.

Thank your Amy Osterhout and the Children’s Ministry team (Meredith Waltman, Sarah Wilken, Dawn Lentych-Hack, Melissa Holstein, Buffy Gerndt, Sarah Boyce, and Karin Gilbert) for executing a “Happy Birthday Jesus Party” for our Kid’s Kanyon.

Thank you to Jeff Gritton and Diane Barrington for all of your help in regards to ushers and 1st impressions team.

And thank you to the Living Stones Church elders – Randy Templeton, Chuck Barrington, Jeff Gritton, Jim Ruth, and Jim Silk for the very moving interpretative dance to “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer.”  It was so elegant and dramatic in movement that it left us stunned.  (OK…this last part might not have really happened)

Christmas Eve Services

Just a reminder that this weekend’s worship services are going to occur on Christmas Eve (Saturday evening).  We have two different services – 5 and 7 pm.  At 5:00 pm we will be offering a full Kid’s Kanyon as they blow out the roof with a “Happy Birthday Party to Jesus” celebration.  And 7 pm it will be a family worship gathering as everyone will be in the Quarry (although we will offer a Nursery for 2 and under).

Kelly and Isaac came home from worship practice last night excited and said it was going to be “good.”

And, I’m delivering a short message so you KNOW that is going to be great!  And although Greg Frohna doesn’t know it yet, I’m going to sing a solo - O Holy Night!  I’ve been practicing over the last 30 minutes.  I’m sure I can pull it off.  You can hear a preview of me singing it here.

See you tomorrow evening!  Bring as many friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, complete strangers even that you can fit on the chartered bus you rented for this special occasion!!!

Christmas Time at the Living Stones Church

Just wanted to post a quick THANK YOU to the Living Stones Church for your participation and generosity over the past few weeks.  It has been busy I know.  And I appreciate in the midst of all of the personal obligations you have to attend to during this time of year, that you were involved and engaged with a lot of ministry here at Living Stones.

Two weeks ago Friday – Element (our Junior High Ministry for 5-8th graders) gathered together and baked a bunch of cookies for the Ridgedale Rehabilitation Center.  On Thursday of last week, they went and sang songs, played games, and handed out the cookies and goodies to the residents of the Nursing Home.

Two weeks ago Saturday, we, once again, participated in the Candlelight Walk on Erskine Blvd.  It was a great event and our I Love South Side team did a great job of coordinating and making everything smooth from our end – from the nativity scene, to the fire pits, to the luminaries, to the cookies and hot chocolate, to the farm animals and carriage ride!!  Thank you thank you thank you.

This past week we executed Give 2011!!  We wanted to put together gift boxes for every student at Monroe Primary Center (containing hat, gloves, toys, etc.); and then a goodie bag (containing cookies, candy, small toys, etc.) for every student at Lincoln Primary Center.  That is 1000 students total!  So, we packed Santa Claus (thank you Bob Wiley) up and sent him off with Living Stoner “elves” to distribute the goodies on Monday & Tuesday.  It was a phenomenal event and much thanks goes to everyone who participated – from donations, to wrapping party, to delivery!!  In addition, as part of Give 2011, we wanted to raise money to renovate our youth space (called the Pit).  You gave beyond what we even requested!!!!  Thank you thank you thank you.

As I said Sunday, the truth is, I can’t think of a SINGLE time that when asked to do something for the sake of the community, that the Living Stones Church hasn’t risen to the occasion in generosity and participation.  I’m very proud.

So…thank you so much!  May God bless you for your generous hearts and spirits.

 

 

And the Winner of the Best Christmas Christian Parody Goes To…

This guy!!!

Christmas Culture Wars

Speaking of Christmas programs (see previous post), I do have a message to Christians I would like to share this time of year…chill out!  Quit beings so easily offended and allow people freedom to not celebrate Christmas if they aren’t Christians!

You do know we aren’t the only ones who have a holiday in December right?  The Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah; the African-American community celebrates Kwanzaa (at least that is what I’ve been told…but honestly, I’m a little skeptical); and some of us observe the holiday of Festivus (“it’s a holiday for the rest of us”).  So, if a company who hasn’t confessed the Lordship of Jesus (because it can’t…it is an economic institution) wishes to be inclusive and wish everyone a “Happy Holidays!” why are we so upset by that?  We aren’t the only ones celebrating.  And I think it is in the spirit of Christ to not insist that it is our way or we aren’t shopping in your store anymore!

In fact, I think the worst thing that can happen for the cause of Christ is for Christmas to end up being a battle in some larger cultural war.  Do you know why?  Because wars have casualties.  And if we get our way, at what cost?  Does anyone’s heart and mind actually become attracted to Jesus because we boycott stores for their holiday greeting verbiage?!  Come on!!  If you want to keep Christ in Christmas, then simply act like Christ at Christmas.  And avoid any effort to do this:

Living Stones Church Give 2011

Christmas is just around the corner (hard to believe!) and it’s time to get in the spirit of giving!

This year we (the Living Stones Church) is going to continue what we started last year by pulling off Give 2011!!!  There are two different foci (yes…that is the plural of focus) in regard to Give 2011.  One is to share with every student @ Monroe a wrapped shoe box with a hat, mittens, and other small gifts.  At Lincoln, each child will receive a fun Christmas bag full of goodies and a party (with Santa) in their classroom.  Second – we are making some much-needed renovations on the PIT (our youth building).  Your gift will allow us to help remodel the building into a functional, attractive, youthful, and multi-use space!!

Total – we are shooting for $7500 ($4000 for the gift boxes at the school and $3500 for supplies to renovate the PIT).  By comparison, that is what we have budgeted for a normal weeks’ tithes and offerings.

There are several ways you can give.  You  may give monetarily, placing it in the Give 2011 envelopes (found in your bulletin or in the lobby area).  If writing a check, make sure you note “Give 2011″ in the memo section.  Or you may give by donating items from a list found at our website (click here).  

In advance…THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Caleb at EPCC Christmas Eve Service

Tonight we went with the in-laws, Max, Lori and kids, to see their church’s Christmas Eve service.  It was awesome!!  They go to Eagle Point Community Church in St. Louis, MO.  The Lead Pastor is Ed Callahan and his entire family has some serious music skills!  Seriously – I’m genetically jealous.  Anyhow…  great concert.  The video below is a segment of the concert specifically highlighting my brother-in-law and kids (and the Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve song – one of my favorites).

One classic Caleb (my 8 year old) story first.  The evening was full of great music, lots of different genres, and it moved through the movements of light and fun to serious and reflective.  And then came the most serious moment.  The speaker just invited everyone to accept Jesus as their “personal Immanuel.”  Then he prayed.  It was silent, serious…you know…people accepting Jesus moment.  Then Caleb, who was sitting next to me, bends forward in his chair.  As he does, he “rips one!”  I mean a serious One!  A seriously loud one!!! RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PRAYER!  Everyone around us burst into laughter (even though we all tried to subdue it).  Who knows if we will ever be asked back again?

Afterwards, a man sitting behind us said to me, “Sounds like you have a son who wants to be in the horn section.”