Great to be back!

I took a little blogging break while out of town for my son’s All-Star Tournament.  It is great to be back and we had a great day yesterday at Life Community Church!  After a Sunday away, I am always anxious to see my church family.

• Mick did a great job stepping up and  leading worship for the first time in Josh’s absence.  It’s great to have people that are willing to use their talents and gifts for God’s glory.
• In spite of the vacations, it was still a good healthy crowd of people yesterday.
• 2 people prayed to accept Christ and begin a personal relationship with him at the end of the service!
• We had a great smoothie fellowship after the service…still debating which was more popular – the Strawberry-Banana or Strawberry-Lemonade.  Thanks to the youth and adults who served as smoothie makers!
• Momentum is building for our new Kids Church program which begins in September.  Sherri held a meeting with workers yesterday…it’s exciting to see people not previously serving, who are stepping up to be involved in this new program for K-5th graders.  We have a great curriculum/program called 252 Basics which was created by Andy Stanley’s church in Atlanta.  Our kids are in for a great time!
• Our youth group had a great crowd last night for youth group…30…plus still several on vacation…so Donald is pressing me to find him a bigger space on Sunday nights than our church office meeting room…which really has a max of 20.  I need ideas…and I need them quick!
• I’m getting LOTS of positive feedback on this current message series on PRAYER.  It’s obviously an area that we all need to grow in in our lives.  Thanks to Donald for speaking last Sunday for me…I heard great feedback about his message!

Thanks for your prayers for those who were following our all-star team which won the district tournament and then went on to states.  We had a very exciting run at states.  Very dramatic games and we ended up 3rd in the state out of 11 teams…something to be very proud of.  Last Sunday, I had a great opportunity to call an optional chapel service for our team and their families.  Everyone showed up.  I was able to preach the story of David and Goliath in a perfect setting – the valley between 2 mountains…which was pretty cool if you know the story.  I received a great response and encouraging feedback.  I was very grateful for the opportunity.

I’m looking forward to this coming Sunday…hope to see you there!

Fruit Smoothies this Sunday

Don’t Miss this Sunday… Prayer for Dummies series continues on Sunday: “Understanding Why God Didn’t Answer” Fruit Smoothie Fellowship after the service. Do you have a blender? Would you like to help serve this Sunday? A few more volunteers are needed. Please send me a quick email. ‘Kids Church’ Workers meeting after the service – Location TBA – gather some information on how you can be involved in our new program which debuts in September Grab a new church magnet for your fridge…available at the info table. INVITE, INVITE, INVITE – bring your family and friends. Hope to See you Sunday! Steve

Lots going on…

We had an awesome Summer Sunday…

• what an incredible crowd for the middle of the summer!
• several first time guests
• Josh and band were great
• had to say goodbye to 2 families – the Cerdas and Burgess’ – we’ll miss you greatly!
• great time of fellowship after the service with the Milwaukee Frozen Custard
• only downside was the A/C being out in the cafeteria…sorry about that…we have no control when the school has this kind of malfunction…I know it was rough on everyone…thanks for enduring!

Our students are having a great week at Student Life Summer Camp in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Donald took a total of 31 this year and they are part of a camp with over 2,000 held on the campus of Liberty University.  Great music and great speakers…be praying that God does a great work in their lives.

We’re looking forward to a fun weekend with Zac playing and me managing the team at the Seniors State Tournament in Pound, VA.  We’re competing with 11 other teams from around the state.  Should be lots of fun!

Pray for Donald Buttram, our youth pastor, as he leads the students this week and then as he shares the message at LCC this coming Sunday – don’t miss it as he continues our “Prayer for Dummies” series.

District 9 Champions

It sure feels good to be champions.  After 5 years of all-star runs that ended in defeat, it is sure sweet to win a District 9 title and to be heading to a state tournament!  I am so happy for Zac and his teammates…they worked so hard and earned every bit of it.  We won the championship game last night 5-2.  It was a nail biter.  Our opponent loaded the based in the bottom of the last inning and had their top hitter at the plate…my heart was beating incredibly fast…could hardly watch…but finally a called 3rd strike and it was over.  Below are some pictures.  We go next week to Pound, VA to compete in a state tournament of 11 Senior Division teams.

Our team with our District Banner

Zac and me after the game

Zac was setting me up for my first gatorade bath

Zac draping himself in the banner

Monday Morning Post

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend!  This one was a little different for us personally…

Friday night…Zac’s all-star team that I manage had it’s first game of the championship round (best 2 out of 3 series).  We were ahead 5-1 going into last inning and ended up losing 7-6…a heart-breaking loss which put us in a position to have to win 2 in a row (Sunday & Monday)

Saturday…No big picnic plans or fireworks on Saturday…just a day to catch-up on some yard work, house work, grocery shopping, etc. and then have little family BBQ and card game.

Sunday morning…As I expected, the crowds were way down at church because of the holiday weekend and vacation travels…but still we did have a great service.  Scott LaRochelle shared in the message with me…I did an interview format with Scott who just retired after 26 years as an officer in the Coast Guard.  He shared some of the lessons he learned from his career of serving our country.  It was a great fit for 4th of July weekend.  Then we had a delicious watermelon fellowship outside after the service.  Sadly, we had to say goodbye yesterday to Russ, Deanna and Garrett Wells…moving on to Texas where Russ is entering seminary.  Keep them in your prayers!

Sunday afternoon…It was do or die for our baseball team.  We came out hitting great and we won 8-6 over Woodbridge.  The series is now tied at 1 and the final championship game is tonight at 7 pm at Mt. Vernon High School.  This is my 6th straight year of coaching on Zac’s all-star teams and we’ve never won a district championship.  We’ve come in 2nd once before and 3rd twice…we really want to get this one tonight and go to the state tournament next week.

Sunday evening…We chilled out last night with pizza, ice cream and the movie, Independance Day.  Zac and Tori enjoyed it for the first time.  I’ve seen it many times…but still a fun 4th of July weekend movie.

Now it’s time to start preparing for Sunday’s message…we begin a new series this week…PRAYER 4 DUMMIES.  Be there Sunday!

LCC E-News 7.1.09

This Sunday at LCC Don’t Miss this Sunday… 4th of July Weekend theme…Thanking God for our Freedom to worship Him Live Interview with Scott LaRochelle, one of our men retiring after 30 years in the Coast Guard…don’t miss this Watermelon Fellowship out front after the service! Grab a new church magnet for your fridge…now available at the info table. INVITE, INVITE, INVITE – bring your family and friends. Terrific Tuesday…July 7th from 10 am – Noon For Grades K-5 Theme: “Are You Listening?” At the home of Sherri Markle Movie snacks, clips from Horton Hears a Who, games and more Register here. Prayer 4 Dummies…new series begins July 12th. Read more here. Hope to See you Sunday! Steve