Here’s where church is a little different from football.  I DON’T want everyone to come back to church Sunday to WATCH the “game”.   I’m urging everyone to come ON THE FIELD!     God’s “kingdom plan” for the church was never for it to be a spectator sport.  We’re not getting ready to fill the stands…we’re getting ready to run through the players tunnel on Sunday.

I’m (mercifully) out of football references…but please PRAY and “PLAY” with us in this second half of 2010.  God is moving in some seriously amazing ways.  I’ll talk more about the details Sunday, but:

 1.  I don’t want you to miss being part of what is happening at actionchurch. 

2.   In order for us to take advantange of some of the amazing opportunities we have been given, we will need everyone  “on the field”.

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I can still remember the day I snapped this picture.  I had just signed an agreement to rent this barroom with way too many speakers, way too few chairs,  a beer pong table and a giant buddha statue for way more money than we had.  I remember being really excited.   And nauseous.  And scared.  My hands were shaking as I clicked the shutter.

Looking back, I can now see how God “went before us” every step of the way.  I can see how even though we felt we were “behind schedule” and “under resourced” in every way, we were exactly in God’s plan and timeline.  As I look back over the past 2 1/2 years of actionchurch I can see again and again how God prepared solutions for problems before we even encountered them.  I have learned to trust the God who “Goes before”.

If you can’t tell, I’m feeling a little nostalgic this morning.  I’m looking back…because as I look forward I see some amazing obstacles ahead…along with some amazing opportunities for God to show his power and favor.  I can tell you that over the next few days and weeks we will be getting some answers for the big questions about where God is leading us as a church.   I can honestly say that I’m not exactly sure how this is going to turn out.  I wasn’t ”sure” when I snapped the picture above before launching actionchurch…and I’m not “sure”  today.

What I’m counting on is that God has already “gone before” us…that he already has a plan in place that we never could have done on our own.  I’m more worried about missing God’s direction than I am about looking foolish or “being wrong”.   I do NOT want to make the mistake that the people of Israel did in doubting that God would lead them.  They doubted EVEN AFTER seeing God perform amazing miracles while  leading them with a  pillar of cloud during the day, and a pillar of fire at night! 

³² In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, ³³ who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp  and to show you the way you should go.   Deuteronomy 1:32,33

It’s an easy thing  to do.   It’s easy to forget how God has “gone before” in the past when you look into an uncertain future.

Please pray for wisdom and favor for actionchurch.

Please pray that “the God who goes before” would guide us.

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Yes, it started out being about 1 degree cooler than the face of the sun with thunderstorms promised in the forecast.

Yes, it started pouring at 2pm and we had an honest to God tornado warning.  (We put the “fun” in funnel cloud!)

The beautiful thing was that in between 11am and 2pm, we had a perfect sunny opportunity to just hang out as a church and enjoy doing what followers of Jesus have always done…Share a meal together…and share stories of our lives.  I don’t think for a minute that Sunday was an “off” Sunday.  In fact it taking a day at the park for an “old-fashioned” church picnic may be one of the most important things we do all year.   Thanks so much to all of you who came out…I so enjoyed getting to know you all better.

Random fun stuff…

We don’t have many pics from Sunday because our photography ninja Garrett is taking a much deserved vacation.  There was SO much great food though…Pies, cookies, great pulled pork sandwiches  and beans with bacon and the list goes on an on…  The “lady cog-ga” sparkly cog cake by Millie Kemrer was amazing.  Who knew our logo could be so tasty? 

Thanks so much also to Kaylee Swanson and York Revolution for giving out tickets for the “Faith in our City” game on Thursday.

It was so bittersweet sending off Jeff  and Chrissie Compton as they move to Virginia along with their daughters Trinity and Faith.  The Comptons were the first childrens ministry directors when we launched at Fat Daddy’s Nightclub.  Every Sunday morning at 8am they would mop and clean the upstairs disco at the club and set up an amazing actionkidz area.  We could NOT have started actionchurch without their partnership.  Sunday we presented them with our “highest award”  (and a thank you gift card!).  I wish I had a picture of the mop that everyone signed and presented to the Comptons.  I’m pretty sure their mopping up the beer and ???? at Fat Daddy’s pretty much perfectly embodies what the Bible calls “servant leadership”.   We will miss the Comptons so much but I am sure that their story and the “ceremonial mop award” will live on for decades to come at actionchurch.

Here’s my contribution to the event.  It’s a little invention for keeping food cold at a picnic I like to call the “pool” table.   Yes,  it could be something directly out of a Jeff Foxworthy “you might be a redneck if” Joke.  Hi, My name is Don, I’m from Missouri and I love duct tape…   Shameful.

See ya next Sunday for the kick off of our “at the movies” series.   The movie this week is “The Blind Side” so if you haven’t seen it…check it out this week.

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Here’s the thing though, I believe that God has great things in store for actionchurch.  I think God wants to bless us with a new venue that is UNDENIABLY from him.  I’ve been praying for nearly a year now that God would give us a new home that would have been impossible if not for the “down” economy.  I’m asking that God would use the current economic realities for “Good and not Evil”.  

In order for that to happen I’m gonna have to make some big “asks” over the next few weeks.  As much as it pains me to think about it, I’m gonna have to make a few “presentations”.   I might even have to TRY to “close a deal”. 

I’d really appreciate you’re prayers.  Pray for God’s favor for our future venue.  Pray for forgiving and receptive listeners for my less than stellar “presentations” .  Most of all, pray for God’s direction and guidance as we take another really big step of faith as a church. 

What ever happens, you can be sure that what ever blessings come our way we can attribute to God…and definitely not any “sales” ability on my part.

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We missed a really great message from our friend Nick Francis from Mosaic Lancaster.  When I spoke with Nick about his insight into the story of Jonah two weeks ago, I was excited about how his “take” on the ancient story could affect our lives today.  What we think of as “punishment” or “torture” is often God PROVIDING a way out…a second chance for us.  Great stuff.

We missed hearing some great music from Between Blue. 

Yesterday we missed being with our friends old and new from the crew and crowd at actionchurch.  My daughter missed being part of actionkidz. Even though I really enjoyed “sleeping in” ’til 7:30 on a Sunday morning…I missed even the aching back and the dirty hands that come from Sunday morning set up at Club 19.  (I do understand that set-up went really quickly without my “help” )

You know what?   I’m so glad that I can miss a weekend of actionchurch and it be better than ever.  I’m thankful for our great crew!  You make actionchurch “happen” each week.   Most of all I’m glad that I “MISS” church, when I miss church at actionchurch.  I haven’t always been part of churches that I “missed” when I got a weekend off.  Sometimes I haven’t want to come back…sometimes they haven’t wanted me to come back.    

Sometimes it’s a very good thing to “miss” church…

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This Sunday we’ll continue the “stories” series with the biggest “fish story” ever told.  The story of Jonah asks and answers some of lifes most difficult questions.  Is it possible to “run from” God?  Does God use the events of our lives to direct our actions?   Is God merciful…or vindictive?   How terrible does it smell inside a fish stomach?

Our musical guest this week will be Between Blue.  We are really excited to have these guys back from Deleware after their debut performance earlier this year.  You will not want to miss them Sunday.

Don’t forget!   The following  Sunday( 7/25) actionchurch will be meeting at John Rudy Park for a day of fun, food, and a little church “stay-cation”.

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We’re doing it again!   On July 25th we’ll be having our second “actionchurch at the park”.  There will be food, fun, inflatables for the kids, and honest-to-God natural sunlight. (we hope.)   ”@ the park” is a great day to relax, get to know other folks from actionchurch, and perhaps invite a friend or family member for the very first time. 

What to bring

Chairs

Side dishes and deserts  (pies for Don? )

Drinks  (water will be provided)

Frisbee

Bikes

Acoustic Guitar(If you want to be part of the open mic jam area…vocalists welcome as well…slam poets and hippy fire jugglers as well.)

Big appetite…  (we have many pounds of pulled pork arriving…come hungry!)

actionchurch @ the park.  11 am   7-25-10 John Rudy County Park. 

Directions

Questions?     info@actionchurch.com

See ya at the park!

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I didn’t do a Sunday recap this week because like most of you I was enjoying the holiday with my family.  I do have a couple things thoughts from this weekend that I wanted to share.

1. I am so happy to be part of a church that works together even on a holiday.  We’re a portable church.  There’s lots of work involved in turning club 19 into actionchurch each week.  We had lots of people on vacation this week…as we expected attendence was low. Even though so many of our people, including crew members were taking some well deserved time off, set up and tear down at the club went flawlessly.  actionchurch folks worked together and made it happen…just like always.  Love it.

2.  When Church is on…its ON.  On July 25th we’ll be having actionchurch at the park.  No sermon, no band…just hanging out, eating some great food and spending time together.  We also take “off” the final Sunday of the year.  (We never meet the Sunday between Christmas and New Years Day.)  The fifty other Sundays of the year, Church is ON.  Sunday was no exception.  The guys from Ionia showed up and played full on rock and roll.  There were sparklers, and silly bandz gifts for our guests.  No slacking…no “punting” because because its a summer holiday and attendance will be low.  I love that …

3.  I love knowing that Church in Summer is a lot like summer on a farm.  It’s been a while since things were planted.  It’ll be a while before harvest comes in the fall.  In spite of that, summer is when growth happens.  Roots are planted.  Expansions are planned.  Big things are happening “underground”.   I can see and feel that happening this Summer at actionchurch.  We are preparing for a harvest like we have never seen.

Please pray with us.  Join us.  Be part of this great season of Summer Church.

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So Sunday is the fourth of July, and I’m sure you have a picnic or party to attend, or are planning on being away on vacation. If you’re planning a vacation, see ya when you get back.  If you’re around York this weekend, we’re making it our mission to make actionchurch the place to be before your parties begin.   As an added bonus, since church lets out by 12 you might miss setting up the croquet set…you won’t however miss your Uncle Eddy’s drunken attempt at Frisbee…or any local fireworks displays.

Ionia will be rocking us as our musical guest, and lots of fun is planned for the kids.  (Including some red, white, and blue silly bandz.)

NEEDS FOR SUNDAY:

1) Four of our awesome set up crew members are out of town this weekend.  If you’ve ever wanted to see club 19 earlier on Sunday morning, or wanted to experience the glitz and glamour of being an actionchurch crew member, show up Sunday at 9am.  We could really use your help.  info@actionchurch.com for details.

2)  I NEED a lawn dart for Sunday.  (Remember lawn darts?  The flying ice pick game for one-eyed children? )   The first person to bring me a lawn dart Sunday wins a prize.  (seriously).   I solemnly promise not to toss said lawn dart into the audience or tech pit area.

See ya Sunday!

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I’m really glad that the teachings of Jesus contain some great “none of the above” answers for our questions about selfishness.  I’m looking forward to sharing them with you all Sunday Morning 11am @Club 19 (directions)

Our musical guest will be Silversyde  from Troy NY, and actionkidz will be the place your little ones want to be.

See ya Sunday!

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