Each year when Relay for Life ends, we kind of like to wrap up the event with a thank you….just to let everyone know that your efforts were appreciated.
This year I’m finding that “thank you” is easy to say – but gratitude is actually hard to express.
Normally words flow on to the page for me…..it’s almost second nature. Those of you who know me well know that I am NEVER at a loss for words. I like to give my opinion – even if my vote doesn’t count. But my words just don’t seem to be enough this year. Thank you seems mediocre. Thank you seems such a lame way to tell you that you touched lives in ways you can’t even imagine. Thank you is plain vanilla ice cream.
But – what I want to tell you is – the way you demonstrated your love for cancer survivors that you don’t even know – is more like a 12 scoop, hunka-chunka-peanut butter fudge, over the top, banana split, smothered in hot fudge, with extra whipped cream, sprinkles, and – not one – but TWO cherries (Skip the peanuts of you are allergic) sundae.
Other churches are amazed by the fact that EVERYONE at actionchurch gets involved – not just at Relay, but each week at church or in small groups. I can’t tell you the number of conversations I’ve had with friends wanting to know how we do it. They can’t believe that people in their 70’s volunteer in the nursery. Parents I talk to find it hard to believe that our kids and teens serve others in need with such willingness and joy. And they marvel at the fact that we turn out in numbers – mass quantities of people of all ages in actionchurch tshirts – to serve cancer survivors in the muck and rain.
We don’t have a magic formula. There is no secret strategy. It is simply YOU. More and more of you are arriving at these events – ready – willing – and able – to love God, love people and take action.
So – for being YOU – I want to simply say – “THANKS” ….sincerely, genuinely, affectionately …..with utmost gratitude …..deep from the bottom of my heart (insert hot fudge sauce here) – for making Relay 2015 a truly memorable event.
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16

 
We know that all of you poured your blood, sweat and tears into 36 W. 11^th Avenue. It simply blows me away to see all that you accomplished as a team. We know that you contributed your nights and your weekends and your valuable assets to open the doors of our building on schedule. You worked for it. You earned it. You have the right to be proud of the miraculous transformation.

BUT – now. Now we get to show York County what actionchurch is really made of. It’s time to take everything we have and pour it back into the community. That’s the only way we know.

“Don’t back up. Don’t back down.

Full throttle, wide open. You get tired and you don’t show it.

Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more.

That’s the only way I know.”

Jason Aldean – The Only Way I Know

THIS. This is how we approach every event, every project, every mission at actionchurch. It IS the only way we know. (And – just as a side note – It is really, REALLY time for a country song to be the background music for our Relay for Life video. Just sayin’.)

THIS – was how ac4northyork became a reality. And THIS – is how we are going to make Relay for Life 2015 a life changing event for cancer survivors in our community. Full throttle. Wide open. We are asking you to dig deeper; to serve longer; to love harder than you ever imagined you could. It is our greatest wish that every single one of you would choose to experience RFL2015.

So – buy a t-shirt (or two or three)…..give up your entire weekend……come out and lift some heavy stuff, walk all night, get tired, drink some coffee….dig deeper…….and be a part of something greater than yourself.

“…..through love serve one another.” Gal 5:13

This morning as I was trolling for my daily news I clicked on the MSN banner that said TV Jingles You Never Forget – and then I wanted to poke my own ears out……
Gimme a break, gimme a break –
Oh I wish I were an Oscar Meyer Weiner that is what I truly want to beeeee –
Rice a Roni the San Francisco treat-
What would you doooo for a Klondike Bar

And – you’re welcome! Now that you can’t get those out of your head – remember this one?

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Of course – sung off key and really, REALLY loud! I hope the leaders in our children’s rooms are teaching that little ditty to our younger generation. Sincerely. Not only is it classic and timeless….it’s true.

One of my favorite things about Relay for Life is when it starts to become dusk and small tiny lights begin to shine. The luminaria ceremony. If you’ve never experienced it – I encourage you to plan to be on the field around 9:00 p.m. this Friday to witness something truly life changing. Families begin to light small candles, one by one, in memory (or in honor) of those people in their lives who are dealing with cancer. Across the field on the bleachers other small lights pierce the darkness – spelling out the word HOPE. Those lights burn throughout the night as a reminder of exactly why we do what we do each year at RFL.
H-O-P-E

One of the most important things we can do this Friday and Saturday as we tackle all the work that goes into making Relay For Life a success is to remember to be a light. Remember to give someone encouragement and hope. Remember to reflect God’s love and the promise of eternal life.

“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5