12/31/07 UPDATE
We had a great week. The usual Christmas stuff.
Church was interesting yesterday. This is the first time that we didn't have someone to lead the music. I used some dvd's that have the singing on them, along with background imagery and the lyrics. It was a little awkward, but the good news is that there weren't many people there to feel awkward! We had 16 (13/3). I thought that the Sunday before Christmas would be the worst, but apparently I was wrong.
I'm looking forward to the New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
12/24/07 UPDATE
Last week was full of the usual Christmas stuff - sending Christmas cards and giving out presents. We decided to use these "normal" holiday things to try and reach some new people. J'line cooked an amazing amount of cookies of all sorts of shapes and sizes. Several people didn't believe she made them because of how intricate and delicate they looked. We took a plate to everyone who has attended the church. It was a good excuse to see some that we've missed for the past few weeks. She also took a plate to everyone on our street to meet some of those we don't know yet and to build relationships with those we do.
I printed a Christmas card from the church and mailed it to all of the families that had requested information about Redeemer over the summer at our block parties. Most of these families have not attended, but I try to continue to contact them every couple of months with a letter, card, or something. Just trying to stay on their minds.
Our attendance was down a little yesterday, but nothing like I expected. We had 21 (16/5) and things went pretty well.
I'm excited as we begin moving towards the new year and begin implementing some of the plans we have. Thanks for your prayers for us, they have made a tremendous difference.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Last week was full of the usual Christmas stuff - sending Christmas cards and giving out presents. We decided to use these "normal" holiday things to try and reach some new people. J'line cooked an amazing amount of cookies of all sorts of shapes and sizes. Several people didn't believe she made them because of how intricate and delicate they looked. We took a plate to everyone who has attended the church. It was a good excuse to see some that we've missed for the past few weeks. She also took a plate to everyone on our street to meet some of those we don't know yet and to build relationships with those we do.
I printed a Christmas card from the church and mailed it to all of the families that had requested information about Redeemer over the summer at our block parties. Most of these families have not attended, but I try to continue to contact them every couple of months with a letter, card, or something. Just trying to stay on their minds.
Our attendance was down a little yesterday, but nothing like I expected. We had 21 (16/5) and things went pretty well.
I'm excited as we begin moving towards the new year and begin implementing some of the plans we have. Thanks for your prayers for us, they have made a tremendous difference.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
12/17/07 UPDATE
This week had some very important highlights.
- Jacqueline saw the doctor and was given the "all's clear" following her surgery.
- We celebrated our 11th Anniversary on Friday. We went to Carabba's Italian Grill. Wow. It was awesome (always is). We did have one interesting experience. We walked out from around the restaurant and the wind hit us - and actually took our breath. Haven't had that happen before. It was 5, with a really stiff breeze. Fun.
- On Wednesday, we had a great Bible study. We had two young guys come who haven't been before. I was excited, because I've been praying that God would give us men. We had a great study.
- Sunday went well. We had 24 (17/7). I mentioned some of our plans for the new year. One is that I'm challenging the entire church to go through the study Experiencing God. I mentioned that I had ordered the books and that they were $15 each if everyone could help with the cost. Afterwards, I had someone come up and say that they wanted to pay for all of them. . . and it was the first time they had attended. Please pray for us we prepare for the study. Pray that people will be interested and involved in the study, that they will be able to complete it, and that God will unite us all on His mission.
- After church, one of our regular attenders had everyone to their house for Christmas lunch. it was a great time to get to know everyone a little better . . . and eat . . . a lot.
- God is showing up in many ways. There are a lot of people seeking Him and asking questions. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for the Spirit to give us the words to say and the faith to respond.
- Pray for someone to show up next week. We have a lot of people out for Christmas. It might just be the Cordell's!
This week had some very important highlights.
- Jacqueline saw the doctor and was given the "all's clear" following her surgery.
- We celebrated our 11th Anniversary on Friday. We went to Carabba's Italian Grill. Wow. It was awesome (always is). We did have one interesting experience. We walked out from around the restaurant and the wind hit us - and actually took our breath. Haven't had that happen before. It was 5, with a really stiff breeze. Fun.
- On Wednesday, we had a great Bible study. We had two young guys come who haven't been before. I was excited, because I've been praying that God would give us men. We had a great study.
- Sunday went well. We had 24 (17/7). I mentioned some of our plans for the new year. One is that I'm challenging the entire church to go through the study Experiencing God. I mentioned that I had ordered the books and that they were $15 each if everyone could help with the cost. Afterwards, I had someone come up and say that they wanted to pay for all of them. . . and it was the first time they had attended. Please pray for us we prepare for the study. Pray that people will be interested and involved in the study, that they will be able to complete it, and that God will unite us all on His mission.
- After church, one of our regular attenders had everyone to their house for Christmas lunch. it was a great time to get to know everyone a little better . . . and eat . . . a lot.
- God is showing up in many ways. There are a lot of people seeking Him and asking questions. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for the Spirit to give us the words to say and the faith to respond.
- Pray for someone to show up next week. We have a lot of people out for Christmas. It might just be the Cordell's!
Christmas Funny
So we were doing well with our tradition of not putting up Christmas lights. We noticed how we are one of only three houses on the street that don't have lights. Yesterday, our neighbors, Tom and Kim came over and asked if they could put up some lights for us! Now, we have some lights and our string is broken. Another one of our neighbors came by during the event and said, "Oh man! Our house looks pitiful, but until now I could always say, at least it looks better than theirs!"
So we were doing well with our tradition of not putting up Christmas lights. We noticed how we are one of only three houses on the street that don't have lights. Yesterday, our neighbors, Tom and Kim came over and asked if they could put up some lights for us! Now, we have some lights and our string is broken. Another one of our neighbors came by during the event and said, "Oh man! Our house looks pitiful, but until now I could always say, at least it looks better than theirs!"
Monday, December 10, 2007
12/10/07 UPDATE
Yesterday went pretty well. We had snow in the morning again, so it was pretty messy. There were also several people sick. We had 23 (19/4).
This week is going to be pretty messy again, so we called off the meeting with the church from Wichita, KS. There are several other churches we are discussing partnerships with for 2008. I'm still preparing our plans, etc. for next year, so pray for me as I try to get it all together.
Jacqueline is recovering well. She should be "cleared" to return to life as normal on Wednesday.
Thanks for praying for us last week. I know we received word from several people that we were specifically remembered by them due to the mall shooting. We don't have anyone who was directly impacted by it, which was a blessing. Remember also the families of those involved in the church and mission shooting in Colorado yesterday. Pray for the Gospel to go forth with power to change people's lives. There are a lot of hurt and hurting people out there who are driven to do crazy things. The Gospel is the only thing that can give them hope. It truly is the only hope for the world.
Yesterday went pretty well. We had snow in the morning again, so it was pretty messy. There were also several people sick. We had 23 (19/4).
This week is going to be pretty messy again, so we called off the meeting with the church from Wichita, KS. There are several other churches we are discussing partnerships with for 2008. I'm still preparing our plans, etc. for next year, so pray for me as I try to get it all together.
Jacqueline is recovering well. She should be "cleared" to return to life as normal on Wednesday.
Thanks for praying for us last week. I know we received word from several people that we were specifically remembered by them due to the mall shooting. We don't have anyone who was directly impacted by it, which was a blessing. Remember also the families of those involved in the church and mission shooting in Colorado yesterday. Pray for the Gospel to go forth with power to change people's lives. There are a lot of hurt and hurting people out there who are driven to do crazy things. The Gospel is the only thing that can give them hope. It truly is the only hope for the world.
Monday, December 03, 2007
12/03/07 UPDATE
I was pretty bummed by our turnout yesterday. We had 25, but 8 of them were the worship leader and several of his friends that came to hear him. Our service starts at 10 and it started snowing at 9, so I think a lot of people stayed at home because of that. One good thing is that we had a couple that had come back in September come back. December is going to be challenging all the way around, since we will have a lot of people gone for the holidays, etc. We're trying to just hold it together through the holidays.
It's funny how when I have a "down note," God always seems to send some encouragement. I went into the coffee shop to type this up and a guy I haven't seen in several weeks came in. He told me that he and a friend were planning to come yesterday, but changed their mind because of the snow. We had a good talk and I got to share the Gospel. You just never know how God is working and what's going on that you don't know about. Keep praying for all the people we are "cultivating relationships" with. Pray especially for God to draw them to Himself, to give us opportunities to share the Gospel, and for Him to grant them faith to believe.
Thanks for praying for J'line last week. She had surgery and it all went well. She is still sore and tired, but getting better. She's actually recovered a lot better than I anticipated.
This week I'm going to be spending a lot of time trying to lay out our plans for next year. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as I try to do that. I'll be meeting with a church next week to discuss a potential partnership with them and this planning will be a key part of that.
I was pretty bummed by our turnout yesterday. We had 25, but 8 of them were the worship leader and several of his friends that came to hear him. Our service starts at 10 and it started snowing at 9, so I think a lot of people stayed at home because of that. One good thing is that we had a couple that had come back in September come back. December is going to be challenging all the way around, since we will have a lot of people gone for the holidays, etc. We're trying to just hold it together through the holidays.
It's funny how when I have a "down note," God always seems to send some encouragement. I went into the coffee shop to type this up and a guy I haven't seen in several weeks came in. He told me that he and a friend were planning to come yesterday, but changed their mind because of the snow. We had a good talk and I got to share the Gospel. You just never know how God is working and what's going on that you don't know about. Keep praying for all the people we are "cultivating relationships" with. Pray especially for God to draw them to Himself, to give us opportunities to share the Gospel, and for Him to grant them faith to believe.
Thanks for praying for J'line last week. She had surgery and it all went well. She is still sore and tired, but getting better. She's actually recovered a lot better than I anticipated.
This week I'm going to be spending a lot of time trying to lay out our plans for next year. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as I try to do that. I'll be meeting with a church next week to discuss a potential partnership with them and this planning will be a key part of that.
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