Sunday Night Brain Dump

How do you begin to put into words the energy and emotions that took place today at Five Stones Church? I can’t begin to count the number of nights that I stayed up dreaming about what our first baptism service would like and today God once again exceeded my expectations. Before I shift gears and share my observations of the day thank-you for all the prayers that went out to our family as we dealt with the H1N1 virus. Unfortunately we had to hold out both Lily and Cooper from the baptism service today.Here are my thoughts:

• Note to self never take a call from Ralph the night before services. He called and left a message on my voice mail that they ripped the lining of the new baptism pool just to mess with me.
• Cannot express how incredible it was to have over 400 people all together for worship and have our new baptism pool right in the middle of everything.
• So thankful for the person that donated the money for us to purchase our own baptism pool. I  hope to wear that thing out pretty quick.
• Loved the shirts we had done for the baptism candidates that said “believe”.
• Hated that we had 4 people unable to be baptized today because of sickness. Two of those being my own.
• Still can’t believe that we had 17 people that followed through with baptism today. Did you now that 82 % of all churches baptize less than 8 people per year? Pretty incredible to think that we have only been a church for seven weeks. God is doing some big stuff at Five Stones.
• Loved watching Ralph baptize his oldest daughter. That will be a memory that I won’t forget.
• The other memory that I won’t forget is getting two of our men in the portable pool that are both around 6′4 feet. This was the first time that I have ever baptized someone going forward.
• Loved seeing the excitement of all our partners as they saw why we do what we do every Sunday. Today was just as much a celebration for them.
• Was thinking today if I’m this excited about the baptisms then God must be really throwing a party.
• Had a family come back in after we dismissed to tell us that their two teens asked Christ in their hearts while talking about the service in the parking lot.
• Decided to go ahead and announce and put out a sign up sheet for our next baptism. The thought was what if God is working on people right now, why not give them the opportunity to respond. We had 21 people sign up to be baptized at our next baptism service. Can’t wait to follow up with each of those folks.
• Looking forward to posting the pics from today later this week
• As a Pastor I felt like God was really working through me today as I extended the outward call of the Gospel. Felt so completely humbled today to be the Teaching Pastor at Five Stones Church. I pray that I just don’t get in the way of what he id doing and wants to do.
• Announced that we will be taking the next few weeks to go out and serve in the community. While I love what we do inside Five Stones Church I hope we become known for what we do outside of Five Stones Church.
• Announced our plans to have a Big Day on Nov.15th as we start our  new series called “Baggage.” We want this day to be a time where we invite people to come out to Five Stones. Be praying about who you are investing in that might respond to this type of message.
• Heath shared our plans to do a special Christmas Eve Service in one of the local barns. Can you imagine having 500 plus people in a barn and celebrating the Birth of Christ. More details to come.
• The Big Idea for today: Everyone who hears the prodigal story writes his or her own ending by how they respond to the kindness of God toward sinners.
• How have you responded to the Kindness of God?
• If you came out to Five Stones today please let me hear some of your thoughts?