Moldy Pumpkins, Dying Flies & Chilly Digits
Ah yes, it is autumn. 90% of the time I view this Halloween season as a clever ploy to ensure those eager Christmas celebrators (like Marie & I!) don't deck the halls of the house all red & green prior to November 1st. Well - dang it all! - it works, though I did listen to some Christmas music 2 weeks ago!! [Tangent: I noticed that Kevin Max has a Christmas album. There wasn't a demo, but wow - that could be cool!]
So I finally peeked and realized that this site was in need of some minor housekeeping (new book & friends links). I also wanted to spread some thoughts of my past week.
On Saturday I went with 7 other folks from my church to the Unite Worship Conference @ Broadway church in Burnaby. It was alright: it was the company that really made it awesome! I went to an enlightening drumming workshop with the drummer from the Parachute Band and then sat in on a church building & technology workshop (which was insightful since we're doing a renovation in the spring - keep fingers crossed!) Of course we watched Starfield (third time this year, sheesh!) and I was able to chat with Gordie for a bit. A couple of the youth - OK, just one really! - went 'GA GA!' when he saw Tim and was able to talk to him. I don't think Starfield is going to be coming by Arnold anytime soon ...
The wonderful evening was capped with an adventure of getting home. Troy's vehicle conked out for half an hour along the highway. But God faithfully got us going again (which was great because Troy had to lead worship the next day!). This anecdote segues perfectly into my next point because ...
8:15 AM I get a phone call from our Sr P's wife (Leanne) and she lets me know that Rob is having another kidney stone episode and that as much as he would like, morphine and sermons just don't mix. Groovy! So not only do I get to take the entire service on (trying to orchestrate it without a sr pastor and - as of yet - a sermon!) , I also get to lead communion for the first time! Good thing I pay attention when Rob leads (and that I prayed a lot!) because everything went so smoothly, we could have not even told the church that anything was wrong and they wouldn't have noticed! And our church is awesome: not only does the worship team and communion servers go with the flow, we get two - yes TWO! - guys offer to preach on short notice (one was even offered AFTER the service started!). Well God is so good! I was already mulling over some passages as I was heading to the church, but I couldn't stand in the way of Geoff's enthusiasm when he offered, so I let him run with it!
In short, it was a fantastic service and fantastic demonstration of God's faithfulness and how incredible our church family is.
Yesterday I headed out to CBC for a Youth Worker Luncheon they were hosting. I got to hang with my buddy Ty, pick up two free books (one I was planning to buy this month!) and a $10 gift certificate from House of James because Lando likes us youth pastors so much. How awesome is this? Man, God is so good at providing and blessing us in the little ways.
On Tuesday the church is hosting a Harvest Carnival again. Last year was a smash success (thanks to God for sending the rain and making us the most popular place on the Sumas Praire!) and we're hoping to continue with the trend this year. Lots of candy, prizes, games, costumes, and Over the Hedge!! What an awesome movie.
Marie is doing well (19 weeks!) and on Monday we'll be taking the official measures, ultra-sound, etc. From Nov 2-5 we're house-sitting / 'teen'-sitting / 'horse'-sitting as we move into the Shaw's and live with Alex & Kelly and their many furry friends as their folks take off for San Diego. Youth ministry opens doors!
That was far longer than expected. Lunch is calling (and we actually have a full fridge of options - woohoo!) but I have to get my November calendar done before I go. Toodles.
- Andrew
So I finally peeked and realized that this site was in need of some minor housekeeping (new book & friends links). I also wanted to spread some thoughts of my past week.
On Saturday I went with 7 other folks from my church to the Unite Worship Conference @ Broadway church in Burnaby. It was alright: it was the company that really made it awesome! I went to an enlightening drumming workshop with the drummer from the Parachute Band and then sat in on a church building & technology workshop (which was insightful since we're doing a renovation in the spring - keep fingers crossed!) Of course we watched Starfield (third time this year, sheesh!) and I was able to chat with Gordie for a bit. A couple of the youth - OK, just one really! - went 'GA GA!' when he saw Tim and was able to talk to him. I don't think Starfield is going to be coming by Arnold anytime soon ...
The wonderful evening was capped with an adventure of getting home. Troy's vehicle conked out for half an hour along the highway. But God faithfully got us going again (which was great because Troy had to lead worship the next day!). This anecdote segues perfectly into my next point because ...
8:15 AM I get a phone call from our Sr P's wife (Leanne) and she lets me know that Rob is having another kidney stone episode and that as much as he would like, morphine and sermons just don't mix. Groovy! So not only do I get to take the entire service on (trying to orchestrate it without a sr pastor and - as of yet - a sermon!) , I also get to lead communion for the first time! Good thing I pay attention when Rob leads (and that I prayed a lot!) because everything went so smoothly, we could have not even told the church that anything was wrong and they wouldn't have noticed! And our church is awesome: not only does the worship team and communion servers go with the flow, we get two - yes TWO! - guys offer to preach on short notice (one was even offered AFTER the service started!). Well God is so good! I was already mulling over some passages as I was heading to the church, but I couldn't stand in the way of Geoff's enthusiasm when he offered, so I let him run with it!
In short, it was a fantastic service and fantastic demonstration of God's faithfulness and how incredible our church family is.
Yesterday I headed out to CBC for a Youth Worker Luncheon they were hosting. I got to hang with my buddy Ty, pick up two free books (one I was planning to buy this month!) and a $10 gift certificate from House of James because Lando likes us youth pastors so much. How awesome is this? Man, God is so good at providing and blessing us in the little ways.
On Tuesday the church is hosting a Harvest Carnival again. Last year was a smash success (thanks to God for sending the rain and making us the most popular place on the Sumas Praire!) and we're hoping to continue with the trend this year. Lots of candy, prizes, games, costumes, and Over the Hedge!! What an awesome movie.
Marie is doing well (19 weeks!) and on Monday we'll be taking the official measures, ultra-sound, etc. From Nov 2-5 we're house-sitting / 'teen'-sitting / 'horse'-sitting as we move into the Shaw's and live with Alex & Kelly and their many furry friends as their folks take off for San Diego. Youth ministry opens doors!
That was far longer than expected. Lunch is calling (and we actually have a full fridge of options - woohoo!) but I have to get my November calendar done before I go. Toodles.
- Andrew
posted by ahaak at 12:30 PM
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