Catalyst celebrated our second weekend preview gathering this morning. (It seems like this morning was sooo long ago!) All in all, it was a great day of worship and every member of our team hit it out of the park.
*We wrestled with the question...what does Jesus mean when He says do not judge?
*What if the people we have the easiest time judging we began to view as "our brother?"
*What does it mean to "see clearly" before we speak judgment into the lives of others?
Questions framed from Matthew 7:1-6.
*Heather and Lauren and the Catalyst Kidz team are doing a great, great job. They continue to make tweaks to their meeting spaces and lead the elementary, pre-school and infant-toddler areas so well.
*Ryan and his setup team are unbelievable. We had to flip our worship space today (meeting in the cafeteria instead of the gym) Not only were there no complaints, they made the cafeteria work as well as possible.
*Joe and the hospitality crew are creating a fun welcoming environment for all our guests.
*Are you hearing how awesome our team is and how honored and humbled I am to serve with all of them?
*We introduced Dan and Kristin Towle as our new associate Pastor today. God is going to do some great stuff through this incredible young couple and we are so blessed to have them as part of the team.
*Announced our mission trip partnership with LaGrange Church of God on a week-long mission opportunity in home rebuilding in New Orleans, January 9th-16th. If you're interested in more information or in being part of this trip, please email me at Chris@iamcatalyst.org.
*Had a few lighting difficulties today without light control like before. Sorry to all those who we tried to encourage to read along with the scriptures. We will get this fixed. We want you to be able to read the bible while in worship. So we're going to remedy this. Thanks for your patience.
*We're also still tweaking a few things with projection. It got a little busy on the screen. (Background designs, not operation!) One of the blessings of "previews" is the opportunity to work out these kinks. We fixed some and are going to fix others going forward.
*Had several new guests today, and several new people serving in ministry areas this weekend. 94 people total, but many more folks who were local.
*Last but certainly not least, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR CROSSPOINT PARTNERS who are helping us work through kids check-in procedures (Chris Sparrow) who served in the infant-toddler room (Dave and Juli Gayes), who sang with the band (Chris and Maggie Owens) and who just jumped in wherever needed (Jelaine Sparrow). We are so blessed to have you as partners and to have Crosspoint as a great partner church.
*We've got some amazing stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks. Our Catalyst band will be playing at Church at the Crossing, one of our partner churches, this weekend in all 4 services. Then, on November 22nd, Chris will be teaching and the Catalyst band leading worship at the Pendleton Church of God. This will include an interview/conversation with PCCOG pastor Trey Oldham.
*Also this week we hope to release some details about a Catalyst Christmas eve gathering, for those of you who have or want to begin a tradition which includes Christmas eve service. No midnight thing, just a brief gathering with carols and celebration of the hope that comes through Christ's coming to earth.
*Alright I'm getting chills about the weeks ahead. It's gonna continue to be great stuff. God is going to continue to do great things and get great glory as He continues to write the Catalyst story through us!
