Catalyst Rewind, Sunday December 20th

Our first Christmas at Catalyst. Years from now we'll probably look back and think, "wow, things were so much simpler then." We also had our first battle with the weather, but to all the families who came out on a cold Christmas Sunday, I believe our time together helped us really understand the magnitude of the statement God made through Jesus' coming. Everyone connected with a church plant that I know has said, "look for the attack from Satan. He never wants these things to succeed." I guess I've just been so focused on the mission, and so recognizing that anything successful that happens would have to be from God because I know myself and my own inadequacies, that I haven't really given that thought much weight. But I'm beginning to wonder if that attack isn't in the form of sickness among our team and particularly our kids. So as you read this, would you continue to pray for Catalyst, for our team's health and more than anything, that God would use us in a powerful way to help people from all over our community connect with Christ in a new and dynamic way.

Some of the highlights from yesterday:

• In Ryan's absence (who leads our facilities team) Mike Bluel stepped in and led the charge yesterday to get setup, torn down. I cannot possibly give a bigger "Way to go" to him!
• Several of our band members' families who showed up at 6:30 am jumped in to help with load-in and setup.
• We had three new band members yesterday due in part to AU's christmas vacation. The band sounded great.
• They especially hit home runs with O Come Emmanuel and I Celebrate the Day.
• Teaching theme was "Heaven Crashes to Earth." Do you know that everything heaven has to offer came with Jesus as he entered planet earth?" It was Genesis 3 all over again, (post-fall that is) where God chose to walk with man face to face.
• The most important part...this time God wasn't taking it back. Because of the power of the Holy Spirit living in Christ's followers, the same power that fueled Jesus is alive and fuels our lives today.
• When Jesus taught his disciples to pray "Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven," that wasn't just for the first disciples. We become part of the "heaven crashing into earth" scenario today.
• New people excited about serving and life groups, even on a crummy weather day when it would have been easier to stay home! Only God can do that!

The next few weeks mark a big moment in the Catalyst story. We're off for the next three weeks, then beginning Sunday, January 17th, Catalyst will begin holding weekend services EVERY WEEK! And we are on target for our grand opening during the month of February! If you know people in the area, why not encourage them to check us out. You/they will be encouraged, refreshed and challenged. Your/their kids will have a great time and look forward to coming back each week. In short, the time to be part of what God is doing through Catalyst is now!

Catalyst Rewind, Sunday December 6th

Catalyst Preview 3 took place today. It was another banner day for Catalyst. Hard to believe we are only three weeks into weekend gatherings. And we're excited that our next weekend gathering is only 2 weeks way. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. What happened today?

• 20% of those who were at Catalyst today joined us for the first time. This is huge. We had about 10 team members who weren't able to be with us today because of sick kids or travel, but it's exciting to see so many new faces.
• Many of those new faces indicated a willingness to serve on a serving team on connection cards today!
• Our load-in team continues to amaze. They braved the first really cold temperatures we've faced and even started 1/2 hour early. And these guys turn it up a notch when it comes to tear down. They've had us packed, loaded and out in 1 hour after service each of our three weekends.
• We ran our own sound with our new sound system today. May not seem like a big deal, but what you don't know is that Brad B. (Worship Arts Director) and Dan Towle (Associate Pastor) spent probably 40+ total hours getting things setup before we ever unloaded the trailer this morning. Band sounded pretty great.
• Teaching theme this weekend, "Give v. Get." Takeaways: Do my actions demonstrate that I am a giver or a taker? Who gets the best of me and who gets the step over? And what in my life have I given myself fully to? Is Christ on that list?
• mp3s available on iTunes or at http://www.iamcatalyst.org/mp3
• It's been pretty cool to hear how the topics of our very first series have really impacted people's lives. Had several conversations with people about how God is speaking into our lives through these outside the Lines subjects.
• The CatalystKidz team is just doing a great job. Lauren and Heather and their team continue to knock it out of the park every week.
• It's been cool to feature a new team member in our weekly's every weekend. It's actually my favorite part of the information we put in people's hands each week.

I could go on, but you get my drift. The momentum is building. Catalyst is going to be used by God to help radically change our community. Two weeks from today is our next weekend gathering. It's Christmas Sunday, one of a few weekends each year when almost everyone plans on being in church. So it's a great weekend to extend an invitation to family and friends.

80% of people who don't attend church probably would go with a friend who asks them. So lets put our "asks" on the line and see what God might do!