JOURNEY WITH JOHN

February 15, 2012

Eternity In Our Hearts

 

This coming weekend we'll be launching a new series of messages called Echoes Of Eternity. God has put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We're hard-wired to hunger for forever. I'm praying and trusting that this new series will help "set our hearts on things above."  I'm asking God to use these messages which will lead us to our Easter Celebrations to surprise you, spark your imagination, and change how you live in the present. That sounds like a lot to ask, I know. But I'm convinced that most Christians aren't equipped to have a meaningful conversation about why we believe in eternity. I'm believing that we can change that. 

  

It all starts with the Saturday evening worship gathering at 6PM. 

  

Speaking of Saturday, I've made a list of the top 5 reasons you should consider making the Saturday night worship service "your service":

  

1.It's the only worship service you can go to Chick-fil-a after.

2.You get to hear my corny jokes first. 

3.You don't have to worry if somebody is in your favorite seat. 

4.You don't have to wait as long to get out of the parking lot. 

5.You are making room for more on Sunday.

  

Our overall weekend worship attendance has taken quite a jump this New Year. That wouldn't have happened without Saturday night worship. The folks who have helped launch that gathering are directly responsible for allowing Journey to expand its impact in reaching people. I think that is awesome and what the church is supposed to be about. 

  

Upcoming Events

  

Looking ahead is always important and helpful. Here are a couple of special weekends to put on your radar:

  

-Compassion Weekend: March 24/25. Journey has demonstrated a great heart for sponsoring children, primarily through Compassion International. Compassion weekend is an annual emphasis to encourage increased sponsorships for children around the world who are part of Compassion's outstanding mission of releasing children from poverty in the name of Jesus...one child at a time. This year we have a special guest speaker, Tony Wolf,  representing Compassion. Tony has taken the challenge to raise up 1,000 new Compassion Sponsors in 2012. If you would like to know more about Tony and his unique work, check out www.tonywolf.com.

  

-North American Christian Convention Promo Weekend: April 21/22. This summer, Orlando will host the largest gathering of independent Christian Church leaders in the world. It's called the North American Christian Convention or the NACC, for short. I was the Vice President of this convention last year when it was held in Cincinnati. No, I am not the President for this year's convention, thankfully. However, on the weekend of April 21/22 we will welcome the President of this year's convention to Journey for all three of our weekend worship gatherings. 

  

Rick Rusaw, who pastors a large and vibrant church in Longmont, Colorado, is serving as the President of this year's NACC. He has a special message that he wants to share with Orlando area churches like ours in order to maximize this year's convention being in our town. We will also give you an opportunity to register for this gathering, either for the full convention or to attend only one day. Registration rates are extremely reasonable. We will also be asking for people to volunteer in strategic areas during the week of the convention, July 10-13. 

  

The theme of this year's convention is "Refreshed." We want to do everything we can at Journey to make this unique gathering a refreshing time for everyone who will be in our "city beautiful."   

  

Hospitality Suite

  

For the past several weeks the room formerly known as the Harbor Room, located to the left of the Information Center in the Atrium, has undergone a remodel. The room was used for years as a classroom meeting space. But when we completed and commissioned the new Anchor and Lighthouse rooms, we relocated all Sunday morning  adult classes to those spaces. As we thought through the best use for the old Harbor Room, it seemed like a good room to act as a meeting area for volunteers and a place for us to greet our new attenders.  So, we redecorated it and renamed it the Hospitality Suite. 

  

What happens in the Hospitality Suite? First, it gives me a place to direct first-time or returning guests to go so that I can meet them and spend a little more time with them after a worship gathering. I enjoy meeting new people. (That's why my next career will be as a Walmart greeter. I'm aiming high in retirement.) Until then, I enjoy meeting our many guests that attend every weekend and learning how and why they came to Journey. Up until this space became available, there just was no good area to do that in. I'm hoping the Hospitality Suite becomes a place for me and our staff to give a loving first touch to people who are searching. 

  

The room is also ideally suited for small meetings with volunteers or others who need specific ministry information. It's really a cool space and our go-to gal, Lynnette Hudspeth, once again outdid herself preparing the room with excellence and little to no budget. 

  

This weekend, we will put the Hospitality Suite to use. After the worship gatherings, we will be asking first-time or returning guests to stop in, receive a gift, allow us a chance to thank them for coming and begin the vital process of building relationships that can help someone know how much they matter to God. 

  

If you are a Journey member or regular attender and you bring a guest with you, please bring them to the Hospitality Suite. I would love to meet them...  and tell you, "Way to go!"  

  

Loving the Journey,

  

  

John