Hi everyone. It has been a while since I have blogged. Following Easter services at LCC and a nice buffet lunch at the Oasis in Loveland, the Richard family headed for Indianapolis for a couple days away. I will blog about that and include some pics in the next couple of days. For now, I wanted to give a few of my perspectives on Easter at LCC.
First of all it was energetic! The choir was really excited. The band was playing their hearts out. Jared was leading with passion. All of these folks really wanted to be there and it showed, even though, many of them were at church from 7am on. We offered 4 services on Easter and found out we could of managed with 3. The 8 am service was not well attended to say the least, but the cool thing was that everyone participating gave 100% and the low attendance did not quench the Spirit whatsoever. In fact, my strongest sermon was delivered during that service. From the first note at 8 am through the final one at 12:15 there was an amazing energy level! I could tell that we were celebrating that CHRIST WAS ALIVE.
Secondly it was God-lead! We never just throw sermon's or services together. Jared and I try hard to work together well in advance to make sure that what is experienced is meaningful and purposeful. However, everything we do is girded with prayer and lead by God's Spirit. For some time now, we have been lead toward a less "traditional" type of service. The sermon was not your typical Easter message and the style/selection/format of the service was not what you would expect on Easter. Here is the cool thing, it was exactly what we needed and exactly what God wanted. You see, only God knew who would be there on Sunday, what everyone would need and what would be the perfect songs and message! WOW! It is so cool to serve a living God.
Finally, it was NOT record-breaking! Is that a good thing? Well, I would of loved a record crowd. Last year we had 470, the highest one Sunday attendance in our history. Two years prior we had 403! This year, 379. Here is the cool part...God sent us a ton of folks that need healing and need a church home. Every FTA (first time attender) is actually looking for a church and some are wanting to find Christ. We didn't have the normal "Easter Christians" just looking to go to church on Easter, because that is what you have to do. I am very excited about those who came to LCC. Guys, it really is NOT about the numbers! God is still teaching me this!
Thanks Lord for an amazing energetic, God-lead and non record breaking Easter!! You are going to do something amazing through it! Thank you for everyone who gave so much toward this very special 4-service Sunday. Thanks for the message that showed us your desire for us to be willing and then surrender whatever it takes to fulfill your mission and to give someone in our life an eternal outlook with you. It was an amazing day. The cool thing is, we have not seen anything yet! In Christ, AMEN!
B OUT!!
P.S. Don't miss the start of our new series "PEEPS" this Sunday at 8:45, 10 or 11:15 am