Operation Christmas Child Update

Just a quick note to let you know that with some late drop offs we had over 200 boxes turned in for Operation Christmas Child! Doug Husen is driving to L.A. to drop them off at the distribution center this weekend. We have such an incredible church! Jesus said, "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Through this project we have lived out the words of Jesus. Way to go!

This week I'd also like to share with you something that made me laugh. A lot of traditional churches have sign boards where they post interesting statements. These signs are supposed to get your attention as you drive by so that you'll want to visit the church. With that in mind, here's a list of the worst church signs ever put up. These are real signs that made me ask, "What were they thinking?"

10. "Get saved or microwaved!"

9. "Staying in bed and shouting "Oh God" does not constitute going to church."

8. "When you get tired of entertainment come back to church."

7. "If you're ashamed to say, 'Merry Christmas' then Jesus is ashamed of you."

6. "Don't let worries kill you - Let the church help."

5. "Stop, drop and roll doesn't work in hell."

4. "God is the Potter, Not Harry."

3. "Whose Your Daddy?"

2. "Church Parking - Trespassers will be Baptised."

1. "Tired of Being a Loser - Turn to God."

Here are a couple of more that I came across that you have to see to believe...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last Sunday was another terrific day at New Song! We had a great time worshipping, looking at the story of Joshua, and taking communion together as a church family.
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My favorite part was looking at the huge pile of presents that you brought for Operation Christmas Child. You brought over 180 presents that will go to children in 3rd world countries. Way to go! I love the generosity of our church! I am proud to be the pastor of such a wonderful group of people.

Since it's Thanksgiving, I want to share with you something that I am thankful for. For the past two years, I have been struggling through one of the biggest personal trials I have ever experienced.

In the book of James it says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

I don't want to go into details at this point other than to say that I am thankful because of how God has used this circumstance to help me grow in him. Hard times either make us bitter or they make us better. I am praising God for how he has grown my faith through tough circumstances. I'd also appreciate your prayers for me that God continues to grow me in this season of life.

On a lighter note, I am driving to Southern California to visit my parents for Thanksgiving. I am packing three little kids into a van and trying to beat the traffic by heading out on Tuesday. We'll spend about five days watching football (the Packers are 9-1, woohoo!), swimming (yes it's warm enough in LA), and visiting my sister's church on Sunday in Murrieta. At New Song, Doug Husen will be sharing a really cool message from Joshua 9 that you won't want to miss. I look forward to being back with you the first Sunday in December as we get ready for Christmas. I can hardly wait to be back and I haven't even left yet!

Loving People One At A Time!

Here's a great story that you may not have heard about...

A couple of weeks ago Matt Lazezzo's sister, Ruth, moved to Grass Valley from New Zealand with her four daughters. While in New Zealand, Ruth and her daughters experienced some really tough trials leaving them with no resources. They were unable to bring any of their belongings with them back to the United States.

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Matt asked our church to help and we showed up in a big way! People from New Song surrounded Ruth and her daughters with love. People from our church came forward with beds, sheets, TV's, computer, desks, dining rooms tables and the mens group bought her all new kitchen stuff from Ikea. They were able to fill a 16 foot uhaul for her in the name of Jesus' love. Ruth truly felt Gods love and this circumstance, while very tragic for her family, has shown her the love of God and strengthened her faith immensely.

Ruth and her daughters have begun attending a church in Grass Valley and they are getting counseling to process the trauma they experienced while in New Zealand.

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Stories like this are why I love our church family. You are fulfilling the command of Jesus in Matthew 5:16 when he said, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Ruth and her daughters are praising God becuase of the people of New Song who stepped up in such an incredible way! Praise God!

Values Exercise

On Tuesday night we had a great group for our first step in the Joshua Project. The Joshua Project is an initiative for us to discern God's vision for the future of New Song. Rick Kraemer and Doug Patterson did a great job guiding us into a process of discovery. I'd like to say a special thank you to everyone participated and gave some great input.

God is doing some great things at New Song. Lives are being changed for eternity and people are growing in Christ. I love our church and I am excited to see what God is going to do next! That's what the Joshua project is all about. We are praying, "God, we'll go wherever you want us to go and do whatever you want us to do" (Joshua 1:16).

The reason that we are starting the Joshua Project with the Values Exercise is that we want to lay a foundation for who we are as a church. We want to identitify our unique DNA as a church and keep what we love about New Song in place as we move forward. We want to make sure that we craft a vision that is consistent with our current personality.

Our next Values Exercise is taking place on Wednesday, November 14th at Arlene Hoggard's home. It's open to anyone who has been a part of the church for about two years or more and/or is serving in a ministry of the church.

On the personal side of things, I am sad to say that soccer is ending for our family this week. Our sons Liam and Michael both played this year and we had a great time each Saturday cheering them on. Our whole family has really enjoyed the experience! Liam is already counting down the days until next year when he can play again!