People Who "Live the Word!"

Steve Caler and I were talking yesterday about how important it is for us to be grounded in the Bible as a church family. We talked about how the goal is for us to "Live the Word" each day. It's not enough to know the word. God wants us to live it each day.

As I prayed this morning, God reminded me of some of the wonderful people he has brought to our New Song family who live the word. Often these people don't get much visible recognition, so I thought I'd share some of their stories here. I'd also like to encourage you to give them a hug and say thank you the next time you see them! They are "Living the Word" each week at New Song so that we can reach people for Jesus!

Jaime Derrick & our Set-Up/Tear Down Crew

These are the unseen early workers at our church. Every Sunday, a group of people including Jaime Derrick, Carl Dobbs, Dave Titus, Doug Swystun, Matt Lavezzo, Joel Benson, Joe Tilchen, Duane Faitel, Greg Bridgestock, and Prashant David get up early and show up at the High School at about 7:15 AM to set-up for church. They spend about 45 minutes getting everything in place (towing trailers, setting up signs, sound, kids rooms, chairs, etc.) so that we can have church that morning. After church people like Kingsley Chigbu, Keith Haro, and Ben Brown help tear everything down so that we can all go to lunch by 12:15 PM! Through their unseen efforts we are able to be a healthy church that never stops growing. Thank you for living the word!

Ministry Leadership Team (MLT)

Dennis Wycoff, Brent Christierson, & Rick Kraemer spend several hours each month praying for our church and helping us stay on mission. In this unseen role they often counsel people, solve problems, and make sure that we are looking towards the future of what God is doing at New Song. They have been a huge encouragement to me as they hold me accountable and give me wisdom and direction about church life. Thank you for living the word!

Children's Ministry Team

Each Sunday my kids love running into their Sunday school class to be encouraged and taught about Jesus' love for them. Thank you to each and every Children's Ministry volunteer, you are sacrificing and encouraging our kids in a way that makes a difference for eternity. Many of the lessons that you are teaching our kids will stick with them for life. The seeds that you are planting will grow into their salvation for eternity. Thank you for living the word!

Mike & Terri Murray

Have you ever wondered who puts up our banner signs on the corner of Iron Point and Prairie City Road? It's usually Mike Murray. Mike lives nearby and has been putting up the signs for a long time now. Mike & Terri both have served in our children's ministry, life groups, and countless other ways over the last few years. Thank you for living the word!

Joanna Thomas

Joanna Thomas has picked up the lead in our hospitality area. Every Sunday she coordinates our hospitality, ushers, greeters, food & drinks. Joanna came out our church last year and was baptized. Now, she is faithful in welcoming others who are new to New Song. Thank you for living the word!

Joe & Grace Rich

This summer my kid's got to be a part of Kid's Camp. It was the highlight of their summer and a huge success. A big reason for that is the upfront work that Joe & Grace put into it. I can't think of anyone else who sacrifices more than Joe when the kids make Nachos, Cinammon Rolls, etc. on his head! Throughout the year Joe & Grace are faithful in serving our kids and tweens. Thank you for all that you do as you live the word!

Bob Chipman and the Worship Team

In recent months, Bob Chipman and our Worship Team have jumped in with both feet to make our singing time on Sunday mornings a huge success. They put in lots of hours to make Sunday mornings a special time of connecting with God. Andrea Hamburg, Stefanie Bergmann, and Brad Miller are taking lead roles and we have a huge number of people who use their musical talents to play and sing for the Lord. Thank you for living the word!

Community Outreach

As I think of community outreach Joe Tilchen and Travis Smith come to mind. Both are involved in commpassion outreach ministries to our community. Joe coordinates our church serving meals to those in need at Powerhouse Ministries, and Travis goes into Folsom prison (along with James Villa) to lead Bible studies there. Most of the guys Travis works with are in for life, so we are truly caring for those who need Jesus. Thanks to everyone who provides meals and serves those in need through our church. Thank you for living the word!

Don Tello & The Media Team

Each Sunday, you see the results of Don's hard work though you may not be aware of it! Don and our media team put together the slides for our songs and anything that goes on to the screen. They invest time each week to make sure the slides are correct and are presented in sync with the worship team. This is actually pretty hard to do. I know because I've tried to fill in before and it was a disaster. Thank you for living the word!

Our Communications Team

Each week we produce bulletins, our enewsletter, web site up dates, etc. There is a great team of people in place to coordinate all of that activity. Some of the people invovled are Arlene Hoggard, Debbie Zsoka, Martha Flannigan, Barabara Dobbs, Samantha Tello, and Melba Derrick. Each plays a small role in putting out a big product each week. Through their organizational skills and hard work each week we get to hear what's happening at New Song! Thank you for living the word!

Matt & Betsy Lavezzo

Matt and Betsy have served in countless ways since the beginning of the church. Betsy leads a Life Group and has done the unseen job of inputting our data for years. Betsy updates your phone numbers, email addresses, and anything else that you write on your Connection Cards each week. Matt is now coordinating our handy man ministry and serving faithfully on our set-up team. Thank you for living the word!

Jon & Lori Harrison

John & Lori serve our church faithfully in several unseen roles. In addition to leading a Life Group they work as service coordinators during our church services on Sunday mornings. Both John & lori have also faithfully done set-up and tear down for years with John usually pulling one of our trailers. Thank you for living the word!

These are just a few of the people who sacrifice regularly for the cause of Christ here in Folsom. James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." These people are an example to me of those who consistently "Live the Word" like James describes. Thank you to all of you for being a blessing and a gift to our church family! Because of your hard work people are being saved and lives are being changed for eternity!