Overheard at Five Oaks - November 22

Things overheard at The Weekly (our weekly all staff meeting), by lurking around corners and hiding in cleaning closets, and with some help from WikiLeaks and the Russians. 

Love seeing families serving together!

Love seeing families serving together!

"My son just called me from the toilet in the Commons bathroom. The lights went out and he's scared." Said by one of our staff members just a few moments ago. Yes, take too long and the motion sensor lights go out. 

“We had 34 new members introduced at the congregational meeting last weekend compared to 13 last year.” Our new process is working. So thankful for the Elders who lead our membership orientation. 

“There were more people at the dinner after the congregational meeting than at the meeting itself!” Yeah, the kids joined us. And thank you to Joe and Carole Lehn and their small group (Johnson/Hooker group) for cooking, serving, setting up!

“My teen and preteen kids asked if we could go back and read The Jesus Storybook Bible.”

“Seven families dedicated children last weekend. One kid didn’t want to leave the stage.” There’s a future pastor.

“Lots of folks will be late for 9:15am service on January 1.” No, not because they’ll be up late. Because it will start at 9am. 

“We need to tell new folks that we only have two services—11am and Saturday.” To help with overcrowding at the 9:15am.

“We’ll be watching the kids ministry Gospel Project video as part of the sermon since it’s a Family Worship weekend.” 

“Legend and who?” The answer is Justin Talk. Legend and Justin are doing music for Coffee House Jr. An event for kids, but their teachers can come and hang out, too.

“Aaron and I got pied last Wednesday. It was miserable. Now it’s Henry’s turn.” I agreed to this, apparently, if the youth brought in 75 Thanksgiving bags. They brought in 108! My turn to be miserable.

“We want to do Volunteer Central for the Christmas services again. Who owns that?” Crickets.

“Christmas invite cards will be available in two weekends.” So helpful for inviting!

 

Winning a Wrestling Match with God (The Weekend)

Ever wish you had a different name? Or what if you could determine your own nickname? 

When our youngest son, Aaron, was a little kid, he told me what he wanted for a nickname. He said, "I want my nickname to be Scamper." 

To this day, if I want to embarrass him, I remind him about his request. 

I never told him what I wanted to be called when I was a little kid. It would give him too much ammunition. I might tell you this weekend. I might also tell you what I would pick if I I could change my name now. 

This weekend we're looking at a story from Jacob's life found in Genesis 32. Jacob gets a new name, which is a really good thing since one of the meanings of his old name was deceiver. 

His new name is central in the story of God. 

But what's really interesting about this passage is how he gets it. He wrestles God for it on the night before he faces his greatest enemy and everything is in peril--his wealth, his life, and his family. Yes, he wrestles God for it.

If you ever find yourself wrestling with God about the future, a challenge you're facing, eminent danger of failure or even death, there will be some incredible take-aways from this week's sermon. 

Come and bring a friend.