Typical Tuesday

Summer Scheduling

I know its been a while since I posted anything to the blog, but I guess I didn't have much to say! No one actually believes that though' so, lets just move on. :) I believe we have finally solidified a few dates that effect everyone enough to pass them along.

As you guys know we take the summer off from small groups so you SGL's can reconnect to the church. (Sorry production...your stuck) Due to the way things are falling on the calendar, this year we will be planning for May 16 to be our last "official" UpStreet Sunday for 2009-2010. That will be the conclusion of small groups/large groups until the fall. However, we will need you SGL's the following week, so dont plan a vacation just yet.

Here's why we are ending relatively early, compared to the end of school. The following Sunday, May 23rd, we will be attending the adult worship service, because we are actually part of the adult service. More specifically, My 23rd is ORANGE Sunday, and we will be highlighting family ministries of Mountain Grove. I will be providing more detailed info in the coming days.

Next, May 30th is, of course, Memorial Day weekend, with LOTS of absences church-wide...including UpStreet. Lets just enjoy that day like everyone else. UpStreet will probably just watch a movie or something...so take the day off unless I ask you to help coral kids.

Then, THUNDER SUNDAY! on June 6th. (Sorry, I just think you have to write it in big letters.) We will start in the balcony so kids can be part of the beginning of the service, then we will bring them downstairs for some type of fun...UpStreet style.

Which leads to our grand finale on June 13th! That morning we will be inviting the kids AND THEIR PARENTS to attend UpStreet TOGETHER! We are going to have a party that day, in the style of the Beach Day we held last summer, and celebrate what we've done this past 9 months. We will urging parents to stay with us that day and hang out with their kids for activities, snacks, videos and whatever else we decide on. Again, details will be coming soon, but we hope everyone is able to be there that day.

Okay, that carries us through June 13th. Mark your calendars with these dates and plans, let me know if anyone has any questions. Thanks for everything guys your the best!

Childrens Choir Trailer...2

Childrens Choir Trailer...

Christ centered Christmas

If anyone reading this is a Facebook friend of mine, (or Annamarie) you have noticed a few posts about a little movement called Advent Conspiracy. Now I'm not a bandwagon jumper, choosing to latch onto the the latest craze in Jesus-based programs, or the newest charity organization. In fact, I have a hard time getting involved with anything because I never know if its a legitimate program, or just another "here today-gone tomorrow" type deal. Thats exactly why Advent Conspiracy has so intrigued me.

Advent Conspiracy is a movement, a mind-set, a complete rethinking of Christmas. They don't want our money, they want us to recognize the incredible possibilities of restoring the focus of Christmas back to Jesus. What a radical concept huh? Focus our attention on Jesus around Jesus' birthday??

Actually, I think most Christians love and believe the catch-phrase of "Jesus is the reason for the season". Unfortunately, I think they just don't really know what to do with it. I admit that despite wanting to show my children that Christmas isn't about them, I struggle with the thought that I might not shower them with gifts and toys and thereby disappointing them and letting them down as a parent. Then I read about how many children die every minute because they dont have clean water (4 in case your wondering) and I think to myself....what am I REALLY doing to them as a parent? What gift am I giving them that is actually lasting and meaningful? Do they need plastic playthings or a spirit of compassion? Do they need more "stuff" or more time with me?

Do they need gifts on Jesus' birthday, or do we give Jesus the gifts on Jesus birthday?

Obviously all of those questions should be rhetorical, and they are, but are they gonna spark change? I can say it's changing me. In fact, several events and experiences over the past few months have had strong impacts on my life and placed a spotlight on how blessed we really are. It all came together when we discovered AC almost by accident, or by divine interaction, but thats another story. As a result, I feel a very strong pull to make Advent Conspiracy a big part of UpStreet throughout Christmas. So you're gonna see the posters, videos, etc. in and around UpStreet this season. I truly hope it sparks the kind of rethinking in our church that has happened in others around the world. Lets make Christmas a world changing event, again.

Pilgrimage to Mecca....

I think everyone knows by now that the whole staff of mountain Grove just returned from Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. It was beyond awesome, so thats all I'm gonna say about that. But, immediately following Catalyst, a group of UpStreet workers had the opportunity to visit North Point Community Church in Alpheretta; ground zero for UpStreet, and where we stole the whole idea.

Now, NPCC is not Heaven (though some may disagree). It's not perfect, it's not ideal, and it's certainly no more important than any other church on earth. Amazing, yes. Growing, yes. Mecca, yes, er, I mean, NO, it's not Mecca. BUT, they're doing something right and there's NO reason not to steal and rob as many ideas as possible from them. So thats what we did.

It is impossible to describe what we saw and experienced as team. It's unlike anything most of us have ever seen. Their operation is like a combination of Disney World, rock concert and Christian Conference all rolled into one. Oh, and they're saving souls and changing their community. NPCC has recognized the importance of "service" over "serve me", and as a result they are exploding. See the website for more info, but just take our word for it, they are on the right track. But I didn't write this post to hype North Point, I just wanted to share some of the resources we can use to further our mission and change kids lives. So here we go...

1) North Point Kids This is a blog by Kendra Fleming, director of children's ministry at NPCC.

2) Family Ministry Operation Family Blueprint gives families something to do as, well, a family. What a concept??

3) Resources Here's is spot for obtaining all things resource/material wise to feed the craving for knowledge and wisdom.

4) All Things NPCC This site is a springboard for most everything related to NPCC and it's ministries.

5) Production One of my favorites. This is Buckhead's production website, and it is seriously cool.

If you're part of UpStreet, at Mountain Grove, I hope you to spend some time in these sites and help us discover ways to get better and better at engaging and reaching our children.

Thanks guys, love ya'll!

Some images from Sundays@NorthPoint