We stayed at home Sunday morning, I met my life transformation group (LTG) for lunch, and then we went to visit Communities of Hope church on Sunday night. (Another church spun off of our mother church) It is very different from the Journey, yet the pastor did something similar to what we are doing in terms of having people share in church. The pastor invited anyone who wanted to to come light an Advent candle and talk about the evidence of hope, peace, joy and love in their lives in 2007. 4 people came up front and shared some personal things that happened in their lives. The pastor then took a few minutes to share other specific life changes that had happened in the life of the congregation (deaths, births, baptisms, etc.). They then praised God that they were able to share in those moments together, as a community.
Of course, people felt uncomfortable and some didn’t share but it is interesting how some other people really want and need an opportunity to share these things out loud. Even as a visitor, I felt the room soften as people shared and the people around them supported them with a heavy sigh or a quiet Amen. God was there in a BIG way. I was thinking about some of the times when something has been shared in church at the Journey or in a small group and the room falls still with compassion. I LOVE those moments!
If you aren’t already involved in something, the Journey also has a variety of groups to help create communities where these types of relationships are cultivated. Where you can work together, grow in your relationship with Christ, be held accountable, pray and be prayed for, etc. You can email me or Frances at frances@takethejourney.org for more info.
We had lunch and wondered why we didn’t have church. I have to say that when I most want to be at The Journey it was closed. Thats ok, I know that we all need a break every now and then. I can’t wait to start fresh next Sunday.
Some video games, rock band to be specific, in the morning and then a falafel and banana milk shake at the falafel drive-in! I then went over to Vintage Faith in Santa Cruz in the evening, it was good times as always. I’m happy to hear that others had a great day as well, its fun to change things up once in a while!
I had my niece visiting from Iowa. I was bummed that I couldn’t take her to the Journey because she always hears me talk about it. However, we had a wonderful day anyway. Her boyfriend was playing in a basketball tournament over the weekend in Oakland. The whole team was staying at a hotel in San Fran. The coache’s father is a pastor down in Southern California in the Compton area. He came up and gave a message to the team and to the family members that were visiting in the hotel lobby. It was great! Afterwards I had a chance to talk to him and be totally amazed about what the church he is involved is doing. I told him all about the Journey. (Small world, he was the pastor of the church where Jeff was an intern years ago.) He agreed that the Journey is on the right track for what our world needs now.
So after an awesome message in a hotel lobby, I took my niece, her boyfriend, his mom and his sister all through the city, over the Golden Gate and to Muir Woods. After freezing to death in the city the day before we were blessed with beautiful and sunny and fogless weather. It was a great day to be out. The Iowans were amazed by the diversity of the Bay Area.
My mom was parralized a year and a half ago and is confined to a hospitol bed, but there is a church across the street - so Tim, Travis and Racheal Van Wyk and I pushed her across the street and all went to chruch together in Ventura. She can’t handle it very long but it is so good to see her there enjoying the music. The theme for the day was ‘In Christ there is freedom.’ A profound topic for someone who feels like she is ‘tied down’ all the time, since her brain does not register that she can’t move, but that we are keeping her from moving. I had the chance later to pray with her to feel free in Christ, even when so confined.
I went to a church in Grand Rapids Michigan.
I must say it was nice to walk in and not be worried about set up / or tear down.
Nice building. Cool lighting. Amazing Sound system.
However, what struck me the most was how limited participation was.
Perhaps it was just the ‘last Sunday of the year’ effect, but the band soloist did 3 solo BLUES songs…then on solo gospel song. We didn’t stand, didn’t sing, didn’t talk with people sitting in the row with us. The message was a really good one, but then it was done and he prayed and we left. Literally, the only person I talked to was one guy who I went and asked some questions. Frankly, it was the least participation Sunday I have had in years.
I am again reminded of our important values of greeting people, saying hello, going out of our way to connect with people, and the meaningfulness of inviting people to participate and not just spectate.
I’m glad I get to be a part of The Journey!
Went to another church (don't tell Jeff)
We stayed at home Sunday morning, I met my life transformation group (LTG) for lunch, and then we went to visit Communities of Hope church on Sunday night. (Another church spun off of our mother church) It is very different from the Journey, yet the pastor did something similar to what we are doing in terms of having people share in church. The pastor invited anyone who wanted to to come light an Advent candle and talk about the evidence of hope, peace, joy and love in their lives in 2007. 4 people came up front and shared some personal things that happened in their lives. The pastor then took a few minutes to share other specific life changes that had happened in the life of the congregation (deaths, births, baptisms, etc.). They then praised God that they were able to share in those moments together, as a community.
Of course, people felt uncomfortable and some didn’t share but it is interesting how some other people really want and need an opportunity to share these things out loud. Even as a visitor, I felt the room soften as people shared and the people around them supported them with a heavy sigh or a quiet Amen. God was there in a BIG way. I was thinking about some of the times when something has been shared in church at the Journey or in a small group and the room falls still with compassion. I LOVE those moments!
If you aren’t already involved in something, the Journey also has a variety of groups to help create communities where these types of relationships are cultivated. Where you can work together, grow in your relationship with Christ, be held accountable, pray and be prayed for, etc. You can email me or Frances at frances@takethejourney.org for more info.
Why did we not have Church?
We had lunch and wondered why we didn’t have church. I have to say that when I most want to be at The Journey it was closed. Thats ok, I know that we all need a break every now and then. I can’t wait to start fresh next Sunday.
Peace
~Frank
because
frank,
we cancelled church so that you would miss it and be excited about january 6th. :)
CH CH CH CH CHANGES
Some video games, rock band to be specific, in the morning and then a falafel and banana milk shake at the falafel drive-in! I then went over to Vintage Faith in Santa Cruz in the evening, it was good times as always. I’m happy to hear that others had a great day as well, its fun to change things up once in a while!
church in a hotel lobby
I had my niece visiting from Iowa. I was bummed that I couldn’t take her to the Journey because she always hears me talk about it. However, we had a wonderful day anyway. Her boyfriend was playing in a basketball tournament over the weekend in Oakland. The whole team was staying at a hotel in San Fran. The coache’s father is a pastor down in Southern California in the Compton area. He came up and gave a message to the team and to the family members that were visiting in the hotel lobby. It was great! Afterwards I had a chance to talk to him and be totally amazed about what the church he is involved is doing. I told him all about the Journey. (Small world, he was the pastor of the church where Jeff was an intern years ago.) He agreed that the Journey is on the right track for what our world needs now.
So after an awesome message in a hotel lobby, I took my niece, her boyfriend, his mom and his sister all through the city, over the Golden Gate and to Muir Woods. After freezing to death in the city the day before we were blessed with beautiful and sunny and fogless weather. It was a great day to be out. The Iowans were amazed by the diversity of the Bay Area.
ummm
Wait, what day was sunday? I totally lose track of the days of the week during the holiday when I’m not working…
I don’t know about you - but I’m not going to live in hell, just to die, and then go to hell.
my mom
My mom was parralized a year and a half ago and is confined to a hospitol bed, but there is a church across the street - so Tim, Travis and Racheal Van Wyk and I pushed her across the street and all went to chruch together in Ventura. She can’t handle it very long but it is so good to see her there enjoying the music. The theme for the day was ‘In Christ there is freedom.’ A profound topic for someone who feels like she is ‘tied down’ all the time, since her brain does not register that she can’t move, but that we are keeping her from moving. I had the chance later to pray with her to feel free in Christ, even when so confined.
God is good, all the time.
Walked in and Walked Out
I went to a church in Grand Rapids Michigan.
I must say it was nice to walk in and not be worried about set up / or tear down.
Nice building. Cool lighting. Amazing Sound system.
However, what struck me the most was how limited participation was.
Perhaps it was just the ‘last Sunday of the year’ effect, but the band soloist did 3 solo BLUES songs…then on solo gospel song. We didn’t stand, didn’t sing, didn’t talk with people sitting in the row with us. The message was a really good one, but then it was done and he prayed and we left. Literally, the only person I talked to was one guy who I went and asked some questions. Frankly, it was the least participation Sunday I have had in years.
I am again reminded of our important values of greeting people, saying hello, going out of our way to connect with people, and the meaningfulness of inviting people to participate and not just spectate.
I’m glad I get to be a part of The Journey!
We went and got Jill’s
We went and got Jill’s nose pierced… Now she’s got a “nose screw”