Friends Class

We finished our Friends Class this morning. We had a smaller class this time around, but it was great group of people. Several people were gone this morning so I wasn't able to get their photo. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our class.

It's always fun to get to know those who are new to our church. It's exciting to see how God is at work in the lives of people. And it is rewarding to watch how those from the Friends Class become part of our church family.

Beautiful

Joanne Just

We had Joanne Just's funeral service today. We met at the graveside and then gathered at New Covenant for a Celebration of Life service. Here is what I shared today at the service.

The word that comes to mind when I think of Joanne is the word beauty. Joanne loved to decorate, to arrange, to entertain. She loved the beauty of God’s creation and she took pleasure in creating beauty for others to enjoy.

Joanne took delight in discovering beauty, even in the ordinary. Perhaps it was her quest for beauty that drew her into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In Psalms 27:4 David says:

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Today we can take comfort that Joanne is in the presence of her Savior, enjoying his beauty forever.

Joanne also understood that true beauty is not merely external, but rather emanates from a persons character. Proverbs 31:10 says:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Joanne knew the secret of true beauty. Her warm smile and twinkle in her eyes immediately drew people to her. Her beauty was more that cosmetic, it came from deep within, from a heart that was yielded to her God and His purposes for her life.

1 Peter 3:3-4 says:
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Because Joanne attended to her inner world and nourished her relationship with Christ, at the end of her life she was as beautiful as the day Steve first met her. Her beauty was unfading, emanating from a heart that was at rest. And it was this inner beauty that Joanne possessed that drew many of you to her. You felt better just being around her.

Our modern culture worships youth and beauty. We seek image make overs in our quest for the perfect look. Joanne aspired to a different kind of beauty. An inner beauty that transcended time. An eternal beauty that is greatly valued in God’s sight. She sought a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Today we grieve our loss, but we rejoice in Joanne’s gain. Today Joanne is reunited with the God she loved, being transformed into the image of Christ. Today as Joanne gazes into her Saviors face, she has never been more beautiful.

True Greatness

We were blessed to have Larry DeWitt with us this weekend. Larry preached on Mark 10 and the importance of being a servant. The thing I like about Larry the most, is that he has a servant heart and that he practices what he teaches. Larry has been a great encouragement to our Serve the City coalition of churches over the past nine months. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the day.

The Children's Church worship team lead us in worship today. It was so encouraging to see their enthusiasm and love for Christ. And of course Jeremy and Loretta Bushlack were right there with the kids, modeling servant hearts.

Power, position and prestige all loose their grip on our heart when we follow in the footsteps of Christ, seeking to become a servant. And in the process of giving ourselves away, we find true greatness.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Play Ball

Today is officially the first day of spring. I know, I know, the calendar says that March 20 was the first day of spring. But everyone knows that spring isn't officially here until the first pitch is thrown out on the Opening Day of major league baseball!

And so spring is ushered in tonight as the Cleveland Indians take on the Chicago White Sox. Opening Day is one of my favorite days of the year. The long winter is over, spring is here, and baseball is back.

So let the season begin. The boys of summer have returned. Spring has arrived. Play ball!

Our Ignite Team

What a fantastic weekend we had together! Lloyd Reeb did a great job today of leading us through a process to GRASP our God-given design. The GRASP acronym stands for the following:

• Grounding Values - The basic, foundational aspects of a persons design.
• Roles - The functions that enable a person to make their best contribution to an overall effort.
• Abilities - The tasks in which a person excels and that internally energize them.
• Spiritual Gifts - The supernatural enablement God chooses to give to fulfill His purposes.
• Passions - Those few areas a person strongly desires to focus on in order to have an impact.

We used this material to flesh out a personal mission statement to guide our second-half journey of faith. It was an exciting weekend as we listened to stories of how others had discovered their God-given design and used their first-half experiences for the kingdom. You can click on the picture above to see a slideshow of our time together. Our photo above is missing Tye Male, a member of our Ignite Team.

It will be exciting to see how God uses this weekend to 'ignite' a movement of people to impact our world for Christ.

Halftime

Greg Murtha, Lloyd Reeb and Steve Jenkins

Greg Murtha and Lloyd Reeb arrived today. Our Ignite team had dinner with them this evening and interacted with them regarding halftime issues. We talked about how men and women approach halftime differently, what marketplace leaders need from the church, and how to integrate halftime leaders into a church context.

I'm looking forward to our Halftime Conference on Friday and Saturday. It will be exciting to see how the Spirit of God leads people into creative and innovative ministry in the weeks and months ahead. There is no limit to what God can accomplish through a community of people who dare to dream His dreams.

It's Hard to Believe

Lloyd Reeb

It's hard to believe! That's a common phrase for those of us in halftime.

• It's hard to believe that our children have left home.
• It's hard to believe that our children have completed college and haven't left home!
• It's hard to believe that I'm this old.
• It's hard to believe that we've lived here this long.

For me, it's hard to believe that our Ignite Halftime Conference with our special speaker, Lloyd Reeb, is this coming weekend! Wow, this has gone from a vision to a full-blown event in a years time. We have over 120 already registered for Friday evening and over 100 registered for Saturday!

And of course, as good as the Conference will be, an event like this merely surfaces the issues that need to be addressed. For this reason, we will be offering several ten week, Ignite Halftime small groups for further study and application.

Over the next ten years we're going to see an increasing number of people begin to invest their resources and lives for the sake of the kingdom. What kind of impact can our Halftimers have on Cedar Rapids and the world? It's hard to imagine!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

We Are Family

Membership Weekend

We had another great Membership Class this weekend with 47 people in attendance. You can click on the above picture to see a slideshow of our time together.

The family is one of my favorite metaphors regarding the church. Have you noticed that nobody asks your opinion regarding who gets admitted into your family? You enter a family through birth, marriage or adoption. So too in the family of God, everyone who has placed their faith in Christ is admitted into God's family, the church. A healthy church welcomes newcomers and values and affirms each member.

In a healthy family, everyone has an age appropriate responsibility. So too in the family of God. The body grows and builds itself up in love as each member does its part.

New Covenant is a family of growing disciples. We are committed to growing great lives. We are family.

It Takes A Team

Mike, Tye, Mark, Kim and Brian

It's been a good morning. I've started a once-a-month group called A Bagel and A Book. We had the first meeting this morning at Panera to discuss the book, The Wisdom of Teams. I love learning together in community, so times like this morning are energizing for me.

The premise of the book is that organizations and groups of people are more effective when they work together as a team. A team is defined as a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.

And though the Bible does not use the word team, the concept of teamwork is reflected throughout Scripture. The Trinity, the 12 disciples, Paul's missionary teams, the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ and many more examples show us the importance of working with others in order to accomplish our mission.

So why is true teamwork so rare? Because working effectively as a team requires humility. Teamwork by it's very nature means that I need others, that I can't accomplish my performance goals by myself, that others can do something better than me and add value to my life, that I don't have all the answers, and that I can't and don't control everything. Teamwork requires commitment and trust and a compelling vision and goal.

This coming year, I'm committed to becoming a better team member, a better team leader and a better servant leader. It's a joy to do this together with people you love and trust - my family, our church staff, the many wonderful ministry leaders and members in our New Covenant church family. It takes a family to raise a child; it takes a team to lead a church.

Forgiven

Gerry McNamara

The boys were celebrat'n at the Pagel house this weekend. It's official, we're suffering from Orange Fever! Syracuse University won the Big East Conference basketball tournament on Saturday, securing an NCAA tournament bid. It was an improbable feat, one that no one expected. Consider these facts:

• The Big East is the toughest conference in the country.
• Syracuse had lost their last three games coming into the tournament, including getting beat by DePaul (a team that didn't even make the Big East tournament) by 39 points! By the way, Jason went to that game in Chicago and saw Jim Boeheim's worst defeat ever!
• It was generally accepted, even by Coach Boeheim, that Syracuse had played themselves out of a spot in the NCAA tournament.
• Syracuse had to play the University of Connecticut in the second round. UConn just happens to be the #1 team in the nation and had already beaten Syracuse twice during the regular season.
• No team had ever won the conference tournament without receiving a first round bye. Syracuse became the first team to win four games.
• Syracuse could have easily lost all four games. Come from behind victories and three point shots at the buzzer made for heart-stopping drama.
• Just days before the tournament, Gerry McNamara, the senior team leader, was criticized for being over-rated. Even the Syracuse Herald newspaper joined in the criticism. All Gerry did to answer his critics was to hit a tournament record 16 three point shots, win three games at the buzzer, and be named tournament MVP!
• Syracuse went from being out of the tournament to a number 5 seed in just four short days.

You have to love the underdog. And you can't help feel their joy when they come out of no where to exceed everyone's expectations. That's what's so thrilling about March Madness. In one brief moment in time, an improbable hero is born and an unlikely victor is crowned. For a short moment in time, the tears of victory erase all the memories of the past. In one moment in time, all can be forgiven.

God With Us

What an incredible day of worship! Pastor Gary, and our orchestra and choir were awesome. And Pastor Bob led us in a wonderful time of prayer as people gathered around those who had prayer needs.

Our theme today was God With Us. And we sensed His presence among us as we lifted up our voices in worship.

As I stood in the back of the worship center this evening, I was filled with a tremendous sense of gratitude and awe. I was overwhelmed with the goodness of God and the way He has so graciously provided for me and my family. And I was grateful to be able to serve in a church that understands grace, honors God's Word and loves people. As a church family, it was a time to experience God with us.

Shamrock Around The Clock

Who are these people and what are they doing? It's scary when you begin to meet people at church that make Bernice look normal! With all the green they are wearing I guess they must be associated with Shamrock Around The Clock.

Shamrock is our Sr. High Youth Group's St. Patricks Scavenger Hunt. This year's event is Friday, March 17. There are a lot of opportunities to help out with this outreach. Elves, drivers, gophers, chaperones, and green food preparers are all needed!

Contact Pastor Mark Forstrom if you would like to volunteer. And by the way, if you see Bernice and her two wacky friends around the church, tell them about Shamrock Around The Clock.

Hall of Shame

Bonds

Buster Olney from ESPN has written a column about Barry Bonds that's a must read. Buster writes about a Cooperstown induction speech that could have been, should have been, but won't be given. Barry may someday be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, but his reputation and itegrity have been tarnished. Here is some of what Buster imagines the induction speech could have sounded like.

"Sure, the end of his career got a little ugly, as it did for the rest of us. Barry's knees were killing him, but he played through it, for the last five years of his career. He wasn't hitting 70 homers, like some of his peers, but he played the game with the highest possible integrity. Those 25 homers he hit in his last year, in 2004, we can take those to the bank. We can take everything he accomplished at face value."

"He didn't finish his career with as many homers as Henry Aaron, or Babe Ruth, or myself, or Frank Robinson. But Barry was the best player of his generation -- one of the greatest of all time."

The crowd cheers loudly.

"In recent years, you have seen a lot of the stage behind me empty, and you know why. A lot of the Hall of Famers won't come when they presume that the inductees put something in their bodies that wasn't supposed to be there. But now look behind us. The stage is packed. Look, we all know Barry has been a bit prickly from time to time. But we all know the choices Barry faced, and the choices Barry made, and because of that, there is no player from his era more respected."

"With that, I want to introduce to you my godson, Barry Bonds."

There are cheers, and as Bonds rises from his chair, the Hall of Famers behind Bonds rise, as well, and clap.

It behooves us all to pause from time to time to reflect on how we want our lives to end. To reflect on how we want people to remember us. When a person lives a life of integrity, at the end of their life, people don't have to lie about what they say about them.

The choices we make today shape our future. What kind of life are you building? What kind of heritage do you want to leave behind? I long to hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant." And I long for my family to remember me as one who was faithful to Christ in my generation - one of the greatest men of all time.

A Spiritual Journey

Mike Buster

It's been a busy 2 1/2 days. We've had the priviledge of having Mike Buster at New Covenant to talk to our staff, elders, and deacons about church relocation and construction issues. Mike is the Executive Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church where he has served for the past 15 years.

Bob and I met Mike on our trip to Dallas last month. Mike graciously met with us during the middle of his busy day to help us learn more about church construction. We were so impressed with Mike that we recommended bringing him to New Covenant to talk to our leadership team. Mike has overseen 10 building programs during the past 13 years and has learned how to bring a building project in on budget, on time and on target. Mike also oversaw Pestonwood's relocation to their present site in 1999.

During the past three days Mike has talked with us about staffing, construction, relocation, and member assimilation issues. I especially enjoyed his presentation titled, Top Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Relocating. Mistake #1 is Making The Relocation Process A Secular Journey. Mike warned us that we can expect spiritual warfare and opposition. This is not about building a new church, but a spiritual journey that can transform lives. He encouraged us to enjoy the journey and to make prayer a priority.

We appreciated all that Mike shared with us, but we were the most impressed with his servant heart. In retrospect, we overbooked Mike's schedule. He was exhausted by the end of his last presentation tonight, but he passed every test with flying colors.

I will pick Mike up at Bob's tomorrow morning at 4:45 AM so he can catch his 6:00 AM flight back to Dallas. Our time together has come to a close .... but our spiritual journey has just begun.

Love Goes To The Wall

Today was a memorable day. Today was the day that we transferred the names from our book marks to the cityscape murals. It was an awesome sight to watch people get up out of their seats and go to one of the eight murals in the worship center to write the names of people God has laid on their hearts. Literally hundreds, if not several thousand names were written on the walls around the worship center. You can click on the above picture to see a short slideshow of the day.

It's awesome to think of the impact that we can have on our community through prayer, care and share. At least 31 churches around the city joined together today to go to the wall for those without Christ.

As we gathered around the communion table today, we remembered God's love that went to the cross for us. And we asked God to help us model that kind of love to those around us. Love always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love goes to the wall.

Happy 50th!

Happy Birthday Bob

Pastor Bob turns 50 this week. Leesa surprised him with a slideshow set to the music "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" and then a birthday cake during lunch at Lindale Mall. It was all Bob could do to blow out all 50 candles! You can see a short slideshow by clicking on the above picture.

Birthdays are reminders that time doesn't stand still. Our lives are gifts from God, full of promise and potential. What God gives us is an expression of His grace. What we do with it is an expression of our thankfulness.

Happy 50th. You're a good man, Bob Westfall.

Dare to Dream

J-Mac

By now you may have already heard of Jason McElwain, the 17 year-old student manager of the Greece Athena varsity basketball team outside of Rochester, New York. The story begins in a very familiar way. Jason who is too short at 5' 6", doesn't make the JV roster and becomes the student manager of the varsity boys team. Jason works hard and becomes a valued and respected part of the team. In three years as student manager he only missed one game. So far so good, nothing too unusual yet.

That is until February 15, 2006; Senior Night and the last home game of the year for Greece Athena. Coach Johnson told J-Mac that he would try to get him in the game, but couldn't promise him anything. And then with 4 minutes and 19 seconds left in the game and Greece Athena up by 20, Coach Johnson called J-Mac's number.

259 seconds later Jason had become the game's leading scorer, set a new school record for the most 3 point baskets made in a game and was carried off the floor on the shoulders of his team mates. Oh, and did I mention that Jason is autistic and this was the only varsity game he ever played? Don't believe it? Use this link and push the play button on the video to see for yourself.

This has to be the feel-good story of the year. It reminds us again that everyone, regardless of their disability or talent level, can make a valued contribution. That a community of people working together for a common purpose can transcend individual accomplishment. That great things sometimes happen to those who persevere and attend to the "small things". And that sometimes with some some help from our friends, dreams do come true.

What we all want in life is a shot. But what we do with it, that's a story we all want to tell. Jason took his, and now it's a story we can all tell. So, what's your story? Let's dare to dream!

Out of Touch

Out of Touch

An article in The Gazette today focused on the controversary over the TouchPlay gambling machines. According to The Gazette there are 140 TouchPlay machines in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion. 90 of the machines are in neighborhoods whose median household incomes are $40,000 or less annually.

Over 4000 machines have been installed around the state and another 5000 are on the way. The Iowa Lottery Commission today announced that the TouchPlay machines have brought in $212 million over the past eight months. The state estimates that 88% of Iowans gamble. TouchPlay gambling at every corner gas station and convenience store is not what our state is about. It's time to say no to neighborhood lottery machines!

A House committee on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban TouchPlay machines and give owners 30 days to shut down thousands of the games statewide. "My constituents have overwhelming said 'get these things out of here,"' said Rep. Sandy Greiner, R-Keota. "They really resent taking their children into a grocery store or convenience store and having these machines all over."

Kudos to Sandy! I want to add my voice to those who say enough is enough. Let the governor and state representatives know that when it comes to TouchPlay, they are out of touch!

Pardon The Interruption

Tye with Eric Bramlett

Bob, Tye, Gary, Erin and myself just returned from a two day Multi-Site Practicum at Community Christian Church in Naperville, Illinois. Community Christian has 19 services at 8 different locations in the Chicago area. This past weekend they launched their latest site in Pilson, the second largest Hispanic community in the United States. They have been doing multi-site ministry since 1998 and are considered one of the pioneers in the movement.

It was a great experience for the five of us to interact with the Community Christian leadership team the past two days. There were over 20 churches in attendance from all over the United States. Among other things, we learned the 7 Moves to Going Multi-Site and worked on a 5 Step Strategy. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our time.

Last evening after dinner, Eric Bramlett, their Creative Arts Director, led a segment called Pardon the Interruption. Churches were encouraged to send up a representative to be "interviewed" by Eric for one minute. Tye volunteered from our team and endured 60 seconds of Eric's good-natured humor and fun. Thanks Tye for taking one for the team!

This Practicum was a great way for us to learn about what is involved if we choose to launch an additional site in the future. Our long range vision includes resourcing and helping small churches in rural areas. In addition, we need to look at how to creatively deal with our space constraints over the next four years before we relocate.

This a journey of faith. The past several days we learned about how one church is pioneering new territory in their passionate quest to help people find their way back to God. This is no time to sit idly by as people pass into a Christless eternity. We need to understand the times and help people awake from their slumber. Pardon the interruption.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

Good Stuff

We had a great Welcome Lunch today with about 90 people in attendance. We had 11 tables set up and guests were seated at 10 of them. The Kitchen Team did a great job as usual and Ken's chili was outstanding! Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our lunch.

I love the environment that the Welcome Lunch creates. Our staff, elders and deacons were scattered out throughout the room, engaged in conversations with our guests. The Welcome Lunch is a place where those who are new can meet others, ask questions and learn more about New Covenant. It's a place where introductions and connections are made. It's a place where God is free to work in the lives of people. Good stuff!

How To Find A Church

Last week Nicole Riehl from The Gazette called to interview me regarding an article she was writing about how young adults should go about selecting a church to attend. The article appeared in today's newspaper. For those of you who don't subscribe to The Gazette, you can click on the above picture to see a larger image of the article that is readable.

Of course I also shared about the importance of finding a church that basis its teaching on the Word of God. But all in all, I think the article could be helpful to young adults who are seeking a place to worship.

I couldn't help but be somewhat amused by the graphic layout that The Gazette used for the article. The seeker is coming into a dark, foreboding building with the only light flooding in through the doorway from the outside.

This is not the New Testament picture of what the church is to be like. Followers of Christ are the light of the world. We are to so penetrate our culture and community that everyone can see our good works and give glory to God! Let's take the light of Jesus with us this week into our neighborhood, place of work, and family activities.

I like the lyrics to the song Shine by the Newsboys.
Shine. Make ´em wonder what you´ve got, make ´em wish that they were not on the outside looking bored. Shine. Let it shine before all men, let ´em see good works, and then let ´em glorify the Lord.

What's the best way to find a church? Look for a follower of Christ and then follow the light!

3...2...1...Ignite

Steve Jenkins~Mr. Halftime

We are launching a new ministry at New Covenant called Ignite. The purpose of Ignite is to equip believers to finish strong. It's for those who have reached the midpoint of their lives and want to move from success to significance.

We are excited about the upcoming Halftime Conference on March 31 - April 1. Lloyd Reeb will be the featured speaker. You can learn more about the Halftime ministry here.

The Halftime Vision Casting event is scheduled for Friday, March 31 from 7:00-9:00 PM. Lloyd Reeb will share his personal halftime story and a compelling vision for what a significant second half looks like.

The Halftime Summit is scheduled for Saturday from 8:00 AM-12:30 PM. Each participant will explore the concept of halftime and discover how to lead a life of significance by getting a grasp on your God-given design and desires, write a personal mission statement, and develop an action plan for specific next steps.

I'm thankful for Pastor James work in forming the Ignite leadership team, and for his behind the scenes efforts to help launch this halftime ministry. And a special thank you to our great Ignite Team: Steve Jenkins (chairman), Carol Akey, Tye Male, Kim Pagel, Mike Pearson, Dave Sanders and James Wartian.

Join us as we trust God to ignite a movement of men and women who seek to impact their world for Christ.

New Friends

The Friends Class concluded today. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of those who were in the class. Over 25 people attended one of the six sessions, but there were about 18 who came every week.

This was a very special Friends Class. You know that God is at work when you reach the end of the six weeks and you don't want the class to end. It never ceases to amaze me how you can grow to get to know and care for people in such a short time!

New Covenant is a family of growing disciples. God's hand is on our church in a special way. It's a joy to be involved in what He is doing. We are a family that is committed to making space for one more person. Help me welcome these new friends to our family!

Bible Index

Sharon got a new Bible this past week and wanted me to put a Bible index on it. I had learned how to do this in college, and have put an index or "ladder," as we called it, on all of our Bibles. But over the years I had misplaced the instructions. No problem, I'll just go online to find out how to do it. And to my surprise I couldn't find anything.

The end of the story, or so I thought. As we were moving some old files I found my Bible index instructions. And so I'm posting How to Index the Edge of A Bible here on my blog for all the world to see. As far as I know, this is the only place on the web where you can go to learn how to do this.

• Materials needed: soft-leaded pencil, extra-fine point pen with black ink (I use .2 mm pen by Micron), and art gum or other soft eraser.
• I suggest that you practice your first index on an old Bible.
• Spread out the edge of the Bible at an angle to the right and with a soft-leaded pencil make seven parallel lines across the edge approximately 1/3 way down from the top of the Bible and 3/16 of an inch apart.
• Take seven of the sections* at a time and place between each of them an index card so that when spread out there is a distinguishable space between each section. Beginning on the bottom pencil line with Genesis, make ink lines across each section and up the edge of the first page of the next section. I find that it works best when making your horizontal line to move the index card out past the edge of the Bible so that you know where to stop the line at. When the top pencil line is reached, make the vertical line down the first page of the next section to the line below. Click here to see a picture of what a completed ladder looks like.
• Taking 1/3 of the index at a time, spread out an angle to the right and hold down tightly with the left hand while lettering and strengthening the lines. All pen strokes must be made straight up and down or to the right to prevent catching on the edge of the page.
• Spread out the whole Bible at an angle to the right and erase the pencil lines with an art gum or soft eraser, making all motions up and down and to the right.

* A section is a book or group of books like those put together in the illustration shown. Note the books that are grouped together in the sections of the index. In some cases all of the books are marked; others are not for lack of space. Groupings are as follows:

• Judges, Ruth
• Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
• Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
• Daniel, Hosea
• Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah
• Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah
• Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
• Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians
• Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon
• Hebrews, James
• Peter, John, Jude

Good luck with your ladder. They are really slick. And most importantly, make sure to spend time with God, allowing His Word to shape and conform you into His image.

Red Hatters

Wow, I couldn't believe my eyes! The Red Hatters had a Fashion Show this morning. I think it was more "show" than fashion. But don't take my word for it, go ahead and click here to see for yourself.

I can't believe that they allow this kind of thing to go on in the church. Bernice must be behind all of this. I was really glad that Bernice let Joyce do most of the talking. Joyce was awesome, as usual!

The hi-lite of the day? 30 women made commitments or recommitments to Christ! Hey, with results like that, maybe we could get Bernice to come to the Men's Steak Out this summer!

Opening Day

With the Super Bowl behind us we can now get on with more important matters. Need I remind you that Major League Baseball's Opening Day is only 52 days away! I've bought my fantasy baseball magazines and I'm studying up on off season moves, pre-season rosters and player evaluation. In the next couple of days I will be signing up for my Yahoo fantasy baseball drafts. And then the countdown begins with the anticipation of the online drafts, then the first Baseball Tonight and then Opening Day!

There's just something exciting about spring time. Spring holds the promise of a fresh start and new birth. The crocus are in bloom, the red bud trees are in blossom and the smell of spring is in the air. The spring time of life always brings anticipation and hope - the hope of a new beginning and the promise of a better future.

In the spring 30 teams dream of a World Series Championship. A team that has not won a World Series in 88 years goes to spring training believing that this may be their year. Miracles do happen. Against all odds, the White Sox beat the best teams in baseball to claim the championship trophy and ring.

29 teams spent the winter anticipating a new season and a better future. In 52 days the President of the United States will throw out the first pitch and a new season will be underway. The Cubs will be tied for the league lead and hope will spring eternal. Opening Day is right around the corner. You gotta love this game!

Creating Space ~ Reflecting Values

Pastor Bob and I spent four days in Dallas last week. We attended a two day conference and spent an additional two days visiting five different church who have or are planning to build or relocate.

We toured seven churches in all. We were a bit on overload by the end of the fourth day! I enjoyed every minute of it, and brought back 650 pictures to document our trip! We saw some impressive churches and facilities. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of some interior shots.

It was interesting to observe the uniqueness and difference of each church. We came to realize that a churches values and vision are reflected by the way they design and use space. We saw space that reflected creativity and color. We experience majestic space, inviting space, connecting space and relaxing space. And then there was some space that just looked fun; like The Tubes at Irving Bible.

Bob and I returned excited to apply what we learned at New Covenant. What space could we create that would help people become wholehearted worshippers, faithful witnesses, caring community members, Christlike models and equipped servants.

It's exciting to dream about what the future holds. A future that is not defined by the nature of our facilities but by the character of those who worship there. We are committed to creating space that reflects our values in order to accomplish our mission.

A Perfect Fit

Cholula Hot Sauce

Who says there is no such thing as a "perfect church?"

As you may know, Pastor Bob and myself are in Dallas for a conference this week. We came down several days before the start of the conference to tour several churches that recently built new facilities. This morning we visited Prestonwood Baptist Church. We arrived early so we decided to have breakfast in their cafeteria. We ordered omelets and were waiting for them to finish cooking when I spotted the collection of hot sauces. And then my eyes caught the Cholula sauce, Bob's favorite. It was then that I knew that Pastor Bob had found his perfect church complete with a food court/cafeteria that serves Cholula sauce!

Not to worry though, I pulled Pastor Bob away from Prestonwood and we will both return to Cedar Rapids late Thursday evening. We are both excited to return and share all that we have learned the past two days. Who would possibly want to serve anywhere else when you already have the best? New Covenant, Pastor Bob and Pastor Kim - a perfect fit.

And by the way, the omelets where delicious!

End of the Spear

I saw the End of the Spear last week. The movie was even better than I had expected. It is well done and tells a timeless story of redemption and forgiveness.

The movie has also generated some discussion regarding the casting of Chad Allen as Nate and Steve Saint. Chad is a gay rights activist and many Christians have been critical of his inclusion in the movie.

Regardless of where you fall on the issue, I encourage you to read the Christianity Today article that explains how the decision was made. Steve Saint takes responsibility for the decision and describes how God led him to keep Chad Allen on the project.

And then Steve Saint makes this incredible statement:
"It is hard to see people have to defend a decision that I was responsible for, for people to have ugly things said about them because of a decision I made. But I have total peace about the decision, and that Chad Allen was the man God intended to act in the movie. I knew that there would be a price to pay for any position I would take on this issue, regardless of the fact that I had not wanted to be involved. I knew one thing for sure: I would rather face the anger and even hatred of people who feel I have let them down, than to take any chance of having to stand before my Savior and have to answer for messing up his plans for Chad."

Steve is more concened for Chad's salvation than for the reaction of angry Christians. After seeing the movie I'm not surprised at Steve's response. Pray that God would use this movie to touch the hearts those who are lost without Christ. I went to the End of the Spear thinking I was going to see a movie about five missionary families. I soon realized that the movie is more about the darkness of the human heart without Christ and how God is able to transform a life that is fully surrendered to Him.

God gave His one and only Son for me, even when I was still lost in my sin. Nate Saint and his family have given their lives for the Waodani people, seeing many come to Christ. Might the message of the cross so mark our lives that we would follow in His steps and that all would know that we are His disciples by our love.

Membership Commitment

Neither snow, nor sleet, nor ice covered roads could keep this group of people away from the Membership Class this past weekend! 57 people fought through icey roads and traffic on Friday night to get to the church. This was one committed group of people!

This is the largest Membership Class in my 14 years at New Covenant! You can click on the picture above to see a slideshow of our weekend. The size of our group made it necessary to hold the class in the Activity Center. The seating arrangement around tables and the use of "huddle questions" helped people to connect with one another in spite of the large class size.

We gave out some awards on Friday night. Bob won the prize for the person who has been attending the longest (25 years), and Charmaine, and Brian and Amy won the prize for those who are the newest (six weeks). It was a pleasure getting to know this group of people this weekend.

Our next Membership Weekend is scheduled for March 24-26. Hopefully the sun will be shining and the temperature will be above 32 degrees! But regardless of the weather, we are committed to growing great lives on mission for Christ! See you at the cross.

Happy Birthday Jason

I can’t believe that you will be graduating in several short months! Wow, the time has gone fast. You have really grown in your faith during the last four years and have turned into an awesome young man. I want to share some words of encouragement as you approach graduation and the next phase of your life! These are some words that come to mind as I reflect on who God has shaped you to be.

Laughter ~ When you’re around there is always laughter! You are always coming up with new nick names, funny sayings or whacky stories. Things are just more fun when you’re around. Keep letting the joy of the Lord shine through you.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Earnest ~ You are earnest in your walk with God. You are serious about your spiritual commitments and your relationship with Christ. Your commitment to prayer and personal holiness challenge others to walk closer to Christ. Keep loving the Lord with all your heart.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Athletic ~ This was an easy one! You love athletics, competition, physical activity and action! You also hate to lose, but that’s another story! God has made you this way. Use your skills and talents for His glory and enjoy every minute of it.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Decisive ~ You are clear about what you think and believe. You may not always be right, but you are always decisive! You give specific instruction and clear direction which enable others to follow your leadership. Keep seeking Christ so that you can lead others in His ways.
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Early ~ You love being prepared. I have always been amazed at your work ethic and how early you would start on your homework assignments! You are always prepared which enables you to give your best effort. Keep seeking the Lord early in the morning and He will prepare you for your journey.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

Realistic ~ You are realistic about your strengths and weakness and who God has made you to be. You have a good sense of who you are in Christ, and you desire to change and grow. God has a special plan for your life. Trust God for big things – He is able!
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:3, 6

Happy 22nd Birthday Jason!

Home Brew

Well it's official, this weekend I joined the ranks of those who roast their own coffee beans. You say you've never heard of such a thing! Well, I hadn't either until a couple of months ago. And then I met Brett Mason.

Brett is a coffee connoisseur. I have always enjoyed a good cup of coffee - Java Creek and Coffeesmiths are my favorite local establishments. Jason turned Sharon and I on to Caribou coffee six months ago and we were excited to learn that we could purchase it at Sams Club locally. Little did I know that I would soon be learning to custom roast my own beans.

Brett has been roasting coffee for some time. I enjoyed some of his coffee so much that my family decided to give me a "starter kit" for Christmas. With Brett's help they selected four kinds of green coffee beans - Honduras Fabio Cabullero, Brazil Fazenda, Java Djampit, and Costa Rica La Candelita.

But the key piece of equipment for any home roaster is the West Bend Poppery II hot air popcorn popper. Believe it or not, we still had one stored away in our basement! Who knows why it hadn't been donated to Goodwill years ago. But by good fortune it found it's way under our tree this Christmas and is now being put back into service. This is taking "regifting" to a whole new level!

With Brett's help I roasted my first batch of beans this weekend. I learned about the different kinds of roast, divits, bean color, chaff, and the second crack. But as much as I enjoyed roasting the beans, I still enjoy drinking coffee even more. I had my first cup of home roasted Java Djampit this morning and it was wonderful!

Home roasted and brewed coffee - one of life's simple pleasures! It's a great way to start the day.

Friends Forever

Ella May Eggert celebrated her 90th birthday with a special party at church on Saturday afternoon. She enjoyed greeting many longtime friends and family. There were enough hugs, tears, memories, and cake to go around for everyone! You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the party.

Happy Birthday Ella May!

Happy Birthday Janet

Our bulletin folders threw a surprise party for Janet Toom last Friday! Janet had to work hard to blow out all her candles! We all agreed that Janet could have another birthday next week. Cake and ice cream on Friday afternoon could become habit forming! You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the party.

Happy Birthday Janet!

Better Together

ABF Training

New Covenant is a family of growing disciples. We are committed to growing both larger and smaller at the same time. And how is that done? We grow larger as people come to Christ and become part of our church family. And we grow smaller through our Adult Bible Fellowships and small groups which allow people to develop a sense of community. Our mid-size and small groups allow people to build authentic, caring relationships.

This morning we had an Adult Bible Fellowship Leadership Training seminar. We had a great time with these 39 ABF leaders. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our time together. It was encouraging to hear how God is at work in the different ABF communities.

There is great power when a group of people love and move in unison with one another. There is no limit what God to do through a people who are committed to Jesus Christ and to each other. By God's grace, we will become that kind of community. We are better together.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9

Welcome Lunch

Welcome mat made by 2nd through 4th graders this morning

We had a great Welcome Lunch today with about 100 people in attendance. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the lunch.

We like to say at New Covenant that there is always room for one more person. That a healthy church, like a healthy family, makes space around the dinner table or family room for one more person. Today we got to practice what we preach.

Pastor Bob and Leesa came to the lunch a few minutes late and all the tables were filled. So what did Bob do? What any family would do. He set up another table and and pulled up some more chairs.

No place to sit down? No problem. We can always make room for one more person. Welcome to New Covenant.

The Night Before Christmas

Josh and his friend, Adam, wrote the following poem as part of a class writing assignment. I think the poem captures the meaning of the Christmas season. We need to remember that the cultural elite did not recognize God's coming in flesh.

The first Christmas witnessed the miraculous birth of a King, but it took place in a lowly manger. Mary and Joseph came to a simple inn keeper who was willing to create space for one more weary traveler. The Christ of Christmas has always been present for those who make room for Him.

Christmas was not meant to be a cultural holiday with tinsel, decorations and gift giving. This cultural imitation of Christmas is under siege and we would do well to let it die a quick and painless death. As followers of Christ who celebrate His coming to earth, Christmas is the day that God remembered us and sent His only son to save us from our sin. Christmas is Christ in us, the hope of glory; and He lives in the heart of every Christ follower.

We worship Him who is worthy 365 days a year, but we will pause on December 25th to remember and celebrate once again the miracle of His coming. In our families and in our homes, let's make room for our King! Might we know the freedom we have in Christ as we serve Him this Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town
Not one room in the Inn, the couple left with a frown
Little did this innkeeper know he turned down The King
But God had a better plan, the angels did sing

They came across a manger; this is where they would stay
Unfit for a Savior, it offered nothing but hay
A humble baby was to be born that night
He would come to die for us without a fight

Word of a King soon traveled afar
Three wise men arrived, trusting God in the star
These men brought great gifts, for honor and praise
But we would worship Him in many other ways

Jesus didn't just come for the rich and the wise
But for the poor, the hurting, and even the ones we despise
He left a paradise in Heaven because of His love for us
To save us from sin, so we could give him our trust

Now this is what Christmas is all about
To give us life, without a doubt
Jesus is a free gift, if you choose to receive
God gave us a choice, to reject or believe

One Of A Kind Creations

We had a lot of fun this evening decorating Christmas cookies. Click on the above picture to see a short slideshow of our time.

What would Christmas be without decorating sugar cookies? Some of our cookie artists were exceptionally creative this year. I'm sure that you have never seen Christmas cookies like these! They are one of a kind creations fit for consumption. They tasted good too!

Silent Night

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

The Sojourners Adult Bible Fellowship had a Christmas social this evening. We enjoyed some great food, a "white elephant" gift exchange, and singing Christmas carols. You can click on the above picture to see a slideshow of the evening.

It was a great time of fellowship and time to connect with one another. The weather outside was cold and harsh. The climate inside was warm and comforting. The Christmas lights that brightly shine in the darkness reminds us that Christ is the light of the world. And tonight because of Christ, all is calm and all is bright.

New Friends

Friends Class

The Friends Class concluded yesterday. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of those who were in the class. Over 25 people attended one of the six sessions but there were about 16 who were present just about every week.

Every Friends Class is special, but this one was exceptionally so. You know that God is at work when you reach the end of the six weeks and you don't want the class to end. It never ceases to amaze me how you can grow to get to know and care for people in such a short time!

New Covenant is a family of growing disciples. God's hand is on our church in a special way. We want to make sure that we share that blessing with everyone God brings into our path. We are a family that is committed to making space for one more person. Help me welcome these new friends to our family!

A Wonderful Day

Children's Choirs

What a great time we had today. The children's choirs performed at the beginning of each worship service. The brass ensemble played Christmas carols in the lobby. And the Angel Tree was a bustle of activity with over 50 gift tags signed out today! It was a day with something for everyone in the family.

It was a day of worship and celebration. It was a day of service and sharing. It was a wonderful day!

O Christmas Tree

Our Tree

Our family enjoyed putting up our Christmas tree on Saturday. Click on the picture above to see a short Christmass tree slideshow. Our family tradition is to cut our tree and set it up on Thanksgiving weekend. Part of the fun for our boys is to run through the tree farm, playing catch with the football.

There is always healthy debate regarding which tree to select. It's mandatory to look for at least 30 minutes before settling on just the right tree. It's not unusual to hear, "How about this one" or "I like this tree" ten or fifteen times during our quest for the perfect tree.

But over the years, I have come to realize that trees are much like people - there are no perfect ones. The "right tree" somehow uniquely combines the things that are important to us - width, color, density, height, and character. It takes some time to select the "right tree," but once you find it, you know it's yours!

I have often thought that it would be easier to purchase an artificial tree. But then I recall all the great memories we have surrounding the selection of our Christmas trees. There was the time that the tree blew off the top of the car and landed in the middle of the highway! And the time that the football hit me in the face as I was cutting down the tree! And then there are the pictures each year with the boys in front of the chosen tree.

And so each year I have concluded that although artificial is easier, fresh is way more fun. And if I have to choose between convenience and memories, I will vote for memories every time. In January our Christmas tree will be turned into compost, but the memories of this Christmas season will live on into the future. There are some things in life worth the effort.

No Greater Joy

Thankful for family

It was the ultimate Thanksgiving for any father - all four of my sons were home to celebrate! Josh and Jon traveled to Chicago with me on Monday to spend time at Moody with Jason. We left Chicago on Wednesday and picked Ryan up in the Quad Cities on our trip back to Cedar Rapids.

As we were traveling together in the van on I-80, I realized that it just doesn't get any better than this! Reunited once again - we are connected at the heart even though we are physically separated by geography. It's an awesome thing to be moving through life together with companions you love!

And today we traveled together again. This time Sharon joined us and we made a trip to Waukon to be with Sharon's family. We visited Sharon's mother who is in the hospital recovering from a broken hip. It made me thankful all over again for my family and for God's goodness to us this past year.

Today we enjoyed the usual Thanksgiving pleasures - fabulous turkey, candied sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and football. But more importantly, we spent time together as family, reconnecting with one another, giving thanks to God for His many blessings. Today on this day of thanksgiving, I have no greater joy!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4

Chicago Visit

Moody Bible

I took Josh and Jon to Chicago to visit Jason and to make a campus visit to Moody Bible. Josh and Jon took in seven hours of class, chapel and Bible study on Tuesday. It was a good slice of campus life including sleeping with the guys on Culby 9! I forgot what it's like living in a guys dorm! We had a great trip. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our visit.

My Favorite Things

Pastor Bob

We had a great Membership Class this past weekend. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the class. It's always fun getting to spend uniterrupted time with new members, getting to know them better. And of course, I love sharing what God is doing at New Covenant, along with our mission, vision, values, history and structure.

The added bennefit is that I get to teach the Membership Class with Pastor Bob. A week ago Pastor Bob talked about 'teaming up' in ministry. We get to do just that in the Membership Class. Teaming up with Pastor Bob means twice as much fun and half as much work!

I was reminded of how much I enjoy teaching the Class with him this past weekend. Pastor Bob had a wedding rehearsal on Friday night, so he was unable to attend. I missed his enthusiasm and energy on Friday evening, which made me appreciate teaching with him all the more on Saturday morning.

Pastor Bob loves Membership Weekends. He tells me before each Membership Class, "Just think Kim, we get to do the Membership Class this weekend!" His enthusiasm and passion rubs off on me and helps remind me of the joy of serving together.

And Pastor Bob was in rare form on Saturday morning. He was full of energy and humor. He was excited because he was getting to do three of his favorite things - enjoy food with friends, help teach the Membership Class, and root for his Ohio State Buckeyes!

Young At Heart

Pastor Kim, Freddie, Howard and Pastor James

I was invited to attend the Young At Heart "potluck lunch" today. The food was fantastic and the fellowship even better! I always tell James that his flock does the best food!

After the meal we took the opportunity to honor Freddie and Howard VanderSchaaf. Freddie and Howard were instrumental in starting the Retired Adult Fellowship ministry over eight years ago. They have been a friend to many, and we appreciate the contribution they have made to New Covenant over all the years. We also recognized and thanked Waldo and Joyce Spencer for their help with the group. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our meeting today.

It was a great time with some great people. It was a great day to be young at heart!

Wholehearted Worshiper

Surrender

We had a great Friends Class yesterday with over 25 people attending either the morning or evening session. What a great group of people!

This week we looked at what it means to be a wholehearted worshipper. We talked about worship style and our philosophy that utilizes a blended approach. I love the diversity, variety and creativity of our times of worship. Every week is different and you never know what to expect! That's the way worship should be - fresh, new, and heartfelt.

How about you? What helps you connect with the heart of God? Where are you at on your journey of becoming a wholehearted worshipper?

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7

A Beautiful Weekend Continued

Jeff and Leah

We were able to help celebrate the wedding of Jeff Anderson and Leah Middleton on Saturday afternoon and evening in Rockford, Illinois. It was a wonderful time to be with family on this special occasion. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the wedding.

Leah was everything you would expect of a new bride. She was absolutely radiant and deeply in love with Jeff. It was a day to remember. A day when family and friends gathered to witness the miracle of two becoming one. Two people coming together to commit their lives to Christ and one another. To love one another the way Christ loves the church. This kind of love is a beautiful thing. Two people - one faith, one hope, one love, one purpose, one Lord. It was a beautiful weekend.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31

A Beautiful Weekend

Elder, Deacon and Equipping Staff Retreat

We had an awesome Elder, Deacon and Equipping Staff Retreat this past weekend with over 25 people in attendance. We enjoyed the new Sill Barn meeting room at Camp Courageous. Click on the above picture to see a short slideshow of the Retreat

Each ministry area shared their vision and strategic goals for the next five years. This fall retreat is always one of my favorite meetings of the entire year! How exciting it is to hear 18 ministry areas share their vision of what the future of New Covenant could look like.

There is nothing more exciting and compelling than being around a group of people who love God, care for one another and are committed to a common mission. Our times of worship knit our hearts to God's heart. And our times of sharing knit our hearts to God's vision for our church. It's a powerful and beautiful thing when people live and move together in unity. It was a beautiful weekend!

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalms 133:1-3

Happy Birthday Sharon

Our birthday girl!

We celebrated Sharon's birthday tonight, complete with brownie cheesecake!

Sharon .... fun loving, committed, adventurous, seeker of truth, servant, multi-tasker, energetic, heart for God, generous, hard worker, faithful friend, caring, and enthusiastic. She is all this plus much more. I am a blessed man.

Happy Birthday Sharon!