Well, here we go!  Easter weekend starts NOW!  The 40 hours of prayer have been amazing – our time of prayer will lead directly in to our Good Friday Communion Service.

Good Friday Communion Service at 7 PM is going to be special this year.  This will be a service talked about for years and I know that it is going to prepare our heart for Easter Sunday. 

So much of life is getting “Me” out of the way and letting God do His thing through me.  This is how communion helps me tremendously. 

Saturday is Spring Clean-Up at FC from 8 am to 1 pm.  Good news!  I’ve heard this morning that the rain is stopping at 9 am.  There will be FREE coffee and donuts!  You can help us out by bringing yard tools with you.  If you don’t have any, that’s OK…be here anyway, we have extra tools for you!

Spring clean up is a great way to help FC make a great 1^st impression for Easter.  It’s also a time of connection for many people.  Lots of friendships have grown out of Spring Clean Up at FC.

Sunday is Easter@Fellowship!  One BIG service at 10:30 am.  The kids will be starring in our service countdown – it’s very creative and a lot of fun.  Please be here early on Easter!  My advice would be to leave the house 15 minutes early so you don’t miss a thing! 

I’m so proud of how you have all been inviting friends and family.  Some of you have leveraged Twitter and Facebook.  Way to go! 

Do your best to make it easy for your friends and family to come to Easter at FC.  Offer to take them out to lunch, or have them over for breakfast before!  Offer to pick them up or point them to our website! Leverage your influence!

It’s still not too late to invite someone.  And if God has placed someone specific on year heart to invite – my advice would be to invite them ASAP.  There is nothing like obedience!  You won’t regret it!

The Celebration begins TODAY!

Who have you invited to Easter@Fellowship (April 12th at 10:30 am) so far?  My goal is to bring 5+ people with me, you up for the challenge? Most people will take you up on the invitation.  Real research to back that up is found here

Check it out!

1. It’s in my weakness that I’m strong. When my numbers were out of control I began to wonder how I was going to be able to manage with this condition. So much affects one’s blood sugar – not just diet and exercise; but sleep and stress among other things as well. It was in a moment of panic that God spoke to me that He was in control. That my MOST important task is to cultivate my relationships with HIM. When I am aligned with Him I am able to give my worries to Him, my frustrations to Him…my weakness to Him. He can more than handle it. As a matter of fact, I have NO CHANCE of being healthy unless I trust and rest in Him.

Can you relate? If so, check these verses out…

God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 1 Peter 5:7 The Message

Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:30 The Message

My grace is enough; it’s all you need. 
 My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
2 Corinthians 12:10 The Message

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT

Here’s a few thoughts rummaging through my head after one great weekend!

• Long day, but great day at FC!
• Baptism, LIFE Trax 1 and Communion
• God is doing some amazing things at FC!
• If January is any measure of what 2009 is going to hold – hang on to your seats!
• We had over 10 people baptized on Sunday – Yea God!
• Baptism services are becoming an event at FC
• I love looking around the room on baptism Sundays and seeing how everyone just “gets it” – that changed lives are important – it’s why we’re here!
• The “Living Proof” band did such an amazing job leading us into worship – thank you guys – I appreciate it!
• It was neat to see members of the LP band do their thing and then be baptized. Wow!
• I had students say to me that morning — “This is my church!”. I tell you what, that makes my day!
• I had adults come up to me and say, “I’m so proud of our students!” – That makes my day!
• Everyone did such a great job inviting friends and family to the service
• Next baptism is Sunday, May 3rd – there are already 7 people lined up to be baptized!
• We had 5 people go through our membership seminar – LIFE Trax 1!
• I love leading this class – I get to hear great stories of how meaningful FC is to people
• I get to vision cast about FC as well – I love doing that!
• Had a great time at Communion on Sunday night
• Tenell did a great job leading us into communion – thank you Tenell!
• First time we had a place for the kids as well on Communion – thanks Lara and Gang for volunteering
• Next Communion service is Sunday, February 22nd – Mark Your Calendars!

I can’t wait for Scott Anderson to be with us on Sunday, February 15th! You will not want to miss this Sunday – remember to invite friends and family to this great opportunity.

Below are some thoughts on Sunday…

• Fellowship Church just rocks! You guys are TRUE New Englanders!
• It was great seeing everyone after TWO weeks – it felt more like a month. Man, I’m really attached to you guys!
• Great service, great spirit!
• We added 40 extra chairs in the room for the new year and it snowed!
• Vicki kicked it – great job leading us into and through worship
• Band sounded great – even without a base guitar; way to go guys!
• Talked about having a New Start today – Phil. 3:12-14
• I think it was the best message I preached all year ☺
• I’m convinced God is going to do some great things through FC in 2009; He already has!
• One of our church members led someone to Christ RIGHT OVER THE PHONE this week!
• Last Friday in our Student Ministry Friday night program (LP) – 11 students made a commitment to baptism – 3 invited Christ into their lives.
• We had 4 adult first-time guests on a snowy day! Way to invite!
• We had some people sign up for LIFE Trax 1 (Membership) and Baptism
• Invite some friends and family for next Sunday….you won’t regret it!
• New year; New Start!
• I’m powering down a little now and watching some championship football…

Can’t wait for Sunday at 8 pm. Any other 24 fans out there?

Here’s some thoughts and doings of this weekend…

• Went to the mall with the twins on Saturday…just the three of us
• Guess who we saw at the mall!  Don’t know how many years we have left of this, but it’s a lot of fun

• Began our Christmas shopping together while mom was at work!
• Dunkin Donuts for Breakfast!  Does it get any better???!!!
• Best shopping tip in the world – be there when the stores open and you won’t wait in lines, they are EMPTY – Be finished by Noon and you have the rest of the day to yourself!
• I heard this tip from Tiger Woods years ago – Great advice!
• The boys had a few friends over Saturday night – they had a blast
• Can anyone say flashlight tag????
• Looking for a good family gift?  Best board game – Apples to Apples!
• Sunday at FC was just great!
• God is really blessing FC – “someone’s” not happy!
• Kicked off our Christmas Series today – “In the story of Christmas – Who are You?
• Before there was Luke 2, there was Luke 1
• Zechariah and  Elizabeth’s life story is really amazing!
• Lots of new faces today!  Way to go FCers!  Best inviters in NE!
• The drama and media team did a great job to make today fantastic!
• Worship team and band – thanks for leading us into worship!
• God knows what you are going through – and He cares!
• God’s plans are bigger than our plans!
• If I live for His will I can be a part of something way bigger than me!
• I’m really honored to be your Pastor!
• The PATS won!!!
• Played “Go Fish”, “Old Maid” and checkers with the family tonight!  What a blast!
• I swear it’s the simple things that make life fun!

Here we go with the weekend wrap up again!

• Saturday was great!  I actually was able to catch up on things around the house. 
• Our family had dinner with Missionary Ralph Done – It was great!! 
• I learned so much sitting and talking with him.  I wish all of you were there! 
• Favorite question of the evening:  “What was the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten (remember I have  12 and 14 year old boys).  Answer:  Kitty cats, puppies, snake and monkey brains – yes, MONKEY BRAINS!
• FC rocked again on Sunday! 
• Missionary Ralph Done did a great job telling the story of the hope the world has in Christ!
• He showed a clip of the movie, “The Guardian” – that’s next in my Netflix queue now
• He really challenged us and expanded our vision for meeting the needs of children throughout the world.
• His story about the children of Mongolia really got to me
• We had FIVE first time adult guests who filled out a Communication Card; I saw a whole bunch of others who I’ve never seen before! We’re praying for 10 a week! 
• Get this, THREE people accepted Christ as their Savior on Sunday!!! – FC is a place where faith comes to life!
• Looks like we’re ramping up for a short term missions trip.  There seems to be a lot of FCers pretty interested!
• If you’re interested in going on a short term missions trip call the church office and we’ll put you on a list and talk to you more about it: 860.346.1181
• Looks like Missionary Ralph Done will be back in May for “MANNA Sunday!”
• We’re beginning a dialogue about the missions trip – we’re shooting for Summer of 2010
• You guys really came through for the local non-profits this years, thank you for the food donations for Thanksgiving and for the towels and linens for New Horizons Women Shelter!  You’re making a difference!
• I’m really honored to be your Pastor!
• See you Sunday for Communion!
• Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s some thoughts from one crazy weekend…

• Stayed up til 2 AM Saturday morning playing video games with Jonathan.  I was winning, I never win against him – there was no going to bed!
• We celebrated the twins birthdays on Saturday – Back to Back!
• We all woke up early and cleaned the house in hopes of fooling everyone that it always looks this good around here
• Each one invited 8-10 kids to their party.
• Jillie’s started at 10:30 AM – Stephen’s kicked off at 1:30 PM
• Girl parties are less chaotic than boy parties
• Girl parties are less messy than boy parties
• Girls took 25 minutes to eat their meal; the boys took 3 – that is NOT an exaggeration
• If we didn’t have help from our older sons and the moms and dads who stayed – we would have never pulled it off – it was hysterical
• There was a 30 minute window between parties – we could start our own show, extreme party makeover.  We’re talking new place settings, streamers, food – the works!
• I took a nap after the parties
• Sunday was absolutely incredible!
• This was the first time I was excited to talk about money
• I’m convinced people want to know what God has laid out as Biblical principles for money management
• Two characteristics of those who follow God:  they are confident and fearless!
• Threw out the 100 day Tithe Challenge
• 15 families accepted the challenge to begin tithing!
• I love how the people of FC are FEARLESS
• Had 5 adult guests today plus kids!
• We gave away more than 100 “The Treasure Principle” books today – Merry Christmas FCers!
• Fired up about missionary Ralph Done being with us THIS COMING SUNDAY November 23^rd  
• No doubt, FC is a place where faith comes to life!

We’re celebrating the twins birthday Saturday — back to back parties.  It’s gonna be crazy!  Their real birthdays land on Thanksgiving this year!  Yea, TWO parties this year!  Whatdayathink of this idea for “cake”?