we got talent! November 28, 2007

Check out the most recent pictures I added on flickr. I am completely blown away by the talent we have at NewSpring. We have two amazing ladies who are the most talented designers ever. They have been the brains behind the amazing Christmas designs in the atrium. They along with about 30 other amazing selfless volunteers have been here at 9 am every morning this week until about 7:30 pm each night. These pictures intentionally do not show much of the final product. You will just have to wait until you walk in on Sunday to be wowed! I will put the full view pictures up after Sunday services.

God is so good. He always provides the talent to take it to the next level at the perfect time. Do not ever underestimate the talent and ability of the people in your church. I just stood looking around the atrium today thinking to myself how I could never do what has been done. And then I looked over and one of our great volunteers is singing Christmas songs as they are decorating the tree, another is outside painting ornaments, another is cutting snow strings. They each served with so much joy this week. It takes each and every one of us and the talent we have to make it all happen. Thank you for sharing your talent with others. I can’t wait for you to see this.

Today and this week November 25, 2007

Today at NewSpring was great!  You can read more about that here. Several Volunteers really stepped up today to make the 7000 t-shirt pass-put happen with style. Yes, I said 7000. We gave every adult who attended NewSpring a Christmas t-shirt. Thank you to all of the volunteers who served with us today.

It was really cool to see all of the volunteers wearing their Impact t-shirts today. I love the visual and excitement that it creates. We will do this every once in a while. We will announce when in Sunday meetings, e-mails, and on this site. So, be on the lookout for the next Impact Sunday.

We will be turning the lobby into a winter wonderland this week. We will be moving the decorations from the old true temper building starting at 9:00am in the morning, unloading it at the church, and assembling it all day tomorrow. We will be decorating the tree and the rest of the lobby all week. There are lots of opportunities to be a part of this transformation. During the day every day this week and on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings until about 8pm we’ll be hard at it. If you are interested in being a part of this you can e-mail suzanne.swift@newspring.cc and let her know when you’re available. It’s going to be a fun week.

It’s such a pleasure serving along side all of you guys. Thank you for serving so selflessly. You are making the name of Jesus famous. Don’t ever stop spreading the love.

thankful November 24, 2007

So, it’s been a few days since I’ve posted, but I’ve had an amazing time with my family. I wanted to totally focus on them over thanksgiving and I’ve had such a good time. Last night we were out in the yard putting Christmas decorations up. We looked like the Griswald’s. I had a broom and ladder hanging lights in our tree. We all came in smelling like smoke from our little fire pit we had in the driveway that we sat in front of while we ate our papa john’s pizza. We decided this year to get a real tree so we went tree shopping and let the kids pick one out. They went with the skinny, tall one against daddy’s interest in the full. I think it’s the skinniest tree we’ve ever had. But the kids love it and it did not take me two hours to put lights on it. I love my family and I’m so thankful for my wonderful husband and three beautiful children. I hope that all of you had a great thanksgiving with your families. I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow.

Don’t forget to wear you Impact T’s tomorrow. If you did not get one yet we will have them available in VHQ.

What fun that was November 18, 2007

Impact Celebration 2007 was full of music, laughter, and cookies and ice cream sundae’s. What a fun night it was. We have the most amazing volunteers in the world and it was such a pleasure to serve them last night. I would also like to say that we have the best staff. Not only did all the staff pitch in through the week with the preparations, last night they were parking cars, greeting, ushering, cleaning, and serving ice cream. We really wanted the volunteers to leave last night full of joy and understanding the impact they are making for Jesus. The Band played some great songs and Perry shared from his heart his appreciation for the volunteers. We gave away some awesome prizes, played some fun games and as every volunteer left they received an Impact t-shirt and some gift certificates. Thank you for a great time.

For the volunteers that could not be there last night come by VHQ tomorrow or by the office this week to get your gift. I will also be posting some pictures of the event this week for you to see.

Next Sunday, November 25th, lets represent the NewSpring volunteer ministry and wear our Impact shirts as we serve. Even if you serve on a weekday team, wear your shirt to church.

For those that were there. Be Full!!! Love you guys.

Well Done November 15, 2007

How do you show appreciation to 2100 of the most incredible people in the world? You say thank you. But, then you’re thinking in the back of your mind, “do they really understand how much I mean that?”. My calling for volunteer ministry is driven by a passion placed in me by God. That passion is the source of my appreciation and excitement for your life and ministry. While my gratitude is nice, God’s glorification is extravagant. When you serve with a selfless heart you illustrate the love of Christ and bring Him honor. There is something in the experience of serving that will fulfill you that is hard to describe. You will see ministry and your walk with Jesus in a new light. Perry shared an e-mail from a volunteer about this. I am confident that my “thank you” is just the icing on the cake compared to God’s “well done my good and faithful servant”.

A church that honors Jesus is one filled with selfless, passionate Jesus loving servants who are crazy enough to really love people where they are. Thank you for you.

How do you see ministry different since you’ve been volunteering?  How has your relationship with Jesus changed?

Impact – Opportunity November 14, 2007

We are wrapping up our preparations for this Friday night’s Impact Celebration 2007. We will start rockin at 7pm and conclude with some fun desserts. We have some awesome prizes to give away along with something for every volunteer that you will need on Sunday, November 25^th. Please RSVP to Suzanne.swift@newspring.cc if you have not already done so. If you’re a NewSpring volunteer, you don’t want to miss this.

The week of November 26^th we will have many opportunities for you to join us as we decorate the atrium for Christmas. We will begin on Monday by loading the truck at the old true temper building and moving it here to the church. It will be unloaded and the tree will be assembled. For the remainder of the week we will be decorating throughout the day and in the evenings. We would love to have as many volunteers during the day as possible but if you are only available in the evenings that’s great too. If you’re interested in participating in making the atrium a winter-wonderland, please e-mail Suzanne.swift@newspring.cc .

Thank you all for serving along side us here at NewSpring. God is using each of you in a huge way to Impact lives for Him. Thank you for your obedience and your passion.

Who do you know? November 9, 2007

 Who do you know that serves along side you at NewSpring?  Have you met anyone on the greeting team, the parking team, in children’s ministry, anyone who’s a Home Group leader.  Volunteer ministry is a relational ministry.  Not just between the volunteers and those we serve but also between each other.  Our connection with one another will build us up so that we can build others up and reach our full potential in ministry.  Our relationships with each other provide encouragement in our every day lives and accountability in our walks with Jesus.  I challenge you to introduce yourself to another volunteer that you do not know for the next two weeks.  Comment here to let me know who you met.

What pumps me up the most about what I get to do at NewSpring is my relationships with you.

November 16th November 8, 2007

If you’re a volunteer at NewSpring, don’t miss this night of celebration.  All of our amazing volunteers should have received your invitations by now, if not please let me know.

You’ll leave with joy, a happy tummy, and something you will need for Sunday, Nov. 25th.  See you there.  Love you guys.

Lifestyle change November 6, 2007

Lifestyle - A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group.

Our past, the way we were raised, the habits we form from selfish desires, our personal life struggles, our physical challenges can all mold our Lifestyle.  It’s easy to reflect on these things and let them hold us back.  But, we all have a choice.  We can live a life of reflecting on our past or let our life reflect Christ so that we can truly live.

As my husband and I venture off on this healthy eating and exercise kick we’ve used the phrase “It’s a lifestyle change” many times.  As parents of three kids under the age of 6 and both being in full time ministry, eating and exercise has always just taken a back seat to life.  We have always been the worst at planning meals, cooking, and making time to exercise.  We always would take the easy way out and eat out for lunch and dinner and just not exercise.  We never thought about how our choices were a reflection of our attitude and values to our kids.  We never came together on the decision to pursue a healthier lifestyle until about 5 weeks ago.

When I think about the phrase “A Lifestyle change”, I think about how becoming involved in your church can also be a Lifestyle change.  I  know it was for me and my husband eight years ago.  The thought of serving at church was almost comical to us.  We felt under-qualified, not worthy, and not holy enough.  But, through actually attending NewSpring the first time a Lifestyle change began.  We learned to put God first in every area of our lives.  We had to come together and choose that we would jump in even though we had no clue what we were doing (and still don’t).  We gave up more sleep, a self-centered schedule, unhealthy friendships, working late hours, arguing over little things, and crying ourselves to sleep.  We found that a lifestyle centered around self is not a life at all.  We chose to let God direct the life He wanted for us.

I want a Lifestyle change for every person in this community.  Serving is an introduction to selflessness that I hope to see grow in every volunteer and your ministry become a reflection of Jesus in every area of your lives.  As a volunteer you are the sermon illustration every week.  As people get to hear about Jesus from the stage, they get to see a reflection of Jesus in every other area of the church.  Does your Lifestyle reflect a fruitful service for Christ?

Do you need to make a Lifestyle change?  How have you experienced a Lifestyle change?

NewSpring Volunteer question November 2, 2007

Do you have any questions about the volunteer ministry here at NewSpring Church?  Post them here and I will do my very best to get you the answers.