7 Reasons yesterday was awesome

Yesterday was one of the best days we've ever had as a church. Here's why:

1. People were set free. Many of us CANCELED THE DEBT of someone who hurt us. And in doing so, we not only set them free but ourselves as well. Anger no longer holds the power over us that it did.
2. Our first ever CONNECTION GROUP FAIR! ->
   This spring STORYCHURCH launches 9 different connection groups. Yesterday was your first opportunity to see each one, to learn about their groups and to get plugged in. If you didn't get to sign up, you can go HERE now.
3. We played Angry Birds. I'm not talking about that guy who plays on his cell phone all service long - we played it from the stage. That was pretty fun.
4. The worship team was outstanding. We have seriously one of the greatest teams on the planet and we are so blessed to have them lead us every week.
5. STORYKIDS continues to be more and more exciting. I am SO IMPRESSED with our leaders, the work they put in, and the quality of ministry they put forward each week.
6. Speaking of our kids ministry - we added two new staff people yesterday to our kids ministry. Shawn and Annie are HEROES!
7. Our DREAM TEAM knocked it out of the park yesterday. I saw people switching roles to cover for others who were sick, greeters standing out in the freezing cold (because the 1>99!), people creatively solving problems and finding new and better ways to do what we do, and never settling for "good enough."

I LOVE MY CHURCH!

What was your favorite part of yesterday?

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Change the World - KIDS

One of the most amazing things to me about STORYCHURCH is our ministry to kids. On any given week, 35% of our church is under the age of 12! That is a significant number - one that isn't common in church world. We believe that God has uniquely positioned us to reach young families and it is incredibly fun to be a church full of little kids running around. The running joke around our church is that you better be careful about what you eat or drink because people often end up pregnant. In fact, there are currently 7 pregnant women in our church right now (though 1 or 2 could be having babies any day!).

Here's what I believe about kids ministry. I believe our kids aren't simply the future of our church, I believe they are our church right now. Our kids are capable of following Jesus, sharing their faith with their friends, and making a real difference in the world. That's why we don't see STORYKIDS as a babysitting service. They aren't simply watching our kids while we do the real church stuff. They are teaching, training, and releasing world changers. Those kids are learning that God loves them, that we love them and that they have something to offer the world as an active part of the kingdom of Jesus.

The second part of our "CHANGE THE WORLD" offering on December 18 is focused on kids. As amazing as our kids ministry is, they have been functioning with old, even broken equipment and outdated technology. Our vision for our kids ministry is to make it one of the funnest, most incredible experiences of a kid's week. Our plan is to update curriculum, technology, check-in procedures, safety, and to really raise the fun and wow factor for our kids. As a parent of three of my own, I want my kids to LOVE their church and to LOOK FORWARD every single week to being there.

The beauty of focusing on our kids with part of our CHANGE THE WORLD offering is that we are investing in the next generation. Our generosity now will have a lasting impact for years to come.

I hope you will join us for this exciting offering together on December 18. Please pray about how you and your family might give generously to see us make a difference in the lives of others this Christmas.

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