Choir rehearsals have started for the year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being back with the choir. This year and a half has been a tough stretch. I haven't had the weekly contact with them, since most of my time is spent working on the contemporary services in the gym. Phil Woodworth, Christopher Kraus, and Ruth Ann Stovicek have done a wonderful job in my absence, but I have missed my time with the choir.
Yesterday was an especially powerful rehearsal for me, because it was a keen reminder of why God has us in community; why God, in His wisdom created the church as a body. One of our members informed us of an unfavorable medical prognosis. We were all very saddened at the news. But then, a response that could only happen in the body of Christ took place. We surrounded this member, laid our hands on them, and prayed for healing and blessing for all involved.
I was blown away to watch this member receive the blessing of our prayers. I was blown away as I watched our members fervently seek God's intervention on behalf of this member and the family. We all needed this time, and God in his love gave it to us and blessed us.
So how was this evening a display of God's wisdom? God places us in community that people would know Him though how we love each other. Jesus told his disciples in the week leading up to his death;
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
We love each other to show Christ to each other and the world. If you find yourself a part of this church and are looking for that kind of community, please talk to us, Pastor Karl Nockengost in particular, about becoming part of a small group. Through this ministry, we look to find authentic community where God's love can show through our love for each other to the world around us.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
I didn't think the Granny Car was my midlife crisis
Yesterday, I drove home something I never thought I would, a Honda Goldwing!
A friend from the congregation let me know that his father was selling this bike, and at the end of the chain of events, Jen and I bought this 1985 Honda Goldwing (1200 cc, Interstate dress). My uncle Bob has driven a Goldwing as long as I have known him, so I had always hoped to someday own one, I just thought it would be a midlife crisis purchase, or at worse a retirement purchase. It is easy to say that we didn't see this one coming!
So today I spent the morning, and a good part of the afternoon, riding motorcycle in the tri-state area! This bike is ALOT bigger than the bike I drove in college, so it is going to take some time to get used to. Thank you all for your admonitions to safety. Believe me, if you saw me driving, you would laugh!
Happy riding! If you are out, give me a call!
A friend from the congregation let me know that his father was selling this bike, and at the end of the chain of events, Jen and I bought this 1985 Honda Goldwing (1200 cc, Interstate dress). My uncle Bob has driven a Goldwing as long as I have known him, so I had always hoped to someday own one, I just thought it would be a midlife crisis purchase, or at worse a retirement purchase. It is easy to say that we didn't see this one coming!
So today I spent the morning, and a good part of the afternoon, riding motorcycle in the tri-state area! This bike is ALOT bigger than the bike I drove in college, so it is going to take some time to get used to. Thank you all for your admonitions to safety. Believe me, if you saw me driving, you would laugh!
Happy riding! If you are out, give me a call!
Monday, August 10, 2009
oops!
Imagine my shock on Sunday when, on my way to worship, I saw the following sign in front of the door to the gym (our current sanctuary for contemporary worship)...
Some well intentioned public sing poster put the sign up, trying to get traffic used to the new pattern around the building. But the comedy was not lost on me! We may want to move that sign...
Some well intentioned public sing poster put the sign up, trying to get traffic used to the new pattern around the building. But the comedy was not lost on me! We may want to move that sign...
Monday, August 3, 2009
Are we saying what we think we are saying?
I was recently confronted with the challenge of communications, and both incidents involved my youngest son Andrew.
The first incident occurred on the golf course. I took him golfing for the first time last month. Being his first time, success was not the goal, fun was. He hacked his way down the fairways, trying to get comfortable swinging a club. Midway through the round he was getting confident, and decided he wanted to hit the ball as far as daddy. As any golfer knows, when you try to hit the ball far, you tend to "pull off the ball", oftentimes missing it completely, which he was. My appropriate encouragement to him was, "Andrew, keep you head down." Imagine my surprise when his next swing was attempted with his head 15" from the ball. He took me literally! "I kept my head down dad, but that was really hard!"
The next incident happened yesterday, as I was playing badminton with my kids on vacation. Andrew and I were teamed up against Alex and Anna, his older siblings. At a particularly tense moment in the match, I hollered the encouragement to him, "Alright Andrew, let go get em!" He proceeded to charge under the net and whack his brother with his racket! Again, in the mind of a 4 year old that was probably the correct response. (That and he loves any chance to hit anyone with anything. He is four, remember!)
I made the mistake in both occasions of assuming my audience would understand my cliched instructions. He responded based on his experience in a way he thought would honor my request.
After both incidents, I was challenged to rethink how I approach planning worship services on Sunday. Oftentimes we use "insider talk", words like "sanctification, justification, atonement" and phrases, "saved by grace through faith", "Christ's blood covers our sin". The list is endless. While these words communicate strongly to those of us striving to understand their meaning, to an audience with no understanding or background, these words can be quite confusing, without proper explanation.
We are building a new building with the anticipation that many people with limited or no church background will join us at our invitation. It is a challenge to me to make sure the experience they find won't be cluttered with confusing "insider talk", but will provide opportunities for people to experience the Love of God that is waiting to transform their lives.
The first incident occurred on the golf course. I took him golfing for the first time last month. Being his first time, success was not the goal, fun was. He hacked his way down the fairways, trying to get comfortable swinging a club. Midway through the round he was getting confident, and decided he wanted to hit the ball as far as daddy. As any golfer knows, when you try to hit the ball far, you tend to "pull off the ball", oftentimes missing it completely, which he was. My appropriate encouragement to him was, "Andrew, keep you head down." Imagine my surprise when his next swing was attempted with his head 15" from the ball. He took me literally! "I kept my head down dad, but that was really hard!"
The next incident happened yesterday, as I was playing badminton with my kids on vacation. Andrew and I were teamed up against Alex and Anna, his older siblings. At a particularly tense moment in the match, I hollered the encouragement to him, "Alright Andrew, let go get em!" He proceeded to charge under the net and whack his brother with his racket! Again, in the mind of a 4 year old that was probably the correct response. (That and he loves any chance to hit anyone with anything. He is four, remember!)
I made the mistake in both occasions of assuming my audience would understand my cliched instructions. He responded based on his experience in a way he thought would honor my request.
After both incidents, I was challenged to rethink how I approach planning worship services on Sunday. Oftentimes we use "insider talk", words like "sanctification, justification, atonement" and phrases, "saved by grace through faith", "Christ's blood covers our sin". The list is endless. While these words communicate strongly to those of us striving to understand their meaning, to an audience with no understanding or background, these words can be quite confusing, without proper explanation.
We are building a new building with the anticipation that many people with limited or no church background will join us at our invitation. It is a challenge to me to make sure the experience they find won't be cluttered with confusing "insider talk", but will provide opportunities for people to experience the Love of God that is waiting to transform their lives.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
1st (hopefully) annual Stein Family Triathlon
This Spring, Anna came up with the idea of doing a family triathlon. So we decided to try one on this year on vacation. This afternoon, we left the house and headed for the Glenwood beach to start the triathlon.
Daddy, Alex and Anna started with the swim, about 150 yards from the shore to the far tower and back.
The five us then did the run, about a half mile around the Chalet.
The Daddy, Alex and Anna finished the day with a 4 mile bike ride to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
The ride was followed by Gatorade, an awards show, in which everyone was recognized for their particular area of specialty. We also received our family triathlon t-shirts! This was followed by a victory supper at Wendy's in Alexandria, and Ice Cream at the Glenwood Dairy Queen.
We look forward to next years triathlon, when we hope to swim a little farther, run a little faster, and bike a little stronger.
Daddy, Alex and Anna started with the swim, about 150 yards from the shore to the far tower and back.
The five us then did the run, about a half mile around the Chalet.
The Daddy, Alex and Anna finished the day with a 4 mile bike ride to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
The ride was followed by Gatorade, an awards show, in which everyone was recognized for their particular area of specialty. We also received our family triathlon t-shirts! This was followed by a victory supper at Wendy's in Alexandria, and Ice Cream at the Glenwood Dairy Queen.
We look forward to next years triathlon, when we hope to swim a little farther, run a little faster, and bike a little stronger.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Jen kicks it at the Waterama 5k
I am so proud of my wife! We are currently in Glenwood, MN, my hometown. This weekend is Waterama, our community festival. They had a 5k run this morning which she ran in. She ended up finishing in 2nd place in her age catagory, with a time of 23:25. Way to go sweetie! It was a lot different than the Philly half marathon, but fun was had by all.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
So Much to Update!
Well, we are officially flying! As I told you in the last post, the sink is in and operational. We have been doing dishes, and life is getting back to normal.
We were also able (Daddy, Mommy, Alex and Anna) to put in the new microwave. Carl sent it up with Seth, and amazingly enough, we were able to follow directions and get it mounted AND running properly!
Daddy was able to get the dishwasher put back in place and hook it up, and as soon as the electric is hooked back in by the Joe's, we should have an operational dishwasher. (Other than Jen! :} )
Carl and the gang were over today and got a very exciting piece of the project done. They got the countertop cut and laminated for the peninsula. It looks amazing, and exactly what we dreamed it would be. In fact, I am writing this post seated on a stool pulled up to the peninsula!
Daddy was so excited, that when we got back home from supper and a movie (Night at the Smithsonian), he got crazy and hung the last remaining cabinet, the long one over the peninsula, with Alex and Mommy's help.
Alex was very excited, and gave the countertop its first test dance!
Carl taught us well!
We are getting close to completion. We have to put the back piece on the peninsula, the put the back splash on, the flooring down, and paint the walls. Daddy still has one coat of mud to put on, but all in all we are coming along great. We will send more soon!
We were also able (Daddy, Mommy, Alex and Anna) to put in the new microwave. Carl sent it up with Seth, and amazingly enough, we were able to follow directions and get it mounted AND running properly!
Daddy was able to get the dishwasher put back in place and hook it up, and as soon as the electric is hooked back in by the Joe's, we should have an operational dishwasher. (Other than Jen! :} )
Carl and the gang were over today and got a very exciting piece of the project done. They got the countertop cut and laminated for the peninsula. It looks amazing, and exactly what we dreamed it would be. In fact, I am writing this post seated on a stool pulled up to the peninsula!
Daddy was so excited, that when we got back home from supper and a movie (Night at the Smithsonian), he got crazy and hung the last remaining cabinet, the long one over the peninsula, with Alex and Mommy's help.
Alex was very excited, and gave the countertop its first test dance!
Carl taught us well!
We are getting close to completion. We have to put the back piece on the peninsula, the put the back splash on, the flooring down, and paint the walls. Daddy still has one coat of mud to put on, but all in all we are coming along great. We will send more soon!
Friday, May 29, 2009
The sink is in and operational
Yesterday's task was to hook up the sink, both the water in and out, and I am happy to report that it was successful! In fact, I am on my way home to do a load of dishes with my wife!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
More Progress on the kitchen!
Carl, Seth, Jim and Rob have been going gangbusters this week. We were able to get all the lower cabinet bases in the peninsula anchored to the floor and level, which was no small thing. The HVAC duct comes up in the end cabinet, and that cabinet sits on the joint between the hardwood floor and the new kitchen floor, which gives it a little roll. Carl the expert got it fitting tight to the floor with no roll. On top of that the base is airtight to send the air out the duct, as planned. Carl is the man!
The Joes then showed up and hooked up the electrical, which meant the outlets now work, and the recessed lighting worked as well.
Rob took care of the drywall mudwork, twice! There were some tricky joints between old and new sections, but Rob got it looking great. While he was doing that, Carl, Seth, and Jim made the countertops for East Wall (the one with the sink/dishwasher/lazy susan) and the small cabinet between the stove and the fridge.
Today, Carl, Jim and Seth put the Fermica on that countertop, and laid the sink in place. Sam got home from work and hooked up the stove.
The spacesavor microwave oven came in today, and we will put it in shortly. We will keep you informed!
The Joes then showed up and hooked up the electrical, which meant the outlets now work, and the recessed lighting worked as well.
Rob took care of the drywall mudwork, twice! There were some tricky joints between old and new sections, but Rob got it looking great. While he was doing that, Carl, Seth, and Jim made the countertops for East Wall (the one with the sink/dishwasher/lazy susan) and the small cabinet between the stove and the fridge.
Today, Carl, Jim and Seth put the Fermica on that countertop, and laid the sink in place. Sam got home from work and hooked up the stove.
The spacesavor microwave oven came in today, and we will put it in shortly. We will keep you informed!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Kitchen Installation, part 2
Well, it has been a busy week in the kitchen! Carl, Seth and Sam were busy getting things done. We started by putting some of the cabinets up on the wall.
Carl and Seth worked on the plumbing, so it fit into the sink cabinet.
And the duct work for the space saver microwave.
By the end of today we had the hanging cabinet all in place (save the one over the peninsula), the sink base secured, and the lazy susan in the corner leveled out.
Carl and Seth worked on the plumbing, so it fit into the sink cabinet.
And the duct work for the space saver microwave.
By the end of today we had the hanging cabinet all in place (save the one over the peninsula), the sink base secured, and the lazy susan in the corner leveled out.
Where we sit so far!
Tomorrow we will set the rest of the floor cabinets, and after some drywall work, we will hang the last cabinet over the peninsula. Then we will work on the counter tops. It has been an amazing trip! I enjoy learning how this comes together.
Carl has been amazing! The neighborhood kids love him! Erin stopped over today to give Carl a school picture. Sterling stayed on the deck for a couple hours watching.
We will get some more pictures up tomorrow. Love you all!
Tomorrow we will set the rest of the floor cabinets, and after some drywall work, we will hang the last cabinet over the peninsula. Then we will work on the counter tops. It has been an amazing trip! I enjoy learning how this comes together.
Carl has been amazing! The neighborhood kids love him! Erin stopped over today to give Carl a school picture. Sterling stayed on the deck for a couple hours watching.
We will get some more pictures up tomorrow. Love you all!
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Kitchen Project, Day One
Today it started! 8:30 this morning Karl, Seth, I and the Joe's (Sr. and Jr, the electricians) started working on our kitchen. Today's progress, we stripped the entire kitchen; Old cabinets, drywall, and flooring.
The electricians then went to town! They ran new wiring for new outlets in the proper locations, put in 4 recessed light receivers, and ran new wires to the fuse box. In the process we discovered that the fuse box was not functioning properly and needed to be replaced/updated. The Joes will take care of that early next week.
After that, Rob, Karl's brother-in-law; helped us put down the new flooring, and insulate and drywall the kitchen.
To finish the day, Karl and I unpacked the base cabinets and put them roughly in place, and moved the hanging cabinets in from the deck. Tomorrow we will hang the wall units, and rough in the plumbing, all that worked around a trip to Central Baptist for an outreach event. Here are some pictures.
The electricians then went to town! They ran new wiring for new outlets in the proper locations, put in 4 recessed light receivers, and ran new wires to the fuse box. In the process we discovered that the fuse box was not functioning properly and needed to be replaced/updated. The Joes will take care of that early next week.
After that, Rob, Karl's brother-in-law; helped us put down the new flooring, and insulate and drywall the kitchen.
To finish the day, Karl and I unpacked the base cabinets and put them roughly in place, and moved the hanging cabinets in from the deck. Tomorrow we will hang the wall units, and rough in the plumbing, all that worked around a trip to Central Baptist for an outreach event. Here are some pictures.
Before Demolition
After Jen knocked out the the upper cabinets
The Joe's took care of all electrical issues
Demolition Crew
Wiring progressing nicely
Lunchtime for the crew!
Taking up the old floor
Drywall going up, floor already in place.
Drywall done, working on the plumbing
Putting the cabinets "roughly" in the right places
Andrew takes care of the empty boxes.
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