How exciting!?!
That's all I can think as I reflect back on the previous week. The move in and clean up efforts over at The Mozart House have been filled with smiles and laughter. I'm so thankful for the way that everyone is pitching in and helping out. And what an awesome first worship gathering!!! There's just nothing like having members from our church family approach the mic and share of how God is moving in their lives. I can honestly say that I've never felt more of a bond with my church family.
Looking ahead, there are a few items of note.
-You can expect coffee to be served at the bar every Sunday morning from now on
-Friday night fellowship will be at The Mozart House every week until further notice as we will spend our fellowship time after dinner cleaning our new home.
-Teresa Barber has stepped up to organize child care during our worship gatherings. Please contact her if you are interested in helping out with this. 724-640-9981
-We are looking to organize a food rotation for Sunday mornings to serve muffins or other small breakfast items going forward. Would you be willing to oversee this? Would you be willing to contribute one week of the month? If so, let me know.
-The plumbing issues should be completely repaired today. We should have functional bathrooms and sinks as early as this afternoon!
Thank you all for your willingness to serve and for your flexibility as we settle in to our new home. Please continue coming forward with your ideas and suggestions, and don't forget to bring some guests with you to our worship gatherings. There's no better time than now to show your friends who The Way is and what we're all about.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
An important note about tomorrow
Hello friends,
What a huge and busy week this has been for The Way. Tomorrow's worship gathering is going to be wonderful! The teams of people who have given of their time to help with clean up and preparations for Sunday morning have done a phenomenal job. Layers of dust are gone, and the fresh smell of spring cleaning is in the air. Please make arrangements to be there tomorrow, and bring your friends. Our first days in our new home is going to be a huge success!
And one important note, there is a minor plumbing issue that is currently being corrected. Unfortunately, it may not be completed prior to tomorrow's gathering. Therefore, it is important for you and yours to use the restroom prior to coming to church. We may not have running water. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding with this matter.
Grace and Peace be with you.
What a huge and busy week this has been for The Way. Tomorrow's worship gathering is going to be wonderful! The teams of people who have given of their time to help with clean up and preparations for Sunday morning have done a phenomenal job. Layers of dust are gone, and the fresh smell of spring cleaning is in the air. Please make arrangements to be there tomorrow, and bring your friends. Our first days in our new home is going to be a huge success!
And one important note, there is a minor plumbing issue that is currently being corrected. Unfortunately, it may not be completed prior to tomorrow's gathering. Therefore, it is important for you and yours to use the restroom prior to coming to church. We may not have running water. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding with this matter.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Frances Chan video
Frances Chan is the senior pastor of one of the biggest churches in America, and in this video he shares that God has called him in a new direction to leave his mega-church to start a new church. The vulnerability and humility with which he speaks has touched my heart unlike anything else I've ever seen regarding church leadership or church planting. If you're facing a large step of faith and need some inspiration to move forward with God's call, watch this video. It's been an immense blessing to me.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Francis Chan is stepping out in faith... from Catalyst on Vimeo.
Grace and Peace be with you.
Friday, April 16, 2010
We now have a home
It is with great excitement that I write to inform you that the deal is done. The Way has a home. We have reached an agreement with the owner of The Mozart House. Our first worship gathering in our new home will be Sunday April 25th.
Here is some information that has already been requested by some:
Q) Do we have any needs as we move into The Mozart House, and how may I donate to see that those needs are provided for?
A) Yes, there are many items that will need purchased (trash cans, toilet paper, paper towels,hand soap, and bigger ticket items such as signage and the handful of things that need to be repaired as we move in. If you'd like to contribute to The Way to help cover the cost of these items, then feel free to do so by dropping your donation into the offering basket during our worship gatherings or mail it to The Way, P.O. Box 361, Latrobe, PA 15650.
Q) What needs to happen between now and our first worship gathering?
A) A whole lot of praying and cleaning.We'd love to see everyone pitch in to make The Mozart House spotless for April 25th. Also, we appreciate your prayer for a smooth transition into our new home.
Q) Will this move change the time of our worship gatherings?
A) Perhaps, but not for the forseeable future. We will continue gathering on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am.
Q) What are the specifics of the deal that was reached between the owner of The Mozart House and The Way?
A) The details of the deal will be shared this coming Sunday morning at our final worship gathering at L.E.S.
Thank you all so much for the prayer that you put toward this matter of business. God moved in wonderful ways throughout this process, and I'm eager to share more about that this Sunday.
Grace and Peace be with you!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Letter from Allison
This is simply the best email I've ever received:
"Mark,
We've come a long way, Pastor. We've come a long way. On the night of my arrest and attempted suicide you held my hand and told me that Jesus had answers for all of the questions I was asking and that, if I gave him time, he would provide some answers. I remember thinking you were an idiot for saying that, or a liar at least. Little did I know in that moment that your time and presence was showing me the love of Jesus for the first time. As you know, we prayed together that night, and I invited Jesus into my heart. I've never been the same since. I've often marveled at the unspeakable love of a savior who would so thoroughly warm the cold heart of a suicidal, heroin-addicted, teenage prostitute. Some people have called this love unconditional. But I don't know what to call it anymore. It's healing, divinely destructive, unrelenting, and exceptional in every way. Praise God for this love.
I write to you, Mark, to let you know that I am now 8 years 4 months and 21 days sober. And now with the completion of my degree in Christian studies, and the daily practice of seeking the answers that you once told me I could find in the savior, earlier today I became a legally ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And not only that, I also start my new job on Monday. I will be working as a chaplain at a recovery facility for female substance abusers. I can't wait to hold their trembling hands and assure them Jesus has all of the answers to the questions they're asking, and that, if they'll give him time, he will come through with some answers.
Please read this my testimony during the prayer time at The Way's worship gathering this week. Please ask The Way for prayer concerning my ongoing recovery, my new ministry, and, concerning the author of this letter, tell them this:
My name is Allison. I am a heroin addict, a lover of Jesus, a recipient of grace, an ordained minister of the Gospel, and a walking resurrection.
Grace and peace be with you, Pastor. For we have come a long way. By grace, we have come a long, long way."
"Mark,
We've come a long way, Pastor. We've come a long way. On the night of my arrest and attempted suicide you held my hand and told me that Jesus had answers for all of the questions I was asking and that, if I gave him time, he would provide some answers. I remember thinking you were an idiot for saying that, or a liar at least. Little did I know in that moment that your time and presence was showing me the love of Jesus for the first time. As you know, we prayed together that night, and I invited Jesus into my heart. I've never been the same since. I've often marveled at the unspeakable love of a savior who would so thoroughly warm the cold heart of a suicidal, heroin-addicted, teenage prostitute. Some people have called this love unconditional. But I don't know what to call it anymore. It's healing, divinely destructive, unrelenting, and exceptional in every way. Praise God for this love.
I write to you, Mark, to let you know that I am now 8 years 4 months and 21 days sober. And now with the completion of my degree in Christian studies, and the daily practice of seeking the answers that you once told me I could find in the savior, earlier today I became a legally ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And not only that, I also start my new job on Monday. I will be working as a chaplain at a recovery facility for female substance abusers. I can't wait to hold their trembling hands and assure them Jesus has all of the answers to the questions they're asking, and that, if they'll give him time, he will come through with some answers.
Please read this my testimony during the prayer time at The Way's worship gathering this week. Please ask The Way for prayer concerning my ongoing recovery, my new ministry, and, concerning the author of this letter, tell them this:
My name is Allison. I am a heroin addict, a lover of Jesus, a recipient of grace, an ordained minister of the Gospel, and a walking resurrection.
Grace and peace be with you, Pastor. For we have come a long way. By grace, we have come a long, long way."
What a week!
Hi friends,
What a wonderful week it has been behind the scenes for The Way. There's been a lot of work for this coming Sunday's worship gathering (at Latrobe Elementary School), the kickoff of the Breaking Free study, and tons of time spent on The Mozart House deal. It is SUCH an exciting time for us. We are coming off a blessed holy week and a record attendance from our Easter Sunday worship gathering. Jesus is alive. He is working on our behalf. He is moving in our midst. And we are positioning ourselves to do the work that He has given us with all authenticity and effectiveness. Tell me...how could this be any better?
Looking forward, here are a few items to know and keep in prayer:
1) Our leadership has a meeting scheduled for Saturday afternoon to have what could be the very last negotiating meeting for The Mozart House deal. Please keep us in prayer.
2) If you had books ordered for the Breaking Free study, they are in. Contact me or Kathy Falat to get them. Also, if you missed the meeting, you can still see the video portion of the study. This is very important to the weekly lessons. Please let Kathy know if you would like to see the video.
3) This Sunday's worship gathering is one that I personally am truly excited about. The prayer and work that has gone into it has left me with a great sense of anticipation. Please help me cover this Sunday's gathering in prayer, and plan to join us at L.E.S. It's going to be great!
4) This is the final Sunday of our Shampoo and Toothbrush collections. Marcelle will be picking them up from me sometime after the gathering. Please help us bless the Scottdale food pantry by making a donation.
Grace and Peace be with you.
What a wonderful week it has been behind the scenes for The Way. There's been a lot of work for this coming Sunday's worship gathering (at Latrobe Elementary School), the kickoff of the Breaking Free study, and tons of time spent on The Mozart House deal. It is SUCH an exciting time for us. We are coming off a blessed holy week and a record attendance from our Easter Sunday worship gathering. Jesus is alive. He is working on our behalf. He is moving in our midst. And we are positioning ourselves to do the work that He has given us with all authenticity and effectiveness. Tell me...how could this be any better?
Looking forward, here are a few items to know and keep in prayer:
1) Our leadership has a meeting scheduled for Saturday afternoon to have what could be the very last negotiating meeting for The Mozart House deal. Please keep us in prayer.
2) If you had books ordered for the Breaking Free study, they are in. Contact me or Kathy Falat to get them. Also, if you missed the meeting, you can still see the video portion of the study. This is very important to the weekly lessons. Please let Kathy know if you would like to see the video.
3) This Sunday's worship gathering is one that I personally am truly excited about. The prayer and work that has gone into it has left me with a great sense of anticipation. Please help me cover this Sunday's gathering in prayer, and plan to join us at L.E.S. It's going to be great!
4) This is the final Sunday of our Shampoo and Toothbrush collections. Marcelle will be picking them up from me sometime after the gathering. Please help us bless the Scottdale food pantry by making a donation.
Grace and Peace be with you.
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