Hope - Our new Family Member.

Hope "The Highways Kitten" (as she was nicknamed) was found June 14 near the side of a road of a farm new Route 66. She was seen by Kris Gillaspy and rescued by her son, Josiah (9). In the temporary time she was at the Gillaspy home - she survived 2 territorial cats, 5 kids, a stalking golden retriever, chickens, oblivious goats and a heavy footed man who dismissed her poor orphaned self.

She was adopted by our family on June 28, 2011 ... eagerly awaited by my three children.

Currently she (according to the vet) is 8 weeks old

WOW – What a Sunday!

This past Sunday – we had the Children sing – (A preview of our VBS songs) and then 2 of our church own children sing solos. We also had Baby Dedication and Grad Sunday. Then in my sermon – I literally washed my own children’s Feet on stage. (Passage was on John 13) Needless to say the day was full. (WE were even having lunch for the church afterwards)



And in the midst of all that …one of our young people – decided to be baptized. Her grandfather got to baptize her. How cool is that? (I even got tears in my eyes due to the fact of this young lady’s story and her being the same age as my oldest daughter)



I’m still recovering from Sunday. Pictures to come soon!



As Phil. 4:4 reminds us – Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.

Carpet, An Organ, and What God is doing.

I leave for a few days and great things with our facility have happened. Remember the church "Facility" is just a tool - the church is the people.

Let me list a few things though:

1. Our classroom wing hallway got painted and updated. (One of our deacons helped paint)

2. New carpet is being installed in the foyer and hallway down the classroom wing. (Someone decided to donate $$ to get it done)

3. We got $$ to repair the damage for our breakin a few mths back.

4. The teen room got new seating donating. A Great new long sectional couch. (Looks new and matches the new paint job there)

5. We donated our organ and piano to a ministry that was just sitting there in the back Music room (Next to my office). Story was we had an organ and piano for over 2yrs sitting there doing nothing and we tried to sell with no luck. Out of the blue we get a call. A man, named Jim was interested (Heard about it from the guy who use to service our organ). He came and checked out the organ. (Played it - first time I heard it played). They wanted an organ for their fellowship Hall - willing to haul it away, service it, and give us a donation. So it will be used in a church building and ministry.,\

Jim had mentioned that he might have someone interested in the piano as well. Long story short: His wife was the one who wanted the piano for their Nursing Home (where she works). She called me. After introducing over the phone ... I figured out who she was. (We recently donated 3 dozen hymnals to her "Chapel" there where one of our congregation's members is residing at that home in Chambersburg, PA) So the piano is going to a place where a lady who has been in a Nursing home for some time. What a small world, yet God is doing some great things.

6. One of our young men, DJ, did a great job preaching yesterday.

I'm still recovering from my trip. We gave an update on Hope Missions, Diamond Willow Ministries and this Sunday will give the church a glimpse into Jeff and I's perspective and how God used us.

God is amazing.

Church Snow Policy!

This is getting ridiculous. The Canadian in me is loving this snow, but why on the weekends! Driving the minister in me crazy!

Here's our snow plan at CCHMD: we don't cancel church. Even if it's the worst storm in history! We're gonna have church no matter the snow total. Obviously, we don't want anybody to endanger themselves. But we're planning on holding services unless the roads are closed.


Stay tuned and spread the word. Check our Facebook Fan page for updates (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Church-of-Christ-at-Hagerstown/86047452244?ref=ts ) or email for updates!

IDES, Haiti and You!

This past Sunday we gave out tons of these banks for people to collect $$$ for Haiti.

Here is IDES' site


If you know of a local ministry or need more banks - let us know. We have several hundred of them here.

Feb. 7th is when we're collecting the banks and sending the money to IDES.

Thanks.

The Fess Family Heritage

I always Found this site
Interesting. Back in the 80s (And Special Thanks to My Aunt Marion) I did alot of work and history of the Fess family and all the various links of Hoovers, Houses, Schweyers, Hares etc. Here is a Brief History from my DAD. (Which I was always told there was a Family Bible with the History in it and the story of the 3 brothers before I found this website - and both from the same area.)

So here is the History I gather. (And interesting enough is the American History and American connection as well) My relatives came over from Alsace-Lorraine to land in Phillie, PA and migrated to Rainham Twpship in Southern Ontario in 1847.

Solomon Fess (1804 - 1848)


His Son

Peter Fess 1832 - 1911

His son

Henry Fess 1857 - 1932

His son

Walter Leslie 1894 - 1970

Then My Dad

Sheldon Fess

Then me.

Anyone else know their family History? I don't know why my family left. Might be interesting to learn that and any connections back in Europe. I know I have alot of the other variables filled in as well but this is a very simple overview. You can make it as complex or as simple as you need it to be. My assumptions is that Solomon was either one of the brothers or relative of the brothers .... and went further North from NY.

Just Bigger Kids.

People been asking how I like being the preacher, as opposed to the Youth Minister. Sometimes it comes across as "so, how do you like having your own church?" My response usually is: "Oh, the church really isn't mine and I don't have my own church ...it is Jesus'"

And then it turns to the changes in my role. Then my response is that the ministry is different. I just work with Bigger Kids. That isn't a bad thing. We have all sorts of people. I love the congregation I serve. Every church has its own unique challenges and ministries and little personalities.

The congregation I serve has come through some much pain and hurt. Their journey in a lot of ways reflects my own life. The church had started off good, then one of their leaders passed away and they went through their own periods of UPs and DOWNS, and learning things the hard way. I've been there. Experiencing my own Father's death and others changed my life and thus learning through the school of hard knocks. (Fact is the church and I are both learning through that school even now)

One thing I can honestly say is I love the ministry. I love these people. I hurt for them. I pray for them. I see Great potential. I see God working. I so appreciate that they trust and honor to have me as their preacher. I'm just a jerk, whose trying to be Jesus' Hands and feet and so often fall short. I'm so glad for this church to allow me to experience failure, to get up off my hands and feet and try things again. My prayer is that I live up not to Their expectations ... but the expectations that God would have me do and for the people here to be living for Jesus as well.

Won't you Join me?

Our Christmas Greeting.

My Graphic Artists

My daughters recently gave me some Artwork for my office. I'd thought to share it with you to brighten your day!

"General" Lee in the Arms of Jesus.

Obituary


This past Sunday was a tough Sunday for me. I got word prior to our services that just a few hours ago a man who we baptized at 85 3wks ago had passed away. I saw him in the hospital just less than 2wks ago and was released. I usually called him when he was missing church. He started coming to church this past year by invitation of a friend and mentioned he hadn't been in church since he was about 18. His story inspired our children to see him baptized. Recognizing it is never too late to follow Jesus. Some nicknamed him "General Lee." He was well loved and thought of. I knew of his military background but didn't even know he received the Purple Heart until after his death. Born on Christmas Day in 1923 and now in the arms of Jesus.

Continue to pray for our church and his family in this time.

The pictures above are on his baptism on November 15. He's smiling with me and being baptized by my friend, Dan Franklin, who invited him to church.

8 Excuses People Give For not Attending Church

So I read this Article
on 5 Reasons (They actually have 8) people don't goto church.

Got me thinking of Dan Kimball's book: They like Jesus, just not the Church


But the really shocker is most excuses come from so-called Christians.

So let me attempt to answer these excuses.


1. What do I wear? Seriously dude? Come naked. OK. Don't come naked, but just wear what you normally would (Minus the thong). Church isn't a comparison Dress up game but rather who you are and what you want to be. It is more than clothes.

2. Why would I want to come to church; it is the only day I can sleep in? Seriously? You sleep in until 10am? I gave that up when I went to college. There is also this wonderful invention - called the Sunday Afternoon nap. Most guys do it in the Fall while watching NFL when their team is losing anyways ... so you should try it sometimes.

3. I can worship God at home by watching that TV preacher or out in the Woods. But do you? Most people who use this don't do this - another lame excuse.

4. But I understand the church and its styles. Neither does everyone else. It is called learning.

5. There are too many hyprocrites there. Always room for one more. The only difference between those that are the church, and those that aren't Christians - is Christians have accepted Forgiveness.

6. I don't like the style of music. Don't worry, neither do I. Style changes. It isn't about you; nor me. It is about God. It isn't about hymns, contemporary, non-contemporary, traditional, grunge, blended. Worship is about God. It is more than singing. Singing can be a part of worship but in and of itself is not worship alone. Worship shows what and Who you love. Worship is always changing.

7. There is nothing for my family. No students my son's age - so he can date girls (I actually got this one) For small churches and medium sized there is a catch 20. too small to be big; and too big to be small. People Church shop. Unfortunately. Well, super Walmart mega church down the street has an awesome this and that - why don't you? And I'm like - well, thanks ... I'm so glad you think we need that ... why don't you head that up? (Silence). There is lots for people to do if they want to get involved rather than just sit on the sidelines. Whiners and complainers need not apply.

8. See Better things. (This goes along with #7) People always think the Grass is greener. The problem is all churches are messy. No church is perfect. (If they think they are - RUN AWAY). The problem though becomes it (Seeing things better) sometimes turns into a bashing of the bride of Christ and turning her into a prostitute rather than the Bride she is. You see the Kingdom of God is bigger than any one church; and any one congregation but is a part of the Body and the Larger Universal CHURCH.
We have to be willing to make a less than desirable situation better and great. See the optimism in the situation rather than giving up hope and just throwing in the towel and going down the street to Mr. Super-walmart Church that we think has it all together when it doesn't either.

Are there people that need to leave and go to another church? Sure. Some people just aren't going to be satisfied no matter what and in a new context might thrive. I'm just glad that God is still molding, making, refining the congregation where I am at - included myself - messy disciple at all.

What Excuses have you heard? Any others you would add?

Here are some I found amusing


and the 180 more


and excused used in a sermon Illustration

How to Share Your Story as a Part of God's Story (your Testimony)

Can I get a witness?

One of the things I get asked about is sharing one's testimony. Do you have one?
How does one go about sharing it?

Here are Three components I would include in one's story (testimony) as a part of God's story.

I. Share what your life was before you became a Christian. (Whether you were raised in a Christian home or not) Don't go into too much detail or overdo it. The reason for this is sometimes others falsify or stretch the truth and tend to glorify Satan's work rather than God's. (Pet Peeve: I've heard a lot of people share their testimony and spend about 90% of the time talking about Rock N Roll, drugs and Sex and less than 10% on the rest)

II. Share how you became a Christian. Use scripture. Talk about God's grace, forgiveness ... when you became a Christian. Celebrate it. For me I use the phrase:

Saved by Grace, through faith - I repented, confessed, in immersion (Baptism) unto Good works. Some use the Roman Road; others the Wordless book etc. Be creative.

III. Share what God is doing in your life right now. There are lots of stories here.

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We should Reflect on the past, but don't stay in it.

Live in the present. Make the most of every day.

Strive for the future. Have a passion, vision for the hope of which we've been given.

So how about it? What is your story?

Top Ten Things you can do on Youthworker Appreciation Day!

Today: Sept 6th is YouthWorker Appreciation Day. Here are some things you can do:

1. Write an encouraging note to a fellow youthworker.
2. Send him or her a free subscription to the Journal of Student Ministries.
3. Offer to buy them some resources for their own personal library. (Goto the Christian bookstore to do this today)
4. Give them a gift card to their favorite place. (Tickets to sporting events works too)
5. Offer to babysit their kids.
6. Buy that ever so important office knickknack for their office or home.
7. Have all the students sign a banner or card telling them how important they are to the ministry at the church.
8. FREE Food.
9. Ask what they may need. Get involved in their lives. Share your story and how important and valued they are to you.
10. Write on others' blogs on what you did. (Even tell Marko
Make it a surprise and dream Big!

Our youthworkers love God and love those students. Let's show them that We love them too!!