NOTE: In 2005 LifePoint Christian Church moved to the YMCA. Next Month, March 2013, our church family will move to a home of our own. I posted this back then on my Xanga blog….. and it still applies today! Are you ready to worship?
5:15am quick shower shave and COFFEE, HAVE TO MAKE THE COFFEE!
5:30am I got the truck loaded: — keyboard….okay! — bass….dont need it, I am not playing today — gig bag…okay! — Bible….okay! — Me….well, maybe okay
PIC: That’s Shawn on the drums (oops, can’t see him in this pic), Greg on the guitar, Laura on the Keys, Dave on Bass, Pastor Phil on acoustic (when he’s not playin’ his Tele) and Becky on BG Vocals. Oh man, PJ’s hidden behind Phil in this Pic….He play’s a mean Les Paul!
And’t it’s off to see the wizard…er..Pastor Phil (Who’s idea was it to get this stage anyway?)
6:00am We arrive at the YMCA. It’s cool out, still dark and, the YMCA Gym is huge, ominous and empty……soon it will be transformed into God’s house! We start setting up the stage. Tim, Grant, Phil and I….one of a few teams that lead this transformation each and every Sunday!
6:30am Hector arrives with a smile (where does he get that thing so early in the morning?) LOL
6:45am The rest of the “crew” begins to show up. We gather in a circle, hold hands and slow down to pray and thank God for each other, this wonderful day, safety and….please, God, let everything work!
7:45am All the equipment is up, the lighting is still going up, we start to get ready for line checks…check the mics, check the instruments….where’s the other band members? The drummer has his drums up and ready to play. Wow, allot is happening!
8:00am SOUNDCHECK! The band is there, behind their instruments and ready to play. James, Zack we need more Phil in the Monitors…Phil says, “James, Zack, I need more ME in the monitors”, no….. more bass….no……more keyboards…more vocals….more BACKGROUND VOCALS……..LET’s DO IT! Thanks James….the monitor mix is AWESOME! Nikea, Joel, ya got the media ready to go? Great! let’s go!
8:15am RUN THROUGH…….awesome…when I’m not playing I get to be an “audience of one” and just sit there in praise and worship before anyone else even arrives. Hector and his crew are putting the finishing touches on the lights…focus center stage….blue and red back lighting…..AWESOME job Hector!
9:15am Prayer with the whole band and worship crew. I have to stop a second here and say this: We have the most awesome worship crew on the planet! I see over twenty people with hearts that shine for God! Who dedicate so much time and effort to Him! Who really care about creating an environment that might just open the door a little to a heart that needs God! WOW! Okay… our prayer is full of smiles, humble hearts and a genuine attitude of servanthood and worship…Amen….we all place our hands together in a circle….1….2…3…..WORSHIP! You can hear or words echo through the gym.
9:45am The YMCA (now God’s Sanctuary) is ready to go, the stage is set, everything is in place. There is a sigh of relief as we take a moment for reflection before the sevice. God will do the rest.
10:00am The first chord sounds as arms raise, hearts race, and voices lift in adoration to our Father! Song after song of sincere worship. I here clapping, beautiful voices…I see arms lifted in the air. Bodies gently swaying unison, and hearts lifetd up. I know that God is smiling!
10:20am Steve, our Lead Pastor begins to speak. I see a transparancey, a relevant heart with a relavant message as he speaks to our hearts about the love of our Savior. Today’s message is number two in the series, “The Incredible Marriage”. God has raised up a powerful man!
11:00am The service is over, hearts gather at the Stir Cafe in the back of the sanctuary for fellowship. The room is abuzz with smiles, hugs, and a sincere love for each other. What a powerful day and what fun it is. I feel each Sunday like we are having a big family get together.
11:30am We tear down, and have allot of fun doing it. We are still putting the last remnants of the stage and “God’s House” when people start arriving to throw hoops. The basketball courts are open! I can’t help but feel tired, yet refreshed, it’s been a great day at home with our Father. What is wonderful, at least in our church, is that we all commune with our Father all week. Sunday is just the picnic we throw for Him!
12:30am I am home, have unloaded my truck…..I sit in my easy chair with a smile, often drift off to a nap so I can get up and start all over again. Another week of 24-7 Worship! Thank you God!
I am told often by new people coming to LifePoint that they are so glad they found us. I know that we are a church that thinks out of the box……most of all, I know that we are just a bunch of folks that love God with a tremendous passion.
