A Month & a Day Away
Tomorrow marks one month from our first gazebo service. I’m really looking forward to it this year, as I’m excited about what I’ll be sharing. It’ll be a series called “Off the Map” about finding Jesus in unexpected places, and it’ll be geared towards all of those people who think that God has written them off. We all know people like that…he people who think lightning would strike the church building if they ever walked in…the ones who, deep in their hearts, think God couldn’t possibly be near to them because of ____. Fill in the blank. When we open the Gospels, what we find is Jesus in some pretty unexpected places, in some pretty unexpected situations, with some pretty unexpected – unexpecting – people. I’m looking forward to it.
So seeing as it’s about a month away, I want to echo what I said on Sunday. Through September 6 (the last gazebo service),
I’m asking you two things:
Pray for the gazebo services.
Please make it a habit over the next 2 months to pray for our summer gazebo worship services. Pray for new people to come and give it a chance. Pray for those who are traveling the Hudson Trail, playing on the playground, or walking their dogs – that they’d hear a word from God that they need. Pray for our volunteers who pour out their time and sweat for these services. Pray for good weather. Pray for God’s Spirit to be present and powerful. Pray for our witness in town to be one that faithfully points to Jesus. Pray for me as I prepare messages, for our deacons as they pray prayers, and for our musicians as they lead music. Pray for our teachers and kids volunteers. Pray for those who are hesitant to come to a church building but might give outdoor worship a try. Pray for one another – that our invitations and encouragements for our friends, family and neighbors to come will actually land.
See to it that someone new comes.
I know it’s impossible to guarantee this, but try. Studies – and anecdotes! – have shown that people are more willing to try church than we imagine, but they’re often just waiting for the invite. So I’m asking you to invite them. Sometimes people are hesitant to come on their own, so try offering to pick them up or meet them in town and walk to the gazebo together. Sometimes people just need that little extra. Once we get Facebook advertising and events up and going for it, like and share them. If you have an Atlantic Highlands area lawn on a high traffic road, put a yard sign on your lawn (we have them in the office). But nothing is better than the personal invite. So pray about it, be courageous and bold – and invite!
I love doing these services, and I hope that you will too.