On a Sunday, no less. I know – you’re amazed. I just wanted to share a few things about today, before I head home from the church. And I’ve already been told that I have to be ready to leave as soon as Youth Group and Financial Peace are over. You see, tonight is the Survivor finale. We’re huge Survivor fans. Actually, this season has been somewhat of a disappointment – no one that we’re really pulling for. At this point, I guess we like Bob (the old guy who keeps winning while looking like an emaciated Concentration Camp victim) or Sugar (the blonde pin up model – whatever that is).

Okay enough of all that – I need to get on with our weekend. Let me just say that Friday night was a blast! It was our Adult Christmas Party at the church. Over the years we’ve had our party at lots of different places and restaurants. This year, to save everyone money, we decided to have it here and have a potluck dinner or covered dish dinner (whatever your tradition calls it) and not charge anything. And you know what? I’m glad we did. There was plenty of great food and we had so much fun! We did have a lot people who couldn’t make it because of other commitments or sickness, but we also had several new people who joined us. The thought actually crossed my mind that maybe this thing had run it’s course and next year we just push the party toward our Small Groups, but after Friday night, I’m sure we’ll do it again. Gag gifts that got a lot of play: Victoria Secret gift card, Lottery tickets (they actually won $30), Atari, and a voice changer. Again, lots of fun!

On Saturday, Wes took a group of our students to serve the underprivileged of our community by helping out Without Walls Ministry. They had a great event downtown at Hampton Park where they gave away clothes, food, and other services. My kids had fun serving. But I do have to tell you about one thing that happened. My son Christopher doesn’t have a cold bone in his body. I think he wore shorts and flip flops to church today. Well that’s also what he wore yesterday at the event (it was cold – at least for Charleston). A woman approached him and told him not to be embarrassed and go get some clothes that they were giving away. She thought he was homeless. My wife felt vindicated. She’s been telling him that people would think that for a while.

On Saturday night we went out to the Beam’s Small Group. They invited us to their Christmas party and gift exchange. We had a lot of fun and ate way too much. In case you’re wondering, I’ve eaten like crap for two weeks! But that ends now! I’m back on the wagon. My good friend and fellow weight losing Pastor, Scott Gamel, has been my inspiration to get back in the groove! I’ll let you know how I’m doing. By the way, most of our groups take a break over the holidays and we make a big push again at the first of the year. If you’re not in a group, you’re really missing out.

Okay, today was awesome. We had lots of 1st & 2nd Time Guests. The first service was kind of average as attendance goes. The second service rocked it out. We ran out of bulletins in the second service – had just enough! It’s amazing what a difference twenty or thirty people make as far as my preaching goes. We’ve been tweaking our service, and although we’re probably not done yet, I’m liking the changes. I also love it that we’re the type of church that when we need to change something – we do it. Simple as that. Love preaching about the Christmas Story.

We had the largest Newcomers Lunch we’ve ever had today! 27 adults! Not counting kids or my family – 27 adults! I love telling our story. It’s really a story of God’s grace. Hold on to your fork Coastal, the best is yet to come!

Hey one thing that I need to ask of our folks. If you’re a regular attender here, I need you to start parking in the big field by the Youth Room side of our campus. We had a major traffic jam on the Auditorium side – good problem to have. We really need to keep that side for guests and newcomers. By the way, if you’ve been to the Newcomers Lunch, you’re no longer a newcomer. Let’s keep making room for new people. That’s why we exist – to keep reaching out to people who are far from God! Well that’s about it. I need to pack up my computer and my stuff and be ready to walk out the door or I’ll never hear the end of it. (I think I’m getting an early Christmas present tomorrow! I’ll let you know later! iWonder what it could be?)