One Church, Two Campuses

Life Notes—November 18, 2010

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”  Psalm 100:1-3 

One Church, Two Campuses

On October 17, 1987, I became a husband.  It was a new and unique experience for me.  Suddenly, my life was not just about me anymore.  It had been joined to another soul, and we had become one life in two people.  In 1991 and again in 1994, I became a father.  I shared the responsibility of caring for, nurturing and protecting precious and vulnerable lives.  I learned new skills and paid attention to new things.  Becoming a husband and father were conscious decisions to expand my life horizons; and for me, they have brought a long string of wonderful adventures to my life. 

But my role in life is not limited to being a husband and a father.  I am also a son, brother, uncle, friend, employer, employee, writer and worship leader, to name a few.  Each role is unique and has its own special demands and expectations.  I may act somewhat differently in each role, but I am still the same person, complete with the same endearing (and annoying) qualities.  How many different roles do you have in life? 

In the early 90’s, after many decades of having two traditional worship services, our church began a third worship service—an informal, contemporary style of service.  It was an attempt by our church to expand its horizons and serve more people.  Several years ago our church added a second campus and a fourth worship service.  Today we have five Sunday morning worship services.  Both campuses and all services have unique features intended to extend the open arms of our church family, helping more souls build relationships with each other and with their Creator.  I find each of my roles in life a unique and special adventure.  And I find each of our campuses and worship services unique and special opportunities to deepen relationships.  But just as I am the same person, regardless of my role; so we are One Church, regardless of campus or worship time.  We have much to celebrate and be thankful for! 

This Sunday we will all worship together at one service, in one location—at the Douglas County Fairgrounds at 10:00 AM.  We will celebrate being One Church with Two Campuses.  Tom and Mitch will share a dialogue entitled, United in Christ.  After the service we will feast at the all-church Thanksgiving dinner.  Come, make a joyful noise, worship, celebrate and be in fellowship with your church family.  Oh, and eat! 

November 28 is the first Sunday of Advent.  Each worship area will have a “Memory Tree,” where worshippers are invited to bring and hang ornaments in honor of one or more loved ones.  Ornaments can be retrieved after Christmas. 

Come home to worship this Sunday.  Strugglers welcome!

Greg Hildenbrand, Life Music Coordinator