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Last week was intense!  It was our first Easter AND it was the first Sunday that we had two services!  In light of what God has directed us to do, I know our staff, Launch Team and everyone connected to Church at the Grove believes that taking the step of having two services is necessary. 

This Sunday may be MORE important!  Why?

God has clearly directed us to lead people to follow Jesus and Make Disciples and one of our primary channels for accomplishing this is our Sunday morning environment.  It is our weekly gathering and its purpose is to provide an environment and atmosphere where people can EXPLORE biblical faith. 

THE TIME HAS COME TO MAKE ROOM FOR MORE PEOPLE!

I cannot believe the incredible response by the people of Church at the Grove to make this happen!  We have been able to mobilize people for set up, hospitality and our children’s ministry in a way to make two services a reality!

THIS IS IT!

I wonder if this is how Moses felt the day before he led the children of Israel out of Egypt!  Could it be the same anticipation that Joshua had the day before he led God’s people into the promise land?  I bet it is the same sort of excitement experienced by Columbus the day before he sailed to discover the New World!  Or………..maybe it is the same range of emotions shared by Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker and the Georgia Bulldogs the day before they won the national championship game January 1981!  Ok, so I digress…….

 What do we do (or what am I doing) with all this excitement?

• Share it!  This is a great opportunity to have some conversations about the excitement at Church at the Grove.  Excitement mixed with Life Transformation is contagious and people respond to it. 
• Invite people to one of the two services.  Take advantage of this transition as a natural opportunity to invite people to Church at the Grove.  Most people come to church through a personal invitation.
• Pray!  Pray for God to continue to use Church at the Grove and the people God has brought to our faith community to reach others with the hope found in a relationship with Christ.
• Join us in serving on a set up, hospitality, and children’s ministry team between now and the end of May!
• Embrace what God is doing in your personal life.  Spend some time in God’s Word (the Bible) and personally experience God’s presence. 
• Don’t forget about our Community Groups and the opportunity they offer to connect with others for meaningful and encouraging relationships.

 Go ahead…….Make the call…………….Get out of the house and walk across the street to talk to your neighbor………who may be “thirsty” for genuine life!

I had the priviledge of taking part in a memorial/celebration service for Mr. Len Terrell this morning.  I am so thankful for the opportunity and blessing of knowing Mr. Terrell.  If I remember correctly, I met Mr. Terrell on a Saturday night when he attended one of our Saturday night services while I was at Summit Baptist Church.  I have to be honest with you, I was a little initimidated when I first met Mr. Terrell.  He was a big man with a fumanchu mustache and he spoke with somewhat of a big roaring voice.  Don’t get me wrong, he was very pleasant and polite. 

I really enjoyed talking with Mr. Terrell over the months as he journeyed through his battle with cancer.  He was the epitome of the southern gentleman.  He spoke with an eloquence and intellect that forced me to spend time in the dictionary following each visit. 

I appreciate many things regarding my opportunity to get to know Mr. Terrell but I will share just a couple. 

He was an encourager to a young, wet-behind-the-ears church planter.  Mr. Terrell’s background is in the United Methodist Church, but it was evident as we shared about Jesus, church and reaching people for Christ that denomination was not a barrier.  He was able to visit Church at the Grove a few months back and he was so encouraging about what we were doing in our effort to share Jesus with people.

You can see the legacy of a man in how his children and family live.  I don’t think I have met people with a greater servant’s heart than Wesley and Sandy Terrell.  They give selflessly and tirelessly without complaining or asking for anything in return.  That speaks volumes of the influence of Mr. Len Terrell!  I loved talking with Wesley’s brother Al and his love for Jesus and the church is quite evident. 

Mr. Terrell leaves a rich legacy in his children and grandchildren!

Funerals/Memorials remind us of what is important.  We are forced to stop working, take time off from school and simply spend time with family. 

Life is short, fragile and easily taken for granted. 

LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU CAN TRANSITION WITH GRACE!