Dream Team, 3 Services, Parking and Where Did All Those People Come From?

Heidi, my wife or Hloften, and I were reminiscing last night.  We actually did a lot of reminiscing about the past and dreaming about the future, because Sunday was a bit overwhelming.  It was overwhelming in a good way, but overwhelming nonetheless.  In case you don’t know, there were 245 people in the second service.  Also in case you  don’t know, we can fit about 200 chairs where we worship.

Anywho, we were reminiscing about the same Sunday last year.  During the same Sunday last year, we went to two services, and for the first time ever The Grove did Greenhouse (Children’s ministry) during both services.  (For some nostalgia, read this similar post from last year.)  What a year it has been.  That seems like a long time ago.  So much has happened and there has been so much change.  Now we are less than a week away from 3 services, and I’ll confess a combination of being nervous and excited.

This post is primarily about logistics, but before we get into that, please pray.  Pray that God will continue to draw people to the Grove.  Pray that people who are lost will come and find Jesus there.  Pray that people will draw close to God.  Finally, pray that the numerous logistical difficulties will go smoothly.

The three service times are 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 and it starts this Sunday.  For your consideration:

1.  Consider making the 8:30 service your primary service. Most likely this will be the last of the services to “fill up” this fall, especially in a college student heavy church.  It works great for early risers and people with little ones still taking morning naps.

2.  There is only Greenhouse during the 8:30 and 10:00 service. Limited childcare is available at 11:30 for families serving one service and worshipping one during the 10 and 11:30 service.  Remember this for you and for any families that you invite.

3. Park far away. We will have a parking lot team to help you.  But just to let you know in advance, there is a parking lot behind the Grove, where there is a huge strip mall with a hair salon.  It sounds and looks further away than what it is.  Brahms also allows us to park in their lot in the spaces on our side of the median in their lot.  The cool guys with vest and walkie talkies will be able to help you.  There is also a way to drop off your family and then park (Side entrance)

4.  Serve one, worship one. If you are serving in the Greenhouse, please, please, please come to worship the service before or after.  We want to worship with you and it is good for you to connect with God as well.  3 hours is not long to be at church.  Your kids will be fine and you will be glad that you did.

5.  That reminds me.  Are you on the Dream Team yet? Where are you serving?  We are missing out on you and your gifts if not. Email me today, if you are not and we will find a spot for you.

6.  Be flexible. There is some question in my mind which service, 10 or 11:30 will be more crowded.  Be open to shifting services if it will open spots for new people.  The same goes for parking spaces, picking up your kids, etc.  This is new to all of us.  A church our size with that size building and parking lot is trying something very ambitious by having 3 services.  But if you were there on Sunday, there can be no doubt as to why we are doing it.

7.  Along the same lines, be patient. None of us are experts.  The logistical difficulty that you may have one Sunday, we didn’t want it to happen either.  Let us know how we can do better.  Even better, help us.  If you see a problem, help us fix it, by fixing it.

This is going to be a great Sunday.  We are going to spend the next 4 weeks talking about who God has called us to be as a church.  We will look at the Great Commandments, the Great Commission and focus on 4 words–Worship, Reach, Grow and Send.  Looking forward to going on this journey with you.

Coming soon to a blog near you: Four Service Protocol.  (I think Miller just passed out)