Where's God?

When my now 4-year-old was a new talker, we'd be driving around Lincoln and he'd ask, "Mama, where's God?" and I'd reply, "Everywhere."

This semester, my lack of a science class with a lab requirement caught up with me so I've been immersed in Geology 101 in the interest of graduating in May. I dreaded the class all summer because there's a huge difference between Political Science and, well, science. Turns out it's been one of my favorite classes this semester. Rocks are cool. Earth is super cool. All the stuff going on in and around the planet: all of it very cool. When I told Mace that God was everywhere, I hadn't really thought about what that meant.

"God rocks," I say often. But this semester, I've seen God in the rocks. And that's awesome.
LMF

Technology, teens and grace

I sat behind three teen-aged girls at church today. Typical for teens living in 2007, they were more interested in texting than listening to Pastor Steve, but I told myself I was happier that at least they were sitting in church...it's a start.

Then came the last song and the slide went up while Jamie was talking about Chris Daughtry from American Idol and his song, "Home." The girls were shocked when they saw what song was coming up, as in, Daughtry at church? More than one raised eyebrow was seen, then Jamie started to sing. Then their phones came out. Videos on. Yep. These girls videotaped Jamie's cover of Daughtry. Awesome. When was the last time you saw that at church?

So if you see Jamie Brown on YouTube, don't be too surprised. Others may raise an eyebrow or two and wonder what kind of church brings Daughtry in the house. Maybe that wonder will be what it takes to get them to come find out for themselves. Maybe Daughtry will be a bridge between someone who knows rock stars but not the Rock.

The next time you see teens at church playing with cell phones, remember grace and remember that bridges can be built the traditional way or we can use modern technology and modern music.

Rock on.
LMF

I am the church

Pastor Steve's comment today really struck me. "Do you want to go to church or be the church?"

To be honest, I do like to go to church. I like that weekly connection with friends, I get to touch base with ministry partners, visit with my HOMEies (if you don't know what those are, get yourself into a HOME group!), I get to worship MY way and Steve always gives me a thing or two to think about. I don't like to miss Sundays.

But Steve did make it clear that "going to church" cannot be everything for us. Being the church requires a little more time with fewer people. If it weren't for those extra hours with the few, frankly, I wouldn't have anyone to talk with on Sundays and that wouldn't be the same experience.

I am the church. How about you? If a HOME group is your next step, shoot an email to info@horizonschurch.org and our new coordinators will get you set up/hooked up/and ready to go.

LMF

Feels like Home

Sunday is the start of a new series, "Feels like Home." Remember the Acts 2 church members, how they lived life together...they were like a family that not only worshipped together, they hung out, had dinners, visited each other's homes, supported those who were down and needed help...it was more than community, it was a dynamic and growing family.

Pastor Steve will be highlighting our HOME groups these next few weeks, which is our way of incorporating Acts 2 into the culture of Horizons. If you're not in a small group, this is the time to get more information and consider taking that next step. There will be people to talk with about HOME groups each week in the Atrium.

It's also a good time to invite a co-worker, a neighbor, your extended family or friends you know who don't regularly attend church. Check out the evite feature on the web site. Do you know someone who is looking for a church that feels like home?

See you Sunday,

LMF

After the Ranch - What's next?

As I write this, there are exhausted people working to get Horizons back to its "pre-Ranch" status. If you're able to manhandle our chairs in the worship center, you're invited to show up tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m. to help convert the three sections of chairs back to our usual four sections.

Last night and most of today was spent cleaning up the building and tearing down the decorations. Avalanche Ranch is history. But is that it? Is that all there is? Do we now set aside all that excitement for God until next summer?

You don't have to. Our children's ministry is a year-round ministry and VBS is five days out of that year. If you enjoyed being a part of VBS, come visit DiscoveryZone any Sunday. Talk with our new Director of Children's Ministry Lisa Heinert. The excitement of the past five days doesn't have to end. You can be "Jumpin' in the House" all year long.

LMF

Avalanche Ranch - God is in charge!

Hey ya’ll, Erin here. All is now said and done here at the Ranch and it has been quite an adventure. I am sitting outside the church with my computer making sure Bob and Karl follow through with their promise to spend the night on the roof. If you haven’t already heard we reached our goal of 350 kids. 358 to be exact. So with sleeping bags in hand Bob and Karl headed up the ladder and are planning to spend the night in their tent, praying that they won’t roll off.

A lot is still going on here at the ranch. Karl is already threatening to go home. Kaitlyn just called the Journal Star to see if they would come out and interview Bob and Karl. And there are still a few crew leaders and crew coaches in the church, continuing the clean-up efforts. Clean-up will continue tomorrow at 8:30, with a BYOD (bring your own donut) breakfast. Feel free to join us if you can. Plans for next year’s VBS will be revealed after all the décor has been taken down.

Tonight was another amazing night filled with laughter, jumping, worship, fun and a few tears (many of them mine). A huge THANK YOU to all the 200 volunteers who served at this year's VBS, it would not have happened without your dedication, love and desire to make God known to our kids. I also wanted to give a special shout out to Derek for all of his many hours of hard work and planning to make VBS what it was. THANK YOU, Derek.

From all the Dutters we want to say thank you to everyone at Horizons. Your hugs, prayers and warm wishes have helped us to know that we will be “held-up” during this transition. We have cherished our time here with you and God has blessed our family through you. The video you put together for Tony and me was amazing, it touched our hearts in a way that it has never been touched before. But no need for tears, we promise to be back so much that most of you probably won’t even know we are gone.

Hope to see lots of you on Sunday with smiles on and no talk of goodbyes.

Peace out!
E

PS- Bob and Karl say good night and see ya next year.

Who's in the House?

God is!! "JP" here just back from the Ranch. I’ve been searching for the spark, the excitement, the spontaneity and energy many of us associate with Horizons. I found it at Avalanche Ranch tonight! Woo-Hoo! Of all the things that Horizons does, this is by far our best ministry. The kids, our community and perhaps ourselves (more on that later) benefit from attending and supporting Vacation Bible School. It’s relevant and it’s vibrant. The opening session was fantastic, rock’n the house as we say, and hey….those subwoofers really do work!

Two things struck me as I leaned back against the counter in the sound booth….safe from the maelstrom of activity and noise. First, kids know nothing of ‘holding back’ when they are moving to the music; they’re jumping, moving, singing, yelling, having fun. I watched how they competed for the Spirit hat…what a noise maker that is!!! I saw how Bob and Karl led and motivated the squirming, giggling noisy mass of humanity into a unison of responses to their question….Who’s in the house? And the response ….God is!

And indeed He was!

Secondly, and what touched me the most, was sensing the Spirit moving among us tonight. Whether it was through the kids’ smiles and laughter, the camaraderie among volunteers, the one on one conversations with people I have not spoken to for a long time, or the selfless actions of others throughout the night, I saw what I love about Horizons… Community. It was exhilarating.

As I rode back to the Mission with the kids tonight, they all began humming and then singing a familiar song as we ate our ice cream cones (Thanks Liz!). As I listened and sang along quietly to myself, I had to agree. Yes indeed, our God is an awesome God. He softened yet another heart tonight that had grown a bit too hard, a tad indifferent. A small transformation occurred through nine wonderful children and a guest pass to Avalanche Ranch.

Avalanche Ranch - God is Awesome!

Hey there, this is Karl (Chris Berger) writing the blog for tonight. Sometimes its tough to find the words on what to say about these nights here at VBS. It's an experience that I hope these kids never forget. Tonight we had a time where the kids could all give their donations for the orphanage in India that we sponsor through Project Hope, and it is so moving to see how many kids really care about helping other kids. I would guess that more than half the room stood up and gave whatever they could to these kids in need.

In Matthew 18, Christ is talking with his disciples and they ask him "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus then replies by saying "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes a humble place becoming like this child, it the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

This is such a powerful verse to read because to me, this means that I can learn just as much, if not more, from these children than I can teach them. Seeing these kids donate to other kids really impacts me because they give so selflessly. They give because they know that these kids need help and they know that they can supply that help. I don't know about anyone else but it brings tears to my eyes to see how many kids want to help other kids in this world and truly Christ was right when he said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the children such as these that we have here at Horizons.

Ranch Stats:

283 kids age 3 thru 6th Grade

96 volunteers

Avalanche Ranch - God is Strong!

News Flash...this just in from Bob and Karl...there are 338 kids registered now for Avalanche Ranch...12 more new registrations in the next two nights and these two crazy guys will be sleeping on the roof! Invite a friend to join you at the ranch -- everyone is welcome!

Howdy folks! Nikki Ford here after another wild night out at Avalanche Ranch!

This is always such an emotional week, and this year it has been even more! We have so much fun, but we only have 5 days! I’m always sad when it’s over! But enough of that!!

As part of the Sing and Play team I have the fun job of helping teach kids and crew leaders the actions to the songs! If that isn’t great enough, the real joy in that comes from seeing and hearing all those kids sing out to God. I get goose bumps every time I think about it! I can’t wait for Sunday when the kids get to sing in big church for the whole congregation!! Sometimes I just want to stop singing so I can hear all the kids! (sometimes I do!)

It’s just so amazing how we can all come together as one for worship and praise and each have a different experience. I know God is smiling down us, especially when we are “Jumpin’ in the House!!”

Yes we are goofy and silly sometimes, but that’s what I love so much about this week at VBS and Horizons, God loves us no matter what and when we can share that with others what a great gift! There are so many important messages we are learning about God this week, today we learned “God is Strong” WAH-HOO!

God loves us so much he doesn’t expect us to be strong….He is our Strength!!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far and looking forward to 2 more exciting days on the ranch! I know I am!!

It’s so cool to see everyone young and old come together for these 5 days to learn more about God. Our kids and volunteers are the best!!! Thank you!!

God is Real!
God is With Us!
God is Strong!
Tell all your friends!

To the Dutters….I’m trying not to think about it, but what a better way to send you off then 300+ kids fired up about God! So, I can’t send this blog without saying something…..VBS, DZ, and Horizons won’t be the same without you!! Don’t get me wrong, we will still have an awesome children’s ministry but I’ve seen what you’ve done in the lives of children all around Horizons and know what great friends you have been to me! As my HS science teacher always said “It’s a beautiful thing!” Good luck in Chicago, we are all praying for you!

YEE HAW!!! See y'all tomorrow at the Ranch!