A little bit different "Sunday Nite" as I just barely made the service yesterday. Keyna and I took a brief trip to Myrtle Beach on Friday night (love the Grand Strand, especially in the off-season). We had a relaxing time, great food, good movie, a little shopping and most importantly, some free time together. We had no intentions of making it back to Ltown for service but with an earlier than usual check-out time and no real plans for Sunday afternoon KEYNA decided (no, it wasn't me not wanting to miss) that we should leave and go to our church for service.
No arguments here (grin).
So this is my observations of Sunday from a different perspective:
- This would be my 1st time attending Vertical when I had nothing to do with set up, getting there early or being part of pre-service. As a matter of fact, like many Vertical attenders, we got there after service started.
- I have never driven up to Vertical after everything is happening - i'm always on site. So, when I drove up to the stop light at Roberts avenue it was pretty exciting - full parking lot, Vertical flags waving by the road, signage up on corners - it certainly looked like something was going on there. The orange and black VIP tents were up, the road presentation was really great. No wonder people are always commenting to me how it really looks like some great things are happening by the looks of the parking lot!
- I got out of the car and was happily greeted by the VIP team. I know they were happy to see their Pastor and wife unexpectantly walk up late but still, much excitement underneath those tents. I have often said I would love to be on VIP team!
- The lobby looked great - Rhonda was at the NEXT table preparing to help people take that NEXT step. I was greeted by more of the greet team on the inside and was excited to see new members of the team shadowing experienced members and learning what their role at Vertical will be.
- We stopped at the cafe for our 1st cup of coffee of the morning (thank You, Jesus). We also got hugs from Mrs. Libby and the cafe team.
- On the way in we got smiles and hugs from Mrs. Brenda, Sarah and the team at the door giving out worship guides and pens. (I'm smiling right now as I type and think through...)
- Walking in the auditorium was so exciting... the pipe and drape was WAY back and the crowd, music and Spirit was THICK. Our amazing usher team with Mike Jackson and Jason Hammonds showed us to our seats...
- Jon was just leading into the opening chorus of a favorite of mine, "Fire Fall Down", I was so glad to be in there... Robby had switched up to acoustic guitar, Jon on keys. Shay and Chris were laying down a very worshipful groove. We are so blessed with talent. I am so very thankful for the talented musicians giving their blessing back to the Lord.
- Donnie brought week 2 of Real Holiness with a very heavy message based on Leviticus 20. As he was introing it I felt kind of bad as Lead Pastor of VC for strapping him with this (certainly wasn't intentional). That being said, Donnie is such a great preacher he skillfully walked through those heavy passages with the precision of a surgeon, a surgeon bringing healing instead of the death those passages are laden with.
- "Holiness is not designed to restrict but to unleash the fullness of life that God desires for us". Yes!
- I love what @tomdawg09 tweeted: "Donnie Paschal talking about holiness not being restricting sounds like racing. Both cannot be our best if something is holding us back." Exactly T!!!
- Donnie's candy illustration at the end was just great. God IS NOT holding back on us!! As he said, thinking that is like trying to eat a piece of candy with the wrapper still on never tasting the sweetness of the candy. If we haven't tasted and seen that the Lord is good than we have no clue what we're missing out on.
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We had a big crowd from the UNCP football team with yesterday morning at Vertical. We are so proud of the program, their great coaching staff which believes not just in football but most importantly in making men. I am praying and believing great things for these young men.
- One of the best things of the day: I had the priviledge of worshiping with you all while sitting next to my beautiful wife who normally works VKidz. It was a powerful service and I see why people love to worship at VC.
Yesterday was just an incredible day at Vertical Church. I am very thankful for the opportunity to view it from a different context. To our amazing team - YOU KILLED IT YESTERDAY AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
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