Focus: A night of Worship

We're having a worship event at 2|42 Community Church this Saturday night at 6pm. It's going to an awesome time of worship, with great people, great music, and a great God. You should come out.

For more info, go to: www.242community.com

Happy 4th of July!!

Sorry for the lack of posts. Still trying to get accustomed to life (with child, and work). :)

It has been great though.

We've had a lot of great things happening at the church. Even in the midst of some of the most trying times. Our Generosity series turned out to be quite amazing, with the folks of 2|42 offering up over $96,000 - all to be given away!

All of this occurred just on the heels of GM filing bankruptcy. It was truly a great moment for 2|42 and for the people of Livingston & Wastenaw Counties.

I'm so grateful to be a part of such a great group of Christ followers.

What a crazy and amazing month!!!

To say the least, the last month has been the most amazing, foreign, beautiful, challenging and inspiring month I've experienced in my 30 years on earth.

I want to start by thanking all our friends and family for their unbelievable support. For all the gifts, cards, prayers, meals and even the talks. THANK YOU.

So the crazy part is that my 4-5 day old little boy up there, has already grown and changed so much. At 1 week old, at his first dr. appt he was 7lbs 5ozs, and was 20 1/2 inches long. Yesterday, at his 1 month check-up with the pediatrician he is already 10lbs and 22 inches long!!

I can't believe how fast he's changing. He's smiling and starting to make all the noises that make a parents heart melt (and a few that aren't great for public). :)

(3 weeks old)

His hair color keeps changing too! It's hilarious. If you haven't met him yet, you're missin' out for sure!

I hope to update more often. Jen and I are becoming less awkward with this whole parenting thing with each passing day. HA!

Noah Nathaniel Harper has arrived!!!

Here he is and he is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. This will be a quick update, but I certainly wanted to put his picture up to share. I literally could have held him like this ALL DAY/NIGHT. Jen was absolutely amazing. The labor was very hard. It was back labor right from the start and lasted 43 1/2 hours, non-stop. I don't know how she did it, but I have so much respect and adoration for her it's ridiculous. 

Well, a more detailed update is forthcoming. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. We really appreciate it. 

Generosity Series - Week 1: Our Backyard

Last Sunday at 2|42 we started a 4 week series to celebrate Generosity. To many, it was a surprise to say the least. Some were shocked that we would talk about being generous during such difficult economic times. Some felt it was insensitive. Why?

I think quite the opposite is true. Knowing the difficulties and struggles so many of our friends, family members, and neighbors are facing it seems to me that it would insensitive NOT to talk about it. 

Michigan has been impacted significantly, but many of us are still able to help those in need. Shouldn't we be taking opportunities like these to be even more generous?

As Christ followers, isn't it times like these when we need to put our money where our mouth is? I know I've posted this before but, 2|42 Community Church's name comes from that very concept. 

The Fellowship of the Believers  

 ⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

These believers were truly Generous! I know that many people think it was easier back then. "They got to live with Jesus, and the apostles". True. But we see miracles all the time. Lives being transformed in Christ. Just ask any of the many people, especially KD (thirdplace), involved in our upcoming Recovery Ministry. 

Here's the thing.... wait, let me introduce you to the blunt Jason..... Here he is: "Many of us walk into church on Sunday mornings after a week filled with the junk of life, with our consumer hats on, and our fake smiles because 'everything is always perfect in our world', and we want to be 'filled up', recharged and spoon-fed, but we don't want to commit. We don't want to get dirty and really live it. Or we say we do, but when it really comes down to it, it's just really...... uncomfortable. We want to feel good when we walk out of those doors". - me (aka: blunt Jason) 

Okay, I'm back.... but seriously - What could make you feel better than living out that scripture verse up there?

Watch this video we showed on week 1 of the series (I was pretty pumped because I got to help out and this was the first full video I got to make for a service. I'm the music guy remember?) :-)

 

You hit the nail on the head Ray!!! I can't wait for the rest of this series and to witness and experience the outpouring of Generosity from our church! We definitely have the capacity, both financially and spiritually - we just need to commit to living out what Christ designed. We need to commit to The fellowship of the Believers. 

Baby Time?

He was due to join us on Mothers Day - but he apparently just ain't ready!!!

We're patiently (well, maybe not so patiently) awaiting his arrival. I really can't wait to see him. Jen is doing good. She says its starting to get a bit uncomfortable at times, but she's truly amazing. She has taken such good care of herself and is really a great mother already.  Please keep mom and baby in your prayers. Hopefully he doesn't make us wait too much longer!  

It's that time of year!!

Golf, How I've missed thee. But alas, the time has come for your return! 

Seriously though- I know I pretty much suck at golf. And for basically my whole life I mocked the people that played. I always thought it wasn't really a "sport", or that it was a sport for old people at best. But, last year I really started to get into it and I'm super excited to get back out on the course this year. My goal is actually to take a few lessons and try to actually get better (versus just hacking up the course).  

We'll see!!!