1/7/2006

It's been a busy week at the Power House in Baltimore, Maryland.

It started New Years Day with our three services. During Morning Worship we began talking about this year's theme, which is "Look Out!" We were concerned before Kids' Church because the kids gathered outside seemed especially wound up. However, they came in and settled almost instantly and had a really good lesson together. The new building is making us look at different formats for Evening Worship so we began experimenting with new things. This week we broke up into small groups for prayer after our praise time and message, then gathered back together for announcements then a closing song and prayer.

This was the last Sunday that Robert was back in town from Graceland University. He and I went out to lunch after Morning Worship. Jenn, Robert, and I went out for dinner after Evening Worship. He flew back to school to start his three week winter term early this week.

Donald isn't doing winter term this year. We didn't know that when we got his plane ticket so he was also scheduled to fly out this week. He stopped by on Monday and we got the ticket changed to later in the month.

Our web page was updated this week to include some pictures of the new building. You can check them out at

http://www.pigtownchurch.org/ministries/building_project.htm

We had a very small group of kids at SonRisers this week. I took some of the unopened boxes of donuts to the local Middle School for the teachers. In contrast, that evening we had an unusually large group of people at Adult Disciples as we looked at Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

Throughout the week we finalized our plans for the upcoming building consecration (January 13-15). Len Young and Paul Davis will be coming in from church headquarters for the event. Both our Morning Worship and Evening Worship will be preaching services that weekend. Along with our other regularly scheduled activities we'll also have a dinner with the leadership team, visiting in homes, and a dessert reception.

I spent some time on the phone with University Hospital this week. One of our members has gotten confused by the hospital's information since her cancer treatment ended a couple of months ago. I got a little bit straightened out an an appointment for her so we can get her back on track for healing.

Jenn and I updated the mission map this week. It now reflects the things we've helped sponsor this fall and our Christmas Gift for Jesus.

I met the builder at the church on Friday morning. They had one piece of equipment left that they needed to pick up. Unfortunately, the battery in it had died so he couldn't get it to move. We'll get it charged over the weekend and he'll be able to get it on Monday.

Friday evening brought Pizza Church. In anticipation of the upcoming 40 Days of Community, all three groups looked at the early church community in Acts 2. Naturally, we encourage kids to bring their friends to church. One Middle School boy took that quite literally and carried a friend over his shoulder to Pizza Church. Though the method was effective, we recommended that in the future he us Jesus' technique by saying "Come follow me" to his friends instead.

Looking ahead to next week we have our full schedule of activities. In addition, I'm meeting with the builders on Monday so they can remove the lift and do a follow-up inspection on the roof. Paul and Len will arrive on Friday to begin our consecration weekend. On Saturday we'll have a dinner with the leadership team. Next Saturday is also our monthly Solid Rock Cafe.

Along with the individuals and activities mentioned, please keep the following families in the forefront of your prayers:

the Brooks family
the Handy family
the Trader family
the Toomey family
the Burley family
the Felder family
the Phillips family

Thank you for your continued prayer support.

Jeff and everyone at
The Power House
"Building the Kingdom of God Here and Now"
PowerHouseMD@Juno.com
www.pigtownchurch.org