WEEKEND UPDATE (Memorial Day Weekend)

Peace and Greetings to all as we remember today those who have died defending our freedom.  It was a remarkable day at Crossroads yesterday as we saw the biggest crowd ever for a holiday weekend!  We taught ROADIES 101, kicked off a new series called "I Love My Church", passed out Baptism Certificagtes and pictures to the 25 people who were baptized on May 16th, rolled out a new vid advertising Hot Blues & BBQ on June 13th, and saw 16 new people sign up to serve in Crossroads Hospitality Ministry!  It was a FULL day.  Here's a few quick takes from Sunday's service:

• Had technical diffs in Cinema Three and had to do ROADIES 101 in the main auditorium.  Thanks for your patience and for all who had come for the first service, but dug into our membership class when we had to move it!  That won't happen again.  Thanks for being good sports and great servants!
• Don't have a count on new members yet, but saw a BUNCH of people who had not been through the class.  GREAT turnout!
• Second service on Sunday was AWESOME!  The music was pumping, the crowd was buzzing and we busted out I LOVE MY CHURCH by digging in to the single most important ministry opportunity we have at Crossroads: Warmly Welcoming those who attend.  HOSPITALITY!
• Quotable Quote #1: There's nothing like the local church, when the local church is working right.
• We talked about the joy of rediscovering things that were lost; like brushes, sunglasses, and our fervor for serving God.  Talked to SO MANY after service who shared the similar experience of losing the purpose and meaning of church somewhere along the way.
• Amazing response when we laid out the next five weeks and said in the last week of June we were rolling out our capital campaign to raise enough money in the next 11 months to facilitate the PURCHASE of the COLLEGE CINEMA!!  Huge hollerin' cheer of approval!
• Quotable Quote #2: Our original purpose was to 'Create a church that people who don't like church would like to attend'.  
• We talked about how people decide in the first seven minutes whether they're coming back to Crossroads.  Long before the music, or the videos or the message.  YOU are the face of Crossroads.
• We said that people who are greeted warmly are 5 TIMES more likely to return.  And all of that happens between the car door and the auditorium door.  I LOVE serving in a church with people who totally get that whole concept.  Crossroads people ARE SO WELCOMING!!
• Quotable Quote #3: No matter what your gift, there's important work for you at Crossroads...even if you are a lawyer (listen to the podcast).

I have never been more excited about a series at Crossroads as I LOVE MY CHURCH.  Look for ILMC t-shirts, stickers, and other accoutrement in the next few weeks!  Next week it's all about Crossroads ROCKIN' Children's ministry.  If you do not have young children, you may not realize what a GIFT we have at Crossroads.  Our Children's ministry BLOWS AWAY most of the children's minstry that I have seen at other churches.  That's not bragging, folks.  That's recognizing the AMAZING blessing that God has poured out on our church, and seeing what an opportunity we have to speak into the lives of future generations for the Kingdom of God!  As you enjoy your Memorial Day with friends, or family, or just having the day off, remember those who have died to defend our freedom and pray for the families of our fallen heros.  And thank God that you are numbered among those who can say without hesitation: "I LOVE MY CHURCH!"  Have a GREAT week!!