The Long and the Short of It as 2008 Closes.

It seems like forever since the last blog entry (Dec. 12th). That's because I dove head 1st into Christmas and New Years! (as I'm sure most of you have as well!)

Things have been very busy for Francie & me @ BPC & personally. On Wed. evening 12/17 Alexandra & Gregory came home from Grad School & College. It's been a joy having them with us since we haven't seen them in a year. (school, work, friends) They head back to Springfield early Friday am so the next few days will be great for Mom & Dad! Those of you with little ones...enjoy the "now" moments with your kids because they grow up fast!

On Christmas Eve BPC held it's very 1st Candlelight Service. We had 45 in attendance. (mostly people from the neighborhood) The 1st time guests were so glad BPC is in Tarentum & were excited we offered a Christmas Eve service! This Sunday we launch into a new sermon series on Stewardship & a week of Fasting and Prayer. We will also be offering special services on Sunday night @ 6pm and Monday & Wednesday nights @ 7pm. http://www.bridgepointchurch.cc/ for more info.

Well, that's the long & the short of it as 2008 comes to a close. Happy New Year! next blog entry...sometime in January of 09

BPC - very quick update

With everything that's going on there's not much time to blog so.. here's a very quick BPC update!

Last Sunday svc...with the threat of snow can you believe we had 4 brand new visitors, 2 recommittments to Christ & 1 salvation, Yeah God!!

Mon-Wed...Admin, fasting n prayer, counciling appt., MCM mtg. So blessed to be a part of such a great network of churches. Thanks Jeff & Nick for your vision & hard work!!

Thurs...sermon prep. You don't want to miss this Sunday, Oh Yaa!!

Tonight...meeting 4 or 5 dedicated followers of Jesus & BPCers to prepare for Give a Gift. Thanks so much to 3 Rivers AG for passing along the gifts!!

Tommorrow...Give a Gift happens from 2:30-4pm at the gym. Again, Kudos to those dedicated followers of Jesus & BPCers who are coming to help. And...a very big thanks to Deana for coaching us on how to pull off GaG. And...a very,very big thanks to my wonderful wife Francie for tackling this project. Who loves you babe!!

This Sunday Svc...round 2 of "Christmas Conspiracy- The Revolution That Changed the World"
here is the big idea... "Keep the Light Switch of Christ Turned on in Your Life!

Now this afternoon...have to finish 09 calander planning from Jan. - July & I have to write a Life Group Lesson for next week!

Gotta Go. That's the update for now. I'm Chevy Chase & you're not! (remember that from the orginal SNL? I just loved it when he did that!! Go figure?)

A Week Filled With Giving Thanks!

Last week was very busy @ BPC filled with Giving Thanks!

On Sunday Nov. 23rd Steve McGranahan "The World's Strongest Redneck" was with us. Steve wove the gospel message through a very funny presentation & incredible feats of hand strength bending & twisting various objects communicating Christ's love. (a horseshoe into a heart...amazing!) Steve also challenged each of us to pursue God & use our God given gifts for the Lords glory. 70 were in attendance & many responded to the the alters desiring to use their gifts & talents for God!

On Tuesday afternoon Nov. 25th Francie & I were invited to an all school assembly at St. Edmund's Academy Elementary School in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of PGH. During the month of November 250 students in grades 1 - 8 worked together collecting various food items filling over 40 midsized boxes with enough food for one Thanksgiving dinner to be given to those who may have little or nothing to eat this Thanksgiving. It was during the assembly that Francie & I shared the vision of BPC & told the students 2 or 3 Real Life stories of people who will be receiving the food they worked so hard to collect. Then, in a very moving presentation the 8th graders presented us with the food. (I don't believe i saw a dry eye in the house!) Thanks so much to the students, faculty & administration of St. Edmund's for their willingness to give & their great hearts of compassion!

On Wednesday evening Nov. 26th over 30 people attended our very 1st Thanksgiving Eve service. After worship we heard incredible testimonies from people expressing gratefulness & thanks to God. PTL...for freedom from anger, drugs, emotional unrest & alcohol. PTL...for restored relationships, peace & an overwhelming sense of God's love. I then challenged each of us to cultivate a heart of Thanksgiving throughout the entire year. Thanks so much to everyone who brought a pie for all to enjoy...they were delicious!

On Thursday Nov. 27th Thanksgiving Day, we offered a Thanksgiving Dinner from 3-5pm for 25 people! BPC'ers as well a few who came for the 1st time gathered to serve & enjoy Thanksgiving 2008. A number who attended were without family this year so we were blessed as the family of God to share in great tasting food & fabulous conversation! Thanks again to everyone who prepared a side dish. Before, during and afterwards I gave out the boxes of food donated by the students of St. Edmund's Academy to quite number of individuals and families!

On Sunday Nov.30th during our service we held BPC's 1st Baby Dedication. Family, friends & over 80 people gathered as I had the honor of dedicating Alexis Rose, just 4 months old, to the Lord! The worship lead us into a moving prayer time & during the message I encouraged each one to Center their lives on Christ & live in the moment for Him! Afterwards Great Grandma Rose & Grandma Paula prepared a wonderful lunch for everyone to enjoy.

It sure was a week filled with Giving Thanks. Now I'd like to to express my gratefulness & thanks to...
Jesus for saving & calling me (I can't make it without You!), my wonderful & loving wife Francie (you are truly THE BEST!), my 2 fabulous kids Alexandra & Gregory (can't wait to have you guys home for Christmas!) and the best church family ever (Francie & I just love all you BPC'ers & love serving the Lord with you!)

Now...onto Christmas!!

This Sunday November 23rd at 10am, BPC is very excited to host Steve McGranahan, "The World's Strongest Redneck"!

At 6'tall, 333lbs Steve will dazzle us with his incredible feats of a amazing hand strength. His arms are 22" around, he's benched 500lbs for 2, dead lifted 585lbs for 5 and squatted 620lbs for 2!! Steve has been seen on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, "Country Fried Homes Videos" on CMT, has traveled to such countries as England, Guatemala & British Columbia. Steve inspires people to achieve beyond their dreams & he gives all the glory to God! Check out "The World's Strongest Redneck" website @ http://www.stevemcgranahan.com/


ALSO for elementary kids it's... "Super Sundae" That's right, in Jr. Church we'll be serving up "Tarentum's Largest Ice Cream Sundae"!! Wonderful, delicious, creamy Ice Cream topped with chocolate syrup, rainbow sprinkles & mountains of whipped cream!!!


You really, really don't want to miss BridgePoint Church this Sunday morning at 10am!!!
So come on out & join us...it's all FREE!!! Let's Get-R-Done at BPC!

Life

Life…some says it’s a breakfast cereal (remember Mikey? He likes it!), others say it’s a game. How would you describe Life?

That was the topic of the first message in our “That’s Life” series. Maybe you feel like the guy in the video below? Just click play and see if you can identify….

In Judges Chapter 11 is the story of Jephthah, a Judge of Israel. He trusted the Lord with his Life & knew that God was Israel’s true judge and the only one who could really lead them in victory over their enemies. Although his Life didn’t start out all that great (actually it stunk, he was run out of town by his half brothers & denied his inheritance), Jephtah knew that with God in his Life, his Life could be extraordinary. And it was! He is listed in Hebrews 11.

With God in IT, an extraordinary Life is one that sees Life as an opportunity…knows that in Life we’ll have peaks n valleys and in Life God uses common people in uncommon ways…for His glory bringing everlasting Life!!!

We don’t have to just sit around watching Life pass us by, we can Carpe Diem, Seize the Day allowing God into every area of our Lives making IT extraordinary!

New Message series & The World's Strongest Redneck

Tomorrow AM I'll begin a new 3 part message series entitled "That's Life".

Topics will include...Life, is this all there is? Running On Empty, how to keep going when you don't feel like it. and... The Bottom Line...what is it & how do i get it?

November is Invitation Month so don't come alone! Bring your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors & anyone you can get as we talk about something everyone can relate to...Life.

Also...on Sunday November 23rd @ 10am, BPC will host "The World's Strongest Redneck" and in Jr. Church the elementary kids will have "The Largest Ice Cream Sundae ever".

November is going to be an AWESOME month @ BPC! You will not want to miss a single minute!!

Tomorrow Night "Treats n Eats" 6-8pm

Tomorrow night October 31st BridgePoint will host a FREE event called “Treats n Eats” at the James 5:16 Center from 6-8pm.

Inside the gym we’ll have a few carnival games for the kids to play & win candy. And we’ll be showing a “Veggie Tales” movie on the Big Screen. Each child will also get a full size candy bar.

Outside the gym we’ll be giving away Hot Dogs, chips, drinks as well as Cotton Candy.

It’s going to be a really fun time sharing Jesus and everyone is invited!