Here are a few loose ends that I wanted to tie up before Christmas:
- One of the reasons that this week has been so busy is that we, the Graystone Staff Team, have been planning some incredible worship services for the Holidays.
- The Christmas Eve Services are going to be AWESOME! I cannot wait to sing some of my favorite Christmas songs (O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Joy to the World, etc.) with Kyle and the full band leading us. I want to say a special thank you to the Graystone Band (not official name) for volunteering their valuable time on Christmas Eve to play for both of our services (4:00 and 5:30 PM). You guys are greatly loved and appreciated.
- This year, we are continuing some of our annual traditions for the Candlelight Christmas Eve Services: singing classic Christmas songs, hearing the Christmas story, sharing the Lord's Supper, and lighting the Advent Candle (The Christ Candle). But this year I am going to be more purposeful to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and give people an opportunity to commit their lives to Christ. Please be sure to invite all your unchurched friends and family to come to Graystone on Christmas Eve...it is going to be life changing!
- There is a rumor that we are going to have a "White Christmas Eve Service", but I got in trouble for mentioning SNOW a few weeks ago. I'm still trying to figure out how I can get in trouble by someone who is my intern, but anyway, I'm not promising SNOW at Christmas Eve. So, if it doesn't SNOW inside the auditorium, don't be disappointed and if it does SNOW, then act really surprised!!!
- Well, not only are the Christmas Eve Services going to be AWESOME but this Sunday's regular worship services are going to be incredible as well. My fear is that people will miss this Sunday knowing that they are coming to the Christmas Eve Services. So, please pray with me that EVERYONE will come this Sunday. I'm finishing up our Christmas series and am talking about "The Born Supremacy (Why am I here?)" Sneak peak: God created us for His pleasure and we are here to worship Him! We are going to focus on worship and have a special time of response at the end of the service. I can't tell you anymore because it needs to be a surprise and I do not want to get in trouble. It is going to be an incredibly moving experience.
- The other reason this week was so busy is that I officiated two funerals. I rarely officiate funerals (probably less than 15 in my whole life), so to have two in one day (Wednesday) is quite draining. Please pray for the Brown family and Kathy Bohn's family as they grieve the loss of loved ones. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Christine Sherlock (Kathy Bohn's mom) was the oldest member of Graystone Church (92 years old) and the first to go to be with the Lord. We had a very worshipful night of celebration as we honored the life of one of God's precious children. I hope my own funeral will be as worshipful.
- Here is the Howes Family Christmas Picture (check out our dog, Stitch's eyes):
- Jennifer is now 14 weeks pregnant. Thanks to those you who are emailing me baby girl names that start with the letter "J". I was sharing with Jim and Melinda last night that many great people have "J" names: J.I. Packer, J. Hudson Taylor, J. Howes, J. Hollandsworth, J. Kyle Hale, J. Wojtczak, J. Johnson, J. Ernst (Junior?), J. Christ, J. Crew, etc. Right now, here is our current top 5 List of Girl Baby Names:
2. Jaclyn
1. Jessica
3. Jorja
4. Jordan
5. Jamie (Julia's favorite)
- My Mississippi Mullets Fantasy Football Team lost in the first two rounds of the GFFL (Graystone Fantasy Football League) Playoffs and are playing this weekend in the Toilet Bowl against the K-Dawgs (Kevin Ayers). It has been my most disappointing season in the history of the GFFL but MS Mullets are still in the semis of the FFL (Family Football League). I'm kind of in a no win situation because I'm going up against Joelan's Jockstraps. But you guys know how competitive I am... that kid is toast!
- The 3rd Annual Graystone Christmas Golf Tourney was cancelled. It was cancelled due to weather and lack of participation. Man, do we have a bunch of girly men at Graystone Church, "It's too cold." Give me a break. Anyway, my team (Larry Mac, Heath, Josh Johnson, and myself) were the last remaining foursome signed up. So, we are claiming victory by default. This is the third straight Graystone Golf Tourney that my team has WON (three completely different teams...so it's obvious who the difference maker is).
- Body by Johnny Update: I weighed 214 pounds this morning. That's minus 16 lbs since the Thanksgiving Holidays. The key to losing weight is exercise and not eating (I checked this theory with Jim). I did not have time to eat on Wednesday and only had time for dinner on Thursday. I guess you could say that I was fasting. But it does not count spiritually because it was not planned, and I am telling you about it. Also, I did not focus the extra time and hunger pains on prayer. I was simply too busy to eat. I'm sure I will balloon back up to over 220 lbs this weekend. We are having some good friends over for Christmas dinner on Saturday night, and Jenn's parents will be arriving to our house on Christmas Eve. Our menu for Christmas Day is a large home cooked breakfast after opening presents in the morning and a homemade Mexican feast for dinner. If any of you happen to be in the neighborhood, you are welcome to stop by for one of Jenn's famous chicken enchiladas.
- Well, this might be my longest blog ever (golf tourney got cancelled). I hope that Jesus Christ is the center of your Holiday weekend. I have some Christmas shopping to do.
See you Sunday morning and on Christmas Eve!
Jonathan
1 comment:
hey man- great picture of Joelan/Julia. Congrats on the baby girl coming your way! I am amazed that sonograms can tell so early. We were in the same boat- knowing Hope's gender at 12 weeks.
We love you all.
Ashley, Amy, Hudson, Hope
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