Something BIG New Song Community Church | 2010 Campaign

Celebration Sunday was incredible.  God is at work in our church.  Transformed lives, healing from guilt & pain, and, “Oh Mylanta”, we have a new celebrity in our midst! He provides too, as we give He gives back over and above in unexpected ways. As we said through the campaign, it’s about living and giving for what counts.

We have much to celebrate, as we rejoice in God’s faithfulness to us. With each person that shared, you could sense Him smiling down. As a result of the campaign, we also received a renewed sense of direction and purpose to carry us into the future. Amen!

The video this morning was very touching. Whether you’re 8 or 80, asking “what if I give all” like the boy in the video is an immensely challenging question. If we commit all we have to God, we can trust His promises to provide!

Tomorrow is Commitment Sunday, your opportunity to commit to giving back a portion of the time and resources God has given to you. What an honor and privilege to be able to offer these simple gifts to the Provider of all and the King of kings! Complete your commitment cards, and during the Sunday service you’ll find that your offering of a card is an act of worship and thanksgiving to God.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

The pineapple is a common symbol of hospitality, often used to welcome guests and act as centerpieces.  That’s a big part of what the campaign is about, being welcoming and loving as a church and in each of our lives.

It’s also a fruit, one of the most tasty and healthy forms of vegetation in God’s creation.  Much like our lives in Christ, fruit begins with a beautiful blossom.  This flower blossom is pollinated and nurtured, and eventually grows into delicious, ripe fruit!  Not just only fruit, but the pineapple is one of the only “multiple fruits”, forming as many smaller fruits grow next to one another.

The pineapple is delicious (called the “excellent fruit”) and its juice has a one-of-a-kind enzyme that can serve as a meat tenderizer. If we remain in God, He will soften hearts (Psalm 28:7) and we will bear much fruit (John 15:5).  It’s most often pollinated not by bees, but by a bird (the hummingbird).  Even the top of the pineapple itself is amazing.  If planted, it will grow into a new plant.  The fibers of the leaves are lightweight and strong.  In some cultures, the fibers are woven into fabric for wedding dresses.

What an excellent, amazing, beautiful fruit!

Wow, what a great time we had at the campaign banquet on Sunday. If you couldn’t make it, we missed you! We ate, laughed, and cried together, and enjoyed a very special night as a New Song family.

Sharon & the decorators did a terrific job getting the room ready (did anyone count how many pineapples?). The food was excellent, with creamy cordon bleu, tender roast beef, and pineapple upside down cake. Thanks Matt & Cindy! Ralph sang wonderfully for us and Russ made our stomachs hurt from laughing. Jen, Andre, Joanne, and Kelly talked about the amazing ways that God has transformed each of their lives. Aaron finally talked about the “excellent” pineapple, and played the Something Big song. And he & Herb talked about what the campaign was all about.

The Something Big campaign is about living and giving for what counts! How is God challenging you to live more completely for Him? And what is He calling you to give? We give not because of a lack of money (God could provide a million dollars if He wanted to!), but in trust that He will transform our hearts as we’re obedient. And He promises that His blessings will overflow in our lives as a result.

What is God calling you to commit as we approach Commitment Sunday? Be prayerful this week, and know that as we step out in faith, He will provide!

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
–Malachi 3:10

Is it just me, or do I smell something yummy cooking up? Well, this Sunday is the campaign banquet!!  So make sure it’s on your calendar for April 18th at 4pm, and get ready for some scrumptious food cooked up by our very own Matt & Cindy B. We will NOT be at our facility, but rather at St. David’s, 905 E. McMurray Rd in Venetia (see below for a map from HQ). If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please contact Wendy in the office.

View Larger Map

People are starting to hear about the Free Coffee and Prayer Drive-Thru:

- WORD-FM is talking about the event!
- The Almanac article: Church Offers Coffee and Prayers
- There are hundreds of cars driving by daily to see the signs and tents!

The coffee and prayer drive-thru is underway!  There is free food too, today compliments of Chick-fil-A and Dunkin Donuts, and Friday and Saturday compliments of Panera and Dunkin Donuts.  So stop by, grab coffee & breakfast, and share any prayer requests.

We’ll be here 7-10am today (April 8), 7-10am tomorrow, and 9-noon Saturday.  It’s just a way for us to say, “God loves you, and we do too!”

One thing about God… He is unpredictable, but everything He is about is because He loves us!

Why should we take the time and make the effort to serve free coffee and offer to pray for people driving by our property?  Simply because YOU NEVER KNOW. 

YOU NEVER KNOW who might be touched, who might investigate God or find friendships because we gave them a cup of coffee.

YOU NEVER KNOW whose life, destiny, relationships and more might be changed because we prayed for them.

YOU NEVER KNOW how God might bless US because we obey and served in this way.

Frankly, 6:30am is awfully early to be at HQ, but it will be worth it when God shows up and uses us!!!!

So sign up, show up, pray up, and then serve up a cup and a prayer in Jesus’ name.  Remember what Jesus said,  “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth,  he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42, NIV)

I think a cup of coffee, a pastry and a prayer will be an approved substitute!!

Thursday and Friday, April 8-9, 7:00-10:00am

Saturday, April 10, 9:00am-noon.

People are volunteering. Local restaurants are donating coffee and food.  A press release has been written and sent to local news centers.

The coffee and prayer drive-thru is quickly taking shape and moving forward!! The days and times are listed below, and we’ll need people to help setup and tear down each day, 30min before and after. So be sure to sign up and contribute in any way you can. We might have a BIG turnout!!

Thursday April 8, 7am-10am
Friday April 9, 7am-10am
Saturday April 10, 9am-noon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Church Offers Free Coffee and Prayer to South Hills Motorists

Bethel Park, PA – March 29, 2010 — A local church is organizing something special for those driving through the South Hills in the days following Easter.  New Song Community Church will offer free coffee and prayer to all who drive through their parking lot on April 8 & 9 from 7-10am, and Saturday April 10 from 9am-noon.  Located on Route 88 1mi north of the South Park Shops, the church sees Easter as an opportunity to share Jesus’ love in tangible ways.  Coffee and prayer may be complemented by breakfast foods from some area restaurants which are partnering with New Song by supporting this event.

The coffee and prayer drive-thru is one facet of the larger “Something Big” campaign the church is conducting.  “There are so many cars that drive by every day, and we thought this would be a good way to serve our neighbors,” said Aaron Pavkov, campaign coordinator.  New Song is also planning a “Big” Spring Festival for May 15^th, which will include free food, family-friendly games, and tours of their property.  “We’re excited about showing friends and neighbors how far this property has come, and the plans we’re drafting to make it an even greater asset to the community,” said Mr. Pavkov.

Prior campaigns have taken the church from renting Fort Couch Middle School on Sundays for 15 years to their current property, which has been renovated by the congregation.  “God provided the building, and He lent the hands and skill of our members for the remodeling.  Through this place, I’ve seen countless lives changed and healed by God’s grace,” says Herb Shaffer, pastor.

It is a labor of love for Pastor Shaffer and the families of the church.  You can expect to see this made evident as you’re served coffee, and, if you wish, offered prayer in the days following Easter.  More information can be found at www.newsongpittsburgh.org.