This Sunday & A Promised Link!

The past several weeks at Element Church, we have been immersed in the "Storytellers" Series, and we have been hearing stories that have been incredibly inspiring.  The stories have told of the "highs & lows" of life, and as each person has shared, it has been clear that what has brought them through each situation has been their relationship with a God who loves them.

As each person has shared, we have highlighted a different discipline that strong Christ-followers need to have invested in their life.  The themes, and some of the teaching and inspiration has come from a book called, "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard J. Foster.  


If you are interested in diving in deeper into this study, let me encourage you to order this book.  Some of the best prices on the book that I have found have been at Amazon.com.  

Here is a link:



This Sunday at Element Church, we will be continuing this series by hearing some brief stories of our baptism candidates.  Baptism Sunday is one of the absolute BEST Sundays of the year, and I PROMISE...you will not want to miss it!  Right now, we have 4 people signed-up for baptism, but if you are interested in joining them and want the world to know what a change God has made in you, it is not too late!  Send me a quick email at richj@theelementchurch.com and I will get you all of the info you need.


Looking forward to a GREAT SUNDAY with you all!

A Miracle Story...

One of the things I love the most is when you can see a life that has been completely changed by God.  Over the past two years, this is something that I have watched happen countless times in the lives of the people at Element Church.  How awesome it is that God gives us the opportunity to be used in HIS work!  It is not something that we can ever take credit for, but the credit all goes back to Him.  It is cool, however, when God gives us a part in the grand performance that he plays out in the lives of others.

About a year ago, Patty came to Element Church one Sunday morning.  She had reluctantly poked her head in the door, hoping to see what it was like, but was caught peeking by one of our greeting team, Fran.  Fran happened to know Patty from when they had worked together at a local restaurant, and welcomed Patty into the building.  Patty hesitantly stayed, and that morning she encountered the love and forgiveness of God.  Many others that morning reached out to make Patty feel welcome, and after the service, Patty shared with me her struggle and addiction to heroin.  

We talked about some options to help her break free from the addiction, and Patty said she would think about entering the Women's Home at Pittsburgh City Outreach.  I called that day to see if there might be availability for Patty.  Pastor Brian Bolt at PCO was able to find a bed for her, and God used PCO and all of the great people  at the Women's home to transform her life into a miracle.


Check out this video detailing Patty's transformation:

Are YOU "ALL IN???"

I'm not much of a gambler, but it's hard not to catch on with some of the terms that people who are into the poker craze these days.  The term, "ALL IN" is something we hear all the time. People say it in relation to all sorts of areas, but they use it most often when they are describing how important something in their lives is.  They use it to speak of their complete commitment to some action or ideal.

Usually when someone goes "ALL IN" in playing poker, they are so certain that their hand will win, that they are willing to risk everything for the big win in one shot.  They place their cards face-down on the table, and push all of their chips into the middle of the table in an all-or-nothing move to gain all, and in some cases to win the game.  It's the ultimate move for people with a great opportunity.

But, let me ask you a question.

Is there ANYTHING in life worth being more "ALL IN" about than the opportunity to introduce your friends to God?

I think that sometimes we over-emphasize the fear associated with taking the risk involved in asking someone to come to church with you, or even bringing up matters of faith.  Sure, they might say no when you ask them, but really...is that the worst thing that could happen?  Not to minimize the anxiety you might feel, but is it really worth it when you consider the benefits of stepping out and taking the risk of inviting someone this Sunday?

Think about what a great experience you have had in life since turning your life over to God.  Do you remember how incredibly freeing that very first moment was when you asked Jesus to forgive your sins?  Do you remember giving all of the guilt of your past to Him, and walking out of church (or wherever you were that day) knowing that your past mistakes were just that...in the past?  Isn't it amazing to know that since you have connected to God that you have a family of people who will stand with you in the hard times?  Can't you think of at least one person in your life that needs to know and feel that way, too?

Then I have an opportunity for you that you just CAN NOT PASS UP!  

This Sunday, almost everyone is thinking about going to church.  

It's true.  They might not actually go, but almost everyone is thinking about it.  They usually think about it, but then decide not to go, because of one reason or another.  They might not want to risk going and being ignored at the church they have visited before.  They might not want to deal with the guilt they feel.  They might not even want to go because the last time they went to church they were so incredibly bored, they never want to sit through that again!  Whatever the case, though, they ARE thinking about it.

This is where our opportunity lies.  What if you and I were to take our hand and put it onto the table, and gather all of our chips, and slowly push them to the center of the table in an action of going "ALL IN" with our attempts at inviting people to Element Church this Sunday?  Could you imagine what might happen?  Could you imagine that neighbor of yours starting a new life with God?  Could you imagine your husband, son, aunt or other family member finally finding the peace that they have been searching for?  Could you see your boss at work or another coworker actually begin to change as they begin to live their lives in a God-honoring way, all because you went "ALL IN" and invited them to church on Easter 2011?

It's going to happen like that for people who take the risk and invite people this Sunday.  I promise you this...church this Sunday is going to be a SURE THING.  We work hard every week to have an engaging program to help you connect with and grow toward God.  But THIS SUNDAY, Easter Sunday, will have an incredible impact on all who attend.  If you go "ALL IN" in getting people to church, both you and they will not be disappointed.  We WILL see the miracle of people coming to Jesus.  We WILL experience the power & presence of Jesus, not in a "weird" way, but in a very REAL & down-to-earth way that we always do at Element Church.  This Sunday is going to be AWESOME.

So...will you join me?  Will you lay down your hand?  Will you push the chips into the center of the table?  Will you go all in & invite EVERYONE you see to Element Church this Sunday?  

I'm doing it.  I'm dialing my friend Mark right now.  (412) 951-XXXX.

Baptism...there's NOTHING like it!

One of the things I love the most about being a part of Element Church is watching the life-change that goes on in people.  It is exciting to see people of all ages begin to take steps of faith, and to see them grow toward God daily.  A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated another water baptism event, and seven more people used that day to tell the world about what God has done in their lives.  Below are a couple of videos that tell those stories, as well as show them actually being baptized.  

Also, I have included a  VERY SPECIAL video from our fall baptism in October.  The only one who was baptized at that time was Noah Stump.  Our very own KidzRock Pastor, Peter Kettering, did the honors in a homemade tank in the Stump's back yard.  The video is awesome, and you really need to watch it for yourself.

Just want wrap up by saying how PROUD I am of all who followed Jesus by getting baptized.  You guys ROCK!

Videos from Sunday - 03.27.11

MAN TACO NIGHT...

You NEED to come hang out with us TONIGHT, (03.29.11) and come ready to pound some tacos, and hang with some of the best bros around!  We'll meet outside the Millvale Community Center at 6:30 PM and we'll carpool to Don Pablo's in Robinson.  The tacos are $6.99 for all-you-can-eat, but don't forget some extra cash for your drink & tip.  

Good times, good bros, and some God-talk.  Doesn't get any better.  See you then!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from Element Church!

Are you coming???

Give Thanks Video Resource

Looking for a video for your church to use during this Thanksgiving season or really any time of the year you might cover thankfulness?  Then check out this video that the Element Church Media Team put together!



Give Thanks from Element Church on Vimeo.


As a recently started church plant, we have been searching for some alternative ways to create revenue for the church, and we thought that this video and others like it to come in the future could help us to do just that.  We are in the process of setting up an account with Sermon Spice, as well as with other media outlets.  However, their pricing structures will force us to distribute the videos at a much higher price, than if we are able to provide them directly through churches connected to us relationally. 

That being said, we would like to extend an invitation to you and your church to use the "Give Thanks" video for your church for a donation of at least $10 to Element Church.  Since this is our first attempt, we are not set up with our own website just yet, but the process to get the video is still very simple.  Just follow these steps:

1. Watch the sample video here, if you have not already done so.
2. Go to the Element Church donation page and submit a donation for at least $10 to Element Church.
3. We will then email you a link with a password to be able to download the video (without the Element Church watermark).

That's it!  I hope you enjoy the video, and that it helps to meet your needs right now, or at any other time that you cover the idea of thankfulness throughout the year.  Thanks, and may God bless you and your ministry as you serve Him!

Don't Miss THIS SUNDAY at Element Church!

Are you ready for this weekend???


Element Church is kicking-off this Labor Day weekend RIGHT with a great Sunday morning, and we want YOU to join us!  

Here's what we want you to do:

1. Come to church this Sunday.

2. Invite & BRING someone with you! (You do have friends, right?  OF COURSE you do, so don't just invite them...BRING THEM WITH YOU!!!)

3. STAY FOR LUNCH!  (After church, we're having a BBQ BASH right outside of Mr. Small's on the front steps.  Great food & great friends...what a combo!)

4.  Bring a dish to share.  It's ok if you can't bring something, or you get this message late --we want you to come anyway!  However, if you can help us out by bringing a side dish or a dessert to share, that would help us all to have plenty of food to go around. (Besides, this way you get to show off your inner-chef skills, right?)  Element will provide plenty of hot dogs and BBQ pulled pork, as well as the drinks.  

Just so that we don't have too much of one thing, let's plan on doing it this way:  if your last name starts with the letters A to M, plan on bringing a side dish to share.  If your last name begins with N to Z then plan on bringing a dessert.  If you really feel like showing off your "mad cooking skillz", then bring both...we'll eat it all!

I can't believe that summer is over, but let's not let it end!!!  Come out this Sunday and be a part of Element Church!

Love you guys,
Pastor Rich

Vote for Element Church!

Hey Guys!

Every year the City Paper does a “Best of Pittsburgh” list featuring the city’s best restaurants and bars. That gave me a thought…what if we nominated Element Church as the best church in the Burgh? At the very least, maybe someone in the city would notice that we’re here, and would help us as we serve our community!

All you need to do is go to the link I’ll provide at the bottom, and answer the survey questions you want to. The very last question is a “write-in” category where you can write in “BEST CHURCH” and our name, “ELEMENT CHURCH” and tell them why you think that to be true.

Here’s the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KSNF599

Thanks for your help!

- Pastor Rich

It's Time To PAR-TAY!!!

Hey Element Church!

Guess what...IT'S HERE!!!!!

Element Church turns one year old THIS SUNDAY, and we want and need YOU to help us celebrate!
Here's how:

1. Come to church this Sunday.

2. Invite & BRING someone with you! (THIS SUNDAY is a pretty big deal, so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't come alone!  It's going to be a GREAT WEEK, too!)

3. STAY FOR LUNCH!  (After church, we're having a BBQ BASH in the same park where we had City Reach to celebrate what God has done in this past year, so plan on partying with us!)

4.  Bring a dish to share.  It's ok if you can't bring something, or you get this message late --we want you to come anyway!  However, if you can help us out by bringing a side dish or a dessert to share, that would help us all to have plenty of food to go around. (Besides, this way you get to show off your inner-chef skills, right?)  Element will provide plenty of hot dogs and BBQ pulled pork, as well as the drinks.  

Just so that we don't have too much of one thing, let's plan on doing it this way:  if your last name starts with the letters A to M, plan on bringing a dessert to share.  If your last name begins with N to Z then plan on bringing a side dish.  If you really feel like showing off your "mad cooking skillz", then bring both...we'll eat it all!

That's all for now.  I'm so pumped for Sunday.  City Reach was awesome. Thanks to all who prayed, gave, and served to make it such an incredible success.  Now, we look to Sunday and ONE BIG PARTY to celebrate all that Jesus has done for us, and the fact that we get to tell Millvale about it.  Are you ready for this?  I am SOOOO ready!

Love you guys,
Pastor Rich

WE NEED YOU!!!

The Element Church Street Team needs YOU tonight to help us get the word out about City Reach!  Meet us tonight outside the Millvale Community Center and help us out from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Hope to see you there!

Recently at Element Church the pastoral team and interns have been busy blogging their way through a reading schedule that we have challenged everyone at Element to read through.  Below is my second entry, but if you're interested, check out all of the great posts by our team here:  ELEMENT CHURCH BLOG
 

READ:  Exodus 9

Stupid, stupid, stupid…THAT’S what I think when I read this part of Exodus.  Beginning in Exodus 7 we see how patient God was, even with the continued disobedience of Pharaoh.  Ten times God showed his power over the elements, each time relenting when Pharaoh said he would release God’s people to go and worship in the wilderness.  However, when the “plague of the day” was lifted, Pharaoh would again harden his heart toward God and Israel, and the answer was always “no” to them leaving. 

What an ego this character, Pharaoh, must have had!  This guy was having Moses & Aaron showing up asking to let the people of Israel go to worship their God, and upon being told no, they instantly display a natural disaster.  I think that if I were Pharaoh, it would have not taken me ten different plagues to recognize God was upset!  Maybe once or twice, but seriously, by plague number four or five, I’m definitely crying “UNCLE!”  But, not this guy!  Pharaoh was a god…or so he thought.

As we find ourselves stuck in the middle of this showdown of epic proportions, I love the way God throws some commentary out to bring Pharaoh down to size:

Exodus 9:15-16
“By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.16 But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my powers and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”

The only thing missing from this message from God in my estimation might be the phrase, “Go ahead, punk…make my day!”  God puts Pharaoh in his place by reminding him here exactly who is in charge.  He says, “Hey Pharaoh…you only live today because I LET you live.  You have decided to reject the easy way?  Fine.  Let’s do this the hard way.”  Pharaoh’s resistance to God’s plan will only serve to make God famous, as the surrounding nations hear what happens to the people of Egypt.  To make matters worse for Pharaoh and the Egyptians, it is notable to see that God spares the people of Israel from having to deal with the plagues.  The plagues take place everywhere except in the land of Goshen, where Israel resides.

What about Moses?  Can you imagine having to fill his shoes and deliver a scathing message from God to the most powerful ruler in the known world?  Pretty tough even for the bravest of us, but if you know anything about Moses, brave is not a word most would use to characterize him.  Moses was just an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances by the Almighty, but he too makes God famous in a whole other way!  Moses’ obedience to the Lord in these extreme circumstances is just what God uses to free His people from the tyrannical hand of Pharaoh. 

I want to make God famous, but not in the way that Pharaoh did!  Pharaoh could have experienced the blessing of God had he decided to bless the people of Israel and to let them go to worship.  Instead, God used his hardened heart to speak volumes to the surrounding nations, and to us today.  Instead, I think I’ll choose the road Moses took, and I will watch how He defends, promotes, and protects me as I lean into His direction. 

What about you?

Questions
1. How are you making God famous today?

2. Are there ways that you have been resisting the gentle leading of God’s voice?

3. What steps can you take to follow God’s direction for your life today?

Recently at Element Church the pastoral team and interns have been busy blogging their way through a reading schedule that we have challenged everyone at Element to read through.  Below is my first entry, but if you're interested, check out all of the great posts by our team here:  ELEMENT CHURCH BLOG

READ:  Genesis 1 & 2

When I read the origins of all that we know as accounted in Genesis 1 & 2, my imagination begins to pop.  I mean, can you just begin to get your mind around what that must have been like?  I love the wording of the Message Bible:

Genesis 1:1-2 (MSG)
"First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see."

"First this: God..." --- maybe we should stop right there for a moment.  We like to imagine ourselves pretty important in this world, but what tops that statement?  At the beginning of it all...God.  He was there.  It all began from Him...out of all of that nothingness, all that we see & don't see in this world came from Him.  When we sing at church of Him "Holding it all together", what about considering also that all that we know came from Him!  At the elemental root of all that we see, taste, touch, experience, have, and hold dear, we must remember that without Him we have nothing and really are nothing.

Feeling small yet?  I hope so, because compared to the unbelievable power of the God who brought it all together in the first place....you are.

You. are. small.

We all are.

But, as we take that step back and realize the greatness of the One who created it all by SPEAKING it all into existence, I am blown away by the idea of what we read next.

Genesis 1 continues with the story of all that God does in creating our world.  Creation doesn't just happen, it BURSTS onto the scene merely by God mentioning what He wants to happen.  God speaks and creation responds:  Light.  Dark.  Sky.  Oceans.  Land.  Plants.  Animals.  Good...He calls it all very good.

Having said and done all of that, God takes all that He has made and He does the most unlikely thing that I can imagine.  The ALL-POWERFUL, CREATIVE, LIFE-SPEAKING GOD of the UNIVERSE takes all of His creation and gives it to us.

Genesis 2:15 (New Living Translation)
"The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it."

I think it might have been in much better hands before we got to it, what do you think?  Regardless of what we think, the facts remain that God has entrusted a valuable thing in giving us this planet.  But, He didn't just place us here to exist, He had so much more in mind than that.  God TRUSTS us to take care of it.  He gave it to us to manage, and care for, and in doing so the Earth produces what we need to live.  What a wonderful gift and what incredible benefits we are provided when we manage well what God has given us.

The exact opposite is true when we do not correctly care for what God has entrusted to us.  When we foolishly neglect our planet, we can expect that things will die, and sometimes unthinkable and unrepairable damage occurs to our planet...the same one that HE -- the CREATOR of it all -- gave us to take care of.

The events of the past few weeks regarding the oil spil in the Gulf of Mexico have been devastating to watch.  The plants and animals of the Gulf are now swimming in waters that once provided a healthy ecosystem, but are now polluted in such a way that will affect marine, plant, and human life for years to come.  Such is the consequence that we face when we do not properly care for our planet and it's resources.  Too often we have left a horrible blight upon the world that our Creator has entrusted to us.  We all know that the future of our planet rests in our own hands.

As I revisited the Creation story today, the question that leaped out at me was whether or not there are areas in my life where I could do a better job of caring for the world we all live in.  The answer is definitely yes.

Now, I don't claim to be a "tree-hugger" in the sense that many who carry the banner of environmental issues would be, but I do absolutely recognize the responsibility that we ALL need to take in caring for the creation that God has given us.  As I have studied the Bible throughout my life, I have recognized the importance of caring for the things God has given us, including being faithful in managing our finances, in caring for friends and family, and in caring for others in general.   As I read today in Genesis 1 & 2, I believe it is also essential that I place equal emphasis on caring for the world God has given me to live in.

I'm planning on doing my part.  Will you?

Questions
1. How important do you think caring for the planet God gave us is to him?

2. What steps can you take to care for the world we have been given?

Videos from Element Church - 06/06/10

The Link 06-06-10 from Element Church on Vimeo.

Element Church Baptism Candidate Videos - 05.02.10

Element Church Baptism Review Video - 05.02.10 from Element Church on Vimeo.
One thing that I absolutely love is watching people change, as they encounter Jesus and the truth of God's Word.  It has been a genuine privilege to get to baptize 15 people so far this year at Element Church!  I am amazed to think of the ways that God is working in and through the team of people who attend and serve with us.  


On Sunday, May 2, 2010, we had another great baptism service.  Originally we had 3 people scheduled to be baptized, and you can see their stories here.  However, before we started I invited anyone who wanted to be baptized that day --prepared or not, to take the "plunge" and let the world know what Jesus was doing in them.  One local Millvale resident and regular attendee, Rachel Covington, took me up on the challenge.  Although she is not in the testimonial video, she is in the Baptism Service Review video.  


I am so proud of Bob Kauffman, Shannon Doven, Ben Laws, & Rachel Covington for taking this step of obedience in following Jesus!  I am believing God to do great things in all of you!


What about you?  Ready to "take the plunge" and follow Jesus by being baptized?  Let us know, and we will put your name on the list for our Summer schedule!

Baptism Candidates 05.02.10 from Element Church on Vimeo.

Other videos we've used recently...

This is a link to a funny video we showed on Mother's Day: CLICK HERE.

Here's a second, more sentimental video we used: CLICK HERE.

Here's another video we used several weeks ago:

On the lighter side....

We showed this video the week I spoke the message, "What Are You CRAZY About?"

Element Church Softball - Opening Day 2010

Element Church Softball - 04.25.10 from Element Church on Vimeo.