johnlaeger.com

Sunday Mind Dump

• I haven't had my nap yet!!
• We celebrated my daughter's birthday today. I am so proud of her. It has been 23 of the best years of my life to have her. She brings such joy and laughter to life.
• These next three months are going to be AWESOME as a lot of people are going to experience some overwhelming blessing of God (Mal 3:10)
• If you missed today, you really do need to watch the video after its uploaded on Tuesday.
• Someone posted this on Facebook about Meadow ... "I have grown up going to church my whole life. It has never been something I have looked forward to necessarily... Until now! Ever since I started going to Meadow I am excited about the service, I want to tell my friends about the morning, and invite them to check it out with me! Plus how cool is it to sit in some comfy movie seats while listening to morning message!?"
• Someone said there's another church that is afraid of Meadow being in Chaska. I wish churches didn't feel like we were in competition with each other - because we're not.
• MeadowYOUTH had their kick-off this past Wednesday and they have some great plans and ideas for how to fix up their own "youth room"!
• Wow...I am so pumped to see how God blesses people over these next three months!
• The band performed Jessi J's "Price Tag" and knocked it out of the park! If you have watched the video on the Facebook page - go there now and watch it!
• I am so proud of our volunteers!!
• Next Sunday will be another great and special Sunday as we honor firefighters who have paid the ultimate price. We're gonna take it a level further and honor firefighters from our community too.
• We have invited several fire departments to come and the response has been positive.
• If you know any firefighters from the community, ask them to join us!
• Had several new guests again today. I always wonder what new guests are thinking when they first come to church and hear a message on money and giving. Hopefully it was communicated in a way they could relate to and was relevant to their life.
• Foundations class starts this Wednesday and I really am looking forward to teaching this. I love taking what others have made boring and bringing life to it. God's truth is NOT boring.
• A new MeadowYOUTH Middle School class started this morning and we had a great turnout and kick-off!
• Still in need of some volunteers for assisting in MeadowKIDS. Email me at john@meadowspring.org or Rachel and rachel@meadowspring.org if interested.
• I'm thinking we need to move the time of our second service to 10:30 rather than 10:45. I think 45 minutes is too long in between services right now. What do you think?
• We are forming a "Phase 2 Team" to begin the process of our phase 2 part of the remodel. If interested, contact me at john@meadowspring.org. This will entail several meetings and some hands on work.
• In a couple weeks, my message is "How Not to Freak Out About the Election". I will be talking straight up about what the Bible says our attitude should be. God is not silent on this.
• And no...I will not be getting political and will not be endorsing any candidate! (So just chill out!)
• I really would like your opinion... what if we moved the time of the second service to 10:30?
• Well...I got some more emails to answer and send so I'm out for now.
• Later.

New Faith Deepening Class Starting

Are you interested in taking your relationship with Jesus to the next level?  Have questions about what the Bible says about important life issues? Wondering how to put into practice what the Bible says?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you will want to take a new class starting at Meadow called "Foundations".

Many Christians today live their lives, plan their schedules, and use their resources completely disconnected from what they say they believe. This spiritual disconnect is the cause of so much of the stress and problems in our lives.

"Foundations" is a fresh, innovative class about the essential truths of the Christian faith and how these truths are to be lived out - in your relationships, your character, and your work. Rather than just teaching doctrinal knowledge, this class will show you how to apply biblical truths and implement them in your everyday life.

Here are the details...

When: Starts Wednesday, October 3rd
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Cost: $15.00/person (for participants guide)

If you are interested in attending, just email me at john@meadowspring.org! 

Sunday Mind Dump

• Not gonna lie ... it was kind of a rough morning.
• From the tech issues to dealing with a tough subject (depression), I'd give the logistics of the service a 6 out of 10.
• BUT...from what people have been sharing on Facebook and commenting to me - God used the worship and message to really speak to a lot of people. So, in that sense, it was a very good Sunday.
• When you see all the hands that went up when I asked who is battling depression or knows someone who is ... I guess the reality of the issue really hits home.
• Attendance was up. Offering was down.
• We have room in each service for more people! Invite! Invite! Invite!
• However, there is no way we could fit everyone in with just one service - two services is no doubt what we needed to do and God is already blessing it!
• Wouldn't you know it...just when I get the thermostats figured out for the roof top units and the air conditioning, we need to switch them over to set them up for heat! Sheesh!
• Had more new guests today - THAT'S always so cool!
• You're gonna LOVE next week's performance song - trust me...it will bring a smile to your face!
• We need to buy a 16' step ladder this week. Anybody have an extra $650.00! Those things are expensive!
• I need to start reading more. I have a stack of book that are just calling my name!
• John P (worship leader) performed a song that really nailed the issue of depression. Thanks John - a much needed song!
• Vikings won. They actually played a really good game.
• These replacement refs are ... well ... they are ... well ...
• I am just amazed at what our First Impressions volunteers do. I just watch them do their thing and I am so impressed! You all so ROCK!
• Wow we had a lot of bread left over today!
• I'm really looking forward to teaching the new "Foundations" class. It's taking Bible study to a much deeper level (whatever "deeper" means)!
• On days like today when there are some tech issues that our volunteers take care of with professionalism, I gain a whole new level of appreciation and gratitude for what they do!
• Sounds like our sign will be up first or second week of October.
• On October 7, we are honoring firefighters who have paid the ultimate price and also those who serve our community. We have several firefighters from the community planning on coming and possibly a fire truck!
• I think I need to find someone else to do announcements. I'm getting into a rut
• Next week's message is going to be fun - at least I think so! :) Its a subject not many churches talk about but one Jesus talked about a lot!
• Sneak peak for next week? ... Read and think through Matthew 6:33.
• Read this comment on somebody's Facebook about Meadow ... "It is very real, very come as you are, and they seem to have a love for people turned off by the traditional church." ... LOVE IT!!!
• How would you describe Meadow on Facebook in 140 characters or less?

How YOU Are Making a Difference!

YOU - yes YOU - are making a HUGE difference at Meadow! I am still in awe thinking about yesterday! And I'm still having a hard time finding the right word or words to describe it! "Wow" just doesn't seem to do it!

Yesterday I said four people received Christ. I was totally wrong! There weren't four people who received Christ, there were SIX!!! Today there are six more people discovering a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ and headed for an eternity with Him because of Meadow! Wow! THAT is why we do what we do! It is your prayers and your inviting of friends that makes this possible!

This coming Sunday looks like it's going to be another powerful Sunday. You've got to do everything possible to invite as many of your friends as you can! If you have struggled with depression or have friends who have or are struggling with depression - this Sunday is a MUST COME Sunday! My message is "Dealing with Depression" and I will be sharing how I am learning to deal with it in my life. This is going to be a life-changing and freeing Sunday for a lot of people! Who are you going to invite!

I also want to say thank you to all who have and are giving to our Imagine Building Fund. We are now able to get the sign installed on the front of the church because of your giving! I anticipate it will take a few weeks, but keep your eyes peeled! It won't be long. Now, there are still some things we are needing to do to the building for Phase 1 of our remodeling. We need to get tables and chairs for the lobby and purchase equipment and items for the youth room. So...don't stop your generous giving toward our Imagine Building Fund! In fact, here's the link to give online ... Imagine Building Fund. This is also the link to give toward our General Fund too. When you give, you will be prompted to designate which fund you wish your donation to go towards.

Thank you for making a difference with your prayers, your inviting of your friends, and your giving!

 

Sunday Mind Dump

• Not sure how today could have gone better! What a great morning!
• Both services were extremely full. Still had room but not much!
• Highlight? Four people trusted Christ! THAT is why we do what we do!
• Did you get your magnet? Got it on your fridge yet?
• Talked with several people who said today was the first time they had come to church in years! I love it!
• Went to Pizza Ranch after. I think we saw half the church there! It was awesome!
• My nap this afternoon felt SOOOO good! (Still looking forward to bed tonight though!)
• They say preaching one 30 minute message is equal to working a hard 8 hour day. Today I started preaching two messages on Sundays.
• I write personal notes and emails to all first time guests. I think I'm gonna get writer's cramp from writing this week! So cool!
• Next week I'm sharing my story of depression and teaching on how to overcome depression. If you are struggling with depression be here! If you know someone who struggles with being overly stressed or depression ... make sure you get them here! It could change their life!
• Did you see our banner? Ha!
• My parents were in town for today. They have been to Meadow for every major "new" service. They are HUGE supporters even though they live a two days drive away.
• I am really looking forward to the cooler weather this week. I'm not a hot weather person.
• We have the best volunteers on the face of this planet! Some of them are staying for both services until we are able to increase our volunteers! You so ROCK!
• The cake that Dwight and Julie brought was outstanding! I think they were in their element in serving it too!
• If you have Facebook - here's a link to some pics taken today. Feel free to tag yourself! Great job Tara! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151231306605090.505047.511735089&type=1
• Just heard that a gentleman who came this morning had a stroke after church. He's in the hospital. That's all I know now. Just be in prayer.
• Several people in both services raised their hand when asked if they wanted prayer for overcoming an overwhelming situation in life. Guess my message touched reality for a lot of people.
• Friday night my daughter made us a Greek style dinner and it was delicious! I am so proud of her!
• We are still making some adjustments to systems in having two services. Is there anything you are seeing we need to change or take care of?
• I love reading through the Communication Cards after the service and reading all the prayer requests and comments.
• One gal came to the first service and then came back to the second so she could take a picture of the band to post on her Facebook wall! Is that cool or what?
• Last but not least...I'd like to hear from you. What did God do in your life today at Meadow? What did you experience? Would you post your comments on my Facebook wall? It will encourage others!
• Later!

Breaking News About Tomorrow!

Stop what you are doing and keep reading! Tomorrow is one of the biggest if not the biggest day in our 14 year history! I've got some serious things to share and ask on the night before!

1. I need you to pray tonight and ask Jesus to do the unexplainable. We want the focus to be 100% all about Him!
2. It's not too late to invite someone to come with you! Invite them NOW!
3. Don't forget about Rennaisance Festival traffic if you are coming from Shakopee. Best to take the back roads.
4. Don't be one second late. The band is kicking things off with a rockin song and trust me, you don't want to miss it!
5. Pray for me. I've been fighting a stomach bug since Thursday night. Not fun.
6. Pray for the MeadowKIDS volunteers.
7. Bring your cell phones...take pictures during the service and post them to your Facebook page! Let others know what they are missing and what you are experiencing!
8. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray.

See you all tomorrow!

Seven Things I Want to Share with Meadow Spring

We are only a few days away from what will be one of the most important and historical days in the history of Meadow Spring. Not just because its the Grand Opening of our new building, but mainly because we are expecting a lot of YOUR friends to come ... and if there's one thing that's important to Meadow, it is your friends!

So, with that in mind, here are seven critical things I want to share with you about this Sunday.

1. It's not too late to invite someone. In fact, invite them right now. Send an email, text, or Facebook chat or do it the old fashioned way and give them a call! And when they come with you, sit with them. Don't leave them alone! Introduce them to others at Meadow. Come introduce them to me - I would love to meet them.
2. Come early. We are expecting a VERY large crowd at both services (9:00 & 10:45 am), so come early, grab a cup of coffee and bagel and make your way into the auditorium.
3. Give everyone you see - especially those you haven't met yet - a warm Meadow Spring welcome. Help our guests find the coffee and bagels, the MeadowKIDS classes, the auditorium. If you see that seats in the auditorium are getting scarce, help people find seats.
4. Move and sit toward the middle & in the lower section. If you sit toward the middle and in the lower section in the auditorium, our guests will not have to feel awkward about crawling over you or sitting in the most threatening seats - those closest to me!! (Ha!)
5. Parking. If you have difficulty finding a parking spot in our lot, you can park on the street or park in the lot across Walnut Street (directly across from the church). In fact, let's give our guests the best parking spots closest to the front doors!
6. Stick around after the service and enjoy some cake! Yes, we have cake coming to add to the celebration. Don't rush out after the service. Stick around. Hang out. Have some cake and another cup of coffee. Let others know you are glad they came.
7. Pray. Pray. Pray. This is actually the most important. Pray for your friends and others that they will have open hearts to what God wants to teach them. Ask God to make Himself very real to them and show them that following Him doesn't have to be boring or old-fashioned. Pray for the band. Pray for me. Pray for the MeadowKIDS volunteers. Pray for the First Impressions volunteers. Let's saturate these next few days and Sunday morning with prayer.

This morning as I prayed for each person who said they are coming or might be coming and prayed for all the friends who have been invited (well over 100!), the sense of anticipation for Sunday is almost unbearable! I am so PUMPED about this Sunday and what I believe God will do. I am praying He will do the unexplainable!

See you Sunday!

Sunday Mind Dump

• What an awesome morning of worship! I am so proud of our band and tech team! Wow!
• I think we need to do these more often - what do you think?
• First Sunday of two services went really well. First service had more people but it will probably take several weeks for everyone to figure out which service they prefer.
• Had more new guest today!
• I love it when someone says, "I haven't stepped foot in a church in years. And I'm coming back next week!"
• I screwed up and didn't announce that this was family service and some parents were caught off guard.
• Things are really building for our Grand Opening next Sunday - LOTS of people are being invited and LOTS of people are coming!
• I totally switched up the entire teaching series that will start next Sunday. I just didn't feel good about the one I was working on and if I don't feel good about it, it won't come across well.
• I feel a whole lot better about the new series that WILL be starting next Sunday and based on the comments and Facebook shares of the video, I think others feel the same way.
• Bad news on the main sign out front - it won't be up by September 16th - RATS!!!
• Good news on the sign out front - the sign company is making us a free banner to put up announcing our Grand Opening.
• We need to do some repair to the rest of the front of the building - if you know a "fix-it" person who would want to help - let me know!
• I've got a couple of meetings this week to discuss a very explosive and divisive issue (not related to Meadow) - I would appreciate your prayers.
• Have you seen the trailer for the new teaching series? Here it is... Overwhelmed.
• Post it to your Facebook wall, send it to friends, share it - use it, use it, use it!
• My parents are coming in this week for our Grand Opening. Even though they are from Michigan, they have come to every major "new" opening service of Meadow.
• Over 100 people are being prayed for and invited to our Grand Opening - who are you praying for and inviting?
• INVITE! INVITE! INVITE! INVITE!
• Got a message from someone today, "Inviting a friend wasn't as hard as I thought." ... Boo Yah!!
• Loved the last song today - LOVED IT!
• I really don't think I'm gonna sleep much this week thinking about next Sunday.
• The substitute refs are REALLY bad!
• As I type, I've got chicken on the smoker ... and I'm DROOLING all over my computer just thinking about it!
• Thinking about switching up my quiet time approach. I need something fresh.
• I also need to get back to the gym regularly - gonna start this week. You all have the freedom to ask me about it and keep me accountable.
• Well...that's enough for now.
• Oh...did I mention our Grand Opening next week and its a GREAT Sunday to invite ALL your friends!

Four Things I Want to Say to Meadow

Here are four things I want to say to Meadow about this coming weekend:

1. This coming Sunday we are moving to two services - 9:00 & 10:45 AM. Both service will be identical!
2. This coming Sunday is an "all worship" Sunday with the band leading the entire service. I have seen the music and worship set list and I am so PUMPED! We will also be observing communion so come prepared for a fantastic morning of worship and communion!
3. This Sunday we will start promoting our fall growth groups. We have got several groups planned plus a Wednesday night Bible study class at the church!
4. We are less than two weeks away from our Grand Opening - have you invited your friends yet? If not, time is running out!! This is going to be an AWESOME Sunday! If you don't invite someone to come with you, you will regret it after you experience it yourself!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Not a lot in my mind to "dump" tonight.
• Went to a "mega-church" this morning. Great message but totally missed Meadow.
• Just as a doctor is not a good patient - a preacher is not a good pew sitter. It is really hard for me to just sit and listen to someone else speak!
• Heard things went well at Meadow. Glad I can take a Sunday off and things run smoothly - largely due to the awesome staff and volunteers Meadow has!
• Next Sunday's all worship Sunday is going to be off-the-chart! I wish it was NOW!
• Two services start next Sunday ... 9:00 & 10:45 am!
• Sounds like we had more first time guests this morning! Wow...people must have forgot it was Labor Day weekend and they aren't supposed to go to church!
• I'd like to hear from you ... what are you expecting to happen at our Grand Opening on September 16th?
• Got a fantastic surprise today when my daughter (Jessica) walked in the door to spend today and tomorrow with us!
• Worked out our personal budget yesterday for September and due to some unexpected expenses - looks like we won't be eating much this month except peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!
• Got the price for making and installing the new church sign ... $11,000.00!!!! Ouch!! And that is on the less expensive side!
• Confession... I am not in a fantasy football league and have no idea how they even work!
• I know it was only this morning, but I so miss my church and don't know how some can be away for 2, 3, 4 weeks at a time.
• I LOVE my church.
• That's about it! I'll leave any other comments to you!
• Later