Here’s our Workcamp T-Shirt for this year.  Big thanks to Randy for the design:

Our Workcamp shirts are becoming something of a spiritual memorial.  After we’re back, they remind us of the work we did in a particular city.  We can remember what God has done in the past and look forward to what He will do in the future.

I went with a few youth the other day to check out the evening program at the Reach Workcamp that was staying on Grand Island and working in Niagara Falls.  This is the camp that our visiting youth group friends from Joliet, Illinois were attending, so we took up their invitation to check it out.

It felt a lot like our camps usually do.  There were some differences, but I think our kids would enjoy the experience.  Here were some of the differences I noted:

• “God sightings” from the day were shared from the crowd instead of from the stage.  Felt more like a community of believers this way.
• Not only did the youth write care cards to other students, but they also wrote to their resident.  Loved this idea.
• Participants had prayer partners on the trip.  It’s unclear whether these were from their same church or not..

Of course, the biggest thing for the youth that came out of visiting a different Workcamp is that they are more excited for ours to come.  I can’t wait either.

Yesterday, I wrote about how we’ve got some groups staying at our church this year while they travel to/from their Mission Trips.  It got me to thinking… What if we had a packet of information for groups coming to our area?

We’d have information about our facility, directions, etc.  But I think it could be helpful to have information about what there is to do in the area and tips for doing it.  Some of the things that we might include:

• Niagara Falls Info (where to park, what to see, rough prices, etc.)
• Niagara Jet Boat Tours
• Area Malls/Movie Theaters
• Area Parks/Waterfalls
• Restaurants Near First Trinity, highlighting “local” flavor like Ted’s, Anderson’s, Mayback’s, etc.

So what would you include in the packet?  What is there to do in our area that a youth group might enjoy?

During the Eastern District Convention last week, there was a time during one of the Bible Studies to talk in small groups about things that we’re discouraged and encouraged about in the church at large.  In other words, what do you see in the church that discourages you and what do you see that encourages you?

My encouragement was Kingdom Thinking.  I like that more and more churches are thinking bigger picture.  It’s not about “How does this help us?”, but rather “How does this help the greater Kingdom?”  I love that First Trinity thinks that way.  Here’s an example:

We’re all about sending out missionaries at First Trinity, but we also like to serve as a base for other mission teams.  This June, we have three youth groups staying a total of four nights while traveling to/from mission trips:

• Holy Cross Lutheran in Flushing, MI is staying here tomorrow, June 19.  They’re helping out at Camp SonRise, just North of Pottersville, NY.
• Grace Lutheran in Monroe, MI will be here on June 30 and July 1.  They are doing a mystery trip where the students don’t know where all they are going.  There is a mix of fun and service events that they’ll be doing on the trip.
• Messiah Lutheran in Joliet, IL is staying here on June 27 and will be in worship with us at the late service on June 28.  They’re doing a mission trip on Grand Island.

We’re looking forward to partnering with the greater body and helping others impact the Kingdom.

You may have remembered me talking about a website for the work of the Renovations Committee.  Well, I was checking out Joe Z’s work at FirstTrinity.com and noticed there’s a clue about the renovations website…  Can you figure it out?

Watch here for the address on June 23 if you can’t guess it early.

I’m a compulsive Google user.  I might even have a Google addiction.  But they are so stinking cool I can’t resist.  A few months ago, I found a website that suggested you should list your business in the Google Local Business Center. Theoretically, it helps people find your business.

So I added First Trinity.  Check out our listing.  Tonight I got an email telling me that I can now log in and see stats about how people find us and what they do with our listing once there.  Here are some interesting statistics about how people Googled us in the last 30 days:

• Our listing showed up 633 times.
• There were 65 actions taken:
  • 10 Clicks for more info on Google Maps.
  • 27 Clicks for driving directions.
  • 28 Clicks to our website.
• Top Search Queries (impressions):
  • First Trinity Lutheran Church (56)
  • Churches (45)
  • Preschool (45)
  • Church (32)
  • Daycare (26)
  • Trinity Lutheran Church (22)
  • Preschools (21)
  • Child Care (19)
  • Lutheran Churches (19)
  • Christian Schools (16)
• Where the driving directions requests came from (requests):
  • Buffalo 14202 (7)
  • Buffalo 14224 (6)
  • Hamburg 14075 (4)
  • Amherst 14068 (3)
  • Buffalo 14228 (3)
  • Angola 14006, Buffalo 14217, Lockport 14094, Summersville 26651 (1 each) [Note: Summersville is where we’re looking at staying on our way home from the Workcamp. That may have been me looking]
• Our listing went live on May 1, 2009.  We were averaging 15 impressions/day through May 25. Our average from May 26 through June 11 is 31.7.

So I was inspired to go ahead and connect our profile with some videos and added some office hours and worship times.  We’ll see if it increases traffic.

EDIT: We get 10 pictures to place in our profile.  One is a picture of our facility so people will recognize it.  The remaining 9 are to be decided.  Help us choose!  Check out the following places for your favorite pictures of First Trinity:

• The First Trinity photo gallery
• Our Picasa Web Albums: Sue, Jason, Crossroads, Cornerstone

Try to find pictures that match these simple statements:

• Where People Matter
• Rooted and Relevant
• Celebrating Life Together

Happy hunting!

I like things that are new and shiny.  You might also.  For me, it’s always been about computers and gadgets.  Sure, a shiny new car would be nice, but I can live with my old car.  But the latest computer hardware or home theater setup or tech gadget… Now that’s interesting to me.

I’ve noticed, however, less of a desire lately to chase those new shinies, mostly because of our financial journey.  Ironically, I now have the savings to buy a new television to replace the 20” loaner I’m using because ours broke, but I’m not really dying for it.  It would be nice, but it’s not essential.

There’s something that happens when we get control of our financial situation: We want material things less.  Sue says it’s because we focus on our blessings more than our wantings. I tend to agree with her.

Here’s how I know I’ve changed: There’s a new iPhone coming out in about a month. And I really don’t have a desire to go out and get it. I’m also not feeling bad about getting mine when I did instead of waiting for a new and better model. Because there is always a new and better thing coming.

Seth Godin has a good take on becoming a smart person that can apply to the church.  Here’s a portion:

If smart people in your industry are talking about an issue you don’t know cold, it’s very important that you don’t just sit there and nod your head sagely. I think there are two constructive paths. The first is to ask. "Wait, I was with you until a second ago. What does that mean?" You’ll be amazed at how smart and engaging this makes you seem if you say it at the right time.

The second approach is to write it down and not go to bed that night until you know the topic better than the person who brought it up. How else, precisely, are you going to become one of the smart people?

Have you ever been in church and “nodded your head sagely?”  I know I’ve been there.  Why aren’t we asking more questions?

I suppose we’re afraid we’ll look dumb, but our fear keeps us from learning about God and growing closer to Him.  Which, ironically, is dumb.

Seth isn’t just talking to the ones who aren’t asking questions though.  It’s a reminder for us that as we talk about things with people, we should stop to see if they’re understanding.  We should create a culture where people feel safe asking questions.

So let’s get smart. 

Post some God-questions you’ve always wanted to ask in the comments.  Do it anonymously if you want.  We’ll spend some time looking at the questions in the coming weeks.

Half a year.  It’s now been half a year since Addison was born.  As I think back on the last half-year with her, here are some thoughts I have:

• How did we get so blessed? Our Father must love us.
• Parents are biased, but I think she’s the most beautiful baby ever.
• She wakes up like me. Groggy for a bit, not sure if she’s happy to be awake or where she is, and then suddenly in a good mood.
• Our life has changed so much because of her, from our finances to how we spend our time.
• Not only would I not go back to our life pre-Addison, I don’t even miss it. Not one bit.
• Being a Daddy is fun.  From bouncing her on my legs, to holding her above my head and flying around like an airplane.  From giving her bottles to carrying her up to bed half-asleep in my arms.
• How did we ever live without her in our life?

Anyway, Happy half-birthday, Addison!  Daddy loves you!

I’ve posted the sermon over on the First Trinity Sermon Blog that I teased here a few days ago.  Go check it out if you’re interested in hearing the full version.

Big thanks go out to Dona, who made me cookies since I was preaching.  I think this is a practice we can all learn from.