Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

  • About
  • About

Inside Today’s Experiences

December 27, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • Now that was fun!
  • For those of you not with us, we recapped every series from 2009.
  • That’s 52 hours worth of content that we condensed into an hour’s worth of highlights.
  • I figured this was going to be one of those hit or miss type of things.
  • Luckily it was a hit…I’m not sure I’ve ever had this much feedback so soon after an Experience.
  • One of my big fears was whether it would translate to people who were guests.
  • I had one lady come up afterwards who was from North Carolina and she said the format helped it all to make sense and she was wishing she lived close so she could attend all the time.
  • The other cool part was the number of people who shared with me how it brought back memories to the week/series which they got saved or for some it was a reminder of when they first started attending.
  • I was so excited for today that I was wide awake at 5am and ready to go.
  • Set-up and the warm-up time were super easy today!
  • That’s a good thing because the tech for today was crazy.
  • Great job by Chris, Andy and Crissy making things happen behind the scenes exactly when they should have!
  • Also I’ve got to give a big thank you to the band.
  • In the midst of Christmas and everything else, they have spent 20+ hours at the church in the last week getting ready for and playing in Experiences.
  • If you haven’t thanked them in awhile for what they do, please be sure to do so soon.
  • In fact, I thought the standing ovation you gave them Christmas Eve after the Trans Siberian song was cool and I know they appreciated it.
  • Back to today…it was strange for both me and the band because we were basically doing something the entire Experience…usually it’s one or the other at a time so you get a bit of a break.  Not complaining, just different.
  • It would be hard to post the audio online for today, but I am going to try to put together a video at some point in my “free” time.
  • So in the meantime take the outline from today and go through each of the application questions so you see your growth from 2009 and evaluate in what ways you need to grow in 2010.
  • The funniest/most painful moment of the day occurred backstage during the 2nd Experience during the 1970’s medley.  Andrew wasn’t playing but was watching from the side wing.  He got excited and went to do an “Elvis like” windmill with his arm, but didn’t realize I had come up and was standing behind him.  When his arm came (rather hard and fast I might add) it grazed me in the face then hit me squarely in the upper chest. I t hurt but we had a quick laugh about it.
  • He wasn’t laughing though when he then went back on stage and dropped his guitar, breaking a part of it.
  • I guess that’s what God does to people who punch the pastor.  🙂
  • All in all a very good day and hopefully an inspiring look back at all that God has done in 2009.
  • Enjoy the pics below.

Filed Under: Inside Today's Experience's Tagged With: Adam Swisher, Andrea Miller, Andrew John, Andy Krull, Brett Hultzapple, Brian Miller, Chris Short, Chrissy Weaver, Cressa Coldsmith, Gayle Krull, gilbert thurston, Party Series, Thom Lambert, United Worship Experience

Inside Today’s Experiences

May 31, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Brian Chrissy Proposal

  • Really fun day.
  • Not having to preach but yet still attend was great.
  • Hectic morning getting everything set-up because of all the elements in the Experience but we got it done.
  • The worship team knocked it out of the park on both the worships songs and also with the specials…great job everyone!
  • Really proud of Josh…can’t wait to see what God has in store for him in the future.
  • Selfishly I hope it’s something with us, but my prayer is that God’s will be done.
  • He brought a great message for the close of the Hostage series.
  • Go get your crew!
  • My only real responsibility today was to do the announcements and not mess up Brian’s surprise.
  • For those that were in the 9:15 you got to experience something really cool.
  • Brian Miller who was my intern two summers ago and to this day is sort of my right hand man, FINALLY got up the nerve to propose to his long-term girlfriend Chrissy Weaver.
  • We were able to set it up perfectly so that even Chrissy’s parents who live a few hours away were able to be there without arousing any suspicion.
  • I typically don’t get nervous but I was for the whole set-up and getting Chrissy on to the stage without giving it away.
  • It was awesome watching her as the lightbulb came on to what was happening.
  • When she turned around (picture above) and Brian was down on one knee there on the stage it was awesome.
  • I looked out and everyone was crying…which was hard for me to see because I was bawling.
  • Brian and Chrissy mean so much to Lisa and I…we couldn’t be proudier of “our kids”.
  • So 10:45 crowd you really missed out…
  • Hey speaking of…for the first time ever the 9:15 crowd was larger than the 10:45…that’s really cool!
  • Well as soon as I post this, I’m offically on vacation!
  • I’ll miss you guys, but I’m definetely ready for a break.
  • Next week Craig Groeshcel (Lifechurch.tv) one of the greatest pastors and communicators in the country will be speaking to the United crowd as we begin the One Prayer series with the message, God is Love.
  • I may check in from time to time to blog about what’s happening on vacation, but don’t count on it.
  • If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call (717-263-9523)  or e-mail (office@mycfcog.org)  the church office.
  • See you in a few!
  • Filed Under: Hostage, Inside Today's Experience's, Sermon Series Tagged With: Brian Miller, Chrissy Weaver, Craig Groeschel, crew, gilbert thurston, Hostage, Josh Schlotterbeck, Lisa Thurston, United Worship Experience, vacation

    Recent Posts

    • Things I’m Thankful For (2018 Edition)
    • Things I’m Thankful For (2017 edition)
    • Annual Things I’m Thankful For (2016 Edition)
    • The Power of Mini Habits
    • Annual Things I’m Thankful For (2015 Edition)

    Archives

    • November 2018
    • November 2017
    • November 2016
    • January 2016
    • November 2015
    • November 2014
    • August 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • July 2013
    • November 2012
    • July 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
    • May 2010
    • April 2010
    • March 2010
    • February 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • September 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • About

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org

    Copyright © 2023 · Genesis Sample on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in