Gilbert Thurston

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

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Inside Today’s Experiences

September 13, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • Great day today.
  • School’s back in and vacations are over!
  • So nice to have the energy of a big crowd again at 9:45.
  • Now we need to do a great job of inviting more to the 11:15 so we can get the momentum going there.
  • Funny to think that last year at this time it was exactly opposite…huge crowds late and sparse crowds early.
  • In any case, things ran pretty smoothly today with the exception of one funky light that didn’t want to stay the proper color.
  • We also had an unexpected absent by a key person on the tech team and another key person missing so we were scrambling there.
  • I ended up running some of it and Josh Schlotterbeck stepped up to “learn on the fly”.  Thanks Josh.
  • If you are interested in helping with tech, let me know.
  • Also don’t forget we need some more volunteers in the set-up and tear down crews.  Again let me know and I’ll get your name to the proper people.
  • It was great to have Aaron back for a week…love his energy.
  • Speaking of energy, I think Andrea had an energy drink this morning…she was pumped up and I love hearing her sing “Unveil”.
  • Had a few people tell me how much they appreciate that we cover hit songs.  Aaron and the team did a great job with Kings of Leon’s, Use Somebody.
  • We do this so that hopefully when it comes on the radio, a new association has been made in your mind between the song and the message.
  • I had a ton of fun with the message at 9:45.  Not so much at 11:15…just couldn’t get into a good rhythm.
  • Guess which one got posted online?  :)
  • Met some great people today at the guest receptions…we’re so fortunate to be attracting so many people that are hungry to have God speak into their lives.
  • All in all, a good day…I’m already looking forward to next week!
  • Tonight we’ll be hanging with some of our small group peeps.
  • Also excited about the Redskins game today!

Filed Under: Inside Today's Experience's Tagged With: Aaron Schwindt, Andrea Miller, gilbert thurston, Josh Schlotterbeck, Kings of Leon, United Worship Experience, Unveil Series, Use Somebody, Washington Redskins

Inside Today’s Experiences

August 23, 2009 by Gilbert 1 Comment

  • From the outside looking in, today looked pretty good, but behind the scenes, it was a rough day.
  • Pretty fitting though considering that I was preaching about how to go through tough times and grow from it.  :)
  • Despite a lot of technical difficulties, it was still a fun day.
  • I’m sort of sad that we’re done with the medley’s…they were all a lot of fun!
  • Don’t know how many people picked up on the Milli Vanilli lip synching gag…oh well at least we amused ourselves.
  • Brian and Adam’s dancing was about as good as mine….haha!
  • I thought then that the whole team really pulled it together for Loser.
  • Brian did a great job of remembering an incredibly confusing song, Adam played the slide on the guitar to perfection and Andy gave Brian some neat effects for the rapping portions.
  • At the 9:45 I was really flustered by everything that had happened in the morning and then my mic was causing some weird feedback which never happens.
  • I was disappointed, but I’ve had quite a few people tell me that the message really spoke to them.
  • At 11:15 then I was able to bring it with a bit more passion.
  • I was sharing with a few people that if we ever do a series like this again, I’m scheduling it for the winter…
  • All these wigs and costumes I’ve been wearing are very hot…nothing like wearing flannel today when it’s hot and humid out.
  • Had some guests tell me that a greeter at the door asked them if they wanted the “smokey and wild” service or the normal one.
  • Interestingly enough with a description like that, they still chose to come to United.
  • I forgot to mention at the 11:15 that if you’re interested in helping with set-up or tear-down, we could really use your help.  Either put it on a Connection Card or e-mail Tony at  thediehls@comcast.net
  • I’m excited about this up-coming week for two reasons…
    • First, Lisa and I will be on vacation in Florida!
    • Second, Josh Schlotterbeck is going to finish out the Rewind series by looking at the song Criminal.
  • Josh is an awesome young man of God and I promise you’ll not want to miss out on what God wants to speak to you through him.
  • This is going to be big-time salvation message, so if you have friends, neighbors, co-workers or relatives that don’t yet have a relationship with Christ, do whatever it takes to make sure they show up next week.
  • The following week then I’ll be back with the start to a new series called, Unveil:  Revealing God’s Will For My Life.
  • That’s a question everyone wants to know so I’m excited to share with you how to discover God’s will.
  • Again there are plenty of invite cards in the back, so invite, invite, invite!
  • Since I’ll be on vacation, I probably won’t post much, but check back periodically for vacation up-dates.

Filed Under: Inside Today's Experience's Tagged With: Adam Swisher, Andy Krull, Brian Miller, Josh Schlotterbeck, Lisa Thurston, Loser, Milli Vanilli, Rewind series, United Worship Experience, Unveil Series, vacation

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

    Inside Today’s Experiences

    May 24, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • Another good day!
  • Disappointed with attendance though…guess people think that a holiday weekend means God is on vacation as well.  :)
  • Really proud of Alex for coming in and drumming for us even though he didn’t get home from his trip until 3:30 this morning.
  • Considering he only had 4 hours of sleep, he did awesome.
  • Everything else from a technical standpoint went well…couldn’t have asked for a smoother day.
  • Really enjoyed the band’s version of “Came to the Rescue”.
  • After last week’s message and response, it felt a bit anti-climatic preaching today, but all in all I was pleased and hopefully we further cemented the fact we can live free.
  • Spekaing of…I met an active duty Marine after the 9:15 who was visiting and he was really appreciative that we took a few moments out of the Experience to recognize not just those who have given there lives but our current troops as well.
  • For the first time in awhile we were early getting done.
  • In fact we were so early, the guest reception wasn’t even ready by the time I got there…now that’s early.
  • Looking forward to hearing Josh’s message next week as we wrap up the Hostage series…make sure you invite someone.
  • As I said in the message, one of the best things you can do is be a part of a small group…tonight our full group will be together…love my peeps!
  • Filed Under: Hostage, Inside Today's Experience's, Sermon Series Tagged With: Alex Swisher, gilbert thurston, Josh Schlotterbeck, Memorial Day, United Worship Experience

    Other Weekend Thoughts

    March 2, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

    With Taylor snowtubing

  • Friday didn’t turn out to be much of a day off, but I did get to spend Friday evening with my niece Taylor (pictured with me above) snowtubing at Whitetail.
  • This was the second weekend in a row I had done this and it was amazing the difference.
  • The week before it had been really cold and icy…this past Friday it was warm, rainy and the course was slushy.
  • Made for slower runs but we had a good time none the less.
  • They were having a problem with the conveyor belt that transports you to the top of the mountain…it kept stopping all of the sudden which means people go flying.
  • At one point a little kid maybe about 6 years old was in front of me riding up the mountian when it stopped and he went flying off onto the stationary ramp beside the belt.
  • The problem was the belt started again but he still had his arm attached to his tube which was riding up the belt.
  • So as I go riding by either I have to jump his tire or do something else…I did something else.
  • I reached down and with one hand picked him up by the back of his jacket and plopped him back down on the belt…I felt like Superman.
  • Then while still riding…I undid his arm from the tube and picked it up so he wasn’t tangled in it anymore.
  • Poor kid was so tramautized by the whole thing that he leaned forward and threw up all over the belt.
  • As we get to the top of the mountain I’m trying to warn the operator to avoid the puke but he for some reason didn’t see it until the last minute and jumped out of the way just in the nick of time.
  • Other than that…a pretty fun night hanging out with Taylor…and of course what night would be complete without stopping for ice cream on the way home!
  • Saturday involved a lot more work and then heading up to the church for our first ever Connection Event.
  • It went great…lots of newer people to the church got to mingle and get to know one another and by the time this weekend was complete, 3 new small groups had been formed out of the evenings festivities.
  • A great big thank you for a job well done to Dan and Jan Krull and Josh Schlotterbeck for getting everything coordinated and planned.
  • Next time we have one of these I’d strongly recommend attending…it was a lot of fun.
  • Yesterday after church Lisa and I made a commitment to do nothing at all…but yet do it together.  Very relaxing!!!
  • Got caught up on shows like American Idol…too bad Nick/Normal Gentle went home…he was hilarious.  Love Ryan’s line…”I think that’s the first time anyone got to 2nd base with our logo.”
  • Today is sermon prep day…working on messages for the You Asked For It series.
  • The votes are in and you have decided that I should preach on…..
  • Come on did you really think it would be that easy…stay tuned for details in the days and weeks ahead.
  • Filed Under: Random Thoughts Tagged With: American Idol, Connection Event, Dan Krull, gilbert thurston, Jan Krull, Josh Schlotterbeck, Lisa Thurston, Norman Gentle, Ryan Seacrist, snow tubing, Taylor Duda, Whitetail Ski Resort

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