The Orchard Blog

We showed the video of our baptism celebration last August at our three weekend services. What a moving moment at The Orchard!

These baptism experiences are the fuel that move me forward, reminding me that following Jesus is not about empty, hollowed-out religion. Rather, people are discovering the radical life transformation that only comes when we join Jesus’ revolution of love and hope.

This beautiful symbol of baptism, of surrender – where it all begins with laying aside ME, and picking up the burden of WE – tells the world that “I’m New”! “Something great has happened in my life – and it can happen in yours, too.”

-Chris

As most of you know, I had my first son on September 14, 2007.

George William Egly – named after his great grandfather.

Ted and I are loving (and learning from) this new journey as parents!!

I was able to enjoy being home with him for his first 6 weeks. Thank you SO much to all of you who volunteered and lead in my absence! You did a great job! I’m so thankful to work and serve with an amazing group of people.

I’m looking forward to George growing up in our children’s ministry!

Posted by Kathryn

It’s been two days and I still feel like I’m digesting all that happened this past weekend at The Orchard.  As most of you know, this past Saturday we launched our new 5pm Saturday evening service and the place was PACKED!  We were literally adding chairs and squeezing people in.  It was incredible!

My only concern was what Sunday mornings might look like since there were so many people at Saturday night.  Well, Sunday morning came…  9am service felt a little lighter than usual, but still a great crowd.  And the 10:45am service had a GREAT crowd!

I don’t think I have ever posted numbers on our blog, but I have to share this…  We saw our weekend attendance jump 250+ people this past weekend (which represents a 41% increase over recent weeks)!  The number of first time guests was amazing!  And it sounds like most of them showed up via personal invites from a friend and the invite mailer we did a couple of weeks ago.

So we’re celebrating today.  And I am so, so, so thankful to be a part of such an awesome team.

Thank you staff – both paid AND unpaid – for all of your hard work leading up to the launch!  I’m convinced that the momentum we’re feeling right now is a direct result of the passionate buy in to our mission that every one of you have.  It is SO evident!  Wow…I am so proud.  And honored…  And yet, I know that this is just the beginning.  Fasten your seatbelts guys.  It’s going to be quite a ride!

What an incredible weekend!! Great beginning to our new series Suburban Myths and a great launch for our new Saturday Night services!

Here’s the music setlist from this weekend (with links to iTunes to purchase the original recordings):

• The Time Has Come – Hillsong United
• O Praise Him – David Crowder Band
• Only You – David Crowder Band
  
• Awakening – Switchfoot
• Brave – Nichole Nordeman
  

Would love to hear about it if you were there and got to check out the Orchard this last weekend.

Posted by Mike Jones

Doors
R U In – Chris Bell
Sunday 10.14.07

Here’s our music setlist from Sunday:
Everybody Praise The Lord – Lincoln Brewster
Mighty To Save – Hillsong
Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster
The Noise We Make- Chris Tomlin

Posted by Mike Jones

(Click for larger images.)

WiredChurches.com just posted the video from my session at Innovate. A lot of you have asked me about it, so here is the link.

Also be sure to check out all the other speaker videos.

Posted by Scott Hodge

Hard to believe that it was only 12 months ago I joined the Orchard team. So much has happened in the last year it seems almost unreal.

I am proud to be part of a healthy, growing staff that strives to hear God’s voice and then obey Him. I don’t think I have grown more in my life than in the last year on this team.

It has also been awesome to be part of a healthy, growing, and loving church family! You guys are great and I never tire of telling others about you. God continues to do amazing things in your lives and the stories you’ve shared with me over this last year have been incredible!

Never give up your boldness. Never stop being excited about being a part of this community. Allow the passion you have for leading others to Jesus to keep burning within you – may that fire never be quenched!

Thank you for sharing your lives and this past 12 months with my family and me!
Here’s to the next 12!
Peace.

Posted by Mike Jones

Doors
Doorman – Scott Hodge
Sunday 10.07.07

Here’s our music setlist from Sunday:
Let The Praises Ring – Lincoln Brewster
Mighty To Save – Hillsong
Talk – Coldplay
Lean On Me – Club Nouveau

Posted by Mike Jones