This weekend is another big first Sunday at Calvary Austin. The first Sunday in February was 3-2-1. That's the weekend we put three-service resources into a two-service format. The results have been outstanding! The first Sunday in March was Vision Sunday. That's the weekend we talked about our purpose as a church and did a little vision-casting. It was our best attended weekend ever with the exception of Easter.

This Sunday April 4, the first Sunday in April, is Kick-Off Sunday for Building Momentum - our plan to meet critical space needs as Calvary Austin continues to grow. For the next several weeks, we will take a small portion of our weekend services to communicate with you regarding Building Momentum. This Sunday we're going to show you a virtual tour of our new facility and tell you more about what to expect over the next several weeks.

I am very excited about the message series we've planned. For the last couple years I've wanted to do a series of messages from the book of Nehemiah. The series will be entitled (drum roll here) Building Momentum! It's about building momentum in every part of our lives: as individuals, as families, and as a church. Join us this weekend for an incredible time of worship, the virtual tour, and a Bible study from Nehemiah 1 as we kick off Building Momentum.

Allen

The final Building Momentum pre-event was, if possible, the best. It was the second of two mid-week services with a special prayer emphasis both of which followed Vision Sunday. David and the worship team opened with a three-song set followed by a time of directed silent prayer using I Corinthinans 11:23 as a guide. We then had a creative communion celebration. David led us in worship while pairs of Elders and Pastors were available for those with prayer needs. The bread and juice were on two tables at the front and worshipers were invited to partake as they felt led. That was followed by a time of conversational prayer that included prayers for Easter weekend and Building Momentum.

In case you don't know, Building Momentum is our plan to meet critical space needs as Calvary Austin continues to grow. Very soon information will be available at the link below. The campaign begins not this Sunday but next (April 4). This week we'll prepare our hearts for Easter weekend with a look at the crucifixion of Christ and His seven sayings from the cross.

Allen

Last night's Building Momentum pre-event was really special. It was the first of two mid-week services with a special prayer emphasis. David and the worship team opened with a couple songs followed by a very cool Building Momentum graphic. After a giving a short summary of Vision Sunday and a calendar of events for Building Momentum, I spoke for several minutes about prayer. James 4:2 says, "you do not have because you do not ask." That inspires me to ask! For the first time, I gave some specifics as to the magnitude of the project. Then we had a time of conversational prayer thanking God for His power, protection, and provision in our lives. After David led a three-song worship set, we broke into small groups and prayed asking God to bless our church spiritually, numerically, and financially. Then we closed with another three-song set.

Sunday we come to the place in Luke where the movie The Passion of the Christ begins. We'll look together at Jesus' arrest in the garden and Peter's denial. "DisPassion" is the title of the message. From Peter's experience, we learn five things we can do to keep from becoming dispassionate about Christ. Last week when we gave people an opportunity to come forward to receive - or recommit their life to - Christ, 26 people responded! My point? Don't miss what God wants to do in you this Sunday at church. And bring someone you care about!

Allen

Momentum is building for Building Momentum - our plan to meet critical space needs as Calvary Austin continues to grow. Kick-off Sunday is April 4 but you might think of the month of March as a pre-event. It began with Vision Sunday March 7 and continues with a special emphasis on prayer. We're distributed hundreds of Building Momentum Prayer Guides to people praying with us for God's special blessing on our church. This Wednesday and next we have transformed our mid-week service into a church-wide prayer meeting. Called "Stop & Seek" Wednesdays, what happens March 17 and 24 will be even more critical than pit stops at a NASCAR race. The margin of victory in Sunday's Golden Corral 500 was 4.584 seconds. Races can be won or lost in the pit! Come join the Building Momentum crew Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Allen

Vision Sunday was a great success! With around 1.000 in attendance, we were able to communicate our God-given purpose and do some vision-casting. Sunday, April 4, is kick-off Sunday for Building Momentum - our plan to meet critical space needs as Calvary Austin continues to grow. If you weren't here Sunday and didn't get a Building Momentum Prayer Guide, be sure to pick one up this week and commit yourself to praying with us throughout the month of March. Monday's opening devotional was cool as it suggested we imagine what it would be like if there were more Christians in Austin. I took it a step further. What if the facility we are going to build was like a spiritual ground zero with ridiculous numbers of people getting saved in the surrounding area? You get the idea ....

Allen

It's a first: Vision Sunday at Calvary. We've done a couple vision nights but never before have we set aside entire Sunday services to share our purpose and to vision-cast. You have to come! You just have to! Don't just plan to come, plan to come early. We're going to celebrate God's faithfulness and all the life-change that's taken place at Calvary over the last year. Then we're going to peek into the future and own our God-given vision. Don't forget that we'll also ordain the newest pastors added to our staff. You can't miss it. You just can't!

Allen