I Grieve

I Grieve, originally uploaded by Thomas Lester.

Last night, instead of having our normal Wednesday night youth service (called "Element"), we had a memorial service for two of our teens that died in a car wreck. It was a sobering experience for sure. This photo was taken at the table where kids wrote notes, prayers, and memories for their friends and left it at the table.

Those who know me well know that I'm not big "griever". However, those who know me well also know that I do get deeply saddened by events like this. My son asked me last night if I was sad for the two kids who died. I told him "no... but I am sad about the pain that their friends and family are going through". I didn't know them well. I didn't really even know them at all, but I know they were loved by many who will miss them dearly. For me, dying isn't the sad part. It's the void in the lives left behind that is sad.

Last night, I found myself thinking of lyrics to a song by Peter Gabriel as I watched the tears flow down many kids faces. Peter writes, "There's nothing yet has really sunk in, Looks like it always did". When I showed up last night, it was like any other night. Even with with photos of the kids, candles, and cards it was hard to "get it" that two of our teens were gone. I don't even think their friends were getting it. I saw some walk around the place with a smile on their face, laughing with friends and then it would hit them and their face would change. Tears would roll down their face. Even if it was just for a moment.

I grieve for those left behind that have to deal with the new huge void in their lives.

I Grieve
It was only one hour ago
It was all so different then
Theres nothing yet has really sunk in
Looks like it always did
This flesh and bone
Its just the way that you would tied in
Now theres no-one home

I grieve for you
You leave me
so hard to move on
Still loving whats gone
They say life carries on
Carries on and on and on and on

The news that truly shocks is the empty empty page
While the final rattle rocks its empty empty cage
And I cant handle this

I grieve for you
You leave me
Let it out and move on
Missing whats gone
They say life carries on
They say life carries on and on and on

Life carries on
In the people I meet
In everyone thats out on the street
In all the dogs and cats
In the flies and rats
In the rot and the rust
In the ashes and the dust
Life carries on and on and on and on
Life carries on and on and on

Its just the car that we ride in
A home we reside in
The face that we hide in
The way we are tied in
And life carries on and on and on and on
Life carries on and on and on

Did I dream this belief?
Or did I believe this dream?
Now I can find relief
I grieve

I Grieve - Peter Gabriel

Rush Week Is Over

TEL_0782, originally uploaded by Thomas Lester.

Tonight was the last night of Celebration's "Rush Week". I mixed tonight. It was nice and loud with lots of guitars! There was a big turn out. Brian, Chris, Harrison, and Jeff were all their from my street. It was a great way to kick off the school year. Pastor John Wyatt spoke and did a great job (as usual).

As you can see by this photo, the music was off the hook. They got an encore and did three additional songs at the end of the night. The kids were so loud, I was having to crank the mix more and more to be able to keep the music over the kids. It was great.

Tower of Doom

Tower of Doom, originally uploaded by Thomas Lester.

Tonight was night two of Celebration Church of Jacksonville's "Rush Week". Tonight was held at Cunningham Creek Elementary School in St. Johns County. We had a huge water slide out and the kids had a blast. It was a night of great worship, excellent message on not letting your emotions get the best of you, by the amazing Sean Kelly. I know many lives were changed tonight.

This event is for High School and Middle School youth. There are two more nights to go. Wednesday and Thursday nights are being held at Celebration's Midtown campus. See more info here:

www.element633.com

Rush Week!

St. Johns Ready For Rush Week, originally uploaded by Thomas Lester.

Tonight is the first of a four nigh youth event for Celebration Church of Jacksonville called "Rush Week". Just like in College, this happens just before the school starts to kick off the school year with some intense worship, study, and fun. This is also the event to "promote" the kids to their new grade. New sixth graders join "Fuel". New ninth graders join Element. Brian, Harrison (who's already in Fuel), and Chris are all going from our neighborhood.

Check out more: http://www.element633.com/

All the kids from each of the three Jacksonville Celebration campuses are together for each night. Tonight is in Orange Park and the St. Johns and Midtown youth are being bussed to the OP campus. This photo was of Chris, Harrison, and Brian checking in to get on the bus. Tomorrow is at St. Johns campus, and the last two nights are both at midtown.