Street Musican Debut

While playing my guitar in my office this morning a thought occurred to me. "Go to the Peach Festival and play on the street." I did and had a blast! I sweated, Jesus was bragged about, and I met some really nice people who liked music just as much as me. Take a look.




Jathan and Ashlyn Frick singing "Holy Is the Lord".


Jathan and Ashlyn, Chris, Owen, and Janice Frick.

Alanna and Ashley from Cook Baptist Church helped me sing "Days of Elijah".

Annabelle and another talented young lady whose name I can't remember danced while I played "I Know Who I Am". (If someone that knows her name reads the blog, post a comment with her name so I can edit it in.) By the way, they had really loud taps on their shoes, so they were actually "clogging".

Leah danced in her pretty little skirt to "Beautiful One".

Thanks to everyone in Ruston who walked by the corner of Mississippi and Trenton and had a listen. Thanks to those who sang and danced. Thanks to those of you that tipped. Thanks to the guy that gave me $40 and said "Made To Worship" really touched him. Thanks to the folks who offered me part of their "Bloomin' Onion." Thanks to those who smiled. Thanks to the two ladies who doubled back and gave me a 5 dollar bill because you "Just couldn't pass that man praising God without giving him something." In case you're wondering, I was paid $101.79 to enjoy myself thoroughly.

God Bless,

Jathan Maricelli

Busy Week

On Friday Pam, Sarah, and I volunteered at the Ruston Peach Festival. We sold t-shirts and food coupons, ate some really good ice cream, and listened to the Buddy Tezia band cover some classics.




The T-Shirt booth.
Pam and Jathan partaking of some very special Peach ice cream.
Jathan, Shannon, and Sarah in front of the biggest fountain in Ruston.



Here are a few pics from this past Thursday night's church service. We began what will be several weeks of teaching and discussion focused on how we will reach out to the city of Ruston. During this session we talked specifically about Ruston's geographic dynamics, demographics, people groups, and cultural issues.

Trying to think of something really profound to say.

Stephanie, who was really paying attention, and some of the other folks.
You can't have a discussion without easel pads.

Terry Bradshaw, Truck Drivers, and Peach Orchards

It's really swell to be a new resident of the swingin' college town of Ruston, LA. What's even sweller is to be a new pastor in said town. Sarah (lovelywife) and I spent the last two-and-a-half years in Chicagoland. What a blast that was! I worked in the public school system, Sarah earned her graphic design degree from the IL Institute of Art(great great school), we ministered on a volunteer basis at Bartlett UPC (Pastors Jack Yonts and Bob Boettcher), all while juggling bowling pins and riding unicycles.

God helped us reach some souls, meet lots of great new MIDWESTERN friends (with funny accents : ), learn a lot about what it means to really trust God, and truly appreciate the value of a cup of English tea and homeade Italian espresso. As dynamic of a city as Chicago is, as much as we love Rachel, Vito, Ben, Gigi, Lulu, and Isaac LoCascio and the Italian Beef sandwiches at Portillo's, the call God for us to pastor a wonderful church in Ruston has us stoked about leaving that adventure for this.

We've been here less than two weeks and can't wait to see what God is going to do in a city known for Terry Bradshaw, Karl Malone, a billionaire truck driver, and really tasty peaches. We currently hold services at 1000 Saratogo Street on Sundays and Thursdays at 3pm and 6:30 pm respectively. Last night we gathered for prayer in our home and it felt really good. It felt like God is with us. And wherever God is with us is a "peachy" place to be.

God Bless,
Jathan Maricelli