Laughter.

I have been attending a church called Denver United now for about 5 months, and I love it. It's challenging and real and Biblical, and... it's funny. I know that sounds like a strange thing to say about a church and at first I didn't know how I felt about it. They value laughter, although I'm sure that laughter is not in their top ten list of values like worship and prayer. However, Rob Brendle, our senior pastor cracks me up! Repeatedly he will say a bit facetiously, "Come on now, we're in church! Stop smiling and laughing. We're supposed to be serious." Most of the time this comment follows a random tangent about Star Wars or an embarrassing experience of his childhood, or last week. The other thing that makes me laugh hysterically is Andrew "the Schmidt" who does our weekly video announcements. He goes all over Denver, taping some awkward, informative and funny announcements of what is coming up at DU. I always say it's my favorite part of church, which is probably not really true, but it is sometimes. Laughter has a way of making people feel comfortable, if you're ever at some kind of show and the performer makes you laugh, you immedietly kind of settle in. You now have something in common with the rest of the crowd and it creates a unique experience. At Denver United, it has the same effect, it unifies us as a body, as a family, as friends, as people who may have never met but now we have two things in common, we love the Lord, and we are all laughing at some inside joke that Pastor Rob shared. It binds us together and makes us feel comfortable and it's a very spiritual experience. Laughter is so spiritual I am convinced and I think to be honest it's such an important part of my Sundays now: laughing, worshipping, singing, praying, receiving the Word in my heart and being challenged in my walk.

If you would like a good laugh, here is the link to all the previous video announcements from the famous Andrew "the Schmidt"... enjoy the laughter!

(just click on video ---> video announcments)

www.denverunited.com/multimedia I recommend the most recent one 2/28!