All Hands On Deck!
August 7, 2025
In 1980, the US men's Olympic hockey team achieved one of the greatest upsets in sports history by defeating the heavily favored Soviet team in the semifinals, a moment famously dubbed the "Miracle on Ice." The 2004 movie of the same name tells this dramatic story. 
Sports announcer Al Michaels made what is considered to be the most famous call of any sporting event when, as the game clock ticked to zero, he said “Do you believe in miracles? YES!”
The Soviets had dominated international hockey for years winning five of the previous six Olympic gold medals. The 1980 American team was composed mainly of young college players. They were individually outmatched at every position. But they relied on teamwork, grit, and belief in each other to outplay their more experienced opponents. Their Coach Herb Brooks’ strategy was to build a team based on collaboration and cohesion, focusing on playing as a unit rather than individual star power.
Their victory was a testament of how amazing things can be achieved when individuals listen to their coach, trust each other, and let teamwork be a guiding principle. Each member of the team played a significant role leading to gold. Every practice and every game exemplified an “All Hands On Deck” mentality.
As the body of Christ, God’s church is also an “All Hands On Deck” calling. We too are called to listen to our coach (Holy Spirit), trust each other, and become a team. Our goal is not a Gold Medal but something much greater. We join hands and serve together to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and to share the life changing and life-giving message of salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
As we head into fall, we have many practical opportunities to serve and be God’s team to our community.
Sports announcer Al Michaels made what is considered to be the most famous call of any sporting event when, as the game clock ticked to zero, he said “Do you believe in miracles? YES!”The Soviets had dominated international hockey for years winning five of the previous six Olympic gold medals. The 1980 American team was composed mainly of young college players. They were individually outmatched at every position. But they relied on teamwork, grit, and belief in each other to outplay their more experienced opponents. Their Coach Herb Brooks’ strategy was to build a team based on collaboration and cohesion, focusing on playing as a unit rather than individual star power.
Their victory was a testament of how amazing things can be achieved when individuals listen to their coach, trust each other, and let teamwork be a guiding principle. Each member of the team played a significant role leading to gold. Every practice and every game exemplified an “All Hands On Deck” mentality.
As the body of Christ, God’s church is also an “All Hands On Deck” calling. We too are called to listen to our coach (Holy Spirit), trust each other, and become a team. Our goal is not a Gold Medal but something much greater. We join hands and serve together to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and to share the life changing and life-giving message of salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
As we head into fall, we have many practical opportunities to serve and be God’s team to our community.
One important opportunity is Saturday, September 13 5:00-8:00pm. Redland will culminate a special effort to connect with our community as we gather for “September Swing” swing into fall block party, a community outdoor BBQ and Concert.
The purpose of this event is to take a first step in introducing Redland to many in our community (neighborhoods, unchurched coworkers, friends, and family). We also believe this event will be an opportunity for continuing connections with individuals and families that have already participated in previous Redland events (summer camps, Upward, etc.).
We are partnering with Crossroads Freedom Center (residential recovery program for men) to provide the main BBQ. We will need Redlanders to provide side dishes and desserts. The feature concert will be the Rockville Swing Band, playing great swing music from the 30s and 40s (Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, etc.). We will have a dance space available and offer a brief swing dance lesson before the concert begins. I play bass trombone in this group. They are very excited to be a part of this event.
Over the next 5 weeks we are looking for all Redland members to come together in this effort to reach out, invite, and encourage members of our (your) community to attend. All Hands on Deck!
Over the next 5 weeks we encourage every Redland member to choose a place of service for this event. All Hands on Deck!
Serving opportunities are…
Over the next 5 weeks we need each Redland member to be in prayer for this event, especially for the guests that will be invited, for the new and ongoing connections Redland will make, and the follow-up that will take place. All Hands On Deck!
Register to Attend at: https://redlandbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3078297
Register to Serve at: https://redlandbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3083780
Ephesians 4:16 reminds us of the “what”, “why”, and “how” of the spiritual calling of “All Hands on Deck”
"From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Praying you will be a part of this All Hands On Deck effort on September 13.
Al Michaels posed the question at the end of the 1980 Olympic game “Do you believe in miracles?"
As we (Redland) listen to our coach (Holy Spirit) and work together towards this effort I hope our resounding answer is “YES!!”
Your Pastor and Friend,
Bill
The purpose of this event is to take a first step in introducing Redland to many in our community (neighborhoods, unchurched coworkers, friends, and family). We also believe this event will be an opportunity for continuing connections with individuals and families that have already participated in previous Redland events (summer camps, Upward, etc.).
We are partnering with Crossroads Freedom Center (residential recovery program for men) to provide the main BBQ. We will need Redlanders to provide side dishes and desserts. The feature concert will be the Rockville Swing Band, playing great swing music from the 30s and 40s (Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, etc.). We will have a dance space available and offer a brief swing dance lesson before the concert begins. I play bass trombone in this group. They are very excited to be a part of this event.
Over the next 5 weeks we are looking for all Redland members to come together in this effort to reach out, invite, and encourage members of our (your) community to attend. All Hands on Deck!
Over the next 5 weeks we encourage every Redland member to choose a place of service for this event. All Hands on Deck!
Serving opportunities are…
- Promotion/Invitation Team
- Neighborhood Canvas - distribute invitation cards
- Hospitality Team
- Serve at a Ministry Information Tent (Children, Youth, Prime Time, etc.)
- Prayer Tent
- Children's Activity Tent
- Register Guests (Raffle entry)
- Provide a Raffle Prize
- Children's Team
- Kids Table Activities
- Bounce House
- Food Serving Team
- Organize serving spaces and tables
- Coordinate side dishes, deserts, drinks
- Assist in Kitchen
- Trash Maintenance
- Parking Team
- Assist as people enter the parking lot
- Set Up Team
- Tables, Chairs, Tents, etc.
- Post Event Follow-up Team
- Contact Guests
Over the next 5 weeks we need each Redland member to be in prayer for this event, especially for the guests that will be invited, for the new and ongoing connections Redland will make, and the follow-up that will take place. All Hands On Deck!
Register to Attend at: https://redlandbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3078297
Register to Serve at: https://redlandbaptist.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3083780
Ephesians 4:16 reminds us of the “what”, “why”, and “how” of the spiritual calling of “All Hands on Deck”
"From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Praying you will be a part of this All Hands On Deck effort on September 13.
Al Michaels posed the question at the end of the 1980 Olympic game “Do you believe in miracles?"
As we (Redland) listen to our coach (Holy Spirit) and work together towards this effort I hope our resounding answer is “YES!!”
Your Pastor and Friend,
Bill
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