First Baptist Ellisville Youth Blog

Weekly Announcements - February 6

2012-02-06T15:24:00.001-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth Feb 1
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study.

Discipleship Groups Feb 12
DGroups begin this Sunday! Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 on Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Parent Seminar Feb 16
Our next series of Parent Seminars is right around the corner. Join us from 6:30 to 8 as Luke Calvin from New Hope Counseling talks about how to talk to your kids about performance and perfection. All seminars are free of cost!

Beautiful Conference
Erin spoke about this conference a few Sundays ago. If you are interested in more info on it, just follow this link to the conference site (link).

Preaching - Ephesians 6:1-3

2012-01-31T10:03:00.002-06:00

Click for MP3

Weekly Announcements - January 30, 2012

2012-01-30T10:06:00.001-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth Feb 1
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study.

Super Bowl Party Feb 5
The Super Bowl teams have been set! Patriots verses Giants and we get to see them fight it out for the championship. The youth building will be open from kickoff (5:30) till the last second clicks off the clock. Come on out and enjoy watching the game, playing games, hanging out and whatever else. Don't forget to invite your friends!

Last Names A thru H bring a 2-liter of soda
Last Names I thru P bring a bag of chips
Last Names Q thru Z bring cookies/brownies

Beautiful Conference
Erin spoke about this conference this past Sunday morning. If you are interested in more info on it, just follow this link to the conference site (link).

Medical Release Forms!!!
All students and adults who participate in church activities off campus need to turn in a medical release form for 2012. There is more info below.

Weekly Announcements - January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T09:40:00.001-06:00

Battle of the Sexes Continues @ WNY Jan 25
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. This week it is Battle of the Sexes - Disney's Beauty and the Beast vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You might want to brush up on your knowledge (Beauty and the Beast & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

Ice Skating @ Steinberg Jan 29
After church this Sunday we will have some pizza in the White House and then head down to Steinberg for some ice skating fun. The cost is $10 per person or $6 if you bring your own skates and we should be back at church between 4 and 5. Friends are welcome to come, but be sure to have them fill out the church's medical release form!

Frank Turek Audio
Were you unable to attend Frank Turek's "I don't have enough faith to be an atheist" presentation or you just want to hear it again? Audio is available now on the youth blog. Go straight to the audio.

Medical Release Forms!!!
All students and adults who participate in church activities off campus need to turn in a medical release form for 2012. There is more info below.

Frank Turek Audio

2012-01-23T09:25:00.003-06:00

Weekly Announcements - January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T08:24:00.001-06:00

Battle of the Sexes @ WNY Jan 18
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. This week it is Battle of the Sexes - Barbie vs GI Joe. You might want to brush up on your knowledge (Barbie info & GI Joe info).

I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist Jan 19
Frank Turek, author of "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" Will be speaking at our church this Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30. Students and parents are welcome to attend, while middle school students need to be accompanied by an adult. There is no cost to attend. For more info on Frank Turek, head to his website.

Winter Jam Jan 21
Winter Jam is a night of concerts by many of your favorite Christian artists. The cost is $10 and you will want a ten dollar bill! Will want extra money for dinner. Meet at the White House at 12:30 dressed to be out in the cold for a while! We should be back around 11pm. Winter Jam Site

Rockwall & Basketball @ LifeTime Jan 22
Come on out to Lifetime fitness this Sunday night from 5:30 to 7:15pm. The cost is $9 and you will need to have both of these forms filled out when you arrive (forms). Friends are welcome to come, but be sure to have them fill out the church's medical release form!

Weekly Announcements - January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T10:32:00.001-06:00

Summer Camp Deposits Due Today
There are still spots available for summer camp at Crossings Camp. For more information and to register click here.

Wednesday Night Youth Jan 4
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

L.I.F.E. Seminars Sunday, Jan 15
L.I.F.E. Seminars are great opportunities to learn more about a specific area of the Christian journey. All ages are welcome to attend and you may attend anyone that interests you. They will take place from 5:30-7pm this Sunday night.

201 - Discovering Spiritual Maturity led by Dustin Nelson
301 - Discovering My Ministry led by Charles Murray
401 - Discovering My Life Mission led by Russ Ewing
501 - Discovering Magnification led by Tom Wideman

Weekly Announcements - January 3, 2012

2012-01-03T09:34:00.001-06:00

Summer Trip Deposits Due Jan 9
This summer we have two great opportunities for the students. All youth are welcome to come to Summer Camp at Crossings Camp. For more information and to register click here. World Changers is a construction trip for those who have completed the 9th grade. For more information and to register click here. Both trips have an initial deposit deadline of January 9th.

Parent Meeting January 8
This is our annual January meeting at 4pm in the White House where we will cover the winter/spring schedule and other things pertaining to the youth. Also, deposits for camp and world changers may be turned in at this time. One parent per family is asked to attend.

Parents of 11th and 12th Graders January 8
There will be a short meeting right after the parent meeting to discuss Graduate Celebration and what is needed from families for the senior video. This meeting is very important! Please plan on staying for 15 minutes right after the parent meeting.

Dodge Ball Night Sunday, Jan 8
The month of January is full of great opportunities for students on Sunday nights. This Sunday night we are playing dodge ball in the Large Fellowship Hall. Join us from 5:30 to 7 in the Large Fellowship Hall. Note, there are no snack suppers until dgroups begin on February 12.

Weekly Announcements - December 26, 2011

2011-12-28T08:35:00.001-06:00

Summer Camp & World Changers
This summer we have two great opportunities for the students. All youth are welcome to come to Summer Camp at Crossings Camp. For more information and to register click here. World Changers is a construction trip for those who have completed the 9th grade. For more information and to register click here. Both trips have an initial deposit deadline of January 9th.

Christmas Schedule
Upcoming times and dates that may be of interest!

Sunday, January 1- 10am Service, No Sunday School or evening activities
Wednesday, January 4 - Normal Wednesday Night Youth
Sunday, January 8 - Normal Sunday School, 4pm Parent Meeting, 5:30 Dodge Ball

Ugly Christmas Sweater Night @ WNY

2011-12-22T10:43:00.002-06:00

Weekly Announcements - December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T10:23:00.000-06:00

Ugly Sweater & Caroling @ WNY Dec 21
Two great activities this WNY. First, be sure to wear your ugly Christmas sweaters for all to see. Second, come ready to go into the nearby neighborhood for some Christmas Caroling. Normal youth time of 6:15 to 8.

Parent Seminar Audio
The audio and handout from this past week's parenting seminar is available on the youth blog. Click here to go directly to the site.

Christmas Schedule
Upcoming times and dates that may be of interest!

Sunday, December 25 - 10am Service, No Sunday School or evening activities
Wednesday, December 28 - No Wednesday Night Youth
Sunday, January 1- 10am Service, No Sunday School or evening activities
Wednesday, January 4 - Normal Wednesday Night Youth
Sunday, January 8 - Normal Sunday School, 4pm Parent Meeting, 5:30 Dodge Ball

parent Seminar - December 15th Audio

2011-12-19T09:31:00.001-06:00

Dr. Dan Zink

Download MP3

Handout Download

Weekly Announcements - December 12

2011-12-12T09:53:00.002-06:00

HS Leadership Conference Closed
The HSLC is full to the max! Those registered will receive more information via email as we get closer to the conference date, which is March 16th.

Wednesday Night Youth Dec 14
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

Parent Seminar Thur, Dec 15
The Parent Seminars are a series of seminars led by Dr. Zink of Covenant Theological Seminary to better equip parents for their imperative role as a parent. The events are free and childcare is provided for those who reserve by Tuesday. We will meet from 6:30 to 8pm in the White House.

DGroup Parties this Sunday Dec 18
This Sunday is our last DGroup of 2011. Each class is doing something different to celebrate. There will be more information later this week, but for now I know that all the middle school students will meet in the White House during regular times (5:00 snack supper, 5:30-7 dgroups), 9-10 boys are heading to Missouri Baptist University gym, 9-10 girls are doing a lunch and 11-12 graders are heading to the brunks for dinner, lesson and hanging out. Like I said, there will be more information later this week!

Sunday Services
Over the next three weeks there will be one 10:00am Sunday Service and no Sunday School. Sunday School and regular services will begin again on January 8th.

Parent Seminar - November 17, 2011 Audio

2011-12-08T09:27:00.001-06:00

Download as MP3

Weekly Announcements - December 5, 2011

2011-12-05T09:53:00.002-06:00

HS Leadership Conference Deadline Dec 11
The High School Leadership Conference is near capacity, but we are considering taking a larger vehicle to open up more spots for students. The registration for this event will close this Sunday, December 11. The HSLC will take place on March 16-18 and the cost is $100. Check out the conference page via this link. Complete payment will reserve your spot. Pay in the church office or at WNY. No online payments.

High School Serve First Wednesday, Dec 7
We will take all the gifts from the Youth Christmas party to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home on this night. We will be singing songs and spending time with new and expecting mothers at the home. Meet at the White House at 5 and expect a return around 8:30.

Donation Guidelines

Do not wrap any gifts
Toys and outfits for infants only
Supplies for new mothers

Middle School Madness Wednesday, Dec 7
While the High School students are gone, the middle students will have fun. This will be a night specifically made with middle school students in mind. Be here during normal Wednesday Night Youth time 6:15-8.

Parent Seminar Thursday, Dec 15
The Parent Seminars are a series of seminars led by Dr. Zink of Covenant Theological Seminary to better equip parents for their imperative role as a parent. The events are free and childcare will be provided. They will meet from 6:30 to 8pm in the White House.

WNY - 80s Night Picture

2011-12-01T10:04:00.000-06:00

Weekly Announcements - November 28, 2011

2011-11-28T09:42:00.002-06:00

80's night @ WNY Nov 30
Join us in your 80's outfits from 6:15 to 8 this Wednesday night as we play games, have music and Bible Study. Where to get 80's outfits? Check Goodwill or your parent's closet :)

High School Leadership Conference Nov 30
Students may begin reserving spots for the HS Leadership Conference this Wednesday, November 30. The HSLC will take place on March 16-18 and the cost is $100. Check out the conference page via this link. Limited spots available. Complete payment will reserve your spot. Pay in the church office or at WNY. No online payments.

MBCH Youth Christmas Party Saturday, Dec 3
This is a night of Christmas fun. The cost is a gift that will be donated to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. The night will include fun Christmas related activities such as classic Christmas movies (Charlie Brown, Rudolph), yummy Christmas treats and Christmas Coralling. The party begins at 6:30 and wraps up at 8:30.

Donation Guidelines

Do not wrap any gifts
Toys and outfits for infants only
Supplies for new mothers

Weekly Announcements - November 21, 2011

2011-11-21T11:20:00.002-06:00

No WNY or DGroups this week Nov 23 & 27
There will be no Youth evening activities on Wednesday, November 23 and Sunday, November 27. Regular activities will begin again on Wednesday, November 30.

Parent Seminar
There were problems with the audio, which we are working on, but the handouts are available on the youth blog (Link)

High School Leadership Conference
Students may begin reserving spots for the HS Leadership Conference on Wednesday, November 30. The HSLC will take place on March 16-18 and the cost is $100. Check out the conference page via this link. There are limited spots and will be reserved by paying the full amount of the conference.

MBCH Youth Christmas Party Saturday, Dec 3
This night of Christmas fun. We will be collecting supplies for infants to donate to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. The night will include fun Christmas related activities. More details in next week's email.

Parent Seminar - November 17, 2011

2011-11-21T10:28:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, we had a computer crash and some of the audio from the conference was lost and what we were able to recover needs to be put together.

For now, you may download the Handouts from the seminar. Please read thoroughly as there is a lot of valuable information in both.

Big Thoughts.pdf
Impact Parent.pdf

Weekly Announcements - November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T09:12:00.001-06:00

WNY with Grant Norsworthy Wednesday, Nov 16
This Wednesday Night Youth from 6:15 to 8 we will be joined by special guest musician Grant Norsworthy. Grant has played for SONICFLOOd and the Paul Colman Trio. For more info on Grant checkout wikipedia or his official site.

Snack Supper & Shortened DGroups Sunday, Nov 20
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups will end at 6:20 this Sunday night because of the Missions Banquet that starts at 6:30. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Parent Seminar Thursday, Nov 17
The Parent Seminars are a series of seminars led by Dr. Zink of Covenant Theological Seminary to better equip parents for their imperative role as a parent. The night will begin at 6:30 in the White House and will conclude at 8pm. Free childcare is available upon reservation into the church office by Tuesday.

Weekly Announcements - November 7, 2011

2011-11-08T13:54:00.001-06:00

DNow Spirit Team Pics Online
Head to the FBCE Youth Blog to look at and download your team's spirit pictures.

WNY - What Now? Wednesday, Nov 9
This Wednesday Night Youth we will have the games and music like we normally do, but the lesson will center on the lessons communicated this past week at Disciple Now. Come on out from 6:15 to 8pm.

World Changer Meeting Sunday, Nov 13
Interested in going to World Changers? Already signed up? Both are invited to this informational meeting this Sunday at 4pm in the White House.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Nov 13
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Disciple Now - Spirit Team Pictures

2011-11-08T12:19:00.004-06:00

Click below to download

Disciple Now - Live Stream

2011-11-04T15:27:00.001-05:00

Hit the Play button on the bottom left of the player in order to view the steam without moving to a new pate.

Watch live streaming video from fbceyouth at livestream.com

SCHEDULE

Friday

7:30 pm – Worship Rally with Matt Papa and Ed Newton

Saturday

10:15 am – Worship and Lesson with Matt Papa and Ed Newton

Saturday Afternoon & Evening

7:00pm - Worship and Lesson with Mat Papa and Ed Newton

9:30pm - Worship Finale with Matt Papa

Weekly Announcements - October 31, 2011

2011-10-31T10:16:00.000-05:00

4 Days Until Disciple Now!
I understand that there are a few who haven't signed up yet, please do so today!!! Go here for more info and to register. If you are registered, then a letter was sent to your parents via email with your host home information. Please let me know if you do not have a letter!

HS Serve First Wednesday, Nov 2
We are heading back to Helping Hands in order to help Phyllis get clothing bags together for children in the foster care system. Please arrive at the White House at 5:15. We should return back to the White House at 8:20-8:30. Please bring any brown paper grocery bags that you might have.

MS Madness with Brian and Erin Wednesday, Nov 2
While the High School students are gone away to the Serve First, the Middle School students will have a night completely catered to them. Come on out from 6:15 to 8.

No Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Nov 6
(No DGroups this Sunday Night due to Disciple Now) Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

WorHalloUmpkinEries

2011-10-27T08:28:00.004-05:00

Weekly Announcements - October 24

2011-10-24T15:17:00.003-05:00

WORHALLOUMPKINERIES PARTY @ WNY Wednesday, Oct 26
This WNY has never happened before. We have three great events on one night. World Series Game 6, Halloween Themed clothing and Pumpkin Carving. All students are welcome to stay through the duration of Game 6 of the World Series. Since it is a party, girls bring something sweet and guys bring chips. There will be pumpkins provided for the carving. You will need to bring your own pumpkin if you don't want to share! Don't forget to bring pumpkin carving patterns!

11 Days Until Disciple Now!
Do you still have friends who are going to sign up for dnow, but haven't yet? Please ask them to sign up by this Wednesday. After this Wednesday they will need to call the church office in order to sign up. Go here for more info and to register.

Parent Seminar Audio
Dr. Zink shared some great insight on the importance of CONNECTION in the role of parenting. The audio and handout from the seminar is available on the youth blog. Dr. Zink will be joining us again on Thursday, November 17.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Oct 30
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Parent Seminar Audio - October 20, 2011

2011-10-24T13:46:00.000-05:00

The Parent Seminars are a series of seminars led by Dr. Zink of Covenant Theological Seminary to better equip parents for their imperative role as a parent. This past Thursday, Dr. Zink discussed CONNECTION, CUTTING and LIMITS & FREEDOM.

You may listen to the audio directly from this site by clicking on the player or download to your computer. The handout goes right along with the Dr. Zink's talk and is quite helpful.

Audio

Download MP3

Handout
Zink Handout (pdf)

Weekly Announcements - October 17, 2011

2011-10-17T12:44:00.001-05:00

World Series Night @ WNY Wednesday, Oct 19
I'm not getting a clear start time for the game, but we will adjust as needed. We will meet for our normal time of 6:15 - 8:00, but will adjust our activities to the start of the game. Great night to invite your friends to youth. Just tell them you are going to watch the game on 20 foot screen! There will be music and lesson as normal. Not interested in the game? Bring a board game for all to play.

18 Days Until Disciple Now!
Disciple Now is an amazing weekend for our students. There will be excellent teaching from the speaker and from the leaders that come in to help. There will also be fantastic music by Matt Papa and a ton of fun as groups compete on Spirit Night and the Saturday group game. Friends are half the cost. Go here for more info and to register.

Parent Seminar Thursday, Oct 20
The Parent Seminars are a series of seminars led by Dr. Zink of Covenant Theological Seminary to better equip parents for their imperative role as a parent. This Thursday he is going to discuss CONNECTION, CUTTING and LIMITS & FREEDOM The events are free and childcare will be provided. They will meet from 6:30 to 8pm in the White House.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Oct 23
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Weekly Announcements - October 10, 2011

2011-10-10T09:33:00.002-05:00

25 Days Until Disciple Now!
Disciple Now is an amazing weekend for our students. There will be excellent teaching from the speaker and from the leaders that come in to help. There will also be fantastic music by Matt Papa and a ton of fun as groups compete on Spirit Night and the Saturday group game. Friends are half the cost. Go here for more info and to register.

Cardinals Night @ WNY Wednesday, Oct 12
Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. Represent the Cardinals who are in the NLCS! WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

Youth Hay Ride Friday, Oct 14
This year we have a hay ride with a twist. We are going to Forest Park! Cost is $10 per student and you might want to bring a little extra cash in case we swing by Ted Drewes on the way home :) Be at the church at 6:45 and we should be back around 9 or 9:30.

Parent Seminar Thursday, Oct 20
The Parent Seminars are a series of seminars led by Dr. Zink of Covenant Theological Seminary to better equip parents for their imperative role as a parent. The events are free and childcare will be provided. They will meet from 6:30 to 8pm in the White House.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Oct 16
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

HS Serve First - Helping Hands October 2011

2011-10-06T09:21:00.000-05:00

Weekly Announcements - October 3

2011-10-03T10:07:00.000-05:00

Early DNow Deadline this Wednesday!
Disciple Now is an amazing weekend for our students. There will be excellent teaching from the speaker and from the leaders that come in to help. There will also be fantastic music by Matt Papa and a ton of fun as groups compete on Spirit Night and the Saturday group game. Friends are half the cost. Go here for more info and to register. Cost is $50 by this Wednesday and $60 afterwards.

High School Serve First Wednesday, Oct 5
This Wednesday night is our first HS Serve First of the school year. We are going to Helping Hands to help Phyllis go through a large donation of clothes from Wal-Mart. Come ready to work and serve! Arrive at the White House at 5:15 and we should return around 8:15.

Middle School Madness Wednesday, Oct 5
While the HS students are gone, the middle school students will have a night of WNY just for them. Brian and Erin will be leading this night of fun, games and bible study.

Flag Football Competition Sunday, Oct 9
Are you ready for some football? Join us for an afternoon of football on Sunday, Oct 9th from 1 – 4. The field of battle is Ferris Park (on New Ballwin Rd about 2 miles south of Manchester). Bring your friends as we find out who the football stars are (no truth to the rumors that Rams scouts will be on hand trying to find people that remember how to catch a pass). All youth are welcome. See attached image for more info.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Oct 9
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

See You at The Pole Pics

2011-09-28T10:28:00.000-05:00

Weekly Announcements - September 26, 2011

2011-09-26T10:32:00.000-05:00

Superhero Theme Night @ WNY Wednesday, Sept 28
This is the first of many themed Wednesday Night Youths. Besides just having fun with the theme, the best "in theme" person will receive a prize for the night. Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

See You at the Pole Sept 28
SYATP is a yearly event where students gather together at their school's flagpole to pray for their fellow students, teachers and leadership. This normally takes place half an hour before the first class. This year I will be at Marquette High School. Click here for more info on SYATP.

DNow Registration is Open Today
Disciple Now is an amazing weekend for our students. There will be excellent teaching from the speaker and from the leaders that come in to help. There will also be fantastic music by Matt Papa and a ton of fun as groups compete on Spirit Night and the Saturday group game. Friends are half the cost. Go here for more info and to register.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Sept 18
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Preaching - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

2011-09-21T15:37:00.000-05:00

God's Foolish Wisdom

Click to download as MP3

Weekly Announcements - September 19, 2011

2011-09-20T14:43:00.002-05:00

DNow Summer Camp Reveal @ WNY Sept 21
This is not your normal Wednesday Night Youth. We will be revealing all the information concerning Disciple Now, World Changers and Summer Camp. Come on out for a fun night of movies, games and music.

ICA 5k Run/Walk for Freedom Sept 24
International Crisis Aid is an organization that works to help young girls trapped in the world of sex-trafficking. We have had them at WNY to share the stories of their success and now we have an opportunity to support their work through involvement in their 5k this month. Visit their site (Link) to register. Please register as part of a group with "Ellisville" as your group name. Youth and parents are welcome to participate!!!

Unable to run/walk, but still want to help? Let me know if you are willing to sponsor a runner through a donation.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Sept 18
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Super Hero Theme Night @ WNY Wednesday, Sept 28
This is the first of many themed Wednesday Night Youths. Besides just having fun with the theme, the best "in theme" person will receive a prize for the night.

Weekly Announcements - September 12, 2011

2011-09-12T15:52:00.000-05:00

Battle of the Sexes @ WNY Sept 14
Think you are smarter than the opposite sex? We will see at WNY! Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

Snack Supper & DGroups Sunday, Sept 18
Snack Supper starts at 5:00 and DGroups begin at 5:30 most Sunday nights. DGroups are a small group studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith.

DNow Summer Camp Reveal Sept 21
This is not your normal Wednesday Night Youth. We will be revealing all the information concerning Disciple Now, World Changers and Summer Camp. Come on out for a fun night of movies, games and music.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, October 9
Drama team practice starts October 9. They will meet from 4-5pm in the Great Adventure Theatre. All our welcome! Please contact Debbie Tucker (r4tucks@sbcglobal.net) or Jan McKinlay with questions.

Weekly Announcements - September 5, 2011

2011-09-06T08:42:00.000-05:00

Special Speaker Rob Turner @ WNY Sept 7
This week at WNY national youth speaker Rob Turner will be teaching. Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

DGroups & Underground Church Sunday, September 11
This wonderful night will begin with a snack supper at 5pm. Then dgroups at 5:30. DGroups are small group in-depth studies. After dgroups we will play Underground church until 8:45. Parents will pick students up at the church foyer.

Weekly Announcements - August 29, 2011

2011-08-29T14:13:00.002-05:00

4Square Dodgeball @ WNY August 31
A youth favorite Four-Square Dodgeball is on tap for WNY. Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, September 18
Drama team practice starts September 18. They will meet from 4-5pm in the Great Adventure Theatre. All our welcome! Please contact Debbie Tucker (r4tucks@sbcglobal.net) with questions.

WNY Theme Nights all fall
This fall we are having a bit of fun on the last Wednesday Night Youth of each month. Each one will have a theme. The best in-theme student will receive a prize. Check out the upcoming themes.

September 28 - Super Heroes
October 26 - Halloween (Appropriate!)
November 30 - 80s
December 21 - Ugly Christmas Sweater

Weekly Announcements - August 22, 2011

2011-08-22T09:21:00.000-05:00

Shoe Wars @ Wednesday Night Youth August 24
Shoe Wars and "The Mailbox" video is on tap for WNY. Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

Fall Parent Meeting Sunday, August 28
Our Fall parent meeting will be at 4:00pm in the White House on Sunday, August 28. We will cover general issues pertaining to youth and the upcoming fall calendar. One parent or guardian per family is asked to attend.

L.I.F.E. Classes Sunday, August 28
LIFE Classes will be available for everyone, including youth, from 5:30 to 7pm on Sunday, August 28. The list of classes are below. Please call the church office or email Jaci Davidson (jdavidson@fbcellisville.org) to reserve a spot.

201 - Discovering Spiritual Maturity taught by Dustin Nelson
301 - Discovering My Ministry taught by Charles Murray
401 - Discovering My Life Mission taught by Russ Ewing
501 - Discovering Magnification taught by Tom Wideman

Preaching - Jude 17-25

2011-08-16T09:38:00.000-05:00

Contending for the Faith

Click to Download MP3

Weekly Announcements - August 15, 2011

2011-08-15T13:54:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Night Youth August 17
The summer is over and school is beginning, which means we are returning to our school schedule on Wednesday nights. Join us from 6:15 to 8 each Wednesday as we have time playing games, music and Bible study. WNY is a great way to refocus for the week ahead and for inviting friends.

Fall Roundup Sunday, Aug 21
The Fall Roundup is a kickoff of our fall activities. There will be food and games for all ages. Something special for the youth, there will be a dunking booth where students attempt to hit the target so that I will go plummeting into a bucket of water. $0.50 per throw or 4 throws for $3 with a guaranteed dunk if all 4 miss. Adults are $1 a throw and no guarantees! All money going to World Changers.

201 - Discovering Spiritual Maturity taught by Dustin Nelson
301 - Discovering My Ministry taught by Charles Murray
401 - Discovering My Life Mission taught by Russ Ewing
501 - Discovering Magnification taught by Tom Wideman

Weekly Announcements - August 8

2011-08-09T08:56:00.001-05:00

Hot Summer Nights
HSN is three days of great activities to finish the summer off well. You are more than welcome to invite friends, but please remember to reserve your spot! Read below about each day's activity.

HSN1 - Welcome 6th Graders Wed, Aug 10
Slight change this year. Don't worry, we will still have an awesome night of food at 6:15, games, hsn video and music by The Corners Band, but we will not be kidnapping. Instead, we are picking up the new 6th graders in a limo-bus! I need 6 upperclassmen who want to welcome the new students by riding on the limo-bus with Brian, Erin and myself. You must be able to be at the White House at 4pm. Email me to reserve a spot! Those not on the limo-bus are welcome to show up at 6:15 and the night will end at 8pm.

HSN2 - City Museum Thurs, Aug 11
We are heading to the City Museum on Thursday afternoon. I have room for 40 people on the church's transportation. Please email me to reserve a spot. I also need adult chaperons for this event, please email me to reserve a student or chaperon spot.

HSN3 - Laser Tag Fri, Aug 12
On the final HSN we are heading to Laser Tag in Belleville, IL. Cost is $21 and that covers laser tag and food. Arrive at the White House at 10:30pm on Friday and arrange for someone to pick you up at 6:00am Saturday morning. Limited transportation, so please email me to reserve a spot!

Mystery Night - Pictures

2011-08-01T10:19:00.000-05:00

Weekly Announcements - July 25, 2011

2011-07-25T08:45:00.002-05:00

Murder Mystery Night Wednesday, July 27
Whodunit? The White House will be a place of intrigue this Wednesday night as everyone competes to solve a murder. 1920s is the theme for the night, but come as you are if you don't own 1920s clothing. Prizes for Best Performer, Best Dressed and Wealthiest Player will be given out. The fun begins at 6:15!

Ultimate Tuesday July 26
Ultimate Tuesday is ultimate frisbee that takes place every Tuesday night at Living Word Methodist Church. Students who have completed the 8th grade are welcome to attend. The fun begins at 9pm and ends at 10:30.

Guys Paintball August 3
The guys are heading to Wacky Warriors for a day of paintball! We will meet at the church at 9am and return around 2:30pm. More details to come.

Send a Letter to Heath
Heath Wilkison has left for boot camp. A letter would be a great way to encourage him. Please send all letters to:
        PVT Wilkison, Heath A. RN152
        E C o 1st B N 19th INS
        9075 Holcomb Dr.
        Ft Benning, GA 31905
Very Important! On the back of the letter write a large #1.

Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday Morning Worship happens on sunday mornings at 9am. There will be music, minute to win it games and bible lessons every Sunday morning.

Weekly Announcements - July 18, 2011

2011-07-18T09:24:00.001-05:00

Swing Around Fun Town Wednesday, July 20
SAFT is a yearly favorite. You get to play all the go-karts, bumper boats, mini-golf and batting cages that you can fit into two hours. The cost is $15 per person. We will meet at the White House at 5:45 and will return to the White House at 9.

Ultimate Tuesday July 19
Ultimate Tuesday is ultimate frisbee that takes place every Tuesday night at Living Word Methodist Church. Students who have completed the 8th grade are welcome to attend. The fun begins at 9pm and ends at 10:30.

Girls Weekend - Uniquely You July 29
This year's Girls Weekend is less than two weeks away. Information about the weekend and registration is available online (link). Please contact Erin Reese (reesey923@aol.com) if you have any further questions.

Send a Letter to Heath
Heath Wilkison has left for boot camp. A letter would be a great way to encourage him. Please send all letters to:
        PVT Wilkison, Heath A. RN152
        E C o 1st B N 19th INS
        9075 Holcomb Dr.
        Ft Benning, GA 31905
Very Important! On the back of the letter write a large #1.

Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday Morning Worship happens on sunday mornings at 9am. There will be music, minute to win it games and bible lessons every Sunday morning.

World Changers - Crew Photos

2011-07-04T13:48:00.001-05:00

Picture 1 - Ashley, Derek
Picture 2 - Jesse, Will & Katelyn
Picture 3 - Erin
Picture 4 - Stuart, Jordan
Picture 5 - Lindsey, Kristine, Jenna
Picture 6 - Andy, David, Olivia
Picture 7 - Rebecca, Hollis, Andrew
Picture 8 - Doug, JD, Meagan
Picture 9 - Gary, Austin, Laura
Picture 10 - Bethany, Ryan, Kevin
Picture 11 - Emily, Ryan, Dustin

World Changers - Update Saturday

2011-07-02T11:02:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the lack of information. I did not bring my computer and so I'm trying to update using my phone. Anyways, the group left world changers this morning. It was a wonderful week. It was the best week of World Changers I personally have ever experienced.

Some of you may have heard from caringbridge that Wyatt is very possibly coming home on Sunday. So I left the team this morning and flew back to St. Louis to help Caroline prepare for Wyatt's trip home. The kids are in good hands with the adults who are on the team!

Please contact Gary Pool or Rebecca Vestal if you need to get in contact with any of the students.

World Changer - update monday

2011-06-27T14:20:00.001-05:00

We have arrived in Knoxville and are ready to get going!

World Changer

2011-06-26T23:09:00.001-05:00

We arrived in Nashville and are all in our rooms for the night. On to Knoxville in the morning.

Weekly Announcements - June 20, 2011

2011-06-20T08:56:00.001-05:00

College Bible Study meets Tonight
The Summer College Bible Study that normally meets on Sunday evenings is meeting tonight because of Father's Day. Please join us at 7pm at the Slates home for a late dinner, study and hanging out.

Ultimate Tuesday June 21
Ultimate Tuesday is ultimate frisbee that takes place every Tuesday night at Living Word Methodist Church. Students who have completed the 8th grade are welcome to attend. The fun begins at 9pm and ends at 10:30.

Kickball June 22
The Wednesday activity for this week is Kickball at the Pond Association fields. Join us from 7 to 10pm at the fields for kickball and hanging out. There is no cost for attending. Don't forget to invite your friends!

Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday Morning Worship happens on sunday mornings at 9am. There will be music, minute to win it games and bible lessons every Sunday morning.

Summer Camp Video on Youth Blog
Head to the Youth Blog to see the summer camp recap video that was played this past Sunday morning.

Summer Camp Recap Video

2011-06-20T08:23:00.002-05:00

Summer Camp

2011-06-12T18:32:00.000-05:00

We have arrived at the camp safe and sound. We are having some difficulties with the rooming but they will be worked out soon. Thank you for your prayers!

Preaching - Matthew 18:21-35

2011-06-07T09:40:00.000-05:00

No Community Without Forgiveness

I made several references during this message.

In the introduction I referenced Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together. This is a wonderful little book, a bit dated and sections reflect his Lutheran upbringing, but still fantastic.
The 31 One Anothers was something that I was exposed to in my Typical Problems in Biblical Counseling class in Southern Seminary. Stuart Scott put the list together and it is quite helpful. I strongly encourage you to take a look at it.
In preparation for this message I read Desmond Tutu's No Future Without Forgiveness in hopes that I would be able to reference the South African experience, but sadly I was not. I did however use a makeshift version of the title for the message title. This is a very interesting book on how forgiveness played a key part in South Africa's stability of a country coming off of years of civil warfare.

Weekly Announcements - June 6, 2011

2011-06-06T08:28:00.003-05:00

Incredible Pizza Company Wednesday, June 8
This Wednesday night we are heading to the Incredible Pizza Company for pizza and games. The cost is $21 per person and that gets you all the pizza you can eat and 90 minutes of game time. We will meet at the White House at 5:20, leave at 5:40 and return shortly after 9. Check out their website for more info (Incredible Pizza).

Ultimate Tuesday June 7
Ultimate Tuesday is ultimate frisbee that takes place every Tuesday night at Living Word Methodist Church. Students who have completed the 8th grade are welcome to attend. The fun begins at 9pm and ends at 10:30.

Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday Morning Worship happens on Sunday mornings at 9am. There will be music, minute to win it games and bible lessons every Sunday morning.

31 One Anothers
In the sermon on Sunday I referenced Professor Stuart Scott's list of 31 One Anothers found in Scripture. Here is a link to that list.

Weekly Announcements - May 30 - One Anothers

2011-05-31T10:29:00.000-05:00

Cardinals vs Giants Wednesday, June 1
We are heading to Busch Stadium to see the Cards play the World Series Champion San Fran Giants. The cost of the evening is $10 and you must pay in order to reserve your spot. Please contact Vicki Williams (vwilliams@fbcellisville.org) in the church office to see if tickets are still available.

Ultimate Tuesday begins this week May 31
Ultimate Tuesday is ultimate frisbee that takes place every Tuesday night at Living Word Methodist Church. students who have completed the 8th grade and up are welcome to attend. The fun begins at 9pm and ends at 10:30.

Sunday Morning Worship starting June 5
Sunday Morning Worship happens on Sunday mornings at 9am. There will be music, minute to win it games and bible lessons every Sunday morning.

College Bible Study starting June 5
The Summer College Bible Study begins this Sunday night at the Slates home. Dinner begins at 7pm and then we will be studying John Piper’s book Don’t Waste Your Life. College students and recent high school graduates are welcome to attend.

31 One Anothers
In the sermon on Sunday I referenced Professor Stuart Scott's list of 31 One Anothers found in Scripture. Here is a link to that list.

Weekly Announcements - May 23

2011-05-24T14:11:00.000-05:00

Concert this WNY May 25
The Corners will be joining us this Wednesday Night Youth from 6:30 to 8:00. This is a great night to invite friends! Check out their music on their website (Link) and myspace page (Link).

St. Louis Cardinals Game June 1
We are heading to Busch Stadium to see the Cards play the World Series Champion San Fran Giants. The cost of the evening is $10 and you must pay in order to reserve your spot.

Summer Schedule about to Begin
School is almost out and things are changing at FBCE. Be sure to be up on what is happening each week.

Sunday Morning Worship - takes place every Sunday morning at 9:15 in the White House. Similar to a WNY
Ultimate Tuesday - Ultimate Frisbee at Living Word from 9-10:30 pm every Tuesday night.
Wednesday Activity - Almost every Wednesday of the summer will have a special event. Stay up on what is happening because each week there is something fun we are doing!

Weekly Announcements - May 16

2011-05-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

Air Guitar this WNY May 18
Air Guitar is this Wednesday night! A stage extension is being constructed right now to add to the awesomeness of the night. Go to youth blog to see pictures of the progress. Just head to the church website (link) to register for the Fifth Annual Air Guitar Championship. Song choice and creativity are key to take home this coveted championship. The first 20 registered will get an Air Guitar t-shirt and the winner will take home an iTunes Giftcard.

Graduation Sunday May 22
This Sunday is Senior Celebration! The celebration begins at 8:30am for the graduates and their families, 9am for everyone else.

Summer Camp/World Changers Meeting May 22
There will be two summer trip meetings this Sunday. Both meetings require the student and one parent to attend. The summer camp meeting is at 4:00pm and the World Changer meeting is at 7:00pm. BOth meetings will be in the White House.

Summer Camp Online Forms
Those registered for summer camp recieved a letter in the mail with instructions for online documents that must be filled out. This is a reminder to fill out those documents.

Weekly Announcements - May 9

2011-05-09T08:52:00.001-05:00

Special WNY May 11
This week’s Wednesday Night Youth will have our normal games, music and fun stuff, but with a bonus! The message will be delivered by Heath Wilkison and Brian Tachick. This is sure to be a great night.

Guitar Hero before WNY May 11
Those with time to kill or for those itching to show off your guitar hero skills, Guitar Hero will be playing on the big screen in the White House from 5:30 to 6:30 this Wednesday. Come out and play or just enjoy the show. See you there!

Final DGroup this Sunday May 15
This Sunday night is our last DGroup of the Spring. The next DGroup will be around the start of school. Snack supper is at 5:00pm and then DGroups are from 5:30 to 7:00.

Parent Meeting Sunday May 15
In the White House starting at 4pm. Please have one parent/guardian from each family present.

Air Guitar Registration is Open May 18
Head to the church website (link) to register for the Fifth Annual Air Guitar Championship. Song choice and creativity are key to take home this coveted championship. The first 20 registered will get an Air Guitar t-shirt and the winner will take home an iTunes Gift card.

Summer Camp Online Forms
Those registered for summer camp received a letter in the mail with instructions for online documents that must be filled out. This is a reminder to fill out those documents.

Weekly Announcements - May 2

2011-05-02T15:42:00.000-05:00

High School Serve First May 4
We are returning to Helping Hands this Wednesday night to assist Phyllis and her ministry through working in the warehouse. Meet at the White House at 5:00pm and we should return around 8:15. This is the last Serve First before World Changers.

Middle School WNY May 4
While the high school students are gone, the middle school students will enjoy a night tailored just for them. Join Brian and Erin from 6:15 to 8:00 this Wednesday night.

No Sunday Evening Activities May 8
This Sunday is Mother's Day! There will be no Sunday evening activities so enjoy time with mom!

Air Guitar Registration is Open May 18
Head to the church website (link) to register for the Fifth Annual Air Guitar Championship. Song choice and creativity are key to take home this coveted championship. The first 20 registered will get an Air Guitar t-shirt and the winner will take home an iTunes Gift card.

Summer Camp Online Forms
Those registered for summer camp recieved a letter in the mail with instructions for online documents that must be filled out. This is a reminder to fill out those documents.

WNY - Do You Thirst for God?

2011-04-28T09:56:00.000-05:00

Web Video of the Week
One of the best songs ever done with Shadow Puppets. Fantastic!

Lesson

I spent some time thinking about what is the best thing for us to talk about and I ended falling on the issue of health. You know it’s important that you go to the doctor every once in a while, even if you do not feel sick, in order for them to make sure that you are truly healthy. So, tonight is a spiritual checkup. A spiritual physical, but no one is going to be asked to cough. For those who know what I am talking about.

Studies show that guys don’t go to the doctor as often as women do. Why do you think that is?

About.com has put together a list of the top 10 reasons why guys won’t go to a doctor. Are you ready guys, I think this makes us look pretty silly.

Top 10 Reasons why men won’t go see a doctor:
10. Doctors are not equated with preventative health
9. Men exaggerate the negative qualities of healthcare provision
8. Fear of being judged
7. Defects are signs of weakness
6. “Suck it up”
5. Men are not socialized into visiting the doctor
4. No point unless there is something wrong
3. Embarrassment
2. Health Services are Feminized
1. Sitting Around

Physical health is big thing right now in the media. Sports advertise for children get outside and play (NFL’s Play60). The commercials on TV and the radio advertise medicine constantly. We are a culture that is very much concerned with our physical health, but for the large part we often ignore our spiritual health.

We may go to doctors and have tests done on our body, but we don’t test our soul. We may take vitamins and minerals so that our body is strong, but our spirit suffers as it is starved of God’s Word.

So what is our excuse for not addressing our spiritual health? The sad part is, especially as Baptist, we have equated spiritual health with one thing. What is that the one thing? You are Spiritually healthy if you are….? Being a Christian. You’re saved! You are good to go. See you in glory my brother! The problem is you can be saved and still be far from God.

Several years ago I experienced a very frightening thing. I woke up in the middle of the night with intense chest pain. I couldn’t breath, I just lied in bed. My entire body was tense. This lasted for a half a minute or so, it seemed a lot longer than that, and then the pain went away. I was so exhausted, that I fell right back asleep. The next morning, I told Caroline all about it and I went to the doctor. My body was tired and chest ached. I had to undergo x-rays, oxygen tests, and a stress test (run on the treadmill of hell, they got all of these suction cups on you, keeps getting faster and more incline). All of these tests were meant to diagnose the condition of my physical heart.

In the same way, there are tests or questions that you can ask yourself to better understand your Spiritual Health. Tonight we are going to focus on one such question: Do you thirst for God? What type of thirst do you have?

MEAT OF THE MESSAGE

As we look through Scripture, there appears to be three types of spiritual thirsts. The first thirst is the thirst of the empty soul.

I. Thirst of the Empty Soul

Thirst of the empty soul: that sounds like a thriller movie or something. What do I mean by the thirst of the empty soul?

This is the thirst of a person that does not know God personally. This person is constantly in search of that which will fill his emptiness. This can be money, sex, power, houses, land, sports, cars, hobbies, entertainment, education, anything that quenches that thirst.

The Apostle Paul describes this person as “fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.” – Ephesians 2:3

There truly is only one thing that can quench the thirst of the empty soul and that is God. God made us this way. He made us with this hole, so that when it is filled with Him, we are overjoyed!

As the great Christian Theologian Augustine said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”

The person that does not know God will always thirst and remain unquenched until they personally encounter Christ.

The empty soul can be deceiving, because some times this soul appears to long for God, but really they long for things of God. What I mean by that is that they long for peace, but they don’t long for the Prince of Peace. They long for salvation, but that don’t long for the one who paid the price for salvation. Only God can quench the empty soul.

Secondly, there is the thirst of the dry soul.

II. Thirst of the Dry Soul

The difference between the empty soul and the dry soul is that one has never experienced the ‘living water’ of our Lord, while the other has and knows what he is missing.

I’m not saying that this person has lost the Holy Spirit that comes with salvation. The scripture clearly tells us that if someone becomes a Christian that they have everlasting life, but if that is true, then how can a person have a dry soul?

At first the Bible seems to contradict that a dry soul can exist.

“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:14

How can there be a dry soul if the Bible tells us we will never be thirsty again. It is all in how God quenched that thirst. How did He quench it? “become a spring of water welling.”

He did not quench you once and for all. For what good are we to Him then? If once we have tasted the His water, then we no longer long for Him. No, but he has placed a spring of water in our soul. One that is constantly renewing itself and so it is always there to quench that thirst. That well is Christ and the dry soul, is one that has chosen to not drink of this spring of water.

What causes of a dry soul?

1. Drinking too much of the world and too little from the “river of God”

i. Disobedience and sin.

2. God’s Desertion

i. It feels like to us that God is distant, but in fact He is right there like the moon blocked by the clouds. The moon is just as close as it ever was, but he can’t see it. In time's of God's Desertion we are to respond by seeking after God.

3. Prolonged mental and physical fatigue

i. This person is just plain burned out. Maybe because they are trying to find religion instead of a relationship. They are exhausted.

The third thirst is the thirst of the satisfied soul.

III. Thirst of the Satisfied Soul

This person thirsts for God precisely because he is satisfied with God. As Psalm 34:8 says, he has “taste[d] and see[n] that the Lord is good.”

Jonathon Edwards puts it best.

“Spiritual good is of a satisfying nature; and for that very reason, the soul that tastes, and knows its nature, will thirst after it and a fullness of it, that it may be satisfied. And the more he experiences, and the more he knows this excellent, unparalleled, exquisite, and satisfying sweetness, the more earnestly he will hunger and thirst for more.”

So the satisfied soul has tasted the Lord and continues to seek out God, because what he tasted what so very good.

Everyday may not contain a deep longing for God, but for the most part you desire to know God and make Him know.

IV. What to do

I don’t know where you are, but if you are honest with yourself and you know that your thirst is not the satisfied thirst, then something needs to change. Just like if I was in the doctors office and they told me my blood pressure was high, I had to change my diet. If you don’t thirst for God, then you are in a bad place. Either you do not know Christ at all or you are not experiencing the joy of Christ. One is obviously much worse than the other, but neither is where anyone wants to be.

I’m going to suggest 4 things to help you have a thirst of a Satisfied Soul

1. Meditate on Scripture

i. This doesn’t mean read scripture, it means think on it, turn it over in your mind. You see your mind is like a pipe. There are thousands of things that run through your mind all day, they come in the pipe and then out of it. The things that we meditate on tend to stick. Like studying for a test, you wouldn’t just read the text book, you have to think about it to get it to stick.

2. Pray through Scripture

i. Do like what I did at the beginning of today when I read a psalm and then prayed about what I read. Many times we don’t know what to say in prayer, the Bible isn’t a bad place to start.

3. Walk in obedience

i. God’s desire for people is that they would understand the joy of serving others in His power. Give of yourself to others.

ii. Share His word with others. Experience the joy of seeing someone’s heart transformed by the Gospel.

4. Read thirst-making writers

i. There are hundreds of books out there that challenge your faith and help you grow as a believer. Books to supplement your time with God. If you ever need a book idea, just let me know. I have a lot of great reads that I can throw your way that will help you grow.

CONCLUSION

Do you thirst for God? Do you really thirst for God? Do you know that you are an empty soul, you may seek after things that are similar to God, but it isn’t God that you are really seeking. Maybe you are a dry soul. You have tasted God and he was good, but that seems like a distant memory now. God is available to you, he wants you to have a soul that is continually satisfied in him.

MENTOR GROUPS

1. What thirst do I have?

a. Empty, Dry, or Satisfied

2. If I have the thirst of the dry soul, what has lead to my dryness? Why?

a. Drinking too much of world and too little of God’s Word

b. God’s Desertion

c. Prolonged Mental and Physical Fatigue

3. Which of the three aids to a satisfied soul will I do this week?

a. Meditate on Scripture

b. Pray through Scripture

c. Read thirst-making writers

Weekly Announcements - April 25

2011-04-25T10:05:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Night Youth Apr 27
WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00 in the White House. You can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

DGroups Sunday, May 1
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Summer Camp Online Forms
Those registered for summer camp recieved a letter in the mail with instructions for online documents that must be filled out. This is a reminder to fill out those documents.

Weekly Announcements - April 18

2011-04-18T09:35:00.002-05:00

Easter Wednesday Night Youth Apr 20
This WNY will have a special focus on Easter. There will be games, music, drama and Easter message. Come ready to celebrate the great work of Christ overcoming death and sin!

Easter Sunday Changes Sunday, April 24
For Easter Sunday there will be two services (9am and 10:30am) and no Sunday School. There will be no Sunday evening activities.

WNY - Gray Matters - Homosexuality

2011-04-15T09:42:00.000-05:00

Is there hope for change for those who live with unwanted homosexual thoughts. The news and culture will tell you 'no, that is the way you were born", but God tells us that there is hope for change for all people.

This past WNY we had two powerful teaching tools that reinforced this hope for change. One was a DVD, The Questions of Homosexuality. The DVD was full of testimonies of how people began the homosexual lifestyle and how there is freedom from it. (I have a copy in my office available to be borrowed)

Then we heard from Jim Venice of Pure Heart Ministries. Jim shared about his own journey of going into and out of homosexuality. He has provided a lot of information about his own journey in the two pdf links below. I strongly encourage you to take a look

Childhood Development Phases and Same Gender Attractions
Developmental Timeline

The biggest point that I remembered from my time at WNY was how important it is for young boys to have a father figure who is reinforcing Biblical masculinity. It forced me to evaluate my own hopes and goals for my son.

Weekly Announcements - April 11

2011-04-11T09:57:00.001-05:00

Guest Speaker at WNY Apr 13
This Wednesday Night Youth Jim Venice from Pure Heart Ministries will be joining us and helping us understand how we should properly respond to homosexuality. Friends and parents are welcome to join us.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, April 17
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, Apr 17
Drama Team practice occurs every Sunday night at 4pm in the Great Adventure Theatre.

Mark Your Calendar - Air Guitar May 18
We are a month away from our annual Air Guitar Championship. Song choice and creativity are key to take home this coveted championship. The first 20 participants will get an event t-shirt and the winner will take home an iTunes Giftcard. Registration coming soon!

Weekly Announcements - April 4

2011-04-04T09:55:00.001-05:00

New City Wknd Registration Closing Today Apr 4
Today is the last day to register for NCW. You can register online or in the church office by 5pm. (Link to Registration).

New City Wknd Info Mailed Out Today
Those going to NCW will receive information in the mail about what to bring and what the schedule of the weekend looks like. You may also download those documents right here (Packing List - Schedule)

HS Serve First Wednesday, April 6
This HS Serve First we are heading to Helping Hands. Please be at the White House no later than 5:15 and we should return to the White House around 8:15. Participation will count towards World Changer Hours. Middle School students will have normal WNY activities.

No DGroups this Sunday Sunday, April 10
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice (TIME CHANGE) Sunday, Apr 10
Drama Team will practice at 5:30 this Sunday in the White House. Dinner will be provided.

Weekly Announcements - March 28

2011-03-30T08:36:00.000-05:00

New City Wknd Registration Closing Soon April 8
NCW is nearly here. If you are participating, please register online or in the church office by the end of this week. I hope that you will be able to come and be a part of this year's service weekend on April 8-10. (Link to Registration).

Wednesday Night Youth Wednesday, March 30
WNY happens on Wednesday nights from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

WinterJam Friday, April 1
WinterJam is this Friday, no joke! The White House doors will be open at 3pm and the buses will be leaving at 3:45. Make sure to bring $10 to give at the door and money for food at the concert. We should return between 10 and 11. Check out Winter Jam site for a list of performers.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, April 3
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, April 3
Drama Team practice occurs every Sunday night at 4pm in the Great Adventure Theatre.

Weekly Announcements - March 21

2011-03-21T09:35:00.003-05:00

New City Weekend Registration Open! April 8
NCW was a great weekend for our students last year. I hope that you will be able to come and be a part of this year's service weekend as we return to New City Fellowship Church on April 8-10. Registration is open on the church website (Link to Registration).

No WNY: Spring Break Wednesday, March 23
WNY happens on Wednesday nights from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, March 27
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, March 27
Drama Team practice occurs every Sunday night at 4pm in the Great Adventure Theatre.

Caroline and baby Wyatt
Thank you for your prayers and support for us during this trying time. We are very grateful for our church family! The best way to help and stay informed is to subscribe to email notifications from CaringBridge (link). Contact Erin Reese (reesey923@aol.com) for specific details on helping.

HS Leadership Conference Audio

2011-03-21T09:11:00.005-05:00

This past weekend twelve high school students went with Kirt, Katie and I to the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for the HS Leadership Conference. The conference did not disappoint. In this blog entry you will find the audio of three of the four main sessions with short description of each talk. Enjoy!

JD Greear - Luke 9:26,61 - You have to be radically committed to Jesus and the Mission

Click for MP3

Dr. Al Mohler - Acts 19:8-20 - Being someone of true importance

Click for MP3

Panel Discussion - Mohler, Moore and the Watters answer questions from the students.

Click for MP3

Weekly Announcements - March 14

2011-03-14T12:50:00.001-05:00

Special WNY with ICA Wednesday, March 16
This Wednesday Night representatives from the International Crisis Aid will be here to talk about human trafficking around the world and St. Louis. They will have merchandise to buy and there will be a time to donate money to their work. WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

New City Weekend Registration Open! April 8
NCW was a great weekend for our students last year. I hope that you will be able to come and be a part of this year's service weekend as we return to New City Fellowship Church on April 8-10. Registration is open on the church website (Link to Registration).

No DGroups this Sunday Sunday, March 20
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

No Drama Team Practice Sunday, March 20
Drama Team practice occurs on Sunday nights at 4pm in the Great Adventure Theatre.

Caroline and baby Wyatt
Thank you for your prayers and support for us during this trying time. We are very grateful for our church family! The best way to help and stay informed is to subscribe to email notifications from CaringBridge (link). Contact Erin Reese (reesey923@aol.com) for specific details on helping.

Weekly Announcements - March 7

2011-03-07T15:04:00.001-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth Wednesday, March 9
WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00. You can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study. The topic for WNY this week is the second of a three part discussion on homosexuality. I hope you can join us as we discuss what the Christian's response is to this very hot topic in our culture.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, March 13
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, March 13
Drama Team practice occurs every Sunday night at 4pm in the Great Adventure Theatre.

Weekly Announcements - February 28

2011-02-28T12:10:00.000-06:00

HS Serve First Wednesday, March 2
This HS Serve First we are heading to Helping Hands. Please be at the White House no later than 5:15 and we should return to the White House around 8:15. Participation will count towards World Changer Hours.

MS Mayhem Wednesday, March 2
While the High School students are gone, Brian and Erin have a great night in store for the Middle School students.

New City Weekend Registration Open! February 26
NCW was a great weekend for our students last year. I hope that you will be able to come and be a part of this year's service weekend as we return to New City Fellowship Church on April 8-10. Registration is open on the church website (Link to Registration).

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, March 6
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, March 6
Drama Team practice occurs every Sunday night at 4pm in the Great Adventure Theater.

Relay 4 Life June 3 & 4
The Relay 4 Life team is forming as we speak. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Becky Pool (becky6319@sbcglobal.net) if you are interested or if you have any questions.

WNY - Gray Matters - Homosexuality Part One

2011-02-24T13:19:00.000-06:00

Another great night with the students discussing real life stuff. Thanks for all that were there!

Web Video of the Week
This seems perfectly safe!

Lesson
Last night's gray matter topic was Homosexuality. At the outset of this topic I asked a lot of questions to gauge what the student's believed or have heard.

Why is homosexuality a gray matter?

Christians can’t seem to agree
What does the Bible really say
Culture is shifting from homosexuality being an abomination to accepted practice

Is homosexuality a learned behavior or an inherited hormonal and genetic influence?
What are arguments in support of homosexuality? (being acceptable in culture and in church)
What are the arguments against homosexuality?
When it comes to homosexuality, what should the church be doing, if anything at all?

Two ends of the spectrum (Westboro Baptist Church ---- Metropolitan Community Church)

There is no doubt that this is an intense topic in our culture and as we discuss it now, many of you may have strong views, but sometimes it is difficult to have those views when you are outside of the church. There are people who are ready and waiting for you to voice your disagreement so that they can show you how “narrow-minded” you are or how “hateful” you are because you do not agree with their lifestyle.

Our discussion on this topic will stretch over two lessons. First, we will discuss some arguments used to support homosexuality and then in two weeks we will look more deeply into what the Scriptures say and how the Christian should respond to the Scriptures.

My goal is that tonight better prepares you to engage people in these conversations. As Christians we are trying to live a life that most glorifies God. How does homosexuality fit into this?

Arguments Used to support Homosexuality

I can’t help it, I was born this way

This is sometimes said differently. “God must have wanted me gay or He would have made me differently.”

This idea is hotly debated in research circles. Why would that be?

o Removes personal responsibility

o Any innate condition must therefore be accepted as natural, normal and ethically right (Frame)

Because they believe this way, there is a search for the “gay gene”, which has yet to be found.

The closest anyone has gotten to showing an “innate” connection to homosexuality is Simon LeVay. According to his findings, there are statistically significant differences between heterosexual and homosexual men in the size of the “INAH-3” region of the anterior hypothalamus, part of the brain.

When this was first released, gay activist clamored that it was the missing link that showed that homosexuality is an innate condition rather than a “choice”, that it cannot be helped, and therefore that it should be accepted as normal.

Seeing the reaction to his work, LeVay, who is a gay activist, made a startling statement:

“It’s important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work.”

There is no “gay gene” as of yet, but let’s say that there is. Let’s say that there is something biologically that makes someone more likely (the word for that is predisposition) to live a homosexual lifestyle. If that were found to be true, would that change whether that type of lifestyle is pleasing to God? Is that fair?

Studies have shown that men who are born with an extra Y chromosome (XYY) engage in anti-social or criminal behavior more than those who aren’t. It appears these boys have a greater propensity for crime so what do we do with them? When they commit a crime, do we not hold them accountable? Of course we do.

Likewise, studies have also shown that some men, because of biology, have propensity to alcoholism. Is this person not held accountable? Of course he is.

“Would a genetic predisposition for homosexuality eliminate the element of choice? Certainly not. A person with a genetic propensity for alcoholism still makes a choice when he decides to take a drink, and then another and then another. If there is a genetic propensity for homosexuality, then those with that makeup face greater temptation in this area than others. But those who succumb to the temptation do choose to yield to it, as do all of us when we succumb to our own besetting temptations.” – John Frame

Even if people are born with a propensity towards homosexuality, that does not remove a person’s responsibility before God.

Homosexuality is what comes naturally to me

This argument goes like this, I don’t know if I was born this way, all I know is I am attracted to people of the same sex. This is who I am. It comes naturally for me to like…[fill in the blank]. Why would God make me love someone I’m not allowed to love?

SIDE THOUGHT: Too many Christians lack compassion when it comes to someone who lives the homosexual lifestyle. I have struggles that you don't have and you have struggles that I don't have, but we all have struggles. Can we not have compassion on the one who says, "I love someone who I can't love." Is that not all of us! I love [fill in the blank] which I can't love. We must have compassion as Christ had compassion.

There is a passage of Scripture that speaks directly about this. Romans 1:18-32, which we will look at more in two weeks, but right now, just look at verses 26-27.

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural one. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

o According to this verse what is natural and what isn’t?

o Here is the beauty of sin today, people try to get around what is obviously there. I have used this video before, this is the president of the seminary I attended speaking to a lesbian bishop. Note, the argument that she uses and note the words that the last person says.

§ “Natural to me”. In our culture, who defines what is natural? We do, but are we the makers of the world? No. It is God’s world and He defines us and we are called to live under his truth. The grumpy-faced guy at the end was getting ready to talk about what? “Now Truth” who defines what is truth? (I’m filling in the blanks for him). The Word of God does.

§ Truth is not always what you feel. Some days I don’t feel like getting up and going to work. If I accept my feelings as truth, “that it is better for me to rest at home than work” then I may lose my job and I would no longer be able to provide for my family. Truth is established outside of us. It is truth that tells me to go to work when I don’t feel like it.

If homosexuality is in fact a sin, which I will argue is true, then homosexuality would come naturally to some people because we are fallen people. Just like lusting after the opposite sex comes naturally to heterosexual people. Sin comes naturally to sinners, which is the condition of all men.

As Christians we have been called to walk according to our new nature in Christ, not the sinful nature.

If it weren’t for Christians, I could be gay in peace

This point is often made in western cultures. What is meant by this is that all other types of people accept me for who I am except for Christians. They are homophobic. Anti-homosexual ideas flow solely from Christianity.

Homosexuality is not a new thing. The ancient Hebrews, Egyptians and Assyrians had laws against homosexual practices. There is even prehistoric art depicting homosexual acts. According to Visigoth law, those practicing homosexuals were to be burned at the stake.

The point about all of this is that evidence suggests that hostility toward homosexuality in the West did not originate with the Christian church; the church’s teaching merely reinforced convictions that were already present in Europe. (Davis 114)

A comprehensive study was done in 1951 (a long time ago) by two guys, Ford and Beach.

o After they collected the data they made the following conclusion, “all known cultures are strongly biased in favor of copulation between males and females as contrasted with alternative avenues of sexual expression.”

o This seems pretty simple to me, but why do you think it is that all known cultures are strongly biased towards male and female unions over homosexual unions?

§ Any human society that did not encourage heterosexual marriage and childbearing over homosexual activity would, in the course of time, fail to reproduce itself.

We will look at this more when we look at the Scriptures, but this makes sense to us. Societies throughout the history of the world have looked down upon homosexuality because they understand that it is a deviation from the way life works, which Christians would argue, is the way that God established life to work.

The Bible does not prohibit it

There are many passages that are used in the debate of whether homosexuality is a sin or if it is an acceptable way of expressing love to another. All of the main passages will be discussed during the next time that we talk, but I want to emphasize how polarizing this issue is among professing Christians. When we talked about alcohol, you may remember that there was freedom there. You could choose to drink in moderation or not at all, but there was no one who said that the bible says “get plastered.”

With homosexuality, there is no moderation view. It’s either homosexuality is okay or it isn’t. Because of this you have churches who make very strong stances that homosexuality is wrong and other churches who hire gay and lesbian pastors. There is this huge gap between the two.

We can’t even have the same Bible anymore. There is a New Testament for those who support the homosexual lifestyle. "Study New Testament for Lesbians, Gays, Bi and Transgender: with Extensive Notes on Greek Word Meaning and Context.”

Why do you think we can’t have the same Bible?

o It’s difficult to say that it is okay to live a homosexual lifestyle and be Christian if the Bible says that you can’t. So you need a translation of the Bible that either removes homosexual references it believes is wrong or makes homosexual references seem out of context for today’s believer.

DISCUSSION GROUPS

- Why does having the propensity for a particular sin not remove a person from the responsibility to not sin? Examples?

- What other things come “natural” to you, but aren’t necessarily okay for you to do?

Resources I used

- John Frame Doctrine of the Christian Life - Only covers the topic on a few pages.

- John Jefferson Davis Evangelical Ethics - Devotes a chapter to the topic

Weekly Announcements - February 21

2011-02-21T14:40:00.000-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth! Wednesday, February 23
WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

Demo Ball this Saturday February 26
A yearly favorite is back. We are heading out to St. Charles for Demolition Ball. Meet at the White House at 4:45 and we will return around 8:30. The cost is $20 and students should bring money if they desire to purchase food while we are there. All participants must be at least 12 years old. Check out Demolition Ball at their website.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, February 27
DGroups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Relay 4 Life June 3 & 4
The Relay 4 Life team is forming as we speak. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Becky Pool (becky6319@sbcglobal.net) if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Fantastic Message
At the College Conference last week we heard CJ Mahaney give a powerful message on the grace and love of God. Check out the message at the youth blog.

College Conference Audio

2011-02-21T14:26:00.004-06:00

On February 11 & 12th, college students went to Southern Seminary for the Recalibrate Conference. There were many great speakers and sermons at the conference, but the one that stood out the most to me was a lesson by CJ Mahaney. Here is the audio from that lesson. Enjoy!

Download as mp3

New Baby!

2011-02-17T15:37:00.001-06:00

We found out today that we are having a baby boy!

WNY - Gray Matters - Civil Disobedience

2011-02-17T15:36:00.001-06:00

SHOE WARS! A game where you get to toss shoes at people, what more could anyone ask for?! Here is a short clip of all the action.

Web Video of the Week
This week contained a bonus video. Enjoy!

Lesson

Okay, so Civil Disobedience doesn't grab your attention as a gray matter, but if you really think about it, it is more prevalent in our day and time than we may actually believe. Maybe not as prevalent in USA, but worldwide people are standing up for Christ and for others in the face of oppressive rulers. We should know what the Word says on this issue.

Before jumping into the lesson, watch these two short and very different video clips

Both of these videos are an example of civil disobedience, but one is more God honoring than the other. What am I talking about when I say civil disobedience?

when is it okay to break the law and what is okay to when breaking the law
"A public, nonviolent, and conscientious act contrary to law, usually done with the intent to bring about a change in the policies or laws of the government.”

When is it okay to break the law?

This becomes a complicated question, because God has set the authorities over us. God has set up the government and has told us to obey it. We find this in Romans 13:1-7

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” – Romans 13:1-2

The bible appears to be very clear here. God has setup the government and specifically says that whoever disobeys the government disobeys God. Why then are we talking about this?

The government could misuse its power
There are examples in the Bible of people disobeying the government

What we are going to do first is look at a few of those biblical examples.

I. Mandatory

There are examples in the Bible where God has given us a mandatory calling to disobey the law.

Peter and Apostles (Acts 5:17-42)

This is one of those really neat stories in the Bible. The apostles were arrested, but then in the middle of the night an angel of the Lord came and let everyone out and told them to go to the temple and teach. The very thing that we find out they were arrested for. The apostles were then arrested again and this is what we find the accusers saying to them.

“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.” – Acts 5:28

They were arrested for teaching in Jesus’ name and then an angel let them out of jail and they went back to teaching. This then is Peter’s response.

“We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29

This is the theme throughout the entire bible when it comes to civil disobedience. In a situation when those in charge ask you to do something that is contrary to what God wants, you are to obey God rather than men.

Here are a couple more examples to look at.

Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1:15-22)

Jeremiah stands against King Zedekiah (Jeremiah 38:1-6)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3)

Rahab hides the spies (Joshua 2)

Throughout all of these examples, there is this theme were God’s command and man’s command hit head on in the life of these people. These people understood that it was necessary for them to obey God. Now they also understood that there would still be consequences.

In the example of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they were prepared to face the consequences.

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” - Daniel 3:17-18

They knew that they would face the consequences, but they also knew that God would deliver them from the King even if He did not deliver them from the furnace. So, we must obey God rather than men.

II. Permissible Disobedience

I want to make sure that everyone understands that there is a time when civil disobedience must happen and then there is a time when it is allowed to happen.

The situations that we have discussed are mandatory times of civil disobedience. These are times when the governing authorities ask you to do something deliberately against God’s word. We must obey God over man. In many countries around the world it is illegal to share your faith and there are those who believe there may be a day in our tolerant society when America may be like that. The bible tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. We must obey God rather than man.

But there may be other times when we see something that just doesn’t seem right.

Slavery in America or in other parts of the world. What should a Christian do? How should they stand against the government in these situations? These aren’t so clear, because we aren’t being directly asked to disobey God, but here are some markers that have been mostly agreed upon by believers.

I. The law being resisted must be unjust and immoral, clearly contrary to the will of God.

II. Legal means of changing the unjust situation should have been exhausted.

III. The act of disobedience must be public rather than hidden.

a. This is what separates the objector from the criminal.

IV. There should be some likelihood of success.

V. Those who consider civil disobedience should be willing to accept the penalty for breaking the law.

These are not hard and fast rules, but are guidelines for civil disobedience when it is not in a mandatory situation.

CONCLUSION

The main point here is this. Always obey God over man.

WNY - Gray Matters - Animal Rights

2011-02-15T10:04:00.000-06:00

I know that this is a few days late, but I was wrapped up in preparation for the college conference that weekend, which was fantastic by the way...more to come later on that!

Web Video of the Week
This week was a collection of some of the best Super Bowl Commercials. Instead of embedding all of them, follow the links below.
Doritos - Pug Attack
Doritos - Finger Licking
Doritos - Grandpa
Pepsi Max - Love Hurts
Pepsi Max - Torpedo Cooler

Lesson

We have a dog, just like many other people. Her name is Isis and she is about five year-old American Eskimo. She is a very sweet dog, but that is all that she is. She is not a human and so we do not treat her liek we would treat a human.

For this gray matter topic we are going to talk about animal rights. What do I mean by animal rights?

- the rights of animals to the same humane treatment and protection from abuse that are accorded to humans.

There are a lot of organizations out there that fight for the rights of animals. One of the most well-known groups is called PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. They labor so that animals will not be mistreated.

Here is another example. Hayden Panettiere is an actress on the hit show Heroes. She was part of a group protesting dolphins being killed for food. Here is a news cast of what happened.

Tonight we are going to try to get an idea of what the Bible says about animals.

God's Relationship with the Animals

God Created Them

God is the creator of all things. He created you and he also created all of the animals and living creatures in the world. You can read all about that in Genesis 1.

God Cares for Them

Not only did God create animals, but he cares for them and provides for them.

“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock” – Psalm 104:14

“The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.” Psalm 104:21

- An understanding that their prey comes from the Lord

“Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in the thicket? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?” – Job 38:39-41

Then all of Job 39 is more about how God takes care of animals.

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?” – Job 39:26-27

Animals Know of God?

“Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young man and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord” – Psalm 148:10-13

This is kind of crazy to think about and not necessarily something that we can answer, but God is telling all people and all animals to praise him.

After looking at these verses, what do you think God thinks about animals?

Man's Relationship with Animals

How should men treat animals? This is why the dolphin lady was so upset, because she thought the men were mistreating the dolphins. There are some who will not hurt an animal and there others who will kill an animal on the spot. What does the bible say?

First thing we must remember is that it was all good in the garden. Before sin came into existence animals did not eat each other and they were helpers to man. There was a peace between Adam and animals.

Secondly, God placed man over the animals.

“And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." – Genesis 1:26

From the beginning God has placed animals under the rulership of man. Animals are not humans, they are animals. It is very clear in scripture that humans are elevated above man. Man was made in the image of God and animals were not. Furthermore, Christ came back for men, not animals. Christ ate animals. It is also clear that animals are important, but not the same as humans.

After the fall, there was now hostility between man and animal. Animals now attack each other and eat each other for food. Animals attack man. There is this hostility. Even though there is still hostility, man is still supposed to have dominion over animals. But this dominion is not in an evil form, but is us being a good ruler.

“Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” – Proverbs 12:10

Will there be Animals in Heaven?

A question that has probably been asked by you at some time is, will there be animals in heaven? I think there is two ways of answering this question. The first way is to simply say, will there be animals in heaven?

I think the answer to this is yes for a couple of reasons.

In revelation we find riders of white horses (Revelation 19)

Also, when Isaiah speaks of heaven and the new earth, he says it will be like this…

“The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.” – Isaiah 65:25

This sounds like there will be animals in heaven and not only that, but that they will live in tranquility together, just like the did back in the garden.

The second way to ask this question is, Will Isis (my dog) be in heaven?

Meaning, will your specific pet be in heaven?

The answer to this question is unknown. When we get to heaven, the one we will want to see is Christ, not our dog!

CONCLUSION

How should we treat animals?

o Take care of them because they are God’s creation

o We should not elevate them to humans

o It is okay to eat them

o It is wrong to kill them without purpose

DISCUSSION GROUPS

In some ways God’s relationship with animals is like his relationship with mankind and in other ways they are very different. What are those similarities and differences?

Weekly Announcements - February 14

2011-02-14T14:14:00.000-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth! Wednesday, February 16
WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, February 20
DGoups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Demo Ball Saturday, February 26
A yearly favorite is back. We are heading out to St. Charles for Demolition Ball. Meet at the White House at 4:45 and we will return around 8:30. The cost is $20 and students should bring money if they desire to purchase food while we are there. All participants must be at least 12 years old. Check out Demolition Ball at their website.

Relay 4 Life June 3 & 4
The Relay 4 Life team is forming as we speak. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Becky Pool if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Weekly Announcements - February 7

2011-02-07T10:51:00.000-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth! Wednesday, February 2
WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

DGroups this Sunday Sunday, February 13
DGoups are indepth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Demo Ball Saturday, February 26
Mark it on your calendar! We are heading to Demolition Ball in just a matter of weeks. More details to come.

Weekly Announcements - January 31

2011-01-31T13:34:00.000-06:00

Wednesday Night Youth! Wednesday, February 2
WNY happens every Wednesday from 6:15-8:00. you can expect time for hanging out, games, music and Bible study.

Weather Cancellation Policy
On a weekday, activities are cancelled if Rockwood or Parkway school districts cancel school. On the weekends, please check the church's website to see if the weather has altered scheduled church activities.

Super Bowl Party Sunday, February 6
The Super Bowl teams have been set! Green Bay verses Pittsburgh and we get to see them fight it out for the championship. The youth building will be open from kickoff till the last second clicks off the clock. Come on out and enjoy watching the game, playing games, hanging out and whatever else. Don't forget to invite your friends!

Last Names A thru H bring a 2-liter of soda
Last Names I thru P bring a bag of chips
Last Names Q thru Z bring cookies/brownies

No DGroups this Sunday Sunday, February 6
DGoups are in-depth bible studies that will challenge you to grow in your faith. There is a snack supper at 5pm and DGroups go from 5:30 to 7pm.

Drama Team Practice Sunday, February 6
Drama Team practice this Sunday afternoon from 4 to 5pm in the Great Adventure Theatre.

Book Review - Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?

2011-01-31T10:22:00.000-06:00

Author: Ligon Duncan
Pages: 87
Link: Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?

I have been very fortunate to run across two great books in a row. Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? was a phenomenal read. The book is about how the Christian should view suffering in our world, but mostly in one's life.

Duncan handles issues of why there is suffering and where it comes from. He also discusses what the Christian's response to suffering should be. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

We must get it ingrained into our minds that suffering is an essential part of the Christian experience. You will suffer. That's the first thing you need to know. The question remains, will you suffer in a way that honors Christ? (pg12)

Until you are utterly convinced of God's infinite greatness, your trial, which is not even remotely comparable to his greatness, will seem bigger than he is. (pg 56)

We must learn to draw a line from our suffering back to sin, because one of God's purposes in suffering, as we look at the death of Christ, is to cause us to learn to hate sin like we hate suffering. (pg 81)

The book is short, theologically sound and easy to read. There is no lack of Scriptural support for the claims that are made by the author.

I would recommend this book for someone who is seeking to make sense of a trial in their life, but let's face it, we are all going to be there at some point, so it's a good read for all of us.

Final Verdict (

)

Readability

Relevance

Overall

WNY - Gray Matters - Alcohol

2011-01-27T08:40:00.000-06:00

Finally, a night at youth when it is not snowing or where it is not supposed to snow the next day. The difference in the energy and focus was obvious! Anyways, great to see everybody at our midweek time together. Here is a taste of what went on.

Web Video of the Week
There were two WVotW and both were inspired by the reason many people watch the Super Bowl ... the commercials. Enjoy!

Lesson

Our topic this week is alcohol. This is a very heated topic among Christians. We just cannot seem to agree on it. Those Christians that do drink feel judged by those that don’t and those that don’t drink are labeled as “legalistic” or “holier than thou”.

My goal for this topic is to help you be able to distinguish between the sinful side of alcohol and the conscious side of alcohol.

One of the things that I do not want to do tonight is determine whether or not if your parents drink if they are sinning. It’s not that I don’t care about your parents; it’s that we are here discussing your responsibility in handling the issue of alcohol. Not how your parents handle it.

Why do those that believe that you should not drink, say why that you should not drink?
- The power to destroy lives
- It was not something commanded by God

Why do those that believe that you should drink, say why that you should drink?
- Wine is a gift from God
- Jesus drank (alcohol consumption at some level cannot be a sin)

Let’s move on to discussing this issue. First, is the non-issue of drinking. There is some freedom in this area of alcohol, but there is also an area of no freedom.

1. Non-issue Right Now

That non-issue area is underage drinking.

When I was in school it was somewhat difficult to get alcohol. You had to find someone to buy it for you or take some from your pops fridge. Today, you guys have parents buying the alcohol for you as a way of monitoring the consumption of alcohol.

This is real simple. It doesn’t matter who buys the alcohol, if you drink alcohol then you are breaking the law and therefore sinning.

As the bible tells us, sin is destructive. There will be consequences that you have to face. The consequence that should bother us the most is that it will deter our relationship with God. Not the alcohol, that’s not what is hurting our relationship. It is the disobedience to God's commands, i.e. sin. Sin in our life places a wedge between us and God.

I realize you guys are going to feel pressure to sin in this way. Here is the deal, those that try to pressure you to drink don’t care about you, they just don’t want to feel bad about themselves.

2. Christian Viewpoints

Now that we have looked at that, here are the top views held by Christians.

MODERATIONISM

The first view is moderationism. This view believes that alcohol is a gift from God. It is something that Jesus created and gave at the wedding feast (John 2:1-12).

This view also believes that drunkenness is a sin. For example… (among many others)
“Be not among drunkards” – Proverbs 23:20

Even though alcohol has the possibility of being abused, it does not mean that you should reject it, but should instruct others to be able to consume alcohol in moderation in order to not abuse it.

Sum Up
o Alcohol is good
o Drunkenness is a sin
o Drink in moderation, but do not prohibit

ABSTENTIONISM

The second view on alcohol is that of abstentionism. This view believes that although alcohol consumption is not inherently sinful or necessarily avoidable in all circumstances, but drinking alcohol is generally not the wisest and most prudent choice.

Some reasons for this is the negative consequences of drunkenness on individuals, families, and society as a whole make it not worth the risk. The question that could be asked is how many of you know someone who has been killed by a drunk driver? The person who witnessed to me, prayed with me and met me on the first day that I went to church as a believer was killed the next weekend by a drunk driver. There is this idea that the possible reward of alcohol is not worth the risk. Not just the risk of death, but also the risk of sinning through drunkenness.

Another reason that is often used is the looking out for the weaker brother. The passage for this can be found in Romans.

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” – Romans 14:20-21

God clearly says here that alcohol is clean. It is not the problem, it is the misuse that is the problem and yes, you are responsible if you sin by being drunk, but you are also responsible if your moderate drinking causes someone else to sin through drinking. What is even crazier is what is found a couple of verses down in verse 23.

“But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” – Romans 14:23

Even if you wonder if you could be leading someone astray and you still drink, then you are sinning. This is what I meant by saying the conscious of alcohol. Our conscious at times can be our guide. We should never force someone else to contradict their conscious. Why? We are destroying their guide.

Sum Up
o Alcohol itself is not bad
o Alcohol is not necessary for life
o Risks out weigh its reward
o Abstain from alcohol at all costs
o Drunkenness is a sin

PROHIBITIONISM
The last view on alcohol is fairly simple. Any consumption of alcohol is a sin.

This view holds its position because it believes that the alcohol that was consumed in the bible days was not like the alcohol that is consumed today. It was not near as potent and it was used as a water purifier, not a social drink.

While I agree with all of that information, the problem with this is that there was wine that was potent. Noah was drunk and unconscious from his drinking. The second problem is that there is no scripture support that the mere consumption of alcohol is a sin.

Sum Up
o All alcohol is bad
o Alcohol was different back then

CONCLUSION

Where do I stand? I hold to the abstentionism view. I do not need alcohol and the risks of drinking it our not worth it to me. I have experienced death in my life because of alcohol and I don’t want to make my brother stumble. This is where I stand, this is where my conscious is.

I cannot look at someone who holds to the moderationism view and be upset at them, because if they do drink alcohol in moderation and if they are aware of their weaker brother and avoid making him stumble, then they are good. But if they do slip up and have one to many or whatever. They get drunk, then I have an issue with it, because sin is destructive.

Being someone who has not historically drank, even though I have had several Christian friends who have drank, the argument that they frequently use to rationalize their drinking is “Jesus drank.” I can’t tell you how much this saying angers me. I believe they have the freedom to drink, but I don't like this argument.

So I will ask them, you drink to be like Jesus? And they will say, “Yes I do.” Then my response is, what else do you do to be like Jesus? Jesus also fasted for 40 days. When was the last time you did that? Jesus gave up the “American Dream” to preach and teach others. When did you do that? You drink because you want to, not because Jesus drank. It is your freedom, stop using Jesus as an excuse.

Being a Christian is not about what you don’t do, it is about what you do. The greatest commandment is to love God and to love people. This is a commandment to action, not to prohibition. It is important to have biblical convictions on this stuff, but you should not be defined by what you don't do (drink), but by what you do (love your God, love your neighbor).

DISCUSSION GROUPS

- Discuss the main points of the three different views described tonight: moderationism, abstentionism and prohibitionism.
- I briefly discussed the role of the conscious, why is it so important that you not violate or try to sway others from violating their conscious?