|
Parent Summit Review
The Parent Summit was well attended with 75 people seeking to improve their parenting skills. The Family Ministry provided relevant, timely workshops that made a difference in the lives of our families. Thank you to all who sacrificed a Saturday to serve our parents and families.
|
|
 
Call to Rise II
The Call to Rise weekend introduced 38 men to non-traditional God experience. Utilizing John Eldredge's book, Wild at Heart, the men were introduced to their masculine heart as God designed it. The Holy Spirit was very evident in the entire weekend and most notably during the Sunday worship as the men sang out with the worship team. Most of the men are participating in three follow-up courses offered on different nights since the weekend. The men will gather for a celebration dinner on February 15 to mark their completion of the material with their wives and kids.
Other men's news:
- The Great Expedition: February 21 - 6:30 to 8:30 at Kyle Hoge's Valentine's Day mode-wives & daughters are invited to join the men in pot luck fellowship. The theme is Love and War. Video, Worship Songs, Bonfire are planned.
- Starting April 1st, the Fathered by God DVD series will launch. Open to all men; no prerequisite study or Call to Rise attendance is required. This is an 8-week study on God's presence in and directing of the masculine heart. We are offering group times on a minimum of three different days; two evenings and a Saturday morning. Materials cost $20 includes book & participants guide.
|
|
A Word from Pastor Rick:
I love our church name "St. Matthew," but it is not about me!
On December 6, 2012, our session made and unanimously passed a recommendation to change our name so that we might better fulfill our purpose; "Glorify God by sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with as many people as we can."
I love our church name "St. Mathew, "but it is not about me!
Our session has been discussing this idea for many years so I was not surprised by the recommendation and vote but I was surprised by my surfacing emotions. I spoke for the recommendation but I immediately began to grieve...read more at Pastor Rick's blog.
|
|
SMALL GROUPS? WHY?
Small Groups! It's a buzz word you hear everywhere. It is certainly talked about from the pulpit and in the worship guide. Yet, you are still unconvinced or don't see the value in adding yet another commitment to your already bulging planner or calendar.
We are busy people, but...consider a couple of sentences in our purpose statement, "providing Christian relationships in the family of God" and "providing the challenge for individual and collective spiritual growth."
Look at it this way. If you have children in high school you know there are Booster clubs, Choir, Band, Athletic etc...the list goes on. These clubs or small groups are formed to help others and what happens? Friendships are formed, information is shared, understanding and clarity is found for their purpose. Now cut to a church small group who come together with others for clarity and understanding. Yes! Sharing and friendship happen too! Many people in small groups have formed lifelong friends, helped each other with difficulties, gathered together at holidays or life events and enjoyed being in a Christian relationship in the family of God.
Another benefit is a behind-the-sermon look at the new sermon series "The Crux." Our small groups will delve into this series by viewing a weekly DVD allowing Pastor Rick to go deeper with his weekly messages. Below is a small sampling of what is to come:
In the first century, during the time of Jesus, the word for cross in Latin was, "crux." In those days the cross or the crux, was the ultimate symbol of shame and defeat, a form of capital punishment that sought to not only kill the person, but to strip them of every ounce of dignity on their way to death. It was considered an obscenity to say "crux " in public...
Join a small group today. Go online and sign up. Take the next step.
For where two or more come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-21
|
|
Dates to Remember:
Coffee Talk Feb. 9th
Ash Wednesday* Feb.13th 7pm
PLACE Workshop Feb. 10th
New Message Series Feb. 16th
Palm Sunday March 24
Easter Egg Hunt March 24
Good Friday* March 29 7pm
* services held in the ARC
| |
|
|
PLACE Workshop Feb. 17th & 24th
Find out your personality type, what spiritual gifts you possess and where you most likely would fit in serving God in the world surrounding you.
Call JoAnne for more info @ 817.446.4131
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT DATES
Coffee Talk
Feb 9
ARC Dining
Feb. 15th - 6pm
KidQuest Theater
Purity Lock In
Feb 8-9
Purity Retreat
Feb 22-23
8th -12th graders
$50
|
|
