weekly wrap-up 1.18.12

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Big Idea: I Hate Religion but love Jesus the recent viral video was the kick start to our next series beginning this week called “Learn about the Bible.” one of our students had posted her thoughts on facebook about  this video…

her post drove an interesting thread that had a lot of misunderstandings about the Bible and Christianity.  So when things aren’t clear…lets go back to the source.   So launched a three-week series focused on the Bible. In this first lesson, we talked about foundational topics-in other words, learning facts about the Bible.

As part of our time in big group we tried a couple of worship songs with cd’s.  We’re in the process of forming a worship team to lead each week.  Canned music isn’t as good as musicians on stage, but for the first time there was a good response.

BIG GROUP:  We focused on 2 Timothy 3:14-17, which encourages us to recognize and remember that the Bible is inspired by God, helps us know what is right and what is wrong, and is used to prepare and equip us to do good things.

The message in these verses isn’t too difficult to understand, but it can be challenging to build our lives on its truth. These verses paint an accurate picture of what Scripture is and why we ought to embrace it.

There was lots of good conversation in our small groups… a real interest in learning more about the foundation of our faith.

Next Week:  How to Navigate Through the Bible

servefest 2012

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We had a great time hanging with our pal Mark Zimmerman and the folks at Building Hope in the City in Ohio City on Cleveland’s near westside.  38 adults and teens made the 75 minute drive north on Saturday to serve a community meal.  With the amazing support of our New Hope Community Church family we took 90 lbs of cooked meatloaf, 22 large home baked cakes and all the fixings to bless more than 160 individuals.  We sent home another 200 take out meals.  here’s a video recap.

this is our third event at Building Hope. I’m grateful for the opportunity.  Love how it really stretches our students and adults and how it radically changes their view and even place in God’s story about making a difference.  Its humbling to watch those in need to be served with a sense of excitement from our team, as our good-hearted students and adult leaders experience first hand the offering a cold cup of water.

it was fun too this trip to take a group just two blocks east to the West Side Market to also experience firsthand the culture of a big city like Cleveland.  So proud of our team.  Well done!

 

Weekly Wrap Up 1.4.12 – Letting the Word speak

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Big Idea: Letting the Word Speak.  Tonite was very different and to a degree impressive. We had the adult leaders simply stand before the students and read the whole book of Ephesians.   We began with a couple worship songs and then began the journey.  At the end of each chapter the reader encouraged each person to…

Be still.  Listen for Jesus to speak to you.

It took 35 minutes to read through the 6 chapters.  We concluded with another couple of worship songs.  It was a incredible time.  First, in the reaction of silence from the students through the process.  They were engaged and focused.  It was good to have the adult leaders read these ancient words over them as we began a new year.

Best moment: As we concluded the evening we presented a bible to a young adult leader, Robert (Bert) Bales who is leaving at the end of the week for nursing school.  We’ll sorry to see him go.  Bert just completed his tenure in the US Army even serving several tours in the middle east.  He’s added a lot.  We huddle up around him and prayed over him.