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In Full Swing
it’s official! we’ve had one full week of LHCyouth activities and it feels good to be back in the swing of things:) PBbk was awesome last week, it’s going to be amazing connecting with New Life Fellowship and their ministry…the thought of community together really connects with our students.
24:7 and iT, ALWAYS a blast. BIG games (with earth balls and foam swords!), Cafe, interactive messages… LOVE IT!!
this week, i wanted to draw your attention to 2 announcements:
1) Our monthly service project is this saturday! we’ll be heading to New Jersey Food Bank from 8:15am-12pm. it’s for students ages 12 and over… make sure to email Matt (matt @ LHCnj . net) if you are planning on coming b/c space is limited!
2) We’ll be having a Parents Meeting this Sunday (25th) @ 6:30-7:15 to talk about LHCyouth, the direction we are heading, the programs and events we are planning, and different ways for parents to plug into it. PLEASE mark it on your calendar & be there even if you’ve been part of our ministry for years ~ If you have any questions you’d like addressed, please email me in advance so i can make sure to hit on them:)
Diving in head 1st!
i can’t even begin to tell you how excited i am about LHCyouth really kicking off tonight. it’s going to be amazing…
we’ve got some unique things planned for this year and it all starts to night with PBbk @ 6pm. we head through the OT…starting with the creation account and ending in june with the minor prophets… can’t wait!
one of the bigger changes that affects LHCyouth was LHC’s change to 1 service @ 10am. here’s what it means for us:
1) an awesome chance to worship as a body together!
2) our traditional SS time will be put on hold at 9am…Pastor Phil will be holding a mini-service for all those helping out at the 10am service with LHCkids during that time in the cafe.
3) this is a GREAT chance to get plugged in with LHCkids serving on sunday am’s. there are lots of spots
also please remember our parents meeting on the 25th @ 6:30pm in the cafe!
Pollen, Meat, and Best
Hey Gang,
As I drove to work this past week, I saw a tumble-weed rolling along the side of the road. This wasn’t your normal tumble-weed, you see it was completely made of pollen! For a minute or so, I laughed at what I saw – since that would be the normality, if I lived in Texas – but then I realized what I was looking at, and how much congestion would come from that weed. It also made me realize how often I look at spiritual things in the same manner; I think it looks nifty and laugh about it, but fail to see how something will congest me and prevent (if you’ll allow the symbolism) clear breathing. Keeping me from breathing in Life, and instead blocking up my nose.
At PBBK this past week, we talked about how in Romans 14 paul talks about how there are different levels of strength of faith. How some people could eat food used for sacrificing to false gods, and saw only food made by GOD before them; and how others saw cursed meat that would defile them. And this whole idea of weak or strong faith came into play, and how if you are strong, use your strength to help other’s walks; not judge them or look down on them. With the tumble-weed, I’m pretty resistant to pollen, but I know many people who suffer this time of year; so for me to take the tumble-weed and throw it at said people would be cruel and wouldn’t be using my strength to help others.
We then dove into the idea of how RIGHT is our actions. Are we fully convinced that they are indeed right, or past right, are they the Best actions we can partake in; are they done to honor Jesus or ourselves; and if Jesus would to sit in judgement on our actions what would he say? A great time to look back on choices and actions of our past and see our tendencies and reasons for doing.
Hope to see ya’ll at PBBK and Sunday Nights!
Grace and Peace~
~Matt
Day For Moms
Hey Gang,
Once again, it’s that time of the year when we thank all the moms. I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy cooking on mothers’ day; something about preparing food for someone always makes me feel good. But past the gifts, kisses, random necklace, or even food we get for mom there’s something deeper going on that is very important.
In Exodus 20, when God hands down the Ten Commandments, there is a command we tend to overlook. In verse twelve it says “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” If it can make it to the top ten of the things God wants us to work on, strive for, and remember; I’d say then its pretty important. Especially, with all the stuff that goes on in the life of an adult in the 21st century, managing a household has become an endless task for Moms and Dads.
Granted, the Bible doesn’t say that there should be a day called ‘Mothers’ Day,’ but there is more potential here than ever before. You see God also says that there should be a Sabbath – that word really means to Stop, or Rest from Work – and to rest in him, to in a sense half some quality time with our Father in Heaven. But even on this Sabbath day, Mom can be found in the kitchen making lunch or dinner for everyone, where is her rest?
For me, what makes this day so special is the idea that I’m not just giving mom a thank you card for go through 9months of birthing for me, but I’m giving her a day of rest. I’m assisting in her Sabbath, her day of just stopping, a day for my mom to be able to spend time with her Father and not worry about her kid(s). Not to mention be able to surprise her and make her say ‘Who are you? And what have you done with my children?!’ I always enjoy that word, or look, when her jaw drops for whatever reason on mothers’ Day! So Make Mom’s jaw drop, make the day her Sabbath; make a Happy Mothers’ Day!
Grace and Peace~
~Matt