Prayer Requests - March 13th

1) Friend of Mike went home from the hospital and doing much better.
2)  Mike mentioned several couples who were having financial troubles.
3) My mom has a new infection. They are going to start a series of tests on her.
4) Mike still having some pain and praying that new meds will help.
5) Elizabeth's baby due on April 10th.

March 6th - Prayer Requests & Announcements

Prayer Requests:

1)  Betty (Abbi's mom) has a doctor's appointment Monday morning to make sure everything is healing well.  Pray that the appointment goes smoothly, and that Betty can get back to more routine tasks soon.

2) Erika's dad - has a doctor's appointment this week to check on how the graft is taking on his foot.  Pray that everything looks good.

3) Elizabeth & Cody - A friend, Jenny and her husband, lost their baby due to complications of an early delivery.  On top of that sad news, Jenny also had to have a hysterectomy due to the complications.  Please pray for peace and comfort during this hard time. 

4) Nancy - Continue to pray for Nancy's mother's health.  Also pray that Nancy and her siblings will have a renewed strength to help her as needed.

5) Mike & Debra - Pray for a one of their friend's wife, Marta - she is on the list for a liver transplant.  Pray for peace, health, and patience as Marta and her husband wait during this time.
                            - Also pray for Heather (a daughter of a friend of Mike & Debra's) who recently had a mastectomy, and is still in the hospital dealing with an infection.  Pray for a quick recovery.

Announcements: 

1) We will be having lunch at Panera Bread (on Atlanta Hwy) as a class next Sunday - March 13th.

2) Take a look at your calendars for a date in April that would work well for a class social at the Maxey's. 

Prayer Requests - February 6th

1) Abbi - Betty (Abbi's mom) will be having triple bypass surgery on Tuesday morning at 7:30.  Pray for everything to go smoothly.
          **Update: Betty has a low grade fever due to a possible viral infection.  They will determine in the morning whether she will have the surgery tomorrow as scheduled, or if it will be postponed until Wednesday.

2) Erika - Pray for the continued recovery of her Dad.  He is having surgery on Wednesday - a skin graft for his foot.  Pray that everything goes well and that the graft heals quickly.

3) Donny - Pray for a colleague at work who is having difficulty with his marriage.  Pray that the couple is able to resolve the issues, and that Donny will know how best to encourage this man.

4) Nancy - Nancy's mom has been in the hospital for two weeks, and more issues keep surfacing.  Pray that they can get her back to good health and send her home before too much longer.  Also, pray for Nancy and siblings as they are by her side during this hospital stay.

Prayer Requests - January 23rd

1)  Jeremy & Kimberly - Jeremy is looking for a job in Athens, but they have also expanded their search.  Please pray that an opportunity presents itself soon.
                                      - Also pray for Jeremy's brother, Jonathon, who has recently moved to India (working with IMB).  Pray that Jonathon and his family is able to acclimate to the surroundings quickly.

2)  Pray for others in the class looking for a job. 

3)  Lane & Janet - Pray for Lane as he is constantly juggling the stresses of going to school, full-time work, and his family.  Pray for the whole family as they go through this stressful and crazy time.

4)  Debra - Had her procedure this morning for her shoulder (everything went well).  Pray for quick recovery, and for the two weeks of rehab she will have.

5)  Mike - Continue to pray for the family that Mike met with last week.  Specific need of family: jobs for the siblings - John and Jessica.

6)  Amberly - Pray for her iodine levels to be where they need to be in order for her to receive her last radiation treatment this week. 

Also, remember our upcoming social on February 5th @ 6.  Let Marie know what side you would like to bring.  Hope to see everyone there!

THE REASON FOR GOD

January 23, 2011

 

 The topics in the second lesson for  discussion include the following questions.

          1.   How can you say there is only one way to God?

          2.   What about other religions?

 

I would like for you to think about conversations you may have had around these topics.

 

Please explore this website   http://www.4truth.net/

I find it to be a very useful tool for learning basic facts about the beliefs of other religions and denominations. It is good resource for

helping you be prepared for conversations with people of other faiths.

 

You should also look at the courses offered through the Worldreach Bible Institute.  http://www.wbionline.us/

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Mike

 

Prayer Requests - January 16th

1) Pray for Nancy to feel better soon.

2) Will - The company he works for is in the process of laying off about 800 people (half were let go this week).  Pray for those that lost their jobs, and pray that Will and Lisseth are able to keep theirs.

3) Amberly - Pray for things to continue to go well with her thyroid treatments.  She soon be receiving a radiation treatment soon, so pray for that to go smoothly and quickly. 

4) Debra - Continue to pray for Debra's friend Rob Harrast.  They are hoping that he will be able to get rid of the feeding tube soon.  Also, pray that he cancer does not spread (so far it has not shown any signs of doing so).

5) Alexis - Pray for her brother - he ill be leaving to go to Afghanistan soon.  Pray for his salvation, and his upcoming marriage.  Pray for the family to know how best to communicate with him.

6) Mike - Pray for Virginia Crawford who recently lost her husband.  Also, pray for a meeting that Mike has with an unbelieving family this week.  Pray that God would provide the wisdom he needs to communicate with them. 

7) Lauren - A friend's grandfather recently had a stroke and is partially paralyzed from it.  Pray for his recovery - regaining strength and learning how to function again.  Also pray for the family as they help him in this struggle.

Announcements:
1)Due to the new member class being on the 23rd (3 or 4 couples from class will be attending), we are postponing our lunch until February.

2) Remember the Honduras meeting is on Sunday at 5 at the Overlook.  Feel free to come to find out more about the trip and the overall mission opportunity (even if you are not sure if you will be able to go on this trip). Contact Clay for directions to the Overlook if necessary.

THE REASON FOR GOD - New Lesson Information

January 16, 2011

We will continue our first discussion in this series.  The topics in the first discussion include the following questions.

          1.   Isn't the Bible a myth?

          2.   Hasn't science disproved Christianity?

As we go through these lessons the next few weeks think about what Peter had to say.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Challenge: If you had to summarize the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in three minutes what would you say?  Try it!

Have a great day.  I hope to see you Sunday.

Mike

Prayer Requests & Announcements - January 9th

1.  Jessica - Pray for her grandmother her lost her grandfather recently.  Praise: Jessica's aunt found out that she is now cancer free.
                 - Also pray for Tyler and Jessica as they continue to pray for their upcoming move.

2.  Mike - Pray for Virginia Crawford and family.  Virginia's husband, Ed, passed away this morning.
              - Pray for Mike's chronic pain that has been in overdrive lately.  Pray that he can get some 
                relief and be able to sleep better.

3.  Lindsey - Pray for her family as they deal with the recent loss of her grandmother.

4.  Pray for Reg as he leaves to go to Texas on Wednesday for a new treatment.  Pray that travel will be possible and safe.

5.  Alexis - Pray for her aunt who has serious health issues.  She is having tests run this week.  Pray that the doctors will know the best way to proceed.

6.  Pray for those stranded in Atlanta (in the airport, at the greyhound station, on the interstate, etc.) due to this crazy weather.  Pray for save travel for everyone.

Announcements:

1.  Valentines Social - Scheduled for the 5th of February.  It will be at Betty Sue & Wally Ash's house.  More details to come.

2.  Class lunch on the 23rd.  Email Nancy (or post a comment here) about restaurant ideas.

Prayer Requests & Announcements

Prayer Requests:

1.  Pray for Erika and her family as they all are dealing with illness.  Pray specifically for her father as he continues to heal from his time in the hospital.

2.  Pray for Joel as he takes a qualifying exam this (Thursday) morning.

3.  Pray for the situation with the Connection space (the area that the college ministry uses).  Pray for the leaders involved with the decision, and that the path that should be taken would be clear.

Announcements:

1.  Honduras trip -  scheduled for June 4-11.  There will be an information session on January 23rd at 5:00 p.m. at the Overlook.  Contact Clay for more information.

2.  Pray for Hunter's Night Out (January 17th) to be a successful outreach and gathering time for the men in our church.

3.  The ladies Bible study will be starting back up next week.  I will let you know when a time and day has been decided.

New Series

Good morning,

We will start a new lesson series this week.  It is THE REASON FOR GOD.  Our discussion this week focuses on these questions.

   1.  Isn't the Bible a myth?

   2.  Hasn't science disproved Christianity?

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Mike

Prayer Requests - December 12th

1)  Jeremy & Kimberly - Praise that he is back home (in the reserves now).  Also, be praying for Jeremy as he looks for a job.

2) Donny & Alexis - Pray for their health, and especially little Zeke.  Zeke has been sick all weekend with the flu & strep throat!

3) Abbi & Joel - Pray for Abbi's grandmother, Sally, who is in the hospital.  She is 94 years old, and she just had a pacemaker put in on Saturday night.  Sally is doing well, but needs to gain her strength back.  Pray for that to happen as quickly as possible so that she does not get down. 

4) Erika & Paul - Pray for Erika's dad who is still in the hospital.  Pray for quick recovery and strength - also be praying for her mother, that she will be able to get some rest (she has been staying in the hospital with him), and continue to be healthy.
                         - Pray for Erika's Uncle Edward who has liver cancer.  Pray for the treatments that he is starting to go well, and for the doctors to know exactly how to treat him.

5) Mike & Debra - Pray for their friend Rob Harrast who is in the hospital recovering from major surgery.  Pray for the doctors to have wisdom as to the best treatment for him, and pray that he will get to go home soon.  Also, keep his wife in your prayers as she is caregiving for Rob.

7) Lauren & Adam - Praise - her grandfather's surgery went really well.  Pray for another surgery (teeth implant) that he is having tomorrow to go well.

Prayer Requests - November 28th

1) Several were out not feeling well this morning.
2) Pray for Jessica's Grandmother's health and her sister, Brittany, who has a meeting this week with a record label.
Also, for Tyler as he waits to hear back from a job interview and any decisions they may need to make.
3) Debra's mom as she regains her strength.
4) Those out traveling.

Also, remember that our SS Christmas party is this Saturday.  Let Marie know if you are coming.  Hope to see everyone there!

Prayer Requests

1.  Donny & Alexis - pray for their family as they grieve the loss of her grandfather.

2.  Rob Harrast (Friend of Mike & Debra) - he is suffering from cancer, and he is scheduled for an upcoming surgery.  Pray for a miraculous healing.

3.  Nancy & Bill - Pray for Katie who hasn't been feeling well.  Also, pray for friends of Bill & Nancy's that have started a new church.  One of the church members recently had twins - one of the twins died during birth.  Pray for the baby that is in the hospital to grow strong and healthy.  Pray for the parents of the twins for healing.

4.  Will & Lisseth - Pray for safe travel while in Peru and for the time with her family to be a blessing.

Sunday School Christmas Party

Put it on your calendars! Our Christmas party will be Saturday, December 4th at
the Kitchings' house around 6:00 p.m.

We will be having Taco Soup. Please respond if you can help by bringing tortilla
chips (4 bags), sour cream (2 16oz), cheese (4 cups), appetizers, or desserts.
YUM! Let Marie know through commenting on the blog or through email, if you will be able to attend and what you plan to bring.

We hope everyone can come. We might even have some festive holiday activities!
Remember, socials are a great time to invite new people.

Prayer Requests - November 7th

1.  Lauren - Continue to pray for her grandfather as the doctors try to decide the best course of action.

2.  Paul - Pray for patience and peace as he waits to hear the results from his graduate school exams.

3.  Pray for those in the class seeking jobs.

4.  Alexis - Pray for her family as they deal with the very recent loss of her grandfather.

TWISTING THE TRUTH lesson 4 - November 14th.

The lesson this week is about the twist that tells us that we should blame God for pain and suffering.

The scripture for the lesson is Romans 8:18-28.  This text is very deep and can be difficult. It will certainly apply to all of us. Please read, think about and pray about this scripture before Sunday. 

 

Romans 8:18-28 NIV

Present Suffering and Future Glory
    ¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that^[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
   ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
   ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
   ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Twisting the Truth - Lesson 3

Sunday Novemeber 7th will be the third lesson in the series TWISTING THE TRUTH.  Our discussion this week will focus on how the truth gets twisted regarding what the Bible teaches about submitting to human authority.  

Should you always submit? Is it OK to sometimes rebel? Do you feel guilty when you do not submit?  Have you ever rebelled against authority?  

Please read the following scripture from Romans before the lesson
Sunday.

Have a good week and we look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Mike and Debra

Romans chapter:13Submission to Governing Authorities 

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Attention Ladies

Hello Ladies,

We are so excited about starting a Tuesday Evening Bible Study for the ladies in
our Sunday School class, and really for anyone that might be interested. We
really hope that many of you will join to be challenged spiritually and to grow
in closer community. Babies are welcome to come too! Email if you have ANY
questions!!!

Here are the details!

WHAT:
A 6 week Bible Study called When God's People Pray by Jim Cymbala.  You don't
have to buy a book, and we will watch short videos on Bible Study Nights that
are 20 to 30 minutes. They are good videos that prompt discussion. We thought we
would start off with something simple that will hopefully challenge us to allow
prayer to change our lives and to get to know each other better.


WHEN:
We want to start next week, November 2nd. We would finish December 7th. Just in
time for the holidays. This study will also be great because if you have to miss
one week, you won’t be completely lost the next week.  We want to meet at a time
that will allow the most people to come. Either 6:00, 6:30, or 7:00. Let us know
which is best.

We plan to start back up in January, and pick a new Bible Study that is best for
the group.

WHERE:
Well, that is a great question. For the first meeting we would actually like to
meet at the Maxeys.  People in our Sunday School Class live everywhere! Marie
and Abbi's houses are always open, but it might be nice if we took turns hosting so that people get a break from driving.  Meeting in homes feels more personal and comfortable.

Many Blessings,

Abbi  & Marie


(Just leave a message on the blog if you have any questions)

Prayer Requests - October 25th

1.  Kimberly Dobbs – does not have feeling in her legs, making it hard to stand

 

2.  Lauren Kirk’s grandfather – in rehab hospital; making improvement

 

3.  Alexis Hill’s brother, Brett – in the Army and going to Afghanistan; not sure of his salvation

 

4.  Marie Kitchings – still looking for a job; getting discouraged

 

5.  Paul Nelson - recovering from illness.

CONTENTMENT

This week will be the last in the series about character.  The lesson is about contentment.

 

Read and think about the scripture below.  Also let's plan to discuss these two questions.

 

1.  Why are so many people so discontented so much of the time?

 

2.  What is the key to being content?

 

Have a great week.

 

Mike

 

Psalm 103:1-13 NIV (New International Version)

Of David.

    ¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul;
       all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
    ² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
       and forget not all his benefits-
    ³ who forgives all your sins
       and heals all your diseases,
    ⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
       and crowns you with love and compassion,
    ⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
    ⁶ The LORD works righteousness
       and justice for all the oppressed.
    ⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
       his deeds to the people of Israel:
    ⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
       slow to anger, abounding in love.
    ⁹ He will not always accuse,
       nor will he harbor his anger forever;
    ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
       or repay us according to our iniquities.
    ¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
       so great is his love for those who fear him;
    ¹² as far as the east is from the west,
       so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
    ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
       so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;