FBC Soldiers of Christ

Prayer Request

2009-04-21T23:42:00.002-04:00

Nicole - Please pray for a student of mine. Her grandmother is in the hospital, hasn't been eating for a few days, and is basically dying. The family has to travel out of state to see the grandmother.

Also, my parents are looking for a new house again.

Thanks!

Cherry Blossoms in DC

2009-04-05T01:40:00.002-04:00

Cherry blossoms. Laughter. Metro. Sushi. Iwo Jima. Parasites. Miles on foot. More cherry blossoms. More laughter. Contemplation. Pictures. Missing steps. Hidden Starbucks. Washington Monument. Pentagon memorial. No coffee Starbucks? Arlington Cemetery. 95 traffic. Blue line. Red line. Yellow line.

Spring has sprung! Mark your calendars!

2009-03-24T23:35:00.001-04:00

Well guys Spring is officially here, and with it a few things come to mind: warmer weather, blooming flowers, and good old baseball.

I know that schedules are very busy, but I would like to take a moment to make aware of some up coming events.
The one upcoming events is a trip into DC to see the Cherry Blossoms some historical landmarks (i.e. the Iwo Jima monument, Pentagon Memorial, and the DC Tidal Basin) on the afternoon of 4 April 2008. To allow people to still be apart of the building workday, we will leave from the church convoy style, at 1pm. to headed to the Springfield Metro.
The cost will be $8.00 for the metro ticket and whatever you spend on food.

If you plan on attending please let me know by the 3 April. Also should there be any bad weather the trip will be canceled.

Another date to set aside is Friday June 5, 2008. At 7pm that evening we will be attending a Nats and Mets baseball game. The availability of tickets be limited, but I will give you information concerning price and transportation, in the near future.

Prayer Request

2009-03-15T12:07:00.002-04:00

Please pray for the Leslie family. Mrs. Leslie was my dorm mom and she passed away Friday after a battle with cancer. She left behind her husband, three grown children, and one child with Downs Syndrome.

Cicilia, a member of the Hispanic church, lost her aunt on Friday as well.

Singles Retreat!

2009-03-08T12:56:00.000-04:00

Well Worth the Effort!

This weekend outing for singles will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle life once more! Professionals and college students alike will enjoy both the action and relaxation components of this fortifying conference. This weekend is well worth the effort to come!

Conference Details

Date	Speaker
March 27-29, 2009	Jim and Pat Berg

Conference Times
Check-in:	5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday
Program begins:	7:30 p.m. Friday with supper
Program ends:	11:00 a.m. Sunday after brunch

Cost is $125.

2009-03-04T21:18:00.002-05:00

Here's a church update:

Saturday, March 7

* Operation Go begins at 8:30 a.m.
* Work day from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
* Spring Forward! Don't forget to set your clock AHEAD an hour before go to bed!

Help needed for BYF March Madness! March 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to be referees and score keepers. See Watson if you are able to help!

March 20-21 is the Father/Son Retreat.

FBS Auction, April 4 - help is needed and the sign-up sheet is in the teacher workroom

Friend Day, April 5

Prayer Requests

2009-02-09T23:11:00.001-05:00

Brought up:

Keep my family in your prayers as my Grandfather went to be with the Lord Friday morning.

Also I am about to put in an offer on a house. I need the Lords wisdom as I make the decisions associated with it.

Jeremey

Prayer Requests

2009-01-12T22:52:00.003-05:00

Brought up:

Jeremey -
Please pray for my Grandfather. He has been in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. My mom just informed me that he is giving up. He originally went in for heart problems and then got pneumonia and is getting over that and will be discharged in the next couple days. However he is going to have to go into a nursing home. The doctor wants to put him on depression meds. His name is Elwood.
Also my Great Uncle Jimmy is in the hospital. I do not know the whole situation, but I think it might be a stroke because his one side is paralyzed. Thanks for all your prayers.

Lara -
I went for thryoid tests today and I have another one tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about the results, so please keep me in your prayers! Thanks =]

Nicole -
Venessa has been sick and is looking for a job.
I am taking more classes at VBC (working on another degree). Please pray that the Lord will help me stay focused and be able to keep up with it all.
I just reconnected with a friend from middle school and found out he has cancer. His name is Patrick.

Game Night

2009-01-05T07:14:00.002-05:00

What: Game Night
Where: Robbie's house
When: Saturday, January 10
Time: 5-10pm

This is going to be a potluck event, so he needs to know what you're bringing.

He did send out an email, so if you didn't get it, that means he doesn't have your email address. He also sent out a Facebook event invite. Add him if you haven't done so already.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

2009-01-04T13:21:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

This morning, Robbie spoke on Acts 16 and three families changed by the Gospel.
1. Lydia
2. The possessed girl
3. The jailer

We need to be ready to share the Gospel in any situation we may find ourselves in. Our families know firsthand about our failures in the Christian life, but that should not stop us. We need to open and willing to listen to God when He calls on us.

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Pray for the college students as they head back to school. Pray for their safety, finances, and decisions for God.

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Tonight we will be fellowshipping at Starbucks after service.

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I wanted to share with everyone something that was sent to me in an email:

even New Year’s Resolutions

I like a list of resolutions prepared by a pastor. He calls them ‘7-UPS for the New Year.’ No, this has nothing to do with the soft drink. These 7-UPS fall under the heading of attitudes and actions.

The first is WAKE UP -- Begin the day with the Lord. It is His day. Rejoice in it.

The second is DRESS UP -- Put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.

The third is SHUT UP -- Watch your tongue. Don't gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.

The fourth is STAND UP -- Take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good.

Five, LOOK UP -- Open your eyes to the Lord. After all, He is your only Saviour.

Six, REACH UP -- Spend time in prayer with your adorations, confessions, thanksgivings and supplications to the Lord.

And finally, LIFT UP -- Be available to help those in need -- serving, supporting, and sharing.

If you're going to make New Year's resolutions this year, let me suggest this pastor’s list.

Why do we bother to make New Year's resolutions in the first place? Why do we feel this need each January 1 to set new goals? Maybe it is because resolutions help us to identify our priorities. They answer the question: “How do I want to invest my time, energy, money and talents in this New Year? The New Year reminds us that time is passing. It is up to each of us to maximize the potential of every moment.

Prayer Requests from 12/21

2008-12-22T02:32:00.001-05:00

Travel - Sargents, Lathams, Nicole

Daniel - friends at college for finances

Julie - recovery

Remember: you can post prayer requests at any time!

More pictures!

2008-12-20T23:40:00.004-05:00

Trip to DC

2008-12-20T21:56:00.004-05:00

What a wonderful turnout! A total of 23 people were able to make it out to this event of fun, fellowship, and sight-seeing. I'll post a few pictures now and will add more later.

First stop: Arlington National Cemetery

Watching the guard.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Memorial Amphitheater

The mast of the USS Maine Memorial

The National Christmas Tree

A View of the White House

2008-12-19T15:49:00.001-05:00

Hey - We're going to DC tomorrow! Meet at the church (by VBC) at 12:30 pm Saturday. Don't be late!

November 30, 2008

2008-11-30T14:25:00.002-05:00

Oh my! We haven't put a new post up here in quite a while, have we? I'll go first, and the rest of you can join in.

Our friends, the Sterlings, have successfully adopted the little blind girl, Charlotte. They are in the process of getting everyone home from Poland.

We have a class outing on December 20th - see Robbie on Facebook for details.

Pray for Nicole's car - it's having water pump issues.

Any more prayer requests? Leave them in the comments.

Nov. 2, 2008

2008-11-03T19:39:00.004-05:00

Brought up from below:

Continue to pray for Robbie's friend's cousin who was kidnapped in Mexico.

Pray for Jeremy - he is travelling the next two weekends, and he is looking to buy a house. Pray he finds the right one.

Continue to pray for Deb and Sticky Bean (her name for the baby), and for Leah's wrist/hand/arm. This week is the opera production - lots of rehearsal, and Wednesday is her recital hearing (to determine whether she is prepared enough to actually perform - this is crucial to her graduation in May).

Pray for our friends, the Sterlings, as they go back to Poland to try once more to adopt Charlotte, the little blind girl.

Pics from the apple festival

2008-10-14T08:14:00.006-04:00

Are they really picking its nose???

Brooke's dream car
And what's a hayride without a little body-building?

Don't forget to leave prayer requests in the comments. Two brought up from below:

1. Continue to pray for Shya Benson (a baby) - she is back in the hospital with fluid buildup in her head, and may also have a bone infection.

2. Daniel's cousin was in a car accident and is in the hospital. He won't need surgery as was originally thought, but pray for his healing.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Ferd's Follies

2008-10-04T19:33:00.002-04:00

So Jim Romanelli, one of my running mates from High School gave me the nickname of Ferd. If you know my first name you may understand it to be a derisive takeoff for my given name. The time I remember it most is when I have a day like I had today. Not everything went wrong, but plenty enough did. So on the heels of yesterday when my customer ripped me off for 6 hundred bucks I started today with a new enthusiasm ready to tackle the planet. Hence we begin Ferd's Follies.

I jump in the Ribmobile (the van, long story) and head out to the job which is an hour and a half away, but the guy keeps me busy and pays well. Stopped for gas (Sheets in Mannasses was $3.35 a gallon) and looking good. Oh, but that old familiar grinding noise as I pull out of the station. Brakes are grinding. DRAG! There goes $150 bucks of what I was going to make today.

Driving down the road yesterday (the day I got jammed for 6 hundred bucks!) and a dump truck in front of me w/NO mudflaps behind the back wheels throws up some gravel and I hear the old familiar TINK and backed right off before I got any more. Checked the windshield and it's lookin fine. Except today right after I heard the grinding noise I looked down and there is a one inch crack in the windshield. Now it's a one footer. That'll be a $400 dollar bill.

Rolled up to the job and get hot painting the deck. Oh, but not just any deck, this one is on the third floor. No steps. So I climb the ladder hoist the tools over the rail and get to work. Rolled out the first half of the deck. Tons of furniture up there in the ozone, so I had to wait for it to dry before I could paint the second half. So I'm up on the ladder painting the railing and I hear a sound I'm not liking and whoosh, out kicks the ladder, the paint ($85 bucks worth) is all over the dude's stone and I'm bouncing and rolling down the hill. Blackberry's flying, brush is in the grass, five way is headed toward my face and all I can think is wow, this day is such a DRAG!! I come to an inglorious stop and my first thought is "cool, my leg's not broke" (that's what happened last time I fell from that ladder) and I thought, what hurts? Shoulder is barking (nothing new) right upper arm is throbbing, but no big... WE'RE GOOD!

So I'm lying there wondering what's going to hurt when the adrenaline wears off and I'm thinking Lord, what-is-the-deal? And I'm scrubbing my brain (small job I know) to think if I had some sin in my life I've been ignoring? Nope, we're good. Started praying Lord, what's up here? No answer. And I realized nothing really hurt much (you know, pride excluded) and I started to say "thank you Jesus, I'm in one piece." You know what? Thankfulness leads to thankfulness. And thank you Lord I had a van to drive to work today. And thank you Lord I have work to pay for the van's maintenance! And thank you Lord I can do the brakes myself!! WE'RE GOOD!

So let's recap, $600 for the Russian lady that ripped me off, $150 for brakes, $400 for the windshield, $85 for the paint I launched. So after two 12 hour days of labor I'm down $1230 bucks. But I've got an awesome family that loves the Lord, lives surrendered to him and seeks to glorify him. I've got a Father who owns the cattle on a thousand hills (and the hills!) So WE'RE GOOD!

Can't imagine the last two days without a loving savior. Now that would be a drag. Thank you Lord Jesus for taking me! As my Darlin Bride says... Be thankful!

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008

2008-09-29T21:29:00.002-04:00

Reminders:

Oct. 11 is the Apple fest in Charlottesville. Meet at the church at 8:30 am. Let Robbie know if you're coming so we can plan for how many cars we need. Bring a lunch and we'll picnic.

Next week (Oct. 4) starts the fall Sunday School campaign. Memorize Proverbs 3:3 and be prepared to say it to Abbie. Bring yourself (on time), your Bible, your verse memorized, and a guest to get points for our team!

And as always, leave prayer requests in the comments section below.

Preaching versus Creeping

2008-09-12T19:40:00.000-04:00

Recently I was struck by a thought about the state of much of today’s preachers. To say I’m somewhat frustrated is an understatement. I’ve heard a smattering of most of what passes for preaching on the radio and it’s embarrassing. It’s intellectually dishonest, apologetic instead of powerful and full of psychology instead of truth.
All three symptoms stem from the same problem. Many of today’s preachers are liars. Most on the radio are liars. They don’t believe the Word of God is in fact, the Word of God. They say they believe it and then commence to correcting it. So when I say it’s intellectually dishonest, what I see too often is someone who tells me to believe the Word and doesn’t himself. When I say apologetic instead of powerful I can offer some simple examples. Get some Oliver B. Greene recordings and listen. Get some Lester Roloff recordings and listen. Get some Maze Jackson or Dr. Harold Seitler, or Ralph Sexton Sr. recordings and listen. Then turn on today’s crowd and the difference will be astounding. And when I say it’s full of psychology instead of truth it’s because I hear so much these days of men starting out with a premise and proving it with psychology instead of the Word of God. They want me to understand their point. Well… I don’t really care about their POINT! That is my point. I don’t listen to preaching on the radio or go to hear preaching from the pulpit to get a dose of Psych 101. I do so to hear truth. I want to hear truth from the Word of God. I don’t care how smart a guy is, or how learned a guy is. I really don’t. Can he preach accurately? Does he believe what he is preaching from? Or is he just running his mouth because that is what he’s paid to do? The power of the pulpit is given from God the Holy Ghost consistent with a man’s study and his confidence in the Word of God. If you don’t believe it, sit down, shut up and listen to those of us that do. - Brother Ben

Sunday, Sept. 7

2008-09-08T08:21:00.002-04:00

Thanks to those who came out for football and chili. You did your share of eating and I STILL have a lot to put in the freezer.

Put Oct. 4th on your calendars for our Octoberfest at the Beach. More info to come.

Ben Murphy gave this week's drive-by from Psalm 23 - ". . . and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

We're still studying the book of Acts and went through chapter two this week - the Holy Spirit's indwelling and Peter's telling. Be reading ahead for next week.

Please leave prayer requests in the comments section below, then remember to come back and read through them and pray. Remember Gino.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, August 31

2008-08-31T15:24:00.004-04:00

Well. No drive-by. No prayer requests. Am I being worked out of a job?

Read Acts 2 for next week.

Remember to leave your prayer requests in the comments section, then come back each day to read them and pray.

Chili and cornbread festivities at the Sargents' house next Sunday afternoon. Girls bring desserts and/or cornbread, guys bring drinks and chips.

Here's the latest class photo - thanks Matt. It's kind of small at the right, but I don't know how to make it bigger. Help?

And don't forget to read Acts 2 for next week.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, August 24

2008-08-24T15:35:00.002-04:00

Today's drive-by was brought by David, from Psalm 116:1-2. It's evident from these two verses that God hears us, really actively listens to us. When someone listens like that, it's easy to love them because we know they are truly interested in our well-being. Do we let God be so prominent in our lives that it's easy to love Him?

Janna shared from her experiences at camp this summer how God taught her not to fear, to trust His power, His love, and his provision of a sound mind, and how it's not about us, it's about Him.

Leave your prayer requests in the comments section by clicking the word "comments" below.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008

2008-08-19T14:39:00.002-04:00

Prayer Requests

David - Ben training in Kentucky; unsaved cousins here for a while
Matt - recovery from surgery
Janna - Biggs family needs to sell old house and find one here
Nicole - Venessa needs a job
Evan - Chase, 9 yo boy, needs a family
Hannah - Jessie, friend in car wreck, broken foot
cousin killed in car wreck, parents Terry and Donna
Jeremy - dad needs work, Jeremy traveling this week to FL for work
Daniel - dad traveling to CA for two weeks
Jenny - sister Shelly bought house and gutted it - needs help.
Julie F - grandparents' salvation; unspoken
School starting soon

Here's your cheat-sheet for next week's quiz on water:

ch. 1 - baptism
ch. 2 - water into wine
ch. 3 - born of water vs. born of spirit
ch. 4 - woman at the well
ch. 5 - pool of Bethesda

Study up!

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, August 3, 2008

2008-08-06T11:29:00.007-04:00

If you missed Sunday School today, you missed the most incredible blueberry muffins - thanks Matt and Micah!

Micah gave the drive-by this morning, from ICor. 3:18-20. He encouraged and challenged us to gain wisdom from God by focusing on HIM and renewing our minds with the Word of God daily (Rom. 12:2).

Prayer Requests

Matt - recovering from surgery
David Joe - doing two years' work in one year
Robbie - chaplain program
Venessa - needs job
Joy's Aunt Cheryl - pregnant with twins
Nick Breau - salvation/job need
John Hodgson - job need
Mike Hader - driving in NYC this week
Tabby
Kelly & Keith - house closing on 16th
Camp decisions for teens who went to the WILDS
Deb and David going to Thailand Sept. 1
Nicole's friend Diana in hosp with twins
Megan - working long hours
John Sgarlata in flight school

And in case you missed Sunday NIGHT, a few pictures for your entertainment. Here are the guys in the restroom trying to learn how to tie a bowtie. Ben says they all have two left hands.

Oh, the concentration!

Cory gives up.
Much more relaxed here.
Daniel's thoughtful look. You didn't know he had one, did you?

We'll be in John 5 next week!

Be thankful ~

Karen

Friday, July 25

2008-07-25T17:02:00.000-04:00

Hey, don't forget we're practicing music tomorrow night, Saturday, July 26, at the church at 7 pm.

Wow, this is a really short post, huh?

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, July 20, 2008

2008-07-20T16:40:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to meet at Starbucks tonight after the service. We'll talk about Praise in the Park and our Aug. 3rd service. And for those of us who volunteered to help with the Hispanic outreach on Aug. 16th, let's not forget - be there at 4:45.

Prayer Requests

Nick - praise for two years of sobriety
Joy Noakes' Aunt Cheryl - pregnancy
Praise in the Park
Aug. 3rd evening service
Mike S at his new job
Amy's friend DJ - music, school
Romania work
Robbie - work challenges
Mike Hader - driving in NYC this week
Mr. Randall - recovering from cataract surgery
John H - job need
Nick Breau - job need
Leah - friend Krista's dad died
- Brian - family difficulties
VBS this week
Amy - biology final Wednesday
David - relative lost daughter in fire
Megan - starts working on a new floor Wed.
Brooke - Tabby needs to find a place to live
Jeremy - dad needs a job
Robbie - sister Kelly and husb. Keith closing on house this week

This week's drive-by brought to us by Ben M. from Matt 14:28-30. In v. 28, Peter's request is a big one. In v. 29, Jesus answers yes. The bottom line is that when we ask God to let us do something big for Him, he never says no.

The week's lesson was taken from the first 10 verses of John 4. Key points - Isaac got his bride at a well (Gen 24:39), Jacob got his bride at a well (Gen 29:1-9), and John 4:6 says, "Jacob's well was there. . ." Jesus meets the Samaritan woman there, and she becomes part of his bride.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, July 13, 2008

2008-07-17T19:11:00.002-04:00

OK, so it's Thursday evening and I'm just getting this week's stuff up here. Some weeks are like that.

Our drive-by this week was brought to us by Daniel Perkins. He read out of Matthew 4, where Satan tempts Jesus. We saw that Satan tempts us when we're weak and vulnerable, but we were reminded that we're never tempted above "that we are able" according to I Cor. 10:13.

Prayer Requests

John and Mandy Hodgson - John needs a job
Praise in the Park - we need to pick a date for one more
Sunday night service - August 3
Mr. Hader - driving this week in DC, next week in NYC
Amy's friend DJ - getting anonymous letters, needs his music back
Ashley W - teens in her AZ church are at camp this week
Robbie - difficult people at work
Nicole - Mr. Randall recovering from cataract surgery
the work in Romania

August 3rd Sunday night service:

Cory and David - preaching
Evan - announcements
All the guys will usher
Special music - Brooke and Ben will be coordinating this - see them with suggestions or to volunteer

This week Bro. Ben taught out of John 3. Read chapter 4 for Sunday!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

2008-06-30T09:07:00.002-04:00

Look at me, getting this stuff up on here on MONDAY!! Somebody shout!

Don't forget the picnic at the Sargents' (note the placement of the apostrophe) next Saturday, July 5th. Get there around 1 or 2 or whenever you can. Directions below.

Prayer Requests

Fruit from the Romania trip
Venessa - moving in August, ongoing health issues
Jenny's parents' salvation
DJ - find music, healing
Praise in the Park - July 12, 10 am - 12 pm, on the soccer field
Matt L - healing after surgery
Mary Camuso - Wayne's niece - salvation, and pray for Ben as he visits her
Micah - PRAISE - Dad's deployment pushed back to next March
Hannah - a girl in Leah's daycamp class
Russell's finger - he's seeing a doctor Monday
David - Tim's wedding next Saturday, Ben coming home
Micah - wisdom teeth Tuesday, travel to Ill on the 4th
Nicole - car issues, decisions made at Camp Bimi, Karen going to Uganda, Betsey on deputation

This week's lesson was from John 2. Read chapter 3 for next week.

Directions to the Sargents'

221 Morgan Lane, Spotsylvania
From the church: take Salem Church Rd. Pass Loriella Park, cross over Courthouse Rd. Somewhere in there it changes to Leavells Rd. Keep going until you pass the YMCA and the road comes to a T. Turn right on Massaponax Church Rd. Go maybe 2 miles and watch for the power lines - turn left just before them, on Hickory Ridge Rd. Go a half mile or so and turn right into Berkshire (brick sign with horse on it). Take the first left on Arabian, then the first right on Morgan. We're almost at the end in the tan house with a million cars, trucks and vans.

From I-95: Take exit 126 and go south on Rt. 1 - 4.5 miles. Just past Massaponax High School, turn right on 632 (Hickory Ridge Rd.) Go 2.5 miles and turn left into Berkshire. First left on Arabian, first right on Morgan, etc.

Come hungry and bring a friend!

Be thankful ~

Karen

Saturday, June 28. My babies come home today!!

2008-06-28T16:45:00.002-04:00

OK, so I've missed 20 days of June, but I have a good excuse. Really, I do.

I spent 14 of them in the daycare with Abbie's class of 2 and 3 year olds. Now that I've come up for air (at least for a week) I'll get this week's stuff up here pronto. Honest.

Chocolate pound cake for breakfast tomorrow. I'm getting there early. Are you?

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, June 8, 2008

2008-06-08T15:05:00.003-04:00

This week's drive-by, brought to you by Brandon, was on the subject of prayer. Prayer is our spiritual bread and water. After salvation, the best thing God ever gave us is the ability to talk to Him personally. Jer. 33:3

Prayer Requests

Sandreka, 16 yo runaway in California
Don Madill
Jenny's parents' salvation
Cory and Abbie's healing from wisdom teeth surgery
Matt needs a job
Tim getting married soon
Venessa - tonsillitis
Nicole's parents' move
Randall's college choice
Megan Sears working 12-hour shifts
Robbie's cousin Tony getting married in two weeks
TIME trip and tonight's commissioning service
Robbie's cousin RT - breakup with Dianna, and her salvation

Today Brother Ben taught out of John 1:14-34. No notes from me - I can't write that fast. You'll have to make it to class if you want to hear it. Come early (9:15) for food and fellowship next week. Class starts at 9:30.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, June 1, 2008

2008-06-04T07:48:00.001-04:00

Yes, I'm late. But I have a really good excuse. When we got home Sunday night, our computer had been zapped, so we've been troubleshooting since then. Mike finally had the brilliant idea to swap ours with his, so here we are, up and running again. Except that the print is so tiny I can barely see it.

OK, so now I've made the print bigger. Much better.

Continue reading John 1 this week and we'll finish it Sunday.

Meet at the church at 9:45 this Saturday for door-knocking.

This week's Drive-by came from Matt, who talked about getting past current sin in our lives - see Ps. 51.

Prayer Requests

Don Madill
The Sterling Family - failed adoption
Cory is thankful he got a job, and needs to heal from wisdom teeth surgery
(Abbie too)
Matt and Ben M. need jobs
Tim French getting married soon
Venessa - health issues and possible move to MD
Sandreka - runaway 16 yo bus kid
Nicole's parents' move
Randall - decision regarding college

Brother Ben taught through the first part of John 1 today, where we saw that Jesus is
v. 1 - deity
v . 3 - creator (see also Eph. 3:8)
v. 4 - light (see also John 8:12)

Then we get a description of John beginning in v. 6 (see also Mt. 3:1-8)
v. 7 - capital L means it's a proper noun
v. 8 - John's job
v. 9 - EVERY man is lighted
v. 10 - again, He is the creator
v. 11 - the Jews wouldn't receive him
v. 12-13 - talking about the world AND his own - IF they received him, etc.

If that was clear as mud, come to class. It's much better in person. :)

Remember, Sunday School is at 9:30!

Be thankful ~

Karen

Are you still reading John?

2008-05-27T08:36:00.002-04:00

Today you should have read John 1, and 5-7. Don't get behind - the chapters are long-ish.

Also, an update from our friends, the Sterlings, who are in Poland trying to adopt Charolotte. The judge ruled in their favor yesterday, but the prosecutor now has a 3 week appeal period in which she can put the kabosh on the whole thing. The judge requested that if she were going to appeal, she do so by Friday so they wouldn't be waiting for three agonizing weeks. The prosecutor agreed to that, so please pray that THIS WEEK we would hear good news from Poland.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Pancakes and Sausage. And tickets. What kind of class IS this?

2008-05-26T20:20:00.005-04:00

Just here to share a few pics of Saturday's breakfast.

Here's Robbie, explaining how to get out of a ticket. It involves calling his dad. Maybe if I get to know Mr. Pinkard a little better, I'll try it.

The group is listening with rapt attention. How many ways ARE there to get out of a ticket, Robbie?
The breakfast really wasn't ALL about tickets. The guys planned our summer ministry, Praise in the Park.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, May 25, 2008

2008-05-25T13:43:00.002-04:00

David gets the gold star for the day for his spelling of T-I-M.

Reminders:

Meet Saturday at 10:30 at the church for door-knocking.

Sunday school next week is at 9:30. There is no early service.

Homework for the week: read John 1-21 (3 chapters a day), and read John 1 every day.

Golden Nugget, by David French

What faith? In Mt. 8:5, the centurion has great faith. He doesn't ask if Jesus CAN heal his servant, he asks him TO heal him, knowing that Christ is able. Do we approach our prayer requests with that kind of faith?

Prayer Requests

Thank God for the military, and pray for safety for those deployed
Don Madill - difficult times, bereaved
Megan Sears - 12 hour shift in cardiac unit
Matt and Ben M. need jobs
John Sgarlata in hospital
John Sgarlata Jr. starting flight school
Mike M - had appendix out, and upcoming wedding
Jenny - new Christian, her parents' salvation
Janna - travel to WI tomorrow, wisdom as a counselor at camp
Nicole - parents with one more week in house, all situations to be resolved
- Venessa traveling
- friend Cathy and family coming to visit
- last week of school
Matt Beck in college at Regent U.
T-I-M getting married in a month
Lara - BIL Mike needs a car, Lara's car is in the shop - obvious car needs
Sterling Family - court date in Poland Monday, 2 pm to adopt Charlotte

The Lesson - Jude

v. 1-2 The greeting. To the sanctified, preserved, and called. That's US.

v. 3-4 The purpose of the letter - to exhort them to contend for the faith, because wicked men had crept in and the saints were unaware of it. How to recognize and deal with them.

v. 5-19 Examples of these lost men
v. 9-11 greedy, murderers, dividers - they will get their due judgment.

v. 20 Build your faith by praying

v. 22-23 Love some to Christ, scare some to Christ.

v. 24-25 Closing. The end consequence of doing things right - that God will present us faultless before his presence.

Have a great week!

Be thankful ~

Karen

Hey! Guess what I found!

2008-05-21T16:17:00.002-04:00

Remember when we went bowling last December? Well, today I was doing a little housecleaning on the computer and finally found the pictures. Here are a few:

The twins:

The buddies:
The peanut gallery:
The man who can't stop teaching -
Have a great week! And

Be thankful~

Karen

Sunday, May 18, 2008

2008-05-18T12:35:00.002-04:00

No Golden Nugget today - Ben forgot. We'll hear one from David next week. Remind Ben if he forgets again.

Prayer Requests:

Ben's friend Don Madill - bereaved
Addie and Tom Giblin - health issues
Abbie S - wisdom teeth on Monday
Chiras in Romania
Matt- job need for the summer
Dane - in Iraq
Kiera - unspoken
David's brother Tim getting married July 5th
Nicole - end of school year
Leah driving home from Hburg tonight

Today's lesson was taken from 2 Thessalonians 3. If you missed it, the general idea is

Get a Job.

If you're a guy, get two.

Work, or you don't eat.

Also see I Thess. 4:11 and Eph. 4:28. Whatever you do, do something productive for the sake of your testimony.

And remember we're meeting at the Starbucks at Harrison Crossing tonight after church. C ya! (just brushing up on my texting skills)

Karen

Note to Matt

2008-05-11T21:37:00.002-04:00

Thanks for the help. I figured it out with much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I finally got a link to the file on my other blog (a link is in the sidebar over there ----> ). I never even attempted to actually put the file itself on the blog. As it was, there was smoke coming out my ears. Thanks again! Karen

Sunday, May 11, 2008

2008-05-11T13:42:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day! Not that any of you are mothers, but, since it's the sentiment of the day, I thought I'd pass it along.

Evan's golden nugget of the day was taken from Proverbs 8:11. He reminded us that nothing we desire will ever be worth more than wisdom taken from God's Word.

Prayer requests:

Andrew Waddington (Leah's adopted soldier in Iraq)
Mike's AF package
John H's job situation
Matt and Ben M. looking for summer jobs
David F - Luke travelling to BJU today, continuing studies at BJ
- Ben F graduated from Rangers training and is looking for a good
church home in Georgia.
Robbie - co-worker Eric to be deployed to Iraq, with accompanying marriage
needs
Nicole - parents' home situation (foreclosure)
- AACS team observation this week in FBS
Leah - friend Jenny, difficulty with Jewish parents

John H taught from the last half of II Thessalonians 2, where the Thessalonians were distracted by various things, and Paul encouraged them to stand fast. That led to the question, "How serious are you about your spiritual growth?" We were encouraged to avoid roadside attractions, and just concentrate on getting there.

If anyone has other prayer requests not listed here, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Sunday, May 4th

2008-05-06T08:57:00.006-04:00

Since Ben and I were not in Sunday School this week, I have nothing to write here. But I do have a prayer request or two:

John Hodgson's job situation
upcoming finals
Mike Sargent's AF application

If you have others, leave a comment and we'll include them.

Let's remember the workdays this week - Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday. We'll be in the new auditorium next week.

And just because I'm a proud mama and I'm the one who writes this page, I get to share a picture:

Thanks to Abbie for the great photography.

Be thankful ~

Karen

say with John Wayne voice. . .

2008-04-28T21:14:00.000-04:00

Well, howdy podners!

2008-04-27T13:50:00.004-04:00

Since I never post anything to the other website because it frustrates the dog-snot out of me, I decided to make one where I know the inner workings - or at least enough to keep me going. So here we are. And welcome!

This is where I'll post weekly prayer requests, announcements, pictures, an overview of what we're studying, and anything of interest or importance to the class. And YOU can comment! So help me out and let's not make this a one-man show. We want input! And besides that, a blogger always appreciates comments. Hint, hint. So here's the scoop for this week, April 27th:

John Hodgson has been teaching our class combined with his, since most of you are away and our classes are sparse right now. He's been teaching through I and II Thessalonians, and today we started II Thess., where Paul encourages the believers to keep doing what they're doing right. Press on, brutha! in today's vernacular.

Prayer requests for this week are as follows:

upcoming graduations
military members, esp. those deployed
John H - job need, and some sleep would be nice
Shad - shoulder surgery
Mike S - AF package; board meets in August
Watson M - 2 house closings this week
Nicole - Mom (Tina) has glaucoma (that's how you spell it)
Venessa - various health problems
Nicole - tooth infection
New building inspections with state inspector this week

If you have any others, feel free to leave them in a comment. And if you know the e-mail addresses of anyone away at school, please share the new website address with them. I'll send it to those I have, but there may be others I don't have.

Check back often, as I may post a funny now and then and surely you don't want to miss that. And as David Hartman used to say, "MAKE it a good day."

Be thankful ~

Karen