Help Needed!!!

As some of you may know, Sarah Proemsey is now confined to complete bed rest due to her pregnancy.  As a result, Sarah and Jeremy can use our help.  We are looking for volunteers to cook a dinner for them.  Currently, we need someone to supply dinners on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  You can either deliver to church or deliver to their home ( if you do this you need to call ahead of time so you can be told where the key is, since Sarah cannot answer the door!) If you can help contact Sandi Eberhardt at 636-287-1494.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Brooks LaRowe.  Enjoy your day and Merry Christmas!

Update on Luke Rachocki

Luke is home and recovering.  He ran into a wire clothesline and it crushed his upper palette and moved all his teeth sideways.  They were able to move them back but don't know yet if he will lose his upper teeth.  Amazingly he received no damage to his skin, face or lower teeth.  They will see how he does and determine if he needs surgery later.  Toni said it could have been so much worse and are grateful for the prayers.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Karen Phillips!!  Enjoy your special day!!!

Lesson Preview!!!

Well, as predicted - the weather last Sunday was pretty messy.  A few did brave the conditions.  We had class but it was an abbreviated version.  Therefore, this week we will cover two topics of Advent - Presentation and Procreation.  I have seen women prepare meals.  Some are very delicious but because it was just a regular meal it was not presented with any special flair.  On the other hand - there are those meals when the best china is used and the table looks like something fit for royalty.  Presentation has a lot to do with the event.  How significant do you think the birth of Jesus was to God?  Do you think the significance equals the presentation?  Finally, how does God procreate Christmas?

Bring your thoughts and questions to class Sunday.  This is the last meeting prior to Christmas.  It is also the final meeting until next year. 

Peace,
Don

The Midweek Update...

Lesson Recap

This week we again studied the Advent of Jesus' birth.  For week 3 we looked at the presentation.

God proclaimed regarding the coming of the Messiah in the New Testament:

Mk 1:1 The Beginning of the Good News

Lk1:1-4 Dedication to Theophilus

Jn1:1-18 Prologue

Mt 1:1-17 Record of Jesus' ancestors

Lk 1:5-25  Birth of John the Baptist/Elijah foretold

Lk 1:26-38 Birth of Jesus foretold

Lk 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth

Lk 1:46-56 The Magnificat: Mary's Song of Praise

Lk 1:57-66 Birth of John the Baptist

Lk 1:67-80 Zechariah's Prophecy

What the New Testament tells us about the birth of Jesus:

Mt 1:18-25

Lk 2:8-20

Lk 2:21-24

Lk 2: 25-35

Lk 2:36-38

Mt 2:1-12

Mt 2:13-18

Mt 2:19-23

The SPOT Christmas Shindig...

...is almost upon us.  The date is Wednesday, December the 22nd at the Masseys!  The maps have been sent out, but if you need one you can email thespotspot@charter.net, and we will be happy to send one out to you.  Bring an appetizer and prepare for some great fellowship.  Be sure when you get to the Masseys that you pass up the circle drive before you park, as stated on the map!  Also remember that kids (especially the college age ons) are welcome!

Prayer List 

• Continued prayers for Zenobia and her family.
• Prayers for the safety for the kids coming home from school.
• Pray for Alan Decker and his issues with his daughter and child custody. 

 

The Mid-Week Update!!

Lesson Recap

This week as we continued our Advent preparations we looked at how God proclaimed the coming of Jesus.  We then looked at scriptures that foretold the coming of Jesus, in keeping with our Sunday of preparation.  These scriptures are:

• Gen 49:10
• Isa 7:14
• Isa 9:1-2
• Isa 9:6-7
• Isa 60:6
• Ps 2:7
• Ps 40:7
• Ps 72:10-11
• Ps 118:2Micah 5:1-2
• Hos 11:1
• Malachi 3:1
• Jer 31:15

• Jer 33:15

Christmas Shindig

Maps were emailed to everyone this week.  If you didn't get one email thespotspot@charter.net and we will get one out to you.  Remember the date is Wed.Dec 22nd, 6:30 PM at the Masseys. Bring an appetizer...and you are in!  We are hoping to see a bunch of the college kids there, as well!

Prayer List

• Continued prayer for Zenobia and her family as she battles her cancer.

A Mini Update!!!!

Jim Meinhardt saw the neurosurgeon today.  The doctor does not want to do anything with the tumor, as it does not appear to be growing!!  The doctor also thinks that the tumor is not responsible for the headaches.  Jim will have another MRI in 6 months.  A prayer of thanks go out for this good news!

SPOTmail Update!

Lesson Preview

Prior to last week's study of 2 Corinthians, we had a short time of Advent. The topic was "Preparation".

Here's a question for all you you to ponder as you prepare for class this week. What type of preperations are you making for Christmas? Now, think of this, what preparations did God make?

This week our time together will be devoted to the Advent topic of "Proclamation".

How and where did God proclaim the coming of Christ? How and where do we proclaim the coming of Christ? Do you see Table Talk possibilities?

We'll look forward to seeing you in your SPOT on Sunday.

Peace,
Don

THAT Jesus?????

Click on link below, then click the play button

Christmas Connection « Videos « The Skit Guys

The Midweek Update...

Lesson Recap

This past Sunday we finished our study of 1 and 2 Corinthians. We finished off with 2 Corinthians 10-13.  The tone here changes dramatically compared with the rest of the book.  Where before Paul was gracious, now he employs sarcasm and rebukes.He clearly intended to confront directly "certain people" ( 10:2 ) in the church who were undermining him and his ministry co-workers.  He still, however, wanted to salvage his Christian relationship with the majority of the church members.

Paul opens this section (10:1-18) with a personal plea for the Corinthians to listen to reason.  He belonged to God, and his motives were pure.  As opposed to others, Paul didn't brag about his achievements.  Rather he let the Lord do the commending.

In  2 Corinthians 11:1-20 Paul conveyed his concern for the Corinthians.  While not wanting to appear harsh, he would not back down from the so-called "super apostles" in the church.  Even though he had disdain for self promotion, Paul refused to allow his critics to undermine or otherwise damage his Christian service.  He was going to set the record straight!

That's exactly what he does in 11:21-12:13.  Rather than call attention to his knowledge, he recounts all of his struggles as evidence of his integrity and devotion to Christ.  Through all he had gone through he had learned that God's power is demonstrated in the midst of human weakness...not in the self-promotion of his critics.

2 Corinthians 12:14-21 establishes the issues involved in the dispute.  Paul did nothing fo monetary gain and only wanted to build up the Corinthians and to keep them from sin.

Paul's relationship with the church in Corinth was a Christian relationship.  How do you think that a Christian relationship differs from a non-Christian relationship?  They have a spiritual component!  As we think about improving relationships that are lacking we look at 4 tools that we need to have in out box.

1) Approach Courageously (10:1-3).  Paul had two accusations levied against him. (1) He was a coward in person but bold in his writing. (2) He was participating in worldly behavior. Paul could have used his authority as an Apostle to demand their submitting to him.  Instead he approached them as Christ would..gently and graciously.  If a pattern of criticism or neglect develops in a relationship, we also need to be courageous enough to address the issues.  This may mean confronting an accuser in a caring, humble matter.  Peace at any cost is not worth the price.

2) Challenge with God's Work (10:15-18) A fractured Christian relationship is a disruption of the love Christ want us to share with one another.  Such a fracture also hinders God's work.  Paul sees that false teachers had moved into Corinth...Paul's field of work.  They were self-promoters.  Paul wanted to avoid appearing in this activity.  His desire was to restore the relationship so he and the Corinthians could work together in expanding the reach of the gospel.  Paul purposely uses the word "boast" to draw a contrast between the false teachers and himself.  The former were boasting about themselves.  Paul's boasting was in the Lord about the work of the gospel accomplished in Corinth.  Later Paul talks about the issue of commending or promoting one's self.  The false teachers had moved into Paul's field of work and were self-promoters.  Paul tells the Corinthians the ones that are approved are the one who are commended by the Lord.  We must not think we can effectively tell others about God's mercy and love while harboring bitterness toward fellow Christians.  Better to restore that relationship...then work together in serving Christ.

3) Declare Any Concerns (12:14-18) Here Paul addresses a number of concerns:

• He had not, and would not be a financial burden to them. v14
• He was fully devoted to them, so why follow the false teachers? vv15-16
• Look at the evidence...did Paul or any he sent exploit them like the false teachers did?  vv17-18

In following Paul's example of showing our concerns what could we hope to accomplish?

4) Seek to Strengthen (12:19) How can believers today make it certain they are trying to strengthen a fellow Christian rather than winning the argument or proving themselves right?  We need to reassure the other party that our motives are unselfish and that we seek their spiritual benefit.

SPOT Class Christmas Shindig

Mark the date!!!! Wednesday, December 22nd at 6:30PM will be the date for this great event.  It is being hosted by the Massey's.  College students and kids welcome.  Bring an appetizer and some holiday cheer..and plan on some great fellowship!

Prayer Requests

• Continued prayers for Zenobia, as the chemo was rough for her this week.
• Kevin's great aunt died on Thanksgiving morning.  Pray for her two sons.
• Susan's godmother died on Wednesday. 
• Pray for all the kids who face finals in early December.

 

Our Condolences....

...and prayers go out to Ed Martin, whose sister Melba passed away this afternoon.

Happy Thankgsgiving!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday today to Lori Robbins!!  Hope your special day is a good one!!!

SPOT News!!!

Lesson Preview

     Can you believe it?  We have arrived at the end of our study in 1 & 2 Corinthians.  This week's lesson comes from chapters 10-13 of 2 Corinthians.   The topic is Improving Relationships.

Conflict in relationships is common.  We are individuals with wills and opinions and with teens also in our homes, conflicts are inevitable.  But handled with Christ-like grace, conflict actually can lead to improved relationships. 

This Sunday is also the beginning of Advent.  We will experience a short time of Advent prior to the lesson.  As a heads up;  the three Sundays in December prior to Christmas will be devoted to Advent.  "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . ."

Peace,
Don

Update from Zenobia

Dear Friends and Family,

It's 2:33p and I'm here at the St. Louis Cancer center sitting in the "infusion room" at St. John's hospital in West County.  My friend Linda M graciously brought me here this am.  Im kind of tired after a night of very little sleep due to the portacath being put in yesterday.  This is a little mechanism about the size of a quarter that they sewed under my skin just below the right collar bone.  There is a tube attached to this that goes through the vein in my neck to send all meds and chemo through instead of starting an arm iv every time.  Well, little did I know that I wouldn't be able to turn my neck, get up or down very easily, and can't lift anything heavy for at least 2 weeks.  I now know that I use my neck muscles to get up and turn in bed.  They gave me pergoset but it said one of the side effects could have been getting dizzy so I left it alone.

This room is pretty big - all open walls with curtains to pull and comfy chairs for us to sit or recline in while we're here.  Today's session is going to last almost 6.5 hours.  When they put in the Herceptin thru the iv I started to have chills which is normal, so she slowed the adminstering of the med a little and it helped.  The sheets are toasty warm and my feet are reclined while sitting in this chair.

After Linda M left, Kelley Simers came and visited and brought us lunch and fun pink balloons.  My friend Jean Deasy also came and we chatted for a while.  She brought me a long pillow to use that you put in the microwave to heat in case I need it for my neck.  I took a short nap and listened to my ipod and the first song was "After the rain" by Aaron & Jeoffrey

After the rain you can look to the sky again

The clouds will give way to the light of the sun. 

Afrter the rain to know that you've made it thru

and you'll finally see the joy from the pain, after the rain.

So I guess I'm kind of looking at this whole experience as a time of "rain" with the clouds giving way periodically.  And through it all God is just watching over me.  I have met some nice patients here who also are receiving treatment for cancer, and my nurses Laura and Stacy have been very kind and patient.  I've been here long enough this morning to have seen almost all other patients come and go.  I think I will have had about 6 or 7 bags of stuff dripped thru my port by the time I leave here.  I have to come back tomorrow for a shot of Neulasta to stimulate the white blood cells and then begin taking oral medications to help me with reflux, indigestion, and nausea.  I have a feeling I'm gonna be really tired tonight.

Thanks so much for praying, and for your support.  I told a friend just a couple of days ago - I could not go through this without all of you!

In Him,

Zenobia

2nd Annual SPOT Christmas Shindig

...will be held on Wednesday, December 22nd at 6:30 PM.  The event will be graciously hosted by the Massey's.  Plan on bringing an appetizer of your choice and enjoy the festivities!!!  All kids welcome..even the college aged ones!

Prayer Requests

• Continued prayers for health issues with Zenobia Perry and Jim Meinhardt..
• John, Jeff Bradshaw's barber, is dealing with mental health issues.
• Susan Hurt's godmother is very ill.
• Lots of holiday travel this week..

 

 

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday to Douglas Stubbs, whose birthday was yesterday.   Happy birthday today to Cynthia McKee!!

SPOTmail Update!

Lesson Preview

     I was a member of a church, not Concord, where an older couple mentioned to me that they had never had an argument in almost 50 years of marriage.  My immediate thought was - have they ever talked to each other?  On a couple of occasions I have visited with engaged couples as they were preparing to get married.  One of the questions I like to ask is does the other person fight fair.  On a few occasions the reply has been, "I don't know - we have not had a fight or argument."  My reply has been, "Then do not get married until you do." 

     Relationships are fun and rewarding but they take work.  Any time you have two people,  you have two opinions and often times they differ.  This is fertile ground for conflict.  This week we continue our study on relationships.  Coming from 2 Corinthians 5:11-7:4, we will consider the Biblical formula for reconciliation in a fractured relationship. 

Peace,
Don

Snacks

This week...Kay Massey!

Big Chill

We will be serving a chili dinner at Big Chill on March 19th!!  Be on the lookout for a donation envelope and a volunteer sign up sheet.  Please consider helping feed the kids with us!

Prayer Requests

• Jim Meinhardt's MRI has shown a benign brain tumor.  His next step is to see a neurosurgeon.
• For Zenobia and her battle with breast cancer.  She will see a medical oncologist today for a 2nd opinion.  Her doctor wants her to have surgery and treatment right away because the cancer in an aggressive type.
• For the Christmas musical and all those involved.
• Zenobia's uncle passed away.  She will travel to Houston for the funeral and to be with extended family.
• Zenobia's search for another home care assistant for Ryan.  It is important that he/she be trustworthy and becomes a part of the family.