SPOTmail Update!!!!

Early Bird Lesson Prep

This week we take a look at Mark, chapter 4. Mark contains two major parables given by Jesus; one of them is in this week's lesson. Speaking of parables, have you ever wondered what's the difference between a parable and a riddle? I have.

In closing, give thought to this -- which title do you think best applies to the first parable in chapter 4 -- The Parable of the Sower OR The Parable of the Soil? We'll knock it around Sunday.

Speaking of knocking around, I bet Brett Favre does not want to go anywhere where anything is going to be knocked around. (In case you didn't catch it, there was a little humor there -- very little.)

I could have too much fun with this, so I'll just say,

See you Sunday,

Don

Super Bowl Sunday Activities

A lot of activities are planned for Super Sunday, February 7.

• CSM Parent Meeting right after second hour in the Rafters. Sarah and Jeremy promise you'll be home in time for the kickoff, since it's at 5:18 p.m.

• CSM "Flag" (yea, right!) Football! This is for anyone in the church, not just students! Please bring your lunch and a first aid kit! This game should have everyone in stitches.
• SPOTclass Super Bowl Party. To avoid violating copyright laws and Baptist sensibilities, that's "The Big Game Class Social" at the LaRowes. Wear your team colors (if you have any). We'll have more details and directions in class on Sunday.
Be sure to sign up this Sunday (or send your plans to the class blog) so we know who's bringing what. There will be plenty to eat and drink (weight watchers take the day off). Yes, there will be ROOT BEER. (We want to include root beer in every SPOTmail, as it apparently links our blog to international search engines.)

Snacks Makers

January 31 -- Jeanette Stubbs
February 7 -- Janice Meinhardt

Prayer Requests

• Dani Cotter is thankful for God's response to her silent prayer request about her brother-in-law, Jack!
• Jeff Bradshaw's friend and co-worker Ken was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. Please pray for him as he decides on the appropriate course of treatment.
• Kevin Hurt's doctors as they determine how to proceed on his neck and back pain, and the stroke issue. (Kevin made another brief visit to the hospital this week for stroke symptoms.)
• Prayers for Rich Conrad, who leaves on a four-month assignment abroad.
For more SPOTnews and late-breaking prayer requests, be sure to check the SPOTblog at www.spotsspot.blogspot.com

Camping & Canoes

SPOTclass is having its second annual camping trip on June 11-13. This year, the trip will be at Bennett Springs State Park with camping and accommodations at Lottie’s Rustic Retreat (about 4 miles from the park entrance).

Rates are as follows:
Cabin lodging: $12.50 per person per night
Tents: $2.50 per person per night
Electric hook-up for campers (only one): $5 per night in addition to the tent per-person fee.

We will work out meal details as the date gets closer.

In order to get group rates, we will need a small deposit for both camping and canoeing. Next week, we will send around a sign-up sheet so that we know how many will be attending (and canoeing!). This will give us the ability to negotiate canoe rates!

CSM Trivia Night

It's time again to put on your thinking caps and sign up for Concord's CSM missions benefit Trivia Night on Saturday, March 6. Join your SPOT friends as we strive to prove we are smarter than the average fifth grader! We have one SPOT table already signed up, so get your team together challenge for the top SPOT!

If you can’t attend, but would like to donate to the silent auction, CSM will gladly accept your items! Last year, the SPOTclass collected gift basket donations. Annually, CSM's trivia event generates more than $5,000 for Concord Student Ministries' summer mission activities.

- Middle School students will work in the St. Louis inner city
- High School students travel to South Dakota to work with Native Americans on their reservation
- College students will be working in Puerto Rico

You can sign up this Sunday at the CSM booth in the Atrium or contact Patti Endejan for tables or Sherry Barton with your silent auction donations.

Bulletin Board

We have updated the SPOTclass bulletin board in the classroom. (It had been neglected a bit, but is now up to date, sort-of!) Feel free to post at will!