Way too Busy????

While doing some looking around trying to find a little help on our recent class topic on the Hurried Family, I found this little nugget on keeping our marriages working in a hurried household!

Enjoy!



Way too Busy | MarriagePartnership.com


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CLASS NEWSLETTER 10/09/09

Video Series Continues

This Sunday is Part 3 of our video series The Hurried Family, Help for the Hurried Home. In this edition, Tim Kimmel looks at the challenges to the family in the 21st century from his 1990s-era computer. He discusses the new constant of our society and the constants that God gives to those who follow Him. Prep for class by reading Hebrews 13:5-8; John 15:15 and Phillippians 2:3.

Class discussion follows and we'll find out who stopped watching soap operas and if anyone had any breakfast meetings to cancel. Let me give you fair warning: the assignments get harder each week, so you'd better do the easy ones now!



SPOTnik

October's SPOTlunch will return to Fenton Park this year as our annual SPOTnik on Sunday, Oct. 25. We'll grill hamburgers and hotdogs, but the side dishes and desserts will be strictly SPOTluck.

Just $10 per family reserves your SPOT at this fun event. Be sure to sign up this week when the SPOTfolder makes the rounds. Watch for more details on the class blog www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com.



College Care Packages

SPOT class will again be sponsoring the College Care Package ministry. Over the next few weeks, we'll solicit the names of Concord's college students around the country and send them goodies to tide them over through finals.

Last year our ladies made a day of baking cookies and packing boxes. It was lots of fun on the production side and well received, except maybe by suspicious campus security officers.

We'll be setting a baking date and finalizing the details at class this week, so don't miss it!



Christmas Project

The SPOTclass will also be collecting items for the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. In our class you'll find a festively decorated box for your donated items. And if we fill the box, we'll find another one. A comprehensive list of the items the Children's Home is seeking is included on the new class blog. Check out www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com.




Prayer List

• John White, Ronda Bradshaw's stepmother's brother-in-law, is battling cancer. Please keep him in your prayers.
• Rich Conrad is dealing with lower back pain.
• Pray for Zenobia Perry -- both for speedy healing from her elbow/wrist surgeries and for this Saturday's Autism Speaks walk in Forest Park. See www.zenobiaperry.com for more details or to participate or contribute to her team, Ryan's Rappers.
• Ian and Colin Hurt’s babysitter for the first five years of their lives has just found out her husband has incurable cancer. He has been given anywhere from two weeks to six months to live.
• Continue to remember the Robbins as they settle into their new life with Lori's parents at their Arnold home.
• Pray for. . . the Cardinals? Or their fans?
• Watch our class blog www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com for the most updated prayer requests.



Windermere 2010 Announced

The annual formerly Young Adult Concord Families Retreat at Windermere has been scheduled for July 9-12, 2010. (Windermere is located near Camdenton, MO on the Lake of the Ozarks.) Reservations and deposits are needed ASAP.

For more information, contact Brenda Kirkpatrick, mkbk770813@yahoo.com.



SPOT Snacks

October 11 -- Lori Robbins

October 18 -- We forgot, but we'll figure it out before next week




The Holy Cow Root Beer Float Booth was one of the top attractions at Concord's Fall Festival last Saturday. Thanks for your patronage and support. Check our new class blog for all the details and some really cool photos from the event - www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com.

SUNDAY NEWS AND NOTES

LESSON RECAP

Continuing our video series on The Hurried Family, today we concentrated on "lures" and consequences.

The Consequences of the Hurried Lifestyle

1. Inability to believe.
2. Lack of intimacy.
3. General discontent.

The Lures of the Hurried Lifestyle

1. Our culture values it.
2. Business rewards it.
3. The media exploits it.
4. The church encourages it.
5. Our egos demand it.

Take a look at Matt 5: 6, which outlines the life of the contented person and contrast it to the hurried lifestyle in I John 2:16. We are encouraged to turn our back on conformity to the world's mindset in Romans 12:2, and to be transformed to God's way of thinking!

PRAYER REQUESTS

-John White, Ronda Bradshaw's stepmothers brother-in-law is battling cancer. Please keep him in your prayers.
-Rich Conrad is dealing with lower back pain.

IT'S COMING...!!!

The SPOT class fall picnic is coming on 10/25/2009. Watch here for the latest details..or you can RSVP over to the left!

CHRISTMAS LIST

The box is now out for donations to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. Donations can be made between now and 12/15/2009. As requested in class today, the list of wished items is the entry BEFORE this on in the blog!




Have a blessed week, and see you next Sunday!

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS LIST

As requested, here is the list of items requested as gifts by the Missouri Baptist Children's Home:

-Infant Swings, strollers, and bouncers
-Car seats
-Baby monitors
-Onesies and clothing (newborn-12 mos.)
-Mobiles
-Educational Toys/Baby Einstein videos/DVD's
-Scrap-bookking albums and supplies
-Craft supplies/kits
-Art supplies/kits
-Jewelry making kits/tools
-Car models/paints/supplies
-Remote/radio-control cars/batteries
-Hand-held video games/GameBoy's/GameBoy advance/games
-Boom boxes with radio/CD player/batteries
-CD's (no parental adivsories!!)
-African American, Dora, Diego Dolls (please no white baby dolls!...they have plenty!)
-Watches-Male and female
-Dove product gifts sets
-Bath and Body Works supplies
-Cologne-Male and female
-Sterling silver jewelry
-Books-fiction and non-fiction...all reading levels
-Board games for teens
-DVD movies-G-rated
-Thomas the Train toys
-Lego's
-Make-up/cases
-Purses
-Cameras-film/digital
-Journals-particularly for males
-Soduko/crosswords/word find puzzle books

All clothing sizes are children's sizes 12-20 and adult sizes S-XXXL

-Pajamas/robes/slippers
-Jeans/khakis
-tops/shirts
-Underwear (Boxers for the guys, please no "granny panties" for the girls), t-shirts, bras
-Belts, socks (white, no-show and ankle length), Infant/Children Socks
-Gift cards to Target, Wal-Mart, Old Navy, Kohl's, and Payless Shoes

ROOT BEER FLOAT BOOTH SUCCESS!!!

Well, our Root Beer SPOT was a huge success. In fact, we sold out of the popular treats! Despite a brisk, windy day in which almost everything was taped down, it was a blast! The LaRowe's, the Bradshaw's, the Phillip's and the Hurt's scooped out almost 300 floats.


Our "sandwich" girl!!



Supplies at the ready!



Duck tape and weights!



The sign that said it all...


Our floats were heavenly...


The production line:


The serving side of things...


Our bell-ringer, Rusty!!!

PRAYER REQUEST

Cynthia McKee has asked for a prayer request. One of her clients, the owner of Royal Gate Dodge, John Van Hoogstraat committed suicide. Pray for all those affected, both employee and family alike.

Class Newsletter!! 10/1/09

HOLY COW Root Beer Float Booth


We're out to make even Harry Caray proud (posthumously?) when SPOTclass hosts the Holy Cow Root Beer Float booth at the annual Concord Fall Festival this Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. We have lots of fun, serve lots of floats and even sip some of the suds ourselves.
We're still looking for volunteers to staff (to man sounds so chauvinistic) the booth, but if you can't help out for an hour or two, be sure to stop by and place your order. You'll want to take a picture with a coonskin hat and a cup of cheer.
For more information or to volunteer, check out the new class blog www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com or drop a note in the SPOTmail box at SPOTspot@gmx.com.


Don't Hurry, but don't be late either!


The video series "The Hurried Family" Help for the Hurried Home continues this week.
In session 2, Tim Kimmel (who wears really cool glasses) discusses The Lure of the Hurried Lifestyle and gives us five reasons why a hurried life is still appealing, even though it wears us out.
Brooks LaRowe will facilitate a class discussion after the video and we'll find out who went to bed early this week or at least scheduled a quiet night. We'll assume that anyone with their head on their table when the lights come up probably is still sleep-deprived.
For an advance look at the real expert's advice on this subject, read Matthew 5:6; Romans 12:2 or I John 2:16.
Even if you haven't been to class for a while, you just might want to audit this series -- assuming you can work it into your busy schedule.


SPOTpicnic (or is that a SPOTnik?)


Mark your calendars now for the second annual SPOTpicnic at Fenton Park on Sunday, October 25. Last year we had a great time, ate too much and enjoyed a laugh or two -- we were listening to the Rams' game. Watch SPOTmail and the class blog www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com for more information on when to come, what to bring, who to invite and how much it costs!


SNACK Detail


SPOTclass wouldn't be complete without something to spill on our shirts during class discussion or while the lights are out during the video series presentation.
If the lights are out, be careful going for that last snack. Some people use a fork!
October 4 - Ronda Bradshaw
October 11 - Kay Massey


Prayer List


If you ever noticed the Prayer List is sometimes a little dated, you're right. We compile it on Sundays, add to it through the week and send it out -- usually with SPOTmail on Thursday nights.
You'll continue to find the prayer list here in SPOTmail, but you'll also find the latest version posted on the new class blog www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com, usually by Sunday evening. (Maybe now they won't be home before you find out they were in the hospital.) If you have a prayer request during the week, you can simply email spotspot@gmx.com. It will probably be posted on the blog that day.
• Ryan Spitz came home this week after two surgical procedures for a collapsed lung.
• Ronda Bradshaw was feeling ill again on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Pray that doctors can get to the bottom of her problem
• Phil and Lesa Stewart's 1st anniversary was 9/28. Pray for Lesa?
• Auditions for the Christmas Show may be over, but now the real work begins. Please also pray for our "guest director" and a wonderful turnout! Pray that our production provides a strong witness to the audience.
• Daniel Massey needs prayer for decisions regarding courses, major, etc. He is a sophomore at Truman.
• One of Brooks' clients is recovering from a stroke on the heels of a TIA, and Tuesday he awoke to discover his 61-year-old spouse had died in her sleep.
• Pray for ministries of associate SPOT members who cannot attend class (maybe they'll join us at the SPOTnik).
• Remember Don and Lori as they return from Denver with Lori's parents this weekend.

Okay, one last time. Be sure to check out the new SPOTclass blog. You can find it at www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com. You'll even have the opportunity to FOLLOW the class blog and get a note in your inbox anytime something is added. If you have a prayer request or something you want to include in the class blog, email it to spotspot@gmx.com. Class Director Kevin Hurt is the man behind the "blog" curtain.

HELP!!!!

We could use a couple of more people to help on Saturday at the Root Beer Float Booth, preferably those able to help set-up around 3 or help break down around 8 or so. Email spotspot@gmx.com if you would help this ministry with your time.

Also...off to the left is a new widget that will enable you to become a follower of the blog. It is pretty easy and helps you to stay up to date!

We have had very nice feedback about the video series we are running in class. If you know of someone who we haven't seen in a while let them know! Also a great time to invite those who might enjoy that don't attend class and have teenagers!

Thanks all!

Awesome Sunday!

Today we started the video series on the Hurried Family. Talk about timely! I think everyone in class related to today's topic, which was "In Search of Peace and Quiet".

We learned about the 7 characteristics of a Hurried Family:

1) They can't relax.

2) They can't enjoy quiet.

3) They seldom feel satisfied.

4) They lack moral absolutes.

5) They serve for the wrong reasons.

6) They are intimidated by fear and worry.

7) They live for the rewards of success.

The lesson closed out looking at Mt. 11:28-29

SPOT Lunch

The class went out on the monthly SPOT lunch today. The LaRowe's, the Hurt, the Bradshaw's, and the Massey's enjoyed fellowship and bar-b-que at Bandanas! Remember, next month the SPOT lunch will be our annual fall class picnic at Fenton Park. The date for that is 10/25. Mark your calendars and we will see you there!

Root Beer Float Booth

Many thanks to all those who donated for the Root Beer Float booth...as well as to those who have volunteered to help serve. If you find that you might be able to help serve we can still use the help! You can email to spotspot@gmx.com!

Today's Prayer Requests

- Phil and Lesa's 1st anniversary on 9/28

-For the Christmas Show and auditions today. Please also pray for our "guest director" and a wonderful turnout!

-Daniel Massey for decisions regarding courses, major, etc. He is a sophomore @ college!

Video Series Starts This Week

If you meet yourself coming and going, you won't want to miss the new SPOTclass video series, The Hurried Family -- Help for the Hurried Home.

The series is moderated by Tim Kimmel, author of the best-selling book Little House on the Freeway. Kimmel has a very insightful and entertaining perspective on our lives of busy-ness. Most importantly, he discusses what the Bible says about priorities and shows us how they apply to our busy lives.

Brooks LaRowe will be leading class discussion this week, but Don Robbins will return to take his rightful place in that role Oct. 11. The video series runs 10 weeks and takes us right up to our Christmas Bible Study lessons.


SPOT the Changes

Remember those trick pictures you used to show your kids before they became teenagers? You know, two virtually identical photos and you had to pick out the differences. Well, SPOTclass is sort of like that. While most everything looks and feels the same, there are significant changes to look for.
• Our new class director is Kevin Hurt. Kevin has stepped up to fill the SPOT recently vacated by Rusty Phillips -- welcome to the executive suite, Kevin! Rusty can fill you in on the perks.

• Class communications will undergo some significant improvements with the creation of The S.P.O.T.spot. Take a look at this new class SPOT by clicking this link, www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com. This site will allow us to communicate with you more quickly, especially urgent prayer requests. Kevin will explain how it all works this week and, over the next few months, you'll discover how this integrated communications site will help us all stay connected.

• Instead of an October SPOTlunch, we'll be doing a Sunday afternoon picnic. Details this Sunday.

SPOTlunch this week

This week, SPOTlunch will be at Bandana's Barbecue in Sunset Hills. The restaurant is located on Gravois Road, just west of Lindbergh, behind Sunset Ford. Bandana's features a wide variety of really good barbecue beef, pork, chicken and sides. Everything there is great, except maybe the boiled peanuts. I suppose they're good, too, if you like that kind of thing! Don't miss this opportunity to SMELL THAT SMOKE and share a great time with us.

Holy Cow Root Beer Floats

SPOTclass will be sponsoring the Holy Cow Root Beer Float booth at Concord's Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct.3 in the church's North parking lot. You can sign up to help in the booth and/or contribute to the SPOT Slush Fund to cover the cost of the ingredients. Look for the opportunity to do either when the SPOTfolder passes your way this week. You can also sign up to help at the new SPOTspot www.thespotsspot.blogspot.com (not to be confused with TomTom).

Prayer Requests

• Mark and Dani Cotter's son Zach will be moving out of a dangerous neighborhood by the end of October. Pray for his continued safety until the move.

• Ryan Spitz will undergo surgery Friday after a procedure Sunday to re-inflate a collapsed lung. Pray for his complete recovery.

• Janice Meinhardt's daughter started a chemo drug for Sjogren's to try and lower her white blood cell count.

• Pray that doctors can get to the bottom of the pain that has sent Ronda Bradshaw to the hospital twice over the last few months.

• Don, Lori and Rebecca Robbins are flying to Denver Friday to pack up Lori's parents and bring them back to St. Louis permanently. Pray for their safety and wise decision-making.

• Kevin Hurt will undergo neck/back surgery soon to relieve pain that has been plaguing him for months.

• Remember Don Robbins' friend John and his church in St. Charles. John has been homeless and living at the church and, in the meantime, attendance at the small church has dwindled to only 30-40 regular attenders.

• Zenobia Perry is recovering at home after surgery on her elbow and wrist.

• Keep praying for the Hauffs as they cope with the death of Jeff's mother and niece.

• Remember the family, classmates, teachers and coaches of the Eureka football player who collapsed and died during a practice recently. Dave Borzillo, a Concord member, is a coach at Eureka.

• Concord Christmas show auditions are this Sunday, Sept. 27. Are we praying for lots of folks to audition or for class members to get good roles?

SNACK SPOT

September 17 -- Janice Meinhardt

October 4 -- Ronda Bradshaw

We look forward to seeing you all in your SPOT this Sunday!

You've read it in the SPOTs folder...now read it on the blog!

Women should take note of the Treasure Seekers Women's Bible Study. It all starts with an informational brunch on Wednesday, September 9th at 9 AM in the Atrium. This will be a weekly program for women of all ages seeking to deepen their spiritual walk by studying God's word!


More information can be found here!


Thanks!

Once again, another great lesson today from Don on bearing one another's burdens.  There was some wonderful insight into this aspect of the "one another's"!  This lesson also concluded this study of the 11th commandment!

Next week we will begin the new video study, and will feature the lesson on finding peace and quiet in the busy family.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Also keep in mind that the SPOTs class is once again manning the root beer float booth at the Fall Festival on October 3rd.  You can sign up using the link to the left...or just let us know!!

This Sunday we'll be wrapping up Don Robbins' series on the "one-another commands."

 

On-the-SPOT news

 

It was a busy week for class members!   Expect several big announcements this Sunday, so you'll want to be in your SPOT to hear about:

• Our new Class Director
• Plans for the next lesson series beginning September 27
• Ideas about a new SPOTclass communications vehicle (no, it's not a Ford, a Chevy or a Dodge)
• More about the Root Beer Float booth at the Concord Fall Festival
• SPOTclass Christmas (we can use this word in SPOTmail) project
• Drawing for the September 27 SPOTlunch location
• Details on a SPOTpicnic on a Sunday afternoon in October
• SPOTclass outing to a Cardinals World Series game (this one might be a bit of an exaggeration)

Even more news!

• Concord announced its 2009 Christmas Show will be Dec. 11-13, featuring four performances.  SPOT class members usually are heavily involved in the production, so keep the weekend open on your calendar.
• Treasure Seekers is underway for ladies available to meet on Monday evenings or Wednesday mornings.  Three different Bible studies are offered.  Contact Kay Massey for information, 314-843-8967 or kmassey777@charter.net
• Girls' Night Out, Friday, Sept. 25 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Sandy Brown, GM of JOY-FM radio, will be the guest speaker.  More details at the Women's Ministries booth in the atrium.

Prayer requests . . .

Please take time to note your concerns when the SPOTfolder makes the rounds on Sunday in class.

• Ronda Bradshaw made another round trip through Missouri Baptist Hospital this week, but has now returned home.  Doctors are still trying to figure it out.  Pray there won't be another encore.
• Zenobia Perry is recovering well from surgery on her arm last week, but she'll still be on the DL for several weeks.  We'll miss her at the keyboard!

Snacks On Deck       

 

September 20 -  Kevin Hurt

September 27 - Janice Meinhardt

 

 

There may be more to come, so watch your mailbox!

First time!!!!

Here is a preview of the possible S.P.O.T. page!!

Don gave a great lesson on encouraging others this past Sunday...so we encourage you to let us know what you think!