Happy Anniversary!!!

Our best wishes go out to Brooks and Ginger LaRowe on their anniversary today!!

SPOTmail

Don't be concerned -- reading SPOTmail does not create a taxable event.

April 15 represents more than just the tax deadline in the SPOTclass.

It's director KEVIN HURT'S birthday!  Gotcha, Kevin!

"Crazy Love" Chapter Studies Begin

Hopefully, by now you've picked up "Crazy Love," the little red book from which we'll be studying for the next 10 weeks.

This is not the Bible, so you can't claim you have it memorized. Try to actually read a chapter in the book each week so you'll be prepared to discuss the content.  Not only is there material to read, but you'll be prompted each week to go to the www.crazylovebook.com site to listen to author Pastor Francis Chan's personal perspective on each chapter, as well as some of his eye-opening illustrations.

This week, Chan tries to help us get a handle on how BIG God really is and abandon our tendency to minimize his significance in our lives.

This is a great class to invite friends to come to, as well as a good opportunity for Parents of Teenagers attending CSM to receive the same message each week that their teenager receives!

SPOTfun Polling Results

SPOTclass members voted to bowl, visit Fairmount Park, and see a show at the Muny this summer in the recently concluded SPOT Activities Referendum.

We'll start off at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, bowling at Lakeside Lanes in Valley Park.  It will be two hours of noisy fun at a cost of roughly $5 per person (with coupons).  That also includes shoe rental and a pitcher of soda for every six folks in attendance.  So strike all the conflicts from your calendar and make sure you have time to spare for this special SPOT event!

This Sunday, we'll be wrapping up another poll to determine which Muny show we'll attend.  There are seven again this summer, from late June through early August.  Look for the Muny poll in the SPOTfolder this week.

Beauty and the Beast - Titanic - Darned Yankees - Cats - Sound of Music - Footloose - Showboat

Snacks

• 4/18 -- Zenobia Perry
• 4/25 -- Karen & Rusty Phillips

SPOTlunch Drawing

This Sunday, we'll draw the location of the next SPOTlunch on Sunday, April 25.

Special Days!!!

We have a couple of special days today!! First, Happy Anniversary to Mark and Dani Cotter!! Second, it is the blogmeisters (that's me) birthday!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Here's wishing a blessed birthday to Emily Stubbs today. Hope your day is a special one!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday wishes today to Jeff Maloy!! Hope your day is a blessed one!

SPOTmail Update!

CRAZY SPOTmail

After a glorious Easter Sunday off from Bible Study, we'll be back in our usual SPOT this Sunday.

Let the "Crazy" Lovin' Begin

"Man, that's crazy!"  Have you ever had that said about you?  Have you ever said that yourself refering to someone or something else?  What is it that makes us conclude that something someone does or says is "crazy"? 

This Sunday, I will introduce our new study.  It is titled Crazy Love, based on the book by that title written by Pastor Francis Chan.  Our teens will be studying this material as well.  They will have sessions on Wednesdays before we cover the same material on Sundays.  Now, that's not  a crazy idea at all!  (It's actually a pretty good one!)

So, I hope to see you this Sunday.  If you have not purchased your book, you will have that opportunity then.  The cost is $5.  As a reminder -- this week is an introduction. 

"Man, it's going to be crazy!"
 

Don   

SPOTfun Polling Results

SPOT class members voted to bowl, watch the ponies run, and go to the Muny in the recently concluded SPOT Activities Referendum.

May 2, we'll be bowling at Lakeside Lanes in Valley Park, so clear your calendar and be prepared to knock down some pins!  Who knows, someone from our class may prove to be a real turkey!

This Sunday, we'll be conducting another poll to determine which Muny show we'll attend.  There are seven again this summer, beginning in late June, continuing throughout July, and wrapping up in early August.  Look for the Muny poll in the SPOTfolder this week.

Beauty and the Beast - Titanic - Darned Yankees - Cats - Sound of Music - Footloose - Showboat

Snacks

• 4/11 -- Allen Decker -- we can't wait!
• 4/18 -- Zenobia Perry

Reminder!!

Don't forget to get to the church office to pick up your copy of the "Crazy Love" book that will be the subject of the next bible study.  We will be doing this study at the same time as our youth, so this should be a great family experience in the Word.  The subsidized cost of this book is only $5 (normally $14.99!). 

Find out a little more about this amazing study here.

Blessed Easter!!!

1 CROSS

+3 NAILS   

______________ 

=4 GIVEN 

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO OUR RISEN SAVIOR!!!

 

30 Hour Famine is on the way....!

As you know, students have already been collecting money for the Famine and the excitement is spreading! We are trying to spread the word on the details of the actual Famine to the parents as much as possible. The fasting begins at 1:00pm on Friday, April 23rd. It is recommended that participants eat complex carbohydrates like oatmeal or pasta before the fasting begins, because these types of foods stay with you the longest. All of the participants will meet up at church at 7:00pm that evening for a lock-in in order for us to experience the Famine together. Students should bring a pillow, sleeping bag, toiletries, and a change of clothes (there will be no opportunities for us to take showers). A journal and pen may also be helpful for them to record their experience. The fasting will continue through Saturday and end at 7:00pm when we will “break-the-fast” together in a meaningful way. Parents can pick up their teens at the church by 8:30pm Saturday night. It is also not too late for a student to sign up! They can just sign up, pick up a packet from the Rafters, and start raising money.

Happy Birthday!!!

Birthday blessings today to Lisa Cole!  Hope your day is a great one!

CORRECTION!!!

In the last Sunday Update I mentioned that you had to email in to sign up for the $5 books for the upcoming "Crazy Love" study.  This information is now incorrect.  You can simply purchase them at that price in the church office!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday today to Rusty Phillips and Jeff Hauff.  Have a blessed day, guys!

Sunday Update!!!

Lesson Recap

Today we finished our study of the Marks of Discipleship by concluding with Mark chapters 11-16.  Today's lesson, titled "Dead Man walking, was designed to help us answer the question "Why did Jesus have to die?"

Determination to Arrest Jesus-14:1-2 Here we see that the religious leaders want to arrest and kill Jesus.  They did not want to do this during the Feast as they feared a riot.  It didn't quite work out that way.  All that they tried to avoid actually occurred.  The WAS when they arrested Jesus, and the people DID riot!  They were definitely not in control of the situation...God was!

Anointing of Jesus-14:3-9 We looked at what appeared to be wrong or inappropriate in this passage.  This included the fact that the perfume cost a years wage, that they were at a leper's house, and the woman which is not named. Jesus' comment indicate that we should ALWAYS help the poor. It was a very extravagant act!  Even the jar was expensive.  As we saw earlier in Mark, this is an example of a believer giving everything of herself.  This means that all she has left is God.  Jesus praised this act as He saw it as preparing for his burial.  We also noted the prophecy that the Gospel is for everyone.

What's the Deal With Judas?-14:10-11 We discussed why Judas decided to give up on Jesus and sell him out.  The money that Judas was given was not that great.  So there had to be some other reason for the betrayal.  It may simply have been that Jesus was turning out NOT to be the conquering king that Judas and others sought...but a King of our hearts!  If someone as close to Jesus as Judas was can betray him, what is there to keep us from doing the same?

The Lord's Supper-14:12-26   We looked at what about this event is significant to us!

The remainder of the lesson was a brief recap of the Passion, which we will observe further during Easter services in church next week!  We see that Jesus really is God's Christ.  The consequence changed the world forever.  What consequence does it have for us?

Crazy Love

Starting the week after Easter, we will be embarking on a study of the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.  The unique part of this study is we will be doing it at the same time as our kids.  This was we can all discuss the lesson and their impact all week with our families.  How cool!  The book is being given to us at a discounted price of $5 for the study.  We need to get a count of how many folks want a copy of this dynamic work to have for the study.  Please email to spotspot@gmx.com, or let Kevin (or Brooks) know by the week after Easter so that we can have these in place in time for the start of the study!  This will be truly a multi-generational that will be remarkable!

Poll Results!

Now that the two week comprehensive activity poll is over, the results were revealed today.  In second place came a Friday in the free seats for the Muny.  This leads to our next poll (which will be in next weeks folder!) of which Muny show we should see!  In first place was....

An Evening of Bowling!

Our next social event will be an evening of bowling and fellowship on Sunday, May 2nd.  This will take place at about 6 PM at the Brunswick Zone in Valley Park.  A sign-up list will be in next weeks folder.  Even if you don't bowl come and join us for the fun and camaraderie!  It'll be up your alley!

Prayer Request

-Pray for our finance committee as they guide us through the approval of our budget for the next year. 

SPOTmail Update!

Wrapping Up Mark 

This week, we close our study in Mark.  It comes at an appropriate time.  This Sunday, we'll study Mark's perspective -- er -- that is, Peter's perspective on the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion.

Last week, Jesus made his triumphant entry into the holy city of Jerusalem.  When asked why his entry was considered triumphant, you came up with some pretty good answers.
    

Everything seemed to be going so well for Jesus.  The crowd was jubilant as he entered the city.  He ran merchants out of the Court of Gentiles in the Temple.  This Sunday, we see the tide turn quickly as we study Jesus' passion.  I've chosen not to preview the title of this lesson.  You will have to come and find out in person.  It may surprise some, BUT if I do my job, you will "get it".  
    

In closing, thanks for your prayers for Dad and us.  He really is doing much better now.  As he was released, the doctors told him they had given him a good tune up, so he was good to go.  

See you Sunday,
Don 

SPOTlunch does Pizza !

SPOTlunch will be at the South County CiCi's Pizza this Sunday after class.  Kevin Hurt promises that we'll not be disappointed by the variety of food and also promises to bring along coupons so we don't blow our entire week's lunch budget in one stop.

Don Robbins says CiCi's is one of his favorite places to enjoy pizza.  That's an endorsement you can't ignore!

CiCi's Pizza is located across from Dave Sinclair's Ford & Lincoln Mercury dealerships on South Lindbergh, east of Lemay Ferry Road.  Near where Dohacks used to be!  (That's an inside joke for people familiar with Brooks' directions, which frequently reference non-existent landmarks.)

Brooks will try not to make a wrong turn when he gets there.    

Paintball SPOTS

Tore, an Xtreme Paintball Park www.xtremepaintballpark.com near Jefferson Barracks, has offered Concord members a great package price for a half-day of paintball.

Here are the details -- Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  A $25 fee covers entry, air, gun rental, face mask, and your first 500 paintballs.  If you want to stay longer or paint more people, it will cost a bit more.

SPOTclass ex-patriot Bob Hohmeier is coordinating the activity.   If you're interested in decorating your body in paint SPOTs at a discount price, contact Bob at 314-541-7429 or via email at Jubes56@gmail.com.  He needs a head count by April 3.

EGGSperienced Volunteers STILL Wanted

The SPOTclass will be helping with this years' Easter Eggstravaganza this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until noon. 

We will be manning the Knock It Over event -- running the game, handing out the prizes, and interacting with the kids who play. 

You can still volunteer for a single shift or for the entire day.  If you can help, email spotspot@gmx.com.

SPOTfun Polling Results

Kevin Hurt will reveal the results of the SPOTclass fun poll this Sunday, and we may even schedule our next event.   He'll be sharing the top three ideas from our members, and we can look forward to doing those "fun activities" over the course of the next several months.

Snacks

• 3/28 -- Kevin & Susan Hurt
• 4/4 -- Easter Sunday, no class - but there will be snacks available in the atrium.

Prayer Requests

• Rusty's friend at work who is about to retire.  He may have dementia or Alzheimer's.
• Rob Elder who has undergone stress tests.
• Lori's dad. (See Don's note above)
• Dani's friend Darla Boyer and her father and mother.  Mrs. Boyer had surgery for a broken hip and suffered a massive stroke during surgery and is not expected to live.  Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been married 70 years, and Darla is an only child.

Prayer Request

Keep Don and Lori in your prayers. Lori's dad has a malfunctioning/leaking aortic valve. Open heart surgery is required to repair the problem, and at 83 the risk is too great. He has gone home to Don & Lori's house and will do the best he can until God calls him home.

Easter Video

An Easter video....click on watch preview!!! It's a riot...but kind of rings true!

Easter Invite Bundle « Videos « The Skit Guys

SUNDAY UPDATE ON MONDAY!!!!

Lesson Recap

In this lesson we covered Mark chapter 10:32-chapter 13, and we looked at expectations.  We started by discussing the expectations we have of our teens, and they of us. We then covered five sets of expectations found in Mark.

Verses 11:1-11 Expectation of the Crowd:   Here we see that Jesus had taken care of every detail.  As he entered the city on the colt there was jubilation, as the crowd thought that Jesus was to be their conquering king.  They expected him to save them from the harsh Roman rule.

Verses 12-14, 20-21 Jesus' Expectation from the Tree: Jesus was looking for cooperation from his creation and used the tree to illustrate a truth.  Jesus wanted to take care of spiritual needs, while most expected Him to take care of their physical needs.

Verses 27-12:40 Expectation of the Religious Authority: The religious leaders expected to catch Jesus by asking him many questions.  They failed.  They wanted to catch him with trick questions, and wanted to see him killed because they thought He lied.

Verses 41-44 Expectation of the Widow: The widow gave the least, but Jesus praised her as giving more than anyone.  When you give all you have all that is left is God!  Here Jesus saw the great depth of commitment to God.  He also detected the widows great sacrifice, and blesses her as giving the most noble gift of all!

Chapter 13 Expectation of a Day to Come:  This whole chapter is Jesus talking about the Kingdom to come.  One day he will return for his Church, and claim the "insiders"!

What expectation does Jesus have of you?

30 Hour Famine

The 30 Hour Famine is coming, and our youth prepared by sleeping in the cold night in their cardboard village.  They fasted for 15 hours in preparation for their full 30 hours starting on April 24th at 11:30.  The event was covered by Channel 2 news.  You can see the video here.

The students will be collecting donations to help feed children in Ethiopia.  You can donate directly with your student, or donate at the booth set up in the Atrium.  You can also head over to the CSM website for more details. 

Poll Results

The results of our activity poll are in.  We had a wide variety of ideas.  I have chosen the top three and will announce them Sunday!!  These events will be held over the next three months!

Church Paintball Event

As mentioned previously on the blog, a church group is getting together for a day of paintball!  You can find the details in the prior blog post.  There are several large bar-b-que pits at the paintball facility, so if someone wants to spearhead a cook out that day (April 10th), you can get in touch with Bob Hohmeier at  314-541-7429 or via email at Jubes56@gmail.com. 

SPOTlunch

The postponed SPOTlunch at Ce Ce's Pizza will be held after class on Sunday.  We will be visiting the South Lindbergh location (across the street from Sinclair Ford, in front of Home Depot).  We have about 12 coupons for buy one get one free!

Easter EGGStravaganza

We can still use a few more volunteers to man a game booth at the EGGStravaganza this Saturday from 8:30 to noon.  Email spotspot@gmx.com if you would like to help us man the "Knock It Over" game, and socailize with the kids (and adults!).

Not a Fan

I know I have mentioned this in class, but I wanted to pass along the link for those who are Facebooker's for the Not A Fan group for Completely Committed Follwers.  You can become a fan by visiting their Facebook page.  This is an amazing group that will challenge your faith daily!

Prayer Requests

- Pray for Rusty's friend at work who is about to retire.  He may have dementia or Alzheimer's.  

- Pray for Rob Elder who is in St. Johns doing a stress test.
- Pray for Lori's dad. He is doing about the same.  His breathing is OK, but they are still running tests and deciding how to help him.  He is in Barnes Jewish.

- Pray for Dani's Friend Darla Boyer and her father and mother.  Mrs. Boyer had surgery for a broken hip, and suffered  massive stroke during surgery and will not make it.  Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been married 70 years, and Darla is an only child.

 

    

Mark-ing Time Until Easter 

Our fearless leader is following Mark's example, "sandwich"ing the rest of Mark's Gospel into just two Sundays.  We'll have to listen fast!

So, how are your improved relationships with others going this week?  Boy -- you teach a lesson and watch out!  One would think the teacher is exempt from the test.  Remember the importance of the word "yet"?  I'm not there yet.  Because I have not "yet" arrived, I'll continue the journey, as did Jesus' disciples.

This week our journey takes us to Jerusalem.  Expectations are great as Jesus enters the city. The disciples have their expectations and the large crowd has it own expectations.  Three times Jesus described the process he must endure to his disciples, but they still didn't get it!

How many times do you find yourself explaining the same thing to your teens?  After the third time, you're probably wondering if they will ever get it!

I wonder if we are more like Jesus' disciples than we know.  Are there things in our lives that Jesus has patiently explained to us for many years?  Aren't we appreciative for his patience?

Our lesson this week covers Mark 10:46 - 13:37. 

I hope to see you this Sunday as we discuss . . .

with Great Expectations,

Don

Pizza Pizza !!

The SPOTclass won't be going to Little Caesars, but we will be doubling up on pizza over the next two Sundays.

After second hour this week, CSM Leadership will be conducting a 40-hour Famine organizational meeting.  If your teenager is participating in the Famine this year, you and your teen need to be there.  And since talking about fasting works up an appetite, the meeting will wrap up with pizza for everyone -- teenagers and parents alike.

SPOTlunch at CiCi's will be delayed one week as a consequence.  On March 28, we'll mark the end of Don's enlightening series on Mark's Gospel at the south county CiCi's Pizza location across from Dave Sinclair's  Ford & Lincoln Mercury dealerships. 

Brooks will try not to make a wrong turn when he gets there.    

Paintball SPOTS

Tore, an Xtreme Paintball Park www.xtremepaintballpark.com near Jefferson Barracks, has offered Concord members a great package price for a half-day of paintball.

Here are the details -- Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  A $25 fee covers entry, air, gun rental, face mask, and your first 500 paintballs.   There is no additional cost to play longer or later. If less than 10 were still playing, then we'd join open play and lose our private ref. That's all. No additional costs unless you need more paint.

SPOTclass ex-patriot Bob Hohmeier is coordinating the activity.  He offers a treatese on the subject for the uninitiated on the SPOTblog -- TMI for SPOTmail -- but it sounds like he's  the last person you'll see on the course before your goggles turn some opaque shade of red and you hear an evil laugh.  One hint:  if you see him, aim low!

 If you're interested in decorating your body in paint SPOTs at a discount price, contact Bob at  314-541-7429 or via email at Jubes56@gmail.com.  He needs a head count by April 3.

EGGSperienced Volunteers Wanted

The SPOTclass will be helping with this years' Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 (that's in the morning) until noon. 

We will be manning the Knock It Over event -- running the game, handing out the prizes, and interacting with the kids who play.  We will need a few volunteers to help, and it's important that you play well with others. 

You can volunteer for a single shift or for the entire day.  If you can help, email spotspot@gmx.com or scribble your name on the sign-up sheet in the SPOTfolder on Sunday.

SPOTfun Polling

SPOTclass continues its survey of class members to determine your idea of fun social activities for the class. 

Do you want to watch the ponies at Fairmont, see the Grizzlies or the Rascals play minor league baseball, or vent your frustrations on the tenpins at the local bowling establishment?

Watch the SPOTfolder Sunday for an informal poll on what our next social event should be!  You can help make the call by jotting your ideas on the poll this Sunday!

Snacks

• 3/21 -- Linda Conrad
• 3/28 -- Kevin & Susan Hurt

Prayer Requests

• Rusty Phillips has an employee at work (Mike) nearing retirement and now thinks he has dementia or Alzheimer's. 
• Ed Martin requests prayer for his sister's continuing cancer treatments.  She is struggling with new chemo.
• Ed Martin's brother-in-law had a defibrillator installed on Monday.
• Kevin's sister continues to be hospitalized for complications of asthma.
• A "Gay and Christian" organization is presenting and debating at Southwest Baptist University.  Some of our youth attend there.
• Lori's dad is doing better, but more investigation is to come.  Continue to pray for God's healing.

Dave Ramsey on Money and Marriage   (from Focus on the Family)

It has been established that men and women have different financial and communication styles. Add to that the fact that opposites attract. Now we have room for conflict everywhere.
One spouse is usually more creative and spontaneous than the other, what I call a Free Spirit. That mate tends to see budgeting as a form of torture or control. The other mate likely has a bent toward numbers and tends to shoulder responsibility for the budget. Deep inside him or her is a Nerd with the capacity to create a 17-page budget and present it like a gloating dictator. The Free Spirit will smile — then spend money however he or she wants. And the budget wars are on.   Click the link below to read more (about yourself).
www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/money_and_finances/pursuing_financial_unity/working_with_your_differences.aspx