Last Sunday we saw God's divine deliverance for His people. This week we will discuss the topic of growing pain.
I'm gonna guess no one reading this has ever tested their lover's devotion with a "test". Well, I grew up with sisters and I saw them put their boyfriends through heck more than once just to test the level of devotion. Sounds pretty silly but it seems to be a well established human behavior. Yes - guys are guilty too!
Do you think God tests the level of devotion of His people? We'll answer the question in class this Sunday. If you have time to do some prior preps, look at Exodus chapter 16.
See You Sunday,
Don
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Mid-Week Update!!!
Lesson Recap
EXODUS-13:17-15:21
Persevering Faith 13:17-18, 14:9-18,31
Does every student that enrolls in college graduate? Does every person that starts a marathon finish? Perseverance makes the difference. This week's lesson was about persevering in our faith.
Father Knows Best 13:17-18
How often do your teens ask you why they can't do this or that, and you tell them because they are not old enough or because they are not ready? Why didn't God take the Israelites on a direct journey to Canaan?
- They were not ready to fight and defend themselves.
- They had no sense of community or nationality.
- Their faith was not developed enough to trust Him to provide.
Faith Your Fears 14:9-14
The Israelites reacted to their current challenge just as they did. They Got into the predicament because of God. Look at v14 from different translations. Basically, it says to be still and watch, and know that I am God. If god brings you into a frightening situation, you can be confident He will bring you out. Just stand firm.
Trust And Obey 14:15-18
God was going to deliver the Israelites through the same path He Delivered His people. Why is persevering faith required to obey God and experience His deliverence.
Seeing Is Believing? 14:31
What did the people see God Do? Why do you think this would cause them to believe in God and His use of Moses? What are some great acts of God people see today from time to time? Why do some believers fail to believe even when they see? How does remembering God's work in your life encourage you? How does voicing what God has done in your life help others grow in their faith?
Conclusion: You may not be facing the Red Sea and hearing the chariots of your enemies behind you BUT you may be facing difficult challenges. What did we discuss here that will help you persevere in your faith?
The SPOT Class Picnic
..this year has official been renamed the SpookNic!! It will be on Sunday, October 30th right after class at Fenton Parks Shelter #2 (the same as last year!). Join us for fun, fellowship, and BBQ. Cost is $5 per person, with a maximum of $10 per family to cover the meat and the cost of the shelter. Bring a side dish to share, and whatever drinks you want! The Sign up envelop will be in the SPOT folder starting this week!
Upcoming Events
This year we will be holding our usual Christmas party (Nov.- Dec.), as well as a game board night (Jan?), and Super Bowl Party (Feb.) If you would be willing to open your home to host one of these event, that would be great!
Class Service Ministry
We are still looking for a year-round service/ministry project that we can help with as a class. We can donate the proceeds from our root beer float booth and other project (TBD) throughout the year. Email in any ideas!
Snacks
- 10/16 MEINHARDT
- 10/23 PERRY
- 10/30LAROWE
Prayer Requests
- Rusty's co-worker watching mom's health deteriorate quickly. very close to mom, and very draining on her. Name of co-worker is Shelley Lavender. Pray for understanding.
- Billie Jean, Ed's daughter friend who comes to church with her. Pray for her salvation.
- Rusty's friend Steve Gusman trying to understand (or make sense of) why his friends son OD'd. Pray Rusty and Steve can talk about it when the time is right.
- Prayer request and warning for South County residents. Hannah Martin got her license this week.
- Marty and Amber and struggles with their daughter Andrea.
- Kevin, and word from his doctors on his knee injury.
Friday, October 7, 2011
More News and Notes!!!
Lesson Preview
Last Sunday we witnessed God's divine deliverance of His people from the "trap" of Egypt. This week we will see their growing faith in God tested. Have you ever engaged in a project or life direction only to be faced with obstacles and road blocks. It makes one question if they made the right decision in the first place. How a person answers that question directs the outcome. We will see this principle at work in this Sunday's study. Look forward to sharing it with you.
P S Mark it down - we will not get out late regardless if class starts on time or not. This is a challenge I am setting for myself and a commitment I am making to you.
Don
P S Mark it down - we will not get out late regardless if class starts on time or not. This is a challenge I am setting for myself and a commitment I am making to you.
Don
SPOTnik
Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 30th after class. We will hold our annual Fall class picnic! More details will be upcoming on Sunday!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Mid-Week Update...Express Edition!!!
Late Class
Remember that class may run a little late this week. The church service may run long due to the business meeting to vote on Brian Mulder to be our new worship pastor. Also, don't forget that you can meet Brian at one of two times prior to the vote. You can meet him in the Atrium on Thursday night (tonight) at 7PM, or in the Atrium on Saturday, Oct. 8th at 9AM.
Snacks
- 10/9 BRADSHAW
- 10/23 PERRY
- 10/30 LAROWE
Prayer Requests
- Jeff and Ronda's son Jason got engaged last Sunday!
- Allen (Don and Lori's oldest son) is recovering from a concussion.
- Brian Mulder; prospective worship/fine arts pastor, and Ben Wahlman and the student ministry.
- Kim Hultgren-Ginger and Phil niece-is on a 6 month mission trip to Swaziland.
- Kevin took a spill at home and has possible bone fragments in his knee. MRI upcoming! (This is also the reason that the Blog is a little late this week!)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Message from Ben!!!
Dear Parents,
This is Ben Wahlman, the new Student Pastor at CONCORD. It is an honor to be given the opportunity to work in the lives of you and your children. I am excited to get to know all of you as we continue to work together. I wanted to take a moment and tell you how we are structuring CSM, our plans for the next month and any upcoming events in the near future.
First of all, I want to say it has been a blast getting to know your kids each Sunday and Wednesday. I am still trying to work on remembering all the names; I think I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! As many of you may know, the new vision of CSM is that our students would KNOW God, OWN their faith and make their faith KNOWN. We really want to walk them through these three areas of growth throughout their seven years in CSM. Each of these three areas will greatly shape the structure of our programs and events. Everything that we do must fall into one of these three areas of growth. Our hope is that when students leave for college, they will have a healthy understanding of Christ and a mature relationship with Him.
With that in mind, our weekly programs are going to be changing soon. Starting this Sunday morning we are kicking of what we call circle groups. Each student will have the opportunity to choose which circle to sit at each week. Each table will be led by a leader with a set of questions for the students to walk through together. This will give our students an opportunity to discuss and work through Scriptural passages together.
Starting November 6th, we are going to launch our Sunday Night High School program. Our Middle School students will still be meeting on Wednesday nights. I feel that it is wise for us to split up the high school from the middle school for two reasons. One, there is a big maturity gap between middle and high school students. Second, many high school students have sports, work, activities and homework that keep them from being able to attend a Wednesday night event. This will hopefullygive our students more opportunity to attend, as well as grow deeper and befurther challenged.
By the beginning of January we are going to launch our CSM Life Groups. Our Life Groups provide an environment that is safe for them to discuss anything. The groups will be same gender and close in age. The group time will be led by at least two leaders through a guided discussion time. Hopefully, through these relationships, the students will begin to understand what Godly relationships look like and how they can challenge one another to live for Christ. I am excited for the programming changes and how it will allow us to have a larger impact on the lives of the students.
Besides driving your children, how does this affect you as parents? As parents you are the primary disciplers in the lives of your children, as stated in Deut. 6. “…You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise…”. In view of this, it is my desire to partner with you and make sure that you are continually equipped to disciple your children. In this monthly parent letter I will keep you updated about everything that we are talking to your children about so that you can ask them and walk through each topic with them. It would be amazing to hear of how you all are using these topics in your weekly devotions with them or showing them practically how these topics can be lived out.
For the month of October we are going to be studying the book of James in a series called Counter Cultural. Here are the dates and the topic/passage we will be studying:
SUNDAY WEDNESDAY
10/2 – James 1:2-8, 12-18 (Trials) 10/5 – James 1:19-27 (Hear vs. Do)
10/9 – James 2:1-13 (Favorites) 10/12 – James 2:14-26 (Obedience)
10/16 – James 3:1-12 (Words) 10/19 – James 4:1-12 (Allegiance)
10/23 – James 4:13-17 (Living for tomorrow) 10/26 – HOEDOWN!!
10/30 – James 5:7-12 (Patience) 11/2 – James 5:13-20 (Prayer)
Hopefully this will give you a good opportunity to discuss with your child what they are learning each week at CSM. As well as keeping your students from answering one word answers like, “good”, “fine” or “cool”.
During the month of October, we are having a very near and dear event to my heart, the Hoedown! On October 26th we are going to start early at 6:00 pm and go until 8:00 pm. This will be a night where the students can come, invite friends andhave a good time through goofy hillbilly games, square dancing and worship around a bonfire. I think this will be a good chance for us to break away from our typical Wednesday evening night and relax in a non-threatening environment.
On October 23rd, we are going to be having our first CSM Leader meeting. This will be for all current and potential leaders. If you are interested in being involved in some way, shape or form in CSM you do not want to miss out on this meeting. We will be going over everything that you will need to get started! Not only that, but we will be providing you with free food! Who can say no to that?!
Looking ahead, in December we have marked the 11th and the 14th for the High School and Middle School Christmas parties respectively. As we get closer to each event, we will have more information and flyers on each.
Phew! I think we got it all. I know that this is a lot, but I wanted to make sure that I was able to cover most of the questions that many of you may have. Now don’t worry, each month after this should be shorter! Again, I want to thank all of you for all of your help and support that you have shown me thus far. I am very excited about what is next for us at CSM and seeing God move in the lives of your children!
If you have any questions, do not hesitate tocall the office or email me, ben@concordlife.com
--
Ben Wahlman
Student Pastor
CONCORD…a church for everyone!
314.843.3500 ext. 233
www.concordlife.com
This is Ben Wahlman, the new Student Pastor at CONCORD. It is an honor to be given the opportunity to work in the lives of you and your children. I am excited to get to know all of you as we continue to work together. I wanted to take a moment and tell you how we are structuring CSM, our plans for the next month and any upcoming events in the near future.
First of all, I want to say it has been a blast getting to know your kids each Sunday and Wednesday. I am still trying to work on remembering all the names; I think I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! As many of you may know, the new vision of CSM is that our students would KNOW God, OWN their faith and make their faith KNOWN. We really want to walk them through these three areas of growth throughout their seven years in CSM. Each of these three areas will greatly shape the structure of our programs and events. Everything that we do must fall into one of these three areas of growth. Our hope is that when students leave for college, they will have a healthy understanding of Christ and a mature relationship with Him.
With that in mind, our weekly programs are going to be changing soon. Starting this Sunday morning we are kicking of what we call circle groups. Each student will have the opportunity to choose which circle to sit at each week. Each table will be led by a leader with a set of questions for the students to walk through together. This will give our students an opportunity to discuss and work through Scriptural passages together.
Starting November 6th, we are going to launch our Sunday Night High School program. Our Middle School students will still be meeting on Wednesday nights. I feel that it is wise for us to split up the high school from the middle school for two reasons. One, there is a big maturity gap between middle and high school students. Second, many high school students have sports, work, activities and homework that keep them from being able to attend a Wednesday night event. This will hopefullygive our students more opportunity to attend, as well as grow deeper and befurther challenged.
By the beginning of January we are going to launch our CSM Life Groups. Our Life Groups provide an environment that is safe for them to discuss anything. The groups will be same gender and close in age. The group time will be led by at least two leaders through a guided discussion time. Hopefully, through these relationships, the students will begin to understand what Godly relationships look like and how they can challenge one another to live for Christ. I am excited for the programming changes and how it will allow us to have a larger impact on the lives of the students.
Besides driving your children, how does this affect you as parents? As parents you are the primary disciplers in the lives of your children, as stated in Deut. 6. “…You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise…”. In view of this, it is my desire to partner with you and make sure that you are continually equipped to disciple your children. In this monthly parent letter I will keep you updated about everything that we are talking to your children about so that you can ask them and walk through each topic with them. It would be amazing to hear of how you all are using these topics in your weekly devotions with them or showing them practically how these topics can be lived out.
For the month of October we are going to be studying the book of James in a series called Counter Cultural. Here are the dates and the topic/passage we will be studying:
SUNDAY WEDNESDAY
10/2 – James 1:2-8, 12-18 (Trials) 10/5 – James 1:19-27 (Hear vs. Do)
10/9 – James 2:1-13 (Favorites) 10/12 – James 2:14-26 (Obedience)
10/16 – James 3:1-12 (Words) 10/19 – James 4:1-12 (Allegiance)
10/23 – James 4:13-17 (Living for tomorrow) 10/26 – HOEDOWN!!
10/30 – James 5:7-12 (Patience) 11/2 – James 5:13-20 (Prayer)
Hopefully this will give you a good opportunity to discuss with your child what they are learning each week at CSM. As well as keeping your students from answering one word answers like, “good”, “fine” or “cool”.
During the month of October, we are having a very near and dear event to my heart, the Hoedown! On October 26th we are going to start early at 6:00 pm and go until 8:00 pm. This will be a night where the students can come, invite friends andhave a good time through goofy hillbilly games, square dancing and worship around a bonfire. I think this will be a good chance for us to break away from our typical Wednesday evening night and relax in a non-threatening environment.
On October 23rd, we are going to be having our first CSM Leader meeting. This will be for all current and potential leaders. If you are interested in being involved in some way, shape or form in CSM you do not want to miss out on this meeting. We will be going over everything that you will need to get started! Not only that, but we will be providing you with free food! Who can say no to that?!
Looking ahead, in December we have marked the 11th and the 14th for the High School and Middle School Christmas parties respectively. As we get closer to each event, we will have more information and flyers on each.
Phew! I think we got it all. I know that this is a lot, but I wanted to make sure that I was able to cover most of the questions that many of you may have. Now don’t worry, each month after this should be shorter! Again, I want to thank all of you for all of your help and support that you have shown me thus far. I am very excited about what is next for us at CSM and seeing God move in the lives of your children!
If you have any questions, do not hesitate tocall the office or email me, ben@concordlife.com
--
Ben Wahlman
Student Pastor
CONCORD…a church for everyone!
314.843.3500 ext. 233
www.concordlife.com
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Mid-Week Update!!!
Many Thanks
...to Arlene Martin for leading us further into Exodus, and sharing with us this past Sunday!
Snacks
- 10/2 HURT
- 10/9 BRADSHAW
- 10/16 still open
Prayer Requests
- Ronda's distant cousin Nancy's husband Paul had a massive stroke on Thursday and passed away. Pray for comfort.
- Rusty Phillips' co-workers Mom.
- Kevin's grandmother has had walking issues this week. She is 96 and lives alone.
Fall Festival
...is right around the corner this Saturday, October 1st. Our class will be manning the root beer float booth. Stop on by to help, or just bring a friend along to enjoy the activities and food...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Mid-Week Update!!!
Many Thanks!!!
Many thanks to Brad Slinkard for taking the reigns and teaching the class this week. We sure appreciate it!!
Parent Meeting
There will be a CSM parent meeting this Sunday, September 25th, in the Rafters from noon until 2:00 PM. Lunch will be provided.
Holy Cow Root Beer Float Booth
Once again the SPOT class will be manning the Root Beer Float Booth during the Fall Festival on October 1rst. There are two shifts available...one from 2 PM-6 PM that will include helping set up, and one from 4 PM-8 PM that will include helping take things down! The church is also looking for others who can help in the setup and tear down. Let Lanny know if you can help!!
Snacks
- 9/25 STUBBS
- 10/2 HURT
- 10/9 BRADSHAW
Prayer Requests
- Jeanette's cousins, Charlotte and Anna got cancer diagnoses this week.
- Janice's daughter Claudia has epidural block this week for leg pain.
- Continue to pray for Jeff Bradshaw's co-worker, Carol Masters, as she recovers from open heart surgery.
- Fine Arts Pastor-that God would make it clear who he wants to serve Concord.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Late Mid-Week Update!!!
Lesson Recap
EXODUS-An Introduction
Recap: When we finished our study on Genesis Joseph had just died. So we took a few moments and refreshed our memories. Who was Joseph? Why was he in Egypt? What was his highest work status in Egypt? How did his family come to live with him? God allowed Joseph's family to endure over 300 years of slavery in Egypt. We will see through this experience God's deliverance of and covenant with Israel formed the people into a holy nation. What are some New Testament implications with this theme? Who are some of the major characters we will encounter in our study of Exodus? What would you consider to be the major themes of Exodus?
The Authorship
Technically, the book of Exodus is anonymous, for no single person is specified as the author. Nonetheless, there is a lengthy tradition identifying Moses as the author of Exodus as well as the other first four books of the Bible (Pentateuch) But there is biblical support for this long held tradition. See Ex 24:4 and Lev 1:1. Moses would have been the best choice to record His words because he was as educated as any of Pharaoh's sons.
The Occasion
Moses wrote Exodus to remind the Israelites of God's:
-Miraculous deliverance from Egypt
-care for them in the wilderness
-commands for relating to God, their fellow man, and for worship
The Purpose
Exodus is to the Old Testament what the Gospels are to the New Testament. They proclaim the redemptive activity of God towards man.
- Both explain God's covenant relationship with man: Keeping God's Law in Exodus, accepting Jesus as Messiah/Savior in the Gospels.
- Both focus on the activity of a covenant mediator who fulfills his calling by the selfless giving of person: Moses in Exodus, Jesus in the Gospels.
- Both proclaim a message of man's breaking free of bondage:breaking the chains of Egyptian slavery in Exodus, Jesus in the Gospels.
The Name
Of the 40 chapters, only 15 cover the actual exodus from Egypt. Equal emphasis is given to the wilderness and Sinai experience. The Hebrew text refers to the work, "these are the names of", and the following is understood-(of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt). It was the practice of the Hebrew to take the first few words of a work for it's title. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament made in the third century B.C., referred to the work simply as Exodus. The Latin Vulgate, a version of the bible prepared by St. Jerome in the 4th century and accepted as the official biblical text of the Catholic Church, titled the work Liber Exodus. English translations borrowed from all of the above to come up with the title Exodus.
The Role
As majestic as the event was, as large a role as it played in the lives of those that experienced it, as much as it contributed to biblical thought, as powerful a revelation was to the rest of humanity concerning God of the Hebrews, the word exodus as a technical term never appears in the Old Testament, and only one in the New Testament: Heb. 11:22. Though the term was not used, the event was widely referred to throughout the Bible Examples include:
Interpreted as God's redemtive action:
Josh 24: 16-18
Amos 2:10, 3:1, 9:7
Micah 6:4, 7:15
Hosea 2:15, 11:1, 12:9, & 13
Isa 11:16
Jer 2:6, 7:22& 25, 11:4 & 7, 16:14. 23:7, 32:21, 34:13
The writers of Psalms often referred to the event:
18 15-19
44
60
66 6
68
74
75
78
80
81
83
89
95
100
105
106
107 4-7
114
135
136
It's use in preparing Israel for the coming of the Messiah:
Isaiah 40:1-3
New Testament references:
Note the similarities between Mt. 2:16 to Ex. 1:16. The New Testament references to bondage and deliverance caused the original reader and us today to think back to God's wonderful deed to Jacob's extended family in days of old.
Conclusion
The study of Exodus is more than a study of an extraordinary event in days gone by-it is a study of God's interaction with man displayed in self giving love.
5th Annual Fall Festival
Get your scoops ready! As always, we will be hosting the Root Beer Float Booth at this fun annual event. We will have two shifts. 2PM-4PM (includes setting up) and 4-8PM (includes breaking down...the booth, not us!). A sign up sheet will be in the next SPOT folder!
Snacks
- 9/18-Meinhardts
- 9/25-Stubbs
Prayer Requests
- Janice Meinhardt's daughter Claudia's Sjogrens in attacking different areas of her body again.She is going through tests to see what can be done.
- Please pray for Jeff Bradshaw's barber, John, as he deals with mental health issues.
Friday, September 9, 2011
New Car Wash Info
Hello,
Hope
you can come by to support my sister, Carol. Please pray for a good
weather day!
This is
the rescheduled date since the first event was rained
out!
WHAT:
Car Wash & BBQ
to help my sister Carol Weidenhoffer
with her cancer medical costs
since she has no health insurance
WHEN:
Saturday, September 17, 2011
10:00 a.m. -- 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Auto
Zone in Lemay (NOTE: location
change from before)
1310 Lemay Ferry
Road, Lemay 63125
(314) 631-0310
(between Reavis Barracks and
Telegraph Road ~~ 1 block south of the Lemay Post
Office on Lemay Ferry Road)
We'll
need car wash helpers!
Also, if someone has a portable awning tent cover we could use, please let us
know.
Would
be great to see you. Thanks for your help in any way...getting car
washed, eating or helping!
Carol
is continuing to fight strong ~~ (that was before hair loss)!
She'll
have a cat scan 9/21 to see progress of chemo!
If you
have any questions, please call us.
Rich
& Linda Conrad
Rich:
(314)
221-2035
Linda:
(314)
221-2036