Dual Congrats!!!

Happy belated anniversary (yesterday )to Kay and Mike Smith.  Happy birthday today to Don Robbins!!  Hope you all enjoy your special day!

Sunday Recap!!!

Lesson Recap

Continuing on our study of 1 Corinthians we covered two questions on Sunday.  These were "What should I do?" and What can I do?".

While in Ephesus, Paul received a report concerning the church in Corinth. Chapters 1-6 are his response to that report.  We looked at what chapter 7:1-5 said, and what we heard Paul say.  We also noted the issue he was addressing.  We know this would be a concern for the new church in Corinth, as new converts would want to abstain from any activity that reminded them of their previous lifestyle.

What Should I Do?

This section deals with marriage.  Statistics show that church members divorce at nearly the same rate as non-Christians.  We are parents of teens and soon will face the issue of marriage.  So how can believers discover Gods will regarding the person they should marry?  God has a plan for marriage, and the Bible tells us here:

Where to Begin: 7:10-11
When to Stay Married: 7:12-16 -Where we learn that the ultimate goal of a Christian marriage should be to glorify God.
When Not to Marry: 7: 32-35
When to Marry:7:36-39


To marry on not to marry...that is the question.   To divorce or stay married.  With the internet, songs, movies today, we would all agree it is more difficult for a young person to remain sexually pure today than we were our children's age.  How can believers support each other in maintain control over our emotions and impulses.


What Can I Do?


This portion of Paul's letter deals with the "gray" areas of life.  The "should I or shouldn't I" and "why or why nots" of life.  When you find yourself asking the question "What can I do?" base your decision on the following four questions:


Is it based on love? (8:1-3)
Will it harm others? (8:9-13, 10:23-24)
Is it evangelistic? (9:19-23)
Will it glorify God? (10:31-11:1)

Class Fall Picnic!!!

Set aside October the 24th for our fall picnic.  We will confirm the location on Sunday, but plan on plenty of grub and fellowship.  Details are as usual...$5 per person for meat and drinks (generic soda, waster and tea), all you bring is yourself and a side dish or chips!

Prayer Requests

• Continued prayers for Rich and Linda Conrad 

 

Weekly Update!!!

Lesson Preview

So far in our study of 1 Corinthians, we have covered chapters 1-6.  In these chapters Paul responded to a report he received concerning things going on in the Corinthian church.  The problem was disunity caused by worldliness creeping in to the body.

This week we start a new section.  In preparation I ask you to consider what burning questions you have?

Really!

What questions do you keep asking yourself about your faith?  You see, Paul received a letter from the church in Corinth that was filled with questions.

Beginning in Chapter 7  and continuing through the remainder of the book, Paul responds to the church's questions.  This week we will cover chapters 7 - 11.  Not to worry, we will not go verse-by-verse, but we will consider these two questions:

• What should I do?
• What can I do?

If you have not been to class for a while, come this week and see what these questions are all about.

In Christ,
Don

SNACKS 

10/10 Donna & Dave Marlette 

10/17 Susan & Kevin Hurt

Lesson Preview!!!

This week we will look at chapters 4 - 6 of 1 Corinthians.  In these verses Paul addresses two main topics; encouraging church leaders and reasons to practice morality.

While I continue to put this lesson together - I am thinking of Sunday and seeing you in class.  Hope you week went well and that you have fun at the fall festival today.  Don't have too many root beer floats!

Peace in Christ,
Don

A Mini Update!!!!

Happy Anniversary

 

To the McKee's.  Here hoping for many more!!!

 

 

Holy Cow Root Beer Float Booth

 

 

There is still room for volunteers to help with this ministry at the Fall Festival tomorrow!  

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday today to Rebecca Hauff!!  Enjoy your day!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Jeff Bradshaw!!!  God's blessings to you!!

Weekly Recap!!!

Lesson Recap

This week we started to get into the book of 1 Corinthians.  In the over all view of the book we learned that Corinth was a major hub, and that it was located on an isthmus that made it a very important area for commerce.  It enjoyed great prosperity.  Since the city was very cosmopolitan it was subject to any number of vices.  In addition, the city was rampant with the worship of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.  Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, during which time he established the church there.  His first letter was penned in response to unfavorable reports that he had gotten about the church in Corinth.

We looked at church unity, and what it is.  We also looked at how do you know when a church has unity, and what destroys it.

This lesson was broken down into the following sections:

1:1-9 Typical Greek letter introduction

1:10-17 Lack of unity in the church

1:18-31 Solution to the problem

Remember that this is a letter that was originally not given chapters and verses, and should be read the same way you read a letter today.

From the greeting (1:1-9) we learn that the author is Paul, and that someone named Sosthenes (Acts 18: 14-17) is with him.  We also see that Paul intended the letter to be passed to other churches. Paul also mentions spiritual gifts in verse 7, which is setting the table for something he will cover later.In verse 9 we see two things.  First that God is faithful.  Second, we see why even Peter has some difficulty interpreting what Paul sometimes means!

In chapter 1: 10-17 Paul addresses the lack of unity in the church.  The church was in it's infant state at that time.  In that time, it was common for travelers to come through sharing their understanding of a philosophy or religion.  It was no different for Christians.  New believers were coming from all over, which meant that there was an array of theology going on all the time.  This was the problem with the church in Corinth.Paul founded the church in Corinth, so his theology would have been dominant.  When others came through preaching their understanding of the faith based on the preaching of Peter or Apollos we can see where conflict would occur. In verse 10, Paul urges them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Why would he do that?  Because in ancient times names were not just a label, but an expression of a persons nature and character.  So in using Jesus' name Paul was reminding the Corinthians of the Lord that they followed, as well as his message and purpose.  Focusing on Christ and His purpose helps take the focus off of individual preferences and desires.  Uniformity in the church is impossible, but unity is very possible.  What is the difference?  How do you think you would respond if faced with a contentious church member?  How would you try to promote unity?  What role do you think members play in promoting unity?

In chapter 1: 18-31 we see Paul's solution!  We know that the Greeks were fond of philosophy, or love of wisdom.  What is it about the Christian message that the Greeks would have considered foolish?  Jews, on the other hand, demanded signs.  Throughout the Old Testament God provided many signs so people would believe His messenger.  What was it about the Christian message that failed to satisfy the Jews demand for signs?  The answers to both questions are found in the crucifixion.  Christ crucified was a problem for the Jews because they were looking for a conquering Messiah and not a crucified one.  To the Greeks, the crucifixion of Christ was illogical and hopelessly weak.  So the only was for Jew or Greek to come to faith was through faith...no work or self merit.  So ho do strong convictions about the Gospels truth help promote church unity?  It reminds us of our own lack of wisdom and strength, everyone is equal at the foot of the cross,  and it helps us keep the main thing the main thing!

In chapter 1: 26-31 we see how focusing on God's work can help promote church unity.  Why do you think that some church members elevate themselves over others?

Happy Birthday...

...to Hannah Martin!  God's blessings on your special day! 

Prayer Requests

• Keep Rusty in our prayers, as he had a mini-vacation in St. Clare's last week due to work related stress issues.

SPOTmail Update!

Lesson Prep

Did you feel like you were back in school last Sunday?  You know how it goes - the regular teacher is out so the sub slides in the tape and presses the play button.  Hope you found the information on Paul insightful.

This week we will have a live presentation as I plan to be with you.  The lesson plan will consist of the following three segments: the man - the city - the letters.  I think it is most beneficial to understand the background in order to glean the richness of the recorded material.

I am creating a handout you will want to hang on to for the duration of our study of 1 & 2 Corinthians.  Final question - what ever happened to the third  Corinthian book? 

Look forward to seeing you Sunday,
Don

SPOTsnack Schedule

Sept. 19 -- Deckers (that's this Sunday)

Sept. 26 -- Stubbs

Holy Cow Root Beer Float Booth

Don't forget to sign up to help at the SPOT booth during Concord's Fall Festival celebration, Saturday, Oct. 2.  Look for the sign-up sheet in the SPOTfolder this week.  We really need your help!  The LaRowes cannot do this all by themselves.  Donations are also needed.  It takes about $100 to put this together, and we have only $5!

Prayer Request

Ryan Perry has been dealing with health issues - almost continuous gagging and choking.  At the same time, the Perry's dog had surgery and has to be watched closely on a continuous basis.  Pray not only for Ryan and Shylo's recover, but also that Zenobia can get some sleep. 

Ryan's Rappers (from Zenobia Perry)

Dear SPOT class friends,

On Saturday, October 9th at 10a.m. I will be leading a team in the annual Walk Now For Autism Speaks in St. Louis.  Our group will meet at 9:30a at the ticket booth for a picture on the Upper Muny Parking lot in  Forest Park.  Known as Ryan's Rapper’s will be walking  for the 8th year!

Last year, St. Louis again hit the million dollar mark, collecting $1,045,564 with over 20K walkers!  Our team collected $16,171 still placing our team in the top 10 with approximately 65 walkers on our team.  Ready for this?  Ryan’s Rappers has collected $108,871 over the past 7 years!!!

I'm working on an updated video from past walks, and pictures from the 2009 walk.  Our team photo from the 2009 walk is attached along with a recent picture of Ryan and Jaclyn.

Your donations are definitely making a difference.  Some of you may be receiving updates on the research that is being conducted throughout the year.  For more information on recent scientific studies and funding initiatives, visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/index.php
With your help, new autism genes are being discovered!  We are steps closer to finding the cause and cure that is affecting 1 out of every 110 children (or was recently reported, 1 in 70 boys).

Ryan is now 17, and a senior in high school.  He probably, however, will stay in school until he is 21 to help him continue to learn how to be more independent.  His team of teachers, aides and home tutors are exceptional again this year.  He currently is enrolled in classes with a special education teacher and mainstreamed in ceramics and a PE mentoring class where peers choose to assist students with special abilities.  Twice a week, Ryan and his classmates work at a nearby retirement facility where for 2 hours his duties may include cleaning light fixtures, tables, handrails, helping with laundry, and setting the table.

This past summer, Ryan was accepted into SWEP (Summer Work Experience Program) where he worked in the dining room at a retirement home and unpacked new merchandise at TJMaxx.  And he got paid!  He was supposed to work 20 hours/week, but we tapered the hours to what he was able to tolerate.  Something about setting the dining room table 3 times/day just did not sit well with him :)  When not at school, Ryan plays T-ball on a team with other children with special needs, takes horseback riding lessons, and continues to swim regularly.
 
We want you to know that any amount of donation means a lot to us - $5, $10, $100, $1000.  We are so thankful for all the support that you have shared with our family.  We could not do it without you.
 
1)  To register to walk:
If you wish to register to walk on our team, please click on the link below and go to "Join Our Team".  If you need assistance, please let me know.

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/stlouis/ryansrappers

 2)  To make a donation online:
If you wish to make a donation online (minimum $20), please click on the link below and fill in the amount you wish to donate.

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/stlouis/zenobia

3)  To send a check (made out to Autism Speaks - pls put Ryan's Rappers/St. Louis in the memo):
Send to:
Zenobia Perry
2312 Manor Creek Drive
Chesterfield MO  63017

Please invite all your family/friends to join us!  This day is especially enjoyable for children since all activities and lunch are free!

Sorry - but no pets except service animals are allowed since many children with autism especially have a fear of dogs.

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness,
Zenobia, Ryan and Jaclyn Perry
  
314-276-4006 (Zenobia cell)
zgperry@earthlink.net
314-580-8617 (Jaclyn cell)
jnperry1995@hotmail.com
--
Zenobia Perry, MMT
Music Therapist & Private piano instructor
www.zenobiaperry.com

Belated Birthday Wishes

My apologies, but due to a calendar error (now fixed) I missed putting these up the past couple of days...



Happy Birthday Monday to Ashley Conrad and Mike Smith.  Yesterday was Jessica McKee's Birthday.  Hope you all had great days!

SPOTmail update...

Lesson Preview

Hope this note finds all well.  Seems so long since we last met.  The big event that has happened since our class last met is that "summer has officially ended."  Well, functionally summer is over, anyway.  How do we know that?  Because the summer series, Adult-Rated Bible Stories, has come to an end.  So, what's next?

For the next few months, we will study the letters Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.  But first, we are going to take a look at Paul, the man, who wrote the letters to the Corinthians and, of course, many others.  He was a remarkable person.

Just think how different the New Testament would look without his contributions.  It would be a short read, to say the least. 

Lori and I will be away this Sunday.  But like your teens' class, when the teacher is away, a substitute is on call.  So it will be this Sunday, but we hope you won't be one of the mice playing

-- hookey.

Brooks will be introducing you to a very comprehensive video on the life of Paul.  Since the Bible is the same now and always, it should be of little consequence that this video is on VHS -- perhaps our kids still remember what they are.  This profile on Paul will be a great tee-up to our series on some of his most important letters. 

Have a good class meeting and I'll look forward to seeing you again on September 19!

Don

SPOTsnack Schedule

Sept. 12 -- Deckers (that's this Sunday)

Sept. 19 -- Stubbs

Holy Cow Root Beer Float Booth

Don't forget to sign up to help at the SPOT booth during Concord's Fall Festival celebration, Saturday, Oct. 2.  Look for the sign-up sheet in the SPOTfolder this week.