• Manskool is NEXT Saturday

    Fellas,

    In case you were planning on showing up for Manskool this Saturday, remember that we have postponed Manskool because of the Women's Meeting. 

    Instead, we'll have our next Manskool on Saturday, February 13.  Thanks for your flexibility!

  • Middle School Retreat LOCATION CHANGE

    Friends!  The five15 Middle School Retreat is less that 48 hours away.  I can’t wait!  But I have an announcement to make first.  I feel pretty silly saying this on a day that is 50º and sunny, but because of the forecast for potential snow, we are MOVING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT from the Yees’ house to our church building. 

    There are several reasons for doing this, which I’ll explain more fully on Saturday morning, but the main thing is this: if it snows, this is a safer option.  So we are transporting the whole thing here to our church building.

    Another big change: this is a BYOC event.  Bring Your Own Chair.  Unless you want to spend the day parked on one of those not-so-cushy gray auditorium chairs or lounging on a concrete floor, plan on bringing your favorite pillow, bean bag, or beach chair.  That should make it fun. 

    Finally, in the event that you wake up Saturday morning and there is a ton of snow on the ground, keep an eye here on the blog.  We’ll post any last minute weather-related updates there.  If you don’t see any news, we are a go.

    So, to recap:

    • WHAT: Middle School Retreat
    • WHEN: Saturday, January 30, 2010
    • WHEN: Breakfast (donuts, etc) served at 8:30am.  Meeting starts 9am.  Done by 4pm.
    • WHERE: Sovereign Grace Church Breakfast is in the basement auditorium.  Meeting in the upstairs lobby.
    • BRING: Bible, journal, pen or pencil, comfortable clothes for active games, and your favorite pillow, beanbag, or beach chair to sit on.

    Please be praying that God will meet us!  See you on Saturday morning!  Let’s awake the dawn!

     

  • 1/9 Manskool Moved to 1/16

    Fellas,

    There is a Manskool on the calendar for this Saturday morning, 1/9.  However, Justin Hinders' Memorial Service will be at 10am, so I am moving Manskool back a week to 1/16.  I know this makes for a long day, with five15 in the evening, so thanks for your flexibility!

    See you next Saturday!

  • Middle School Retreat Signup Deadline

    Hey 7th and 8th Graders!

    Reminder: Middle School Retreat registration ends TOMORROW, December 30th.  Registration is online. For more information, please contact Terri Morstad at the church office.

  • five15 Announcements

    In case you missed it Saturday night, here were the announcements:

    1. Due to limited interested, the 12/19 Parents Night Out is cancelled. This means that we also won't be having the Christmas party after. Instead, I'm encouraging everyone to use the time to serve instead.  Here are a couple ideas:
      a. have "shoe box party" to make gifts for Rancho 3M.
      b. ask Dad and Mom how you can serve around the house - hang lights, wrap presents, whatever.
      c. have your own Christmas party and invite over people you don't know.
    2. 7th and 8th Graders: now is the time to sign up for the Middle School Retreat!  It is Saturday, 1/30, from 9am-3pm at the Yee's house.  Registration is online.
  • Manskool on Saturday!

    Fellas, don't forget: Manskool on Saturday!

    You know the drill: breakfast is at 7:30 and we'll get started by 8! 

    See you then.

  • Serving Rancho 3M

    Friends, I couldn't be more excited about the ways that you have worked and sacrificed to serve Rancho 3M.  Thank you for giving of your time and strength to serve with Fall Clean.  I just recently learned of another way that we can serve the Ranch.

    Last week, Dean's newsletter included the following information:

    As many of you know, the war has affected almost everyone living here.  Everyone that we know knows of someone that has been killed or has seen the brutalities of war.  After speaking with the senior pastor Carlos Contreras, of Gracia Soberana de Juarez, we thought it would be good to bless many of the kids in our community this Christmas with a shoe box present.  It’s a way to share the love of Jesus Christ and let them know that despite the war, there is still good out there; there is still hope.  We will be including a gospel message in each box and an invitation to church.

    We realize that many folks & churches in the US already have plans for serving others this Christmas but if you or your church are not yet involved in such a ministry, will you prayerfully consider putting together shoe box gifts for the poor and war stricken children in our community?  It could be done individually, as a family or as a church. Through God’s kindness, the kids here at Rancho3M have already been covered by some very generous and kind folks.  We are hoping to receive 600 gift boxes to distribute to the children in the surrounding community.

    The boxes can be filled with small gift items, candy, and perhaps some school supplies.  They don’t have to be expensive.  If the boxes are particular to a gender or age group, would you be so kind as mark that clearly on the outside of the box (ie. older/younger, boy/girl).

    The gift boxes can be mailed to:

    Rancho 3M
    c/o Mision de Gracia
    1385 Northwestern Dr
    El Paso, TX 79912

    Note: This address is only for the community shoe box gifts.

    I’ll work on posting some photos after Christmas.  Thank you.  Further questions can be directed to my secretary Missy at info <at> rancho3m <dot> com.  Thank you in advance for making a difference in the life of a child who is scared by the effects of war and poverty.

    Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, Dean Adamek

    If you're interested in doing this, don't feel like you have to wait for us!  You can put together one of these boxes and get in the mail today.  

    Here's a great idea for the five15 Challenge: host a shoebox party!  Invite over some friends, make a trip to Target, drop a few dollars on supplies, come back to the house and assemble the boxes and put them in the mail...  ¡Feliz Navidad!

  • Fall Clean Recap

    The other day I was stunned, breathless, and moved to tears.  I asked Terri for an update from Fall Clean and I was thrilled to hear that it was a massive success.  For security reasons, I can't post the number on the blog, but I can tell you that the generous members and friends of our church gave over 50% more than last year!   

    Friends, let's not take this for granted.  Think through the circumstances with me.  It's been a tough couple years economically for a lot of people.  Christmas is coming up.  None of our members stand to benefit directly from these contributions.  And yet people joyfully gave so much.

    And I know that this is only possible because of your hard work.  To all my friends who donated their Saturday and their strength to this project, THANK YOU!  I am so grateful to you for your hard work.  The best way I can thank you is to quote from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and remind you that these words apply to you:

    The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

    “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

    10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

  • Fall Clean Tomorrow!

    For all of you who signed up to serve in the Fall Clean Fundraiser tomorrow, let me say THANK YOU!  Remember: every dollar donated will go directly to Rancho 3M and help support the work they are doing there. 

    Looks like we will have some great weather for raking!  Here's what you need to know:

    • Dress appropriately!  Looks like the weather is going to be cool—perfect for raking!  Dress in layers, don’t forget a hat and work gloves, and wear clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
    • Show up on time!  That would be 8:30am in the church lobby.  We’re planning to be on the road by 9.  Eat a hearty breakfast before you come!
    • Brown-bag a lunch!  Don’t forget a drink.  Or bring a few bucks to swing through McDonald’s at some point.
    • We’ll be done at some point in the mid-afternoon.  If your folks aren’t driving, tell them you’ll give them a call when you are on your way back to the building and they can meet you to pick you up.
    • Your team leader should already be in touch with you in the next day or two to tell you what tools (if any) you should bring.
    See you tomorrow!  Thanks again for serving!

  • five15 Announcements

    In case you missed it Saturday night, there were two main announcements that you might want to know about:

    1. CHRISTMAS PARENTS' NIGHT OUT.  Instead of a Christmas Party, we're devoting ourselves to a service project this year: giving a gift to parents in our church by caring for their kids for a few hours while they get some valuable time alone together.  We'll need your help!  Team leaders will be contacting you this week to see if you are available and willing to help.  If you're not part of a serving team but want to serve at this event, call the church office or email me.
    2. MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT LOGO CONTEST.  Want to submit some art for the Middle School Retreat t-shirt?  Bring it on.  The theme this year is "Awake the Dawn" from Psalm 57:6/108:2All designs need to be in by November 30.  The Student Leadership Council will choose a design in December and we'll announce a winner.  Show us what you've got.
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