Next Gen: Parents Connection

Hello Parents!

Sorry this is coming out halfway through August, time has really flown by. Here's whats going on in your child's Next Gen Ministry:

Tween Connection: 5-6 Graders

We're continuing our studies on Sunday mornings through the re:form workbook. If you have not already purchased your copy for your child, please bring $20 on Sunday if possible. If cost is an issue, please bring what you can afford (even if its just $5). We want to make sure each student has their own copy to learn from and can supplement the expense if that's a hurdle for anyone.

Sunday mornings: 7-8 (and now including 9!)

To ease the transition into big church, we will be welcoming back those students going into 9th grade for a journey through a new book written by Pastor Tony called "Transform: 31 Days To Finding Your Identity In Christ". We would like each student to have a copy when we begin in September. You can purchase the book on Amazon or bring

$8 to church: http://www.amazon.com/Transform-Days-Finding-Identity-Christ/dp/0834151162

PROGRESSIVE FAST FOOD LUNCH

This Sunday after second service, students grades 5-9 (and their families) are invited to join us for lunch in a new way. Before we leave, each participant will be given a paper numbered 1-5 randomly corresponding to the five lunch components, beverage, main course, side, side, and dessert. As a group, we will be stopping at five fast food restarants on Rt 42 and at each stop, the students must purchase the corresponding component. Cost is between $5-10. (Many kids take the dollar menu challenge!) Meet after second service at 1pm or meet us at our first stop, McDonalds on Rt 42 at 1:15. We will be dinning and connecting until around 2:30.

High School Connection

We are continuing our journey though the book of Romans. Students are doing great with the weekly memory verses. Challenge your child and see what verses they have hidden in their heart!

spirit in the sky... and on the streets

From Rosemary Edwards, Admin Connection of Connection Church

I was initially concerned about my participation in the 4th of July Parade.

I didn’t think I would be able to walk for an hour in the sweltering 90 degree heat, so I made plans to ride in the truck that would pull our praise band. I figured I would probably need to get aboard about 15 minutes into the walk.

We arrived at the starting point an hour before the parade was due to begin. The band set up their equipment while the rest of us decorated the band wagon, arranged the bottles of cold water and put the brightly colored lollipops in bags for easy dispersal. Pastor Tony led us in prayer and off we went, already soaked in perspiration. We were singing “going up to the Spirit in the sky….” (I really thought I might go there before the day was over!)

All along the route, the band was singing with sweat in their eyes as the rest of us scurried about with the water bottles and suckers. The people of our community were grateful for the water, especially the children who held out their little hands for the suckers.

Before I knew it I was running back to the truck for more and more suckers. Blaise, who was driving the truck, had to remind me to drink water. I was having so much fun.

Then... the parade was over. I was stunned!

I thanked God for allowing me to share in such a blessing. The children watching the parade with their hands out reminded me of the generosity of our church and how God has allowed us to give faithfully to children here and children half way around the world. We do live in the land of the free where we can freely give. God bless, America!

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42)

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RESOURCE: Check out the pictures from the parade on our Facebook page: CLICK HERE

VBS hindsight and foresight

From Monica Arnold, Kids Connection of Connection Church



Last week was VBS week.

This means a whole lot for my family and many others dedicated to serving for the kids. It’s a week of early dinners, sugar highs, sugar lows, and an occasional melt down from an over-tired over-stimulated kiddo.

All these things combined, and it’s a crazy chaotic, but amazing week.

In the middle of all this, kids are worshipping Jesus with all their lung-power every night, and learning through Bible stories how amazing God’s power is over our lives and circumstances. They're eating food and making crafts that display the creativity of the Creator.

It’s awesome to be a part of this while serving with others who share the same passion. The people involved in VBS through every detail and early planning have a driven desire to grow and encourage children in the right direction. It was an incredible experience.

The children were exposed to a relationship with Jesus and what that looks like... this is HUGE. I don’t think there’s anything much better to show a child that the gift of God is eternal life. It’s a promise to something far bigger than themselves: a forever friendship with Jesus, an eminent power who will stick with them through thick and thin.

It’s not easy, but I want to keep a steady thread of where my kids are at in their faith. My son is convinced every book has to be about God. He’s so aware that God exists, even at 4 years old. He even approached me last week with this horrifying old maid looking picture out of child’s bedtime story book he brought to me asking “where is God in this story?” He’s always looking for it.

So what happens when VBS is over? Our commitment to encouraging the kids along in their relationship with Jesus continues. We pray for the kids, keep tracking life with them and help them grow with God yet another step.  We won't take a backseat at Connection Church at this - it’s not fair to them to stop now, because working with kids is the most fun kind of crazy-loving service I ever want to be a part of. Care to join me?

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RESOURCE: Bless a kid in the name of Jesus by helping out a week in Kids Connection. Find out more about these ministries: CLICK HERE

growing pains

From Rosemary Edwards, Admin Connection of Connection Church

Sometimes it is so easy to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, especially when it brings about absolute joy and leads to visible life.

There are those times however, when it can be very difficult and create sharp growing pains. 

The difficulty came for me recently during my prayer time. I began to sense that God was leading me in a different direction that I didn't quite understand and didn't want to accept.

Can you relate?

For me this involves the role I've filled over the past several years in the Body of Christ in my staff role. God is telling me to move in a different direction now, which means serving as a volunteer in a new way. I'm not going anywhere, but the method that I serve in is going to be something different. As I continue to pray though this, what started out chaotic and become a growing excitement for what is in store for me next.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:15-16:

“Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." 

As this “body part” called Rosemary Edwards experiences “growing pains,” I look forward with great expectations to my next journey with our Lord and Savior. Likewise, as my openness to God helps our church body grow as a whole, let us each examine our role to see if our “body parts” are fitting into the big plan.

• Is each of us in tune with the Holy Spirit? 
• Are any of us feeling nudges and stirrings that we are not yet paying attention to? 
• Is God calling you in a way that is uncomfortable? 
• Are you turning a deaf ear to Him or are you answering the call?

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RESOURCE: Check out the S.H.A.P.E. tool on our website to learn more about how you're uniquely created by God to make a difference today: CLICK HERE

this is such a mess

From Monica Arnold, Kids Connection of Connection Church

This week started off absolutely crazy.

I usually enjoy Mondays. It feels like I can get an invigorating look at the week ahead. To-do lists get written; menu gets set; house gets cleaned.  I like Mondays.

But this week’s Monday? Not so much. There was no cup of coffee consumed before the phone started ringing; a bowl of Rice Krispies was bumped against the wall before a single chicken scratch was made.

To cap it off, there was an unexpected, early phone call to schedule a series of medical tests. It ultimately led me to make a decision to have surgery on my foot a whole lot earlier than it was supposed to happen. I now have 10 days less to get everything in my life to a place of sanity.

Maybe this is why not much of what usually happens on Mondays got done.  I started complaining, ranting, and telling myself and every other living thing around me how typical this is.  Just last week I was telling a friend (after separate odd events) how these kinds of things just happen, I’m sure, as a way for God to boldly remind you that you're not in control. Ever.

Which is a blessing that only feels like a curse if you lose perspective.

God has control. I have to remind myself several times to let this reality stick and really embrace it. And I’m really glad God has control. It’s so stinkin’ hard to give that up sometimes and let Him have his way, and be humble enough to know when to step back.

This is something of a partial epidemic in my life! It’s so much easier to tell you all the things I couldn’t control than it is to share about how much of this God had under control.  And it’s so much easier to complain here about what’s gone wrong today than it is to tell you all of the good things that happened.

Guess what? I got to go on a walk with my kids today. We got to squeeze in a couple short dirt bike rides. We ate Popsicles together afterwards. My mom gave me a CD of a Christian group I have been so missing to listen to on the tedious drives to and from the hospital.  My friend stopped by after her long day at work to offer help and share some of my responsibilities.

Really good things happened today.

I am thankful that God has a plan and can use everything in that plan... for the placement of the situations and the people He has put in my life as blessings... His complete plan of control over my life is comforting to have at the end of the day. It would’ve been easier to look past all the rubbish throughout the day and thank God for what I had instead.

It reminds me how Women’s Connection is wrapping up on a 10 week study on “David: Seeking a Heart like His."  God has shown me how completely necessary it is to turn to Him in everything I do and surrender all those things I know I just can’t keep up with or do… to Him. I learned that it’s less about my day to day and more about His life plan. How neat to have that sort of “armor” to walk away with from a study, where you get to learn and listen from other women who have been there, done that.

God allowed David to be put through a crazy amount of stuff. But still, David continued to praise Him.  

• Psalm 31:5 “I entrust my spirit into Your hand…”  
• Psalm 31:7 “I am overcome with Joy because of Your unfailing love for you have seen my troubles and You care…”  
• Psalm 30: 1 “I will praise You Lord, for you have rescued me…”

Looks like I need to take a few cues from the Bible. Life may feel like a mess... but God can turn the splatters into a masterpiece.

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my victory.  He is my God and I will praise Him!” (Exodus 2:15)

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RESOURCE: Check out the sermon "Yes or No: Foundational Priorities" from the series "YouPick": CLICK HERE

my own worst enemy

From Holly Whipple, Next Gen Connection of Connection Church

I often feel like my own worst enemy.

I've at times found myself second-guessing myself and God in my daily thoughts. On the surface level, I "know" the right answers; however, that’s not always what’s going through my mind (which is what ultimately influences how I react in life’s situations).  I can either believe what God has planned for my life, or trust in my voices of doubt. 

I recently quit my job to stay at home with our daughter Julia, and it's amazing how much of a daily battle it's become! Before I quit, Mike and I brought this desire to the Lord in prayer and it was very clear to us that it was His will for me to be at home. However, this week we found out Mike’s car needs a $1000 repair and our leaking bathroom drain will be $700 to repair - both difficult numbers to swallow on a newly one-income family. I seriously doubted if I was supposed to quit my job without having adequate emergency savings ready since I am one to always plan ahead, but I was convicted in my doubt. 

Thankfully, both repairs do not need to be completed immediately and we have the option of waiting to save up to cover the cost of the repairs. However, any outsider looking in wouldn't have known that with the way I made it the end of the world! I've spent much of my time after leaving my job trying to trust in my own ability to make it on one income. This past week it became evident that I can’t do this alone and it was not God’s plan for us to try it that way. 

These thoughts of doubt keep us from focusing on what (Who) really matters. Romans 12:2  made this evident to me this week:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

I need to renew my mind with His word so I can then have confidence in God’s will rather than the doubt that creeps into my thoughts. It is the outpouring of what’s in my heart that can overcome the challenge of doubt.

This is also applicable to the "3 Month Hold-Nothing-Back Challenge" our church is undertaking. The three areas we as Christians tend to try and be in control  (instead of God) are our time, relationships and resources. 

• Our thoughts challenge our free time by telling us we are too busy to set aside time with Him. 
• Our fear of being ‘weird’ when we boldly share our faith with others holds us back.
• Our pocketbooks feel too thin to faithfully give.

What if we instead made time for Him in prayer and study, shared Him with others and generously gave to His work through the church? It is with daily immersion in His presence that we can overcome such conforming thoughts and be transformed into sincere Christ followers. 

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RESOURCE: Check out the sermon "Yield" in the series "More Than Words": CLICK HERE

beating busyness

From Jon Jaroska, Resource Connection of Connection Church

Honestly, when Tony first asked me to blog I said to myself, “Great. One more thing to do this week!?” So first, anger came over me, then depression, and then the guilt kicked in. Once I was past all the emotions it became clear to me to focus on what was really going on in my life.  

A bunch of “busyness” mumbo-jumbo.

I like to analyze things, so that's where I first drifted. As soon as I started to, though, God held me back. It was a wake-up call to pray instead, and as soon as I did He started to talk (even more surprising was I could discern some of what He was saying). I realized I often find myself just going about my stuff and not asking Him to tell me what I should be doing. It feels like that creates a huge hole in me knowing if I'm doing what I should be doing or wasting my energy on other things.

Maybe you can relate. For me, this created a call to action that I want to share with you.

I know that this may sound high on the horse (and believe me, I feel like I am the worst law-breaker at this sometimes), but stop procrastinating.

If you don’t have a problem with that, great - you are one step closer to pleasing the heart of God with your schedule. If you do struggle with it, you'll need a reason to get out of that cycle. Spending time with God will give you that.

Don’t wait.  Take a moment right now to ask God what He wants you to care about. You might even want to write down everything you have to do for the next seven days, then ask God which of those is most important. Pay attention to if your list is God-driven or you-driven.

While you're doing that, note how many times intentionally growing your relationship with God appears in your list somehow. Maybe you could take another step today and ask God to either change something on your list or insert something that He wants for you.

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RESOURCE: Check out the 3-Month-Hold-Nothing-Back Challenge for ways on how to better connect with God: CLICK HERE

welcome

Welcome to the blog of the Lead Team for Connection Church!

Each week a team member will share a thought out of their life or ministry in the hope of helping you better journey with God. We're here to serve you - or more specifically, fulfill what Ephesians 4 says is the role of someone in Christian leadership:

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Contact us at:

	Connection Church 2524 Medina Rd, Suite 300 Medina, OH 44256 Located in Sharon Commons (Click HERE for directions) Telephone: 330-461-3964 Email: info@connectionchurch.org
Administrative Connection::	Rosemary Edwards
Kid's Connection::	Monica Arnold
Next Gen Connection (grades 5-12)::	Mike/Holly Whipple
Worship Connection::	Mike Edwards
Resource Connection::	Jon Jaroska
Lead Pastor::	Tony Myles