Class Update 8/9

We wrapped up our class discussion on The Shack this week. A big "Thanks" to Cat and the Welborns for finding and preparing discussion topics for the class. Marilyn Dickson will be leading class on Aug 23, to give her perspective on the book. In the mean time, the Welborns will be leading class this week on a mystery topic, known only to Cale. :)

Starting Aug 30, we will be watching and discussing a documentary about different religions of the world. We'll spend 3 weeks on this discussion, but due to holidays and service projects, they won't be consecutive weeks... They'll be Aug 30, Sep 13 and Sep 27.

Mission Work:
We won't have a lesson on Sep 6, since many will be absent due to the Labor Day weekend. Then, on Sep 20, we'll be volunteering at Operation Kindness' Dog Day Afternoon at Whiterock Lake.

We also have another "opportunity" to serve... Fred Trevino stopped me in the hall this week after class and asked if we'd been approached to help setup for the "Laugh and Rejoice" program that the Senior Adult Ministry is hosting on Sep 12. He asked if our class could help set up tables on the evening of Friday, Sep 11, like we did last year. I told him that I thought that we'd be able to help them out, so please let me know (an email would be fine) if you can help out that evening. There's not much to it, really. They just need people to put the place settings on a bunch of tables in the Family Life Center. It's easy work and they'll feed us pizza when it's done! We actually had fun "serving" in this way last year, and it's good PR for the Genesis class... :) So, let me know if you can help this year.

Social Event:
Our next social event will be a pool party at the Beathards on Sat, Aug 29. Does having a margarita machine at the party obligate us to a Mexican theme? Look for the evite to find directions and details. Everyone bring your own beverages, and an appetizer to share. And don't forget a bathing suit and towel.

Joys and Concerns:
Amanda M's mom had surgery on Friday as part of her treatment for breast cancer. The doctors are optimistic that things are going well and she is making progress, but please continue to pray for her recovery.

Class Update 8/2

We had another great week of discussion on chapters 14 and 15 of The Shack. This Sunday, we will wrap up with discussion on the last three chapters of the book. Come be part of the discussion, even if you haven't read the book! Marilyn Dickson is scheduled to join us in class on Aug 23 to share her thoughts on the book, and discuss any questions that we have.

We still have openings that need to be filled on the Children's Sunday School sign-up sheet. If you are willing/able to teach on either Aug 23, or Aug 30, please let me know, so I can provide your info to Connie Presley. It's OK if you've already taken a week earlier in the summer. They'll let you teach more than once... :)

Social

Our next class social will be a pool party at the Beathard's house on Aug 29. You should have received an e-vite last week with the details. If you did not receive the e-vite, let me know and we'll get the info to you.

Joys and Concerns

Congrats to Stephen and Blaire, who celebrated their first anniversary on Sunday!

Please pray for Amanda M.'s mom, who has learned that she has breast cancer.

Please pray for Kristin's friend who has moved to L.A. on a moment's notice for her husband's new job.

Class Update 7/26

We had another good turn out, and good discussion on chapters 12 and 13 of The Shack last Sunday. We actually barely made it through these two chapters. I think that the class discussion format is going really well, and I have enjoyed getting to hear different perspectives on the book, and on the topics that come up in the study guide! As a reminder, though, you don't have to have read the book to contribute to the discussions, so don't let that keep you away from class... :)

There is an update from last week, Marilyn Dickson will be coming by our class to discuss the book/answer questions/give minsterial perspective on Aug 23, rather than Aug 16.

We managed to get a couple more "volunteers" to teach Children's Sunday School, but there are still empty slots that need to be filled the last three weeks of August, so please help out if you can!

Upcoming Social:
Our next class social will be a pool party at the Beathard's house. The tentative date is Aug 29, with more details to come. Look for an e-vite in your inbox once details have been finalized...

Mission Project:
Our next service project will be volunteering for Operation Kindness on Sunday, Sep 20, so we'll "hold class" at Whiterock Lake with a bunch of dogs... :)

Joys and Concerns:
Sean and Lindsey Collins learned that they will be having a baby girl (right around Thanksgiving!). Congrats!

Class Update 6/14

• David continued his "Humility is #2" lecture series last Sunday with discussion about the practical implementation of humility in our lives today. We talked about some modern people or groups of people who we perceive to be humble, and some others who we do not...
• This Sunday we will begin our class discussions on The Shack! Amy and Cale will be facilitating the discussions this week on chapters 1-3. It's not too late to pick up a copy of the book, if you haven't already. It's a very quick read. I noticed in the newspaper this week that The Shack is still #2 on the New York Times bestsellers list (paperback). We're also really looking forward to hearing each other's thoughts on the topics and questions from the study guide that we'll use for our class discussions. We haven't seen some of you in a while, so now would be a great time to jump back in if you've been out for a while! :)

Social Event:

• Don't forget our happy hour/cookout/pool party tomorrow afternoon! It starts around 5 at our house, so come on by whenever you can. You should have already received an e-vite from Jessica with details and a link to a map. If you didn't get it, let me know and I'll get you the info. Don't forget to bring your bathing suits. We'll have the volleyball net across the pool, so come ready to play! The Wrights are providing hamburgers for the grill, so if you're coming and/or bringing guests, please indicate that on the evite so they have a good count. And bring a snack or appetizer, too. We don't want anyone to leave hungry, right? :)

Joys and Concerns:

• The Nelsons officially joined the church Sunday morning! Pierce and Ben were also baptized on Sunday. Congratulations to all of you. It's exciting to see members of our class down front in worship! :)
• Heath and Courtney May are due this week. Today, actually! Let us know when the new May comes into the world. We'll be praying for you guys, and look forward to seeing you again, soon.