This year we will once again have a special Christmas offering. Last year Foothills raised enough money to purchase gifts for over 250 children, and this year it will be bigger than ever before!
We will once again raise money for toys and clothes for families in need, but also we will put a portion of the money back into the community via our benevolence fund. Many people don't realize how much support Foothills Community Church gives to families in our community. Already in 2010 we have helped over 230 families that have come in for financial assistance to help with food or bills (that's nearly $30,000 of assistance.)
Over 80% of those families were not associated with our church. In addition to giving the financial assistance, we offer financial counseling, as well as spiritual guidance. In fact, many people who came in for assistance also made commitments to Christ!
The bottom line is that this time of year is THE time with the greatest needs, and we need to help! This offering is above and beyond your regular weekly giving.
We will give out special Community Christmas offering envelopes on December 12th, and will receive this offering on December 19th. This is another chance for us to make a huge impact on the lives of many people, so give generously!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday review
A little late with the Sunday review, but better late, than never!
** It was great being back at Foothills this Sunday. It seems like I always preach longer after I've been gone--- go figure?!
** Erica Peters did such a great job with the feature song. I'm hoping we will post the video of it.
** We had several more people give their lives to Jesus. That's what it's all about!
** I got a chance to Lead our Get In The Game class on Sunday evening. I love leading it, and getting a chance to meet new people!
** On a sad note, we had a 17 year old girl from our church pass away on Saturday. I'll be doing the funeral service on Wednesday. I am praying that other teenagers will commit their lives to Christ!
** It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Wow, time flies by.
** Tickets for our Christmas Eve services will be available on December 5th. We will be having 2 services-- 3pm and 5pm. This is one of our most exciting services of the year, and it's also one of our most crowded, so get your tickets early. You will be able to get them online or at the Connection Center. Our Toccoa campus will have 1 service at 5pm.
** We will also be giving you some invite cards for Christmas eve. Be sure to invite everyone you know!
** It was great being back at Foothills this Sunday. It seems like I always preach longer after I've been gone--- go figure?!
** Erica Peters did such a great job with the feature song. I'm hoping we will post the video of it.
** We had several more people give their lives to Jesus. That's what it's all about!
** I got a chance to Lead our Get In The Game class on Sunday evening. I love leading it, and getting a chance to meet new people!
** On a sad note, we had a 17 year old girl from our church pass away on Saturday. I'll be doing the funeral service on Wednesday. I am praying that other teenagers will commit their lives to Christ!
** It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Wow, time flies by.
** Tickets for our Christmas Eve services will be available on December 5th. We will be having 2 services-- 3pm and 5pm. This is one of our most exciting services of the year, and it's also one of our most crowded, so get your tickets early. You will be able to get them online or at the Connection Center. Our Toccoa campus will have 1 service at 5pm.
** We will also be giving you some invite cards for Christmas eve. Be sure to invite everyone you know!
Friday, November 19, 2010
back to reality
We just got back from a trip to Florida. We had a blast visting my parents, and topping it off with a couple of days at Disney World. It was a little different because we took our 4 year old grand dughter with us.
We didn't get to fish much due to a low pressure system offshore that created some very rough seas, but we did enjoy getting some sun on the beach anyway.
I haven't been to Disney in many years, but it was just like I remembered. It was fun enjoying Disney through the eyes of my grand daughter.
It was by far the least crowded I have ever seen Disney. I literally walked right up to the car at Space Mountain with no wait! I think the longest lines for any ride was the Peter Pan ride (not one of my personal favorites, but, oh well) We probably waited about 40 minutes, but every other ride we had waits of less than 10 minutes.
There is something very special about that place.
While we were away, great things were happening at Foothills Community Church. Brian Rhodes preached and I have heard lots of great things about his message. I am looking forward to watching it online. I love being able to be away and not worry about things back at church because I know we are blessed to have such an amazing, dedicated team covering!
Speaking of Foothills, I am looking forward to preaching this Sunday. I will be sharing one of my favorite parables. I can't wait! This would be a GREAT Sunday to invite a friend!
We didn't get to fish much due to a low pressure system offshore that created some very rough seas, but we did enjoy getting some sun on the beach anyway.
I haven't been to Disney in many years, but it was just like I remembered. It was fun enjoying Disney through the eyes of my grand daughter.
It was by far the least crowded I have ever seen Disney. I literally walked right up to the car at Space Mountain with no wait! I think the longest lines for any ride was the Peter Pan ride (not one of my personal favorites, but, oh well) We probably waited about 40 minutes, but every other ride we had waits of less than 10 minutes.
There is something very special about that place.
While we were away, great things were happening at Foothills Community Church. Brian Rhodes preached and I have heard lots of great things about his message. I am looking forward to watching it online. I love being able to be away and not worry about things back at church because I know we are blessed to have such an amazing, dedicated team covering!
Speaking of Foothills, I am looking forward to preaching this Sunday. I will be sharing one of my favorite parables. I can't wait! This would be a GREAT Sunday to invite a friend!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Post Sticks review
I just got back from 2 amazing days at the Sticks conference hosted by my friend, Artie Davis and his church, Cornerstone Community Church. I was invited to be one of the speakers for one of the main sessions as well as being a part of a couple of breakout sessions. I wanted to share some observations.
* There are a ton of unsung heroes in ministry, especially those who are called to do ministry in "the sticks". I met so many people that are passionate about impacting small towns and hard-to-reach places.
* Cornerstone Community Church has some incredible volunteers. They made everyone feel right at home.
* Orangeburg, SC is a cool town. First time I had ever been there.
* All of the speakers did a phenomenal job. I left feeling very encouraged, and extremely challenged.
* A few quotes from some of the sessions that stuck with me were:
** "Moses didn't speak directly to the problem, he spoke to God."
** "If you feel you have to defend it, it's probably not from God"
** "Pray as if it depends on God, act as though it depends on you"
** "Find a place where relevance meets revival and you will dominate your city"
** "Are we following mere natural instincts, or the Spirit?"
** "Jesus ministry lasted 3 years, He didn't get voted out, He got murdered!"
** "God has more planned for you than you know"
** "Your destiny will be discovered by meeting someone else's need"
** "If you believe your impact is dictated by the size of your city or church, you will become bitter"
** "You need a vision of your Promised Land"
** "Even though Moses knew that he would never make it to the Promised Land he continued to lead, love and serve the people"
** The Promised Land isn't the point, the people are"
** Every person in scripture that was called, faced trials, adversity, and crisis
** Satan uses ideas and images to tempt us"
** "There is a God, and it's NOT me!"
** God says "I am with you. Will you choose to be with me?"
* There are a ton of unsung heroes in ministry, especially those who are called to do ministry in "the sticks". I met so many people that are passionate about impacting small towns and hard-to-reach places.
* Cornerstone Community Church has some incredible volunteers. They made everyone feel right at home.
* Orangeburg, SC is a cool town. First time I had ever been there.
* All of the speakers did a phenomenal job. I left feeling very encouraged, and extremely challenged.
* A few quotes from some of the sessions that stuck with me were:
** "Moses didn't speak directly to the problem, he spoke to God."
** "If you feel you have to defend it, it's probably not from God"
** "Pray as if it depends on God, act as though it depends on you"
** "Find a place where relevance meets revival and you will dominate your city"
** "Are we following mere natural instincts, or the Spirit?"
** "Jesus ministry lasted 3 years, He didn't get voted out, He got murdered!"
** "God has more planned for you than you know"
** "Your destiny will be discovered by meeting someone else's need"
** "If you believe your impact is dictated by the size of your city or church, you will become bitter"
** "You need a vision of your Promised Land"
** "Even though Moses knew that he would never make it to the Promised Land he continued to lead, love and serve the people"
** The Promised Land isn't the point, the people are"
** Every person in scripture that was called, faced trials, adversity, and crisis
** Satan uses ideas and images to tempt us"
** "There is a God, and it's NOT me!"
** God says "I am with you. Will you choose to be with me?"
Monday, November 08, 2010
Sunday review
I am in the middle of a very busy week, but I wanted to just highlight a few things that God is up to.
** Great services at FCC yesterday. The praise choir was on stage and every time they show up, the energy level is through the roof. (that's saying a lot because our worship team brings the heat every Sunday)
** Attendance continues to climb. Tons of new people getting pumped about Foothills!
** This could be the best series we have ever done! The parables of Jesus were given to simplify the complex. Let me tell you, if you want to go deep----read and obey the parables. Some of Jesus most difficult teachings.
** Our Toccoa campus is poised to go to the next level. They are making a huge impact in Stephens County.
** Speaking of campuses, I will be sharing some really cool news about future campuses soon. By the way, if any of you is interested in possibly becoming a campus Pastor, or would like to get involved in spreading the gospel to other communities, send me an email at office@foothills.cc
** I will be speaking at the Sticks conference tomorrow and Wednesday in Orangeburg, SC. I covet your prayers. This is a conference that is designed to help churches and leaders in smaller communities and hard-to-reach places.
** Great services at FCC yesterday. The praise choir was on stage and every time they show up, the energy level is through the roof. (that's saying a lot because our worship team brings the heat every Sunday)
** Attendance continues to climb. Tons of new people getting pumped about Foothills!
** This could be the best series we have ever done! The parables of Jesus were given to simplify the complex. Let me tell you, if you want to go deep----read and obey the parables. Some of Jesus most difficult teachings.
** Our Toccoa campus is poised to go to the next level. They are making a huge impact in Stephens County.
** Speaking of campuses, I will be sharing some really cool news about future campuses soon. By the way, if any of you is interested in possibly becoming a campus Pastor, or would like to get involved in spreading the gospel to other communities, send me an email at office@foothills.cc
** I will be speaking at the Sticks conference tomorrow and Wednesday in Orangeburg, SC. I covet your prayers. This is a conference that is designed to help churches and leaders in smaller communities and hard-to-reach places.
Monday, November 01, 2010
A few thoughts on Monday
I am so excited about all of the things that God is doing right now. It was a busy week last week, and the next couple look even busier.
** Got a chance to go to Dallas TX and hang out with some incredible Pastor friends as a part of Leadership Network's Senior pastor 2 group. These guys are the real deal. They are godly men who are filled with wisdom.
** We had a solid day at Foothills Community church yesterday. This sermon series has been soooo convicting.
** The worship team brought the heat again! So proud of Kylie Ayers for leading one of the songs!
** I'm already looking forward to this Sunday!
** The Trunk or treat was a huge success. In Seneca we teamed with Walmart. Thousands of kids came through. At our Toccoa campus, they took it to another level. They had B-Shoc in concert, then gave out 400 hot dog lunches, and then did a big trunk or treat!
** Looking forward to a lunch with a friend/mentor later this week.
** Another thing that I am stoked about is The Sticks Conference next week. I have the privilege of being one of the speakers. I love to share the Foothills story!
** Got a chance to go to Dallas TX and hang out with some incredible Pastor friends as a part of Leadership Network's Senior pastor 2 group. These guys are the real deal. They are godly men who are filled with wisdom.
** We had a solid day at Foothills Community church yesterday. This sermon series has been soooo convicting.
** The worship team brought the heat again! So proud of Kylie Ayers for leading one of the songs!
** I'm already looking forward to this Sunday!
** The Trunk or treat was a huge success. In Seneca we teamed with Walmart. Thousands of kids came through. At our Toccoa campus, they took it to another level. They had B-Shoc in concert, then gave out 400 hot dog lunches, and then did a big trunk or treat!
** Looking forward to a lunch with a friend/mentor later this week.
** Another thing that I am stoked about is The Sticks Conference next week. I have the privilege of being one of the speakers. I love to share the Foothills story!
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