August 28, 2013
FAITH QUEST
It is a special night. The air is crisp and you can FEEL the life in it. Some strange sort of “electricity” seems to be permeating all things. Smiles abound. Faces look alive. Colors seem brighter. Voices seem clearer. All things just seem VIVACIOUS! It is clear to me that this is not your ordinary evening. This worship service is NOT going to be like many others. There is a presence here, weaving its way between hearts, minds and lives. Tonight is about community. It is a shared experience. It is real. It is truth and it is life. The Holy Spirit is doing something!
We all have experienced such an event. It is usually not at a Sunday church service, for some strange reason. It usually occurs at some larger gathering. It is usually a seminar, a camp or something similar. For me, it is every end of summer at a place called Faith Quest. Within the walls of Camp Yamhill, I always experience God in a real and profound way every Labor Day weekend.
This gathering is an annual gathering of High School teens from the Pacific Northwest (and Canada, Alaska and California too). I have the privilege of attending and sometimes helping out every year. It has become very special to me. I get to see friends that I miss throughout the year. I get to experience the grace of the cross in an energetic and refreshing way. And I always get to watch my teens grow and thrive.
I find myself trying to figure out what it is about this event that reaches so deep into the recesses of my soul. I believe God is with me every second of the day. He is there on Sundays and Wednesdays. He is there when I wake and when I go to sleep. I can feel him at many other places. Yet, Faith Quest stirs something. What is it?
Is it the praise team? No. These guys are AMAZING. I would kill to have them come to my camp or church some time. They are extremely talented and creative, and they create an environment where kids can pour their hearts out. They are important, but not “it.” Is it the directors whom I know and respect so much? No. These three men are amazing role models and inspirations. They are fearless and bold. They are Godly and because of their prayers and efforts have brought SO many souls to God. Yet, they are not “it.” It is not the excellent speakers, classes or even the setting, though once again, these are all amazing.
It is the freedom I see in the kids! They are what move me. They are what excite me. I am so encouraged with the kids and the way they express themselves and worship at this wonderful place. It is such a joy to see a place where teens can be real, open up and let go. It’s a place where they can worship any way they want and not worry a bit if “someone is watching.” It is a place where the “freedom in Christ” is truly and clearly displayed to me. Watching 400+ kids jump and dance in joy for the Lord is life changing! Watching their hands pierce the dark night sky, raised to God in praise while their emotions and hearts are worn on their sleeves in joyful adoration……THIS is what takes me to that special place. This is my “mountain top experience.” It is a special and rare place that can bring this out in today’s disconnected youth culture. It is hard to get a kid to worship with all of their being. MUCH credit should go to the directors and staff for breeding such an environment as this. GOD is lifted there. GOD moves there.
Faith Quest…we are coming!
– Pannell
New Classes & Life Groups
Sunday, September 1, is Promotion Sunday for our Sunday School classes. Some of our children will be moving to new classrooms on that date.
We will also begin new Adult Classes on September 1:
Auditorium Class: Synoptic Gospels; taught by Grant Newton
Fireside Room: Idolatry; taught by Terry Christopher
East Room - Ladies Class: Study on the book of James; taught by Denise Beeks
Young Mens Class: taught by Don Walker
The Life Group that meets at the building will start meeting on Sunday, September 1, at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to host a Life Group, please contact Dan Beeks or Brad Olson.
Attention Kids -- Calling all kids ages three years to sixth grade A Bible Busters group will begin on Wednesday, September 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. If you want to be a Bible Buster or want to help us with them, please let Christi Olson, Jessie Pannell, or Denise Beeks know. We will be getting more info out soon and you can come meet with us on Sunday, September 8, at 3:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room for more info or to share ideas for special activities.
Children’s Worship begins Sunday, September 8th. Worship servers are Wyndee Thomas and Jennielle Denn.
Tuesday Morning Ladies Class will begin with a potluck luncheon on Tuesday, September 10, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. We will get our new lessons then. Class will resume on Tuesday, September 17, at 10:00 a.m.
2013 Northwest School of Mission will be in the Southern Oregon area, September 22-27. Please see the notice posted on the courtyard bulletin board. We will have more news next week in the bulletin about this exciting seminar that is coming
Women’s Retreat – Ladies please mark your calendars, plan to come and invite your friends for October 4-6 at the Brookings Best Western Beachfront Inn. The cost will be about $100.00. This year’s theme is, “Confidence,” so please be praying towards it More info to come.
All Ladies are invited to a Meet and Greet and Baby Shower for Shannon Brooks, daughter of Brad and Ronda Holm. Shannon and her boys, Isiah and Darin, have recently moved here while her husband is working overseas. The baby shower will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 1:00 p.m. The shower will be held at 2219 Manchester Drive, Medford, OR 97501. If you need gift ideas, she is registered at Target or you may contact Ronda Holm, Whitny Davidson, Crystal Holm or Jessie Pannell. If you would like to contribute to a group gift or need directions to the shower location, please contact Ronda Holm.
Widows Luncheon – September 18, 11:00 a.m. at Anna Maria Creekside. Please check in at the front desk for directions to the dining area. Car-pooling is recommended.
Prayer Requests – Jackie Riley is now under hospice care at Medford Rehab...Nathan Lake asks prayers for discernment and to obey God’s will for himself and his family in the coming weeks...Theo Roberts is suffering with shingles.
Thank You, Thank You to everyone who helped make our school supplies and clothing giveaway a huge success A special thank you to Jonah & Rylie Michael; April, Kayla, Joey, Leela Olson; Alix & Jack Spodnik; JJ Parker; Taylor & Trevor Denn; Lily Gann; James Flock; Kayla & Rylie’s Friends - these young people helped shop and put our school supplies together. We gave away to the community about 265 school supplies packets, 165 backpacks, and served about 300 hot dogs at our barbeque.
July Financial Statement
INCOME:
General Fund Contributions $18,915.00
Non-Budgeted Contributions $2,724.69
Development Funds & Rents $1,302.00
Interest/Other Income $300.71
Total Income for Month $23,242.40
EXPENSES:
Administration and Payroll $13,962.52
Youth on Fire $635.27
Vision Ministries $611.26
Office $1,247.08
Nurturing Brethren $2,035.81
Operational Ministries $2,281.58
Worship & Facilities $1,475.91
Non-Budgeted Mission $176.00
Development & Kings Hwy $4,211.19
Total Monthly Expenses $26,636.62
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SEPTEMBER SERVERS
Coffee Servers: Mary Ragsdill
Nursery:
September 1: Shawna Chavez & Chyane Barrett
September 8 & 15: Marcie Dixon & Aspen Drew
September 22 & 29: Ronalie Sweet & Lily Gann
Greeters: Mark & Kristy Moreno
Grant & Valda Newton
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AUGUST ATTENDANCE
1st Sunday 254
2nd Sunday 241
3rd Sunday N/A
4th Sunday 192
Calendar of Events
September 1: Promotion Sunday; New Classes Begin
October 4-6: Women’s Retreat
