It's a Wrap

We finished Taking Care of Business on Friday night.  It was an enlightening series.  We hope you enjoyed it.

Prayer Requests:

• Susan Holly - prayer for clarity and strength to do a good job on her assignment
• David Holly is in Florida visiting his parents.  Please pray he has a restful time and for good traveling graces.
• Pray for Ashley to be healed from cancer
• Please continue to pray for the Nicaragua mission trip
• Please pray for Jacob to get back into church
• Please pray for Paula to be on fire for Jesus
• Chrisha needs continued prayer for her job situation
• Please continue to pray for Rose as she is under a lot of job stress
• Valerie needs our prayer as she continues her recovery from surgery.

As a reminder The Starnes' are taking the summer off from teaching Connect Group. 

See you all soon.

Session Six and Taco Night

This is the last night of this series.  We will be covering Session Six and having a taco bar.  Please let us know what you plan to bring to compliment the meal.

Prayer Requests:

• Mr. Mote has been in intensive care
• Christina's (Heather's author friend) dad passed away.
• Holly's friend Weston who is very ill
• Chrisha job
• Douglas is being picked on
• Nicaragua Mission Trip
• Valerie's continued healing
• CRCT for the kids this week

What's Cookin'?

Taco Bar!

Please let us know what you plan to bring to compliment the meal.

One pound ground turkey meat - The Salter's
One box of 12 taco shells - The Salter's
Mexican Rice - The Ozee's
Dessert - The Israel's

 

Rerun....

Rerun?  What?  Yes, we are going to rerun Session Five this week.  It sparked a lot of great conversation and we had some folks out so we want to make sure we all get to hear Session Five.

Prayer Requests:

• Valerie - healing after surgery
• April is not well.  Please pray for her to feel better.
• David and Stephanie- traveling graces to get back home safely
• Jacob Holly- moving out and to establish himself well complete with finding a church home
• Isabel - follow up on no clarity for chest pains and headaches
• CRCT for our kids next two weeks
• Nicaragua trip and funding
• Paula- development of relationship with Jesus
• Heather said PRAISE GOD
• Ashley Hester- pray for healing for cancer
• Karla Wagner- Brad’s family after the death of sister
• Chrisha's job

What's Cookin'?

Lasagna!

 

Veggie and Meat Lasagna - The Israel's

Brownies - The Salter's

Garlic Bread - The Ozee's

 

 

 

Session Five and Breakfast for Dinner

We will be covering session five on Friday night. 
 

Praises

• Stephanie likes her new job.
• Tiffany made it to group. 
• Heather's art classes are filling up.

Prayer Requests

• Chrisha's job situation
• Nicaragua mission
• Valerie's surgery went well.  Please pray for her healing.
• Tiffany is scheduled for an ultrasound.  Please pray for her as she finds answers to her unexplained pain.
• Isabel is scheduled for blood tests
• Linda is struggling and is not responding to dialysis well. She has lost 30 pounds. 
• Destination Church
• Ashtyn is teething. 
• Rose is working a lot of hours and it is very difficult for her and Skylar
• Heather potentially leading small group

What's Cookin'?

• Cheese Grits - The Starnes'
• Cheese Quiche - The Ozee's

Please let us know what you plan to bring.

 

Session Four

Schedule Change!

We will not meet this Friday, March 29th, but will meet on April 5th.  We will cover session four at that time.

 

Praises:

• Isabel's chest pains are greatly reduced.  Tests will be coming in April
• Successful spaghetti dinner
• Ozee's visiting a church for the second time.
• Douglas made it to the next level in math competition and has been recommended for SAGE
• Stephanie got the jobs!  Full time at Nissan in Union City and then working for the restaurant Mystic Grill on the weekends
• Heather had a great time sketching but said no to goign to Buddhist temple for statue sketches.

Prayer Requests:

• Ashton continues to have stomach issues
• Tiffany's abdominal pain
• Chrisha's job situation
• Nicaragua Mission Trip

What's Cookin?

Finger Foods

• Veggie Tray - The Israel's
• Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders - The Salter's
• Chicken Nuggets - The Starnes'
• Dessert - Candi

 

What are you bringing?

 

Session Three and Pizza

Thanks to everyone for their help last week with the Nicaragua Mission Spaghetti Dinner.  It was a successful fund raiser.  Please continue to pray for the mission trip.

 

We are back at the Starnes' this week to cover Session Three, The Corner Office. 

 

What's Cookin'

Pizza 

• Everyone:  Bring a pizza to share with the group but enough to cover your family plus a little extra.
• Salters:  April can you make a salad?
• Stephanie:  Can you do a dessert?

Have a great week!

Session Two and Finger Foods

This week we will be covering session two entitled Current Economic Indicators.  Please remember to try to pick one day in which you approach your job as if you are working for the Lord.

 

Praises:

• Stephanie got a new job and into her pre-pregnancy jeans.
• Ashtyn got through her shots and cut two teeth last week. 
• April slept through the night.
• Susan got to spend time with one of her best friends this week.
• Susan's friend and her boyfriend came to church and liked it.
• Candi's husband watched a Perry Noble sermon.
• Susan got four jobs this week.
• Brian's Mom started her dialysis and is doing good.
• Leigh (Mark's cousin) got the results from her lumpectomy and they are clear.

Prayer Requests:

• Destiny (Chrisha's friend) with Lupus and her cancer has returned.
• Tiffany's Mom and Dad have had several financial issues hit them...  appliances failing and a tree fell on their house.
• Stephanie's Aunt Shirley passed away.  Please keep the entire family in your prayers as they lay her to rest this week.
• Rose is having back pain.
• Chrisha is truly struggling at work and needs the Lord to move her forward to a new job.
• Ashley has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Please pray for healing.
• Isabel is on a heart monitor for 30 day testing and is also now suffering with bad headaches.
• Please continue to pray for the mission trip to Nicaragua.
• Please pray for Rhonda Siedlinger as she undergoes surgery.

What's Cookin'?

 

Finger Foods

 

The Israel's are bringing a veggie tray.
The Salter's are bringing chicken fingers.
The Starnes' are bringing a beefy rotel cheese dip and chips.

 

Please let us know what you plan to bring.

Session One and Soup/Chili Night

We are going to kick off the with Session One on March 1st.  We are off this Friday, February 22nd.  Here is the planned schedule for this series: 

• February 22nd - off
• March 1st - Session One
• March 8th - Session Two
• March 15th - Nicaragua Mission Dinner (Please note the link for more information)
• March 29th - Session Three
• April 5th - off
• April 12th - Session Four
• April 19th - Session Five
• April 26th - Session Six

Praise Reports:

• Heather's friend Christina's book might be published by a publishing company.
• Mark finished the Ft. Lauderdale Project
• April is excited to start her new journey.
• Stephanie's friend is potentially coming to church with us

Prayer Requests:

• Susan's mission trip is a continued prayer request.
• Brian's Mom, Linda, please pray for healing as she begins dialysis. 
• Linda's husband Bill emotional stress for caring for Linda.
• Chrisha's friend, Destiny's daughter is now out of the hospital and is diagnosed with epilepsy.  Please pray as they get her medication regulated. 
• In addition, please pray for Destiny as she undergoes chemo and radiation for cancer.
• Please pray for our work:  specifically illustrations for Coke, contract renewal for Mark, jobs for Chrisha and Stephanie
• April is not sleeping well, please pray for her to get the rest her body needs.
• Ashton is having stomach issues and is going to an allergist for food and environmental allergy testing
• Isabel is having health issues.  Please pray for her and the doctors to diagnose her.
• Ashley has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Please pray for healing.
• Leigh also has breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday so please pray for her healing.
• Rhonda Sidelinger had a full hysterectomy; however, the removed organs have cancer so she is undergoing more tests.
• Heather's family member for breast cancer.

What's Cookin'?

Chili and Soup 

• The Holly's are making a beef chili
• The Israel's are bringing crackers and cheese
• The Ozee's are bringing corn bread
• The Salter's are bringing Banana Pudding.
• Candi is bringing chicken noodle soup.

 Let us know what you plan to bring.

Nicaragua Deaf Mission Trip 2013 Spaghetti Dinner

We are having a fundraiser for the Nicaragua Deaf Mission trip 2013.  We are hosting a Spaghetti dinner on March 15 at

Stockbridge Community Church

4401 Highway 155 North

Stockbridge, GA  30281

If you would like to donate items for the dinner, please let Susan know what and have it to her by March 4 (except the cakes will have to be brought to her March 14 or 15).  Money donations are also welcome.

We also need people to sell tickets and put out fliers so if you can help with that, let Susan know. 

The cost of the meal is $6 for adults and $4 for kids 6 and under. We are hoping to have 100 people come.  We will also do take out meals for those who don't want to eat at the church. We want to do as many pre-orders as possible, so we know how much to buy.

 

Donation Items Needed:

• Thin spaghetti Noodles
• Plain tomato sauce in cans
• Ground beef
• Raw onions
• Oregano
• Basil
• Season salt
• Chili powder
• Italian seasoning
• Ranch dressing
• Italian dressing
• Salad bags (close to time) 
• French bread loaves presliced
• Lemonade
• Sweet tea
• Unsweet tea
• Red plastic cups
• Hefty sectional plates
• Forks
• Knives
• Spoons
• Decorations...I was thinking Heart of God...so reds, hearts from valentines, red rectangular table clothes
• Cakes

People who can volunteer their time

Decorators:  3:00 to 5:00

Servers:  4:30 to 6:30

Clean up: 6:00 to 8:00

Taking Care of Business

Welcome back to Connect Group!  We will be meeting on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Starnes' House.

 

We are going to be doing a study entitled "Taking Care of Business" by Andy Stanley.

 

The study guide is available on Amazon in hard copy and electronic copy.  You won't need the guide until February 22nd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So What's Cookin'?

 

Lasagna/Pasta

We will have lasagna and pasta provided by the Starnes'.  Rolls will be provided by Candi.  Dessert is being provided by the Israel's.  The Holly's are bringing salad.  If you can bring any additional sides, please let us know.

 

Please recall we have a few housekeeping items to go over on Friday night such as:

• $3 per child for child care
• $5 for paper products per family

Please make sure your bring your calendars this week so we can go over meeting dates, community involvement, etc.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday night.

Christmas Party

The final session to close out 40 Days in the Word was Friday night.  There was a prayer time for the prayers in the jar from the beginning of the session. 

 

Prayer Requests:

• Clarity and closeness
• Revelation
• Healing from divorce
• God's plan for me
• Children to fall in love with God's word
• Salvation for family members
• Heart to soften and be molded to God's heart and to find my purpose
• A deeper love for God's Word
• Son to survive college without losing his faith
• Strengthen my heart
• Husband and son to be saved and live with Christ with me, my son also...
• Want ot LOVE reading my bible
• Want to learn to pray for everything.
• Healing
• Learning to see and hear God's direction for my life.

Christmas Party

If you want to participate in gift exchange please bring a $5 and under white elephant gift (something from home that is funny or nice that you dont want, or a gift you buy), usually the couples have two gifts, one funny and one nice. 

 

The children will be doing a tobogan exchange.  These will be again $5 or under.

 

What's Cookin':

Casseroles! 

• 20 piece chicken - The Holly's
• Oreo balls - Stephanie
• Broccoli Casserole - Stephanie
• Another Dessert - Candi?
• Hashbrown Casserole - The Israel's 
• Chicken Casserole - Rose

Needs:

• Veggie
• Rotisserie Chicken
• Salad

Let us know what you plan to bring. 

 

See you on Friday for food, fellowship, and a fun gift exchange.

Session Six and Chili Night

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  This Friday we will be covering Session Six:  Principles of Bible Interpretation.  Please remember to journal and meditate over the week as we close out this 40 days in the Word series.

 

Prayer Requests:

• Please continue to pray for healing for Tiffany.
• Please pray for Michelle and Mark to find a better balance with their busy schedules.
• Please continue to pray for Candi's husband, Michael, to come to Christ.
• Continue to pray for Susan's mission trip to Nicaragua.
• Please continue to pray for Stephanie and Chrisha as they both job hunt.

What's Cookin?

White Chili provided by the Starnes' family.  So what can you bring?  Accessories and desserts.  The needs are cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and, of course, dessert.  Please let us know what you plan to bring.

White Chili - The Starnes
Dessert - The Chastain's
Cornbread - The Holly's

 

Christmas Party:

Also, December 7th is the Christmas party.  Please make plans to attend.  It will be a casserole night along with a white elephant/dirty Santa gift giving.  The rules are that no more than $5 gift and each person can bring either a nice or a gag gift.  (Typically a couple brings one of each.)  In addition, the kids will be doing a toboggan gift exchange of no more than $5 each. 

Hashbrown Casserole - The Israel's

 

 

 

Session Five and Taco Night

We are quickly approaching the end of this series.  We are going to be covering Session Five:  Personalize It!  Pray It!  Please continue to journal as you go through your week. 

 

Praise Reports:

• God provided money in His great timing for Stephanie.
• Ashtyn made it through her first set of shots.
• Paula had a great time at the retreat.
• Prayers are working for Michelle.

Prayer Requests:

• Please continue to pray for healing for Tiffany.
• Please pray for Michelle and Mark to find a better balance with their busy schedules.
• Please continue to pray for Candi's husband, Michael, to come to Christ.
• Jimmy Martin has been on two recent job interviews.  Please pray for him as he continues through the interview process.
• Please pray for Susan for healing of her foot.
• Continue to pray for Susan's mission trip to Nicaragua. 
• April feels a spritiual attack forthcoming.  Please pray this does not occur.
• Please continue to pray for Stephanie and Chrisha as they both are in interviews for new jobs.
• Heather Ozee's Uncle Donald was involved in a gasoline fire over the weekend.  He has been flown to a burn unit in Augusta.  Please keep them in your prayers.
• Chrisha's Mom is going to a neurologist for some shaking in her arm.  Please pray as she is fearful of the outcome since her sister has Parkinson's Disease.

 

What's Cookin'?

It's Taco Night!

 

The Holly's - Beef

The Chastain's - Toppings

The Israel's - Shells

The Starnes' - Beans

Stephanie - Dessert

Candi - Chicken
The Salter's - Yellow Rice, Salsa, Chips

 

 

 

On Friday we will be discussing the menu for November 30th as well as the Christmas Party.

 

Session Four and Finger Foods

We will be going through Session Four:  Paraphrase It! on Friday night.  Please remember to journal as you go through your week.  Remember to practice your week three memory verse. 

 

Praise Reports:

• Susan and David's neighborhood party went well and Susan was able to witness to neighbors.
• Tiffany's new iphone works well.
• Michelle's daughter, Amanda, has tires on her car.
• Valerie is getting lots of hours at JC Penny.  She really likes her new job and she is getting new shoes!
• Douglas and his drama team won the drama competition at school.  Friday they went to the county competition and won.  Now the team will complete in January at district.
• Things are better at work for Candi and her home life is awesome.
• Tiffany's brother received a promotion and raise. 

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for healing and salvation for Michelle's friend, Maria.
• Pam Salter had to put her dog down on Saturday.
• Tiffany's mom and two TIA's last week. 
• Please pray for good traveling graces for Tiffany's mom and dad as they travel to Texas for a week to visit Tiffany's brother.
• Please pray for the people and towns affected by Hurricane Sandy.
• Please pray for the election.
• Rose's co-worker's brother is having experimental surgery on his heart.  Please pray for the medical staff and for his healing.
• Please pray for Michelle's heaviness.
• Tiffany is feeling heavy about the Coalition Against prayer and their attack on schools.  Tiffany is asking that we attack them with prayer.
• Please pray for salvation and revelation for Candi's co-worker Wanda.
• Please continue to pray for Chrisha and Stephanie as they job hunt. 

What's Cookin'

Finger foods! Please bring your favorites to share. 

• Stephanie is bringing sausage balls and dessert.  
• The Israel's are bringing a veggie tray.  
• The Chastain's will be bringing two goat cheese fruit and almond bars and crackers. 
• The Salter's are brining popcorn chicken.

What will you be bringing?

 

 

We will also be packing our Operation Christmas Child (OCC) boxes this Friday night.  Please bring your items to pack.  Chrisha has about 10 shoe boxes she will be bringing to use for packing.  If you have more please bring them.  They do not have to be OCC specific.  Any shoe box is fine.  Below is the information on packing a shoe box.

 

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

 

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

 

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided below.

 

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

 

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and Chrisha will drop them off during OCC collection week, November 12-19, 2012.

Ideas for items:

 

TOYS

small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS

toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER

Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE

In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family.  (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:

Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

 

Session Three and Chili Night

This Friday night we will be going through Session Three:  Probe It!  Please remember to check out www.40daysintheword.com for daily devotionals.  In addition, please remember to journal this week.

 

Praise Reports:

• Paula's parents sent a Spanish bible from Jerusalem.
• Mark Israel is home for two weeks.
• Amanda stayed with the Chastain's for the week.
• Destiny (Chrisha's co-worker) got word today that her cancer has stopped spreading. 
• Michelle found a former doctor and has an upcoming appointment.
• Tiffany felt God providing during troubling times this week.
• Michelle was reminded of God's love this week.

Prayer Requests:

• Susan's mission trip to Nicaragua to work in a deaf school.  Please pray that God puts the team and resources together for this trip scheduled for June 1-8, 2013.
• Susan and David's neighborhood party Saturday night.
• Stephanie is job hunting with her new degree (YAY!).  Pleas pray she finds the right job for her and her family.
• Stephanie's mother-in-law has had two friends pass away.  Please pray for her to find peace.
• Chrisha has a potential job and needs our prayers
• Michelle is having some drug interactions and is seeking medical advice.
• Please pray for healing for Candi as she battles a cold.
• Please pray for Candi's husband to come to know Christ.

What's Cookin'?

 

Chili!  Susan and David will be providing Chili.  Rose will be providing all the toppings.  Mark and Michelle are bringing cornbread.  Stephanie is bringing dessert and cornbread fritters.

 

 

Session Two and Spaghetti Night

Reminders from last week:

Please remember to go to www.40daysintheword.com and view the daily messages.  Also remember to meditate on last week's bible verse and to journal this week on what you are expecting from God during this lesson.

 

This week we will be covering Session Two: Picture It!

 

Praises:

• Michelle made it through the week!
• Skylar only received on "N".
• David had an awesome week!
• Michelle celebrated her grandmother's 94th birthday.
• Candi conquered her boss while being sensitive. 
• Candi's daughter got a job at Chick-fil-A!

Prayer Requests:

• Salvation for Candi's husband.
• Michelle's heart is troubled. Please pray for her to have peace.
• Please pray for Michelle's co-worker's wife Terri as she has relapsed with cancer.
• David's friend Wayne's daughter just turned 21 and has many temptations.  Please pray for her to over come those temptations.
• Susan has a friend that needs a job immediately.
• Susan will be going on a mission trip in June to Nicaragua.  Please pray for God's blessings on this trip.
• Tiffany asked for God's favor as they refinance their home.
• Robert asked for prayer for a friend at work.
• April asked for prayer for salvation for two people.
• Chrisha needs prayers for a troubled work situation.

What's Cookin'?

 

Stephanie and Chrisha will have two kinds of spaghetti sauce: one beef and one pork. We will have salad, bread, and loads of noodles. Candi is making a scrumptious dessert to top it all off.

 

We need a plan for the month of November for meals so please plan to discuss that Friday night.

 

Have a great week!

 

 

Sesson One and Pizza Night

Please make sure to bring your workbooks on Friday night.  We will be going over Session One:  Pronounce It! 

 

Praises:

• Ashton Starnes' surgery went well and he is on the mend!
• Travis was home when Ashtyn Williams was born!
• Night of Worship was a blessing.

Prayer Requests:

• Stephanie's mother-in-law's neighbor and best friend's cousin both have been diagnosed with cancer.  Please pray for not only these families, but Stephanie's mother-in-law as this is going to be a difficult time for her.
• Jacqueline (Mark Chastain's co-worker) has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is undergoing treatment and has a great attitude, but still needs out prayers for healing.
• Michelle's customer lost two workers due to a construction accident.  Please pray for these families and the co-workers in this construction team.
• Please pray for the Woodland High School student that passed away.  The students as well as the families and teachers need our prayers for peace.
• Rose's tenant has been having some heart problems.  Please pray for his healing.
• Please pray for the upcoming election.
• Please pray for Chrisha as she needs direction and guidance in her work.
• Please pray for the growth and development of a deaf ministry at Sharon Baptist Church.
• Please pay for Candi's husband to attend connect group.
• Please pray for Michelle as she works through some things.
• Please pray for all of our stressful situations at home and work.

 

What's Cookin'?

 

It's pizza night!  Please bring your favorite pizza to share with the group.  April will provide dessert.

 

Outreach:

 

Our community outreach this session will be Operation Christmas Child. (OCC)  Please bring shoe boxes of any shape, size, etc. if you have any hanging around the house.  Please bring your items to place in the boxes on November 9th for our packing party.  Here are some shoe box tips.  We will pack boxes after our lesson.  Chrisha Israel will take the boxes to the OCC relay center.  In addition, Chrisha Israel will print plenty of labels for our boxes.

 

Calendar: