Monday, November 26, 2007

Action Track Sign Up This Sunday

Action Tracks
Winter/Spring 2008

Action Tracks are a key part of GROUP LIFE at Jubilee Church. Action Tracks are small groups that meet twice a month and around a specific subject or task. They are specifically designed to encourage community and will be easy environments to grow together. They are short term (3-4 months) so everyone starts at the same point.

Please look over the choices below. NOTE: there will be limited numbers per track but don’t worry if you didn’t manage to get in the track of your choice, there is always next time.


1. Marriage Enrichment
Whether you are newly married or you’ve been married for a number of years, this group will offer tangible help to strengthen your marriage for years to come. This track uses the Alpha Marriage material. Participants will watch a video as a group then couples will pair off for one-on-one discussion. Childcare will be available upon request.
Start/End Date: January 9, 2008 – April 23, 2008
Location: Kingshighway Building
Day/Time: Wednesday, following the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7 PM
Cost: $10 per couple (includes two manuals)

2. Good Sense
Good Sense seeks to offer solid, biblically-based teaching and practical, easy–to–use tools for developing healthy financial habits in a relaxed and interactive environment. This will be a classroom format, but one-on-one help is available upon request. Childcare will be available upon request.
Start/End Date: January 8, 2008 – April 22, 2008
Location: Kingshighway Building
Day/Time: The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM
Cost: $10 per person (includes one booklet)

3. Turning Point
Turning Point is designed for those people who would like to work through negative patterns of behavior or thinking, or tension in their most important relationships. This track will be based on the book Boundaries written by Cloud & Townsend. You will have the opportunity to discuss this topic with others (divided up by male and female).
Start/End Date: January 8, 2008 – April 22, 2008
Location: Kingshighway Building
Day/Time: The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM
Cost: $10 per person (includes one book)

4. Bible Study Methods
This track will explore 12 proven Bible study methods that will enable you to study the bible on your own. This is a great track for those who know very little of Scripture as well as those who would like to learn new approaches. Childcare will be available upon request.
Start/End Date: January 8, 2008 – April 22, 2008
Location: 601 S. Harrison, Kirkwood (63122)
Day/Time: The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM
Cost: $12 per person (includes one book)

5. Community Service
This track is designed to serve the needs of the Southtown community. This group will spend most of it’s time serving the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School and Rise Together Ministries. Childcare is not available.
Start/End Date: January 12, 2008 – April 26, 2008
Location: Will change week to week within the Southtown area
Time: Saturday morning following the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month
Cost: $0

6. Angel Food
Angel Food partners with churches and community organizations throughout the country to provide grocery relief. For $25, you can receive a box of food containing both fresh and frozen items. Food items are top quality and are produced by major food companies. This track will organize, develop and help administrate this service to church members and the surrounding community. Childcare is not available.
Start/End Date: January 12, 2008 – April 26, 2008
Location: Kingshighway building
Time: Saturday mornings (Specific Days TBA)
Cost: $0

7. English as a Second Language (ESL)
South St. Louis city has a growing immigrant population. One of the greatest challenges facing these people is the language barrier. This track will strive to teach immigrants the English language. To be a part of this track, it is only necessary that you speak English.
Start/End Date: January 9, 2008 – April 23, 2008
Location: Kingshighway building
Day/Time: Wednesday, following the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7 PM
Cost: $0

8. Connect Series
The Connect Series is the Jubilee Church membership track. Those interested in learning what it means to be a member or would like to become a member should choose this track. After completing this track, those who feel joined to the mission, values and leadership of Jubilee Church and have been baptized by emersion are welcomed as new members.
Start/End Date: January 8, 2008 – April 22, 2008
Location: Kingshighway building
Day/Time: The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM
Cost: $0

Be Careful What You Teach Your Kids

Some of us can afford expensive stuff for our kids this Christmas and some of us can't. A couple of weeks ago I unpacked in a message (Heaven on Earth) how Jesus might warn us in overspending on presents, but after further reflection, I realized that example was directed at those who might be able to afford expensive gifts. I then started thinking of those of us who can't imagine overspending at Christmas because, quite frankly, we can't afford it. I want to briefly unpack a danger for parents who don't have a lot of money. Here it is - DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BE ABLE TO BUY EXPENSIVE PRESENTS!!! Jesus taught us that life has NOTHING (absolutely nothing) with material possessions (Luke 12:15). According to Jesus, you don't put your kids at any kind of disadvantage in experiencing all that life is meant to be by your lack of funds. However, if you are apologetic about what you can't afford, you might inadvertently teach them that they are missing out on something that money can get them (but Jesus says they're not). I know sometimes we like to dream about winning the lottery and "what would it be like if we had a million dollars". Jesus says that it wouldn't cause you to experience any more life that if you were dirt poor.

Here's a new approach. Teach them the life-giving effects of Kingdom seeking (read Matthew 6 and Luke 12). Instead of dreaming about what if you got - dream about what if you gave?

1 John Study Guide Week 7

To download a copy of Week 7 of the 1 John Study guide, follow this link.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Here's Something to Celebrate

Recently Jubilee hosted a basement sale and raised $677. Those are the facts, but here's the really exciting part to me. Behind it all was a woman (Maxine Wooldridge) who spear-headed an effort among several others to collect household items and sell them to benefit our Gift Day. We use the money we receive at Gift Day to help us in our mission to the St. Louis area. Here's what's great about what happened.

1) There was a big display of passion for God's mission in St. Louis
2) There was sacrifice and creativity.
3) Because the first two were present, it envisions others to get involved.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Where is John Lanferman? Who is John Lanferman?

A common question among newer people is who is John Lanferman and what does he do? Because he's here, he's not here. I would like everyone at Jubilee to know John and be aware of what he's doing. It's more important than you might think.

John Lanferman is the founder of Jubilee and oversees the Newfrontiers family of churches is the USA. Almost three years ago, he turned over the primary leadership role of Jubilee Church to me due to the fact that both Jubilee was growing and Newfrontiers in the USA was growing. So John spends his primary energy traveling amongst the churches to help and encourage them. However, for him to function at full capacity in this role - he needs our help.

I encourage you to keep up with John's schedule by subscribing to his blog. He depends upon our prayer support.

Monday, November 19, 2007

A Must Attend if You're 18-29

Clear Vision is something you must attend if you're between the ages of 18-29. It's for marrieds as well as singles.

This is why you must attend:

1) You will experience some of the most inspiring teaching of the year
2) You will experience phenomenal times of worship
3) You will be envisioned for the future
4) You will have a lot of fun
5) Quite frankly, it could change your life!

The early bird rate ($30) is good until 11/20. After the 20th, the standard rate ($40) will apply. Drop your form in the mail by tomorrow or contact the office at office@jubileechurch-stl.org to make other arrangements.

Thanksgiving and the Kingdom of Heaven

Yesterday in my talk, a theme that was woven throughout the message was that the Kingdom of Heaven can be experienced now. That it starts with us when God shines His light on our dark soul and we get more and more and more and more until the other side where we experience the fullness of heaven. This is a topic that is worth our investigation.

I think the best way I can explain it is to talk about Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel and I will do Thanksgiving at her brother’s house in Bowling Green, MO. And we’ll show up there about noon, but won't eat until 2 pm. And here’s what’s going to happen. As soon as I open the door, I’ll be greeted by the amazing smell of turkey, stuffing, and apple pie. Now, the complete fulfillment of Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t happen until 2 pm, but I will experience what that meal will be like as soon as I open the door. And do you know what I will do? I will groan. My stomach will groan and complain and seek after a greater experience of that thanksgiving dinner. To the point that nothing else will satisfy. I'll be offered carrots to hold me over, but please. I don’t want carrots. I want to rip off one of those turkey legs. How can eat carrots when I know there’s turkey? So I'll go seek a taste - a nibble here and a nibble there.

Paul says something similar in Romans 8:23, "...but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." And what Paul is saying is that there is something deep within us that cries out for something beyond this world. Our spirit craves heaven. And the good news is that we can experience heaven today. And so in the teachings of Jesus (like the one we looked at yesterday in Matthew 6:19-23), He’s showing us the way to experience more of His Kingdom - heaven. Following Jesus means going down a path that leads deeper and deeper into the richest kind of life we could live.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

God Eats Mexican

Last night was a holy moment for me. And it didn't occur "at church", or in my prayer closet (both great places to be by the way), but it occurred at a little Mexican restaurant in Fenton, MO called "3 Margaritas". And just to clear the record, I didn't drink 3 Margaritas.

But while I was eating my "Burrito Macho" and laughing with good friends, God showed up to me in a powerful way. And overwhelming impression I felt, was that this is how He longs to relate to me! Relaxed, laughing, two-way conversation, trust, memories. The Creator of the Universe is huge and powerful and the supreme authority, and yet He so desires to relate to me in such a real way.

Maybe your feeling a little dry and formal when it comes to you and God. It doesn't have to be that way! He doesn't want it to be that way! Ask Him to meet you in a fresh way. And just a little practical advise - don't just look for Him in a church building or your prayer closet, I learned last night that He eats Mexican too.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Support Jubilee by Getting a Bargain

This Saturday you have the opportunity to find a bargain on clothes, household items and more in our building's basement. For those who have participated in setting up for this event know that there is a lot (and I do mean a lot) to choose from. The items have been donated by a few people who have recently starting attending Jubilee. All proceeds will go toward our Gift Day.

Doors open at 7:30 am.

Monday, November 12, 2007

1 John Study Guide Week 6

To download Week 6 of the 1 John Bible Study, follow this link.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Identity Crisis

"I can't change. This is just the way I am. I need to be true to myself."

There is actually some truth the above statements. We do behave according to our true nature. This is a part of what the Apostle John is trying to get us to understand in his first epistle. "...you know that everyone who does what is right (righteous) has been born of Him (God) (1 John 2:29)." "He who does what is sinful is of the devil...(1 John 3:8a)".

This is why who we are must change! This is why we need to be born again. In our natural birth, we are born into a life of sin. It's not so much that we do sin, but it is actually a part of our nature - we are born with a sin nature. And, therefore, the inheritance we receive comes from the father of sin - the Devil. Our destiny is his destiny. It is a life in the bondage of sin and an eternal death.

Now the good news is that we can receive new birth. We can be born again because Jesus defeated Satan, sin and death on the cross. And when we receive this new birth, we receive a new nature. We become "new creations". We don't just add Jesus to our life, but we become an all together different person on the inside with new desires and motivations. And our inheritance changes because we now have a new Father. It is an inheritance of freedom and eternal life. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." - praise God!

So, yeah, in sense we must be true to who we really are. That is why who we are needs to change. And God offers the world new life and we receive it when we trust Him.

And the appeal to those of us who are children of God is to be true to our identity. That is, "to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7)". See sin and Christ for who they are - one a destroyer of our lives and the other the Savior of our lives. So when sin creeps up in our lives (and it will), see sin for what it is (destructive) and repent and receive forgiveness.

God is good!

Monday, November 5, 2007

1 John Study Guide Week Five

To download Week Five of the 1 John Study Guide, follow this link.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

The Heart of Worship

Every once in a while I hear a story I must pass on. Today, I'm proud to have my wife Rachel as a guest blogger. Enjoy!

I have a vivid remembrance of being in a church service standing next to my grandmother singing out of the old, musty hymnal. I remember the sound of her singing and how silly I thought she sounded because her voice was sort of high pitched and off key. But it didn’t stop her from singing out in a volume that I could hear quite well. If you’ve ever heard Olive Oil on the old Popeye cartoons, that might give you an idea of her singing voice. I loved her too much to say anything, but I had a hard time keeping my laughter in check. I must have only been about eight or nine years old, but I remember thinking, “why would she sing out when she has such a terrible voice?”

But today, God gave me a whole new vantage point to that memory. My Grandma Florence has always been a quiet woman, slow to speak and not at all confident of her abilities or wit. But one thing can be said about her; she is a woman in love with Jesus and her life has been given completely to service to him. I believe God’s chest swelled with pride and joy at the sound of her singing because her heart was totally given to him in worship and she was unafraid to sing praises to her Heavenly Father even though her talent didn’t measure up. To Him, her song was angelic because it was her heart he heard. God doesn’t ask for perfection…all he wants is our heart. The real, raw, off key beauty of it.

My Grandma had a stroke just after her 80th birthday and entered a nursing home a fraction of the person I've grown up knowing. I’d give almost anything to hear that crackly voice singing Amazing Grace. And one day soon, I’ll have my wish…