Best Friends Retreat is September 24-26 at Camp Tahkodah. Don’t forget to register at www.bestfriendsretreat.com by Sunday, September 12.

Afternoon at Pinnacle Mountain

Students (parents are invited, too if you would like to come) are invited to an afternoon at Pinnacle Mountain Sunday, September 12. We’ll meet at LRC at 3 PM, drive to Pinnacle, climb and play Ultimate frisbee. After games, we’ll have pizza and drinks. We should return to LRC around 7:30 PM. Cost is reduced to $3 per student. Students need to sign up by Wednesday night, September 8! Friends are always invited.

The LRC Student Ministry leadership team commits to 1) being prepared for small group time each week; 2) providing a safe, welcoming environment for our students and friends; 3) challenge, equip, encourage and support our students as they become more like Christ for the sake of others. We have fantastic leaders who love our students. I’m excited about their commitment.  I love our group leaders and are thankful for them.

My hope and prayer is that students become more like Christ, experience the love of Christ through one another, and welcome others to journey with us as we follow Christ.

You guys did such a great job putting together all the back to school supplies for the elementary school.  I am so thankful for the giving spirit among the LRC Family!  Thanks.

Sunday, August 29, we will join students from all over central Arkansas at the student ministry facility at the Church at Rock Creek. We will meet at LRC at 5:30 PM and return around 8:00 PM. Those meeting us at Rock Creek need to be there around 5:45 PM. This is a terrific night. I’m excited about this. This evening kicks off a season of service for students leading up to a one-day festival at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 2.

Best Friends Retreat

Don’t forget to register and pay for Best Friends Retreat bySunday, September 12. That is just two weeks away! The retreat is September 24-26 at Camp Tahkodah. An information/sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board at the back of the auditorium. You may alse register on the web site HERE. You may also check out www.bestfriendsretreat.com for more details.

ONE Festival

Student ministries are coming together in ways like never before in Little Rock. Between August 29 and October 2, student ministries, school student organizations and others will work together collecting items to distribute to those who help the poor, orphans, abused and hungry of Little Rock. On Saturday, October 2, there will be a one-day festival at War Memorial Stadium. The day includes 3-on-3 basketball tournament, dodgeball tournament on the field at War Memorial Stadium, a battle of the bands competition, and an evening concert. Additionally, several agencies and ministries who help people will be at the event. Agencies will share what they do, who they help, and how we can be involved. This is a great event to bring a friend and it’s FREE!!!

Refuge

Refuge begins this Wednesday night with a meal at 6:15 PM for $3 per person. Refuge actually begins at 6:45 PM and will end at 8:15 PM. Please pick up your teen by 8:30 PM. Refuge will take place every Wednesday night unless otherwise stated. It includes a time of worship and small groups. We have terrific small group leaders this year! Friends are always invited to join us. It’s a great place to  belong and introduce friends.

Sunday, August 22                         Vision Sermon by Lynn with reminder of process and general outline of process

 Sunday, August 29                         General Announcement to Congregation by Letter and sermon on Elder Affirmation process

Sunday, September 12                  Current elders will be available to meet with those desiring to serve  for cost counting and encouragement.

 Sunday, September 26                 Committee receives names of those desiring to serve as elder

 Sunday, September 26                   Elders and Ministry Staff meet with Elder Candidates at 2 PM

Sunday, October 3                           Names Given to Congregation of those desiring to serve as Elders 

October 3 – 17                                  Congregation should pray for and visit with men desiring to serve

Wednesday, October 20                 Congregational Meeting with Candidates & elders sharing with church family (questionnaire)

Sunday, October 24                        Names of those desiring to serve given to Church for Affirmation in House Churches (Oct. 17 – 22)                          

Friday, October 29                           Affirmation forms collected and counted

Sunday, October 31                        Names of those affirmed shared with church.

Sunday, November 7                      Affirmation Sunday for the group of elders

Best Friends Retreat is just around the corner, September 24-26 at Camp Tahkodah. The theme this year is Worship: Everywhere. All the time. Cost is $65 per student. Information sheets are on the bulletin board in the auditorium. You may register by completing the form attached to the info sheet or online HERE.

This is a terrific annual retreat for 7-12th grade students and friends. It’s a great way to make new friendships, introduce friends to others and spend time together. Sign up by September 12.

No Refuge this Wednesday! Refuge begins August 25.

I want to share with you about a couple areas of our life together.

Summer on the Rock “Life is Good.”:   I hope you are enjoying the summer theme!  It has gone by so fast.  I am so thankful to all the people that made Summer on the Rock a big success again this year.  We still have five weeks left so much more fun ahead!  Please continue to bring your kids to the gym at 9 AM for a great experience.

Church Planting Sermons on Sunday, August 8 and August 15:   We will have a couple of guest speakers on the topic of church planting.  Jeff Medders will bring us an update of Gateway Church on August 8 and Phil Claycomb, Director of Nexus Church Planting ministry will speak on Sunday, August 15.  Our plans to plant a second church in the Cabot area have developed over the summer months.  I will share more with you the next time I preach.

Nichols Building Expansion Planned:   The LRC leader team is asking your help as we begin the process of fundraising to build phase one of the 2^nd floor of the Nichols Ministry Building.  I am including a map that has phase one in red.  We will begin fundraising this fall with a special collection on Sunday, October 3 to fund the construction.  Funding details are also on the enclosed flyer.  Phase one includes four classrooms, an elevator, and the 2^nd floor hallway wall.  We will have more information available during the All Church Fellowship on August 11.

All-Church Fellowship:   Our Church will gather on Wednesday, August 11 at 6 PM for a fellowship meal in the Nichols Ministry Building.  Dave Garner and the crew will be frying catfish and all the fixings.  We will also give informational tours of the 2^nd Floor of the Nichols Ministry Building and our plans to begin phase one of the build out of classrooms.

Fall Classes:   During the fall semester, children’s classes from Kindergarten through the 6^th grade will be meeting on the gym floor in a special area similar to Summer on the Rock.  The adult classes will meet in the rooms around the worship center in the main building. We will have more information coming on this so stay tuned!

House Churches:   As we enter into August, please resume a regular meeting schedule by the 3^rd week of August when the school year begins. We also have a house church leaders meeting on Sunday, August 15.

Elder Reaffirmation/affirmation Scheduled for the Fall:   Don’t forget that we have a three year cycle to affirm or reaffirm elders.  This process will begin with a sermon on Sunday, August 29.  The process will be complete by the end of October.  Please begin praying about this important area of our family life.

Associate Minister Transition:   We continue to pray for Mike and Jeannie Cagle as they begin their transition to the Nashville, TN area.  We are pleased to announce that we have secured the services of Ron Cook to work part time for six months in key areas of ministry that are covered by the Associate Minister. We are grateful that Ron is able to help LRC during this season of transition.  Our plans are to begin a search in early 2011 when our schedule is not so busy.

In Christ,

Lynn

 I want to remind you of a few things from last night.

1. Parental involvement in our student ministry is essential, so please find ways to be involved. From teaching Bible classes to helping in the kitchen on Wednesday nights your involvement is important. Several opportunities are available this fall. Please consider the following ways to be involved:

• Cookout at Pinnacle Mountain (Sep 12)
• Fall party (Oct 23 or 24) – Formerly known as Hay Days. We are planning a fall one-day event. Using student input and a team of parents we will plan this as an event for our students to invite friends and enjoy a terrific fall event.
• Wednesday night cooks – We need 1-2 more adults to help with dinner at Refuge. Arrive at 5 PM ready to cook, serve food, take money and clean up.
• Youth group Christmas party (Dec. 19)
• Sunday morning Bible class host – a parent team to serve as hosts for our teen Bible class. Greet students, help visitors feel welcome, assist the teacher, occasionally teach or facilitate as needed by the teacher.
• Donate scholarship money, food, resources, etc.

2. Refuge will resume on August 25 rather than August 18. Dinner will be provided from 6:15-6:45 PM for $3 per person each week. Refuge is from 6:45-8:15 PM. Teens should be picked up by 8:30 PM. Refuge includes a large group worship time from 6:45-7:15 and then small groups from 7:15-8:15 each week. Group leaders are Russ and Sue White, Dennis Bradley, Linda Murphy and Chad Nall.

3. Best Friends Retreat registration is now Open. BFR is Sep 24-26 at Camp Tahkodah. You may register online at www.bestfriendsretreat.com or by completing a registration form availabe at the back of the auditorium. Cost is $65 per student.

4. David O’Dodd Back-to-School Bash is Saturday, Aug. 14. LRC Student Ministry is helping with this event by serving food, face painting and watching inflatable games. Please email Chad to confirm that you and/or your teen will be there to help. There are 3 volunteers signed up as of last night (of which I am one of them). We need at least 10!