Class Input Needed A.S.A.P

Class Camping Trip:
The camping trip is the last weekend of September. Please contact Stephanie A.S.A.P to let her know if you will be going or not, so that extra treehouse cabins can be released.

Pastor Appreciation Dinner:
The dinner is coming up in October. We are not anywhere close to what is needed financially to prove the dinner. If the class as a whole isn't interested in doing the dinner, Stephanie needs to know so that that time can be released on the calendar.

Gospel Project:
Please let Terry of Stephanie know you preference regarding material (download, internet, iphone app., or paper book) this week.

The Outcasts

Unashamed Hope

No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Psalm 25:3

 We are shameless when our hope is in our Savior Jesus Christ. Hope in Jesus resides in a no shame zone. We have nothing to be ashamed of when our hope is in heaven. Others may make fun of our simple faith, but they cannot shame us. Ironically, critics of faith are the ones to be ashamed. They are without hope. Hope outside of Christ is a caricature of positive expectations. Misplaced hope is a shame. It is a sham. It leads to deep disappointment and disillusionment. Shame is the reward for sin. On the other hand, freedom is the fruit of hope. We have nothing to be embarrassed about when we hope in the eternal. We have something solid to look forward to when we look to the Lord for hope and encouragement. Hope in Jesus is never put to shame.

However, hope is often related to our hurt. It is out of our pain that hope in Christ seems the most compelling. Our pain from suffering produces a need and a capacity for hope. Suffering enlarges the heart by creating the power to sympathize. When we have lived in poverty, we have more of a tendency to empathize with the poor. When we, or a loved one, have combated disease, our prayers are on the lookout for the ill. When we have seen our families ripped apart by death or divorce, we have a soft spot in our hearts for a single parent and the children. It is in our hope that we are able to extend hope to the hopeless. We can be grateful for the occasional grief we encounter if it saves us from hopeless hard-heartedness. Hope-filled hearts are on the lookout for those seeking the Lord. So it is out of our hurt that hope comes alive for others and ourselves.

Furthermore, our hope is reserved for us in heaven. Our heavenly Father owns our hope. He is an owner whom we never have to be embarrassed about. Our Savior’s hope will never bring shame to our situation. No rational thinking person would say, “What a shame that Christians have forgiveness of their sins, abundant living on earth and the hope of heaven.” If anything, people without hope may be jealous and ashamed of their own hopeless condition. Lastly, the Lord dispenses hope liberally and indiscriminately. Jesus is not stingy with hope. He extends hope as a generous giver, gladly and cheerfully. It gives God great joy to give hope to His children. His part is to give; our part is to receive.

So heaven’s hope is alive and well. It is waiting for the engagement of faithful followers of Jesus. Like a secret garden accessible by faith alone, there is a luscious environment of hope for our enjoyment. We can sit and smell the flowers of God’s faithfulness. We can bite into the deliciously juicy fruit of God’s peace. We can stand without fear in the warm light of the Lord because we are full of hope. Hope lifts the veil of shame and replaces it with the face of encouraging expectations. Pessimism is replaced with optimism. Inertia is replaced with energy. Excuses are replaced with ambition. Defeat is replaced with victory. We can be extremely grateful and unashamed that our hope is in Jesus. Hope may be lost for a season, so do not be ashamed to continually seek the Lord. Seek Him while He can be found (Isaiah 55:6). You will find hope in Him. Hope is God’s way to love and encourage you and others. Hope is not ashamed. -Boyd Bailey

The Presence of God

We (Christians) are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes. ~~Max Lucado

Conviction vs. Condemnation

When God speaks to us about our sin it is to convict us, when the devil speaks about our sin it is to condemn us. The word sin means to ‘miss the mark.’ Its origin lies in archery. If you shot an arrow and missed the target, it was called ‘sin!’ By how far you missed was not the issue. An inch or a mile, it’s still sin.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Rom. 3:23
We are by nature sinners; we are not what we were created to be. Both God and the devil speak to us about sin – but they speak very differently. God convicts us of sin, whereas Satan condemns us. The devil is called, ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters’ (Revelation 12:10). Condemnation sits on us like a wet blanket, with no way out. When God speaks to us about our sin, He convicts. Conviction not only makes us aware of our sin, but also points to a way out – through the cross of Christ. He convicts us not to humiliate us, embarrass us or condemn us, but to liberate us and set us free.

Paul is able to confidently write, ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 8:1). To know that is true is wonderfully liberating.
Has a past sin left you feeling paralyzed? See where that condemnation is coming from, because that voice is not God’s. Thank Him for the forgiveness available in Christ and move forward in peace. - Charles Price

Greenware Needs

We will be collecting baby items for Greenware each Sunday until August. Here is a list of specific items that are  needed:

-Diapers
-Baby Wipes
-Baby Soap
-Baby Clothes
-Baby Blankets
-General Health Supplies for the moms

This is a wonderful way to help someone less fortunate than ourselves!

School Supplies Needed

It's time:

The church is collecting supplies for the schools we sponsor. While any supplies are appreciated, these are some specific needs:

-Clorox Wipes
-Dry-erase Markers
-Dry-erase Board Cleaner
-Tissues
-Hand Sanitizer

Please drop items off on the sides of the stage. Thank you.