February 18 Catalyst Information

Parents, please note that at the bottom of the Catalyst Announcements is a new heading entitled Moldova Mission Trip Announcements.

CATALYST ANNOUNCEMENTS
THIS WEEK
Wednesday- Catalyst- 6:30-8:00pm
$10 for 30 Hour Famine due!
Thursday- Dinner and The Following (Peer-to-Peer Ministry Introduction)– 6:00-8:00pm
Friday– 30 Hour Famine. Stop eating at 1:00pm on Friday. Meet at church @ 5pm. We break the fast at 7:00pm on Saturday with a meal. You’re free to head home at 7:30pm

NEXT WEEK
Wednesday– No Catalyst due to Ash Wednesday service @ 7:00pm
Thursday- Dinner & The Following (Peer Ministry)-6:00-8:00pm

MOLDOVA MISSION TRIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 21– 7:30pm– Make up bake sale items
Please have your parents bring your bake goods to church at 7:30pm (at the
end of the 30 Hour Famine) so we can put the bags together for sale on
Sunday. Please bring between 4 and 5 dozen cookies per participant.
February 22– 11:00-2:30pm- Café and Bake sale
The café will be open from noon till 2pm. We will set up during second
service.
February 25– 12:00pm– 2nd payment of $200 is due
March 5– 6:00-8:00pm– Moldova Prep Meeting (make sure all your homework is finished)
March 8– 12:30-3:30pm– First Mission Trip Social @ Isaac’s house.

CATALYST SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
This week I am tackling John 17 in its entirety. Due to the children going tubing, we have almost the entire church at our disposal. So, I have created a cross-church relay race as part of my teaching. I (God) will be determining 3 to 4 team captains (Jesus) to carry out each part of the relay. The captains, like Jesus, will have to know their team (disciples) very well. The captains will not be given what each part of the race, just that one room focuses on memory work, another on Bible concordance work, etc.
My point in this relay, is that God gave Jesus the authority over everything. And we are going to be looking at how Jesus used that given authority. He didn't overpower, manipulate, cooerce, but used it to show the Father's (and His) love and to command them to love others. The reason I'm focusing on this is that as I study through John 17, I count the word GIVE (or variations of the word) all over the place.
I'm going to be tying in the relay with the passage by: 1- I gave the captains authority to decide how best to use their team. What those captains say will go. The kind of authority they use with their team can be used to encourage their team to success (and carry out the commands with enthusiasm and love) or to pound down their team into submission through power and control.
I am going to AGAIN being keying in on the amazing love Jesus showed his disciples and followers in His prayer for God's glory and their protection and success.

Here are some questions you may ask your child:
1- how is the authority Jesus displayed different than what is often shown in the world?
2- In Jesus' prayer, He prayed for protection, sanctification, unity, and future glory for his disciples. Why do you think Jesus chose those things specifically to pray for His disciples?
3- Jesus notes that the Father sent Him into the world many times in John 17. How does this give Jesus authority in the world? How does Jesus sending us into the world give us authority?
4- How are we to use that authority?
5- What things can we pray about right now?

Catalyst Information for February 11, 2009

Catalyst Announcements
February 11, 2009

THIS WEEK
Wednesday- Catalyst- 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday- No Dinner of The Following
Sunday– Junior High to stand at the table for 30 Hour Famine.

NEXT WEEK
Wednesday- Catalyst- 6:30-8:00pm
$10 for Famine due
Thursday- Dinner & The Following (Peer Ministry)-6:00-8:00pm
Friday-Saturday– 30 Hour Famine

DOWN THE LINE
March 6– Pizza and Nerf Wars
April 3-4– High School to Dare2Share Conference

Moldova Mission Trip Announcements
February 11, 2009
Take Note of What’s Coming Up
February 12– 6:00-8:00pm– Mission Trip Preparation Meetings Info Meeting
We will meet for supper, prayer, devotions, hand out your binders and books, and discuss the structure and expectations for the Thursday night preparation meetings.
February 14– Valentine’s Banquet serving.
We have been asked by the Congregational Life committee to help serve at the Valentine’s banquet. Work times are 5:15-8:30pm, please wear dark pants/skirt and button up shirts. We will help serve the meal, refill water, etc. Funds from the offering will be evenly divided amongst those who serve at the meal.
February 22– 11:00-2:30pm- Café and Bakesale
The café will be open from noon till 2pm. Please make 4 to 5 dozen cookies/bars.
We will set up during second service.
February 25– 12:00pm– 2nd payment of $200 is due

Also– I have created a Facebook group for Moldova. Please make it a habit to check that group page as I and we are updating things on that almost daily. I will also use that to update you to upcoming things. If you have questions or can’t come to something, let me know ASAP!

Catalyst Information for February 4, 2009

Announcements
THIS WEEK
Wednesday- Catalyst- 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday- No Dinner of The Following
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday- Catalyst- 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday- No Dinner or The Following due to Moldova Prep Meeting- 6:00-8:00pm
DOWN THE LINE
February 20-21- 30 Hour Famine ($10 due 2/18/09)
MOLDOVA
Thursday, February 12- Moldova Prep Meeting- 6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, February 14- Serve at Valentine’s Banquet- 5:15-8:30pm
Sunday, February 22- Church Café and Bakesale- 12:00-2:00pm
Wednesday, February 25- 2nd Payment of $200 due- 8:00pm

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
This week we are focusing on John 16:5-15 at Catalyst. This takes place during the continuing "Last Supper" with the disciples. Here Jesus talks of His needing to leave so that the Holy Spirit (Counselor or Helper in most versions) will come and assist the disciples.
I am going to be talking about how the disciples were so caught up in their own situations ("how can Jesus leave us, we have given him the last 3 years of our lives?," "what about this kingdom that Jesus said we are building, how are we supposed to build this kingdom on earth when He's not even around to help?"
How often we get so focused on ourselves, our wants, and situations, that we forget and/or lose sight of the immensity of what Christ is doing!
From there we are going to move into the reason Jesus had to go away (1- because there would be no removal/atonement for sins if He didn't, and 2- the Holy Spirit wouldn't come to convince the world and unbelievers of guilt and need of Jesus).
Lastly, I will be challenging the kids with their responsibility in assisting the work of the Holy Spirit, namely witnessing to Christ!
1- Let the Holy Spirit lead your daily living as He is essential in your life and sanctification.
2- Never forget that the Holy Spirit is present in your life.
3- Be about living for Jesus in EVERY area of your life!
4- BE A WITNESS TO WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED!
You are not the judge, the lawyer, or the jury- but a witness!
5- Join the Holy Spirit in witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the righteous covering of the individual’s sin of unbelief
Jesus’ offering of making them righteous that only comes through Him
Jesus’ defeat of Satan, their predicament of being on the side, and need to repent.
6- Lastly, Let the Holy Spirit do the work of conviction and transformation, you do the work of sharing!

So that is where we are headed on Wednesday. I know that's A LOT, and we'll see how far we get, but this is my general direction.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1- What are things that happen in your life that takes your eyes off of what Christ is doing in your life and the world around you?
2- What are some ways we as your parents can help you in helping you keep focused on Christ during these times?
3- Who is one person you want/need to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with this week?
4- What things do you need to make sure you share with them when you witness to them?
5- What thing(s) can we pray about right now in your life?