Creekstone Youth Ministries - Spring 2012 (Begins Feb. 1)

The Creekstone Youth Ministry has the same goal that we state for the church: "To glorify God by helping people (and youth!) come alive to the wonder of the gospel." In order to pursue this vision of gospel wakefulness and vitality among youth in our community, we are structuring our youth discipleship ministry with a two-pronged approach:

1) Invitational Evangelism / Mission - reaching new youth through social events

2) Intentional Discipleship - grounding youth in sound, gospel-centered doctrine through in-depth study

In light of this, the plan is to have two kinds of gatherings:

1) We will have monthly, mission focused, friendship/invitational evangelism gatherings throughout the semester. These will be geared for social connection, where we can invite friends to a very casual, fun environment so that they can meet some new friends and get exposed to the Creekstone community. These events will be things like movie nights, skating, bowling, etc. Hopefully, this will lead to new youth attending our Sunday worship gatherings and our Wednesday discipleship opportunity.

2) We also will have weekly discipleship focused gatherings. The focus of these weekly meetings will be geared for in-depth study, laying a foundation of sound, gospel-centered doctrine/theology that will affect everything about how we live our lives.

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Weekly discipleship will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 1, and meet from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the church office. Note that we are meeting at a new place and at a new hour. I hope that everyone will be able to participate at this time. However, for those who are not able, I will provide a teaching outline that you should be able to use at home on Wednesday evenings, or at a time that is convenient with your family.

By the way, our study this semester is Theology 101: Building a Solid Foundation for Life, which will be based on The Westminster Confession of Faith. I personally am PUMPED about this and hope that our children will grow like spiritual weeds as a result of our time together in the Word and WCF.

So, I hope to see your middle school and senior high sons and daughters on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as we kick off our first lesson in Theology 101. I will let you know about our first mission/social event very soon. If you have some good ideas, please do let me know!

"Substantial Healing" • Romans 6:15-23 (Audio)

This is the Creekstone message from Jan. 29, "Substantial Healing," from Romans 6:15-23.

(download)

Sing, Shout and Extol

"1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." ~ Psalm 95:1-7a

Use that passage as some kindling for worship tomorrow as we celebrate the Rock of our savation. If you are in Dahlonega, let me invite you to Creekstone Church. Cafe' at 10:00 a.m.; singing, shouting and extoling begins at 10:30 a.m. Wherever you attend, look to Jesus and be stunned by the wonder of the cross.

A "Now" Need Rather Than a "Then" Need

Note that what Paul says here is in the present tense, not the past. He is describing his "now" need for the gospel, not his "then" need. This is so hopeful for a sinner like me.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." ~ 1 Tim. 1:15-16

Christianity is Not for the Mentally Healthy

In The Letters of Francis Schaeffer, he writes to a woman named Sharon:

"Christianity is not a religion for the mentally healthy. Rather, ever since the Fall, none of us are totally mentally healthy, any more than any of us are totally physically well... Christianity is for weak people just as we are... We must honor Christ and his finished work by bringing our failure [and weakness] under the work of Christ and leaving them there. When we do less than this, we are dishonoring Christ and his finished work—as though his finished work is enough for some things, but not enough for my weakness and sin."

I find this helpful. May we take our sin and brokenness to the cross and leave it there, going on with a heart full of praise and thanksgiving for the Savior, knowing that his atonement as our substitute is full and complete—more than enough for every aspect of weakness and sin.

Substantial Healing

In his classic book, True Spirituality, Dr. Francis Schaeffer describes the redemptive change that we can expect to take place in the life of a believer. He called this change "substantial healing," which covers all areas of life, including human identity, sexuality, relationships, etc. Most of us struggle to experience this substantial healing—and some have given up. But the gospel is the power of God to save and to sanctify! So if you would like to explore what substantial healing might look like in your life, join us this Sunday at Creekstone as we continue our study in Romans — Extreme Makeover: How Grace Changes Our Lives.

Sermon Audio: "The Daily Decision" • Romans 6:12-14

What if there were a decision to be made that would affect every other decision you make today? There is. Find out more from this past Sunday's message from Romans 6:12-14, "The Daily Decision."

(download)

Hallelujah, What a Savior!

In 1875, Philip Bliss wrote this timeless hymn, Hallelujah, What a Savior, to remember and celebrate the gospel. It is the perfect theme for gathering together on a Sunday, being reminded that "in my place condemned he stood."

Man of Sorrows! What a name, for the Son of God, who came; Ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude; In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; “Full atonement!” can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Marriage Tune-Up Material

Like an automobile that will break down without maintenance, every marriage needs a realignment and tune up now and then. These resources have helped me and I trust will be a blessing to you as well. Just click on an image above to go to its page on Amazon.

The Daily Decision & the Latest Creekstone News (Upcoming Events)

THE DAILY DECISION...

This Sunday we are going to discover that there is a daily decision that will affect every other decision that I make every day. What is this decision? Why do I struggle with it so badly? What difference would it make in my life and family if I could make it and follow through? Find out this Sunday @ Creekstone.

A BIG NEED!

By the way, our children's ministry is exploding, which is both a good thing and a challenge. As we begin to expand our classes, we need more volunteer teachers. Since those who serve in the children's ministry get to spoon feed the gospel into these little lives, I think you will find this ministry to be uniquely rewarding as the lightbulb of grace begins to shine in their minds and hearts. To find out more or to volunteer, contact Children's Ministry Coordinator, Dottie Smorey, at creekstonechildrensministry@gmail.com.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

K-Groups Resume this Sunday - Sun., Jan. 22

Be sure to sign up for your group today on a Get Connectedform this Sunday.

"Stewards of Children" Training — Saturdays, Jan. 21 and 28
Creekstone is sponsoring Stewards of Children training next Saturday, January 28, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Creekstone church office (and one tomorrow, Sat., January 21). Stewards of Children is a nationwide initiative to educate the adult population about sexual abuse of children and to create ways that we can protect them. Each morning sessions consists of DVD presentations followed by discussions after each segment. For more information, please contact Kathy Christmas at706-867-7153 or pruefrock1951@yahoo.com.

Youth Discipleship Begins on Wednesday, February 1
Youth Discipleship will begin meeting weekly on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the church office from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Our study will be Theology 101, based on The Westminster Confession of Faith. For more information, email McKay Caston.

“Side by Side” is Saturday, April 28 — We Need Project Ideas!
To submit a project idea for “Side by Side” this year, please go to www.dahlonegasidebyside.com and choose the “project suggestions” tab. “Side by Side” is a great way to bless our community as we partner with other churches in Dahlonega.

The Women’s Spring Retreat is Set for Friday-Sunday, March 23-25
We are getting all of the details together for our Women’s Spring Retreat at the Dillard House (with GracePointe Community Church). Coordinator, Dottie Smorey, will have registration information available soon!

The Men’s Spring Conference is Set for April 27-28
All men are invited to attend the Grace and Men Conference at Perimeter church, Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. Speakers will be Scotty Smith and Tullian Tchividjian, author of Jesus + Nothing = Everything. This is going to be an amazing time of grace saturation. For more information and/or to register, just go here.

The Women’s Monday Bible Study meets at 10:00 a.m. at the church office on the Square. For information, contact Kathy Christmas at 706-867-7153 or pruefrock1951@yahoo.com.

Miss a message?
You may listen to past Sunday messages or download them as mp3 files from the Creekstone website or via iTunes. The sermon notes are posted on McKay’s blog each week,www.mckaycaston.com.