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Filed under: creekstone weekly update

Will You Join the Movement?

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This past Sunday I delivered a message from 1 Peter 2:1-12 entitled, "The Gospel Counter-Culture." After working through that passage in my study, I became convinced that the concept of counter culture is exactly what I want Creekstone to be collectively, and for each of us to be individually—a community of people who are defined not by what we wear or by a socio-political ideology, but by the radical grace that is ours through the cross of Jesus. And just like the counter-culture of the 60s and 70s had a undeniable impact on our culture, it is my prayer that we, as a gospelcounter-culture, will have a lasting, positive inluence on our families, in our workplaces and classrooms, and throughout the broader community as the implications of the cross are lived out on a daily basis in our various spheres of influence.

So, if you were providentially hindered from attending on Sunday, let me encourage you to "stay on pace" with us in our study of 1 Peter by lisenting to the message. You can listen online or download the mp3 from my blog, from the Creekstone website's audio player or via iTunes.

And don't forget, communion is next Sunday, June 5, followed by a church-wide, BYOS (bring your own stuff - dinner, drink, frisbees, etc.) picnic that afterfoon at Yahoola Creek Park from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  

I do hope to see you this Sunday, as we celebrate again the glorious gospel in the presence of God.

Don't Miss Out!

Hello friends, 

A lot is coming up on the calendar for the Creekstone community. Here is the latest... so you don't miss out!

1) Creekstone’s first VISION BANQUET will be held this coming Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Dahlonega Market Place (the old Hummingbird Lane Art Gallery above Quigley’s Books on the Square). This is a NOT TO MISS event that will serve as an opportunity to meet new folks, to be informed about Creekstone's upcoming ministry plans and to plug into the church in various ways (studies, fellowship groups, service opportunities, etc.). At least join us for the Moe's Mexican Food Bar!  RSVP for the VISION BANQUET on the City here.  

2) The all-new Monday Women's Bible Study/Fellowship begins this Monday morning at the church office from 10:00-11:30 a.m. No preparation is necessary, and any female is welcome to attend! Just show up for study, discussion and fellowship. 

3)  Creekstone's first "Coffee and Community" will be Friday, Jan. 28, at the church offices from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Coffee and friends - the perfect blend!

4) The upcoming Youth Retreat will be Feb. 11-13

5) The spring Women's Retreat is March 25-27 at the Dillard House in Dillard, GA. 

6) If you missed last week's teaching in Mark, Debutante Balls and the Ministry of Jesus, get caught up here

Introducing Creekstone's New Staff and K-Group Reps


After serving in a volunteer status for the past year doing groundwork for our morning launch, three guys are now serving Creekstone as part-time staff: Matt Stephenson, Jesse Turk and Elijah Merrett. Below are their positions and general ministry descriptions, in addition to attending a weekly staff team meeting and other miscellaneous ministry "opportunities" that come up from time to time.

Matt Stephenson serves as my Pastoral Assistant.

  • Makes financial deposits & keeps records
  • Processes reimbursements for purchases
  • Processes Keeping in Touch forms
  • Checks voicemail and distributes messages
  • Oversees the church and office calendar
  • Maintains office supplies
  • Other administrative tasks: phone calls, promotion, conference & retreat details, etc.
  • Spearheads the Creekstone Art Gallery development and promotion
  • Study Center development and promotion (future)
  • Frees McKay to study / prepare the Sunday banquet

Jesse Turk is our Worship Arts Coordinator.

  • Plans weekly worship service music
  • Works with lead pastor on other elements of the service
  • Recruits, equips and assigns vocalists and instrumentalists
  • Oversees audio/visual ministry volunteers
  • Oversees worship set up/break down team
  • Oversees transportation and storage of equipment
  • Researches new songs and equipment

Elijah Merrett is Coordinator of Ministry Teams and Assimilation.

  • Recruits, equips and oversees Ministry Team Leaders

               - Children’s Minsitry Coordinator
               - Nursery Coordinator
               - Facilities Coordinator
               - Trailer Coordinator
               - Cafe’ Coordinator
               - Greeter Coordinator
               - Usher Coordinator
               - Youth Ministry Coordinator (future)

  • Oversees the assimilation process

              - Follows up with visitors each week 
              - Connects regulars / members to K-Groups
              - Recruits, equips and oversees K-Group ministry representatives
              - Informs K-Group leaders about specials needs in their groups

Thanks, guys, for serving so well, and often "above and beyond" the call. You make my life great as Lead Pastor!   


Meet Your K-Group Representatives
As you can tell, we have remamed the groups, since the Latin was too hard to remember. And yes, there is group overlap. Just choose your group without fear of the K-Group police. By the way, these groups are social in focus, and typically will gather once a month for a special event (as well as occasionally doing lunch together on Sundays). These are not "study" groups. They are designed for fellowship and mission. Our DiG Groups are our "study" groups.

  • College K-Group- TBA
  • 20s & 30s K-Group (without kids / formerly veritas)- Mallory and Thomas Odom
  • 20s & 30s K-Group (with kids / formerly Agape)- Kristin and Scott Perry
  • 30s & 40s K-Group (formerly Sola Gratia)- Beth and Doug Minnear
  • Empty Nesters (50+, formerly Fides)- Joanne and Oliver Sale

To stay in the loop with everything Creekstone, see our latest HTML update here.

The Latest Creekstone Info.

A Special Evening of Worship — Sunday, Sept. 26
Due to the Six Gap Road Race on Sunday morning, Sept. 26, we are moving our Sunday gathering from the morning to the evening. Making the most of the opportunity, we are going to make this a unique service that will include many “best of” worship songs, as well as a special message. Please plan to join us with a friend!


The Creekstone Membership Process
We will be receiving our first official “members” on Sunday, Oct. 24. There is no pressure for anyone to take that step. However, if you do plan to affiliate with the Creekstone community as a member, here is the process:

  1. Attend a membership seminar.  The next membership seminars before Membership Sunday are Friday, Sept. 24th and Friday, Oct. 1st.  You may register on a Keeping in Touch form on Sunday morning.   FYI: We’ll have seminars several times a year.
  2. Download a membership application from the Creekstone website
  3. Complete the application
  4. Give the hardcopy to McKay.
  5. Set up an application review with McKay.
  6. Attend Membership Sunday! 

Pictures from the Youth Climbing Trip to Adrenaline!
Click here to see some photos from our youth climbing trip to Adrenaline Climbing.  We meet every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Johnson's home on Calhoun Rd. Click here for directions. 


The Next Gallery Exhibit!
The Creekstone Gallery will exhibit the work of local artist and graduate of NGCSU, Karen Truett, Saturday, Sept. 25, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 


Join Creekstone's Facebook page.
Join Creekstone Gallery's Facebook page.
Join the Creekstone Youth Ministries Facebook page.

Creekstone Announcements for This Week

Here are some Creekstone announcements for this week...

1. Fight Club begins tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:30 (yes, a.m.) at Chick-Fil-A. Don't be a light weight. Get up, grab some coffee and a chicken biscuit, and let's talk about the gospel.

2. We need more volunteers for the Children's Ministry Team. To help out, contact our Ministry Coordinator, Elijah Merrett, here

3. Creekstone's official "launch date" has been set for Sunday, February 28!  Same time and place as our preview services. 6:00 p.m. at the Lumpkin Co. Park and Rec Center.

4. Everyone is invited to participate in pre-service prayer in the auditorium at 5:30 p.m. 

For the latest Creekstone news feeds, follow (fan) us on Facebook here.