Sunday the 1st and Prayer

Hello class,

We will spend a part of our class time this Sunday planning for our 11:00 children's Sunday School. We will discuss teachers, curriculum, structure, etc. Please call (343-5675) or email me if you have input but will not be in church Sunday. When we are done we will continue our study of Exodus starting with chapter 8 verse 20.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Exodus 7:1 - 8:20

I failed to get this posted last week (and frankly, it has been awhile since I posted a blog update with lesson notes ... I'm working to correct that by uploading past notes to the archives section in the next couple of weeks). Anyway, since we just got partway through Exodus 7 last week, we'll be focusing on the first three plagues (referred to by some as the "loathesome plagues") in this week's lesson. Lesson notes can be downloaded by clicking here.

Tuesday/Wednesday: Birdhouses, Waterguns, and Pedicures - all Pictures of God's Plan

TODAY'S REPORT:

Tuesday and Wednesday were two very full days in Chicago. Lots of kids and quite a few of their adult guardians are participating in the week's "Family Camp" activities. Adult registrations for Tuesday were near 70 total contacts. Wednesday more than 100 adults registered. Most had multiple children with them so we are churning out custom birdhouses, water guns and handprint art about as fast as it can be done! Not to mention washing some feet and "prettying up" the ladies at tonight's "spa night."

Monday: Starting Work, Meeting People, BLOCK PARTY!

TODAY'S REPORT:

Sunup to Sundown Monday and each day is the plan while we are here. Today we kicked things off with an 8am morning devotional at James Ward Elementary before getting started on the day's projects. We have a team that is working on stripping and re-painting the school cafeteria during the day, while other teams prayer walk neighborhoods and hand out fliers inviting people to this week's evening "family camp" activities.  And there is a cake decorating class we are providing for several women (and a few men) in the surrounding neighborhoods. Then, in the evening, we wait to see who shows up to the block party.

Sunday: A Great Day of Worship, Re-Connecting, and Preparation

TODAY'S REPORT:

We spent longer than we had originally planned in Springfield, IL Saturday before tackling the final leg of our trip to Chicago. As a result, we arrived pretty late last night, about 18 hours ahead of the rest of the mission team from Second Baptist. This morning (Sunday), Rachael, Annie, Alex and I got up and headed to Sunday morning service with City South Church where they are currently meeting, at James Ward Elementary School.

Friday Departure: Brothers' and Sisters' Encouragement in Advance and on the Road

TODAY'S REPORT:

Tonight is my first daily blog update for friends, brothers, sisters who have committed to pray for our family as we share the gospel with the good people on the south side of Chicago, in and around James Ward Elementary School. Much good has happened since we and the Elliotts helped with last year's Chicago mission from Second Baptist Church (If you are feeling nostalgic or just want a refresher on that, check out our entries on this blog from July 2009 by clicking here. I actually quite enjoyed reviewing it in preparation for our return this week). City South Church now has a home. Each Sunday at 10am they hold services in that same elementary school where last year we taught Vacation Bible School.