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Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Rock

Last weekend we read that Jesus wants us to change the world.  It seemed like a daunting task until we discovered that Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to help us and transform us.   Chris Booth thought this meant we had to dress like actual transformers to tell our friends about Jesus.  But in reality, God wants to use us just the way we are.  Having the Holy Spirit inside you is like putting helium into a balloon.  It doesn’t look any different on the outside.  But with helium, it can do so much more than a regular balloon!

We looked in the Book of Matthew to meet one of the first guys to ever be transformed.  He was an awesome dude who helped start the first church.  He even got a great nickname from Jesus:  The Rock.

Wait…The Rock started the church? 

You’ll find our guy in Matthew 16:18. 

If you can remember his name, tell Chris this weekend for a Prize.

(REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR SOLOMON THIS WEEKEND!)
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 5:05 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

iCamp

Created by OnePlusYou
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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Meet Solomon

For the next year the Club will be sponsoring a child from Ethiopia.  His name is Solomon & he LOOOVES soccer.  He lives with his mother and brothers and sisters on a farm.  He’s unable to attend school right now, but he stays home and helps his mom with the animals.

Since we missed his eighth birthday, we want to send him a belated birthday package filled with fun stuff any eight year old would enjoy.  We’ll also be taking some silly pictures of the Club kids to stick inside the packages so he can get to know us.  Yes, Solomon’s family needs our financial contribution, but more importantly, Solomon’s life can be affected by a group of kids in Louisville reaching out to him in the name of Jesus. 

You might hear your child mention something about this at home.  We’ve just encouraged them to think of ONE item they might like to send to Solomon.  Suggestions include:  candy, art supplies, hats, matchbox cars, stickers, gum, books, comics, anything soccer related, etc.Things we cannot send:  chocolate (it’ll melt) and money (he cannot easily exchange it)

(no money is needed for our project.  Donations have already been generously contributed.)
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 11:55 AM | 0 comments
Meet Solomon

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Transformers

Come to church this weekend and find out what Club and the Transformers have in common.


  

Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 5:46 AM | 0 comments
Transfomers

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

A Simple Message of Hope

A simple message of hope.  Watch video below:
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 8:03 AM | 0 comments
A Simple Message of Hope

Sunday, April 04, 2010

. . . and the stone had been removed

“Joseph took down the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut from rock.  Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother saw where he was laid.  The women bought spices so they might go anoint Jesus’ body.  Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance?”  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting, and they were alarmed.  He said, “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.  Go, tell the disciples and Peter.”  (Mark 15, 16.  Edited for read-ability)

Jesus is Alive!
Do something fun today that excites you. 
Make cookies, catch a matinee, pop in the zoo.  Make today fun.
Jesus is Alive!

Next week is another week of school, practice, girl scouts, swim team, chores.  Take a walk with your family, or alone in your yard.  See if you can find a rock.  Put the rock somewhere in your room to remind you that every week can be amazing because you are friends with Jesus and Jesus came back to life! 
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 4:30 AM | 0 comments
And the Stone Had Been Removed

Friday, April 02, 2010

Good Friday?

While you were sleeping last night there were amazing things happening to Jesus over 2000 years ago. 

Thursday night Jesus went to a garden to pray with his friends.  The Bible says he was filled with sorrow.  Thursday night was also the night Judas marched into the garden with the secret police.  Judas kissed Jesus, his signal that that was the man they should arrest.  Things got crazy after that.  The police went to arrest Jesus.  During the arrest a scuffle broke out and a disciple slashed off the ear of one of the men.  Burn!  Jesus wouldn’t have it, though.  He healed the man.  As he’s being arrested, Jesus healed one of the police! 

From there Jesus spent the night in court before the High Priest.  The trial was silly.  Even the Governor, in Luke 23 says, “Why (crucify him)?  What crime has he committed?  I have found no reason to sentence him to death?  I will torture him & release him.”  But the mob was so angry, so violent, the Governor caved & sentenced Jesus to death.

And on Friday morning, about 9:00 am, Jesus was crucified on a cross.

Good Friday?  Jesus spends his Friday on a cross. 

Good Friday?  God chose to have his own boy – his son – die to pay the price for our sin.  Abby’s sin.  Your sin.

Good Friday?  
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 5:22 AM | 1 comments
Good Friday

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Mmmmm…Haroset

On the Thursday before his death, Jesus participated in a holiday called Passover.The Jewish People were remembering when God had his angel of death pass over their houses when they were escaping from Egypt.  

Here’s a clip from The Prince of Egypt:


Jesus took his 12 closest friends…the 12 Disciples…and went into a room to celebrate with a special meal.  Everything they ate in the meal was a symbol for something that happened during the Escape from Egypt.

One of the foods is called Haroset.  It is a fruit/nut mix that reminds them of mortar.  Mortar is what the Israelites would’ve used when they spent time as slaves, building the pyramids for the Egyptians.  They never want to forget that God sent Moses to help free them from slavery.  This week Jewish people all across Kentucky are celebrating Passover.   Your family probably isn’t Jewish, but you probably are friends with that same amazing and powerful God.

Want to try Haroset?
Peel & chop some apples (about one per person)
Sprinkle some slivered almonds on top. 
One of those small bags from Kroger.
3T of sugar
1t cinnamon
A splash of juice, grape or apple.
Stir it and let it sit for an hour or more.  You’re letting everything “marinate.”
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 5:16 AM | 0 comments
Mmmmm Haroset

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Shhhhhh . . . It's Wednesday

We don’t hear much about Jesus on the Wednesday before his crucifixion.  I think it’s a good reminder that it is good for us to be still & quiet at times through our week.

We’ve seen Jesus celebrate & party.
We’ve seen Jesus tell stories with his friends.
We’ve seen Jesus attend church.
Now we’re seeing Jesus do nothing.

What if your family had a quiet time after dinner?
What if each of you went to a different part of the house to be alone.
You could quietly pray to God, thanking him for Jesus.  You could also pray for your family to become closer friends with God this Easter. 
Shhhh….it’s Wednesday.
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 9:14 AM | 0 comments
Shhhhhh Its Wednesday

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A Boy, A Wizard and A Lion

What do these bad dudes have in common? 

       Peter Pettigrew                       Edmund                                   Scar


They’re all TRAITORS.

They all made a decision at a point in their lives to leave the pack and go live a different way.  And in their case, they all left the good pack.  That makes this trio a trio of traitors.

Traitors are a sneaky bunch.  They grow up just like we do, happy and carefree.  They’re headed in the right direction, living and working on the Good Side.  But at a pivotal point in life they decide to turn their back on the Good and join forces with the Bad. 

Today is the Tuesday before Easter.  Over 2000 years ago, arguably, the biggest deal in Traitor history went down.  The Tuesday before Jesus died Judas met secretly with some officials and agreed to turn Jesus into the police for 30 pieces of silver.

Betray Jesus.

Judas.  One of Jesus’ 12 closest friends.  One of the 12 disciples.  One of the “Good Guys.”  Judas agreed to betray Jesus and turn him into the police for cold, hard, cash.

Judas took 30 pieces of silver in exchange for Jesus.

What if we gave 30 things back?

Tonight at dinner, have your family come up with a list of 30 things you are thankful for.  30 ways God has blessed your family.Judas’ story in the Bible can be found here:  Matthew 26:1-5 & 26:14-16.
Posted by melody.murphy@necchurch.org at 10:29 AM | 0 comments
A Boy A Wizard and A Lion

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