Occasionally on Wednesday night’s we tackle difficult issues that you need to know about in advance. Tomorrow night is one of those nights.
As you may know, today is National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. (January 22, 1973, was the day the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states.)
Tomorrow night we will use this day to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and challenge students to commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage.
The main points of our discussion will be:
Main Point 1: Human life is sacred because we are made in God’s image.
Main Point 2: The soul’s presence is there in the womb.
Main Point 3: Life begins at conception.
Along with talking through and teaching these points we will show a video that communicates and illustrates the truth about abortion.
I will not lie. The video is disturbing. It is a brutal snapshot of the horrors of abortion. I feel that it is important that our students understand that when we talk about abortion we are talking about an actual human person, who is loved by God and created in His image, not just a statistic.
We want to begin now teaching our students to care about the things that God cares about. Throughout scripture, God commands His followers to care for the “least of these;” those who have been marginalized, those who are defenseless, and those who are without hope and a future. There is no one more defenseless than the unborn child.
Please join me in praying about this issue. I encourage you to pray for these three things:
The Unborn – Pray that God would protect them and keep them.
Changes in Legislation – That the legalization of abortion would be overturned.
Students – That they would learn the truth about abortion and strive to protect the unborn for the glory of God.
For a copy of my notes and a link to the video, feel free to email me @ pgreer@loneoakfbc.org. If your students do not regularly attend our services on Wednesday, I want to encourage you to make a special effort to be there tomorrow night.
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
– Isaiah 42:9
Who: High School students
When: June 24 – 28, 2019
Where: Wheaton, IL (West Suburbs Chicagoland)
Cost: $365
($65 Deposit due February 1. Final Balance Due May 27)
Parent Meeting: Sunday, January 27 @ 5pm in the Youth Worship Room. Please make every effort to attend the parent meeting for all students who are interested in attending camp. You can drop off your deposits and pick up any necessary forms.
God is the great redefiner. At the heart of what it means to know and experience God is the process of redefinition. God defines what it means to be new. God spoke a new creation into existence out of nothing, redefining our existence. Through the person and work of Christ, God made complete renewal possible for all who would come to faith in Him, redefining our reality. In the salvation offered by God, we discover a new identity, redefining who we are. And in discovering who God meant for us to always be, our purpose is redefined.
Eat, Sleep & Meet – @ Wheaton College
Wheaton College is an explicitly Christian, academically rigorous, fully residential liberal arts college and graduate school located in Wheaton, Illinois. Established in 1860, Wheaton is guided by its original mission to provide excellence in Christian higher education and offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences and 14 graduate degrees. Wheaton boasts in having wonderful meeting spaces, meal options and lodging arrangements that your group is sure to love! You are sure to love the rich heritage that Wheaton College holds. Be sure to check out the Billy Graham Center Museum and the Wade Center which hosts a collection of belongings from Owen Barfield, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams.
Sleeping and Eating: Most housing is dorm-style with two or four people per room, and either a suite-style bath, private bath or community-style bath. (Remember we assign housing based on the date deposits are received.) Wheaton’s award-winning Cafe Bon Appétit food service, which is consistently ranked as among the best in the nation, offers delicious food. The spacious cafeteria has the ability to serve many people without long lines. Food quality is excellent; with plenty of options.
Jason Cook is deeply committed to faithful biblical preaching and that becomes obvious from anyone who sits under his leadership. He is a dynamic communicator obviously gifted by God to be able to minister to a wide range of people. Jason gives leadership to a church called Fellowship Memphis and travels the country sharing the incredible message of reconciliation that Jesus offers those who repent and believe.
He was born and raised in Birmingham, AL in a home that feared God. At the age of 8, he walked down an aisle, as he wanted to avoid hell. After a successful high school football career, he graduated from high school in Northeast Atlanta and accepted a football scholarship to Ole Miss. It was at Ole Miss that he came into a true knowledge of Jesus and began the wonderfully arduous adventure of following Him. He was a standout at The University of Mississippi and was a member of the Baltimore Ravens Football Club during the pre-season of 2009. He ultimately walked away from the game of football to pursue the call to evangelism. He and his wife Courtney live in Memphis, TN with their growing family.
Worship Band – ISSAC
Although Isaac Pittman has a voice that makes music sound easy on the ears, his life hasn’t always been a lullaby. At the tender age of six years old, he lost his biggest fan when his mother passed away. Shortly after, the music he loved as a child suddenly came to an end. It was then he realized music was God’s calling for his life and he believed in sharing the legacy of his family with this newly ignited passion he held inside. From that point on he dedicated his life to sharing his voice with the world.
ISAAC has had the privilege of sharing the stage with other artists like Brandon Heath, Jars of Clay, Bethany Dillon and Shane and Shane. Currently, ISAAC travels the nation leading worship at a variety of gatherings.
FAQ’s
How much does it cost?
$365
$65 Deposite due February 1st.
Includes a t-shirt, material, lodging, transportation, and all meals while at camp.
When is it?
June 24 – 28, 2019 (Mon-Fri)
Is there competition?
Yes! Ever since the inception of GENERATE, two sides have been locked in epic battle: The Pack vs. The Pride. This video outlines how you can lead your tribe to victory (and be the ones holding Festus in triumph).
Is there a theme?
Yes! The theme is REDEFINED.
Day 1 – Redefining Our Existence (God as Creator and Life-Giver)
Day 2 – Redefining Our Reality (The Cross and Salvation)
Day 3 – Redefining Our Identity (Adoption into God’s Family)
Day 4 – Redefining Our Purpose (Knowing the Gospel and Making It Known)
FIRST DAY (6/24/2019)
1:00 – 3:00 PM Registration & Check-In
4:45 – 6:00 PM Dinner
6:00 PM Village Meeting
6:30 PM Youth Minister’s Meeting
7:30 PM Pre-Worship Gathering (auditorium)
7:45 PM Worship (auditorium)
9:30 PM Church Group Time
11:30 PM Lights Out
(11:30 PM – 8:00 AM Quiet Hours)
OTHER DAYS (6/25-27)
(Day 3 Only: 6:45 AM First Light – at announced location – OPTIONAL)
(Day 4 Only: 6:30 – 7:15 AM GENERATE 5K – at announced location – OPTIONAL)
6:45 – 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:15 – 8:45 AM Encounters in Church Group (assigned location)
8:15 AM Village Leadership Meeting (all Bible Study Leaders)
9:00 – 10:00 AM Kickstart
10:00 AM-3:00 PM Serve with Church Planting partner
3:00 PM Open/Free Time (Options announced at Kick Start)
4:45 – 6:00 PM Dinner
6:00 PM Youth Minister’s Meeting
6:00-6:45 PM Prayer Gathering
6:45 PM Pre-Worship Gathering (auditorium)
7:00 PM Worship (Night 4 Only – Final Worship Celebration – 7:00PM-9:30PM)
9:00 PM Church Group Time
10:30 PM One More Thing (Nights 2 & 3 Only)
11:30 PM Lights out
(11:30 PM – 8:00 AM Quiet Hours)
CLOSING DAY (6/28)
6:45 – 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Check-out
8:15 AM Encounters in Church Group Location
9:00 AM Dismiss
Where will we serve?
Students will serve with our North American Mission Board church planting partners in neighborhoods within driving distance from Wheaton. Students will serve in a variety of ways; from backyard bible clubs, to light construction, to neighborhood mapping. Everything they do will serve to see the Gospel proclaimed and the mission of the church strengthened. Lunch will be served on site.
Is there a dress code?
Of course. We ask for there to only be one piece bathing suits at camp, or a dark colored t-shirt over a two piece. Avoid short shorts (including guys showing off the bro thighs), spaghetti strap shirts, or really anything that will be a distraction to those around you. We honor God with how we dress. Be cool, but don’t be a fool! If needed, help a brother or sister out.
Dnow is the event that you look forward to every year. Don’t miss the biggest and best Dnow in the history of Lone Oak FBC.
Our camp pastor for the week will be the one and only TOM RICHTER! You may remember him from every other Dnow we have ever had! He’s awesome and you won’t want to miss his hilarious stories and challenging messages about Jesus. Tom is the pastor of a church located in North Alabama, called Cullman First Baptist Church. Before moving to Cullman, AL Tom served for 14 years as a pastor in New York City at a church called New Hope Christian Church. Tom is a Murray State University graduate, and has his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Music will be led by Issac Pittman. Issac is a talented musician and an awesome man of God. Throughout his musical career, he has shared the stage with several international artists including Brandon Heath, Jars of Clay, Bethany Dillon, Shane & Shane, Rachel Lampa, Taylor Sorensen, and Meredith Andrews. Today Isaac Pittman leads worship for numerous conferences, youth events and camps locally and across the United States. Issac will also be leading worship for those of us who attend summer camp in Chicago this year.
NEW THIS YEAR: CAMP WIDE GAME!
Everybody playing the same game at the same time! Yes it will be awesome! In addition to open rec, we’ll also play a camp-wide game that will keep you fired up all day long. Want to know what it is? Too bad! You’ll have to show up to find out!
OPEN RECREATION!
It’s back! In addition to a camp wide game you will have open recreation all afternoon. That means from 1pm – 5pm, you can climb on the Aerial Adventure Park, zip down the Zip-Lines, of shoot your friends while playing Bazooka Ball or Laser Tag. All the other open recreation options will be available as well, basketball, gaga-ball, volleyball, and Frisbee golf. Recreation just got a whole lot more fun and exciting!
Most importantly, we will spend time together each day in worship and studying God’s Word. Tom will lead us through 4 sessions based on the theme – OUTCAST – based on the passage “The Woman at the Well” found in John 4.
Jesus is all about the outcast: the lost, the broken, and those on the fringe. Jesus, the Messiah, took time for kids and people with incredibly contagious and deadly diseases. His close disciples included ordinary fishermen with dirt under their nails and even the dreaded tax collector. Jesus saw beyond our groups of “accepted” and “outcasts”—beyond race, gender, or social standing—and into the hearts of people he loved.
That’s what this series is all about: seeing others through the eyes of Jesus and inviting the outcasts in.
Session 1: On The Outside
Session 2: Invite Them In
Session 3: In Our Shoes
Session 4: The Great Invitation
Packing List
Bible
Notebook/pen
Toiletries
Sleeping bag/sheets/pillow (No linens provided)
Towels and washcloths
Soap/Shampoo
Flip-flops for the shower
Clothes for outdoor activities
Closed toe shoes and socks (hiking boots or tennis shoes)
Jacket or long sleeves
Clothes for the remainder of weekend
Rain jacket – Weather will NOT dictate what we do.
Hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen
Flashlight
Medication – controlled substance medication only must be turned in to a leader prior to leaving with instructions on distribution of medication
I hope you are looking forward to this weekend. It’s going to be a great time. You are going to learn a lot and have a blast. Below are a few last minute reminders and some veteran tips for those new to the Fall Retreat!
A few last minute reminders:
Check-in/Departure is at 4:30pm. We’re leaving a little earlier so we can eat dinner at camp.
Linen’s are NOT provided. Don’t forget your sleeping bag and pillow!
Be sure to look over the packing list. You need everything on there except maybe the sunscreen.
Here are a few veteran tips for the Thirst Fall Retreat
Bring a flashlight (preferably a headlamp) – Our cabins do NOT have electricity so you’re going to want a good light. The best type of light is a headlamp, that frees up both of your hands while you’re getting yourself settled.
Bring a water bottle – Fill up the water bottle with water or Gatorade during breakfast and lunch. Then you have something to drink anytime you want.
Bring gloves, sock hat, warm stuff – It’s going to be cold at night. You’ll like having your warm stuff on when you leave the fire and go back to your cold bed.
Bring an extra pair of shoes – It’s probably going to be a little muddy and you might like a fresh pair of kicks to wear back at the cabin.
These retreats have the potential to literally change your life. Maximize what God can do by coming with a great attitude, ready to learn, and excited about meeting with God.
Reverb Weekend (FALL RETREAT) will add depth and echo truths taught to the Middle School all year long. It will be a weekend you won’t want to miss. Friday night we will gather at the church for dinner, worship, and fun before heading to host homes for the night. Saturday we will meet back at the church as a group before a day of adventure. We will have dinner and fun at church in the evening before heading back to the host homes. Sunday morning we will gather for breakfast and worship and be finished by 11:00 am. Let the depth of the sound of the Spirit reverb in your soul!
When? November 16-18, 2018.
Where? Lone Oak FBC and Host Homes.
Who? Middle School students.
What? Bible study, games, fellowship, mission project and tons of fun just for middle school students!
How much? $50. Includes all food, fun, and a Amplify Hoodie.
Students will be spending the night at Host Homes. If you are a parent or grandparent and would like to host your students group please contact Joe Yarbrough: 270-554-1441 or jyarbrough@loneoakfbc.org.
THIRST is the Resonate Fall Retreat for students who have a THIRST for God’s Word. This event is for anyone who wants to grow in their walk with the Lord and deepen their understanding of their identity in Christ. This years emphasis will be on “Who You Are In Christ” and why that is so important to understand.
WHO: High school students with a THIRST for God’s Word
WHAT: Thirst Fall Retreat
WHERE: Camp Ondessonk, Ozark, IL
WHEN: Friday, November 2—Sunday, November 4
COST: $75 (covers meals, transportation, housing, and teaching material)
DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 24: Event fee must be paid by deadline. Payment accepted online or place payment in drop box outside Patrick’s office.
REGISTRATION: On line registration is complete. Contact Marcy Emerson or Patrick Greer directly.
PACKING LIST:
Bible
Notebook/pen
Toiletries
Sleeping bag/sheets/pillow (No linens provided)
Towels and washcloths
Old clothes for outdoor activities
Shorts or jeans
Closed toe shoes and socks (hiking boots or tennis shoes)
Jacket or long sleeves
Clothes for the remainder of weekend
$$$ for snacks/souvenirs
Rain jacket—Weather will NOT dictate what we do.
Hat/sunglasses
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Flashlight
Medication – controlled substance medication only must be turned in to a leader prior to leaving with instructions on distribution of medication
SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 2 4:30 p.m.—Depart LOFBC
Dinner @ Camp
Session 1
Go to bed
Saturday, November 3 Breakfast
Personal Devotions
Session 2
Lunch
Activity – Ziplines!!!
Hiking in Shawnee National Forest
Dinner
Session 3
Campfire
Go to bed
Sunday, November 4 Breakfast
Personal Devotion
Session 4
10:30 a.m.—Depart from camp
12:30 p.m.—Arrive at LOFBC
