Tag: parents

Choices – parents please read

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

Dear Parents,

You are invited and ENCOURAGED to join us for Resonate the next few Wednesday night’s!

6pm – 7:30pm
Youth Worship Room

Over the next 5 weeks we are going to walk through some pretty sensitive and difficult topics; the least of these this Wednesday night.  Here are our topics for the rest of the series:

  • April 17 – Culture
  • April 24 – Vices (alcohol, marijuana, drugs)
  • May 1 – Sex, Lust, Dating
  • May 8 – Homosexuality
  • May 15 – Pornography (Guest Speaker from Hope Unlimited)

I wanted to let you know this in advance because I wanted to give you the option for your teen to “opt out” or “opt in” to these discussions.  I hope you will “opt in.” There is no one who is immune from these issues and no one that hasn’t been impacted by them in some way. 

To say these topics are difficult is an understatement. To say they are important is also an understatement.  Our teens are being bombarded daily by culture on what to believe, how to feel, and what’s acceptable as it relates to these topics.  And parents it’s your job, not cultures, to help shape and direct your teenagers beliefs on these and many other important topics. Sound like a tough job? It is. But we want to help.

Your involvement over the next few weeks will help communicate to your students that you care what they think about these important topics. Encouraging your teens to come, or even forcing them, will also help communicate that you care what the Bible has to say about these topics. And that matters, because believe it or not, you are still the greatest influence in your teenager’s life when it comes to their beliefs on sexuality.

Let me say that again, what you believe and encourage is the #1 influencer in your teenager’s life about what they believe and actually do.

Navigating these issues is a tough job.  We want to give you a place to start a conversation. Each week I will also provide some follow-up discussion questions so you will know what was said and a few questions to ask. You can get those from this website.

We hope you will take this opportunity to continue or start these important conversations with your students. 

God Bless,

Patrick Greer

Mandatory Camp Meeting

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

Mandatory meeting for parents and students going to Chicago for camp.

Location: MPR (Multi-Purpose Room)
Time: 6:00pm

You’ll get important information for camp and receive your camp shirt.  This is also a great time to drop off any last minute forms or payments.

We’re taking your kids to Chicago. You need to be at this meeting. 🙂

Attention Parents: Be a part of Dnow on Wednesday nights

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

Dear Parents (and LOFBC members),

Disciple Now (DNow) is one of our most important events of the year in the Student Ministry at Lone Oak First Baptist Church. Traditionally DNow has been a weekend event in the spring when we take our students to Jonathan Creek for a three day action and spirit packed adventure diving into God’s Word together. This year, however, we have decided that such an important event in the lives of our students deserves much more than just the three day weekend of March 17-19  – and we want YOU to be a part of it!

We want to invite YOU to join us beginning Wednesday, March 1
for our DNow Wednesdays as we dive into our theme – OVERCOME.

Now you might be thinking, “What does DNow have to do with me? I’m not a teenager?”

We believe this would be an outstanding opportunity for all of us to learn and be reminded how to OVERCOME through the power of God who is present in our lives. Our hope is to not only ignite our students to desire to know God and His power to OVERCOME in Christ, but also to ignite the whole family to live in the power available to us through the Holy Spirit.

For four weeks, we will hear testimonies from men and women who have OVERCOME life’s challenges through the power of Christ in their lives. Although they have faced some of life’s toughest storms, their faith in God has remained. Last month, through Dr. Dan’s sermons, God reminded us that we were not only given talents and gifts to be used by him, but also a story. Come join us as we hear the stories of how God refines and strengthens our faith as we OVERCOME in him.

­­Jeff Richard | Wednesday, March 1 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

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A finger stick test during Jeff and Stacie Richard’s son, Nate’s, five year old wellness checkup revealed that Nate’s hemoglobin was low. Days later, they were called in and given the devastating news that Nate had cancer. Nearly 2 years into the 3 1/2 year treatment schedule to keep his leukemia at bay, Nate became ill with an infection that his body could not withstand and he passed on to heaven June 24, 2009. In the midst of this tragedy, Jeff and Stacie continue to see God’s grace as Nate’s Wish, a foundation started to help children fighting cancer as well as encourage their families, is carried out. It is their hope that Nate’s Wish encourages every child and teaches them that they are one of a kind and they are wonderfully made.

Daniel Dunn | Wednesday, March 8 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

Daniel has no doubt his recovery from a near-fatal fall almost 6 years ago is a miracle. The then 36-year-old Dunn, an avid outdoorsman, was hiking on Memorial Day at Burden Falls in southern Illinois when his life changed forever. In an attempt to rescue a friend who was falling, they both fell 75 to 100 feet over the waterfall. Daniel sustained multiple life threatening injuries including a fractured skull and vertebra. The accident has given him a heightened awareness of the importance of sharing God’s love with others.

Brian Arnett | Wednesday, March 15 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

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Brian’s story is a story of redemption, God’s grace, and faith. After years of struggling with alcoholism in private, God’s circumstances forced Brian to deal with his demons.  Brian entered into rehab. It was here, during one of the hardest challenges of his life, he overcame his addiction through the power of Christ. While Brian still affirms alcohols effects on him today, he overcomes this temptation through the help of family, friends, and most importantly his faith in God.

Missy Jenkins Smith  | Wednesday, March 22 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Multi-Purpose Room

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On December 1, 1997, a 14-year-old freshman boy who had been bullied for years walked into the Heath High School lobby and randomly fired a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol. Three students were killed. Five were injured. Missy was one of the critically injured students. She was left paralyzed from the chest down. But just hours after the shooting, Missy did the unthinkable: she forgave the shooter, accepted her disability and reclaimed her life. Missy’s story is one of love, faith, forgiveness, courage, and determination.

But wait, there’s more!

We would also like to invite you to join us for Worship

on Saturday night, March 18

at Jonathan Creek Camp and Conference Center.

Worship will begin at 7:30 pm

in their new Worship Center.
(Directions can be found below or by following the link here: Directions to Jonathan Creek)

Thank you for your commitment to pray and support the high school and middle school students at Lone Oak First Baptist Church. We look forward to all God will do in the month of March, as we all learn that we too can OVERCOME!

In Christ,

Patrick Greer & Joe Yarbrough

Student Ministry Team

Parents: Check out what we’re learning at Resonate

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

PARENT CUE

We’re teaching this:

How many hours are you connected to some kind of technology on a normal day? If you were to add up your hours online, your glances at text messages, your streaming music, your perusing social media, your Netflix addiction, how many hours could you count? It’s probably a lot. Our culture is obsessed with technology—and with good reason. Technology keeps us connected to each other and to the world around us. Nearly every device we own transmits signals to something else, somewhere else. Why? Because that’s how they’re wired to function. Our phones, tablets, smart watches, gaming systems—they all are wired to connect to something outside them. And the same is true for us. We are wired for connection. It’s in our design. As we take a closer look at what Jesus called “the greatest commandment”, we discover that we were wired to have three vital relationships: with God, with ourselves, and with others. And when those connections are made, everything else begins to function as it was designed.

Think about this:

Your student is changing fast. Chances are this isn’t a surprise. Their classes are changing. Their friends are changing. Their bodies are definitely changing. But one change you may not see as quickly are the changes that are happening in your student’s brain. As our students approach puberty, their brains are being physically rewired to function less like a child and more like an adult. New connections are forming. Old ones are collapsing. Parts of the brain are being reorganized. And with all of that activity, it’s no surprise that they may experience occasional “outages” or glitches in their judgment, their memory, and their emotional control.

That means…

… your straight-A scholar may suddenly forget their homework.

… your sweet, quiet child may now have teenage emotional outbursts.

… your reasonable, responsible student may have a few mindboggling lapses in judgment.

When that happens, our first reaction may be to panic and wonder, what went wrong here? But, most of the time, nothing is really wrong. Our students’ brains are simply under construction.

In their book, Teen Stages, authors Ken and Elizabeth Mellor describe this as a “cognitive rebirth” beginning around age 13 and continues into young adulthood. That means during middle school and high school, your student may show some behaviors reminding you a lot of their toddler and early elementary years. And…it’s perfectly normal.

While no two children are the same, and development is surely going to look different and take different amounts of time for each one, it may be helpful to look at the stages Mellor outlines to see.

As you check out the table, find which descriptions best match your student and read to see what maybe coming in the next year. No matter what phase of rewiring your student is in, it’s important to remember that it’s only a phase. Enjoy them exactly as they are today and know that you play a key role, even during the later stages, in guiding them toward what’s next.

We hope you will consider, if you are not already, joining us on Wednesday nights as we look at how God has WIRED us.

Chicago deposits due February 1

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

McCracken Co. churches come together to serve and support the mission of North American Mission Board (NAMB) church planters in Chicago.

Each day students will be immersed in new cultures, great worship, biblical-teaching by our camp pastor, and have a variety of opportunities to serve on the front-lines for the Gospel in Chicago.

Deposits are due Wednesday, February 1. Follow the link below to pay.

Get the rest of the details here: Chicago Mission Camp

CENTRIFUGE PARENT INFORMATION

Posted By: Joe YarbroughPosted On:

pcbfuge

WHAT TO BRING

  • Linens
  • towels
  • pillows
  • blankets
  • Water bottle you can refill and carry with you
  • Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes (for outdoor activities)
  • Bible, notepad, and pen
  • Toiletries such as toothbrush and shampoo
  • Sun protection
  • Spending money for 4 meals (2 lunch, 2 dinners) snacks, camp store, and missions offering (optional)
  • Summer clothing (See dress code)
  • Theme night clothing (See Night Life)

WHAT NOT TO BRING

  • Alcohol
  • tobacco
  • illegal drugs
  • fireworks
  • water guns, or any kind of weapon
  • We recommend no playstation portables or other gaming devices
  • roller blades or skateboards
  • Items that may be used for pranks such as water balloons, shaving cream, silly string, etc.

CAMP RULES

Cell Phones

  • Unless instructed by staff, students with cell phones are not allowed to have them out or in use during programming elements: Morning Celebration, Bible Study, Worship, Night Life, Recreation and Track Times/Ministry Tracks. Ringers should be turned to silent or vibrate.

Activities

  • Wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes to recreation and ministry sites.
  • Wear your name tag at all times.

Housing

  • Be in your room by 11:00 PM with lights out no later than 11:30 PM, except on the last evening of camp when curfew is 11:30 PM.
  • No guys in girls’ rooms and no girls in guys’ rooms.
  • No public displays of affection.

Worship

  • No gum, food, or drinks allowed in the worship center.
  • Sleeveless tops are allowed but no tank tops during worship.

Dress Code

  • Wear clothes that are clean, neat and modest.
  • Shorts – You must be able to touch fabric on shorts either in the front or the side when you hold your arms straight down.
  • Sleeveless shirts are now allowed during day-time activities.
  • Shirts with spaghetti straps or excessive armpit cutouts (exposing torso and undergarments) are not allowed.
  • Only wear one piece bathing suits when in the pool.
  • Wear modest shorts, pants, jeans, or dresses for worship.
  • Dresses with spaghetti or small straps, open backs, and excessively short lengths are unacceptable (when hands are extended to the back or front, finger tips must touch fabric).
  • Sleeveless tops are allowed but no tank tops during worship.
  • Wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes to recreation and ministry sites.
  • Wear your name tag at all times.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Opening Day

1:00 – 4:00 PM   Registration

5:00 PM  Dinner

6:30  Opening Celebration

7:30 PM Bible Study

8:30 PM Church Group Rally

8:45 PM Church Group Devotion

10:00 PM Hang Time

11:00 PM In Rooms

11:30 PM Lights Out

Full Days of Camp

7:00 AM Breakfast

8:15 AM Morning Celebration

9:00 AM Recreation

10:30 AM Quiet Time/Bible Study

12:00 PM Lunch

1:10 PM Track Rally

1:20 PM Track A

2:20 PM Track Rally

2:30 PM Track B

3:20 PM Hang Time

5:00 PM Dinner

6:30 PM Worship

8:00 PM Church Group Time

9:45 PM Night Life

10:15 PM Hang Time

11:00 PM In Rooms (Note: This will be 11:30 PM on the last night of camp)

11:30 PM Lights Out

Closing Day

7:00 AM Breakfast

8:00 AM Quiet Time/Bible Study

9:45 AM Closing Celebration

10:45 AM Churches Depart

NIGHT LIFE

As we venture further into what it means to be “Unashamed,” the students, for both

Night life 1 and 2, will begin their journey in the auditorium where they will be challenged

and commissioned to follow the instructions for the evening through interactive video. From

there, they will be split into church groups and led by a FUGE staff member to the “Arena”, a

triangular structure in the middle of an auxiliary field on campus.

Night Life 1: Unashamed: Glow

Continuing the “glow-in-the-dark” and “neon” expressions from last year, the students,

adorned in glow-sticks and party gear, will venture to the arena to find 6 game stations

including glow-in-the-dark:

– Water sponge fight

– Giant Jenga

– Paint Wall

– Silly String War

– Shaving Cream war

– Cornhole Tourney

– Students and adults may dress in glow-in-the-dark attire during this night life.

Night Life 2: Unashamed: Shine

An immersive worship experience, students will journey to the “Arena” again to find the space

has changed. Four new stations challenge students to think and process every section of the

bible study while creating art themselves to express what they are learning

– Scripture Wall

– Growth Wall

– Chalkboard Wall

– Light Wall

Night life 3: MEGA RELAY

Get your game faces on and come ready to compete for the FUGE Cup

– This may take place in the afternoon at some locations.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Physical and Mailing Address:

Shalimar Retreat Center Attn: Centrifuge (please write church and camper name on all mail)

203 Shalimar Street

Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Shalimar Office Number: 850.236.0197

 Shalimar Website: www.shalimarretreat.com

FUGE Camp Cell Phone: 615.429.3656 FUGE

Camp Email Address: panamacityfuge@gmail.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

We will be leaving from the D Building of Lone Oak FBC at 2:00PM. Sunday June 5th. Please eat lunch before coming. Girls and Guys will be in separate buses. Please try to minimize your luggage to 1 suitcase and 1 small bag (space will be limited on the buses.)

Students will be responsible for 4 meals on their own: Dinner on Sunday night, Lunch on Monday, Lunch and Dinner on Friday.

On Sunday night we will be staying at Embassy Suites Hotel Montgomery-Conference Center in Montgomery, AL.

While at camp it is important that students drink plenty of water and use sun screen. This will be reinforced by our chaperones and the camp staffers.

We will be returning to the D Building of Lone Oak FBC at approximately 10:30PM, Friday June 10th.

We will be texting ETA’s via our Remind App.

To sign up, text @msparent1 to  270-505-4294.

 

“The Talk” Series

Posted By: Joe YarbroughPosted On:
“The Talk” Series

 

Hello Parents,

You should have received an email via The Parent Cue regarding a new series called “The Talk” that we will be starting next week – and yes, it’s about Sex. Click Here to watch the series preview

If you have not received an email or are not signed up for the Parent Cue please fill out the form below:

Typically, when churches deal with the topic of sex, they either ignore the subject altogether or simply say that sex is bad. Instead, we want to have the talk. However, this won’t be a one-time lecture, but rather an on-going conversation that will open up the lines of communication between students and peers, small group leaders and parents. In this 3 week series we will be discussing this topic in a biblical manner.

In Session 1 (Let’s Talk About Sex), we’ll talk about God’s design for sex and what happens when it’s taken out of context.

In Session 2 (Let’s Talk About Technology), we’ll talk about how we treat ourselves and others online matters in real life.

In Session 3 (Let’s Talk About Pornography), we’ll talk about how our secret habits have real-life consequences.

Note: Sessions 2 & 3 Will be combined. Session 3 will take place in Small groups.

And in Session 4 (Let’s Talk About Boundaries), we’ll talk about how we need boundary lines and lines of communication to keep us from making big mistakes.

Some of you may have questions so I’ll do my best to share with you how we’ll go about teaching this topic. For starters we are using a Middle School based curriculum written by XP3 Students – all of these lessons are biblically based and are middle school age appropriate. Each week we will watch a Teaching Video together in AMPLIFY, then we will dismiss to an extended Small group time, there students will be able to discuss and ask questions in age/gender appropriate groups. If you would like to preview these teaching videos and small group questions I would be glad to let you do so. If you have any questions please let me know. We want to be sensitive and respectful to all of our parents in regards to this subject. Thank you for allowing your student to be apart of the Middle School Ministry of LOFBC.

-Joe Yarbrough

Same Sex Attraction and Homosexuality

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

Dear Parents,

I’m just going to get right to the point. Wednesday night we are talking about homosexuality.

I wanted to let you know this in advance because I wanted to give you the option for your child to “opt out” or “opt in” to this discussion. I hope you will “opt in.” There is no one who is immune from this issue and no one that hasn’t been impacted by it in some way.

One of my goals is to equip your son or daughter to be able to engage the culture around them from a Biblical viewpoint; a culture that is increasingly favorable to same-sex relationships. By equipping your child to engage culture, we are creating opportunities to share the Gospel through a viewpoint of homosexuality that is based out of love and the truth of God’s Word.

A few things you might want to know:

  • We will frame the discussion from the aspect of “Same Sex Attraction” as opposed to “Being Gay.” I think this is an important differentiation of the issue, one that speaks to where we find our identity and what we call sin.
  • We will call homosexual activity a sin.
  • All main points will be taken directly from God’s Word. I will not be sharing my opinion on the subject, but rather communicate what I see clearly from God’s Word.
  • The Main Points are:
    • Homosexual desire is not what God originally intended.
    • Our distorted desires are a sign that we have turned away from God.
    • Homosexual sin is serious.
    • Homosexual sin is not unique.
    • Homosexual sin is not inescapable.
    • Homosexuality is contrary to biblical teaching and the Gospel
  • There will be an emphasis on grace and love for those struggling with this issue and an encouragement for Christians to approach the issue with the same sensitivity. Often times it’s not just what is said, but also how it’s said.

In an ever changing culture, it is important to be able to give a defense to the hope we have in Christ. As Peter states in 1 Peter 3:15-16,

“Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.”

It is our desire to present this hope and this message with gentleness and respect, ultimately pointing people toward Jesus and away from their sin.

If you have further questions or would like to talk with me personally, feel free to contact me at pgreer@loneoakfbc.org.

In Him,

Patrick Greer
Minister of High School Students
Lone Oak FBC

 

 

Smart Money Smart Kids

Posted By: Patrick GreerPosted On:

Begins Thursday, August 27 through Oct 1st from 6:00-7:00pm in Room D103
Led by Jeff & Stacie Richard
Cost $60

Check out this great resource for parents to help them navigate issues of money and teenagers.  Don’t wait to figure out how to tackle these issues, learn now.  I highly recommend this class to parents as they either prepare or are in the midst of these financial challenges.

In Smart Money Smart Kids, financial expert Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze equip parents to teach their children how to manage money. Starting with the basics like working, spending, saving, and giving, then moving into more challenging issues like avoiding debt, paying cash for college, and battling discontentment, Dave and Rachel present a no-nonsense, commonsense approach. You’ll learn how to build your kid’s character and give them a solid understanding of how money works and how to make wise decisions.