Jul 5, 2013 | Prayer, Teaching
I received some of the best feedback I have ever received from a sermon after the first message of our new Joseph series. That afternoon, a 14-yr-old texted me to let me know she had read the Book of Genesis for the first time, and she was very excited about it. She had highlighted many passages, including Genesis 50:20 (read it– it’s powerful). Think about the potential bound up in her young life, and what a difference the guidance of Scripture will make for her.
Several other people told me Joseph’s amazing story prompted them to read it for themselves. That’s the real deal right there, friends. You never know what God might do through people who seek him and ponder his words!
Pray for this new series. Pray God would draw our people into his word, and help us understand it. Pray God would change our hearts and minds with his word. Pray we have “ears to hear” and put his words into practice. Pray we will be bold, gentle, wise, and ready to share God’s inspiring, challenging, freeing, life-giving words.
Word,
Chris
Jun 26, 2013 | Prayer
There’s so much going on with Everyday Church right now, and I don’t mean the stuff on our church calendar. There is a lot going on with our people! Both good and bad. Our dearly loved Raymon had surgery this week. Baby Raul Ortiz was born! Some have made visits to the emergency room; others to important job interviews.
It has been wonderful to watch our church family step up and take care of one another. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love.”
Being devoted to something requires a great deal of time and energy and it isn’t always convenient. Let’s pray that being devoted to one another remains part of Everyday Church’s DNA as more and more people join our church family. Pray that people in our church would be willing to share when they are struggling and in need of help. Finally, let’s pray that our devotion to one another brings glory to God.
Love you all,
Wendy
Jun 11, 2013 | Everyday Groups, Everyday Youth, Prayer
In the mood for a few weeks of high pressure, high stakes test-taking!?!
Hmm, probably not.
New York’s standard high school tests, the NYS Regents Exams, are upon us. 8th-12th grade students around the city are in their final week of preparation for two weeks of testing. And it’s no joke. More and more pressure is placed on students every year… it affects their future education options, their move to the next grade, their school and teachers, their home life, and their stress level.
The Everyday Family Group spent time recently putting together encouraging
notes and gift cards for our youth group students and their friends– just small way to encourage our kids and allow them to be a blessing to their friends.
Please pray:
* for our 8th-12th grade students, that they will be confident and prepared
* they will be a bright light in their schools and a source of encouragement and kindness for their friends
* the notes our group put together will reveal the concern and love of God himself
* the Everyday Youth Group is a source of hope and true friendship for students in our community
* all our Everyday Groups continue to find unique ways to serve and bless our city
Your prayers are a gift to this world…never stop praying!
Jun 4, 2013 | Everyday Groups, Prayer
Exciting things have been happening in Everyday Groups!
* The Youth Group experienced their first baptism and moved to Friday nights.
* The Family Group went on a field trip to the MET and had a great time.
* The Inwood Group planted a garden for the students of Inwood Academy for Leadership.
* The Creativity Group launched this Sunday with great success.
As you pray for our groups, I’d like you to do 2 things:
1) Praise God for what he’s doing through your group. How has God effected your life through it? What’s your favorite thing about your group? Tell God how thankful you are. Be specific.
2) Pray for a group that
you are not a part of. Pray for God to strengthen and protect them as a spiritual family. Pray for their leader. Pray that God would use them in big ways to further his kingdom. Be specific. You can find info about other groups here:
Everyday Groups.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. – Ephesians 3:20
May 28, 2013 | Prayer, Teaching
We plan to take another important step with our Teaching Services this October: we intend to increase the frequency of these gatherings from every-other week (as they are now) to every week. Everyday Groups are the most important way we relate to one another as a church, and our Teaching Services are one of the many things we do to support them. That focus isn’t changing. But it is time to take this next natural step with our services.
We’ll share more information over the coming months, but the most important thing we can all do to support this important development is to pray that:
* Everyday Groups benefit immensely from the added momentum our Teaching Services can provide.
* More Everyday people take advantage of the opportunities to volunteer this will provide, and experience the sense of significance and ownership that comes from being a part of this worthy endeavor.
* God uses this to draw more people to himself, and uses us to bring others along.
* God gives us all wisdom and courage to follow his lead as we establish this new church.
If you have any questions, comments, hopes, or concerns about this, don’t hesitate to contact me: Email Chris.
May 22, 2013 | Everyday Groups, Everyday Youth, Prayer
We are so excited that Demi decided to give her life to Christ and be baptized. It was beautiful the way our leaders modeled for her what it looks like to live a Christian life and regularly talked with her and discipled her. Her journey is just beginning and we are all eager to see where God takes her. We’re sure she’s just one of many students God will draw to himself through Christ. The work God is doing through the Everyday Youth Group is powerful and a joy to be apart of!
Things to pray for:
* Demi’s walk with Christ
* That we refine our vision and mission for reaching teens for Christ
* That we focus our energy on discipleship
* That we gain momentum this Summer, and see more kids getting involved
