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SUNDAY SCHOOL KICKOFF
Sunday, September 12 @ 10am
Learn all about the NEW Sunday School classes available for children, youth, and adults!
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New and Current Sunday School Classes
Babies - In their early months, babies develop trust based on the care they receive. This development of trust is crucial to their later ability to trust in God. Although there is not a curriculum for the babies class, we provide excellent care for babies’ needs in our nursery.
Toddlers and 2’s - Children will learn the foundational themes of their developing faith. Simple concepts such as “God made me” will be taught through age appropriate, fun and creative activities.
3’s to Kindergarteners - Children will learn Bible truths in a way that's keeps their interest, and helps them understand how much God loves them.
New hands-on tools will help children learn through all their senses, meeting and interacting with the God who made them.
1st-3rd Graders and 4th-6th Graders - With a new hands-on curriculum, children will get involved, learning as they explore and engage with their senses. These lessons will help draw kids into God's Word and closer to Jesus.
Youth and College This class explores one book of the Bible at a time, covering the entire Bible over a 6 year period. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of Scripture, aiding them as they follow Jesus.
John 3:16 This adult Sunday School class will be a discussion-based class covering Max Lucado’s John 3:16. Participants will read a chapter of the book between each class session.
John 3:16 will run from October 3 to November 21. Participants may consider attending the Exploring the Bible class until October 3.
Children and Prayer This adult Sunday School class will focus on developing children and families’ faith at home. Participants will occasionally read provided material between sessions.
Exploring the Bible This will be a continuation of the current adult Sunday school class. Participants may study a provided lesson between sessions. The class covers topical issues related to the Bible.
Lydian Class and Senior Adult Men These classes offer a more mature perspective for those seeking a topical study of the Scripture. Participants may study a provided lesson between sessions.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
God is good. He is goodness in himself, but more than that he is good to us. A profound part of the Gospel is that God, unsatisfied with just being complete within the three persons of the Trinity, decided to extend his loving, good nature to a creation of people whom he wanted to commune with forever. In spite of sin, in spite of ignorance, in spite of blatant rejection of the good and the holy on our part God had has persisted in his goodness to us.
God is good. This has been a trying year for us in many ways as a church. We, like most families and institutions, have struggled financially. We’ve also, perhaps as a consequence of our uncertainty and disgust with the economy around us, struggled spiritually. It is the witness of Scripture that God provides for his people in times of great uncertainty and trial; God will meet and exceed our needs when we remain faithful to the work he has called us to.
God is good. Last Sunday we had an impromptu revival. Our financial situation was dire, and was matched by a spiritual uncertainty and apathy in the direction of our church. However, God’s Spirit moved in such a way that hearts were changed, tears were shed, and we left with a sense of hope and an expectation of God’s blessing on us in days to come.
God is good. Next Sunday will be very special for our church. We’ll celebrate the accomplishments of our children and youth in all that they have done this summer from camps to VBS. We’ll celebrate with two new brothers in Christ who have come to be baptized. We will celebrate the presence of our newest members who have come in recent days. We will celebrate the sacrifice Christ made for us in the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Most of all, we will celebrate the good God who continues to bless us with life, finances, and the grace to lead us in using both.
God is good. This has been a trying year for us in many ways as a church. We, like most families and institutions, have struggled financially. We’ve also, perhaps as a consequence of our uncertainty and disgust with the economy around us, struggled spiritually. It is the witness of Scripture that God provides for his people in times of great uncertainty and trial; God will meet and exceed our needs when we remain faithful to the work he has called us to.
God is good. Last Sunday we had an impromptu revival. Our financial situation was dire, and was matched by a spiritual uncertainty and apathy in the direction of our church. However, God’s Spirit moved in such a way that hearts were changed, tears were shed, and we left with a sense of hope and an expectation of God’s blessing on us in days to come.
God is good. Next Sunday will be very special for our church. We’ll celebrate the accomplishments of our children and youth in all that they have done this summer from camps to VBS. We’ll celebrate with two new brothers in Christ who have come to be baptized. We will celebrate the presence of our newest members who have come in recent days. We will celebrate the sacrifice Christ made for us in the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Most of all, we will celebrate the good God who continues to bless us with life, finances, and the grace to lead us in using both.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Fathers’ Day throws into sharp relief a growing trend that I’ve noticed in the church, namely, that we’re seeing a decline in men’s attendance in every activity and service we offer. Many church leaders and authors have communicated their theories about this trend, citing correlations among marriage, children, job security, and even the rise of sports in our culture as taking men away from the pews. I wonder why church is increasingly unattractive to my own gender, more especially to my own social demographic. Is church just not manly enough?
I understand that there are great things to take men, as well as every other family member away from the church and her activities. However, I find that there are equally (if not more so!) compelling reasons to be involved. When men are thrust into the complicated and demanding role of the husband and the father, where shall they turn to learn how to be the best at both? Where else is authentic manhood demonstrated if not in the life of Christ and his disciples?
I think that men, especially fathers, have gotten a bum rap in our society. Consider all the bungling, idiotic father-figures on television; their stupidity and incompetence has become some sort of expectation for all fathers, and men for that matter, to be barely sentient and unable to care for themselves. This is hardly the image of manhood as given to us by God, where fathers are strong, intelligent, and courageous. It’s sad that as the men of America have slid into a stereotype and caricature of their real selves, so has the church.
I’d invite everyone, fathers, mothers and us in between, to worship God with us this Sunday. Let’s push back against what manhood and womanhood are being cast as by this world and find what we’re supposed to be through Christ Jesus. Let’s prove that there are indeed real men in Riesel. Let’s make this Fathers’ Day about our Heavenly Father.
I understand that there are great things to take men, as well as every other family member away from the church and her activities. However, I find that there are equally (if not more so!) compelling reasons to be involved. When men are thrust into the complicated and demanding role of the husband and the father, where shall they turn to learn how to be the best at both? Where else is authentic manhood demonstrated if not in the life of Christ and his disciples?
I think that men, especially fathers, have gotten a bum rap in our society. Consider all the bungling, idiotic father-figures on television; their stupidity and incompetence has become some sort of expectation for all fathers, and men for that matter, to be barely sentient and unable to care for themselves. This is hardly the image of manhood as given to us by God, where fathers are strong, intelligent, and courageous. It’s sad that as the men of America have slid into a stereotype and caricature of their real selves, so has the church.
I’d invite everyone, fathers, mothers and us in between, to worship God with us this Sunday. Let’s push back against what manhood and womanhood are being cast as by this world and find what we’re supposed to be through Christ Jesus. Let’s prove that there are indeed real men in Riesel. Let’s make this Fathers’ Day about our Heavenly Father.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Texas Education and My Broken Heart
I've just started working as a lab instructor at McLennan Community College's Mathematics Lab. That means I assist MCC students with a wide range of mathematics, from remedial arithmetic all the way to differential equations and statistics. The most difficult transition that I have had to make has been to understand and function within the realm of public education. The last time I attended or was connected to a state-sponsored school was in May of 2000 when I graduated from West Feliciana High School. Since then I have been well protected within the Baptist Bubbles of Mississippi College and Baylor University.
Now, however, things are entirely different. Instead of the Mercedes commercial that is the Baylor parking garage, I leave my little Honda in a lot full of older makes and models, many looking like they might not last the semester. The people I assist are not trust fund babies, nor do they have parents footing the relatively affordable bill of Texas public education. Instead these students are paying their own way, usually with families in tow. This is far, far away from the security and homogeneity of the Baptist Bubble, where most of the students are white, Christian, affluent people with careers well mapped out before them. Here the future is not so secure; here the gleaming halls and polished floors are tarnished with the realities of life in America.
The education is more for me, I think. I understand that I am now a resource for the Mathematics Department, and that I am participating in the overall goal of MCC to educate all who come, preparing them for work and life. I also understand, however, that these students are educating me in the ways of life outside the Bubble.
These students share some common characteristics, though, and one such trait is especially troubling to me. It is no small thing that many are in remedial mathematics, nor is it a laughable thing that many do not possess the prerequisite skills for higher education and training. However, I have found in my years in Texas and in my days at MCC that this school is not filled with lazy, complaining, and less-intelligent students. Instead, this lab is filled with students who are living the consequences of a broken public education system in this state and nation at large. I have neither the time now, nor have I done the appropriate research to argue my opinion yet, however, I think it is painfully obvious that many many children in Texas are being left behind. How ironic given the Act's author.
My heart aches for these bright, hard-working students who have underachieved because they have not had achievement placed before them. They have been given up on because of race, class, or perhaps even geography. Such is a damnable and detestable offense from any perspective except that of a racist and segregationist society. This must change, and it must change soon. Regardless of Acts of Congress or national achievement standards, too many are being cast aside as failures. Would it take more compassionate teachers? Yes, says Marvin Olasky. Would it take civil engineering and city planning? Yes, says Susan Eaton. The solution to the problem of Texas education is great and daunting, perhaps only outweighed by the mountain of humanity who do not even know that they have been cheated out of a necessary commodity; knowledge.
Now, however, things are entirely different. Instead of the Mercedes commercial that is the Baylor parking garage, I leave my little Honda in a lot full of older makes and models, many looking like they might not last the semester. The people I assist are not trust fund babies, nor do they have parents footing the relatively affordable bill of Texas public education. Instead these students are paying their own way, usually with families in tow. This is far, far away from the security and homogeneity of the Baptist Bubble, where most of the students are white, Christian, affluent people with careers well mapped out before them. Here the future is not so secure; here the gleaming halls and polished floors are tarnished with the realities of life in America.
The education is more for me, I think. I understand that I am now a resource for the Mathematics Department, and that I am participating in the overall goal of MCC to educate all who come, preparing them for work and life. I also understand, however, that these students are educating me in the ways of life outside the Bubble.
These students share some common characteristics, though, and one such trait is especially troubling to me. It is no small thing that many are in remedial mathematics, nor is it a laughable thing that many do not possess the prerequisite skills for higher education and training. However, I have found in my years in Texas and in my days at MCC that this school is not filled with lazy, complaining, and less-intelligent students. Instead, this lab is filled with students who are living the consequences of a broken public education system in this state and nation at large. I have neither the time now, nor have I done the appropriate research to argue my opinion yet, however, I think it is painfully obvious that many many children in Texas are being left behind. How ironic given the Act's author.
My heart aches for these bright, hard-working students who have underachieved because they have not had achievement placed before them. They have been given up on because of race, class, or perhaps even geography. Such is a damnable and detestable offense from any perspective except that of a racist and segregationist society. This must change, and it must change soon. Regardless of Acts of Congress or national achievement standards, too many are being cast aside as failures. Would it take more compassionate teachers? Yes, says Marvin Olasky. Would it take civil engineering and city planning? Yes, says Susan Eaton. The solution to the problem of Texas education is great and daunting, perhaps only outweighed by the mountain of humanity who do not even know that they have been cheated out of a necessary commodity; knowledge.
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