New Blog to Check out

If you have a chance you should check out this blog by this beautiful girl I know.  Read a little about her family and what is going on in their lives!

Next Love with Action Project

Our next love with action project is going to be school supplies.  Our goal is to collect enough supplies for 50 backpacks.  Here is a list of what is needed:

2 Packages Loose-Leaf Paper (wide rule)
2 Folders with pockets (Plain colors preferred)
No. 2 Pencils (pack of 6)
Eraser
Crayons
A pencil case
3 Spiral Notebooks (wide rule)

If you can please bring all that is on the list.  This will fill one backpack.  We are also asking that you place in the offering cash or check for $2.75 to purchase the backpacks at a bulk price.  We are then going to donate the money and the supplies to Bridge of Hope.   

Thanks for helping us as we are trying to be the church and reach out to our community.  1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Crazy Love

Just finished a book by Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley. The whole book talks about our response to this crazy love that the Creator of the universe extends to us. This is an extremely challenging book...one that calls us to put our faith into action and to respond differently than most of us always have. He also has a great website that goes along with the book with some challenging videos.

Chan writes this in Crazy Love, "The goals of American Christianity are often a nice marriage, children who don't swear, and good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally and seriously is rarely considered. That's for the 'radicals' who are 'unbalanced' and who go 'overboard.' Most of us want a balanced life that we can control, that is safe, and that does not involve suffering."

If you want a book that makes you uncomfortable and challenges you to evaluate your faith and your response to this "Crazy Love," this is the book for you.

A great example of Making a Big Deal out of Nothing

I couldn't believe this when I read it.  He must have never been to summer camp with teenage boys!

Just A Few Reminders

Just wanted to remind you all that we will be meeting on Sunday morning at 9:30 to go over "Practical Justice."  Also, you must have a adventure works release form turned in.  This is to clear you for the ropes course on Saturday night. We will be meeting on Saturday July 19th at 7 am...please do not be late!   You also need to wear or pack whatever you are going to wear for the ropes course.  This should be something that is comfortable, as well as comfortable shoes such as sneakers or running shoes.  You will also need money for lunch on the way down and dinner on the way back, along with any other money you want for snacks.  If you have any questions please either post a comment here or email at stlstudents@sbcglobal.net

This is what I have always needed!

You hold the light!

Our theme for the summer is "A Summer of Hope" and this week we looked at a part of the sermon on the mount where Jesus tells his followers that they are the light of the world.  He is standing on a hillside by the Sea of Galilee and he says, "A city on a hill cannot be hidden."  He was more than likely talking about a town called Safed, which the fisherman would use to know where they were.  It was known that as long as you knew where Safed was, even in the midst of a storm or heavy fog, you could find your way home.  Jesus was saying there is no way that Safed could ever be hidden.  He makes it pretty clear that we to are not supposed to hide our light.  He later says, "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl."   I challenged our students tonight about not hiding there light, but by doing the simple things: being kind, compassionate, forgiving, giving, loving, etc, that those around us will see our light.  In the end, I challenged the students to come forward and light a candle as a symbol of them wanting to put their light on a stand and not cover it up.  It was great to see students come forward and make this step in their journey.

Riley's 6th Birthday Party

Riley (thats our dog) just turned 6 and our daughter, Kenedee had the great idea that we should throw her a party....Sooooo we did. What a great party! We had puppy ice cream, party hats, dog toys and special treats for Riley's friend that came to the party. This was an amazing night as a family and I am thankful for all of them...including Riley! Go here to check out a video!

My question for you is are you loving life? Are you taking time to enjoy the little things? Are you loving your family and understanding that it is relationships that are important? I would encourage you to stop...slow down...and remember those around you: encourage a family member today, either with words or with actions.

Summer Camp 2008

You Gave Me Something To Eat!

Come join us this thursday at 9:45 at Trinity Church for our "love with action" project.  We are going to go to the Soulard Farmers market downtown and buy a bunch of fruit and then walk around downtown and pass it out.  If you can please bring $5 to help buy fruit.  This is a part of our SUMMER OF HOPE...Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."  

Love with Action @ Bridge of Hope

Last friday we spent 7 hours doing a "Love with Action" project at Bridge of Hope Church in South St. Louis.  We cleaned up an alley next to the church, mowed their lawn, cleaned up the basement, "removed" two organs from the church, cleaned up the kitchen as well as a few other small jobs.  We ended the night with a bbq for the community and served about 50 people from the area.  It was a great night as we spent time putting our "Love in Action" and bringing hope to Bridge Church and their community.  (Not pictured: Tamara, Anna and Taylor Elzein)

This is an email I got from their pastor:

Dear Pastor Kyle, Trinity Teens and Parents,

 

Thank you is definitely not going to cover it!  I don't even know words to describe how you blessed Bridge of Hope and the entire community here in South St. Louis.The teens and sponsors worked so hard all day, even in the rain. Their work ethic and love for the Lord was such a testimony to the love of Christ. They truly are putting their LOVE IN ACTION. The work they have accompished here is much appreciated and will be easily noticed by everyone who enters our building. But the spiritual work that was done on the church lot...even in the alley...will continue to grow. I am very proud to host a group like Trinity. You all have such dear, tender spirits. You all have true hearts of servants. Also, the donations of food and drink were also such a blessing to us and the community. I'm pretty sure that we fed at least 50 people from the neighborhood, many of who stayed and fellowshipped. A wonderful time was had by all. I am looking forward to going to follow up with many of these people next week. I am also thankful for everyone who came and shared in the fellowship of the barbecue. People in this community really notice when people take the effort to spend time with them. You are all such an encouragement. The rewards will surely be eternal. Thank you for investing so heavily in Bridge of Hope and the whole Kingdom of God. Please come to us again, and remember us in your prayers. You are always in ours. May God Bless continue to bless you and keep you as His face shines upon you.

Pastor Shawen Farley
Bridge of Hope Church of the Nazarene

Embrace Nashville College Trip

I just spent a week in Nashville with 6 college students.  It was a great trip with lots of great experiences.  We had some great discussions and I really enjoyed spending time with these students debriefing our days.  They each brought something different to the group.  We worked with several organizations in Nashville including: Nashville Cares, Y-Cap, Welcome Home Ministries and Good Samaritan Ministries.  I was glad to see God working in the lives of these students as they are each trying to figure out what God is doing in their lives and what he is going to do with their futures.  I believe  in each one of these young people and believe God is going to use each one of them!

Summer Camp

Just a quick reminder that we will be leaving for summer camp this monday, the 16th at 9:30 am. You must have an up to date medical form on file...that means in the last year. If you don't know, please ask. Click on the forms below to print them out.

College Embrace Nashville

I am headed to Nashville, TN with a group of college students.  It is going to be a great experience for me and for these students.  I believe God will challenge each one of them and I believe will affirm what some of them believe God wants them to do, but I also believe that some of them may feel Him leading them in a different direction.  I am looking forward to being obedient this week and allowing God to use us however he wishes...may we be available and in tune with his voice.  

Please pray for me...I can't stand country music...some times God calls us where we don't want to go!

may 27th announcements