What Questions Are Students Asking About Sex?

What questions are high school students at New Life Church asking about sex? You don't have to wonder anymore. Ignite Youth Ministries just recently completed a series regarding faithfulness in marriage that culminated last Wednesday in a no holds barred Q & A session. The questions were very good and led to some candid answers. "So what are the questions already?!" Click here to find out.

Guatemala Team Presentation

The Guatemala team has returned! Join them for their presentation and potluck on Sunday, March 1st from 12:30 to 2:00 at Riverfalls. If your last name begins with A-L bring a main dish and a dessert, M-Z bring a main dish and a salad. Come and hear of how the Lord is working in the lives the Mayan people of Pampacche and Wachqoob.

Walk in the Light -- 1 John Message #2

Walk in the Light, 1 John 1:5-2:2, February 22, 2009

Robinwood Facility Improvement Projects

This was in this week's Elder's Update.

We put $30,000 into our budget for 2009, then at the last minute pulled it out and made it a special project so we could take care of the deferred maintenance projects at our Robinwood location. These are important repairs and upgrades that we’ve postponed as long as we could. The projects that we would like to accomplish this year through special giving are:

• Updating an old electrical box that is out of code.
• New lighting for the stage.
• Updating the sound booth.
• Exterior repairs and painting.
• New energy efficient windows.

Don't forget, until Easter your gifts to this project can be part of the matching gift that has been generously offered to our church and will be matched dollar for dollar.

Current Events Discussion Group for February

This month's topic is “Poverty” and will meet on February 26th at 7:00pm at the Riverfalls Campus.

Last month’s discussion on “Creation meets Evolution” was peaceful yet spirited and it was exciting to see some new faces as well as the faithful. The meeting went so long we failed to choose the next subject, as is our habit, so after much personal debate (and some help from Tom Elliott), the subject for the CEDG discussion this month will be “What is the Christian’s roll in addressing poverty?” This subject is convicting. We touched on it briefly in our first meeting (about choosing a president) so I feel confident there will be much to discuss.

Mission Statement:
The Current Events Discussion Group (CEDG) exists to explore and evaluate contemporary social, political and cultural issues so that each member may discern and apply their personal faith convictions within their daily lives.The opinions and views expressed at the CEDG reflect those of the person who gave them and not New Life Church.

Discussion Questions:
1) What were Jesus’ commands concerning the poor? Were they directed at the individual or the church?
2) Is it the responsibility of the government to care for impoverished people? And if so is our government adequately fighting poverty? Could churches be doing a better job?
3) In your opinion, what are the root causes of poverty? What are some common opinions of the prominent aid organizations? What does the Bible say about this?
4) How does one balance going the second mile vs. tough love?

Preparation:
The reading will include an article by John Piper entitled “World Hunger and Us” which gives some statistics and background about world poverty as well as his perspective on Christian responsibility.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1981/317_World_Hunger_and_Us/
I may add a second article in the next few days.
There are so many scriptures on caring for the poor. Here are a few to look up. Likely there will be others that support your answers to the questions above. Please bring the references with you for the discussion.
Matt 25:31-46, Matt 5:40-42, James 2:14-17, Proverbs 14:31
Thank everyone for your continued interest in the discussion group. I hope to see many of you there in a couple of weeks.

Contact Information:
For more information on CEDG procedures or for an Information Packet addressing this month’s topic contact Tiffani Howard.

Pathway to Joy

Pathway to Joy, 1 John 1:1-4, February 15, 2009

Outreach Event for High School Students

High school students are invited to join Ignite Youth Ministries (the high school ministry of New Life Church) on a Laser Tag outing next Friday, February 20 from 7:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. We will be going to Ultrazone for their Friday night frenzy! The cost is only $16, which is $4 less than if you went by yourself. Guests get in for $8. For more info, please contact Matt at the church office. $$$ and Medical Release Forms are due on Wednesday, February 18 for those planning on going. Don't miss a fun night with our group. This really is the best Laser Tag ever!

Update Wednesday Night Life Series

Ignite Youth Ministries (the high school ministry of New Life Church) is taking a brief hiatus from our current series on Wednesday nights. The question "Why don't I feel close to God?" led to the issue of faithfulness in marriage, which is too important a topic for teens to rush past. Faithfulness in marriage for a teen starts now in the area of sexual purity. So you see below that we will be taking the month of February (Valentine's month) to discuss the negative impact of pornography and pre-martial sex on a teen's future marriage. We want them to guard their hearts now against these temptations so that they will experience God's best later on. Here's where we've been and where we're going:

1. How do I know God loves me? - January 14, 2009
2. What does God expect from me? - January 21, 2009
3. Why don't I feel close to God? - Feburary 4, 2009
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- Negative Impact of Pornography - February 11, 2009
- Negative Impact of Pre-marital Sex - February 18, 2009
- Q & A about pornography, sex, marriage, etc. - February 25, 2009
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4. What breaks God's heart? - March 4, 2009
5. How can I be close to God? - March 11, 2009
6. Is it worth it to serve God? - March 18, 2009
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No Wednesday Night Life during Spring Break - March 25, 2009
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After the month of February, we will finish our 6-week series in the book of Malachi entitled Q & A with God just in time for Spring Break. You won't want to miss a single week!

Ignite Newsletter - February 2009

Don't miss the February edition of the Ignite Newsletter. The articles and resources are focused on sexual purity for teenagers. Click here to access a digital copy from the Ignite website, OR check your mailbox at home or the information table at a NLC location for a hard copy. Enjoy!

Caring Bridge Site for Dave Henderson

Hello New Life Church,

Many of you have heard about our missionary Dave Henderson and his cancer diagnosis. The Hendersons have set up a Caring Bridge site to keep friends and family updated on Dave's progress. You can send messages to them through this site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/davehenderson. Thanks for praying for Dave and Sherie!

Don't Give Tithing A Bad Rap. . .Until You View This!