Weekend Story

This past weekend I was involved in processing the evacuees of hurricane Rita. The entire procedure was very stressful to them and to us. There were adults and children, families and singles. The majority of the people were here because they voluntarily left their home to flee to safety; but that was not the case for one woman. It is her story I want to share with you.
A young woman was sitting all alone, her head down, seemingly very sad. I sat down beside her and we began to talk. She told me of her life in Viet Nam, how she and her family were almost killed by the VC. She described her boat trip to the United States and how she and her parents almost died on that boat. She and her parents lived for a time in California and then settled in Houston. Along the way, she married and had three children. Another tragedy in this young woman’s life, her husband left her and the children and is not involved in their lives. They do not even know where he is. Her parents are elderly and not in good health. And we think we have problems!
As we sat and talked, she looked at me through eyes filled with tears and said, “I feel so alone. I have no other family here, my parents will not live much longer and then it will only be me and my children.” My heart was breaking for this beautiful spirit, this courageous but vulnerable woman.
As I thought later about our conversation, I thought about people like her right here at GCR. We have people that have the same lament; “I feel so alone.” In a sea of people, you can feel so very much alone. But there is good news; you do not have to be alone. She had to return to Houston, to a life without family, but that does not have to be your fate. We now have over 100 HOST’s and more signing up. It is very easy to experience belonging and family, join a group. Our groups are family; they are there to laugh with you, to share in your joys, and to cry with you in your sorrows; we truly are Better Together.
Ephesians 4:15-16 Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Meeting

I want to make sure that everyone knows about the meeting, that no one get left out. If you are not on my e-mail list, let me know. It is this Wednesday after PowerPoint in room 100.
One of my favorite phrases is, "Knowledge is Power", I believe that and I want to make sure you have all the knowledge possible about small groups, and specifically about our LifeGroups. If you have a story to share, or a comment or suggestion, this is a great place to dialog. Take advantage of this medium.
Have a very Blessed week.
your servant,

What on Earth are WE Here for?

Missions
What does that mean to our LifeGroups? During the 40 Days, each group will choose an outreach mission. What does that look like? The best way to make that decision is to follow your hearts. What area does your group feel drawn to? Is it the elderly? How about youth? Is it the beautification of our city? Is it teaching people to read?
If you listen to your hearts, to where the Spirit is guiding you, then you will know what the mission is for your group.
If you have any questions or need additional ideas, Kim and Ed Wuthrich are the Mission Coordinators, they will be happy to answer your questions. Or, as always feel free to ask me and I will do anything I can to help you.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Peter 4:11b
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Tender Blessings on each of you
your servant,

Together

I know a woman who recently went through an experience that I would like to share with you.
One day her left hand said to her body, I do not do very much and feel a little useless, so I think I will go out on my own. I do not need you, was the comment from the hand to the woman and with that took off.
The woman’s heart died a little when her left hand departed, but there were other parts of her body she needed to care for, so she went bravely on.
The hand discovered it could not function away from the body and longed to be back in its place. Being deprived of the life blood from the heart, it began to atrophy and was dying.
Her right foot told her that it wanted to leave as well. It was strong from the weight it had carried and knew the path to take since it had walked the path before. So, the foot also left the body. The woman’s heart died a little more from another part of her body leaving.
The foot lasted a little longer than the hand, but it too quickly discovered that without the life blood from the woman’s heart, it could not function and began to atrophy and die.
By now you know that the woman is the church, you and me; and the heart is God and the blood is Jesus. We need to belong to a small group, they make up the parts of the body, the church; we need to be connected. Being connected will make us Better Together.

1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 27

12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and
though all its parts are many, they form one body.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Experience what a small group can do for you and what you can do for a small group. Come and experience what it is like being Better Together.
dg

Counting Down

We are beginning the countdown to the Better Together Campaign Kick-off. Everyone should be excited.
As we have people sign up to be a HOST, they are receiving e-mail instructions. If you have not signed up because you are still thinking and praying about it, here are those instructions.
You will receive a list of individuals not connected to a LifeGroup, so you can begin inviting some of those people. You will also receive a blue HOST badge to wear EVERY Sunday so people will know who to visit with about a group. And lastly you will receive a form to list your group and turn in so a roster can be created for you.
As always, if you have a question or need to visit with someone about being a HOST, any of the Small Groups Team will be happy to help you.
Stop by the CommUNITY Center table to pick up anything you do not have, and to just visit, we love talking with you.
One more thing you can do is to pray. We desire God's presense and blessings. Thank you for your care, concern and participation. You will be richly blessed.
your servant,

Saturday Prayer Time

There is a special Better Together Campagin prayer time scheduled for Saturday evening, 8:00pm in the GCR courtyard. We need this campagin covered in prayer, and we need all of the teams covered in prayer. If you can, please come. If you are unable to attend, at 8:00pm, where ever you are, please take some time to pray.
Thank you and I hope to see you there.
Tender Blessings
your servant,

Better Together

I hope by now you have heard about the Better Together Campaign. If not, please take time to visit with someone on the Campaign Leadership Team. They would be very happy to give you all the information.
We need people willing to be a HOST during this campaign. It is not hard, no special teaching gifts required; just a place and a DVD or VCR. That is all. If you are a LifeGroup leader, is your group larger than 12-15? Have you been training and mentoring a leader from your group?
This campaign is not about Ronnie or Tod or me. It is about being obedient to our Abba. It is about strengthening our church-family bonds and it is about being Jesus to our community.
Training is provided if that is a need. Remember, you will not be alone in this campaign, you will have training, encouragement, leadership and, most importantly, you will be covered in prayer.
Begin praying now. Pray about your group, pray about new groups, pray for leaders and pray for God to use us as His hands and feet for the success of the campaign.
Better Together Leadership Team:
Alan Brown, Ronnie White, Richard Hatchett, Prissy Chambers, Kim & Ed Wuthrich, Jo Douglas, Brenda Sorrells, Susan Hill, Josh Hopkins, Don Washburn, Melissa & Johnny Midkiff, Tod Brown and dee gaines.
Small Group Team:
Chaney & Tim Manning, Abigail & Alan Weaver, Tim McGraw
Check back often as this will be a medium where you can get information, share ideas, and ask questions. I will be praying for all of you.
Tender blessings
your servant,