Q & A

This Sunday (the 30th) we began a discussion about the non-violent teaching of Jesus. The message ended with some lively discussion. It was GREAT! And we are going to continue that discussion next week. I already have a couple of questions to formulate answers on and we will most likely have some open-ended discussion again as well.

If you missed on Sunday, you NEED to check out the message on our podcast. Be sure to download the podcast on iTunes OR go HERE to listen from our website. That message was titled "What is the Atonement?"

If you would like to submit a question, please just respond to this emailed post. Or send a message to jason@castlechristian.com!

Thanks, and we'll see you next Sunday!

Jason

Q&A!

Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago the topic of a Q&A was brought up. I've been planning on making that happen, but was going to wait another week or so.

However, a particularly candid and sincere conversation I had after church on Sunday revealed that it may be more prudent to address some key issues and concerns sooner than later. Here's what I'd like to do:

This Sunday, I'm going to take a break from Matthew to do a special message on the atonement. This message will be very special and I think will answer a lot of questions about why the messages have taken the direction they have. During that message, I will have Q&A forms that you can write your questions on. After that message, we'll collect those and, over the following week, I'll do my best to develop answers for those questions and bring them back the next Sunday.

A teaser: most of us saw the benefit of saying that Jesus' Kingdom is not a "religion." I was glad for that, because a lot of Christians never come that far. However, we need to explore the implications of that. What is "religion?" What is the purpose of "religion?" Where does it come from? How does Christianity become "religion?" What is the difference between Christianity the "religion" and the kingdom Jesus and John have talked about? Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? How is that a "sacrifice?" What did that accomplish? What does any of that have to do with "violence?"

Please, if you haven't been to church for a while, consider coming back for these two messages. I think they are very important and will answer a lot of questions.

Thanks!

Jason

Abby Holmes Update

Just got a text from Nathan: Abby Holmes' surgery is over and went exactly according to plan. She is a little groggy, but is expected to return home tomorrow.

Nathan said to thank you all for the prayers!

Jason

Doris Richardson

Just got this note from Ben:

Just a note to say I talked to Doris last night around 9:00pm and she reports she is doing better every day. She will find out this week if they got all of the problem area and must keep her stitches until next week.

Let's keep praying for Doris AND Dick.

Jason

Abby Holmes

Please keep little Abby Holmes in prayer this Tuesday as she goes in for surgery.

Also, please don't forget to answer the questionnaires on the blog regarding our upcoming Q & A sessions.

Urgent Prayer Request

I just got this email from the Abernathys...

Ben just talked to Beverly White (Bob’s wife) and found out he is not doing too well. The surgery he had yesterday that he thought was no big deal was a big deal. According to Bev they cut through his neck into his spinal cord. He is at North Fulton Hospital in the Neurology Trauma Center.

Also, I got an email from Doris this week and she told me that she had a “very aggressive” cancer removed from her back this week. They felt that they caught it early, but she is sore with a lot of stitches. Also their great grandson was born this week. All went good with that.

Update on Bob. He is in room 212 of the ICU at North Fulton Hospital.

Let's pray hard for both!

Jason

Prayer Request

Got this prayer request from Judy,

Please pray for my brother, Jim, as he is facing another amputation on his foot tomorrow due to complications from diabetes.

CD Release Party

This is the daughter of Jim Galpin who came and sang with the men’s trio last year. Could we put this on the blog as many of us have known this girl since she was a tot.

Thanks, Jan



Don't Forget!!!!

Jaymi Renae's Album Debut!
"Carousel"

The Release Party will be held at:
The CooCoo's Nest:
2100 Freedom Pkwy
(400 St., off of Exit 16) Cumming, GA 30041
7pm-11pm on MAY 18

Limited Cd's will be sold at party so make sure

and come before they're all gone!



Jaymi Renae will also be performing

live throughout the evening,

so come check out the music before

anyone else can!

Service Opportunity

Trish just told me about a great opportunity for us to serve our community:

This is a reminder that you are registered to participate in Family Mobile Trash Unit on May 16, 2010 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM.

Location:
875 Lanier 400 Pkwy
Cumming, GA 30040

We are going to be meeting at the parking lot next to the gas station at the entrance.

Information:
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and Hands On Forsyth are proud to announce a wonderful new program that will help eliminate litter all over Forsyth County. We will be hosting monthly clean-ups, so come join families from all over Forsyth County and help us eradicate litter in our community.

Locations will be determined based on litter removal needs. Sites will be selected 3-4 weeks prior to the event, so be sure to check back periodically.

Minimum age for volunteers is 10, volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.



Please consider coming with us on Saturday!

Jason

BOWLING NEED

Patti...........could please broadcast to our congregation that we need a permenat bowler for Tuesday evenings starting 5/18 until July 27. The cost each week is $15 but you also get 9 free games during the week.

Also we need 1 sub for 5/25...6/1 and 6/18. They also have the same fees and free games for the weeks they would bowl.

Thanks, Dennis Eichler

Last Regular Season Softball Game

Our last game is tonight at 8:45 at Central Park, field 4. We'll have the end of season tournament soon, but this is the last regular game.

Q and A

Hello Castlers,

You may remember that after Sunday's message there was a request for an opportunity to ask direct questions about the topics we've spent a lot of time on in our study of Matthew. I think it would be a great idea to spend more time asking and discussing issues about the Kingdom.

There are a couple of options. One is to find an evening during the week that we could schedule a couple of weeks for a Q and A. The other is to set aside a couple of Sunday mornings.

I've put two polls on the blog. One is about whether you'd be interested in a Q and A session. the other is about availability. Please take a few moments and check both of them.

As far as topics go, we can touch on anything we've talked about which you have questions about. I do recommend going back through the podcasts and listening to old messages, if there are specific items you want to talk about.

Thanks!

Jason

Prayer Request

Just got this request from Karen. She asks for friends who are being taken to court under questionable circumstances. Let's agree in prayer for God to give them peace and take care of them through this terrible situation and throughout the week.

New Women's Bible Study

From Lindsey Holmes...it's looking like either Monday or Tuesday evenings...

Ok, so I just finished up an amazing weekly Bible Study/Video Series from Beth Moore. I was so in love with the way she taught the Book of Daniel and how she made it so incredibly applicable to today that I am about to start another one of her studies in a couple wks. This one is Esther "It's Tough Being a Woman". I have heard numerous people rave about this study. It is an 11 wk study and I am beyond excited about it! Which leads me to my question-I am planning on doing this study either way-so you will not hurt my feelings-but I wanted to post this because I thought that you may be interested in coming to my house to watch the awesome DVD and listen to Beth teach. There is a small amt of homework that you do during the week to reinforce the video we will watch. You are more than welcome to also open up the invitation to attend to anyone else you think may be interested as well.Let me know if you are remotely interested and if so the best day of the week to meet. We will do it from 7 to 9 on the evening that we choose and I promise to have you out as close to 9 as possible. It will be my goal to keep us on track. :)Again, I know all of us have very busy lives, which this study talks about as well, so again, no hurt feelings if this doesn't sound like something you want to be a part of or if the timing isn't right. I ask that you simply pray about it and follow whatever it is that God lays on your heart to do.Look forward to hearing from you!Lindsey

Softball Game

Got this from Lorie earlier:

The game tonight is scheduled for 6:45 at Central Park, field 7. I just called the rainout line, and it has not been cancelled yet. Everyone please check it before you head out tonight. The number is 770-886-2851.

Thanks,
Jason