David Caldwell:
Mr.
Caldwell came to talk about the future of PSP.
Thank you for all that you do. The group runs
effectively because of what you do and how everyone steps in and meets its
needs.
·
The church is continuing to support the PSP and will
help to make sure that it has the resources needed to continue.
·
There is a plan that is developing for the next
few years; however, it will be a period of transition.
o
David Caldwell and Matt Tarr will be leaving
seminary and moving on from this ministry.
Mr. Tarr will be graduating next year, and Mr. Caldwell will be graduating
the following year.
o
Their positions will not be filled once they
leave.
o
The administrative and other duties they carry
out will either not be needed in the future or will be transitioned to the PSP
leadership.
·
Key goals/objectives for the PSP over the next
few years. (Some of these goals are
things that we are already doing, but the elders of GCC would like us to
continue to demonstrate them)
o
PSP will be affordable for Grace
Community Church families. (This is a group specifically for Grace Church
members).
o
PSP will demonstrate flexibility in
working with the church and submission to church authority.
o
PSP will show a growing independence from
its use of church resources and personnel.
·
These three goals will add stability and
security for the longevity of the group over the years.
·
The plan is to get the group functioning so well
during this transition period, while David and Matt are still here to help, that
the church can be confident that the PSP will continue to function well in the
following years after it has fully transitioned to the new, more independent
model.
·
Note that PSP and CC (Classical Conversations)
are in a unique situation:
o
GCS was never funded by the church.
o
PSP and CC are both ministries, but they are not
“core” ministries of GCC.
o
There is no church budget set aside for PSP, as
it is not a core ministry, nor is PSP a ministry of Grace Community Church’s children’s
ministry department.
o
Grace Church has never had a group of members
who have in effect come together to rent space on campus like PSP and CC will
be doing.
o
David and Matt, along with the church leadership
and PSP leadership, are working out the details to make this work.
·
In regard to affordability:
o
The prices for next year will be similar to this
year’s.
o
There will not be any scholarships available for
next year.
·
In regard to flexibility:
o
What happens on Fridays will be very much the
same for both moms and kids.
o
There will be a procedure set up so we can go to
an elder for the OK on any plans for the group.
o
Core ministry needs will always have precedence
over the needs of PSP. We have already
seen this, for example, when a memorial service needs the 130 room on a Friday,
the moms meeting will be moved to the basement.
o
The elders will give us room to make decisions,
but we must be flexible and change something when we are asked to do so.
o
We should keep the perspective that it is a
blessing that we are able to use the campus even though there is no longer a
school.
·
In regard to growing independence:
o
This does not mean we do not have time for
church involvement.
§
Every family should be involved in a core
ministry, such as a Fellowship Group.
§
Every family should have an elder over it and
should know who that elder is.
o
This does not mean we will not have to check in
with an elder.
o
This does mean that we are working toward
independence of church resources and personnel.
·
Next year, high school classes can be offered on
Fridays.
o
They will be paid classes.
o
No high school (or other) classes for PSP will
meet any other day of the week.
o
The classes will be based on need and the
availability of a PSP parent or other church member to teach the class.
o
If a mom is hired to teach a class, she will
still need to serve in some other capacity at PSP.
o
Ninth graders will also have the option of
attending junior high classes.
·
As a general rule, only high school classes will
have paid teachers. Specifics are still
being solidified.
·
David Caldwell is here to represent the group to
church leadership. He is here for support and to answer questions. Feel free to call Mr. Caldwell at the school
office, but he is not always in the office and it may be more than 24 hours
before he receives the message. If you need to contact him immediately, the
best way is via e-mail.
Christine R.
·
In your mailboxes, there were planning sheets.
o
They are not required but are simply resources.
o
They are nine week charts. For each day she will
not be home, she fills in that square i.e. field trip, dr.’s appointment, out
of town. This is a good way to count how many days are left at home for the
year.
o
Christine got these charts at donnayoung.org.
·
Next Saturday, February 2, is the PSP Dad’s Pancake
Breakfast.
o
In this room (G130) at 8:00 a.m.
o
Signup on the sheet in the moms room, or by
email to Brian.
o
The signup is just to get a rough idea of how
much food to buy, so it is still OK to come at the last minute if plans change.
o
It will be a time of food and fellowship and encouragement
from God’s Word.
o
David and Brian will also be able to answer
questions your husbands may have about the current and future PSP. Brian
is free to stay afterward as long as needed.
·
Start thinking about enrollment for next year.
o
New enrollment will be opening in March.
o
Current PSP families will have priority for the
month of March.
o
After March, if PSP fills, members will be put
on a waiting list.
·
Think about what classes you would like next
year, Remember, if you want a class, you may be asked to teach it. We will start discussion of this next Friday,
Feb. 1 so bring your ideas, and pray about how you’d like to serve next year.
·
Sign up for the Scooter’s Jungle field trip.
o
It will be on February 15, after the home school
fair and the speech meet.
o
Cost is $8 per child, and one adult per child is
free.
o
Children under two are free.
o
Socks are required.
Speaker: Donna Shannon
We took a look at the Account of Mary and Martha, Luke 10. Mary and Martha were sisters in the town of
Bethany. Martha was busy. Mary loved Jesus and sat at His feet in awe:
First, we should consider the primary purpose of the Gospel
of Luke. Matthew is concerned with a
Jewish audience and showing that Jesus is the King of the Jews. Mark is
concerned with showing Jesus as a servant. Luke is a details person concerned
with about the order of events. Luke 1:1-4 tells us Luke’s purpose, so that we
will know the exact truth about Jesus and believe.
Luke opens with an account of Zechariah in the temple praying. In chapter two,
Luke gives us an account of the young Jesus in the temple, His Father’s house.
Even then, Jesus has a mindset, “Why am I here on earth?” Luke chapters 3-4
relate Jesus’ baptism and temptation. After that, He comes back and starts His
ministry under the Holy Spirit’s power. Luke 6:12 tells how Jesus goes on the
mountainside to pray before calling the twelve. Jesus is always praying and
submitting to His Father’s will. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out the 70 with the
power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells them not to marvel at the signs and
wonders but at the fact their names are written in heaven. In Luke 11, Jesus
teaches on prayer. This gives us an idea of the chronology for Jesus’ visit
with Mary and Martha.
What is Jesus’ response to different situations? We see in
Luke 4:42 that Jesus makes prayer a priority in the midst of His busy ministry.
In Luke 7:40-50, A Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet.
A Pharisee responds by asking Jesus if He knows what kind of woman this is.
Jesus responds to this Pharisee with the parable of the blind leading the
blind. In Luke 8, Jesus talks about being a true disciple being one who hears
the Word of God and does it. Again in chapter 10, Jesus says to marvel at
salvation. Blessed are those who see their dependency on Christ.
Also, observe where Jesus is, where He is going, and His
relationships with others. The book of Luke especially highlights Jesus’ relationship
to women. He was very countercultural in that He was teaching women and the
lowly sinners. Jesus always made Himself available. The Kingdom of Heaven is
made available by Jesus to those who take up their cross, follow Him, and deny
self. Some of the key words/phrases
found in Luke are: disciple, kingdom of heaven, pray, prayer. Do you believe
all that is written about Jesus by Moses and the prophets? Do you see Jesus as
the Son of God and the fulfillment of all prophecy? Have you bowed your knee to
Him as Lord? Jesus reached out to others and was accessible and available. Do
you make yourself accessible and available to others? Do you invest in others?
What can we learn about Jesus’ response to others? Jesus
often withdrew to pray. What priority is prayer in your life? Do you invest
your whole self when you come before the Lord?
All of these things set up the passage in Luke 10:38 where
Martha welcomes Jesus to her home. Then in verse 39, Mary sits at His feet
listening to Jesus teach. The point of
the story is that Mary sat listening. She chose the better part. The message of
this passage is that Jesus wants us to listen.
We need to stop and take the time for prayer. (See Luke 11:1-4) We need
to discipline ourselves to listen, to pray, and to be persistent (“ask, seek,
knock”). We have to do the work of prayer (Psalm 27:4, John 6:27). At the time
of this account in Bethany, Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. We often say the
most important things before we are about to leave. Jesus was drawing near to
the end. This was His message: He expects us to listen. Listen with an attitude of reverence. Listen
with an open heart.
How are you investing your time for the promotion of His
kingdom? How willing are you to take up your cross? What is the priority of
prayer? How important is it for you to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen?
Do you trust Jesus enough? Do you entrust your children to
Him?
Jesus prayed right before He went to Mary and Martha’s
(Luke10:21-22). 1) He first worshipped. 2) He then acknowledged His dependency.
3) He acknowledged God’s wisdom and power. 4) He acknowledged it was up to
God’s discretion.
The best thing you can do for
your children is to pray for them and have an active and vibrant relationship
with your Savior.
Rise from our knees only after
our burdens is lifted from our shoulders and onto His!
Recommended Resources
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
Prayer Power by Andrew Murray
When Grace Comes Alive by Terry Johnson
