Starting Nehemiah

Hey Everyone!

I'm excited to start our seiries of lessons this month in Nehemiah. Most of the lessons are focused on looking at Nehemiah's example and applying that to our lives, so I focused this morning on the redemptive-historical importance of Nehemiah's life and work. God used Nehemiah to bring about fulfillment of his covenantal promise to Moses and Israel, which ultimately led to the redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ. Therefore Nehemiah also gives us a foreshadowing or 'type' of Christ in that he was used by God to further redemtption.

I challenge everyone to read Nehemiah this month (and Ezra too if you want to go all out). As you read and as you hear the lessons, keep in mind that Nehemiah doesn't just serve as a good moral example for us (even though he does), but that we can see God working out His plan of redemption through Nehemiah and the other characters of the story. Try to see Christ in it as well.

We didn't get to dive into the actual lesson this morning from Nehemiah Chapter 1 but I encourage you to consider these questions from the literature as you study it:

1:1-3

1. What do we learn about Nehemiah from these questions?
2. What do you think would be the natural response from someone in Nehemiah's position?
3. What questions should we be asking about the world around us?

1:4-7

1. Why did Nehemiah begin his prayer focusing on God?
2. What do we learn about the character of God from Nehemiah's prayer?
3. How can we embrace the character of God as we pray for the needs of others?
4. How does our commitment to prayer demonstrate our commitment to the needs of others?
5. How would our world be different if Christ followers saw confession as one of our first action steps to meet needs?


1:8-11

1. When we act on the promises of God, what qualities should characterize our service?


Thanks and God bless...

casey

March Family Friendly Events in Austin

3/4/09 Austin Farmers Market at Triagle Park. 4-8 pm. Free parking in nearby garage. austinfarmersmarket.org

3/7/09 Explore UT -- Open House at the UT campus. Events and fun for everyone. 11- 5pm. utexas.edu/events/exploreut

Celebrate Texas parade up Congress Ave. 10:30 am.

"If You Give A Pig a Pancake" and Other Story Books performance at One World
Theatre. 11 am and 1 pm. $12. oneworldtheatre.org

Sunset Valley Farmers Market -- Fresh meats, produce, and specialty prepared
foods available for purchase in the parking lot of the Tony Burger Center. 9 am - 2 pm. sunsetvalleyfarmersmardet.org

3/13/09 - 3/28/09 The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo will be held at the Texas
Fairgrounds in Austin. A sneak peed event will take place on March $13
with $1 rides, free gate admission, and free parking. www.rodeoaustin.com

3/18/09 Absolutely Incredible Kid Day at the Austin Children's Musuem. 5 - 8 pm.
$1 austinkids.org

3/28/09 Zilker Garden Festival -- Musical entertainment, vendors, and children's
activities. Zilker Garden 10 am - 5 pm. zilkergarden.org

Moving & One Year!

Great things for our class-
We have outgrown our room so THIS SUNDAY March 1 we are moving
Homebuilders – MOVING FROM S238 TO E228 (if you are at the stairs with the water fountain and painted deer just down from the Ark this is just up those)

Our class is ONE YEAR old and we are having a celebration weekend! March 14 & 15 starting with a bag making party along with the Door. This to make Easter themed bags to hand to people on the sides of the road (look for more details and evite to come). Then Sunday during our class instead of a regular study, Caleb and Casey will lead discussion about our class-what were our original goals, are we doing all God wants, how can we all be involved? Then after the service we will be having a class lunch at Central Market! Plan to join in all the fun.

Mark your calendars - Two great fundraisers

Here are two great groups to support. We can talk about going as a group.

Austin LifeCare (Pregnancy Support Center) Partnership Dinner
Friday, March 6, 2009 6pm - 9pm
Doubletree Hotel, Austin

Christian Women's Job Corps (provides training for women in poverty)
Ladies' Luncheon
Tuesday, April 21 - Great Hills Baptist Church
Tickets are $20 and childcare is provided.

Easter Fun

Our class is planning an Easter Egg hunt at an apartment complex for our children and the children living there. The Dollar Store already has their Easter Eggs in stock, so feel free to start buying them. Not only will we need them for the hunt, but we plan on making Easter bags for the homeless and hope to include some Easter eggs in there as well. Thanks for all that you do!!!

Clubhouse Worship?????

Anyone? Our class is suppose to work tomorrow! At the same time, one of our little ones, Avery is being dedicated so feel free to go to that too.

Can you Believe it???????

We have ANOTHER new class member! Dylan Jacob Miller was born at 7:11 am on 1/24/09. Little Dylan is still at the Children's Hospital and needs our prayers. Please pray for his speedy recovery and peace for both him and his family. Also, the family would appreciate it if we prayed for all of the kiddos in the hospital. Thanks!!!

SUPER BOWL

We had a great time at our Super Bowl party last night and thanks for coming. We had 18 football fans here watching the game on our 70inch screen! There was TONS of good food and it was a blast.