Month: April 2018

Just got a reminder that Queens University of Charlotte has graduation ceremonies this weekend, and includes several graduation related events beginning Friday morning.

So, in order to avoid any parking and traffic congestion, let’s plan to meet at the Lenhart’s backyard treehouse this week only (1609 Sterling Road).  No changes to the meeting times…..just the location!

And next week, we’ll resume back at the Cornwell Center.

See you in the TREEHOUSE this Friday!  Be mindful of the “attack chickens” in the backyard!

Peace!

One of my favorite biblical passages is the story of the Prodigal Son.  We all know the outcome; the son who had become “lost” returns back home to the open arms of  his heart-broken father.  The father runs across the field when he sees him coming from a distance.  They kill the fattened calf and celebrate the son’s return.

Most look at the story from the eyes of the father or from the “other” son….drawing some conclusions about forgiveness.  But is it not also a story about what happened in the first place to put the prodigal son into such a bad spot?  Both sons were given a share of their father’s inheritance, leading one son to invest it wisely while the other put it all to bad use, instead choosing to live in the moment.

The situation about the best and worse use of money is also the focus for this week’s lesson:  Chapter 4: Money Guilt or Money Greed?  It has often been said that if you want to know the true measure of someone’s heart, then look no further than where they are spending their money.  The book of Luke says:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Luke 12:34

It’s a tough call, however.  Jesus lived a life of poverty so that we might be right.  Does our heavenly Father want us also to be “poor”….or, like many of us, does He not want the very best for His children?

Join us this week as we unpack those answers and more….with a lesson on “money”.

Mike is back this week to lead us in Chapter 4 from “Jesus Outside the Lines”.  Gather at 7:30 am at the Cornwell Center.  Fellowship begins at 7:45 am..

Peace!

We’re cruising along with the new study, “Jesus Outside the Lines” by Scott Sauls.  This week, we’ll tackle our third chapter, “Personal Faith or Institutional Church?“.  When I first read the chapter’s title, I was thinking this was all about recent divides within church communities where religious groups at national levels have taken specific stands, and thereby caused division within the faith families at local levels.

However, I learned this this is not necessarily the case with this chapter.  What is true, is that with the ease of technology, for example, church attendance across the nation and across many denominations, is declining as people would rather stream a church sermon over the internet instead of sitting in the pews.  And why not?  I can go up the street to my Starbuck’s, get a grande Pike latte, and return home to watch my digital preacher while still in my pajamas.

The flip side of this, however, is that we’re losing a key element of “church”….and that’s the community of faith, the building of relationships, the tackling of real problems, that flails away.

So what’s the right answer?  Once again, Rev. Sauls offers some perspective.  Rob Miller will lead us this week in what’s sure to be a great debate and discussion!

Join us on Friday beginning at 7:30 am.  Rob kicks things into gear at 7:45 am.

See you in fellowship on Friday!

Peace!

Welcome to a new study that we’ll kick off this Friday, APR 13th.  Our new book is called “Jesus Outside the Lines” by REV. Scott Sauls.  Hopefully, you’ve already picked the book and read Chapter 1 which is our focus for this week.  The chapter is titled, “Red State, Blue State” and guides us in some Christian thoughts around having to choose (or not) between two majority political parties in our country.

What did Jesus have to say about choosing sides in a political debate?  What did he do?  One example we’ll touch on might be familiar from our last study if we look at Judas (Iscariot) and Matthew (Roman tax collector).  Certainly those two disciples represented two opposing viewpoints of the political spectrum of the time.

Jason Schubert will lead this week.  Don’t worry if you haven’t read or purchased the book yet.  Your participation in the dialog is always welcome regardless!

See you in the morning at the Cornwell Center.  Please gather starting at 7:30 am.  Jason kicks off the lesson at 7:45 am.

Peace!

Signups slots are now available for our next study series, “Jesus Outside the Lines”.  This will be a 10-week study plus a Friday off for the Memorial Day weekend.  We’ll kick things off NEXT Friday, April 13th, with Chapter 1: Red State or Blue State?  The series will culminate with a wrap-up discussion and breakfast at The Charlotte Cafe on June 29th.

Here’s the link to sign up —–>  SIGN UP LINK

See you next Friday as Mike introduces the new series, starting with Chapter 1!

Peace!

Quick reminder that FMMF Charlotte is taking a “break” this week…..Spring Break, more likely.  We’ll gather next Friday, April 13th, to kick off a new series:  “Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides” by Scott Saul.

If you haven’t ordered the book yet, please do that in advance.  Mike will lead the first week’s session, giving an overview of the book and our planned schedule for the study.  Rumor has it that he’s also bringing Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins for the “kick-off”. There’s some additional motivation!

Who can you invite to join us as we start a new series?  Extend out the invitation to a friend, family member, or work colleague today!

In the meantime, enjoy the week off!  We’ll see you NEXT Friday….in Fellowship!