Hello students, parents, & leaders,

I just wanted to write a quick note to all of you–as a team of people who I trust and love. One of my former students, Tessa Byers, was in a car accident last night and went to be with the Lord. She was from East 91st Street Christian Church (my home church) and a freshman in college. I am asking you for prayers for Tessa’s family and friends. I know that many of you know the sting of death that they are all experiencing now. Tessa was an amazing girl, she had such a vibrant spirit and was always full of life. My prayer is that the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Please be on your knees today and in the coming weeks and months for the Byers family and Tessa’s friends.

Anne

So today is my last day in the office for a while… Tuesday will be the beginning of what’s known as my sabbatical. Chapel Rock’s purpose of a sabbatical is to give ministers an opportunity to rest, refresh and/or expand their knowledge to bring new ideas and challenges to the body of Christ at Chapel Rock. I wanted to answer a few frequently asked questions for those of you that are still wondering.

What is a Sabbatical?

Sabbatical comes from the idea of Sabbath. It literally means “rest” or “ceasing.” The Sabbath was a day of rest and worship. It was first mentioned in creation in Genesis 2:2, “By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing, so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work.”

Later the idea of Sabbath was given as one of the 10 commandments…
Exodus 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.”

A sabbatical time comes from these two ideas in scripture… It is a season that is not designed as an extended vacation, but a time dedicated to refreshing and new experiences that recharge.

So, for the next 3 months. March 1 through May 31, by the design of the leadership at Chapel Rock, I have the opportunity to go on a sabbatical.

Why is it important?
1. Rest is God’s design for creation. It’s in the pattern from the beginning.
2. Jesus modeled it.  Luke 5:16 “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

What will I be doing?
Rest & Solitude – One of my hopes is to hike the Knobstone Trail in Southern Indiana.
Family Time – We’ll be taking an extended family train trip out west. We’re buying a 15 day Amtrak pass and heading toward Montana and Oregon. We’ll see what happens.
Service – I’ll be helping Mission Indy some, seeking to serve for the joy of serving.
Working on my truck – I’m restoring a 1949 Willys pick-up truck, that I hope to drive in a few short months.

There are two parts to this opportunity: A huge opportunity for me and a huge opportunity for you…

What’s your part?
1 Corinthians 12:7
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good.”

Scripture says that if you are in Christ, the Spirit of God gives gifts and equips each person as a part of what’s known as the body of Christ. A question that everyone has to ask themselves in light of this truth is; “How has the Spirit of God equipped me, and how am I using my gift “for the common good?”

Romans 12:4-8
“4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Scripturally, the church finds its life and ministry by the active contribution of each believer’s gift. Ordinary believers are ministers because the Word says that in the new covenant of God all the people of God are a royal priesthood. (1 Peter) Do you see yourself in ministry? What does that look like on a Sunday morning? What does that look like in your school? What does that look like in your family, or throughout the week?

How does the body of Christ as a living organism work together toward the whole body’s health? The less visible and impressive parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) are no more dispensable than the others. Every member’s active contribution is necessary to keep the body healthy.

Ephesians 3:10
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”

So run with it! What opportunities exist for us to grow and take hold of the biblical vision for the way we live as the church in the next 3 months? How can you step up and really live the life that God calls all of us to live? What is at least one personal goal you can individually make? Take responsibility for ministry. Come early and welcome people. Sit by those that haven’t connected yet. Contribute with the gift you’ve been given.

What are a few goals that we can make together? Let’s use this opportunity to get better at living the biblical vision for all of us using our gifts together and showing God’s wisdom to the world by how we live.

Grace and peace,
Nick

Hey students (and parents)! For those of you that are joining us this weekend, we can’t tell you how excited we are. It’s going to be an awesome time and our hope is that you get to take your relationships with your Life Group to another level. Before you come, there are a few things you need to know. Okay, maybe more than a few… there are SIX things you need to bring. Here’s a list of what you need with you, arrival time is 6pm!

• Blankets/bedding/sleeping bag and an air-mattress. Our heads will rest on the floor… so make sure you bring something that will make that a more comfortable experience.
• Changes of clothes and toiletries. C’mon now, don’t think can wear the same clothes two days in a row. We all know that’s probably not the case for most of us.
• BIBLE AND NOTEBOOK. We cannot stress enough… YOU NEED YOUR BIBLE, always, and specifically this weekend. Do not walk out your door without it!
• 10-15 photos of your life up until now. We know, they’re all on Facebook, so if you have a minute–print some off to bring with you. Baby photos, first soccer game, baptism photo, the time you got the chicken pox, whatever you wish. Just bring 10-15 (appropriate) photos that tell a story of your life.
• Bring an item from your room that you think describes you. Bring a basketball, guitar, glasses, your favorite book… get creative! Just at least bring one item.
• Last, but certainly not least, bring your favorite T-SHIRT. No need to ask why, just bring your favorite t-shirt with you.

Got all that? Did we mention that we’re excited?We hope you are, too. Come ready to have fun, take part, and discover the story you may not have known God is writing in your life. See you Friday night @ 6pm!

…have you ever wondered if there was anything more than this? Being in Jr. High does NOT mean you are not stuck in the middle. March 18 & 19, come see how you are uniquely positioned and equipped to be a world changer.  To sign up, pick up a registration packet in the Chapel or click here download registration info.  Cost is $15.  Open to students in 5th-8th grade.  Registration deadline is March 6.

The annual Dessert Theatre to benefit Chapel Rock’s Youth Missions is THIS SUNDAY, 2/13/11 at 6PM the Worship Center and WE NEED YOU!!! If you have a talent please sign up ASAP! REMEMBER~ all students participating in a 2011 mission trip  to participate in Dessert Theatre…so if you have a song/skit/comedy, etc. to show off, email Amanda Campton today (acampton@chapelrock.org) to let her know what you plan to do.    🙂

write.rewrite.

We are all drawn to great stories–whether they’re on the big screen, small screen, in a book or elsewhere. But we may be completely unaware of one simple truth–that our lives are a story as well. The decisions we make every day are shaping the plot. The things we do, believe and trust determine what is being written. And for many of us, the story we are scripting could be so much more if we let God write, or even rewrite, our story. It’s the story we long for, the one our hearts truly desire.

Come discover your story. On February 25th-26th, we are going to be gathering together around stories–about the big story unfolding around us, the small stories that distract us and take us off course, and the story that God is telling that invites us to be a part. Here’s the catch: the majority of the time, you are going to be with your Life Group. This whole weekend is going to revolve around the faces you see every Sunday night.  You ready for it?

Sign up deadline is February 13th (also the day of Dessert Theatre!). The cost is $15 (which is what it would cost you to buy 12 songs on iTunes, one ticket + popcorn + drink to the movies, and one t-shirt from American Apparel). Everything else you need to know, you’ll find out when you come. You can download the registration form here.  WRITE.REWRITE High School Retreat