September 2009

Discipleship Opportunities

Sept 9-Nov 11: Jewish Feasts and Holidays class will take place on Wednesday evenings. Come learn why God instituted the feasts, what their significance is for us today and how they relate to Jesus Christ. We will see, hear, smell, and taste our way to learning about ten Jewish feasts and holidays.

September 19: Body Life Journey is a one-time, three hour seminar that takes place on a Saturday morning. I believe this is the most important class in the church. Let me explain why I feel this way.

First, it helps you understand how God created you. It begins with a spiritual gifts inventory and continues with a relational style section that will help you understand how you relate to other people and situations. When you put these two together you see where you may best be suited to help the church and to further God’s kingdom.

Secondly, it helps you focus on how God has worked in your life in the past and helps you pinpoint what you are passionate about. Let me paraphrase something Bob Ryan said during a TOP GUN meeting: “When you wake up in the morning, what is the one thing you wish you could get to do?” We are all different, but our strength as a church comes from our diversity as individuals.

Thirdly, sometimes there are multiple people in the church with the same interests as you, but you may never know it. If I am aware of your spiritual gifts, relational style, and passion, then I can help connect the dots between individuals with compatible gifts, which may even be the start of a new ministry to reach people in our community for Christ.

If you want to know more about the Body Life Journey, please ask me (just so you know, I will fix lunch at the end of the Saturday session. We’ll have salad, grilled tilapia with lemon butter and capers, and grilled pineapple with ice cream and caramel drizzled on top!).

Sept 20-Nov 22: Crown Biblical Financial Study. Many people are experiencing financial challenges, but did you know that the Bible contains 2,350 verses dealing with money? Many have been taught what the Bible says about how to handle 10 percent of their income—about the area of giving—and though this is crucial, we all need to understand God’s perspective of managing the rest of our money as well.

In only 10 weeks, this study teaches us to use money in eternally significant ways that benefit us as individuals and the church as a whole. It is the number one resource for transforming the mind and heart of an individual regarding attitudes about money.

Remember, we’re all in this together and I’m pulling for ya!

Until next month,
Danny Joe

Posted by arbc at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)

InChWesta - September 2009

What if?

The students have just finished a series of lessons on Sunday mornings entitled: “Wanted: Servants — Pew Warmers Need Not Apply.” We spent five weeks looking at the life of Christ and how He served others and in turn calls us to be servants. Philippians 2:3-4 states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

WOW. What if ARBC was characterized by that verse? Can you imagine what ARBC would be like if everyone truly considered others as better than themselves? I believe that this church would be a different place. I believe it would be a river in the middle of the desert where people could come and experience an attitude, a love, and a concern for others that cannot be experienced anywhere else. A place where, when one person is hurting, no matter who that person is, the body surrounds and loves on them. A place where every time a need is known, it is met just as fast. A place where people don’t come just to get, but a place where people come to give. A place where the love of Christ permeates everything that is done. A place where lives are changed because for the first time people are seeing, experiencing, and feeling the love of Jesus Christ! What if ARBC is that place? Can ARBC be that place? Will you begin to make ARBC that place?

Posted by arbc at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

September 2009

ne Parson’s Opinion


Why do Christians not pray? Even among pastors, the statistics reveal that less than 10 minutes a day are spent praying. Why do you think Christians talk a lot about prayer but pray very little?

I cannot pretend to know the whole answer to this question (I guess if I did, I would write a book about prayer!), but let me take a try at some possible answers. I’ll raise the objections and then try to answer the objections:

1. “God wouldn’t listen to someone like me. I know what I am like and what I have done.” Yes, God knows what you are like and what you have done, and He loves you, period! As a Christian, you are His child and He desires for you to talk to Him. Your lack of a perfect performance was dealt with at the cross.
2. “My prayers don’t work. I’ve tried praying and nothing changed.” Oh, yes it did! Your prayer changed you and/or the circumstances, or the timing is not right for you to see the answer just yet. James 5:16 says, “...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
3. “What will I do if I pray and nothing happens?” Don’t you think it’s about time you experienced God? It is God who invites you to pray. If there is nothing to God’s intervention in your life, don’t you think you ought to find out and wonder no longer?

Let me give you a challenge to begin an exciting journey of experiencing God through prayer. Make a list of people or situations that need God’s help. Then, for the next 30 days, every day, talk to God about your list. As you pray, He will remind you of Scriptures which you can pray with each request.

For example, if you are praying for someone who is not a Christian, He will probably remind you of II Peter 3:9, “He is not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.”

Make a notation of your request, the Scripture to pray with it, and how God answered.

I believe this little exercise will bring great benefit to you and to the Kingdom of God.

See you on the Lord’s Day,
Jim

Posted by arbc at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)

09.18 .:. Game Night

Friday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Come for sandwiches, games & fun!

Posted by arbc at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)

08.29.09 .:. Progressive Mission Bus Tour

Ladies: Buy your ticket and leave the driving to us!

ARBC WMM (Women's Missions & Ministry) has orgainzied a bus tour to visit three of the organizations we as a church partner with: Alternatives Pregnancy Center, Champa House and the Hope Intercultural Center. We’ll have lunch out, then return to the church for “debriefing” and prayer, dismissing at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $5 plus your lunch. Tickets will be sold on Sunday 08.16 and 08.23 after the morning worship service. Or call the church office for more information.

Posted by arbc at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)

Pray for Our Church

It is an often-observed fact that the Church in America is under pointed attack by our enemy, who “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Sometimes his tactics are subtle, sometimes they are blatant. Either way, our strongest position is to be on our knees in prayer before God. His Word tells us to “Resist (Satan), standing firm in the faith…”

If you would like to join us for a weekly prayer time, please call the Church Office - 303.794.3033 to find out more information.

Posted by arbc at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)

08.30.09 .:. All Church Ice Cream Social

August 30, following the evening service.

Bring a freezer of your favorite homemade ice cream, or cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.

Posted by arbc at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)

InChWeSta to HEAVEN FEST!

A Christian Music Festival in Golden - 80+ Artists, 8 stages, 8 areas.
Saturday, August 8
We will leave ARBC at 10 a.m. and return at 11:30 p.m.
Cost is $29; for more information, go to www.heavenfest.com

Posted by arbc at 08:28 AM | Comments (0)

Women's Study - Beth Moore's "Beloved Disciple"

Beloved Disciple—The Life & Ministry of John, by Beth Moore is a video-based detailed study that explores the life of the apostle John. Beth conveys that John had the God-given gift of seeing a larger picture and that his love relationship with Christ profoundly influenced everything he did and wrote.

We’ll have a Monday evening study, beginning September 14, at 7:00 p.m., taught by Dee Dunn, and a Tuesday morning study, beginning September 15, at 9:30 a.m., taught by Jan Valentine.

Child care will be available.

Posted by arbc at 08:16 AM | Comments (0)

08.30.09 - Music Ministry on Mission

Mark and the Praise Team singers and Praise Band will lead morning worship at Monument Hill Baptist Church (Dr. Fred Meeks, interim Pastor) on Sunday, August 30. Mark will lead a conference at the church on "blended worship" prior to the morning worship. Please pray of us.

Posted by arbc at 08:05 AM | Comments (0)

08.23.09 Music Sunday

The morning service will remind us of why we worship. It will symbolize that “summer is over” and that all rehearsals have resumed. Please pray for our music worship leaders during the coming church year.

Posted by arbc at 07:56 AM | Comments (0)

08.21.09 Adult Choir Ministry Banquet

August 21, 7:00PM - FELLOWSHIP HALL

This year’s annual Adult Choir banquet is for current Adult Choir, orchestra & technicans and all prospective members. Join us as we will have a festive Christmas decor and food and then overview the 2009 Christmas music program. There will be a sign-up during choir time for food and childcare. Prospective members-call the church office to reserve a spot!!!

Posted by arbc at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)

August 2009

The Challenger. I was thinking recently about the name of our newsletter – Challenger. I have no idea who decided to call it that or why, but I did ponder a couple thoughts. Perhaps it was named in honor of the Space shuttle Challenger. Where were you on January 28, 1986, when the shuttle tragically blew apart?

Well no matter why it’s called The Challenger, I like the name because it really makes me think that our church should be challenged in regard to our lives and spiritual disciplines. Now let me explain.

As a student in Sunday School ~ you are attending a class are you not? First, if you are not regularly attending a Sunday School class, then let me say, “You have no class.” My challenge to you is to start attending. I’m going out on a limb here by saying you are free to visit different classes and find a class you like. For those of you who are upset that I just wrote that, let me challenge you by coming to grips with the fact that we’re all on the same team and it’s not about you. It’s about getting people into a class so they can learn, grow, and move into ministry.

Here is a challenge for everyone. As a student, when you sit in your Sunday School class, are you expecting to receive a Word from God? Teachers, are you preparing to deliver the Word of the Living God? You should be. I don’t want to say we’ve become complacent in our classes, although that is easy to do. Instead, I think we have either forgotten or have never learned that in our class we receive God’s Word. Notice that I didn’t write that we might receive, or that maybe God will show up… No, I wrote that we do receive God’s Word. So from now on when you are headed to church, come expecting to receive a Word from God in your Sunday School class.

May I challenge you in another way? Where are you in God’s Word? Let me challenge those of you who are not currently in a regular and systematic reading of God’s word. I challenge you to read Romans through Galatians before the next newsletter arrives at your home. That sounds like a lot! It is, but hey— that’s what a challenge is all about. In fact, if you ask me, I’ll partner with you to read it together, and we can encourage each other to keep on. Are you up for the Challenge? C’mon, what’re you waiting for?

Remember, we’re all in this together and I’m pulling for ya.

Until next month,
Danny Joe

Posted by arbc at 07:35 AM | Comments (0)

InChWesta - August 2009

Jesus Came!
Eleven of us recently got back from a week at Centrifuge Camp in Glorieta, New Mexico, and it was amazing! The best way to explain it would be in the words of Jacob Rogers as he shared during the last business meeting about what God did at camp . He hit the nail on the head with the words, “Jesus Came!” Jesus did come indeed! God’s presence was unmistakable, and He did a mighty work in the lives of our students! Many of them recommitted their lives to Christ; several of them, for the first time in their lives, want to live out their relationship with Jesus! Many of the students shared their hurts, struggles, and deep pains with others for the first time! It was awesome to watch the body of Christ in action as we prayed together, worshipped together, laughed together, cried together, and we were changed together. It was truly a glimpse of what the church is supposed to be.

I ask you to join me in prayer for our students and the student ministry here at ARBC. Pray for the students who have given their lives fully to Christ as they are now back home and facing pressure from friends who do not want to see them change their lives. Also, pray that their passion for God, for worship, and for seeing the lives of others changed would be contagious among all of our youth, and among our church as a whole. Thank you for your financial support, which allowed us to go, and thank you for your prayer support, which was felt the entire week!
Jesus Came!

Posted by arbc at 07:28 AM | Comments (0)

August 2009

ne Parson’s Opinion


Beverly and I were out visiting last Tuesday night, as is usual for us. As is the pattern on most of these nights, we ran into people with great needs. You know this to be true, but sometimes we do forget that there are a lot of hurting people out there in your world and mine.

There was a song many years back which communicates what I wish to say. The title is People Need the Lord. It is true! The longer I live and the more I deal with people, the more I am convinced that the greatest need of the human heart is Jesus.

There are Christians who have gone through heartache and sorrow. There are lost people who have no clue as to why they are here and are desperately seeking to find life. Many of the attempts that lost people make to find life are self-destructive. People do really need to be pointed to Jesus. He often is the only one who can help, whether one is saved or lost.

So, let me ask you to do a few things for those people in your circle of relationship who have needs. First, pray for them, whether they are Christians or not. Pray for their needs specifically. If the person is not a Christian, pray for God to intersect their life in some way. Pray the verse, “God is not willing that any perish but all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) Based on this verse, ask God to save that one.

If your friend or loved one is a Christian but is going through tough times, pray that the Lord Himself will come to them and comfort them. Pray that the Lord, who is the God of all comfort, will be the God of all comfort to them (II Corinthians 1:3).

Second, seek to share Christ with that lost friend. Witnessing is nothing of which to be afraid. In witnessing about Jesus, you are simply telling your friend they are loved beyond imagination, and this Lover of their soul wants to give them abundant life now and life eternal. To come to the point of following Jesus and receiving this gift of salvation, your friend must “get” a few facts:

1. First, God loves them.
   
2. Second, sin has messed up their life.
   
3. Third, the solution to the sin problem is Jesus.

Then, what will they do with Jesus? Ignore Him or believe His death dealt with the sin problem and follow Jesus as Lord.

I trust you will make even some faltering attempts to do the above, because people do need the Lord. (By the way, if you do falter, Jesus said to tell you, it’s okay; He loves you.)

See you on the Lord’s Day,

Jim

Posted by arbc at 07:25 AM | Comments (0)

2009 Operation Christmas Child

Yes, it is time to begin preparing for ARBC's annual ministry of preparing and giving shoeboxes filled with little gifts for children around the world through
Operation Christmas Child.
We will begin collecting shoeboxes in October that will be filled with items for children in war torn countries.

Posted by arbc at 07:51 AM | Comments (0)