Hey everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic week.  I just wanted to write you and tell you how excited I am about starting a new series this Thursday.  It's called, "My New Identity."  I will be using the book of Ephesians to draw out some truths that will cause us to re-think who we are. 

That's really important, because who we think we are pretty much covers everything in life.  A lot of who we think we are has been shaped by things said about us and to us - and some of those things are decades old!  I want us to un-pack the negative and begin living by the spin God's Word gives us on identity.  This week will be very important because I have 4 very important words to give you and have you tuck away.  I hope to see you then!

We will start off with praise and worship through song at 7:00pm in the CrossPoint Theater, have our Bible study, and then enjoy some dessert fellowship (I think Joe is planning on serving us apple turnovers with a splash of vanilla ice cream on top).  We will have a great time; invite a friend or two!  See you Thursday.

Pastor Deone

Hey Everyone!  Just wanted to invite you to our monthly dinner this Thursday at MOSAIC.  We start at 6:30pm.  We'll be having a french toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, juice, and cinnamon roll breakfast - only 12 hours late!  We are also going to have a lot of fun.  We'll worship together through song, then have a few fun activities for you.  These events are a great way to get to know each other better around some really good food.  I hope you'll join us.

A week from Thursday - April 15 - we will begin a series on IDENTITY.  Most of us struggle at times with our self-image or self-estem, or as I like to say it: Our IDENTITY.  I think God speaks to that from his Word, and it will be of great help to all of us.  We have some brochures available in the Atrium (take as many as you need).  Spread the word!

Have a great week!

Hey MOSAIC!  I just wanted to give you an update from my parents who are in Paris.  They arrived safely last Thursday (which was actually early Friday for them) and are having a wonderful time.  They've been visiting all the major tourist destinations, and you can imagine how my Dad is adjusting to French cuisine!  They will be going to the Eiffel Tower tomorrow, and then they will be returning on Friday evening.  I appreciate your prayers for them - for safety as they are there and as they return home.  

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday at our Mexican Dinner!  If you have not yet gotten your tickets, they will be available at the door for $8.  See you then!

Jonathan

Hey everyone!  We are getting pretty excited about our annual Valentine's Dinner this Thursday at 6:30pm.  We have a great turn-out coming and we are grateful for that.  Our special guest, Cheri Taylor, will be singing a few songs and speaking to us.  Plus, we'll have some prizes and fun stuff as well - topping it off with a great dinner that I know you will enjoy. 

If you still have not received your ticket, our recommendation is that you arrive approximately 15-20 minutes early.  We still have a LIMITED AMOUNT of tickets available for $8.  There is no need to call The Chapel this week for tickets, as they will only be available this Thursday at the door.  Again, please dress nice for this.  We want to make this as special a night as we possibly can.

If you have any questions, please call myself or Jonathan (my extension is 1-206, and his is 1-267).  The church's phone number is 631-2636.

Blessings,

Pastor Deone

Last Thursday, we kicked off our latest series called HOT BUTTONS.  I use the word "series" loosely, since it will really be more like several miniseries that fall under the umbrella of HOT BUTTONS.  We're dealing with tough questions that a single adult is faced with in 2010, and we're looking to the Bible for answers.  We don't have to look far, because God's Word directly addresses each of these difficult topics that we'll work through together.  Last week, we began a three-part miniseries called, "Why Am I Single?"  If you missed that lesson, we will have some CD's available on Thursday.  We will continue the discussion this Thursday, January 28, starting at 7:00pm.  I hope you'll be able to make it, not only for the message, but also for the time spent in worship through music and a good time hanging out with friends afterwards.  As always, with a relevant topic like this one, I encourage you to bring a friend or two so they can get a grasp on what it is that MOSAIC is all about. 

Remember to lock away this date: February 11, 2010.  This will be our Valentine's Day Dinner.  Joe Grippi has tickets available for purchase on Thursday, or on Sunday morning if you attend The Chapel.  As is our tradition with Valentine's Day, we always encourage everyone to have fun getting dressed up and "Puttin' on the Ritz" (to borrow an expression from my father's generation).  It's a special holiday and we hope you'll celebrate with us.

The following Thursday, February 18, will be the launch of DivorceCare.  We will continue our HOT BUTTONS series in the CrossPoint Theater, but we love to offer this special program for those of you who have gone (or are going through) a divorce.  Whether it's been 3 days or 3 decades since your divorce, this will help you immensely.  There is a small participant's workbook fee, but beyond that there is no additional cost.  If it's not for you personally, maybe you can encourage a friend to get involved.  If they're reluctant, maybe offer to buy the workbook.  I'm telling you: DivorceCare changes lives.  Get the word out.

We love you, and I'm looking forward to seeing you this Thursday!

Deone

Hey everyone.

First of all, I wanted to take opportunity and wish you all a blessed Christmas.  I hope you are able to come this Thursday to our Christmas dinner and fun night.  6:30 – and the tickets are $5.  A delicious ham dinner.  And a special gift that my wife thought of for everyone present, and a few other surprises.

Second, we are doing a winter and spring series starting January 21st on Thursday nights.  Each night, we will tackle an issue that Christian single adults must face successfully in order to please God.  We are calling it HOT BUTTONS!

Here’s where I need your help.  If you could think of 1 or 2 or 3 issues that single adults face (perhaps that married people don’t face or don’t face to the extent singles do) and then email me those things this week, that would be AWESOME.

We love you and thank God for your involvement in our ministry.

Pastor Deone

Hey everyone.  I hope your Tuesday is going well!  This Thursday is a special Mosaic Christmas tradition that you won't want to miss.  It's time to go Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood!  One of my favorite Christmas movies is Elf with Will Ferrell, and in that movie Buddy the Elf says, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."  I don't know if Buddy is a Jesus-follower, but if anyone has reason to be cheerful at Christmas, it is us who celebrate our Savior's birth!  Therefore, I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't go caroling on Thursday.  So, meet at The Chapel in the CrossPoint Theater at 6:30pm.  From there, you will split up in carpools and be handed driving directions to your caroling destination.  After that, there will be a dessert provided for our Carolers.  As I mentioned on Thursday, 2 Hesitations 5:10 says, "If a man shall not Carol, neither should he eat dessert!"  In other words, no dessert crashers allowed.  You gotta carol to get the cookie.  I know you'll all be respectful of that, just like you always are.  So spread the word and get ready to spread your Christmas cheer this Thursday!  Have a great week.

In Him, Jonathan

Hey Everyone!  I hope you're enjoying this *warm* weather we're having!  Even though the temperatures are dropping, today is a beautiful day and the sun is so bright.  Plus, the leaves are gorgeous!  I hope you can go for a drive at some point today and cherish the wonder of God's creation. 

I wanted you all to know that this morning I FINALLY received the tickets for David Jeremiah!  For those of you who "pre-ordered" through us, I have already put your ticket in an envelope and it is going out in today's mail.  I think you should receive the tickets tomorrow (Wednesday), but definitely by Thursday - just in time.  However, I still have a LOT of tickets available.  If you are interested in one, contact me ASAP so I can mail it out today, or at least set it aside for you.  We are going to be making one large donation to Turning Point Ministries, so if you can contribute $5 in exchange for each ticket, that would be so great.  But, you have to call me at 631-2636, ext. 1-267, or email me at jadrake@thechapel.com right away.  I don't want you to miss out on this event, because it will be a while before something like this happens again.  I'm waiting by the phone.  No seriously, I'm right here.  The phone's still not ringing?  What are you waiting for?!

Have a great day!

Well, I apologize for my absence from this blog.  What a summer we have had!  I certainly know how to keep myself busy and unfortunately I didn't keep up on the blog like I wanted to.  At any rate, I just want to let you know about the Fall Electives that will be coming up starting THIS THURSDAY, Septemner 17.  They will conclude on November 12 - for a total of eight weeks (we will not meet on October 15).  Here is just a short preview of each elective - there are FIVE available.

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Single Parenting that Works! How do you raise well-balanced kids in an off-balance world?  This is a video series by Dr. Kevin Leman, author of the bestseller Have a New Kid by Friday and trusted Christian psychologist.  My brother, Rev. David Drake, has a wealth of experience from twenty-five years of counseling and he will be facilitating this series.  The cost of the workbook is $8, and they will be meeting in the Andrews Chapel.

The Measure of a Man.  This is a study on how God shapes men to have integrity and character.  John Ciavatta will be leading this study based on the book of the same title by Gene Getz.  The book is only $8, and will meet in the Atrium.  This study is for men only.

The Measure of a Woman.  Ladies, do you want to know what a godly woman looks like?  This study will show you how to be a woman that God values from the inside out.  Charity Demko will be leading this study based on the book of the same title by Gene Getz and his wife Elaine.  The book is only $8, and will meet in the Atrium.  This study is for women only.

Boundaries.  This classic video series by Drs. Cloud and Townsend will teach you how to say, "No," to the good so you can say, "Yes," to the best.  It is designed for those who have trouble setting limits and feel out of control.  Tom and Linda Davis will be leading this video series and the accompanying notebook is $3.  They will meet in the Choir Rehearsal Room.

Understanding Our Salvation.  What happens when we are born again...and after?  How does our salvation make a difference in the way we live - or does it at all?  This series will explore our salvation in a way that you probably have never seen before, and I'm really excited about the opportunity to take you through it.  We will meet in the CrossPoint Theatre, and the workbook will be $3.

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As always, EVERYONE WILL MEET IN THE CROSSPOINT THEATRE at 7:00pm where we will engage in worship through music.  You don't want to miss these precious moments spent in lifting up God's Name.  Around 7:30, we will give another brief summary of the electives, and we will break out into our respective spaces.  Then, around 8:25, we will come back around the tables in the CrossPoint Theatre for some dessert fellowship. 

I'm very excited for this Thursday and I can't wait to see you then.  If you have any questions, contact Jonathan at jadrake@thechapel.com or 631.2636 ext. 1-267.  

The more I am involved in ministry, especially Single Adult ministry, the more I realize the value of healthy and effective relationships.  I believe that God has a purpose for every life.  I have expressed in recent weeks, through our Thursday Night Bible Studies, what that purpose is: that you and I would make much of Christ, that you and I would become like Christ, and that you and I would influence other people to trust Christ.

Now, how does that involved relationships? I also believe that God brings certain people into our lives to help accomplish that purpose. There are people in my life, in other words, who help me to make much of Christ, to help me become like Christ, and to help me influence others to trust Christ.

We need people in our lives - God never intended for us to walk through life alone. He intended for us to be in relationship with other people, to give and to receive love.

I believe that so much that I am devoting our summer Bible study to talk about the people we need in our lives. Last Thursday, I began this series and spoke toward the need for encouragers - and an encourager is someone who puts the courage into your heart so that you will live for Christ today. It is not difficult for us to be encouragers. We found that out on Thursday - just a smile will change the environment you are in.

This Thursday, I am speaking about the need to have an editor. You know, sometimes our thoughts and the way we do life can get pretty strange and off the beaten path (the path being the one God wants us on). We need people in our lives to check where we are headed and what we are doing. Some people call that accountability - I prefer the term "editability," when we allow someone to "edit" the way we think about life. I believe that when we mess up the most, it's because we've tuned people out and have refused to listen to their advice.

I hope you will come to this very important series. We start off at 6:15pm with an informal barbecue (this week is hamburgers). The cost is only $3. Then we will start our program at 7pm with some worship through song and our Bible study. Afterwards, we will have an ice cream social ($1 donation please).

It will be a great night!

One more thing, As of this writing, we have 8 tickets left for this Friday's Bison's game, BPO, and fireworks event. If you want to get involved, you may want to think about calling us (Pastor Deone - 631.2636, ext. 1-206, Jonathan - ext. 1-267). Not sure if there will be any left by Thursday.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor Deone

Hey everyone.  I just wanted to remind us all about why we do what we do.  I'm talking about the MOSAIC Single Adult Ministry: why do we exist?  Why do we meet every Thursday evening at 7:00?  Is it because we are conditioned to it?  Or is it because there's something important at stake?  The MOSAIC Singles Ministry exists to encourage Christ-centered living - no matter what your relationship status or history might be.  We are all about community at MOSAIC, and we realize that the Christian life was never meant to be a solo project; God designed us for relationships and so we can help each other go to a deeper walk with Jesus Christ.  This is a safe place for you to heal, to grow, and to mature in the wonderful life God has for you.

This Thursday night will be a wonderful time together.  I've been looking forward to June 18 for a while now, and I'm so glad it's almost here.  It will be a great time of fellowship and refreshment as we get around some good friends and some good food for some great worship.  I realize that the forecast is gloomy, but fear not, for these guys have been wrong before!  (In the event of inclement weather, we will move inside - but I'm not even thinking about that right now.)  We will have a great evening together lifting up the Name of Jesus and I sure hope you can make it.  It all starts at 6:30pm.  If you have any questions, call Jonathan at 631.2636 x. 1-267.

We love you!  See you Thursday...

-Pastor Deone

There's nothing quite as special as getting a card in the mail from a friend.  Even though I was raised in the thicket of the so-called Information Age, getting an e-card on your BlackBerry or iPhone just isn't the same.  I'm talking about paper, pen, and postage stamps: the good stuff.  It doesn't seem to matter how old we get, there is still something special about reaching into that mailbox and finding an envelope with familiar handwriting on it.  It's like getting 11 TimBits when you ordered 10, except it feels better than that.  Regardless of how you happen to feel about that person, the fact that they sent you a "Thinking of You" card does wonders for your friendship.

I'm so glad this has happened to me on numerous occasions.  One that stands out is while I was at college in Lynchburg, Virginia, my uncle sent me a card saying just that: God brought my name to the forefront of his mind on one particular day and so he wrote to me, telling me that he was praying for me at school.  It was totally unexpected - out of the blue - and he didn't have an agenda; he just wanted me to know that he was mindful of me in his prayers.  It meant a lot to me.

I could give a dozen more examples like that, but the point is, that there's something powerful about prayer.  Brilliant, I know.  But to hear that a friend is thinking of you and going to God on your behalf - that is a feeling that the world cannot replicate.  For Moses, he watched Pharaoh's sorcerers replicate some of the plagues - the snakes, the blood-water - but he knew they could not replicate that moment he spent with God at the burning bush.  There's something about the presence of God that is so unlike this world, and there's no comfort quite like hearing that a friend is mentioning your name in God's presence.  

Paul understood that very well.  He penned half of the New Testament (13 of the 27 books), many of which were written to various churches and consequently, he was very in tune with the believers all across the Mediterranean.  He had contacts in Colosse, Ephesus, Thessalonica, and Rome - just to name a few.  As one of the Apostles, the early Christians hung on to every word that he wrote or said.  And although his letters are filled to the brim with theological content and instruction on the Christian life, there is one element that should not be overlooked.  He told his readers that he was praying for them. 

In fact, of those 13 books, 10 include at least one direct reference (sometimes more) to the fact that Paul was praying for them.  Yes, Paul - the first and arguably greatest missionary in the Church's history - was praying for them.  What if you found out Billy Graham or John Piper prayed for you this morning?  Not that their prayers are any more valuable than yours or mine, but rather that these men of God who have busy, busy schedules took time out of their day to mention you by name.  That would probably knock your socks off, I would imagine.  And that is the case in Paul's letters; he makes it a point to tell his readers that he's praying for them (if you are a Scripture reference junkie, knock yourself out here: Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4; 2 Cor. 13:9; Eph. 1:15-16; Phil. 1:3-4; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:3; Philemon 1:4).  

Every time, it is something to this effect: "Every time I think of you, I pray for you" or, "I do not cease praying for you, making mention of you when I pray."  Consider how these words would be like drops of honey for the churches that received a letter from Paul.  He's praying for them!  Like that note that you received in the mail, imagine how their hearts were refreshed when they saw Paul's handwriting, and then to hear that he's mentioning them in his prayers.  You can't replicate that feeling anywhere else.

And so I encourage you to do something, to do me a favor (I think you owed me one?): write someone a note today, letting them know you're thinking of them and you mentioned their name while you were praying.  Or, get on the phone and talk to a friend telling them that you have not stopped praying for them lately.  But there's a catch: you actually have to do it.  You really have to pray for them!  Don't worry, though, I think (know) you can handle it.  It's amazing how powerful your prayers can be (look up James 5:16).

Along the same lines, I had a teacher in high school at Christian Central Academy who - if any student was feeling down or walking through a valley - would always say, "Let's pray right now. Let's not put it off." She didn't say to us, "Oh, I'll be praying for you."  Instead, she really did it!  So, the next time a friend or someone special to you asks you to pray for them (or tells you that they're troubled about something), don't tell them, "Well, I'll be sure to pray for you"; instead, pray for them right now, because there's no better way for you to tell them that you really care, than to mention their name in God's presence.

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Hey folks.  I apologize for the long absence from the blog lately.  There is so much going on in all of our ministries that sometimes I don't have time to write about it, because I'm busy doing it!  I suppose that is a good problem to have, but I didn't want you to think I forgot about this blog.  Today will be a little shorter, as I have just one announcement for you.  This Thursday is the last opportunity to purchase your Memorial Day Picnic Tickets for the incredibly low cost of FIVE DOLLARS.  On Sunday - whether you're in the Atrium or you purchase "at the door" - the price will be $7.  Please don't delay, not just for your own sake, but because we will be ordering the food first thing tomorrow morning.  We want to have an accurate count so that there is very little waste but everyone can be fed.  Help us out by getting your ticket this evening.  We'll see you tonight at 7:00!

--Pastor Deone--

I love the idea of being a different person in the future than I am right now.  In fact, it is one of the things that keep me moving forward:  growing up into the likeness of Christ is a process.  It’s an exciting process, because I have no idea how to change as a person or what I want to change into.  But God does.  God wants to make me look like His Son Jesus Christ.  And the neat thing is that He will bring circumstances and people into my life to accomplish that objective of making me look like Christ.  He does it all the time and it is fascinating to watch that.

Example:  I just got back to my desk after having lunch with one of my dearest friends in this world.  And I realized when I got back in my car this exciting truth:  I just rubbed shoulders for 58 minutes with someone who loves Jesus and my day is different because of it.  In fact, I’m different because of it.  And I was hoping this friend was thinking the same thing.

What I am saying to you is that this is exactly God’s intent.  For us to get together with spiritual-minded people, discuss spiritual-minded things, and allow those things to press into our hearts what it means to be like Christ.  We get transformed that way.  

I was thinking that this is exactly why we meet on Thursday nights every week.  There isn’t one of us who need more information for the sake of information.  So we don’t offer a Bible study on Thursday so that a bunch of single adults can get together and get more information.  We gather together so that we can study the Bible as a community and help each other understand what God is saying to us and how we can implement His truth into our lives.

That’s why I am thrilled that, beginning this Thursday, we will start three 8-week electives on issues that will help you and I change into the people that God wants us to be.

There are single parents who are reading this blog – sometimes you feel like you are out there all by yourself doing the parenting thing.  During the next 8 weeks, Pastor Dave Drake (a local pastor who also has the privilege of being my brother, or the other way around) will lead a study on how to be a single parent God can bless.  

There are believers who are reading this blog who really want to witness to others, to share (as Pastor Jerry calls it) our grace story.  During the next 8 weeks, Pam Walck will lead a Bible study called “Contagious Christianity.”  You will learn, from a godly lady with a great heart to tell others about Jesus, how to share your faith with courage and have it make sense and have it be effective.

There are some who are interested in building relationships right (well, actually, we all are).  During the next 8 weeks, I will lead a Bible study called “Blueprints.”  It’s a study I have developed that talks about how to build relationships – of any kind – in a way that makes the relationship work.

We are all about life change.  Be here starting this Thursday at 7 pm for a time of worship, then we will divide up into our electives, and return to the CrossPoint Theatre for our dessert fellowship.

Let’s grow together.

Pastor Deone

During the Middle Ages, three letters were seen constantly throughout the Holy Roman Empire: I-H-S.  The Crusaders bore these letters on their armor and flags; some of the greatest cathedrals in Europe are adorned with them; and even royalty would employ them.  Today, we see these letters in the seal of the Society of Jesus (sometimes called, Jesuits), which has been the same seal since 1640. There are some conflicting stories about what “IHS" actually stands for, but it probably came from the Greek equivalent of the first three letters in Jesus’ name: iota-eta-sigma (and no, this wasn’t the first fraternity).  In modern times, we have also applied “IHS" to mean other things, such as “I have suffered” and the more popular “In His Service.”

However, I’d like to suggest another meaning to this triad of letters: in His shoes.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk a day in God’s shoes?  Notice what I did not say, however: what would it be like to be God?  That’s not the question.  I’m merely curious about what emotions and feelings God has on a moment-by-moment basis.  What does he experience?  What makes him happy?  What grieves him?  What makes him laugh?  These aren’t questions that have any bearing on my Faith whatsoever; they are merely the product of curiosity (although, it is slightly more significant than asking, “Will my dog Fluffly be in Heaven?”). 

We could talk about how God feels pain when someone rejects his Son.  We could talk about how God rejoices (along with the entirety of the heavens) when one sinner repents.  We could also talk about how God feels when he laughs – which I imagine is often, because I do enough stupid things in one day to make him laugh for eternity.  But I want to talk about how God feels when he gives. 

When God gives, he gives way out of proportion to what you or I deserve (one theologian helped me see this recently).  If there is anything disproportionate about God, it has to be his giving.  There is no way that I have earned all that God has given to me – not even close!   Nobody, nobody, nobody can out-give God.  It is impossible.  Not only that, but there is no way any of us could repay God for what he gives us on a daily basis.  Our God is a giving God.

I daresay that we are never more like God than when we give.  People talk a lot about being more like Christ; “Okay,” my response is, “then learn to give.”  And not just give your money (although that is important); and not just the amount you put in the offering plate (although that, too, is important).  God cares about the other 90% just as much as he cares about the 10%.  But this isn’t just limited to money, because God gives us way more than just the money in our bank accounts.  We need to give of ourselves.   Give your time: “sacrifice” a Saturday morning and go help out at the City Mission.  Give your talents: whatever you’re gifted at, use it for God’s Kingdom; there’s always a place you can serve.  Give an open ear: sometimes the best way to give of yourself is simply to listen to a friend who needs to talk.  Learn to give like God gives.

Jesus expects no less because he himself GAVE no less.  Remember, he gave his life for us: “No one can ever have a love that is greater than this: that Someone would give up his life for his friends” (John 15:13, my paraphrase).  God the Father would not even spare his own Son for us; that’s how much God loves us.  He gave everything.  He gave of himself.  He gave way more than we deserve.

Can you and I learn to give like that?  We are never more like God than when we give.  If we can learn to give like he gives, our lives would be changed forever.  And just for a moment, we could walk IHS.  Don’t ever pass up an opportunity like that.

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Beginning NEXT THURSDAY, April 23, we will be starting 3 new 8-week electives.  HOW TO BE A SINGLE PARENT GOD WILL BLESS, with David Drake, will equip you with the tools to be an effective parent in a difficult situation.  BLUEPRINTS, with Deone Drake, is a study on building good relationships in all areas of life - family, friendships, and dating.  CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIANITY, with Pam Walck, is a proven classic on sharing your faith with others.  I know it is going to be difficult to choose between those 3, but that is a good problem to have!  As usual, starting on April 23, we will gather for worship through music at 7:00, go to the electives around 7:30, and then come back together to hang out around 8:20.  

This Thursday, April 16, will be the CONCLUSION of this mini-series, Who Do You Think You Are?  It all starts at 7:00pm in the CrossPoint theater.  We'll look forward to seeing you then! 

-Jonathan