Pray and Play was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

What a great event. There was around 80 kids who attended the event and about 10 or more parents. We prayed before playing Volleyball and Capture-the-Flag. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves throughout the day. We served Hot Dogs, Chips, and Drinks to all the kids, plus a ton extra to all the bikers and water loving bystanders. Thank you so much for all the help. Thanks Rob for cooking, Mr. Todd for the napkins and drinks, Mr. Orr for helping with the BBQ, Dave for the BBQ, and all the FCA families for your encouragement and prayers. If I forgot anyone...I'm so sorry. I hope this can be an annual event. I will post pictures soon.

Pray and Play

We are doing it again!!!!!!! Pray and Play will be May 21st from 10:00am to 12:00 pm at Todd Beamer Park. It's right next to Copper Hills on Maple and Plymouth. We will be playing volleyball, basketball, capture the flag, soccer, tag, and playground fun. While praying to our Lord and Savior. Hot dogs will be provided at 11:30. Please bring your own drinks. Snow cones are usually at the park for $3.00.

Everyone is welcome to come. We are planning on inviting the whole school. So bring your sun screen. See you at the park.

From: Jake, Noah, Elijah, Emilie, Trent, and Tanner

Hold on Acts, Let's Repent

We stopped Acts because the team and I wanted to review repentance. Some things came up at school and several people felt the need to repent their sins. Several kids came to me and asked what repentancc means. So, we decided to talk about it this week. Here is what we came up with. Mark 1:4 is about John the Baptist preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness Acts 2:38 is about Peter saying repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins Acts 13:38 through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed Acts 26:18 darkness to light, Satan to God, and recieve forgiveness of sins.

Acts Ch.21

This week Trent and Tanner reviewed Acts chapter 21. They discussed how Paul was warned by a prophet and his peers to not go to Jerusalem. And how Paul refused to listen, but rather he continued to speak the truth no matter where he traveled. Paul continued his journey to Jerusalem with several men, making a new vow to show the people he still believes traditional Jewish laws. When Paul finally reaches Jerusalem he entered the city temple. Immediately he was bombarded by people who hated him. The prophets were correct. Paul was almost beaten to death. When the Roman guards took Paul he asked to speak. Next week Elijah and Jacob will review what Paul has to say to the people of Jerusalem.

Acts Ch. 20

Noah, Emily, and Alex read, discussed, and asked questions about Acts chapter 20. They talked about the Passover celebration and Pentecost. They also discussed how Paul has gone through some serious hard times, and how he understands that he will go through more hard times on his road to Jerusalem. All three leaders understood the importance of this chapter. That you can never give up on what God has planned for you and that through tough times God will prevail.

Next week Tanner and Trent will discuss chapter 21. It's a mob of a time :)

No FCA on March 4th because of Muffins with Mom

Acts Ch. 16

This week we learned about how God can close doors, but He will never close all doors. He opened the door for Paul and Silas to teach men in Macedonia. They proclaimed the name of Christ boldly and were thrown in prison. We all know what happens when you throw a child of God in prison. Something supernatural happens. No exception here!!! At midnight Paul and Silas are praying and singing Hymns when an earthquake opens the cells and their handcuffs fall off. Last time I checked hang cuffs don't just fall off because you shake them. LOL. Because of this the security guard gave his life to Christ along with his whole family. It is great to see that God always has a plan even though you might not understand why.

1. Why do you think God didn't allow Paul to enter Asia?
2. Can we enter Asia now?
3. Has God ever closed a door on you?
4. What was up with that crazy girl yelling at Paul and Silas?
5. How would you act if you were put in jail?
6. What are you doing to become an Acts 1:8 kid?

Acts Ch. 14

This week the boys a.k.a. Paul and Barnabas head to Iconium, Derbe, Lystra, and then back to Antioch. They are preaching the gospel to anyone and everyone. Gender and race do not matter at all. Paul and Barnabas understand that the Holy Spirit can come upon anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. They start in Iconium, but find trouble immediately, so they leave before things get bad. In Lystra Paul heals a crippled man. They city erupts with gladness and wants to sacrifice animals to Paul and Barnabas, calling them gods. They both beg the men of Lystra to not forgo any sacrifices because they were used by God. They themselves did nothing. Soon the crowd changes and Paul gets stoned and thrown out of the city. When the disciples find him he gets up and heads back into the same town that tried to kill him. Paul Rocks!!!

Questions

1. Why are Paul and Barnabas traveling from town to town?

2. Who is hating on Paul and Barnabas?

3. Who healed the lame man?

4. Why did they call Paul and Barnabas Zeus and Hermes?

5. Why did they stone Paul?

6. Why did Paul return to Lystra after he was just left for dead?

7. They went back to all the places they preached, why?

8. How can you become an Acts 1:8 kid?

Acts Ch 12

This week in Acts James the brother of John is put to death by King Herod. After Herod sees that the Jews like what he did, Herod goes for the big dog, Peter. Peter is guarded by 16 Roman guards. While Peter is gone his friends PRAY for him. It is amazing what praying can accomplish. To the surprise of many Peter is released from prison by an Angel. This chapter shows us the power of prayer and how we should never give up hope.

Questions
1. Why did Herod what Peter in Jail?
2. Why do you think Herod assigned 16 guards to watch Peter?
3. Why did an Angel appear in Peter's cell?
4. Who did Peter report to first? Why?
5. Why were the people surprised to see Peter?
6. Would you have been surprised?
7. What does this incident tell you about prayer?
8. How can I become an Acts 1:8 kid?

Update on Family

Last Friday Alex, Noah, Jake, Elijah, and I visited the Ramirez family. They are super nice and excited to meet the whole group. We told them a little about FCA and why we are helping. The family of 14 has some basic needs that we can help them fulfill.
Megan and I are going to deliver a tree before Friday, so they will be ready for us.
Please join me at Target at 4:30 this Wednesday, December 15th to purchase the family's gifts.
Thank you for your generous donations!

Adopt-A-Family information

Here is the latest. The family lives near Susan B. Anthony Elementary in Fresno. Two years ago we adopted a family in the same neighborhood. My friend Garth lives in this neighborhood with his wife Kaitlyn. Garth runs the Neighborhood Thrift Store in Tower District, as well as after school programs at his house. I asked him to hook us up with a family in need. He told me this would be the perfect family for FCA to adopt. So, going forward, we are going to meet at Target in the shopping center off Herndon and Willow at 4:30 on the 15th of December. There is no after school practice or programs on that day, so hopefully you can join us in buying clothes and toys to purchase for the family.

This is a great way to share God's blessing with others. We aren't doing this because we have in the past. We are doing this because we are Christians and this is a perfect way to show God's love by giving back to our community.

Please consider donating, and/or coming to Target to help purchase gifts for the family.

The FCA leaders would also love to invite you to come share the joy of giving by helping us give these wonderful gifts to the family. We are going to give the family their gifts on December 17th. There isn't sports practice, or anything after school that day. We would like to leave school between 3:30 and 4:00 so everyone could make it (even the little ones). We will drive together from school to our adopted family's house, drop off the presents, sing a few Christmas songs, say good bye and be home for dinner.

Your kids eyes will be wide open after they experience the true meaning of Christmas.

12/15/10 Buy gifts at Target Time: 4:30-When the cows come home

12/17/10 Wrap gifts and make cards at FCA Time: 7:30-8:00

12/17/10 Give gifts to family Time: 3:30-4:00 leave school. EVERYONE is invited, EVERYONE. We will come back to school right after giving presents and singing. Hope you can make it.

Adopt-A-Family

We are adopting a family this year for Christmas. We don't have all the details, but we know for sure that the family is very excited. We will try our best to provide each family member with shoes, sweater/jacket, and a toy. We will also put together a nice Christmas meal package. Of course we will all hope into cars from Riverview and head down town to deliver the family their gifts.
Wednesday, December 15th, we will meet at Target on Herndon and Willow to purchase the gifts. We have some money donated from the FCA Car Wash for Christ. We still are in need of donations.
You can send any amount of money to the next three FCA meetings. 12/3, 12/10, 12/17.
I'm looking forward to serving our community and becoming Acts 1:8 kids.

Acts Ch. 9

This chapter of Acts is a defining moment in the spreading of the Gospel. Saul, the persecutor of Christians, goes blind by God's grace to teach Saul a lesson. Saul is then lead by his friends to Damascus. He is blind for 3 days and nights before Ananias comes to pray with him and bring forth the Holy Spirit. Ananias was lead by Jesus in a dream. Saul immediately becomes baptised and starts proclaiming the name of Christ. Christians are scared of him and the Jews wanted to kill him. Saul finds himself in the middle of two worlds. It's a good thing Barnabas is around to help Saul find his way.

1. Why did Saul cry out saying, Who are you, Lord?

2. How do you think the people around Saul felt when they could hear the Lord, but not see the light?

3. Why didn't Saul eat for 3 days and nights?

4. Why do you think Jesus blined Saul?

5. How did Ananias feel about going to see Saul?

6. How would you feel if you had to see a man who wants to kill you for loving Jesus? Who you go?

7. What did Saul do right after he could see?

8. Why would the Jews not like Saul?

9. Why would the Christians not like Saul?

10. Why are some of the most vocal Christians former Saul like people?

11. How can you become an Acts 1:8 kid?

We are having FCA this week 11/19/10

There is a family breakfast this Friday 11/19/10, but this will not stop FCA from meeting. This breakfast is fantastic, but it's not as popular as donuts with dad, or muffins with mom, so we will continue to have FCA. I understand if you can't make it because you will be attending this breakfast. FCA will be meeting in my room this Friday.

Acts Ch 8

It takes 7 chapter, or a long period of time for the apostles to realize that Jesus meant what he said. Acts 1:8 you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It takes Stephan's death to jump start the gospel.
Paul is on the move in this chapter. He ravages the Christian people, placing them in jail. Most of the Christian followers leave town, while the apostles stand their ground.
Philip, one who left Jerusalem, began spreading the Good News in the city of Samaria. He was healing the sick and lame. This had a huge impact on the spreading of the Church.
An Angel of the Lord spoke to Philip. He said to go to Gaza. Philip finds an Ethiopian in need of translation. Philip helps and baptizes him. The Gospel is on the move!!!!!!!

1. Why do you think the Christian people left Jerusalem?
2. Would you have left Jerusalem?
3. If you didn't know Jesus and you saw someone healing the sick and lame, would you join them?
4. Do you think Philip is brave?
5. Can you share your faith like Philip?
6. The Lord speaks to Philip. Will you listen when the Lord calls upon you?
7. What do you think the Ethiopian man did next?
8. How can you become an Acts 1:8 kid?

No FCA on 10/29/10

No FCA because we have no SCHOOL!!!!!! See you next week. We will go over Acts Chapter 8. Things start to really heat up around Jerusalem.

Acts Ch 6 & 7

These chapters are very important part of the early church expansion. In chapter 6 the apostles need help and appoint 7 men to take care of the everyday needs of the people while the apostles continue to teach. They appoint 7 men, but one man stands out, Stephen. In chapter 7 Stephan gets his preaching on. He pretty much walks through the entire Old Testament trying to show the council how the OT points to the Christ. He does a great job, but also upsets everyone and in their anger start to stone Stephan. Stephan in his unreal pain cries out to Christ and asks for the people to not be punished. It's amazing. Great chapter. Just think about Acts 1:8, the apostles haven't gone out to spread the Good News. Now seems like a good time since you buddy just died doing the same thing you will be doing tomorrow. Lets see if they spread the Word to other parts of the earth.

1. Why were the seven chosen?
2. What has happened since the seven were chosen?
3. What is Stephan filled with?
4. What did Stephan preach in chapter 7?
5. Why did they take Stephan out of town to stone him?
6. Do you think Stephan did the right thing?
7. What would you say to Christ if people were stoning you to death?
8. Who was watching the stoning with a smile on his face?
9. How can you be an Acts 1:8 kid?

FCA will be in Room 22 this week 10/22

No FCA this Friday 10/15/10

No FCA this Friday because of Donuts with Dad. Please feel free to review Acts chapter 6 this week. We will pick up on Acts next week. Have a great time at Donuts with Dad. :)

Acts Ch. 5

Acts chapter 5 starts off with a difficult bite, but turns into a great model on how to never quit spreading the word of God. We first meet a few characters that aren't honest with God. One thing is for certain, when you are the first to do something against God....Look out! Later in the chapter the apostles are accused of preaching and are sent to jail again. An angel releases them in the night and the next morning they are preaching the good news. At the end of the chapter the apostles are over joyed because they found themselves worthy to be dishonored in the name of Christ.

1. Why did Ananias and Sapphira die?

2. Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira lie?

3. How would you have felt if you saw these acts in person?

4. Why were the apostles put in jail?

5. What happened in the middle of the night?

6. What was the first thing the apostles did after they broke out of jail?

7. Why do you think the Sadducees were jealous?

8. Have you ever been dishonored because of your faith?

9. How can you become an Acts 1:8 kid?