SunHills September Update

  • Dan Haakenson
  • Sep 1, 2011
MISSIONS HIGHLIGHT

Each month in these updates, we highlight some aspect of how we are seeking to live the mission. August has provided some good opportunities for this – thank you to those who participated in BTC (Be the Church) and LIA (Love in Action).  

As the school year is now underway, it is a good time to be reminded of the challenges that students face and the opportunities to reach students with the transforming good news of Jesus. Two ministries that SunHills regularly supports are targeted at reaching students.

  • Young Life’s mission is to introduce teens to Jesus Christ and to help them grow in their faith.  El Dorado County YL organizes weekly meetings, called clubs, for both middle school and high school age students in our community.  They currently have 2 very active clubs and hope to add 2 more this year.  In addition students have the opportunity to attend camps and retreats to hear the good news of the gospel and learn to grow in their faith.  For more information about YL, please contact Sean Tangen, Area Director,
  • The Source for Youth Ministry is another organization with which we have strong ties. Their purpose is to reach youth with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, develop student and adult youth leaders with effective ministry skills, and provide cutting-edge youth ministry tools and resources.  Their website is a great resource for free youth ministry ideas, information, and training.  You can learn more about them at http://www.thesource4ym.com.
FINANCES

It is typical to come through summer months with some dips in giving and we had weeks which reflected that pattern a bit.  But overall, there has continued to be strong giving.  Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in supporting the ministry and mission of SunHills.  God is honored through stewardship which supports his work.

SMALL GROUPS

We’ve just come off a two-week series highlighting “Relationships Refreshed” – particularly calling us to the value and importance of connecting with one another in the context of small groups. We have a number of small group opportunities beginning in September. Take the time NOW to sign-up and begin to invest in relationships among our church family.

Information about all of our groups is available here under the Small Groups tab.  Check out what we have available for fall and you can sign up on Sundays.  If you have any questions about Small Groups, please contact Jackie Adams, .

KIDMIN

We have some exciting things happening in Children’s Ministry this month.  This Sunday we are starting a fun new curriculum incorporating Bible-based teaching, games, videos, and amazing object lessons.  Our Sunday morning teachers are excited about it so be sure to ask your kids what they are learning on Sunday mornings.  Each child will be coming home with a take-home lesson for review during the week.  We are always looking to add to our kidmin team – if you would like more information, contact Jill Vogel, .

4th and 5th graders will also have the chance to attend Zelos, a high-energy event for pre-teens on Saturday, Sept 24.  For more information, contact Jill.

Lastly, please remember to sign your children in and out each Sunday at our registration tables.  It’s also helpful and a courtesy to our Sunday volunteers if you pick your children up when service ends.  Thank you!

OHANA

This is going to be a great day!  Sunday, Sept 25, from 3-6 pm here at SunHills, plan to come on out for our 2nd Annual Ohana Picnic.  This is an all-church event and all are welcome!   We’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner and time to fellowship with one another.  Tickets are $2/person and will be available beginning this Sunday or by contacting Heather in the church office, .

UPCOMING SERIES – ‘MEANT FOR GOOD’

Joseph – yep, the guy with the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – is someone who lived long ago; but his life story is remarkably relevant to us. He faced tough circumstances, unfortunate breaks, family challenges, false accusation, leadership pressures, and more.  In the midst of this he could have easily succumbed to the temptations of impurity, revenge, or bitterness.  It’s not just his ‘technicolor’ coat that is amazing – his faith and trust in God is amazing. God was at work for good through the life of Joseph and the Bible gives considerable ink to record the story; it covers Genesis 37-50.  We’ll take the bulk of the fall season to walk through the story of Joseph and learn relevant lessons for our journey of trusting God and faithfully following him, even in the midst of the real-life challenges which surround us.

This series will begin on Sept 18 and run through Nov 13.  Here are two things I’d like to ask you to do as we move into this series:  (1) will you read along in the story with us?  It will truly be of benefit to you (and I think you’ll actually enjoy it; it’s a great story). Each Sunday I’ll note in the program which chapters of Genesis you are to read prior to the next Sunday… just read them before you come and it’ll help you follow along in the story (and the lessons to us).  (2) Do you have a story to share?  I enjoy hearing the stories myself and think it is great for us to be able to share with one another.  So here are the types of stories I am looking for:  a story from your life where you can identify with Joseph or the challenges that he faced (feeling betrayed by family, wondering where God is in the midst of your challenge, facing temptation, etc.); or a setting from your life when the biblical story of Joseph helped you in your story.  If you have a story that would fit along these lines, I’d love to hear from you.  You can email me at or catch me here on a Sunday.  Thanks.  I’m looking forward to this…

Grace - dan