The Orchard Blog

Rockin’ The Orchard 2
Right Here, Right Now – Mark Miller
Sunday 07.29.07

Setlist:
Not To Us – Chris Tomlin
O Praise Him – David Crowder Band
Right Here, Right Now – Jesus Jones

Don’t be taken hostage by plans for tomorrow when there is so much God wants to do with our today.
Planning and goal setting are good things, but sometimes we can focus so much on the future that we don’t see God at work in our today.

Have I cross-checked my future plans with God?
Am I so fixated on my plans for the future that there is no room for divine interruptions in my present?
When was the last time I day-dreamed about eternity?

Posted by Mike Jones

He’s here! Alexander “Alex” D. Hodge! Born this morning (7/24) at 7:30am. 8 pounds, 1 ounce. 21 inches long.

Mom and baby are doing wonderful but we are TIRED and ready for some sleep – so we would like to reserve visitations for family only at this time. We can’t wait to post some more photos later!

Thanks for your prayers and support! We are so excited!!

Posted by Scott Hodge

Rockin’ The Orchard 2
Pride (In The Name of Love) – Dave Garda
Sunday 07.22.07

Setlist:
Everybody Praise The Lord – Lincoln Brewster
Awesome Is The Lord Most High – Chris Tomlin
Pride (In The Name of Love) – U2
Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster

What does it mean for me to leave a legacy?
What legacy will I leave?
Have I asked God to lead me into the legacy he has for me?
What will it take for me to finish or hand-off well the legacy that God has given me?

Posted by Mike Jones

 Here is a quick video highlighting our kids small groups and how they are making a difference in the lives of students and the small group leaders too.

If you’re interested in finding out how YOU can impact students lives, join us for a brief SMALL GROUPS FOR KIDS INFO MEETING this Sunday, July 29th, after 2nd service (12:30pm – 1:00pm).

Rockin’ The Orchard 2
I Will Survive – Chris Bell
Sunday 07.15.07

Setlist:
Tell The World – Hillsong United
Everyday – Lincoln Brewster
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
Once Again – Matt Redman

Choose today that you are going to survive.  You may be hammered and put into the fire, but commit to trusting in God – that He knows the big picture.  He desires to shape you to become all that He designed you to be.  Don’t break.  Don’t crack.  Don’t come apart.  Don’t give up.  Choose to say, “God I trust you.  I will survive.”

Posted by Mike Jones

You can tell if people are following Jesus, instead of following PEOPLE who follow Jesus, because they are the ones who are feeding others and sharing their wealth. (from Plan B: further thoughts on faith by Anne Lamont)

Posted by Kathryn Egly

I hope that all of you are planning on coming out to our annual BBQ and Baptism coming up August 5th… we have over 80 people signed up to be baptized!! This event is for our whole family – so even if you are not planning on being baptized this year, come out to support and celebrate with those who are making this public proclamation of their faith in Christ. I guarantee you will not be disappointed – it will be one of the highlights of your year!

And in case you missed last year, here’s a taste of what God did that day!
(This moves me every time I see it. How about you?)

Posted by Mike Jones

Do your kids need some help with their manners?

Dude, That’s Rude (Get Some Manners) is a fun and FUNNY book to help them in this area!!

The book give tips on how to speak politely, on table manners, on-line etiquette, phone manners, etc.

I recommend this book for kids 8-12…and to adults who’ve never learned manners :)!

The book can be found on amazon.com.

Posted by Kathryn Egly

Rockin’ The Orchard 2
Yesterday – Ted Egly
Sunday 07.08.07

Setlist:
All Because of Jesus – Steve Fee
Famous One – Chris Tomlin
Yesterday – Beatles
From The Inside Out – Hillsong United

We can’t live in yesterday.
I have to examine my character to make sure that what I believe on the inside is coming through on the outside. Do my choices reflect my inward commitment to Christ? Remember, the choices I make today will reveal decisions I have to live with tomorrow.

Posted by Mike Jones

“Why?”

“Are We There Yet?”

“Can I have another one pleeease?”

        When kids ask questions like these, parents can usually answer off-handedly.  But there’s another, more important set of questions kids ask that don’t have such straightforward answers.  And the answers to these questions will affect how kids spend the rest of their lives.  Parents may not always hear the questions audibly, but they’re asked by every child, no matter when or where they grow up: Who am I? What’s true? Who really cares? Who believes in me? Where do I fit in? Why am I here?

        Well-adjusted kids are asking these questions, just as struggling kids are.  The answers will determine major life choices, habits, and beliefs.  Unfortunately, our culture has furnished some easy answers.

·        Who am I? It’s all about you.  Be whoever you want to be.

·        What’s true?  Whatever.  Remember, it’s about you.

·        Who really cares?  Nobody, really.

·        Who believes in me?  Whoever can use you.

·        Where do I fit in?  With people you can get to like you.

·        Why am I here?  To get what you want.

        If kids are asking, the world is more than happy to answer.  No parent wants our children to settle for the world’s answers, but many kids are doing exactly that.

        What if you took time to answer those six questions in a way that’ll help children not only find fulfillment but also grow into the kind of leaders who could change the world? And what if the questions weren’t answered informationally, but relationally? 

How will you help your child answer these questions?

Written by Reggie Joiner in Children’s Ministry Magazine

Posted by Kathryn Egly