Movie #4: "Grace Unplugged" -- 'Don't Give Up Movies for Lent' Series

 

 

Greetings everyone!

I wanted to publicize the change of movies and venue ahead of time to keep everyone on board!

On Wednesday, March 26, we will watch this movie in the Sanctuary, at the Dawn Drive entrance.

 We will now be viewing "Grace Unplugged," which ran in theaters last October, and just had the DVD release in February.

Here is the link to the preview:

http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Grace-Unplugged

 Here is a short article by one of the producers as he gets candid about the struggles of passing the faith-life on to our adult-children, as well as to teens.

"Trusting God with A Prodigal Child" by Russ Rice

http://www.lifeway.com/Article/Grace-Unplugged-Trusting-God-with-a-Prodigal-Child

 Thanks for helping make this film series such a buzz!  As always, RSVP to Pastor Gary at leadpastor@rhcc4.org

Glory to God,

Gary

Movie # 1 "The Monuments Men" - Details, Table Talk Info HERE!

Here are the details for the first in the pre-Easter Series "Don't Give Up Movies for Lent!"

 

If you have any questions, please ask!

 

Theater Details

 

"The Monuments Men"

 

Wednesday, March 5

7:40 pm

Cinemark Cedar Park -- 1890 Ranch Shopping Center

 

you can buy your tickets ahead of time online if you want at either:

 

http://www.cinemark.com/theatre-detail.aspx?node_id=1710#3/5/2014

 

 or

 

http://www.fandango.com/themonumentsmen_161603/movietimes?location=78613&date=3%2f5%2f2014

 

 Table-Talk Afterwards

IHOP Restaurant (24 hours!)

800 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park

 

menu at http://www.ihop.com/menus/main-menu

To Look at Before You Go

 

(1) Ephesians 2:10

 

For a look in several English translations, go to

 

http://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Ephesians%202:10

 

 (2) Two historic pieces of Christian art that the movie highlights:

 

"Madonna" (sculpture,1505) by Michelangelo, Bruges Belgium, Church of Our Lady

https://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/belgium/bruges/michelangelo/madonna.html

 

"Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" (a.k.a. "The Ghent Altarpiece") (painting, 1432) Jan and Hubert van Eyck, Ghent, Belgium, St. Bavo Cathedral

https://www.getty.edu/foundation/initiatives/current/panelpaintings/panel_paintings_ghent.html

 

PLEASE RSVP IF YOU ARE GOING

LeadPastor@rhcc4.org

 

--
The Rev. Dr. Gary Olsen
Lead Pastor, Rolling Hills Community Church
see more at www.rhcc4.org

"Don't Give Up Movies for Lent" series 2014‏

Tonight is "Shrove Tuesday", and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday - or, the start of Lent.

Traditionally, the church has spent the weeks leading up to Easter to help people live the Christian life with new inspiration and commitment. They called it "Lent" from the word "lengthen," since it is the time of year that the sunlight of each day noticeably lengthens. This year, there is an unprecedented number of movie releases increasing the Son light coming from the movie projectors; let's go to see and support these movies for Lent!

Join us for a new take on your Lent journey.

All films are playing on Wednesday nights, and the films may all be showing at different places and times ... we will announce details each weekend before! Also, we will always go for a sip and/or a bite afterwards in order to talk about the movie. Just meet us, dutch-treat!

Join Joyce and Pastor Gary for an unprecedented feature-film filled Lent! If you decide to come, email us at LeadPastor@rhcc4.org so we know to look for you!  Also, please check out the BLOG for weekly updates on the movie time/location as well as some scriptural references to check out before the movie!  We are looking forward to experiencing this with you!!

Click on the links below to see the movie previews:

March 5 - "The Monuments Men"

http://www.monumentsmen.com/

March 12 - "Acts of God"

http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/acts-of-god

March 19 -"Son of God"

http://www.sonofgodmovie.com/videos-1.html

March 26 -"Veil of Tears"

http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Veil-of-Tears

April 2 -"God's Not Dead"

http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/photosvideos

 April 9 -"Noah"

http://www.noahmovie.com/videos

 April 16 -"Heaven Is for Real"

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/heavenisforreal/

P.S. Again, if you decide to come, email us at LeadPastor@rhcc4.org so we know to look for you! G.O.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We are having some CRAZY weather here in the Hill Country this past week.  Nothing like a snow ice day and 20 degree temps on Friday, 70+ degree weekend (thank you, Lord!), and now back to chilly temps on Monday.  What a roller coaster!

I hope you're all staying warm, and thought I'd share some fun recipes - with a "snowball" theme - for you to share with your family this week. In Sunday School and Treehouse, we are talking about acts of service and kindness.  This week, in particular, we focused on our ACTIONS.  Use this family time/recipe making to put our lesson into practice.  Make up a few extras and share with your friends, neighbors, or even a stranger!  This is a great way to show the love of God, through our ACTION of sharing food with someone else.  Maybe wrap up a few of the goodies, and attach a note that says "Happy Winter - Jesus loves you!!"

Pizza Puffballs

Ingredients:
2 cans Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk Biscuits
5oz. package pepperoni
3-4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:
1. Generously spray a muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cut each biscuit into fourths, and chop the pepperoni into small pieces.
3. Fill both your hands with pepperoni pieces, a sprinkling of cheese, and three biscuit pieces.  Pack the ingredients together (like making a snowball!) and place into one of the muffin tin openings.  Repeat this step until the entire pan is full.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.  Serve with pizza sauce for dipping.


Cake Batter Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
10oz. mini marshmallows
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Funfetti cake mix
12 cups POPPED popcorn

Instructions:
1. Remove any unpopped kernels from the popcorn.
2. In a large pot on low heat, warm the butter, marshmallows, and salt until the butter and marshmallows are completely melted.  Stir occasionally.
3. Stir in the cake mix, little by little.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and pour in the popcorn.  Stir gently until its coated.
5. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray and form the popcorn mixture into balls.  Set them on wax paper to cool.

Bonus: Roll the popcorn balls in white sugar sprinkles to give them a glistening snowy look!

I hope you enjoy the recipes, and find a way to share with others!  Our actions are one of the best ways to share the love of God with everyone we meet!  Let me know if you try any of these recipes.  I can't wait - they sound super yummy. :)

Many Smiles, Elisabeth

Recipes courtesy of the Winter 2013 explorer's GUIDE from D6 Magazines.

Serve It Up

 

For your Family Time this week, choose an act of service that you can do together - then do it! 

 

 

Be sure to comment and let us know how your family chose to serve this week.  We can be the hands and feet of Jesus through our love, kindness and service to others.  I can't wait to hear the stories of how you all have blessed others!

 

Many Smiles,

Elisabeth

 

Doing Our Own Thing

It's Devotional Time!

Doing Our Own Thing Pose the question to your kids: Why is it easier to sin than to do what is right? Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we are all born with a desire to sin. From the time we were little, we wanted our own way. No one had to teach us to be selfish, lie, or disobey. It is easier to sin than to do what is right. We need Jesus’ help to bring us closer to God.   Subscribe to Splink! here.     From Externally Focused Life:     Look up and read the following Scriptures in a Bible:   Matthew 20:26-27 Romans 14:18 Galatians 5:13   What do you learn from these Scriptures?     Have an awesome week!  Come back tomorrow for your weekly family night activity suggestions!  And don't forget - Treehouse & Kids Choir now meet on Sunday evening, from 4:00-6:00pm in Fellowship Hall.  I hope to see some of you there. Many Smiles, Elisabeth

God Still Loves

Happy Wednesday Friends!   This week in Sunday School, we focused on Reconciliation in our D6 Curriculum, and the theme of "It's All About People" and serving others from our series "The Externally Focused Life".    Here are a few conversation starters for your family meal times, car rides, or just little chats you can have with your family, kids, and friends.  I hope you find these little bits helpful!    From Splink (D6 Curriculum):   January 12 - 18 Reconciliation

God Still Loves Read and act out the story of the first sin from Genesis 3:1-6, 22-23. Ask: Did God still love Adam and Eve after they sinned? Adam and Eve chose their own way instead of God’s way. God wanted to be close to them, but their sins separated them from God. Even though they sinned, God still loved them and promised to send His Son to take away their sin.   From Externally Focused Life:   "So be good servants and use your gifts to serve each other." (1 Peter 4:10)   Look up the word "serve" in the dictionary.  What does it mean? Make a list of some ways that you can love and serve others.

Family Fun!

So here's a fun activity for this weekend:

Make a toy water-balloon yo-yo!  Make several of these and deliver them to kids in your neighborhood.

Image & additional directions from: http://www.kiwicrate.com/projects/Water-Balloon-Yo-yo/2112

 You will need:
small balloons
puffy paint or markers
large rubber bands
water

First, decorate the balloons.  Then, cut the rubber bands in half.  Fill the balloons half full with water.  Parents and older kids can blow up the balloons to the size of a small ball.  Tie the balloons shut.  Tie one end of each rubber band around the knot of the balloon.  Tie a loop on the other end of the rubber band.  Place the loop around your finger and gently throw the balloon and watch it come back to you!

Have fun!!

And...coming up this Sunday in Roots Troop...we will learn that "it's about Jesus."  Jesus set an example for us.  Read how Jesus helped (Luke 7:36-50), healed (Matthew 15:30, 31), fed those who were hungry (John 6:1-14), served (John 13:1-17), and was a friend to others (John 15:12-17).

I can't wait to see all of you on Sunday morning!  

Have an AWESOME weekend with your family and friends!

Many Smiles,

Elisabeth

Activity and scripture suggestions taken from The Externally Focused Life.  Copyright 2009.  

LifeBridge Christian Church.  All rights reserved.

Family Night Activity: God made us and knows us.

Spend time together.
In this week's lesson, we focused on the fact that God made us and knows us.  He made each person special and God's picture, His puzzle, isn't complete without each of our pieces.  Dig out a puzzle from your closet, or buy or borrow a new one, and spend time putting the puzzle together.  As you work, talk about what makes your family special and how your family wouldn't be complete without each family member.

We love puzzles ~ My mom, aunt & son at Thanksgiving!

 

A puzzling way to reinforce scripture.
Another fun way to spend time together, continue on the path of our puzzle activity, AND reinforce our memory verse, is to create your own puzzle.  Find a piece of cardboard, or cardstock.  Write the memory verse and decorate the picture.  Then, have someone cut it all apart in different shapes.  (Make sure the pieces are large enough to handle, but small enough to create a challenge!)  If you'd like, you can even download a puzzle template, just print it out, decorate, then laminate before you cut!  It will last even longer. Once it's all cut up, put it back together again.  You could even repeat this each week and have a set of puzzles to help you remember key verses!

If you participate in any of our activity suggestions - let me know!  

Leave a comment, or post on our Facebook page.  

Or - just tell me how it all goes!

Many Smiles,

Elisabeth

Portions of this blog post were taken from The Externally Focused Life.  Copyright 2009.  
LifeBridge Christian Church.  All rights reserved.

Family Night Activity: The Greatest Exchange

The Greatest Exchange

Items Needed: nice gift that your kids might want (or a $5 bill); box of junk—smelly trash, broken toys, dirty rag or sock, empty cartons or cans

Share an object lesson to talk about the great exchange—our sin for Jesus’ righteousness.

Invite one child to receive the box of junk and ask him or her to open it. 

This box represents us and the wrong things we do. The Bible even says that the GOOD deeds we do are like filthy, dirty rags compared to God’s righteousness. (Isaiah 64:6)

What are some wrong things kids do? (lying, stealing, disobeying, etc.)

Ask the child, “Would you like to trade that box for this box (with the nice gift or money)?” 

If he/she says yes, make the exchange.

Jesus wants to make a much GREATER exchange with us. We can exchange our sin for His righteousness. When God sees us, He sees not our sinfulness, but Jesus’ completely pure, clean, holy, righteousness! What a great exchange!

Celebrate New Year's Eve - Make Family Memories

A New Year

 

Happy (almost) New Year!  Holidays give us a great opportunity to have family moments together - where we can create traditions and build memories to last a lifetime.  This week, in Sunday School, we talked about ways that some people celebrate New Year's.  We even discussed the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), and ways that they celebrate!  (Side Note: we taught the kids the Hebrew phrase "L'shanah tovah" which translates to "for a good year" - so don't be surprised to hear them speaking Hebrew!)

 In my family, we stay home, invite friends over, and have a "Pancakes & Pajamas" party!  Everyone wears their PJ's, we eat pancakes, bacon, cinnamon rolls and drink OJ and coffee!  We play games, do activities, watch the ball drop on TV, and have a relaxing and fun evening together.  

Items Needed: party horns, blowers, special foods, etc. to celebrate the new year’s arrival; Board game or other family activity.

Idea #1: Play a favorite board game to see who will be the reigning champion for the year. Record the name of the champ on the lid of the box. (Repeat every New Year’s Eve to see who gets to claim bragging rights all year.)

Idea #2: Have each family member and party guest fill out a New Year's "interview" of sorts.  List high's and low's of 2013, and list what you're looking forward to in 2014.  Write down the kids' favorites: food, color, movie, song, etc.  Save the interviews in a special folder, binder or box.  Get them out each year and reflect on the past years accomplishments and stats!

Since we are beginning a new year, invite each family member (including mom and dad) to share something they would like to stop doing OR something they would like to start doing better.

Pray and ask God to help each one (it is only with His help that we could ever hope to live godly).

Happy 2014!  

I pray that you and your families have a super awesome, 

joyful, fun, successful, full-of-laughter and faith filled year!

Many Smiles,

Elisabeth