City on our Knees. by Toby Mac.

Vince and Betsy shared this song with us during our Worship time at Connecting Group last week. Although I’ve heard the song numerous times I’m not sure I’ve ever sat and listened to the lyrics.  For those of you not familiar with the song I encourage you to watch the video above.  I’ve copied the song lyrics below:

“If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave

Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all up tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave

Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh

Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
Tonight could last forever
Ooh
Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
As family
We’re family
Oh Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
You and me
Ya, you and me
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide
In a glorious display
Cuz its all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
If we gotta start somewhere why not here
If we gotta start sometime why not now”

This song calls us into action.  Calls us into service to our communities and each other.  How great would it be to see the Twin Cities, or even just St. Paul, or Frogtown to be that “City on our Knees.”  What ways can we as Connecting Groups go out into our city, our neighborhoods and share the Love of Christ?  What about within our own church? Spring is a great time for Connecting Groups to start new service projects, its a time of renewal and rebirth, or starting fresh. What type of things are your groups doing? Thinking about doing? Stay posted for some Spring related service project ideas.

I thank my God.

Thanksgiving. Definitely my favorite holiday. I mean you have food, family and football how can you not like it? No but really, as I write this I am sitting at home on my mom’s couch and I’m almost giddy with anticipation for tomorrow. Growing up Thanksgiving was always a time when we got together with extended family, when I got to connect with cousins and grandparents, family friends and aunts and uncles. I could care less about the turkey as long as I got to see everyone.  This has not changed with age. It’s probably only intensified.  And this year as I look back on all the things I’m thankful for I can’t help but think about all of you at St. Stephanus. It has been an incredible blessing in my life to be part of the church family at St. Stephanus. And specifically for you Connecting Group leaders. For all that you do for the desire you have to share the Gospel with those in your communities and lives. My pastor shared this with our congregation tonight and I wanted to share it with you, because I cannot imagine a more appropriate text for how I feel at the moment.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.  Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.  God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.  May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. ~ Philippians 1:3-11

Happy Thanksgiving Connecting Group Facilitators. May God continue to bless you and this ministry over the coming year.

In Christ,

Megan

A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Holiday themed Service Projects

The Holidays are approaching at record speed this year. Tomorrow is Halloween and before we know it we’ll be gathered around tables carving turkeys instead of pumpkins.  This time of the year our schedules always seem the most full. We’re trying to fit in work and family parties, school and church programs and still find time for shopping.  Even with the busy schedules, this time of the year also has some of the best opportunities for service projects.

A common service project for Christmas is the Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” program.  For those who might not have done this before or who haven’t done it in a while let me fill you in.  Operation Christmas Child is a program that seeks to share the Gospel through the gift of daily necessities.  At Christmas they gather shoe boxes filled with items like wash clothes and toothbrushes as well as small toys and school supplies.  These boxes go to children across seas who are in need of such items.  For a complete list of what to put in the boxes, where you can drop them off and any other answers to questions you might have check out their website.

Another option could be connecting with the Dwelling Place and seeing if your group could host a holiday dinner for the residents and their families.  For more information on how to connect with them check out their website.

Groups could also adopt a shut-in our two to go and visit as a group or in smaller groups. Take turns bringing holiday cheer to those in our congregation who are unable to take part in the same festivities we enjoy.

There are also numerous soup kitchens and homeless shelters in the cities that might be offering holiday meals for their residents.  Groups could volunteer together serving those less fortunate than we are.  Here’s a quick list of places.

If you have other ideas or your groups are already doing something let us know in the comments!

Happy Holidays!

Don’t look now but Fall is here!

If you’re anything like me you love Fall in the Midwest! The leaves, the pumpkins and apple cider, the crisp weather and football, I mean really, does it get better this side of Heaven? Fall is amazing, and even better when it’s shared with others.  Here are a couple ideas for you and your Connecting Group this fall:

Social Ideas:

- Take a walk through one of MN’s amazing State Parks. Check out this color guide to see when the colors will be peaking: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html.

- Take a trip to a local apple orchard. Pick apples, have some cider, let the little ones pick out some pumpkins and then go back to someone’s house for a pot of chili and a family pumpkin carving night!

- Have a Vikings vs. Packers Party on October 5th. Game kicks off at 7:30pm.

Service Opportunities:

- Fall is such a great time for neighborhood walks. How about adopting a neighborhood and spending a couple hours picking up trash?

- Or adopting a shut-in and taking turns raking their leaves and visiting?

- Operation Christmas Child is fast approaching.  For groups that are thinking about doing that it might be a good time to start collecting items and saving shoeboxes. Check out the link on the right for more information.