Pastor Al Paulauski, From Your Pal Pastor Al

Pastor Al Paulauski

From Your Pal May 2008

2008 Summer Missions Trip

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15

   Are there better verses in the Bible that paint a picture of what missions is all about than these? Think about it! How are people going to ever hear the good news that the God of the universe wants a personal relationship with them unless someone tells them? Not all of us are lucky enough to grow up in Christian homes where our mom and dad have been talking to us about God's love since we were little children. I know that was the case for me. It took someone, seeing the need to enter a juvenile detention center to tell teenagers about God's love for them, for me to come to know Christ. And I'm thankful that they obeyed God's call.
   As many of you know, this coming summer, twelve of our students and I will be going to Thailand on a summer missions trip for twelve days. Why go on a trip like this? Because God has called us and is now sending us. As many of you know, our youth ministry is heavy into Speed the Light (a program designed to get missionaries supplies they need to be effective on the field), because we know we have a part to play in the great commission. We've also just started implementing "Campus Missions", a program that teaches students to have the mindset that their schools are their mission field. The final piece to that "missions puzzle" is to allow them to be overseas missionaries where they can truly share the gospel "to the ends of the earth."
   By now you've heard me talk about the financial need that our group has. We are going to need to raise almost $32,000 for the thirteen of us to go. I am happy to say that as of mid-April, we have raised $28,500. For all of you that helped our Youth Ministry to reach our financial goal, we THANK YOU! Thank you for investing in our lives and the lives of others that we will touch on our trip. It's because of you that we'll be able to do what we do.
   We also want to let you know what we'll be doing on the trip, so that you can pray specifically for us when we're gone. The main emphasis of our trip will be to try to get a copy of the Book of Hope (a combination of the Gospels in chronological order that focus on the life of Christ) into as many people's hands as possible. We will be doing this by going into schools (classroom settings and assemblies). During those times we will be doing dramas, sharing testimonies and life applications to the drama, and much more. We will also be holding an event called a "Hope Fest" which will be the culmination to our week there. A "Hope Fest" is a large evangelistic rally in which students are invited back with their friends and families. These events allow us to preach the gospel more fully. Finally, we will also be ministering in local churches the two Sundays we are in Thailand. As you can see, we will be extremely busy.
   In closing, I want to ask for your prayer support for our team as we leave for Thailand. The dates of the trip are July 10th - 22nd. We understand completely that if we are to accomplish anything great for God while we are there, it's going to be because God is doing his work in the hearts and lives of people. We are just instruments in God's hands - available for Him to do with us and through us whatever He wants. Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Check in with the office closer to the trip and we may have a web address that you can go to in order to get daily updates and pictures of the trip while we're gone.

May Highlights

Parents' Sunday School Class
We are currently going through the second half of our study on "Understanding Youth Culture." It's taking place during the Sunday school hour downstairs in the bullpen area. We're looking at such areas as Media (how it's shaping our teenagers), the pull of peer-pressure, understanding our sexualized culture, and much more. Any parent of a teenager, preteen, or child, is more than welcome to attend. You didn't need to attend the first half of the class (on MySpace) to attend the second half.

Training dates for students going on the mission's trip:
Saturday, May 3rd from 2-6 pm
Saturday, May 24th from 10-3 pm
Fri-Sat., Jun. 20th - 21st

Fine Arts practice dates before State competition:
Sunday, May 4th from 12-5 pm (Large group and small groups)
Sunday, May 11th from 3-4:30 (Short sermon)

District Fine Arts Competition: This year's District Fine Arts competition is Friday-Saturday May 16th-17th in St. Claire Shores. We will be departing for St. Clair Shores @ 3:30 pm Friday and will be returning early evening on Saturday. All students must have all the appropriate forms (permission, medical, and rules) before getting on the van. If you should have any questions please see Pastor Al.

Graduates:
If your son or daughter is graduating high school this upcoming summer, please let the church office know. Very soon informational flyers will be available for you to fill out on your graduate and include a picture. As of right now we are hoping to do our graduation service on Sunday, June 1st. If this will not work for you, please contact Pastor Al as soon as possible.