October 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
October 2015
Calendar
Fall Festival
Ranch Sorting
GriefShare
Play Day
Missions
Parent Link
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OCTOBER 2015
Schedule Of Events The following are reoccurring events that take place each week/month at the same time unless otherwise denoted.
Discipleship Classes Sunday 9 am starting Sept. 13
Church Services - Sunday at 10:45 am
GriefShare Sunday @1:30 upstairs in conference room
SUN
12 6:30pm Women Connect Bible Study
13 10a-11:30a Play Group
18 9 am Discipleship 10:45a Worship 1pm Cowboy Fellowship Roping 10:36 Saddle-Up 1:30 GriefShare
19 6:30pm Women Connect Bible Study
20 10a-11:30a Play Group
25 9 am Discipleship 10:45a Worship Service 1:00 pm Play Day 1:30 GriefShare
26 6:30pm Women Connect Bible Study
Women’s Connect Bible 11 study - Monday at 6:30pm 9 am
Children’s Play Group Every Tuesday from 10am - 11:30am.
CFY - Every Wednesday @ 6:30pm
Pre-Teen Ministry - Every Wednesday @ 6:30pm 2nd Thursday Helping Hands 10:30 - 11:30 Please Go To Our Website For More Information!
www.cowboyfellowship.org
WED
6 10a-11:30a Play Group
Baptism Sunday mornings
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 3rd Sat. 8-9 Call Bob Byrd for info at: 210-896-5525
TUE
5 6:30pm Women Connect Bible Study
4 10:45 am Worship 1:00pm Ranch Sorting 1:30pm GriefShare
MON
Discipleship 10:45a Worship 12-2p Leadership and Lay Pastor Mtg 1:30 GriefShare
7 6:30p-8p 5th & 6th Grade 6:30p-8p CFY
14 6:30 -8p 5th & 6th Grade 6:30p-8p CFY
21 6:30 -8p 5th & 6th Grade 6:30p-8p CFY
27 10a-11:30a Play Group
28 6:30 -8p 5th & 6th Grade 6:30p-8p CFY
THUR
FRI
SAT
1 9:30—11:30 Women’s Bible Study 6:30 p–8p Judo
2
3
8 9:30—11:30 Women’s Bible Study 10: 00a Helping Hands 6:30 p–8p Judo
9
10
15 9:30—11:30 Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm– 8 Judo
16
17
22 9:30—11:30 Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm– 8 Judo
23
25
22 9:30—11:30 Women’s Bible Study 6:30pm– 8 Judo
30
31
8a-9a Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
Fall Festival
Psalm 67:6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
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Cowboy Fellowship’s Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 31st starting at 6:00 pm. The Fall Festival is a safe environment for children to dress up in their Halloween costumes, play games and get tons of candy. At the end of the evening there will be a professional fireworks display. Dress up and come join us in the festivities. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
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THE NAVIGATORS OF SOUTH TEXAS SPONSORS OF
BASKETBALL-ARAMA SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2015 REGISTRATION WHERE: PLEASANTON HIGH SCHOOL
10:30 AM (OLD GYMNASIUM) STARTS 11 AM-5:00 PM. FREE FOOD & DRINKS QUESTIONS CALL BOB BYRD 210-896-5525 WELCOME OPEN AGES JR HIGH TO ADULTS BOYS_GIRLS_MEN_WOMEN PRIZES T SHIRTS
5X5 TEAM COMPETITION
NBA BALL 3 POINT SHOOT OUT
PLUS ???
FAMILIES-FRIENDS-LOCAL FANS- COME AND ENJOY FREE FRIENDLY COMPETITION.
BLEACHER SEATING
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October 4, 2015 - 1pm
Final of the year End of year prizes (Buckles and Saddle Pads) $20 per team Must attend Cowboy Fellowship church service to enter
Contact Chris Kirkham 830-542-0307 chriskirkham72@gmail.com Cowboy Fellowship 561 FM 3350 Jourdanton, TX 78026
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Cowboy Fellowship
PLAY DAY October 25, 2015
PLAY DAY will begin after service
Sign up 9am-10:30am
Participants must attend service
Ribbons and Tack awarded to all participants
Cost: $5 per rider or $20 if more than 4
Age Groups: 12 & under, 13 -18 yrs, & Adults
Points being kept for end of year prizes
Events Keyhole Barrels Poles Figure 8 Speed Barrels Fun Class Stick Horse Leadline Walk/trot
Cowboy Fellowship Arena 561 FM 3350 Jourdanton, TX 78026
Contact: Chris Kirkham 830-542-0307 chriskirkham72@gmail.com
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Support and encouragement for your grief journey The care you need. Information you can trust. After the funeral, when the cards and flowers have stopped coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but don’t know how. That’s the reason for GriefShare. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and have successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we’ve been in the same place. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future.
About GriefShare GriefShare is a network of 12,000+ churches worldwide equipped to offer grief support groups. The program is nondenominational and features biblical concepts for healing from your grief. Learn more about GriefShare at www.griefshare.org.
What to expect GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly. You’ll find it to be a warm, caring environment and will come to see your group as an “oasis” on your long journey through grief. The three key parts to your GriefShare experience. ■ Video seminar - Encouraging, information-packed videos featuring leading grief recovery experts. ■ Support Group - Small group discussion about the weekly video content. ■ Workbook - Journaling and personal study exercises that reinforce the weekly session topics
When to begin You are welcome to begin attending our GriefShare group at any point. each session is “self-contained.,” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will be able to pick up any sessions you missed in our 13 – week cycle.
Weekly seminar topics Is this Normal? Challenges of Grief The Journey of Grief—Part One The Journey of Grief— Part Two Grief and Your Relationships Why? Guilt and Anger Complicating Factors Stuck Lessons of Grief –Part One Lessons of Grief - Part Two Heaven What Do I Life for Now?
In their own words Group members describe the GriefShare experience “A safety net when my world was literally falling apart.” “I saw my grief so much more clearly.” “I was able to see I was not alone.” “You find out that you are not crazy.” “I thought it might be depressing, but honestly it felt good to know I am not alone.” “I would be a mess if it weren’t for GriefShare.” “I felt so safe and loved.” “It saved my life.” “Group members quickly became family.” “GriefShare has given me hope.” “The best thing I ever did for myself.” This group is amazing. It fills my tank every week.” “I am a new person ready for the next step in my life!”
For more information contact: George Hannah 239-218-3377 Meetings at 1:30 at Cowboy Fellowship
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The Fergusons Today Costa Ricans are celebrating their independence from Spain, so we are anticipating a night full of fireworks! Today also marks 1 month of our time in Costa Rica, as well as 2 weeks that we have been in Spanish language school. Our heads are full of vocabulary and grammar rules...we just need the dust to settle so that when we speak our vocabulary and grammar line up! Below are a few more details about our lives right now, plus some challenges facing the Church in Latin America. Glad to be on this journey with you, The Fergusons
ILE
Sojourn Academy
In preparation for ministry in Ecuador, we are studying Spanish at the Instituto de Lengua Espanola (ILE) in San Jose, Costa Rica. We follow a long heritage of missionaries, plus a few others, who have learned Spanish through The Institute (16,000 in 73 years!)
While we are in class for Spanish, the kids are enrolled at the Christian school connected to ILE called Sojourn Academy. They have adapted well and are enjoying their classes. And, they are already picking up quite a bit of Spanish. Lately, the girls have been singing parts of “I’ve got peace like a river” in Spanish!
*We appreciate your prayers for us as we have made this transition into language school. And, we continue to ask for them. We desire that the Lord would help us to learn Spanish well. That He would help and strengthen us for this year of language learning…trusting Him with each day. And that He would use us to point others to Himself through His Word…making disciples of those He has put us around for His glory.
We are grateful for this opportunity for them to go to school with Costa Rican children and learn Spanish right now, so that when they arrive in Ecuador they might be able to communicate well with other Ecuadorian children.
Challenges During language school orientation, a Costa Rican pastor spoke on the state of the church in Latin America. He highlighted 7 challenges facing the Church here. In the next 7 newsletters, we will briefly address each of these issues, and after that, we will also look at the encouraging signs within the Church that he sees. But, here is the “challenges” list for now:
*The Church is tempted towards being man-centered, rather than God-centered. *There is a focus on external appearance. *The presence of a kind of “spiritualness” devoid of the Bible. *Unbalanced views of the Christian life. Emphasizing particular parts of our hands, hearts, and minds; rather than valuing and growing in an integrated life. *The rise of prosperity theology…whether the goal is material possessions or personal happiness. *Worldliness *Lack of emphasis on making disciples.
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Pot Luck Oct. 4th After the church service there will be a pot luck meal. The meat (brisket) will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert. Join us for great food and fellowship.
Ladies Riding Group All ladies interested in being a part of the Ladies Riding Group please sign up at the back of the church. This is a fun group of ladies who get together once a month to fellowship and ride their horses. There will be a meeting on October 10th at Land Heritage Institute. For more information contact Patti Ruatan at 616-460-3006.
The helping Hands met on September 10th at Cowboy Fellowship. The Helping Hands Ministry will be helping with the College Care Ministry. Cathy Dow will be the Ministry Leader of College Care. Cathy is very enthusiastic about this ministry. If you would like to help join the Helping Hands or be part of the College Care Ministry please contact Marty Pryor -210-823-9098 This ministry meets 2nd Thursday of each month.
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October 2015
Learning what your God given talents and gifts are and using them for the glory of God
Grow Your Kid’s Talents and Gifts POWERSOURCE ASK GOD: 1. To reveal to your children the special talents He’s given them. 2. To provide opportunities for your family members to develop their gifts. 3. To help your family members use their talents and gifts to God’s glory.
As children reach different developmental milestones, they also begin to show signs of emerging abilities. God blesses each of us with talents such as in music, sports, and art. The New Testament says God also gives us special abilities known as spiritual gifts, such as serving, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy.
Children don’t need to wait until they’re older to use their talents and gifts. But they may need help discovering and applying those things. And as their abilities develop, kids gain confidence by becoming more competent at the various activities they enjoy.
Here are fill-in sentences to help your kids identify their talents and gifts.
I feel great when people notice how well I __________________. My friends would say one of my best qualities is ______________. I get annoyed when I have to ___________________________. If I had a free afternoon, I’d enjoy ___________________________. If I could volunteer, I’d really like to ___________________________. The two happiest times in my life are ________________________. One thing I do well without having to think about it is ____________. People would be surprised to know that I __________________. I feel like I help others when I ___________________________.
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Discover and Celebrate Gifts Finding and nurturing your children’s gifts involves more than just signing them up for a full slate of activities and hoping for scholarships down the road. It’s a lifelong process of encouraging kids to unlock their God-given potential, challenging them to explore activities or tasks that may seem intimidating at first, and reminding them to always put their gifts to good use. God doesn’t want us to bury or waste our talents or spiritual gifts. Instead, He tells us to use them for other people through service. And by serving others, we’re actually serving God. Use these ideas to help your children identify and use their special gifts.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS Chart Your Course Give family members each a sheet of paper. Have them divide the page into quarters by drawing a vertical line and a horizontal line that cross in the middle of the page. In the top left-hand corner, have family members write or draw one of their talents. In the top right-hand corner, have them write or draw whom that talent can serve. In the bottom left-hand corner, have them write or draw what they think they could do to develop that talent. In the bottom right-hand corner, have them write or draw an amazing thing God could do if they were to use that talent to serve Him. Share your papers. Then read aloud Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, and discuss the importance of using the talents God has given us. Close in prayer: Dear God, thank you for the talents and gifts you’ve given each of us. Please help us use them to serve you and others. Amen.
I Spy a Talent Sit in a circle. Have family members look at the person to their right and think about that person’s talents. After a few minutes, have people take turns sharing what talents they see in that person. Go around the circle counterclockwise so the person whose talents were just discussed speaks next. Then discuss what it’s like to talk about others’ talents and to hear about your own. Touch Your Nose Play a game of Simon Says, giving instructions related to body parts. For example: “Simon says touch your nose. Wiggle your ears. Simon says blink your eyes. Stomp your feet.” Afterward ask, “Why is each of our body parts important? What happens if one stops working?” Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, and talk about ways the church is like a body. Say: “We each have special gifts. If we don’t use them, the whole church doesn’t work as well as it could. Let’s remember to play our parts by using our gifts.” It’s a Wrap! Fill a sack with toilet paper, cotton balls, ribbons, and bows. Ask a family member to be the “gift.” Then have everyone else wrap the gift, using the supplies in the sack and their imaginations. When the wrapping is complete, have family members each share something special about the gift youjust
wrapped; for example, “This gift likes to help people,” or “This gift has a lovely singing voice.” After everyone has had a turn as the gift, read James 1:17. Discuss who gives you spiritual gifts and why, what gifts God has given each of you, and how you can use your gifts to serve God and other people. Equipped to Lead Help your kids discover their talents and gifts by seeking out ways to serve at your church. They could do service projects, say public prayers, provide music, greet people, and more. Older kids could also assist in the nursery or in preschool rooms. Side-by-Side Serving Allow kids to shadow you or someone else who shares one of their unique abilities. Working together lets children see their talents and spiritual gifts in action and helps them understand the many ways they can use their gifts. Thank the Giver During prayer times, encourage children to thank God not only for their physical blessings but also for their talents and spiritual gifts. As you pray, ask God to help your kids discover new gifts as they grow and give them wisdom to use each gift in ways that honor Him and other people.
“God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
—1 Peter 4:10
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MEDIA MADNESS
TV SHOW Title: Supergirl Genre: Drama, action, science fiction Cast: Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, Calista Flockhart Synopsis: An earthly family takes in Superman’s biological cousin after she’s forced off her home planet of Krypton. She hides her powers until she’s forced to reveal them during a disaster, setting her on the road to heroism. Our Take: Superhero shows are big business these days, but this is the first featuring a female lead. Girls now have a superhero to look up to. While Supergirl’s foundation story sounds similar to Superman’s, it remains to be seen how different the rest of the story will be.
PRODUCT Title Buddy Box Available From: Lifetree Family (www.lifetreefamily.com/buddybox/) Synopsis: With this subscription service, kids receive a care package each month containing games, puzzles, gizmos, snacks, a video app, music downloads, prayer prompts, and more. Each box is centered around a character (or buddy) who helps kids grow in an area of faith. Our Take: This is a great idea for kids who love getting surprises in the mail— and for parents who want to help nurture their children’s faith. Buddy Box is designed for kids ages 6 to 11. Subscription options include a 12-month plan that comes out to $22.99 per month.
CULTURE & TRENDS The Language Edge To give tykes a boost in today’s global community, some believe parents will begin to seek out multilingual nannies who can help kids learn foreign languages as early as age 3. Statistics show the most popular languages families want nannies to speak are Spanish, French, and Chinese. (gastongazette.com)
Image Problems According to a study from Common Sense Media, 5- to 8-year-olds who believe their moms are unhappy with their bodies are more likely to be unhappy with their own bodies. (commonsensemedia.org)
QUICK STATS
Talking About Faith Studies show that only one out of every eight kids talks to their mom about faith, and Superbook Robot Factory Skylanders only one out of every 25 kids talks to The Bible-based DVD seSuperChargers This iOS app, priced at 99 their dad. Unsurprisingly, these same This new role-playing video ries from the Christian cents, is an animated studies show that the kids who are game, available for numer- Broadcasting Network is workshop where kids talking together with their parents the inspiration for this site, ous platforms, introduces experience more life-long faith than mix-and-match parts to which offers games, convehicles to the popular those who aren’t talking. (Sticky Faith) Skylanders series. In addi- tests, free Bible and music create robots and test their creations. Energy Crisis Preteens who conapps, full show episodes, tion to classic gameplay, sume energy drinks were 66 percent players drive vehicles while discussion guides, and Real-world physics is inmore. Some features reevading obstacles, solving volved, so kids learn how more at risk for hyperactivity than quire a paid membership. puzzles, and collecting their robots would actually those who didn’t, according to a study from the Yale School of Public Find the site at parts for vehicle upgrades. work and move. With no Health. (ksl.com) http://usen.superbook.cbn. points or levels, kids can com/. just be creative without
Games, Sites & Apps
keeping score. This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play.
Come join us on October 31st for our annual Fall Festival. A safe environment for the kids with fun and games for the entire family to enjoy.
Our Links
www.cowboyfellowship.org
October 2015
Issue 75