The blog @ theVine

The King of Pop....

2009-07-08T07:55:00.005-05:00

I sat in my office yesterday and watched the end of the Michael Jackson Memorial....along with over 1 BILLION others! On the right of the page was a spot for people to chat about what was taking place. As I read I got frustrated by those who were using Jesus' name and slamming MJ. Here is part of what Carlos Whittaker from Ragamuffinsoul.com wrote,

"I found it quite nauseating that I kept seeing “Christians” shouting that it was a shame that a child molester was getting such a grand exit, ect.
All I kept thinking was, “Dang. I sure hope these tweets don’t show up at my memorial service. Because if anyone does not deserve a good memorial service, it’s me.”
See here’s the deal.
Not one of us deserves any good and perfect thing we have been given.
Not one.
The second we as Christ followers begin to label “good” and “bad” then God help us all."

I am so thankful that in my messed-up-ness, that God still loves me and forgives me. I am in no place to judge Michael and his life. All I know is there are little kids with no dad now and that hurts me.

How do you feel about Michael?

Showing Love with a little FRUIT!

2009-07-02T13:59:00.005-05:00

Join us next Thursday as we head to Soulard's Farmers Market to load up on fruit and flowers to pass out to those we meet on the streets downtown. We will meet at 9:30 am at Trinity and return around 11:3o am. Bring around $5 to buy stuff! You will be amazed at how a piece of fruit and a smile can brighten someone's day.

Tonight Game

2009-06-29T09:34:00.003-05:00

Join us tonight as we head to the River City Rascals game. Cost is only $5 and hotdogs are on sale for $1. (You don't even have to like baseball to go!) Meet at Trinity at 6 pm and we will return to trinity around 10:30 pm.

"float in" Movie

2009-06-19T16:08:00.002-05:00

Summer Camp 09 Recap

2009-06-19T15:57:00.004-05:00

Summer Camp Equals:

great camp food (seriously)

whiffle ball in the amphitheater

7th graders being launched off the blog

Late Nights and Early Mornings

Trinity dominating in the tournaments! (volleyball, dodgeball and ping pong winners)

Slowing down enough to recognize God speaking to us

sitting in a circle and boosting one another

Students submitting their entire lives to Jesus

Worshipping with a great leader and experiencing God

Summer camp is an unbelievable opportunity to spend time together and to refocus on God. Already looking forward to camp next summer!

Congratulations Seniors

2009-06-07T15:02:00.004-05:00

We celebrated in our morning worship service those who were graduating this year. We have an unbelievable group of seniors this year. Many of them understand what it means to be a servant leader and I am looking forward to what God has in store for each of them. From left to right are: Michelle Hall, Stephanie Meinert, Sarah Billington, Aaron Wood, Leah Romine, Kelsey Wright, Justin Bronder, Justin Workman, Travis Mayes and Shea Powers. Not pictured: Jordan Mills, Shelby Moss, Morgan Mueller, Mike Bierce, Donald Gibson, Derrick Marrs and Kelsey Brocaille. Congrats to all of them!

Does your actions reflect your words

2009-06-07T14:43:00.004-05:00

This weekend I went to the Kimmswick Strawberry Festival with my family and some friends. We were anticipating everything strawberry: strawberry tea, strawberry shortcake, strawberry cheesecake, etc. We arrive at the festival and are greeted by 40 - 50 tents...with only one having anything strawberry related! A restaurant had a few strawberry desserts, but that is it. Kinda of disappointing.

In transforming churches, by Kevin Ford, he says this,

"Incongruence-the disconnection between what we say and what we do-is commonplace, almost expected, in our culture."

I wonder if we say we offer something as a church...but then don't come through on it.

I wonder if I say one thing about life...but then live my life another way.

Scott made the statement today in the morning service, that we are "Practical Atheist." We say we believe in God but then our lives do not reflect it.

I am evaluating my life and making sure that my actions match my words...I don't want there to ever be a disconnection between the two.

Do you?

If you want to be challenged, check out this message.

Trinity Medical Release Form...You must have one!

2009-05-29T11:01:00.001-05:00

I want to remind you all that you must have a Trinity medical release form to go to Summer Camp with us and to "Embrace" NYC. It would be great to have you all fill out new forms! If you don't know if you need a new form please email me at: stlstudents@sbcglobal.net

Graduate Cookout

2009-05-21T14:22:00.002-05:00

Come and join us on June 20th at 5:30 pm on the field at Trinity Church. This is a free event for all seniors and their family. If you are not a senior but would like to attend there will be a small charge for food. We will have a BBQ and then the seniors will compete against the Adult Leadership Team in a game of Volleyball. Come and celebrate with us! Please RSVP to Kyle at
stlstudents@sbcglobal.net

We will also be recognizing all the seniors during the worship service on June 7th and taking a group picture immediately following the service. Please be there!

Summer 09 Schedule

2009-05-21T14:03:00.004-05:00

click on the picture for the calendar to become clearer.

Also...the float in movie is on July 11th, not the 10th

You Have to Be Rich to Be Poor

2009-05-21T13:56:00.003-05:00

Do you make judgements about people who are poor?

Do you make assumptions about those who use food stamps?

Do you think you understand what it's like to be poor?

I would encourage you to go and read this story that the Washington Post released on Monday. I think it may radically change your views...and may even cause you to make a difference!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702053.html

Phil Wickham Sing Along

2009-05-15T17:19:00.005-05:00

Phil Wickham is an unbelievable singer songwriter. We do several of his songs at theGathering on Wednesday nights. He just recorded a live album in Oregon and is giving it away free! Go here and get it.

Unbelievable

2009-05-14T22:14:00.001-05:00

Sorry that I am posting another Invisible Children video...but it is amazing what is happening! Young people....listen to the end of this video and understand that you are not to young to make a difference!

The Rescue: St. Louis

2009-04-30T23:13:00.003-05:00

It was great to be a part of this with a group of our students. This video was put together by one of our college students. If you went or if you didn't, don't stop being a voice for the voiceless. Check out "the invisible children."

trinity medical release forms

2009-04-23T11:41:00.000-05:00

Here is an important form for you to make sure you have on file with us. You need this for NYC and for Summer Camp. Click on the picture and then you can print it out.

GODISNOWHERE VIDEO

2009-04-13T22:13:00.001-05:00

This is the video we used to start the Easter service at Trinity. Hope you enjoy it.

Huh? Are you kidding me?

2009-04-07T00:52:00.001-05:00

The song is kinda catchy, admit it!

Help I'm A Parent of a Teenager

2009-04-03T21:02:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow, Saturday April 4th we will be having a seminar from 10-12 that will focus on teenage culture, what your student is saying about you as a parent and how you can best benefit them. I am no expert but together we can become better parents. I hope you will attend this time and you may even win $150 to be put towards summer camp or mission trip. We will be meeting in the worship center at trinity church.

theGathering Bottles

2009-03-31T17:17:00.006-05:00

They have arrived! Represent the gathering wherever you go with a new "Sigg" bottle. They are only $12 and can be purchased now.

Lets Go Bowling!

2009-03-30T16:13:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, April 4th, we will be meeting at Dick Weber Bowling Alley and dominating the bowling alley...ok maybe not dominating but we will be having a great time together. We will meet at the bowling alley at 6:45 and it will end at 9:15. The cost is only $10!

You can also dress in your best 80's gear, with the best dressed getting a great prize package! (you don't have to dress up to come) Bring a friend and come have a great night.

Family Picture at the 80's Night

lifeGroups

2009-03-25T16:21:00.004-05:00

Come join us for lifeGROUPS on Monday nights from 7 - 8:30. This is an opportunity to talk with your friends about real issues that teenagers go through: peer pressure, temptations, self image/self esteem, parents, friends, worry and more.

girls lifeGROUP meets here

guys lifeGROUP meets here

Embrace Chicago Recap

2009-03-23T21:48:00.004-05:00

Couple of thoughts about the jr. high "embrace" Chicago trip:

1. I love Jr. Highers!

2. Every young person should take a trip and serve other people (hopefully in returning home, they begin to serve where they live)

3. The man who led the Good News Soup Kitchen said, "There should be no soup kitchens! The issue of those who have and those who have nots should not exist. " Beautiful idea...could this really happen?

4. Your relationship and mine with Jesus is a process and a journey. You don't become just like Jesus over night...it takes days, weeks, months, years to become who he wants us to be. The important things is that we keep moving closer to Him and His ways.

5. I can't wait to "embrace" NYC with the High School and College Students.

Go here to see more of our experience.

Jr. High Embrace Chicago with Karen

2009-03-18T20:58:00.002-05:00

Today we pretended to be homeless and we only had 2 dollars to spend on dinner. We pooled our money and split subway. We had one forth left and gave it to an awesome guy named Eric. He had an eye bandage and said that some teens poked him in the eye and took his money. A witness took him to the hospital, paid for the visit and gave him some money that he would have had and more. It was cool to see how God protects his children. After dinner Jordan, Alissa and I went into a bakery and asked for the cookies that were broken and old. We got one, and after Jordan and I talked about how the lady behind the counter didn't really look at us. We think that she thought we were homeless. I think now I have at least a little more understanding and compassion for those in situations like homelessness or not being able to provide. God really showed me new ways to look at people.

Jr. High Embrace Chicago

2009-03-17T22:06:00.005-05:00

It has been a great trip so far with the Jr. High students. This is their first experience on a trip like this and they are all doing great. We are working at Carole Robertson each morning in their head start program. Yesterday, we worked at the Good News kitchen and served a hot meal to about 125 guests (picture above). Tonight we worked at the Greater Chicago Food Depository sorting and boxing over 4000 lbs of bread! It was a great experience for our students to work behind the scenes and to not necessarily see what was going to happen with all the food or get any credit.

I am excited for the small steps our students are taking:

Realizing that there are some in our world that really struggle just to make it every day.

That they can make a difference.

That the world is not all about them...at least we talked about it a little!

Please continue to pray for us...tomorrow we will be headed into the city with only $2 each to buy dinner. We will be put in the situation of feeling like we are homeless. I hope they experience something like never before.

I love being a part of what God is doing in the city of Chicago and watching Him do even the little things in the lives of jr. highers.

Anna's Going to Mexico

2009-03-12T15:14:00.003-05:00

Anna is headed to Ciudad Valles, Mexico for a week with her Spanish 3 class. She is departing tomorrow morning early and I am asking you to pray for her and those she will be working with. Here are a few things you can pray for:

*Protection and safe travel

*Peace for those that have never flown before. (Anna would be one)

*Health and rest

*Group bonding

*Open hearts and minds to experience a different culture

*God's annointing on their ministry to the children and people of the villages.

*That their relationship with the Lord will be strengthened and renewed.

*That God's love will be demonstrated through this team and strong relationships will be developed between the team and the Mexician people.

*That God will create in this trip, a life-changing experience both for the team and the villagers.