Awakening Slide Show

Worship Playlist:
Like an Avalanche: Hillsong United
Where I Belong: Cory Asbury
Furious: Jeremy Riddle
With Everything: Hillsong
You’re Beautiful: Phil Wickham
Sins are Stones: John Mark McMillan
Inside Out: Hillsong
The Stand: Hillsong
Forever Reign (I’m running to your arms): Hillsong
Give Me Faith: Elevation Worship

Awakening Update

Hey Parents!
We have had an incredible weekend together! Our students have laughed, celebrated, worshipped, learned and grew together as we explored God’s grace through the story of Jonah.

And now we need a snow day!

We are leaving OBX in approximately 25 minutes. Our expected arrival time is 4:30P!

The Awakening Retreat has Begun!

I am sitting in a room with more than two hundred students and staff, lifting their voices over the ocean in praise!

We have arrived safe, a little tired and certainly full of enthusiasm for this weekend of community and communion with God. Your students are safe and happy and cared for well by our volunteer staff.

If you need to reach us in an emergency, please contact me (Nicole) at 804-399-2963 or use any numbers on your emergency contact sheet. We will use our texting service to alert you of our arrival (and your students will have their phones back at that time.)

To sign up for the texting service, just text WORD to 313131!

Retreat “To-Bring” List

Dear Parents,

Recently we sent a “To-Bring” list out to everyone who registered on-line for the retreat.  However if for some reason you did not receive this we are making it available to you here.  Keep us in your prayers.  We are anticipating a great weekend.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to spend time with your children!  Open the “To-Bring” list here.

HSM Parent Blog 2-3-12

Dear Parents,

I read this morning that Josh Hamilton, the all-star baseball player for the Texas Rangers had an “alcohol” relapse.  The 30-year-old player was suspended for more then three years for drug and alcohol use while playing previously for another team.

Josh has also been featured on the website, “I am second” a series of videos with testimony’s from people whose lives have been changed by faith in God.  So what do we do with this?  I think most of us understand that people are not perfect and we understand when people stumble.  But here is something else to remember.

I recently heard someone say that forgiveness and grace is the glue that will hold a community together.  I think we can apply that to families as well.   Forgiveness and grace is the glue that will hold a family together.   We offend and hurt one another all too often.  This is part of the human condition.  But it’s forgiveness and grace that will set us a part as a people of faith.

Before hitting “send” on this Blog, I asked a friend to read it.  My friend said it sounded a little heavy and I guess it is.  My own life these past few weeks has felt heavy with my mom being very ill.  Finding good care for my mom and dealing with the varying opinions of all my siblings has required some grace and forgiveness.  Perhaps I write from this perspective today.  All to say thank you for your faithfulness as parents and your prayers for my family.

Happenings.

*No Parent Left Behind is a seminar led by Walt Mueller, an old youth ministry guru.  He is great.  I would recommend it.  You can register on-line at www.thirdpres.org and hit the link for the seminar.  It runs Friday night and Saturday morning.  The link will also give you more information on content.  Some of our “Hope” parents are already planning to attend.

*Our middle and high school winter retreat is quickly approaching.  Please help your child sign-up on line if they would like to go.  Sign-up at www.hopecentral.com and go to the student ministry page for the “Awakening Retreat.” Please also know that we understand finances can be tight and we do have scholarship money left.

*This Sunday Middle and High School Ministry will meet together from 5:00-6:15.