LET'S ALL PRAY THIS WEEK: 49 Pre-teens leave for camp on Monday morning. Let's pray for them to have a great week together and in spiritual growth. Let's pray for Brittany Parsons and for all the others who will be ministering and supervising for at least part of the week, including our own Steve Day and Marty Holmes. Let's pray for the bus driver/s who will be transporting this precious cargo to and from camp. Let's Pray!

Let's pray for the young missionary (Jessica Van Slyke) and her colleague, Sarah who will soon be in Russia doing medical missionary work. The following is an excerpt from an earlier blog in case you wish to make a contribution to Sarah and Jessica's missionary work.
Financial Support--Missionary to Russia

Our class was privileged to have Jessica Van Slyke join us last Sunday. Jessica will be traveling soon to Moscow, Russia where she will be serving as a missionary. If you have a desire to support Jessica's work, here is the address she sent. Just send a check to the following address:

And here's the address to the gatekeeping account(tax-deductable):
Agape Unlimited, Inc.
P.O. Box 50994
Midland, TX 79710
They just have to put "Sarah and Jessica" in the memo line!

Let's pray this week for mine and Cindy's friend, Annette Doucette who is recovering from a broken hip and hip replacement surgery. Let's pray for Wendy who recently underwent a colostomy and was fitted with a colostomy bag.
Let's pray for Gena Higginbotham's grandfather, L.T. L.T. has suffered a heart attack and is very weak. Let's pray for Kathleen's Mom as she continues to seek a new job. Let's pray for Clayton Jackson and his grandmother as they travel. Let's pray for the Scastas as they travel this weekend. As we approach the July 4 weekend, let's pray for our country and for our leaders. Let's Pray!



MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL LUNCH

On Sunday, July 11, we would like to have a time of fellowship over lunch at Fuddruckers immediately after the worship service. I hope that all of you will make an effort to join us for this time of informal fellowship and visiting. As I mentioned in class, it will be a great opportunity for those of us who do not normally have an opportunity to see your kids to have that opportunity. We will pull tables and chairs together and just enjoy lunch and each other.

TODAY'S LESSON:

Circumstantial Evidence for Christ

Today, we considered the circumstantial evidence to support Jesus Christ as the risen Son of God! Jesus' closest followers scattered in the wake of the crucifixion. They were not expecting Jesus to die at the hands of the Romans. When He died on a cross, they were unsure of His power, doubting that He could be the Messiah of all creation, and afraid that the authorities would come after them next. However, in three days Jesus rose from the dead and Jesus' followers were eyewitnesses that He lived and He walked and He talked after also being eyewitnesses to His death. Their relationship to Jesus changed forever. They were now convinced that Jesus was and is the Son of God. After all, they saw with their own eyes! They were committed...not just committed....but obsessed and completely sold out. They faced torture and martydom, but they never recanted from their commitment. They knew what they saw.

On the other hand, there were non-believers who made a complete 180 degree change of direction after encountering the risen Jesus. Jesus' half-brother James was not a believer--until he saw Jesus alive and well after the resurrection. He became a church leader and died a martyr's death as a result of his commitment. Saul of Tarsus pursued Christians with a vengeance. Yet, after his personal encounter with the living Christ, he became one of the greatest crusaders for Christ that the world has ever known.

If you have not read The Case for Christ, I encourage you to do so. The evidence will reveal the truth!