Season for Giving

Did you know the word "holiday" actually means "holy day"? The holiday of Christmas is celebrating the HOLY DAY God gave His son to the world as the GREATEST GIFT!
We give gifts to remember the that AMAZING gift God gave us...
I love to give gifts especially at Christmastime. I was thinking the other day about last Christmas. My plane was grounded in Chicago for a day and a half and I almost missed Christmas. They rearranged some flights and I made it home just in time but the airlines lost my bags which contain all of my gifts for my loved ones! I was so disappointed...my bags did not come until a few days after Christmas and I didn't have time to wrap my carefully selected gifts...so I pulled out my big bag and loaded up all of my presents, gathered my family and began to give out gifts one by one like Santa Clause! What a warm Christmas memory!
Do you have Christmas memories with giving? This year make some giving Christmas memories and see how warm you feel inside!
God gave us His very best...His son...Jesus!
memory verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son..." John 3:16

UpComing Events:

December

6 Popcorn viewing of "Saint Nicholas" Veggietales
12 Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal
2-4:30 Go Kids
4:30-5:30 Go jr. Kids
13 Christmas Program 10:20
all kids need to be present by 10:00
16 Christmas Caroling 7pm
20 Christmas Program

January

Gogroups:
Skate Night!

Committment

This past week we learned about 2 of Jesus' disciples who were tested. They were Peter and Judas.


How was Peter uncommitted to Jesus?


How was Judas uncommitted to Jesus?


Peter disowned Jesus because he was afraid of what others thought about him. He was even afraid of his own body being beaten.


Judas saw personal gain for himself and sold out where Jesus was. The soldiers were able to find Jesus and take him away because of Judas' information. Judas recieved only 30 pieces of silver...115 days wages... for this information.


When we are COMMITTED we stick to God...NO MATTER WHAT! NO matter what people think or how it may be uncomfortable to us...NO MATTER WHAT!


Do you rember the COST OF DISCIPLESHIP? This is what we committed to when we committed our life to Jesus!

memory verse: Jesus answered, "If anyone would come after me he must deny himself, take his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24

The good news is that even when we seem to flunk the tests God gives us...God will forgive us and let us keep learning! Peter discovered this but sadly Judas did not. Please, be like Peter and keep learning!!! He went on to be one of the boldest disciples for Jesus. After he "flunked" God's test, he purposed to be committed to the end of his life and he was!

UpComing Events:

November
11 Christmas Program Practice
15 Anniversary Service: Family Sunday
18 Christmas Program Practice
22 BGMC Service: CHINA
29 Family Sunday-Baptismal Service

December
1 Wesleyan College Christmas Night
2 Christmas Program Practice
9 Christmas Program Practice
12 Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal 2:00-4:30 p.m.
13 Christmas Program "All I want for Christmas"

Pastor Larissa is:
reading " 10 Conversations to have with your Children" by Shmuley Boteach
listening to "A pureNRG Christmas" by pureNRG

Humility

The Disciples struggled with understanding and having faith. They also had a huge problem with humilty but Jesus was there to teach and train his group of friends how God desires us to follow Him. Remember how the disciples were arguing along the road about who was the greatest? What did Jesus say? (Mattew 18)
That's right!!! He said that the first will be last and the last will be first!
Jesus was talking about humility and offered Himself as the greatest example of humilty the night at dinner when He washed the disciples stinky feet! (John 13)
Humilty is the act of being HUMBLE.
What does a HUMBLE person look like?
1. They listen to others
2. They offer encouragement to others
3. They serve others
4. They are willing to admit when they are wrong
5. They are giving to others

Are you humble?
Let's try to practice being humble this week!

memory verse: "Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up."
James 4:10

Fall Family Festival

Thanks for joining us...

Hope to see you next year!

UpComing Events:

November

15 14th Anniversary- Family Sunday
29 Family Sunday
Baptismal Service

Wednesday Nights we are now preparing for Christmas program "All I want for Christmas" . Pick up your practice CD from Pastor Larissa!

Join us this Sunday as we learn about COMMITTMENT!

Pastor Larissa is:

reading "Why so many Gods?" by K. Etue

listening to "I'll Give Him My Heart" on the album of Light of the World by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Miracles Build Faith

Can you name 3 things God has done to make you trust him more? Jesus did all sorts of miracles while the disciples were with Him. Does anyone know what the first miracle was? That's right...the Wedding in Cana!!! He changed the water to wine! It would be quite the embarrassing situation to not have enough for your guests. Jesus stepped in and delivered the VERY BEST... more than enough. He did this to build people's faith and trust in God.
The power of God is AMAZING...but how much He cares for us is even more AMAZING!!!
So...why does God do miracles? Is it just becuase it is super AWESOME? Miracles build faith and trust in God. However...not everything depends on God revealing His power through miracles. Thomas believed Jesus was alive only after he saw Jesus' scars but Jesus said blessed is the person who believes and does not see. This is powerful faith!
Faith is believing even though I don't understand!
We can not see air...but just because we do not see it does not mean that it does not exist. In fact when we put air in a balloon we can see the effects of air as it expands the balloon. Miracles show the works of God just as the balloon shows the work of air.
God wants us to trust Him no matter what!
It should be noted that after the incident of Thomas' lack of faith that his faith grew strong. He went all around teaching the gospel. He even died for his faith!
Can you write into me and tell me of a time that you had to have faith in God even though you did not understand? Send it to: larissa@churchontherise.org

memory verse: He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20


UpComing Events:

October
29 Brekenridge Retirement Community
"No Tricks! Just Treats!"
6:30-7:00pm
31 Fall Famil Festival
Church on the Rise

November
15 14th Anniversary Service
Family Sunday
29 Baptismal Service
December
13 Nashville Campus Open House
14 All I Want for Christmas program
Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_O0GNaWi04

Pastor Larissa is:
Reading ... "Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light" compiled by Brian Kolodiejchuk
Listening to ..."All I Want for Christmas" by Dennis and Nan Allen

The Cost of Discipleship

How much does a 2-liter cost? ...$1....How about a Whale Water Fountain for your home faucet?... $2.89. How much does Scope Breath Mist cost? ...$2.39.
This past Sunday at GOkids we learned that everything and anything will cost you something. So, what is the cost of following Jesus?...the Cost of Discipleship?

Luke 9 :23 says "Anyone you comes after me must deny themself, take up their cross dailly and follow me."

1. Lay aside the things I want for the things that God wants.

2. Listen to what God wants me to do.

3. Obey Him right away...no matter how easy or difficult it may seem!!!

The reward is GREAT!
Try it and see what happens!!!
We are going to continue to follow the disciples and see what great rewards benefited them "denied themselves and took up their cross to follow Jesus"...as they paid the cost of discipleship.
Following Jesus,
Pastor Larissa

memory verse : Jesus said, "If anyone comes after me he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

This weekend was the BIG campout in the backyard of COTR!

We had a blast with 27 kids and 9 adults!!!



Mr. Josh taught us how to set up and take down tents and build a campfire.

Mr. Ray and Miss Catherine taught us all about target shooting with BB guns and Bow and Arrows.

Pastor Larissa helped us make Hobo Meals and Smores around the campfire. We had campfire talks and devotions and played FIND THE GLOWSTICK in the dark.

Coach Hall rigged up an outdoor theater to watch THE HANNAH MONTANA MOVIE and coached a fine game of CAPTURE THE FLAG.

Miss Justin and Mr. Josh lead us in a campfire sing.

UpComing Events:

October

18 Christmas Program Practice begins

29 No Tricks, Just Treats!

@ Brekenridge Assisted Living

31 Fall Family Festival

November

15 Anniversary Service

29 Baptismal Service

Family Sunday

December

12 Christmas Program

Check this out:

www.youtube.com/watcht?v=AvuSZ7HwXR4u

Pastor Larissa is:

Reading "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson

Listening to "Live to Worship" by pureNRG

Disciple=Learner

This last week at GOkids we began our "Follow You" series where we are talking about Jesus' close friends, the Disciples. We learned that Simon-Peter, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot were His Original Dozen! We also learned that the Greek word for "disciple" is "methetes" which means "one who learns from another". These 12 men learned from Jesus as their teacher and mentor everyday for 18 months, then Jesus sent them out to share all that they had learned and experienced.
Everyday we should take time to spend with Jesus in His word and through prayer. He will show us the way to live and the right choices to make.
It is also helpful to learn from others who love God and are serving Him. Many times God places people in our lives for us to follow and learn from. Those people become your mentor or discipler.
Your mentor should be:
someone who loves Jesus and serving Him
someone you can learn from
someone who you can look UP to
Some of your mentors can be role models from media such as pureNRG, Bibleman, Miley Cyrus, ect. ...but I encourage to look around Church on the Rise or your home to find someone who you can see on a regular basis. Someone who is closeby. Spend time with them. Learn from them. Then share what you discover!
I love you all!
Pastor Larissa


memory verse: "...if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." John 8: 31




This last weekend we took 20 kids and 7 adults to KIDZROCKusa in Raleigh, NC! We had the best time as we played Extreme Games, watched a FUN musical, ate a YUMMY Chick-fil-A lunch and attended a pureNRG concert!
* Take a look at the photo album for more pics of KidzRockusa!

Up Coming Events:

October
9,10 the BIG Campout

Where: COTR backyard

Necessities to bring: sleeping bag,pillow overnight items (toothbrush, clothes,comb,ect.), sweatshirt, extra snacks, flashlight, ext.

Learning: firebuilding, taget shooting, tent set up, camp cooking and crafts plus p...laying games and an outdoor movie!!!

the BIG campout is still on even if it rains....No Worries!!!

Please email Pastor Larissa or sign the sheet to let us know to planon you to come to the BIG campout!!!

31 Fall Family Festival

November

29 Baptismal Service

December

12 Christmas Program

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GRY3YyDHw

Pastor Larissa is:

listening to: 'The Real Thing" by pureNRG

reading: "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson

Reaching Out

This past Saturday a group of us visited Nash Rehab. We took the cool handprint pillowcases that we made during VBS this summer and sang songs and prayed for our new friends. We can't wait to go visit again and hope to bring more with us the next time!

E3: everyone...everywhere...everyway

Each person is incredibly valuable to God!
Each person has the right to hear the gospel no matter how they look, act, smell, or behave toward others!
Each person is loved by God no matter their age or home!
We know who God is and have experienced His goodness...now it is time to share with EVERYONE...EVERYWHERE...EVERYWAY!

Proverbs 3:28 talks about if you have something that a neighbor needs do not wait until later to give it to them but give it to them NOW! What do we have that a neighbor needs?
Love...Hope...Joy...Resources...Strength...Peace...
and all of this comes from who?
Jesus!
Let's share Jesus!

Superhero Nite...last Wednesday night...We talked about God being Omniscient-Omnipresent-Omnipotent!

Omniscient= all knowing

Omnipresent=always present

Omnipotent=all powerful

This last Sunday was Missions Sunday and we talked about the country of Moldova. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe squeezed right in between Romania and Ukraine. There are many kids who have become orphans as their parents leave them behind in search of jobs. Missionaries like the Raatz family are working to help Moldovans find Jesus!
http://www.harvestmoldova.org

Chef Leo shared with us some "milk and honey". The Moldovan cuisine is simple because of the poeverty. They find milk to be the most nourishing. God provided for his people in the wilderness"milk and honey". We need to pray that God would provide for the people of Moldova and give as much as we possibly can!

Mrs. Morris' family has been involved with Moldova missions for over 14 years.

She shared with us about the poverty and building of church families.

Pray for:

1. Orphans to find homes and provision...most of all find JESUS

2. The training of Pastors and Teachers

3. The church family...they will grow in the knoweldge of God's Word

UpComing Events:

September

24th CD Release Party Kids singing "Rain Down" and "Y-E-S"

Please be at COTR by 6:30 to rehearse!!!

26th Nash Rehab Outreach

Singing and Giving the pillowcases we made at VBS to guests as Nash Rehab

30th Christmas Program Auditions for "All I Want for Christmas"

ages 6-14 6:00-7:30 p.m. at COTR

October

3rd KIDZ ROCK usa in Raliegh

9,10ththe BIG campout

31st Fall Family Festival

Charged up!!!

I am working in my office with an annoying beep sporadically filling the background. What is it? ...my cellphone! It is slowly dying. So...what do I do?
What?...plug it in?
...Ah-ha! There it is...charging!!!
This reminds me of sometimes the way my spirit is when I do not spend the time with God that I need! It is NOT good!!!
Take some time to charge up with God this week! Remember Jesus had to take breaks from his friends and assignments to spend some time alone with God.
Jesus went away from people to spend time with God to:
1. Charge up his spirit Luke 9:18
2. Ask God for wisdom to make decisions and God helped him to chose wisely Luke 6:12
3. Pour out his heart to God and God sent angels to strengthen him Luke 22:39-43
Go to your secret hiding place, take your Bible and read, then talk to God ...see what happens!

Memory Verse of the Month: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd35-M-xLX4
Philippians 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving in your heart make your requests known to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus.

Recording "Rain Down"

Thank you to all who were a part of this exciting event!

Don't forget about the CD Release Party on Thursday night of September 24th at 7 p.m.!

GO Kids ministry will be singing in the service!!!

Check this out: www.bgmckids.ag.org

Pastor Larissa is:

Reading "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge

Listening to "Seeds Family Worship"

Up Coming Events:

September 20: Mission's Sunday

September 24: CD Realease Party

September 26: Outreach Day

September 30: Christmas Program Auditions (6-7:30)

October 3: KIDZ Rock USA

October 9,10: the BIG campout

October 31: Fall Family Festival

September 9,2009

Last Wednesday night

GO Groups returned!

We began the night with a rousing game of Crab Soccer, then an orientation of the new GO groups and closed out with a competing Bible Quiz match. The kids did an awesome job!

Every Wednesday Nite begins with an Extreme Game lead out by Coach Hall. Next we break out into our GO Groups divided by ages for prayer, Bible-learning, crafts, snacks and activities! I am entirely thrilled to see how the boys and girls of GO ministries learn, experience and share throughout this Fall! Every week your child will bring home a set of questions and answers on a GO card. Please, make sure to work with them to memorize these questions and answers for Bible Quiz on the last Wednesday Nite of the month. (All of the questions will be updated under the BLOG tab on the website http://www.go2ministries.org)

Due to some technical difficulty we were unable to record the kids for the COTR missions cd project. We are going to record in the Worship Center following Sunday morning service so please promptly pick up your children from M100 and deliver them to the Worship center for 15 minutes of recording time! Thank you in advance for your participation!!!

The Last 3 Sunday's we have been talking about prayer.

P: Praise-giving thanks to God

R: Repentance- change of mind, heart and direction

A: Anyone- anyone, anywhere, anytime

Y: YOU- this is what we will be talking about THIS WEEK!

Take some time to spend talking to GOD this week and remember...

James 5:16b "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

I am praying for you!

Love, Pastor Larissa

Check this out:

http://www.wycliffe.corg/kids

Pastor Larissa is:

Listening to: "Deliberate Kids" by Phil Joel

Reading: "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore

UpComing Events:

September 26: Outreach Day

September 30: Christmas Program Tryouts

October 3: KIDZROCK USA

October 9,10: The BIG Campout

October 31: Fall Family Festival

One Wet Night...

This has been an excellent week!

Family Sunday, Tailgait Party, Inflatables, Watergames, Tons of Food, Football and Baptismal Service, School... what can I say?

Who got wet at the Tailgait party?

2 girls who love God +want to serve God= Winners

Cassidy Parrish and Sarah Cockrell certainly got drenched!

The girls were baptized on Sunday Night...

Cassidy loves Jesus and wants to serve Him in every way she can. She asks God to help the poor and desires to serve them wherever they are.

Sarah decided to serve God with all of her life at the age of 8. She prayed and asked Jesus to forgive her sins and to help her live for Him everyday of her life. Jesus is helping Sarah overcome many things in her life...including fear.

I am so proud of them and can't wait to see what God does through them!

When we are baptized we show others that we no longer want to live the way we want but we want to live the way God wants us to live. We ask God to help us in making decisions...deciding how to think and do the right thing...the thing that pleases Him.

This summer we learned from Colossians3 that when we choose to live for God things like anger, jealousy, doing whatever you want whenever you want, meaness, profanity and dirty talk no longer need to be a part of our life. Instead we ask God to fill our life with compassion, kindness, humilty, quiet strength, discipline, forgivenss and love. Our life becomes different because of Jesus living in our life!

So baptism...is showing that we have put sin to death and we are living LIFE in Jesus!

Have a great rest of the week!!!

I am praying for you!

Love,

Pastor Larissa

Check this out:

http:// www.whitsend.org

Pastor Larissa is:

Listening to: "Follow You" by Hillsong Kids

Reading: "Momentum" by Steve Hickey

UpComing Events:

September 6: Recording for CD

September 20: Registration for KIDZROCK USA due

September 20-26: Missions Confrence

September 30: Christmas Program Auditions

October 3: KIDZROCK USA

October 9, 10: Campout

Hello Parents and Students...

This is blog is created specifically for all of those who are apart of GO ministries at Church on the Rise ..but anyone is welcome to follow as we follow Christ! It will be updated every Wednesday so watch for updates, news and reccomends:)

August 26, 2009

I have been praying for everyone who just started school yesterday (and all of the FCS kids last Wednesday!). I trust you had the BEST first day EVER? This is definitely going to be a great school year!

As I was thinking about everyone getting back into the swing of school and everything God reminded me to pray that as we grow we are to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus! -2 Peter 3 :18-

God is the one who enables to learn and do our best! Remember to take the time to spend with Him.

Hey check these guys out: http://www.therizers.com/

Tonight is PAINT NITE!

GO groups start back up next week

Don't forget about:

Tailgait Party August 30 6pm

Outreach Day Sept 26

Christmas Program Auditions Sept 30

KidzRock USA Oct 3

CampOut Oct 9,10

Pastor Larissa is

reading: "Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson

listening to :"Consumed"

by Jesus Culture