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