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[fname], here's the latest from Vail Christian Church...
 

Lincoln Sunday
by Pastor Ben Pitney
 
When we come to the month of July, I always seem to get more patriotic. I love celebrating our independence with fireworks, with red, white and blue stuff, and with putting the flag out. I have so many good memories of things like this from growing up. While in school, I can remember teachers starting class with prayer, singing “God bless America”, and starting every day with the pledge of allegiance.



Did you know that Lincoln’s birthday was once a holiday all its own? Lincoln Sunday was always the Sunday before February 12, which is Lincoln’s birthday. On February 7, 1954, a sermon was given at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC. Rev. George Docherty proposed adding the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. President Eisenhower was in church that day, so the sermon received national news coverage. Five months later the words, "under God," were added to the Pledge of Allegiance by Congress, and signed by President Eisenhower, on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

Things have really changed since then! The Pledge has been challenged over and over. Should we give our allegiance to "one nation under God?" Or, should the phrase "under God" be removed from our nation’s Pledge?



It used to really get me that some would want to take this part of the pledge and toss it, but I have come to understand that the real issue of this controversy is the meaning given to the phrase "under God", not if we leave it in or take it out! Do we take to heart the meaning that this phrase had for Lincoln? When the Civil War threatened to destroy the nation, President Abraham Lincoln argued that preserving the Union was not only necessary to protect fundamental freedoms, but was also the will of God. He believed that this nation was “under God.”

So, will we who talk about living "under God," take to heart the responsibilities, as well as the joys and the blessings, that come with this faith that pledges this kind of allegiance? What a question!

Whether or not we pledge our allegiance to one nation "under God," our allegiance to our nation should be "under" our allegiance to God. If God is God, then our country is "under God," whether we say so or not. If God is just, then we are called to be just. If God is forgiving, then we are called to be forgiving. If God is our God, then He requires our allegiance. Where is your allegiance?



Children and Student Ministries:




"The Movement" is Vail Christian Church's Student Ministries designed just for junior high and senior high students. New small groups are starting up for the new school year so get in gear and get plugged in to a small group happening near you!

Groups meet each Wednesday night. Contact Julie Biagi at julie@vailchristian.com for information and to sign up for a group. New groups start July 15th!

 

5

4x4 CAMPOUT is coming... Friday July 17 through Saturday July 18 we're loading up our gear to crawl through Aravipa Canyon going from Mammoth to Klondike. It's an overnight trip garanteed to get your blood pumping! Contact tim@vailchristian.com to signup or get more info.


Community Groups: Vail Christian Church is a church of community groups, not a church with community groups. Since it's inception, community groups have been a primary source of spiritual growth, Bible study and pastoral care for everyone involved. It is truly the life-blood of our people.

The new quarter starts the week of July 19th, so contact tim@vailchristian.com for more information.
View our list of community groups and contact information at www.vailchristian.com/
community.


Trailhead Class: If you're ready to join with Vail Christian Church in fostering community, extending our resources, and taking new ground, make sure you sign up for "trailhead". Trailhead is a short class followed by a lunch that helps you to begin your journey with Vail Christian Church.

July 26th - 11:00am - contact tim@vailchristian.com


Rocky Point 2009 is coming!

Each year, we partner with AMOR ministries and travel to Puerto Penasco, Mexico to build homes for families in need. That's right, we build two or three homes in one weekend! Swine flu beware! This year we need you and your family to bring your muscle and willingness to serve to make these homes become a reality.

November 12-15, 2009. Sign up online, download the forms and get ready for an adventure that will change your life!


Willow Creek Leadership Summit: Every year, the Vail Christian Church Staff and Elders attend this amazing leadership training event. Join us this year as the leadership summit will be simulcast right here in Tucson!

This year's summit is August 6-7, 2009 at Pantano Christian Church. Contact meghan@vailchristian.com to register or for more information.

BRING THE REVOLUTION

Since its inception, Vail Christian Church has had this end in mind: Making room in life to connect people with God and others. Now as we look toward the future, we have to strategically plan how we are going to make this happen so that people far from God will be filled with life in Christ.

Imagine how many people need to be reached with the gospel. Imagine how Jesus Christ could change their lives. What would you do to see that happen? What would you sacrifice to accomplish that goal? What does the Lord expect us to do with what He has given you? Are you ready to live the revolution?

What will we accomplish in three years?

YEAR ONE:
$25,000 for new storage facility.
Launch a third service
$25,000 for video and sound equipment
$75,000 used to start VCC’s West Campus
+ $25,000 contribution from Stadia*
$75,000 saved toward Land & Campus

YEAR TWO:
$40,000 to SACPN** for church plant
$160,000 saved toward Land & Campus

YEAR THREE:
$35,000 to SACPN for church plant
$165,000 saved toward Land & Campus

How can YOU join the REVOLUTION?

SIGN UP:
Make sure that we know you're in! Identify yourself as a member of the Revolution by signing up online at: vailchristian.com/revolution.

PRAY:
We want to be a community that is in prayer for our church, our city, our country, and the families around us.

GATHER:
Gather your friends, family and neighbors. Bring them with you and expose them to all that you are excited about. We need each other.

GIVE:
We are asking each person committing to the revolution to give $15 more each week than what they have already been giving.

SERVE:
Joining a service team allows us to do so much more for our community and church body.

* Stadia is a church planting resource involved in starting Vail Christian Church in 2006.
** Southern Arizona Church Planting Network - a network of churches designed for the purpose of starting new churches in Southern Arizona.



 


  Resources

books . . .

How To Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day Of Your Life
Pat Williams & Jim Denney

This biography of Walt Disney's life is more than just a biography. It's a journey through history, a motivational masterpiece, and - most of all - a practical guidebook about
leadership, vision, and perseverance.

 

music . . .

a_cross//the_earth: tear down the walls
Hillsong United

Hillsong's newest album (May 2009) includes 12 songs from the pens of
Matt Crocker, Scott Ligertwood, and Joel Houston. It’s full of anthemic pop/rock worshipful songs.

 

websites . . .



www.azpolicy.org

Center for Arizona Policy is a nonprofit research and education organization committed to protecting and defending the family by influencing policy, communicating truth, and empowering families to promote timeless values. It is a great place to learn about current political issues and to find out how you can effect change at both a local and national level.

 

 

messages this month . . .

“LIVE IT!” is a message series digging deeper into Paul’s letter to the Galatian church. In these 12 weeks, Lead Pastor Ben Pitney and Connection Pastor Tim Sheaffer will lay open the key truths in this powerful letter.

July 5 - “Either/Or”
July 12 - “Paidagogos”
July 19 - "Heirs Of The King"
July 26 - “Disunity"


podcast logo

Sometimes between life at work and life at home, we need some encouragement or a reminder of what God is doing in our lives. That’s why the Vail Christian Church Podcast is a must have on your iTunes subscriptions.

It’s free to download, and when you
subscribe with iTunes, each week’s
message is automatically downloaded
to your Mac or PC. Put it on your mp3
player, listen in the car on the way to
work or listen at home while you’re
making dinner.

We hope you take advantage of this
amazing resource!



Download each Sunday’s teaching from our podcast.


  


 

Staff

Lead Pastor: Ben Pitney
ben@vailchristian.com

Connection Pastor: Tim Sheaffer
tim@vailchristian.com

Lead Worshiper: Chris McLaughlin
chris@vailchristian.com

Director of Students & Children: Julie Biagi
julie@vailchristian.com

Administration: Meghan James
meghan@vailchristian.com

Assistant To The Pastor: Sherri Van Fleet
sherri@vailchristian.com

Accounting: Jennifer Jones
jennifer@vailchristian.com




8000 S. Kolb Rd., Ste. 190
Tucson, Arizona 85756 (map)
Voice - 520.722.1220
Fax - 520.722.1253
Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.


  



Sundays: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Empire High School
10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Tucson, Arizona 85747 (map)



Middle School: Meets Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. at:
·  9792 E. Sinsneroz - Rita Ranch - Map
   Nason Simpson, Rachel Rus, Dave Allardice,
Susan Rodriguez
·  10143 Canyon Meadow Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
   Gene and Cecilia Wright, Matt Eyring
and Sunday mornings during the 9:30 service. For more information, contact julie@vailchristian.com

High School: Meets Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m. at:
· 10535 E. Heartleaf Willow Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
   Mike and Sherri Van Fleet
· 9519 E. Ashford Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
   Matt Johnson, Casey Cunningham & Mikelle Cronk
· 9039 E Autumn Sage – Rita Ranch - Map
   Erica McLaughlin and Mat Miller
and Sunday mornings during the 11:00 a.m. service. For more information contact julie@vailchristian.com.



Our children's programs meet during our regular
service times at 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. We offer programs for nursery, preschool, and elementary school aged children. For questions, contact julie@vailchristian.com.