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

It's On!
by Pastor Ben Pitney
 
Is it here already?? A new school year. Wow, that went fast. Even though it’s still hot as ever, summer break is slowly coming to an end. If you’ve taken a look around lately, you can’t miss it. Everything says “Back to School” and that brings out some stuff inside of me every time. I actually love it and hate at the same time. I seem to be filled with excitement, anticipation, and anxiety. I think everyone experiences this but it's how one deals with it that really makes the difference. A little anxiety propels us to finish homework assignments, and makes us stop and think before coming to a decision. So maybe you’re feeling some anxiety and need a little motivation and challenge.



Jesus has given us something so incredible that it has captured our hearts. He has given us abundant life of intimate connection with God. He did this when we couldn’t do it ourselves. He gave us this when we didn’t deserve it. All he asks in return is that we pay it forward. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Our changed lives should be motivation enough to pass it forward to others.

And the most unbelievable thing is that small things can make a big difference. The nuclear bomb is one of the most destructive weapons our planet has ever seen. The idea behind nuclear bombs is that the smallest of particles, set on fire, can multiply the devastation in a fast and exponential manner, causing a combustible chain reaction resulting in out of control destruction. This is called multiplicative momentum.

Small things can have a big impact in a positive way - a multiplicative impact. Jesus referred to the kingdom of God as a mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds known to man at the time. He went on to say that it would grow into a large tree that cast a shadow across planet through the ages of human history. He also spoke about the kingdom of God being like yeast; add just a little to a lump of dough and soon the entire thing is transformed. It’s time for us to use this same principle: small things can make a big difference in this Church, this community and in this world. Whether it’s a seed, a neutron, or a Christ Follower, a small thing can have huge impact. It’s on, Vail Christian Church! Don’t tell me you can’t find something small to do.


Student Ministries:




Each year, the students of Vail Christian Church participate in this global event! WorldVision's 30-Hour Famine is a great way to raise money for kids who are starving all over the world while experiencing the spiritual discipline of fasting and giving back to our own community. Support our students as they go hungry to save lives!

August 27-29, 2009
For more information contact Julie Biagi or visit 30hourfamine.org.


 

5

Willow Creek Leadership Summit: Since we began, the Vail Christian Church Staff and Elders have attended this amazing leadership training event each year. This year, we are inviting everyone to join us as the Leadership Summit will be simulcast right here in Tucson!

August 6-7, 2009 at Pantano Christian Church. Contact meghan@vailchristian.com to register or for more information.


Baptism: Baptism is a biblical sacrament designed to mark the beginning of one's commitment to follow Jesus Christ. It is an amazing picture of how we are joined with Christ in his death and eventually in his resurrection.

If you are interested in being baptized, or would like to learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, contact Connection Pastor Tim Sheaffer.


Men's Breakfast: Every third Monday of the month the men of Vail Christian Church are meeting up at Hacienda Del Lago for a great breakfast, hanging out with good friends and hearing a short encouragement from God's Word. Get up early and get there! You won't regret it.

August 17th - 6:00am - Hacienda Del Lago
For more information contact tim@vailchristian.com


Make A Difference Day 2009!

Each year, Vail Christian Church joins with people from all over America for the National Make A Difference Day Event. Mark your calendars and join us as we make a difference in our community!


Women's Brunch: Every woman who calls herself part of Vail Christian Church is invited to this visionary event to dream up how we can impact our community. Bring your favorite dish and be at the Sierra Morado Community Center August 1st from 9-11am!

For more information contact Sherri Van Fleet.

WHITE TAIL PICNIC!

We are shutting down our Empire Campus and taking the entire Vail Christian Church community up to Mount Lemmon for this year's White Tail Picnic!

Be there at 10:30am to worship God out in the midst of His creation, then stay for an amazing barbeque lunch and connecting with friends and family on the mountain!

Bring all your family and friends to this amazing day! Mark your calendars that our worship service, great food and tons of people will all be up on Mount Lemmon at the White Tail Campground.

TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE: Don't let transportation be the reason you can't come to the White Tail Picnic! If you are unable to get yourself up to the picnic, we are offering a shuttle service for those who need it. Contact Julie Biagi for details and to secure your spot on the shuttle!

Children's Ministries:




Back by popular demand...
IT'S KID'S NIGHT OUT!!!

August 21st from 5-10pm Vail Christian Church is hosting a fun, interactive time for kids to play and have a great time with each other while parents get to get away for an evening. And for only 5 bucks a kid, you can't beat the price!

August 21, 2009 - 5-10pm - $5 per child
For more information contact Julie Biagi or visit vailchristian.com/kidsnightout to register online!



 


  Resources

books . . .

ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church
Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch

Amidst all the latest fads and "movements" within contemporary Christianity in the West, Frost and Hirsch's "ReJesus" is a clarion call to recalibrate our lives to the one that gathered us together and sent us out in the first place - Jesus.

In their own words, "this book is dedicated to the recovery of the absolute centrality of the person of Jesus in defining who we are as well as what we do."

music . . .

DSM: In Awe Of Your Glory

DSM has gone back to its roots in their first really true to themselves full worship album.  We have had DSM perform at VCC, and this is a great way to support their band. You'll love new tracks "In Awe of Your Glory", "We Cry Holy" and "Only You"! Also, there are some of your favorite cover songs on here as well. This is an album you'll be sure to enjoy.

websites . . .



www.notafan.com

In the Gospels Jesus never seemed too interested in fans. Is that how you define your relationship with Him? An enthusiastic admirer? Close enough to Jesus to get the benefits but not so close to require sacrifice? There's got to be more than just going to church, praying when in a jam, and volunteering at a shelter.

How would things change if you lived as Jesus lived and loved the way He loved? Maybe you're ready to join the hundreds of people who have stepped across a line and said, “I am not a fan.”

 

 

messages this month . . .

Knowing the real Jesus of the gospels is the key to beginning the most exciting journey of our lives! Motivated by the book "ReJesus: A Wild Messiah For A Missional Church", Lead Pastor Ben Pitney and Worship Pastor Chris McLaughlin lead us into some deeper thinking surrounding the theology of Jesus Christ and how it impacts the way we view God, view humanity, and interact as the church in the world.

Beginning August 16th at the White Tail Picnic!


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:
·  9216 E. La Palma Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
   Dave Allardice, Susan Rodriguez, Nathan Porterfield and Kaitlyn Dusek
·  10143 Canyon Meadow Dr. - Rita Ranch - Map
   Gene and Cecilia Wright, Nason & Rachel Simpson
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 and 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.