Month: March 2020

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    Even as our present need for Stay Home Stay Safe guidelines continues, so too does our Lenten journey with Jesus  in the “Road to Jerusalem” sermon series from the gospel of Luke.  Keep pressing on and joining in friends!   Attached is the discussion or reflection guide for today’s message “The Lost and the Least” on Luke 18:35-19:10, see www.christchurchsl.org/sermons for your group use or personal reflection.    

Discipleship Announcements:

1. The Marks of a Methodist study- 5^th and final session is Tuesday night online at https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/tnt-tuesday-nights-together/.  This is a pastor led study on John Wesley’s “The Character of a Methodist”
2. Daily devotionals of encouragement by Pastor Temple during this troubled time of Covid 19 and Stay Home Stay Safe are available during the week Mon-Fri.  You can read these on the church facebook page or see and/or subscribe directly to Pastor Temple’s blog page at www.chappelltemple.com
3. Attached is a one page prayer guide pdf for our world during this coronavirus pandemic.  I received it from a church member who found it helpful in bringing focused prayerful thought to the various dimensions of our societal concerns and pairing them with scriptures as well.  By the way, the author, Pete Greig is a leader in the 24/7 prayer movement and has written a great book on prayer called How To Pray: A Simple Guide For Normal People.
4. Volunteer/Service Opportunities you can share with your group
   1. If you or your group members are symptom free and would like to volunteer in an approved essential outdoor activity- the Houston Food Bank and FBISD are seeking volunteers at 7:45am on Friday April 3 with the mobile food pantry.  The work is sorting and putting food in the vehicles of people who pull up for help. The Christ Church sign up is here- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4ba8a622a7ff2-mobile
   2. There are donation bins at the Christ Church drive through noon to 2pm, at least until Monday for East Fort Bend Human Needs Food Pantry, the Rainbow room, Fort Bend ISD Grab and Go Meals, and the Shared Dreams Ugly Shoe Drive.  See attached flier for donation descriptions.
   3. There are other opportunities in the attached file Christ church missions activities as well
5. I’ve heard from some of you who are having open online discipleship group meetings.  If there are others, please reply and let me know so that the information can be shared with others who may wish to join you.
6. Be sure you are on the mid-week church email list at – https://www.christchurchsl.org/1595-2/

Please stay as safe as you can friends.  You are loved and prayed for!

Your Co-worker In Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    Attached is the discussion guide for this morning’s sermon “Crossing the Border” which is available atwww.christchurchsl.org/sermons.  

Our prayers continue for you all and our community in these unusual times which require social distancing and connecting as a congregation in creative ways.  We are grateful for you and for so many (over 500) who joined us for our online only combined worship service this morning at 10:30am.   You all are also welcome to join us online Tuesday night for the live stream of the Tuesday Nights Together, session #4 of The Marks of a Methodist.  https://www.christchurchsl.org/event/tnt-tuesday-nights-together/?event_date=2020-03-24

    If you need help making an online small group meeting happen, please reply to this email so that I can connect you with someone to help you set that up.   Also, please try to connect with your group members as you are able and let me know of those who the pastors and staff may wish to reach out to

Your Co-worker in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

    I have been out on vacation this week and am still learning about how our church community is choosing to remain connected in light of concerns about the coronavirus.  For now, I am sending and attaching here the usual discussion guide of today’s message “Not Fear But Power” from our combined 10:30am online worship service. 

You are welcome to use it as your group best determines or for your personal reflection.  I will email you all again later in the week with more announcements and/or suggestions of how to stay connected in our walk of discipleship as a community during this time.

Your Co-worker in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders of Christ Church,

   The discussion guide for the sermon Tri-City Blues, Luke 10:1-20 is attached for your group or personal use this week. 

The sermon messages are available athttps://www.christchurchsl.org/sermons/ in case you missed them.

Leader Tips & Announcements This Week:

1. Please be in prayer for the family of Debbie Read who passed away in hospice care in the home today.  Debbie has taught the Tuesday morning women’s Bible study and has influenced the faith of many women at Christ Church over the years.  No news yet about a funeral service has been shared.
2. Prayer Retreat w/ Pastor Michelle 10am March 12 to noon March 13 at Villa De Matel in Houston.  Email michelleh@christchurchsl.org for details.
3. Tuesday Nights Together (TNT) fellowship meal, pastor’s study and table discussions starts this Tuesday, 5:30-7pm.  We will be studying the historic writing of John Wesley called “The Character of a Methodist.”  Printed copies of this work, along with space to write in your notes from the talks will be provided each week.  Come discover more about our Wesleyan Christian heritage,
4. Don’t forget your passport for your Lenten journey!  The Christ Church passport books for our spiritual journey in the season of Lent in tracing the steps of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem are available on the tables just outside the worship areas.  Each week has its own reflections and prayer points to enhance your understanding of the weekly sermon texts and messages. 
5. The chapel is open for Lenten prayer time during normal building hours at Christ Church- Mon- Thurs 7:30am-7:30pm, Fri 7:30am-2pm & Sun 7:30am-4pm.  Prayer resources are available in the chapel.

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church

Dear Discipleship Group Leaders and Teachers of Christ Church,

     I am sending out this week’s sermon discussion guide email to more than just the small group leaders this week, just to touch base with all our group leaders during this season of Lent.  Even if your group does not normally use the sermon discussion guides for your group curriculum, you may find it helpful or useful for personal use or informal conversations with other friends from church.  See attached. 

Remember, the sermon videos, in case you missed them are available at www.christchurchsl.org/sermons.

Leader Tips & Announcements This Week:

1. Tuesday Nights Together (TNT) fellowship meal, pastor’s study and table discussions starts this Tuesday, 5:30-7pm.  We will be studying the historic writing of John Wesley called “The Character of a Methodist.”  Printed copies of this work, along with space to write in your notes from the talks will be provided each week.  Come discover more about our Wesleyan Christian heritage, 
2. Don’t forget your passport for your Lenten journey!  The Christ Church passport books for our spiritual journey in the season of Lent in tracing the steps of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem are available on the tables just outside the worship areas.  Each week has its own reflections and prayer points to enhance your understanding of the weekly sermon texts and messages. 
3. Looking for a service opportunity for your group?  The Habitat For Humanity mission is looking for sponsors for meals and snacks for volunteers.  See attached fliers for open dates.
4. The chapel is open for Lenten prayer time during normal building hours at Christ Church- Mon- Thurs 7:30am-7:30pm, Fri 7:30am-2pm & Sun 7:30am-4pm.  Prayer resources are available in the chapel.
5. Prayer Retreat w/ Pastor Michelle 10am March 12 to noon March 13 at Villa De Matel in Houston.  Email michelleh@christchurchsl.org for details.
6. Did you miss Pastor Temple’s last Pastor’s study- Bible For Beginners and Everyone Else: Becoming a More Confident Bible Reader?  No worries, this Bible training resource of 5 sessions and power point presentations for each one is available for viewing/download at https://www.christchurchsl.org/messages/bible-for-beginners-part-1/.
7. Need help with resources for future studies?  Please call or email me so I can help, dan@christchurchsl.org or 281-690-4776.

Happy Lent everyone!

Dan Conway

Pastor of Discipleship & Outreach

Christ Church