Weekend Teaching Series: Happy Series Finale (week 6 of 6)
Sermon in a Sentence: True happiness comes from following God’s ways, despite persecution and the challenges that are in the journey ahead.
Service Length: 80 minutes
Bible: Matthew 5:10-13

Understandable Message: This weekend we focused on the last of The Beatitudes – that Jesus calls us to be perscuted for His name’s sake. It was a challenging message, because I was afraid the talk would end on a downer note, and as always we try to think about non-believing students in the audience as well. The message focused on standing alone, and responding correctly to persecution.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the band, created one of the videos, did announcements, and ran all of the lights, camera, sound and control room. We’ve been blessed with great volunteers as well, and our new prayer and connect right before eah service is helping bond the team together and maximize their involvement in the services.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We played a great new game called Ninjas4Christ.com, a hilarious game of breaking boards and spinning the Wheel of Destiny. Very clever stuff – and the website is a hilarious if you haven’t checked it out. We had a couple of videos, too, including the best of the HAPPY Public Service Announcements, too.

Music Playlist: Sing Sing Sing, Hosanna, Fix You, Overcome

Favorite Moment: Matt Reynolds, part of the security team in the Refinery on the weekends, shared his amazing story through his teenage years and his heart for students today.It was about how after losing his parent – drugs, and alcohol claimed his group of friends. The 5 friends became 4 … then 3 … then 2 … then he was alone. Powerful message of hope and a challenge to follow God’s ways.

Up Next: 1-off (TBA)