Connection June/July 2010

JUNE JULY 2010

VOLUME 12 NUMBER 3

connection

JUNE | JULY 2010

volume 12 • number 3

A bimonthly publication, © 2010 Stonebriar.

Community Church, Frisco, Texas. The material. within this publication may not be disseminated . without permission.

All inquiries, comments, suggestions, and story ideas should be directed to Jennifer Brown, director of communications, at 469-252-5200 or by e-mail to Communications@Stonebriar.org.

senior pastor

Chuck Swindoll

2

senior director of resource ministries Carol Spencer director of communications senior graphic designer

Jennifer Brown Kenny Courtenay

communications coordinator writer/designer

Lynn Wilson

the experience of summer........................................................ 1

Susan Jacobson

inviting all families......................................................................... 1

volunteer editors and writers Christina De Leon

Mary Garner.

Shelly King.

Amy Richmond.

Bob Vestal

4

sports camps: changing lives near and far.................. 4 memorial prayer garden completed.................................. 4

encouraging all

gone and been .................................................................................. 2

6

special needs playground: allowing all children to play together............................... 5

people to pursue a lifelong, joyous relationship with Jesus Christ

hsm’s mystery road trip...............................................................6 let the games begin .......................................................................6

8

sports fields: kicking off to a good start.........................7 getting to know God’s reluctant prophet .......................8 summer escape ................................................................................8

9

coffee, bagels, and a good book ...........................................9 calendar ...........................................................................back cover

www.stonebriar.org

more stories at www.stonebriar.org

the experience of summer

by Dave Carl, children’s pastor Summer is a magical time for kids. There is freedom and swimming and those really. artificial, banana-flavored popsicles—I love. those things. My favorite summertime. childhood memories happened at church..

Summer camp and Vacation Bible School.

(VBS) were the highlights. The adults who. worked and played with us were the guys.

I wanted to be like. The kids I ran around. with and jumped in pools with and played. tug-of-war with became the friends I. looked for on Sunday mornings as we. continued to learn Bible stories.

I feel an ache in my chest for kids who do. not get to run around wearing a paper.

crown made with macaroni shells and. for children who never get to experience. the thrill of being in a room full of. kids and parents dancing, jumping, and. singing praises to God. I really want. your kids to experience these things..

I have talked to a lot of adults who became. believers at VBS or at camp. These are. powerful, even life-changing events.

This summer we have a host of activities. planned for you and your kids that are. both exciting and very purposeful. We. want you and your family to laugh, play,. and worship in new ways. For the. first time ever in our church history,.

we will hold VBS in the evening..

We did this intentionally to allow. more parents—especially more dads—the. opportunity to share this time with. their children. This summer more than.

1,000 kids and adults will have the. opportunity to sing, play, and learn. together. It is a thing to behold. Don’t sit it out. Join us for VBS and for our Family Experience nights and watch God touch little hearts and a few adult hearts, too.

We are always in need of extra hands, and if you serve with us, I can confidently. promise you will like it even more than a caseload of artificially-flavored banana popsicles. Seriously!

inviting all families . . .

by Susan Jacobson, staff writer

Splashing poolside and grilling in the backyard aren’t the only summer activities in store for Stonebriar. families during June, July, and August. In the next three months, SCC is offering several new ways for. families to get involved and have fun together. “Our Children’s Ministries is making an effort to reunite. parents with the responsibility of their children’s spiritual growth,” said Kristi McElheney, ministry leader. of elementary. Deuteronomy 6 mandates that parents impress the commandments of God upon their. children and talk about His Word at all times, making it visible in homes both physically and spiritually..

“To encourage the principles found in Deuteronomy 6, we are partnering with moms and dads and giving. families opportunities to enjoy ministry together,” Kristi added.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) “Faith Foundations” will be June 14–18, 6–8:30 p.m., to better accommodate parents’. work schedules and encourage family participation. “We hope that the new hours will increase family . involvement,” shared Kristi. “According to Barna statistics, approximately 65 percent of kids are leaving their faith after high school. By working together, we believe the church and parents can turn this statistic around.”

In addition to VBS and elementary and preteen camps, SCC is offering two new events specifically designed for kids and families. Mid-Week Mayhem will be June 30, July 28, and August 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for kids kindergarten through fourth grade. Lunch will be provided. Family Experience nights will be June 23, July 21, and August 11, 6:30–8 p.m. Join in the fun and sign up your whole family online for these summer activities [Keyword: Summer2010]. Would you like to volunteer? Sign up through ProjectServe [Keyword:ProjectServe].

www.stonebriar.org | 1

gone and been: a look back at may 1

by Christina De Leon, contributing writer and Jennifer Brown, director of communications

Hundreds of volunteers from ages.

4 to 80 lined up bright and early.

Saturday, May 1, to participate in 16 different projects during Stonebriar’s first community-wide service day,.

Go and Be.

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Right: HOME Team volunteers began framing a garden shed for Coventry Place on Friday.

People took up shovels and brooms, sorted food and. clothing items, and headed out to area neighborhoods to help with yard work and various projects in an effort to show the love of Christ to our community. Mixed in with the many physical tasks was a team of people committed to praying around the clock that Christ would be seen in our community, specifically that first weekend in May. While most of the activities took place on Saturday, many. volunteers got started early Friday. SCC’s newly formed sewing team spent the day sewing blankets for Parkland Hospital, and SCC’s HOME Team framed a garden shed for Coventry Place, a facility that provides life-enrichment opportunities for adults with special needs. The HOME Team then transferred the frame to Coventry’s campus where volunteers finished construction and also helped with cleaning and. landscaping on Saturday.

Below: These volunteers ministered to the homeless in south Dallas.

Below: Families served together by creating cards for soldiers.

Stonebriar’s Junior High leadership team, Kenosis, spent hours Friday evening setting up a gigantic garage sale in the church atrium that raised more than $1,700 for Vacation Bible School scholarships. These same students also raised more than $2,000 for school supplies for a neighboring community during the Rock-A-Thon.

One SCC Bible study group spent their Saturday at Frisco Resale sorting clothing,. housewares, and electronics. “It’s important to show the community that the people of Stonebriar Community Church are there for them,” said Marina Gutierrez, who was thrilled to volunteer for Go and Be.

Below: SCC’s Celebration Singers ministered through song at a local nursing home.

Throughout the day, volunteers spent the morning filling up a one-ton garbage. container as they helped clean up homes in a nearby neighborhood, and several. more served at the homeless shelter in downtown Dallas. At the end of the day on.

Saturday, SCC volunteers loaded seven truckloads of donations for Luke’s Pantry,. a ministry to Dallas Theological Seminary students, and several other Dallas. shelters and ministries.

“It was a blessing to see so many in our church family come together as the hands and feet of Jesus as they gave of their time and resources to serve others,” shared Karen Hawkins, pastoral leader of Community Impact. “What a beautiful picture of the body. of Christ in action!”

Below: More than 300 volunteers served during the weekend.

To hear more stories and learn about. upcoming Community Impact projects, join us for Come and Share Sunday, June 13, at 5 p.m. in Room B241..

If you have questions, contact Karen at 469-252-5241, or e-mail.

KarenH@Stonebriar.org.

www.stonebriar.org | 3

sports camps:

changing lives near and far “My son recently attended a basketball camp at Stonebriar.

Community Church. During the camp, he accepted.

Christ as his Savior. This event was very meaningful. to my son. He identifies himself as a Christian now..

How amazing is that?”

The words shared by Felicia Murray,. mother of Justin Murray who attended. basketball camp last year, were. encouraging to read when they arrived. in Stonebriar’s e-mail inbox late last. summer. As the testimony continued. to unfold, it became even more amazing. after discovering that Felicia and her son, Justin, actually lived in Hawaii.

“We were in town for the summer. visiting my mom, and out of all the. camps Justin attended in the summer of.

2009, Stonebriar’s basketball camp was the most fun and meaningful. (And he. attended MANY camps.) Please know that you are making a difference in the lives of kids,” Felicia added.

Testimonies similar to this are not. uncommon when it comes to SCC sports camps. One nine-year-old boy who. attended football camp stopped camp. director Roger Campbell on the field one. day last summer to tell him that.

Stonebriar’s camp was his favorite out. of the dozen he had attended through-. out the nation, from Denton, Texas to Salt.

Lake City, Utah. When asked why, the. boy responded, “This is the first camp where we get to pray.”

Sports Outreach’s summer camps are. a terrific venue for parents seeking a. camp that will build skills and character. as the kids get to know professional. coaches and athletes. Baseball/Softball.

Sports Outreach Director Roger Campbell shares the Gospel at one of Stonebriar’s baseball/softball camps.

Camp will be held June 22–26 (boys and girls); Football Camp (boys only) July 20–24; and Basketball Camp, August 3–7 (boys and girls). Camps run Tuesday. through Saturday from 8:30 a.m.. to noon. The cost for each camp is $75;. registration deadline is one week prior. to the camp’s start date.

For more details, call 469-252-5377,. or e-mail RogerC@Stonebriar.org or JulieG@Stonebriar.org. Register online [Keyword: Sports].

memorial prayer garden completed Stonebriar’s Memorial Prayer Garden is now finished, providing. a wonderful place for reflection and prayer. Here are a few pictures. of the transformation. In an effort to help maintain the garden,. please stay on the pathways and be respectful of the fountains,. benches, and sculptures donated in memory of loved ones.

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special needs playground allowing all children to play together God demonstrates His power, love, and mercy to the world through adults, teens, and children with disabilities. They are an important part of His work on earth, as evidenced by Jesus’ outreach to those with disabilities during.

His earthly ministry.

Each month approximately two new families seek out SCC’s Special Needs.

Ministry. Often these families are looking for a church home to minister. to their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. SCC is committed to serving. special needs families; in fact, each week our Special.

Needs Ministry serves about 100 families.

Through the generosity of the people. in our church, we were able. to raise the $60,000 needed. to construct a specialized. playground, plus an additional $40,000 for the Special Needs.

Ministry.

These builder renderings show what the side and top elevations will look like upon completion.

Once installed, the playground. will be accessible for special-needs. children, with turf that can. accommodate wheelchairs and. walkers, ramps to two different. levels, activity/sensory panels on. each level, and slides that can. be used by children transferred. from wheelchairs or walkers. The. playground will be functional and. fun for all children up to five years old.

Meaghan Wall, SCC’s special needs. coordinator, is excited by how this. will bring kids together in a. meaningful way. “This playground. will allow children without physical. limitations to play alongside children. with physical limitations.”

Children playing together. God’s. work is being done.

The new special needs playground will be accessible for special needs kids but fully functional and fun for any child age two to five years old. There will be ramps to two different levels and each level will have activity panels. Slides can be used by children transferred from wheelchairs or walkers. The turf will match that of current playgrounds and is designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

www.stonebriar.org | 5

hsm’s mystery road trip Do you remember the feeling of cruising down miles of. highway on a road trip adventure with friends or family—all the excitement, anticipation, and snacks that filled the car?.

This same experience is what SCC’s High School Ministries. leadership team hopes students will discover as they prepare for HSM’s next Mystery Road Trip, July 5–8. .

For the past three summers, students in. grades 9–12 have loaded up and headed. off to unknown locations. “In the past. three years we visited Arkansas, Florida,. and San Antonio. There’s a lot of guessing. before and during the trip, but we don’t. tell anyone where we are going until.

A snapshot from last summer’s road we get there,” said Heather Severding, ministry leader of Student Ministries. trip to Arkansas.

Don’t worry, no one will wind up sleeping in a tent on the side of the road. Nights are spent in a nice hotel, with several students and one adult per room. This is a great opportunity to have fun and deepen your friendships this summer.

And if you’re looking for a hint on where you’ll wind up, the only extra tips Heather shared were, “Pack a bathing suit and a winter coat, because you just don’t know what to expect.”

Don’t miss out! Sign up today on the Student Ministries. webpage [Keyword: Students].

library progress underway The Stonebriar Church Library is. beginning to take shape as books. and audiovisuals are being placed. on newly installed shelves. We have. received hundreds of donated items (thank you!), and now volunteers are sorting, cataloging, and entering them into the library database. Watch for. details about the Library’s progress. online [Keyword: Library].

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When Stonebriar’s new Worship Center opened in the fall. of 2008, the “old worship center” officially became known. as the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR). Since that time, this space. truly has become a multi-use facility that is occupied. almost daily for meetings, banquets, concerts,. weddings, funerals, children’s programs, and.

Sunday morning worship services for Stonebriar. en Español. On average, the MPR is transformed.

by Stonebriar’s facilities team ten times a week. for various large events.

In an effort to make this space even more. versatile, Stonebriar recently installed Mondo. flooring throughout the MPR (9,600 square feet),. allowing the space also to be used as a gymnasium.

The flooring is very durable and is considered the. highest performing gymnasium/multi-purpose synthetic surface. in the industry. The flooring is also easy to clean. and cannot be easily scratched—making it ideal for various. activities and age groups. Painted on the floor are basketball. lines, three Awana circles, and the Stonebriar logo.

Funding for the new flooring was primarily provided by. donations collected by Stonebriar Men’s Ministries this spring.

Additional generous gifts from our church congregation during. the past two months helped provide the funds needed for. basketball goals and protective covering for the existing lighting. and sound equipment. More details about open gym times and. special events will be available later this summer.

by Susan Jacobson, staff writer

Since the addition of four new sports fields last fall,.

Stonebriar has had the opportunity to minister to the.

Frisco community in a whole new way by providing. local teams a venue for holding practices. Currently four. soccer teams, one baseball, one rugby, and one lacrosse. team use these facilities on a regular basis. During the. month of May, 43 different practice events took place. on the four sports fields located on the north side of. the Children’s Building.

To Legendary Drive

After discovering a shortage of community practice areas. in Frisco, Keith Eickenhorst, coach of the Tornados. lacrosse team, was relieved when he found out. about Stonebriar’s fields. “I was amazed at how hard. it was to find a practice spot here in Frisco..

It was a true blessing to find out Stonebriar offered. practice fields for different teams.”

Reception Desk

MultiPurpose Room The Multi-Purpose Room, also known as the MPR, is located in the Education Building behind the front lobby and receptionist area.

Lobby

The Tornados have now been using the SCC sports. fields for ten weeks and have seen great results. “I can. honestly say that if it was not for Stonebriar offering. up the fields to practice on at no charge, my boys. would not have made the improvement that they have because our practice space would have been limited,”.

Keith shared. With a place to run drills and shoot goals,. his team has the opportunity to prepare well for game day..

“I know every boy’s confidence level has increased, and.

Stonebriar has a lot to do with that.”

Do you know of a team in need of a place to practice?.

If so, consider reserving one of SCC’s sports fields. Contact.

Julie at 469-252-5377, or e-mail JulieG@Stonebriar.org to reserve a field or get more information.

www.stonebriar.org | 7

by Lynn Wilson, communications coordinator What do we have in common with an 8th century B.C. man who insisted on doing things his own way? Join us for our Women’s.

Summer Bible Study, Jonah, God’s Reluctant Prophet, and find the answer as we discover just how relevant the Old Testament is to our lives today.

“Jonah is a classic example of how we get in trouble by going our own way,” shared Mary Dean, pastoral leader of Equipping, who. helped select the summer Bible study. “His story teaches us that God’s ways are always better than our ways, and He relentlessly. pursues us, even when we insist on going our own way. The book of Jonah reveals God’s heart for the world, even for those we. have a natural disposition to dislike. We find ourselves in that place often, dealing with people we don’t like. In studying Jonah. we discover that God, in His mercy and grace, had a plan that was not Jonah’s plan,” Mary added.

This study will challenge our thinking about our enemies and reveal the marvelous enormity of God’s love and grace. The summer. study will have a less formal structure allowing women to experience a time of intimate fellowship with each other formed. around the Word of God. Alicia McNairy will lead the six-week study Wednesdays, June 23–July 28. The morning session meets 9:30–11:30; the. evening session meets 7–8:30. Childcare is available for both sessions by online reservation only. Visit www.stonebriar.org.

[Keyword: WomensBible] to register and reserve childcare.

Summer Escape Need to get away? Summer Escape is the perfect half-day getaway to refresh your. faith and energize your heart! This mini. “stay-cation” on Saturday, July 31, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. is for women. of all ages. This will be a time. when you can escape from. the heat of the summer and. the stress of your daily routine.

Come and be refreshed by the.

Word, fellowship with other women, and enjoy. sessions for the head, hands, and heart presented. by our very own women of Stonebriar. If you. are still not sure if this is for you, check out the. testimonies from last year’s Summer Escape.

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“It really was the refreshment I needed.”

“The cost is low ($10), You get to sleep in your own bed, and there is even free childcare! What an escape!!!”

“There was a good variety of topics and was a great day to relax and catch up with familiar faces.”

“I just started visiting Stonebriar. This event was a blessing to meet new friends and connect more with the church.”

Call a friend and come “escape” with us on July 31!.

Register online [Keyword: Summer Escape] beginning Thursday, July 1.

SCC’s Women’s Summer Bible Study Begins June 23

coffee, bagels, and a good book

Do you enjoy reading and spending time with other women?.

If so, Books and Bagels is the place for you. Books and Bagels is a book study for women that meets the second Saturday of. each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Guest Center in the Atrium.

This is a time of fellowship and an opportunity to meet and make new friends. Studies are open to all women in the community, so be sure to invite neighbors and friends. Coffee and bagels are served.

Each month we read and discuss the assigned book,. usually Christian fiction, in a round-table setting led by.

Betty Jo Faulkner. On June 12, we will finish up the Mark of the Lion trilogy and discuss the book As Sure As the Dawn. If you are looking for a new book to read this summer, pick up a copy of Code Blue by SCC member Dr. Richard Mabry and join us Saturday, July 10.

Keep up with what book we’re reading next online.

[Keyword: Books and Bagels].

www.stonebriar.org | 9

JUNE | JULY 2010 tuesdays

6/22–26

baseball/softball camp

6:30 p.m., B241-242 [Keyword: ReEngage]

fridays

reach up, reach out job-loss encouragement

6/20

father’s day

7 a.m., B200-201 [Keyword: RURO]

sundays

tiempo de oración y testimonios

6/23, 7/21 8/11

family experience

6/23–7/28

women’s summer bible study

reengage your marriage

9 a.m., multi-purpose room

servicio en español

10:30 a.m., multi-purpose room

6/3, 17 7/1, 15

6/5

mosaic: for singles in their 20s

6/6, 7/11

6/6

6/30

hsm bowling & dinner independence day

first sunday at five prayer meeting

7/4

5 p.m., A129

7/12–16

elementary camp

reunión de jóvenes del ministerio hispano

preteen summer camp

7 p.m., B181(HUB) [Keyword: Mosaic]

celebration singers concert, “oh, what a time!”

4 p.m., multi-purpose room

5 p.m., portable A

6/6, 7/11 8/8

hsm summer time ultimate frisbee

6/7, 7/12

6–8 p.m.

vbs volunteer training 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

cancer encouragement group 7 p.m., B203

6/10, 7/8

the pursuit

7 p.m., B203

6/11

hsm christmas in june summer party

6/12, 7/10

6/14–18

6/15

wednesdays, 9:30–11:30 a.m. or 7–8:30 p.m.

midweek mayhem

summer membership class

6:30–8 p.m.

6/30, 7/28 8/18

6/6,13, 20

6/7

for boys and girls ages 8–13, 8:30 a.m.–noon

7–10 p.m.

books & bagels 9:30 a.m., guest center (A104)

vbs “faith foundations” 6–8:30 p.m.

hsm annual “lord of the rings” movie marathon 10 a.m.–midnight

11 a.m.–2 p.m. (K–4th grade) 4–7:30 p.m. scc offices closed 7/5 for holiday

7/14–25 short-term missions trip to beijing, china

short-term missions trip to wroclaw, poland 7/15

hsm treasure hunt

6–9 p.m.

7/20–24

football camp

7/21

jhm annual pool party

7/28

jhm scavenger hunt

for boys ages 8–13, 8:30 a.m.–noon 6–9 p.m.

6:30–9:30 p.m.

7/31 women’s summer escape

hsm six flags & concert

9 a.m.–11:30 p.m.

8/3–7

basketball camp

8/20–21

women of faith conference

for boys and girls ages 8–13, 8:30 a.m.–noon tickets available by online purchase [Keyword: Women of Faith]

sunday worship 9 & 10:45 a.m.

Chuck Swindoll, senior pastor

4801 legendary drive, frisco, texas 75034 • 469.252.5200 • www.stonebriar.org