SPRING 2011 VOLUME NUMBER
13 1
connection volume 13 • number 1
A quarterly publication, © 2011 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 . Kenny Courtenay, creative director of . communications, by e-mail to . communications@stonebriar.org.
SPRING 2011
2
senior pastor chuck swindoll senior director of resource ministries carol spencer creative director of communications kenny courtenay managing director of communications andrea bagwell
a message from our pastor...................................................... 1
communications coordinator lynn wilson.
a look at stonebriar’s special needs ministry............ 2
writer/designer susan jacobson
vacation bible school 2011 ..................................................... 2
writer amber mcdonald
stonebriar’s new job networking ministry.................... 4
designer connie o’hara
go & be..................................................................................................... 4
volunteer editors shelly king, jimmy clark
becoming a member..................................................................... 5
encouraging all
heartsongs in the scriptures................................................... 7
a lifelong,
marriage live follow-up............................................................... 8
with Jesus Christ
4
children’s choirs............................................................................... 6
people to pursue joyous relationship
2
library, lounge, and free wi-fi ................................................ 8 getting connected through adult fellowships............ 9 volunteer spotlight.......................................................................... 9
6 8
spring calendar of events................................... back cover
www.stonebriar.org
more stories at www.stonebriar.org
a message from our pastor
by chuck swindoll, senior pastor Easter and hope are synonymous. That. special day never arrives without its. refreshing reminder that there is life. beyond this one. True life. Eternal life. Glorious life. Those who live on what we might call “the outskirts of hope” need a transfusion. Easter gives it. I think of all those who are living with. cancer. Talk about living “on the outskirts.”. They fight the gallant battle, endure the painful reactions of chemotherapy, and anxiously await the results of the next checkup. Men and women, boys and girls for whom a transfusion is essential.. Easter provides it. And then there are those who still grieve over the loss of a mate, a child, a parent, a close friend. Death has come like a ruthless. thief, snatching away a treasured person,.
leaving only memories. The sadness of those who mourn casts a spell of. loneliness too powerful for spoken words or shallow songs to break. What is missing?. Hope. Hope has died. There is nothing like Easter to reintroduce hope to broken hearts. Easter has its own anthems. Easter has its own Scriptures. And Easter has its own proclamation:. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as. He said . . . “ (Matthew 28:6). I cannot explain what happens on this day,. nor do I need to try. The simple fact is this:. There is something magnificent, reassuring,. even therapeutic about Easter morning. When Christians gather in houses of worship around this world and lift their voices in praise to the risen Redeemer,
the demonic hosts of hell and their. damnable prince of darkness are. temporarily paralyzed. Our songs remind them of their doom. When pastors stand and declare the. unshakable, undeniable facts of Jesus’. bodily resurrection and the assurance of ours as well, the empty message of skeptics and cynics is momentarily silenced. As the thrill of standing shoulder to. shoulder with those of “like precious faith” flows through the people of God, a magnificent surge of power floods over us. The benefits are innumerable. To list. only a few: • Our illnesses don’t seem so final. • Our fears fade and lose their grip. • Our grief over those who have . gone on is diminished. • Our desire to press on in spite of . the obstacles is rejuvenated. • Our identity as Christians is . strengthened as we stand on the . shoulders of saints down through the centuries who have always. answered back in antiphonal . voice: “He is risen, indeed!” A hope transfusion awaits us. It happens every year on Easter Sunday. Alleluia!
www.stonebriar.org | 1
encouraging ALL people . . . a look at stonebriar's special needs ministry Stonebriar’s vision statement reads “encouraging all people to. pursue a joyous, lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ.” All. people are created in the perfect image of God, and we believe. everyone deserves an equal opportunity to worship, learn, and serve in our church, regardless of their abilities. Stonebriar is one of the few churches in the Metroplex to offer a special needs ministry. We strive to accommodate all special needs individuals from birth to adult, as well as their families. We want. every parent to have the ability to worship and grow in faith with. the knowledge that their child has the same opportunity in a safe. and appropriate environment. From reserved parking and a special needs suite with curb-side drop off, to children’s playgrounds designed for use by those with
or without restrictions, our facilities were specifically designed with the needs of special needs families in mind. Our Special Needs Ministry offers signing and hearing assistance during Sunday morning services and a class for older teens and adults, which promotes prayer, service, fellowship, and growth in faith. Specialized classrooms and inclusion (with or without. buddies) are available during Sunday services, Wednesday evening. activities, and Vacation Bible School. We also offer FunZone, a fun-filled program that gives families who attend SCC a night out with the assurance their special needs child is in loving hands. Several family activities are also scheduled throughout the year,. including the Joni & Friends Family Retreat, a special needs. Christmas dinner, and a talent show.
kids will by kristi mcelheney, ministry leader of elementary Stonebriar will soon be transformed into a. wilderness wonderland as we “Welcome to. Wildwood” 1,000 kids and more than 300 volunteers. Please join us June 13–17 as we embark on a wonderful adventure.
2 | connection
special needs sunday Sunday, April 3, children and adults with special needs will serve as ushers and greeters, perform special music, and read Scriptures. in our worship services to raise awareness of SCC’s Special Needs. Ministry. Our people with special needs look forward to this event all year long, as it gives them the opportunity to be. involved and have a sense of ownership in our church. They get very excited about having the opportunity to do what. they see so many other people doing each week. Please join us April 3 in support of these dear people. For more information about our Special Needs Ministry, visit our website (keyword: special needs), call 469-252-5358, or stop by our Special Needs Suite to pick up a family or volunteer packet.
purchase note cards to help our special needs families Note cards featuring original artwork by people from our church with special. needs will be sold to raise funds to help send families to the Joni & Friends Family Retreat,. June 22–26. Cards will be on sale in the Atrium April 3 and 10 for $5 per packet of eight designs.
have a wild time at vbs. The main focus of Vacation Bible School this year is reaching out to the community. We want to share God’s incredible message. with those who may not have heard. it before by encouraging families to. bring an unchurched friend. In addition,. postcards will be distributed throughout the. community, inviting children who have never been to SCC or to church at all. Each night from 6 to 8:30, kids will learn the foundational truths about God through the adventures of Paws and Tales. Monday
through Thursday, activities will include. games, crafts, Bible stories, and skits.. On Friday, parents and family members. are invited to join us as we end our. fun-filled week with a “County Fair.”. The fair will feature bounce houses,. cotton candy, a watermelon-seed-spitting. contest, and much more. Our goal is. to provide a place where families can come, interact with God’s people, and. feel comfortable. We pray the whole family will leave with a desire to. return and learn more about Him. VBS provides an excellent opportunity.
for families to serve together. Whether. you are a mom, a dad, a kid, a teen, or. someone who just loves kids, we encourage you to join us in our wilderness adventure as we reach out to share the Gospel of Christ with the community’s children. As many of our ministry partners will tell you, the. blessing is more theirs than it is the kids’. Online registration is coming soon. Fees are $5 per child. For more information,. visit our website (keyword: vbs).
www.stonebriar.org | 3
SCC launches job networking ministry On March 21, 140 people gathered at Stonebriar for the. kickoff of Frisco Connect, a new job networking ministry for our community. . “During these challenging economic times, many in our church. family and community are struggling with job loss or job. transition,” shared Karen Hawkins, ministry leader of . community impact. “We pray that this new ministry will offer hope as well as practical help.” . Frisco Connect is being led by Foster Williams whom God has blessed with a 25-year career in corporate recruitment, including. more than 15 years in strategic recruitment management. Foster. cofounded the popular Career Search Network (CSN) and serves as a job search navigator for several job-seeker groups. “We are thankful for the opportunity to sponsor this new. ministry. The turnout we’ve already had is both a blessing and reality check,” said Steve Fischer, pastor of care ministries.
Frisco Connect meets on the first and third tuesday each month from 9 a.m.–noon. These practical meetings will be a time to network, exchange. job leads, and hear about useful strategies to help in your job search. There is no cost for these meetings, and no registration is needed.
4 | connection
by karen hawkins, ministry leader of community impact Go and Be is a special day when we come together as a church family (all ages and stages) to focus on how we can impact our community. so others will know the hope we have in Christ. The goal of this day is simple: to share the love of Christ with others through service.. We want to be engaged with our community, demonstrating to those beyond the walls of our church that we care. During last year’s Go and Be, 336 people from Stonebriar, ages 4–84, went out into our community to Be the church. We collected food for Luke’s Pantry, created 57 blankets and care packages for needy patients at Parkland Hospital, baked cookies for shut-ins,. firefighters, and police officers, collected clothing items for the. homeless and new shoes for orphans, landscaped and cleaned. facilities in need, conducted a community blood drive, made cards for soldiers and missionaries, visited local nursing homes, and raised money for the kids of Preston North neighborhood to attend VBS
membership . . . commitment, faith & service We are created to be a part of something larger than ourselves—. members of God’s family, brothers and sisters in Christ.. Becoming a member of Stonebriar expresses commitment to our spiritual family, one that worships together, grows in faith together, and serves one another. Like any family, we have a distinct set of values and beliefs,. a history full of fun anecdotes, and goals for each other.. We want you to be part of our large, ever-growing family. Through our membership classes, individuals can learn about Stonebriar’s history, receive an overview of our ministry values and statement of faith, meet several staff members, and have a chance to connect to small groups and areas of service.
and other summer programs. This list merely scratches the surface.
Classes are offered six times per year. To sign up, download an application form from our website (keyword: membership) or pick one up at our Information Center Sunday, and return it to the church front office.
There will be many projects to choose from this year, such as. handyman jobs, painting, yard work, serving the homeless,. participating in kids Bible clubs, collecting shoes for orphans,. writing letters and making care packages for shut-ins, soldiers, and. civil servants, and much more. We desire that our congregation begins to view community service as a way of life rather than just another event. Go and Be is a tool that not only serves our community, but helps create community. We truly want to live out the calling that is for ALL believers to serve the hungry, the sick, and those in need. Serving others is a way we reflect God’s heart. Mark your calendars for May 7, and join us this year in making. another big impact on our community. Go and Be is for everyone! If you are interested in helping lead a team or planning this year’s Go and Be, please e-mail Karen Hawkins at karenh@Stonebriar.org. Also join us for our monthly Community Impact meeting, Beyond these Walls, the second Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m. in A211/213. Left: Stonebriar members minister to the homeless in South Dallas at last year’s Go and Be.
www.stonebriar.org | 5
by susan jacobson, staff writer Music is an effective teaching device. Its lasting effect on long-term memory is one that few can deny, setting a sound track to our lives that we can recall with just a few hummed notes. What better way to teach the life-long love of Jesus to our children than through song? Open to four-year-olds through senior. high students, Stonebriar’s Children’s. and Youth Choirs teach spiritual truths with age-appropriate and relatable music.. With weekly rehearsals during the school. year, seasonal concerts, and in certain. instances, community performances, our. children and youth have the opportunity. to worship and praise while exemplifying. encouragement and respect for one. another. Parent volunteers and dynamic, experienced. directors create a safe, loving environment for each child, no matter their age. And of course, the kids get to have fun praising God in an age-old form of expression. Although the best time to join Children’s Choirs is during the semester enrollment.
6 | connection
periods in September and January, kids. are welcome to join at any time during. the school year, and family membership at Stonebriar is not required. Five choirs. are offered for various ages, ranging from. pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, lower. elementary, upper elementary, and youth.
Whether approaching school age or. nearing high school graduation, learning the Word of God through song will be a valuable lesson for your child—one that truly lasts a lifetime. Detailed information about individual choirs and rehearsal times are available online (keyword: choirs).
With one strike of a key, one beat of a. drum, one bow on a string, music has the. ability to evoke inexplicable connections— connections of the mind, heart, and soul.
Saturday, May 21 at 4 p.m. for their. spring concert, HeartSongs in the Scriptures, the second installment of a three-part series,. based on Colossians 3:16. Last year’s concert. featured hymns, this year’s concert will. Please join the Stonebriar Community. focus on the psalms, and next year’s. Church Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra. concert will highlight spiritual songs.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” —Colossians 3:16 Hosted and narrated by Senior Pastor. Chuck Swindoll, this event will also. feature guest artist David Gaschen in the role of King David, the great psalmist of Israel. Gaschen has played the phantom of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in 1,300 performances on Broadway. This is the longest running and most successful musical in Broadway. history. The concert will begin with the sound of. an authentic shofar, a horn, traditionally. that of a ram, used to call the Jewish people. to worship and to war. Such intricacies are sure to make this program immensely. educational, inspirational, and encouraging.. Admission is free. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. For more information, please visit SCC’s website (keyword: spring concert).
www.stonebriar.org | 7
Mark Twain once said, “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy,. you must have somebody to divide it with.”. Our first Marriage Live! event this past January reminded us of such joy. More than 200 couples attended and enjoyed. encouraging marital advice from Pastor Chuck Swindoll and his wife, Cynthia.. Full of fun and encouragement, Marriage Live! reminded its attendees of the
summer sports camps for boys & girls ages 8–13
Baseball/Softball June 21-25 8:30 a.m.–Noon Football‑Boys Only July 19-23 8:30 a.m.-Noon Basketball August 2-6 8:30 a.m.-Noon
Register Online:
sc-sports.org 8 | connection
importance of spending time together, the reasons they fell in love with each. other, and the joys of choosing to live. according to the covenant of marriage as Scripture outlines. Marriage Live! also showcased ReEngage, a weekly ministry for marriages, including. those in need of refreshment, reignition,. or resurrection. Meeting every Tuesday. from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in B241–242, ReEngage
provides a purposeful and intentional. way to encourage and support marriage.. Registration for couples is not required;. however, registration for childcare is.. For more information, visit the SCC. website (keyword: reengage). Whether through ReEngage or the next Marriage Live!, please join us in our celebration of godly, loving, and. encouraging marriages.
SCC’s hidden gems: library, lounge & wi-fi Stonebriar offers several facilities and. accommodations to meet the needs of our congregation and visitors.
library Our library (Room A119) is located next to the elevators on the first floor, near. the Building C Preschool check-in desk.. Housing a collection of 5,000 items,. including books, CDs, DVDs, Bible study tools, and homeschooling materials, the SCC library is open Sundays. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed 1–4 p.m.),. and Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, please visit our website (keyword: library).
lounge SCC’s lounge is located in the Atrium next to the Parkwood Blvd. entrance beneath the stained-glass window. The lounge. features snack and drink vending. machines, and comfortable seating.
free wireless internet The Stonebriar campus is now equipped with free wireless internet service.. Though we are unable to provide technical. support, those who are tech savvy can now access the internet on their. laptop computers, smart phones, and. other wireless devices inside any of our buildings.
connecting the dots . . . In ancient days, sailors used constellations to “connect the dots”—creating patterns in the stars by which they navigated the seas.. Today, people look for ways to “connect the. dots”—to find ways to navigate through a. church our size to connect with each other.
Tony Cammarota, pastor of connecting. and equipping ministries, is excited about. the opportunities Mosaic presents. “We’ve. seen God change many hearts and bring new believers to the group.
Stonebriar adult fellowships promote both. connection and a growing relationship. with Christ. Mosaic, a group of singles in their twenties who meet each Thursday at. 7 p.m. in the HUB (Room B181), is a good example of connecting through fellowship.. Mosaic aims to reach this generation with a message that challenges and transforms.. Through topics such as the deity of Christ,. the reliability of the Bible, and the problem. of suffering, this fellowship learns how the. truth of the Bible applies to daily life. They connect with our community through. individual and group service opportunities..
We’ve also seen God bring back to Him those who have walked away from Him for a season.” A newer fellowship now offers the same. opportunities to singles in their thirties. and forties. Venture meets at 10:45 a.m. every Sunday in room B202, with a focus. on serving together. Growth has exceeded. expectations, drawing nearly 100 regular. participants within its first few weeks,. fulfilling a need within our congregation. It is evident God is at work in the hearts at Stonebriar. Just like those sailors of old, we can look up and be assured we are going in the right direction. Fellowships are available for all life-stages.. Stop by our Information Center Sunday. or visit our website (keyword: fellowships) to find your connection. .
volunteer spotlight–Nan Grey
serving with a humble heart
Nan Grey found her perfect fit when she began serving in our Resource Room eight years ago. “I’m not an in-front type of person; I’m more behind the scenes. I remembered thinking the Resource Room was right up my alley.” Nan humbly shared, “It doesn’t matter to me how menial or small. the task is; it just matters that I’m helping.” A few years later, Nan began designing and creating backdrops for Vacation Bible School. “She is a. gifted artist—such a benefit to us. Nan’s commitment to serving with us is a commitment to the. Lord,”shared Laura Murday, curriculum & resource assistant coordinator. Nan finds fulfillment in serving in our Resource Room. “It’s a ministry within a ministry,” she says. “While working together, we share prayer requests. It’s a place for fellowship and support. I. belong there . . . I’m never going to be in front speaking to a congregation, but there’s a place for me. The most important thing is there’s a place for everybody.” Visit our website (keyword: projectserve) to find your perfect place to serve.
www.stonebriar.org | 9
SPRING 2011 sundays
tiempo de oración y testimonios
servicio en español
10:30 a.m., MPR
awana 4:30 p.m.
mondays
tuesdays
9 a.m., B203
celebration singers rehearsal 6:30 p.m., choir room
reengage your marriage 6:30 p.m., B241-242
4/1
preteen fun night
4/3, 10, 17
membership class
4/9
hsm nursing home project
4/14
6 p.m., MPR registration ends 3/21
sara groves concert medical missions meeting 7 p.m., B244
5/8
mother’s day
4/15
hsm dogma red-eye
child dedication
7 p.m.
sanctuary choir and orchestra concert
women of grace
7 p.m. through 4/26
4/15–17
women’s spring retreat
hsm critical mass
5/21
4/17 4/22
palm sunday
5/22
ordinance of baptism
good friday
scc offices closed
5/23
june membership class registration deadline
good friday communion service
5/27–28
jhm special olympics service project
4/24
easter services
5/28
hsm special olympics service project
4/29–30
junction 56 mother/daughter retreat
5/30
memorial day
4/29–5/1
hsm spring retreat at pine cove
6/4
celebration singers concert
5/1
children’s choir musical
vbs registration begins
vacation bible school stonebriar communitiy sports baseball/softball camp
5/1, 8, 15
children’s baptism class
6/13–17 6/21–25 6/27–7/1
5/2
summer sports camps registration begins
7/11–15
elementary summer camp
5/6
jhm crash course
7/19–23
stonebriar community sports football camp
5/7
go and be! churchwide service day
8/2–6
stonebriar community sports basketball camp
7 p.m., HUB
wednesdays women’s bible study
9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. through 4/27
divorcecare, dc4kids, dc for youth, griefshare
men’s bible study
thursdays
6:30 p.m., through 4/13 6:30 p.m., worship center through 5/11
wednesday night live 6:30 p.m., through 5/11
jhm fusion 6:30 p.m., HUB
junction 56 6:30 p.m., B156
mosaic for singles in their 20s 7 p.m., HUB
fridays
reach up, reach out
7 a.m., B200-201
mom2mom
9:30 a.m., through 5/6
7 p.m. 7:30, 9, and 10:45 a.m.
6 p.m., worship center
by reservation only
7–11:30 p.m.
4 p.m., worship center
scc offices closed
8:30 a.m.–noon
preteen summer camp
8:30 a.m.–noon
8:30 a.m.–noon
sunday worship 9 & 10:45 a.m. Chuck Swindoll, senior pastor
4801 legendary drive, frisco, texas 75034 • 469.252.5200 • www.stonebriar.org