March 2009


March 2009
PONDER ANEW
Sometimes, you can be so close to something that you don’t really see it. Like your children. How many times have relatives who only see your children a couple of times a year commented on how fast they are growing? You know it, because you keep buying larger shoes, but it’s harder to see how noticeable the growth really is. You’re just too close. Or a skyscraper. I remember standing at the bottom of the Sears Tower in Chicago and staring up to see the top until my neck cramped. The way the clouds were rushing by above it gave me a little vertigo. Not until we were on the observation deck or even a few blocks away in Grant Park could we get a feel for how big that building is. At first, we were just too close. Sometimes, a little distance can help us get perspective that enables us to get at the reality of a moment at home, work or in our faith family. It’s important to see things as they actually are in the moment. And usually, I need help. Why? My perspective is limited, shaped by my own mere experience and thought. Remember the old story of the blind men with the elephant? Each one touched a piece – the trunk, tail, tusks, ears or skin—and then made conjecture about the identity of this very large being. All were mistaken because none had the whole story. Very often, our perspective will simply get stuck in some past moment that we never leave. So, although things have changed, we still think, react and relate as if things are at the same point they were six months or two years ago. But life never stays stagnant. On the other hand, we may get stuck in some future possibility that remains fantasy. In either case, we do not deal with things as they are. What we see has a way of making it into our words and our attitudes. So… what do you see the Lord doing in our faith family right now? How would you describe it to a friend? Do you see the joy in faces? Do you see the people coming to faith? Do you see the new relationships being developed? Do you see our growing multi-ethnicity? Do you see Him remodeling ministries for even greater effectiveness? Do you see new families coming? Do you see fresh leadership emerging? What do you see? Mark 8:22-26 tells a wonderfully odd story of Jesus’ dealings with a blind man. Jesus spits on the guy’s eyes (that’s the odd part), touches his eyes and asks if he sees anything. He sees, but it’s blurry and hard to make out: “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” So, Jesus touches his eyes again—“and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly.” Maybe it would be helpful for us to get a new touch on our eyes, so that we see what Jesus sees in and around us right now. It might take some time alone with Jesus. It might even require healing the eyes of our souls. It might take stepping back and talking with a number of gospel-loving friends, so we get a fuller picture of the whole. But here’s what I do know. When we see what Jesus sees right now, we will rejoice—and be amazed at His consistent goodness, faithfulness, wisdom and love to us. So, open your eyes with me…and look. Looking up, around & ahead with you, Pastor David Join the conversation on my blog at www.ponder/anew.wordpress.com. PS: One of the things I see is how the Lord has blessed us with committed staff members, like Jamie Murphy. It’s been my privilege to serve with Jamie for the past couple of years. I have often benefited from his insights and even his weird sense of humor! (We’re still trying to figure out who we’re going to pick on now!). As a church family, we appreciate Jamie’s investment in our students and our discipleship ministries. I’m excited that he has the opportunity to even more fully use his gifts as a senior pastor. Thanks, Jamie! We’ll pray for you!
VIC BITS (stories of interest from our faith family)
Ruth Stokes has been accepted as a cellist for the 2009-10 school year at the School for Creative & Performing Arts (SCAPA). Abigail Soper has been accepted into the SCAPA dance program (ballet) for the 2009-10 school year. Larry Brown has begun a new job in the manager training program with Kroger. Christel Hatcher and Ryan Peach, along with over 100 students from Lexington Christian Academy, have returned from a mission trip to Costa Rica. Bryan Watts, Jr. was inducted into the Tates Creek High School Beta Club (built on academics, leadership and service). Joe Ragland leads the Squires Elementary Singers, which has grown to over 100 voices, grades 2-5.
JUST FOR WOMEN	YOUNG AT HEART (ages 50+)
Scrapbooking/Craft Night Join us Thursday, March 19, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, in rooms 7 & 9. Please bring your own supplies. Contact Paula Head (523-4101) for more information.	Covered Dish Dinner Join us March 12, at 6:00 pm, for a dinner and program. Please bring a covered dish and a guest. The Stokes family will present our program.
SPRING FORWARD	WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Daylight Saving Time begins at midnight, Saturday, March 7, so don't forget to move clocks forward one hour before you go to sleep.Save the date for "Secret Soul Sisters", Sunday, March 22. Watch for details!	Rachel Stokes, baptism Holly Kramer, baptism Grant Kramer, baptism Bob & Ruth Bywater, statement of faith Clarinda Sheffler, letter of transfer
YOUTH ACTIVITIES	PRESCHOOL FOOTPRINTS
DiscipleNow, March 20-22 Registration has begun! Forms are located outside of Jamie's office. Are you able to help with DiscipleNow? We need at least 12 people who would be willing to fix a meal (breakfast or lunch) for a small group of students (10-15) on the Saturday, March 21. Sign up in the foyer to help. Someone will contact you the week before with details on where to deliver the meal. We need drivers for DiscipleNow. The youth will be doing community service projects, in small groups of 4-6, on Saturday, March 21. We need youth parents to drive and help, from about 1:00 - 4:30 pm. Please sign up and Philip Jones will contact you. Centri/Missionfuge, June 22-27 If you are interested in attending camp and have not yet registered, please contact Harold Young (859-523-1040).	Moms Together Playgroup MTP is open to all preschool moms and there is no cost to attend. Bring a friend and join us during our next meetings; March 4 and 18, 9:30 - 11:30 am. Contact Stacy Jones (245-8571) or Betsy London (272-0418) for more information. Preschool Parents' Night Out This babysitting exchange is a great way to serve one another and have some time personal time while knowing that your preschooler is in a loving and safe environment. It is open to all Victory preschool parents and there is no cost to participate. For more information, to learn the open dates to be on the schedule, contact Christina Cohen (230-2863).
WORSHIP MINISTRIES	IN APPRECIATION
Worship Choir If you have a heart for worship and are at least 14 years of age, we have a spot for you! Rehearsal is Wednesdays, 7:40 pm in the worship center. Contact Tim, or visit us on Wednesday. Child care for children, infant - pre-k, is available by request. Easter Handbells Rehearsal begins, Sunday, March 1 at 4:00 pm, in the worship center. Ability to read music helpful, but not necessary. Contact Tim if interested.	Dear church family: My family and I have been overwhelmed at your many kind words and acts of love since I've announced my resignation. Your encouragement and prayers have meant a great deal to us. We love each of you and we will miss you all. This is a special church and we feel honored to have been part of it. Jamie Murphy
BRIDGEBUILDER INFORMATION LUNCHEON	GLOCAL MISSIONS
On Sunday, March 8, immediately following the morning worship, the Bridgebuiler Ministry will meet for a fellowship meal, prayer and information upstairs in the multi-purpose room. Bridgebuilder Ministry helps make our initial contacts with guests. Current team members and anyone interested in joining this ministry are encouraged to attend. Contact Christina Cohen for more information.	Matt Reynolds, our missionary partner to India, will be with us Sunday, March 15. All adult and youth Life Groups are encouraged to meet with Matt in the worship center during Life Group hour for an open time of discussion. Matt will also meet with children, grades K-5, during our worship time.
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March 2009

PONDER ANEW

Sometimes, you can be so close to something that you don’t really see it. Like your children. How many times have relatives who only see your children a couple of times a year commented on how fast they are growing? You know it, because you keep buying larger shoes, but it’s harder to see how noticeable the growth really is. You’re just too close.

Or a skyscraper. I remember standing at the bottom of the Sears Tower in Chicago and staring up to see the top until my neck cramped. The way the clouds were rushing by above it gave me a little vertigo. Not until we were on the observation deck or even a few blocks away in Grant Park could we get a feel for how big that building is. At first, we were just too close.

Sometimes, a little distance can help us get perspective that enables us to get at the reality of a moment at home, work or in our faith family. It’s important to see things as they actually are in the moment. And usually, I need help.

Why? My perspective is limited, shaped by my own mere experience and thought. Remember the old story of the blind men with the elephant? Each one touched a piece – the trunk, tail, tusks, ears or skin—and then made conjecture about the identity of this very large being. All were mistaken because none had the whole story.

Very often, our perspective will simply get stuck in some past moment that we never leave. So, although things have changed, we still think, react and relate as if things are at the same point they were six months or two years ago. But life never stays stagnant. On the other hand, we may get stuck in some future possibility that remains fantasy. In either case, we do not deal with things as they are.

What we see has a way of making it into our words and our attitudes. So… what do you see the Lord doing in our faith family right now? How would you describe it to a friend? Do you see the joy in faces? Do you see the people coming to faith? Do you see the new relationships being developed? Do you see our growing multi-ethnicity? Do you see Him remodeling ministries for even greater effectiveness? Do you see new families coming? Do you see fresh leadership emerging? What do you see?

Mark 8:22-26 tells a wonderfully odd story of Jesus’ dealings with a blind man. Jesus spits on the guy’s eyes (that’s the odd part), touches his eyes and asks if he sees anything. He sees, but it’s blurry and hard to make out: “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” So, Jesus touches his eyes again—“and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly.”

Maybe it would be helpful for us to get a new touch on our eyes, so that we see what Jesus sees in and around us right now. It might take some time alone with Jesus. It might even require healing the eyes of our souls. It might take stepping back and talking with a number of gospel-loving friends, so we get a fuller picture of the whole.

But here’s what I do know. When we see what Jesus sees right now, we will rejoice—and be amazed at His consistent goodness, faithfulness, wisdom and love to us. So, open your eyes with me…and look.

Looking up, around & ahead with you, Pastor David
Join the conversation on my blog at www.ponder/anew.wordpress.com.

PS: One of the things I see is how the Lord has blessed us with committed staff members, like Jamie Murphy. It’s been my privilege to serve with Jamie for the past couple of years. I have often benefited from his insights and even his weird sense of humor! (We’re still trying to figure out who we’re going to pick on now!). As a church family, we appreciate Jamie’s investment in our students and our discipleship ministries. I’m excited that he has the opportunity to even more fully use his gifts as a senior pastor. Thanks, Jamie! We’ll pray for you!

VIC BITS (stories of interest from our faith family)

Ruth Stokes has been accepted as a cellist for the 2009-10 school year at the School for Creative & Performing Arts (SCAPA).

Abigail Soper has been accepted into the SCAPA dance program (ballet) for the 2009-10 school year.

Larry Brown has begun a new job in the manager training program with Kroger.

Christel Hatcher and Ryan Peach, along with over 100 students from Lexington Christian Academy, have returned from a mission trip to Costa Rica.

Bryan Watts, Jr. was inducted into the Tates Creek High School Beta Club (built on academics, leadership and service).

Joe Ragland leads the Squires Elementary Singers, which has grown to over 100 voices, grades 2-5.

JUST FOR WOMEN

YOUNG AT HEART (ages 50+)

Scrapbooking/Craft Night
Join us Thursday, March 19, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, in rooms 7 & 9. Please bring your own supplies. Contact Paula Head (523-4101) for more information.

Covered Dish Dinner
Join us March 12, at 6:00 pm, for a dinner and program. Please bring a covered dish and a guest. The Stokes family will present our program.

SPRING FORWARD

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Daylight Saving Time begins at midnight, Saturday, March 7, so don't forget to move clocks forward one hour before you go to sleep.Save the date for "Secret Soul Sisters", Sunday, March 22. Watch for details!

Rachel Stokes, baptism
Holly Kramer, baptism
Grant Kramer, baptism
Bob & Ruth Bywater, statement of faith
Clarinda Sheffler, letter of transfer

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

PRESCHOOL FOOTPRINTS

DiscipleNow, March 20-22
Registration has begun! Forms are located outside of Jamie's office.
Are you able to help with DiscipleNow?
We need at least 12 people who would be willing to fix a meal (breakfast or lunch) for a small group of students (10-15) on the Saturday, March 21. Sign up in the foyer to help. Someone will contact you the week before with details on where to deliver the meal.
We need drivers for DiscipleNow.
The youth will be doing community service projects, in small groups of 4-6, on Saturday, March 21. We need youth parents to drive and help, from about 1:00 - 4:30 pm. Please sign up and Philip Jones will contact you.

Centri/Missionfuge, June 22-27
If you are interested in attending camp and have not yet registered, please contact Harold Young (859-523-1040).

Moms Together Playgroup
MTP is open to all preschool moms and there is no cost to attend. Bring a friend and join us during our next meetings; March 4 and 18, 9:30 - 11:30 am. Contact Stacy Jones (245-8571) or Betsy London (272-0418) for more information.

Preschool Parents' Night Out
This babysitting exchange is a great way to serve one another and have some time personal time while knowing that your preschooler is in a loving and safe environment. It is open to all Victory preschool parents and there is no cost to participate. For more information, to learn the open dates to be on the schedule, contact Christina Cohen (230-2863).

WORSHIP MINISTRIES

IN APPRECIATION

Worship Choir
If you have a heart for worship and are at least 14 years of age, we have a spot for you! Rehearsal is Wednesdays, 7:40 pm in the worship center. Contact Tim, or visit us on Wednesday. Child care for children, infant - pre-k, is available by request.

Easter Handbells
Rehearsal begins, Sunday, March 1 at 4:00 pm, in the worship center. Ability to read music helpful, but not necessary. Contact Tim if interested.

Dear church family:
My family and I have been overwhelmed at your many kind words and acts of love since I've announced my resignation. Your encouragement and prayers have meant a great deal to us. We love each of you and we will miss you all. This is a special church and we feel honored to have been part of it.
Jamie Murphy

BRIDGEBUILDER INFORMATION LUNCHEON

GLOCAL MISSIONS

On Sunday, March 8, immediately following the morning worship, the Bridgebuiler Ministry will meet for a fellowship meal, prayer and information upstairs in the multi-purpose room. Bridgebuilder Ministry helps make our initial contacts with guests. Current team members and anyone interested in joining this ministry are encouraged to attend. Contact Christina Cohen for more information.

Matt Reynolds, our missionary partner to India, will be with us Sunday, March 15. All adult and youth Life Groups are encouraged to meet with Matt in the worship center during Life Group hour for an open time of discussion. Matt will also meet with children, grades K-5, during our worship time.