The next seven days brings us two opportunities to glorify the gospel as a class,

The gospel is glorified when God’s people treasure lost souls and express the love of Christ in tangible ways. So, this Tuesday evening, from 5-7pm, we will be visiting members of our community to distribute fliers for Ninth and O’s Health Fair, to be held on October 13th.

The gospel is glorified when God’s people enjoy the gift of food and the grace of fellowship. So, next Sunday, Oct 14, we will be enjoying one another as the people of God over a Sunday meal on the church grounds.

Neither of these two events would take place if the gospel were not true. But the gospel is true and we are privileged to gather for these all important expressions of our faith.

Stop back for more details.

Trent

Class,

Here’s an update on Nathan McClean (right) from his homepage at caringbridge,

Stem Cell Transplant 1 is underway, and we are so glad to be here. We have had most of day 1, today’s medicine. Little man is very full of life, shouting the He-Man mantra, I Have the Power!!! (He-Man is a 1980’s cartoon we bought on DVD at Wal-mart last week). He is Amanda’s son.

There are children in this world whom God loves very much, and whom their parents love very much, that would have no chance if a medical situation like this hit their family. There are families with small children in this world that hardly have enough food, much less the resources to fight something like what Nathan has. I don’t know the answer, but we need to remember the poor people in this world.

We had our first family video conference today: Nana (Lucille), Jordan, and Greta at home, and us up here at the hospital. We would like to thank Dr. Steve Wellum and his Adult Bible Fellowship class at Ninth and O Baptist Church here in Louisville for donating all the equipment to us to do this. This webcam capability is totally going to carry Nathan through the tough times of the coming weeks. We are very indebted to Dr. Wellum’s Sunday School class for this. Thank you very much.

Nathan is on a really tight regime for a few days. He must Tee-tee every two hours around the clock for 4 days. He has to take a clear-water bath every four hours around the clock. He is on a low-bacteria diet, and he is already on many medicines. Anyone entering his room has a special hand-washing procedure, and supposedly (you wouldn’t know it today) visitors/medical personnel to his room are limited. We are so happy to be here.

It doesn’t sound like it as I write this but I assure you, if the path to life dips down briefly into the abyss, you take it gladly. We love our son. Jesus said, “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” The path to life is never easy, but you would take it, too. Reach the Day.

Go here for more photos of Nathan with his family.

Update on Nathan:
Nathan McClean, precious three year old boy from our church, is scheduled to go into Kosair children’s hospital, on Wednesday, September 26th for a stem cell transplant. This is a significant step in his treatment for his cancer - neuroblastoma. He will have to remain in an isolation room for 5-6 weeks. In order to accept the transplant and to wipe out his immune system he will be on very strong drugs. He will be extremely vulnerable to infections. One parent will be allowed to be with him at a time. He will not be able to see his brother or sister, or anyone else for this period of time.

Our Ministry to Nathan:
So, we are going to plunder the Egyptians and exploit modern technology for the happiness of our young friend. We are getting a web-cam for Nathan. In fact, it’s already gotten. Robert Patterson ordered one for Nathan’s laptop and one for their home computer and they are delivered. Early this week we will be confirming their functionality. He got a great price on two that total about $90 and will be setting them up for Nathan.

Your Families Part:
We need about ten couples to contribute $10 to this project. If you and your spouse are willing, please reply to this email and bring a check made out to “Trent Hunter” on Sunday or stick it in the mail to 1603 Canary Place #4, Louisville, KY 40222. If you can contribute more, please indicate this, in case the cost is carried by fewer than ten.

Most importantly, pray with your spouse for Nathan and for his family. None of us are able to understand or to comprehend the struggle and the pain that this family is experiencing, but our Lord does. Pray for the peace and rest than Christ alone can provide.

Against her will, Emma Grace was born September 4, 2007 at 7:18pm. Congratulations to Travis and Megan Abraham! Here’s an update from Travis,

I’ve been blown away by this entire birth process. I didn’t sob as
Emma was born, but I did have tears in my eyes, partially because of
the pain I had to witness Megan go through, but also because, when
they clamped Emma’s umbilical cord, she immediately took her first
breath and cried, and it shot straight to my heart.

We are so thankful for those of you who have already stopped by, and
for those of you who are planning on it! Your words have been so
gracious, your gifts perfect, and your prayers sufficient for our
needs. Thank you so much for everything.

We can’t wait to introduce her to you at church soon. She has
piercing eyes, a good strong grip, and when that lower lip quiver gets
started, you know there’s an adorable cry about to burst forth!

Just so you know, we very much welcome visitors! Just give us a call
to let us know you’re coming.

Travis, Megan, and Emma Grace

Stop by the Abraham’s family blog for pictures and updates.

Congratulations to Nick and Jennifer on the safe arrival of Kate! Here is an update from Nick on behalf of all three Miersma’s! (Click on the photos to make ‘em big!)

Hey everyone,

Kate Elizabeth is doing great now! As you know already, she was born 9lbs, 2oz, 20.5in long. We went in at 7am on monday morning and immediately Jenn began the induction process. Our beautiful Kate came into this world at 9:23pm that same evening. Jennifer did so well!!! Our family and all the nursing staff see a lot of daddy in her, but I think she has Jenn’s nose and eyes. She’s been a good baby (got a lot of experience to compare it to ya know) and we have Jenn’s mom and my sis here to help. We came home Wednesday afternoon and are adjusting nicely to everything. I already see it’s going to be hard to leave her and mom home while I go to work.

We see God’s hand at work throughout the process - grace for such a healthy baby, grace for such a good labor and delivery, grace for all the help from family and friends, grace for the patience and joy needed while Kate is screaming with everything she’s got…even as I write this!! There are so many things to get used to and many more that we did not have to experience. The Lord continues to guide us and show us his mercy in all the ways that the labor, delivery, and health of the baby could have been so much more difficult. Even the timing of her arrival has reminded us of His sovereignty. We love growing in our faith that His wisdom and goodness are ours in Christ and only pray that Kate will one day be given the same grace to believe and treasure Christ! May we all praise God for his grace to this baby as she will be raised to know the Lord and worship his sovereign purposes to his glory! “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-6

In Christ,

Nick and Jenn

In Matthew 28 Jesus gave his disciples a truly great commission. When fulfilled, the church’s mission to take the gospel to the nations will culminate as “thousands and thousands” gather to worship the Lamb and God’s purpose for his image bearing creatures is realized. As believers who live between the times, we are privileged preachers of a gospel that brings sinners into this community.

This past Sunday we shared with you of an important ministry role for someone to take on for the ‘07-08 year. Here is a more careful description of the purpose and nature of this role for anyone who is interested.

A brief description of the Evangelism Coordinator role:

The evangelism coordinator will lead our class in witnessing to the glory of Jesus Christ among the lost of Louisville. To this end, this individual(s) will utilize the small group structure of our class for the coordination of seasonal class wide evangelism projects and involvement in Ninth and O’s “New Homes” ministry.

A flexible description of how we envision this to look:

1) Class Wide Evangelism Projects. We envision that these projects will be planned and led by our small groups on rotation each season (summer, fall, winter, spring) and will attempt to support and enhance the ministry of a particular member from within the designated group (ie. cookies to all the Verizon stores in town, assisting McHardy in his ministry to soldiers, “reaching by raking,” etc.). The evangelism coordinator is the point person for these projects, serving and supporting small groups as they lead our class.

2) New Homes Ministry: Each week we envision a different small group being responsible for visiting 3-6 “new homes” within a 3-5 mile radius of Ninth and O each week, welcoming them to Louisville and leaving a gift from our church. With this scenario, each couple in our class will visit 1 and at most 2 homes per month. The evangelism coordinator will coordinate the small group rotation, equip our class for success on these visits and make sure that we are stocked with “gifts” provided by the church.

Please email me with questions about the role or to express your interest.

Looking forward to magnifying the worth of Christ with you!

-Trent

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” - 2 Timothy 3:14,15

These were Paul’s words to Timothy and, by extension, to each of us today. But while believers today may take any exhortation to know the Scriptures to include the Old and New Testaments, in this context Paul could have meant no other collection of writings but that of the Old Testament. According to Paul, from Genesis to Chronicles, the Old Testament Scriptures are able to make us “wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.”

This morning Dr. Wellum introduced our next book of study; The Book of Minor Prophets. In light of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, just how do these twelve books point us to Christ? That’s the question we will be asking from now until the end of September as we study a book a week through the collection of books known as The Minor Prophets.

Each week, on this front page, we will remind you of the current book of study so that you can read with your spouse in preparation for next weeks class.

July 15 - Hosea
July 22 - Joel
July 29 - Amos
Aug 5 - Obadiah
Aug 12 - Jonah
Aug 19 - Micah
Aug 26 - Nahum
Sept 2 - Habakkuk
Sept 9 - Zephaniah
Sept 16 - Haggai
Sept 23 - Zechariah
Sept 30 - Malachi

So, this week, lets read Hosea in preparation for this Sunday’s lesson from that book.

Looking forward to a greater enjoyment of Jesus Christ through this study of The Book of Minor Prophets.

-Trent

That’s right friends, our summer shin-dig is upon us and John Mark is firing up his new grill. At present we are expecting about 15-20 and might have a surprise visit by the Wellum family. If you are planning to attend but haven’t signed up, contact John Mark or Karen (see class email) or just show up with your beautiful face.

Location:
John Mark & Karen’s Place (near Southeast Christian Church/off Blankenbaker)
504 Cherry Point Drive
Louisville, KY 40243

Time:
The BBQ begins at 12:00 and will end when the last people want to leave.

Strict Dress Code:
Very casual, show up when you want. We are planning for the events to take place outside. The pool will be open….games (uno, scrabble, bible trivia, boccie ball (spelling?)..etc… will be played…and meat will be grilled.

What you’re brinin’:

Hot Dog Buns
1. Miersmas (if they haven’t had the baby)
2. Abrahams

Hamburger Buns
1. Miersmas (if no baby)
2. Abrahams

Ice
1. Ostranders
2.

Drinks
1. Willems
2. Ostranders

Side Dish
1. Borns

Dessert
1. Anizors (chocolate grahams)
2. Mathis
3. Hunter

Paper Plates
1. Abrahams

Paper Napkins
1. Willems

Plastic Cups
1. Dilley’s (if stephanie can come)

Uno
1. Bishops
2. Borns

If anyone wanted to bring an additional side dish that would be great too. It looks like we only have one “taker” for the side dish, and we aren’t sure if the Born’s will make in light of their recent loss.

Today, on the Giddens’ family blog, you will notice a little Baby widget that reads, “26 days to go.” Well, as many of you know, Nathan set his own date. Nathan was born to Tory and Kedra this past Friday weighing in at 7lb and 14oz and 20.5 in tall - or long - whatever a baby is.
Enjoy these Christ exalting words from a recent post at their blog,

When Kedra was 28 weeks pregnant with Nathan, we sat together in the living room admittedly afraid of the implications of his premature arrival. We read through Isaiah 40 and asked the Lord to sustain this pregnancy until Nathan was healthy enough to survive outside of the womb without having to spend a single night in NICU. Seven weeks later, we welcomed into the world a 7 lb 14 oz blessing. We are in debt to those of you who have prayed with us, and are happy to share this incredible blessing with you.

More so, we are reminded through Nathan’s birth of the one whose blood and righteousness recreates the heart. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (1 Cor 5:17). Indeed, the birth of a baby screams the mercy of God to the sinner. Thanks again for your prayers.

Click on the photo above for a slide show of the events of the last few days.

It is our hope for this class site to provide a window into the great work that God is accomplishing in the lives of so many families. Some of God’s great works are through trials and others through blessings. As we consider the joys and the pains of each other’s lives, we will have the opportunity to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Here’s an encouraging update from Carey Willem on the recent blessing of baby Jack, born on June 9th,

Jack is great. He really is a good baby. Basically he wakes up to eat and have his diaper changed. He pretty much sleeps the rest of the time. Karis loves being a big sister. She always wants to know what he’s doing and is trying to hold him. The adjustment to becoming a family of 4 hasn’t been that difficult yet. When Danny’s not here to help me I might change my story. I don’t think we can say enough how much we appreciate everyone bringing us meals last week. It was so nice not to have to think about what we were going to eat. In a few more weeks we should be back around.

Stop by the Willem’s blog to learn more about Jack.