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www.facebook.com/tatescreekcc

www.tatescreek.org office@tatescreek.org859-266-1621 3150 Taters Creek Road. Lexington, KY 40502

We are so blessed to have you with us at Tates Creek Christian Church. Whether you are a parent, student, guest, or long time member it is our hope that this packet will help guide you in ways to connect to our family of believers.

Throughout this issue you can learn about the ministry of TCCC, special events, and detailed plans for teaching and growing for Spring 2013 in all youth and children’s areas.

Again, we are grateful that you have been led to Tates Creek and we can’t wait to see how God connects to you through His one and only son, Jesus!

Welcome to TATES CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Contents WE EXIST TO...1. Win people to Christ

2. Build up believers in faith, knowledge, and service

3. Help those in need

4. Stand up for Christian values in the community

WE ARE AN...Independent non-denominational church with a unique community of believers representing several generations. We are a progressive conservative church. We are progressive in that we try new methods of sharing the message of God’s word, yet we are conservative in that we hold fast to the teachings of God’s Word. When you worship with us, you will find a family of God’s people saved by His precious grace and empowered through the Holy Spirit.

WORSHIP SERVICESTraditional at 8:40 AMWorship Center

Blended at 11:10 AMWorship Center

Contemporary at 11:10 AMMulti-Ministry Center

SUNDAY SCHOOLAll ages at 10:00 AM

Page 2: About TCCC

Page 3: Planting Seeds

Page 4: TCCC Location & Maps

Page 5: Our team

Page 6, 7: Critterland - Nursery & preschool

Page 8, 9: Elementary School

Page 10, 11: Middle School

Page 12, 13: High School

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shal-low. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they with-ered because they had no root.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:3-8 NIV)

If you drive out through the countryside of Lexington in the early Spring, you most likely will see farmers out plowing their fields and preparing the soil for the annual planting of crops. This is an essential step in the process of growing crops because if the soil is not cultivated, the seeds will not grow and produce a crop. Equally important is the timing in which a farmer plants the seeds. Proper timing for planting insures that the crops will get optimal nourishment, sunlight, and hydration.

We feel like this can teach us some very important lessons about our students here at Tates Creek all the way from birth to high school and college age. These students are the soil that we as ministers, as parents, as grand parents, and as youth leaders are responsible for planting seeds in.

Think about it. We need to cultivate the soil. We need to prepare the hearts and minds of these young people so that the seed planted in them will GROW! If we just plant a seed in soil that is not prepared, and then we don’t tend to it after it is planted, that seed will not produce fruit.

We want our students to be fruitful. We want them to GROW in their own faith and ultimately we want them to be fruitful by planting seeds in others.We as a student ministry staff are taking time to figure out what that looks like in our student ministry here at Tates Creek. We realize that cultivating the hearts and minds of these young people is paramount in equipping them to GROW. We also realize that timing is of utmost importance. We need to plant these seeds and cultivate this soil before its too late! Lets do the work together!

PlantingSEEDS

WHERE ARE WE AT?Exit 19 on New Circle for Tates Creek Rd. Drive .08 miles. Church is on the right

Nursery and PreK - 2nd Floor

Elementary - 1st Floor

Middle School - 1st Floor

High School - 3rd Floor

College - 3rd Floor

KIDS & YOUTH AREAS

MEET THE TEAM!

Mike Allen - Sr. High & Contemporary Worship MinisterWife: LaurenChildren: Peyton, Nolan, and Cameron Favorite Sports Teams: Indiana Hoosiers, Cincinnati Bengals,Cincinnati RedsHobbies: Hanging with my family, running, biking, camping, hunting, playing guitar, singing, being outside!Interesting Fact: I like all music, but have a real special placein my heart for some old school, twangy COUNTRY!Mike Says: It has been awesome to see what God has done inthe High School ministry over this past month or so and I can’t wait to see what he has in store for the future!

Brad Haggard - Middle School MinisterWife: AlejandraChildren:SofiaandEvyFavorite Sports Teams: Kentucky Wildcats Hobbies: Playing with his girls and playing video games Interesting Fact: Brad a scar from a surgery when he was 3 weeks old Brad Says: Youth ministry is a passion for me, and I love showing Jesus to students and watching them catch the hope and love we have in Him. My prayer is that our students will become disciples for Jesus and share His love with the lost and hopeless that they meet everyday.

Matt Lee - Children’s MinisterWife: TerahChildren: Colten, Onah, Marie, and IsabellaFavorite Sports Teams:Indianapolis Colts, Kentucky Wildcats, and Cincinnati RedsHobbies: Dates with my wife, wrestling my kids, riding horses, spending time outside. Interesting Fact: Matt and Terah were voted Best Matched Couple of their Senior Class in High School. Matt Says: I love watching God connect to His children through a relationship with Christ, and am passionate about giving every child new ways to show God’s love to their neighbors.

Lesley Tipton - Preschool Director Husband: LucasChildren: CaitlanFavorite Sports Teams: Oklahoma Sooners and Kentucky WildcatsHobbies: Spending time with friends and family, reading, playing Words with friendsInteresting Fact: Once scuba dived to 140 feet in a Texas lake andflewonherfirstairplaneat6weeksold.Lesley Says: The preschool department is a very special place for me, as I watch the younger children start to ‘get it’ when it comes to God and Jesus, and I love being one of the people to teach them.

CRITTERLAND - Nursery & PreschoolCritterland is the Preschool Ministry here at Tates Creek Christian Church. We serve families with children from birth to preschool. Our goal is for the children to learn these truths during our worship time, called ‘Jesus in the Park’:

God made me.God loves me.Jesus wants to be my friend forever. The Bible is God’s word.God’s word is true.

Each week the teaching leaders and their team of volunteers help to convey these truths through fun and exciting worship, skits, storytelling, and related games.

We welcome parents to come visit with their children during 1st and 2nd worshiphourstofindoutwhatweareallabout!

WEEKLY PROGRAMMINGSunday Mornings:

Jesus in the Park (18 months to 5 Year Olds) 8:40 A.M. & 11:10 A.M.

Sunday School (18 months to 5 Year Olds) 10:00 A.M.

Nursery (Birth to 17 months) - All Services

Wednesday Nights (Sept. to May):

Preschool Choir (3 to 5 Year Olds) at 6:45 P.M. Childcare (Birth to 2 Year Olds)at 6:45 P.M.

MOPS PROGRAMMOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 9:00 – 11:15 AM.For more information:Website: www.tatescreekmops.org or Contact: Michelle Boneta – mopstccc@gmail.com

CONTACT INFOLesley Tipton – Preschool DirectorPhone – 859-967-3909Email – Lesley@TatesCreek.org

LESSONS/TOPICS – JANUARY TO MAYJanuary – I can talk to Jesus. Week 1 - I can ask for help. Week 2 - I can say thank you. Week 3 - I can say I love you. Week 4 - I can praise Jesus.

February – Jesus loves me. Week 1 - God cares about me. Week 2 - God loves me no matter what. Week 3 - Jesus wants me to love others. Week 4 - Jesus loves me when I do something wrong.

March – Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Week 1 - Jesus will help us. Week 2 - Jesus can help my friends. Week 3 - Jesus can help anyone. Week 4 - Jesus came to be our friend. Week 5- Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

April – Jesus wants me to tell others about him. Week 1 - Jesus wants to be everyone’s friend. Week 2 - God helps me tell others about Jesus. Week 3 - Jesus helps me see the truth. Week 4 - I can tell others about Jesus even when it’s hard.

May – I can help others. Week 1 - We can help each other. Week 2 - Do what you can to help. Week 3 - You can lead others to help. Week 4 - You can help even when it’s hard

I LOVE SUPERSTART! Superstart is a special event for Preteens. The team of SuperStart always does an amazing job of taking important Bible truths and putting them with incredibly creative ideas aimed perfectly at a preteen student. This year at SuperStart was no different. We had a great group of 19 students and 7 adults that left on Friday, November 9th for New Albany, IN. The main theme was a detective team that had a huge mystery to solve. The main Biblical focus was built around the word LOVE and that God is love. Throughout the weekend the SuperStart team challenged the kids and adults to firstknowGod’slove(throughJesus)then share God’s love with others. They also took an opportunity to introduce the group of more than 1500 preteens to two girls in Kansas that were already putting these lessons into action. The girls had created a minis-tryofstuffingteddybearsatBuildABear Workshop then delivering the new bearsincustomoutfitstoachildinthehospital! What an awesome thing for the kids and adults to witness… young students knowing God’s love and then sharing that same love with others. I always leave SuperStart excited about the time of worship and fellowship, and always ready to return the next year with another group of energetic preteens. The best part of the main story is that throughout the fall we had a few opportunities to encourage the people around us as well with the love of Jesus. I loved watching the children pack Christmas bags for homeless men, stack cookies on plates for nearly 40 people in the nursing home, and then witness our church body collect food for food baskets. Tates Creek Christian Church is sharing Jesus love with those around them. What will happen in 2013?

ELEMENTARYMAIN ACTIVITIES COMING UP: January 25 - Family Movie Night in MMC February 17 - President’s Day Garage 45 Lock-in February 22 - Family Movie Night in MMCFebruary 23 - THE FIRST PARENT’S NIGHT OUT - 5-9 PM- More Details IncludedMarch 22 - Family Movie Night in MMC March 30 - Easter Egg Hunt at Lansdowne-Merrick Park- 1 PM May 11 - Parent’s Night Out - 5-9 PM May 17-18- Garage 45- 5th Grade Trip

* Family Movie Night Defined - Bring a blanket or lawn chair to watch a movie together in the gym with others from our community. The events are free, but TCCC families are encouraged to help serve if they are planning to attend. These events are for us to fellowship together with our families in simple ways while also building relationships with our neighbors.

* Parents Night Out Defined- PNO is a 4 time of fellowship for the kids at the church while their parents are free to do whatever they want. The cost per child is $2 (for pizza) and ALL fami-lies that participate WILL ALSO be put on the rotation to serve at future PNO’s. These events have been great for the kids and parents to fellowship together! Join the team today!

TRUTH TRAVELERS:

Truth Travelers is a mission focused group of children that meet every Oasis night to learn more about God’s love and then commit to putting that love into action for our neighbors! This Spring we are going to attempt to do a couple things that will be very exciting!

January- Personal Encouragements February and March - Tour of Africa April and May - School and Local Missions

Along with missions we are going to put the kids to a challenge to bring many characters from the Bible to Life to share with those who walk through the Easter Wax Museum. Come to Truth Travelers on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:45 to learn more and join the team!

MAIN TEACHING January - THE AMAZING RACE Main Theme - Determination - Deciding it’s worth it to finish what you’ve started. Week 1: Noah Builds An ArkWeek 2: Moses at the Burning BushWeek 3: Stand By NaomiWeek 4: A Principle of Work

February - GET MESSY Main Theme - Peace - Proving you care about others by walking away from a fight Week 1: Isaac’s Wells Week 2: Jacob and Esau Meet Again Week 3: Abigail IntervenesWeek 4: Peace Rule in Our Hearts

March - MOMENT OF TRUTH Main Theme - Honesty - Choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do. Week 1: Joseph’s brothers lie Week 2: Naaman and Gehazi Week 3: Jesus and Zacchaeus Week 4: Judas Betrays Jesus Week 5: EASTER SUNDAY

April - STUCK LIKE GLUE Main Theme - Friendship - Spending time with someone you trust and enjoy Week 1: Paul writes to Rome Week 2- Paul writes to ThessalonicaWeek 3- Paul teaches us to serve Week 4- Friends worship together

MAY - PLAY IT COOL Main Theme - Patience - Waiting until later for what you want now. Week 1- Esau’s Birthright Week 2- The Golden Calf Week 3- Hannah Prays for a Baby Week 4- Proverbs Principle

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Blue Grass Christian DAY CAMP - Ages 5-8 years - June 10-14 7/11 Camp for TCCC- Ages 7-11 years- July 21-26 IMPACT FAMIILY (VBS) - July 29 - August 2nd - 6:30-8:30 PM

Teaching:January: Renew - We will take a month to work on renewing the soil of our lives to let the Gospel take root and grow.

6: Devotions13: Confession/Accountability20: Service27: Renew Together

February: My Messenger - Malachi was God’s messenger proclaiming hope and restoration, a message we need to hear today.

3: Malachi 110: Malachi 217: Malachi 324: Malachi 4

March: God’s Story- Leading up to Easter we will look at the story told throughout the Bible at large about God’s creation and redemption.

3: Creation10: Fall17: Re-Work24: Enter Jesus31: Easter

April: Jonah: Ministry without borders - Jonah ran away from crossing cultural barriers to preach the Gospel, but when God called him again amazing things happened that can happen today:

7: Chapter 114: Chapter 221: Chapter 328: Chapter 4

May: Friends are Friends Forever - As we look to the end of the school year we will see how tofindandformfriendshipsthatlast.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

EVENTS:Snow Day: January 21Believe: February 22-23Bluegrass Roadshow: March 10Easter Mission: March 23Merge worship: April 178th Grade Dinner: May 14

If the hearts and minds of our students are the soil that God uses to plant His plans and purposes, then one of the most important things we can do in middle school is to expose students to those seeds that will grow into minis-try. The International Conference on Missions was the place for that this fall. We were able to rub elbows with missionaries from around the world, even spending about two hours at lunch with two missionaries explaining how they responded to God’s call on their lives. Perhaps the highlight of the trip was getting to worship and take communion with thousands of students there for the conference. There is nothing better than to see how students begin to hear God’s call on their lives for ministry and start to respond. That is faith in motion!

GAME NIGHT: MAY 31STMiddle School Highlight

HIGH SCHOOLTeaching Schedule - January to MayJanuary 6th to 23rd - Dear Galatians Series DescriptionWe all like to receive letters. These days they come primarily in an e-mail but in Biblical times, letters were handwritten. The apostle Paul wrote a lot of letters, many of which are included in the Bible. His letters were intended to help the early church sort out what it meant to really follow Jesus. But the Galatians may not have been too excited to get Paul's letter because Paul was mad. The Galatian church was a mess. People were saying that what Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough. They were looking around and determining who was in with God, and who was out. So Paul set out to bring some clarity to the situation in the passionate, sound way that only He could. And while this may seem like a great look back in history, we probably have more in common with the Galatians than we would care to admit.

February 17th to March 6th - Upper Hand Series DescriptionWe all deal with authority. Whether it’s our students dealing with parents, teachers and coaches or us as adults in our work relationships, marriages and finances—authority is everywhere. As teenagers, most of us believe that if we can just grow up and get out—out of high school and out of our parent’s house—we will be free from authority. But the truth is, authority is always an issue. No matter how grown up we are we never out grow authority. When we look at what the Bible has to say about it, we realize that authority isn’t a bad thing. If we can learn how to respond to authority now—both the good and the bad—we will reap the benefits for the rest of our lives.

March 10th to 27th - Illuminate Series DescriptionWe’ve read the story year after year. We know that Jesus was crucified, placed in a tomb and resurrected on the third day. And this is important! But when we take a look at the bigger picture of Scripture, we see themes and images that come up again and again to shed even more light on the significance of the Easter story. Just like reading a good book or watching a gripping movie, we understand that the author is trying to turn our attention to something greater than the story itself. Over the course of this series, we look at a few key themes in Scrip-ture—Bread, Water and Blood—to help weave together the greater story of God’s love for us. To take the power of the Easter story and allow it to shine in those places where we need God’s provision, presence and redemption.

April 7th to 30th - Reversing Darwin Series DescriptionIn the dog-eat-dog world of middle school and high school, survival of the fittest often seems like the law of the land. And when we’re on the bottom of the food chain, this idea of a pecking order can start to affect the way we understand God—and maybe even the way we believe God sees us. But what if we were able to reverse this idea? What if something in Scripture allowed us to turn survival of the fittest on its head? Maybe we can start to flip the idea of “only the strong survive” and live in the reality that God has a bigger purpose and a better picture in mind—and this purpose and picture involves all of us—the strong, the weak, the in, the out, those you would expect, and those you wouldn't. Maybe in an effort to reverse Darwin, we need to start by understanding who God created us to be and how to live like it matters.

May 5th to 29th - The Battle Within Series DescriptionThe Battle Within series is part of the Andy Stanley Collection, a collection of series and teaching scripts that provide powerful, simple truths delivered in a style that is straight-forward and conversational. Here is the premise of The Battle Within series:Each one of us faces a battle within, a battle that may go unseen by those around, but inside there is major brawl. It's a battle with temptation. And depending on the temptation and its hold on your life, it may be a battle that seems impossible to win. In this series, Andy Stanley takes a look at the temptations Jesus faced in the desert, and identifies the driving forces behind the temptations we all face every day. Because once you realize what the pull is behind the temptation, you can find the confidence to follow Jesus' example and respond as He did.

January 27th to February 13th - Babel Series DescriptionWhat does a tower in ancient times built to reach the heavens and a cell phone have in common? A lot more than you think. The people responsible for the tower of Babel, the uh Babel-ers we’ll call them, took the techno-logy, the tools of their day and used them in a way that elevated themselves and took God out of the picture. And the reality is that you and I have tools in our hands, the technology of our day, that we take and use in similar ways. The technology itself isn’t bad or good. It’s neutral. But like the people of Babel, how we choose to use the technology is important—it reflects the kind of relationship we have with it. And the right kind of relationship with technology will help us to do the right kinds of things with it.

HIGH SCHOOL FALL RETREATOur High School Fall Retreat was awesome! On November 16-18 we traveled to Salem, Indiana to a little church camp called Wonder Valley Christian Camp (where I attended camp as a teenager) and spent a couple days together in the presence of God. Our intern at the time, Will Pannell, went with us to speak to the students about the story of the prodigal son. He gave the students perspective through each of the characters in the story, first from the older son, then the younger son, and then the father. On the last night when Will was talking about the father and the grace that he showed to his son, he related that to the grace that God shows each one of us. That last night, we hiked to acave in the middle of the woods and had our worship service inside the cave by candlelight. It was a very powerful experience to be in a part of God’s creation that we don’t normally encounter worshipping together and hearing a message from God’s word. We also had an awesome time on Saturday doing some different group initiatives that really unified our group and helped some of the students to overcome their fears together. We did both a zipline tour and also a giant swing. We all had a great time laughing and spending time together. I saw lots of smiling going on! I can’t wait till our Spring retreat at Johnson University to spend more time as a group together, away from our normal surroundings. It is so cool how we can experi-ence God in new and different ways when we remove ourselves from our everyday surroundings and our everyday schedules!

SPRING RETREAT INFORMATIONWhen: April 12-14Where: Johnson University – Knoxville, TNWhy: To grow in our faith and spend some time with God and some awesome people!Who: Any high school student who wants to have an experience with God!How much: $35 before March 23rd and $45 after March 23rdPrice includes: T-shirt, housing, all mealsAsk Mike how to sign up!

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