WOW – The Greatest Gift

Hey Parents!
This weekend Catalyst KIDS dives into Christmas with a new series covering Luke 1-2 in our engaging, Jesus-centered, unique way with WOW – The Greatest Gift.

Here’s the scoop:
In WOW: The Greatest Gift, we’ll learn all about the birth of Jesus. Listen as the angel Gabriel gives Mary a very special message. Your wee ones will sing along during SONGTIME and meet all the special visitors who come along to see the newborn King. We’ll look out for the DOODAD and discover how it fits into our BIBLE ADVENTURE when PROFESSOR SOCK starts up the SOCKSATRON. Invite a friend and watch everyone be WOWED by The Greatest Gift!

live from the125 // 11.24.08

Check out this video on Vimeo:
live from the125: 11.24.08 from Jonathan Herron on Vimeo.

The Skinny:
Coming January 2009 to Catalyst 242Groups: a fresh new 12 week series through Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions.

New groups are launching in Kent, Brimfield, Ravenna, etc.
Email Ben Seals: sealsb1 (at) gmail (dot) com for details…

Study Guides are 5 bucks and available at the125 Catalyst offices…

Links from the video:
242Groups – January 2009 info loading online this week
Vintage Jesus – watch this video clip to whet your appetite
Vintage Video: Incarnation
Vintage Video: Jesus
Vintage Video: Revelation 19
Study Guide Preview
The Book from Re:Lit (not required for this study)

FPU Online Registration

You can register for Catalyst’s 2009 Financial Peace classes online here…

Financial Peace @ Catalyst

Last month, Josh Allen and Matt Simon from our staff team joined me at a leadership conference in Atlanta where we heard from Christian leaders who are getting it done for the Kingdom.  One of the speakers that rocked our world was Dave Ramsey (maybe you’ve seen him as a guest on CNN, the Today Show, etc).

Anyhow, in less than 42 minutes, he gave a compelling (and hilarious) talk on the need for God’s people to be completely debt-free.  Imagine all that the people of God could do for the Kingdom of God if only we were free of all debt!

Long story short, Financial Peace University is coming to Catalyst this January as our official class on personal finances.  Beginning Tuesday, January 20th, we’ll spend 13 classes together at the125 learning from Dave Ramsey via DVD and utilizing Scripture-based tools for digging out of the hole too many of us find ourselves in.  The neat thing about the Financial Peace classes is that it’s not only a discipleship tool, but also an outreach opportunity – - feel free to invite family, friends, and co-workers.

We’re aiming to fill up the red conference room at the125, 7pm on Tuesday nights in 2009 and would LOVE to have you join us!  The cost per family unit (if you are single, you are your own family unit) is $93 (covers the plethora of financial materials you will have in-hand; totally worth it).  A preview video of FPU is available at Dave Ramsey’s website. To sign up or ask questions, email msimon (at) kent (dot) edu.

Chase Deeper: Life’s Too Short

This past week for me has been spent mostly on my stomach.
Recovering from back surgery gives you lots of time to think about life.  Questions popped into my mind, like, how can it be that 2008 is almost over already?  When did my newborn son suddenly become a 2-year-old?  How did I suddenly become a 30-something?  I couldn’t help but think that time is moving fast on me.

Psalm 103.15-16 says, “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.”

Life is short.  I don’t think that is news to anyone but read it again this way: Your life is short. With life moving so fast I don’t want to get caught up in things that rob me of the fullness of life Christ came to bring.  I want to guard my heart against bitterness, anger, deceit, and I want to chase after deep, meaningful, life-giving, dangerous things.  I think this is what Jesus was talking about in John 10.10 when He said He came to “bring life to the full.” My prayer for you and me this week is that we wouldn’t waste our short lives on silly things but rather spend our lives on things that matter.

This weekend we’ll tackle Mark chapter 8.  When you get a chance, read these verses from the life of Jesus.  If you have any church background it will sound familiar to you.  The mysterious identity of Jesus is revealed.  It’s very intriguing.  I’ll see you this Sunday.

Making Jesus Famous,

Jonathan Herron
lead pastor for Catalyst

The Latest

Every week we email out The Latest from Catalyst – - if you aren’t receiving The Latest in your Inbox, head over to our website’s front page and sign up (and make sure your Spam settings let Catalyst in!).  Here’s what was covered in this week’s mass email…

Dear Friends,

We are truly blessed – we live in a time and place where our voices are heard nationally.  Locally we are blessed with new ministry facilities (the125) and a new Lead Worshiper.

Our response to God’s faithfulness?  Thanksgiving.  Psalm 50.23 sums up this moment in Catalyst’s history well, and it’s where we’ll camp out this Sunday as we take a week off from our series through Mark.

I’m also thankful for your prayers & encouragement – I will be having back surgery this Thursday and anticipate a lengthy recovery process.  Thank you for understanding in advance if I’m slower in returning your emails or voicemails in coming weeks!

Know that you are loved and prayed for more than you know -

For Jesus’ Fame,

Jonathan Herron
lead pastor for Catalyst

Yoda & Community

Yes, we can get a bit goofy at times.  This past Sunday’s Yoda video proves that.

But the idea of biblical community is part of the Christ-follower’s rhythm.

It’s about more than Celebrating on Sundays;
Connecting relationally during the week is part of the way Christ develops and sanctifies us.

To help you move toward possibly joining a 242Group, you’re invited to a special GAME NIGHT this Friday starting at 7:30pm at the125.

Do something different this Friday – - come hang out, meet other Catalyst folk, and make some new memories.  Simply bring some grub to share and your favorite card/board game.
Questions?  Email Ben:  sealsb1 (at) gmail (dot) com.  And tell him Yoda sent you.

Game Night at the125

Come hang out and make new buddies at the125 this Friday during Game Night.

Settlers of Catan!
Uno!
And other games that end with an exclamation mark!

Starts at 7:30pm; bring a snack to share and your favorite game…
Questions?  Email Ben: sealsb1 (at) gmail (dot) com.

Yoda for 242Groups

Here’s the Yoda digital video from this morning’s Catalyst:

Yoda for Catalyst’s 242Groups from Jonathan Herron on Vimeo.