Sunday in high school class we ended by reminding one another that, "The visible does not matter if you do not have the invisible!" This week, as I've gone around in our Valley full of fancy cars, big houses and extravagant electronics, I've wanted to shout this out to the people whom I encounter. How much do we think about the visible, like our physical appearance or the brand of our clothing? How much of my life is wasted because deep down I really believe the visible (and also temporary) matters more than the invisible?

This week, notice people who live life as thought the only thing that matters is the visible, with a complete disregard for the invisible.

What about you? How does your interaction with the visible differ as a result of having the invisible?

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.:

May you find yourself this week fixing your eyes on the things that will last forever.

Hello friends!
One of our goals this summer is to completely overhaul the blog and we're starting by giving it a much needed makeover.
Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

Here is a picture slideshow featuring highlights from the Bless the City trip to San Francisco this past weekend. What a blessing to those who went and those who were served, including the San Francisco Rescue Mission.

Today, I sat down ready to make some awesome announcement videos. The problem is I don't have my camera-friendly look or persona today. I've been thinking a lot about what I want to say, what I don't want to forget to say and who I don't want to forget to say it to. Maybe I've been overthinking it, because I have run out of words to say. I am typing these words, because I'm honestly too tired to say them into the camera.

Advent Conspiracy -
Begins on Sunday, November 29th. Middle School and High School Students will be encouraged to do the following things through this series:
Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All
For more....see the link under "Causes" on the right side of the page

Bethlehem -
Our middle school students and their families are participating in this re-enactment of the original Christmas story on December 10-14. If you want to be fitted for a costume, meet at First Baptist Church of Santa Clara this Sunday @ 6 pm. The sign-up form for this event are to the right under Middle School Links.

Christmas Decorating -
High School students, you are invited to be a part of preparing the auditorium at Campbell Church of Christ for Christmas. December 5th from 7 - 9 pm in the auditorium. Refreshments are included and you are encouraged to bring your own Christmas music to share.

okay enough with the ABCs theme....

Bless the City -
There is no better gift to give at Christmas than yourselves. High School students have that opportunity through Bless the City, December 18-19 where we will be serving with and at the San Francisco Rescue Mission. Cost for the trip is $45.
The sign-up form for this event is to the left under High School links and is due by December 6th.

NO EDGE THIS SUNDAY - SEE BETHLEHEM TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR SUNDAY NIGHT!

Vantage Point -
Vantage Point is once again open for new members. If you are eager to develop as a leader, play a role in shaping the Zone or to learn more about how God has prepared you to lead others then Vantage Point is for you. Applications are due by January 3.
The Vantage Point Application is on the left under High School links.

Elf with the Helfs -
Sunday, December 20th from 6 - 9 pm, high school students are invited to an Elf themed party that will include: Elf (watching, quoting and singing along), eating and exchanging white elephant gifts. It will be a fun time to gather with your friends to celebrate.

NYLI - Coming 12/31/09 9:00 pm - 01/01/2010 10:00 am
More information is coming soon...

Some final thoughts -
Greed is the one thing sure to kill gratitude, beware!!
I would love to see some comments here or on Facebook...let's keep the conversations alive!
What Material Lies Responses are you going to put into practice this week?

Go in peace----ful contentment.

Matthew

For those of you who were inspired to make a difference through the opportunities Acacia and Christy shared today, check out the links on the right under "Causes." The Child Protection Compact Act is what Acacia was talking about. The Suubi Project is what Christy shared with us.

Make a difference. Stand up to the material lies.

One additional thought from today...Life and your hands were made to do good.

Mostly Prayer Breakfast @ 6 am and Rake & Run this weekend...any questions?

Check them out, especially as they include time-sensitive information...

Tuesday @ 7
ACU @ Red Robin

Wednesday @ 7
Contact @ Aylesworths

Sometimes (believe it or not), the reverberations of weeks of preparation for a single gathering continues well past its "end." Yes, there are still things to put away from Sanctuary. There are also reflections from Sanctuary:Fall that I want to share this evening.

Tonight, I watched someone take a branch that wasn't fully connected to the vine and move it the extra few inches to be connected. Isn't that sometimes what God calls us to do in the lives of our friends? We of course can't literally connect them to the vine but we can do our part towards encouraging others to connect to the vine.

The interaction I had that has for some reason stuck with me from Sanctuary:Fall was when at the end a student made sure there would be enough apple cider before taking a cup. At the point this question was asked there were at least twelve full cups on the counter. Most of us live by the "don't take the last one" rule in cases like this. We have no problem taking food or beverages until it is the last one. There is something beautiful when on of the first people considers those who are last before taking some for themselves.

One additional effect of Fall is that things truly do feel lonely and bare. I need only look at the tree outside my front window at home to see this reality. However, none of us enjoy feeling lonely or bare, especially when we're around others. Our response is like that of Adam & Eve, attempting to hide ourselves behind one of the leaves that fell off the trees. We live in a world that does everything it can to prevent being in situations where they might possibly be asked to bare anything regarding or about themselves in the presence of others. Fall doesn't allow us to remain hidden or fake. It exposes us for who or what we really are.

Sometimes the reverberations continue for you as well, I imagine. Feel free to share some of your Sanctuary:Fall echos in the comments below.

May Your Fall Be Full of God

This week's announcements are highlighted by Sanctuary, Wednesday from 7-8:30 pm in the Oak Room. Give them a view below.

Below are this week's Middle School Announcements. Check them out and get the latest info on The Zone Student Ministry: Middle School .