PEMBROKE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Week #53 - Give Someone a Lagniappe Challenge #53: Give Someone a Lagniappe

Have you ever heard of a lagniappe? A lagniappe is a “little something extra” that is given freely and unexpectedly. For example, you might buy a dozen doughnuts at a store and then be pleasantly surprised when the baker throws in an apple fritter for free as a “lagniappe”.

This week wraps up the 2014 Church Challenge, where you were given 52 weekly challenges to help you grow as a Christian. This 53rd challenge is a “lagniappe”, and the challenge is to provide a lagniappe of your own this week. As you go through this last week of 2014, any time someone asks you for something, do it, and then provide a “lagniappe” of some kind.

I hope you have enjoyed the 2014 Church Challenge! Thank you so much for participating!

Week #52 - Read the Story of Christ’s Birth Challenge #52: Read the Biblical Account of His Birth

This week, as we celebrate Christmas with family gatherings, elaborate meals, gift giving, etc., take a moment to remember the “reason for the season” and read the Biblical account of the birth of Christ.

This would make a wonderful family tradition for each year’s Christmas celebration!

Week #51 - Make a Birthday Card for Jesus Challenge #51: Create a Birthday Card for Jesus

We are a week away from the annual Christmas holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Why not create a birthday card for Jesus and put it in your home on display with your other Christmas decorations? You could even make it a holiday tradition and create a new one each year.

Week #50 - Look at the Stars Challenge #50: Pick a clear night and look at the stars

When Jesus was born, God chose a star to guide the three wise men to his birthplace. Too often, we go outside at night without really seeing the stars in the sky. This week, pick a clear night and go outside and look -- really look -- at the sky and marvel at the scope and grandeur of the universe that He created for us.

Week #49 - Plan for a Christian Christmas Challenge #49: Plan for a Christian Christmas

This past week was Black Friday, the traditional start to the Christmas shopping season. This year, before getting bogged down in the yearly food preparation, party planning, gift buying, and house decorating, make plans to do something Christian to celebrate the holiday. For example, make a surprise donation to a needy family, send a card to a shut-in, or help someone who is overwhelmed.

Week #48 - Give thanks on Thanksgiving Challenge #48: Give Thanks

This week is the annual Thanksgiving holiday. It has traditionally been a time to give thanks for the year’s bountiful harvest and other blessings. This week, take some time away from the turkey, football, and Black Friday sales to give thanks to God for the blessings you have received this year.

Week #47 - Turn the other cheek Challenge #47: Turn The Other Cheek

It is so easy to go through our everyday lives being angry, miffed, or at odds with someone else. However, Jesus did not intend for us to live like that: he reminded us to “turn the other cheek.” Why not put that into practice this week by thinking of someone that you are currently not getting along with, and doing something nice for that person, pay them a compliment, or give them a small token? You might be surprised what happens!

Week #46 - Pick a personal proverb Challenge #46: Pick a Proverb

Do you know what a “proverb” is? A “proverb” is a brief, pithy saying that expresses a truth or belief. And the Bible has an entire book of them! This week, peruse the book of Proverbs and pick one for yourself. Then, pick one for a friend!

Week #45 - Remember former members of our Church. Challenge #45: Remember past members

Now that our Church Homecoming is over, why not take a moment this week to remember the past members of our Church who are no longer there? Reach out to the descendants of past members and share a story with them, or leave a small remembrance at the grave of one of those members, such as a note, flowers, or a small cross.

Week #44 - Attend Homecoming! Challenge #44: Attend Homecoming!

Today is our Church Homecoming service. Please attend!

Week #43 - Invite Someone To Homecoming! Challenge #43: Celebrate Homecoming!

Our Church Homecoming service is set for next Sunday (October 26th). Homecoming is a special service that commemorates the history of a church, its founding members, and former pastors and church leaders, as well as former members who have moved away.

This week, why not invite a former Church member to come back for our Homecoming service? It can be someone who has moved to a different area, someone who now attends a different church, or even someone who has just stopped coming. Reach out to them and invite them to our Homecoming service next week!

Week #42 - What’s your Christian “Elevator Pitch”? Challenge #42: What’s your Christian “Elevator Pitch”?

At my first job in Atlanta, I had the pleasure of working with Jeffrey Hayzlett, who went on to become the Chief Marketing Officer for Kodak. Several years ago, he wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review entitled Why You Need a Better Elevator Pitch. In this article, he explains that most salespeople should be able to make an effective sales pitch in the duration of an average elevator ride in New York City: 118 seconds.

Imagine that you just met someone new and wanted to explain Christianity to them in just 118 seconds. How would you go about it, and what would you say? Take a look at Jeff’s article and see what you can come up with. We would love to see your responses on the Church’s Facebook page!

Week #41 - Read about disease in the Bible Challenge #41: See what the Bible says about disease

The arrival of the Ebola virus on American shores was a major news story this week. Sometimes we wonder why God allows such diseases to spread in the world. Why not look at some Bible verses about disease? This is a good place to find some verses you may wish to read.

Week #40 - Invite someone to revival! Challenge #40: Invite someone to our Revival!

Our Church revival begins in three weeks (October 19th). Let’s pack the church this year - make it your goal this week to invite someone to our revival!

Week #39 - Clean up your language! Challenge #39: Clean up your language!

One of the top athletes in college football was suspended for an important game this week because he jumped up on a table in the student center and yelled out obscenities. I doubt that any of us would say the things he said, but we are all guilty of saying things that we shouldn’t from time to time.

Take some time this week to look through your Bible and see what it says about Christian language (Here are some verses to get you started) and then try to put them into practice!

Week #38 - Put down your smartphone! Challenge #38: Unplug!

Millions of Americans ordered Apple’s new smartphone on Friday. These days, too many people spend too much of their time looking down at the little screen on their phone. Why not take a day to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with people? Put down your phone for a day and talk to someone, visit someone, play with a pet, etc. Enjoy the world that the Lord made for you instead of a digital world created by people in California.

Week #37 - Turn off your auto-pilot! Challenge #37: Turn off your auto-pilot!

This week, we watched an eerie tragedy as a small plane lost pressure and flew for hours on auto-pilot before crashing into the sea. All too often, we tend to go on auto-pilot in our everyday lives: going through the motions without conscious thought. Turn off your auto-pilot this week and think about your life, where you are, where you are going, and how you plan to get there!

Week #36 - Pray for someone new. Challenge #36: Pray for someone new.

It is far too easy to fall into predictable patterns when praying each day. This week, shake up your routine and pray for someone you do not ordinarily pray for. You do not necessarily need to pray for someone suffering misfortune - sometimes, even people who seem to be happy and carefree may be suffering from some issue that they do not express outwardly.

Week #35 - See what the Bible says about labor. Challenge #35: See what the Bible says about labor.

With the Labor Day weekend coming up next week, it is a good time to see what the Bible says about labor. Take a spin through your Bible and see what you can find! Some good verses to being with include Genesis 3:19, 1 Corinthians 10:13, and Ephesians 6:6-7.

Week #34 - Create your own personal creed. Challenge #34: Create your personal creed.

A creed is a list of the basic beliefs of a religion or system that guide the actions or a person or group. There have been many famous creeds in Christianity, such as the Nicene creed and the Apostles’ creed. Another popular creed that respects Christianity is the Auburn creed at Auburn University.

Why not take some time this week to develop your own personal creed? List the things that you personally believe in as a Christian, print a copy, and carry it with you or show it to your friends.

Week #33 - Donate for relief for the sick. Challenge #33: Make a donation for the sick.

Jesus often helped heal the sick during his travels. You can carry on in His tradition of helping the sick by making a donation to help assist with the containment of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. One charity you might wish to assist is Samaritan’s Purse, the group that has been in the news recently.

Week #32 - Make a T-shirt! Challenge #32: Make a T-shirt to show your faith!

Summer is a time for wearing light clothing. Why not design your own T-shirt? Get a plain white T-shirt and some colored markers and create your own! (If you want to get fancy, you can create your design using a graphics program and print it to some iron-on transfer paper.)

This is a great way to promote your faith and your church! Make a T-shirt with your favorite Bible verse, or draw a scene that depicts one of your favorite stories from the Bible. If you make a T-shirt with a drawing of the Pembroke Christian Church, I would love to see it - post a picture of it on the Church’s Facebook page!

Week #31 - Picnic with a shut-in Challenge #31: Picnic with a shut-in

The summer months can be rough for those who are shut-ins or are confined indoors (e.g., for medical reasons). Why not bring some summer to them by having a picnic with them? Make some sandwiches and a pie, grab a checkered tablecloth and a wicker basket, and bring some joy to someone who cannot enjoy a beautiful summer.

Week #30 - Read about the first communion held on the moon! Challenge #30: Commoonion

Today (July 20th) is the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Did you know that astronaut Buzz Aldrin conducted a private communion service in the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module)? You can read about it in the following article that was originally published in Guideposts magazine.

The first communion held on the moon.

Week #29 - Read some summer Bible stories Challenge #29: Summer Stories

Summer is traditionally a time for people to catch up on their reading. Why not take some time to catch up on some of the stories from the Bible? Here are a couple of interesting accounts you might read. If you know of any others, please feel free to share them!

Bad kids, bears, and baldness.

The man who asked God why there is evil in the world.

The entire Book of Revelation, that details the end of the world.

Week #28 - Give thanks for your freedom Challenge #28: Let Freedom Ring

As we celebrate the Independence Day weekend, take a moment to look at what the Bible says about freedom. Write down the verses and make them part of your celebration each year when you say your blessings on the Fourth!

Here are some verses you might begin with. (Links are to biblegateway.com)

• 1 Peter 2:16
• Galations 5:1
• 2 Corinthians 3:17

Week #27 - Create a “movie poster” for a Bible story Challenge #27: Adventure Time!

The movie theatres are currently showing the summer blockbuster films, and they promote them by putting movie posters in magazines, on billboards, at bus stops, etc. Why not promote some of the stories in the Bible the same way? Your challenge for this week is to pick a story in the Bible and draw (or Photoshop) a “movie poster” for it.

Some interesting subjects you might pick: David and Goliath, the Flood, Jonah and the Whale, Job, the Ten Commandments, and the walls of Jericho. Don’t forget to share your poster with others!

Week #26 - Midyear Checkup Challenge #26: Midyear Checkup

It’s hard to believe that we are now at the middle of 2014. This would be a great time to revisit your resolutions from January 1st. Are you still making progress on your goals for 2014? Try to make time this week to work on each of your resolutions.

Week #25 - Honor Your Father Challenge #25: Faith of our Fathers

Today is Father’s Day! If your father is still alive, please talk to him, spend some time with him, or do something to let him know you care.

Week #24 - Remember Our Veterans Challenge #24: No Greater Love

As we remember the 70th anniversary of D-Day, we should remember John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus certainly exemplified this as he sacrificed himself for us.

Why not honor our veterans by going out to the cemetery this week and placing a flower on the grave of a Bryan County war veteran? Also, don’t forget to thank our surviving veterans for their service.

Week #23 - Make Plans for a Productive Summer Challenge #23: How Will You Gather This Summer?

Proverbs 10:5 reads "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame". Our natural inclination is to relax and be lazy during the summer, but God wishes us to be productive. What will you do this summer?

Now that school is out and summer vacations are here, why not make a list of things you can do this summer to grow as a Christian and help your community and Church? You could volunteer to help with a clean-up day at the Church; take some freshly grown corn or squash to a shut-in; help out with the camp at Shellman Bluff; assist with Vacation Bible School; or spend some time talking with your kids about living a Christian life. The possibilities are endless - what will you do?

Week #22 - Thank A Veteran Challenge #22: Memorial Day Remembrance

As we remember and honor Memorial Day this year, please make a point of seeking out the veterans in our Church and thanking them for their service.

Week #21 - See Through The Eyes Of A Child Challenge #21: Through A Child’s Eyes

Sometimes we need a fresh perspective on life, as if we were a child experiencing things for the first time. Why not apply this to your Bible study this week? Seek out a child in your family and ask them to tell you their favorite Bible story - you might be surprised at what you hear!

Week #20 - Honor Thy Mother Challenge #20: Honor Thy Mother

When God handed down the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, one of those commandments was to “Honor your father and your mother.” This Sunday is Mother’s Day, so take a moment to honor your mother.

If you need some suggestions other than the usual dinner and gift, here is an article about some thoughtful ideas.

Week #19 - NASCAR and Public Prayer Challenge #19: Learn about NASCAR prayers

NASCAR is the rare commercial sport that has a pre-event televised prayer. With one of NASCAR’s biggest races occurring this weekend in Talledega, Alabama, let’s take a moment to look at NASCAR and its support of public prayer.

An article about NASCAR and prayer may be found here.

Here is a good story about Richard Andrew, who leads prayer for NASCAR.

Finally, here's a story about one of the more controversial prayers in NASCAR history.

Week #18 - See “God’s Not Dead” Challenge #18: See “God’s Not Dead”

We’re blessed to have a Christian movie in theatres this spring: “God’s Not Dead”. Why not take your family or friends to see it?

After watching the movie, check out the free online resources available for the film, including a prayer guide, 3-lesson Bible study, and posters.

Week #17 - Celebrate at Sunrise Challenge #17: Celebrate the Son’s Rise at Sunrise

It’s Easter, the most important holiday in the Christian calendar. Please remember it by participating in Pembroke’s annual sunrise service. If you can’t make it, please celebrate in your own way at home.

Week #16 - Express Yourself In Song! Challenge #16: Express Yourself In Song

Here’s a fun exercise: each day for the next week, pick a hymn whose title embodies the way you feel (or want to feel) about that day. Some examples: “Oh Happy Day”, “Jesus Loves Me”, “Just As I Am”, “Love Lifted Me”, “I Must Tell Jesus”, and “It Is Well With My Soul.”

Week #15 - What Did Jesus Think About Taxes? Challenge #15: Read what Jesus said about taxes

April 15th, “Tax Day”, is coming up soon. Why not take a few minutes to read about what Jesus thought about taxes?

Week #14 - The Original “Final Four” Challenge #14: The Original “Final Four”

College basketball is heading towards the annual “Final Four” tournament, but the Bible has its own “Final Four”: the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the sixth chapter of the Book of Revelation. Take a look at these mysterious, ominous beings. Can you name them?

Week #13 - Spring Cleaning Challenge #13: Spring Cleaning

This week, we saw the first day of spring arrive, and for many of us, that means it is time for spring cleaning. Why not perform some spiritual spring cleaning? Think about your life and see if there is anything you can do to make it better. Some examples: you might resolve to read your Bible more regularly, abstain from gossip, stop being negative in conversations or online, or pray more often.

Week #12 - Feed the Hungry! Challenge #12: Feed The Hungry!

The Church pantry recently ran low, reminding us that there are those in our community who could use a good meal while they get back on their feet. Why not buy a couple of tickets for the Church pork steak dinner and keep them in your wallet and purse, and give them out to anyone you know or meet who would appreciate them? You would be helping both the Church and your community, and that’s a great thing to do!

Week #11 - Stop Procrastinating! Challenge #11: Stop Procrastinating!

We “lose” an hour this week as we set our clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time. The result is that it’s later than you think it is. In that spirit, your challenge for this week is to think of something that you have been putting off and finally do it.

Week #10 - Listen to “Alone, Yet Not Alone” Challenge #10: Listen to “Alone, Yet Not Alone”.

The annual Hollywood Oscars ceremony will be held Sunday night, but it will not air a song from a Christian movie that was nominated for “Best Original Song” and later disqualified. Why not listen to it yourself? Here is Alone Yet Not Alone from the movie of the same name.

Week #9 - Read Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 Challenge #9: To Everything There Is A Season: Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3.

This month has been a month of contrasts: here in Georgia, we’ve seen icy and snowy roads followed just days later by temperatures in the 70s and rising pollen counts. Overseas, we’ve seen nations cooperate at the Sochi Olympic Games while uprisings occur in the Ukraine. It’s a perfect time to read Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3.

Once you have read that chapter, you may wish to listen to the popular song Turn!, Turn!, Turn! (to Everything There Is A Season) that was written by Pete Seeger based on that chapter (the provided link is to the cover performed by Dolly Parton).

Finally, you can read some of the history of the journey from Bible verse to pop song.

Week #8 - See what the Bible says about sports Challenge #8: The Bible and sports.

With the Sochi Olympics going on this week, your challenge is to investigate what the Bible tells us about sports. Search the web or peruse the concordance in your Bible and look up some sports related verses. Hint: you might look in Timothy or Corinthians for several great verses, or even search for quarterback Tim Tebow’s favorite quotes.

Week #7 - Attend a board meeting Challenge #7: Attend a Church board meeting.

Your challenge for this week is to attend the Church board meeting, Thursday night at 7 pm. It will give you fresh insight into the problems and challenges the Church has: plans for the future, management of present issues, stewardship over its finances, and the use of the tithes it receives on Sunday.

\Week #6 - Take a photo Challenge #6: Take a photo that illustrates your favorite Bible verse.

Your challenge for this week is to take a picture that in some way illustrates your favorite Bible verse. Share it with your friends.

Be creative! If you need some inspiration, take a look at these.

Week #5 - Describe Your Favorite Church Memory Challenge #5: Describe your favorite Church memory!

Your challenge for this week is to write a description of your favorite memory at the Pembroke Christian Church. Share it with your friends.

Some suggestions: write about a favorite fish fry that was held at the Church many years ago, a memorable summer at Church camp at Shellman Bluff, a rousing Fifth Sunday night sing, a trip to the winter conference at Rock Eagle, the time the Sunday school classrooms were added to the Youth Center, or the remodelling of the Church to include the choir loft and baptismal area.

Week #4 - Write A Shut-In Challenge #4: Write a letter to one of our shut-ins!

The winter months can be difficult for many of our shut-ins: the holidays are over and the weather is cold and dreary. This is a perfect time to brighten their day by writing them a letter!

You could tell them about some of the events going on in our church or Pembroke, such as the CWF meetings, Boy Scout troop revival, Pembroke Christmas Parade, etc. Or, you could take pictures around town of things that have changed or that they may not have seen (e.g., construction sites, the paintings on the sides of the buildings on main street, etc.). Better still, you could visit and get them to tell you some stories!

Week #3 - Invite Someone To Church Challenge #3: Invite someone to church this Sunday!

Is there someone in your family that hasn’t been to church in a while? A coworker? Neighbor? Talk to them and invite them to join you for church this Sunday!

Week #2 - Stories Behind The Hymns Challenge #2: Did you ever wonder about the origins of the hymns we sing in church each Sunday? Your challenge for this week is to pick one of your favorite hymns and look up the story of how it came to be, then share it with friends and family.

Some great resources are Wikipedia, sharefaith.com, pinterest.com, and bereanbibleheritage.org.

To get you started, you could look up Mary’s Boy Child (a staple of our Christmas Eve service), the Doxology that we sing after communion, and the rousing closing hymn When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.

Week #1 - Learn A Bible Verse For 2014, we’re going to try something new! Each week, we will post a challenge for you. Try it out, and post your results on the Church’s Facebook page. We’ll start with something simple this week.

Challenge #1: Choose a Bible verse and memorize it, then share your verse on the Church Facebook page. Try to pick a verse more challenging than John 11:35 (the shortest verse in the Bible) or John 3:16 (because you probably already know it)!

You can find some suggested verses here, here, and here. Also, you might want to look at this list of tips for memorizing Bible verses.