Wide Is The Road

Click To Read Wide Is The Road
By Jamie Newton

CREATED TO WORSHIP

As members of the Body of Christ we are designed to worship our Creator.

In our actions, thoughts and words we give glory and honor back to the One that deserves our praise. Transforming that moment where a moment in your day becomes worship is a beautiful experience that the Lord desires for you to have. Taking a break from plans that you had made and taking in the beauty of nature around you and recognizing how deeply His plan is at work all around you is an opportunity for worship.

Spending time with your family while reading the Bible and singing songs is an excellent way for you to experience worship. As we gather together as a family in God's house you have the best chance to experience corporate worship.

This kind of worship is something that we can experience together as we ask the Holy Spirit to move in and through us while gathering in unity to lift up the name of Jesus in song. When you can take a song's words from your eyes and lips and move them to your heart, then you will see how the Lord intended for worship to be experienced. The relationship He desires for you to have with Him will begin to kindle a fire that burns for Him allowing you to let go of all that is around you, freeing you to worship whole heartedly.

"Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 29:2 NKJV

Until our next time to worship together...  Jamie (Music Minister, UGBC)

Nosa Eguae at Union Grove

Packed house!

Jeremy Morgan leading worship

Nosa speaking to our church

We had a great crowd show up!

10 THINGS YOU CAN PRAY FOR OUR STUDENTS

Prayer. This is one of the most underutilized tools in our arsenal. I’m asking that you join us in praying for our students as we get ready to embark on our 2012 Youth Winter Retreat.

In a recent study of youth who go on to be spiritual champions, it was discovered that students typically lists a camp or conference as a major turning point in their faith journey. It is for that very reason that we will brave a weekend with a group of crazy teenagers! I truly believe that God is going to radically shake someone’s life at this event. Here’s how you can help:

1. Pray that we have a smooth trip to Camp Ascca.

2. Pray that the students are attentive in all the sessions.

3. Pray that we do not have any technical difficulties with our sound and lighting equipment.

4. Pray that each student is sensitive to the Spirit.

5. Pray for our speaker, Mitchell Dean.

6. Pray for the leadership team and myself as we make decisions and deal with sudden changes throughout the week.

7. Pray that any schedule changes, issues, or problems (something always comes up!) are handled quickly and wisely.

8. Pray that students have an amazing time!

9. Pray for relationships to be built, strengthened, and restored.

10. Pray that students make radical, life-changing decisions for Christ!

Daniel Beckworth- Student Pastor

2012 Youth Winter Retreat Info

If you have any questions, please contact Daniel. 

2012 Youth Winter Retreat

2012 Youth Winter Retreat Registration Form

When: Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 2012 (January 14-16)

Where: Camp ASCCA

Deposit: $25

Cost: $75

Theme: Collide

Who: 6th-12th grade students

Speaker: Mitchell Dean (FCA)

Scholarships: Financial Aid is available, but we have a limited number of scholarships. If you’re seeking financial aid, please contact Daniel as soon as possible. We’re also asking anyone seeking financial support to help us raise money through fundraisers.

The Youth will be embarking on their annual winter retreat on Martin Luther King Weekend 2012. We will depart from the church on Saturday and return on Monday (no school that day). We are expecting big things to happen over the course of this retreat. We have seen tremendous growth in the past and we believe that many student's lives will be impacted. 

Mitchell Dean, of FCA, will be speaking this year and we've booked a great band to lead us in worship. We have many activities planned for this year's trip, but the highlight is always the small groups. I've witnessed God move in these groups as many friendships are developed and students challenged to live their life for Christ. 

We are allowing 6th grade students to attend this event. This will help us transition 6th grade students into the youth ministry once they move into Junior High. 

Please print a copy of the registration form, complete it, and return as soon as possible.

Don't let money keep you from experiencing life change! If you have questions or need help paying for this event, please email Daniel Beckworth, the Student Pastor. You can also call Daniel at 334.734.0504.

Follow UGBC Students on Twitter: @ugbcstudents or "like" us on the UGBC Students Facebook page.

Daniel Beckworth

Student Pastor

ugbcstudents.com

How do I respond if a friend stops attending church?

It can often be difficult to find ways to respond to our friends who have stopped attending church. I know the pain of searching for the correct words to say and ways to encourage friends to get back into a local church. I also know that I have a tendency to get discouraged at times, especially if a friend has refused my invitations and my pleadings. I would like to offer four practical tips that I have found effective in my life.

• Pray- Don’t underestimate the power of intercessory prayer. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful. Take the time to pray for your friend EVERY day.
• Don’t alienate that person. Do not treat that person like a throw-away just because they have lost commitment to Christ. Your friend needs love and encouragement. Be the person to give it to them.
• Continue to invite that person to church, even if they continually refuse your invitation. Don’t get discouraged. Stay true to the course and keep inviting.
• Be honest. Express your concerns for your friend in a humble manner.

Eyes on Him,

Daniel Beckworth

This post originally appeared on Daniel's Blog. 

Uganda Mission Info

Uganda Mission Trip 2012

I want to answer a few of the questions you may have about our mission trip to Uganda. If you are interested in attending, please read the following information.

When: May 28, 2012 – June 7, 2012

Where: Kampala, Uganda (East Africa)

Team Size: 35 max

Price: $2,350-2,850. This is a rough estimate. We will finalize the price once we lock in a final number of team members and obtain airfare. The price is determined by the number of people we take. A final price will be set in the near future.

Deposit: $300 (non-refundable) Deposits must be paid by January 1, 2012. If deposits are not paid by this date, you will risk losing your spot on the trip.

Fundraisers: The church will be hosting several fundraisers to offset the cost of this trip. We’re asking that everyone who would like to benefit from these fundraisers to take part and help with each event.  We also recommend that everyone send out support letters to family and friends. *Please note that it is unlikely that the fundraisers at the church will eliminate all cost associated with this trip.*

Passport &Visa: Each person will be responsible for obtaining their own International Passport. Your passport must be good for six months beyond your travel date. We will also be required to obtain a $50 Visa once we arrive in Kampala.

Shots & Medication: Everyone is required to have a Yellow Fever shot. You will also need a prescription for Malaria prevention medication.

Country Info

Population: The population is just over 30 million in Uganda.

Aids: The AIDS rate in Uganda is just 6.4%. We’ve had many questions of concern over this issue. Please be aware that the rates in America are known to be higher.

Official Language: English and Swahili are the national languages. The locals may speak a mixture of these and their English will likely be much different from our’s here in the South.

Climate: Please pack appropriately given this information. Kampala is a tropical climate and seldom gets very hot during the year. The average temperature during our stay will be around 68-78 degrees. You can expect the highs to be around 84 degrees. From speaking with Pastor Vincent, we have been informed that the humidity will not play a factor in the heat like it does in Alabama. You can also expect a high chance of rain during our trip. We’re asking that everyone wear long pants and pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket.

Sports: Soccer is the country’s most popular sport. Please call it football when you get there! We would all most likely agree that American Football is the greater of the two, but we’ll play nice while on our trip! We will most likely have many opportunities to play soccer with the local children while in the villages.

Common Questions:

Q: How many people can go on the trip?

A: There will be a team maximum of 35.

Q: Is Uganda too dangerous? Am I going to die?

A: Uganda is quite safe. The country is not currently in a state of war.

Q: Am I in danger of getting AIDS?

A: The AIDS rate in Uganda is actually lower than America.

Q: Can I wear shorts on the trip?

A: No

Q: Do I have to be a member at Union Grove in order to attend?

A: No, but each person will be required to go through an approval process.

Q: How many bags will I be able to take?

A: You are allowed one checked luggage and one carry-on.

Q: There is no way I can possibly pack everything I need in one checked luggage and one carry-on. How do you expect me to survive?

A: This is a short-term mission trip. We will be prepping everyone on how to pack as we get closer to departure.

Q: Will the fundraisers at the church cover my cost?

A: It is unlikely that the fundraisers at the church will cover your entire cost. We’re seeking to lower the cost by hosting several fundraisers.

Q: Do I have to pay a deposit and what happens if I don’t pay my deposit?

A: A $300 deposit is required and anyone who does not pay their deposit will lose their spot on the team. We have a limited number of slots available and we can only take those who are committed to raising the necessary funds.

Q: What happens if I don’t raise the money?

A: Each individual is responsible to paying their way. Anyone who does not raise their money must be prepared to cover their cost.

We will be holding several meetings int he near future regarding the trip. If I have failed to answer any of your questions, please email me at danielbeckworth@gmail.com.

Eyes on Him,

Daniel Beckworth- Student Pastor