Our Next Study

Here are you choices. You've got till 7-12 at 9:00 pm to vote. :)

Crazy Love - Click here for more info.

Simple - Click here for more info.

Or click here for more info about Simple.

Spiritual Gifts - Spiritual Gifts: Their Purpose & Power is a balanced, popular treatment of the gifts of the Spirit. The work includes teaching on thirty spiritual gifts from the Old and New Testaments. A biblically-grounded presentation that includes a clear understanding and respect for the various approaches to modern-day spiritual gifts.

Cookout at Tera's house Saturday night...TOMORROW!!!

Hello, my peeps! I'm inviting you to a cookout/game night/hang out at my house tomorrow night. I'm buying hamburgers, so bring whatever you think goes with that. (It'd probably be good if someone brings buns...Lol.) Anyways...invite your friends...whoever. But please let me know who you're bringing so I'll have enough meat. And don't forget your lawn chair. I'm hoping to build a fire outside and I only have a few chairs of my own. We might meet at a park first, but if we do, Andy will text everyone to let them know. PLEASE COME!!! Thanks!

Chicago Rush Game

I can get tickets to the Chicago Rush Arena Football team. I thought we could go on Saturday May 31st. Let me know if you're interested in going.

Andy

Awesome slideshow

I want to say thanks to Andy for planning a great scavenger hunt last weekend! I had a really great time and I know everyone on Team Adam is grateful to have won the competition(Team Andy was disqualified for splitting up and Team Casi was DQ'd for having 5.25 members[claire]). The slideshow is really entertaining as well, it is a great song to accompany just how silly supposed grown ups can be. Thanks again Andy-we can't wait to see what you have planned for April and May:)

Our Next Study

Here are the suggestions I received for our next study, in no particular order. You can click on the name to see the book's page @ Amazon. Remember, voting closes Sunday @ 6:00 pm. That means you can vote at my house Sunday night.

1. Soul Talk - In this extraordinary book, Dr. Larry Crabb introduces a revolutionary way for Christians to experience God. "Soul talk" happens when two Christians talk to each other in a way that results in their passion for God being stirred, ignited, and released.

2. Waking the Dead - Eldredge, who helped to redefine the Christian men's movement with Wild at Heart, broadens his scope to offer this more general spirituality title on being "fully alive." Such a state of total animation is achieved only when Christians can integrate all four "streams" of their lives: discipleship, counseling, healing and warfare. (This last part may surprise some readers, but Eldredge insists that awareness of spiritual warfare actually "may be the most critical" aspect of being fully alive.)

3. What Are Spiritual Gifts? - Those who hold the conventional view of the spiritual gifts listed in Ephesians 4, Romans 12, I Corinthians 12odescribe them as special abilities, powers and enablements. Contrary to this viewowhich, the author asserts, leads believers to focus on individual gifts or powers as opposed to God.

4. Spiritual Gifts - Spiritual Gifts: Their Purpose & Power is a balanced, popular treatment of the gifts of the Spirit. The work includes teaching on thirty spiritual gifts from the Old and New Testaments. A biblically-grounded presentation that includes a clear understanding and respect for the various approaches to modern-day spiritual gifts.

5. Five Love Languages - A seasoned marriage counselor says people feel most loved in a marriage in one of five ways: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Though we have a primary love language, we can learn a second language so that our spouse's needs are met.

6. Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith - God never changes, nor do the central truths of Christianity. But our understanding of those truths is in constant flux. Christians will always be exploring and discovering what it means to live in harmony with God and each other. Now in softcover, Velvet Elvis offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is really about.

March Birthday Extravaganza

Everyone is invited to the Young Adult’s March Birthday Dinner and Digital Scavenger Hunt Extravaganza!

When: Sunday, March 9th @ 5:00 pm
Where: The McCann’s House for dinner, then we leave for the scavenger hunt, then we meet at Church to look at the photos
1865 Brighton Circle Click here for Google’s Map
Why: Because June is apparently a very popular month to conceive children for our Church members

We will have dinner at our house. Then we will split into teams and go on a digital scavenger hunt. We’ll meet back at the Church at a set time, and view the photos, see who won, and eat cake (or something sweet).

Submit your ideas for the next small group study. So far I’ve gotten one from Casi, Angelina Jolie, and Britney Spears. They all came within 5 minutes of each other though. I’m thinking Britney is just messing around.

Don’t forget to vote for the new study between Wednesday night and Sunday evening.

PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, SO WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE TO COOK MUSHROOM LASAGNA FOR. (We’re not really having mushroom lasagna)

Second Saturday

Look how much Adam enjoys painting

---

Ashly loves painting too!

---

Janell likes cleaning brushes too.

---

Andy and Janell enjoyed painting the stairwell.

---

Here's part of the final product. :)

---

Second Saturday

Adam enjoyed putting up some chair rail.

---

Dawn was able to help organize papers for tax time.
She also served as Adam's filter, which we appreciated. :)

---

Matt and Ellen relaxing a little bit.

---

Andy is an incredible multi-tasker.

---

Dave and Adam taking a break.

---

Superbowl party at Adam & Dawn's!

Hey everybody! It's Superbowl time, and even though the Bears didn't make it by a long shot, we can still get together and watch the last real football game of the year. Dawn and I would like to invite everyone who is interested in football, $2 million commercials and watching Tom Brady humiliate the city of New York as well as make history, to our house for the Game. Bring whatever snack you think everyone would enjoy, and if you want to have something more substantial, then suggest it in the comments section and maybe we can do that too. We can provide the soda pop(or "Coke's" for those of you from the South), the 50" high definition plasma TV with full 7.1 surround and Adam's good looks free of charge. We hope to see everyone here, the game begins at 5pm on sun, so be here early if you want to yak the whole time(ladies). Any questions, call me at 630.674.6104 or Andy. Toga's are optional.

Bye-Bye Mustang :)

Just wanted to let you guys know that I sold my car today! PTL! Thanks for praying!

Pics from the Christmas Party

Wishing everyone a happy New Year

I noticed that there were no new posts for awhile, so I decided to wish everyone a happy New Year. Dawn and I appreciate how much we have become better friends with everyone this year at TTCC. We look forward to establishing closer bonds throughout this next year. Rarely have we met a more friendly group, and we think that's what makes TTCC such a special Church.
We pray for growth in the young adults group(we're doing our part in May when Dawn gives birth to the newest candidate for YA) because I have been involved in a YA group where we experienced growth through prayer and it remains one of the highlights of my Christian life. I nearly left that Church before we began to pray for growth because it seemed to be too small(Obviously I was too small); Now I know that there is incredible satisfaction in watching God answer prayers and the interaction between people with a common goal. I thoroughly enjoy our group and think it is the perfect size...for now. We need to be praying for further impact in the community and, as Andy has been talking about for several months now, outreach. I hope this post finds eveyone healthy and enjoying some time off, Thanks for being such great friends... no, such great Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Chicago Shamrox outing

I can get free tickets through work for the Chicago Shamrox game on Saturday, January 5th at 7pm. The Chicago Shamrox are an indoor profressional lacrosse team. They play at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. I have never been before, but some BBBS matches went last year and enjoyed it.
I thought this would be a fun activity to do as a Young Adults Group. Let me know if you are interested in attending. Feel free to invite friends.
I need to know by Monday if you are interested (leave a comment, email me- cmattox22@hotmail.com, or tell me in person). Thanks!

Christmas Party

Yes, the rumors are true. We're having a YA Christmas Party at the McCann's house. It is December 16th at 7:30 p.m. You should receive an e-mail with a PDF attached. Feel free to print and distribute it to all your best friends.

See you there.

Lifehouse Everything skit

Hi guys...I came across this today online and it gave me chills. I thought I'd share it with y'all, (even though it has NOTHING to do with our assignment). I thought Andy wouldn't mind...;) Let me know what you think. Thanks,
Tera

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa, I've been a good girl this year. I deserve some really good stuff...like Guitar Hero III and Rock Band...
LOL! Just kidding! I know that the assignment is NOT what we want for Christmas, but wouldn't it be cool if it was. ;) No, seriously though...the assignment is to post what we will do to bless someone else this Christmas.
We, as a Worship Team, have decided to go sing at a nursing home this year. We're going Dec 16th right after church to sing at one in North Aurora. I think it will really be a blessing to those elderly people there. A lot of times, those in the nursing homes don't really get visitors like we think they do. A lot of them don't really have family to visit them at all. So, even if we were just going to visit, I think they'd enjoy it. But especially, since we're gonna sing for them. And I think we're gonna take the bongos and the guitar! Music is so soothing for so many people. I think this will be a very good thing. However...
I've always been terrified of nursing homes. So, I really hope I'll be fine when we go. Think about me...PLEASE!

A Couple Random Items

1st - Thanks for everyone who posted your favorite songs. I enjoy reading your posts.

2nd - If you notice, there is a calendar at the top of the page. I'll do my best to keep it updated. :)

3rd - My school is sponsoring Nursing Home residents for Christmas. If you're interested in sponsoring one (probably around $20-$30 for the gifts) please e-mail me and tell me if you'd like to buy for a male or female. I'll give you the things they've asked for, and the person's name. We need to get the gifts by Dec. 19th. This is a good opportunity to make someone's Christmas a little better. These little gifts make a huge difference to these residents, as many of them don't have family that visit them.

andymccann72@hotmail.com

Thanks

reasons why link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfaRGDhN7KU

Enjoy. I think the CD is better though!

Others have Excuses

Although I have procrasinated, I must say that I have encouraged a few others today at church to go on to the blog and complete the "assignment." There has to be some points in that I hope!

When I first read the assignment, the song that came to mind was "Were You There," by Selah. I sing (or bellow) out the words to that song every time I play that CD. I have listened to it so much that the song skips now and almost resembles a rap until Adam comes into the room and changes it to the next song. The words are powerful, but the song really captures the joy we can have when we realize that Jesus Has Risen! I do hope we will be able to sing this song this Easter season. I will keep mentioning this to Janell...

As others have continued to post two songs, I must follow the same standard. The second song is one that I will post the lyrics for. It is Nickel Creek's "Reason Why." This song still means a lot today, as I think of the "used-to's" in my earlier years as a Christian. Somehow, disappointments and good intentions gone wrong have led me a bit away from the joy I once had in Christ. I can't help to admit that I have wandered away a bit. Perhaps this is the way that the Lord is pruning me. The message today in Church was encouraging and helpful as I am trying to be more grateful and less critical. Perhaps I will be able to experience more of God's peace as I let go of the critical thoughts and turn my focus to "an attitude of gratitude." Anyway, here are the lyrics:

Where am I today? I wish that I knew
'Cause looking around there is no sign of you
I don't remember one jump or one leap
Just quiet steps away from you lead

I am holding my heart out, but clutching it, too
Feeling a short of a love we once knew
Calling this a home when its not even close
Playing the role with nerves left exposed

Standing on a darkened stage
Stumbling through the lines
Others have excuses, I have my reasons why

We get distracted by the dreams of our own
But nobody's happy while feeling alone
Knowing how hard is hurts when we fall
We lean another ladder against the wrong wall
And climb high to the highest rung to shake fists at the sky
Others have excuses, I have my reasons why

With so much deception, it is hard not to wander away
Hard not to wander away
Hard not to wander away

I will post the link to the video in a few moments. Better publish this before it gets saved as a draft again.

Meaningful song

Ever the procrastinator, I'm posting my song at the last possible minute. It's by one of my all time favorite bands, Over the Rhine. This song in particular meant a lot to me a few years back when I was going through a lot of things with my family. My parents were going through an ugly divorce, and I felt like things would never be ok again. It seemed like everything I had ever known in my life was shaken to the core by this one single event. When I was really down about things, this song helped remind me that first of all, I wasn't alone. Second of all, I still had so much to be thankful for - what I considered to be my own personal tragedy was still filled with more love and blessings than many people ever know. If you click on the title you can hear a little clip of the song. I couldn't find a way to get the whole thing on here. (I'm not as cool as Andy)


Poughkeepsie

I thought I’d go up Poughkeepsie,
look out o’er the Hudson,
and I’d throw my body down on the river.
And I’d know no more sorrow,
I’d fly like the sparrow
and I’d ride on the backs of the angels tonight.

I’d ride on the backs of the angels tonight.
I’d take to the sky with all my might.
No more drowning in my sorrow,
no more drowning in my fright,
I’d just ride on the backs of the angels tonight.

There are those who know sorrow
and those who must borrow
and those whose lot in life is sweet.
Well I’m drunk on self-pity,
scorned all that’s been given me,
I would drink from a bottle labeled Sure Defeat.

I’d ride on the backs of the angels tonight.
I’d take to the sky with all my might.
No more drowning in my sorrow,
no more drowning in my fright,
I’d just ride on the backs of the angels tonight.

Then the skies, they fell open
and my eyes were opened
to a world of hope falling at my feet.
Now I’ve no more or less
than anyone else has,
what I have is a gift of life I can’t repeat.

So I go up Poughkeepsie,
look out o’er the Hudson
and I cast my worries to the sky.
Now I still know sorrow,
but I can fly like the sparrow
‘cause I ride on the backs of the angels tonight.

I ride on the backs of the angels tonight.
I take to the sky with all their might.
No more drowning in my sorrow,
no more drowning in my fright,
I’ll just ride on the backs of the angels each night.