The Texas Star Tale

Ultreya!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY
The Outreach Committee encourages you to celebrate Christmas in July by purchasing new toys
and clothing for infants, children, and teens beginning this month. We will begin collecting
donations at the August 7 Ultreya and will continue until the beginning of December, when
all donations will be given to one or more charities that are collecting for the Christmas season.
Cash donations are also welcome.
If you pay by check, you will get a tax-deductible receipt from the charity.

Friday–Sunday, Oct. 22-24, 2010
TK26 Weekend @Camp Arrowhead
See Calendar Link for Team Meeting Details

Welcome! New Koinonians

Teresa Bjork
Michelle Goodwin
Melissa Jones
Robi Ley
Scott Ley
Eli Navarrette
Jason Robbins
Terry Sherman
Jack Sims
Greg Thomas
Georgia Turner
Kenneth Turner
Stephanie West

God has blessed us with you!

Experience "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" in a Share Group!

As I talk to fellow Koinonians, I don’t find many that are in a small group Bible study. This is something that I feel is so important to you in your Christian walk leading you ever closer to God. I do realize that this isn’t for everyone and attending church services, Sunday school classes and reading your Bible are all wonderful. However, I would like to encourage you to think about starting a small group Bible study in your own home or try to attend one that someone else is having. The cost can be very low and the time spent in preparation can also be small. You can make it be however, you want it to be.
 
The blessings are tremendous. There are times when I get home from work and I think to myself, “I’m going to call everyone and not have Bible study tonight because I’m just too tired”. However, I don’t and by the time everyone gets to my house and we get started, I’m so glad I didn’t call it off.  It just raises your spirits.  Many in my group have said the same thing.  By the time Thursday gets here, we need to have this lift.
 
Start with just getting people together to read the Bible.  It doesn’t matter if you all have different versions because sometimes the way one Bible reads is better understood than another is. Don’t worry about mispronunciation of names and places, or if you are a slow or fast reader, or if you stumble and stutter. Laugh and go on. God understands and I believe he laughs with us. If you want to do something different, go to the internet.  There are loads of things to print off that you can use. If you want to add reading a book and money is tight, go together, buy one book, and pass it around as you read it aloud. 
 
If you have a question or just don’t get the point, stop the reading and ask the question. Maybe someone will know, or have an opinion, or maybe no one will know, but it is something that got you all thinking and someone could be appointed to do some research during the week.
 
Don’t worry about refreshments.  You can fix coffee, tea, lemonade, kool aid, etc. Take turns bringing light snacks if you want.  Take turns refilling the drink fixings and paper cups, plates and napkins. That way no one is out much money.
 
Always start with a prayer and at the end, take prayer requests and have a closing prayer. You can take turns praying but do not push this upon someone who is not comfortable praying in a group. 
 
As always, anything personal that is discussed stays in the group. We do not repeat things about each others.
 
I have many books that you can borrow and would be more than happy to help you get started with a new small group.  Please pray about this. Also, remember, a small group can be as small as two or three people. 
 
Small Group Chairman
Jo Anne Hatfield

Stay in Touch

If you have moved or changed your email address recently, or if there's been a life event that the kommunity would like to know about, please be sure to let us know. Messages and letters are forwarded for awhile, but not forever. Also, if you have a prayer request or a joy to share, please email:

texaskoinonia@swbell.net

DeColores

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