As we begin a new year I am very excited at what the year holds for us as a church family. We had a very blessed 2009 and I know God has big plans for Seymour Heights in 2010. Kandoo Kids has seen many new families since the beginning of the year and we are glad to have them plugged into ministry. We are growing to the point that our classes are overflowing with children. What a blessing! The Kandoo Kids Leadership Team constantly thanks God for sending us families to partner with in their child's spiritual development. 

Pastor Adam

"My Favorite Song"
by Angie Aubrey, Music Director

Okay, I'll admit that trying to pinpoint my "favorite song ever" is impossible for me to do.  It's a little bit easier if I can make multiple categories.  Here are some of my all-time favorites:
Beatles Song:  Long & Winding Road
Elvis Song:  I Can't Help Falling in Love with You
Eagles Song:  I Can't Tell You Why
Oldies Song:  So Happy Together

But, this is a church "newsletter" and you would expect "other" favorites:
Hymn:  Great is Thy Faithfulness
Christmas Song:  Birthday of a King
Keith Green Song:  How Can They Live Without  Jesus?

As a worship leader, you probably want to know these favorites:
New Worship Song:  Revelation Song
Familiar Worship Song:  Mighty to Save
Yet-to-teach Worship Song:  The Stand

It really doesn't matter what my favorite song is, or was--or how it became my favorite.  What matters is that something in those songs resonates with me.  Maybe it's the melody line, the lyrics or, maybe it's the artist performing the song.  These are songs have stuck with me -- some more than 40 years. 

When a worship song sticks with you, you have a very special opportunity to praise or pray to God just by humming, saying, or singing those lyrics.  Want to give it a try?  You're welcome to use one of my favorites:

Holy, holy,  holy is the Lord God, Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing: 'Praise to the King of Kings;
You are my everything, and I will adore You!'

I promise you -- it works.  Keep Singing!

Helping Haiti: How can I help?
by Randy Penwell, Lead Pastor
 

SHCC is now in the process of organizing a Task Force to lead us in our efforts to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti and through them reach out to others who are experiencing great loss due to the recent earthquake.  You may have been asking, "How can I help" or "What is our church doing to help?"

The immediate need, of course is for financial resources.  You can share financially by giving to the church and marking your gift "Haiti Relief."  We will be sending money through IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services), or through other Haiti based churches and ministries that we know personally. 

Another need is food and water.  The Task Force will be looking at several options for our "hands on" involvement with food and water distribution.  We hope to put together and food packaging project that we can all be involved with in a personal way.  Be looking for more information on how to get involved this way in the weeks ahead.

We are also hoping to make a couple of short term trips into Haiti in the coming year to help with construction projects and other relief efforts.  If this sounds like something you might be interested in assisting with, please begin to pray about it now.  You might also want to get your passport ready.  This can sometime take weeks or even months.  More information will be available as the details are worked out.

The best and most important thing you can do though is to pray for Haiti.  Pray for the Christians there who have experienced loss and pray for their witness among the non-Christian people.  Pray for the Christians who are leading relief efforts from the states.  Pray for the safety of short-term missionaries.  Pray for the governments cooperation with all the relief agencies.  One new way to pray for the needs of Haiti is to turn your TV to one of the major news programs covering the disaster and pray through the program and for the people and needs that you see.

Haiti has been an impoverished country for a long time.  The recent earthquake has renewed our desire to help them.  Let's not just "strike while the iron's hot."  Instead let's put the people of Haiti on our regular prayer list.  Let's find ways to offer continuing help to them and to others who are suffering.  Jesus said when we find time to serve the "least of these" we were serving Him.  Let's pray that our compassion will grow and lead us to always be ready to offer even a cup of cold water in Jesus name!

An Exciting Addition in 2010
by Adam Linsenbigler, Kandoo Kids Pastor
 

2010 has a lot to bring to many in our church family in the form of wee ones. There are many babies to be born throughout 2010, and the Kandoo Kids Leadership Team are super excited for the new energy that the new life brings to our ministry.

My wife, Megan and I are super excited to announce that we are also expecting one of these wee ones. We are 12 weeks as of February 2nd, and everything has been positive on this journey so far. We are grateful for the continued support we feel here at Seymour Heights, and look forward to many years to come with our growing family. 

For more information and ultrasound pictures, you can visit my Facebook page. Also, those of you who are familiar with our wedding date in 2008 of 06.07.08, you may find it humourous that our babies due date is very close to 08.09.10.