Continuing in the tradition of providing clean water for communities, our elementary children recently made “Valentines for Jesus” (crafts and coupon books) for sale to raise funds for a new well in Haiti.  Our kids teamed up with other Nazarene churches in East Tennessee and raised $155.50 to put towards the project.  Learn more about the Haiti Water Project by visiting www.haitiwaterproject.com.  Stay tuned for a total from the rest of the district coming soon!

We can recite them. We hang them on our walls and in our courtrooms. We use them as a measurement of our character. It is easy for us to go along knowing the Ten Commandments without ever taking the time to realize the great insight they possess for our lives.

But they are so much more than commands they are one of the foundations of the Christian faith, a centering force for God s people. These ten words, ten statements, ten commandments allowed [...]]]>  

We can recite them. We hang them on our walls and in our courtrooms. We use them as a measurement of our character. It is easy for us to go along knowing the Ten Commandments without ever taking the time to realize the great insight they possess for our lives.

But they are so much more than commands they are one of the foundations of the Christian faith, a centering force for God s people.
These ten words, ten statements, ten commandments allowed the Israelites to see the world from their Creator s perspective. They provided Israel with a foundation on which to build God s chosen people.

Through The Sinai Experiment explore how God s people have been shaped and formed by these commandments and discover how God is leading us just as he led a poor, weak people out of slavery and into the Promised Land.
How it works:
1. Read and discuss each chapter with your group.
2. Pick one of the experiments (challenges to live intentionally) to do throughout the week.
3. Journal your thoughts and experiences.
4. Share your experiences as a group the following week.

Jamie Bloom will be leading this group through this exciting study of the 10 Commandments.  Join us here at Real Life Community starting Sunday Night, January 15th at 6pm for a great new discipleship course!

Ready for an exciting time of revitalization in your marriage?  This class is for you.  Jean Landphair will be leading this course on marriage.  Jean is a counselor from our church with a local practice here in Murfreesboro.  She has a special emphasis in Marriage & Family Counseling.  We’re excited to have the opportunity to have her lead this course this semester.

The message of Hold Me Tight is simple:  recognize and admit that you are emotionally attached to and dependent [...]]]>

Ready for an exciting time of revitalization in your marriage?  This class is for you.  Jean Landphair will be leading this course on marriage.  Jean is a counselor from our church with a local practice here in Murfreesboro.  She has a special emphasis in Marriage & Family Counseling.  We’re excited to have the opportunity to have her lead this course this semester.

The message of Hold Me Tight is simple:  recognize and admit that you are emotionally attached to and dependent on your mate in much the same way that a child is on a parent for nurturing, soothing, and protection. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples, which is the basis for this book, focuses on creating and strengthening this emotional bond.

EFT has an astounding 70 – 75% success rate and results have been shown to last, even in the face of significant stress.  While this class will NOT be couples therapy, it can enrich healthy relationships and revitalize tired ones by gaining understanding from EFT.

Hold Me Tight was not written from a Christian perspective.  But since all truth originates from God’s word, good science is consistent with scripture.  Scripture references will be incorporated into this class to support the main points discussed.

Each couple will need one book, costing $16.  If this cost is an obstacle to anyone participating in this class, the church will pick up the fee.  Homework will be assigned for each class.  Participants need to pick up a book at church prior to the first class and get at least a good start on reading the first 56 pages of the book.  Course begins Sunday Night, January 15th at 6pm here at Real Life.

Then get ready for your journey towards a strengthened bond between you and the love of your life!

In order to pattern our lives after Jesus’ life more closely, we’re going to be spending the next few months studying the life of Jesus.  Please join us on Sunday mornings as we journey through the life of Jesus together.

 Hello Real Life Family!

I am looking to fill a vacancy in Hospitality for this Sunday, December 4th. If you have a desire to want to assist in the ministry, I am looking for someone to bring in a tasty snack….to share with the rest of the church. We have had  a weekly volunteer out of state to be with family and I have received word that they will also be gone again this weekend. Without a volunteer, it [...]]]> From Caren:

 Hello Real Life Family!

I am looking to fill a vacancy in Hospitality for this Sunday, December 4th. If you have a desire to want to assist in the ministry, I am looking for someone to bring in a tasty snack….to share with the rest of the church. We have had  a weekly volunteer out of state to be with family and I have received word that they will also be gone again this weekend. Without a volunteer, it looks like our snacks for Sunday might be a little on the light side. Snacks can be whatever you would like to bring. Whether you have a desire to fire up the oven or stop by your local bakery, or grocery store for snacks, ALL will be received with a cheerful…and yes, thankful smile! Our Hospitality Ministry could not exist without your help. If you are interested in helping with this one week adventure, please contact Caren Miller.

Email: Caren@reallifecommunity.org or by calling 615-275-7097

Thank you for your service!        ~ Caren

Our services during Advent were family style, with our elementary children joining us in the services for drama, crafts and all kinds of interesting experiences!  It was a lot of fun. 

Here are the messages from our “Nativity Spotlights” series.

MERGE has posted the NOVEMBER Calendar of Events!

MERGE gets together on the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of every month. This month’s events are:

Sunday, November 13th :   “Bible Study/Game Night”                            @ The Hanson’s House. Time: 6:30 –  8:00 PM   Topic of discussion:  ”Grace” (See Nina Hanson for directions)

Sunday, November 27th : ”ACTIVITY NIGHT – MERGE Thanksgiving Dinner” Time: 5:00 – 7:00 [...]]]> Attention : ALL 20 Something’s/College Age Young Adults! 

MERGE has posted the NOVEMBER Calendar of Events!

MERGE gets together on the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of every month. This month’s events are:

Sunday, November 13th :   “Bible Study/Game Night”                            @ The Hanson’s House. Time: 6:30 –  8:00 PM   Topic of discussion:  ”Grace” (See Nina Hanson for directions)

Sunday, November 27th : ”ACTIVITY NIGHT – MERGE Thanksgiving Dinner” Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM   Where: TBD   “There will be plenty of yummy Thanksgiving food to enjoy together. Also – Come dressed as a pilgrim, indian, or a turkey! Best Costume wins a prize! If you would like to host this event at your home, please contact Nina Hanson.

If you would like some additional information, would like to attend, or host the Thanksgiving Dinner Event, contact Nina Hanson. Nina can be reached by Email : hanson_farms@yahoo.com or by calling 931-217-6019

This year for the Christmas season we are excited to be joining in the telling of the Christmas story through giving to others.  Whereas in past years we have dug wells & planted farms, this year we are choosing three projects.

Sunday mornings during October 2011 [...]]]> If you’ve ever seen the movies Gladiator or Braveheart, then you’ll have an idea of the kind of world in which the story of Joshua is written.  It’s an epic tale of how a wandering band of refugees move into a land they’ve been promised by God.  At the center of this story is Joshua.  He is the successor to Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the brink of the Promised Land.

Sunday mornings during October 2011 we dug into the stories from Joshua to learn about what it looks like to receive the promises of God, be strong & courageous, make the intentional choice to serve the Lord and much more.  Enjoy the messages.

This past summer I (Pastor Erik) was with the kids at the pool.  Another dad showed up with his kids and, after a few moments of getting them ready and in the pool, he took a running start and jumped in, “Cannonball!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.  Water went everywhere…and the whole pool was affected by his splash.

Every once in awhile, someone comes along and changes everything.  In the Old Testament we’re treated to regular stories of [...]]]>

This past summer I (Pastor Erik) was with the kids at the pool.  Another dad showed up with his kids and, after a few moments of getting them ready and in the pool, he took a running start and jumped in, “Cannonball!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.  Water went everywhere…and the whole pool was affected by his splash.

Every once in awhile, someone comes along and changes everything.  In the Old Testament we’re treated to regular stories of people just like this.  They had (or developed) something of what it takes to make a splash in God’s world.  Because of their __________ (faith, perseverance, etc…), the whole world changed.

Here are the messages from September/October 2011 to help us learn from some Old Testament heroes what it takes to be a difference-maker in our world for God.