CHATHAM STUDENT NEWSLETTER

December 15, 2008

Contents

1. Something for Your Heart

2. Surf Report

3. Forgettable Fact

4. Potent Quotables

5. What is Happening?

6. Prayer

7. Birthdays

8. Picture of the week

9. Uh, That's Funny?

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Psalm 139:13-16

Mary was an ordinary teenager, yet God chose her to accomplish great things. Today, God still looks for ordinary people who are willing to trust him with their lives to accomplish great things. Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us that God created, designed, and crafted each of us especially for what he wants us to do. In fact, you were wired to know God and make him known. Nothing else will really satisfy you.

Reread today's passage and meditate on what it's saying to you. The real Christmas question is, "What will you do with this Jesus?"

How does it make you feel to know that God created you to know him and make him known?

Choose a personal way to express praise to God. Take some time to praise him.

**

Taken from "Christ" by Student Life Bible Study, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here:

http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=414

2. SURF REPORT

White House Christmas Trees

Pictures and stories of White House Christmas trees

http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/holiday/whtree/

Christmas Recipes

Fruitcake, fudge and Christmas cookies

http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Christmas/Main.aspx

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

The speed of a typical raindrop is 17 miles per hour.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

"He has opened heaven's door, and man is blessed evermore."

~ From "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"

"Fear always springs from ignorance."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. WHAT IS HAPPENING?

*Special Note: If the Hazelwood School district cancels school, youth groups are canceled. Check the web sites for the updates.

6. PRAYER (youthal@sbcglobal.net)

Allyson Hartman – She was taken to the emergency room this afternoon. Pray for her as she is having abdominal pains, pray that it is something simple like a virus (flu or such), I know that sound weird, but pray. Please contact her and let her know that you are praying for her.

Christmas Outreaches – Pray for the various events taking place over the next 2 weeks. Pray that the message of Christ for salvation would shine this Christmas.

Sarah Gregor - Please pray for our friend, Murleen, scheduled to have her gallbladder removed this Friday, Dec.12. She is a believer. Pray for others in the family to fully trust the Lord.

Randy & Kim Windham - Please pray:

• For us as we have our exit interview

• For our family as we say more good-byes with our dear friends we have made in these few weeks

• For the Kalanga people as they begin holiday season, that  it will be focused on the birth of God's Son

• Safe flight back to St. Louis

• We will receive our work visas soon

• For Bob, the homeless man I met...that he will stay 'clean' and will be able to get a job and an apartment

INDIA - Officials in Orissa are forcing Christians in relief camps to return to their villages without doing anything to repair their homes or protect them from further attacks. Jankalyan Samaj (People’s Welfare Society), a local Christian organisation in Kandhamal district, claims that Christians are afraid to return home because of continued threats from Hindu extremists. But, despite these fears, the authorities are turning people out of the relief camps which have been their home since violence first erupted in late August.

Two Christian women were murdered when they ventured out of their refugee camps in Kandhamal to try to harvest rice on their land. Lalita Digal was dragged out of a friend’s house in Dodabali village and killed. Bimala Nayak was murdered with axes near Gubria.

In Tiangia village on November 25, extremists set light to two Christian homes and the house of a Hindu who had Christian friends. Just hours before, district authorities had visited Tiangia villagers and guaranteed refugees’ safe return. Staying in the relief camps is not a safe option either. Most camps lack basic amenities including safe drinking water.

The anti-Christian violence began in August after a Hindu extremist leader was murdered in Kandhamal. Church leaders are now calling for a ban on a proposed bandh (strike) which Hindus have threatened to hold on Christmas Day unless those responsible for their leader’s murder are arrested. Christians believe the strike could lead to further unrest.

• Pray for an end to anti-Christian violence in Orissa and other Indian states.

• Pray for Christians facing an uncertain future back in their villages.

7. BIRTHDAYS

None

8. PICTURE OF THE WEEK

RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Oui the frog sits on a miniature motorcycle in the eastern beach town of Pattaya January 10, 2008. Oui's owner says Oui loves playing with human toys and posing for photographs.

REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)

9. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What do you call people who are afraid of Santa?

A: Claustrophobic.