The meteorologist’s forecast certainly didn’t disappoint this time. There is a thick layer of snow on the ground here in Kennebunk and it’s still coming down. We are so thankful that God’s Church isn’t a building, but rather is made up of the people that believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior. So even though we may miss meeting together corporately this week, we are able to exalt Him in our Hearts. Also, with technology we can still be able to share a common message from God’s Word.

In the video below, Pastor Paul continues the Advent Series on Luke 2:10-11 with a short message on the “GREAT JOY” we can have in Jesus Christ. We hope you stay safe and warm today and spend some time reflecting on who we are in Christ. God Bless!

Luke 2:10-11 “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The purpose of Sea Road Christian Church is to lead as many people as possible to discover the fullness of Christ.

As a dynamic church proclaiming the Word of God we seek to accomplish this by remaining clear and staying focused on why we exist:

The foundation of the Cross

The cross is the singular focus and foundational starting point to discovering the fullness of Christ. The cross is at the absolute center of who we are at Sea Road and is the reason why we exist. Apart from the cross, we can do nothing. In light of that reality, however, the cross is not the end but the beginning of a new creation, walking by the Spirit in the newness of life. The personal conviction that is produced by the gospel brings forth repentance, the forgiveness of sin, AND the gift of the Holy Spirit. The experience of the gospel is not static, and neither is it merely believing in information. Rather, the message of the cross is only the beginning of God’s transforming work in us through the reconciling work of the Holy Spirit.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:37-38

EXALT

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through worship. Responding to the gospel message is not based on gratitude, formality, or obligation but rather the response to the gospel is primarily one of great, unspeakable, everlasting joy. This is based on the good news of great joy for all the people that the angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds at the birth of Christ our Savior. The centrality of the cross produces a genuine response of worship in the life of a disciple of Christ. It is impossible to come into the presence of the glory of God and not be forever changed. Our worship is out of the overflow of the infinite joy that the gospel brings. In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands, Psalm 63:2-4

ENGAGE

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through relationship. Jesus calls his followers into nothing less than a fully engaged lifestyle of relationship. We do not seek to participate in worship with our lips while our hearts are far away. Rather, we are a church that believes in the active participation of the church body both vertically in our relationship with Christ and horizontally in our relationship with one another. The kind of participation Jesus calls His church to is comprehensive, personally engaging the mind, engaging the heart, engaging the will, and corporately engaging relationships and engaging community. As the body of Christ, we are not spectators but rather we have been called to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, to be ambassadors of reconciliation, to bear witness to the gospel, to make disciples of all nations, and to join with Jesus as He builds His church.

No one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother, 1 John 4:19-21

EQUIP

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through discipleship. Salvation occurs in a moment but discipleship is a lifelong commitment and endeavor to continually grow in the fullness of Christ. At Sea Road, we believe that the inspired, authoritative, infallible word of God is useful and profitable to equip disciples of Jesus for whatever is needed under any and all circumstances. The grace of God is sufficient for all things. Jesus commands us to make disciples, which includes instructing and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded. We are called to maturity in Christ, which eternally calls us deeper into the gospel and refuses to allow us to settle for stagnation.

Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you, Matthew 28:18-20

Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:8

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16


EXTEND

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through witness. The message and power of the gospel is not to be exclusively enjoyed internally but the gospel is also to be shared, proclaimed, announced, and declared externally for all to hear, respond, and enjoy. The gospel is meant to go out in all directions and to fill all the earth with the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel is designed to increase and promote the message of Christ to all peoples of all nations. At Sea Road, we believe that the full extension of the whole gospel message is shared through word and deed. The proclamation of the gospel without the demonstration of the gospel is a truncated, eclipsed, and incomplete description. The demonstration of the gospel without the proclamation of the gospel is ungrounded, unclear, and devoid of meaning. The fullness of the gospel includes both word and deed, thus it is through both word and deed that the gospel extends into the world bearing greater witness with integrity and authenticity.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:14-16

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, Matthew 28:19

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth, Acts 1:8

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Summary

We are passionate about developing 360-degree disciples whose faith is directly impacted upwardly, inwardly, and outwardly. We believe that the power of the gospel fundamentally, irreversibly, and undeniably transforms lives forever. The only way to achieve this is first, to recognize that without the cross as the foundation and starting point, there can be no exalting, engaging, equipping, or extending; and second, to recognize that discovering the fullness of Christ is not limited to one aspect of our discipleship to the exclusion of another. If one of the key components of our discipleship is missing, then experiencing the fullness of Christ will be found incomplete and lacking. Therefore, we believe that exalting, engaging, equipping, and extending are all integral parts that make up the whole of experiencing the fullness of all that God is for us in Jesus Christ.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Sea Road Christian Church High School Youth Program is to lead high school students (adolescents) to discover the fullness of Christ.

Why? – The Motivation

A.That they may have the riches of glory- Christ in them. The hope of glory.
B.That we may present them mature in Christ. Col 1:27-28
C. That they maybe prepared spiritually, emotionally, mentally to successfully navigate life as a committed disciple of Christ.
D. That our friends may know the message and love of Christ. Rm 10:12-14

How? – The Process

By:
1. Providing trained role models and safe settings!  Intentional. (Our youth program will also aim to create a community among the leaders where we worship, grow in our faith, receive training. Ministry not just for the students).
2. Sharing food, friends, fun, and life. Incarnational. (Meeting them where they are at, going and doing what they like to do, inviting them into our lives).
3. Supplying opportunities to hear the Gospel. Missional.

What? – The Program

1. Our Bible Study/Structured Discipleship: S N L (Sunday Night Live)
2. Outreach Event: Will take place once a month in place of the Bible study
3. Breakfast Club (Engaging conversation over coffee and donuts before school. Prayer. Could be a club at the high school).
4. Missions (Whatever is on the heart of the students).
5. Leaders Meetings (Bi-weekly meetings to plan, receive training, worship, grow, share).

Framework and Guiding Principles

Contact Work: Investing our time, money, energy, and talents into the lives of students by consistent direct and indirect communication to create long-lasting friendships.
Discipleship: Structured and unstructured sharing. “How is your soul?”
Every Student: We seek every student, no matter the walk of life. (Whether of a different language/ethnicity, status, religion, upbringing, behavior etc.)
Ownership: Our youth will be given responsibility and will learn ownership of the mission. (e.g deciding Bible study topics, help in naming the ministry and planning events, being held accountable to invite their friends and share the Gospel!).
“Rounded” Perspective: Open to non-Christians, unchurchy, trusting, firm, holy, appealing. (e.g not meeting in the church building for most events; using language intentionally- as in, not referring to non-Christian students as “the lost.”)

Q&A

Q: Is this ministry only for high school students?
A: Yes, each age bracket presents many unique challenges, joys, needs, questions, maturity levels, interests etc. Running a combined ministry for both high school and middle school students may leave us ineffective in our mission. We are committed to recruiting and training a leadership team. Once the team is large enough, and a sustainable foundation is laid, two of these leaders (one male, one female) will launch the middle school program!

Q: Are other churches and youth (youth groups) welcome?
A: Yes! We have a great relationship with a couple of churches in the area and they have already been invited to bring their youth once we are launched. We will continue to have an open and inviting stance, considering that there are limited options for youth groups in our area.

Q: Are we focusing our outreach on any particular high school?
A: Yes, Kennebunk High because it is in the same town as Sea Road. However, we not only look to impact or town but surrounding towns as well. Students from any other high schools are welcome and we encourage our presently engaged students to invite their friends no matter their location.

Q: Are there any options for youth on Sundays?
A: Sea Road leadership will discuss the possibility of holding a Youth Sunday School.

Q: Will Caleigh Trask (Tom’s wife) be involved with the youth?
A: Sea Road Church has hired Tom, not his wife. Each individual has their own calling and passions to serve, in which, Caleigh will pursue. Currently, Caleigh is available to lead, share, and serve the students (as anyone else) outside of an official youth group context, but is not a youth group leader. With this said, as Tom’s wife, Caleigh may have more contact with students than the average member, and is welcome to lead at youth group events when available.

Q:I think it is essential to prepare high school students specifically for college life as it can be hard place to abide, and express faith in Christ. Can we do something about this?
A: Yes we can! Great question. Seniors will have a process of sharing their “life story,” joys, challenges, advice, encouragements to underclassmen in the youth group, will create a “plan of action” with their youth group leader on how to live as a committed disciple of Christ, and will read and discuss a resource called “A Field Manual for life in College.”

Q: Can we have fires?
A: Yes… we can safely light objects on fire in a controlled setting. We’ll even add marshmallows.

Ministry Needs

– Prayer Support. This is a group of individuals committed to praying for the mission, its leaders, and students. This group will also receive updates concerning answered prayer, success, and challenges. If you would like to be prayer support, please contact Tom at tom.m.trask@gmail.com.Thank you!

– Leaders. We are calling all interested, able leaders who are looking to be a part of an adventurous mission. Serving and loving high school students as a leader brings much challenge, joy, personal and spiritual growth, flavor to life, and opportunities to take risks as a disciple. Want to make a difference in the lives of students? Join the team!

Below is a quick bio about Tom and a recent update he sent to the church family in our weekly email update…

About Tom

– Wanted to go to culinary school, but The Lord changed my interest.
– Enrolled in Youth With A Mission and discovered my calling: pastoral ministry.
– Enrolled at New England Bible College in South Portland for a BS in pastoral ministry and Greek. Finishing up last two semesters.
– Plan to enroll at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Fall 2014 for M.Div and Th.M
– Pioneered and established Sanford Young Life.
– Married my best friend, Caleigh, over the summer.
– Excited to serve, and serve with, the Sea Road family.

A note from Tom- October 19, 2012

I have had a blast hanging out with the youth. Our first time together on the 8th of this month consisted of donuts, hot chocolate, and getting to know other at Dunkin Donuts. What I really enjoyed was hearing the thoughts and hopes for an effective youth program from nine very fun, mature, and excited students. Even more cool, was that the students and I had similar thoughts, hopes, and vision for the program!

We were pleased to have two students from a church in Cape Porpoise join us. We will continue to have an inviting, open door stance towards other churches in our area who do not have youth programs.

We met for a second time on the 13th. Caleigh and I had the youth over to our apartment for pizza and board games. This was another fun night of getting to know each other, however, some were left in bitter defeat in “Buzz Words” (a card game of anxiousness that “fuzzes your mind and buzzes your brain”). Least to say, my brain still buzzes and I was bitter.

These updates will always consist of what is affectionately known as the “nitty gritties”…

-We have confirmed that our weekly youth meetings will be held at 6pm on Sunday evenings.

-We are in conversation with a few families that may be willing to host these weekly meetings at their homes. Until we have confirmed logistics with our gracious hosts, the youth will continue to meet in the Sea Road Church fellowship hall.

-Our next meeting will be held upstairs in the gym building, right above the lobby (not the gym itself), at 6pm this Sunday, October 26th. We will begin diving into the Scriptures this week.

-We are currently pursuing interested and potential leaders to help. If you are able to consider this ministry opportunity please email help@searoadchurch.org. Thank you!

Thank you for your prayers, support and continued faithfulness as we follow God’s leading for this program!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the Youth Informational Meeting on September 22nd.. Here is a summary of our time together in case you missed it or would like a recap. Please look this over. There may be helpful additions that were not mentioned in the meeting, including some questions and answers that have been asked that you may also be wondering about yourself.

For His Glory,
Tom Trask

We are extremely excited to announce the recent addition of a Youth Leader to the staff at Sea Road Christian Church. Tom Trask has accepted this important position and has already begun to engage the church family in dialog and planning for this critical ministry to the high school aged children of our church body.

Having recently gotten married, Tom and his wife Caleigh will be living in Kennebunk, Me. as Tom finishes up his studies at New England Bible College. Tom, plans to consider seminary upon completion of his studies at NEBC. His recent work with the global teen ministry outreach called Young Life, has uniquely prepared Tom for this next ministry opportunity.

Tom spent the first part of September meeting and planning with the Sea Road leadership team and seeking God for a vision for the youth program. On September 22, 2013 Tom led an informational meeting in which he outlined several key components of what he believes will be engaging and helpful discipleship opportunities for current Sea Road teens. He also shared some ideas on ways God may use this ministry to engage our teens in effectively living out the Gospel with intentionality to reach the local and global community for Christ.

We will be sharing much more information as things develop so check our New’s section of the website for updates. Please pray for Tom and the entire youth team as they seek to honor God and lead the next generation to the fullness of Christ.

If you are interested in helping as a volunteer youth leader. Please email help@searoadchurch.org

The purpose of Sea Road Christian Church is to lead as many people as possible to discover the fullness of Christ.

As a dynamic church proclaiming the Word of God we seek to accomplish this by remaining clear and staying focused on why we exist:

The foundation of the Cross

The cross is the singular focus and foundational starting point to discovering the fullness of Christ. The cross is at the absolute center of who we are at Sea Road and is the reason why we exist. Apart from the cross, we can do nothing. In light of that reality, however, the cross is not the end but the beginning of a new creation, walking by the Spirit in the newness of life. The personal conviction that is produced by the gospel brings forth repentance, the forgiveness of sin, AND the gift of the Holy Spirit. The experience of the gospel is not static, and neither is it merely believing in information. Rather, the message of the cross is only the beginning of God’s transforming work in us through the reconciling work of the Holy Spirit.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:37-38

EXALT

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through worship. Responding to the gospel message is not based on gratitude, formality, or obligation but rather the response to the gospel is primarily one of great, unspeakable, everlasting joy. This is based on the good news of great joy for all the people that the angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds at the birth of Christ our Savior. The centrality of the cross produces a genuine response of worship in the life of a disciple of Christ. It is impossible to come into the presence of the glory of God and not be forever changed. Our worship is out of the overflow of the infinite joy that the gospel brings. In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands, Psalm 63:2-4

ENGAGE

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through relationship. Jesus calls his followers into nothing less than a fully engaged lifestyle of relationship. We do not seek to participate in worship with our lips while our hearts are far away. Rather, we are a church that believes in the active participation of the church body both vertically in our relationship with Christ and horizontally in our relationship with one another. The kind of participation Jesus calls His church to is comprehensive, personally engaging the mind, engaging the heart, engaging the will, and corporately engaging relationships and engaging community. As the body of Christ, we are not spectators but rather we have been called to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, to be ambassadors of reconciliation, to bear witness to the gospel, to make disciples of all nations, and to join with Jesus as He builds His church.

No one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother, 1 John 4:19-21

EQUIP

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through discipleship. Salvation occurs in a moment but discipleship is a lifelong commitment and endeavor to continually grow in the fullness of Christ. At Sea Road, we believe that the inspired, authoritative, infallible word of God is useful and profitable to equip disciples of Jesus for whatever is needed under any and all circumstances. The grace of God is sufficient for all things. Jesus commands us to make disciples, which includes instructing and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded. We are called to maturity in Christ, which eternally calls us deeper into the gospel and refuses to allow us to settle for stagnation.

Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you, Matthew 28:18-20

Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:8

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16


EXTEND

In response to the cross, we experience the fullness of Christ through witness. The message and power of the gospel is not to be exclusively enjoyed internally but the gospel is also to be shared, proclaimed, announced, and declared externally for all to hear, respond, and enjoy. The gospel is meant to go out in all directions and to fill all the earth with the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel is designed to increase and promote the message of Christ to all peoples of all nations. At Sea Road, we believe that the full extension of the whole gospel message is shared through word and deed. The proclamation of the gospel without the demonstration of the gospel is a truncated, eclipsed, and incomplete description. The demonstration of the gospel without the proclamation of the gospel is ungrounded, unclear, and devoid of meaning. The fullness of the gospel includes both word and deed, thus it is through both word and deed that the gospel extends into the world bearing greater witness with integrity and authenticity.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:14-16

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, Matthew 28:19

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth, Acts 1:8

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Summary

We are passionate about developing 360-degree disciples whose faith is directly impacted upwardly, inwardly, and outwardly. We believe that the power of the gospel fundamentally, irreversibly, and undeniably transforms lives forever. The only way to achieve this is first, to recognize that without the cross as the foundation and starting point, there can be no exalting, engaging, equipping, or extending; and second, to recognize that discovering the fullness of Christ is not limited to one aspect of our discipleship to the exclusion of another. If one of the key components of our discipleship is missing, then experiencing the fullness of Christ will be found incomplete and lacking. Therefore, we believe that exalting, engaging, equipping, and extending are all integral parts that make up the whole of experiencing the fullness of all that God is for us in Jesus Christ.

The meteorologist’s forecast certainly didn’t disappoint. There is a thick layer of snow on the ground here in Kennebunk and it’s still coming down hard. We are so thankful that God’s Church isn’t a building, but rather is made up of the people that believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior.

So even though we may miss meeting together corporately this week, we are able to exalt Him in our Hearts. We hope you stay safe and warm today and spend some time reflecting on who we are in Christ. God Bless!