Dear Parents
Why would Jesus come back to save us? The expected answer is “because He loves us.” For some, that’s enough. For others, it feels hollow. This week, several shootings filled our feeds and the news—just more tragedies added to years of the same. The world is overflowing with war, gossip, abusive parents, and disgraceful children. And it’s not just the “outsiders” doing these things. Inside the church, too, there’s anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and plain rudeness. So who exactly is Jesus coming back for? The Bible makes it clear: all of us—even the chosen—have fallen far short.
This week, my goal is that students walk away with a deeper understanding of God’s love. His love isn’t dependent on us, and His love for our enemies isn’t dependent on them either. God is coming back for us, all of us—even the ones we might label as unredeemable. It’s not “us or them.” It’s just “us.” Jesus is coming back for us. The real question is, do you want to be with Him?
My hope as their pastor is for every student to answer “yes.”
This week, my goal is that students walk away with a deeper understanding of God’s love. His love isn’t dependent on us, and His love for our enemies isn’t dependent on them either. God is coming back for us, all of us—even the ones we might label as unredeemable. It’s not “us or them.” It’s just “us.” Jesus is coming back for us. The real question is, do you want to be with Him?
My hope as their pastor is for every student to answer “yes.”
Connection Points
This week, I encourage you to spend a few minutes talking with your teenager about our lesson. Consider building your conversation around 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 and these questions:
• What do you think will be more shocking at the time: seeing Jesus with millions of angles, or people raising from the dead and floating up into the sky?
• According to this text what is the order of events that happen before we’re with the Lord forever?
• How does this passage give you hope during darker days?
Have a great time exploring these topics. Thanks for your prayers and support!
• What do you think will be more shocking at the time: seeing Jesus with millions of angles, or people raising from the dead and floating up into the sky?
• According to this text what is the order of events that happen before we’re with the Lord forever?
• How does this passage give you hope during darker days?
Have a great time exploring these topics. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Announcements
Special Vespers and Dedication - September 19 is our next vespers and it will be a special one where CVA is partnering with Union Adventist University to remember Carter Trumble and dedicate the memorial pavilion built this summer. The pavilion is built out at Woodland Acres where Carter helped lead Man Camp. It was something he looked forward to each year and the pavilion, fire pit, and bench donated to the camp will bless people for years to come. It will start at 6pm with a potluck supper with worship starting around 7pm. You're invited to come and bring something to contribute. Bring a chair, and we hope to see you then.
MAN CAMP - Get ready for Man Camp 2025! Join us September 26–28 at Woodland Acres for a weekend of challenge, growth, and connection as we dive into what it means to be a man of God. Spots are limited, so register soon to lock in your place! For youth men & their dads, and dads of daughters. Get a special rate of: $35 for students - $40 for adults and price goes up $5 if you register after September 15. Click HERE to register.
Day with Jesus - A Day with Jesus (7th-12th grade girls) - Come enjoy Worship, music, food, friends and learn that “we never walk alone”. Friday (7-9pm) - Campfire, night games, snacks and worship. Sabbath (10-12:30pm) - Worship, brunch & connections. Sabbath Afternoon Outreach - 2:00-2:30pm. Cost $20. RSVP to Tori by Sep 21 - 417-766-3544.
Refocus - We are invested in the success of students as...students! This week at Refocus we will have a comfort food/movie night. Can't wait. See you there from 6:30-8pm.
Bible Study Small Group - Almost every Friday night Mic and Tori host a small group Bible study in their home from 7:15-9:00pm. This is a time for your teen to be able to ask questions about life, eternity, God, or really anything. We open up the Bible and dive in discovering what it means for us and our faith journey. This is one of the best things we do.
Our Home Address:
130 Winfield Rd.
Lincoln, NE 68512
MAN CAMP - Get ready for Man Camp 2025! Join us September 26–28 at Woodland Acres for a weekend of challenge, growth, and connection as we dive into what it means to be a man of God. Spots are limited, so register soon to lock in your place! For youth men & their dads, and dads of daughters. Get a special rate of: $35 for students - $40 for adults and price goes up $5 if you register after September 15. Click HERE to register.
Day with Jesus - A Day with Jesus (7th-12th grade girls) - Come enjoy Worship, music, food, friends and learn that “we never walk alone”. Friday (7-9pm) - Campfire, night games, snacks and worship. Sabbath (10-12:30pm) - Worship, brunch & connections. Sabbath Afternoon Outreach - 2:00-2:30pm. Cost $20. RSVP to Tori by Sep 21 - 417-766-3544.
Refocus - We are invested in the success of students as...students! This week at Refocus we will have a comfort food/movie night. Can't wait. See you there from 6:30-8pm.
Bible Study Small Group - Almost every Friday night Mic and Tori host a small group Bible study in their home from 7:15-9:00pm. This is a time for your teen to be able to ask questions about life, eternity, God, or really anything. We open up the Bible and dive in discovering what it means for us and our faith journey. This is one of the best things we do.
Our Home Address:
130 Winfield Rd.
Lincoln, NE 68512