Service Project

This winter we are asking each small group to consider doing some type of service project as a group.  If you haven’t talked about it yet, you’ll want to get started.  Hopefully someone other than the small group leaders will step up to coordinate whatever project your group decides to do.  At the end of the semester we will ask each group to share what they did.  It is not a requirement that you participate in a service project to be part of Insights. 

Welcome to Insights everyone!  Each week any announcements we have will be given to the small group leaders to pass on during small group time.  If you happen to miss the announcements because you are late or unable to come that week, you can find them on our website, www.InsightsBibleStudy.org, under Troy PM blog.  You will also be able to find a recording of the large group teachings on our website later that week.

Inclement Weather

Its wintertime in Michigan and that means there may be bad weather.  If Troy schools are closed, the Kensington Troy building is closed so there will be no Insights.  If the weather gets bad during the day, a decision will be made by 2 pm as to whether we are cancelling Insights.  The decision will be posted on our website and an email sent to the small group leaders if we cancel.  However, we always ask you to use your own judgment.  If you don’t feel comfortable driving, please do not feel you need to come just because we didn’t cancel. 

Small Groups

Each of our small groups has its own unique personality.  Please don’t feel that the small group you are assigned to is set.  If you would like to change for any reason or no reason at all, you are welcome to try another small group.  Elspeth can help you to select a different group or will just update our lists if you know what group you would like to move to.

FUEL     

FUEL is Kensington’s ministry for single parents.  This year they are looking for people, businesses, or groups to sponsor families for Christmas.  One of the coordinators for this program is a member of our evening Insights at Troy so we are letting you know to see if you would be interested in helping to sponsor a family.  We can sponsor as a group so you don’t need to do it on your own.  If this interests you please let Elspeth know.

Next Week

1.      Help us to plan.  If you are planning on bringing a donation for the College Exam Survival Kits, please let us know on the clipboard by the coffee.  If you could also estimate how much you are bringing so we know how many bags it will cover.  Donations are also being accepted for us to shop for things to fill out what is not being brought.  Get your monetary donations to Elspeth or Ivy.

2.      Before assembling the bags, you will have a little time with your small group at round tables in room 212.  If you want to bring a snack or something, feel free to do that.  After assembly we will go back to our small group tables for a few things.

3.      At the start of the fall, you were challenged to step out of your comfort zone and do something like praying out loud.  We’d like to share some stories about how you may have done that and/or how God has moved this fall.  If you would be willing to share, please let Elspeth know via email at [email protected].  If you don’t want to speak, just write what you want to share and it will be read for you.  So think about how Insights has impacted you this fall and share that with us.

No Insights next week   

Due to elections being held in KCC Troy’s building, we will not have Insights next week (11/5).  We will be back on Nov. 12 for our study of Rahab and then our service night Nov. 19 before we break for the holidays.

Money

Make sure you give any donations for the Exam Survival Kits to Elspeth and not in the basket.  Place any contributions to cover Insight’s expenses in the basket just inside room 212.  Thank you for your continued generosity.

Remaining Homework

The final lesson for this semester is here, so don’t forget to pick it up outside room 214.

T-shirts and Bags

The t-shirts and bags have arrived.  They will also be outside of room 214 for you to pick up if you placed an order.

FREE?

We do not charge for anyone to attend Insights and we feel it is important to keep it that way so anyone who wants to come can come.  However, we are not without expenses.  It costs between $6,000 - $8,000 to run all four insights once materials, child care (AM), and other expenses are paid.  This is covered through donations from you as you feel led.  So please pray about what God is directing you to do in regards to the finances for Insights.  Donations can be made by picking up an envelope in the large group room and leaving it in the basket or mailing it in.  Just put Insights on the memo line of your check.

Remaining Homework

You should have picked up a packet of the remaining homework for this season when you arrived tonight.  Anyone not here to pick up homework should be directed to the website to get this week’s homework and pick up the packet next week.

Exam Survival Kits

Don’t forget to sign up at the clipboard on the coffee table to let us know what you plan to bring on November 19th if you are going to be bringing something. If you would prefer to donate money, please get that to Elspeth or Ivy so we can plan for what we will go out and buy.  (Don’t put this in the basket with other donations.) And don’t worry if you can’t contribute financially.  Your assistance the night of the assembly is greatly appreciated.

Week 2 Missed Teaching

Dee Dee has given us a written copy of what she would have presented on Sept. 24 if she had been able to.  This has been placed on the website in place of the video along with what she would have handed out that night.  On the back of the handout was a great outline of Hosea you will probably want to take a look at.  Go to http://www.insightsbiblestudy.org/hosea1.html and select the link for Hosea 1:1-2:8 and the corresponding handout link.

Remaining Homework

You may have noticed that the homework in the binder runs out next week.  The final weeks homework of this semester is going to the printer today and will be handed out next week.  If you miss next week, you can get the homework online at http://www.insightsbiblestudy.org/hosea.html.

Two hour small group

Tonight is our scheduled two hours small group, so enjoy the extra time in your small group.  Maybe you can discuss what you might want to do to help with the Exam Survival Kits.  The sign up for things to bring will be on the coffee table next week.

Dee Dee

Dee Dee is doing much better, but please keep her in your prayers tomorrow as she will be having surgery to remove her gallbladder.

Too late?

It is never too late to join Insights.  If you know someone you would like to invite to join you at Insights, please don’t hesitate to invite her.  Have them go online and register putting your name down as someone they want to be with and we will be expecting them.  If they are unable to register online, they can just show up.  However to make sure we have a binder available for them, let one of your small group leaders know that someone will be coming.

Changing Groups

You are always welcome to change small groups.  We’ve actually had a few shuffle around already this fall.  If you don’t feel your current group is a good fit, or maybe you just have a friend in another group you’d like to be with, please feel free to switch groups.  If you want help selecting a new group, contact Elspeth.  Otherwise, just have your leaders communicate the change so our records can be updated.

Exam Survival Kits

We are hoping to put together 100 or more exam survival kits on November 19th.  Below is a list of ideas for the kits that we have so far.  They are just suggestions.  Feel free to add other items to the list if you want.  There is a clipboard at the coffee table where you can sign up with what you plan to bring to the assembly on the 19th.  We will also have note cards for you to write encouraging words or a prayer to put in the kits.  The bags for the kits will be provided.

·        Post It Notes
·        Index Cards
·        Highlighters
·        Granola bars
·        Snack size candy (leftover Halloween?)
·        Hard candy / suckers / mints
·        Chips
·        Juice Box
·        Money (for others to shop with)

Dee Dee passed the gallstone on her own and will be going home from the hospital once she is able to keep food down. Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday to remove her gallbladder. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Dee Dee has been admitted to the hospital and will be having gallbladder surgery tomorrow.