Sunday Rewind & Cancelled Concert

Thanks to Jonny on the Spot (our Ambassador of Fun or AOF) we got outside in the crisp fall air only to be pelted with cold water balloons. Nice. Then, we got to listen in to the most interesting love notes written for B and AKhan...wow...I'm impressed.

Our topic of discussion was Grace: what stops us from believing it? We talked about Saul and how God didn't see him as a murderer and persecutor but instead like His child, His creation and that's how He sees us.

When you're struggling with believing that God loves you no matter what just run through Romans 8:1-2 which says,

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Lastly, most of you have expressed that a concert on Halloween night that costs $20 isn't something that interests you when you can go trick or treating for free...I heard you loud and clear! Concert is off...enjoy your night (safely and responsibly of course)!!

Events & Happenings & News

On Wednesday, October 22nd is our Student Action Team and Adult Volunteer meeting from 5:30-7:30 in studio 4:12.

On Friday, Octobver 24th I am heading to Dunedin to catch the Dunedin VS. East Lake game. We'll be supporting Gerry (G4) and Andy (AKhan), two of our Student Action Team members as they represent their schools. I'll be leaving from church at 6:30 pm to carpool. You're welcome to join me!!

On Sunday, November 2nd 2008 High Tide will be hosting its 1st annual Fall Open House Party (or FOHP). It will be held at Studio 4:12 from 6:30-8:00. There will be awesome activities, surprises, and worship. This is a GREAT opportunity to invite your friends to come and see what we're all about! Don't miss it!

HAITI T-SHIRTS ARE READY!! THEY TURNED OUT AWESOME. SEE BP OR SARAH OR ROSE TO BUY YOURS FOR $8 (XL AND XXL ARE $10 SORRY CHUCK). WE WILL ALSO TAKE EMAIL ORDERS AT HIGHTIDE@CYPRESSMEADOWS.ORG!!

Grace Defined

Thanks to the Bucs we were missing some of our core people on Sunday night but thanks to the Student Action Team we had a great night anyway!

We began our series on Grace and got a great conversation started in our new student lead small groups. We filled out anonymous Grace surveys that told me a lot about what you guys already believe about Grace and God and how you fit into it all.

For example:

• about 50% of you report having asked Jesus to be your Savior more than once for fear it didn't "stick" the first time


• 10 out of 31 of you reported not believing that God loves you "no matter what"


• of the 21 of you that believe God loves you "no matter what", about 1/2 still struggle with feeling like God loves you less when you make a mistake

These are just a few of the reasons we're focusing the next two weeks on this topic of Grace. It has everything to do with our relationship with Jesus Christ and yet most Christ-followers cannot bring themselves to accept it fully.

When you are struggling with grace and whether or not you deserve your share, just remember:

Ephesians 2:8

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"

Coastal Clean Up

This Saturday, October 18th the High Tide Student Ministry is sending a group to Safety Harbor to participate in a community service project called Coastal Clean Up. This is an AWESOME opportunity to give back to our town and create a student presence for community involvement in this area.

Brian Moore and Joe Highfill, two of our awesome High Tide volunteers will be meeting the interested students at the church at 7:30 am. Yes, I said AM but here's the thing. The project will end by 12:00 pm and you'll be free to go home and sleep the rest of the day away if you choose!!

Please be here at 7:30 so that a carpool can be organized to get to the marina a little before 8 to get instructions. Parents can pick up back at the church at 12:30 pm.

Everything that will be needed for clean up (garbage bags, gloves) is provided but the city suggests you wear hats, clothes that can get dirty, and lots of sunscreen.

Please, PLEASE email me at hightide@cypressmeadows.org so I can let Brian know you'll be there. Thanks so much!!

Sunday Rewind

Thanks Jon, our Ambassador of Fun (or our AOF), of the glow sticks and incredibly painful game with balloons. I guess I shouldn't have worn sandals.

Vicky Joy, how's the stinging on your tongue?? Ha ha! Funniest thing I saw all night...thanks for that:)

Alrighty so we finished our "Pause" series on temptation and I don't know about you guys but my small group had some pretty serious conversations about what temptation means in our personal lives and how it effects our relationship with God. Keep those conversations going and remember, don't try and overcome temptation on your own! Let someone help you...someone who can encourage you in the right ways!

Galatians 6:1 says,

"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. "

Sunday Rewind and Open House

So we started Sunday night with a slip-n-slide of sorts in the front parking lot (because it was pouring rain) and Brad, Blake, Danielle, and BP enjoyed getting soaked. Then Blake came in and asked me if I might have a towel..."Um, yeah, while I was thinking about getting ready tonight I thought to myself, 'I better grab a towel in case Blake decides to run around in the rain before youth starts and get soaking wet and can't come in because the floor is too slippery. Let me just get it out of my imaginary bag.'" LOL!

Anyway, we celebrated Steph's birthday in style (and by that I mean with like 124 cupcakes which were awesome). We also played a really fun game (thanks Dawn) in which you had to keep a kick ball from going through your legs or the legs of the person you're standing beside. It was hilarious.

Oh yeah, then Phil made our day by being the ONLY one eating a container of chocolate pudding (without knowing that he was the only one). Nice chocolate goatee:)

One thing we did talk about was this weekend's Open House. This is a great opportunity to invite your friends, family, and co-workers to the Sunday Morning service at Cypress Meadows (9:15 or 11:00) to see what our church is all about! We ran out of invite cards but you can still send an e-vite by going to the website and emailing the video on the front page!!

Students - if you don't come to church on Sunday mornings this is your chance to get the entire Cypress expeirence! We have a lot of students that sit together in both services. Invite the parents, sit with us, and enjoy!! Can't wait to see you there!