NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #116
ROLLA, MO

1608 N Oak St
Rolla MO 65401-2342

THE

CONNECTION
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM ROLLA FIRST ASSEMBLY // NOVEMBER 2014

inside this issue

Bryant Donaldson

COSMOS OR CONFUSION?
A Look at the TV Series

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Local Benevolence and Worldwide

SPECIAL NEEDS SOLUTIONS

A Workshop for Workers

THANKSGIVING
Dinner November 23

573-364-1266
www.rolla-firstassembly.org
Facebook.com/rolla.firstassembly
[email protected]

Bryant is a junior at Missouri S&T. His unwavering goal to

become an engineer has never lost focus throughout the challenges he has faced. During his senior year at Ozark High
School, Bryant came home
from youth group one night
with his eyes twitching. After
losing peripheral vision, his
parents rushed him to the
emergency room where doctors found he had a blood
clot in the occipital lobe at
the back of his brain, causing
a stroke. Bryant missed six
weeks of his high school senior year but persevered and graduated with his class. The last two years have been spent at Evangel University, where he was closer to home for medical reasons. Attending S&T to earn a degree in mechanical engineering
is the final step toward Bryant's goal.
Bryant loves the outdoors. After the stroke he became an
avid biker, often riding up to 100 miles in a single day. Mountain
biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and disc golf are other activities
Bryant enjoys. His love for God, however, surpasses love of the
outdoors. This developed as a young boy and Bryant's generosity
displays it.
Bryant is the youngest of three boys, and his parents are US
missionaries. His dad, a co-founder of Convoy of Hope, started
Rural Compassion which works alongside rural churches to provide training and support so children and families flourish and
(Donaldson continued on page 3)

SPECIAL

NEEDS
SOLUTIONS:
A WORKSHOP
If you are interested
in learning how to better
minister to those in our
church body and community who have special
needs, we will be having
a conference here at the
church on Saturday, November 15th from 9am3pm. Our guest speakers
for the day will be Jonathan and Rebecca Hosack, along with Pam
Calvin.
Jonathan and Rebecca lead Through The
Roof Ministries in Springfield, a group dedicated
to serving and including
people with disabilities
into the local church.
(Story continued on page 6)

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday
1

statement of belief that eliminates God the Creator and anything supernatural from the
picture altogether.
In addition, although the host, Neil
deGrasse Tyson, admits that science
has not yet solved
the mystery of the
origin of life, he asserts
that
life
formed from nonlife
through natural processes because this is foundational to evolutionary doctrine, although this
has never been scientifically observed and violates known scientific laws from chemistry and
biology.
In the second episode, the producers use a
deceptive technique with the word Evolution.
Evolution is first used to describe small observable changes in species (better described as adaptation or variation, part of the incredible genetic
diversity that God placed in organisms.) Then the
same word, Evolution, is used to describe unobserved enormous changes that would be required
for molecules-to-man Evolution. These large
changes would require the addition of huge
amounts of new genetic information for increasingly complex organisms. Mutations are unable
to provide this; there is no scientific process to
add new genetic material. However, the same
terminology is used for both processes, assuming
that if one is true, the other must be as well. Not
so!

Extended calendar at rolla-firstassembly.org/calendar

3

6:30a Mens Bible

Study

The Encounter

7p Alcoholics Victorious

10

Missions Sunday
Membership Class
Christmas musical
practices

Communion
Membership class
KidCare Potato Bar
fundraiser
musical practices
Hymn sing

16

17

Building Fund
Baptism Sunday
Christmas musical
practices

11

12

6:00 pm Life Groups

Leadership meeting

19
5-6:15p Family Feast
(students eat free!)
6:30p Missions committee meeting

7p Alcoholics Victorious

24

23

25

26

6:30a Mens Bible

Study

7p Alcoholics Victorious

Sunday Morning Worship

30

Contemporary: 9:15 am
Traditional: 10:45 am

Christmas musical
practices

Christian Development 9:15 & 10:45

Nursery for birth to age 3

Sunday Evening Service - 6:00pm

(Cosmos continued on page 6)

Wednesday Evening - 6:30 pm

Prayer Meetings

Prayer Service
Boys Ministry & Girls Ministry
The Forge Youth Church
Nursery for birth - 3

Sunday: 9:00-9:15 am
Weekdays: 7:00-8:30 am
Tuesday: 12:00-1:00 pm
Second Fridays: 8pm-3am
Saturday: 6:00 pm

13

14

15
On call this weekend:
Pastor Brian 426-6235

7p All Nations Christian

Fellowship

8p 3am Prayer Watch

20

21

On call this weekend:

Pastor Jason 202-4208

Youth Convention

7p All Nations Christian

Fellowship

27

Special Needs Solutions

SALT shopping trip

22

6:30a Mens Breakfast

at Penelopes

Church office closed

Church office closes at
noon
No evening services

Pastor Appreciation &

Thanksgiving dinner

Board meeting

18
6:30a Mens Bible
Study

7p All Nations Christian

Fellowship

6:30a Mens Bible

Study

7p Alcoholics Victorious

On call this weekend:

Pastor Ray 578-7609

PASTORS & STAFF

Every movie, TV show (including cartoons),

documentary, YouTube video or song portrays
someones worldview. What is a worldview? According to the Free Dictionary, it is the overall
perspective from which one sees and interprets
the world. The question is, Is your worldview
based upon the unchanging truths of Gods Word,
or have you been influenced by other philosophies and strayed from the truth? Moreover,
can you discern the difference? When you see a
TV show, for example, does its worldview, its
main message, support the Word of God or contradict it? Does it endorse Biblical Christianity or
mock it? Does it honor our Creator God or honor
a god-free random process called Evolution?
In March, 2014, a 13-episode series on TV
debuted titled Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey
hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
This was an update and redo of the 1980 series
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage hosted by astronomer Carl Sagan. Although the stated purpose of
the series is to increase scientific literacy and
there is some good science presented, Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, MD, who has written a review of
each of the episodes, states that Cosmos is basically an infomercial promoting belief in billions
of years of biological evolution. Scientific illiteracy is equated with believing in a Creator God
and the history of the Universe as recorded in the
Bible. Beware of these attacks on a Biblical
worldview in just the first three episodes of Cosmos:
In Episode 1, the famous line from Carl Sagan in the original series, The cosmos is all that
is, or ever was, or ever will be is restated. Unfortunately, this is not a scientific statement but a

On call this weekend:

Pastor Chuck
341-8086

28
Church office closed

29
On call this weekend:
Sam Parker 578-1770

(Special Needs continued from page 1)

Pam Calvin is the wife of Southern Missouri Districts Christian Education and Children's Ministries director Jim Calvin. She currently works in the Springfield Public School system, and is the
mother of a child with special needs. She brings her unique perspective and knowledge on
how to best minister to them.
So come and be a part of an amazing time of fellowship, information sharing and growing
in a way that you may never have thought about! We will provide a light breakfast, lunch, and
snacks throughout the day. Sign up at rolla-firstassembly.org/special-needs-solutions or contact Pastor Brian or Beverly.
-Pastor Brian Feller

(Cosmos continued from page 2)

Another disturbing claim in Episode 2 is that

human beings do not have any special significance in the universe even though we would like
to think we are somehow special. This is contrary
to the Word of God which states that humans are
created in Gods image, that we have divine purpose on this earth, and that God loved us so
much that He sent His Son to die for us. Yes, we
have tremendous significance!
According to Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, Episode
3 spends time painting Biblical Christianity with
the same brush as false religions and superstitions, implying that scientifically minded people
should reject the Bible. She states, On matters
where the Bibles history is relevant to scientific
matters, the Bibles science is completely trustworthy. Christians should not be opposed to science because it reveals the power and wisdom of
our Creator God. However, we should be opposed
to scientific interpretations of the unobservable
past which deny the Creator and instead give glory to a random undirected process.
There is much more.
Go to
www.answersingenesis.org and type in cosmos
in the search box. You can read reviews by Dr.
Elizabeth Mitchell for each of the 13 Cosmos episodes. She explains which portions are scientifi-

cally and historically accurate and what portions

are evolutionary speculation or skewed science
and history. You can also purchase Questioning
Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey by Dr. Mitchell for
$9.99 from the Answers in Genesis online store.
This is a complete series of leader and participant discussion guides to help you and your children be discerning if you watch this series or if it
is shown in your childrens science classes in
school. Arm yourself against attacks on the Biblical worldview.
References: Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, Cosmos Review:
Standing Up in the Milky Way (Episode One), Cosmos
Review: Some of the Things Molecules Do (Episode Two),
Cosmos Review: When Knowledge Conquered
Fear (Episode Three); all available at
www.answersingenesis.org.

Beverly Flori

They will celebrate your

abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:7

SIGN UP NOW FOR BEYOND YOUTH CONVENTION

Youth convention is right around the corner and I want to make sure
you are all aware of it. Youth convention is a weekend event where
thousands of teenagers gather to worship God and learn more about
Him through powerful messages. When I was a student, many of my
unsaved friends gave their lives to Christ at events like this. Even if
your teenager doesnt go on any other youth event, you do not want
them to miss this one! The cost is $45, which includes convention fee,
lodging, and meals during convention. This year, our teens can bring an unsaved friend for FREE. The convention is Friday and Saturday, November 21-22, in
Springfield. The deadline to sign up and pay is November 5th. If you have more questions or want to
know the details, please give me a call at the church.
-Pastor Jason Gibson
(Donaldson continued from page 1)

communities become better places to live,

both spiritually and physically. Bryant's mom
is a principal at a high poverty elementary
school in Springfield, Missouri. Josh, Bryant's
oldest brother, is married to Courtney and is
a third year law student at Tulsa University.
His other brother, Jordan, is pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.

LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE

SETUP HELP NEEDED

Men, we need your help! We will be setting up the Living Christmas Tree on Monday, December 9 at 8 am,
and taking it down on December 16 at 8 am. Mark
your calendars nowwe will need many workers to set
up the sanctuary in preparation for one of our biggest
performances of the year.

A SEASON FOR GIVING - NEAR & FAR

Operation
Christmas
Child
BENEVOLENCE

LOCAL
FOOD BASKETS
Last year, we served 33 Thanksgiving baskets and 37 Christmas baskets. Were expecting the same number of needs this year.
With the exception of the eight Hospice baskets, the remaining food baskets served
families within our church congregation. We
need your help because we dont always
know who is enduring financial stress at
Thanksgiving and Christmas time. If someone in your family or acquaintances would
be blessed by receiving a food basket for
either season, please call the office or Rose
Skyles at 364-1321.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can help provide for this ministry by
donating money or food items. Simply
designate Thanksgiving or Christmas
baskets on your offering envelope. Our
collection barrel will be located in the
foyer for food items that you bring. You
may also bring food items to the office
during the week.
Offerings and food items must be turned
in no later than Sunday November 15,
and Sunday, December 15, in order to
accommodate shopping and preparing
baskets.

ADOPTING A FAMILY
In addition to giving food baskets, the
committee connects families or groups
who want to adopt a family for Christmas.
We are in the process of creating a list of
families who would be greatly blessed by
your generosity. We protect everyones
anonymity.
Rose Skyles

Angel Tree, Christmas for Children,

Operation Christmas Child, Thanksgiving
Baskets, Christmas Baskets

THANKSGIVING
BASKET NEEDS
5 pound bag of potatoes
Turkey
Butter
Pie crust
Dinner rolls
Dressing
Chicken broth
Evaporated milk
Pumpkin
Large can yams
Green beans or corn
Cranberry sauce
Brown sugar
Marshmallows
Fruit pie mix or boxed pudding mix
Whipped topping

CHRISTMAS
BASKET NEEDS
5 pound bag of potatoes
Ham
Butter
Dinner rolls
Chicken broth
Green beans and corn
Canned fruit
Evaporated milk
Macaroni and cheese
Pumpkin
Pie crust
Whipped topping
Small package of rice
Fruit pie mix or boxed pudding

SHOEBOXES FOR
N AT I O N A L C O L L E C T I O N W E E K N O V E M B E R 1 7 - 2 4
Fall is upon us, the wonderful time of year when we
have the privilege of giving God thanks for all He has
done for us......then, in one flip of the calendar, December, a time to honor our dear Lord and Saviors birth.
Christmas to most American children means church
programs, Santa, presents, snow, school vacation and
lots of goodies. But to more than 100 million boys and
girls in over 130 countries it's just like any other ordinary
day. That is where we, as a congregation, along with Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child can help.
Since 1993 these children have experienced God's love
through the power of simple shoebox gifts. It's easywe
give you a list of suggested items, you fill a shoe box with
them, attach a label and enclose $10.00 for shipping and we
do the rest! Just return your box to the church between November 18th and the 25th. Labels and instructions will be available for pick up at the church. Let's make Christmas special for these children. Our goal this year is 140 boxes, I know we can do it!!!! For more information please contact ([email protected], 465-0885).
-Chris Skyles

ANGEL TREE

Its time for us to prepare for one of our

churchs biggest blessings. Our Benevolence Ministry is committed to making sure
that our families enjoy the bounty of the seasons. Single-parent homes, seniors living on
limited incomes, and families enduring financial setbacks due to job loss, cut-backs,
and unexpected expenses are candidates for
this ministry. We are also committed to
serve eight families in Hospice Care.

LAST YEAR WE GAVE OUT 70

HOLIDAY FOOD BASKETS,
COUNTLESS ANGEL TREE
GIFTS, AND SENT 100+ SHOE
BOXES TO IMPOVERISHED
COUNTRIES.

Christmas joy? For some, Christmas sorrow.

One person that knows this all too well is the child of a prison inmate. Through no fault of his or her own, that child is missing
missi the presence of a parent, as well as that parent's financial support. Oftentimes, that means difficult circumstances for the remaining parent and the children.
Angel Tree is a ministry founded by Prison Fellowship as an outreach to these families. Through Angel Tree a prisoner is able to sign up his child,
suggest a type of gift tailored to his son or daughter's interests, and send a short message specifically to that child.
First Assembly has participated in this ministry for several years. Sponsors can choose a tag from the Angel Tree and
find the first name, age and gender of a child, along with a type of gift suggested by the incarcerated mom or dad, and a
message from that parent to the child. The sponsor can choose to deliver the gift in person, and meet the child and family.
Some amazing stories have come out of these meetings! In some cases, these gifts represent most of that child's Christmas.
In all cases, the child and family receive a tangible witness to the love of Christ and the reassurance that they were remembered by the parent who is not there.
Be watching for the Angel Tree tags and consider whether you can share in comforting and encouraging a child of a
prisoner.
Elaine Harrison