As a part of the “Hungry” series coming up in October, Southland campuses (Harrodsburg Road and Danville) will be partnering with the organization "Feed My Starving Children" to pack over 1 million meals to be sent to hungry children around the world. During the week of October 26th-30th, we will have the opportunity to be a part of multiple 2 hour packing events where you will actually prepare the food. In a few weeks, we will begin asking you to sign up to volunteer for specific timeslots. We will have the need for an unprecedented 5,000+ volunteers over the course of the week to help pack. Mark your calendar and prepare your family because we’re going to need you to be involved. More details are available on the HUNGRY message series page.

Something inside of us connects and expresses itself through music. Shown this weekend, Bobby McFerrin demonstrates and briefly explains the power of, and humans' innate ability to sing in harmony with, the Pentatonic Scale. ("video via vimeo":http://www.vimeo.com/5732745) This ability is no coincidence - God has created us to worship Him with everything we have, even humming a tune. This design within us is one of the reasons we gather every Sunday to sing songs of worship to Jesus. We're just doing one of the things we were created to do.

Do you take water for granted? You probably just turn on the faucet for instant access to clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing. Much of the world, however, suffers from disease and lack of food because they don’t have access to pure water. Summer 2010 is all about water. Our partner, CMF International, is looking for people to go and join the fight in helping people access pure water. Next summer’s interns will get to experience firsthand what is being done to combat this global issue. There are spots available worldwide. Project dates are May 26-July 31 and the application deadline is Dec. 11. Applications are available at www.cmfi.org/REACH.

Welcome to the family, Danville. You've finally arrived and we couldn't be more pleased. For those who weren't there, let us fill you in. More than 800 people showed up at Southland Danville for the same experience as what we strive for at Harrodsburg Road... and that's exactly what happened. We worshiped together, laughed together, and encountered God through some great teaching. The only difference was the address. If you're in Danville, come check us out next week. If you're a part of our family at Harrodsburg Road, let's continue to lift up our friends in prayer and celebration. God is doing awesome stuff in our congregation and we're happy to spread it county to county. You can always see what's been happening at the Danville campus here.

Each year we hear stories of those who felt a tug on their heart to step out in faith and take a short-term mission trip... yet they ignore the call until it's too late. Are you someone who's sensed that God is calling you to take your faith to the next level and serve outside of your comfort zone? New opportunities are coming and your chance to learn about them is now! Join us at one of these informational meetings which will explain how you can get involved as well as provide you with opportunities for 2010. * 4:30-5:45 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, Building A, Chapel * 4:30-5:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, Building A, Chapel For more information, contact Janet.

The *BLOCK PARTY* this Friday, September 18, will blow your mind, and then also blow the place where your mind used to be. Come from 7-11pm for a climbing wall, putt-putt, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a live band, smash-a-car, obstacle courses, a drive-in movie, corn hole, food, and giveaways. Cost is $3 at the door, or $6 if you pay for your friend that you should bring. Student ministries also meet regularly throughout the year. Visit the Lift (middle school) or ONE80 (high school) for more information.

Our Saturday morning breakfast and Bible study will have a different spin on Saturday, Sept. 19. It’s the annual GridIronMan event with guest speaker Mitch Barnhart, UK’s Athletic Director. A hot country breakfast ($6, free for first-timers) starts at 7 a.m.; the program is from 7:30–8:30 a.m., Building F, The Atrium. For more information, contact Ernie.

Attention middle school and high school students: Don’t miss this extreme event with a Rock Wall, Putt-putt, 3-on-3 Tourney, Live Band, Obstacle Courses, Drive-In Movie, Smash-a-Car, food, and more! 7–11 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, Southland’s Campus. Cost: $3 at the door. For more information, contact Mallory.

This winter, Southland will partner with Room in the Inn, a winter sheltering program for homeless men. We will house 14-16 men on Tuesday and Saturday nights at Southland between November and March, the coldest months of the year. We need: volunteers to build relationships with guests; to prepare and serve meals, do laundry, and assist with the guests' overnight stay; CDL drivers to pick up and drop off guests; and help with setup and cleanup each week. If you’re interested in helping, attend one of these volunteer orientations:

• 7:30–9 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, Building E, Room 109A/B
• 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, Building E, Room 109A/B
• 6:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30, Building E, Room 109A/B

For more information, contact Tanya.

Do you take water for granted? You probably just turn on the faucet for instant access to water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing. Yet many people in the world suffer from disease and lack of food because they don’t have access to pure water. Summer 2010 is all about water. Our partner, CMF International, is looking for those willing to join the fight in helping people access pure water. Next summer’s interns will get to experience firsthand what is being done to combat this global issue. They have spots available worldwide for missions-minded people who are willing to serve. Project dates are May 26 to July 31 and the application deadline is Dec. 11. Applications are available at www.cmfi.org/REACH.

Over the IT series we opened up the murky waters of our pond and let God take control. Over 230 people answered the call to hand their life over to Christ in baptism. Join with us in celebration and prayer for our friends and family members who took the walk down the ramp and into a new life. And while you’re here, take a look at the smiles on their faces. Check out some photos on flickr here.

For believers, the Book of Revelation provides a glimpse of our “new” future—a future and hope unlike people in Southwest Asia who practice faiths of reincarnation. A recent Southland group shared hope to Chinese children by sponsoring students from remote mountain villages to attend a two-week English Camp.

China’s remote villages rarely offer greater than a fourth grade education. Higher education is only available to families who can afford to send their children to government boarding schools miles away and at large costs. With yearly family incomes of $600 or less in the villages, hope of breaking the cycle is slim.

This year was Southland’s fifth year to provide ESL Camp, but the first year students openly shared how our visit affected them. Although 38 students were expected to attend the final number of students ended up being 65; a result of students telling others in the community they should also attend.

One student’s journal read…

bq. “Today I hear teachers story. I get many things. For example I know God give us peace, love and in our health. When we make a mistake, the God will not give up us. When we have difficult, the God will help us. God love everybody so we should believe him. And I hope God can let everybody happy every day.”

Because of Southland’s members’ support through weekly giving, 11 people willing to go to China, and the opportunities provided through partnerships, God used Southland to change lives halfway around the globe. If you’d like more information on our work in China or around the world, contact Andy at anewton@southlandchristian.org.

This Saturday breakfast and Bible study is for men of all ages and stages of life. The fall study will be centered on the seven churches listed in the book of Revelation. A hot country breakfast will be available ($6; free for first-timers) at 7 a.m., and the program will be from 7:30–8:30 a.m., Building F, The Atrium. This group is changing lives and making the men in our community better husbands, fathers, sons, workers, etc. Join us!

It’s finally here! After years of prayer, planning and preparation, Southland’s Danville campus will open its doors on Sunday, Sept. 6. You can choose from the 10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. service—either way you’ll experience exciting live worship, a casual place to find community, and an excellent biblical message from Southland’s Senior Minister Jon Weece via video. For more information and updates on the Danville location, visit the Facebook page, or follow @scc_danville on twitter.

Because its pages are filled with prostitutes and princes, dragons and beasts, creatures with multiple heads, eyes and wings, plagues and a lake of fire, it’s easy to understand why the book of Revelation is the most misunderstood book in the Bible, if not the most misunderstood book in the entire world. With interpretations and opinions abounding, could it be that a simple and beautiful picture has been lost, even taken hostage in our pursuit to master its cryptic language? The title itself infers that something or someone is going to be “revealed.” What and/or who did God want us to see? And why did the message need to be written in coded and veiled language? Beginning Sept. 5/6 join us as we embark on an epic journey into the visual heart of an ancient book; an ancient book with a story that needs to be dusted off for a new generation of readers longing for more than what this present world can offer; an ancient book with a story that will take us back in time to help us think about our future. You won’t want to miss this series as God pulls back the curtain and gives us a preview of coming attractions!