Many books have been written about small groups and how to lead them, how to conduct them and curriculums that have worked elsewhere. As I look at our vision “Growing Together in Christ”, let’s look at the principles that will help us grow in spiritual maturity, grow closer to God and closer to those around us. These principles are not just for Lifegroup Leaders, but rather for leaders of any kind. First we must: Be Committed to Personal Growth. We are called to this as Christians, whether we lead anything or not. By doing so, we also model for others the act of growing and that we all have room to grow. Which leads to the fourth principle, Mentor An Apprentice Leader. As God grows you, those around you, and draws people toward you, you will begin to get overwhelmed. God does not want you to do it all, he wants you to make sure it all gets done. This is an opportunity to help others grow as they begin to help you. The fifth principle: Invite New People Into Your Life Weekly. If you are leading a group or simply have a circle of friends you influence, you need to model that it isn’t just about you. Rather, reach out to those around us and see where God is moving. If you are in a group of friends, think about what life would be like if you weren’t invited in. That is how others may be feeling as they look at you and your groups. We need to cast a vision that we wish to give to others what we are currently experiencing. Second: Pray Daily For Those We Influence. Jesus modeled prayer in asking for things daily. I have set aside time each day as I walk to work to pray for each of the leaders individually whom I provide oversight. I also pray for the elders and other staff. These prayers focus on individual growth and The sixth principle: Have Fun I ask God to move in their lives to help Together Outside Of Church. We need to get together and do things them see Him each day. besides ministry. Have fun with the Third: Contact Those We Influence people you influence even though Regularly. Hebrews 3:13 states that working alongside of them may be fun. we need to encourage one another If the only time you interact with daily. Life can fall apart in a matter of people revolves around ministry, it is minutes, not just hours or days. This is easy for the enemy to get in and begin an area I have fallen short lately. My to make people think that they are only list of who I influence is growing daily in your life to give, not get. and I need to invite others to help me contact folks and see how they are doing. Interested in helping?          Thanks for all the prayers for my grandson, Leo Wine, who is getting stronger every day. He can’t go home til he can keep his body temp up and have fewer breathing issues from his fragile trachea. ~ Sandra Putney I need a job and Gods peace until I get the job He has in mind for me. ~ Lynne Uptagrafft My friends, Janet & Yvonne, who attended the Friday service, need prayer. ~ Emma Benner Pray for 4+ hours of sleep per night for me. ~ Bobby Backstrom Where does the Lord want us to live? ~ Jack & Brenda Lawson Please pray for my brother who is in the army and is out of the country now. ~ Amanda Franz Monica is not doing well. May not make it. Not sure if she is saved. Please pray for her and her family. She has tumors in her lungs, brain and bone. ~ Jane Rodriguez Guidance in my personal relationships. ~ Melissa Matchett Being able to believe God is real. ~ Vanessa Dickens Happy May birthdays to… Jeff Huber, 24th Ed Church & Tristan Erickson, 25th Lori Lane & Marge Minor, 26th Chris Wojahn, 27th Mary Lapham & Amy Wright, 29th                 COFFEE HOUR Schedule May 27th—Christen Lanning-Weller Single Moms Group June 3rd—Dan Clark Harbor Point Lifegroup June 10th—Nate Hardy North Everett West Lifegroup June 17th—Gene Dobson Klahaya June 24th—Tom Warren The Followers         Terri Frazier is scheduled for surgery on the 24th, at Colby Campus, please pray for him. ~Jack and Judy Frazier I am asking for prayer for my relationship with my mother. ~ Darcy Stanyo Barb Lillard asks that we pray for strength during chemo. Lena Littlefield needs support and strength, she has been diagnosed with diabetes and has other issues as well. ~Joysie Fuller Carol’s father is having lung problems and no chance for a tracheotomy. Please pray for my college instructor’s husband, Sonny. He suffered a stroke and is in the recovery stage. Please pray for a complete healing. ~ Christen The staff team requests prayers dealing with God’s blessing, how to deal with the growth of the 9:00 am service and where do we go next. Please continue to pray for Ron Newman & Sharon Young. My cousin Jack still needs prayer now that the healing phase begins. ~Sheri W. Martin Flake—nephew of Christen Weller—3rd term in Afghanistan, out til January. John and Robin Schwartz both stateside in Everett. Jonathan Michaels Estrella— son of Sharon Boswell. Jason Bjazevich—Megan Owenby’s husband—Army Special Forces— Stationed in N. Carolina. Scott Harpell—son of Brian & Lynne—Stationed at Fort Carson, CO., now out of the country. Eric Schmidt — son of Gene and Pat Schmidt — Camp Fallujah, Iraq. Benjamin Lagonia—dear friend of the Naylor family—stationed in Manitoba. Christian Chmielewski—nephew of JoAnn Couturie’ - in the Marines. ENS Andrew E. Timpner (fiancé to Christin Suthard) on deployment with USS Momsen. Philip Ankney-LCPL Afghanistan Cousin of MaryAnn Peterson. Jeffrey Lillard—son of Barbara Lillard — Srg. In Army, serving in Afghanistan. Aaron Chmielewski—joined the Marines. Nephew of JoAnn Couturie Shawn Berland—deploying for 6 months Andrew Sustaita—serving on board the USS Abraham Lincoln Duane Neyens brother to Kathy Chapman—Army National Guard An email from Lois Caldwell alerted us to the fact that Jim Kerby has been in the hospital since last Saturday evening with an infection which has now been determined to be cellulitis. They are now in the process of administering a stronger medication with the hopes this will clear up the infection. He is in room 508 and is anxious to get back home. Sandra Putney is asking for prayer and continued progress for her new little grandbaby, Leo Wine, born last week with low birth weight and four weeks early. There have been some scary moments with breathing incidences but he is beginning to put on weight. He is in NICU at the present time. Sandra also asks for prayer for rest for the baby's Mom and Dad, Jessica and David Wine. She says they are already incredible parents. Sandra also asks for prayer for her close girl friend Glenda Taylor who lost her 24 year old son to an overdose and for his 22 year old sister who is also suffering from drug addiction and prayer for another close friend, Shauna and husband Dave who are expecting their first child and is suffering from preeclampsia and high blood pressure. continued from page 1. . . The seventh principle is Prepare For Any Meeting. When you are leading a meeting of any kind, people need to know that you value them and their time. If you are not prepared, it speaks loudly that you do not value the meeting or the people that are attending. The final eighth principle is to Dream God Sized Dreams; Involve Others In Your Dreaming. God has plans for those who are around you. If we look at only what we are able to do, that does SAM NEWS: SAM Board meeting - May 29, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Our next luncheon will be on Friday, June 3rd, when we will have election of officers and a table full of “Nifty Nineties" and good singing led by John Sinkevitch. In times past, those turning ninety were scarce and looked upon with an awe of achievement. It is wonderful to be able to honor more who are achieving that status these days as we continue living longer because of healthier habits and medical advances (pills). There will be a sing-along too, so be sure and sign up for this last luncheon until Fall. At the same time, you can pay your yearly dues of $10.00. That money goes to pay for our programs and helps in our many charitable works. Also, there will be sign-up sheets for working the Rest Stop times coming on August 6-8 and August 15-17. SAM Picnic Time at Langus Park is coming up on July 13th, this is a different date this year because of the Community Worship on the third Friday (July 20th) of the month. not glorify God, it limits things to your abilities. Meet with key people in the group and dream of what things could be done. When you dream and when you dream with others, the Holy Spirit is able to move through all of you and share what He can do, not just limit it to what you think you can do. Over the next eight weeks, we will take a look at each of these and talk about how we can accomplish each of these within the community of the church and grow personally while helping others grow as only Christ can do.