end of marriage series / anniversary trip

Last Sunday, we finished up our sermon series at Rejoice South called: Marriage Mirage. The subject of week 3 was: Perseverance-How to make our marriages last! For those of you who were challenged by the series thanks for being there. It was challenging for me to prepare and preach and remember that the most important thing is how I treat my wife not how I preach! So this weekend, I got the opportunity to take Andrea away for a few days to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary. Which includes enjoying this award winning breakfast that you see in the above pic! When was the last time you and your spouse went on a trip? Without the kids? Take a few moments to look at your calendar and plan one immediately! *Pray for Brad LaBass, our Pastor of Student Ministries as he prepares to preach/teach a great sermon at the south campus this Sunday, May 31st. -casey cariker

anybody ever told you-"You're a whiz, kid!"

Every Wednesday night, during the school year, tons of 1st-5th graders from both Rejoice Church campuses join together to learn, have fun, and develop a biblical worldview. This program developed by our Rejoice Church kids staff is called 7 Wonders. Each month, they have a specific "biblical truth" or wonder they learn about. There are tons of kids that enjoy this event every Wed. night. At the end of the school year, many students receive the "Whiz Kid" award for completing 23 lessons and memory verses throughout the school year. This is Rejoice's 4th year in providing the "7 Wonders" program. The 2008-2009 school year was a record setting year for Rejoice Kids with 20 Whiz Kids! Congrats to each of you. I know your family is pleased and so is Rejoice Church!

Above is the picture of the Whiz Kids. Here are the kids' names:


front: Olivia Davis, Aaron Pittser, Averie Hopper, Clint Hurst
middle: Cade Ogden, Zac Robbins, Korry Burr, Renee Moran, Nathan Hardee, Clayton Hurst
back: Roc Robbins, Riley Hopper, Brynn Jones, Rachel Hastings, Kimberly Kaase, Avery Jones
not pictured: Dax Ogden, Elizabeth Stapleton, Emily Stapleton, James Stapleton -casey cariker

a little fun on memorial day

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I hope you had a great memorial day! The weather was fantastic! Did you get to do anything fun? Sit back and enjoy this amazing video.

wedding pics needed for this weekend

Have a wedding pic? Do you have any recent pics of you and your spouse? Rejoice South is collecting wedding pics, past and present, for our next Sunday service on May 24th. We would love to have a few pics of you and your spouse for a special music video, that Jeremy Alexander will be preparing. Send your pics to Jeremy at jalexander@rejoicechurch.com , by Wed. May 20th at Noon. -Casey C.

marriage on the rock/rejoice couples renew vows

This past weekend, 3 couples from Rejoice Church gathered to renew their wedding vows. Going from left to right, Tim and Renee McDonald, Jewel and Dana Hardee, and Tom and Jean Pryor. These three couples met together to remember the vows they had taken many years ago. This was a great evening and example for them and their children. What a beautiful thing to remind yourself and your spouse, about the covenant that you have made to God and each other! Strong phrases/vows like: We will love each other as Christ loved the church, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part! Have you ever made a commitment/covenant like this? Do you remember what it was like to commit, by God's grace, to these things? When was the last time you looked at the wedding album to remind yourself of the love you have for your spouse? I appreciate this "home group" being great examples for all of us to follow. Way to go to the McDonald's, Hardees', and Pryor's! -casey c.

Time Does Matter

Marriage 25yrs later

Jean and I celebrated 25 years this past September. I know, you must be thinking I married her when she was 10....LOL. Anyway, if you had told me back then we would be where we are now from a relationship standpoint, i'm not sure I would have believed you, or even cared. Back then my parents thought we were too young to get married and it would end in divorce. Jean's family history would put us divorced within 10 years. But we beat the predictions, something in us changed and that something was God. We weren't saved when we got married, but 4 years later, when we were still trying to find our way in this big world, God found us. He called us to him and we answered that call together. And the rest, as they say is history.

It's not all been easy, it's not been without sacrifice and even some heartache. But I don't know that I would change it for the world. With Jesus Christ as the center of our family, and children as additions and not taking over the center - our life has been rich. Not with $$, but with the joy of relationship with each other and with the Lord.

25 years ago, I thought marriage was just what you did - and maybe would do several times in life.... today, I can't imagine doing life without my love, my partner in ministry, the person that completes me - as we together serve the God who loves us even more than we love each other - it's amazing.