Smartt & Swindall Small Group

Potluck Dinner this Thursday 1/29th

2009-01-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

This week at small group we decided to have a themed potluck dinner next week. We're going to start out with mexican food, and we have some vegetarian folks, so let's keep that in mind. Please reply back with what you can bring, and if you don't have time to bring anything please still come. We'll have plenty of food for everyone. It is important that you RSVP so we plan enough food. We're going to eat at 8pm, and feel free to come over at 7:30 if you want to hang out a bit before.

Main: Amanda-- either burritos or fajitas
Main (veg option)
Side
Chips & Salsa
Drinks
Dessert
Shreded Cheese
Sour Cream

Another thing we've started if you haven't been with us recently is spending time hearing each others "stories". We've been spending so much time with the discussion questions, but haven't really dug in and gotten to know one another. So last week Michael was kind enough to kick this off. It was really special to his background, and more about his journey with the Lord.

We're looking forward to small group next week, and hope you have a great weekend.

Hello

2009-01-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

We missed everyone that wasn't able to join us for small group last week.

So Matt suggested we take a picture of our group to say "hello".

The questions for discussion this week are posted below. Hope to catch up with everyone tonight.

These questions are based on the sermon covering John 1v43-51

1. Have we ever felt that "inner necessity" that Phillip experienced ... Jesus was so compelling, we (almost thoughtlessly) had to say yes to him? Where did that obedience lead?

2. Have we also had the experience of Nathanael. Maybe like him, beginning in skepticism, only to realize that what we needed to hear was that we were known by God?

3. Do we hear the second call ... the call to look upon Jesus? How are we doing in this second calling?

4. And Kris's final question was "Do we want to progress? Do we see that it is not good for us to remain infants, but we must step forward and look upon Jesus and grow in obedience?

The Magi

2009-01-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

This week we'll be discussing Matthew 2:1-12 in small group. If you need directions or have any questions about our group please call Amanda (404)936-2796

See everyone on Thursday!

Here are some notes from the sermon-

Last Tuesday was the Day of Epiphany

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King

The word “Epiphany” in the Christian tradition reflects the readings for the time when the Christ was revealed to the Gentile outsiders (which make up many of us in the room today).

Our discussion questions for the week:

1. How is it that the Magi who were miles and miles away came so close to Jesus, while Herod who was right next door mananged to be so far away?

2. How is that like our lives sometimes?

3. What are some ways that we can come closer to Jesus in imitation of the Magi and their journey?

Stuart Update

2009-01-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

I'm sure everyone is getting emails and checking Stuart & Candace's blogs, but just in case I'm also going to post some information here too.

This is a message from Candace,

"If any of you would like to visit, please text or call first...each moment is so different and it is hard to know where Stuart will be in his treatment (we usually have some doc or nurse in our room geared up in their chemo garb most times of the day...and it is hard to know how he will feel.
So, if it isn't a good time I will tell you it isn't a good time.

Also - we can not have fresh flowers or fresh fruit on this floor. (Just want to forwarn you in case you were going to send them) They can harbor too many bacteria that can lead to infections. There are some poeple on this floor with us that are getting chemo in prep for a bone marrow transplant so they are REALLY sick and have no immune system.
This will apply to us once we get home because Stuart's immune system will be down. Non-bacteria friendly gifts please!t

If you would like to send flowers, cards, treats, balloons, or anything that
can make him smile here is the info:

Emory University Hospital
1364 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 712-2000

Room E 819

Tonight Stuart is starting two new chemos, so please pray that his heart would continue to beat normally. Thank you for all your support, and I can't wait to see you all on the 8th!

Amanda

Small Dogs and Small Group

2008-12-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

One thing that the Smartts and Swindalls have in common is our love of small dogs. We each have three small dogs. The Smartts also have two cats, but right now we're focusing on what we have in common- which is small dogs that try to run our lives. So when Jon saw a picture of Matt and Debbie's dog Sam we decided to post some pictures of our little guys to share with the world. I know the Aller's are considering a dog at some point, and I'm not sure if anyone else in our group has a dog too. So if you have an animal please send me a pic, so we can all meet your pet.

These are Stuart and Candace's three dogs. It's an older picture that I grabbed from Facebook, but you can see how adorable they are. So meet Beau, Bentley, and Libo.

The Greenhalgh's have a cute little guy too. His name is Sam, and I can't wait to meet him.

Here's Annie & Oscar-they're yorkies mixed with poodles.

And Mr. T is the newest addition to the Swindall family.

Does anyone have pictures of Thanksgiving or a fun event that you'd like to share with the group? I thought it would be fun if we used this blog to get to know each other better. Maybe Latoya and Andrew have a link to pictures from their trip to China? We'd love to see what it was like.
Looking forward to Thursday.

No Small Group Meeting Week of 12/1 and other scheduling notes

2008-11-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

This Thursday 12/4 our small group is canceled, so we can attend the Restoration Workshop. During December we're going to meet 12/11 and 12/18 and then not have small group on 12/25 or 1/1/09. Our first meeting of 2009 will be 1/8/09.

Small Group at the Swindalls

2008-11-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

Until further notice our small group is going to meet at the Swindalls. Please email me for directions at aswindall@gmail.com

10/23 small group

2008-10-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's almost the end of October... time FLIES by these days.

Our discussion will be centered around 1 Thes.1-10.
The sermon is online if you were not able to make it to church Sunday.

Looking forward to having everyone in the same room again!
See you Thursday.
Smartts and Swindalls

Small Group - 10/16 at 8 pm

2008-10-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

HI!
We are loving small group with you all.
We have been in some difficult texts in the Bible and it has left my brain struggling to get my thoughts and heart around some solid ideas and challenges the text presents.
I (Candace) have been encouraged and challenged by talking through these texts in small group.
We (Smartts and Swindalls) were chatting a little about adding more prayer time to group.
Would do you all think about this? Would you like to break up into smaller groups and pray or stay in a larger group?

The text for this week is Phil. 4:4-13. This one challenged me in SO many areas!
Can't wait to discuss and pray about it with you all.
See you Thursday.

Smartt's and Swindall's

10/2

2008-10-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

We will be discussing Phil 2:1-17...

Some things to think about: humility (do we have it?), selfish ambition and vain conceit (do these things play a role in our lives?), superiority over others....are we able to put others before ourselves?

Whew - lots to think about.

See you Thursday at 8pm.

Small Group Thursday 9/25

2008-09-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

HI!

Looking forward to seeing some new faces at small group this Thursday. It will be at the Smartt's house. Be sure to call or email if you need some help with directions or have any questions.

The biblical text we will be chatting about is Phillipians 1:20-27. Whew! This was a challenging sermon to hear, especially the part about pursuing reconciliation with others....and having a good balance between possessing an eternal, Heavenly perspective and a good understanding that we have God's work to do together here on this earth - work for God's glory.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on Thursday.

Candace

Come on out on Thursday!

2008-09-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

If you have any questions or need additional directions OR if you just want to let us know you are coming, please contact us!

Looking forward to meeting with you!

Candace, Stuart, Amanda & Jon

Small Group starts Thursday 9/18 at 8 pm

2008-09-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to get started. We will be meeting at the Smartt's home (directions are on right) each Thursday. On occasion, we may switch the location to the Swindall's (directions are on right). HOWEVER, we will notify you of ANY changes via this blog. Again, we will be meeting at the Smartt's UNLESS otherwise indicated. Come on out... we can't wait to meet you and build relationship with you!

New Small Group

2008-09-04T02:02:00.001-07:00

Our small group is in West Midtown in the Underwood Hill neighborhood.

It's hosted by the Smartts(Stuart & Candace) and the Swindalls(Jon & Amanda).

We will meet Thursdays from 8-9:30, so come on out. We'd love to build community with you.