Sunday Nights https://www.wccstl.org Wildwood Students gather together on Sunday nights to put life in focus by focusing their hearts on worshiping God Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:42:28 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Upcoming Series: Choose Your Own Adventure https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-choose-your-own-adventure https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-choose-your-own-adventure#comments Tue, 28 Jan 2020 14:00:00 -0600 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-choose-your-own-adventure Whether it’s a journey to Mordor, The Upside Down, outer space, or wherever Forky ran off to this time, we all love a great adventure story.

Maybe that’s because, deep down, we know we’re designed to live an adventure story of our own — and with Jesus, we can.

There is no greater adventure than the journey of knowing God more deeply, so in this series, we’ll talk about some of the ways we can do that: by spending time with God, spending time with others, sharing our stories, and using our gifts to serve others.

]]>
Whether it’s a journey to Mordor, The Upside Down, outer space, or wherever Forky ran off to this time, we all love a great adventure story.

Maybe that’s because, deep down, we know we’re designed to live an adventure story of our own — and with Jesus, we can.

There is no greater adventure than the journey of knowing God more deeply, so in this series, we’ll talk about some of the ways we can do that: by spending time with God, spending time with others, sharing our stories, and using our gifts to serve others.

]]>
Upcoming Series: Us For Them https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-us-for-them https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-us-for-them#comments Wed, 30 Oct 2019 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-us-for-them Don't you just love a little friendly competition? Whether it's athletics, trivia, skilled competitions, or even the fierce rivalry for "Employee of the Month," many of us thrive when we're faced with competition.

Especially when it comes to a team event. Just look at the Stanley Cup Finals this past Summer. All of St. Louis banded together to lift up a team, and cheer them on toward their first-ever championship. There's something about being a part of a team that makes you excited to root for "us" and root against "them."

But, sometimes we take the competition too far. Sometimes, the attitude of rivalry shows up in our lives and relationships where it has no real place. With people and with God, we're often quick to see others like our enemies.

But God invites us to see things differently. To see some things about our lives and relationships from His perspective.

During the month of November, we'll explore the stories of Abraham, Jeremiah, Jonah, Isaiah, and more, as we see how the big story of Scripture reveals that:

  • God is for us
  • We're called to be for others
  • God is for our enemies
  • Jesus proves that God is for us

See you there!!

]]>
Don't you just love a little friendly competition? Whether it's athletics, trivia, skilled competitions, or even the fierce rivalry for "Employee of the Month," many of us thrive when we're faced with competition.

Especially when it comes to a team event. Just look at the Stanley Cup Finals this past Summer. All of St. Louis banded together to lift up a team, and cheer them on toward their first-ever championship. There's something about being a part of a team that makes you excited to root for "us" and root against "them."

But, sometimes we take the competition too far. Sometimes, the attitude of rivalry shows up in our lives and relationships where it has no real place. With people and with God, we're often quick to see others like our enemies.

But God invites us to see things differently. To see some things about our lives and relationships from His perspective.

During the month of November, we'll explore the stories of Abraham, Jeremiah, Jonah, Isaiah, and more, as we see how the big story of Scripture reveals that:

  • God is for us
  • We're called to be for others
  • God is for our enemies
  • Jesus proves that God is for us

See you there!!

]]>
Upcoming Series: The Haves & Have-Nots https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-the-haves-have-nots https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-the-haves-have-nots#comments Thu, 03 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-the-haves-have-nots When I was a kid, my best friend, Mike, had a Go-Ped. Maybe you remember those gas-powered, way too fast, awesome scooters that were popular around the year 2000. I wanted one of those scooters so bad, and even today wish I had one... They're just so. Cool!

Even something as inconsequential as a scooter reveals a trend that I can trace throughout my entire life. Too often, I'm looking at others to see what I should think of myself. I tend to measure my own worth in comparison to others.

Perhaps you've noticed a similar trend in your life.

How many times have you compared yourself with someone else today?

Seriously. See if you can count.

Whether it's their stuff, their looks, their skills, or their popularity, we can't help but notice all the things other people have, and how those things compare to all the things we wish we had.

But in this 4-week series, we're going to focus on four things that God has given to every single one of us:

  1. YOU HAVE A PAST. We'll look at Moses' early life and see that we (like Moses) have a past that has shaped us but doesn't have to define us.
  2. YOU HAVE TODAY. We'll take a peek at Moses' encounter with God and find that we (like Moses) have another chance to be loved and used by God.
  3. YOU HAVE A FUTURE. We'll walk through the story of the Exodus and discover that we (like Moses) have a future, and in God's hands, our future is good.
  4. YOU HAVE A FAMILY. We'll learn about Israel's victory over the Amalekites and realize that we (like Moses) need, and already have, a family to belong to.

All four of these things make you valuable and uniquely you.

]]>
When I was a kid, my best friend, Mike, had a Go-Ped. Maybe you remember those gas-powered, way too fast, awesome scooters that were popular around the year 2000. I wanted one of those scooters so bad, and even today wish I had one... They're just so. Cool!

Even something as inconsequential as a scooter reveals a trend that I can trace throughout my entire life. Too often, I'm looking at others to see what I should think of myself. I tend to measure my own worth in comparison to others.

Perhaps you've noticed a similar trend in your life.

How many times have you compared yourself with someone else today?

Seriously. See if you can count.

Whether it's their stuff, their looks, their skills, or their popularity, we can't help but notice all the things other people have, and how those things compare to all the things we wish we had.

But in this 4-week series, we're going to focus on four things that God has given to every single one of us:

  1. YOU HAVE A PAST. We'll look at Moses' early life and see that we (like Moses) have a past that has shaped us but doesn't have to define us.
  2. YOU HAVE TODAY. We'll take a peek at Moses' encounter with God and find that we (like Moses) have another chance to be loved and used by God.
  3. YOU HAVE A FUTURE. We'll walk through the story of the Exodus and discover that we (like Moses) have a future, and in God's hands, our future is good.
  4. YOU HAVE A FAMILY. We'll learn about Israel's victory over the Amalekites and realize that we (like Moses) need, and already have, a family to belong to.

All four of these things make you valuable and uniquely you.

]]>
Upcoming Series: Stronger https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-stronger https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-stronger#comments Sun, 01 Sep 2019 01:00:00 -0500 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-stronger What's the worst injury you've ever sustained? For me, it was probably the third time I tore the ACL in my left knee. I was skateboarding with some students after a church event, and I knew I should have been wearing my brace. But, I wasn't. And, it snapped. Again. I still need to get that surgery to fix it...

As much as there was physical pain from that injury, there was also plenty of emotional hurt that went along with it. The limited mobility, the lower activity level, and the recurring joint pain have taken a toll on me.

Life hurts sometimes. If you haven't already experienced it, there will be a day when you'll encounter pain, failure, or loss. Sometimes the hurt we feel happens because of something we do, or something that is done to us, or something that is no one's fault at all.

In this 4-week series, we'll talk about how, when life hurts, or goes wrong, or doesn't make sense, these things are true: Jesus can redeem what's gone wrong, God can be trusted, God gives us each other, and God helps us persevere.

See you there!!

]]>
What's the worst injury you've ever sustained? For me, it was probably the third time I tore the ACL in my left knee. I was skateboarding with some students after a church event, and I knew I should have been wearing my brace. But, I wasn't. And, it snapped. Again. I still need to get that surgery to fix it...

As much as there was physical pain from that injury, there was also plenty of emotional hurt that went along with it. The limited mobility, the lower activity level, and the recurring joint pain have taken a toll on me.

Life hurts sometimes. If you haven't already experienced it, there will be a day when you'll encounter pain, failure, or loss. Sometimes the hurt we feel happens because of something we do, or something that is done to us, or something that is no one's fault at all.

In this 4-week series, we'll talk about how, when life hurts, or goes wrong, or doesn't make sense, these things are true: Jesus can redeem what's gone wrong, God can be trusted, God gives us each other, and God helps us persevere.

See you there!!

]]>
Upcoming Series: Lifelines https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-lifelines https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-lifelines#comments Tue, 06 Aug 2019 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-lifelines Do you have any friendships you can really count on? The kind of friendships you might call your "lifelines"?

Two of my buddies from High School, Matt and Robbie, were there through thick and thin. We had grown up going to church together since we were little kids, and they continue to be two of my closest friends. We've seen each other through the highs, the lows, the challenges, and the celebrations. We were groomsmen in each others' weddings, and we keep in touch all these years later. Even now, when I go back to Phoenix for a visit, Matt and Robbie are two of the first people I connect with.

God designed us to have friendships we can trust, but God also knew we’d need some help figuring out how to build friendships that serve as lifelines for each other. In this 4-week series, we’ll look at the kind of friendship Jesus models for us: friendships that let us be real, give us a chance to grow, give us a group when we feel alone, and can even change the world.

See you there!

]]>
Do you have any friendships you can really count on? The kind of friendships you might call your "lifelines"?

Two of my buddies from High School, Matt and Robbie, were there through thick and thin. We had grown up going to church together since we were little kids, and they continue to be two of my closest friends. We've seen each other through the highs, the lows, the challenges, and the celebrations. We were groomsmen in each others' weddings, and we keep in touch all these years later. Even now, when I go back to Phoenix for a visit, Matt and Robbie are two of the first people I connect with.

God designed us to have friendships we can trust, but God also knew we’d need some help figuring out how to build friendships that serve as lifelines for each other. In this 4-week series, we’ll look at the kind of friendship Jesus models for us: friendships that let us be real, give us a chance to grow, give us a group when we feel alone, and can even change the world.

See you there!

]]>
Super Bowl Party https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/super-bowl-party https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/super-bowl-party#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/super-bowl-party February 3, 2019, 5:00pm

Every year, our Super Bowl Party is such a blast! The game is an exciting face-off between two great teams (or so they tell me), students come out of the woodwork, and everybody has a great time!!

We have a tradition that each year, our wonderful volunteers and students bring some awesome snack foods to share, and we'll provide the drinks for everyone. We'll make sure there's a great spread for everyone! We'll also be playing a bunch of games, especially during halftime, and giving away some pretty sweet prizes.

So, let’s hang out, eat food, have fun, and watch some football! It’s sure to be a great time, and we’ll see one team walk away as champions!

See you there!!

]]>
February 3, 2019, 5:00pm

Every year, our Super Bowl Party is such a blast! The game is an exciting face-off between two great teams (or so they tell me), students come out of the woodwork, and everybody has a great time!!

We have a tradition that each year, our wonderful volunteers and students bring some awesome snack foods to share, and we'll provide the drinks for everyone. We'll make sure there's a great spread for everyone! We'll also be playing a bunch of games, especially during halftime, and giving away some pretty sweet prizes.

So, let’s hang out, eat food, have fun, and watch some football! It’s sure to be a great time, and we’ll see one team walk away as champions!

See you there!!

]]>
Upcoming Series: Meant To Be https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-meant-to-be https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-meant-to-be#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:00:00 -0600 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-meant-to-be "We're meant to be." It's how so many of our favorite movies, songs, and books talk about love - as if the secret to an amazing relationship is a little bit of destiny, a whole bunch of feelings, and a tiny dash of magic. It seems like all we need to find true love is for everything to magically fall into place, and then we're good. Forever.

So it makes sense, when we observe the not-so-perfect, real-life relationships modeled by our friends, parents, and favorite celebrities, that we might start to wonder, "Wait - is that how relationships are meant to be?" "Why doesn't that couple have it all together?" "Where are all the perfect relationships?"

In this 4-week series, we'll help students craft a better lens for evaluating their current and future dating relationships as we help them see that the secret to a relationship that's "meant to be" is to stay close to Jesus, date with purpose, know who you're looking for, and keep sex in the right context.

See you there!!

]]>
"We're meant to be." It's how so many of our favorite movies, songs, and books talk about love - as if the secret to an amazing relationship is a little bit of destiny, a whole bunch of feelings, and a tiny dash of magic. It seems like all we need to find true love is for everything to magically fall into place, and then we're good. Forever.

So it makes sense, when we observe the not-so-perfect, real-life relationships modeled by our friends, parents, and favorite celebrities, that we might start to wonder, "Wait - is that how relationships are meant to be?" "Why doesn't that couple have it all together?" "Where are all the perfect relationships?"

In this 4-week series, we'll help students craft a better lens for evaluating their current and future dating relationships as we help them see that the secret to a relationship that's "meant to be" is to stay close to Jesus, date with purpose, know who you're looking for, and keep sex in the right context.

See you there!!

]]>
Happy Thanksgiving! https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/happy-thanksgiving https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/happy-thanksgiving#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2018 09:28:42 -0600 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/happy-thanksgiving Thanksgiving is such an excellent time of year! Hardly do we ever take the time to intentionally gather together with the ones we love, give thanks for the things we have, and share together in the love of God.

We love this time of year so much that we don't want it to end. This Sunday night, we'll not be holding our regular youth group gathering. We want to give our families the opportunity to continue the theme of gathering together to share and grow. So, we won't be meeting this week. Please take the added time in your schedule to spend together with the ones you love.

Give thanks. Give presence. Most of all, give glory to God.

We'll be back together next weekend, December 4th. See you there!!

]]>
Thanksgiving is such an excellent time of year! Hardly do we ever take the time to intentionally gather together with the ones we love, give thanks for the things we have, and share together in the love of God.

We love this time of year so much that we don't want it to end. This Sunday night, we'll not be holding our regular youth group gathering. We want to give our families the opportunity to continue the theme of gathering together to share and grow. So, we won't be meeting this week. Please take the added time in your schedule to spend together with the ones you love.

Give thanks. Give presence. Most of all, give glory to God.

We'll be back together next weekend, December 4th. See you there!!

]]>
Upcoming Series: After You https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-after-you https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-after-you#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2018 06:00:00 -0500 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-after-you In a culture obsessed with selfies, celebrities, money, and success, it’s not difficult to understand why so many of us struggle with being a little self-centered at times. Even the "American Dream" is built upon the ideals of independence, self-sufficiency, and personal success. So much of the media (internet, television, music, etc.), the world, and even the influence of our friends and family today point us towards prioritizing ourselves over everything (and everyone) else.

But while "me first" may the norm for the rest of the world, Jesus showed us what it looks like to live a generous, compassionate, selfless, "after you" kind of life. The kind of life that demonstrates his "upside-down" Kingdom of God.

Over the next four weeks, we'll challenge students to move away from the world's "me first" attitude and embrace the "after you" message of Jesus by noticing needs, opening their hands, using their gifts, and sharing their joy.

See you there!!

]]>
In a culture obsessed with selfies, celebrities, money, and success, it’s not difficult to understand why so many of us struggle with being a little self-centered at times. Even the "American Dream" is built upon the ideals of independence, self-sufficiency, and personal success. So much of the media (internet, television, music, etc.), the world, and even the influence of our friends and family today point us towards prioritizing ourselves over everything (and everyone) else.

But while "me first" may the norm for the rest of the world, Jesus showed us what it looks like to live a generous, compassionate, selfless, "after you" kind of life. The kind of life that demonstrates his "upside-down" Kingdom of God.

Over the next four weeks, we'll challenge students to move away from the world's "me first" attitude and embrace the "after you" message of Jesus by noticing needs, opening their hands, using their gifts, and sharing their joy.

See you there!!

]]>
Upcoming Series: The Greatest Show https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-the-greatest-show https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-the-greatest-show#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2018 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.wccstl.org/sunday-nights/post/upcoming-series-the-greatest-show I grew up with an older brother and an older sister. We didn't always get along, but when we did, it was a blast! When we were little, one of our favorite things to do was put on "shows" for my parents.

Complete with costume changes, singing, dancing, and tons of other stuff I'm glad wasn't captured on film, these shows would drag on for ages. We just loved acting out different characters and telling a story through them. The more different our character was from our real self, the better!

The truth is, though, for many teenagers and adults, life just feels like a bigger, more high-stakes version of that.

Do you ever felt like you’re putting on a show? Like the person people think you are doesn’t line up with who you really are?

Or maybe you’ve been known to put on different personas for different situations — personas that help you fit in with certain crowds, even if that persona doesn’t reflect who you really want to be.

Sound familiar?

Of course it does. We can all relate because, at times, we all struggle with the same big questions:

Who am I?

Who loves me?

Why am I here?

In this 4-week series all about identity, our students will find answers to those questions as they discover that, in Jesus, they are loved, they are forgiven, they have purpose, and they belong.

]]>
I grew up with an older brother and an older sister. We didn't always get along, but when we did, it was a blast! When we were little, one of our favorite things to do was put on "shows" for my parents.

Complete with costume changes, singing, dancing, and tons of other stuff I'm glad wasn't captured on film, these shows would drag on for ages. We just loved acting out different characters and telling a story through them. The more different our character was from our real self, the better!

The truth is, though, for many teenagers and adults, life just feels like a bigger, more high-stakes version of that.

Do you ever felt like you’re putting on a show? Like the person people think you are doesn’t line up with who you really are?

Or maybe you’ve been known to put on different personas for different situations — personas that help you fit in with certain crowds, even if that persona doesn’t reflect who you really want to be.

Sound familiar?

Of course it does. We can all relate because, at times, we all struggle with the same big questions:

Who am I?

Who loves me?

Why am I here?

In this 4-week series all about identity, our students will find answers to those questions as they discover that, in Jesus, they are loved, they are forgiven, they have purpose, and they belong.

]]>