Momentum Christian Church

The Three-Headed Dragon

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, lived a knight and a dragon. The dragon had three heads with three different names. They were called “Me,” “Mine,” and “More.” The knight knew the danger this dragon posed, but no one in this land believed it could harm them. The people ignored the beast unaware that every day it was growing in strength and devastating power.

Continue reading here.

• Shovel The World!!! February 1st – 29th
• Band Auditions February 3rd – 25th
• Mo Leaders Meeting February 6th

Mo Events

Mo News

Elevate - One of Momentum's Newest Mo Group

Momentum would like to introduce you to one of our newest Mo groups, Elevate. This group will meet on Thursday nights, 6:30pm, in North Royalton at 13290 Spruce Run Drive (The Club House). Dinner is provided, but childcare is not. You don’t have to RSVP, but feel free to email the group leader, Kylie Blodgett, if you have any questions. This is your opportunity to become part of a small community that will move you forward spiritually and give you an opportunity to move others forward in the process. Don’t be nervous, give it a try!

Did You Hear Our Radio Ads?

Check out Mo’s latest radio ads playing for the next few weeks on KISS and WMMS! Tell your friends to listen for them, and invite them to carpool with you to a Sunday service or a Mo Group!

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Mo @ Exponential Conference 2012

For some reason God continues to open doors for Mo to have a global impact for God’s Kingdom. Mo has been asked to serve as the church in charge of all the programming and creative arts for Exponential Conference – the largest gathering of new church leaders in the world! Earlier this year 4,100 leaders gathered in Orlando, and 5,000 are expected on April 23-26, 2012. Dan Smith (Lead Minister) and James Fruits (Creative Arts Minister) are in charge of all of the creative programming; Dan & Shannon Smith (Mo Groups Director) will help emcee the event; and a band from Mo will be leading worship. Check out exponentialconference.org for info on how to register!

A Church for Kids

Our goal is for your kids to wake up every morning, rub the crust out of their eyes, and ask, “Mommy, is it Sunday yet?”

(Video Interview with Amber & Kennedy Gaines)

This is important to me, because I’m a parent. Shannon and I have three kid-Os—a cool little “I’m-climbin’-everything-I-can find” dude named Zion (age 7) and a little sugar-and-spice princess/manipulator named Azlan (age 6). Ugh, the eyelashes. And our latest (and final) addition, a boy named Journey (age 4). Because of some infertility problems, it took me and Shannon almost 5 years to have Zion—so you have never met two people who feel luckier to be parents. When I found out we were pregnant (yes, “we”—be quiet), I cried like a woman watching Beaches. I’ll never forget that moment.

Likewise, there will be a lot of young singles and couples hanging out at Momentum with little Mini-Me’s, often elementary-age or younger, orbiting around them as they walk the halls of Cinemark Theatre. So we have created a Sunday morning children’s ministry (birth through elementary) called MoKidz that has those little dudes and dudettes begging their parents to let them come and learn about God every week.

One of the top reasons that people in their 20s and 30s often don’t get connected at a good church is because many churches don’t offer a safe, quality children’s ministry for their kids that takes place while the parents are in the “big people” service. That’s not my opinion—it’s the feedback of parents who would like to go to church, but don’t. Many parents say that they often take their little ones to unorganized children’s classes only to worry about the safety of their kids while they are trying to enjoy the church service. Or, they end up with antsy, yelling, pooping, crying, seemingly demon-possessed children on their laps in the main service.

I don’t want that for parents. OK—I don’t want that for me! So, your children are one of our highest priorities at Mo. While you are learning and enjoying stuff in the main auditorium, you have the optional opportunity to let your kids interact with other kids their own age—playing games, constructing crafts, and hearing stories and timeless principles from the Bible. Adam & Eve, Noah, the Ten Commandments, Esther, David & Goliath, the Christmas story of Christ’s birth, the miracles of Jesus, the Easter story of His resurrection from the dead, the Golden Rule (“Do to others what you would want them to do to you”)…stuff every kid should, but often doesn’t get the opportunity, to learn. And, honestly—stuff they probably won’t learn (because of the way we teach it) in the main service.

Now that we have babies, I can’t imagine anything happening to them. I know that all parents feel that way. Because of that, my kids’ and your kids’ security is Mo’s biggest concern. We want kids to be safe…and parents to be worry-free. All MoKidz volunteers will have police background checks done before they are able to volunteer with the children. And no one will be able to wander into the kids’ classes without going through our security check-points. And, when your kids need you, our volunteers will come tell you.

Momentum is excited to be a church for kids. Better yet, if we were honest—a church for kids who usually hate going to church. MoKidz will be an investment into the future of Cleveland, Momentum, and your family. And what a change it would be to have kids who wake up hoping that today is the day of the week that they get to go learn about Jesus in a MoKidz program that they love. The thought alone brings tears to my eyes…no Bette Midler required.

Peace,

Dan Smith
Lead Minister

Sponsor a Child Through Compassion International

Momentum is teaming up with Compassion International to put a “dent” in the problem of world poverty. We are specifically targeting kids in a two particular areas of Ecuador where we hope to visit and help plant some churches in the near future. The link below only introduces you to children in the specific areas of Ecuador that Momentum is focusing on.

Compassion is a highly reputable organization that is in great standing with the Better Business Bureau, so they are very trustworthy. Do not hesitate to partner with them in this great opportunity!

NEW MO GROUP FOR GUYS!

A lot of guys (inside and outside of church) are looking for an authentic band of brothers who can help them grow spiritually. If you’re one of these dudes, you’ll want to check out our new Mo Group for guys – The Force – started Saturday – Sept. 25th – 10am in Independence. Led by Jason Peterson. For details, check out the Mo Info table in the lobby or the The Force Mo Group page.

FREEFALL - New Mo Group For Women!

Hey Ladies!
Missing Mo group because you can’t quite fit it in? Maybe you are a workin’ girl in the evenings…or perhaps you are posing as a limo driver between football practices, dance recitals, and sleepovers…or maybe you just love hangin’ with the girls. Freefall is the Mo Group for you! Come start off your Tuesdays on a good note – good food, good friends, good talks. Can’t wait to see you there. (And sure, you can bring the little munchkins).

Paintings

At Momentum we value creativity and love incorporating the creative arts into our Sunday mornings. Check out these paintings that were created by local artists, live, during our services at Momentum. If you watch enough Bob Ross on PBS, who knows, you might find yourself painting some cool stuff like this at Mo! Contact James if you are interested in lending your artistic talents to Momentum.

Thanks to Jason Maric, Allie Elia, and Seth Williams for creating these awesome paintings!

High School Mo Group - RUCKUS

Calling all High School students! There now is a Mo Group for teens in grades 9 through 12 where they can hang with their own peeps.

If you have one of these angst-ridden young adults in your home, let them know about the new Mo Group, RUCKUS. Mo Groups are a great way for people of all ages to connect with each other, play games, laugh, eat food, make new friends, and discuss the Bible. (For Ruckus, dinner is provided, but childcare is not.)

So send them over to Valley View on Tuesdays at 6:30. Click for more info and directions. No need to RSVP, just show up!

Creative Ideas for Daddy-Dates (by Dan Smith)

Here are a few creative ideas for free or cheap things Dad can do with the kid-Os. Go get ‘em, fellas…

• Park in the southeast part of the parking lot at the “100th Bomb Group Restaurant” (Brookpark & Old Crayton Road) to watch airplanes take off and land. Mix it up by popping popcorn and going at night.

• Take a few rolls of pennies to an indoor mall and let your kids throw them into the fountain one penny at time. Who can throw one the highest?

• The Cleveland Zoo is free on Mondays! Take the day off…

• Go to “The Big Dipper” for good, cheap ice cream…and a game of checkers! 8602 Bancroft Ave, Cleveland; (216) 429-0440.

• Take your kids swimming in Tinker’s Creek where it crosses Dunham Road. Splash around with them in the mini-rapids and waterfalls.

• Check out a different outdoor playground: Elmwood Park in Independence; Memorial (“Castle”) Park in North Royalton; Preston’s H.O.P.E. (The Mandel JCC) in Beachwood; Brecksville Community Center.

• Go for a walk and make a collection of interesting things you find along the way – pinecones, helicopter seeds, cool rocks, etc.

• Buy a kite and see if you are smart enough to get it in the air.

• Pet stores are always fun with the kids…if you can resist the urge to expand your family.

• Sign up for the free “Baby and Me” classes at your local library for storytelling and songs.

• Create a drive-in theatre in your garage or basement with a TV, tricycles, cars, etc. Pop popcorn and throw in a VeggieTales DVD.