STARTING POINT
If you are in the part of your spiritual journey where you are asking questions like, “Does God exist?”, “Is the Bible reliable?” or “What happens to those who don’t believe?” our Starting Point groups are a great place to start to get answers. These informal discussion groups allow you to be yourself, raise any issues or questions you have about spiritual matters, express your thoughts and opinions without judgment, hear what other seekers are thinking and learn what the Bible has to say about life today. We are offering Starting Point on Sundays during the 11:00 service in the room to the right of the main entrance as you enter the building. You can check out the group without feeling like you have to sign up for a long-term commitment. Go once and see what you think. For more information about how to connect with a Starting Point group, contact Matt Moss at StartingPoint@prestontrail.org

CLOTHE-A-CHILD
October 13 & 20 2007 at Kohl’s in Frisco, TX
Clothe-A-Child is coming for two weekends in October this year! PTCC has a goal this year of sponsoring 85 children and providing 100 volunteers. Please prayerfully consider investing in the lives of these of these children by helping to sponsor a child, and/or signing up to volunteer. You can sign-up to volunteer and/or drop off cash donations at the Clothe-A-Child table (located at the north entrance) each Sunday morning from 9:10am - 9:30am & 10:30am -11:00am now thru the end of our volunteer and donation campaign on 9/9. For more information click on: http://www.prestontrail.org/family/clothe-a-child.htm, or contact Leigh Anne Crow at leighacrow@netscape.net or 972-377-2300.

BAPTISM
One of our biggest events at PTCC, our Baptism celebration, will be held on October 28th at Lakes Tennis Academy at 5:00 PM. An informational meeting will be held on Monday, October 22nd at 7:00 PM at the PTCC Building for all participants. Join many others in celebrating their life in Christ. Register at the Information Table or reply to us at info@prestontrail. org to be baptized on Sunday, October 28th.

FALL FAMILY MISSION TRIP
Registration begins TODAY for our fall family mission trip to Casa Hogar Elim, an orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. We will be there November 17-20, 2007. This mission trip is for families and single adults. Children that are in fourth grade or above are able to go, if accompanied by a parent/guardian. Cost for this trip is $175 per person. The last date to sign up will be October 28,2007. See the YES! table for more information.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY
Celebrate Recovery launches Friday, October 12th at 7:00 PM at PTCC. CR is for adults who seek recovery from any of life’s hurts, habits, or hang-ups. See the YES! Table or email info@prestontrail.org for more information.

PARTNERSHIP
Take the next step in your commitment to God and to PTCC by becoming a partner, our membership program. Partnership focuses on five biblical principles that we call the 5Gs: Grace, Growth, Groups, Gifts and Good Stewardship. You may complete the self-directed Bible Study found on our website or you may attend our next partnership class Sept. 23 from 9:00 AM - Noon at the PTCC building. Sign up at the Yes! Table today!

WANTED: CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
PTCC is looking for an organized and detailed individual to serve as our
full-time Office Administrator. Position includes general copying, answer-
ing phones, creation of documents, managing emails, supporting staff and
senior pastors, ordering supplies and other administrative tasks. Previous
office experience and use of Microsoft software and/or F1 a plus. 30
hours a week at PTCC Building. Send resume to info@prestontrail.org.

ONLINE GIVING
Make your life simpler by automating your giving. Follow the easy directions at www.prestontrail.org to setup for debit or credit card for regular giving and dream big donations. All transactions are secure and will appear on your regular statement.

LIFE GROUPS
Sign up at the Information Table or email info@prestontrail.org and get involved in a group!

“On the inside I’m a wreck …”

One day sixteen years ago a successful businessman walked into his pastor’s study and said, “On the outside I’m doing great – wonderful wife, super kids, good job, fat salary. But on the inside I’m a wreck. I’m an alcoholic who can’t seem to win the battle with the bottle. I never go to work drunk, but I often come home that way. I’ve almost lost my wife and kids … several times. I’ve gone to AA, and it helps some. But I need something more. As a Christian, I know my Higher Power is Jesus Christ, and I really need his power to win this thing. I think churches ought to help people like me. In fact, I have an idea as to how that might happen right here in our own congregation …”

With that the businessman pulled out a long letter he had written, detailing how to start a recovery ministry in a church. He pressed his pastor about how a church really should do something about this persistent problem. When he finished, he asked the pastor if their church could respond. The pastor wisely answered, “John, that’s a great idea! Yes, we can respond! And I designate YOU as the one in charge of this new ministry!”

The “John” in the story is John Baker, a Los Angeles businessman. The pastor is Rick Warren. The church is Saddleback Community Church. The story is how Celebrate Recovery began. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Sixteen years later Celebrate Recovery is the most effective Christ-centered recovery program in our country. Churches across the US (even around the world) have started CR ministries. They have discovered the joy of reaching out to people struggling with addictions and dependencies. They have joined Jesus in fulfilling his self-stated purpose: “The Spirit of the Lord has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed …” (Luke 4:18)

And now CR is coming to PTCC! That’s right – we are starting our own CR ministry next Friday night, October 12. We have been praying and planning for over six months, asking God to help us establish a program that will give grace and hope to everyone who needs it. Here is how CR works and what you can expect if you attend:

            6-7 PM       Dinner (cost is $3.00)

            7-8 PM       Large group (worship and testimonies and teaching)

            8-9 PM        Small groups (gender-specific groups on chemical dependency and on “life issues” such as anger management, co-dependency, sexual addiction, etc.)

            9-10 PM       Dessert and coffee (cost is $1.00)

If you are struggling with addictions, dependencies, or other hurts, habits, or hang-ups, Celebrate Recovery is just for you! Join us next Friday night October 12 in the Youth Café as we begin offering freedom to captives who want a better way.

Celebrating God’s goodness and grace,

Visit MyMiserableMarriage.com

INVITE A FRIEND

ONLINE GIVING
Make your life simpler by automating your giving. Follow the easy directions at www.prestontrail.org to setup for debit or credit card for regular giving and dream big donations. All transactions are secure and will appear on your regular statement.

Read previous Trail Notes here

LISTEN! Preston Trail Podcast
PTCC worship messages are available by subscription to our podcast or for listening on our website. So, if you missed a service, or want to share one with a friend go here and take a listen.
You will have the option of downloading and listening to them on your computer or even subscribe here (or press the iTunes image on the right) to have them come to your computer automatically each time one is added - then play them on your computer or your iPod while you're exercising or driving.

Calendar at a glance...

Oct. 7 Starting Point class 11:00 AM, North Entrance

Oct. 12 Celebrate Recovery - Youth area

Oct. 13 & 20 Clothe A Child

Oct. 28 Baptism 5pm Lakes Tennis Academy

Nov 4 Discover Preston Trail class

Nov 17-20 Fall Family mission trip Nuevo Laredo, Mexico