New Years Eve Watch Invitation from Bro. Kurt Van Doran

I wanted to once again invite everyone to the new years eve watch party Wednesday evening. Folks will probably show up between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. I’ll bring some firewood and have maybe 3 or 4 campfires for folks to gather around and gab. There was some conversation about cooking hot dogs on the grill but after considering logistics and other stuff we’re just asking that folks bring a dessert of one sort or another to offer. Also, if you’re bringing your kids maybe consider getting a bag of marshmellows at Walmart and bring some sticks so they can cook(or burn as is the case) on one of the fires. We’ll have hot chocolate and coffee at the concession stand. So bring your blankets, maybe some cards or other stuff and enjoy a simple, quiet evening with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and be a part of praying in the new year.

Bro. Bobs Christmas Sermon

This Sunday (Dec 21) it was so cold and there were quite a few empty seats, so there are probably lots of folks that missed Bro Bobs Christmas Sermon: He had the Birthday, We got the Gift. Well here it is to enjoy in the warmth of your home or office.

Sermon Update: Heart Conditions

I have posted Brother Bob's Message for this Sunday, entitled Heart Conditions.

Next Sunday's Sermon posting will be delayed for a week since I will be out of town for the Week.

-JA

Playday this next Saturday, Dec 6

The final Rafter J Play Day of the the year will be Tomorrow Night (Saturday, Dec 6).
Signup at 5, Playday starts at 6, Come on out and join us.

Rafter J Christmas Program

Click on the image for a full page, readable program invititation

Fifth Sunday Service

This next Sunday is a Fifth Sunday, which means that our worship will be in music, with contributions by the band and musically talented members. After the Service dinner is served on the grounds with the Church contributing the meat and members bringing covered dishes. If you are visiting, there is plenty to eat without bringing a dish.

Sermon Update: Attitude of Gratitude

Last Sunday's (Nov 23,2008) Message entitled Attitude of Gratitude is now posted.

Next Sunday is Fifth Sunday so there will be no message posted for that Sunday.

Sermons for the Month of December will be posted late due to my heavy workload and inability to attend many services during the month.

-JA

Sermons Updated: In Uniform, Part 2

Bro. Bobs Message this past Sunday, Nov 14 entitled In Uniform, Part 2 is now posted.

TFCC/AFCC Annual Fellowship of Cowboy Churches

The Annual Gathering of the Fellowship of Cowboy Churches will be held in the Stockyards this coming Friday and Saturday. Whistler Higgens will be a featured Performer so come if you can.

Sermons Updated

I have posted Sermons for Nov 1 - Lost Generation, and November 7 - In Uniform. Sorry for the delay for the Lost Generation Sermon which I missed for being out of town for a week.

-JA

Dave Pendergraft and Sunday Service for Oct 26, 2008

This past Sunday we had our second visit from Dave Pendergraft, a dynamic singer with an important Christian Message. Brother Bob Young then gave the message Lunch, Part 2 (posted in the sidebar below), After the message Dave Pendergraft helped with a baptism that came as the result of a salvation from his ministry.

Fall Festival: Lots of Fun

Our Fall Festival was a great success with lots of fun had by everyone. Food included chuckwagon fare with some outstanding beans and cornbread with peach cobbler for desert Prepared by Kurt Van Doran. Lots of games and activities for everyone, including a dunking booth, target shooting, photos with a real Longhorn, and more... See a sampler of photos in this Gallery.

Sermon and Testimony: Are you Barnabas?

This past Sunday we had the privilege of hearing Becky Morgan's Testimony leading into Bro. Bob Young's Sermon: Are you Barnabas? If you missed this, or want to hear it again you can find it in the lower left sidebar.

Sometimes You have to take the Goat by the horns

During the Buck-A-Roo Rodeo Bro. Bob was caught leading this protesting goat to the ring. Any Caption suggestions out there?

Buck A Roo Rodeo

If you missed this event then you missed one of the RafterJ Highlights of 2008. I was able to take a couple of hours out of my day and see what was happening. Here a few Highlight photos of this event that was I photographed. There were other events that I missed.

Chicken Chasing

Pole Bending

Goat Milking

Goat Ribbon Race

and

Stick Horse Barrel Racing

Additional images of these events are posted in this Gallery.
Want a Copy? America's Cutter Rafter J Page.
-JArnold

Last Sundays' Sermon now posted

You may now find last weeks Sermon on our website and this blog. Look at the bottom of left sidebar, Sermons listed with most recent at top.

Blessed Assurance Sermon now online

Great News! Did you miss this past weeks Message? Do you want to hear it again?

Our soundman, Bogie, provided me with a Audio CD and I was able to find a way to get it onto our website. There is both a link on the website and this blog (lower left sidebar) to our Sermons. When you click on the link a new window will open with the application your PC is set to play MP3 files. If you are on dialup you might have to wait quite a while for the message to start. If you click on the message and hear nothing, you might well forget and then about 20 min later you will hear Brother Bob starting the message and you will look around for the source.

Past and Present: Events at Rafter J Arena

October 4, Playday

We had a great Playday this past Saturday night and look forward to the next Playday on Sat Nov 2. The photos show Colt running home after his barrel run, and Glen Hopkins and Son working the arena around the barrels by hand after the tractor ran out of diesel. I will add a link to the photos taken of the barrel racing shortly. Photos of the Barrel Racing may be found in this Gallery If you desire a copy of one of these photos please contact Jim Arnold.

Buck-a-Roo Rodeo

Mark your calendars for Oct 18. This event is for Cowboys and Cowgirls to age 14. Registration begins at 9am with Rodeo starting at 11am. There will be lots of Kid-Friendly events including:

• Goat Dressing


• Chicken Chase


• Greased Pig


• Wild Cow Milking (stick cow>


• Goat Scramble


• and much more ...

Buckles will be awarded for All Around in each age group, Boys and Girls. There will be free hot dogs!

Parents note: Pants and Closed Toed Shoes required.

Rafter J Update Section

I have added a more extensive Rafter J Event Update to the bottom of this blog. This is provided by Tammy so that you can receive timely updates of Rafter J events. I strongly encourage all to subscribe to Feedblitz updates so you will receive an email when this journal is updated. While these Rafter J Updates willd not trigger an email, I plan on making at least one journal entry which will.

Also, please note that all posts made to this journal are archived and the links are on the left sidebar. You may go back and review event postings and images at any time.

Playday this next Saturday October 4

Don't miss the First Saturday Playday this next Saturday, Oct 4. Events planned include:

1. Poles
2. Barrels
3. Boomerang
4. Baseball

Entry fee is $4 per event. Registration starts at 5pm with events starting at 6:30pm

Come Join us for an evening of Fun and Fellowship.


Location: 10701 CR 305, Terrell, Look for the Rafter J sign at FM 148 and I-20 and turn on CR305 at the Cement plant. You will see the Rafter J Arena on the right.

Bible Study Schedule Change

Our Weekday Bible Study has been moved to Wednesday Evening 7:30-8:30. We will be studying the Book of John

Mens Fellowship will meet this next Saturday Night at Whistlers house.

Fall Festival: Mark you Calendar for Oct 25

Dave Pendergraft will be returning to play at the Fall Festival. There will also be games, prizes, and all sorts of fund activities for the whole family! Then come back for another great service on Sunday morning featuring the music and ministry of Dave Pendergraft.




Dave Pendergraft video from his visit for last years Fall Festival.

First Rafter J Playday

Glenn Hopkins organized a great playday this past Saturday, Sept 6. We had a cool evening and a good crowd. Our next playday is scheduled for Oct 4. Signup begins at 5pm, Playday starts at 6pm. Please make plans to be there. We will be having a Playday on the first Saturday of each month (Except January) so mark your calendars!

Youth Rodeo

A few weeks ago we had Youth Rodeo including Roping Events, Barrels Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, and other events. More youth rodeo action photos may be seen in this Web Gallery Award images from this event, as well as other events are posted on our new Youth Webpage.

Archive: Ranch Rodeo

Rafter J produces Ranch Rodeos from time to time. This is a photo is from a recent ranch rodeo showing some members of our church in the double mugging event. Additional images may be in a Ranch Rodeo Gallery.

Welcome to our New Rafter J Cowboy Church Blog

The purpose of this blog is to provide an easy way to let everyone know about the ministries and events of our church. This blog serves to purpose of both letting members and visitors learn about the ministries and activities of our church, and as a way of communicating our mission and ministries. You may have noticed that there is a feedblitz subscription window in the top left sidebar. This gives you the option of receiving email notification each time the blog is updated.
You will have the option to unsubscribe but this will prevent you from being able to resubscribe at a later time.