"What's God Up To In Your Life?"

Pastor Terry White: "Good morning! It's a good day to be in God's house."

Announcements
Ladies Bible Study & Pot Luck, May 2, 10:00 a.m. till Noon.
Wed. May 3, Youth Group: Who Are You In Christ, at the River Church
May 7: Last Sunday School till Fall
May 9: New Life Gospel Singers, Edgewood Vista
May 14: Confirmation Sunday and Mother's Day Breakfast. Men: there will be preparations Saturday evening at 7:00 if you would like to help honor the mom's in your life.
May 12-13: Church Rummage Sale at Grand Lake/Twig Town Hall
Vacation Bible School is on the horizon, June 12-15. Volunteers welcome. We'll be happy to fin a place to plug you in.

* * * *
Today's service is designed to be a time of sharing what God is doing in our lives lately. The operative word being "lately."

One Day At A Time
I'm only human, I'm just a woman
Help me to believe in what I could be and all that I am
Show me the stairway that I have to climb
Lord for my sake teach me to take one day at a time
One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time

* * * *

Terry shared a few words from John 9 which is the story about the man born blind, a powerful story made moreso by the honest testimony of the young man.

We then sang Holy, Holy, Holy together and prepared our hearts to share and hear from one another.

Gail Carlson began with her story of how she came here and how she was not the kind of person who sings in front of people, but she sensed God nudging her, and has pushed her out of her comfort zone. God said it's not for her glory, but for His glory.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Jeff Larson shared his gratefulness for God's peace at this time in his life, despite many things going on.

Roseanne shared how when her husband Bud passed and she met Pearl the Lord showed her that going to church every Sunday isn't what it's about. Rather, it's more than that, and God showed her what it means to live it more.

Terry told us about A Severe Mercy and the story it contains in which a young man's heart is broken and correspondence with C.S. Lewis leads him to a deeper understanding of the love of Christ.

Janet shared how she was raised in a home with a God-fearing mother, but did not know what it means to have a relationship with the Lord. She shared the challenges she faced when her husband was killed in a motorcycle accident when she was in her early 40s. None of us is perfect, but God is ever at work removing things from our hearts that shouldn't be there. She closed by encouraging us to read John 15.

Terry said it's not always easy to have honest conversations about our faith so we have to practice this.

We closed by singing Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. Sometimes the simplest things are the most profound things.

* * * *
After the service we stayed for our Annual Meeting to address church business, which included election of new council members. Today we elected the following:
Christian Education: Dawn Walsh
Fellowship: Paula Saxin
Missions: Kelly Smith
Treasurer: Melissa Ringger

Church Updates were provided by Harry Eliason (Missions), Paula Saxin (Fellowship), Susan Jessico (Christian Ed.), Pam Johnson on behalf of Cheryl Borndal (Worship), Jeff Larsen (Facilities), and Chuck, who gave an update on additional facilities initiatives and financial matters on behalf of LeeAnn Vanderscheuren.

Thank you to everyone who has served in whatever capacity you have been able to share your time and gifts.

New Beginnings

What a great way to start the new year. As we entered the sanctuary, Ken greeted us and handed us the new Church Directory (along with a bulletin). It’s really great to have a directory with all these photos of folks in our church family. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to use the old directory to connect names with faces. It is also a useful prayer tool, and a great asset to help new attenders become better acquainted with us. So, thanks to all who were involved in putting it together! And be sure to pick one up next time you’re around if you did not get one today.

After a warm welcome and greeting from Pastor Brad, a few announcements were made, including the Church Council meeting Tuesday and the start of our Wednesday night program with Adventure Club and Youth Group, both at 6 p.m.
Also, on October 4 there will be a hymn-sing with pot luck at the Newmans. (More information in the weeks to come.)

The Quintet (I have to stop saying The Quartet plus Levi) ushered us into our worship time with some rousing Gospel tunes. Always great to hear them sing.

Walt and Gwen Cresman then shared with us an introduction to The Truth Project which they are planning to host at their home beginning September 27. The truth Project is a program created by Dr. James Dobson’s organization Focus On The Family, designed to help provide answers regarding the challenges brought about due to competing worldviews in our culture. There is no cost. Contact the Cresman’s for more information or to sign up. (See your new Church Directory.)

Leonard read our Scriptures today from Proverbs 1:20-33 and Mark 8:27-38. After a time of sharing needs and of prayer, Pastor Brad took the pulpit.

New Beginnings

“Has anybody seen a rainbow lately?” Brad began. Several had. And Brad replied that God said this would be a sign to us… a sign that says He keeps His promises to us. It’s the sign of new life.

Brad then shared several comical signs he’s seen or heard about. On the door of a convenience store a sign said, “Push. If that doesn’t work, Pull.” At an out of the way gas station a sign read, “If it’s after nine and you want gas, keep your shirt on while I get my pants on.” Another business had a sign that read, Veterinarian/Taxidermist. Either way you get your dog back.

This was a setup, of course for the sign that Brad said really bugs him. We’ve all seen it: No U-Turns.

In God’s word, and in the book we will be studying the next several weeks, there are signs all over the place that U-Turns are welcome. In fact, U-Turns are often necessary in life.

This was Brad’s intro to Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Paul wrote to Christ followers in all kinds of major cities, including Corinth, Ephesus and Rome. Colossae was probably the least important, least strategic, least impressive city Paul ever wrote to. But it certainly wasn’t the least impressive church. Even though he’d never been there (it was probably founded by a man named Epaphras whom he references in the letter) he had heard tons of good about this fellowship of believers.

Because Brad aims to go through the book in over the next many weeks, he began with a brief overview of its contents. Of Colossians 2:6-10 he said the book hinges on this passage which tells us what we are in Christ.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

In chapter three there are many other great passages. For example, in verse 5 it says “Put on a new nature” and in verse 16, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”

This morning, however, Brad wished to draw out five characteristics of healthy, prevailing churches, based on the greeting in chapter one.

1) Holiness
Every effective, prevailing church has this characteristic, which we sang about last week. Holiness is what we aim for and what we need.

Holiness means being set apart for God's exclusive use. This is not to be confused with seaparateness. We are in the world, but not of it. Our influence comes about by being in our communities and in the world. The Pharisees lived by rules that appeared "holy" but their hearts were otherwise. A holy, distinctive life is something different from self-righteous legalism.

2) Passionate Faith
In verse four Paul states, "We heard about your faith." Churches that prevail are filled with people who have a passionate faith. A dynamic church is one in which God's hand is moving through spirit filled people with a passionate faith.

3) Inclusive Love
This church was recognized not only for its faith, but also "for the love you have for all the saints." It was an inclusive church with arms extended, not a church of cliques. All kinds of people were welcome, and they shared a love in the spirit. Jesus Himself said, "By this will all men know you are My disciples, by your love." Unconditional, real love.

Brad cited James 2:1-4 to bring home an important point.

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Colossae refused to be that way. There are needs all around and needy people who need us to pull them in. What is especially needed among Christians is creativity in order to reach our culture and be relevant to a postmodern mind.

4) Immersed in the Word
Brad mentioned Ron Sider's book that noted that there is not a lot of difference between Christians and non-Christians. The problem is that many Christians get saved, but do not take the next step toward personal transformation by renewing their minds. What is needed is to bring every thought captive to Christ.

The Word of God is vital to our personal growth and transformation.

At this point Brad challenged us to read and re-read the book of Colossians, and to meditate on its contents. Meditation is not emptying the mind and sitting cross-legged on the floor. Rather, Christian meditation is more like a cow chewing its cud. It swallows the cud, regurgitates it and chews some more. (Not a pretty metaphor, but apt.) The original word for meditation is somewhat akin to rolling a ball around inside a cup. We take a passage of Scripture and roll it around in our minds. We were invited to take this letter of Paul's to the Colossians and roll it around in our minds for the next month or so.

5) Cling to a Living Hope
Faith and love spring from the hope stored up for us in heaven. Heaven is the goal, the prize, and the church at Colossae shared an awe at the prospect of being there. There is a reward at the end. Life is hard, but the reward is real, and worth it... for one day we will share in His glory.

After a closing hymn, we all went to the park in Twig to share a great meal and picnic fellowship. But the spiritual food we received while seated in the pews really hit the spot.

Jesus Can Be Trusted

Pastor Brad just returned from several days in Chicago where he attended a Covenant leadership convention, the 125th anniversary of the Northwoods Conference. After a warm greeting on this dreary April day Brad made a comical remark about forgetting to shave, and briefly commented on his appreciation for the Covenant denomination which is both pietist and missional. The double pronged mandate for the Covenant is "deeper in Christ, further in mission." Or, to put it another way, living with God and for God.

Brad opened the announcements by mentioning our semi-annual meeting which would be after the service. Other announcements included:
1. The women's Bible study will meet next Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. instead of the usual time. There will be two studies Saturday.
2. A planning meeting for Vacation Bible Study will be held at the church Tuesday evening at 6:30.
3. The Adventure Club and Art Show will be this Wednesday evening. The program begins at 5:30 with the kids singing songs upstairs. Leonard's Home Cooked Dinner will be served downstairs at 6 with Ed bringing the kids back upstairs for a time of interactive art at 6:15. Desserts will then be served downstairs at 6:45. The art and talents of the church will be displayed in the church basement.

This morning's worship was led by the trio of Ellie, Chuck and Darlene.

One of the tenets of the Covenant churches is the centrality of Scripture. For this reason we welcome representatives from the Gideons from time to time. This morning Dale Henry and Sandy who shared with us the role the Gideons have played in Bible distribution. This past year Gideons have placed 75 million Bibles or one every 2.5 seconds. 100% of all gifts given to the Gideons go to the printing and distribution of Bibles.

After the reading of Scriptures (Acts 3:12-19; Luke 24:26-48) and a time of prayer, Pastor Brad began his message, standing near to the congregation on the floor of the sanctuary.

Jesus Can Be Trusted
Brad opened by summarizing the 125th Conference Anniversary. Our ways of sharing the Gospel have changed. We used to wonder whether to wear robes or suits, and later a tie or no tie. But today, though our methods may have changed the mission and message remain the same.

The essence of the sermon revolved around the contrast between Saul and David. Saul had been anointed as Israel’s first king. He had significant attributes, but disqualified himself, not by his skills but by his character. The significant quality needed in church leadership is likewise not talent or skills, but character.

The word “great” is used three times in the Gospels. The first time is in Matthew 5:19... 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

This verse pertains to obedience, not achievement. Obedience means aligning our hearts and minds with the heart and mind of God.

Brad then told a story about how much he loved to waterski, having begun as early as age 5. The first lesson in waterskiing is this: when you fall, let go of the tow rope. In the Christian walk, an essential lesson is to let go of the things that drag us down.

The second time Jesus used the word great was in Matthew 18.

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The lesson here is plain. Humility is what makes us great. The humblest people in the community are our great ones.

Gary Walter, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, told a story about a rooster that crowed each morning at dawn who eventually came to believe that it was his crowing that made the sun come up each day. Of course it is vain to think such things. When we ourselves do any crowing, our aim is not to draw attention to ourselves but to what God has done.

Brad spoke briefly about brokenness at this point. We live in a throwaway culture. People get broken, too, but God doesn’t throw us away. God way is redemptive. Our brokenness makes us humble and useful to God. Jesus Himself had His body broken for us. And David proclaimed that “a broken and contrite heart” is pleasing to God.

The third time Jesus comments on true greatness is in Matthew 20:26. The mother of James and John, a mother like our own, approaches Jesus with a request. She would like one of her boys to sit at Jesus' right or left hand when He becomes king. Jesus says, “Well, I’m not really in charge of the seating chart, but let me tell you about a principle.” The principle is servanthood.

The definition of servanthood is “seeking the advantage of another party.” This applies to whatever station in live you’re at, from CEO to janitor. You can never do big things for God unless you are willing to do little things for little people.

Here’s an eye opener. The Covenant church in India started with a person who babysat for a prostitute so she could go to work.

Now, for the quiz. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008? Who won the Academy Award for best actress? Who won the indoor soccer league championship?

By way of contrast, name a person who helped you through a difficult time. Who taught you an important life lesson? Who made you feel special in life? These are legacy people who live on in us.

Boiled down to its essence, what God is looking for in you is a trajectory based on obedience, humility and servanthood. He is not expecting you to be a finished product. We are people in process. What’s growing in you? What is increasing?

Morality Above the Law

It was Grandma’s Marathon weekend here in the Northland, and though a chill had come into the air this a.m. our hearts remained warm. Pastor Brad Shannon gave a heartfelt welcome, which was followed by several announcements. Brooke thanked the forty volunteers who made this week’s Vacation Bible School experience a success for so many children. And everyone was reminded that next week New Life Covenant will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary with an exceptional dinner prepared by Leonard Armstrong to be enjoyed 11:00 p.m. after the service.

The Call to Worship began with Chuck reading David’s prayer from I Chronicles 29:10-13 and the quartet singing Holy, Holy, Holy. After a time of worship and singing Brad presented the Children’s Challenge.

Today’s Scripture readings were:
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Roman 6:1-11
Matthew 10:24-39

This morning we had a guest pastor present this week’s message. Pastor Jim Swanson, husband of the eldest of the Armstrong girls, had preached here 35 years ago and said it was good to be back in our pulpit.

Morality Above the Law
There is a tendency in church history for truths to lose their weight or significance after two or three generations. The circumstances which motivated the founders of a movement to react are different three generations later.

The truths of Scripture transcend time, but different circumstances affect what is highlighted or has more relevance.

Pastor Swanson spoke from Paul’s Letter to the Romans this morning. Most of Paul’s letters dealt with specific situations within the various churches for whom he cared. But Romans has a different purpose. It is a book of written to condense the theological insights he gained from his three year study of the meaning of the Gospel and how we relate to God.

For the purposes of context it is occasionally good to be reminded of Paul’s story preceding the many letters he wrote which became Scripture. Formerly Saul of Tarsus, Paul was a persecutor of the early church. He stood by at the stoning of Steven, a deacon of the early church, and led an entourage that was serious about maintaining the current order of things.

While heading toward Damascus, with murderous intent, Paul had a life changing experience. A light suddenly flashed around him and he fell to the ground whereupon he heard God’s voice, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” According to the book of Acts:

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

But it was a disciple named Ananias who’s obedience was really tested. The Lord spoke to him in a vision saying to go see the Saul who was murdering Christians for their faith. Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed and went to see the man whom had done so much harm in Jerusalem. Paul indeed had had his heart prepared by his ordeal and not only received the Word from this man but had his eyesight restored.

Changing his name to Paul, he went into the desert for three years to study the Scriptures and make sense of this new way to encounter God.

Paul’s Book of Romans is essentially a compilation of condensed theological insights, summarizing his distilled thinking regarding the meaning of the Gospel. In chapter three he writes about justification by faith. Justification does not simply mean we have been declared Not Guilty. It contains a bigger idea than this. God fills us out to the dimensions God intends us to be.

In chapter six of the Romans, Paul writes about the implications of baptism for believers. Baptism in the early church often took place in caves with streams, Pastor Swanson said. The one being baptized would enter the stream on one side and emerge on the other side to be clothed in a white robe. What it meant was that our sinful self was destroyed and a new life was now ours.

Pastor Swanson, then shared the story of a woman named Cindy whose alcoholism nearly destroyed her marriage. After a stint at Hazeldon, a prestigious clinic that treats alcoholism and other addictions, he saw her again with a new glow in her face. “I don’t have to do that any more,” she said.

It was Christ who met her there. And for the first time she had hope.

In closing we were reminded that there is a possibility of a whole different kind of life when we have been crucified with Christ…. in order that we might live a new life together.