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"Guests at worship should know they matter to us
before they hear how
much they matter
to God."
"SEE HOW VERY
...much our heavenly
Father loves us, for
He allows us to be
called His children - think of it - and
we really are!"
(1 John 3:1) NLT
INDEPENDENCE DAY WORSHIP SERVICE
A worship service with
a sermonic Bible study for use on June 29 or July 6. It's in
Word so that you can easily
edit. Click
Last year my parents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
They still sit together with their arms around each other when
watching TV.
When asked what their
secret is, my dad responded that they've never viewed
their marriage as a 50-50 relationship,but rather 75-25.
Each of them gives the other 75 percent of their love and
energy.
I have often thought how wonderful this world would be if this
philosophy could
be carried over into everyday life! -
Mike in OC
SUCCESS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY!
BRAVO!!!! I never imagined that what we saw in Nebraska could
be so closely replicated in our own church AND on the very
FIRST SUNDAY! I watched the faces of our
kids and they were
completely taken with
Gordy and the entire
large group experience!
As a shepherd,
wow, what a great Sunday morning experience. No
stress of entertaining restless kiddos; just come in and do
our job when it is time. Wonderful! As a mom, let me just say
that Ashlyn is already
trying to figure out
who she can bring to visit... and that is a
first for her! -
Christ the King,
Kingwood, TX
NOTE: Kingdom Quest is for Sunday School
and Kids Church for worship. Either program can be
used for
Wednesday evenings.
Like to know more? Call us at
888-772-8878 and
ask for a free CD which has sample lessons for both
programs and a
DVD. We invite
you to call us
now. 
Hint, hint!
Send copies of
this Newsletter to
key officers and
board members
in your church.
is a free and helpful tool that provides many
options for managing your calendar and even sending out invitations
and news to groups. Visit google.com and select "calendar" from the list of
options.
Martyred Missionary
Jim Elliott:
"He is no fool who
gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot
lose."
Timothy Beckton, 10,
...was charged as an adult with armed kidnapping and
assault on a
sheriff's deputy in Lakeland, FL.
He allegedly aimed
a shot-gun at the
deputy from a
distance of 10 feet while using his 3-
year-old niece as a shield and remained
in a standoff for
several minutes.
Sheriff's deputies had gone to the boy's
home to inquire about his truancies when he reportedly pulled
the gun and said, "I'd sooner shoot you
than go to school."
As bad as that was, you have to like his determination.
SAVE ON SHIPPING
Shipping costs
are rising fast.
For some materials,
like attendance
pads, certificates,
etc., order in
quantities that will
last for a year -
the savings is
considerable.
WE CHRISTIANS
...read mammoth
amounts of
religious material.
There are times, however, when we
need to take a
closer look at what
is happening
around us,
including political
and economic
realities.
We want to
encourage you
to read a new book entitled Real
Change
by Newt Gingrich.
Whether you are
a conservative or
a liberal,
Republican or
Democrat, or
none of the above,
Real Change
presents an
interesting and
vital mind set
which we all need
to be aware of. It
sells for $27.95 or
get it from your
public library for
free. Make it a
"must" to read in
July.
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The Urgent Need for Bible
Study
by Don Ginkel
A Church Membership Committee was examining a
Lutheran (Methodist, Baptist, whatever) who wanted to join the
church. One of the questioners asked the candidate: "What part
of the Bible do you like best?" "I like the New Testament
best." "What book in the New Testament?" "The book
of Parables, sir." "Would you kindly relate one of these
parables to this Committee?" So the uncertain candidate
bluffed his way as follows:
"Once upon a time a man went down from Jerusalem to
Jericho and fell among thieves, and thorns grew up and choked
the man. And he went on and met the Queen of Sheba, and she
gave that man a thousand talents of gold and silver and a
hundred changes of raiment. And he got in his chariot and
drove furiously. And when he was driving along under a big
tree, his hair got caught in a limb and left him hanging
there. And he hung there many days and many nights, and the
ravens brought him food to eat and water to drink. And one
night while he was hanging there asleep, his wife, Delilah,
came along and cut off his hair and he dropped and fell on
stony ground. (You need to
see where this is going!) [Complete Article]
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 What Do We Do With the
Kids?
Youth
ministry is often a challenge for churches. You may call it
Senior High Ministry, Student Ministry, or Youth Group. It's
an important ministry at a formative time in the lives of
young adults in grades 9-12.
Many churches work hard to make Christianity "fun." They
provide a long list of entertainment-related
activities: lock-ins, bowling nights, camping trips,
amusement parks, beach or pool parties, etc.
There's nothing wrong with these activities. However,
it's hard for the church to compete with the American world of
entertainment. Good News: a new generation is rising and their
tribe is more open to formation and service.
Focus
on these issues: [Complete
Article]
Dr.
Kent Hunter (LCMS) is nationally known as the Church Doctor.
You can contact him at (800) 626-8515, or visit his website at
www.churchdoctor.org.
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 Stack of
Stuff
Why track church
attendance?
27% - Rate of major depression in
women who have attended religious services since
childhood.
36% - Rate in women who had
changed attendance patterns (nearly all had stopped
attending services).
32% - Incidence of major
depression in men who have always attended religious
services.
24% - Rate in men who
had changed attendance patterns (nearly all stopped
attending services).
(Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric
Epistemology)
The above are more good reasons to track weekly
worship attendance for ALL members, and these results
should be studied weekly by the pastor and elders and
then acted upon. "Keep watch over yourselves and all
the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God" (Acts
20:28).
Pastor - assist a responsible person to take
care of the tracking. This is important work for the
King and the Kingdom!
Idiots in the
neighborhood
"I
live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new
neighbor call the local township administrative office
to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our
road. The reason: Many deer were being hit by
cars and he no longer wanted them to cross
there."
Tengo Buenas Nuevas Para Ti
I Have Good News For You. This
Spanish edition is presented on CD-Rom in Adobe pdf
(requires Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader - available as a
free download from www.adobe.com). You may
reproduce as many copies of this 10 lesson course as you
wish. Worksheet questions with answers are included
for the teacher. You can order online at
www.churchpress.com and go to
New Member Class Materials. An extensive 238 page
spiral bound Leader's Guide is available in English for
$16.95.
A sampling of 36,000 American church
people "Most of the faithful, 70
percent, think there are paths to eternal life other
than the one prescribed by their own religion. And 68%
think there is 'more than one true way' to interpret the
teachings of their religion. Only Mormons (57 percent)
and Jehovah's Witnesses (80% percent) (remember, we
call them cults) have majorities who say that only their
religion is 'the one true faith leading to eternal
life.'
In evangelical churches 57% of the people said many
religions can lead to eternal life. In mainline
protestant churches 83% said many churches can lead to
eternal life." (The Denver Post, June 24, 2008)
Jesus said to the Sadducees and says today to many
in the church, "You are in error because you do
not know the Scriptures or the power of God"
(Matthew 22:29). You can understand why the
candidate for membership in the lead article said that
his favorite book in the New Testament was the "Book of
Parables."
There is a plethora of good Bible studies available
from many publishing houses, including Church Press. It
is time for the church, starting with pastors, to get
"Back to the Bible" as the famous radio
broadcast says. Never
Stop Learning
"Whenever you find yourself resisting a new way
of doing something, defending the status quo, or
opposing a change that God has told you to make, watch
out - you're about to lose your place of leadership."
"What's the key to overcoming this leadership trap?
You've got to continue to grow. Continue developing your
skills, your character, your perspective, your vision,
your heart for God, and your dependence upon Him. Never
stop learning. Read books and magazines, read and
re-read the Bible, fellowship with other Christians,
listen to tapes, and attend seminars" - Rick Warren,
Ministry Tool Box #344.
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Mission Trips Pay Off
"Don, I called your office today to leave a message for
Nadine. Her mission trip article to India in the June
Newsletter brought tears to my eyes! These are the types of
articles I like to print out and post. It tells people that
God can use their gifts, abilities, interests and talents to
touch lives for Jesus. How about contacting your list
to find other people who have had similar (local or
foreign) experiences who would write a note like Nadine's. One
of the enemy's favorite lies is to tell non-ordained people
that their abilities aren't worth much. Nadine's story shoots
that one down quite handily." - Dr. Craig Loving,
Thornton, CO
"Don, Nadine's lead article for June is awesome -
it brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful that this family
will be able to have a Christian education. God is good!!"
Tami Toso, Sun City West, AZ
Here is a link to Nadine's June article. If you
didn't read it, take a few minutes now to take a
peek. And, here is a link to Dr. Kent Hunter's April
article entitled, "Short-Term Mission Trips." His
article is power-packed! Consider passing both articles on to
people in your church.
We can recommend four groups that plan and carry out
short mission trips:
- Faith Life Ministries, 12000 Leeward
Walk Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30005; 770-619-9939. Email: BarryVoss@comcast.net.
Website: www.faithlifeministries.net.
- Missions International, PO Box 681299,
Franklin, TN 37068; 615-599-5499. Email: dwight@missions.com.
- The Sending Place, PO Box 730, Elk
Grove, CA 95759; 877-373-6346. Email: thesendingplace@hotmail.com.
- Bibles For The World website:
http://www.bftw.org
"Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing
and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help
us'" (Acts 16:9). Please "run with this" in
your church. Blessings abound for the people and congregations
that are into short mission trips. Be a blessing!
Thanks!
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HOPE in the Midst of
Depression
Has depression touched your life or the life of someone
you know? It touches one in three people. Hope in the
Midst of Depression will help if you have struggled with
depression, have a loved one dealing with depression, or
simply need encouragement during a bleak time of life. Author
Mary Southerland has been there; above all, she is in Christ
and her humor and Bible-based advice are just what we
need.
TOPICS: What Am I Doing in This Pit?
Understanding Depression. Climbing out of the Pit. Getting
Past Your Past. Discovering the Power of Forgiveness.
Experiencing the Power of Right Thinking. Winning over Worry.
Dealing with Stress. Managing Your Emotions. Getting Good at
Being You. Making Friends. Learning the Secrets of
Contentment. Practicing the Circle of Encouragement. Embracing
a Life of Balance. Thoughts from the Other Side of the
Pit.
251 pages #302 $11.99. Order your copy
today at our website, by email or by phone:
888-772-8878.
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Practical Suggestions from the
Pew
Dean Riddings, The Right
Fit:
"Let's ensure that no person who attends leaves feeling
alone or unwanted. If that's the goal, we need to ask what we
can do before, during, and after their visit to make that a
reality - practical things like setting up informal holiday
gatherings for visitors who may not have anywhere to go, or
having neighborhood church members deliver a fresh-baked
goodie to every visitors home. When we show - not merely tell
visitors that God loves them and so do we, perhaps they'll
leave saying, "Somebody really does care."
Ann Lahm, The Right Fit:
"Make sure people in Sunday School classes are ready to
welcome newcomers. Also, people should be ready to invite
anyone new to social events and fellowship times. Even if
visitors turn down the invitation, they feel welcomed. Most
people tend to stick around a church because they've been
welcomed quickly. It's important to have very
well-educated ushers and greeters who can scout out new
people, get them where they need to go, and tell them about
the church."
Harold Westing,
The Right Fit:
"Once you come to grips with the need to give continual
attention to assimilating new people in your church, you'll
need to design and manage a way to do it... Your strategy
should answer questions such as:
- How do we identify our visitors?
- How we we trace their steps from the parking lot, to
greeters, to worship, to Sunday school?
- Who will be responsible to make them feel at home?
- How will we connect with them after Sunday through
more than just a letter or card in the mail? Will it be a
phone call, a loaf of bread by the door, a home visit, or a
personal invitation to a newcomers' class?
- Who will be responsible to see that the system is always
in operation?"
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 Don't Worry
About What May
Happen!
by Bob Tasler
By now we all know the price of gas at the pump - that
it's rising too fast, making us wonder how far it will go. And
we have all experienced some of its stress on our lives. We've
been told the price of a barrel of oil could reach as high as
$250 by 2010, and we've been told all the problems that it
will cause. I wonder, though, if most of our imagined problems
are driven by reality or merely by speculation. And I wonder
if such speculation itself is making the problem
worse. And what if gas does reach $8 a gallon?
What will happen to America if this or that person is elected
president? What will happen if the War on Terrorism doesn't
end soon? What will happen to our church if certain people
have their way. Is the world coming to an end soon? [ Complete Article]
Rev. Bob Tasler (LCMS) lives in Castle Rock, CO.
He writes a weekly message like the one above and emails it to
hundreds of people around the country free. You may subscribe
by emailing
him. |
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Sermon: "The Theology of
Seatbelts" -- Romans
3:23-24
It takes 7/10 of a second to kill a
person in an automobile crash without safety restraints as it
hits a tree at 55 mph. Here is the sequence:
At 1/10 of a second the front
bumper and grille collapse.
At 2/20 of a second the hood crumbles
and smashes into the windshield.
At 3/10 of a second the driver is sprung
upright, his broken knees pressed against the dashboard.
At 4/10 of a second the front of the car
is destroyed and dead still, but the rear end is still
plunging forward at 55 mph.
At 5/10 of a second the driver's hands
bend or collapse the steering column.
At 6/10 of a second the impact rips the
shoes off his feet, and the driver's head is slammed into the
windshield.
At 7/10 of a second the entire body of
the car is twisted out of shape. Blood is coming from the
driver's mouth, and shock has frozen his heart.
When I was a seminary student at Springfield, IL, I
preached at a church in northern Illinois one Sunday morning
and was returning to the sem when I came across an accident
like this just a moment after it happened. This fellow went
off the road and hit a tree, and he was not wearing a
seatbelt. I stuck my head in the window of the car only to see
that he was still sitting there behind the wheel, but he was
very, very dead. (In Word for easy
editing) [ Complete
sermon] |
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For the Beginning of
Worship
...this month consider "As the Deer" by
Martin Nystrom - a beautiful melody and words of
petition. Verses 1 and 2:
As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul
longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart's desire, and
I long to worship Thee.
Chorus: You alone are my strength, my
shield; to You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are
my heart's desire and I long to worship Thee.
You're my friend and You are my brother even though
You are a King. I love You more than any other, so much
more than anything. Chorus
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