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YEA, YEA, YEA
"I don't believe anyone
goes to hell." "I don't have to go to church." "I'm perfectly
satisfied with the spiritual knowledge that I have." "I am sincere.
I believe anyone who is sincere will go to heaven." "After all,
we're all going to the same place." A good response to the last one:
"I hope not!"
...you can pay your pastor's sermon
is to bring someone along to hear the next one.
WHAT IF?
A skeptic once derided a Christian
by asking him, "What would you say if when you died there wasn't
such a place as heaven?" Smiling, the Christian replied, "I should
say I've had a fine time getting there anyway." The Christian then
asked the skeptic, "What would you say if when you die you found
there WAS such a place as hell after all?" ...No
answer.
PAYING
ATTENTION
"A welcome item for first-time
visitors that invites them back and provides contact information so
visitors know how to get additional information. For example, our
church sends a coffee mug to the home of each first-time visitor
with information tucked inside."
"Attendance tracking through
attendance sheets filled out each week during worship. This tool
allows the church to check in with members who have been absent from
worship" by Gia Garey, p. 48, REV, Mar/Apr 2008
A LITTLE HUMOR
Two men were discussing their religious backgrounds, each one
bragging and interested in out-doing the other. Finally, one said,
"I'll bet you can't even recite the Lord's Prayer." Said the other,
"It's a bet," and began, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." The first
man interrupted, "Here's your ten. I didn't think you could do
it!"
FOR YOUR BULLETIN
A reminder for worshipers: Please turn off your cell phone
during worship.
HYMN FESTIVAL
...on a Sunday evening from 6:00-7:15 in the fellowship hall.
Use piano and other instruments. "Come enjoy newly re-written hymns
as well as some of your favorite older hymns. Childcare will be
available to age 3. Refreshments will follow. Invite a friend to
come with."
MUSLIMS & CATHOLICS
The Vatican reports that the number of Muslims has overtaken
the number of Catholics in the world. Muslims make up 19.2 percent
(est. 1.3 billion) of world's population and Catholics 17.4 percent
(est. 1.13 billion).
SHIPPING COSTS
...continue to rise. You save money by ordering items once a
year (larger quantities) than to do so twice a year. The saving is
considerable. The church office will also save money by signing for
a package when delivered by UPS. Church secretary or administrator
should ask UPS driver to get their signature for all
deliveries.
THANK YOU!
Here is a special "Thank You" card for those who have
served your church and the Lord faithfully. It includes an
appropriate poem and Bible verses. This is a card that will be
appreciated. Click on picture to learn more.
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Don't Waste Your Life
by Don
Ginkel
The word "sanctified" means "set
aside by God for a holy purpose" (John 17:19, Acts 20:32, Acts
26:18). But some times we Christians don't seem to get it.
Several years ago John Piper
wrote an important book entitled, Don't Waste Your
life. In it he wrote, "I'll tell you what a
tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider
this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple
'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five
years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in
Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise their 30-foot trawler,
play softball and collect shells...' Picture them before
Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my
shells.' That is a tragedy."
1 Corinthians 12:27,29-31 says,
"You are the body of Christ (that means you are not your
own), and each one of you is a part of it. Are all
apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work
miracles? Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak in
tongues? Do all interpret? (Does Paul want a yes or no
answer to these questions? No.) But eagerly
desire the greater gifts." [Continue
Article] |
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Preachers Who Preach
Series 
It had been several weeks since Marilyn met Janice at
their favorite coffee shop. They gather there regularly to
share their friendship, catch up on each other's family, and
complain about what's wrong with church!
Marilyn began, "What do you think
about Pastor Kevin's sermon series? It seems like lately he
has five weeks of this and then eight weeks of that and then
six more weeks of something else. I wonder if he's watching
too much television." Janice concurred, "Yeah, I can't wait
for the final episode. I suppose it will be a two-hour
special!"
What about sermon series? Are they
good, bad, or inconsequential?
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 
For congregations not yet using
our attendance materials we have a very special offer.
You can receive our burgundy vinyl holder, matching
attendance pad and matching pen plus the blue vinyl
holder, matching attendance pad and matching pen, a
$12.28 value, for only $6 plus shipping. It's item #510.
Click the picture to learn more.
An opening paragraph for your
worship bulletin:
In
Jesus' name welcome! We pray that this morning of
worship, study, and fellowship will be a true source of
blessing to you. Colossians 3:12-17 ends with the phrase
to "sing with gratitude in our hearts." The word "heart"
connotes our wills and intentions. It doesn't say
anything about whether we even like the song or if it
makes us feel good. Instead it means singing with our
wills to God. We are called not to worship the created
music but God, our Creator and Redeemer. May God bless
our worship of Him this day!
Every church should buy a
commercial first-aid kit, including procedures for CPR.
Periodically remind staff and others where it is
located.
Improving your meetings: Make
is a rule to begin with brief Scripture and fervent
prayer. End the meeting with prayer. Throughout the
meeting stop for a moment of prayer - something to be
thankful for, a problem or challenge, etc. It is amazing
what Scripture and prayer can do for people and the
meeting.
Another meeting must: Have a
printed agenda in the hands of everyone.
Remember that agenda items must help the church
accomplish it's mission - if it doesn't - skip
it.
PLEEEEZ
WATCH THIS video
clip. About ten minutes in length. It
will powerfully impact you, and you'll love it.
Guaranteed! When finished, pleeeez forward it to a ton
of people!
...makes all the difference
in the world. Unspeakable delight is ours as we see the
intricacies of His handiwork. But immeasurable joy fills
our hearts when, with gratitude and praise, we
acknowledge that the great Creator became our Savior,
and all God's fullness dwells in Him. Wade Robinson
wrote:
Heaven
above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter
green;
Something
lives in every hue Christless eyes have never
seen!
Birds
with gladder songs o'erflow, Flowers with deeper
beauties shine, Since I know, as now I know, I am His
and He is mine.
They Wondered Why
He
smoked cigars three times a day, Expensive ones at
that,
Then
gave a dollar to the church When the ushers passed the
hat.
She
gave fifty cents for mission work, Then fifty cents for
gum,
Then
really bowed her head and prayed, "O, Lord, Thy Kingdom
come." They sat at home and wondered why The church did
not succeed; She chewed her gum and couldn't tell, He,
puzzled, smoked his weed.
Perhaps the most important article
in our 2008 Newsletters so far was an article by Dr.
Kent Hunter in the April issue entitled, "Short-Term
Mission Trips," and it's a winner. Go to the Newsletter page of our
website and then to the April issue. Beneath his
article is "Stack of Stuff." The fourth paragraph is
what you need next. Listed are four groups here in
the States that will help you and your church move on to
a new and exciting plateau of service. Hundreds of
congregations and thousands of believers have already
benefited from short-term mission trips. Take a few
minutes now to bring up Dr. Hunter's article and run off
a hard copy. Thank you so much!
"I'm sorry." When was the last
time you gave a genuine, "I'm sorry"? Can you
remember?
Pastor's goals for 2008 - 1.
Personally reach the lost. 2. More visitors at weekly
worship services. 3. Grow our
church.
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Sermon: "Be Patient" from James
5:7-11
Introduction
(feel free to adopt or
adapt)
Please repeat the following words
aloud after I say them:
Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can.
Found seldom in a woman, Never in a
man.
I'm going to give you a brief
patience test to see if you are an impatient person. Just
raise a hand when the question indicates you are too
impatient.
· You are too
impatient if, when reading a bedtime story to your child, you
have skipped a page or two to expedite the process. Hands,
please?
· You are too
impatient if, when you see a yellow light, your tendency is to
accelerate instead of brake. Hands?
· You are too
impatient if you ever asked yourself during a sermon, how much
longer is he going to talk? Hands?
· You are too
impatient if you have ever cut through a parking lot in order
to miss a stoplight. Hands?
· You are too
impatient if your children or your dog think their first names
are come on, hurry up and let's move
it.
Are you a bit too impatient? Let me
ask you this: How would your family, friends, fellow workers,
and fellow Christians rate you in patience? Now please don't
point out to a family member this week who is not patient,
"Didn't you listen to the sermon last Sunday?" That is not
being patient with someone who is not being
patient!
Three times James uses the
word "brothers" - in verses 7, 9, and 10. The Jewish church
was experiencing great pain. Life was hard. [Complete Article]
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 Someone You Should Know
Michael Monsoor, a young
man in his twenties. He was drawn to the United States Navy,
not out of a desire to serve in the fleet, but out of a
burning ambition to serve as a Navy SEAL, a very elite group.
For his valor in Iraq he was a recipient of the Bronze Star
and then the Silver Star for his bravery while engaged in a
fire fight in Ramadi.
On September 29, 2006, he was part of a
sniper overwatch position in eastern Ramadi with three other
SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. A fire fight ensued. An
insurgency fighter closed in and threw a fragment grenade into
the position of the SEALs and it hit Monsoor in the chest
before falling in front of him. Monsoor yelled "Grenade!" and
dropped on top of the grenade prior to it exploding. Monsoor's
body shielded the others and they were wounded, but their
lives were saved.
On April 8th President Bush posthumously
honored Michael with the nation's highest military honor, the
Congressional Medal of Honor. America still has great heroes,
and Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25 years old,
is one of them. Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than
this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Nota Bene: Can your church reach out in service to wounded
military men and women in your community? Pursue it if you
can.
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As a member of the Sunday School Staff, Children's
Church, Youth Staff, Evangelism Program, Home Bible Study
Groups (and whatever groups you should include) this
is:
MY
COVENANT
-
I will attend all training, planning,
and leadership sessions unless prevented for a reason that
God will approve and will then call the proper staff person
as soon as I know that I am not able to attend.
-
I will spend time each week in order to
be properly prepared for my responsibilities and will do so
to the best of my ability.
-
I plan to grow in Christ and in my
ability to teach, share, present, and reflect the Gospel in
my life.
-
I will pray for the other staff and
team members and will try to help encourage them in every
way possible.
-
With other staff and team members I
will seek to disciple those with whom I come into contact,
and I feel a responsibility to them in bringing them into a
continuing and growing relationship with our
church.
Signature: ______________________ Date:
_____________
Print the above on a 4 x 6 card with
appropriate changes and give two copies to each person - sign
one card and give to pastor or staff person in charge and keep
the second copy for personal reflection.
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Medley of
Hymns
For the beginning of
worship
Come, ye Christians, join to
sing. Alleluia! Amen!
Loud the praise to Christ our King. Alleluia! Amen.
Let us all, with heart and voice Stand before His throne,
rejoice, Praise from all His gracious choice. Alleluia!
Amen.
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children, God is
love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children, God is
love, God is love.
I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the
roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God
discloses.
And He walks with me and He talks with me And He tells me
I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
To God be the Glory - great things He has done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His
voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people
rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory - great things He has done.
All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate
fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of
all.
Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of
all.
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What A Shame, But...
Wait!
by Bob Tasler
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his
employer of many years about his plans to quite building
houses and enjoy his family and free time. He would miss his
check but they would get by. He just needed to retire. The
contractor was sorry to see him go, for he had been a faithful
worker for many years. He asked him if he would build just one
more house as a personal favor. The man said yes, but his
heart was no longer in his work. He resorted to shoddy
workmanship, used inferior materials and worked far too
quickly. But after all, it was just his last job and no one
could fire him for bad work now.
When the house was finished, his employer inspected the
house and then handed him the door keys. "This is your
house," he said, "my gift to you." The carpenter
was shocked! If only he had known he was building his own
home, he'd have done it all so differently. What a
shame!
So it is with us. You and I build our lives one day at
a time, often putting into it less than our best. Then with a
shock we realize we have to live in the "house" we have built.
And we cannot go back. We are the carpenters. With each nail
we drive, each board we cut, and each wall we build, we are
constructing the house we live in. Today's actions and
decisions certainly affect our life tomorrow. [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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