Concordia Wesleyan Church

We are ready for a big day tomorrow at the Easter Egg Hunt.   We plan to have the activities at the Concordia City Park.  We do have a contingency plan if necessary but plan on it being at the park.   Pray that we will be able to make some meaningful connections with the people of our community. Engage them in conversations with simple questions like:

Is this your first year at the Egg Hunt?

How did you hear about it?

What do you like the best?

Any suggestions?

Where do you work?

How long have you lived here?

Who did you come with?  What are the ages of your children?

As you have these conversations, look for opportunities to talk about Jesus impact on your life or about Concordia Wesleyan and its influence on your life.  We will have an information table with materials about the various ministries of the church as well.   Look for opportunities share Gods love with those who come.

The weather will be a little cooler especially during set up, but through the years everyone has always had a great attitude and worked well together as a team.  This is another opportunity for us to live out the verse we are applying to our lives:  And whatever you do or say do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17  We start placing the eggs and setting up at 9:00 am and we will all gather for prayer at noon.

Sunday morning we start a new series called THE STAND.  This weeks message is from John 18 and is entitled:  What are you standing for?  Lift up the services and in prayer and especially be on the lookout to introduce yourself to anyone new.  Remember how it was when you first came to the church and looked for a face you recognized or a friendly smile.

May 1, following the 10:45 worship service, Delta Chi will be having its annual Cinco De Mayo Taco Fundraiser.  The proceeds of this fundraiser will go to assist the teens in attending youth camp in the summer.  Enjoy the Great food, Great fellowship, for a Great cause.

Ladies, the All Daughters Tea is coming up on May 7th.  You can make your reservations beginning on Sunday.  It will be at the Tea House, cost is $6.00, and you may choose from one of two times.  At 3:00 pm or 4:30 pm.  The two times are offered to alleviate the crowded atmosphere of the past couple of years.  Plan on making your reservation on Sunday.

Well it has been an interesting week at the Redmond household.  Taking the challenge I gave last Sunday to memorize Colossians 3:17 weve been working on it each morning as a family.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

It has really been a lot of fun.  On Monday Noah (4 years old)  was working on it and I was helping him with some of the harder words.  I said and whatever you  and he said do or say, then I said do it as a re.  and he said rectangle.  We laughed and said close, “good try.   Later I said the whole verse rather fast and he said:  Dad, when you say it that fast it wiggles my head.  I guess to a 4 year old that is the expression for boggles the mind.

Anyway, as of tonight everyone can say the verse with very little prompting or help.  It is great to share a spiritual experience together like that and enjoy encouraging each other.  I share our story to prompt the commitment in you to memorize the Scripture.  You can do it.  It takes a little time, some effort, and spaced repetition.  God will honor your desire to lay up His Word in your heart.

Even more important is to apply it in each of our lives.  We ended last Sunday message with this thought.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  How might your marriage be different if you actually lived that out in your life?  Your parenting?  Your attitude toward work?, your co-workers? your employer?, your customers?, etc.

May God meet you in your day to day life as you apply the truth of His word to your everyday life!!!

Blessings

Pastor David

If you would like to share your story of memorizing the scripture or a spiritual breakthrough in your life I would love to hear it.  Send it to davidcwc@sbcglobal.net

As we gather in worship this Sunday we will pick up our study of Colossians 3:1-17.  I encourage you to read it ahead of time.  If you have missed a message in this series on Identity Theft you can catch up online at concordiawesleyan.com  God is doing some incredible things in peoples lives and you want to be a part of what is happening in the family.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Tuesday at 10:00 am is Coffee With the Pastors in the church basement.  If you have that time available drop in and enjoy coffee some snacks and refreshing time of conversation with others in the congregation and with the pastoral staff.  Tuesday is also election day so make sure you get out and vote.

Friday night, April 08, at 7:30 a new Bible Study is starting in the home of Dave and Kim Sprague.  This study will explore the basic truths of life in Christ.  This is a great opportunity to brush up on the fundamentals of the Christian Faith.

Next Sunday evening, April 10th at 5:00 there will be a soup supper followed by the Egg Stuffing as we prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt on April 16 in City Park.

As we gather for worship this Sunday we will have the privilege of hearing from Stephen and Anne (Bryant) Sickel.  Stephen and Anne are excited to share about their transition into full-time Work and Witness coordinators for Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.  In that role they will work with local leaders to identify projects and coordinate and lead teams to help complete them.

Attention LADIES:  Saturday night, January 29th, at 6:00 pm “New Year New Year” event for all adult ladies of the church.  The evening begins with a soup supper in the church basement (soup is provided), then followed by a time of worship and testimonies by Susan Sterling, April Elstrom, and Anne Sickel.

February 13th and 20th during the Sunday School time a class on the mission, purpose, and direction of Concordia Wesleyan Church will be held.  This class is a pre-requisite for membership in the church and if you have never attended this class, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the church.  Sign up on Sunday on your Communication Card for Pastor’s Class, or call the church office.  243-4071

Delta Chi will begin selling tickets this Sunday to their annual Valentine Banquet on February 19th.  Tickets are $5.00 for adults, and children 12 and under eat for $3.00.  A meal of Homemade Lasagna, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread and Dessert will be served.  You may choice to eat at 5:00 pm or 6:30 pm.  This is a great opportunity for you to share some quality time with a friend or loved one while while helping our students raise money for youth camp.  A nursery will be provided!

Sunday night at 6:00 pm there is Bible Study at the church.

Great news!  I received this week some digital pictures of the showing of the JESUS Film around the three wells that were dug in Marabajane Mozambique.  Keith Norris from World Hope wanted me to express his appreciation to Concordia Wesleyan for providing the funds for this to take place.  We will share those photos with the congregation on Sunday.

Sunday is also a special day as Trent Baker, son of Jeff and Jodi Baker, Dallen Buckley, son of Chad and Kelly Buckley, and Verity Elstom, daughter of Steve and April Elstom, will be dedicated to the Lord in the 10:45 worship service.

For the message will will look at part 2 of the series on the book of Philemon.  A Changed Perspective, is the title and we will explore how God brings meaningful change into our lives by renewing our mind.

Additional Prayer request this week include:

Marvin Fahring as he recovers at Wesley Medical Ctr. in Wichita

Jim Miller, is in the Cloud County Hospital.

Theresa James received news today that her father is near death and will be flying to Massachussets Saturday morning to be with him.

At the close of last Sunday’s message I encouraged us all to think about ways we could give more, while spending less.  To give like Jesus gave, purposely, relationally, and sacrificially.  I shared some ideas to generate thought about how each of us could implement these principles.  Several people have asked if I could share those suggestions in written form, since they couldn’t write them all down on Sunday.  I have listed them below and added one additional about the youth ministry.

It is encouraging to hear the ways you are applying what we have learned together on Sunday.  Feel free to share your thoughts with me.

Make cards or cookies and give to a public servant with a Thank You  like teachers, firefighters, policeman, city workers, etc.

Set a date on the calendar to actually get together with that person youve told all year, we should get together sometime.

Write out your testimony of how you came to faith in Christ and give it to your family members.

Write thank yous to medical staff or send a bouquet of balloons or flowers to the nurses station at the local hospital.

Spend time as a family going through outgrown clothing, or gently used toys.  Let them be a part of giving them away, or taking to thrift store.

Pick up one of the thinking of you cards from the Gideons organization and for $5 place a Bible in honor or in memory of someone.

Make a craft or food for neighbors, especially those who are alone.

Adopt a Soldier and let them know you appreciate their service.  You may do so at http://www.adoptaussoldier.org

Volunteer  school/the local food bank/ nursing home/ the church

As an act of appreciation for our childrens Sunday School teacher, volunteer to give them a break by offering to teach their class one of two Sundays in January.

Gather change and give to the Heart Choices Ministry or place in the Salvation Army kettles around time

Print out a favorite scripture or lyrics to a Christian song and place it in a frame and give it to a friend or family member letting them know the significance of the words.

If you are going through the drive through line at a fast food restaurant pay for the car behind you.  Or pick someones bill up at a restaurant.

Donate non-perishable items to the local food bank

Offer to ring the Salvation Army Bell at Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon or one of the evenings leading up to Christmas.  To do so call Marie at the Cloud County Resource Center.  243-1065

Give away something that is meaningful to you that you have had for several years.

IMPACT 2010 – 2011, as this semester comes to a close for our students over the next week Delta Chi wants to remind you to continue to pray for the students of our community. Specifically pray that they will finish strong in their academics as tests, projects, reports, and papers are finalized and grades are tallied.

Sign up for Dinner for Eight and decide that coming year you will invest more in the life of the church.

As we gather in worship Sunday, you will want to be aware of the following opportunities to be involved with your church family.

Saturday, December 4th and 2:00 pm the Sister’s In Spirit women’s ministry is having a Holiday Treat Exchange and Secret Sister Reveal.  All ladies are invited to attend this gathering in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, is Food Bank Sunday.  You may bring your non-perishable food item and place it in the container in the church lobby.  We will ensure that it gets taken to the Resource Center to assist those in need in our community.

Our Ministry focus this advent season is to support the Heart Choices Heartbeat Pregnancy Center. You will have the opportunity each Sunday of December to give an offering to support them as they open an office in Concordia.  Lets make a

special effort to come alongside them as we attempt to Worship Fully, Spend Less Give More and Love All. More information about the ministry of Heart Choices is on the back of your bulletin.

Hope you all had a wonderful time of gratitude for them many blessings we all enjoy as you celebrated Thanksgiving Day.

This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent.  I heard the crowds were large as people hurried to get some of the bargains advertised by the various retailers.  As we gather this Sunday we will intentionally turn our hearts toward the way that Jesus Himself celebrated Christmas.  Sunday’s message teach us how we can keep Christ the center of our Holiday experience.

Sunday also marks the last official day to turn in your annual Faith Promise commitment for supporting the various missionaries and works Concordia Wesleyan Church supports. Everyone can do something.  What are you trusting God to provide for you to spread the Good News of the Gospel?

Volunteers are needed to help with snow removal from the church sidewalks when necessary.  If you are able to serve your church family in this way sign up on your Communication Card on Sunday.

Thank you to all who helped make the Thanksgiving Banquet a wonderful time together.  The food, decorations, fellowship, and hearing Mark Surbrook share about Haiti all contributed to a great night with the church family.

December 4th at 2:00 pm all ladies of the church are invited to a Holiday Treat Exchange and the Secret Sister Reveal.  Please bring a holiday treat and the recipe and join in for a fun afternoon.

Sunday we have a unique opportunity to hear from Alice Thompson, from Heart Choices Pregnancy Center.  Heart Choices has been based in Beloit for several years and has recently extended their ministry to include some office hours in Concordia to meet the growing demand for their services in Cloud County.  The Heart Choices is a Christ-centered facility which provides counseling and support services to women and men experiencing unintended pregnancies.  Heart Choices also provides abstinence-based education for adolescents, that includes parental involvement, and abstinence-based counseling and education as well as providing the needed support for women suffering from post-abortion trauma and share with them God’s plan of forgiveness.

We will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday.

Following the 10:45 worship service there will be a Military Luncheon for families of the church.

Mark you calendar for the annual Thanksgiving Banquet, November 21, 6:00 pm at the Catholic Parish Center.  Turkey, potatoes, gravy, drinks and dressing is all provided.  If your last name begins A-J please bring a dessert to share, and if it begins with K-Z please bring a side dish or dessert.  Our special guest for the evening will be Mark Surbrook, who has had a long standing ministry relationship in Haiti and was in Haiti when the devastating earthquake happened in January of this year.  Mark will share his experience and some of the developments that have taken place since that day.

I want to thank each of you who had a part in Trunk-N-Treat.  The donations of candy, the volunteers, leadership, and prayers made for an effective evening of outreach and ministry.  All totaled their were 692 children who received Gospel tracts along with their candy.  There were several hundred additional adults who were on campus as well.  Continue to pray that the impact will take effect beyond Sunday night and translate into encountering Jesus Christ and eventually coming into the community of Christ.

Sunday, we conclude the series “RESTORE” with an encouraging and challenging message on “Restoring Others.”

Sunday afternoon there is a Baby Shower for Dallen Joseph Buckley, son of Chad and Kelly Buckley. This is a baby wipe and diaper shower.  Diapers should be Size 2 and above.  Thank you in advance for coming along side and celebrating with Chad and Kelly the gift of their son Dallen.