New Life Christian Church 1705 SE Marshall Albert Lea, MN 56007 New Life Christian is a family of believers who love the Lord, one another, and do our best to live and reveal the love of Christ to the world around us. We are devoted to the Word of God and claim its joy, power and authority. We know that through Jesus Christ we have forgiveness, fellowship, friendship and peace. We know that we are far from perfect, but we also know that God is at work in our lives and forgives our failures. We know that there are few things that bring greater joy in life than sharing God’s Good News of Salvation and making new friends as we come to know Christ better. We know that “church” is not about the things we say or ceremonies or traditions. Instead, we un- derstand that church is all about growing, loving, learning and caring. We know that worship is not supposed to be stuffy and boring but is at its best when it is vital, rele- vant and even fun. We know that we would love to meet you and share the joy that we have found at New Life Christian Church. APRIL 2020 NEWSLETTER Created for Community by Vern Harris MISSION STATEMENT: To embrace all people, sharing the love, joy, faith, and truths that we have come to know in Christ Jesus. LEAD PASTOR: Vern Harris Office 507-373-0814 [email protected]ELDERS: Dave Anderson 402-6000 Al Schallock 383-8486 Kendall Langseth 373-2343 Ryan Shea 402-8468 Bob Snow 684-2010 Bob Hamberg 383-0271 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR and YOUTH DIRECTOR: Kelli Fiscus Office 507-373-1533 [email protected]OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR: Sue Foss Office 507-373-1533 [email protected]WEBSITE: www.NewLifeChristianAL.org FACEBOOK PAGE: New Life Christian Church VISION STATEMENT: Our vision is to provide encouragement, connection, and discipleship within Christ’s church as we reach out in love to witness to the world around us. All right, I admit it, I am feeling a little sorry for myself. That may not be a great way to begin an article, but it is the truth. However, (with me there pretty much always seems to be a “however”) I know that I am not alone in this, at least not right now. You see, it is Sunday morning, a few minutes after 8:00 and there isn’t anyone else around. That does not feel right! On a typical Sunday morning Gary Lerud joins me here a little before 7:00 a.m. He does so to get things started in the kitchen area. He makes coffee and gets things organized for the rest of us. Then at about 7:30 Scott Schroader brings by their weekly gift of wonderful sweet rolls and bunches of bananas. Around 8:00 Wayne, Grace, and Kevin get here to begin making toast and juice so that we can enjoy a light breakfast together. Worship rehearsal starts at 8:30 and our pianists, Robyn or Marsha, that month’s worship team, as well as our sound tech and worship program manager get to work. Sunday School teachers and others who have something special to share on a given Sunday also get here at about that time, and by 9:00 our church family begins to arrive. That is not even close to the entire list of God’s servants who are here every Sunday doing the Lord’s work. In fact, that list would certainly include each of you. It is a bit unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe like COVID 19 to make us look around and see how much we need and miss each other, but that is the truth. The short list of people I just mentioned may all be folks we want to thank, but each of you are critical to the Lord’s work here at new Life Christian Church. You are the body that welcomes, encourages, laughs, loves, and listens. So, thank you. In the beginning, before they fell prey to sin, Adam and Eve enjoyed daily fellowship/community with God. We read that they would enjoy the cool of the evening together by walking and talking. Isn’t that a wonderful thought! Sin, of course, destroyed that wonderful routine but it doesn’t remove the need for fellowship and community from the heart of every person. It is how we were created. It is an instinctive joy and it is as fundamental to us as breathing. I think that is why singing in worship together is so vital to us. Whether we sing well or can’t carry a tune in a bucket, we are all invited and encouraged to join in. Together, we create a beautiful sound, a dynamic atmosphere, a powerful spiritual reality. This sense of community is enhanced as we pray together, consider God’s Word together, and feel the power of God’s presence together. Consider Psalm 95:1-7 Continued on next page
Transcript
New Life Christian Church 1705 SE Marshall Albert Lea, MN 56007
New Life Christian is a family of believers who love the Lord, one another, and do our best to live and reveal the love of Christ to the world around us. We are devoted to the Word of God and claim its joy, power and authority. We know that through Jesus Christ we have forgiveness, fellowship, friendship and peace. We know that we are far from perfect, but we also know that God is at work in our lives and forgives our failures. We know that there are few things that bring greater joy in life than sharing God’s Good News of Salvation and making new friends as we come to know Christ better. We know that “church” is not about the things we say or ceremonies or traditions. Instead, we un-derstand that church is all about growing, loving, learning and caring. We know that worship is not supposed to be stuffy and boring but is at its best when it is vital, rele-vant and even fun. We know that we would love to meet you and share the joy that we have found at New Life Christian Church.
APRIL 2020 NEWSLETTER
Created for Community by Vern Harris
MISSION STATEMENT:
To embrace all people, sharing the love, joy, faith, and
Our vision is to provide encouragement, connection,
and discipleship within Christ’s church as we reach out in love to witness to the world around us.
All right, I admit it, I am feeling a little sorry for myself. That may not be a great way to begin an article, but it is the truth. However, (with me there pretty much always seems to be a “however”) I know that I am not alone in this, at least not right now. You see, it is Sunday morning, a few minutes after 8:00 and there isn’t anyone else around. That does not feel right! On a typical Sunday morning Gary Lerud joins me here a little before 7:00 a.m. He does so to get things started in the kitchen area. He makes coffee and gets things organized for the rest of us. Then at about 7:30 Scott Schroader brings by their weekly gift of wonderful sweet rolls and bunches of bananas. Around 8:00 Wayne, Grace, and Kevin get here to begin making toast and juice so that we can enjoy a light breakfast together. Worship rehearsal starts at 8:30 and our pianists, Robyn or Marsha, that month’s worship team, as well as our sound tech and worship program manager get to work. Sunday School teachers and others who have something special to share on a given Sunday also get here at about that time, and by 9:00 our church family begins to arrive. That is not even close to the entire list of God’s servants who are here every Sunday doing the Lord’s work. In fact, that list would certainly include each of you. It is a bit unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe like COVID 19 to make us look around and see how much we need and miss each other, but that is the truth. The short list of people I just mentioned may all be folks we want to thank, but each of you are critical to the Lord’s work here at new Life Christian Church. You are the body that welcomes, encourages, laughs, loves, and listens. So, thank you. In the beginning, before they fell prey to sin, Adam and Eve enjoyed daily fellowship/community with God. We read that they would enjoy the cool of the evening together by walking and talking. Isn’t that a wonderful thought! Sin, of course, destroyed that wonderful routine but it doesn’t remove the need for fellowship and community from the heart of every person. It is how we were created. It is an instinctive joy and it is as fundamental to us as breathing.
I think that is why singing in worship together is so vital to us. Whether we sing well or can’t carry a tune in a bucket, we are all invited and encouraged to join in. Together, we create a beautiful sound, a dynamic atmosphere, a powerful spiritual reality. This sense of community is enhanced as we pray together, consider God’s Word together, and feel the power of God’s presence together. Consider Psalm 95:1-7
Continued on next page
National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 7th this year. It will be done differently this year due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 virus. We will be having the National Day of Prayer event online. A video of prayer leaders will be put up on Facebook. The National Day of Prayer Task Force will then be taking clips of the videos from around the country to broadcast from Washington DC.
No City Prayer Team meeting this month.
“May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.”
PRAYER CORNER Continued from Page 1
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. It is my prayer that soon, perhaps even by the time you receive this newsletter, the panic over the COVID 19 virus will be ebbing away and we will be getting back to our version of “normal.” Until then, we must be diligent. We must go to extra effort to ensure that our Christian community is powerfully intact. Reach out to one another. Pray for and with one another. Seek to learn of special needs and then work with our NLCC leadership to see that those needs are being met. We are created for community, and that means these are odd and uncomfortable times. But we know that God the Father will create a tremendous blessing for all His people through this difficult time. Praise His Holy Name!
NORMALLY, in this big lavender box there is a Serving Schedule. Because everything is so up in the air, we will not have a Serving Schedule for April for the same reason we do not have an April Calendar. We do not know when we will be able to physically meet for church, bible study, or other activities again. Hopefully soon. In the meantime, please be sure to watch the Wednesday Bible Study, Adult Sunday School Lesson, and the Sunday Sermon on our Facebook page and/or on our website: www.newlifechristianal.org/resources. They will be available at the regular scheduled times for those activities. The videos are on the New Life Christian Church Youtube channel also. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel. FYI: When you go to YouTube to search for us, you will see many New Life Christian Church channels. Ours can be identified with this logo -
April meetings (tentative) Deacons: April 5th - 9:00 am Elders: April 4th - 8:30 am Council: April 8th - 6:30 pm
Hospitality Team : April 9th - 6:30 pm Aim Hi: April 21st - 11:30 am
March Council Meeting Highlights
Minister’s report: Busy with funeral for Bruce Bunnell and Celebration of Life for Richard Foss. First week was spent in Phoenix. Have been trying to see that entryways are cleaned and cleared. There have been various special needs within our church family, including teaching questions. There is a wedding on March 28th for our UPS Driver. Pedro has been advised. Also, Pedro was asked to make sure the building is locked. Mission meeting was March 8th. Plans for Easter Services; Al is looking into Jews for Jesus. Easter theme is “This is Love”. Following Easter sermon theme is “Renewing Our Mind”.
Elders’ Report: Pastor vacation on May 17th. Congregation needs clarification of rules.
Youth Director’s report: No Report
Financial report: We lost one Sunday due to weather. We’ve had many extraordinary issues including a check theft issue for which we will be reimbursed. A major repair was required on the upstairs furnace. Motion passed to authorize Treasurer to transfer funds between checking and savings when amounts justify that action. Motion passed to combine Youth Van Fund into the General Fund.
Deacons’/Trustees’ report: The February Banquet had 35 people. Storage door handle was replaced. Snowblower was repaired. A new battery was purchased for the lawn mower. Bulbs were replaced and projector adjusted in worship area.
Office administrator: Special thanks to Kelli Fiscus for extra time as Sue dealt with Richard’s needs.
Old business: Painting in worship area needs finishing, especially on archways. Steve Borge may wish to continue with that job. Jerry will check on March 29th. Three bids on the sound system will be coming in time for the April meeting.
New business: A motion passed to purchase a secure mailbox. Need security for funeral, especially an eye on the card basket.
Due to present social distancing guidelines in place, the camp scholarship program has been altered. The church will still pay for half of the early registration camp fee without requiring the completion of the camp packet. We do encourage you to voluntarily complete some service activities for the church or community. We sincerely pray that the current situation stabilizes and we can resume some level of activity that would allow camp to safely take place.
PINE HAVEN CAMPS
7th - 8th Zone B: June 14 - 20 11th – 12th: June 21-27 9th - 10th Camp: July 12 - 18 5th - 6th Zone A: July 19 - 24 7th - 8th Zone A: July 26 - August 1 Greenhorns: August 9 - 12 5th - 6th Zone B: August 16 - 21
PRAIRIE RIVER CAMPS
Middle School Camp (6th - 8th grade): June 15 - 19 Paintball Camp (7th - 12th grade boys): June 23 - 26 Horse Camp Beginners (6th - 12th grade girls): June 23 - 27 Horse Camp Advanced (6th - 12th grade girls): TBD High School Camp (8th - 12th grade): July 13 - 19
NORTHEAST IOWA CHRISTIAN SERVICE CAMPS
Jr High I (6th - 8th grade): June 14-19 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade: June 21-25 Jr High II (6th - 8th grade): July 5-10 Sr High (9th - 12th grade): July 12-17 Boot Camp (12th/graduate): July 19-21 Overnight (1st - 3rd): July 24 - 25 Sports Camp (6th - 12th): July 26-30
