Sunday, August 2, 2020
Worship Service at 10:15am
Pastor Michael is back!
“What God Revealed to Me While I was on Sabbatical”
While on sabbatical I believe that God was revealing to me that I (and this includes all believers) need to more fully experience the joy that is found in the Christian faith. In John 15:11 Jesus says this, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” The definition of the word ‘gospel’ is good news. It is so easy to forget all the reasons we have in Jesus Christ to be joyful. Our joy is not determined by the circumstances of life, rather joy is rooted in the overwhelming love and grace of Jesus. The worship band “Jesus Culture” has a song called “Freedom” and in the song they sing this line, “dance like the weight has been lifted.” Quite honestly, that is how I want to live my life, with a grateful heart regarding all that I have in Christ. God is calling all of us into a deeper experience of joy and I am looking forward to sharing this message with you! -Pastor Michael
We encourage you to fill out the online Friendship Register when you worship with us online or in person. You can share prayer requests, ask questions about our ministries, or just let us know that you’d like someone to contact you.
A Word From Pastor Michael
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to go on sabbatical. I can say that during this sabbatical God has been at work in my life in a very powerful way. I look forward to returning and sharing with you in greater detail what God has been teaching me on Sunday, August 2nd. I want you to know that I love you and feel honored and blessed to be your pastor! See you soon!
Beginning Sunday, August 9
Most of us have an idea about what the perfect church is. Sometimes we can romanticize the early church and forget all the trials and difficulties they experienced. This sermon series will be a challenge to embrace the truth that many times we grow spiritually when we get out of our comfort zone. This 5 week series will be calling us into deeper relationships and community. It will challenge our consumeristic attitude toward the church and encourage us to roll up our sleeves and get involved on a deeper level. We may be pleasantly surprised when we get out of our comfort zone, step out in faith, that we once again we experience the joy of the Lord.
Deeply Rooted in God’s Word Together
From June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 we will be focused on intentionally setting aside time to read God’s Word. We have some tools for you as well as ways to let us know what you've been reading so we can track our progress as a church family. We'd like read 52,000 chapters this year!
We have a basket for completed June/July cards ready in the foyer. You can also pick up a new card for August/September. If you’ve been letting us know how many chapters you’re reading through our online form, we don’t need the cards back - we don’t want to count the chapters twice! But if you haven’t told us yet, we really want to record your numbers so we can reach our goal of 52,000!
You can track any chapters that you read. If you aren’t sure where to start, we have resources to help on our website.
Annual Business Meeting & Ministry Reports
Our yearly New Life business meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 30, 9:00-10:30am in the Fellowship Hall - coffee and donuts will be served. We have printed annual reports with information from our ministry leaders and elders available in the foyer. If you are not able to pick up your annual ministry report, please call the church office (886-1977) and we can send a digital version to your email address or mail the paper copy.
Community Worship & Prayer
We will be gathering again with other churches in our community for worship and prayer. Please join us Sunday, August 23, 6pm at Hope for Life Community Church.
Getting Connected Lunch
If you are new to New Life or would like to find out more about our church family, we’d love to have you stay for lunch after the 10:45 worship service on Sunday, August 16. Pastor Michael and other leaders would like to meet you and will be available to answer questions. Please RSVP by Thursday, August 13 so we know how much food to order (lezliee@newlifeefree.org or 886-1977).
Baptisms on Sunday, September 13
We are planning a time for baptisms on Sunday, September 13. If you (or your child/teen) would like to be baptized or if you have questions about baptism, please contact the church office (605-886-1977 or lezliee@newlifeefree.org).
Weekly Missions Prayer Focus
Steve & Kathy Austvold
EFCA Missions Mobilizers
Praise God for zoom and other technology which has enabled us to meet with others around the world to continue our ministry. Pray for Kathy's ongoing contact via Zoom with children’s workers in South Asia.
Pray for the Global Fingerprints children in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Central American countries where children are already vulnerable to malnutrition and other dangers. Consider sponsoring a child at www.GlobalFingerprints.org.
Pray for wisdom as we continue to minister during the Covid-19 restrictions that God will continue to be glorified.
John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Missions Trip Opportunity for Summer 2021
We are planning a mission trip to return to Dorie's Promise in Guatemala City July 10 -16, 2021. If you are interested in more information about joining the trip, please contact Lorna at hoferl@yahoo.com or 881-6747.
Operation Christmas Child
Each year we give our church family an opportunity to pack shoeboxes that are distributed to kids around the world. This is a great time to plan ahead and get some extra school supplies and/or clothing items that you can add to your shoeboxes.
BOLT Backyard VBS
Janet’s been busy putting together backyard VBS kits! We’ll provide a bag full of supplies for games and crafts, backpacks for the kids, and online videos with Bible lessons and music. You gather your kids and some of their friends for 3 days (1 1/2 hours each day) - whatever days work into your schedule.
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