The Lewis Lake News ~ July 2008
TOLERATION
A new study was released this week and it is catching the attention of the major media outlets. The following was the first sentence of an article from the Associated Press, and carried by many news agencies.
(June 23) - America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life — even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise.
Now I don’t put a lot of stock in polls, but it does give us the opportunity to discuss the question of tolerance.
On the one hand, it is very good to be tolerant of other faiths. What we mean by this is that it is good to be kind to people who have different religious beliefs than we do. We can work with them and cooperate with them in many different areas of life. It is good to extend care and compassion to them when they are in need. And it is good to respect their practices as much as possible. Letting people follow the dictates of their hearts in matters of faith and religion is a core value in our land that makes us the wonderful nation that we are. We must, indeed, be tolerant of other religions.
But there is another way in which we should never be tolerant of other religions. We must never permit ourselves to be drawn into the belief that other religions actually provide salvation to their followers. Christians affirm the words of our Lord who said:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Christianity is an exclusive religion. Jesus claimed to be the only way that a person could be saved. Now you can reject that or you can accept it, but you can’t change it. This is why it is so important to proclaim the Gospel to all people, so that all who believe in Jesus can be saved from eternal lostness and separation from the Father.
Our mission at Lewis Lake is to “glorify God by proclaiming the gospel to all people and to disciple the believers to become mature followers of Jesus Christ.” That people who claim to be Christians would accept the idea that salvation can come through other religions shows that the maturing process of a believer has not happened well.
It is good to be tolerant of people who hold to other religions. We can never, however, accept the idea that salvation can come through any other religion. To do so would mean that you are disagreeing with Jesus. And you certainly can’t be a believer in Jesus if you disagree with Him!
Pastor Bob
SATURDAY NIGHT WORSHIP
July marks the beginning of a new venture at Lewis Lake, which actually is not
really happening *at* Lewis Lake. There is excitement and energy surrounding the
new Saturday Night Worship Service that we will be conducting the Ogilvie High
School Auditorium. We are much involved in all the many details that are
necessary to make this worship service happen, discovering that this truly is
going to be a project that the entire Church can be involved in. Here are a few
details.
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Why are we doing this? To glorify God and reach out to those in our community who do not have a Church home. |
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What are we doing? A fast-paced, casual, contemporary worship service that will balance our desire to provide a worship opportunity for those not used to going to Church with the importance of truly worshiping God in Spirit and in truth. |
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When are we doing this? Saturday Nights at 6:00 for the months of July and August. |
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What is needed to do this? |
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What support do we need? Prayer. Please be much in prayer for this ministry. We want to touch hearts, but only God can do that. |
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What can you do? Spread the word. Invite people. Bring people. We are focused on
those who do not have a Church home at the present time. |
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
DATES: MONDAY, JULY 28 - FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
TIME: 6:00 -8:15 PM
LOCATION: OGILVIE SCHOOL
THEME: SPORTS CAMP ~ Volleyball, Kickball, Football, Basketball
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS AS A MEMBER OF THE "J TEAM"
Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us . . .
by keeping our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2
FRIDAY NIGHT IS THE BIG OPEN HOUSE FOR FAMILIES
New this year will be a picnic with hotdogs, chips & bars.
The cost for the meal will be $2.00 per person
VOLUNTEERS ~ CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOU
KIDS ~ BRING YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO LL VBS
& GET A DQ TREAT FOR THEM & YOU
WATCH & LISTEN FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INVOLVED
SIGN UP IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL OR CONTACT:
Cheryl Strelow, 320-679-3729
Kathy Peterson, 320-272-4646
VILLA SERVICE
July 13th
The Villa Service Ministry involves other churches in Kanabec County that work
on a rotating schedule
to provide a worship experience for the folks who live at the Villa in Mora.
Basically the service is a 2:00 PM mini version of our own worship services.
People of all ages are encouraged to come.
Hymn Sing
CANCELED
THINGS CHIC
CHIC (Covenant
High In Christ) is the triennial youth conference of
The Evangelical Covenant Church.
CHIC exists to:
| be a catalyst that inspires Christ-like change |
| challenge students to see themselves as part of something bigger |
| inspire students towards the journey of following Christ. |
Through CHIC, we
want to see students be:
| a Christ-centered community (Genesis 28:3) |
| confident in their relationship with Christ (Romans 8:38-39) |
| committed to doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly wih their God (Micah 6:8). |
NELSON'S
MARKET RECEIPTS
Because Some
Items Do Not Count Toward This Fundraiser,
We Need Your Itemized Grocery Receipt Not The Credit / Debit Card Receipt
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OUR
CHICSTERS WILL BE SERVING UP BRATS & POP
THIS SUMMER FROM THE COBORN'S BRAT STAND ~ FRI & SAT, JULY 25-26
AND AT OGILVIE'S CORN ON THE CURB EVENT
DROP BY & HELP THEM EARN THEIR WAY TO CHIC 2009!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
POP CANS & USED CELL PHONES $ USED INKJET CARTRIDGES
Our CHICsters recyle all of these items.
Pop cans go by the shed in the back of the parking lot.
Phones @ inkjet cartridges go in the plastic box in the fellowship hall.
WOMEN
MINISTRIES
Women Ministries Annual Project
BREAK THE CHAINS ~ A Partnership addressing Human Trafficking
Soup can "thank banks" are available for you to collect change
For more information go to www.covchurch.org/humantrafficking
Or talk to Betty
You may bring turn in your filled cans when they are full or by October 1st.
Do you knit or crochet?Do you want to be a part of ministry
without adding another event or meeting to your calendar?
THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MAY BE FOR YOU!
The shawls, triangular or rectangular, will be used to comfort our own Lewis Lake family members as they experience a life shattering event or diagnosis. We would also like to use them as an outreach to those in our community. This will depend on how many choose to be involved. Using your skill to make one shawl a year could make a BIG impact!
Patterns Are Available Or You May Use Your Own
Make One Shawl Or Many As You Wish
Keep Track Of The Day & Time You Start The Shawl
Pray For The Person Who Will Receive It – That God Will Prepare Them For What Is To Come, That He Will Wrap Them In His Loving Embrace
We are also looking for:
1) Donations to purchase yarn, OR you may pick up the color of your choice. It takes four skeins of Lion Brand Homespun or the equivalent of any #5 bulky weight that is very soft to the touch. Samples are on the WM board in the fellowship hall.
2) Handmade cards/bookmarks designed specifically for giving with the shawls, that will include scripture and other sentiment.
Talk to Linda Seaberg or Betty Kilian about Patterns, Yarn, Cards and Other Particulars
MISSION QUILTING AT CHURCH HAS A NEW DAY & TIME!
9:30 AM-2:00 PM the 2nd Saturday of Each Month
Currently our ladies are working on quilts and comforts for outreach to those in our community who suffer
the loss of their home
to fire or other disaster.
This is an opportunity to learn quilt making from ladies who are passionate about their craft and is a GREAT way to get to know others!
BUILDING GENERATIONS OF FAITH COOKBOOKS
AVAILABLE IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL ~ $12.00.
Make your check payable to LLWM & give it to Sue Anderson or Betty Kilian.
Getting to Know You Through CONNECT
The goal of CONNECT is to befriend, celebrate, encourage and have a positive impact on women. This is done through a fun and comfortable setting where smaller groups of women can get to know one another.
A CONNECT usually has a theme, which serves as an icebreaker. Last summer a Mad Hatter's Tea was held and all who attended wore hats. Craft enthusiasts invite ladies to come and scrapbook or knit & crochet or make cards. Guests may be personally invited or you may post a signup sheet on the WM board in the fellowship hall. (Ask Betty for help in promoting a signup CONNECT.)
BELIEVER'S BAPTISM
Baptism Opportunity Coming In August ~ Date and time to be announced.
If you have been considering this public profession of faith, contact Pastor Bob.
KEEPING UP WITH THE 50 & BETTERS
All Church Hymn Sing ~ CANCELED
Vacation Bible School ~ July 28-August 1
Once again, the 50 & Better Team is volunteering to help with registration. We encourage the rest of our group to get involved and help out as needed. This year promises to be bigger than ever and many helping hands will be needed.
This Is Your Life Event at Church ~ Saturday, August 9th
Come together for a potluck meal at noon, enjoy homemade ice cream and delight in a lifetime of memories for one of our own.
Home Visitation
If you are free during the day or are able to take an evening off, perhaps you would like to visit someone. Members of the 50+ Team are willing to go with you. If this interests you please talk with a Team member
THE TEAM
Gordy Vickstrom, Jeanette De Young, Shirley Ericson, Linda Seaberg, Marian
McNally, Jan Hartman, Betty Kilian.
OUR CHURCHES FINANCIAL HEALTH
If you are wondering how we are doing financially here at Lewis Lake here are some figures.
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Income: $68,229.58
Expenses: $75,696.80
Leaving us with a negative - $7467.22
The giving that flows out of this congregation is truly amazing when considering
all the various charities
and causes which we support, many of which are not reflected in these numbers.
Yet we also believe that
Church of Jesus Christ is our highest priority, coming before all the other
wonderful opportunities we have
to give. As you plan your giving, seeking to grow into the goal of giving 10% of
what the Lord gives to us
back to Him, please remember your local Church and the ministry needs that exist
here, knowing that
whatever we give to the Lord is not without its rewards as well.
SMALL
GROUPS
The groups listed on the calendar; Prayer
Gathering, True North, Upper Room, Pastor Bob's & Rick's
are all open to new members at any time.
Unless listed otherwise, these are mixed groups of couples, singles, men &
women.
Contact information is on the website, lewislake.org
Or you may call the Church office, 396-3293, or 272-4898
Looking for something other than the established groups?
Let Betty know and she will publish your desire to alert others who would like to join you!
VISION - MISSION - VALUES
A vision is a picture of the future that we, as a
church, seek to live into. The Elders and Deacons have developed this vision
statement.
"Our vision is to be a Church where people embrace a Christ-focused life and
develop into equipped servants of God."
A mission statement is a description of what we are going to try to do or
accomplish here at Lewis Lake. The Elders and Deacons have developed this
mission statement.
"Our mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel to all people, and
disciple the believers to become mature followers of Jesus Christ."
A values statement is the verbalizing of the values that we, as a congregation,
hold as most important in the life of our Church. These are the often unspoken
presuppositions that we move us to do what we do. The Elders and Deacons have
listed the following as the important values that move us.
1. We value honoring God.
2. We value discovering God.
3. We value experiencing God.
4. We value serving God.
5. We value proclaiming God.
YOU CAN KEEP TABS ON YOUR
BLOOD PRESSURE!
The Third Sunday of Each Month (July 20th)
Immediately following the Worship Service
In Pastor Bob's Office
OUR THANKS TO Tami Goley & Debbie Magaard for sharing their time and expertise!
LOOKING TOWARD FALL
It's always hard to predict the future but here
are some things we are thinking about for the fall ministry season:
There are the normal things like Sunday School and Confirmation. That *goes
without saying.
We will start our Friday morning Bible Study again. We are taking a break *for
the months of July and August.
We are looking at some events and maybe a small group or two that will *involve
young parents or college age adults. Discussions revolve around a parenting
seminar, marriage enrichment events, and new forms of Bible *Study. Recreational
opportunities are always part of the mix.
Plans are underway to develop seminars, taught by the best teachers *Lewis Lake
has, that will lead our Church through a process of discovering our Church,
being biblically grounded in the crucial aspects of the faith, and *realizing
one*s own unique giftedness and passion. We believe this could be the source out
of which all kinds of ministries could arise and develop.
We look forward to the fall with great anticipation and the belief that God is
doing great things in our midst.
We believe that followers of Christ need to be growing continually in Christ’s likeness.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
GOD'S WORD
RELATIONSHIPS
The only evidence of life is growth.
OBEDIENT LIVING
WORSHIP
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