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April
2007 |
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Keeping the main thing the main thing is the challenge of most organizations. Many large organizations lose their sizzle by failing to keep a laser focus on the one thing that motivated their founding. Many large churches start out with the simple message of Christ only to get bogged down with huge budgets and programs. Before anyone realizes it, the tail is wagging the dog. As one comes into our sanctuary, he sees the story of Christ in picture-form all around the room. Starting with his birth portrayed in the southeast corner window and moving to his baptism on throughout his life to crucifixion to resurrection and finally the ascension portrayed in the northeast corner window. The windows of our worship facility tell the most powerful story in human history. Looking to the focal point of the sanctuary, the altar, one sees the open Bible, the living Word, God’s, inerrant and inspired revelation. Some churches, not wanting to offend people, have removed the Bible from the altar. We resist the trend to go “Christianity lite”. With our church, the Bible stays. Thinking of all this takes me to John chapter three, possibly my favorite chapter of the Bible. In his usual cut-to-the-chase manner, Jesus simply tells this scholarly, religious leader, Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” Highly intelligent people usually struggle with things stated short and to the point. Though this was not rocket science, Nicodemus needed an explanation. Why was this so hard for him to understand? I sometimes wonder the same thing in observation of our community and culture. We Christians do have a very simple message. Yes, but it gets clouded with many other things and maybe, at times, it gets completely squeezed out. The message could not be stated any more clearly than in John 3:7. Read it for yourself. “You must be born again.” Those who have been born again, have no trouble understanding it. They can give testimony to it. Those who have not been born again resist the slightest hint that somehow they might be lacking in some way spiritually or they sweat bullets trying to overanalyze it. Reactions are mixed. We can play the word game and call it many other things like spiritual birth, born from above, saved, accepting Christ, etc. The words don’t really matter. What really matters is the bottom line fact. Have you been born again? Have you? It is that simple. If you can’t say that you have, then you probably haven’t. You may have always known about Jesus and believed in him, but have you been born again? You may have been baptized, but have you been born again? You may been confirmed, but have your been born again? Is the Spirit of God alive and well in you? Being born again happens with one prayer from the heart. The heart cries out to God to be saved from sin by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who paid the price for sin by his death on the cross. He took your place on the cross. In one final and eternal decision, you claim that price as the price for your sin. You open your heart for the flood of God’s Spirit to possess you. Have you intentionally let your heart make that plea to God? I have never met one person who has truly made that huge step but what God didn’t give them a spiritual pulse. Before there may have been intellectual belief, but now there is life, spiritual life. God quickens the spirit of the humble pilgrim and breathes new life into his or her soul, life that was never there, life that has no end. Each Sunday at the end of our service, there is an opportunity for people to make such a prayer. I sense that several people would like to ask for help in making that prayer but pride stands in the way. What will others think? What if I have been a member of the church many years? What if I have been on the Council? Will I be viewed as a little flaky asking to be born again now? From time to time I find myself thinking, “What if a person is an active member of our church, though not born again, dies and faces the Lord in judgment? Will he say, ‘How could I be a member of Community Church and have never really understood this? Why didn’t anyone ever get in my face to make sure I understood it? Didn’t they care enough?’” Hopefully through one’s involvement here, one will learn of Jesus’ invitation to be born again and respond in repentance and faith. When that happens, the miracle of new birth is there every time. The Bible tells us even the angels in heaven rejoice when this happens. You …… think about that. Hope to see ya Sunday. Pastor Curry
PULPIT FORECAST"To regularly avail oneself to the public exposition of the Holy Scriptures is one of the highest and holiest habits one can ever attain in this life." Please pray for me to be diligent in my labors in Scripture study for sermon preparation, to surrender completely to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, to resist the temptation to seek the approval of man rather than the approval of God, and above all, to be humble. Bring your Bible with an open heart and mind. HOLY WEEK SERVICESPALM SUNDAY – Service of Confirmation and Holy Communion. The message will be “A High Bar for a High Privilege”- John 12:12-26. The children will have their Easter Egg Hunt, breakfast and games. MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION - 7:00 P.M. This meal is in remembrance of Jesus’ last meal with his followers. We will gather in the chancel area in groups of twelve sharing the Lord’s Supper around a table. Children are welcome but no childcare will be offered. GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE – 6:30 P.M. In seeking to walk again in the footsteps of Jesus, we gather to share in singing hymns and reading the crucifixion story. RESURRECTION SUNDAYBreakfast – 8:30 A.M. A complete sit down breakfast will be shared. We want to do this as a family around tables. Everyone make special effort to come. Worship – 10:00 A.M. Easter lilies will be displayed as given in memory or honor. A special drama presentation will be offered. The chancel choir will sing and Pastor Curry will speak from Luke 24:1-11; 33-47 using the title, “Amazed, Joyful, and Commissioned”. APRIL MESSAGES15TH – “Resurrection – Big Deal…” John 21:1-1422nd – “In the Court Room of Life” – Acts 1:3-14. 29th – “The Three Pronged Witness” – Acts 1:8; Romans 15:17-21. NEW BUILDING UPDATE The Building Committee (Katie Margison, Jim Lyons, Roy Mauck, Mae Backovitch, Joe Martin, Jim Pillars, and Anne Lyons) is working hard to get the new entrance finished now that the doors are installed. The gutters have now been installed. Thanks to all who contributed this past month. Our building fund contributions for March totalled $1,879! We continue to trust the Lord month by month. We are hopeful that in the coming year the funds to finish the inside of the building will come. BABY SHOWER THE 14TH How can we help young girls with child keep their babies? One way is to support the organizations who help those girls. One organization quite local is Tri-County Pregnancy Center. Every person of our church is asked to contribute some type of baby item for this shower. All items will go to Tri-County Pregnancy Center.
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ON THE RADIO EVERY SUNDAY 98.3Know of a shut-in who might enjoy our service? Make sure to have them tune in every Sunday. At the end of each service, Calie Lyons and Jim Pillars make a fast trip to the radio station to be on the air at 12:00 noon. People who live out of the area can tune in on the internet by visiting www.wrlr.fm . Look to the left side of the page and click on “on-air audio stream”. COFFEE HOUR
4/1/2007 Celebrate
Confirmation
USHER SCHEDULE4/1/2007Annette Gathercoal 4/8/2007Chris Sybrandy 4/15/2007Marge McKee 4/22/2007Jenny Sybrandy 4/29/2007 Ann Cortes
COUNCIL DAY OF PLANNING, PRAYER Our church has some really special people who give much time for praying and planning. On Saturday, March 10th, the group under the leadership of Mike Johnson and Pastor Curry spent most of the day in retreat at Wonderland Camp, north of Antioch. They reviewed the church’s vision and role of the deacons and elders. Most of the day was spent planning and discussing ways to celebrate our life as a church of 75 years.
COUNCIL REPORTS from the most recent meeting are always available at the back of the church in the wooden rack at the top of the steps. Don’t hesitate to pick one up if you have interest. Council Meetings are always open to our members. We meet the first Tuesday evening to conduct church business and the third Tuesday evening to pray. Please contact Council President Mike Johnson if you wish to attend or speak at any meeting.
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS!This year will be extra special for us as we highlight the many years God has given us to be a witness of Christ in the Round Lake area. At the recent Council Retreat, several special things were planned for our faith family with the first of those being a special Sunday evening service, June 10th, at 7:00 P.M. Mark your calendars now! We also plan to have a special meal and celebration in the Fall and to do a photo directory possibly in November or December. RETURN TO ROCK RIVER BIBLE CAMPYes we are returning to Rock River Bible Camp for this year’s Faith Camp, Jun 24th –30th. What about you? Can you carve out the week and be there? Qualify for the early registration fee ($35) and register before April 30. Pastor Curry, Jim Lyons, and Erik Disch of Abundant Life Church are directing the camp. Many of the same counselors will be back. Get registered now! APRIL BIRTHDAYS 5: Jenny Sybrandy 8: Linda Martin 16: Carol Dawson 18: Ann Cortes 18: Teresa Pillars 24: Diane Mauck 26: Joan Aiuppy 29: Chris Sybrandy If you know of anyone who is not on our list, contact Randy Margison.
USE OF CHURCH BUILDING AND CHIMES CALENDAR?? The calendar in the Chimes each month only contains the events of our church life. It does not list all the groups using the church facility on different dates. If you wish inquire about using the facility, please call our Facility Coordinator, Jim Pillars.
RUMMAGE SALE NEWS Plans are going full speed for the coming Rummage Sale. The Chairperson for the back room this year is Donna Kramer, while Cindy Johnson and Linda Ellinger will Co-chair the front room. Please give your verbal and physical support to these ladies who have stepped forward to serve in this way. “Set-Up Sunday” is April 15th. Don’t forget to save your Rummage Sale Donations and bring them in on that day. Please consider staying for a while to help unpack and set up for the sale. Lunch for all the workers will be served between 1:30 and 2pm that day. Paper grocery bags are also needed for the bag sale on Saturday the 21st. As usual, the sale will be open to church members on Wed. afternoon from 4 to 7pm April 18th. The sale will officially open at 9am April 19th. Anyone who would like to help out as a cashier during the sale, please let us know. You can volunteer for the entire 3 days, one entire day, or just half days. All help is appreciated. We will have need of one or two persons to help customers take their purchases to their car. We provided this service last fall and it went very well. Unfortunately the person did most of the “running” last fall has moved to Florida and now we need someone to step up and fill this important position. If you can help out with cashiering, or helping customers take their purchases out, please contact Donna, Cindy or me and we will put you on the schedule. We in the Lydia’s Circle thank you for your help. Your Sister in Christ, Linda Martin President, Lydia Circle
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