JUST WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SHATTER YOUR DREAM?!? We opened up our local newspaper yesterday morning only to see a half-page photo and article with huge headlines that we thought would be ours someday: “Congregation looks to buy empty museum.” Initially our heart sank, and then God began to speak. His peace washed over us in ebbing swells of comfort and consolation and continuing promises. After experiencing those first, fresh emotions of disappointment … within moments, God’s Spirit gently took over and reminded us that the dream He gave us for “Elevation North” was, after all, not about a building. It was about being given a clear call to begin a new Kingdom work in this community, about following God in obedience, about trusting God for everything … for we had nothing! HE would birth it … HE would grow it … HE would provide the property and facility to house Elevation North … HE would work miracles through us by His power with signs and wonders. To be honest with you, as we were working on pursuing this building over a year ago, we KNEW that obtaining this property WOULD take a miracle so large that everyone seeing and hearing of it would be talking of it with amazement. A perfect opportunity to point people to the Giver of the gift, so we thought. Prime location with access just off the interstate. Incredible space for several phases of growth with perfect areas for many unique ministries – not just for the people of the church, but for outreach to the community and beyond. Space just waiting to be utilized by God’s people, and expanding that use for a wide encore of community events. An incredible lighthouse bringing God’s Light to those still in the dark. So what changes about our God-given dream IF Elevation North ends up not being housed in that building? Anything? According to God’s plan for us, NOTHING other than the location would be changed! God will still do everything He has planned to do – no holds barred! All His plans, all our dreams, the entire vision and provision, the full capacity for outreach … will still be there ~ it will all still take place! These are the times when our faith is put to the test – and just how will we come out of the test?! Rather than it seeming like our world is crashing down around us, we take the stance that God is going to prove Himself once again in all His glory. This “news of yesterday” is but one page of a trillion chapters still to come, like someone has said recently. That reminds us that this “possible change of future location” is but a tiny thing ~ compared to our life in Eternity. And we must remember that God is still a good, gracious God – in spite of what happens! So, hang on to your seats and see what God is going to do … WITH and FOR and THROUGH Elevation North! Our God is faithful; and HE is the same ~ yesterday, today, and forever, His Word says!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WELCOME back to Jimmy, who was with us again this Sunday to worship with us! And we were delighted to have Duane and Bonnie visit us; thank you for your friendship and for your encouragement, as always! And our prayers were with those families on vacation, for blessings of safety and refreshing!
- OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE to Tina who led our Relay for Life “Disciples Team” to a rousing achievement for the cause of fighting cancer! The local event held last Friday/Saturday brought in donations totaling $99,028, of which 1,348 came from our team efforts, plus donations for the silent auction. There were 4,095 luminaries displayed on the walkways, and in the dark of the night, those glowing lights in the paper bags with names of those who have passed on, as well as those who have survived cancer – made the memory of these people so meaningful and precious, even though we knew only a few of the names represented there. Everyone becomes one big, united family sharing the loss of loved ones, the gratitude for those who have lived through their battle with cancer, and walking with the hope for a cure. Pastor Doug was privileged to offer the prayer at the opening ceremony on Friday evening! Tina will be the new chairperson for the Steele County Chapter this next year – so all of us will be even more involved in the coming months!
- WHILE AT THE RELAY FOR LIFE event, we crossed paths with Roger and Marilyn, who are back in town for awhile, and we learned of Roger’s recent heart attack. Join us in praying for his complete healing with full strength, for their time here – that their house will sell, and for their outreach ministry in Florida, which they enjoy so much! God bless you, Roger and Marilyn ~ it was great to see you both!
- THE MISSION DOLLAR CHALLENGE is growing by leaps and bounds! It has increased from $1 to $37 … and as we have been challenged to give up a soft drink or iced coffee, etc. in the next few weeks and add that money to the envelope … we are excited to see how much more we can grow this one dollar into and be a blessing to meet some mission need somewhere. We will be announcing the specific mission this Sunday in church!
- WHILE AT THE RELAY FOR LIFE event, we crossed paths with Roger and Marilyn, who are back in town for awhile, and we learned of Roger’s recent heart attack. Join us in praying for his complete healing with full strength, for their time here – that their house will sell, and for their outreach ministry in Florida, which they enjoy so much! God bless you, Roger and Marilyn ~ it was great to see you both!
- THE MISSION DOLLAR CHALLENGE is growing by leaps and bounds! It has increased from $1 to $37 … and as we have been challenged to give up a soft drink or iced coffee, etc. in the next few weeks and add that money to the envelope … we are excited to see how much more we can grow this one dollar into and be a blessing to meet some mission need somewhere. We will be announcing the specific mission this Sunday in church!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- WE WANT YOU!!! Where can YOU be involved in the ministry of Elevation North? There are lots of opportunities to serve God in our midst . . . and to enjoy fellowship with each other . . .
Helping set up for worship on Sunday / All-out Evangelism Blitz / All-church prayer meeting /
Planning meeting for Fall/Winter/Spring ministry schedule, including Sunday School classes /
Couples Event / Twins Game for dads and sons / Youth Activities and Studies / Worship Team
- THIS SUNDAY, Pastor Doug will take us deeper for a clearer look at “THE BIGGER PICTURE” as he preaches further from the book of Habakkuk. Life lessons to remember: We are to stand guard and watch for God-appointments in the midst of the evil around us. We are to write down God’s revelations, read it, and then run with it, to deliver the message God has given – to those we’ve been sent to! Come and see what part of “The Bigger Picture” we will discover more about this week! Come with open hearts!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- All of us need a special touch from God in our own personal way, so let’s hold each other up, that we might reach out and claim all that God has for us! Let’s also remember Julia’s brother, who had surgery earlier this week after coming out of ICU, and is now home from the hospital! Praise the Lord! Please pray, also, for Samara, one of Pastor Doug’s and Debbie’s co-workers, who is battling for her life at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, after taking chemo for the cancer these past months. Other unspoken requests remain urgent. Be fervent and constant in your prayers for our nation and our world, as well as our own community; that the Lord Jesus Christ might be lifted up and honored above all else. Our evangelist and missionary friends covet your prayers as they minister daily to the lost; may God renew and strengthen them! What a privilege it is to pray!
- THIS WEEK – “Taken separately, the experiences of life can work harm and not good. Taken together, they make a pattern of blessing and strength the like of which the world does not know.” ~ V. Raymond Edman
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
