Elevation North has News for YOU!

THERE’S LOTS OF EXCITEMENT going on these days at Elevation North! And we cannot thank God enough for leading us to this place and time in the life of our church! What an amazing God we serve ~ don’t you agree?! God has led us, carried us, walked with us, pushed us – and even given us a few challenging shoves along the way! But here we are … moving into the site of our new “home”! We have dreamed of this day, prayed for it, and now with God’s incredible help, we have walked into it! We are so excited about having a place that is “ours” for worship and praise and fellowship and study! We are CELEBRATING, to say the least! What is really unique is that the building we have moved into has been known as “Celebrations”! Doesn’t God have an awesome sense of having a little fun with us and letting us know that we can ”keep on celebrating” ~ by the previous name on the door? And celebrate … we will! For the past few years, each Saturday night or early Sunday morning, we have filled our vehicle to the brim with a variety of things needed to make our rented town hall location look as much like a church as possible! And off we’d go – ready to unload it all and start setting things up. Things like the sound system, the keyboard, the laptop computer and projector for PowerPoint, all the electrical cords, the weekly literature, the Communion trays, and anything else we happened to need on that particular Sunday. Then I would walk around our home and grab this floral basket and that garland of greenery, this cross to hang on the wall, and that banner to go with the cross … until I was satisfied that we had everything we wanted for the weekly transformation! Eventually, we were able to store some of our larger items there, like the stands and speakers, the small tables we used for this and that, and totes filled with lots of toys and fun things for the little ones in the nursery. There was a tote filled with a coffeemaker and all the fixings to make coffee with. We had a tote filled with kitchen paper supplies. And on and on and on! On the weeks that we enjoyed a special church meal, we even packed dishes and tablecloths and food and beverage coolers. Each week as we drove our overflowing Pilot to church, we held hands and prayed that the Lord God Almighty would anoint and bless and meet us as we gathered together. Then we thanked Him …and trusted. Arriving, with arms loaded down, we’d make as many trips into the town hall as needed – and things began to take shape. Chairs were set up, and everything we had hauled out there was put into place … and suddenly, Elevation North took form! It was amazing how even in the setting up, we sensed God’s presence in that place! People began to enter the doors … but in earlier days, some Sundays there were not many who came. And to be honest there were just a few times that we actually wondered what we were doing! But deep inside, the answer echoed resoundingly from our hearts! We knew! The clear calling to birth the church never dimmed, and when the way seemed slow, God seemed to be telling us to just hang on and be faithful – and He would do the rest. So we did … and He did! Week after week, month after month. In the heat of the summer – and in the freezing cold of the winter. But it was always so worth any extra time or effort that it took! For God met us! He had been there before we carried everything in … and now He stayed with us the entire time we worshipped Him and He so graciously received our worship. He walked in our midst and touched so many of us with special needs. We were healed, provided for, freed, changed … and you name it – He did it! How we have loved asking, claiming, and receiving from our Father in Heaven! Following the final “Amen” … the packing up process began so we could take it all home again – just to bring it back again the next week. Everyone pitched in and helped tear down and load our Pilot to the brim again! If ever all of that got tiring – and sometimes it did … we would just remind ourselves that we were doing it all for Jesus … and that always made everything alright! There were times in our search for a building that we began to wonder “where in the world” was the place that God had planned for us? It seemed to evade us time and time again. But God’s timing is always impeccable! And this summer, Elevation North began to blossom and flourish. God was preparing us for a new season … for the next chapter in His Kingdom work. Then, He opened the doors for us to obtain the rental lease for the building called “Celebrations” … and we all jumped in to begin the cleaning and painting and rearranging. It just needs some tender, loving care – and in time, it will only faintly resemble what it once was. Like the building, we likewise, are getting new life breathed into us, and we can hardly wait to see what God is up to! We are totally excited and thrilled that we get to experience God at work amongst us as we passionately reach out beyond the walls of our new site! And we are so blessed to have each of you on this amazing journey with us! Thanks be to our Lord God, who reigns Supreme! Let’s CELEBRATE, dear people of God!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- HOW WE LOVE coming together each Sunday as a family of God, believing His Word and making ourselves available for His work in this world! Of all the days of the week, the Lord’s Day is our most anticipated and celebrated! A special thanks to our women who shared their testimonies from Women of Faith last Sunday!

- LOOKING AHEAD ...

- THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE at our NEW LOCATION: 217 Main Street in Medford! And what a special time this promises to be as Pastor Doug will be speaking on the topic, “Victory or Defeat: My Choice”! So what does God’s Word have to say about choosing “victory”? Let’s discover the truths He has for us in this area of our lives! Think of someone you can call to come along with you!
- FOLLOWING WORSHIP, our youth will be heading out with Matthias to go PAINT-BALLING out in the country! Bring money for your lunch and for the $5 cost! Plan on a great time out in the fresh air!
- WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 6:00 P.M. – FELLOWSHIP & WORK-NIGHT at the church! Come and get to know your church family better while helping with the projects at the new location! The sooner we accomplish some of this work, the sooner we can implement our Sunday School ministry, as well as others that are pending.
We appreciate everyone’s help, both time-wise and for items and supplies needed! We’re making it fun!!!
- SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 10:30 A.M. – ‘’ACTS OF KINDNESS” PROJECT – we will be cleaning yards for senior citizens in the Medford area. An early lunch will be provided for us at the UCC Church in town before we start working. Our youth would love to have as many additional helpers as possible – so let Pastor Doug know if you are planning to join us for a few hours!
- CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS back one hour when you go to bed on Saturday evening, as the time change begins early on Sunday morning, November 6th!
- NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE/SPECIAL CELEBRATION as we make our presence known in our new community! Everyone is encouraged to invite those you know who do not have a church home! Pastor Doug will be preaching an exciting message titled, “I’m Going Fishing”, taken from the Gospels.

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- SEEING GOD AT WORK goes hand in hand with the time we spend in prayer! How we love getting on board with what God promises He will do if we seek His face and take Him at His Word! This week, let’s be in special prayer for God’s healing touch for Jimmy, Gerard, Elsie, Kay, Pam’s dad, Larry & Gloria, Lowell & Connie, and others. Let’s lift up Johnny & Cherry, Josh & Sarah, our children and youth, our families, those who serve our churches, our country, and our government. Remember, our God is on the Throne; He is never-failing!

- REMEMBER . . . A good motto to live by: “We ought to see the face of God every morning before we see the face of man.” ~ D.L. Moody

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

WHERE, OH WHERE, DO I START? Having arrived home this evening from the Women of Faith Conference with our church ladies and other gals from the community – I feel like I’ve been “feasting” at a most incredible buffet of “food” all weekend! My spiritual taste buds were blessed with an array of messages, music, drama, and more! We just kept filling our “plates” because we didn’t want to miss even one serving – it was all so amazing! The worship team led us to the feet of Jesus in beautiful worship at the beginning of each session, and our hearts (and lips!) sang along with them! Oh, and yes … our toes tapped along as our hands clapped in rhythm! There’s nothing like worship that exalts the King of kings and Lord of lords! What I love so much is how God prepares the messages in each of the speaker’s hearts so that each one of us will be personally ministered to! We find ourselves laughing, then crying, and then laughing again! The laughter and the tears blend to become a healing balm from the hand of God as we find ourselves being restored, renewed, and reactivated to a new place in Christ. Sheila Walsh reminded us that “God’s Word makes us more beautiful than any Botox treatments – and did we know that there are over 3000 promises in His Word? Finding it sometimes difficult to rest in God’s promises, we can alleviate that by striving to live in a relationship with God that is based on nothing that we’ve brought to the table – but based only on HIS love! No woman in the crowd who feels overlooked or unclean or inadequate is ever missed by God. He knows our entire story – but He loves to hear it anyway. He listens and then with that limitless love showing from those kind eyes, Jesus says, “Daughter, go in peace!” That’s us … US! “And He’s got us covered”, she told us in another message later in the conference. “According to Psalm 91, God will cover us with His feathers!” She went on to share some of her gripping personal testimony, sharing how during one of her lowest times, an angel appeared to her and told her, “The Shepherd knows where to find you!” “So,” she related, “no matter if you are the good sheep, the black sheep, or the ‘bummer’ sheep, it’s not up to us to get home on our own … He will get us home!” And just like Sheila had a story that kept us on the edge of our seats, so in that arena of thousands of women were there countless stories that could have been told, by each one of us – one at a time. But remember, “the Shepherd knows where to find us ~ and He never takes His eyes off of us!” Another delightful, intriguing woman whose adventures make us crack up is none other than Luci Swindoll. And in her celebration of 79 years of living, she stood on that platform speaking to us as one who now can look at life from a certain vantage point that most of us have not arrived at yet. With her years of wisdom wrapped in a zest for living, Luci passionately spoke these words: “Live every moment to the fullest! That’s how to not miss life by wishing for something else. Learn to be happy where you are! Only you can determine that happiness. What feeds your soul?” She then challenged us to make a list of things that make our soul come alive with joy! Her mom once told her, “A day is wasted without you falling on the ground in a heap of laughter!” And Luci conveyed a quote from someone else, “My dilemma in the morning when I awaken: to improve the day or enjoy the day?” Luci’s answer was perfectly wonderful and poignant: “Enjoy the day – and you’ll improve the world!” I agree wholeheartedly! We could have sat and listened to her share stories for hours … her love for God just oozed out of her! She related the story of a lady who invited her to jump in her car and go with her for a treasure hunt to get a nativity set for her church. Luci assumed they were going to a discount store. The wild little adventure ended up with them stopping at a trash dumpster and the two of them pulling and tugging at several large pieces of cardboard which ultimately rode home strapped to the top of the lady’s little car called “The Green Bean”! When Luci asked what she was going to do with the cardboard, the lady answered, “That’s the nativity set!” Luci, with a confused look, questioned, “Where?” The lady pointed to her head and said, “In here!” Some hours and a few days later, an entire nativity set had been created and was ready for the children at the church. In amazement, Luci said breathlessly, “How did you do that?” The lady simply replied, “Because nobody told me I couldn’t!” Before exiting the stage, Luci reiterated for us that “every day on a full sea of opportunity, there’s an occasion to take a risk to do something difficult … giving your life away … being fully alive.” She urged the women in the arena, “Don’t wait! This is it! This is great! This is life!” So she said, “Live it … love it … give it … don’t miss it! We’ve been given that choice ~ and we can do anything with the Savior!” Great words, Luci! Here at Elevation North, we will take them to heart!

- IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- GOD KEEPS MOVING US FORWARD, one step at a time! He’s moving us toward Himself, changing us in our worship of Him each week as we gather with one undivided focus: to lift Him up and glorify His Name!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Denny, Jr. and his three young sons who all came to worship with us this past Sunday; we were so blessed to have you in our midst! May God’s best be experienced in your lives this week!
- THIS WEEKEND WAS FILLED with an overflow of God’s generous blessings upon our women as we attended the Women of Faith Conference in St. Paul! We were blessed beyond words and came home impacted greatly by the anointing of God upon His servants who poured their lives into ours! A special thanks to Sonya, our group leader, and to Mary and Tina for driving; you are appreciated!
- ASK THE GUYS about their “abundant steak portions” at the Steak Fry this weekend … and the great fellowship they shared together as they gave input for future plans for Elevation North!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23RD: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with Pastor Doug preaching from God’s Word on the topic, “A Nation in the Hands of an Angry God.” Come and see what God’s Word reveals about God’s plan to keep His people on track with Him!
- NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – check on our location! The new sermon series will build on a call to spiritual action that can change our homes and our community in ways we can only now imagine – with God’s help!
- LOTS OF NEW MINISTRY PLANS are on the horizon and about to be announced – be watching!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- THE POWER OF PRAYER TODAY is as great as it was in the days when Jesus walked on earth … because He still walks on earth – in us! Please join us in special prayer for Jimmy, Gerard, Elsie, Pam’s dad, Lynn, Larry and Gloria, Lowell and Connie, Josh and Sarah, Cherry and Johnny, our young people, our servicemen and women, and others! Our praise to God – from whom all blessings flow!

- REMEMBER . . . The Apostle Paul tells us in I Timothy 6:17 “ … to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”




Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie