HERE WE STAND! Better yet … here we bow down. Here we stand …right at the edge of the threshold of a brand new year with all its fresh, clean pages and all its unknowns. And here … we bow down in wonder and gratitude for another year, another 365 days of experiencing God’s faithfulness, day after day after day. What more could we ask for? He has blessed us with the gift of His Son, Jesus, who came to earth to connect with ordinary people in divine ways. He adopted us as His children when we said “yes” to His invitation to be a part of the family of God! And, just like He said, He has never, ever left us – not even when the going got tough. He was especially close in those moments when it felt like everyone else walked away. When the knot at the end of the rope tauntingly acted as if it would let loose, He was there … and He is here. Here we stand, proof positive that God IS Emmanuel – that He IS with us! And so we bow down, in pure adoration and hearts overflowing with childlike wonder at His works done on our behalf. He has, after what seemed like an unending search, brought us to a new place to worship where we can expand our fellowship and outreach and make a greater impact for eternity. We stood in the gap … and waited and prayed. And waited some more - and claimed His best. Now on bended knee … we bow before Him, ready to do whatever He calls us to do in this place, that He might be lifted up and people changed by His Spirit. Father God, You are SO good! Each day you bring an awareness of Your presence, and then on top of that, You bring to us Your good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). Just a week ago, we were standing at the door and anticipating the arrival of our youngest son, his wife, and their three little boys, ages six, three, and one. Before they came, I had prayed that we would somehow be able to bless them and that God’s favor would rest upon our time shared together. (In my lack, I always find it appropriate to ask Jesus to help me be like Him, so that in everything I do I will look like Him and act like Him and even “smell” like Him - that is, carrying the fragrance of Christ.) Finally after they had driven all through the night, they appeared on our doorstep and we flung the door open wide! What a precious sight they were! And for the next several days, pre-Christmas and post-Christmas … we loved having them “home” with us! Just being together, whether at home – or out and about, was most important to us. When you get to see your family only a few days out of the year, your heart is filled to the brim just looking around and seeing them close by – seeing their smiles, hearing their voices, and getting hugs and kisses! I think that must be how God feels about us; He just wants us to be close by Him – expressing our love to Him! How we loved celebrating Jesus’ birth in church together on Christmas Eve, and what fun to see those little boys’ eyes dance in excitement over their wrapped packages here at Grampa’s and Gramma’s house! Plus, we even had the joy of having our son and littlest grandson here right after their birthdays! Meals together, Christmas goodies, laughter and teasing, having fun and playing with those sweet little boys, looking through old photos, talks into the wee hours of the morning, and sharing about Jesus … all that and more made this Christmas visit so very special! We bow down … with thanks to God for joyful memories of family time! Thanks for coming and blessing us, Dustin, Becky, Isaiah, Miles, and Luke! Now with the last few days and hours of 2011 slipping quickly through the hourglass of time, here we stand. We know we are facing challenges and opportunities. We understand there will be sadness as well as joys unspeakable. Without a doubt there will be circumstances that could break us – unless we allow those times to make us more than we already are. Walking into the brand new year of 2012 is like peering into the unforeseeable future, a part of us wanting to know what is to come … yet trusting God with each tick of the clock, with each step we take, and each plan we make. It’s really about living the gift of another year to the fullest … entrusting our very lives and every part of our future to the God who created us and who created time. He, after all, does all things well! And He has our best interests at heart! I’m excited that we can be a part of what God is up to in this new year! And I’m excited that we can stand strong in Him … and bow down before Him! Two stances – will you decide to position yourself in both ways as you cross over into 2012? I hope so! Brothers and sisters in Christ, “Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)!” Psalm 62:8, (The Amplified Bible)
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- CHRISTMAS WOULD NOT BE CHRISTMAS without celebrating Jesus! And because Christ was the center of all of our celebrations, we were truly blessed as a church family! We worshipped together, we gave Jesus His birthday gift - sharing with a young family in need, we sang the message of His coming to earth to those who are shut-in, and we were blessed! We pray that others were, too, as well as each of you at Elevation North!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Scott and to Gypsy who joined us in worship for the first time on Christmas Sunday! We pray that you experienced a warm welcome and the presence of Christ in our midst!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- CHRISTMAS WOULD NOT BE CHRISTMAS without celebrating Jesus! And because Christ was the center of all of our celebrations, we were truly blessed as a church family! We worshipped together, we gave Jesus His birthday gift - sharing with a young family in need, we sang the message of His coming to earth to those who are shut-in, and we were blessed! We pray that others were, too, as well as each of you at Elevation North!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Scott and to Gypsy who joined us in worship for the first time on Christmas Sunday! We pray that you experienced a warm welcome and the presence of Christ in our midst!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31ST: 8 P.M. to Midnight – NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY for the entire church family, with movies, games, and all kinds of munchies! Invite a friend or two, bring your favorites games and snacks, and plan to have a great time of fun, fellowship, and relaxing! There will be a short devotional with prayer as the clock counts down to the New Year!
- RE: FUEL YOUTH OVERNIGHTER – staying from midnight on New Year’s Eve all through the night until morning and time for church! Bring your electronic games and some extra snacks! Come and hang out with Pastor Doug!
- THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST: A HAPPY & BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!
- 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, with the conclusion of “The Mysteries of Christmas” series, focusing on the Wisemen, who came to see Baby Jesus. Bring your Bible and follow along in the book of Matthew.
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION time to fellowship with your church family!
- NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 8TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with a “State of the Church” message to set out challenges for the new year at Elevation North! We are anticipating great things from God!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION - Sunday School classes for the entire family! Don’t miss out!!!
- JANUARY 11 – 31: FASTING & PRAYER … what better way to seek God’s face and deepen our relationship with Him? You’ll be hearing more about this powerful time in the life of our church!
- COMING UP: WOMEN OF FAITH planning meeting with Debbie and Sonya; date to be announced!
- STARTING SOON: MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY on Wednesday evenings at the church; details to come!
- CHURCH VISIONARY ANNUAL MEETING at the end of the month – date & time to be posted next week!
- PRAYER CAN CHANGE OUR WORLD! Starting with us, the effects of prayer can ripple through our homes, our churches, our jobs, and everywhere we are at! This week, please hold up Gerard who has cancer surgery, for Elsie’s stroke recovery, for the Lundstrom family, for Josh, Sarah, and family, for Johnny & Cherry, for Shirley, for Justin, for Cierra. Great is our God!!! Hallelujah!
- REMEMBER . . . “There is a past which is gone forever, but there is a future which is still our own.”
~ F.W. Robertson
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Pastor Doug and Debbie
