“YOU DON’T LOVE SOMEONE for their looks, their clothes, or their fancy car. You love them because they can sing a song only your heart can understand.” (Quote unknown) Maybe I’m unique … I don’t know, but I can honestly say that in all of our years of ministry, I couldn’t tell you if you asked me the next day what so and so were wearing in church on Sunday. I really couldn’t tell you what kind of a car they were driving. I could tell you what they look like, because I like to look people in the eyes when I talk with them and focus on what they are saying. I want them to know that I’m listening and I care about what they are telling me! Having said that, I guess what my husband and I want to tell you today is that we truly love each of you! Since the birthing of Elevation North, you have all sung songs that only our hearts can understand. You have entered our lives, you’ve walked in and sat down, and it feels like we’ve always known you! You have come along side us and told us your life stories. And you’ve let us tell you ours. You’ve told us funny stories and sad stories, sometimes even heartbreaking ones … and that’s made us love you all the more. You’ve seen us at our best and at our worst and know how very human we are and you love us still! You share our passions for envisioning and setting into place what God has called Elevation North to be. We hear your songs. God puts a thought in your heart, and here you come, bearing gifts for His Kingdom work – surprise gifts to us … but of course, not to God! He knows exactly what He wants to accomplish His work with … and at just the right time, He picks you and He picks us to be the ones who get to do something really special. Other times, your gifts are the time you share, working and serving, be it up front or behind the scenes; and I love that it’s all equally appreciated by God! He uses it all – everything we give, little or big! He uses our five minutes and our five dollars if that’s all we have, just as He uses our five hours and our five hundred dollars if we have that much to share. He has this amazing ability to multiply things, you know! Oh, there are much larger churches than ours … with lots more “bells and whistles” (like someone has said!) … but we doubt that there is any church family who is loved more by their pastor and pastor’s wife than you are! And that’s because we believe that God has brought us together for His purposes for this time and place. It’s because we know He has called us to this ministry and we absolutely love being here for each of you! How we’d love to have more time to spend with you – in expanded ministries and in your homes ~ but that is coming closer all the time! What matters to us right now and it always will, is that each of you come to realize your full worth in God’s eyes – how very valuable you are to Him … and to us! We hope that our love for you, our belief in you, and our gratitude expressed will somehow impress that knowledge solidly in your hearts! You are very special, we hope you know that! No one else can do exactly what you do ~ you are one of a kind. Together, we blend into a powerful force that can change our community and the world around us! This Sunday you will hear the “song” of our brother and his wife who have left jobs and sold their home, truck, and most of what they had … just to come and help minister to all of you! Wow, you are REALLY loved!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Jessie, who came to worship with us for the first time! We loved having you with us!
GOD’S BLESSINGS to Johnny on his graduation from Teen Challenge on April 25th! We are proud of you, Johnny!
SUN, APR 22: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with Part 2 of Pastor’s message, “To Fear or Not to Fear!”
SUN, APR 22: CHURCH LUNCHEON following worship - to welcome Wayne & Verla and to say farewell to Cierra …
with the movie, “COURAGEOUS”, to follow (complete with popcorn!)
SUN, APR 29: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with Part 3 of “To Fear or Not to Fear!” Invite someone!
SUN, APR 29: 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION Classes ~ and Puppet Ministry for the kidz!
SAT, MAY 05: 2:00 P.M. - MOTHER/DAUGHTER COUNTRY GARDEN GETAWAY with guest, Larissa; plan to
attend and invite family and friends to this incredible afternoon of “food by Hazel”, with fellowship and music!!!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Kelly, Julia, Tina, Cherry & Johnny, Lafawn’s cousin, Justin, Cierra, Seykoras, & Lundstroms
REMEMBER . . . “Among God’s best gifts to us are the people who love us.” ~ Unknown / “Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has His eye on each of you … May everything good from God be yours!” I Peter 1:1-2
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
