Elevation North has News for YOU!

DID I SLIGHT YOU, JESUS? I surely didn’t mean to! I look back at the days of this week in retrospect and can recall SO many times how the longing to just sit at Your feet in complete stillness and quietness washed over me until tears welled up. It’s not that I miss YOU … I feel You with me ALL the time. Yet I miss being with You more – more than I am now at this point in my life. I find myself in so many different places, and yet You are there with me in every one of those places … without a doubt! This week saw me celebrating Your resurrection with Your people in Your House on Sunday, and then preparing a specially home-cooked Easter dinner for my husband and me and our mom. It was priceless, actually being at home long enough to do that and to actually sit down in a chair and relax and visit for awhile … and chatting with our family via cell phones as if they were right in the room with us! A taste of heaven! And You were with us! We were so very aware of You! I just didn’t get to sit down at Your feet and listen in complete silence. I was busy all day, and while I dedicated all I did to You to honor You … I longed to just curl up in Your lap and converse longer than we got to! Then Monday morning dawned and my feet hit the floor running, facing a 60-hour work week with long lists stuffed in between work and sleep. As always, I invited You to go with me, and I could tell You were sitting beside me as I drove to work. You walked alongside me as I stepped it up a notch and walked at a near-run pace up and down the aisles and in between fixtures in my department. You went and tapped on a few shoulders and put it in their hearts to come and offer to help me out now and then. I was so aware that You brought them to me that I just had to stop and thank You! You showed me Your favor – over and over and over. And again … I just had to stop and thank You! It was so clear that You were behind every accomplishment I completed … yes, I knew it was YOU! But, my body was in full fast-paced motion, and I just wanted to stop and fall at Your feet and lay my head on Your knees and have You pat me on the back reassuringly. I couldn’t, so I did the next best thing and just visualized it as if it was, and worshipped You with each racing footstep! You kept pace with me and never left me alone – not once, all week long! Then we found ourselves sitting in the hospital waiting room while mom was undergoing knee replacement surgery, and we knew You had walked in there ahead of us! You provided a doctor who loves you and serves you and prays with his patients. You provided friends who came to sit with us while we waited and that blessed our hearts so much! And we were so excited that as mom recovers and gains increased mobility through therapy, she will again be able to walk and move without excruciating pain in her knees! You were definitely there. You were guiding the doctor’s hands; and in those waiting hours - even giving us the added bonus of some rare time to sit in a chair and rest our bodies. We knew You were all throughout that hospital, in so many places at once. So many people needed You, and You did not disappoint them! You showed up and with those nail-scarred hands laid Your special touch on mom and a host of others who had also called on Your Name. You’re incredible, Jesus! Again, I did not find the time or place to pull aside from everything and experience our time in Your inner chambers, but You raced off to work with me again and told me I didn’t have to go alone. The weekend was approaching and the Mother/Daughter Tea was just about here. There were still final plans to implement, final touches to make, final preparations to undertake … and when it felt like time was running out, You ran to help. You stayed up late with me and helped me do everything that needed to be done so we could bless our ladies and remind them how loved and valued they are. You gifted us with a gal who takes this project on almost single-handedly, and then you gave us another special gal who came alongside to fill in the gap! You provided a group of women to come and share a worship concert with us, and we hadn’t even met some of them before! Now, we call them friends! You were there in every tiny detail. You were there in all the time-consuming, hands-on, actual labor – and we loved doing it for Your daughters! How You smoothed the way at every turn! You were there! It’s such a privilege and so much fun to be where You are at – and to get right in the middle of it with You, Jesus! And finally, late on Saturday night when the blog hadn’t been touched … the energy poured in because You knew I needed a refill … and You gave me words to place not just on the pages, but words to encourage the hearts of Your people. You were so present and so close, when I took a break to do laundry, I had to stop and smile at You and say thanks all over again! No, I didn’t mean to slight You, Jesus … and I still want MORE time with You in that place of personal sanctuary with just You and me … but in the meantime, You and I have been inseparable through it all. And I have a feeling You know exactly what’s in my heart. Yes, we’re both looking forward to even MORE time together, but loving the present as we take one day, one moment at a time … together!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- WOW! Isn’t that an appropriate word to use to describe Easter worship?! God brought His people in the doors until we filled nearly every chair we had, and then He stayed with us and accepted our worship and praise as we celebrated His resurrection! What a glorious time in the life of the church, and in our lives individually! Our time of connection and fellowship was especially sweet as we gathered to enjoy a light Easter breakfast and watch the outdoor enjoyment of the children as they searched for their Easter eggs dotted on the grassy lawn and tucked up in tree branches! We trust that all of you were as blessed as we were!
- OUR HEARTFELT THANKS & APPRECIATION to Hazel for her magnificent catering capabilities in providing the gourmet refreshments for our Mother/Daughter Tea along with everything, and we mean, everything else! All we can say is, we pray that God will pour His divine blessings and favor into your life for blessing the women of Elevation North so richly! Our special thanks to Tina and James for their constant help throughout the entire event … before, during, and after, and for working with the take-home favors, and printing programs and menus! A big thank you to my sweet husband for all his assistance in setting up and taking down – and for being a constant encouragement to us all – comedy and all! You’re the best, honey! Sonya, thank you for coming and sharing the invitation and information about the upcoming Women of Faith conference – and for being our able group leader this year! And to Heirborne … your music was anointed and precious, as were your spirits as you ministered to each one of us! You blessed us immeasurably! May God continue to bless and use you for His glory! What an unforgettable afternoon it was!
- FUN BIRTHDAY WISHES are in order for Lylia, who will be 5 on May 2nd! May Jesus bless you extra good, Lylia!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, MAY 1ST: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP, PRAISE, & COMMUNION … come and participate in every part of honoring our Lord! Pastor Doug will be preaching on “The God of Second Chances” from John chapter 21.
- FOLLOWING WORSHIP, our church family will be making our way to a building that offers an opportunity for a new location for our church. Come and check it out, and let’s pray fervently for God to show us His perfect will in this important matter. We want what HE wants!
- THIS SATURDAY, MAY 7TH: 8:00 A.M. – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY to do spring clean-up in the yards of senior citizens in Medford – we’ll start the morning with coffee and pastries and finish the project in a few hours! All youth, please call Pastor D if you need a ride! RE: FUEL YOUTH: following the yard project, we will head to the Grand Slam in the Cities for a fun time of games and good food! Let your friends know, too!
- NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 8TH: A SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY SERVICE to honor our Moms … invite someone to come with you for this powerful message and opportunity for worship and praise to our God above! (Special hint: guys, your wives would LOVE a ticket to Women of Faith for their Mother’s Day gift this year!!! See Debbie for the details!)

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- THERE IS NEVER A LACK of things to pray for & thanks be to God, He is never lacking in His ability to hear and answer our prayers! Remember your church family this week when you bring your needs before God, & remember to pray in faith believing!

- REMEMBER . . . “The reason some mothers rise above the rest is that they think and pray differently than those around them!” ~ Bruce Wilkinson

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

HE’S ALIVE! HE LIVES!!! Translated, that means … “WE’RE ALIVE! WE LIVE!!!” (That is, if Christ lives in us!) Do you feel alive today? Or does it feel like you’ve descended into the tomb – and you just can’t get out? We’ve all been there. We’re human, after all. But the great news this Resurrection Season is … WE DON’T HAVE TO STAY THERE!!! Sometimes we wonder, though, “Just how do I get out of here … this place that I am in?” Well, let’s talk about that for a few minutes. Simply put, the answer is, “It’s our choice!” You might be thinking, “that sounds like crazy talk – do you think I’d want to remain in this “tomb” if I could get out?” No, of course not. And yet because of the power of our words and our thoughts, sometimes we lock ourselves into places that God wants to free us from. Please stay with me as we walk through this resurrection message together! Often when we are in a valley, we think we’ll never rise again. My husband and I talk with so many people throughout the course of each week and what we are discovering is nothing short of amazing. We greet people with a smile and a cheery “hello” and ask them, “how are you today?” And the highest percentage of responses we get – from believers as well as unbelievers – is a forlorn, “Oh, I’m SO tired!” Or, “I am SO sick!” Or, “Everything is going WRONG!” Or, “I just don’t know WHAT I am going to do!” Now before you totally shut me down and quit reading … hang on! This ends on a high and hope-filled note! The two of us DO want to hear how everyone is honestly doing, because that gives us an opportunity to pray for and with them for victory! But do you suppose, do you think, could it possibly be that things are at least partially like they are – because of how we look at and speak to our circumstances? You see, our messes, our failures, and our hurts are actually windows of opportunity to allow God to be God in our lives! But let’s hear ourselves. How do we sound in the midst of our trials? Do we sound beaten? Do we admit defeat? Or are we speaking resurrection life into those very struggles? “Our choice” of words and thoughts will make all the difference as to remaining in the tomb “dead”, or walking out alive! Yes, we are either one or the other! And just because we are breathing in air – does not mean we’re truly living! Like I said, when we are in a valley, we think we won’t rise again. But – we’re mistaken! Oh, so mistaken! Let’s go back to that first Easter morning. Jesus’ body is lying still and cold and lifeless in that tomb in the Garden of Gethsemane. For three days, there’s been no breath in Him, no sign of life. It would seem that Satan had won. He’d killed the only hope there would ever be for our redemption and hope of heaven. That might seem to most of us, the time to give in and give up. But you see, while Jesus was in the tomb, God was doing something. His plan to save us and provide a way for us to become His sons and daughters was in the final phase. Calvary and His Son’s death on the cross was the sacrificial, critical phase that could not be altered. It had to be. But God was stirring things down through eternity while His Son was lifeless in the tomb. With each passing day … day one, day two … God was getting more excited! Things were taking shape – in spite of the disciples’ grief and bewilderment. And on that third day as planned, God at the appointed moment spoke to His Son in that tomb and said, “It’s time! Now!” And at those words, Jesus sat up! Risen! Alive! Forevermore! A blinding light seared Jesus’ DNA into the linen cloths that had covered Him … now folded neatly and laid in the tomb as a final reminder. All of earth pivoted on its axis with a hope it had never known before, and Jesus walked out of the tomb alive! What I am trying to say is that when we are “sleeping”, God is opening things in our lives that have been locked up. We need to speak to our circumstances, “It’s time! Now!” We need to speak to our thoughts, “It’s time! Now!” No more doubting. No more fear. God, help us realize and understand that when we choose to rise … Kingdom things happen! God walks us right out of our tomb and we find ourselves more alive than we’ve ever been! If only you will hear the voice of Father God speaking to you today, “It’s time! Now! Get up! It’s time to rise again!” What will YOUR choice be today? This is the season of Resurrection … don’t miss it in your life! You CAN live the life you’ve always longed for as God’s son or daughter, starting today!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- PALM SUNDAY WAS AN EXCITING TIME for the people in Jesus’ time as they lined the streets and waved palm branches, crying, “Hosanna! Hosanna!” And how excited we were this past Sunday to celebrate this time in the Easter Season as together we lifted our voices in praise, “Hosanna! Hosanna!” He was just as present and just as real to us as He was that Palm Sunday so long ago!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Todd and Grace and Nina who worshipped with us this past Sunday, and welcome back to Mike and Mary Jo and family who joined us again in worship! What a blessing all of you were to us, and our prayer is that you were ministered to by the Spirit of God in our midst! We hope to see you again soon!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 24TH, 10:00 A.M. – A RESURRECTION CELEBRATION OF PRAISE & WORSHIP as we gather to proclaim that “HE IS RISEN!” We will look into the scriptures to discover more about “The Third Miracle of Easter!” And we will lift our voices in praise as we sing old and new songs that are dear to our heart and remind us of the resurrection power of our Lord and Savior! Plan to be with us for this special service!
- A BLESSED EASTER from your Pastor and wife … may you and your family experience God’s best all day long!
- 11:15 A.M. – EASTER CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST and fellowship time for all, along with the EASTER EGG HUNT for the children of Elevation North! We encourage everyone to be a part!
- THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH: 2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA at Clinton Falls Town Hall in a beautiful setting of roses, inspirational music by “Heirborne”, incredibly delicious gourmet refreshments by Hazel, and lots more, including delightful take home favors and prizes! Please be sure to turn in the count of your invited guests to Debbie today for final planning! Invite, invite, invite!!! Every gal you know will be blessed by time uplifting time!
- COMING SOON … NEW PLANNING SESSION for future ministry events! Watch for details!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- OFTEN OUR NEEDS SEEM SO GREAT – but we want you to know that you don’t have to stay “in that tomb”! God’s resurrection power can roll the stone away, and you can walk out! This week we are asking everyone to remember Sean as he awaits his brain surgery on the 18th of May – for peace, for supernatural skill for the physicians, and for God’s miracle touch! Let’s also remember his family as they go through this with him, that God will carry them, as well! Others to lift up in prayer: Shirley will be having knee replacement surgery on the 25th of April; Julia and her brother; Cherry and Johnny and family; Eva and family; Justin and the Bucholz family as he heads overseas on another military tour of duty; Hazel with all of her preparations for the Tea this weekend; the provision of a new job for James; and the Seykoras and the Lundstroms as they minister around our nation and around the world! Our God LOVES answering our prayers!!!

- REMEMBER . . . “In each of our personal crosses can be found the DNA for resurrection victories!” ~ Debbie Jones


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie Jones

Elevation North has News for YOU!

THE OPEN HEAVENS … what a sight they were last evening! Arriving home from work just at dusk, I walked out into the backyard to see the early spring transformation my husband had created. Uncovering the perennials from their winter blankets of grass cuttings, he had unveiled fresh, new green shoots peeking out of the dark, moist soil that he had lovingly awakened from its cold, long sleep. He gave me a tour of our yard, excitedly showing me all that he had done. He’s amazing, that’s what he is! He loves the seasonal hands-on therapy of working with the grass, the plants, the shrubs, and the trees. It’s one of his greatest joys! And he loves to share the beautiful end-result with others … including me! So after our leisurely walk and as the skies were turning almost dark, we took a few moments to sit in our patio chairs outdoors and just breathe in the cooling air and soak in the sights of the panoramic night-view. The trees were silhouetted against skies that were just turning down their lights for the night. Branches waved ever so slightly in the breezes as if signaling a fond farewell to a day well-lived. And for the first time in months and months, my husband and I marveled at this rare outdoor opportunity to simply sit and relax and allow our eyes the visual gift of the spectacular beauty of the night. Some neighbors were sitting out on their decks not far away and the sounds of voices and laughter echoed over our way. Stars shone a bit brighter than usual, so much so that we were trying to discern whether they were lights on jets approaching the Twin Cities airport … or actually stars. My husband voiced his vote for stars. I thought I could see movement in the lights, so I voted for the planes. Yet, I wondered … because the three were spaced evenly apart as if in a planned flight formation. Well, I think he ended up being right ~ he often is! But, no one could convince me that these bright, twinkling stars were not doing an early evening dance to welcome another night on this earth! Were they dancing for us – that we were finally sitting in chairs and relaxing? Whatever the case might have been, they got me to thinking about the heavens. While the heavens we witnessed last evening were beautiful and peaceful … if we could see with God’s eyes, we would see a war going on in the heavenlies. It’s been that way for a long time now; in fact, it’s the longest-running war of all time. While we were sitting in complete safety and enjoyment on our patio, an all-out war was being raged in the unseen spiritual realm in the atmosphere over us. God against Satan; angels against demons; good against evil. How blessed we are as God’s children, that He fights our battles for us. Oh, we get caught in the fray … we get a bit – or a lot – battered and wounded sometimes. But ultimately, the battle is God’s … and He takes over when we give Him control. He takes over when we cannot fight for one more minute. He takes over when we decide to finally trust that He can handle our battle better than we can. And the angels – they are right there in the thick of it, going wherever God sends them off to. We may never know all of the battles our God has won for us, or how many skirmishes and life-threatening dangers we’ve been spared from – at least until we get to Heaven. There we may be able to see a review of the things that God kept us from seeing on this earth. Who knows? Even if we never are given this true-life movie opportunity, we still need to offer up gratitude to our God who cares for us and keeps us, and yes, even helps us come out victoriously in these unseen battles. Gratitude is often under-played. It is actually one of our most powerful tools. Thanking God when things in our lives are at their worst and when all seems hopeless, opens up a direct-line channel or portal from Heaven to us! When we’ve sent thanks and praise Heavenward to our Lord … He turns around and pours His gifts straight back down to us through that same channel! Who can explain it or understand it? It’s just the way He does things … His rewards! Then … there were the skies o’er Calvary long ago. No one saw or understood the eternal impact of the heavenlies that day. Many only saw the dawning of another day on earth. But when the skies turned black in the middle of the afternoon, things changed forever! Evil men thought they had won when Jesus breathed His final breath on the cross. God, the Father, was able to smile again. Though sad that His Son was dead … He KNEW He’d be alive again in three days, for He had written the script. It was all a part of His plan to change the history of humanity forever. He smiled, because He knew He had won the battle – not only in the heavenlies – but on earth. The Life had been given, the Blood had been spilled. His Son would rise from the grave, and so will we. Heaven was waiting for His Son’s return then … and now on earth, His children are awaiting His return in the skies to take us Home! It’s then that we’ll understand Heaven fully. For now, we can only imagine! Best of all, we can plan to be there by saying “yes” to the invitation sent from Calvary’s cross and the empty grave! Let’s RSVP to Heaven … we’re coming! We’ll be there!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- WE SENSE THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER in our midst; what a wondrous time it is for those who are believers! And our church family loves coming together to be in the center of what God is doing on this earth! Just this past Sunday we were given the opportunity to reach out to someone we had never met, providing meals following her surgery. What a privilege … and our prayer is that she will see Jesus in us! After all, that’s what being a follower of Christ is all about! Our thanks to everyone who so willingly and generously provided and delivered the noon meals to Sharon!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH: PALM SUNDAY PRAISE & WORSHIP – coming together to catch a deeper glimpse of Jesus’ final week before the Cross and His Resurrection! Walk with us through the experiences of these days in His life. Be impacted by the scriptures that reveal what took place, come and sing about it, listen to the powerful message of “The Second Miracle of Easter Sunday”, and leave changed and challenged by the Spirit of God!

- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION/SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES – this week’s focus will be on the events of Palm Sunday as scripture depicts them. Bring your Bibles to church and plan to stay for Sunday School – where you can learn – and join in on the discussion and share your heart!

- EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATION SERVICE, APRIL 24TH at 10:00 A.M. with a continental breakfast for all … and an Easter Egg Hunt to follow for the children! Let’s celebrate the empty tomb and our RISEN LORD!!! This should be one of the most exciting times of worship all year long – may your presence in our midst add to the joy that we will experience as we offer our gratitude to God for the indescribable Gift of His Son, Jesus!

- COMING SOON … OUR MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA is on Saturday, April 30th, at 2:00 P.M. at Clinton Falls Town Hall! You will want to be inviting family and friends to this rose-filled atmosphere where there will be gourmet refreshments served by Hazel and incredible, uplifting music by “Heirborne”, and lots more! Please turn in the names of your invited guests by April 20th, or no later than the 24th!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- HEBREWS 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen!” This week, in faith believing, let’s SEE the sick healed, the captive delivered, the needy provided for, the hopeless given hopes and dreams for the impossible. For ALL things are possible WITH God … that’s EVERYTHING!!!

- REMEMBER . . . “You are … infinitely dear to the Father, unspeakably precious to Him. You are never, not for one second, alone.” ~ Norman E. Dowty

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

THE HEART OF GOD! How can we know it? How can we understand it? How can we fathom it? I think as Easter draws near these questions come to our mind and demand answers more than at any other time of year. We are perhaps more mindful of a God who would CHOOSE to give His very Son, His only Son, His incredibly beloved Son … for a world of sinners who would be lost for eternity without that precious, priceless, incomprehendable Gift! It seems that even the season of Spring leaps into action to prove the point of new life in visuals of vivid green that dot the yet cool, black soil of the earth. Bulbs and seeds and roots that one would think had surely died during the stark and frigid winter months – come not just poking through, but bursting forth out of the ground. They are proof that endurance in living is possible if we stay grounded and nurtured in the safety and resurrection power of the Word of God. That’s our soil, dear people. It protects us from the deadly, freezing chill of evil … and redeems those harsh times in our lives that take us almost past our point of endurance. Suddenly, we burst forth with new life, new hope, and the ability to go beyond our own limits! People see us like they’ve not seen us before, and we are shining with the brightness of Christ’s resurrection power! Sometimes we feel like we’ve been in the ground a long time … too long. Sometimes we think we’ll be buried and never rise up again. I want you to know, though, that because Jesus LIVES, our feelings and thinking do not have to remain there. We can be renewed in our bodies and minds and souls, by our own decision to CONNECT to the transforming power of the Living God, our Lord! Because God paid such an indescribable price for us with the Gift of His Son, His heart longs to see us changed to be a reflection of Him, His heart longs to see us transformed from the seemingly dead cocoon ~ into the emerging butterfly that equates freedom and beauty. The change doesn’t stop there, though. There’s something more after the transformation. To live transformed, we must continually, daily be renewed. And not just physically, though giving our bodies sufficient rest is a very important part of renewal. What does God’s Word tell us about this critical, resurrection-like change that He desires for us? Romans 12:2 gives us this strong instruction: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” How do we get transformed and stay that way? The Bible says, “by the renewing of our minds.” And that takes action. We don’t just sit there doing nothing – and get renewed. So much of God’s plan for us takes a decision and discipline on our part. You see, everything has a price … even what is free, like salvation - takes an action to receive! But when we take that first step in obedience … the strength and empowering comes from God above so that we CAN live it out and it CAN become a way of life for us! We CAN daily know more and more the heart of God and our lives CAN look like His! I’m reminded of a cute story our youngest son told us the other night on the phone about their second son, Miles. Being a typical two year old, soon to be three … he wasn’t listening to his mommy like he should. So she spoke to him in a tone of voice that was meant to get his attention. It did. He turned to her with a look of dismay and said emphatically, “Mom, you can’t talk to me that way!” (I wonder where he heard that before!) I asked Dustin what Becky said when Miles came up with that statement – and he said, “I don’t know. I had to get out of the room because I was trying to keep from laughing!” We smile at the things that young children come up with. But sometimes I think we say the same thing to God. He instructs us, tells us point-blank what is acceptable and what is not. And all too often we don’t want to hear it. By our actions we could just as well be saying, “God, you can’t talk to me that way!” When all along, just like Miles’ mommy, trying to communicate something to her child … God is desiring to communicate with us, His children, and we’re not paying attention like we should. So He ups the level of His voice a notch or two, and eventually He gets our sole attention. We hear His voice, we discover what He’s trying to tell us – or teach us, and in the end, we’re much the better for it … though we may not like it at the time! These encounters are actually part of the renewing process, just as much as pulling ourselves aside from everything to sit at the feet of Jesus and drink in and be refreshed. And we should never minimize how much rest and relaxation also play in the renewal process. Our minds will be in a better place to receive and practice the renewal that God brings through our time in His presence when we are rested and refreshed. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” And in that state, we can definitely come to know our Father’s heart better!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- WHAT SWEET FELLOWSHIP we share! This Elevation North family loves to come together to commune with our Father in Heaven, focusing on Him – learning to love Him more and serve Him better. And this Elevation North family loves to come together to be there for each other in really incredible ways! Wish you could “peek in” ~ better yet, why not come and experience all of this WITH us on Sunday mornings!

- A WARM WELCOME to Cody, Jessica, Olivia, and Joe – who all worshipped with us last Sunday for the first time! How we loved having you with us, and our prayer is that God will bless you richly as only He can!

- SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY WISHES go out a bit belatedly to Ernie and Audry who celebrated on April 7th!

- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to Caia who will celebrate her 7th birthday on April 15th!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with Pastor Doug beginning the 3-week series on “The Three Miracles of Easter Sunday”. You won’t want to miss a single one! What power lies in Jesus’ resurrection … for each of us who choose to believe in Him!

- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION/SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES – plan to stay after worship for the “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours Study”! Investing this time in deeper learning will be enriching and rewarding in your walk with God!

- PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/SPECIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS PLANNED! Experience Palm Sunday like never before!

- EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATION SERVICES, APRIL 24TH: Easter Sunrise Service / Continental Breakfast / Easter Worship Celebration / Easter Egg Hunt

- SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH: 2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA w/rose theme, gourmet refreshments by Hazel, “Heirborne” in concert, and so much more! Invite the moms and daughters and sisters and friends in your life!!!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- GOD MAKES A WAY WHEN THERE IS NO WAY! Often that way comes through fervent prayer and childlike faith in our Almighty God! Let’s continue to lift up the needs of many in our church family, as well as those who are serving in ministry and in government, that Christ might be lifted up high! Our prayers make a difference!

- REMEMBER . . . “Do you trust God enough to let the truth change the way you act and think?” ~ Bruce Wilkinson

Serving Christ Joyfully . . . Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

“LET GOD BE GOD!” A few months ago a wonderful friend of mine gave me a new CD that I didn’t have, by three pastors: Phillips, Craig, and Dean. And I absolutely LOVE their music! What would life be like without music and all its melodies and messages??? Maybe I love their music so much because I know they truly understand ministry and the desire to be there for the people you shepherd and nurture and want to encourage. At any rate, this is a first-rate CD – not a song to dislike on the entire album. It would be hard to say which song I like the most. In fact, when I was chatting with my brother the other evening, I just had to share one of the songs that could have been written for him to sing. So I read him the lyrics over the phone. Yesterday something occurred that kind of shook the ground under our feet – at least for awhile. It’s one of those personal quakes that slam the uncertainty of life straight into your face. You shiver and shake for a bit … and then you’ve got to get a hold of yourself and decide where your trust lies. Of course, in that split-second, we affirmed that our trust lies in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – and nothing or no one can ever be more deserving of our trust than He is. And so you trust … and wait … to see if present foundations will crumble, or if the rumbling and shaking will settle down - and life as you know it will resume. In some of those first quaking moments, God reminded me of one of the songs on the CD that I’ve just mentioned; and of all of the titles, the one He brought to mind was “LET GOD BE GOD!” I had to smile and that kind of peace that you just cannot describe to anyone else, came flowing o’er my entire being and flooding my soul. Without knowing what the final outcome would be … somehow I could say in my heart, “All is well … it is well with my soul!” If you’ve never heard this song, then I’d love to share the profound message in it as written by Dan Dean and Bernie Herms: “You said ‘lights on’ / And a blindin’ sea of stars began to shine / You said ‘birds sing’ / And a million melodies filled up the sky / You said ‘this world, spinning through a crowded milky way’ / Well the sun comes up and the sun goes down / God doesn’t seem to need my help / But the one who holds the sea in place / Is watchin’ out for every step I take // Chorus: I think I’ll let God be God / Givin’ up control / Think I’ll relax, step back / It’s time for letting go / If You kept the universe in sync / A million years or so / Since the Keeper of creation knows / I think I’ll let God be God // You clapped Your hands / The thunder rose and lightning filled the sky / You bring new life / A tiny newborn baby starts to cry / Time rolls in and it rolls back out / Never has God needed me to help / The One who sees the sparrow fall / What I need before I even call // Chorus: I think I’ll let God be God / Givin’ up control / Think I’ll relax, step back / It’s time for letting go / If You kept the universe in sync / A million years or so / Since the Keeper of creation knows / I think I’ll let God be God // Yeah, nothin’ takes You by surprise / Never late, always on time / The One who holds the sea in place / Is watchin’ out for every step I take // Chorus //”. Read those words again … run out and buy the CD and play that song over and over again until you believe those words, can say those words and mean them, and can live by them! What a powerful message put to music! I know God anoints song-writers to put words to music that minister to us at just the exact point and time that we need it! And you know what else? Before the day ended … as I finished work late at night and drove into our garage, I saw sitting off to the side a huge box. I could tell it had been opened and there was lots of foam stuffing in it. I didn’t have a clue as to what could have come in that box – we were not expecting anything. Coming inside and up the steps, I walked in to the living room only to see a large, incredibly stunning cross and fish symbol intertwined. It was beautifully hewn on a base with words inscribed up and down on the beautiful shape. This is what I read: “Whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.” I was speechless and couldn’t wait to find my husband to see who it had come from! But those words … echoed in my heart – and were the conclusion of the first part of the message I had received earlier in the day. So, putting it all together, it was as if God was reassuring us and saying, “Let God be God, for whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life!” What more could we ask for? Whatever comes our way, our God can handle! And whatever shakes us at the core, cannot strip away the life we have even into eternity!!! My heart danced, and when I was told who gave it to us … tears rose in my eyes. Who could have known what we would need on a day like this ~ except God? I think we’ll definitely LET GOD BE GOD!!! Back to dancing!

- IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- OUR GOD IS AMAZING! His Word is true … and each week we come together and by His Spirit we listen and learn and grow in Him! This has been a great series from the book of I John for these days that we are living in! It just goes to prove that God’s Word is never out of date – but always timely for every season and situation! - SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to Sharon, who participated in and won the consolation bracket with her team in the State Basketball competition this past week! We are so proud of you, Sharon! - BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Jimmy who will be celebrating on April 5th! May God bless you with all His good gifts on your birthday and all year long!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP & COMMUNION as we exalt our Lord Jesus Christ together with all that is within us! The concluding message in the I John series stretched one more week to this Sunday, and Pastor Doug will be preaching from I John, chapter 4. Join us in discovering how we can work right alongside God in our world by allowing Him to use us! - 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION/FELLOWSHIP TIME – How we love to see God’s love being practiced among all of you in this interaction time! Continue to seek God to see how He can use YOU to touch others! - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6TH: 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. – “LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS” STUDY! This is the perfect time to set aside everything else and just focus on what a wealth of information God has tucked inside His Word! Join us at the home of Pastor Doug and Debbie ~ they’ll be waiting for YOU! - NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with the entire service centered around a pre-Easter series that will lead us to take a lingering look at the cross and what Christ did for us there – and beyond! - STILL TO COME: Spaghetti Feed for the family, Easter Celebration Services, Mother/Daughter Tea with “Heirborne” in concert, Women of Faith in the fall, and more events and ministries in the works! Be watching!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- SOMETIMES WE FORGET that our needs are only opportunities for God to provide His answers and His miracles! And along with that, these needs bring to each of us the opportunity to stand in the gap for each other! This week is no exception as we lift up: Sean in surgery, Wayne for healing of a blood clot, Eva and Megan, Josh & Sarah & family, Julia, Shirley, Merv & Kathy, Johnny & Cherry & family, Hazel’s nieces, Chuck, Pam’s dad, Jimmy’s healing, Isaac, Mary, and many unspoken, urgent needs that God knows all about! How we praise God that He is EVERYTHING that we can ever need! Let’s remember to pray for others outside of our church family, and for God to continue to use Elevation North as a lighthouse and safe haven in this community ~ for HIS GLORY!

- REMEMBER . . . “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE HEARD IT ALL … you hear yet something else! These past few weeks my husband and I have become acutely aware of throngs of hurting people. We say “throngs” because for the many that we know of … these are just a small representation of people all over our nation and around the world who are hurting just like them. Because we know how we have felt in dire circumstances, our hearts go out to these individuals who are seemingly battling the very enemy of our souls – and fighting to survive and overcome! It’s like the recent gloomy days filled with bizarre weather (who ever heard of hail turning everything totally white in March???) … and then finally seeing the sun break through and chase all that grayish gloom away! Thank God for the sunshine! How it literally lifts everyone’s spirits! Because that same concept also occurs spiritually, today I want to declare God’s Word over each of you who is hurting and struggling. It doesn’t matter what it is that you are facing … it can feel massive enough to roll over you, consume you, and put you under. And when that happens, the only thing that can break through and chase away that gloom and doom … is the SONSHINE!!! All too often the darkness and fear that encompasses us, dims our sight and clouds our memory of what we presently see and know. So, precious ones, be reminded of WHO God is … yesterday, today, and forever, and ALL He is … yesterday, today, and forever! May these reminders of God’s promises and truth be a literal transfusion to your soul today! Begin to praise God for these things that are spoken to you from His Word. Did you know that praising God makes Him smile – and Heaven rejoice? Psalm 103 tells us that we should not forget a single blessing: “He forgives your sins – every one. He heals your diseases – every one. He redeems you from hell – saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness – beauty eternal. He renews your youth – you’re always young in His presence. God makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet.” When we cannot see through the darkness, He tells us, “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” (John 8:12) When you think you cannot go on or take even one more step, or when you think you’re not strong enough to stand against the evils of this world, hear Christ saying, “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; He’ll always be there to help you come through it.” (I Corinthians 10:13) We more frequently think of our bodies when it comes to being hungry and thirsty, but God being God, of course – is thinking of both our souls and our bodies. First, “… Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen Me in action, you don’t really believe Me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to Me. And once that person is with Me, I hold on and don’t let go. I came down from Heaven not to follow My own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent Me.’” (John 6:35-38) In Luke chapter 12:29-31, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we’ll have to wear or to eat or drink, because our Father in Heaven knows that we need all these things. What He really desires is for us to seek HIM first, and then all these other things will be taken care of. Listen to how He puts it: “What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.” I could fill unending pages with God’s declarations, but when all you can see is gloomy circumstances, just let the Sonshine in!!! The bright rays of promise and provision and peace will chase away everything that does not belong in the kingdom that God wants us to have and enjoy and live in! Throw open the windows of your soul and bask in the Sonshine that streams in!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- EACH SUNDAY at Elevation North, God proves His faithfulness ~ over and over! We come as needy human beings, but with hearts ready to worship and praise … and somehow, in His divine love, God meets us in fresh, personal ways! We never leave disappointed – because we’ve been with Jesus! Being in God’s House with His people is like experiencing an oasis in the desert!
- WELCOME BACK to Mike and Mary Jo and family who came to join us again in worship; we pray that you were blessed and filled with the very presence of the Lord Jesus Christ! Your presence in our midst was a great encouragement to all of us at Elevation North!
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES for a great birthday for Darrius on April 2nd … may God bless you on your special day – and all year long, Darrius!!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with the concluding message by Pastor Doug in the challenging series from I John … this week focusing on “God Demonstrating His Love for Others through Us!” Follow along in your Bibles to see how He can use you to bless others and make a difference!
- 11:15 A.M, - KINGDOM CONNECTION/FELLOWSHIP TIME – It’s an exciting thing to see what God is birthing out of this relational, learning time which fits right in with today’s message from the Word of God!
- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30TH: 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. – “LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS” STUDY! If you desire to learn more about what is tucked inside the pages of the Bible – then join us at the home of Pastor Doug and Debbie! It’s a great time of digging deeper, thought-provoking discussion, and spending time in God’s Word!
- NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, beginning a new series in our preparation for celebrating Easter and remembering Christ’s sacrificial gift on Calvary! Invite some friends to share this series with us!

- COMING SOON: Spaghetti Feed event, Easter Celebration Services, Mother/Daughter Tea with “Heir-Borne” in concert, Women of Faith in the fall, and lots of new things to be announced soon! Watch for dates & details!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- SOMETIMES OUR LISTS SEEM SO LONG, and our needs so crucial … we just need to be reminded that God is bigger than any of our mountains! Let’s continue to be in fervent prayer for several unspoken major needs, for Johnny & Cherry & family, Julia, Shirley, Sean, Wayne, Hazel’s nieces, and our youth! Let’s hold up Lundstroms and Seykoras and claim God’s anointing for them as they minister to the lost and encourage believers. Let’s uphold our nation and its leaders in government, and let’s stand in the gap for all who are shepherding God’s people in churches around the world! We are continuing to trust God for the provision of a “home” for Elevation North – in His time!

- REMEMBER . . . “In impossible situations, be worshippers of God … in your demeanor, your actions, your speech, your giving, and your praise! That will unlock Heaven’s solutions and victories!” ~ Debbie Jones


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON??? Well, if we look one place … we’ll have all the answers we need! Just open the pages of the Bible and you’ll pretty much find the script that the news commentators are reading off their prompters. Oh, I know – the scriptures aren’t the sources they are getting their updates from. But the actual happenings that the news from these past few days are made of – are definitely linked back to prophetic words spoken long ago! For years and years our parents and grandparents and ancestors have READ about what would be taking place in the last days. Today, you and I are watching it happen … and even experiencing the events – depending where in the world we are living in these days. This old earth is shaking and ripping apart and groaning and going through all kinds of upheaval. You’d think it was about to come apart at the seams. And yet, as children of God, we are not to be fearful. What? How can people not be fearful when we see everything we used to know as stable and sure, now imploding and churning, rising and falling, igniting and disappearing? (That includes the economy!) Well, as God’s children, instead of running away in fear – we need to run TO the only One who can stabilize the conditions of our hearts and emotions in the midst of all these unexpected events. For those who have been in the Word and studied it and believed it … I guess these happenings are not totally unexpected. We’ve been warned. For many others, it’s so easy to think that because what our parents and others have talked about for years and years without it yet happening … that it probably will not come about in our lifetime, either. But guess what, people? All of these things that were foretold by the prophets long ago are now happening right before our very eyes! We are living in exciting days … and that excitement should not be lost in the flurry of unexpected trials and terrors! If we lose that, then we lose out on the purpose for which we were chosen to live in this season. God’s Word tells us exactly what to do in times like these … He tells us to be thankful – and to worship! Actually living out these two practices daily will ensure that we keep our sanity and clarity so that we can rise to the occasion and stand effectively strong for whatever each new day will bring. Listen to the words of Hebrews 12:28-29: “Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (NIV) Did you catch the “cannot be shaken” phrase? I did! That’s the total opposite of the “shaking” that is happening to this world that we are presently living in. Total opposite! Let’s hear those words again, this time from the Message Bible: “Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable Kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander, He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and He won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God Himself is Fire!” This Kingdom being mentioned is an everlasting Kingdom – yes, the one we still get to look forward to. The one that will be ours to live in forever from the moment we enter the presence of our Lord and Savior when we take that first step into Heaven! But that same Kingdom was designed by God to be in place as we live on this earth – it’s just up to us if we are going to choose to live like Kingdom people here and now – or if we think we’ve got to wait ‘til we get to Heaven. What did Jesus pray at the close of the Lord’s Prayer? He said, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” What was that? On earth? On earth – as it is in Heaven? Yes, you read that right! You’ve even prayed that same prayer – probably many times. But did you really understand it? Did you really mean it? When we begin living in God’s Kingdom on this earth … we will not be shaken, dear people! We will not fall apart … we will not lose it! Not only will our faith and trust and hope deepen, but we will experience a level of peace that we cannot even begin to describe! We will experience a level of joy and happiness that increases with each coming event … because we are not a part of this earthly kingdom! We just happen to reside here – for now. One of these days we’re going to be moving into our new home ~ the one that will be ours FOREVER! In the meantime, we do not have to give up laughing or exploring or adventuring … awakening the child within … sleeping peacefully … staying calm while the storms rage around us … or seeking out more ways to allow God to use us mightily in view of the many opportunities that will continue to come our way! More and more people are going to be willing to listen to the answers we have in a world that is falling apart from the inside out … so let’s be ready to share our Jesus with them!!! We have an audience that fills the stage of this entire world!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE … no, we didn’t happen to sing that song this past Sunday, but it was resounding loudly within our souls as we worshipped our God! Our hearts were filled with gratitude for the gift of God’s Son ~ and for the gift of each other!
- OUR SPECIAL WELCOME to Eva, Megan, and Jeff as they joined us in worship for the first time this past Sunday morning! What a blessing it was to have you in our midst – and we pray that you were blessed and uplifted!
- SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES are going out to Pam on March 22nd, and ANNIVERSARY WISHES are shared with James and Tina on March 24th! May God bless each of you with His amazing love all year long!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with another continuing message by Pastor Doug in the series from I John … this week in chapter 4, “Living Victoriously in God’s Love!” Bring your Bibles!!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION/FELLOWSHIP TIME – sharing with your Elevation North family and reaching out to others! Let’s aspire to be more like Jesus in all of our relationships!
- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23RD: 7:00 – 8:00 P.M. – “LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS” STUDY! You are encouraged to join Pastor Doug and Debbie in their home for some in-depth study and exciting discussion as we see God’s Word opened up to us in fresh, new ways! Bring your notebooks and Bibles!
- NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP w/the final message of this series, “Demonstrating God’s Love to Each Other!” Come and learn exciting and practical ways to live like this!
- STILL TO COME: Spaghetti Feed/with a great movie and ice cream sundaes, your style … Easter Services, beginning with a Sunrise Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt … Mother/Daughter Tea w/a rose theme, gourmet refreshments, and an awesome concert … plans for Women of Faith in October … and much more – just for you!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- THERE IS NO NEED SO GREAT, THAT OUR GOD IS NOT GREATER YET! No matter what you’ve faced this week … God is the answer for it! He continues to love you and to bring His plans to pass, and in the end … all will be well! We encourage you to pray for healing for Sean, Shirley, & Wayne, and we thank God for answered prayer for Tina! Let’s continue to hold up Cherry and Johnny and all the family, and spend some time before the Lord on behalf of our brothers & sisters in Japan in their time of loss & grief – for God’s comfort and provision!

- REMEMBER . . . “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept … shine … be generous with your lives.” (Matthew 5:14-16)


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

DOES GOD SPEAK TO YOU? How real is your faith? Do you just believe it … or do you KNOW it! Believing God can do something – or – KNOWING that He WILL do it … are two vastly different things. Stop and think about that for a moment. We can read in God’s Word how He did such great and mighty things – and we can even believe it. But when we KNOW that God will do those same things for us, in our lives – and we experience them firsthand … wow, it’s amazing! Truly amazing! It’s the “knowing” that makes the difference. Our faith is activated and things begin to happen! God just reminded me of how strongly He spoke to us this past Christmas. Let me do a rewind to two Christmases ago, actually. Sharing what I am going to share opens up some very private and deep emotions. But if God can use our experiences to help someone else, then it is worth it. Two years ago, we had continued on our journey of intense work weeks mixed with as much ministry as God gave us divine strength and anointing for. We sought to put Him first in everything, and He provided. Our needs were met, not only through our paychecks, but through gifts from people who obediently gave when God put our names in their hearts. Soon, it was time to plan Christmas gifts for our family, and we were trusting God for the funds to be able to share with those we love so much. December 9th rolled around, and out of what we thought was a routine check-up on our vehicle, came a $2,800+ repair bill. Where would that come from? Well, from a variety of resources at our disposal, we were able to pay the repair company, but our family told us that we should absolutely NOT give them Christmas gifts that year, and they assured us that they understood. Totally. What a gift our children are to us! But it broke our hearts to not be able to do what comes so naturally to us … to give! The one recipient we kept intact was: Jesus. After all, it was His birthday – and no matter what our circumstances, we refused to not honor Him. God provided miraculously for what He laid on our hearts to do. You might wonder, why would we give gifts to Jesus for His birthday – when we couldn’t give to our own children and grandchildren? Well, we’ve always taught our family what we find in God’s Word: that we are to love Him first and foremost, and from that foundational priority in our lives, everything else will be built on and multiplied from. And so, for Christmas, 2009, we honored our Lord and followed our children’s request. When 2010 arrived, we continued to work the long, intense hours, even adding some to the existing schedule as God opened doors for more provision. God blessed, and out of those blessings, we were able to bless Him back more. Fast forward the twelve months to Christmas, 2010 … and while God had definitely provided all we needed throughout the year, Christmas giving was still under the “trusting God for” category. It was almost exactly a year later, to the day, from when we had been “surprised” with that huge repair bill on our vehicle. And now in early December, 2010, a man appeared at our doorstep on a morning when I am usually at work. But I “just happened” to be at home. He hand-delivered a Christmas card for my husband and I. But because he was one of my husband’s employers, I waited to open it until Doug returned home from taking someone to the airport. When he returned and I showed him the envelope, he proceeded to open it, and much to our surprise, a bonus check fell out that was double what we had been given the year before. Just a few feet from us stood a young man in our home who had stopped by with my husband, and we knew he was going through a tough time financially – and had no money to buy Christmas gifts for his three small children. Doug and I looked at each other, and both of us heard God speak this young man’s name to us. As we wrote out a check for a portion of that bonus and gave it to him, it was as if God placed in our hearts the realization that He was calling us to give everything away that He would be giving to us monetarily this Christmas. More bonuses came, and God would speak a name to us, and we would give it away. Another card would come with money in it, and God would impress on our hearts someone with a need. We would pass it on to them. When the first bonus came, we knew it was God providing for Christmas gifts for our moms and children and grandchildren – after the young man’s gift. What we could not do last year, God provided wonderfully for this year. And as He brought face after face, and name after name before us all season – it became our great joy to gift others with His divine provision! And of course, the greatest joy of all was to present His birthday gifts to Him … more than the year before! “Why” we experienced what we did in 2009 ~ and the turnaround in 2010 … we may never know. But we DO KNOW that God does speak … and He speaks all year long if we get our hearts attuned to His voice … and we just LISTEN and OBEY! There are yet many opportunities for all of us to hear God speaking throughout 2011 … what will He say to us? And will we get on board with what He wants to do through us? I hope so! I really hope so!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- COMING TOGETHER TO WORSHIP GOD … is the best part of the week! There’s no place we’d rather be! And no matter what we’re going through, God never disappoints us! He meets with us and gifts us with His presence and His power ~ and we leave church different than when we came! We’ve been touched by the Spirit of God! And this past Sunday was no exception! God was in our midst!
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Hazel for arranging for the post-Valentine’s luncheon decorations and being the one behind the scenes that helped make it all happen! What a lovely atmosphere for our celebration and what a great menu we all enjoyed! Thanks to everyone who brought such delicious salads and for helping with the set-up and take-down! We are so blessed by our church family!
- SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to Nancy who will be celebrating on March 15th! May God bless you, Nancy, with an incredible day and entire year, is our prayer!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

-THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with another of Pastor Doug’s messages in the Love Series on “Demonstrating God’s Love to Each Other!” Come with your Bibles, expecting to hear God’s heart for us, His people!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION/FELLOWSHIP TIME with your church family and new visitors! Let’s grow together!
- NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, with another practical, challenging message in the Love Series from God’s Word on: “Putting God’s Love into Action!” Don’t miss it!
- WATCH FOR COMING MINISTRIES/EVENTS: Spaghetti Feed/with a movie and make your own sundaes … Easter Services, including a Sunrise Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt … Mother/Daughter Tea w/gourmet refreshments and a concert … Women of Faith Conference in the fall … and many more exciting things in the works!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- WE NEVER RUN OUT OF THINGS to bring before our Father in Heaven! Hopefully, we always remember to THANK Him and express our gratitude for all He is – and all He has already done! And yes, there are always people and circumstances to lift before the Lord each new day! As a church family, let’s continue to be on our knees for: miracles for Johnny, Cherry, and family; for healing for Sean and Wayne; for leading for Landon’s and Rogers’ as they plan their upcoming moves; for the ministries of the Lundstroms and the Seykoras, and for God’s mighty works to be done as He expands the outreach of Elevation North! What a privilege we have in prayer!

- REMEMBER . . . “Hope is faith holding out its hands in the dark.” ~ George Iles


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

RADICAL COMMITMENT! To what? To whom? These days it seems like our commitment gets sliced up into a pie with many more slices than we can even think of eating! Each slice has a name on it – like … work, eat, sleep. But that’s only three slices of the pie, and often it seems like that’s the only kind of pie we get to eat! When that’s all there is, it can get pretty boring or tasteless, if we let it. But most often, it gets a little (or a lot!) tiring! Thank God, our multi-faceted work is never boring, it is definitely flavored, and most of the time we are so aware that we are being held up by God’s righteous right hand! But there ARE those moments when we look at our circumstances (our first mistake!) – and we find ourselves longing so deeply for a reprieve in our schedule! Now that’s not all bad. You see, God Himself placed rest and relaxation as a very high priority; in fact, He set aside the first day of the week, Sunday, as HIS day, and He rested. Oh, that all of us who are His kids would do the same. How very essential it is that we give His day back to Him and honor Him in worship and in praise. And how we need to pull back from all of the demands in our lives for a period of time, where it’s just Jesus and us. How necessary it is, as well, that we set everything else aside for a time and just spend time with our spouse, our children, and our grandchildren. And beyond that, it is of utmost importance that we gift ourselves with some rare, precious moments of solitude and peace, and yes, laughter! All of these things are crucial for our well-being: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. When we get it right with how we slice our pie and what “names” we place on each piece, we will find our lives so much healthier in every way! Our demeanor, our clarity, our productivity, and especially, our priorities will all come to the forefront – and we’ll begin to love living all over again! Living life should never get lost in the shuffle of the craziness that our world heaves upon us – yet often it does. The one life God gives each of us here on this earth is way too precious to waste with the toxicity of stress and despair and fatigue. God meant for the life He has given us to be so much more than that! He wants us to be able to live in extreme joy – in spite of the challenges that come. Oh, we’ll experience the initial sadness, anger, and hopelessness that comes attached to our struggles … but because of the radical commitment we can have to our Lord, we can rise above each emotion that washes over us. Over the past three plus years, my husband and I have left our home early in the morning and have not come home until evening – sometimes very late. Day after day after day. That’s why Sundays are so meaningful for us! We get to literally set everything else aside and join with other believers and together lift up the Name of Jesus! Together we get to experience the powerful anointing of God as His Spirit falls upon our congregation! We enjoy a peaceful, leisurely noon meal – often with others … what sweet, fun fellowship! And then as we come home … HOME … we feel like little children all excited about getting to open a present! We get to sit back within our four walls and relax … and rest … and chat with family on the phone … and perhaps even take a rare, short nap! (That’s rest!!!) That’s getting our head back on straight – and our heart ready – for the ensuing deluge of work for the coming week! We find a few moments here and there to catch up on a phone call to a friend that we haven’t talked to in months and months. We carve out a few more moments to write a very belated thank you note that’s been in our hearts but never gotten onto paper. We choose to look at our pathway to freedom from debt – to make sure we’re on target. And of course, we never want to lose sight of our giving to God … of our devotion, our time, our money, our very lives. That is foundational to all else that we ever hope to accomplish! We choose to ask ourselves some pointed questions: God, do we look like You? Do we reflect You? Do we act like You? Do we talk like You? Do we carry the very fragrance of Christ? And when we don’t … we cry out for His immediate help! After all, He promises to be our ever present help in time of trouble. And when we’re not radically committed to Him – we’re in trouble! Right now we’re in a season of taking time to stop and smell the roses. Though the scented moments may be brief, we’re radically committed to enjoying ALL that God has for us in the midst of this intense journey we’re still on. But … we’re beginning to see a tiny ray of light at the end of the tunnel ~ and it’s getting brighter and stronger with each passing day! We can hardly wait to experience the transition to whatever changes God has in store just up ahead as we continue to engage in His Kingdom work on this earth! Will you join us in this radical commitment to allow God to “spend” us for His glory?! Yes, that’s “you” and “us”!!!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- WHAT AN INCREDIBLE LORD’S DAY at Elevation North this past Sunday! The power of God descended in our midst, and when we left, we knew that we had been with Jesus! How we love coming to meet with our Lord and to lavish our love on Him! He’s so deserving!
- OUR SPECIAL WELCOME to friends and family who came with Harold and LaFawn this past Sunday … our prayer is that you experienced God’s blessings anew! And WELCOME BACK to Carianne and Isaiah, Elyse, and Kaitlyn! It was great having you in God’s House with us again! May God bless each of you!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with our service being centered around “The Sacrificial Love of Christ”, in message, in song, and partaking of Communion together. If you are longing for precious, priceless love that gives its all … God’s love will not disappoint you! Come and worship with us!
- 11:15 A.M. – POST-VALENTINE’S LUNCHEON CELEBRATION – finally, as our weather cooperates so we can enjoy a scrumptious noon meal in an atmosphere of love, with beautiful décor to match! Remember to bring your assorted salads to complement the Baked Ham w/Cherry Sauce entrée, finishing up w/Black Forest Cheesecake!
- ALL YOUTH are invited to a RE: FUEL event with Pastor D and Debbie ~ attending a fun movie following the noon meal. Ticket monies will be provided … please bring your own snack money! Invite some friends to join us!!
- NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE continuing with the Love Series … this week preaching on “Demonstrating God’s Love to Each Other”! It’s a love that too great to keep to ourselves – it must be shared! DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT for Daylight Savings Time!
- FUTURE MINISTRIES/EVENTS: Spaghetti Feed w/a movie and sundaes … Easter Services, including Sunrise Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt … Mother/Daughter Tea w/gourmet refreshments and a concert … Women of Faith Conference in the fall … and much more!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- ALWAYS THERE IS MUCH to thank God for … and much to ask Him for! Let’s do both this week! This week let’s pray for Johnny and Cherry and all the family, for the Rogers family, for Hazel’s sister in the hospital, for Julia, for several unspoken needs, for relationships, for revival in our land, for God’s leading and provision of miracles for our church! All in the powerful and marvelous Name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior! Watch … and see what God will do!

- REMEMBER . . . “You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.” ~ Teresa of Avila


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

SOMETIMES IT’S HARD TO WRAP MY MIND around the truth that God’s all-surpassing, incomparable power is within me. WITHIN me! No matter what my day is going to be like … no matter what I’m going to be facing … no matter how insufficient I might feel, I do have God’s all-surpassing, incomparable power right inside of me. I’m learning just a little more with each passing day to plug into that power and let a little more of it out into the world around me. You see, no matter what my body feels like, or how my emotions are taking my mind hostage, or what my circumstances are … I am carrying around this astounding, incredible power of God within ME … just little me! But when I access this power, I’m no longer weak … or tired … or lacking … or overcome by my circumstances! I COULD be – but I don’t HAVE to be. So I choose NOT to be! Now remember, it’s not MY power … it is GOD’S POWER within me! And that makes all the difference in the world; for there is a huge difference between God’s power and mine. Mine would wane and run out. I would grow weary in my own strength. I could be defeated just by giving in to my own limiting thoughts. Thinking I could do it all on my own, I would soon find out how little I can actually do on my own. And so, I must get back to what I know is true. I must depend on God’s power as if my very life depended on it. Because, it does! And because I feel like so many of God’s children – including you and me – just barely scratch the surface of accessing God’s all-surpassing power, my spirit is on fire that we MUST begin to tap into ALL that we can! I so wish I could explain adequately what God is laying on my heart … but I believe the only words that will convey the message like it needs to be said, come directly from God’s Word. So, listen to these down-to-earth words from II Corinthians chapter 5, beginning at verse 5: “Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, ‘Light up the darkness!’ and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power within us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us – trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, He does in us – He lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best! We’re not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, ‘I believe it, so I said it,’ we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” (through verse 18, The Message Bible) Last Sunday right after we made the last phone call to you, our church people, to cancel the morning service because of the severe winter storm, my husband and I bravely and carefully made our way slowly on the frontage road to the church to drop off some things. Dragging snow beneath the vehicle, we finally arrived, knowing we had made the right decision by canceling. We did what we needed to, and then we stood there in the silence and emptiness of the church. But it wasn’t empty. There were no worshippers there, but God was there. We could sense Him. So we just stopped and held hands and lifted up our voices in prayer. We told God how much we loved Him and we thanked Him for Elevation North and for each of you. We lifted YOU up in prayer before the Lord and asked Him to bless you and keep you. As we said, “Amen”, we knew He had heard and was answering. We gently closed the door and made our way back into the blowing snow, confident that the power of Jesus Christ will keep all of us here and now right where we are at – and until eternity, when He calls us home to be with Him forever! Precious people, may God’s love move us to use the amazing power that is ours through Christ! May we seek to please Him in everything we say and do, and may “His love have the first and last word in everything we do.” (from II Corinthians 5:14-15)

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

- SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES from all of us to: Johnny, who celebrated on February 19th … to Cherry, who celebrated on February 25th …and to Charlotte, who will celebrate on March 4th!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES to our daughter-in-love, Becky, who will be celebrating on March 4th ~ and to our grandson, Wade, who will celebrating his 17th birthday on March 7th! We love you both so very much and thank God for bringing you into our lives! You bring so much joy to us – each in your own way! May God bless you incredibly!!!

- LOOKING AHEAD . . .

- THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with Pastor Doug preaching the message he was planning for last Sunday before the weather cancellation: “God’s Extraordinary, Extravagant Love” from several scriptures in the Old and New Testament. This promises to be a power-packed service as we demonstrate God’s kind of love, reaching out to each other in love and in prayer! We encourage you to come and worship with us!
- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2ND: 7:00-8:00 P.M. – “LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS” STUDY! You are invited to share this time of learning more from God’s Word with Pastor Doug and Debbie right in their home ~ they’ll be waiting for you! Be sure to bring your Bibles and a desire for more of what we can take in and in turn give out!
- NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 6TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP & COMMUNION – as we turn our hearts to “The Sacrificial Love of Christ”. That love didn’t just occur on Calvary … it is still being experienced by millions today!
- 11:15 A.M. – POST-VALENTINE’S LUNCHEON CELEBRATION – postponed because of weather and repairs at Clinton Falls! Plan to bring assorted salads like we originally planned, and all of us will enjoy a delicious lunch of Baked Ham with all the trimmings, complete with Black Forest Cheesecake in an atmosphere of Valentine décor!
- IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE LUNCHEON, all RE: FUEL YOUTH are invited to attend a movie with Pastor Doug and Debbie! Be sure to invite some friends to join us for a great afternoon!
- BE SURE TO CHECK LAST WEEK’S BLOG for other future ministries and events coming up!

- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .

- IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR OUR GOD? NO! A MILLION TIMES NO!!! This week, let’s be in special prayer for a very special, urgent, unspoken request! Let’s also lift up those who are in need of God’s healing touch, extra strength, financial resources, and direction and guidance. May we daily be in prayer for Lundstroms and Seykoras as they take the message of Christ to this nation and around the world. And may we be on our knees before God claiming His anointing and God-appointments for the coming week, that we might be His hand extended to those around us! Let’s make our lives count!

- REMEMBER . . . “Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father’s heart.” ~ Ellen G. White / “Remember you are very special to God as His precious child. He has promised to complete the good work He has begun in you.” ~ Gary Smalley

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie