ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WANNA BE FREE?  Or wanna be tied down?  I’ve been pondering the choices we make as believers, and God let me know in a nice, firm way – that we kind of do it to ourselves sometimes.  That is, we tie ourselves down, more times than not!  How?  Well, pull up a chair and listen to this story.  Years ago, when our two oldest sons were little boys, they loved being read to!  Often I would get to the last page of the book, read the last few lines with a bit more emphasis, end it with a flourish … and I would hear two little voices saying in unison, “Read it again, Mommy … please read it again!”  This is one of those stories that quickly became a favorite – and even I think of it time and time again – especially when God uses it to teach me a lesson.  I’m sure it was never written for that purpose, but I love how God thinks outside of the box and uses whatever He wishes to get His point across!  Well, the story has it that Gulliver sets off on a ship to the South Seas, but strong winds bring it to shipwreck and Gulliver washes up on an island called Lilliput. Upon waking up, he discovers to his dismay that he is tied to the ground.  Looking around, he blinks twice as he sees lots and lots of tiny men no larger than his hands, who try to keep him prisoner.  When Gulliver tries to break free of the strings, they attack him with their tiny arrows.  He tries to stay calm so as not to get hurt, and in every ensuing interaction with the little people, he tries to show kindness.  But before they come to trust him, they bargain away at his few belongings in exchange for a little bit of his freedom – and eventually, he is freed to walk again!  But he has to follow the king’s written rules in exchange for the strings to come off.  Thinking about that story today, God showed me how we as His children get ourselves in this same predicament.  We set off in a certain direction and when the storms of life come, it’s so easy to feel like our lives are being wrecked.  It’s one thing to feel washed up – and wonder how we got where we landed.  But the real message of our story is the “strings that tie us down”.  And, the real question is “how do we get free?”  But first of all, how did we get so many strings entangled around us?  Well, lying there in the wreckage, even though we’ve been saved … spared, it’s so easy to look back and try to decipher why we’re all tied up in knots. It’s so easy to get caught up in the blame game, or worse yet, to step into the role of judge and jury.  There goes a string – right over our body.  Certainly, we are better than those people.  We are right – and they are wrong, of course.  Oops, there goes another string - like a noose, right around our neck.  We start comparing how we live life, gauging it against how they live theirs.  There go several more strings, forming a prison cell of strings that suddenly we cannot break free from.  How did those little strings get so strong?  Each one was just a thought at first.  Or only a word that we spoke.  Or just an innocent action.  Or was it?  And why is our Christian life not providing us the freedom we thought it would bring us?  Maybe, just maybe it’s us.  Maybe we don’t get that to truly live free, we must live in total forgiveness.  Maybe it doesn’t soak in that to live truly free, we must show unconditional love … with no strings attached.  If we attach them to others, they come right back and tighten around our hearts – and suddenly we are free no more.  Enslaved?  Or free?  How do you want to live your life as God’s child?  Happy and free and capable of impacting others for Christ?  Then let’s start breaking free from the things that so easily entangle and enslave us and “… run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  (Hebrews 12:1)  I want us to be FREE in Christ ~ after all, that’s how He wants us to live!  Let’s speak boldly and firmly, but as set-free, joy-filled people!!!  Then, the world will seek out why we smile and they’ll be asking to get what we’ve got . . . JESUS!!!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Wayne on July 1^st, and to Mary Jo on July 2^nd!  May God’s best be yours!

GOD’S BLESSINGS to everyone who helped make our Straight River Days events so enjoyable and successful!

SUN, JUL 01:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, w/patriotic message on “The Role of the Church” and Communion.

SUN, JUL 01:   11:15 A.M. -  KINGDOM CONNECTION Sunday School classes and Puppet Ministry for our kids!

SUN, JUL 04:  HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!  Enjoy the celebrations that mark our freedom! And, God, guide America! 

SUN, JUL 08:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE   /   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION classes & puppets!

PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES  . . . Verla, Cherry, Tarike, Daouda, Hazel, Julia, comfort for the loss in the Baugh & Bolden families, anointing for Seykoras and Lundstroms

REMEMBER . . . “When it’s all said and done, when all the opinions have been uttered, preached, shouted, and shared, there is only one thing we can do:  From this moment on … love.”  Barbara Johnson

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

MAYBE TOMORROW.  Those are two of the saddest words in life, well … depending on what they are the answer to!  On the other hand, I remember when similar words spoken many a time in my childhood were an indication of hope on the horizon.  I grew up on a farm in North Dakota where we raised grain crops and cattle.  Several years it would be just about harvest time, and we would jump in the pickup truck and go for a drive to see the fields of ripe, waving grain – and to see how big the spring calves were.  Adventure time for us kids … we loved it!  Slowing down by the fields, Dad would explain about how the crops were just about ready – and the importance of that timing.  We’d come home, excited at the prospects of a “bumper crop” – because the tall, thick stands of golden wheat waving in the breezes were picture-perfect!  We kids would start dreaming … maybe this year dad will be able to get this piece of machinery he really needs!  Or maybe we’ll be able to grow our herd of cattle by this many!  Or just maybe we’ll be able to go on a family trip to see our Aunt Aretta out on the west coast!  Trips were rare for us, living on the farm where time seemed to be spent on lots of hard work.  We always had fun and took time to sit back and enjoy life – but we couldn’t go very far away, especially with milk cows needing our attention both morning and night-time.  And then, the bank account rarely held a balance that would get us to the west coast and back, that wasn’t needed more for the farm expenses and raising a family.  So we just kept on dreaming!  As a young child, I remember how just about a week after our adventurous tour of the crops and cattle, storm-clouds would form and multiply until the sky was filled with swirling shapes of grey and black, and sometimes they would turn into an ugly, foreboding whitish nightmare.  Standing near the windows to get a better view, much to our mom’s dismay … we’d crane our necks around from side to side to see what was coming our way.  All of us kids, as well as dad and mom, were praying up a storm equal to the raging winds.  And sometimes, God stilled the storm, and all was well.  We would breathe a huge sigh of relief!  The crops were saved!  Other times, God must have had other plans, for the storms continued to unleash their fury – and within minutes the hailstones shelled out those plump heads of wheat and the stalks lay twisted, broken and flat on the muddy ground.  Gone … it was all gone.  As kids, our minds began to freak out with unspoken questions like, “What will we have for money to live on for the next twelve months?”  I think it was mom who voiced that reality question to dad, more for reassurance than anything, because we all knew that our God would take care of us – somehow!  We had never starved yet … and we were sure He wouldn’t let us starve now!  In those moments of stark reality, I’ve never forgotten the way my dad would respond.  Taking a deep sigh that seemed to suck in the cares and fears we all felt, he would calmly say, “Well . . . there’s always next year!”  What hope!  On the heels of destruction, he was already thinking about next year, hoping for the best!  Amazing!  Yes, for some things in life … there is “next year”.  And many times, the “next year” saw our dreams come true.  The storms stayed away and that bumper crop came through.  But when it comes to things of God, especially for those who have not said “yes” to Him … it’s a dangerous risk to say, “maybe tomorrow.”  Tomorrow may never come!  For those of us who say “maybe tomorrow” I will call this person - or “maybe tomorrow” I will share Christ with that person … it may be too late.  Tomorrow may never come for them – or us.  “Maybe tomorrow” I will take this family a meal … “maybe tomorrow” I will do what I’ve felt God nudging me to do for weeks now.  What if we don’t get that opportunity again?  I pray that we will become people of “today” … yes, Lord, “right now”!  We understand sometimes you give us “another time” – but sometimes in Your sovereign plan, that extra chance isn’t a part of it.  So help us, Lord, to get it right – and not wait!  Help us to be people of action … and ultimately, Your church in action!!!  That’s our passion!  Today … while the harvest is ripe!  

IN A NUTSHELL . . . 

LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES & God’s blessings to my husband, Doug, as he celebrates on June 28^th!

A HUGE THANKS to all who helped with the church/city-wide sale, with the café meal, and the church float this week!

SUN, JUN 24:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with an exciting message from God’s Word: “The Power of the Holy Spirit”!

SUN, JUN 24:  11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES / Puppet Ministry for kids with the Graffs!  Don’t miss out!

SUN, JUL 01:   10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with a patriotic message and Communion … invite some friends to come!

SUN, JUL 01:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES / Puppet Ministry – unforgettable Bible stories & lessons!

COMING UP:    BIBLE STUDY PLANNING for men and for women, and for Sunday School sessions / Women of Faith Event

PRAYER OPPORTUNTIES . . . Verla, Julia, Hazel, unspoken requests, ministries of Seykoras and Lundstroms, traveling mercies

REMEMBER . . . “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:11)  “When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty.  When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.” ~ Armin Gesswein

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

FATHERS!  They’re the heroes of our homes … and if not, how their families wish they were!   Living in a world that is filled with so much apathy and a lack of courage to stand for what is right – has left women and children aching to see their husband and dad rise to the challenge of becoming the hero they are longing for.  Children want a daddy they can run to who will be their protector from the bullies.  And children of all ages want a father who is rock-solid strong against the storms of life; who can share wisdom beyond their own from a longer span of experiences.  And of course, all kids want a dad who will laugh and play with them, tease and tousle with them – and in the next breath assure them how much they believe in them!  Dads who have learned to cushion their sons and daughters from some of the ills of the world, also are smart enough to know that their children must experience some of the bumps and bruises that come their way to strengthen their minds and set their wings soaring!  Wives secretly wish that their husbands will love them beyond their imperfections to their fullest potential, you know – like Christ loves His church (that’s us!).  Women want their men to have strength as unshakeable as the Rock of Gibraltar – yet who will express love and devotion with tenderness and emotion!  Wow, dads!  It sounds like your wives and kids want it all.  They want you to be Mr. Perfect with every attribute in the dictionary wrapped up in the heart and soul of what you see as just a body of faltering flesh and bones at times.  How are you supposed to do it all?  How are you supposed to be everything that they want you to be?  Well, let me tell you.  Godly wives will not want you to do it alone or to have to be everything to everyone.  They will recognize and desire for you to lean on the wisest Father of all, drawing from His strength each day of your life.  They will want your example to come not from self-sufficiency, but from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and following Him daily.  They will graciously allow for your humanity when they see you on your knees, asking God for help to be the man He wants you to be – and that YOU want to be!  They will want to be right beside you in your quest to be courageous … and will admire your commitment to become a more devoted follower of Christ than ever before!  You think they were in love with you before?  As your love for Christ deepens, so will their love for you deepen even more!  And the same goes for your children – only in a different way from child to parent.  Their respect for you will increase, they will choose to hang out with you, and you’ll be able to tell how secure and loved they feel when they are with you!  And you know what?  As you step up to become more courageous, your family will learn more about what their Heavenly Father is like as they watch you!  Yeah, you have big shoes to fill … but we are confident that you can do it!  We believe in you, dads!  You are our special gift from God!  I celebrate the example I’ve been given through all the dads in my life … my dad and my husband’s dad – both now in heaven and who taught me so much, our sons who are incredible dads to our grandchildren, and my amazing husband, who loves his family deeply and who is constantly and courageously stepping up the pace to be the man that God has planned for him to be.  Happy Father’s Day, dads; you truly are our heroes!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY blessings to Merv & Kathy on June 21^st!

SPECIAL THANKS to Matthias and Liz for leading the Re: Fuel Youth Lock-In / To those who helped w/Kidz event!

SUN, JUN 17:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with a message & pledge for “Godly, Courageous Men”, and Happy Father’s Day to all our dads!  You are loved and prayed for!  (No Sunday School classes today).

THU, JUN 21:  7:00 P.M. – MISSION HUDDLE with Seykoras; location will be announced – let us know # coming!

FRI/SAT, JUN 22/23:  MEDFORD CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE, including Elevation North; we’ll need your help!!

SAT, JUN 23:   4:30 P.M. – MEDFORD PARADE – come and see our fantastic church float for the community!

SUN, JUN 24:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, focusing on “The Power of the Holy Spirit” from God’s Word!

SUN, JUN 24:  11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES & PUPPET MINISTRY; let’s all learn more!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES … Praise God for answered prayers, provision, harvest of souls, Seykoras, & Lundstroms

REMEMBER . . . “I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and song.”  Isaiah 12:2

Serving Christ Joyfully,

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

HOW I LOVE IT WHEN GOD DOES THE SCHEDULING!  You might have noticed that there was not a new blog post last week.  That’s because I didn’t write one ~ and guess what?  The world is still in orbit!  Amazing, huh?!  As hard as we push ourselves to live life to the utmost, I love that we are learning to kick back and relax a little and take a bit of time for ourselves, too!  We had planned a mini-break over Memorial Day weekend with my husband’s brother and wife, to be with our grandson, Wade, who was graduating from high school, celebrate at his open house and spend a few days with the entire family.  But last minute, God penciled in some extra, extended stops on the calendar, and soon we knew it was going to be a 9-day jaunt to see as many of our family as we could!  Looking back on those days, we see God’s hand in it all!  For there was time with two of our three sons and their wives, time with five of our six grandsons and with one of our two granddaughters.  God’s prompting allowed me to make the circle complete when the other three of my siblings and spouses came together to spend time with our 88-year old mom!  What a treasured time … especially if that should be our last time all together on this side of Heaven!  We enjoyed walks and talks, old, old photos – and even some new ones, lots of great meals, a trip to the local zoo, fun-fashion-shopping with our granddaughter, meeting our older grandsons’ girlfriends, an accidental knock-out punch by grandson #4 that about took me to my knees!, celebrating belated birthdays, kindergarten, high school, and college graduations, going to the little boys’ t-ball game, even helping our 88-year old mom deliver 31 dozen eggs to her customers in town!!!  We’ll never forget that!  And … my husband and I made stops at our dads’ respective graves to decorate them and reflect over cherished memories!  I know … I know!  You may not have met any of our family that we are talking about, but they are as important to us as your family is to you.  Several sad life-stories occurred while we were gone, reminding us how very fragile life is and how priceless are these shared times!  We want lives filled with expressed love and the gift of time invested in those we hold dear to our hearts – so there will be no regrets!  Just a wealth of memories that can be captured better on the heart than on photograph paper or memory cards!  The saying goes that married couples, after living together for many years, begin to look like each other.  I don’t know if that is always the case, but I’ve seen enough resemblances - that there could be some truth to that!  There is a recent study that states “you are what you read.”  It goes on to explain that “research says when you lose yourself in fiction, you may begin to resemble the characters you love.”  I’d like to add my statement to that study and say that “I believe when we lose ourselves in God’s Word, we will begin to resemble the character of Christ who we will fall deeper and deeper in love with, the more we read of Him!”  And I believe that extends to our families.  Little ones trace our steps, mimic our words, and watch our ways.  What are they becoming as they begin to resemble us?  Thought-provoking question!  We loved seeing what our children and grandchildren are becoming … hopefully in part because they saw some of Jesus in us – even in the unexpected times that God has scheduled for us now and then!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Kavin on June 2^nd and to Aleana on June 7^th; and LOVING ANNIVERSARY WISHES to my husband, Doug, on June 5^th, and to our son, Dana and his wife, Stacey, on June 7^th!  God’s blessings to all!

 SUN, JUN 10:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / don’t miss the message on “The Power of the Holy Spirit!” 

SUN, JUN 10:  12:00 NOON – ELEVATE KIDZ EVENT w/pizza at church and swimming at “Serengetti”/$5.00 cost

SUN, JUN 17:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / message for “Godly, Courageous Fathers” from God’s Word!

FRI/SAT, JUN 22/23: MEDFORD CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE, including Elevation North; can you help?

SAT, JUN 23:   4:30 P.M. – MEDFORD PARADE – w/a fantastic Elevation North church float – come and be a part!

 PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES … Seykora’s ministry huddles, urgent unspoken request, family situations, opportunities!

 REMEMBER . . . “God gives His gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them.”  C. S. Lewis

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

                                                           

                                                           

                                                           

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

I REMEMBER.  We’re always supposed to remember, right?  Lest we forget.  Of course, some things are better off forgotten, at least as much as is humanly possible!  But today we’re talking about remembering.  I think about the account of the people of Israel crossing the river Jordan as recorded in Joshua chapter 4.  What an amazing thing occurred when they obeyed God’s instructions.  In what was a flood-stage rushing body of water, God held it up so it became hostage at the first step of obedience.  At the very moment the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant touched the edge of the water, walls of flowing water stood at full attention quite some distance away.  And as long as the priests who carried the ark “stood firm on dry ground” – the entire nation of people crossed over – also on dry ground.  Miraculous!  Memorable!  And God, not wanting His people to forget what had just happened, waited until the last person had crossed the river and stepped on grassy soil.  Then He asked something of Joshua:  he was to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, and they were to gather twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan to take to the place where they would spend the night and place them there.  Calling the twelve men together, he instructed them to do as God had said, and they went back to the spot where the ark of the Lord was in the middle of the Jordan and they each chose a stone and placed it on their shoulders to carry it back.  Joshua passed on God’s purpose for these stones, “ … to serve as a sign among you.”  Then he went on, “In the future when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.  When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.  These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”  And so these stones that had been in the middle of the river where the ark had stood, were placed in their camp.  A few verses later, scripture tells us, “And they are there to this day.”  Wow!  What a memorial to help them remember.  Just stones, yes.  But because the meaning was passed down from generation to generation … we will always remember!  I couldn’t help but personalize those stones into the flood-stage experiences of our lives.  And somehow I almost wished that I had stones set aside in some special place that I could show to our children and grandchildren, helping them remember the miracles … and the memories of each one.  Well, I have no stones that have been placed anywhere in our home.  But I hope and pray that I have related frequently enough the stories of God’s miraculous intervention, protection, deliverance, provision, healing, strength, peace, blessings and favor … that they will remember – always.  I pray that their recollection of memorable God-events will be cause for praise and celebration over and over.  I pray these experiences will become memorials to remember and pass on down to the next generation … and the next.  Lives spared - and limbs saved.  Miraculously.  Things lost and ripped away – and then restored again.  Memorably!  Circumstances meant for harm – and turned into amazing opportunities to glorify our Lord God.  Unforgettable!  Stricken with sickness – and being gifted with healing!  Divinely delivered!   Weakness that leaves us at a disadvantage – and the angelic delivery of God’s strength.  Amazing infusion!  Put those “stones” all together and you’ll see a memorial of gratitude that we’ll remember for all the day of our lives!  What are YOU remembering?

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

HAPPY, Happy 4^TH Birthday to our little grandson, Miles on May 23^rd! And CONGRATULATIONS to two of our graduating grandsons: Isaiah – from Kindergarten, and Wade – from High School; God’s blessings to each of you!  We love you!

A SPECIAL WELCOME BACK to Justin, and our deepest gratitude to him for his service to our country!

 SUN, MAY 27:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with a very special message in store; bring your Bibles & a friend!!!

MON, MAY 28:  HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY to all as we honor those gone on before and those who defend our freedom here and around the world!  May God bless our military personnel with divine protection!  Remember to hold them up in daily prayer!

MAY 31-JUN 02:  JOYCE MEYER CONFERENCE sessions at the Target Center; check the dates/times and plan to car-pool to the Cities for an incredible blessing from the Lord!

JUN 03:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with Part 2 of the PASSION FOR MISSIONS message – don’t miss it!

 PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES … Tina, Ruth, our graduates, Johnny & Cherry, those traveling, and unspoken needs!

REMEMBER . . . “Yes, remember.  And never forget to praise God for all that is past.  And trust Him for all that is to come!”

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

  

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

I WANT TO LIVE!  Sometimes we hear that statement coming from the lips of someone suffering from a terminal disease - and more than anything they long to be cured so that they can remain living amongst their family and friends!  Of course, if we only knew what Heaven was really like, we probably wouldn’t be so quick to fight such a tough battle to stay here.  I don’t know what I would choose if faced with leaving or staying, but of course that’s ultimately up to God.  We just have our own wishes of what WE would like!  While I do not have a disease of any sort, I often find myself begging God to let me stay here on earth for as long as possible – so I can impact those I love and those I have yet to meet with the powerful message of Christ’s love for them.  Yes, I beg.  I know God has ordained times of the length of days He has planned for each of us – but just in case He is thinking of taking me Home anytime soon … I beg for Him to leave me here longer.  Not because I don’t want to experience the wonders of Heaven that are so incredibly amazing that we can only imagine them … but because I don’t want to see anyone who crosses my path not know about my God and His gift of eternal life for them!!!  And yes, I WANT THEM TO LIVE!  Forever!  At our church, this Sunday will be all about missions and sharing our excitement at the opportunities we have to reach people for Christ in our own community, our nation, and around the world!  We love being able to reach out and touch people in our own church family from time to time … helping meet needs that God makes us aware of.  We are family, after all.  But then, God instructs us to reach out – a bit farther.  Like, raking leaves for senior citizens in town and out in the country who are unable to do so themselves, and sometimes asking if we can pray with them before we leave.  Or collecting food items for someone who works two jobs and still goes without hardly any food himself, desiring for him to see the love of Jesus through our lives and our actions.  Other times we love helping the elderly or disabled move their belongings to a different apartment because they don’t know who to ask for help.  Another time we were able to gather furniture and household items and share it with a young woman who had to move to keep safe; and she had basically nothing.  Branching out to our state, our church loves providing money for holiday meals for the hungry and homeless in the Cities through Union Gospel Mission – where they receive not only a delicious, hot meal … but the message of Jesus’ love and the hope that He brings!  Other times, we have walked a lighted path at Relay for Life events all throughout the night to help raise funds for cancer research, remembering and honoring those who’ve lost the battle and those who have survived.  It’s a touching experience each time you do it!  Then … we see the bigger picture when we pray for and support Larry and Gloria who travel all over the United States, taking the love of Christ in song and in messages filled with hope, fun, humor, and eternal life as they hold rallies in churches and other venues wherever God opens the door!  The altars and auditoriums are packed with people who were lost without Christ and had given up on life.  Now … let’s go international!  Way over in Australia, there’s Josh and Sarah, with two little boys – and they faithfully share Christ with those who desperately need a new life in Christ – and teach His Word to others who are eager to learn more so they can grow and take that knowledge to yet others.  Just recently they have started ministering on the streets of the large city where they live.  There, they see it all!  And beyond that, there are two little children, Tarike, a little girl from Ethopia – and Daouda, a little boy from Senegal, who live impoverished in their nations, and our monthly offerings are helping support them and bringing hope for a better future for them!  Isn’t that what Jesus teaches us to do?  Hey, are you excited about missions yet?  I sure hope so … because I am!  Let’s keep expanding how we share the love and hope that Jesus brings . . . SO OTHERS CAN LIVE!!!  Forever!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Harold & Lafawn on May 22^nd / BIRTHDAY WISHES to Kavin on May 24^th!  May God bless you!

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Debbie who worshipped with us for the first time this past Sunday!  May God’s best be yours!

OUR SPECIAL THANKS to the Graffs for the new Puppet Theatre … it is outstanding!  What a blessing it will be!

A BIG THANK YOU to:  Wayne, Verla, & Christian for helping an elderly lady move this past week!  You truly blessed her!

SUN, MAY 20:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE – and an exciting MISSION EMPHASIS message, plus lots more!

SUN, MAY 27:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, honoring our fallen soldiers and our loved ones gone on before!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Tina, Ruth, our children & youth, and all of our missionaries as they serve God here and abroad!

REMEMBER … “We are to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations – that’s what Jesus said!”  (from Matthew  28:19)

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

MOTHER’S DAY!  This year I am looking at this special day in an entirely new dimension.  You see, a new generation is on it’s way in our family … and though her arrival is about three and a half months away yet, in some ways I feel like I already know this new little one!  It has been my most valued privilege through each new stage of my life to pray for those that God has gifted me with!  Becoming a mother to three sons over a span of thirteen years, how I loved praying for them before they were ever born.  I truly believe God not only used those prayers to help shape, guide, protect, and bless them – but I believe it has given us a unique relationship that has drawn us and kept us closer than if we had never known the joy of praying about things together!  My greatest joy yet is when our sons call to ask me to pray about something specific in their lives!  And no, they are not little boys anymore … they are 39, 38, and 26!  Even as they were toddlers, I began praying for their “wives-to-be”.  A little early, you say?  Well, I felt as if it was never too early to begin praying for the little girls somewhere who would someday be their wives.  I claimed God’s blessings and anointing and protection over them.  And how He answered … He chose exactly the most perfect young woman for each of our sons!  It’s one of my most treasured blessings to be able to call them “daughters” ~ for that’s who they truly are!  And we, too, love praying together for God’s answers – whatever the request might be!  Then … another generation appeared on the horizon!  Another generation prayed for from the moment we knew they were being formed by God – just for us to enjoy and nurture and impact.  And my husband and I loved the sound of our new names:  “Grampa” and “Gramma”!  Eight times, we have received phone calls any time of the day or night – and heard our sons introducing our newest grandchild to us by name!  We could hear their newborn cries, and wished we could have been there to hold them - only minutes old!  Nothing could keep us away, though, and within just days, we were arriving from afar off to lay eyes on them for the first time, to hold them and cuddle them, to sing and pray over them, “Jesus loves you, baby!”  And we made sure to add their name!  The joys of praying for our grandchildren transformed from “Jesus, please heal their ouchie!” – to them calling us to pray about their boyfriend or their girlfriend!  Or for tests or competitions in school, or for jobs!  And how we still love our long talks about things of God when we’re together – or on the phone!  Keep those calls coming, grandkids!!  How awesome to be able to tell you that God’s promises are still true – that He’s never broken one yet … and that He’s not about to start!  And now just days ago, here came the sweetest baby shower invitation for our first great-grandchild!  Did I say that?  Can that be true?  We are MUCH too young for that, right?!  But we have been excited from day one about this new little one that our God is knitting together in our granddaughter’s womb!  Psalm 139 says that our next generation girl is being fearfully and wonderfully made.  She is not hidden from God while she is being made in the secret place, and His eyes see her unformed body.  Amazingly, on the invitation is the picture of her perfectly shaped baby’s face, nestled in the womb – that secret place.  Unseen to our human eyes, but brought before our eyes through ultrasound technology … there she is, the new little great-granddaughter we are already joyously praying for!  May God’s DNA course through your heart and soul, body and mind, little one!  May His Spirit rest upon you even before you breathe your first breath!  And may you always be His princess prayer warrior, devotedly loving Him and following Him all the days of your life, I pray!  Happy Mother’s Day to me … my third generation gift – straight from Heaven!


IN A NUTSHELL . . .

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Marty & Kelly, May 13^th/BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Isaac, May 12^th & to Theo, May 19^th!
SPECIAL THANKS to Hazel … to Tina, Theo, Wayne & Verla, & to Larissa for an incredible Mother/Daughter event!


SUN, MAY 13:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with a special Mother’s Day message to honor our moms!
SUN, MAY 13:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION Sunday School classes for all!  Plan to participate!!
SUN, MAY 20:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / MISSIONS EMPHASIS SUNDAY with exciting updates!


PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Tina, Julia, Ruth, Kelly, unspoken, our moms, Lundstroms, & Seykoras as they travel
REMEMBER . . . “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” ~ Billy Graham


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .


Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS

"HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?  And do we have the patience to wait?  I think God is asking me to consider these questions – and then decide what the answer will be for me.  Another lady and I were talking this morning about how prayer has seemed to change down through the generations and how in many cases, people’s prayers have been watered down.  They are not very strong, focused, frequent, or passionate.  Generally speaking, many Americans “pray on the go” and send up a fast “bless me, help me” prayer and then add, “oh yes, ditto that for all my family and everyone I love”.  God must just shake His head.  How gracious He is to give us even more than a second glance and actually listen to us.  Our prayers have become anemic and powerless.  And our time spent in the very presence of God is the teensiest fraction of the time we spend on the phone, on the internet, and on facebook or similar sites.  Consider those in mid-eastern cultures of the world who bow down to their god five times daily, and who actually spend lots of time in prayer – and their god doesn’t even hear them, and sure cannot help them.  Yet they live with an admirable commitment to who they believe in.  How sad that their god cannot reciprocate their love and faithfulness.  Or how about those cults that send their people out on the streets in pairs of two to go and witness about their faith – which is lacking the truth of the one and only God.  Yet, they go.  They talk.  They share.  It’s a big part of how they live out what they believe.  Then there’s US.  We know the true God.  We have the full gospel, the absolute truth of God Almighty.  Would we take time to bow down in prayer before our God five times daily?  Would we spend an entire summer walking the streets of a city and talking to people we’ve never met – about our God and our faith – without begrudging the time it was taking from our personal lives?  Would we carve time out of our day to pray and sit and listen until we heard God speak back to us?  I heard about one man who took the opportunity to spend eight hours in prayer and in the Word while his wife was gone one day, just longing to hear from God.  And so he spent the entire day talking to God.   A half-hour passed by … then an hour.  He was enjoying his time, but he heard nothing from God.  Another hour passed by, and he kept talking to His heavenly Father.  Hour after hour ticked by on the clock, and while the time was precious, there was still silence.  Surely, he had thought, he would hear something from God.  But there was nothing; then as the end of the eight hours neared, he saw a glimpse of his wife’s car way down the road.  He knew exactly how long it took her to reach the house:  two minutes.  He said, “God, I have spent nearly eight hours with you, and I was so longing to hear from You.  Why haven’t you spoken to me at all?”  Then God spoke, and this is what He said, “Thank you for spending these hours with Me; I have so enjoyed our time together today.  I wanted it to last as long as possible.  I didn’t speak to you sooner, because I didn’t want you to leave!”  Imagine that!  The God of Heaven and earth … enjoys spending time with us!  He wants it to last … and last, because He loves us so.  After all, we were created for fellowship with Him!  Do we hold up our end of fulfilling that purpose?  There’s nothing sweeter than spending time with the one you love, is there?  Then it should not surprise us that God wants to be the one that we actually spend time with!  Can we say, “No matter how long it takes, I will be patient and wait to hear from you, Lord!”  Revive us, O Lord, we want to spend time with You … help us not to be in a hurry and miss out on what You long to share with us!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to AJ who celebrates on May 10^th, and to Mitch on May 12^th!  We wish you both God’s very best!

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Connie, Joshua, Cole, Kayla, Sam, and Anna … who all worshipped with us for the first time on Sunday!

SUN, MAY 06:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with Pastor D’s Graduation message on “Collection of Attitudes”!

SUN, MAY 06:   11:15 A.M. – FELLOWSHIP with your church family and the Bucholz family visiting today!  Welcome back!!

SUN, MAY 13:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, and a special message for our mothers!  Don’t miss this service!

SUN, MAY 20:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / MISSIONS EMPHASIS SUNDAY with updates, photos, prayer requests!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Tina, Julia, Johnny, Justin, Ruth, Seykoras, Lundstroms, Tarike, Daouda, and for revival!

REMEMBER . . . “God can do anything, you know … far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”  Ephesians 3:20

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie

WOW!  I feel like a piñata has been broken and spilled out all over me this week!  One that was filled to the brim with everything wonderful … the love and appreciation literally poured all over me!  In my first few moments of extra time, I sat down with my Lord just to soak in His presence in the middle of the day when I am usually in the thick of my work.  His presence poured over me like oil, like a sweet fragrance.  Then I ran outside to soak in the sunshine and sit in the swing for a few minutes and call my 88 year old mom who lives ten and a half hours away and share my good news with her!  She was so happy for me, she cried!  Bless her heart!  Before we said good-bye, I said, “Oh Mom, I have to tell you this story.  I was trying to pull all of my last minute projects together at work so I could leave early (just one of my gifts!), and I still had to deliver the daily mail to the residents.  There was lots of it and I was excited about heading home.  This day there was an unusual amount of personal mail for the residents, and if they are awake, I always offer to help them open it and read it to them if they’d like me to.  Part of me was thinking how this was going to take awhile.  Arriving in the rooms, some people were taking their afternoon naps.  But the last room I walked in to, the 90 year old lady was sitting in her wheel chair, wide-awake, holding her baby doll that almost never leaves her hands.  I rarely hear her speak any words, and when she does, they make little sense.  Today as I neared her room with that letter, I was thinking, “If she is awake, this might take awhile!” Then this voice spoke to me and I heard, “Debbie, I just gave you this unexpected gift of time … honor her and honor Me by taking as much time as she needs to have you help her with this letter.”  “Yes, Lord, of course – You have quite the way of putting things into perspective!  I’ll do it!”  Gone was the hurry – and something inside me knew that I’d stay in that room as long as I needed to – and it wouldn’t even matter.  I knelt down by her wheelchair and told her she had a letter.  I read her the names on the return address and asked her if she knew these people. She shook her head and softly said “yes”.  I helped her open the envelope and pulled out two sheets of lined paper with handwritten words.  “Should I help you read it?”, I asked.  She didn’t really say anything, so I started out slowly, “My Dear Mama,” … I could tell she was in for a loving treat.  I was excited to see what this daughter from California had written to her dear mama so far away in Minnesota.  She wrote of being outdoors in the springtime warmth, walking in the rose garden … wishing she lived closer so they could do that together.  She remembered a time that her mom had been out there to visit her and shared the fond memories.  She asked her mom if she was enjoying the bouquets of fresh flowers she was receiving each month.  She told her how much she missed her, she signed it off, “I love you very, very much.”  But the amazing thing is … I read the first few words, maybe the first sentence, and this lady took over.  I held the letter out in front of her, and she read it smoothly, distinctly, and clearly … as if she knew what her daughter was going to say next.  In this “loving world” she was in for the moment, all was well.  Dementia seemed to have fled the scene, and when she read the last words, somehow she added an extra “very” in there and read, “I love you very, very, very much.”  She read her daughter’s name, and then said softly, “That almost makes me feel like crying!”  I said, “I know … a letter is such a wonderful gift, isn’t it?”  Then she thanked me for coming.  I couldn’t help but say, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”  (I John 3:1)  I hope you love being God’s child, too!  It’s the BEST!!!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

SUN, APR 29:  10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE, with Part 3 of the message, "To Fear or Not to Fear!”   
SUN, APR 29:   11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION Classes with Puppet Ministry for the children!
SAT, MAY 05:   2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER COUNTRY GARDEN GETAWAY with special guest, Larissa!  Be sure to invite family and friends for this unforgettable afternoon with Hazel’s food delights & Larissa’s music!
SUN, MAY 06: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / GRADUATION SUNDAY, honoring our graduates!

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Spencer, Julia, Tina, Johnny, Justin, Cierra, Seykora’s, Lundstroms, our nation!

REMEMBER . . . “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs … You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”  Isaiah 58:11


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .


Pastor Doug and Debbie

Elevation North has News for YOU!

“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