Elevation North has News for You!

THIS IS NO TIME TO BE PASSIVE! None on us have ever lived in days like these before! While each new week seems to present its own set of seemingly insurmountable challenges . . . it also presents opportunities unlike any we’ve ever experienced! Opportunities to rise above the storms – opportunities to enlist daily in God’s army as we fight spiritual warfare through His power – opportunities to flourish in God’s economy rather than being swept into the spiraling despair we see all around us – opportunities to live in God’s divine plan for us, written in His heart before time ever began! We LOVE living life God’s way – the alternative cannot even begin to match up! We LOVE expecting the Divine – every day of our lives! We LOVE knowing that we can count on the military strategies recorded in God’s Word – to fight off and defeat the enemy of our souls! All of the above equates to inviting God into our day to be Lord of our day … to choose to listen for His voice and then to do it His way ~ not ours. It means that when the going gets tough and we wonder if we can take one more step, we lean even harder on God for strength. It means that when we wonder if we can actually find the ability to trust Him for THIS circumstance, we will remind ourselves that God has never failed us yet ~ and He’s not about to start now! It means that we can make love and laughter an important part of our lives in the midst of life’s struggles! It means that we can stand up tall against the things that would seek to take us down, and we can stand faithfully in the gap for others who desperately need someone to come alongside of them! It means fasting from wrong thinking and feasting on God’s Word, infusing its very wisdom and power into our minds. It means activating our walk with God and taking it to the next level ~ not being satisfied with the status quo. It means that we will allow God to be God ~ Who loves working OUTSIDE of the box that we’ve fashioned for Him to stay in. We will break loose from every boundary line we’ve painted for ourselves to stay within … and we’ll venture out into the unknown where God is busily doing the unexpected, the unordinary, the unexplainable … AND WE WILL EAGERLY SIGN UP TO WORK ALONGSIDE THE GOD OF SURPRISES! We invite you to join us on this exciting day-to-day journey!

TRUE WORSHIP as found in Revelation chapter 4 was highlighted for us this past Sunday, as Pastor Doug described the worship of the living creatures who are an exalted order of angelic beings (verse 8). Their worship is not only frequent; it is “day and night without ceasing”. The angels give God glory and honor and thanks. The elders fall down and worship and lay their crowns before the Throne and say, “You are worthy!” Did you notice all the action verbs defining their worship? Fall down, worship, lay their crowns, and say. What a great pattern for us to follow as we offer our worship to God! Bowing and showing reverence, worshipping with not only our words but our very lives, offering our everything: all we are and all we have, and speaking words of God’s holiness and worthiness to Him. Of course, He knows our hearts – but He loves to hear our words! Let’s be active and faithful worshippers, with a longing to express ignited worship with every breath we have!

IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Tammy and Chandra who joined us in worship this past Sunday!
- JOSH & SARAH SEYKORA request prayer for his outreach trip to Papua New Guinea from April 4-16; for this incredible opportunity to bring Biblical teaching to a gathering of government officials as they desire transformation in their province! May God give wisdom, anointing, and protection – not only to Josh and the team, but to Sarah and Noah as they remain home in Perth.
- WE RECEIVED a phone message from Larry and Gloria Lundstrom requesting prayer for Bill, who traveled with them in earlier years. On Sunday evening he had a massive stroke, is half-paralyzed and still in a coma in Birmingham. The outlook is grim, but with God ALL things are possible! Please help us lift up Bill and his family and join them in trusting God for a miraculous recovery!
- ONE OF OUR FAMILIES is planning to adopt a baby in the near future; be in prayer for the young mother of the unborn baby and for this family as they take this exciting, important step in their lives!
- SPECIAL GUEST INVITATIONS for the upcoming Mother/Daughter Tea will be available for you to hand out to family and friends; see Hazel on Sunday!
- SR HI YOUTH will meet on Tuesday evening at Pastor’s house from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The topic will be “Hey, you got a call from God!” Invite some friends for food, fun, and fellowship!
- JR HI YOUTH will meet a week from Saturday on April 11th from 5:45-7:00 p.m. with Cierra Bucholz!
- LOOKING AHEAD and looking forward to these special events … pray about who you can invite:
- RESURRECTION/EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP, April 12, 10:00 a.m.
MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA, Saturday, May 2, at 2:00 p.m.
MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION/WORSHIP, May 10th, at 10:00 a.m. w/Larry & Gloria Lundstrom! You won’t want to miss this special rally!
- AS OUR WEEK draws to a close, let’s continue to lift up our nation, our leaders, our military personnel, our church families, and those in our community. We are not an island ~ but we are connected to those around us. At Elevation North, we desire to make a difference in people’s lives! Just like Esther in Bible times, perhaps God has placed us here “for just such a time as this!” Come expecting something special from God on this Palm Sunday, and come prepared to offer God a measure of fresh faith! See you there!


Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Elevation North has News for You!

A LONG TIME AGO, poet John Greenleaf Whittier said this: “GOD IS, AND ALL IS WELL.” How we love that quote ~ because no matter what your day and/or week has been like … the fact remains that “GOD IS” … and because He IS … “ALL IS WELL!” Perhaps everything is perfectly great at your house, or you may have received news or know of someone who has received phone calls like we have this week. There is the feverish mission to sandbag cities along the Red River in North Dakota/Minnesota to fend off the rising flood waters; our son is calling us daily with updates because they live in one of those cities. Another of our sons e-mails with news that a classmate has been given only 30-60 days to live because of her recently diagnosed cancer and present prognosis. You could make your own call or write your own e-mail with news of something you are going through – or of someone that you know. The story-line might be just a bit different, but it would definitely be all fact, no fiction. And when we hear news like what we’ve just shared, we are gripped with concern and compassion, and want to do all we can. Sometimes we can offer hands-on help … other times we are too far away. But always, we can pray! And always, we can remind others of the unchanging fact that “GOD IS, AND ALL IS WELL.” He IS, even when we wonder! He IS, even when we doubt! He IS, even when we question! So take comfort in what Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” That, dear friends, means that while everything around us may change … GOD won’t! He will remain the same, and so will His promises!!!
WHAT A GOLD-MINE of encouragement is tucked in God’s Word, and how we love “digging” for treasure together as Pastor Doug invites us to open up the pages of God’s Word each week! It is, after all, our daily nourishment! The Sunday message walked us through the temptation of Jesus in the desert by the devil – one of the keys being that Jesus kept quoting Scripture saying, “It is written … “. Jesus knew the Word! So should we! But as we all know, being attacked by Satan drains us and can weaken us. We can take heart that just as the angels came and attended Jesus after the devil left him ~ they can come and minister to us, too! This coming Sunday, Pastor Doug will be centering his message on the angels mentioned in the book of Revelation and the role they will be given in the last days. Bring your Bible and notepad! We want to learn more and more from God’s Word so that we can be prepared not only for the tomorrows – but for today! We never know what God-appointment will be awaiting us when we walk out of our house in the morning!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- THE FRIENDSHIP LUNCHEON on Sunday was wonderful ~ and we welcome Pam and Chuck who joined us for worship and lunch! A special thanks to everyone who provided such delicious food!
- GREAT THINGS are coming out of our leadership meetings: be watching for upcoming dates for evangelism outreach blitzes with an Invitation CD and our church brochure. We want to reach people for Christ and offer them the hope and peace that they long for! Plus, we have an entire calendar year of fun fellowship events planned for families, couples, and singles!
- KIDS ... Memorize Psalm 23:5-6 and when you say it for Pastor or Debbie you get to choose a prize! The BEST prize, though, is hiding God’s Word in your heart!
- YOUTH: we challenge you to invite not just one friend – but TWO or THREE . . .
Jr Hi / This Saturday, March 28th, from 5:45-7:00 p.m. at Pastor’s house with leader, Cierra Bucholz
Sr Hi / Next Tuesday, March 31st, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Pastor’s house with Pastor D and Debbie
- WE PRAISE GOD for His touch upon those in need; many answers to prayer have been shared! Let’s continue to lift up those in our church family – and beyond!
- IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY to be thinking of who to invite for . . .
MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA, Saturday May 2, at 2:00 p.m.
MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION/WORSHIP, May 12th, at 10:00 a.m. w/Larry & Gloria Lundstrom!
- CONTINUE TO PRAY for Partnership Support to come in for Pastor Doug and Debbie so they will be able to devote more time to the ministry of Elevation North! God is able, and we trust Him fully!
- LET’S “EACH ONE ~ REACH ONE” this week . . . and all come together for worship on Sunday as we eagerly anticipate meeting in God’s presence and experience His divine anointing and love! What better place could we be, than in God’s House?! We’ll look forward to seeing you there! And remember, “GOD IS, AND ALL IS WELL!” We have SO much to thank Him for!

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Elevation North has News for You!

HERE WE ARE! The time has come … since our first Sunday worship on June 8, 2008 … to announce to the world around us that Elevation North exists … first of all, to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ! You will discover when you come and worship with us, this is a place where you are loved and nurtured to your fullest potential in Christ! We believe that God has birthed this new ministry for anyone and everyone
- who is longing to know Christ more fully and to pursue Him passionately
- who is longing for Christ’s unconditional love and to experience that same kind of Christ-like love from others in the family of Christ
- who desires to follow hard after God and make themselves available for reaching out to others with the love and message of the Lord Jesus Christ
So … if you would like to be a part of a family like this … WE WELCOME YOU … in Jesus’ Name!
WHAT AN EXCITING TIME for our church family as we continue to focus on God’s Word as Pastor Doug preaches the pre-Easter series of messages, and Sunday was no exception! Uniquely, he preached about the angels bringing the news of Jesus’ birth and peace to the world – and their statement, “Do not be afraid!” Why, you say, would you preach a “Christmas message” for Easter? Well, the challenge was given that in the midst of today’s fears - there will never be peace in this world – unless WE have peace with God … unless WE have peace with others, including other believers … and unless WE have peace with ourselves! This coming Sunday, Pastor Doug will be preaching from Matthew chapter 4 about the angels’ ministry to Jesus following His temptation in the wilderness. Come and see how this can apply to us today in our own wilderness journeys!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Karrie & Ryan who worshipped with us on Sunday!
- OUR HEARTFELT THANKS to the Larry Lundstrom Ministries for the generous donation to Elevation North; how you encouraged and blessed us!
- SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to Mitch and Paige on winning 1st place in their bowling division in Duluth this past weekend; they won scholarship money for college!
- BE IN PRAYER for God’s healing touch for: A.J., Shirley, Julia, Kathy, Tina ~ and we praise God for Tina’s mom’s biopsy results – no cancer!
- YOUTH: invite friends and don’t miss out on great times of fun and learning . . .
Sr Hi / Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 p.m. weekly
Jr Hi / Saturday, the 28th, 5:45-7:00 p.m. (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
- KIDS: Memorize Psalm 23:3-4 and say it for Pastor and choose a prize!
- ANNOUNCING our new church blog – where you can go anytime 24/7 to check on our church news and MUCH MORE at http://www.elevationnorth.blogspot.com/
- LOOK FOR OUR CHURCH AD in this weekend’s church listing! You can go online, too!
- PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT LETTERS have gone out to help raise prayer and financial support for Pastor Doug and Debbie towards full-time ministry with Elevation North, and work is underway for a church brochure!
- LOOKING AHEAD:
MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA, Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m.
MOTHER’S DAY WORSHIP with Larry and Gloria Lundstrom! Plan to invite someone!
THIS SUNDAY … our Church Friendship Luncheon following worship … so bring some friends and extra food for them to enjoy with us! Call us for more details! We look forward to seeing YOU this Sunday … come expecting the extraordinary from God as we soak in His presence and find that He is everything we need for today and beyond!
Let’s offer Him our best as we worship and give Him more than our ordinary!!!

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Elevation North has news for You!

LIFE HAPPENS AND COMES AT US FROM ALL DIRECTIONS … and sometimes it doesn’t feel very good, does it? I just heard a well-known speaker talk about some rough times she’s been through, and she said that in her dark hours, God spoke to her and said, “I didn’t come to get you through this – I came to live in you through this!” Wow! There’s quite a difference in the two, isn’t there? You see, God plans His best for us, so just getting us by … just getting us through something … isn’t good enough for God! He knows that with His help and His power, we can not only get through the tough times … but we can do it in a way that SHOWS that He is living in us during all those dark hours! And then, who will be glorified? Yes, you’ve got it! None other than the Lord Jesus Christ! We won’t look like we’re ready to keel over and cave in and give up – like we’ve lost it all … we’ll look like Someone is giving us unusual strength and fortitude as we go through what-ever it is that we’re going through. And we’ll do it not with sadness, anger, and bitterness … but with peace and joy! And that will make a statement to the world around us that we wouldn’t have been able to make otherwise. We actually will look more like Jesus this way! And they might just want to know WHO this Jesus is! After all, isn’t that our passion: sharing Christ and His love with as many people as we can?
HOW WE LOVE TURNING THE PAGES OF GOD’S WORD each Sunday as Pastor Doug leads us through the scripture references for the pre-Easter message! It’s amazing how God speaks to us as personally and directly now in 2009 as when the Words first came from His lips! Pastor challenged us to desire the holiness of God; it is only the fire of God that can cleanse us. It enables us to be sent – to be used! Total commitment to God means that we’ll do whatever He wants! Our prayer is that God will give each of us at Elevation North THE FIRE!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR FRIENDSHIP CHURCH LUNCHEON next Sunday, March 22, following worship. Please sign up on the list to bring homemade soups or chili, veggies and/or fruit trays, desserts, and the homemade bread will be provided. Plan on bringing enough food for your family and the family we are encouraging you to invite to church next Sunday!
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Nelson’s Carpet and Decorating for donating carpet strips for the kids to use during Children’s Chat Time!
- A BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY FORM is ready for you to fill in your family’s info; and we thank Tina Rogers for preparing it for us!
- WATCH FOR THE NEW CHURCH AD COMING NEXT WEEK that will let our community know that Elevation North is here! Included with that will be our church blog which will become our new weekly point of contact … and will actually be available 24/7 for anyone that wants to check in for our latest news, uplifting music, special links to provide encouragement in your walk with God, a link to e-mail us with your prayer requests and praises, a recommended book of the month, and of course, info about our church!
- SR HI YOUTH meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 ~ and what a great time we had as we dug into our “uncommon Bible lesson”! Great participation, kids!
- JR HI YOUTH meet this Saturday at Pastor and Debbie’s home from 5:45-7:00 p.m. with Cierra Bucholz leading the group; this first session will be a get-acquainted time!
- WOMEN . . . be praying about who you can invite to our first Mother/Daughter Tea on May 2nd! It promises to be a great time!
- LET’S CONTINUE TO UPHOLD Shirley Jones as she continues with further testing at Mayo Clinic in Rochester; for Tina’s mom and awaited results of her biopsy; for God’s touch on several others in our church family. How we need our Lord; and we are so grateful that He is fully able!
- JOSH AND SARAH AND NOAH have just returned home to Perth from their time in Africa! They continue to ask for our prayers as they minister there, and also for Noah, who had gotten a fever as they were about to travel home. We pray they will be strengthened and renewed for the days ahead!
ARE YOU NEEDING A SPECIAL TOUCH FROM GOD, as well? Come and join us in worship and praise this Sunday morning … we know that God will not disappoint you! Being in His presence is the best injection we can get! It renews our minds and we find strength we didn’t know we had! Let’s make a joyful noise to the Lord and let the praises roll!

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .