ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

YOU’RE ON THE STAGE!!!  Remember those short and oh-so-sweet Christmas plays that were a part of our early years at school?  Whether we had a starring part that went as smooth as silk – or just a few lines that we stuttered through … or a rousing solo – or a few off-key notes sung along with the whole group of equally tone-deaf kids, we were on the stage!  We were kind of there, whether we really wanted to be – or not!  Some loved showing off their talents, while others were hoping their stage-fright would drop them right through a trap-door secretly concealed on the stage.  AND NOW WE’RE ON THE STAGE AGAIN !!!  What stage, you ask?  Why, the world stage of prophecy, dear ones!  We are right in the middle of the stage.  We are living on the stage!  If you don’t think so, just turn on the news.  You will soon realize that we are front and center stage!  The thing is … it will not do us any good to panic.  The good news is that we can help write the script for how things play out by the faithfulness and frequency of our time spent in prayer before the Throne of God!  The prayers of God’s people can turn the tide of a nation – even our world, if enough of us will get over our stage-fright and embrace this present stage we are on. We can re-write the script to bring it into alignment with the Director’s story-line, if we will participate at the height of our commitment, giftedness, and devotion to the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ!  The roles have been posted … no auditions are needed for this play.  We will all be involved in some way – because we are all a part of this world.  The exciting opportunity for embracing our role on this world stage is that our performance will have a lasting effect for eternity … one way or the other.  We have a greater weight of responsibility for an award-winning performance than any actor or actress that has ever graced any stage to date.  Lost souls hang in the balance as they sit gripped in fear at what is blaring from every microphone on this stage.  New followers of Christ are needing a strong, steady, confident child of God to help lead them through their part of the script.  It’s going to take some pulling-up of the boot-strings, some pulling-out of all stops, and casting out all fear.  Then we can step up boldly, and confidently proclaim the message that is already written out for us in God’s Script!  We better be ready for the reviews, which will range all the way from resounding accolades and acceptance from those watching us on stage … to us becoming adept at ducking the trash and rejection that will be hurled our way!  What matters to us is that we can be a part of drawing people to Christ and helping them find the hope and peace that will chase away their escalating fears!  After all, we know how the last line on the stage ends.  A hint?  WE win … GOD wins!!!  What more satisfying closing act could there be when the curtain comes down?!  A long time ago, there were SOME OTHER PEOPLE ON ANOTHER STAGE.  What did you think of being on THAT STAGE, Mary and Joseph?  Things were happening fast, and suddenly you found your common-place roles transformed center-stage and the world sat transfixed at the scene that night in the stable under that incredible star!  What was it like for the two of you?  Did it feel like the paparazzi coming to stalk you and your new Baby … or were the visits by all these people accompanied by order and reverence and love, as they one by one fell to their knees in worship of this Christ-Child divinely born to you, Mary?  What a scene it must have been – with the entire world watching, even before the days of global media networks!  What a scene it is now – with God having placed us here at this time when the whole word can literally watch live what is taking place at any given time - over unlimited networks.  Hopefully we are doing what the Bible says Mary did:  “ … treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  (Luke 2:19)  What a treasure, indeed, for God to have chosen US to be center stage at this point and time!  May God’s plan be carried out in us and through us, as He has said!

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to those Jones’ we love so much:  Luke on his 2^nd birthday on the 11^th, DJ and Melissa on their 13^th Anniversary on the 11^th, Verla on her birthday on the 14^th, and Dylan on his 17^th birthday on the 15^th!!!

 

SUN, DEC 09:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/CHRISTMAS CAROLING to follow w/Chili and Cinnamon Rolls back at church!

SUN, DEC 09: 10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … the Christmas stories are coming to life!

WED, DEC 12:  7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna/join us!

THU, DEC 13:   7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna; come & learn!

FRI, DEC 15:    7:00 P.M. – LADIES NITE OUT w/cookie exchange (bring 2½ doz.) and card & small gift for your Secret Angel!

SUN, DEC 16:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP … ”The Amazing Emmanuel – Part 4 / KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Shirley, Max, Julia, Hazel, Deb, Graff family & baby, Kay, Norman, Lafawn & Cherry in loss of loved one, Johnny, our nation and its leaders, our military, those hungry and in need, Seykoras, Lundstroms, and unspoken needs.

REMEMBER . . . The script on the stage:  “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 

 

 

 

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

ARE YOU A STORY-TELLER?  I am SO glad that God breathed into the hearts and minds of the men who authored the books of the Bible – the stories and accounts He wanted us to know about, so we could recall having read them, and then be able to tell them again in turn to someone else!  This Christmas season, my husband is preaching a series called, “The Amazing Emmanuel”, and one of the messages is about learning how to share the stories of our True Hero:  Emmanuel.  Well, people have all kinds of heroes, right?  Or … at least we used to – when there were lots of heroes to look up to and admire.  In today’s world, it seems we have to look a little harder and longer to find the true heroes.  But when it comes to the True Hero … we have to look no further than … Emmanuel!  So why shouldn’t it just be a natural thing to tell His stories?  Some of those stories are found in book after book -chapter after chapter of God’s Word, and others are actually located in our memory bank!  You see, we’ve lived them and they’re worth telling … and re-telling!  And we get pretty good at telling our stories – because we’ve told them so many times, over and over.  They are easy to tell, because they are true.  We don’t have to wonder what to say, because we know how the story goes – we don’t have to make it up!  Talking about stories, that reminds me of our wonderful Thanksgiving visit from our second son, his wife, their children, and their baby grand-daughter!  Yes … that makes her our great-granddaughter!  What a great time we had experiencing the joy of making new memories together, but one of my favorite things was when we would chime in with “remember this?” – or “remember that?”  And then, the story-teller would take front and center stage and recreate the “once-upon-a-time” scenario and bring it to life all over again!  We’d laugh together as we remembered.  Time has changed the season of life we are in.  We used to be the grandparents, now our son and his wife have taken on that special title and role (of course, we’ll still be grandparents, too … we wouldn’t miss out on our own grandchildren’s lives for anything!).  But we’ve entered a new season – and we’re embracing this one every bit as much as the seasons previous!  It’s a time to pass our special family stories on to the next generations – so they might enjoy them as much as we have!  A devotional I read today talked about how good we get at giving short little one-minute testimonials about something we believe in … whether it be a business opportunity, a nutritional product, a new book or movie that’s out, or even a travel destination we’ve been to.  We speak with conviction and excitement, and others catch our excitement as they listen to our stories.  Like the devotional writer said, it’s a good story when one person shares their experience about something, but when a few others, or even several begin jumping in with their personal reviews … it lends such power to the subject at hand that listeners are gripped with the message, especially when the speakers are prepared to summarize.  He stated, “By preparing their remarks carefully, they had captured the essence of their experience and retained the sense of how wonderful their product was.”  Then this writer made a great point.  He said he was thinking, “Wow!  If Christians could learn to talk like this in church, it would add a huge sense of excitement and credibility to our services.”  Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to begin working on our own one-minute testimonial/story right now.  I echo the closing thought in the devotional by David Mains when he says, “Just think what would happen if, starting with pastors, everyone in the church got good at telling their one-minute story in church, and then outside it as well!”  We had such a precious time with our family that we cannot help but thank them for sharing their lives and their stories – it’s what makes us the family we are.  And likewise, there are lots of people just waiting to hear “our stories” about our personal excitement at having God in our lives.  When they hear our brief, but amazing news, they will want what we have … and we could turn our churches, our neighborhoods, and our communities upside down and right-side up for the glory of God!  What better Christmas project could you take on … then to practice the one-minute story you’d like to share about your True Hero and you?  Emmanuel!  God with us!  Let’s DO it! 

 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

MAY GOD BLESS all of those who support our church – we could not do it without you!  Thank you for teaming up with us in this Kingdom work as we serve our God together - to build up His people and to reach those who are lost and need Him!

 

SUN, DEC 02:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/COMMUNION/MESSAGE:  “The Amazing Emmanuel – Part 2”

SUN, DEC 02:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … your kids will not want to miss this!

WED, DEC 05:  7:00 P.M.  – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna/join in!

THU, DEC 06:   7;00 P.M.  – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna/bring a friend!

SAT, DEC 08:    8:00 A.M. – MEN’S BIBLE STUDY/FELLOWSHIP at church – let’s invite some new guys to join us for this time!

SUN, DEC 09:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/CHRISTMAS CAROLING to follow w/Chili and bread back at the church!

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Shirley, Julia, Max, Hazel, Tina, Johnny & Cherry, unspoken needs, Lundstroms, Seykoras

REMEMBER . . . “The fact of Jesus’ coming is the final and unanswerable proof that God cares.” ~ William Barclay

 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

 

 Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

GOD, YOU MUST HAVE HAD A DREAM ONE TIME … what was it?  Was it to have a Son that would be the apple of Your eye … the delight of Your heart?  Was it to wrap Divinity in humanity and then plan such a simply stellar entrance to earth that while simple in some ways, it could not be denied in other ways?  Was it to strategize such a priceless ransom for the sins of mankind, that it demanded payment – not the kind that costs a little, but the very lifeblood of Your one and only precious Son in exchange for our freedom?  Was it to effect such a distinct change in this fallen world You had created perfect, that You would pull out all stops because You were not giving up on Your dream for us?  Were WE part of Your dream one time long ago?  And were our dreams that You would place in our hearts - a part of Your much bigger dream?  God-given dreams are powerful, after all!  Much more powerful than we even realize.  Borrowing a line from a gal named Lisa Diane, I want you to know that “dreams have NO expiration date”!  Your dreams should not diminish or die.  If God indeed birthed the dreams you have inside you – and you have spent time fleshing them out and growing them, they should not just disappear or evaporate into thin air – or just end.  Lisa Diane has an incredible story to tell: once the little girl of a daddy who was a teacher and a preacher, who along with her mom worked harder than hard and sacrificed more than she would ever know, just so the children could have what they had.  And that wasn’t much.  So she dreamed.  She dreamed she had more.  She imagined herself living in an out-of-this-world house on a peninsula overlooking the water in a gated area with a guard.  She would go there after school every day as a teenager, and sit … and look … and dream.  Fast forward twenty years.  By this time she had already started her little home business and ended up making enough money to live in some pretty fantastic homes – some were even on the water – like she had imagined.  But in time she was looking for a new place to live, and her own house had already been sold.  She had searched and searched until she almost wore out her realtor looking for just the right place to call home!  Someone gave her a tip about a home he thought would be just perfect for her, but she laughed, thinking she had already seen them all, but said she’d go check it out.  He gave her the address, which was the name of that development she had dreamed about years ago – but things had changed and now there were many houses in a nearby community.  Finally, asking a mailman about the address she was looking for, he explained that it was not here – but in a big-gated community out on the peninsula.  She said she could feel the hair standing up on the back of her neck.  Approaching the gate, she gave the guard her info – and he directed her down the street to an amazing home right there on the water.  She said she walked in the doors and she KNEW she was home.  It was HER HOUSE … the one she had been waiting for since she was sixteen years old – just as she had imagined, views and all!  She moved into that house 10 days later.  So the point of this story is – dreams don’t have expiration dates!  Like Lisa said, some dreams take a matter of minutes … some take months … some take twenty years (like her house), but they are all possible.  We’ve been dreaming and searching and waiting for what seems like a long time now for God’s home for Elevation North.  We have gone there and dreamed ... sat there and looked.  It has seemed beyond us, yet we have felt led to check it out and pursue it.  From the moment of being birthed, Elevation North has always been a part of powerful dreams that God has given us.  In some of our toughest struggles to survive, without being prompted or asked, people from the outside have searched us out, called us, wrote or e-mailed us, and sent us sizable love gifts that have always come at just the right time and kept our dreams alive to cultivate God’s Kingdom work on this earth – in this place.  People, we are now 10 days out from our first rent check being due in this place we’ve dreamed of.  We need a miracle for this dream to become a reality, but we dare not give up on our dreams, Elevation North family.  We feel this dream deep inside our spirit ... it’s a story just waiting to be told!  Our dream is to lead as many people to the Pearly Gates as possible, with God’s help.  God’s Word is filled with stories of dreams He gave to His people down through the ages, and now the Dream-giver that He is … He is writing out OUR story.  Let’s keep the faith!


IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Christian on November 25^th and to Deondre on the 28^th!  May God bless and guide you both!

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Dana & Stacey, Whitney, Matt, Emma, and Dylan who are worshipping with us today!!!


SUN, NOV 25:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/Kick-off Message for the Christmas series, “THE AMAZING EMMANUEL!”

SUN, NOV 25:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly, who will bless your children as they learn!

WED, NOV 28:   7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna!

THU, NOV 29:    7:00 P.M. – MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY in the book of James at 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna!

SUN, DEC 02:   10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/Message – Part 2 in the Christmas series, “THE AMAZING EMMANUEL!”

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Tina, Isaac, several unspoken needs, reaching the lost, our nation & leaders, our missionaries

 

REMEMBER . . . “Father God, pour out Your Spirit, that we might see visions and dream dreams, that many might be saved!"

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .


Pastor Doug and Debbie
 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

“WHEN GOD PUSHES YOU TO THE EDGE of difficulty, trust Him fully, because two things can happen.  Either He’ll catch you when you fall, or He will teach you how to fly.”  (Unknown quote)  I know that if I offered to sit down and listen to whoever crossed my path in one 24-hour period of time, I would most likely hear the words, “Yeah, there’s times I feel like I’m just about to go over the edge – and today is one of those times!”  You know what? I think because we are human, it’s easy for us to see only the difficulty.  Often our trials and tests can nearly engulf us, sweep us away, or pull us down.  They are the only thing on our mind.  Our vision cannot see beyond what’s coming at us full steam ahead.  And so often then, we feel defeated, or even worse, we are. But I have great news!  These difficulties will still come, whether God is pushing us – either to rescue us or stretch us, or whether they are the result of our own making.  Oops … that isn’t the great news – THIS is!  Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner, and while we celebrate it officially but one day a year, we CAN live in that attitude every day if we choose to.  And choosing to live a life of gratitude will allow our vision to zoom right past the edge of difficulty to seeing ourselves being caught on the way down – or seeing ourselves free-falling and then feeling the wind beneath our wings and soaring upward once again, flying above the difficulties!  We will concentrate on the inevitable positive outcome!   What was that?  Yes, I said exactly what I meant!  Inevitable positive outcome!  There’s a new twist for you.  Usually we think we can just about be guaranteed that nothing good is ever going to happen to us, and that if something bad is going to happen, it’s going to come our way.  So how can we rise above that way of thinking?  Well, I have more than just one solution for you … and actually they all end up being intertwined … and they come straight from God’s Word.  I’ve mentioned this before, but perhaps not recent enough that you’ve heard me talk about it.  But I so want to gift you with the once-and-for-all answer to KNOWING without a shadow of a doubt that when the tough times come, you can be fully assured that if you fall, you will be caught by the One that loves you more than you love yourself.  I so want you to never doubt when you feel yourself spiraling downward in an out-of-control fall, that God Himself will be there to swoop you up and teach you how to fly!  If you give yourself only those two options, how can you lose?  What’s the worst that could happen?  I’ll take those options any day – every day!  But … you say, “I’ve heard stuff like this before, and I just can’t do it.  I can’t think that way all the time.  I’m too much of a realist.  I see things as they are.”  Well then, still be a realist – but change what you’re looking at!  Look at the proof-positive options you’ve never looked at before.  They will be there whether you want to see them or not.  They will be available to you whether you want to take them or not.  Need more proof of how to be able to choose the best option when stuck between a rock and a hard place?  Listen up!  “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  (II Corinthians 10:4-5)  Did you catch that?  WE demolish arguments (between defeat and victory) and WE take captive every one of our thoughts (our negative thoughts, casting them down so they have to come into obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ!)  WE make the choice.  How’s that for a powerful option?!   God’s Word even tells us what to think about:  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”  (Philippians 4:8)  If we do this, THEN what happens?  Well, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  (Romans 12:2a)  And of course, we know that a renewed mind creates a changed life!  You see our words in Christ create our lives!  It’s true … mull that over and see how that fits in with all of the scripture I’ve just shared with you!  I am so very thankful that as God’s children, we can “see” as He sees, and live above the struggles, with choices and options that allow us to live wholly transformed lives – rewarding beyond our wildest dreams … all for God’s glory! 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS are sent to Mary on the 21^st of this month, to Tina on the 23^rd, and to Connie on the 24^th!

 

SUN, NOV 18:  10:00 A.M. – SPECIAL THANKSGIVING PRAISE & WORSHIP w/potluck luncheon to follow!

SUN, NOV 18:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly/a time our kids don’t want to miss!

THU, NOV 22:  A BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY to each of you and your families, from Pastor Doug and Debbie!  We are so grateful to God for YOU!

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Marty & Kelly, Julie, Tina, Julia, Isaac, several unspoken needs, our nation, president and leaders, Lundstroms & Seykoras, and praises to God for new jobs for Randy and Jimmy! 

REMEMBER . . . “If we learn how to give of ourselves, to forgive others, and to live with thanksgiving, we need not seek happiness.  It will seek us.”  (Unknown)

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?  Today is “the day after” the presidential election in the United States of America, and the news media and social media have been frenzied with people’s takes on the results … all the way from being overjoyed to expressing despair.  So no matter what your opinion is about the outcome, my question is, “what are you going to do now?”  And before you stop reading, thinking this is political – please keep on reading, because it is not!  I just want to encourage all of us as God’s people to respond to each other in Christ-like love and may we be spurred on to deeper, more fervent prayer than ever before – because we love our nation and we cherish its freedoms and principles, and we invite God’s leading and blessing upon us, no matter if the one sitting at the Oval desk in the White House is the one we voted for – or not.  As believers we should be excited to live in such a time as this … a time that God planned for us to be here to make a difference … the kind of difference that will ultimately glorify the King of kings.  While not watering down our beliefs, may we watch our words.  People read us with magnifying glasses, and we want them to read a message that will point to our God and not detract from His love or His plans.  He, after all, has all of this in His control, you know.  He always has, from the beginning of time, and He always will, down to the end of time!  In that, we can rejoice and move forward, becoming a mighty force that will exude the righteousness of God … our actions speaking louder than any words we could ever speak!  I am reminded of the message that several of us ladies heard at the Women of Faith conference a few weeks ago.  Max Lucado, one of my very favorite authors, was speaking from the gospel of John, chapter 8.  Powerfully, he sketched out a dramatic view of the first eleven verses … and shared that grace is “God’s radical commitment to the people who will reign with Him forever.”  He then went on to say … “Grace – if it is a gymnasium, work out in it!”  These days that we’re living in definitely are a reminder to us of just how much we need God’s grace, both as a gift to us - and as a gift that we are to offer to others.  People wonder why Jesus “stooped” when He talked with the woman caught in the act of adultery.  Max’s take on this biblical account is that Jesus stooped – perhaps so she wouldn’t be the lowest person in that place that day.  Then Jesus stood – and He gave the accusers permission to stone her, only if they hadn’t ever sinned.  Jesus stooped once more – this time to write in the sand, and what did He write?  Again, Jesus stood, this time to ask, “Where are your accusers?”  Max made a profound statement for all of us to ponder, “Guilt is the preferred commodity of Satan.  Satan cannot take your salvation, but he can take your joy.”  Powerful!  How many times do we let him do that?  With Satan’s accusations, comes the robbing of our sleep, our peace, even our effectiveness, and definitely, our joy.  He is our accuser.  But then there’s Jesus, and what is He doing for us in the midst of these awful accusations Satan throws our way?  Well, He is stooping - for us.  He stooped to be nailed to a cross – for us.  He stooped to be placed in a tomb – for us.  Then He stood to walk out of that tomb – for us … and He’s been standing for us ever since!  He speaks on our behalf.  You see, grace does not just describe what Jesus did, Max said, but what He does.  Grace comes in waves.  Jesus gave the woman help that day – He gave her His heart.  Then came a question for each of us to answer:  “When God hears your heart, whose heart does He hear?  Whose heart is it?  Yours – or Jesus’ heart IN you?  Scripture tells us, “It is not I who live, but Christ IN me!”  Christ in us!  Grace upon grace upon grace … because we are not perfect, but we are a work in progress.  “Heart transplants” take time, you know!  We’ve got some good days ahead!  We need to maintain the heart of a sponge – not the heart of a rock!  We need to remember – He placed Himself between us and certain destruction!  Oh yes, what did Jesus write in the sand?  Who knows?  Max thinks it could have been, “Grace happened here today!”  And so God is saying not just to her, but to each of us, “Neither do I accuse you.  Now go live out this life of grace!”  That includes us stooping to pray for our nation, then standing again to show grace to each other as we live out our lives the way Christ meant for us to! 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

 

BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Spencer and to Laura who will celebrate on November 17^th; and a belated HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Joel and Laura who celebrated on November 7^th!  May God bless all of you with His very best, is our prayer!

SUN, NOV 11:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP, with a service honoring our veterans and a challenging message!

SUN, NOV 11:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … teaching our young ones about Jesus!!!

WED, NOV 14:  7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna – invite a friend!

THU, NOV 15:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna – join us & bring someone!

FRI, NOV 16:    7:00 P.M. – LADIES NITE OUT; plan to bring non-perishable food items to deliver to a needy family!

SUN, NOV 18:  THANKSGIVING POTLUCK LUNCHEON following Praise & Worship focused on gratitude to our God!

 
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Tina, our youth, our college students, our church, our nation’s leaders, Seykoras, & Lundstroms

REMEMBER . . . “Faith makes the uplook good, the outlook bright, the inlook favorable, and the future glorious.”  ~ V. R. Edman



Serving Christ Joyfully . . .


Pastor Doug and Debbie



 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

“UNTIL GOD OPENS THE NEXT DOOR FOR YOU … PRAISE HIM IN THE HALLWAY!”  I read that unknown quote a few days ago – and with swirling circumstances surrounding us, that tiny but powerful message arrowed itself into the core of my heart.  And it has been such a joy this week to realize just how sweet it is to live this way in the interim while we are waiting for that next door to open.  You see, having walked through the open door to where God placed Elevation North this past year … we found the corridor to unique blessings and out-of-the-ordinary miracles!  We loved what God did in that place.  We grew.  We changed.  We were strengthened.  We saw souls saved and lives transformed.  We learned.  We shared.  We gave.  We experienced.  We loved the extra space to spread our wings a bit!  All along we knew that we wouldn’t be there forever – God had something more in mind.  We had not outgrown it yet … but we had grown!  Suddenly, God gave us an abrupt push … and we knew we must go out the door and search for a new place.  So after seeking God’s face, and searching and searching, all doors but  one seemed to be closing.  That one door remained opened and we sensed this was to be God’s new place for us!  Taking another big leap of faith together as God’s church, we pursued this open door and we were about to move!  We were not going to be a “homeless” church, after all!  We were so excited!  What would God do in this new place?  Then, suddenly, abruptly again, it seemed as if that new door was not going to swing wide open.  Lord, did we not hear You right?  Are you closing it, Lord?  We really wondered all over again if the door was going to be slammed shut in our faces.  We continued to seek God.  Lord, what is it You want?  Then came the answer – the door was available for us - it just wasn’t going to be open for us to walk through as quickly as we first were led to believe.  So here we are again, out in the wilderness … searching for a place that Elevation North could find a door to hang a sign on for a few weeks in the interim.  Where, oh, where is it, Lord?  Somehow, as we praised Him in the hallway, a door swung wide open.  This place would be glad to have us back, they said – and here we thought it was no longer available.  Who ever said You aren’t a God of miracles?!!  They were wrong, wrong!  So rather than curl up in a little ball and pull in all the options … we are going to make these few weeks in this small place that used to be home for Elevation North - filled to overflowing with our very best offering to God … of ourselves, our gifts and talents, our mindset, our worship, our everything!  No holding back waiting for the next open door – and missing out on what this one has to offer!  It will be our testimony and celebration of what happens when we praise God in the hallway!!!  Isn’t this attitude of praise – no matter what – where God longs for His people to be?  Perhaps when we pass the test out in the hallway, He will appear and fling the next door wide open, that one that He has already shown us.  Just like the Israelites of old, who were led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night … God has led us EVERY step of the way.  Many times we did not see very many steps ahead … but we could always see just in front of us as we took the next step!  The Lord God of Israel is the same faithful God today, leading Elevation North safely through each hallway to get us to where He wants us to be in each new plateau of our ministry!  So no avoiding the hallways, dear people!  In fact, celebrate from one end to the other ~ you are almost to the next door!!!



IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Harold who celebrates his birthday on November 9^th; God’s best to you!

SPECIAL THANKS from Pastor Doug and Debbie to those who remembered them for Pastor’s Appreciation Month!


SUN, NOV 04:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP w/COMMUNION &  powerful message:  “Sin’s Power is Broken!”

SUN, NOV 04:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla & Kelly … for a fun time of learning!

WED, NOV 07:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 905 El Dorado Street SE in Owatonna

THU, NOV 08:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna

SAT, NOV 10:    8:00 A.M. – MEN’S FELLOWSHIP STUDY at “The Kitchen” restaurant/invite some guys this week!

SUN, NOV 11:   10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with a message on “Veterans of the Faith … Are You One?”

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Spencer, Tina, Johnny, Lundstroms, Seykoras, for our nation’s future as we vote!

REMEMBER . . . “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”  ~  C.S. Lewis



Serving Christ Joyfully . .  .


Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

CELEBRATE JESUS!  And that’s exactly what thousands of women did this past weekend at the Women of Faith conference in St. Paul … we celebrated the Lord God of the universe as we worshipped Him and lifted up His Name, exalting Him and praising Him!  What a powerful time together in the unmistakable presence of the Lord Jesus Christ … fifteen of us, plus six friends whose group joins with ours each year.  We are growing!  And we pray and anticipate what will take place as God meets with us!  It’s like Ken Davis, Christian comedian, said at the start of the first evening - when he gets up in the morning, he asks himself, “I wonder what God is going to do today?!”  Hopefully that’s how you feel about your days, too – that you can hardly wait to see what God will do!  Ken emphasized that we need to believe that God is the author of joy … and then said that some of us need to send some missionaries to our face!!!  Whatever it is we are believing for, we need to believe with ALL our heart!  Perfection is not a requirement … we just need to be engaged in living life fully alive!  Ken challenged us to not wait until tomorrow to live fully – but to do it today!  Soon we were lost in the beautiful sounds of Cece Winan’s voice as her songs led us straight to the throne of God in pure worship.  “For Your glory, we’re taking territory … waging war … for Your glory!”  I love how she stated that “when you recognize who Jesus is, you cannot help but worship Him!  And when you get a glimpse of Him, He takes all of your attention!”  May our attention always rest on Jesus and not be interrupted by distractions that seek to diminish our worship.  Soon we were challenged by Sheila Walsh’s words spoken powerfully in her Scottish accent … “One Word, one Hope, one Song, one Name:  Jesus!”  She reached out to the many women in the arena who were feeling broken beyond repair, and she told them, “That is why Jesus came!  He’s seen our movie and still He loves us!  We are broken, but redeemed!”  Then Sheila reminded us that this is not our home – she reiterated, “We’re not home, girls!  In Heaven, we’ll live fully as we were intended to!”  It’s true that the enemy wants to take us out, but if you read the account in Luke chapter 4, you will see how Christ combatted the enemy with the Word!  Connection draws us closer to God.  Condemnation drives us farther away.  As God’s children, we will rise above the rubble – and her beautiful singing of “I Will Rise” resonated in each of our hearts all throughout that huge convention center as she closed her session with us.  The message that Liz Curtis Higgs brought to us was so timely, as she talked from I John 3:1 how God’s love fits all, covers all, hides us … it is truly the only “one-size-fits-all”.  We compare ourselves with others, but we should not.  We are God’s beloved and He loves us … as beautiful to Him.  It’s time for us to start seeing ourselves as God sees us!  Psalm 149:4 tells us that we are beautiful with God’s salvation ~ crowned!  We are His … loved and chosen!  God’s treasured possessions – that is how we are described in Deuteronomy 7:6 … His people, treasured by Him!  Liz helped us grasp this a bit clearer by telling us that just like we all think our babies and grandbabies are the CUTEST and the BEST … God sees US the very same way!  Did you know that your picture is in God’s photo brag book?!  Do we really get it?  We are HIS … so let’s live for Him!  Let’s celebrate Jesus, the One who delights in us!  And … more to come next week!  


IN A NUTSHELL . . .

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Sam who celebrates this week; may your life be blessed and uplifted in the days ahead!

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Meryk who came to worship with us this past Sunday for the first time; God bless you!

SUN, OCT 28:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with the final message of “Living Beyond the Shadow of Victory!”

SUN, OCT 28:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla; invite a friend and learn together!

WED, OCT 31:    7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 905 El Dorado St SE in Owatonna

THU, NOV 01:    7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna

SUN, NOV 04:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with message on “God’s Perfect Timing!” / with Communion

SUN, NOV 04:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla; don’t miss this exciting experience!

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Harold’s dad, Lynn, Johnny, Jimmy, Spencer, Kay, Lundstroms, Seykoras, God’s hand of blessing as we move to our new church location this week, for wisdom in voting, for revival in us and passion for God!

REMEMBER … “May the Lord continually bless you with heaven’s blessings as well as with human joys.”  Psalm 128:5  

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

BELIEVE GOD CAN DO ANYTHING!  That’s the theme for our next year’s Women of Faith Conference.  And yes, I know, we haven’t even been to this year’s conference … but we will be heading there in the next few days!  But when I saw the announcement for 2013, it echoed the events of this past week in so many ways.  I just have to share some of them with you!  When I was a young girl, my mom would go around the house singing that short little chorus titled, “Only Believe!”  And it went something like this:  “Only believe, only believe!  All things are possible, only believe!  Only believe, only believe!  All things are possible, only believe!”  That’s all I remember … I have no clue if there were any verses that went with that or not, but this was what mom would sing – over and over.  It kind of stuck in my memory, you can tell!  I have not heard this sung anywhere for years and years and years!  Did I say years and years?  Yeah, it’s been that long … and still it jumps into my head and I sing it from my heart every so often!  So, yes, I would have to say that I DO believe God can do anything!  It’s just ME that gets in the way of total trust in my Lord once in a while – and then He has to give me a little push to get realigned with that “anything” that I say I believe!  Last week and this week, I have had to believe that God would give me the strength to put in ten and a half to thirteen hour days at work so I could leave early on both Fridays – first to go and celebrate our oldest son’s 40^th birthday with him and his family, and second – to attend the Women of Faith Conference I was just talking about.  He did it last week, and I’m half-way there this week!  My God is SO very faithful!  It was so wonderful to just jump in the car and head down the road, sitting, relaxing, chatting, planning … and drinking in what remained of the fading autumn colors as we made our way north.  There’s nothing like that first glance when you finally get to see your family again!  I know that might sound strange to those of you who see your family every day or every week; but when you only get to see them once or twice a year … your eyes can’t get enough of them!  No matter what we all pack into 48 hours, the best part is just looking around and seeing them close by!  We don’t even have to be talking all the time … it’s just having them near that matters!  How we loved the moments we shared with our oldest son, his precious wife, and our three grandchildren … enjoying cherished talks, great food, doing a mini-photo shoot, going to the target-range, taking in a special 90^th birthday open house for our “daughter’s” dad who is still pastoring! … and finally celebrating with an enjoyable 40^th birthday lunch for our son and topping it off with some outstanding oatmeal ice-cream with caramel, pecans, and chocolate chunks (the oatmeal makes it healthy, right?!)  Back to that little push from God.  Well, the outcome of that is that after these two intense weeks and after returning from Women of Faith, for the first time in years, I will be going to ONE job for 40 hours … and leaving work at 4:00 in the afternoon to come HOME!!!  Not planned by me, but by the hand of God … I will now have more time with Him, more time for family and ministry, and more time to actually see what it’s like to live a bit more normal life (not that anything about our lives has ever been very normal!).  I am SO excited – this is definitely proof that ALL things are possible, if I only believe!  I have believed and longed for this moment for a very long time … and now God, in His perfect timing, has made it possible!  To God be the glory!!!  What are YOU believing God for?

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS to Wayne and Verla for sharing the message and music last Sunday in our absence; we know you were a blessing and we appreciate your willingness and faithfulness!  May God bless you both!

 

SUN, OCT 21:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with part 3 of “Living Beyond the Shadow of Victory!”  Bring your Bibles!!

SUN, OCT 21:  10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHILDREN’S CHURCH with Verla … kids, don’t miss this fun learning time!

SUN, OCT 21:  11:30 A.M. – POTLUCK LUNCHEON – bring your favorite food to share with your church family!  Following the meal, we will head to the Oak View Nursery Pumpkin Patch outing - $6 per person … come and share in the fun! 

SUN, OCT 21:   6:00 P.M. – BAPTISMAL & DEDICATION SERVICE at Victory Church at 1380 Rice Lake St. East/Owatonna

WED, OCT 24:  7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / at 905 El Dorado St SE in Owatonna; invite someone!

THU, OCT 25:   7:00 P.M. – BIBLE STUDY in the book of James / 165 24^th Place NW in Owatonna; bring a friend with you!

FRI, OCT 26:    7:00 P.M. – LADIES NIGHT OUT / Comedy Night with movie snacks at 165 24^th Place NW (Maple Trails)

SAT, OCT 27:   7:00 A.M. – MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST STUDY at “The Kitchen” restaurant … bring someone along!

SUN, OCT 28:  10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with part 4 of “Living Beyond the Shadow of Victory!”  God has more for us!

 

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Harold’s dad in hospital in Iowa, Lynn, Kay, Johnny & Cherry, Jimmy & Nancy, our youth and children, that God will activate His people to vote as He gives discernment, for revival in our hearts, our church, and our nation, the Seykoras and the Lundstroms, many unspoken needs, and seeking God’s perfect will for our next church location!

REMEMBER . . . BELIEVE!  “I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them.  Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!”  Psalm 116:1-2 

 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie