ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

SOME PEOPLE THINK IT’S OLD-FASHIONED to talk about the blood of Jesus.  Do I?  Not for a moment!  The Word of God tells me that the blood of Jesus is the foundation of our faith – without it there would not be a reason for believing anything else about the Son of God.  His shed blood defines Who He is.  And it defines who we are in Christ.  The blood of Jesus sets the believer’s future apart from the future of all who do not believe in Jesus as their Savior.  It sets apart living as a blood-bought child of God from living without the power of the shed blood of Jesus.  It’s the difference between victory and defeat.  It’s the difference between freedom and bondage.  It’s the difference between joy and sorrow.  Last night my husband and I joined a group from our church to view “The Passion of the Christ” – one lady had never seen the movie before.  We had seen it several years ago when it was first released, and perhaps one time since.  As the movie began and the story of the hours before the crucifixion of Jesus began to unfold, we were once again gripped by the magnitude of such suffering and agony … and of such love – for us!  There is no holding back of tears, for such a love is hard to grasp.  Feeling as if we were part of the group who knew and loved Him and who witnessed the events with horror and sadness, we agonized with each word of ridicule, with each look of scorn.  We shuddered at the intensity of the evil unleashed against Jesus; it seemed to grow greater with each thrashing of the whip.  The stripes on His back were sliced open and deep with the anger that propelled each wickedly aimed lash.  We shivered as we saw the flesh being shredded and Jesus looking to the Father as He struggled to stay on His feet, and then on His knees as they beat Him within just a lash of His life.  The blood stained the courtyard … the blood spattered in all directions and spotted the blood-thirsty soldiers who took corrupt delight in the merciless crescendo of blows to Jesus’ back.  It seemed they would never stop.  Seeing this portrayal again on the screen, the truth struck us ever so boldly:  no wonder there is such power in the blood of Jesus … no wonder so many miracles happen when we apply the blood of Jesus to our lives and our circumstances.  Remember what happened when the blood was applied to the doorposts of the Israelites at the Passover?  The death angel passed over that home and left the firstborn untouched.  The blood was the difference between life and death.  It is the same for us today, in 2013!  But do we apply it to our lives in obedience to our God?  Or do we just view it as something recorded in a story that happened long ago?  Have we forgotten the importance of the sacrifice on the cross – and that we were the reason that the sacrifice was needed?  Do we set the blood of Jesus aside?  Do we diminish its relevancy in our lives?  Do we often wonder what is missing in our sad, defeated lives?  I challenge you, though it is not Passion Week, to open the pages of your Bible in the gospels to the account of the entire crucifixion and resurrection and read it once again – very carefully.  Walk into the scenes as if you were there.  Ask yourself what your emotions would have been, had you stood just steps away and witnessed the look of torturous suffering in Jesus’ eyes.  Had you witnessed the look of love that shone out of the swelling and the blood and the deformation of a face wracked with pain.   Would you have run to Him to try to stop the ominous blows?  Would you have run to Him with a cup of cold water and a clean towel?  Would you have scattered and run?  Would you have stayed your distance?  Reading about the emotions and ensuing actions of Judas, His traitor – of His disciples and close followers – of His mother and those He considered to be family … what would you have done?  I had to ask myself what I would have done.  Would I have offered to show my love without counting the risk to myself?  Or would I have feared the outcome and turned my back?  You might be saying, how would we know what we would do until that moment comes?  Our actions are a choice, you know, and they are an outward expression of what is inside our hearts.  By God’s grace and with His help, my hope and prayer is that we would run to Him without hesitation, giving to Him whatever we could and lavishing our tear-stained love on Him as He shunned not one blow, not one nail, not one drop of blood.  You see, He loved us that much!  And the end, His final breath – wasn’t the end!  In three days, He was alive and triumphant over His death, over the grave, and every single death threat we will ever have!  His blood, His precious, priceless blood is ours.  He shed it for us, may we never waste it! 

 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

 

THIS SUNDAY, JUL 14:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

FRIDAY, JUL 19:

6:00 P.M. - RELAY FOR LIFE, a team event to fight cancer

Join your church team at the Fairgrounds and walk the path to honor both those who have lost their lives and those who are survivors!  Come and support this special effort to make a difference for those who are fighting their personal battles with cancer.  Most of all, be in prayer for God's divine healing touch in their lives!  See Tina and Wayne & Verla for more info!

NEXT SUNDAY, JUL 21:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

We want to ask you to include Daouda, our mission child from Senegal, Africa, in your daily prayers!  He lives in a culture without much, even without necessities that we take for granted!  We invite you to make him a part of our church family by adding a love gift in the mission jar as often as you are able!  Our commitment to help Daouda with schooling and medicine and clothing and food is $35 per month through World Vision.  His letters to us tell us that our sharing and giving is making a big difference in his young life!  If you want to help with the cost of shipping small packets containing fun, inexpensive gifts once in a while, along with photos and letters, please mark your giving that way for our church treasurer.  We thank you and Daouda does, too!

 

REMEMBER . . . Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies … How priceless is your unfailing love! ~ Psalm 36:5,7 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WHAT DO YOU NEED A GOOD DOSE OF?  With each passing day as I cross paths with lots of people, I see more and more sad faces and hear more and more heartbreaking stories.  I see less and less hope and hear less and less laughter.  We know how we feel when the world and its burdens cave in on us … and others are no different.  The only difference, the BIG difference when despair strikes, is if there is someone to turn to, someone who cares, and someone who can help.  I am beginning to realize that to really help someone else, we have to first help them help themselves.  Of course God is about the business of peeling back the scales on our eyes so we can truly see what He is desiring to reveal to us so we can live above despair.  And the great thing about God putting us in situations where we He calls us to help others, is that as we seek Him for wisdom we also help ourselves by learning the same lessons God gives us for others in a new and fresh way.  That’s what I love about God’s Word!  It is always timely.  God always knows just what to say to us!  And how to say it!  Sometimes He drops the instructions in a thundering voice that we cannot miss.  Other times He speaks encouragement in a gentle, soothing tone.  And then there are those moments that it would be so easy to completely miss His whispers of exactly what we need – if we weren’t tuned in to Him and listening attentively.  This week God gave me a double dose of a story that is recorded in Exodus, chapter 17.  When an enemy of the Israelites came and attacked them, Moses took authority and delegated the military mission to Joshua.  His command was short and to the point, basically that Joshua was to go and choose some of their men and then go out to fight the Amalekites.  Then he revealed what his part would be:  he said that he, Moses, would stand on top of the hill the next day – with the staff of God in his hands.  There are a few things here that are pertinent to rising above our attacks.  Did you notice that Moses took action?  He made a plan and gave orders for it to be carried out.  I love that he didn’t speak the word “retreat” but instead gave the directive to “go out” to fight the enemy.  That means facing them front and forward and confronting them.  Should we do any less?  And I love that Joshua and his chosen soldiers did not have to feel as if they were being sent to slaughter, but given Moses’ word that he would do his part to ensure victory.  Remember the staff of God that he mentioned would be in his hands?  Well, just what did he do with it?  This is how God has the story recorded:  “So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.  As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  So Joshua overcame the enemy with the sword.”  Do you see how very powerful this is?  The footnote in my Bible says that holding up his hands was “a symbol of appeal to God for help and enablement.”  And do you see how long Moses actively implored God for help and victory over the enemy?  Till sunset.  Till the enemy was defeated and the battle was over and victory was theirs!  He didn’t send up a weak SOS and then walk away and tell Joshua that he’d be back later to see how they were doing!  He came alongside Joshua and the military men and did what God asked him to do for as long as it took.  And when his hands and arms grew weary, two other men of God came alongside Moses and lifted up his hands high into the sky as they looked over the battle that was waging below.  Did the soldiers alone win the battle?  Did Joshua win it by himself?  Did Moses win it alone by the strength of his uplifted hands?  Or were Aaron and Hur the two who won the battle because they stood in the gap and helped hold up Moses’ hands?  Can you see that each strategy was necessary as God had given Moses the plan … but victory would not have been realized had not each one been faithful to step into place and stay there as long as it took!  That’s godly teamwork, people!  Please read the last few verses … that’s a story in itself about how God will war against our enemies – from generation to generation!  I believe the same is true for us today as God’s church and God’s people.  Which position will we take up?  Let’s plan on serving faithfully in the army of our Lord as we help each other to victory! 

 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

A SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who helped with our church team fundraising efforts for Relay for Life!  May God bless you!

 

SUNDAY, JULY 07:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP with Communion

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10:

7:00 P.M. - MOVIE & MUNCHIES with our friends at Kay Knutson Apartments (see Spotlight below!)

SATURDAY, JULY 13:

9:00 A.M. - BARNABAS TEAM MEETING at the church.  Be sure to be in prayer for our leaders as they seek God's face for guidance and direction for our church as we move forward!

NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 14:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

Our church families that come to us from Kay Knutson Apartments mean so much to us!  And since they cannot always come to us for all of our extra events, we are taking one to them!  Everyone is invited to join our friends there for a “Movie & Munchies” night on Wednesday, July 10^th, at 7:00 p.m.  Bring some munchies & beverages and head on over to 905 El Dorado Street SE!

 

REMEMBER . . . “God has a thousand ways, where I can see not one; when all my means have reached their end, then His have just begun.” ~ Esther Guyot 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

THE KINGDOM DREAM!  Have you ever heard of it?  Or do you know what it is?  Well, how about the American dream?  I know you’ve heard of that!  You probably would say that the American dream is to own your own home, have a job or a business that pays your bills, and allows you to enjoy some family trips or outings now and then.  Sounds good, right?  Not asking too much out of life, right?  But because somewhere in the past decades, the definition of the American dream got changed, it’s difficult to even realize the first dream that was set in people’s hearts.  For years now, when the dream was elusive or took too much work to see it become a reality … the financial institutions tempted everyone with the credit carrot at the end of the stick – hoping we’d reach out and grab it!  And did we … most every American has at one time or another become prey to the destruction that abuse of credit employs.  Deception will never bring dreams to reality.  Americans began to believe the lies of media and advertising, buying up everything in sight that they were told would bring happiness and success.  We know how that story ends.  And so we Americans keep on striving and struggling, until out of sheer fatigue and disillusionment, we join King Solomon in repeating his favorite phrase in the book of Ecclesiastes.  “Meaningless!  Meaningless! Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless.”  Why do you suppose that describes the emotional state of so many today?  Because enough is never enough.  And in the crazy pursuit of “more” – at some point it all just becomes empty and futile, fleeting and worthless.  You see, there is only meaning and purpose to what we do or what we obtain, if it is connected to God and His Kingdom dream for us.  Chasing dreams apart from God will only leave us feeling out of breath – physically, mentally, and emotionally – and most of all, spiritually.  The most valuable and necessary part of the equation for attaining any dream is making God number one on the list.  It’s making Him our highest priority.  Our Business Partner.  Our Financial Broker.  Our Relationship Counselor.  Our Advisor.  Our Mentor.  Our Agenda Scheduler and Family-Trip Planner.  Our “go-to” Person for everything we do.  Only when we make God our Lord in every area of our lives, do we see our dreams growing into more than just a dream.  So when these Kingdom dreams take shape, just what do they look like?  Well, perhaps something like this!  The foundation of the Dream is our decision to invite Christ to be our personal Savior and Lord.  That allows us to build solid life principles on a foundation that cannot be shaken – even in today’s messed up economy!  After all, we live in God’s economy, you know, so we can stop worrying!  Has He ever stopped taking care of us or providing for us?  Even when we were down to our last penny?  Here we are, after all … which proves His unfathomable faithfulness!  HE is our safety deposit box!  God’s purpose for us is another part of the dream:  “that we will be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that we may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that we may know the mystery of God namely, Christ, in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  (Colossians 2:2-3)  All we need now or ever will need is in Christ – if we will only pursue Him and seek His heart.  Part of the dream is that we will “live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  (Colossians 2:7)  The Kingdom dream is that we will not be timid or weak or fear-filled; but rather bold and strong and confident.  Our freedom from things that enslave us are part of the dream, as well:  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  (2 Corinthians 3:17)  Is our happiness part of God’s Kingdom dream?  Listen to this:  “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”  (Psalm 68:3)  I’d say that the Kingdom dream far surpasses the American dream – even the good old-fashioned one!  The dream even carries with it the bonus of hope for eternity because our “citizenship is in Heaven” (Philippians 3:20), and “having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) The writer, C.S. Lewis penned these poignant words, which I will use to help wrap up my thoughts on God’s Kingdom dream for us:  “If there is some deep longing within that nothing on earth can satisfy, it’s because we were made for a different world:  HEAVEN!”  I say a whole-hearted “AMEN” to that!!! 

 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .
 

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Doug who worshipped with us for the first time this past Sunday!  May God bless you!

 

 

SUN, JUN 30:

10:30 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

THU, JUL 04:

A BLESSED INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!

Enjoy the day with family and friends, and be sure to thank those you know who have protected our freedoms through their military service!

NEXT SUNDAY, JUL 07:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP with Communion

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

This week we want to highlight God’s faithfulness to us as a church!  We have seen God’s hand of leading and blessing upon us as a church family from the very start … though each new chapter has been a huge leap of faith for us!  The great part about that is that we will never be able to take credit for what is accomplished through the ministry of Elevation North!  It’s definitely ALL because of our God!  As we again have stepped out in faith to do what we sensed God leading us to do in this recent expansion, we encourage you to prayerfully seek God to see what He enables you to do to help us meet these added expenses!  What a privilege to be able to be a part of such an exciting opportunity to minister to each person that God brings to us! 

 

REMEMBER . . . “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” ~ Matthew 6:33  

 

 

 Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

 

FREEDOM RINGS!  My heart sings!  Is there nothing our God cannot do?  I smile as I echo what we know from His Word:  NO, nothing!  Each new day presents its own set of challenges and opportunities, and yet God is right there at the onset of dawn (or whenever we first step out of our bed!).  He provides us with a new portion of His strength and grace, His discernment and peace, His encouragement and favor.  Once awake and moving, we often walk into circumstances that attempt to diminish our spiritual freedom.  Others may try knowingly or unknowingly to dampen our spirits with judgmental attitudes or critical comments.  But … our God is right there – in those moments.  He comes with the promises in His word that wash over us like a flood of healing, comforting balm!  The discouragement, the fear of the unknown, the nagging hurts … He comes to lift them from us and remind us that while they may come, we do not have to keep them, own them, or hang on to them!  He wants us to release them to Him – and He will dash them into oblivion.  The more we make conscious choices to let these small things go that will grow into huge monsters that chomp away at our peace of mind, the greater level of freedom we can live in!  Free to be used of God.  Free to serve for His glory.  Free from what binds us.  Free to be more and more what He planned for us to be on any given day – not just at the very end of our life when we think we might have finally learned enough to be of use to God!  And please know that whatever I share with you, God is already working on me in that same arena of my life.  These past few weeks God has given me appointments that I never dreamed I would be scheduled for!  That’s why I consider them to be “God-appointments”.  On my own I would have pulled back, thinking that I did not have what it took to show up for these opportunities that seemed so far beyond my expertise.  But then when I gave each situation over to God and depended on His empowering, His wisdom and His words flowed straight into my heart, mind, and soul.  It was as if Someone else was speaking through me.  And that’s the way I always want it to be.  Whatever we feel we lack on our own, God is more than able to step in and give us what we need so we can be His mouthpiece … His hand extended … His heart shared.  And then we see things begin to happen.  In us!  And for others.  Getting our spiritual walk right between God and us is a most important prerequisite to helping anyone else.  Are we ever perfect?  Do we ever always get it right?  No way.  But if we have a seeking heart and longing desire to be as much like Jesus as we can be, when we begin to veer off the right track, God pulls us up short with that knowledge.  He will reveal to us what we need to know before we pass it on.  In those moments when the struggles are so deep and we are trying to peer out of the darkness, it is good to remember this:  “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward.  When life is dragging you back with difficulties, just imagine that it’s going to launch you into something great!”  (unknown)  When life is swirling dark clouds around us, we need to just stop.  “Be still and know that I am God.”  (That’s what God says!)  We need to take a deep breath.  We need to believe.  We need to believe that with our God all things are possible!  When we believe, things will happen that we never dared to dream before.  Things will come into place that we never before expected.  You know why?  Because when we believe, we DO dream.  And when we believe, we DO expect.  When we believe, we begin to WALK in the supernatural freedom that Christ offers.  It’s there for us!   We just have to claim it and walk in it, even when we don’t see it – or feel like it.  We could call this our “freedom marathon” – it takes a huge commitment, a lot of dedication, and tons of good-old-fashioned spiritual sweat, blood, and tears.  But when we cross that finish line each time, and ultimately that final finish line from earth to heaven, we will know that it was worth every strained muscle as we fought the good fight!  Do you see it?  I see the victory – and feel the freedom! 

 

 

 

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

 

OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Wayne and Verla who are ever and always so faithfully serving God in so many capacities here at Elevation North!  Your labors of love do not go unnoticed, and we pray God’s abundant blessings upon both of you! 

 

TODAY, JUN 23:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

SAT, JUN 29:

7 A.M. - NOON - RELAY FOR LIFE table at the Farmer's Market/Central Park

If you can help with making hand-made items, bring home-grown or home-baked items, or work at the table, please contact Wayne & Verla!  This is our last Saturday for our fund-raising effort ... let's join together and be a part of reaching our goal!

NEXT SUNDAY, JUN 30:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE 7 WORSHIP / SPECIAL PATRIOTIC MESSAGE

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH 

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

This week we would like to highlight our Prayer Chain!  We want to remind you that we offer this prayer connection to stand in the gap for each other as we share both spoken and unspoken prayer requests within our church family, asking for others to come along side us in prayer.  You can call Tina at 213-4577 and share the request and she will activate the Prayer Chain via phone and texts, alerting many in our church and calling them to prayer!  So often our needs seem to be of such huge magnitude that we sense the need to enlist the prayer power of God’s people along with ours – so we encourage you to utilize this ministry!

 

REMEMBER . . . “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear … The Lord Almighty is with us.”  ~  Psalm 46:1-2, 7 

 

 

 

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

 

 

Pastor Doug and Debbie

 

 

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

DADS … HOW FAST A LIFETIME FLIES BY!  I remember as if it were just yesterday – being that little girl walking across the yard hand in hand with my dad!  I adored him and I loved to please him.   It was such fun helping him with the chores on the farm and he taught me so much that I barely felt like I was working.  I loved hearing his stories and there was always a life lesson included – even if it was just that we should never forget how to laugh.  I respected him so highly because he gave me countless reasons to do so.  And it was my joy to just be with him!  If you cannot tell, this little girl absolutely LOVED being with her daddy!  Someone has said, “A father is God’s image in the eyes of his children.”  That should be a compliment to you dads – it shows you how much you are valued and looked up to!  And at the same time, it shows what a great responsibility you carry within that role – to show your children that they can trust you to be the godly example that they credit you with.  Of course, once we grow up a bit more and add some maturity to our lives, as children we realize the staggering privilege that is yours … and while we have often hung on every word and every action of yours as if it were “gospel truth” – we see that you are human.  We come to know how important it is that you are finding your strength in the Heavenly Father.  We come to understand just a little bit that you often must feel overwhelmed in that role of being daddy, playmate, provider, fixer of any and everything, teacher of not only life lessons, but spiritual lessons, and being that example that we follow.  That’s huge … and I am only scratching the surface, I know!  So much rests on your shoulders; that is why it is so awesome to see a dad who is strong enough to go to God with his weaknesses and find help there.  There is no better example than that, dads!  And every dad I know who does that is ultimately a dad more highly treasured because he went beyond the scope of earthly advice to be all that he can be for his children!  What a priceless gift, dads!  And … if some of you had or have dads who do not fit into the category of “Hall of Fame” for fathers – then there is still another opportunity to discover that kind of relationship.  Your Heavenly Father longs to be your “daddy” – and He doesn’t mess up like human dads do once in a while.  You can always count on Him to be everything you’ve ever longed for in a dad.  Sure, He probably won’t show up in your backyard to play ball, but He will be the best listener you’ve ever had.  He can fix more things for you and about you than you ever imagined.  Once He’s your Daddy, He will bring more smiles to your face and more laughter to your days than you ever thought possible.  And yes, you can walk hand in hand with Him!  He can even fix your dad – if your dad will let him!  And that’s the beginning of a whole new story – which you will be writing!  I just want to applaud the dads in this world who live out their special role with eagerness and passion … who author years of memories that impact us and gift us with unforgettable experiences!  In that group of dads, I include every generational dad in my life, past and present:  my grampas, my dad, my husband’s dad, my own husband, and now our sons.  I am so blessed by what I have seen and now see being lived out in their lives as they embrace their role of being “dad” with such integrity and adventure.  They teach by example and live out lasting lessons in such amazing, fun ways!  And in years not too far in the future, we will add grandsons to that list.  For all of them, my prayer is that they will always look to God as their Father whose example they will always be able to trust and follow!  You are loved, dads, and we celebrate YOU!   

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Sara and her sons, James & Jr,, who worshipped with us for the first time this past Sunday!

A HUGE “GOD BLESS YOU” to those who have spent many hours this past week in the second phase of enlarging our sanctuary; things are taking shape and we are trusting God for provision for each step we take!  May God bless each one!

                                            ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

The walls have come down and the sound booth has been built, the drywall is almost finished and the carpet work completed, with carpet cleaning and final trim all coming together before Sunday!  All that will remain of this phase will be the painting of the extended area.  Amazing, isn’t it … when God’s people come together to share their time and talents to make sure that the House of God is ready for all who continue to come through the doors!  We are so excited and encourage everyone to participate by sharing just a little extra to help cover the costs of this interior change in the building that God has provided for us!  We know God will bless you for being about His Kingdom work here on earth in our community, and we will be so grateful!

THIS SUN, JUN 16:  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP / SPECIAL SERVICE HONORING OUR FATHERS!

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

THU, JUN 20:

6:00 P.M. - SUMMER POTLUCK DINNER at Kay Knutson Apartments

Let's plan on joining our friends there for some great food and an evening of great fellowship!  You won't leave disappointed!  Add your name to the sign-up sheet to list what you will bring.

FRI, JUN 21:

7:00 P.M. - LADIES NITE OUT

Come join us for some fun hiking at Lake Kohlmeier and girl time; plan to bring walking shoes, insect repellent, a light sweater, and some yummy snacks!

SAT, JUN 22:

7 A.M. - NOON - RELAY FOR LIFE table at the Farmer's Market in Central Park

If you can help with making hand-made items, bring home-grown or home-baked items, or work at the table, please contact Tine or Wayne & Verla!

NEXT SUN, JUN 23:

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

REMEMBER . . . “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” ~ Deuteronomy 6:5-9  

Joyfully Serving Christ . . .   

Pastor Doug and Debbie

ELEVATION NORTH has NEWS for YOU!

WORSHIP.  Do we truly understand this word, this concept, this experience, this command, this act?  Worship is an invitation, an act of seeking, a gift to our God.  Just what do we make of it?  Is it a boring drudgery or a joyous privilege?  Someone has said, “Worship renews the spirit as sleep renews the body” – which is true, and yet worship is so much more than that.  Because while genuine worship blesses us, it is really all about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Well, it is supposed to be!  It is supposed to bless HIM!  I love how we worship at Elevation North!  We enter into our worship of God prayerfully and yet passionately.  We focus on who our God is and exalt Him for all He is.  We lift our hearts in praise; we want Him to know how much He means to us.  We desire His presence and hunger and thirst after more of Him in our lives.  We offer Him our best in our worship … though none of us are professionals when it comes to praying or seeking or singing or playing instruments.  Which perhaps is a good thing – not that all professionals transform worship into entertainment … but that’s what happens in many churches.  And while worship should be the best that we have to offer, worship and entertainment are two different things!  Worship is a heart thing; more than that, it’s a Kingdom thing.  It is given with the thought of pleasing God, the recipient of our worship.  When you go to buy a gift, do you just grab the first thing in sight – with the least expensive price tag?  Or do you take time to put some thought into it and search until you find just the right gift – sometimes at a sacrificial cost … all because you want to please the recipient!  That’s what should go into our worship!  Seeking and choosing to present ourselves before our God with honor and respect – with devotion and love – with joy and with focus and passion.  With a desire to come before our God cleansed and forgiven so that we can worship Him without all of the dirt and baggage and distractions that can so easily be drug into our time with Him.  That can pertain to church or to home or to wherever we find ourselves offering worship to the One who made our very lives a breathing reality.  We cannot have a divided heart and be in true communion with anyone – much less our Creator!  When you are talking with someone and your heart and mind are a million miles away, you might be saying words but they can tell you are not with them.  What that says is that they are not important enough for you to set everything and everyone else aside to just focus on them and share one-on-one time with them.  The same goes for our Savior.  When we worship, if our heart is filled with anger and negativity and all we can think of is a way to get even, or if we cannot lay down our burdens long enough to truly trust God to handle them in the amazing ways He does … how can we call what we give Him, worship?  Perhaps we’re just thinking about what we’re going to do next – or who we are going to hang out with … whatever we are thinking about, we are definitely not WITH Him!  That’s not worship.  We miss out – and most of all, God misses what we could have given Him!  Worship, though, cannot be forced.  It’s a desire, that of course takes a commitment to carry it through to the Giver of Life!  It’s an outward expression of what’s inside.  That’s why some people can participate in the same time of praise and worship – and some will leave feeling as if they didn’t experience a thing, and others will leave sensing a tremendous blessing of having been with Jesus and being filled with His presence and His power.  One was a non-participant, the other, choosing what was best, setting all else aside to honor and glorify the King of kings, bringing the gift of true worship to Him.  Dear people, let’s be participants in the worship of our Lord and God and bow in awe before His Throne!  “If Shakespeare should come into this room we would all rise; but if Jesus Christ should come in, we would all kneel.” ~ Charles Lamb.  Yes, our God is worthy of our worship … in every facet of our lives!  Will we offer it?  

IN A NUTSHELL . . .

A SPECIAL WELCOME to Helen who worshipped with us this past Sunday; may God bless you with His best!

OUR SPECIAL THANKS to those who have spent hours at the church this past week for phase one of enlarging our sanctuary to create more seating!  And for those who have given sacrificially for needed supplies and carpet, may God bless you richly!!!

                                              ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!

We are enjoying our weekly mornings in Central Park at our Elevation North table where all proceeds are going to Relay for Life!  Our table needs your home-baked items, hand-made crafts, and home-grown plants or vegetables or fruits.  Whatever it is that you can bake, create, or grow … we’d love to have you get on board with us to share funds for the upcoming Relay for Life walk that will take place at the fairgrounds in July!  It’s a great time for fellowship with your church friends and so many others who stop by to support us by making purchases!  See you at the park on Saturday mornings the entire month of June from 7 a.m. to 12 noon!  Our goal is to raise $1100.00 for the fight against cancer.  Questions?  Please see Tina, Wayne, & Verla!

THIS SUNDAY, JUN 9th:  CHILDREN'S SUNDAY

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP / SPECIAL SERVICE honoring our tots and children today!

11:30 A.M. - LIGHT LUNCH for children and chaperones going to the Como Zoo today, leaving for the Cities right after lunch.  Zoo closes at 6:00 p.m.  See Wayne and Verla if you have any questions about the event!

SAT, JUN 15th:

7:00 A.M. - 12:00 NOON - RELAY FOR LIFE table at the Farmer's Market/Central Park

See the Spotlight above!

NEXT SUNDAY, JUN 16th:  FATHER'S DAY

10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP / SPECIAL SERVICE honoring our fathers!

10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . 

Julia, Hazel, Max, Johnnie & Cherry, Audrey, Lundstroms, our children and youth who will be on break for the summer months, many unspoken needs, our church as we expand to reach others, God's provision, and that we will stay on target with God's Word as we walk ever closer to Him!

REMEMBER . . . “O come, let us worship and bow down:  let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”  ~  Psalm 95:6  

Serving Christ Joyfully . . .

Pastor Doug and Debbie