Does God Speak to You?
Sermon Series: The Birthmarks of the Church
Part 16
Acts 13:1-12
Pastor Gerald Stigall
POTLUCK this Sunday!
Dear Church Family,
Greetings from Nigeria. Karen Reeves and I are involved in the tenth and final course in the TNET Disciplemaking Curriculum, “How to Teach Bible Doctrine to Your Whole Church.” To say that we have lots to cover in the five day class is an understatement! Thank you, dear church, for the chance to partner with you in advancing the Gospel. Michael Aderinkomi and Laura Hintermeyer join us in sending to you greetings. We’ll be returning this Saturday and we look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.
This Saturday several men invite you to join them at The Old Country Buffet in Fridley at 7:30 a.m. Also, ZAO will gather with other youth groups in the area at Grace for “The Gathering” this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. This Sunday, remember to get a baby bottle into which you can drop change until Father’s Day. Your change will change the prospects of many women who are facing crisis pregnancy cared for by the New Life Pregnancy Care Center.
Finally, let me review this most important Sunday. During the 9:00 Family Bible Hour representatives from Justice Initiatives (a team of 20 who made a vision trip to India last January) will be speaking in four different places: Children’s Sunday School (Room 206), Mosaic (Room 303), Second Wind (Room 302), Hilltoppers (Room 301), Youth (Upper Room). They will speak (other than the group that addresses the children) will inform us about the human trafficking that plagues much of the world and specifically in India. They’ll inform us what the dire need of the church facing this injustice is especially in the world’s second most populous country. During worship, I’ll preach on the ways in which we can discern God’s will. Please review Acts 13. Also, the Vision Team will share briefly during our time of worship. Pastor Scot is arranging an “Indian flavor” to our worship this Sunday. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy an all-church POTLUCK, please bring enough to feed your family and a few friends. This Sunday will be most meaningful.
May the Lord bless you abundantly!
See you Sunday in church, Church.
Pastor Gerald
Church Happenings
Dear Church Family,
This past weekend was such a memory maker! Many thanks to all of you who contributed to make the Student Ministries Challenge 2012 Fund Raiser Dinner/Theater “Meet Me at Luigi’s” such a fun experience. Kudos to the publicists, the artisans, the decorators, the cooks, the sound and light folks, the actors/actresses, the accordion player, the “security person”, the clean-up crew, and what about Luigi!?! ”Whatza Matter for you, Eh?” Wow! What an evening! And the youth are appreciative of the generous spirit that was evidenced by those in attendance. Almost $3,000 was received to cover the expenses of the evening and to apply the extra to the students’ participation in Challenge this summer in New Orleans.
Related to that, the Student Ministries’ Garage Sale will be on Saturday, May 12th at Jere/Patti Jacobson’s home, 13001 Filmore St. NE, Blaine, MN from 8:00 a.m. on. The proceeds wii help send our youth to New Orleans.
Also on Saturday, May 12th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm in the Upper Room “NEOS” a young adult gathering that will consist of a time of fellowship, worship, teaching, and discussion in regards to how best to launch and execute our young adult ministry at Grace will take place. Bring friends! Light refreshments will be served, childcare will be provided, and a group of us will be going out for food after. For more info contact PT at: tsotebeer@gracefree.org.
This Sunday, (Mother’s Day) May 13th our pastoral intern Jason Blair will bring the morning message. Karen Reeves, Michael Aderinkiomi, Laura Hintermeyer, and I will be in Fiditi, Nigeria. I’ll be training pastors in the tenth and final course of the TNET Disciplemaking Curriculum. This course focuses on Biblical Doctrine. We would appreciate your prayers as we present this most important material and further the disciplemaking goals in that area. We plan to depart this Thursday and to return on Saturday, May 19th. Please call the church (763-784-7199) or any of the Elders with pastoral needs during this time. This Sunday, be sure to get a baby bottle. The concept is that between Mother’s Day (May 6th) and Father’s Day (June 17th) we’ll deposit loose change in the bottles that will go to support New Life, a mission to help women in a crisis pregnancy.
Finally, let me inform you about Sunday, May 20th. First, some background…a team of 20 from Free Churches across the country made a vision trip to India this past January. They will be present on May 20th to inform us about their discoveries related to justices initiatives that they explored regarding human trafficking. They plan to meet with the Mosaic, Second Wind, Hilltoppers, and Youth during the Family Bible Hour at 9:00 a.m. that Sunday. During the worship, they’ll present briefly their discoveries to the total church. I’ll be preaching on Acts 13:1-14. We’ll explore ways to discern the Lord’s will. I’m entitling that message, ”Does God Speak to You?” I anticipate our worship that day will have an “Indian” flavor which transitions well to the POTLUCK that will follow. In addition to the dishes that we’ll each bring, we hope to have some Indian cuisine as well to help us celebrate the culture of the world’s second most populous country. Because of our many guests, it would be helpful if we brought an extra amount.
May the Lord abundantly bless you, dear church, in every way.
Pastor Gerald
P.S. This coming Friday is the next Food Distribution. Call the church office for more specific information or check our website (www.gracefree.org).
Sunday, May 6
Church Happenings
Dear Church Family,
Lots to share…I’ll “try” to be brief. :)
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, we’ll enjoy the final dinner for the year. Pizza! Yeah! Afterwards all of the Wednesday night ministries will gather in the Worship Center for a time of Celebration. We’ll celebrate the learnings made this past year in Awana, ZAO, Men’s/ Women’s Bible Studies, and Navigators’ 2:7 group. It will be a joyous time. Even if you were not a part of the Wednesday ministries, do consider coming. You’ll be glad you did!
This weekend will be extra special. The youth are presenting a dinner/theater called Meet Me at Luigi’s. There are a few openings for the Friday and Saturday evening performances. Call the church ASAP to reserve your place (763-784-7199). While there is no charge for the evening, we’ll have an opportunity to contribute to the Youth Fund. We’re grateful for Don Osborne and his whole team for preparing this special treat. It’ll be a memory-maker. Sorry, no childcare is provided for this. On Sunday, we’ll look at Acts 12:1-19 and consider the power of prayer. I’m entitling the message: “When Prison Doors Open.” It’s a most stirring – and at times humorous – account.
Karen Reeves and I will be heading for the tenth and final course in Fiditi, Nigeria next week (May 10-19). I’ll be teaching the first generation pastors “How to Teach Bible Doctrine to the Whole Congregation.” Our survey last fall of the EFCA doctrinal statement will come in handy. Next February I’ll plan to return to celebrate in the graduation after the students finish all of their assignments. I do not take for granted, dear church, your releasing me to serve in this way. On May 13th our pastoral intern, Jason Blair, will be delivering the morning message.
On May 12th the Youth will have their Garage Sale the proceeds of which will help them get to Challenge 2012 in New Orleans. Many thanks to those of you who have given your “treasures.” Please drop any other items at the church.
Finally, let me share an overview of a unique opportunity we’ll have on Sunday, May 20th. A team of Christians from the EFCA across the country went on a vision trip to India in January to study justice initiatives especially at it pertains to human trafficking. The group will be here on May 20th to report during the Family Bible Hour in some of the Adult Communities and during the worship service. Our hope is to sing some songs that Christians in India especially enjoy. Afterwards we’ll enjoy a POTLUCK lunch in the Gym. Please make plans to come and learn about the world’s second most populous country (1.2 billion people!). I’ll preach that day on discerning the Lord’s will.
Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Pastor Gerald
April 29, 2012
Church Happenings
Dear Church Family,
Howdy, partner. Linda, Mindy and I recently returned from Texas where we celebrated my niece’s wedding. Along the way we visited with friends in Kansas. A great trip! Upon our return, I’ve been hearing wonderful reports about the Children’s Sunday. Many thanks to all of you who prepared, practiced, and presented that biblical musical.
As we continue this sermon series - “The Birthmarks of the Church,” we’ll look this Sunday (April 29th) at Acts 11:19-30. I’ve entitled the message, “Remember Who and Whose You Are.” We’ll affirm the identity that Christ imparts to believers. Also, this Sunday following our worship we’ll host in the Fellowship Hall an orientation we’re calling A Taste of Grace for those who have been visiting Grace. Feel free to invite your friends/neighbors (and come with them!). Please call the church office to indicate those guests that you’ll be bringing so that we can plan well.
We have twenty-five youth and five adult leaders who will be attending the District Conference this weekend in Rochester. We’ll be praying as they gather with hundreds of youth across the district.
Next Monday, April 30th, at 7:00 p.m. we’re inviting nurses and others at Grace who provide health care to explore the possibility of our developing a Faith Community Nursing ministry (also called Parish Nursing). I encourage you to join us in the Conference Room if you’re interested in learning more.
Finally, the 50th Anniversary Team will be facilitating the production of a Pictorial Directory of the Grace EFC Family. The dates anticipated for photo shoots are June 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 30. More specific details will be forthcoming, but plan on being included in this Grace Evangelical Free Church Family Directory.
Blessings,
Pastor Gerald
Church Happenings
Dear Church Family,
A fun weekend awaits you as we celebrate Children’s Sunday this coming Sunday. Debbie Hintermeyer and her team have been helping the children prepare for their musical which they’ll present during this Sunday’s worship service. Be sure to check out one of the Adult Communities at 9:00 a.m. Many of you ladies will be enjoying the Church Basement Ladies on Saturday. Get ready to laugh! Sunday afternoon, our Quizzers will be having a Quiz meet at 2:00 p.m here at Grace.
Linda, Mindy, and I are heading to Texas where I’ll officiate at my niece’s wedding on Saturday. It will be wonderful being with family who are converging on San Angelo from California and Kentucky. We’ll be taking more than a few “Zaidee pictures”!
A few upcoming dates to remember:
- April 29th (after worship) A Taste of Grace (an orientation for those visiting or new to Grace) Please RSVP so we can make lunch plans for you and the guest that you’ll bring.
- May 2nd, 6:30 (after the dinner) Wednesday Evening Disciplemaking Celebration (Awana, ZAO, Men’s + Women’s Bible Studies, Navigators’ 2:7)
- Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th: Meet Me at Luigis’ Youth Dinner/Theatre. Please register either by calling the office (763-784-7199) or signing up this Sunday.
Finally, at the recent North Central District Conference Paul David Tripp, our keynote speaker, challenged all of us with the importance of “keeping the awe of God.” When we lose our focus on the greatness and grace of God we open ourselves up to all sorts of unhealthy tendencies. But keeping the awe keeps our awareness of God ever-fresh and releases us to live empowered by the presence of Almighty God in all of life. So, let’s challenge ourselves to reflect deeply with awe upon our Awesome God.
Blessings on you!
Pastor Gerald