Volume 13, Issue 11 December, 2009

Pastor’s Column 2

Couples Getaway 3

Women Unlimited 5

Senior Adults 8

[UN]Common Student Ministries 9

A m o n t h l y c o m m u n i q u é o f

C h r i s t i a n L i f e F e l l o w s h i p

Inside this issue:

One Church

Two Locations

Page 2 O N LI N E

Have you ever noticed that people seem to believe bad news more quickly than good news? We expect bad news. When it comes, our belief is confirmed. John A. Wilson wrote an article 20 years ago on this very subject, and I will quote extensively from it, because he’s spot on! On Thanksgiving Day a wife and mother cooked her first turkey. She said to her husband and son, “I know this is the first turkey I

have ever cooked. If it isn’t right, don’t say a word. We’ll just get up from the table and go to a restaurant for dinner.” Then she went to the kitchen. When she entered the dining room with the turkey, her husband and son were seated at the table wearing their coats. Bad news is expected and believable.

A car salesman in Norway lost a 16-car sale. A young man wearing a sweater, overalls, and rubber boots entered a car dealership and asked, “Have you got 16 cars on hand?” “Sure, you want 16 cars,” the dealer said sarcastically. “I have no time for jokes.” The young man went across the street to another dealer and made a similar inquiry. There he bought 16 cars and paid cash! He belonged to a 16-man crew of a Norwegian trawler with a record catch of herring. The crew decided to buy new cars, 16 at once, to get the highest discount. Good news is unbelievable.

In the Bible, the prophet Micah gave Israel bad news. He prophesied the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians who stood at their border. God was using Assyria to judge Israel. But in the middle of the bad news Micah brought some good news---a prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 declares, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though

you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.”

Unbelievable. The Messiah would be born in a little village. A ruler would come out of Bethlehem. Having this birth take place in Bethlehem presented a staggering logistics problem. Jesus was born of Mary who was engaged to Joseph. Both were living in Nazareth, 70 miles north of Bethlehem, their ancestral

home. But both went to Bethlehem because the government decreed a census. Everyone was to return to his ancestral hometown to be counted. (Can you imagine the mayhem if they did a census that way today?)

Mary and Joseph were both of the family of David. Joseph’s family went back through Solomon to David. Mary’s family went back through Nathan to David. So both had to return to Bethlehem, the ancestral home of King David. They made the trip in time for Mary to give birth to her baby. The town was crowded. All the family of David returned to this town that was too small to be counted among the nation of Judah. A 700-year-old prophecy came true when a nonbelieving government official decided to have a census. God kept His word.

Unbelievable. God became a man. Micah 5:2 concludes by saying, “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” The Baby born in Bethlehem had a long history. He was not another in a long list of political geniuses, moral teachers, conscientious rebels, or compassionate doctors. He was God. He came to earth to solve the sin problem. God took care of it himself. It was not delegated to another.

Senior Pastor’s Column

VOLUM E 13, I SSUE 11 Page 3

Unbelievable. This promised baby, the Christ child, can change your life. Micah 5:4 goes on to say, “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.” The thought that God will shepherd his people is a biblical model. In the New Testament, we are reminded by Jesus himself in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” That this baby-become-Savior will watch over you and me in such a sacrificial manner is unbelievable. That He has the power to change you and me is the wonderful and lasting message of Christmas. It’s the “good news” of Christmas, and you can believe it! In fact, do even better than that. Experience it!

As we approach the end of another year, I want to bring you up to speed concerning the financial picture of CLF. We haven’t really said too much about money, but I think you deserve to know where we stand, since so many of you who read this are faithfully giving to meet the needs of this church family.

Up through the end of May, we were right on target to meet our budget for the year, which is about $1,100,000. When summer came, we saw a reduction in our giving (which is not altogether uncommon), but that reduction has continued through these fall months. As of this writing, we find ourselves about $54,000 behind budget. Obviously we have had to make some adjustments to cover this shortfall. Our concern is that we do not fall behind in the payment of our obligations. We always want to be good stewards, and to maintain a good name in our community

Our desire is to end the year on an upswing, so as to make up for some of the shortfall. I would just encourage all of us to be faithful in our tithing and in our offerings. God has been faithful to keep so many of you in your jobs, and we certainly want to honor Him in

giving back to Him the first part (the tithe) of what He has provided for us.

I want you to have this information so you can be praying with us for God’s provision, as well as praying for those in our church family who are still in need of jobs. God is not limited by recessions, or any other shortfall. Let’s believe together that He will provide as we are faithful to acknowledge Him as Lord of all our lives.

Page 4 O N LI N E

“Four Tickets to Christmas” is a Broadway Style Musical featuring a full cast of actors and singers. The leads include veteran actors Jane Santora, Jim Alft, Kyle Freeberg, Bill Loos, Rod Rasmussen, Norb Frydrych and Alonna Hoogesteger. Newcomers Stephanie Christensen, Carol Schultz, Barb Garfield and Kurt Overturf round out the cast with the debut of 8 year old Actor, Joshua Carlin, who is guaranteed to steal the show.

Set in 1905, “Four Tickets To Christmas” fol-lows the escapades of an out-of-work family per-forming group who find themselves unexpectedly spending Christmas in a small rural town in Ohio. By Christmas Eve they’ve turned the town upside down—and some of their own relationships around.

Brimming with nostalgia, humor, poignant drama and outstanding music, Four Tickets to Christmas is a feel-food family musical that will bring laughter and a smile.

Your friends and neighbors will be de-lighted that you invited them to join you for this fun filled evening. Performances are Dec. 10, 11, 12, 13, at 7:00 pm. Thursday and Friday performances feature a full course dinner

beginning at 6:00 pm. Tickets for dinner are $12 and can be purchased in the church office or at the information desk.

Childcare provided for performances.

Four Tickets to Christmas

Dinner Menu

Thursday, Dec. 10 

Menu: 

Roast Pork 

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy 

Baby Carrots 

Garden Salad 

Cheesecake 

Friday, Dec. 11 

Menu: 

Stuffed Chicken Breast 

Green Beans 

Buttered Parsley Potatoes 

Garden Salad 

Torte 

 

Ticket are $12 each and are available at the 

Welcome Center or the church office. 

VOLUM E 13, I SSUE 11 Page 5

WOMEN unlimited Discipleship Opportunities

God is stirring the hearts of women! We’ve been meeting with leaders in women’s ministry over the past two years, listening to what’s on their hearts, and praying that God would give clear direction for some “next steps” for our women’s ministry. Great things are in the works for 2010!

“Our purpose is to create an environment where women of all ages can CONNECT to God and to each other, helping them to heal and GROW into all God designed them to be so they can SHARE their time, talent and resources with their families, the church, community, and the world.”

Here is a diagram of current discipleship opportu-nities for women at CLF:

Connect:

Girls’ Night Out– quarterly fun and inspirational evening for women of all ages

MOPS– Mothers of Preschoolers meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday morning of each month

D-Mail-Weekly email devotional

Prayer– Moms in Touch and Intercessory Prayer Team

Grow:

Restoring the Heart– A grace group for women who have been abused

Bible Study— Weekly Tuesday or Saturday morn-ing Ladies’ Bible Study

Tapestry– Mini-worships to help you clarify your God-given design and calling

WiLD-Women in Leadership Development-Grow your ability to impact the lives of others

Serve:

Pens with a Purpose– Write to persecuted Chris-tians and missionaries around the world

City on a Hill-Annual Mother’s Day weekend trip to City on a Hill, Milwaukee

Watch the CLF Website, monthly newsletter or weekly program for specific details!

Page 6 O N LI N E

You won’t want to miss this all-church, all-women series in 2010 called Girls’ Night Out.”

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!!!

Opportunity:

We would like to do a phone campaign in late January/ early February to contact every woman at CLF to 1. See how they are doing, 2. Take prayer requests for our prayer team, and 3. Give a per-sonal invitation to join us for our very first Girls’ Night Out. If you would like to help women con-nect by phoning 10 women, please call the church

office or talk to Diane O’Connor, 421 3163.

Women Unlimited

VOLUM E 13, I SSUE 11 Page 7

Page 8 O N LI N E

The Flawed Water Pot      A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of wa‐ter in his master’s house.  

     Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accom‐plishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.  

     “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get the full value from your efforts,” the pot said.  

     The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beauti‐ful flowers along the path.”  

     Indeed, as they walked up the hilly path, the pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers, and this cheered it some. However, at the 

end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half of its load, and so again, the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.  The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path? That’s 

because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walked back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.” 

     Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all like this cracked pot. However, if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father’s table. In God’s great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don’t be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness He finds our strength. 

Two Wolves... One evening a wise grandfather told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘Wolves’ inside us all.”     “One is evil, filled with: anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self‐pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false‐pride, superiority, and ego.”     “The other is good, filled with: joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”  The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked  his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” 

   The wise grandfather simply replied, “The one that you feed.” 

VOLUM E 13, I SSUE 11 Page 9

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Ladies Christmas Connection. Dec. 4

50+ Holiday Dinner............. Dec. 6

Kids Musical......................... Dec. 6

Last Night for Kids Clubs ....... Dec. 9

Adult Musical ................ Dec. 10-13

Men’s Breakfast .................. Dec. 19

Christmas Eve Service ......... Dec. 24

Youth Sled-o-rama .......... January 23

Leadership Retreat..... January 29-30

Couples Getaway ............ Feb 12-14

Girls’ Night Out............ February 19