New Life Christian Church 1705 SE Marshall Albert Lea, MN 56007

New Life Christian is a family of believers who love the Lord, one another, and do our best to live and reveal the love of Christ to the world around us. We are devoted to the Word of God and claim its joy, power and authority. We know that through Jesus Christ we have forgiveness, fellowship, friendship and peace. We know that we are far from perfect, but we also know that God is at work in our lives and forgives our failures. We know that there are few things that bring greater joy in life than sharing God’s Good News of Salvation and making new friends as we come to know Christ better. We know that “church” is not about the things we say or ceremonies or traditions. Instead, we un-derstand that church is all about growing, loving, learning and caring. We know that worship is not supposed to be stuffy and boring but is at its best when it is vital, rele-vant and even fun. We know that we would love to meet you and share the joy that we have found at New Life Christian Church.

APRIL 2017 NEWSLETTER

The Path to Blessing by Vern Harris

MISSION STATEMENT:

To embrace all people, sharing the love, joy, faith, and

truths that we have come to know in Christ Jesus.

LEAD PASTOR: Vern Harris

Office 507-373-0814 Vern@NewLifeChristianAL.org

ELDERS: Dave Anderson 402-6000

Richard Foss 369-5127 Kendall Langseth 373-2343

Ryan Shea 402-8468 Bob Snow 684-2010

Bob Hamberg 383-0271

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR and YOUTH DIRECTOR:

Kelli Fiscus Office 507-373-1533

Kelli@NewLifeChristianAL.org

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR:

Sue Foss Office 507-373-1533

office@NewLifeChristianAL.org

WEBSITE:

www.NewLifeChristianAL.org FACEBOOK PAGE:

New Life Christian Church

VISION STATEMENT:

Our vision is to provide encouragement, connection,

and discipleship within Christ’s church as we reach out in love to witness to the world around us.

In a recent sermon I used the question, “what do you want” as a central point. To be sure it would be very difficult for us to receive and achieve, “what we want” if we never stop to identify what that might be. This is true of our most dear relationships, our professional life, and certainly in our spiritual life. In regards to our spiritual life I think that a very safe answer would be that we want to be blessed. But what does being blessed mean to you specifically? Does it mean a constant state of happiness? Well good luck with that since happiness is conditional upon our circumstances and we all know that circumstances are not, nor are they intended to be, consistently of the kind that make us happy. Does being blessed mean we enjoy the blessed assurance that all is well with our soul since the promises of God are absolute? I would say that this certainly qualifies but that it is a promised constant of the Christian life and not something additional that we seek daily from God. Does being blessed mean that we will maintain an absolutely functional and satisfying relationship with God? One that assures us that He is always with us in power, in presence, and to guide and deliver us? Yes, I would say that is truly a blessing that we must seek and celebrate. We read this in John 4:23-24 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” As we have been studying in our Wednesday evening adult study class, the heavenly presence of God is always and without reservation accompanied by extreme worship. God is surrounded by beings and persons who recognize His holiness and proclaim His worthiness. They bow, they cry out, they constantly worship, they celebrate their love of God in every way. The above passage from John 4 tells us that it is pleasing to our Father God when we, His true worshipers in this His earthly Kingdom, worship Him in spirit and truth. This means that whenever we engage in worship we are joining the voices in the heavenly realm and we are singing and proclaiming with choirs of angels in heavenly harmony. We are crying out to recognize His holiness with the powerful spiritual beings that surround his throne. It is a shame that we cannot hear their voices, but know this: your voice is absolutely heard by God and by those who surround Him in the heavenly realm. Right now, this very minute, if you take a moment to praise your Father God your voice is blending with those of heaven in perfect harmony! When we come before the Father our petitions are also heard but it is our praise in worship that opens the path to the Father's heart. With that path to God established and opened wide His blessings flow. It is His nature; it is His promise; it is His desire; and as we read in Psalm 100:4, it is His command: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. So would you be interested in receiving the greatest blessing that God bestows upon His people? Who wouldn't? Well folks, here it is, the greatest blessing that a human being will ever receive is this: Being near to the heart of God. Possessing the abundance of Joy and of Peace that are the natural condition of being close to and one with, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Continued on next page

April 2017 Serving Schedule

2 9 16 23 30

Communion Jerry Dave A Ryan Ken Kendall

Offering prayer Dave A Ryan Ken Kendall Al S

Inside Usher David L/Nate Jacob W/Jeremy Doug/Brian Scott/Louis Troy/LeRoy

Smalls Pam/Meridian Grace/Nate Sheila/Zech Wayne/Brianna Jeremy/Savannah

Prayer Room Ken & Kelli Wayne & Grace

Al & Mary Sue & Richard Doug M & Bob N

Communion prep

Grace & Carla

Instruments Marsha

Video/Sound Nathan & Marlena

Worship Team Kelli,Steve, Vern, Liana

Greeters Dave & Cindy Al & Mary

National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 4th this year. We are in the planning process.

There are two events: the Noon Event will be at the Freeborn County Courthouse. The American Legion Honor Guard will present the colors. The Evening Event will be at the AZ ONE Ministry Center. Please be in prayer for this year’s gathering.

Come and participate in the City Prayer Teams. We will be meeting Sunday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm. Bring the concerns of our community before the Lord.

We need more Neighborhood Prayer Walkers! Please join us to go out and pray for each home on a neighborhood block. It usually takes less than an hour. It is all about lifting up the spiritual and

physical needs of our neighbors to our Lord.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

PRAYER CORNER

Church Bulletin Blooper

“Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Nelson’s sermons.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Priscilla Shirer Simulcast - April 8th, Glenville

A Day for Women - April 22nd, Mankato

Devoted Hearts Women’s Event - April 21-22

For more info check the bulletin board.

Easter Weekend Services

Good Friday Service ........ 6:00 p.m.

Sunrise Service ........................ 7:45 a.m. Breakfast.................................. 8:45 a.m. Worship Service .................... 10:00 a.m.

Service Project Workday for Camp Scholarships

Saturday, April 8, 9:00 - Noon There are inside and outside jobs.

Jennifer Lloyd-Benson from Strength & Dignity and Detective Deb Flatness will be at NLCC on Tuesday, April 4th at 6:00 pm during the Hospitality Team meeting to speak about the issue of sex trafficking in Albert Lea. They will also answer questions about how we can minister to the victims. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

This is not a promise reserved only for heaven, although that will be a thrill we cannot imagine until we see Him face to face. It is a promise for today. It is God's desire for you right now this very moment that you know Him, feel Him, rejoice in Him, celebrate Him, and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. So how about it? What do you want? Do you want to know a blessing unlike any other? Then pray, and worship, and praise, exalt, even dance if you are able. For you are a child of God Almighty and He is living in you right now. What an incredible blessing!

April meetings Elders: April 1st - 8:30 am

Hospitality Team : April 4th - 6:00 pm Deacons: April 5th - 7:30 pm Council: April 12th - 7:30 pm

Aim Hi: April 18th - noon

March Council Meeting Highlights

Minister’s report: Vern was sick in February. He is better now and grateful for the prayers. Vern said the Marriage Encounter was a blessing. The Eagle Lake Church is closing. Vern prayed at the City Council Meeting. He is calling on other ministers to get involved. Vacation plans have been okayed with the Elders.

Elders’ Report: Discussed youth programming, transition, and guidelines. Ryan is contact person for youth programming. Discussed a youth budget of $3000/year. Will explain youth budget to congregation. Elders need to be kept informed of all new activities, fundraising, etc., because they are responsible. Vern’s vacation dates are May 21, June 25, and July 23. Lincolns will share about their ministry on July 30. Kleins need help painting their home. Talked to Pedro about locking up church. Elders approved a service plan for camp scholarships. Plan to have deacons organize rides for elderly and non-drivers. Kelli can help call volunteers. Discussed need and cost of 15 passenger van.

Youth Director’s report: Ryan talked to Sheila and Naomi about guidelines and youth budgets. They are excited about youth programming and have been invited to the Council Meeting.

Financial report: Loss of $5437 for the month due to capital expenses. Discussed church budget and financial report.

Deacons’/Trustees’ report: Ceiling tile in SS and Smalls room completed. Some gym dividers have been repaired. Estimate of $750 to move inside gym door. Discussed Easter breakfast. Received estimates for main entrance door with crash bar.

Office administrator: Al presented boiler replacement estimates. Need to have 3 estimates for financial plan-ning. Elders will appoint a committee to get 2 more bids.

Old business: Wednesday Night meals going well. Donations have covered most of the cost. Bible Study going well in the gym. Discussed security on Wednesday night.

New business: Jacob asked about adding guitars and/or drums to worship time. We would need a qualified drummer and need to work with worship team. The outside keypad needs to be changed.

I’m excited to share with you in ministering to our young people here at New Life Christian Church. Several people who are interested in our youth met during January and formed a smaller committee to oversee youth programming. From that committee, a leadership group was formed. We have been busy gathering information, getting to know kids, and laying the groundwork for our new youth ministry program.

The four coordinators in our program are: Naomi Lenz, Teen coordinator; Sheila Steele, Kids coordinator; Jacob Weitzel, Music coordinator, and Kelli Fiscus, Youth Director. Our official capacity begins in June, but we were so excited, that we have begun already!

We are busy meeting with people who will be available to mentor our young people. Jacob has begun working with kids on their musical instruments. Naomi and Sheila are working to develop curriculum for our summer programming, which will center around the names of God.

New this year, we are going to continue both Sunday School and Wednesday activities throughout the Summer. We believe it is important for kids to have a routine to keep them grounded in God’s word. Our Wednesday programming is SPLASH: “Singing, Praising, Learning and Serving Him.” We will continue to have a meal for the kids, followed by our SPLASH program.

Thank you so much to Veronica Morrow for organizing our Wednesday night meals and to all the volunteers who provide food, serve food, and clean up afterwards! We really appreciate all you do for our kids.

One exciting thing that came out of our planning sessions was a roller skating party. It was suggested as a kid activity, but we decided to open it up to the whole church. We had 58 people, including several visitors, at the Rohler Rink over Spring Break! It was cold in the rink, but a whole lot of fun.

Another new thing is our Camp Scholarship Program. We have changed it this year to be service project oriented. The kids can earn $100 towards their week of camp by helping out at our Service Project workdays or in other ways

which are pre-approved by one of our coordinators. If you are interested in the Camp Scholarship Program, please see Kelli Fiscus for details. Sundae Sunday will be April 30. That is the day we turn in the Scholarship packets and register for camp.

A Word from the Youth Director By Kelli Fiscus