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 understand 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, relevant 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.

March 2018 NEWSLETTER

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 377-0645

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR:

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.

Psychologist Stanton Samenow wrote in his book Inside the Criminal Mind that research shows the single demographic of the American populace with the highest self-image are those serving time in prison. They have committed the crimes, been caught, been sentenced, and are now serving time, yet continue to see themselves as worthy and successful people. That seems odd to me but perhaps the reason is that they are comfortable with their sin. The demographic group which struggles with the lowest self-esteem is said to be evangelical Christians. I suppose that the reason in both cases has to do with the recognition of sin and in seeing personal sin as personal failure. God has very often chosen people who are struggling with failure and self-doubt to accomplish mighty things in his name. Gideon comes to mind. He proclaimed himself as weak, unworthy, of the least important clan, of no particular value or merit and yet God specifically chose him to lead His people to a fantastic victory. The Apostle Paul called himself the worst example of all who sin. The prophet Isaiah fell with his face to the ground and proclaimed his unworthiness before the Lord due to “unclean lips.” Such a list could go on and on, but God makes it work. There are people in this world who face struggles daily that seem to us as horrific. Many are dying of hunger. There are people who endure seeing their sons and daughters mutilated and abused in the name of religion. Some live where Christianity is outlawed and being caught in faith can carry a death sentence. Others dream of having their own Bible, or the ability to read one if they had it. I wonder what they would think of us if they knew that depression was considered the most widespread and disabling mental issue in America. I suppose they’d wonder what people who had all they want to eat, a clean and safe place to live, clothes to wear, personal Bibles given away to any who would like one, personal faith celebrated rather than criminalized, etc. would have to be depressed about. They have a point I suppose but we know that the reality of such problems run deeper than what we do or do not have. First of all we need to be clear on one thing: the misery that finds its way into our thinking is not of God, and if it isn’t of God then we know who the author must be. The next thing is to know that God loves you. There may be times when He doesn’t like what you say or do but that never alters in any way the overwhelming truth that He loves you. What does God tell us about our weaknesses? Consider the words God gave us through Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Continued on next page...

A Reason to Smile by Vern Harris

March 2018 Serving Schedule

4 11 18 25

Communion Al S Bob S Jerry Dave A

Offering prayer Bob S Jerry Dave A Ryan

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

Smalls Pam/Meridian Wayne/Tristan Grace/Nate Jeremy/Savannah

Prayer Room Ken & Kelli Wayne & Grace Al & Mary Sue & Richard

Communion prep

Grace & Carla

Instruments Robyn

Video/Sound Steve & Debra

Worship Team Kendall, Marsha Bob S

Greeters Rose & Pam Secure building: Steve & Debra

PRAYER CORNER

City Prayer Teams will meet March 25th, 6:30 pm at New Life Christian Church. Everyone is encouraged to be a part of this ministry. Watch how God works in our community when His people come together in prayer!

Pray for all of our leaders.

Pray for each other. Pray that our faith and understanding will increase. Pray that our family, friends, and neighbors will see Christ in us and desire the same.

Ask God to raise up righteous people to run for office.

Pray for those around us that are in the chains of any addictions.

Continued from Page 1...

I absolutely intend to be one of those who are welcomed into eternity with God and I expect to see you there as well. Of this I am sure: that heavenly realm of eternity is going to be full of sinners. Everywhere you look you will see the spiritually radiant form of persons who, like you, lived a life marked with sin and failure. Now what is truly odd about that is that you and everyone you see belong there. The reason is grace and the power of grace is God’s love.

Life may be challenging and to regret our sins and failures is a Godly attitude but only so much as it motivates us to give it all to God through the blood of Jesus. God loves you, of that there is no doubt. He proves it every day. Give the sins, failures, and regrets to Jesus and rejoice over the incredible blessings that are your life and the promise of eternity that awaits us. Heaven and hell will have wall-to-wall sinners. The difference will be that one group is forgiven and made holy in the blood of the Lamb. That should be a reason to smile.

March Meetings Deacons: March 7th - 7:30 pm Elders: March 10th - 8:30 am Council: March 14th - 6:30 pm

Hospitality Teams: March 13th - 6:30 pm Aim Hi: March 20th - noon

February Council Meeting Highlights

Minister’s report: Vern returned home today after visiting his father in Arizona. He has information to share in New Business from Church Mutual Insurance.

Youth Director’s report: None

Elders' report: The Elders did not have their regular meeting due to Vern’s absence. During a short meeting they discussed and encouraged Vern to take the time he needed to spend with his family.

Financial report: Kendall and Al explained that cards are going to be mailed as a reminder of the boiler and insulation installation costs, people can give a pledge. Boiler and insulation installation will be listed under Capital Expenditures on the Financial Report.

Deacons'/Trustees’ report: The snowblower needs maintenance. The February Banquet is planned. We discussed and planned events for 2018. Discussed the Outdoor Service at Edgewater Park. This year the service will be at the church and the deacons will plan a different event. Work day is divided throughout the year. We will continue to have a Spring and Fall Work Day. The projection screen will be moved in the gym. The mailbox is temporarily repaired.

Office administrator: None

Old Business: None

New business: Vern explained that he met with the Church Mutual Insurance agent. The agent recommended to keep the doors locked at all times and install cameras outside by the doors and then an alert would be sent to cell phones. It is possible that the insurance rates could increase by 9%. Increase could be 4 1/2 % due to the new boiler and new doors with crash bars. It is possible to save $645/year to change the deductible from $1000 to $2500. Discussed changing the deductible but decided to keep it the same for now. Discussed adding Cyber Crime Insurance for $50,000 for $60/year and add Sexual Misconduct Insurance. A motion was made and passed to accept the agent’s recommendations to add Cyber Crime and Sexual Misconduct Insurance. Discussed monitoring the halls during Worship Service. May need to assign a person. Also discussed conceal and carry.

Church Bulletin Blooper

The ushers will come forward and take our ties and offerings.

NLCC students: Earn $100 toward Summer Camp tuition!

It’s easy! Just complete 10 hours of community service and 10 memory verses by April 28th. If you

complete them after April 28th, you can still receive a $75 scholarship.

For More information about how you can earn a scholarship for Summer Camp, please see the flyer on the bulletin board. In the meantime, check out the camps to see what they are offering and when.

It’s time to plan for a great adventure!

http://www.pinehavencamp.org/

http://www.prairierivercamp.org/

http://neicsc.org/