New LIFE Weekly 7.10.07

SERMONS SEEDS :

Last Sunday I talked about the importance of Authenticity in our response to God on a daily basis. “God doesn’t want no counterfeit, He wants the real thing!" Are you giving God all of you or are you pretending to be something that you're not? If God is ever going to be completely REAL with you, then we've got to learn to daily be completely REAL with Him.

Ask yourself this honest question. “What is my daily response to God’s grace and power in my life?”

According to John 4:24, why does authenticity matter to God?

In Gen. 4:2-7 it talks about Cain and Abel's response to God. Discuss with your family how lack of faith, anger, and a focus on other people can get in the way of us responding to God authentically.

WATER BAPTISM

“Have you been baptized yet? Well, what are you waiting for?” On Sunday, July 22^nd, after the church picnic, we are going to the Hendra’s pool to have a baptism service. If you are interested in being baptized or just want to know what this is all about, there will be a short informational meeting after the AM service this Sunday, July 15^th . Please sign up at the welcome table.

*Go to this website: http://youth.ag.org/discipleship/waterbaptism.cfm to find out more about Water Baptism and what it’s all about.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Connect 4 groups – “Are you having problems getting your groups started? Here’s what you do.”

#1 We are going to do this alphabetically. If the first letter in your last name is first in the alphabet then “you’re it”. Congratulations, you are now responsible for calling everyone in your group to setup a date that your group can get together. (If you don’t know what group you’re in or need phone numbers, then call the church office and we will be glad to help!)

#2 Set up a date, time, and location before July 31^st to get together with your group. (Please be understanding and know that there will not always be a perfect date for everyone in your group to meet.)

#3 At your first gathering, sit down together and discuss who’s last name is next alphabetically on the list. This person will be in charge of your groups next gathering (and so on). Here are the target dates for your group to meet. #1 before July 31^st, #2 before Aug. 26^th, #3 before Sept. 22^nd, and #4 before Oct. 20^th.

#4 Have fun and get to know each other!

Ironmen Breakfast – The men’s ministry will meet at the Nicollet this Saturday, July 14^th at 8:30pm. Afterwards, we will need some volunteers to go over to Larry and Bonnie Taylor's house to help them move. See you there!

Youth Group – The Youth Group (grades 6^th-12^th) will be starting again on Wednesday, July 18^th at 7pm at the church. The group will be meeting every other Wednesday. Contact Gary and Andrea if you have any questions.

Church Picnic – We are having a Summer Celebration after the AM service on Sunday, July 22nd. The church will provide the meat and drinks but we need your help for the rest. Put your name and food item you will bring on the sign up sheet at the Welcome table in the foyer. There will games and prizes for the kids. Pastor Sheldon is also looking for some “Corn-hole” boards for a tournament. Don’t miss this awesome time for the whole family!

Lifefest Music Festival– If you are interested in going to the Lifefest Musical Festival in July 11-15th, you can contact Beth Hibbard for tickets.

Missionary Sunday – I am very excited about Sunday, July 29^th as my friends, Kim and Sherry Babcock, missionaries from Argentina will be ministering to our church. I worked with Kim and Sherry in Argentina a few years ago and were very blessed by their passion to reach the lost. You will be blessed tremendously in this service!

TO THINK ABOUT

Why do those caution signs that say "Slow Children" have a picture of a running child?