​     PJ Alindogan, in “The Potter’s Jar Blog” (3-4-12), tells of the following:
   Three friends decided to go deer hunting together: a lawyer, a doctor, and a preacher. As they were walking, along came a big buck. The three of them shot simultaneously. Immediately the buck dropped to the ground and all three rushed up to see how big it actually was. Upon reaching it they couldn't determine whose shot had actually killed the deer.
   As a heated debate ensued, a few minutes later a game officer came by and asked what the problem was. The doctor told him that they were debating who shot the buck. The officer took a look at the buck and within a few seconds, he said with much confidence, "The preacher shot the buck!"
   They all wondered how he knew that so quickly. The officer said, "Easy. The bullet went in one ear and out the other."
     The shepherds heard God’s message via the angel, they received the message and they responded to it with action.
 
     As you listen to God's Word (as you read it or hear it preached), do you allow God's message for you to go in one ear and out the other?
     Do you hear God's Word without allowing it to transform you?
 
“God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.”        -Henry Blackaby
 
Based on Luke 2:8-21
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”  (v.9-10)
 
Remember in Prayer:
  Lloyd McEntire (Betty Misener’s brother)- died 11/27.  Arrangements pending.
  Kent Misener – recovering from work injuries, horse rearing up on him
  Angie Gust (friend of Lisa Bollmann) – hospitalized, heart complications
  Steve & Laura Darby – Battling Cancer 
  John Carver- battling cancer                                                             
  Eric (Rebecca Krafft’s husband) – battling stage 4 colon cancer
  Missy Hill (Matt Monzyk’s sister)- battling cancer
  Bill Millsap Sr. – died 11/22, funeral was held on Wednesday.
 
News, Notes & Upcoming Events:
 
THANK you to the many who invited and brought family and friends to the first Sunday of our two worship service format.  We had 168 people in worship (99 @ 9am; 69 @ 10:45am).  We had two wonderful worship celebrations, especially with the Christmas decorations in place.  
 
RESCHEDULED!  Washington’s “Christmas Around the World” Parade will be THIS COMING Saturday, December 5, parade begins at 6pm.  We are Entry #51.  Meet our float at 5:30pm at Main & Cedar Streets. Please plan to walk
   with others in the parade & hand out candy canes and share the joy of Christmas.

College Care Packages – With college exams around the corner we would like to send our College students a little extra encouragement in the form of a care package. Please drop your items (baked goods, packaged snacks, energy drinks, fast food cards, etc.) off in the church lobby ASAP.  ALSO…there is some stationary in our lobby to be included in our packages, so please make sure to stop by and write some encouraging words as well. Contact Jennifer Kazmaier at [email protected] or 314-503-8767 for more info.

Giving Tree – Help make Christ­mas a special time for a local family/child.  Take an ornament (listing a gift) from the lobby tree. Place that gift, with the ornament attached, under the tree by Dec. 15. The tree will benefit Pregnancy Assistance Center, a ministry whose primary purpose is to save the lives of unborn babies while also assisting the families with many other needs.
NLC Ladies Fellowship has a FB page, see www.facebook.com/NLCLoveLadies.  The Ladies will be having a cookie exchange THIS Thursday Dec. 3 at 6pm in the fellowship hall at church. Afterwards, the congregation is invited to go caroling.

Membership Session- interested in becoming a member at NLC, plan to attend an orientation session after Worship THIS COMING, Sunday, Dec 6, 12-2pm, light lunch included.  Please contact Pastor George to register.

Movie Night @ NLC – Sunday, Dec. 6, Doors open at 6:15pm, Movie begins at 6:30pm.  Come view “The Christmas Candle” (PG, 2013).  This is a movie written by Max Lucado. 

Plan to attend “An Old Fashioned Christmas”  - Gary Goza is going to lead us in this time of carols and tunes of Christmas past.  Invite some friends and  join with others in singing Christmas songs, 4:30pm on Saturday, December 12.  Be watching for more info as we are hoping to find a restaurant to go to afterwards. 
 
DAILY PRAYERS during December…. Watch your email for daily prayers during the month of December.  If you do not presently receive emails from the church, please note so on your Communication Card or reply to this email with “Daily Prayers”.   Please join with others in daily praying for our church and our community.

Celebrating Christmas with children from “The Well” – an EFCA congregation in the city who brought 15-20 kids to our VBS this past summer.  We will leave at 10:30am on Sunday, December 13, returning by 3pm.  We will serve the kids Tacos & then lead in a variety of “Christmas Games”.  Note “The Well” on your CC or reply to this email.

Be a part of New Life in the community!  On Dec 18th the Washington School District has a half day of school and we are inviting all MS & HS students to walk to NLC after school. We will have a snack and make Christmas cards for local nursing  home residents.  At 2:30pm, we will have two 1-hour shifts ringing the Salvation Army bell at Schnucks.  We will return to church, then deliver Appreciation Baskets to the Mercy Hospital ER, the Police Dept, etc.  We will return to church by 6:30pm for a light supper.  We are asking adults to help drive, deliver baskets and sing carols with the youth.  Watch for sign-up sheets and permission slips in the lobby. Come, ring the bills and sing carols!

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP will be @ 7pm here at NLC.  Lacey Lee, the Harpist, will be playing for the service once again.  Extend an invitation to your friends/family today to share in this special night.  Communion will be celebrated.

Operation Christmas Child – THANK YOU… a total of 109 shoeboxes & $284 was donated & delivered to the Union OCC distribution center by 20+ youth & adults.

Brian Harris (of Mt. Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand) told the following story:

A young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful. Uncharacteristically, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him.  When outside, the boy's mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn't take a handful of suckers when offered.  The boy replied, "Because his hand is much bigger than mine!"

What a view of God's grace!  Just as God has given us so much... faith, family, finances, friends and the fun (joy) in life, there is so much more He wants to give us... fulfillment of purchase, assurance of His forgiveness and salvation, and the power to live a life that has an eternal impact.   WHY?  Because we deserve His blessings?  No!  Because He loves us and wants His best for us.
TODAY, take a moment and turn to the One who desires to shower you with His grace that you may not only experience it but share it with others.
 Here's praying that your life is an "Eruption of Grace" today!
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

The Celebration Continues!    Many are giving thanks to God for the generosity and commitment of so many to The Lord’s Church and ministry at New Life!  Last Monday we closed on the purchase of the 8th street facility.  Yeah, God!  To date,  $29,620 has been donated and another $21,220 committed in pledges.  You are indeed Planting for the Future…Helping New Life Church to Grow!  Thank you for making a difference. If you have not had an opportunity to receive a campaign packet, please call the church office or see an usher during worship.  Together we will reduce our debt & simultaneously continue the Lord’s work through New Life Church.  (Please note in the “memo” on your check BUILDING)

Easter Lilies – THANK YOU to the many who donated an Easter Lilly for our worship this past Sunday.  If you have not already, you may take a lily home with you.  Lilies were donated by:
Al & Sue Stewart…in memory of Lynn and Jon
Dave & Nancy Scharfenberg…in memory of son, Josh
Todd & Chris Marquart…in honor of New Life Church Members
Dennis & Carol Arnold…in memory of our parents
Mike & Lynn Haberberger… in honor of New Life Church
Tom & Angie Hilbert…in honor of New Life Church Family
Jr & Cindy Berg...in memory of our parents
Krista & Raena Carver…in honor of John & Joyce Carver
Pastor George & Kelly Dohm…in honor of our Church Family
Emily Keene…in memory of persecuted Christians
Rich & Barb Strubberg…in memory of loved ones
Dot Weiss…in memory of my husband, Don
Neil & Carrie Maune…in honor of loved ones
Carolyn Meyer…in memory of Irene Hodge


Art of Marriage Event to be held HERE at New Life, April 10-11.  See a flyer in the lobby or our website for more info or to register.


Save the Date:  Church Picnic June 7th
at the K of C pavilion in Dutzow.
**If you are interested in planning,  organizing, or decorating for the June 7th event,  please sign-up in the church lobby, or contact Larry.

Overcoming Emotions That Destroy
DVD series continues on Wednesday evenings, at 7 p.m.,  through the month of April.

Ladies' Fellowship Group - Starts TODAY, 8:30 a.m. at Cowan's in Washington.  This group will meet the second Thursday of the month.  Ladies of all ages are welcome!Getting 


Acquainted at New Life - there is a bulletin board in the lobby where we will be posting pictures and brief descriptions of New Life households as a way to get better acquainted with one another.

Lawn Maintenance
A volunteer or volunteers are needed to maintain the lawn at New Life Church. A lawnmower, weed eater, and leaf blower are available for use at the church.  Contact Larry to sign-up.


Elder Team Development
Informational meetings continue to be held on Saturday mornings, 7:00-8:30 a.m., for those individuals interested in serving as a Church Elder.  If interested contact Pastor George.

TOMORROW (Wednesday)  at New Life Church….
    Overcoming Emotions that Destroy: Practical Solutions for Angry Feelings.         
     We all struggle with angry feelings, brought on by tension, pressure, and the blocked goals and frustrations of day-to-day life. The broken and stressed relationships that result from these feelings can overwhelm us. But there is hope. With the right help, you too can overcome those emotions that destroy.
    On Wednesdays through April 1 (light meal at 6:30pm, then DVD driven sessions beginning at 7pm), this practical DVD series, created and presented by Chip Ingram, will help you learn how to identify the unhealthy ways you respond to anger, uncover the feelings underneath your anger, as well as choose God-given, emotionally healthy ways to control your anger.
    You will learn through solid biblical principles, as well as the psychological aspects of our emotions, that anger can actually be a positive tool used by God to transform you and your relationships.
    Overcoming Emotions That Destroy includes the following messages (& more):

• Rage-Understanding the Monster Within
• Why We All Struggle with Anger
• Turning Anger from a Foe to a Friend
• How to Be Good and Mad
• Learning How to Stop Stress Before it Starts

Next Membership Class
Sunday, March 15, 11am - 1:15pm,  in the Lower Level.  Lunch included (donations accepted).  Reply to this email or Mark  “MEMBERSHIP” on your communication card.


Baptism Service
Do you, or someone you know, want to be baptized.  We’ll have an Immersion Baptismal here on Sunday, March 29. Mark BAPTISM on communication card.

Constitution and Bylaws Review with Q & A Time
Immediately following church on Sunday, September 28
Reminder:  The Leadership Team will hold two meetings with the congregation this week to review the proposed constitution and bylaws.  Please try to attend one of the meetings, as feedback is appreciated!

• Sunday, September 28 - immediately following church in the sanctuary.  (This meeting was originally scheduled for Noon including lunch, but will now be held at 10:40.  Due to the earlier time, lunch will not be served.)

• Wednesday, October 1 - 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the church.

Please also mark your calendars for Sunday, October 19, when we will vote on the constitution and by-laws following the Sunday worship service.


Attention  teens and parents of teens - We have decided to postpone the parent/teen meeting that was proposed for this upcoming Sunday, September 28th. We appologize for the short notice and any confusion. When proposing the date for our next youth/teen meeting we overlooked the fact that it is the same day as the church meeting to discuss our constitution and by-laws. We want to be sure that all families have a fair opportunity to attend both, so we are going to reschedule our next teen meeting. In addition, since out last teen/parent meeting on September 14th, the leadership team has created a sub committee (New Life Youth Task Force) to help guide and support New Life's youth ministry program. The sub committee has plans to meet this upcoming week to iron out a few items and further explore some potential opportunities before we meet again as a group. We hope to have more details and another meeting date to follow soon. If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Kazmaier.

 Many thanks to the forty four individuals who attended the meeting last night at New Life Church to hear Rev. Al Frank (EFCA Central District Associate Superintendent & Church Planting Missionary).  Al made a presentation about the Evangelical Free Church of America (www.EFCA.org) and was with us until nearly 8:30pm answering numerous pertinent questions. 
    I appreciated the frankness (pun intended) of the questioning; the answers to which were and are important to our future as a church.  We all came away with a clearer understanding of the commitments we are making and the benefits of partnering with the EFCA. 
    Convening after the meeting, the leadership team decided to move forward with beginning the process of affiliation with the EFCA.  As Rev. Frank mentioned, this is similar to a “courtship” period for at least a year for us to get better acquainted with the EFCA and they with us.  In the meantime, we will receive many resources to help us become a stronger, healthier and more vital church.  Following the courtship period, there would be a vote by the entire congregation before officially joining the EFCA.
    Please note, the concerns raised at the meeting regarding how some other EFCA churches have chosen to handle membership will be addressed in the next few months as we formalize our membership process.  As a point of reference, I anticipate the membership process being very similar to what I incorporated in the past.   
   Please continue to communicate your hopes, fears, dreams and concerns to the leadership team.  We will keep you informed as our ministry together continues to take shape.
 
Grateful for New Life,
 
    George
 
Pastor George Dohm
636.667.0449