Morning Worship
Scripture Reading: John 1:24-34 (Reader: Chuck Leininger)
Sermon Series: Symbols of the Spirit
Message: “The Spirit’s Descent as a Dove” (Pastor Jeff)
Offering: Unity Ministries
Lead Worshiper(s): Bryan De Groot
WELCOME TO UNITY CHURCH!
We are glad that you have joined us for worship today. In Psalm 143, David cries out to the Lord as he meditates on what God has done, “I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you… Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me…” It is our prayer that as we gather together here today, your soul’s thirst will be quenched by God and you will be led by his Spirit to do His will.
Welcome to Gideons International
This morning we have the opportunity to hear about the ongoing ministry of the Gideons. For over 100 years, the Gideons have worked to win others to Christ by supplying 63 million of copies of the Bible every year in the human traffic lanes and streams of life around the world. If you have the desire to contribute to the work of the Gideons, you may place a check in the offering plate specifically designated for the Gideons in the memo. We will also be receiving an offering for the Gideons as part of next week’s offering as well.
SURVEY REMINDER: Those of you with the surveys, they are due TODAY.
The Weekly Calendar
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The Monthly Church Calendar
Today (3rd Sunday ):
10:00am: Morning Worship
Children ages 3-preK and in K-1st grade will be invited by announcement to go to Children’s Church.
Monday:
4:45pm: Worship Planning Meeting
7:00pm: Friendship Class at Willmar - Lessons 3,4
Tuesday:
9:30am: Ladies Bible Study
Wednesday:
6:00pm: Prison Ministry Training - at Vinje Lutheran Church
7:00pm: Youth Group (7-12)
7:00pm: Ladies Bible Study
7:00pm: Men’s Jail Ministry
7:00pm: Men’s Wild at Heart 7:00pm: GEMS at First CRC
Thursday:
8:00pm: Gospel & Membership Class
Next Sunday (4th Sunday)
8:45am: Adult Sunday School - Gospel Class at Duininck Bros
8:45am: Children’s Choir 2nd - 3rd
9:00am: Sunday School 4th - 12th
9:15am: Sunday School 2nd - 3rd
9:30am: Children’s Choir 3 yrs - 1st 10:00am: Morning Worship
4:00pm: Area-Wide CRC Celebration Sesquicentennial Service at Willmar Evangelical Free
Membership Class
If you have been recently thinking about joining Unity Church, you are invited to join us at the Gospel Class for the next two weeks, where we are exploring the issues related to church membership. You do not have to make the decision to join at this time, but we would like to have you included in these discussions. The class meets on either Thursday nights at 8:00pm or Sunday mornings at 8:45am. The Sunday class meets at Duininck Bros. office, which is the next driveway south of Unity Church. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jeff.
Ministry Team Invitation
Our annual congregational meeting is coming soon (mid-June), and the Council is inviting each Ministry Team to share an update on how the Lord has been working this past year. If your team would like to communicate something to the entire church, please talk to any of the members of Council.
Council Nominations
The Council requests your input for those who you would like to nominate to serve as elder and deacon. At our June congregational meeting we will be selecting by lot two elders and one deacon to replace those who are completing their term of service this year.
Pastor Steve Out of Office
Pastor Steve & Ang will be on vacation until April 18, and then Pastor Steve will be attending Dordt College Board meetings on April 19 & 20. If there are any pastoral care needs that arise, please contact Pastor Jeff or one of the Elders. Please pray that the Zwarts have a time of rest and refreshment.
SRYG Lock In
Solid Rock Youth Group lock in has been scheduled for the evening of April 20th through Saturday morning April 21st. Youth group members are asked to keep the date open--more information to follow.
Couples Needed To Host Dinner Guests!
Solid Rock Youth Group has an idea, and we want you to do it for us (typical teenage stuff huh!) We are looking for couples or a pair of single seniors that are willing to host a group of four youth for Sunday noon lunch on April 29th. We will provide you with a short discussion guide for use after lunch. This guide will help facilitate both a devotional time and some story sharing. Please inform Kirk Vander Pol (Unity) or Renae Kleinhuizen (Willmar) if you would be willing to volunteer to host a group of 4 youth.
GEMS Banquet
The GEMS will be holding their annual Spring Banquet on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30p.m. in the 1st Prinsburg CRC basement. Mothers and Grandmothers are invited to join the girls as they end another exciting season. Come and celebrate what God has done through the GEMS program this year!
CRC 150th Anniversary
Join us next week as we celebrate the ongoing story of Jesus in our little branch of His church for the 150th anniversary of the Christian Reformed Church at the Evangelical Free Church in Willmar at 4:00 p.m. An area-wide choir and orchestra will be present “Fairest Lord Jesus” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” We encourage everyone to join us. There will be valet (parking) services available at the east entrance. A nursery will also be provided.
Orchestra practice for the combined service will be today at the
CMCS music room at 3:30 p.m. and choir practice will begin at 4:00 p.m
Combined Choir Rehearsal
Reminder: The Orchestra practice for the combined service is scheduled for next Sunday, April 15 at 3:30 p.m. with the choir following at 4 p.m. The practices are held in the
CMCS Music Room in Prinsburg.
CRC 150th Volunteers Needed
Unity needs a few volunteers for the Sesquicentennial service on April 22. Our deacons will be serving with the deacons from other churches. We also need two people to serve in the nursery with members of Raymond, Willmar, and Emden. We are also looking for anyone who is willing to help with clean-up after the service and fellowship time. If you would like to serve in any of these ways for our time of celebration, please contact the church office.
Worship Renewal Conference
Rev. Howard Vanderwell, a resource development specialist at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids , MI , will lead a Worship Renewal Conference on Saturday, April 21, from 9 AM to 3 PM in Prinsburg. Conference topics will include: “What Really is Reformed Worship?”, “The Issues of Worship Renewal Today”, “Planning Worship Services with Flow”, and “The Challenge of Intergenerational Worship”. The conference is designed for all who wish to be more thoughtful about worship. It will take place at
First CRC. A noon meal will be provided, and coffee will be ready at 8:45 AM. Registration is $15 and, to make meal planning easier, pre-registration is encouraged (though not necessary). For further information, or to pre-register, please call
First CRC.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Millions are Waiting! Bible Translation Banquet
You are cordially invited to join Peter & Sue Westrum for an evening of inspiration and insight as Sue shares about their 36 years in ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translation. Come Friday, April 27th, 7:00pm at the Kandi Entertainment Center. For banquet reservations and complimentary tickets please contact Lois Cook.
CMCS Spring Concerts
Central Minnesota Christian High School invites you to their Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 24, at 7:00pm. in the high school gym. Along with the concert choir and concert band there will also be a solo and several ensembles.
The CMCS Middle School spring concert will be Friday, April 27 at 7:00pm. in the high school gym. Barb Swanson will be directing the 5th thru 8th grade choirs and Michelle Mulder will be directing the 5th thru 8th grade bands. We hope to see you there!
The CMCS Pops Concert will be held on Tuesday, May 8, at 7:00pm. in the high school gym. The theme for this year is All That Jazz. The girls chorus and boys chorus and several vocal and instrumental solos will also be performed. Come and enjoy a fun night.
Senior Citizens "Fun Times"
The Senior citizens will meet on Thursday, April 19th, 11:30am at the community center. We will have a meal catered by the Lunch Box Café (no cooking ladies). The cost will be $7.00 per/person. We do need reservations by Tuesday! Contact Ardy Zondervan. Jeong Ha & So Myeong Ooh, our foreign exchange students from Korea will be speaking and showing slides of their home country. You don't want to miss this!
Plan ahead if you missed the play “Church Basement Ladies”. We are offering another opportunity, Thursday, April 26th matinee. Its lots of laughter - call Ardy for more information and for reservations. Also - sometimes we like surprises so we have a “Mystery trip” planned for June 12-16. There are some very interesting stops that the men will enjoy - we didn't forget the ladies! Please call Ardy for reservations.
Night Of Comedy!
Invite your friends! Bring the family! You don't want to miss this laughter-packed evening of comedy that everyone will enjoy! Featuring professional comedians: Thor Ramsey, Donna East and Phil DiTommaso. Outreach comedians have appeared on A & E’s Evening at the Improve, The late show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy Central and more! Come Saturday, April 21st from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at
Bunde CRC of Clara City, MN. Root Beer Floats and popcorn following the show. Free-will donation. Proceeds from this Simulcast event will benefit hunger and poverty relief around the globe.
