April 10, 2005

10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Lead Worshipers: Bryan De Groot and Praise Team
Special Music: Jessica De Groot, Jacob Zondervan, & Luke Covert
Giving of our Firstfruits: General Fund (Next Week: Building Fund)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-14, Hebrews 11:24-28 (Reader: Roxie Marcus)
Message Series: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God
Today’s Message: Moses: From Prince to Putty to Power (Pastor Steve)
Blessing and Sending

6:00 P.M. EVENING WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Offering: Unity Childcare
Scripture: The Bible
Message: Right to Live, Right to Die (Part 2) (Pastor Steve)

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome! The Lord be with you and bless you this day! Worship with joy and freedom day in the strength of the Lord and His mighty power.

This morning we begin a 4-part series of messages entitled: “Ordinary People, Extraordinary God.” We will look at four Biblical figures who were taken from ordinary to extraordinary not by their own means but by God working in them. We begin with Moses today. Moses landed into the middle of one of the most complex situations recorded in Scripture. He lived as a prince, a fugitive, a fumbling speaker, and as the leader of God’s people. How is that possible? Stay tuned!

This evening we will continue a very delicate and difficult subject: Right to Live, Right to Die. We will plan to look at several key core non-negotiables regarding life and die and where Christians need to go from there.

There are several who have expressed interest in making Profession of Faith in the very near future. Some of you have already indicated to your Youth Leaders and Sunday School teachers your desire. If you are interested and you haven’t talked to anyone yet about it, please contact one of the pastors. If you are an adult and would like to express your new commitment to Jesus Christ, we welcome you also.

The Unity Council will be in prayer and study this Saturday as part of their annual Council Retreat. Please pray for the church leadership as they pray, listen and learn regarding the will of God for our ministry and future direction. If you have any input for them, please contact a member of Council this week.

Unity Family Cares and Concerns

Pastor Wendy will be in Michigan next weekend to attend a retreat for women in ministry in the Christian Reformed Church. She plans to return Monday afternoon.

Martha Barcos plans to “graduate” from her treatment program at Transformation House in Fridley at 3:00 on April 28. She would love to have some of her friends from Unity join her for this joyous occasion. Contract Marly for more details. Martha hopes to be able to worship with us again on May!

THIS WEEK AT UNITY

Tuesday: 4:00pm Worship Planning Team Meeting
Wednesday: 7:00pm Youth Group grades 10-12 meet at Taatjes
Wednesday: 7:00pm SHARP! Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT UNITY

Margin Video Series: Crunched for time? Join us for an adult education class that will help restore some margin to your life! The class meets at 9:00am Sunday mornings and will continue for the next 3 weeks. You can join at anytime. Each session is very beneficial.

Sunday School Information: On April 24, Unity Sunday School classes K - 9 will be doing a church service at Clara City Care Center as a service project. We will depart from church at 8:45am and will be returning at 10:00am.

Sunday School Teacher/Helper Appreciation: The last day of Sunday School will be May 1. In appreciation for all the help there will be a luncheon after church on Sunday, April 17 for all teachers, helpers and their families, this includes children’s church. Please RSVP to Rita Ninneman 978-8903 or to the church office 978-4300 by Tuesday, April 12. We would like to have a count of people. Thank you.

Mexican Fiesta: Unity Youth Group is inviting everyone to their Mexican Fiesta on April 27th. Serving will be from 4:30 - 7:00 pm. Take out is available. Free-will offering will go towards our mission trip.

Council Nominations: The time is soon approaching when we will be selecting several new officebearers at Unity. If you would like to nominate someone for the office of elder or deacon, or if you feel led to offer to serve on the Council, please contact a current Council member. Nominations will be received until April 15th.

GEMS Ladies Tea: Just a reminder to mark your calendar on April 13 for the Ladies Tea in the First CRC basement at 3:30pm.

St. Cloud Prison Chapel Opportunities: Are you looking for a chance to worship God with other believers in a very unique setting? A team of people from Unity worships at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility four times each year. Training sessions in St. Cloud are available for people who would like to join this team. Upcoming spring training sessions are Monday, May 9 , 6pm - 9pm, Saturday, May 21, 9am - 12noon and Tuesday, June 7, 6pm - 9pm. Call Sarah Brouwer for more information.

Unity Game Night: Laughter, food, & good company! Who can resist? Come to Unity on Friday, April 29, at 7:00p.m. There will be board games for all ages, and a Bonko tournament, but you're welcome to take along your games. Bring a snack & 2 liter bottle of pop to share. It'll be a great night!

Advanced Notice: The 2005 Women of Faith Conference in St. Paul will be held October 21-22. Take some time to get away with friends or invite family to join you for this incredible time of refreshment. Twenty-five (25) tickets are available through Angela Zwart on a first-come basis.

COMMUNITY & SURROUNDING AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dordt College’s 50th Anniversary
Nearly 200 musicians from Dordt College, Sioux Center, will perform at Central Lutheran Church, 333 South Twelfth Street, Minneapolis, on Saturday, April 23, 7:30pm as part of a Midwest tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dordt College. Performing will be the Dordt College Orchestra, Concert Band, Concert Choir and Chorale, with a mass rendition of the Jubilee commissioned piece, “Lord You Have Been Our Dwelling Place.” Also performing will be soprano Tricia Van Ee, a Dordt College alumna who has trained vocally in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, and was recently a featured soloist with the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. Reservations for preferred concert seating may be made by calling Dordt College at 1-800-343-6738, Extension #3. The concert is free, with a freewill offering being received to cover tour expenses. Refreshments and social time will follow the concert.

A 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center on July 1-3. Everyone is invited to attend events throughout the weekend, including music and theater performances, youth and alumni intramural sports, socials, food, art, a parade, fireworks and more. Most events are free, but some require pre-registration or minimal fees. For additional details or to register, call for a brochure at 1-800-343-6738 (extension #3) or visit www.dordt.edu/events/jubilee/

Women’s Retreat:
First Church in Prinsburg is holding a Women’s Retreat, “Fresh as a Daisy,” April 30th, 9am-2pm. All women are invited and welcome to come to freshen up their minds, bodies, and souls. More details are available in your church mailboxes.

Vacation Bible School:
Let’s go on a Safari Adventure, June 6-10 at First CRC. Children are invited to attend our Vacation Bible School Program. Kids will meet friends, explore Bible stories, do fun activities, sing great songs, make crafts, play games, eat snacks, and more! We expect a great response. Your prayers are appreciated, ask God to bring children to hear about Jesus, our King and Savior. Ask God to provide willing helpers, eager to share His love in Jesus. We need 8 teachers and 8 or more helpers. Anyone that has completed 9th grade and up can be a teacher and helpers can be students who have completed 7th & 8th grade. Will you prayerfully consider helping for just one week? Anyone interested or who has questions call Nora Ziehl-967-4293.

CMCS Annual Soup Supper:
The Central Minnesota Christian School societies invite you to their soup supper Tuesday, April 12 at the high school gym. Serving time is 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A variety of soups and desserts will be served. Freewill donations will be accepted at the door.

CMCS Annual Meeting:
The CMCS Annual Meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 12, 2005, beginning at 7:30 in the high school music room. Many items of business will be reported and acted upon. We wish for all parents to be in attendance.

CMCS High School Drama:
The CMCS high school drama department will be presenting the musical Annie on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 14, 15, and 16 at 7:00pm in the high school gym. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. They are available in the high school office or you may purchase them at the door each night. Come and be entertained as you see Annie and her rags-to-riches story.

CMCS Spring Concerts

The CMCS high school spring concert will be presented Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00pm in the high school gym. Those performing will be the 9 - 12 concert band and concert choir, girls chorus, male chorus, 2 mixed ensembles, girls sextet, and vocal solos by Jon Evink and Josh Layman. We’re looking forward to presenting our concert to you. All groups are under the direction of Michelle Mulder.

On Friday, April 22, the CMCS K-6th grade will share a tribute to their grandparents through instruments, song, and spoken word. At 12:30 p.m. the 5th and 6th grade bands and choirs will give a short concert that will be followed by the K-4 concert which begins at 1:15 p.m.

The CMCS K - 4 Spring Program will be held Friday, April 22 at 7:00pm in the high school gym. The hymns chosen are part of our Christian musical history and an important part of our Christian heritage. The students will be singing these hymns that are arranged in the praise and worship feel of today. We would love to see you there.