10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP CELEBRATION
Lead Worshipers: Gar JasperWord of Testimony: Rev. Peterson Sozi, Kampala, Uganda
Giving of our Firstfruits: Building Fund (Next Week: CMCS)
Scripture Reading: I Kings 17 (Reader: Rita Ninneman)
Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:32-40
Message Series: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God
Today’s Message: Elijah: Living Outside the Box (Pastor Steve)
Blessing and Sending
6:00 P.M. EVENING WORSHIP CELEBRATION
KNIGHTSOUNDS IN CONCERT AT UNTIY
WORSHIP NOTES
Welcome to Unity! Let the Spirit of the Sovereign God rest on you today as you enter the presence of the Lord with worship and gladness!
This morning we continue our series of messages under the theme: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God. Today we look at the life of Elijah. Simply put, Elijah didn't fit. He lived outside the box of normal life of his day. Yet, his "unfit" life fit perfectly for the work of God in the land of Israel. Come on a journey this morning to the land where "unfit" becomes "fit" for God.
This morning we also extend a very special welcome to Rev. Peterson Sozi, pastor of the Back to God ministries in Kampala, Uganda, and supported by this church. He will be briefly sharing this morning an update of what God is doing in Kampala.
You invited back this evening for a special treat with the music of Knightsounds, a group of high school singers from Orange City, Iowa. These students of Unity Christian High School tour each year bringing great music throughout the upper Midwest. Tonight, its our privilege to have them here at Unity! Come and be blessed this evening through this ministry of music!
Please remember in prayer this week Pastor Jeff as he concludes his work on his thesis, which is due on Wednesday. Pray for both rest and fruit-filled labor and review of his work! Pastor Jeff will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan the week of May 16 to defend his thesis.
The Junior Senior Prom committee at CMCS is looking for "no-longer-in-use" LP records (remember, those large black things that had recorded music on them!). If you have some they can use for decorations, please contact Tenae Zondervan or the school.
Unity Family Cares and Concerns
Pastor Wendy is in Michigan attending a retreat for women in ministry in the Christian Reformed Church. She plans to return Monday afternoon.
THIS WEEK AT UNITY
Tuesday: 4:00pm Worship Planning Team Meeting
Wednesday: 7:00pm Youth Group grades 7 - 12 meet at Duinincks
Wednesday: 7:00pm Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Last Class (Potluck)
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT UNITY
Prayer Chain Notice: A new updated Prayer Chain list is in your mailbox today. You may find your name in a new spot so check it out and post your group listing near your phone. Thank you for your faithful prayers.Sunday School Information: NEXT SUNDAY, 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 Appreciation Lunch: Teachers & Helpers & their families, in appreciation for all your help there is a luncheon after church today. Thank you for all your help this year with Sunday School and Children’s church.
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 2 weeks. You can join at anytime. Each session is very beneficial.
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.
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.
Graduate Information: Parents or Students we would like you submit a short article about the graduating students, please include information such as, student’s name, graduation date, what were they all involved in, plans for after graduation, what degree they have, and open house information. If there is anything else you would like to include please do so. Please have them to the office by Sunday April 24. Thank you for all your help.
GEMS and Moms: Reminder to mark your calendar to attend the end - of - the year mother daughter banquet on Wednesday, April 27 at 6:30pm at the First CRC basement.
COMMUNITY & SURROUNDING AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Friendship Class, Monday at 7:00 pm at the Willmar CRC. Lesson 4, but no small group. Have the craft already prepared. Please bring in all teacher manuals. Pizza for lunch.Benefit
There is going to be a benefit for Trent Roelofs, son of Scott & Cindy. Trent is being treated for leukemia. It will be Tuesday , April 19, 2005. Serving will be from 5:00pm - 7:30pm at Bunde Christian Reformed Church. Menu will be pork sandwiches, beans, chips and potato salad. Proceeds will go to help with medical expenses.
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.
CMCS Parent’s Club Meeting
The CMCS Parent's Club will hold its final meeting for the school year 2004-2005 on Monday, April 25. We will meet at 7:30 in the High School Music Room. We will hear a few musical numbers from our students. We will then proceed to the business meeting. We will be electing new officers, and voting on a couple of items to purchase. We will also take a few moments to recognize a couple of the CMCS staff that are not returning next fall. There will be discussion on fund raising activities for the next school year. We encourage ALL parents to attend this important meeting.
Senior Citizens
Our April meeting will be a pot-luck dinner at the community center. We will meet for an 11:30 SHARP noon meal lunch on Thursday, April 28. We will be entertained by some small choral groups from CMCS. A report on the Senior Housing Project will be given.
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.
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/
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.
Lake Geneva Christian Reformed Family Conference
Mark your calendars now and PLAN TO ATTEND the Lake Geneva Christian Reformed Family Conference to be held at Alexandria, Minnesota on August 8 - 11, 2005. Join with us as we celebrate our twenty –second year of conferences. Dr. Carl Bremer from Primary Focus and Evangelist Verlyn Schaap from Sargeant Bluff, IA will be the Keynote speakers. A concert is scheduled for Wednesday evening. There are scheduled activities for children, preschool through high school age. Watch for registration announcement in your bulletin at a later date. Bring your family - invite your friends - plan to be challenged and inspired.
