April 8, 2007 - Easter Sunday

Morning Worship

Scripture Reading: John 20:1-9; 21:15-19 (Scripture Reader: Lody Johnson)
Lenten Sermon Series: "The Crimson Life of Love"
Message: "Resurrection Restoration" (Pastor Steve)
Offering: Unity Ministries
Lead Worshiper(s): Heather Pluimer & Shannon Stoel

WELCOME TO UNITY CHURCH!

He is Risen! Alleluia!

May all glory and honor go to our Risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ! May you be filled with praise for the life you have received this day!

The Weekly Calendar

View The Monthly Church Calendar

Today (2nd Sunday EASTER):
10:00am: Morning Worship
No children’s church

Monday:
4:45pm: Worship Planning Meeting
6:15pm: Deacons Meeting
6:15pm: Elders Meeting
7:00pm: Full Council Meeting

Tuesday:
9:30am: Ladies Bible Study
7:00pm: Missions Team Meeting

Wednesday:
7:00pm: Youth Group (9-12)
7:00pm: Ladies Bible Study
7:00pm: Men’s Jail Ministry
7:00pm: Men’s Wild at Heart 7:00pm: Cadets at First CRC

Thursday:
8:00pm: Gospel Class

Next Sunday (3rd 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

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

150th Anniversary of the CRC Sesquicentennial Celebration
April 22 at 4:00pm at Willmar Evangelical Free Church

THE GOSPEL CLASS

THURSDAY NIGHTS 8:00 P.M. OR SUNDAY MORNINGS 8:45 A.M.

Next Week: “What must you believe to be a Christian?”
Two Weeks: “What does it mean to be Reformed?”
Three Weeks: “Why do we have church?”
An introductory look at the essential beliefs of the Christian faith. Each topic seeks to answer key questions about God and faith. You are invited to attend any session at any time. Readings are provided each week, which you may use as much or as little as you’d like. The goal of the class is: to know God better and have the gospel shape every part of our lives.

Pastor Steve Out of the Office

Pastor Steve & Ang will be on vacation starting tomorrow until the 18th. Pastor Steve will also be attending Dordt College Board meetings on the 19th & 20th. If you have any needs, please contact Pastor Jeff and the Elders. Please pray for the Zwart's for a time of rest and refreshment.

SURVEYS: If you received a Green Survey to fill out, please remember to return them by NEXT SUNDAY!

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.

Membership Class

If you are interested in what it means to be a member of Unity Church, please join us for the next session of the Gospel Class. The three weeks after Easter we will explore the issues related to church membership and look at some of the specifics of being a member of this Church. You can choose to go to the class on either Thursdays at 8:00pm or Sundays at 8:45am - April 12 (or 15), 19 (or 22), and 26 (or 29).

Solid Rock Youth Group Mission Trip 2007

July 14 - 22 we will be traveling to a Christian retreat center in a remote area NE of Salt Lake City, Utah to help with repairs and upkeep. We will also spend some time in the City. We will be partnering with Mountain Springs Community Church (Marion Menning, former Minnesota State Senator who some of you may know, is the pastor). We will be doing some physical labor, spending some time being educated on Mormon culture and how we as Christians can witness to Mormons, and taking time out for devotions and working to develop a more vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. (Please note that youth group members will be writing fund raising letters in the next months asking for your support.)

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 Ladies Tea

The Ladies Tea is coming soon! Wednesday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship.

CRC 150th Anniversary

The area-wide celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Christian Reformed Church will be held Sunday, April 22, 2007, 4 p.m at the Evangelical Free church in Willmar MN. Guest speaker will be Rev. Howard VanderWell who has served four pastorates in the Christian Reformed Church -- Lebanon IA, Jenison MI, Lansing IL, and Hudsonville MI. After 40 years of active pastoral ministry, he is currently a Resource Development Specialist for pastoral leadership for Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. He will speak on the theme, "Remember Your Leaders".

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.

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.

Senior Citizens Trips and “Fun times”

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.

Community Events

Worship Renewal Conference

The area-wide celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Christian Reformed Church will feature Rev. Howard Vanderwell as guest speaker. Rev. Vanderwell is well-known for the worship renewal conferences he leads, and he will be leading one in Prinsburg on Saturday, April 21, from 9 AM to 3 PM. 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.

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 at 978-8796.

CMCS Fundraiser Thank You

Many thanks to all those who contributed items for the lunch at the Marcus farm auction this past week. We raised nearly $700 for CMCS! Thank you! If you need to collect your bar pan yet, the pans are in the church kitchen.

CMCS Annual Spring Meeting

Central Minnesota Christian School will hold its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 pm in the high school music room. Registration packets will be handed out to each family for next school year. We will also be voting on new school Board members. The Parent's Club will meet briefly at 7:00 pm. prior to the Annual Meeting.

CMCS K-4 Spring Program

On Thursday, April 12 the K-4 students at Central Minnesota Christian School will present their spring program at 7:00 pm. in the high school gym. Come and enjoy a variety of music celebrating Jesus, Easter, and Spring.