August 14, 2005

9:30 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Lead Worshiper: Bryan DeGroot and Unity Praise Team
Prayer for the Church and the World
Scripture Readings: Psalm 16, Luke 10:38-42 (Reader: Val Duininck)
Message: “Staying Plugged In To the Source” (Pastor Jeff)
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Giving of our Firstfruits: Unity Ministries
Closing and Benediction

5:00 P.M. EVENING WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Offering: Unity Childcare
Scripture Reading: Readings from Proverbs
Message: The Power of Heritage (Pastor Steve)

7:00 P.M. NIGHT VISION COMMUNITY YOUTH WORSHIP

NOTE: Night Vision is at Hope Presbyterian in Spicer this week at 7pm!!

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to Unity Church today! We are delighted that you have joined us for worship, but more importantly God is delighted that you have chosen to worship Him this day. It is our heart’s desire that Jesus Christ would be praised, honored, and celebrated in this place. There is nothing better in the entire universe than being in the presence of Jesus. May you truly and powerfully experience that today as we gather together to worship Him.

This Morning: One of the hardest parts of being a whole-hearted follower of Jesus Christ is that there are so many good things that pull us away from really spending time with him. In the event that we look at this morning, Mary and Martha are confronted with this struggle. Mary chose the “one thing necessary,” while Martha is distracted, worried, and upset about many things - things that needed to be done. Why is one applauded for what she does and the other told she’s doing it all wrong? As we study this passage together, we will see what Jesus is telling us we need to do, and discover what distracts us from doing it.

This evening we will be reflecting on our heritage as a church and confessing community. Positively, heritage is foundational for the next generation and the opportunity to release blessing from the older generation. Negatively, heritage can be viewed as hostile by those who are young and be a tool to hold the church hostage by those who are older. How do we exercise the power of heritage the right way in order to build a great foundation from our past for today and bless the next generation? We will be taking our cues from the teachings of Proverbs tonight to discover some of the keys to heritage. We look forward to seeing you tonight for this teaching and discussion time.

NIGHT VISION: Tonight it will be held at Hope Presbyterian Church in Spicer (7730 North Shore Dr.) as part of an area-wide worship event. Our Night Vision worship team will be leading. It’s a great privilege to be asked to lead this and your attendance and/or prayer support is appreciated this evening! It starts at 7:00pm.

Leadership Conference: Unity is hosting a leadership conference on Saturday, August 27th called, “Leading for Renewal and Revival in the Church.” For more information, please visit www.unitycrc.org/leadership. Also, if you are interested in helping to provide bars for after the service please contact Pastor Wendy.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT UNITY

Upcoming Sundays: We are exited to bring you three gifted leaders/teachers/preachers over the next three weeks here at Unity. Next Sunday we will be led by Mike Pluimer of our congregation. He will be teaching on the beauty, power, and design of creation that reveals just how great our God is and how awesome his handiwork is throughout the universe. On the 28th, we will be led in the word by Rev. Henry Wildeboer, a retired pastor in the CRC who will be here for our Leadership Conference. He has been preaching and teaching on revival and renewal in the church for the last 40 years and has a wealth of insight to share. Finally, on Labor Day weekend, we will welcome Rev. Keith Kerstetter, Senior Pastor at the Assembly of God in Willmar. This is part of a pulpit exchange that Sunday, with Pastor Steve preaching at the AOG in Willmar. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the oneness of the body of Christ. Come celebrate the breadth and depth of the gifts of the body of Christ these next three weeks here at Unity!

The Old Testament Challenge: Grand Opening TODAY!! The Old Testament booth is set up for you to explore more about the OTC, pick up copies of the reading guide and discussion guides, take the Biblical Literacy Test, and turn in your OTC response cards. Stop by and see what all the hype is about! Are you ready to take the challenge?

Bulletin Board Update Needed: The missions bulletin board in the back of the fellowship hall could use some sprucing up with new background paper, border, and pictures of our missionaries. The church office has the pictures available. If you are willing to help brighten our fellowship hall in this way, please contact the church office.

Garden Tour Help: Please sign up to bring cookies and/or help serve them for the garden tour on August 19 & 20th. There is a sign up sheet in the back of church on the information table. Thank you so much for your willingness to help.

Women of Faith Conference: Call your friends, family, & co-workers to make plans to attend the October 21-22 Women of Faith Conference in St. Paul. Tickets are $45.00/person. This event is always sold out. Contact Angela Zwart TODAY for tickets.

Christmas Program: It’s time to start planning the Christmas program. This year, the worship planning team has chosen to do a Christmas drama for a wonderful addition to our Christmas season. We are looking for people 12 years of age and older to participate. We also need people to help with lights, sound, costumes, make-up, and of course help with the set. If you are interested in any of this please contact Gina Ohden this week.

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Open House Bridal Shower: Please join us for an Open House Bridal Shower for Mandy Layman Saturday, August 20th at 10am at Unity.

Youth Group: The Unity youth leaders have been in discussion with leaders from Willmar CRC about the opportunity of meeting together with the Reformed and Christian Reformed churches’ youth groups in Willmar this coming year. Parents, you should find a letter about this in your mail slots today.

Extra Laptop? Ruth Veltkamp, our missionary in Nigeria, is seeking donations of good, used laptop computers. If you have one available, please contact the church office.

ANTS: A wonder in God’s creation and a nuisance in a church building. Please continue to keep all food and drink the fellowship area! Thank you!

COMMUNITY & SURROUNDING AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you! Thank you for your “July Love Gift” of $160.00 for the Bible League. The total amount of gifts from the churches in the West Central Minnesota League was $1,650.00. This gift was used for supplying Bibles for the Philippines. ~ Sandy Wubben

Senior Citizens - The Senior Citizens will meet at the community center on Tuesday, August 16th. We will have a pot-luck dinner at 11:30. A - H bring a dessert, I - R bring a casserole, S - Z bring a salad. Cards and games will be played later.

Garden Tour: Open House Garden Tour at the Bill Dykstra residence, August 19 and 20 from 9:30 a.m. until dark. Free will donation for Bob Dykstra and his work with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). If anyone would prefer a small group tour at another date call 978-8622.

Promise Keepers 2005 “The Awakening” - Men of all ages come to Promise Keepers 2005 for “The Awakening.” Promise Keepers invites you to an Unpredictable Adventure you will never forget! September 9-10, 2005 St. Paul, MN. Call 1-800-888-7595 to reserve your place.

2005 Minn-ia-kota Retreat: Make plans now to ‘take a break’ from your normal routine to attend the Minn-ia-kota Retreat sponsored by Bible League Volunteers on September 13 & 14, 2005 at the Oaks Hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you went last year, you probably received a mailing this week inviting you and a friend. You won’t want to miss this excellent time for spiritual renewal! Invite a friend or two to join you at this ‘retreat with a cause’! You will experience great music, inspiring speakers, a wonderful time of fellowship with other Christians, and while enjoying all of this, be able to help supply Bibles and study materials to our friends in the Philippines. Linda Evens Shepherd, our featured speaker, will share through her dramatic testimony how she turned the ‘pits of her life’ into stepping stones.