July 27, 2008

THE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, July 27

10:00am:  Morning Worship and Children's Church for children ages 3-preK.

Monday:

4:45pm: Worship Planning Meeting

Wednesday:

5:45pm: SRYG 6th - 12th Bike Ride

7:00pm: Men's Jail Ministry

9:00pm: Worship Team Practice

Sunday, August 3

9:00am: Missions Prayer Time

10:00am: Worship and Children's Church for children ages 3-preK

Unity Church Announcements

Prayer Ministry

At the conclusion of our worship time each week people will be available to pray with you about any item of concern to you.

Missions Prayer Next Week

Join the Missions & Outreach Team for a time of prayer for our missionaries at 9:00 am next week and every first Sunday of the month in Pastor Jeff’s office.

Out of the office

Pastor Steve & Ang are on vacation to North Carolina to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Pastor Steve will return to the office August 4.

Building Update

Construction on the building expansion continues to progress. The building team has been meeting with the contractors, corresponding with the architect, and working on finalizing the decisions for the interior, kitchen, and multimedia, as well as continually looking at further ways to save money without sacrificing quality.  The building finance team is also giving the opportunity to church members or anyone in the community to participate in the loan for the project by  having them lend a minimum of $50,000 at a 6% fixed rate for five years.  We continue to ask for your cooperation as the project proceeds.  We specifically ask that those who drive to church on Sunday would leave the parking spaces closest to the door by the kitchen available for those who have difficulty walking

Double Baby Shower

You are invited to a double baby shower for Eliana Fischer, infant daughter of Tim and Londa Fischer, and Kaylee Dannen, infant daughter of Jason and Laura Dannen. The shower will be at Unity Church on Saturday, August 9th at 9:30am. Everyone is welcome.

Summer Carnival 

Keep your schedules open for a fun night on August 5th from 5:30pm - 8:00pm for the Summer Carnival at Willmar CRC a free, family-oriented, carnival to reach out to the community as the body of Christ. This is a community outreach event that requires a lot of time and volunteer work. If you would like to help out at the carnival, please contact Kirk Vander Pol @ 905-2770 or 978-1000 or kirkvanderpol@gmail.com.  Pray for the Carnival to be effective in reaching out to the kids in the community that may not know about Jesus!!

Support the local mission of our Solid Rock Youth Group

You have the opportunity to support the youth and adults from the SRYG as they serve the local community the first week of August by donating grocery items for breakfast and lunch.  See the list on the table in the fellowship hall and sign up today or talk with Alnora.

Carnival Donations

We are looking for some donations. If you are interested in donating some pop we are looking for cases of Coke, Dt. Coke, Mt. Dew, & Sierra Mist. If you are interested in donating please bring your cases of pop to Unity Church by August 3^rd

Carnival Flyers

There are flyers in the back of church for you to pass out to neighbors, acquaintances and co-workers for the outreach carnival.  We are specifically trying to invite those families with children who are not Christian or are exploring the Christian faith.  Please challenge yourself to invite one or two families that you know.

Youth Group Grades 6th - 12th

Meet Wednesday night at 5:45 p.m. at the trail head by the Willmar Civic Center with your bike.  We will bike to Spicer and back--bring some money for a snack at DQ or mini-golf if we are in the mood for that.  Should be back to Willmar by 9p.m.--Kirk can help arrange transport for your bike if needed.

2008 Women of Faith Conference

What are you longing to do? Do you need a girls night out, to Renew, Refresh, Rejoice, Relax, Receive, Reconnect, Recharge, Revitalize. Experience this and more at Infinite Grace Women of Faith's all-new 2008 conference. One Friday and Saturday can put fresh wind in your sails for the rest of the year.  The conference will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Xcel Energy Center, on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18. There is more information in the office.

Community Announcements

Bloodmobile

The bloodmobile will be at the First CRC in Prinsburg on Thursday, July 31, from 1:00pm - 7:00pm. The flooding in Iowa and other places in the Midwest has created a shortage and we have been asked to try and help out with an extra blood drive. There has been a change in requirements, now 16 - year olds are allowed to give if they have the permission of their parents. The permission sheets will be available at the church or at the home of Trudy Erffmeyer. Please consider giving during this time of great need.

Meet & Greet

All are invited to come to Willmar CRC fellowship hall for a meet and greet of Arbin Pokharal and his wife.  Arbin is a friend of Kirk and Christina's from Dordt and Pastor Nate and Amy while at Calvin Seminary.  They are now doing mission work in Nepal (both are from Nepal).  They have quite a testimony and are involved in exciting works of God in Nepal.  

GEMS

The Prinsburg GEMS will be expanding our program this year to include 2nd and 3rd graders.  If you have a daughter or know of someone who would be interested in joining us, please call Barb Ahrenholz.  We will also be in need of more counselors.

Community Picnic

First CRC is planning a community picnic supper on Wednesday, August 13, which will be followed by a variety show featuring local talent.  Supper will be served from 5:30 to 6:45 with the show starting at 7:00.  Please reserve the date and alert your neighbors!

Wisconsin Mission Trip

A group is being organized to go and help Bob Dykstra at the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation in Wisconsin. We would leave Thursday, September 18 and return Sunday, September 21. There are a number of projects to be done, from wood cutting to construction, and also possibly an opportunity to help Bob out with ministry in the evenings. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Chad Hoekstra  

2008 Minn-ia-kota Retreat

The deadline is approaching! Have you sent in your reservation for the Bible League Volunteers' Retreat at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa on September 9 and 10.   With transparency and intellectual grit, Lael Arrington, our featured speaker, challenges her audiences to live for Christ's Kingdom in today's culture. Husbands and friends are encouraged to come to the special men's session with Joseph Owen, the Bible League's Vice President of Africa Ministries, and stay for the banquet and concert where you will enjoy The Circuit Riders as well as a presentation on what the Bible League is doing in Africa. For more information, contact the Bible League.

Upcoming Messages

August 3:  Guest Speaker - Ben Groen "God's Overwhelming Call"

Jeremiah 1:1-10; 20:8-10.  God’s overwhelming call upon the life of the prophet was so engrained within him that he could not escape it.

August 10:  "The Gospel and the Image of God" from Exodus 20-Pastor Steve

August 17:  "The Gospel and the Name of God" from Exodus 20-Pastor Steve