May 1, 2005 Bulletin

10:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Lead Worshipers: Bryan De Groot & the Praise Team
Giving of our Firstfruits: Long-Term Missions (Next Week: General Fund)
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11 (Reader: Gina Ohden)
Message Series: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God
Today’s Message: Peter – Just Another Brick (Pastor Jeff)
Blessing and Sending

6:00 P.M. EVENING WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Offering: United Campus Ministries
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3
Message: As Long As It Is TODAY! (Pastor Steve)

WORSHIP NOTES

Welcome to this place of worship. We have gathered together as God’s people to celebrate and testify to what he has done for us and in us. We invite you to join us in giving praise, honor, and glory to God in the name of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. May you be blessed, healed, and satisfied by the glorious presence of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Lord, and King.

Today, we conclude our sermon series, “Ordinary People, Extraordinary God.” Some of the most radically transformed people in all of Scripture are the Apostles. One of these ordinary men who saw God do extraordinary things in and through him was the Apostle Peter. This morning we hear the story of Peter’s life through the eyes of Peter sharing his story as he awaits the last few hours of his life before being crucified upside down. We are invited to join with him in recalling how this ordinary fisherman was used by an extraordinary God to do extraordinary things.

Global Prayer for a Greater Pentecost

This morning, each household received a 10-Day prayer guide that we will use together as a community between Ascension Day and Pentecost. Please begin using this prayer guide this Friday, May 6. The prayer guide offers suggestions for what to pray for as we approach Pentecost. This is a global call to prayer springing from Africa where 22 million people joined together last year to seek an outpouring of God’s Spirit. Our prayer time will culminate on Pentecost Sunday, May 15 as we gather together for worship in the morning and a time of prayer in the evening, linking up with others around the world as we seek the face of God.

Communion

Over the last year the Council has prayerfully considered increasing the frequency of communion to match its importance. We have decided that starting in May, communion will be celebrated every month ordinarily on the 2nd Sunday of the month, with some variation around the sacred holidays. Therefore, NEXT SUNDAY we will be celebrating communion and invite everyone to come and celebrate the grace of Jesus Christ together!

THIS WEEK AT UNITY

Tuesday: 4:00pm Worship Planning Team Meeting
Wednesday: 12 noon Bulletin Announcements due!
Wednesday: 7:00pm Youth Group 7th - 12th meet at Church
Thursday: ASCENSION DAY!!

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT UNITY

Care Group Monthly Potlucks

Want to get to know others in our church? Here's a great opportunity! Each month, a specific Unity Care Group (there are six) will have a potluck at church after the morning service. This potluck will be open to guests at Unity that morning to join with them. It's a great way to renew relationships of those in our church plus open the door for new connections. The POTLUCK is TODAY for Care Group #3. A listing of the groups is in your Unity Handbook, available from the church office, or posted on the bulletin board as you come into church.

Profession of Faith

If you are interested in making Profession of Faith within the next couple of months please contact one of the pastors soon. We hope to meet with those interested and the Council on Wednesday evening, May 11th.

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.

Unity Childcare Bake Sale

Unity Childcare will be having a bake sale on Saturday, May 14, at Lisa Jarveis’ home. If you would like to donate any baked goods please drop them off at Unity Childcare on Friday, May 13. Proceeds from the bake sale will go towards purchasing new toys, games, and craft supplies.

Junior High Youth Group

Junior high kids make sure that you get in your camp forms ASAP. Lodging & Camp assignments are first come, first serve.

UNITY FAMILY CARES AND CONCERNS

Congratulations to Dave & Laura Brouwer on the birth of a beautiful and healthy baby boy, Camden Jay. He was born Thursday evening, weighing 7 lbs and 8 oz, and is 19 inches long.

We express our love and prayers to Trapper and April Swierenga and Brandon & Heidi Meyer and families in the loss of their grandfather Harry Meyer Jr. this past week.

We also express our love and prayers to Doug & Becky Zondervan and Steve & Terri Zondervan and families in the loss of their father, Uncle and grandfather, Henry Zondervan this past week.

Bridal Shower: You are cordially invited to an Open House Bridal Shower in honor of LaDonna Sandstede bride elect of Nick Freiborg. The shower will take place at Unity CRC

COMMUNITY & SURROUNDING AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bridal Shower: You are invited to an Open House Bridal Shower for Emily Swart, bride elect of Zach Gerdes, on Saturday, May 7 at 2:00pm at the First CRC Fellowship Hall.

ON CALL Presents ROCK WORSHIP WORKSHOP FOR KIDS, grades 1 - 6. Sunday, May 22, 1:00pm ~ 7:00pm. A day of rocking and rehearsing with the On Call band. Concert at 7:00pm. Get a t-shirt, snacks, and dinner! It will be held at the First Covenant Church in Willmar. This is a fundraiser for On Call’s Guatemala Mission trip this summer. Cost of the workshop is $25.00. For reservations or more information, contact the Youth For Christ Office at 320-235-0119.

ON CALL Auditions If you want to sing or play in a band - if you will be a sophomore, junior, or senior - if you want to be used by Christ - join ON CALL. Auditions are May 23 - 27th. Call the YFC office for more information and an appointment (320-235-0119).

Dordt College’s 50th Anniversary

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 in Prinsburg, as in the past it will be held in the evening. Children are invited to attend Vacation Bible School. 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.

Attention Potential VBS teachers

Please if you would be willing to help teach VBS call Nora Ziehl. We need at least 6 more teachers. We will not be able to have VBS if people don’t sign up. Materials need to be ordered and plans made. We have coordinators (Becky Hines and Erica Slagter) and helpers but not enough teachers. We need the kids to sign up in May and would really like to have teachers in place. So please consider helping for one week, June 6-10.

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.