Apr/May 2007
Pastor’s CornerSet Apart for God’s Agenda!
Some time back in January, I was looking through my library for a book to lend to someone who was going through some pretty “deep waters” and needed some special encouragement. In browsing through my office bookshelves, I came across a little book that I don’t remember ever having seen before, and I have no idea where I got it. However, the title caught my eye and I began to thumb through it that afternoon. The title of the book was “Returning to Holiness” by Dr. Gregory R. Frizzell and, as a result of my exposure to what was tucked between those paperback covers, the Holy Spirit led us on a nine-week journey exploring the subject of “Holiness” together on Sunday mornings.
Of primary importance to the entire study is a verse found in Hebrews 12:14 that gives us two specific mandates. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men, and to be holy; for without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Webster’s definition of holiness says that the word “Connotes spiritual purity, (and) refers to that which is set apart or is dedicated to some exalted purpose.” Thus, the mandate is very clear. We must not live with unconfessed sin in our lives and we should be willing to allow God to use us for His special purposes during our lifetime here on earth - whatever they may be.
The Lord spoke to our hearts over the course of the past few weeks regarding seven practical areas of life that we need to surrender to Him if He is going to hear our prayers and bless us in our day-by-day walk. Sin in the area of our thought life, our attitudes, our speech, inappropriate relationships, sins of commission (things we do that we shouldn’t), sins of omission (things we don’t do that we should), and the sin of self-rule and self-reliance, are all areas that we must keep cleaned out if we want to experience a fulfilling and meaningful walk with the Lord. Isaiah 59:1-2 reminds us to remember that “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” According to Scripture, only cleansed hearts will have mighty power with God!
As we closed out our study of holiness together, we opened up the Sunday morning worship service on March 25th to the entire church family for testimonies, praises and prayer requests, and I only wish our entire church family could have been here to share in that special time! The service ran until well after 12:00 PM (and it wasn’t my doing this time because I didn’t preach that morning!) As one after another stood and shared what the Lord had been doing in their lives, there was sincerity and honesty. There was laughter, there were tears, and brothers and sisters in Christ held each other up in prayer. As we closed the service, something happened that has never happened before in the 17-year history of Stillwater. Almost the entire congregation responded to an “alter call” and we were on our knees together at the front of the auditorium – signifying a willingness to repent of sin in our lives and to seek the Lord’s cleansing so He could use us and bless us for His honor and glory. We indeed “saw the Lord” together and, on the way out, one lady whispered in my ear – “I think we turned the corner this morning!” It felt to me like just maybe we did, and I want to ask every member of the Stillwater Community Chapel family to pray earnestly for wisdom and discernment as we seek the Lord’s very best direction and plans for our church during these coming days.
The Lord Jesus said in John 10:8 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The thief is very busy sneaking all around us these days, but to the degree that we learn to really trust “the author and finisher of our faith” the best days are still ahead of us!
Serving Him Together With You, Pastor Jim
2007 “SUMMER SPLASH”
Family Camp Coming Up!How does a three-day camping trip to warm waters and a huge, white sandy beach with your Stillwater Family sound right about now? Well, we can’t take off just yet, but it won’t be long before a group will be heading to Glendo Reservoir in Wyoming for just such an outing.
We will leave after church on Sunday, June 24th, for the five-hour drive to Glendo which is located 90 miles North of Cheyenne, Wyoming, right off of I-25. The plan is to return as a group on Wednesday night, June 27th, but the schedule is flexible and folks can come and go as they choose. By going up Sunday evening and being there during the week, we will avoid the noise and crowds that come on the weekends! We will set up camp on the east side of the reservoir in the shade of huge poplar trees; right on the water’s edge and each family should plan to provide for their own food and camping gear. We will have boats available for water activities, and there will be horseshoes, volleyball as well as great times of fellowship around the campfire each evening. The only cost outside of travel expense to and from the lake will be about $36.00 worth of user fees per vehicle at Glendo State Park. There are public toilets and potable water available, and you can bring anything from tents to 5th-wheel campers to camp in.
We’ve had some great trips in the past, and hope that many of you will make arrangements to take these three days off and join us for a fabulous time at the beach. Start looking for your sun-screen and water toys. Then think Beach and Sun and Warm Water! Flyers are available in the church lobby.
Birthdays
April
1 Cynthia Bahlman
6 Carl Borgstrom
7 Jerry Pope
7 Evelyn Schnittker
9 Ray Phillips
14 Casey Herk
15 Tami Monday
15 Jennie Schliep
20 Jen Cheesman
24 JoAnn Weber
26 Bob Meek
May2 JJ Jorgensen
3 Judy Olivo
5 Deb Adams
13 Shirley Scheer
16 Lois Stefan
24 Deana Pacheco
Wedding Anniversaries
April23 Sandra & Mike Wall
May
14 Lois & Paul Linton
18 Cordelia & Ercill Hunt
If your name and special date is missing or incorrect, please help us update our records by letting us know!
Small Group Studies
HIS Children (ages 3 through 5th grade)
Meet at 9:00 am - in the Education Wing (upper level)
Instructors: Gail, Robyn, Rachel, Judy or DianeOvercomers (Adults and Youth 6th grade & up)
Meet at 9:00 am - Applequist Hall (lower level)
Instructor: Ron Meyers
Studying: Gospel of John
“CHALLENGER’S” Study Group to Resume in May
Several couples have been meeting on Thursday evenings to work through an interactive study entitled “Building Your Marriage”! The study has been insightful and the fellowship has produced some new and meaningful relationships.
The group has decided that they would like to take a break during the month of April, and then resume the Thursday evening fellowship and study time the first Thursday of May. The format will also change to something that can provide fellowship and spiritual encouragement to both singles and couples in a family setting. We are also planning some special events and outings for the expressed purpose of building strong friendships and relationships during the summer months. A camping trip to Glendo Reservoir in Wyoming is planned for June 24th – 27th and how about a trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days in July, an evening at Colorado National Speedway and taking in a Rockies game or two during those “Lazy daze of summer?”
Anyone interested in participating is invited to Pastor Jim and JoAnn’s home on Thursday evening, May 3rd at 7:00 PM. We will have a hamburger fry on the deck (I know! I know! But hey, think positive!) and get re-focused for our summer season together! Childcare will be provided for our regular sessions, and it will be a safe environment for neighbors or friends who may not yet be a part of the church family, so feel free to invite them to come along. If you have any questions, please call Jim & JoAnn at home at 627-3085 or contact the church office at 627-3937.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES SUNDAYS: Prayer Time 8:30 AM Small Group Studies 9:00 AM Morning Worship 10:30 AM AWANA 4:30 PM TUESDAYS: Praise Team Practice 7:00 PM Grand Lake AA (in Applequist Hall) 8:00 PM THURSDAYS: Small Group Study (in May at the Webers’) 7:00 PM FRIDAYS: Small Group Study (at the Meyers’) 7:00 PM SATURDAYS: Men’s Breakfast (at the Bear’s Den) 7:30 AMOther Special Events PRESCHOOL CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK APRIL 9 - 13 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER MAY 3 ELDER RETREAT MAY 11-12 MOTHER’S DAY MAY 13 MEMORIAL DAY MAY 28 ALL CHURCH MEETING & POTLUCK JUNE 3 (FOLLOWING MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE) SUMMER SUNDAY NIGHTS BEGIN JUNE 10 FATHER’S DAY JUNE 17
Women’s Ministry Ladies - Reserve June 13 on your calendars for a very special “Purse-onality” event being held here at Stillwater Chapel at 7:00 PM. Then on June 20, we will begin a new Women’s Bible Study entitled “Falling in Love with Jesus” written by Kathy Traccoli and Dee Brestin. Watch for more information in the June/July PowerLine and Sunday bulletins.AWANA
APR 1 Bible Quiz Night/Sword Drill APR 8 No AWANA - Spring Break APR 15 No AWANA - Spring Break APR 22 Encounters with Jesus APR 29 Missions Night & Apr/Aug/Dec birthdays MAY 6 Wrap a Leader Night MAY 13 Walking by Faith—Layers Night MAY 20 End of Year Bash & May/Sep/Jan birthdays! Upcoming Summer Special Events:June 3 - All Church Meeting & Potluck
June 7 - Last day of school (and Preschool)
June 9 - Men’s event at Winding River Ranch
June 10 - Summer Sunday Nights begin
June 17 - The Hitch Family Concert
June 25-27 - Family Camp (Glendo Reservoir in Wyoming)
July 15 - Mike Hammock Concert
August 6-10 - Vacation Bible School
August 18-19 - Missions Conference (Bobby Michaels in Concert)
MEN’S CHUCK WAGON DINNER AND TRAIL RIDE
It’s been way too long since our men have done something special together, and that’s going to change! On Saturday, June 9th we have a great day of activities planned for men out at the Winding River Resort and it’s an event that you will not want to miss!
The focus of the day will be a great Chuck Wagon Dinner to be served at “High Noon.” The menu will include steak, BBQ chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob, baked beans, homemade biscuits, coffee, lemonade and ice cream for dessert. Immediately following dinner, we will hear a powerful testimony from a very special guy by the name of Bill Reiser. Bill grew up in an Italian neighborhood of the inner city of New York, in the midst of all kinds of gang violence. As one of the most talented high school basketball players of his time, Bill was highly recruited by just about every major college basketball program in the country and was undoubtedly headed for stardom in the NBA. However, poor choices sent his aspiring career spiraling downward and out of control, destroying every meaningful relationship in his life until a Godly wife who wouldn’t give up on him, brought Bill face to face with the life-changing power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Cost for registration and dinner is only $15 per person. How’s that for a deal? You can sign up for a 2-hour horseback ride in Rocky Mountain National Park in the morning before the dinner and event, or you can sign up for a ride after lunch ($30) For those who are not up to a 2-hour ride on a horse, there will also be a horse-drawn hay ride you can go on after lunch ($8).
Men from the Mountain Range Church in Fort Collins will be coming up to join us for this event, and it will be a perfect opportunity to bring another guy along in order to introduce him to Christ in a fun-filled, non-threatening setting. Be sure to set this date aside and ask the Lord to give you a special friend to bring along! Flyers are available in the church lobby.
MISSIONARIES’ NEWSFrom Setan Lee - Kampuchea for Christ
We at Kampuchea for Christ Cambodia sincerely appreciate you and thank God for your partnership with us. We just now concluded the annual rice distribution to the poor and destitute. About 100,000 families now have food on their tables—at least for another month or so. We praise God for Brother Bobby Michaels and his Musicianaries team for their steadfastness in helping make the needs known to the American people. Battambang Trade School just graduated 78 students from the sewing classes and computer classes. We praise God for allowing us to serve young poor women by providing them with adequate trades in order to make a decent living. Thanks again for your continued partnership with Kampuchea for Christ.From June Matson - Pregnancy Resource Connection
We are now a member of an organization called Care Net International, a network of pregnancy centers across the US and Canada. Care Net helps to facilitate organizational development, growth and visibility within the community. Also, because our goal is to become a medical facility (over the next two years) being affiliated with Care Net will make that an easier transition as well as provide us with legal aid, advertising assistance and much more. We just completed our “Equipped to Serve” Advisor Training (a four-day instruction course). Eleven women attended, some were sharpening their counseling skills. Three gals were in training for the first time…featuring your very own Holly Blasi! Please pray for God’s direction and provision as we move forward to become a medical center offering Ultrasound. Thank you so much for all your support of our ministry. Mark your calendars for PRC Banquet/Auction on September 7th (our biggest fundraiser.) Also, from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day your church should have a supply of baby bottles you can fill with loose change. (A favorite fundraiser for many.)From John Cook - Indigenous Ministries International
Earlier this year I spent six weeks in India teaching at the Pastor’s Conference and working with John Ingole and our architect in preparation for building the children’s home on the property. In April I’ll be in Syria and Jordan with a US ministry worker to meet with five church planters that we’re going to partner with. Some have already planted churches without support. The latter part of April, Dee and I will be in Phoenix to share IMI’s vision and to raise support. In my travels through India, I was reminded of Romans 1:21-23: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” We’ve all exchanged who God has revealed himself to be, into a god that we have built in our image, not just the idols of religion, but even in the US we have stripped God of his holiness, his attributes, his purity; wanting to change who God is and bring him down to our level, so that we could elevate ourselves to decide what we will choose to believe as revealed in Scripture - as if it were up to us. Take God’s Word as it is; the revelation of the only God who exists and who created you for a relationship with Him. That you may know Him and worship in clarity the Almighty, Holy, Relational, Loving God.
Elder Thoughts
"Balancing the Christian Life"As I mentioned in the last issue of the Power Line we are going to talk about “Balancing the Christian Life.”
Last issue we talked about “Spirituality.” We found that genuine spirituality involves three factors: (1) Regeneration - No one can be spiritual in the biblical sense without having first experienced the new life that is freely given to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; (2) The Holy Spirit is preeminently involved in producing spirituality - The ministries of the Spirit involve teaching (John 16:12-15), guiding (Romans 8:14), assuring (Romans 8:16), praying (Romans 8:26), the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7), and warring against the flesh (Galatians 5:17) - all of which depend on the filling of the Spirit for their full manifestation (Ephesians 5:18); and (3) Time.
In this issue we will talk about maturity and assurance. Justification makes us right with God positionally and sets us on a spiritual journey in which we are no longer slaves to sin. This process of spiritual growth or transformation is called “sanctification.” Even though we have this great gift of salvation and the promises that come with a justified standing before God, there are still times when we struggle with our old nature. Paul describes the battle between our old and new natures in Romans 7:14-24 (note the number of times “I” is used). This battle is very much a reality of the process of sanctification. Spiritual growth and maturity takes time because it is progressive in nature. In chapter 8 he continues with “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Looking at the verses in chapter 8 we see an absence of the word “I” and the numerous times we see the words Spirit, God and Christ Jesus. One mark of our spiritual growth is revealed by the dependence on the Lord instead of our own abilities.
What can we do to strengthen our sense of assurance? We can strengthen our assurance of faith by learning what God's Word says about our position in Christ, cultivating an awareness of the Holy Spirit, and looking for evidence of change in our lives that results from the Spirit's work.
For the Elders,
Ron Meyers