Where is God leading us? Last week I highlighted the importance of daily prayer in knowing God's will for Central. Today I want to share some thoughts about the importance of WORSHIP.

Knowing and then doing God's will seems so very simple and manageable, and then also so complicated and difficult. How do we sharpen our perception, and learn the art of doing God's will? We pray - and we develop faithful habits when we worship regularly. Sunday by Sunday, we sing songs, we listen to Scripture and a sermon, we bow our heads, we gather around a table - and over time we are redefined and reshaped into somebody for like Christ, more attuned to God.

A critical item we find in worship that we don't get at home alone is...other people. We need each other to know and do God's will. God calls us to do many tasks that no individual can do; it is clearly God's will for you and me to be part of a Body that acts as Christ together. We need the wisdom and counsel of others. For instance if you are wrestling with a decision, share you situation with Christians who love you and are serious about God, and see what they have to say. Everyone of us needs mentors.

God also places some unexpected helpers in our lives: the poor, the weak, the strangers, the "least of these." For us to pursue God's will, we need to have a special place in our heart for the 'least of these.' The sanctuary is meant to be a safe place for everyone. There is a place for everyone at the Lord's table.

As we move forward in Building A Sending Church we must learn to worship together! The primary thing we do on Sunday morning is worship! It is the 'family reunion' where everyone is included as family; infants included! As we come together as 'family' the Holy Spirit will come down on us and lead us beyond ourselves. Without the Spirit's empowering presence we never accomplish or understand the will of God.

"Encourage one another...admonish the idlers, help the weak...pray constantly, and do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thess 5:11,19)

Paul Johansson, Senior Pastor
paul.johansson@clcelkriver.org

Crossways
Sundays 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon
This week we discuss David - The Kingdom of David: A Dream Fulfilled  Guests are always welcome at Crossways!

SouperBowl Sunday, February 4
The youth from Central will be at the exits of the sanctuary with soup pots to receive your gifts to fight hunger in our community.  All gifts will go to CAER (Community Aid Elk River) to help feed the hungry in our community. 

Under the Overpass - Sunday, February 11
Mike Yankoski, author of "Under the Overpass," will speak at the 8:15, 9:30 and 10:45 worship services and again for a Community Forum on homelessness at 12:00 noon at Central.  Mike spent nearly a year as a homeless man on the streets of United States. His journey of faith of the streets of America rocked his world and perhaps could change your life.public is invited to come and hear his story.

Central Annual Ski Trip - SPOTS STILL OPEN!!  
Feb. 16-20, 2007 - Cost: $325
It promises to be another great week-end on the mountain slopes in Big Sky, Montana.
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Men
Men's Morning Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:30 am - Otsego Cafe
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Men's Basketball
Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the FLC

Quest for Authentic Manhood
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
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Tuesday Men's Prayer
Tuesdays at 6:30 am in the Sanctuary

24 Hour Men's Retreat
Feb. 9 & 10, 2007
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Boot Hockey
Saturdays at 8:00 am, Handke Stadium on Main St. and Proctor.

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Adult Education
Beta
Sundays from 5:30 - 8:00 pm
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Crossways
Sundays at 9:30 & Tuesdays at 11:00 am
Guests are always welcome at Crossways!
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Snapshots of the Apocalypse 
Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:00 pm
Brighten up your winter weeks with Tuesday evening worship!  We are working through the last book of the Bible – Revelation! 

King David - The Movie
Friday, February 9 from 6-8 p.m.
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Youth (High School)
Confirmation
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the Yuth Room
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Didaskalot (Bible Study)
Sundays at 9:30 am with Curt Hinkle
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Sunday Night Live - SuperBowl Party
Sunday at 5:01 pm. Watch the game on the big screen.  Cost: $3 for Pizza, Popcorn & Prizes, etc.
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Youth (Middle School)
WyldLife
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the FLC
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The Studio
Wednesdays after school
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Road to Real
Sundays at 9:30 - 10:30 am in Room 211 with Tom-Pete and Ryan
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Journey Groups - NOT MEETING THIS SUNDAY EVENING
Sunday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm.   If you’re not in a Journey Group and want to be, contact Ryan Braley.
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Food, Facts & Fun (Tutoring)
Wednesdays from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
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Acolyte Training 
Tuesday, February 6 or
Wednesday, February 7 from 6:00-6:45pm in the sanctuary with Kelby Klimek.
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Children
Church School Project
We will need 200 empty frosting tubs and lids for a project in February.  If you can help, please drop them off in the church office.

Parent/Child First Communion Class
February 21, 6:00-7:00 pm, or
February 24, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Fifth graders will recieve more
information in the mail. Anyone else interested in attending should call or e-mail Jill Pouliot to register.

Women
Puttin’ on the Glitz - Women’s Night Out
Thursday, April 12 at the Rockwoods Event   Center.  Cost: $30/includes meal, dessert and entertainment.  Purchase your ticket in the church office.  Do you sing, dance or have an act you would like to showcase for the        program?  Leave your name and a description of the act at the office.

Women’s Brunch,“With Love from Mexico”
Saturday, February 17 at  9:30 a.m. The   Mission Mexico women will share their stories about their January trip.  Free-will offering.  Sign up at the Welcome Center or in the office by February 14. 

Small Group Studies  
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Jesus the One and Only
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
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Bible Study - 1 Peter
Thursdays at 11:00 am at Central

A Call to Grace
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm
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Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship
February 9, 6-10 pm, rooms 210-211.
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Caring
GriefShare
Saturdays at 8:00AM in the Lounge. GriefShare takes participants through the grief process.
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DivorceCare
DivorceCare, support for separated or divorced people, will begin its winter session on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7:00 to 8:30 in Room 126.
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Special Children, Special Parents
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Befriender Ministry
Feb. 5 in Rooms 110/111, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
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Seniors
AARP Tax Aide  
Tax preparation service is available to taxpayers with middle and low income with special attention to those age 60 and older.  Please note that taxpayers with complex tax returns will be advised to seek professional tax assistance.  The Tax-Aide will be available each Wednesday at Central until April 12. Marv Ziner and Joan Lewis are AARP volunteers.  Tax forms will be E-filed.

Next Gathering
Wednesday, February 7. 
The Social hour will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a Pot Luck lunch at 12:00 noon.  Please bring an item to share.  The program will feature Bill Hudson from WCCO-TV.  He will speak about his work as a special feature reporter. 

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Missions
Tanzania Mission Trip Info Meeting
Sunday, February 25 at 12:00 noon in the Family Life Center.
You are invited to join Pastor Johansson and other members of Central on an educational mission trip to Tanzania during the last two weeks of October 2007. We will be traveling to and visiting the our partners in the Kibena Parish in Southern Tanzania. Please call the Church Office to RSVP.
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Jamaica Robin’s Nest Team  Invites you to join us for Cinnamon Rolls Sunday, February 4 in the Family Life Center.  We will be serving rolls and coffee following all three worship services.  A free will offering will benefit the children of the Nest.  You gave up rolls and coffee for your New Year resolution: “no problem, mon” buy a Jamaican smoothie at JAVA Central and ring the bell for the Nest!  “Ja Smoothies” are available through the end of March.