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Sunday
8:15 am - Traditional
9:30 am - A Variety of Styles
11:00 am - Contemporary
6:00 pm - The Gathering
Wednesday Evenings
6:30 pm - Echo (Student)
What a Mess!
30 September 2008
The lead article from today’s Star Tribune; “WHAT A MESS.” The headlines of another front page article are; “Uncertain. Afraid. Helpless. Discouragement. The market has average Minnesotans feeling all of this and more.” Centuries ago the headlines were the same.
“Now the wife of a member of the company of prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant feared the Lord, BUT A CREDITOR HAS COME TO TAKE MY CHILDREN AS SLAVES.” What a mess the widow was in, she was uncertain, afraid, helpless, discouraged and more as she faced economic uncertainty. This Sunday – at the sanctuary worship experiences – we will gather around this story. Read 2 Kings 4:1-7 to see what happens as God supplies her needs.
It is a remarkable story of radical generosity and extravagant giving. A woman in need is blessed by the love of God and neighbor and her creditors were not able to take her two children as slaves. Where does this story lead us this week? It might lead you to visit http://www.ijm.org. You can read about a Uganda widow who had her land restored to her or about the status of so many children who are bonded slaves through out the world. However the story of the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 leads me to our community and the response of so many neighbors who gave their vessels to the 200 hundred plus victims of the fire.
Clint writes to Central Lutheran Church on behalf of his family;
“Thank you so much for all what you have done for my wife and I. Thank you for helping my children. Thank you for all the prayers. Most of all thank you for giving us hope. Thank you for the Church and the family of the Church. Thank you Jesus for all this answered prayers and families that help. Most of all thank you Lord and every body for stepping in so fast for helping us family victims. My gratitude speaks louder than words. I’ve been thinking of the song Amazing Grace. Thank you everybody!”
(Clint, April, Maddy, Boston & Brooklyn Waldhoff)
Our Pastoral Associate, Sonja Dixon, writes;
“Big thanks to everyone who helped out on Sunday evening with the shower. 23 apartment units participated and were blessed with over 300 gifts distributed amongst them. They also received gift cards – grab bag style with amounts of $20 – 100 in each one. The atmosphere was so gracious. I am so blessed to be on this ministry team and a part of the movement of God’s Spirit at Central. Thanks!”
(And thanks to Sonja and Alison for overseeing so much of Central’s relief efforts)
The stories of Central’s involvement in the fire relief efforts are the stories of radical generosity and extravagant giving. Yes – in the midst of a terrible fire and difficult economic times – God and neighbor stand ready to shower mercy and love. As we move forward in Building a Sending Church THANKS to many who have given beyond themselves. It is such a blessing to be able to share with you that a check for $15,642.00 will be given to CAER as a result of the generosity of Central’s worshippers on Sunday, September 28. In addition $16,208 has been received for the Fire Relief Fundy. And as our Financial Administrator, Kris Geslin writes, “this does not reflect all the non cash contributions we have received. This is phenomenal!!!!!”
Yes we serve a PHENOMENAL GOD! Let’s keep praying that we will be a people marked by radical generosity and extravagant giving! If you have time visit http://www.clcelkriver.org to see what’s happening in our life together.
To God Be the Glory!
- Orphans
- Alpha
- Financial Peace University
Sponsoring a child through Central provides education, school uniforms, supplies and food for orphans and semi-orphans in our sister congregations of Kibena and Matingajola in Southern Tanzania.
Each week people meet together for a meal, a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I be Sure of My Faith?", and "Does God Still Heal Today?" , followed by small group interaction. There is an optional one-day retreat, which focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
The goal of Financial Peace University is not just information—we're looking for transformation. More than one million familieshave attended FPU with amazing results. On average, they pay off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 90 days.
This Week @ Central
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21 May
MOPS
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM -
21 May
The Hope Connection
06:30 PM to 09:00 PM -
21 May
Revelation Class
07:00 PM to 08:30 PM -
22 May
Moms In Touch - VandenBerge & Salk Middle Schools
08:15 AM to 09:15 AM -
22 May
Staff Prayers
09:00 AM to 09:15 AM -
22 May
Men's and Women's Coffee Hour
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM -
22 May
Staff Meeting
01:30 PM to 03:00 PM -
22 May
Prayer Worship
06:30 PM to 07:00 PM -
22 May
The Lord's Prayer Class
07:15 PM to 08:30 PM -
23 May
Women's Bible Study at Panera
06:45 AM to 07:45 AM -
23 May
College and Career Moms in Touch
08:00 AM to 09:00 AM -
23 May
Fresh Food Distribution
08:30 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
Central Assembly Group
08:30 AM to 11:30 AM -
23 May
Staff Prayers
09:00 AM to 09:15 AM -
23 May
Fresh Faith
09:00 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
Little Lambs Chapel Time
09:30 AM to 10:00 AM -
23 May
The Lord's Prayer Class
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM -
23 May
Weight Watchers Meeting
12:00 PM to 02:00 PM -
23 May
echo Studios (Art & Music)
03:30 PM to 05:30 PM -
23 May
echo Leader Party at Braley's
06:30 PM to 08:00 PM
21 May - 22 May
22 May - 22 May
22 May - 23 May
23 May - 23 May
23 May - 23 May