Happy Halloween

From our zoo to yours,
Happy Halloween.

Elephants and zoos have ignited a bigger controversy than you may expect. Here's an article from today's USA Today.

A Fun and Frightful Time at the Corn Maize

A week ago last Friday the NLC high school (a.k.a. Ignite Youth Ministries) and jr. high groups subjected themselves to being trapped, frustrated, and confused inside a maize of corn. Both groups departed about the same time in different vehicles to the same island but to separate corn maizes. Don't ask. Mud was a concern but not nearly as bad as expected, and apparently everyone successfully navigated the maize though some high schoolers got spooked in the process. Who knew that corn maizes were lurking with so many vile creatures (i.e. werewolves, red-eyed birds, etc.)? All in all it was a good time to nurture relationships, and there was nothing but positive feedback about the time of refreshment and sharing that the jr. highers had afterwards at the church. Thanks NLC for supporting youth.

Nursery Remodel

The past month has been "Nursery Remodel Month." The wallpaper is down and new colors are up. Some of the cabinets are in place. The new windows are going to be resized. The counter and water heater are gone. They even discovered a family of wasps had occupied nursery space in years gone by. The destruction is over. Everything from here forward will be progress.

The nursery will be relocated into the chapel for the next two weeks.

Thank you to all those who have helped.

Harvest Sunday

Tomorrow is Harvest Sunday at New Life Church. First, remember to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed. Second, enjoy your extra hour of sleep. Third, come to church and celebrate a Savior who accepts 'tax collectors and sinners.' Better yet . . . be like Levi (Mark 2:13-17) and bring someone with you to meet Jesus.

Is it possible....

...for the Christian community to gather for worship and fail to have God as the subject and object of our praise?

Naturally, when Christians come together, they meet not God but each other. They were raised in twelve years or so of the school-type atmosphere, so they’re used to assembling in a school-type manner: somewhat disciplined, somewhat orderly—but horizontal and casual.

Maybe because of this, many Christians never worship . They spend their lives in horizontal activities: Sunday school classes, women’s meetings, home Bible studies, even church services.
They extend the familiar atmosphere of the schoolroom to all their Christian activities for the rest of their lives. They learn to know about God. But they never learn to know God. Direct contact with Him may never have been provided for or encouraged by their churches.

What if your birthday were coming up and your friends announced they were giving you a party. You eagerly anticipated it—but finally when party time actually came, they never noticed you. You were off in a corner, and they talked about you as if you weren’t even there! Eventually you’d get the picture—that they were just using the occasion of your birthday as an excuse to get together and enjoy one another.

Do you suppose that’s the way God feels every week? Many Christians seem to use church services to talk some about Him, but mostly as an excuse to enjoy one another.
--- Anne Ortlund

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39).

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [what we shall eat, drink, or wear] will be given to you as well (Matt. 6:33).

Lessons From A Short-Term Mission Trip

1. Reality is shaped by vocabulary and vocabulary shapes reality. [In Ukraine, they don’t have words for ‘vision’ or ‘strategy.’ After years of communist dictatorship, they didn’t need one. In Italy, they don’t have a word for ‘accountability.’]
2. Relationships are more important than meetings.
3. In an environment where you can’t plan very well, who you are will be more important than how prepared you are. Your ministry comes from your life.
4. The people you go with and the people you come home to are the ones who need to benefit from the experience the most.
5. Human beings are the same everywhere.
6. God is the same everywhere.
7. Culture sets limits on our behavior. We will assume that what is cultural is godly, but that is not necessarily so.
8. Every culture has its own besetting sins.
9. A long-term missionary has to make it work. A short term missionary will go home soon. This leads to different approaches to the same problem.
10. It is easy to fall in love with an experience. This is different from the call to be a missionary.
11. Language matters. Use well the one you know.
12. Their lives go on after you leave. Make them easier.
13. Hosting short-term teams is hard work for missionaries.
14. Come home and follow the same rules: Do whatever you are asked. Leave everywhere cleaner than you found it. No complaining.
15. Flexibility.

If you have been on a short-term trip and have lessons you'd like to add, I'd be honored to read them in the comments. Thanks.

Lord's Day Evening

MOST HOLY GOD,
May the close of an earthly sabbath remind me that the last of them will one day end.
Animate me with joy that in heaven praise will never cease,
that adoration will continue forever,
that no flesh will grow weary,
no congregations disperse,
no affections flag,
no thoughts wander,
no will droop,
but all will be adoring love.
Guard my mind from making ordinances my stay or trust,
from hewing out broken cisterns,
from resting on outward helps.
Wing me though earthly forms to thy immediate presence;
May my feeble prayers show me the emptiness and vanity of my sins;
Deepen in me the conviction that my most fervent prayers,
and my lowly confessions, need to be repented of.
May my best services bring me nearer to the cross,
and prompt me to cry, 'None but Jesus!'
By thy Spirit give abiding life to the lessons of this day:
May the seed sown take deep root and yield a full harvest.
Let all who see me take knowledge that I have been with thee
that thou has taught me my need as a sinner
hast revealed a finished salvation to me,
hast enriched me with all spiritual blessings,
hast chosen me to show forth Jesus to others,
hast helped me to dispel the mists of unbelief.
O great Creator, mighty Protector, graciouis Preserver,
thou dost load me with loving kindnesses,
and hast made me thy purchased possession,
and redeemed me from all guilt;
I praise and bless thee for
my sabbath rest,
my calm conscience,
my peace of heart.
-- p. 199, The Valley of Vision

Global Rich List

The Global Rich List will rank YOU among the world's richest. Give it a try and see where you are among the world's population. It will give you some perspective.

Praying is Living

Prayer leads you to see new paths and to hear new melodies in the air. Prayer is the breath of your life which gives you freedom to go and stay where you wish and to find the many signs which point out to the new land. Praying is not simply some necessary compartment in the daily schedule of a Christian or a source of support in time of need, nor is it restricted to Sunday morning or as a frame surrounding mealtimes. Praying is living.

---Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996)

Help for Blogging Pastors

At ChurchCommunicationsPro.com, Cory Miller interviews pastors who blog and offers advice to make it easier. Email one of the pastors you'd like to see blog more and tell them about this site.

Mission Reports

Sunday, October 22nd, at 12:00 p.m. at New Life Church Riverfalls, we will have a missions report from our Fall 2006 teams. Carol & Judy wil report on their ministry and experience in Moldova and Ukraine. Aaron and Amanda Orendorff and Marcia and Scott Reavely will report on their ministry in Italy. The ministry of our church extends around the world. Come hear a first-hand account on Sunday afternoon.

Please bring a hot dish. If your last name begins with A-M please also bring a salad. If your last name begins with N-Z please also bring a dessert.

The Wisdom of Providence

Wait, O my soul, thy Maker's will
Tumultuous passions all be still!
Nor let a murm'ring thought arise,
His providence and ways are wise.

He in the thickest darkness dwells,
Performs the work, the cause conceals
But though his methods are unknown,
Judgment and truth support his throne.

In heav'n and earth, and air, and seas,
He executes his firm decrees;
And by his saints it stands confest,
That what he does is ever best.

Wait then, my soul, submissive wait,
Prostrate before his awful seat:
And 'midst the terrors of his rod,
Trust in a wise and gracious God.

Prayer Summit - Friday at 7 PM

This Friday night we are getting together at New Life Robinwood for a time of prayer. We will spend our time in Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. During our time of Thanksgiving we have included a time of testimony for the ways God has used these 40 days in your life. As we conclude the 40 Days of Extraordinary Prayer, would you come pray with us and worship together?

Friday, October 13th at New Life ROBINWOOD
7:00-8:30 PM

One hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. – A.W. Tozer

Update from Muldova/Ukraine/German

Greetings from Germany! Carol and I (Judy) arrived safely last night and were greeted by Rick and Mary Beth Holladay. We were also greeted by our luggage, which made me happy!

Last time we wrote we were in Kiev and headed to Irpen Bible Church. I spoke to a group of about 30 ladies and Carol prepared and demonstrated a craft. We also got a tour of the church and the adjoining conference grounds.

Wednesday morning Rich and Cheri took us sightseeing and the taxi driver nearly killed us with his driving "skills"! Carol and I both saw our lives flash before our eyes. Rich and Cheri took us to the airport in the afternoon. They made sure we got through customs without trouble. They took extremely good care of us They are a precious couple.

We arrived at the Basel/Mulhouse airport about 10 p.m. and Rich and Mary Beth took us to their very charming home. We delivered the hugs Louise gave us.

Today we got the grand tour of the warehouse they recently bought to use for Crescendo Arts ministry and to live in. The factory is amazing. It has tons of potential. We are excited to learn more about their ministry and how we might apply some of it at home. Mary Beth took Carol and I sightseeing in France where Carol and I couldn't take pictures fast enough! We enjoyed our time with her very much.

We will head up to Frankfurt on the train on Friday and fly home from there on Saturday. Thank you for your prayers. We look forward to sharing our experience with you.
Love, Judy and Carol

40 Days of Prayer / Prayer Summit

This Friday, October 13th come to worship God together as we conclude our 40 Days of Extraordinary Prayer. Our time will include music, Scripture, testimony and times of prayer.
Come pray with us.
New Life Robinwood 7:00 PM

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mark 1:35 NIV

Moldova/Ukraine Update

Carol, Cheri Strahm and I (Judy) just arrived in Kiev, Ukraine after an adventureous 24 hour train ride from Chisinau, Moldova. We are now at the home of Rich and Cheri Strahm in Kiev.

The Women's Leadership Conference was a huge success! 54 women representing 17 churches and parachurch organizations throughout Moldova attended the conference. Beforehand, the conference coordinators were concerned that the various denominations would not get along. We prayed for unity and our prayers were answered. My presentations were well received and seemed to meet their needs. Carol looked like a celebrity as the women clamored around her to learn more about how to do culltivating events in their churches. They stopped for an impromptu prayer, asking God to bring her back to Moldova next year!

The women were overwhelmed by the gifts they received, including the butterfly magnets created by Tiffani Howard and the butterfly notepads made by the women of New Life Church. When they found the notepads placed at their tables two women came running to us saying, "Thank you! Thank you! This is too much!"

Just before we left for the conference I was able to pick up my suitcase from the airport. Praise God!

We have many new friends in Moldova who will need our prayers. We look forward to telling you about them. Tomorrow I will speak at Irpen Bible Church, just outside Kiev, and Carol will do a craft. They are expecting 40 women to attend. We will send pictures if we can. Please keep us in our prayers. We definitely feel the Lord's blessing.

Love, Judy and Carol

Worship

Glorious God,

It is the flame of my life to worship thee,
the crown and glory of my soul to adore thee,
heavenly pleasure to approach thee.

Give me power by thy Spirit to help me worship now,
that I may forget the world,
be brought into fullness of life,
be refreshed, comforted, blessed.

Give me knowledge of thy goodness
that I might not be over-awed by thy greatness;
Give me Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God,
that I might not be terrified,
but be drawn near with filial love,
with holy boldness;
He is my Mediator, Brother, Interpreter,
Branch, Daysman, Lamb;
him I glorify,
in him I am set on high.

Crowns to give I have none,
but what thou hast given I return,
content to feel that everything is mine
when it is thine,
and the more fully mine when I have yielded it
to thee.

Let me live wholly to my Saviour,
free from distractions,
from carking care,
from hindrances to the pursuit
of the narrow way.

I am pardoned through the blood of Jesus-
give me a new sense of it,
continue to pardon me by it,
may I come every day to the fountain,
and every day be washed anew,
that I may worship thee always
in spirit and truth.

Valley of Vision, p. 196

Praying

Between God on the one hand and the devil on the other, stands the praying man. Though weak in himself, he occupies a strategic role in the deathless struggle between the dragon and the Lamb. The power and authority he wields are not inherent, but are delegated to him by the victorious Christ to whom he is united by faith.
-- J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, p.129

Missionary of the Month – October, 2006

The Mayhughs serve with the Great Wall Ministries team in Macau.

Major Challenges for them and teammates: Church members’ long working hours; limited education of factory workers; loss of teammates; few committed men; and strengthening friendships among spiritual leaders.

Ongoing Prayer Request: Deeper commitment to Christ; for male leaders to take on increased responsibility; pastors’ health and spiritual vitality; unity and common vision; and teammates helping each other succeed.

Current Events:

Diana will have earned her TOFL certificate in Zhu Hoi, China Sept 29th!

Paul is working on his PhD in Hong Kong at China Graduate School of Theology. Please pray for diligence, discipline and perseverance as he is reading 10-11 hours a day.

Pray that he will draw close to the Lord during this study time and come out with greater abilities to help his Chinese co-workers.

Pray for Diana and Paul as they are separated Monday through Friday, esp. Diana as she will be in Macau.

Pray for the new university Student Center to be used of the Lord to reach many more Chinese students with the gospel.

Leadership Summit This Sunday

You are invited to our first Leadership Summit of the year on Sunday, October 8th in the Fellowship Hall at New Life Riverfalls. Dinner will be served at 5:30 and the meeting will begin at 6:15.

The purpose of the Leadership Summit is to encourage ministry team leaders, talk about leadership issues, communicate about what’s happening at both locations and reinforce the vision of New Life Church. This important meeting of ministry team leaders, which is also open to anyone from the church, will take place once per quarter.

Greetings from Moldova!

Greetings from Moldova! Carol and I arrived safely and were welcomed by Rick and Cheri Strahm, Irene Sologubenco, and Yuri. We are staying at a lovely apartment with the pastor and his wife. Today we saw the retreat center which is very nice. (Carol and I will actually have a real toilet!)


We have been well taken care of here by our new Christian friends. The conference will begin tomorrow. Hopefully, my luggage will arrive tonight. We have much to tell you about when we return, especially about the work God is doing in Moldova.

Love, Judy & Carol

We're Home!

We are thankful to be home and we're very sleepy. The Lord did a good work in us and through us while we were there. There remains a lot of work to be done. We look forward to sharing the full report with you. Here are some more Rome pictures.

Italy Team Returns to Oregon

Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.
(Deuteronomy 10:19-21 ESV)

Why Change?

Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
King Whitney Jr., President, Personnel Laboratory Inc. quoted by Wall Street Journal, June 1967

Yesterday we experienced some change at both our locations, the most dramatic being at our Robinwood site where we jumped our starting time ahead by one and a half hours. "Why would we do such a thing?", You ask. Let me show you in pictures and words -
Two new adult classes:

Life Connection & New to New Life

Kid's Classes with New teachers! And our youth group had time to walk to Starbucks!

We also enjoyed coffee and muffins before moving into our Sunday Morning Life time. Change can be difficult, but connecting with each other and with God is always a good change!

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah. That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
(Psalms 67:1-3 ESV)