Journey to the HEART of WORSHIP

Seminars4Worship - Coming to Portland Oregon July 12-13

IT'S A JOURNEY LIKE NO OTHER – AND YOU'RE INVITED!

• Learn the keys to leading your congregation into deep and meaningful worship.
• Discover how to design more effective worship services.
• Be refreshed in God's presence and renew your creative and spiritual edge.
• Develop a more unified, focused and effective ministry team.

Who Should Attend Seminars4Worship?

• Pastors dedicated to meeting the challenge of being the senior worship leader of their congregations while mentoring an effective team.
• Music Ministers & Worship Leaders responsible for tailoring worship experiences to their unique faith communities.


• Praise Team, Worship Band and Choir Members seeking to sing, play and lead with excellence while understanding the biblical role of a worship musician.


• Children's & Youth Leaders wanting to lead students to a place of true worship.


• Multimedia Support Personnel charged with mastering the skills, techniques and technology necessary to support modern multimedia, multi-sensory worship.

Participants constantly rate these events as "Excellent" and find both the teaching and fellowship invaluable. If you have questions please email us at info@seminars4worship.com or call 800.503.0629

Marylhurst Symphony - Summer POPS Concert

New Life Robinwood's very own Diane H. will be playing violin at the Summer POPS Concert this Saturday at 7 pm in Clark Commons of Marylhurst University. Come enjoy some great music and a night out.
Special guest performance by the Beaverton Community Band.

Tickets: general, $10; students/seniors, $5; reserved tables: $60. To reserve a table (seats 8), call Orchestra Manager at 503.607.1573.


For more information, contact the Music Department at 503.699.6263.
Marylhurst University17600 Pacific Highway (Hwy 43) Phone: 503.636.8141

The One Thing

Proverbs 4:20-27, The One Thing, December 31, 2006

Farmer's Market Music

Armonia will be playing at Salute' Italian Cafe in downtown Willamette tomorrow, 5:00-6:30 during the Farmer's Market.

Armonia means "harmony" in Italian and is a jazz guitar duo of Taylor Reavely and Austin Kearney. You can see other pictures of their first performance here.

Good Tidings of Great Joy!

Luke 2:8-20, Good Tidings of Great Joy!, December 24, 2006

Calm Down!

Mark 4:35-41, Calm Down!, December 17, 2006

Prayer for Today

Freedom

O Holy Father, thou hast freely given thy Son,
O Divine Son, thou hast freely paid my debt,
O Eternal Spirit, thou hast freely bid me come,
O Triune God, thou dost freely grace me with salvation.

Prayers and tears could not suffice to pardon my sins,
nor anything less than atoning blood,
but my believing is my receiving,
for a thankful acceptance is no paying of the debt.

What didst thou see in me?
that I a poor, diseased, despised sinner
should be clothed in thy bright glory?
that a creeping worm
should be advanced to this high state?
that one lately groaning, weeping, dying,
should be as full of joy as my heart can hold?
that a being of dust and darkness
should be taken like Mordecai from captivity,
and set next to the king?
should be lifted like Daniel from a den
and be made ruler of princes and provinces?

Who can fathom immeasurable love?
As far as the rational soul exceeds the senses,
so does the spirit exceed the rational in its
knowledge of thee.

Thou hast given me understanding to compass
the earth, measure the sun, moon, stars, universe,
but above all to know thee, the only true God.

I marvel that the finite can know the Infinite,
here a little, afterwards in full-orbed truth;
Now I know but a small portion of what I shall know,
here in part, there in perfection,
here a glimpse, there a glory.

To enjoy thee is life eternal,
and to enjoy is to know.

Keep me in the freedom of experiencing
thy salvation continually.

(From The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975, p.55)

Kingdom Parables

Mark 4:21-34, Kingdom Parables, December 10, 2006

Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:1-20, The Parable of the Sower, December 3, 2006

The Life and Times of Jesus

Mark 3:1-19, The Life and Times of Jesus, November 19, 2006

Ben Foullon's Baptism

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Mark 10:14-15

A few weeks ago at New Life Robinwood, Ben Foullon followed Jesus in baptism. He gave a sweet testimony about his love for Jesus and his desire to follow Him all the days of his life.

The next time you see Ben, be sure to encourage him in his walk with God!

Cream of the Crop

For three years New Life Church has been blessed with some of the best talent in Portland. The Lord has loaned us two families who attended two different seminaries a nd who have proven a blessing to many.

John Parker has been serving at New Life Robinwood. Last Friday night he graduated from Multnomah Biblical Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. While there were several graduates, John distinguished himself and was awarded the John G. Mitchell Award.

This award is presented to the graduating Master of Divinity student who has demonstrated most consistently the following marks of a Christlike servant-leader in ministry:

• a servant’s heart,
• a love for people,
  
• an ability to lead and motivate others in service,
  
• a teachable spirit,
  
• a commitment to the Word of God,
  
• and a godly, disciplined spiritual character.

John G. Mitchell was the founder and first president of Multnomah. This is the highest award offered at the Seminary. Congratulations John!

Scott Creps has been serving at New Life Riverfalls as Life Group coordinator and as a servant in the Middle School program. On April 28th, Scott Creps graduated from Western Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. He, too, won significant awards at graduation. Scott received the Zondervan Greek Award for outstanding achievement in the area of Greek studies and the Senior Achievement Award. The Senior Achievement award is for:

the graduate who represents the mission and the values of the seminary.

Scott, Congratulations!

We are proud of you both!

Does God Care If You Take A Day Off?

Mark 2:23-28, Does God Care if You Take a Day Off?, November 12, 2006

You Can Try Too Hard

Mark 2:18-22, You Can Try Too Hard, November 5, 2006

When Jesus Calls

Mark 2:13-17, When Jesus Calls, October 29, 2006

G.O. Partner

Bill and Michelle Briggs
Jesse, Austin, Juds, Bo
Medical and Discipling Ministries in Ecuador

Bill and Michelle and the boys returned to the United States in April after serving in Ecuador since September, 2005. They are currently traveling, visiting supporters and churches, and we will hopefully see them here soon.

Please pray for future ministry decisions. Because of good contacts/experience in Ecuador and their desire to somehow continue involvement there, the possibility of raising up and coordinating short term teams is being explored. This would involve switching from full time status to associate status with SIM. They are working out the details with SIM and hope to send out a letter in the next few weeks outlining the changes. Please pray for wisdom on how best to proceed including timing for the change, a flexible job that supports their family and a stable education plan for the kids.

A House Divided

Mark 3:20-35, A House Divided, November 26, 2006

Sunday Morning LIFE at New Life Robinwood

New Adult Sunday Morning LIFE classes started this week at New Life Robinwood. We have separated the men from the ladies for a time - just 4 weeks. And will be studying issues related to men & woman. Pastor Bill taught the men's class this week on Being a Godly Leader in your home, at church and in the community. Sara Pylate led the women's class looking at Practical Godliness in the home. There will be new teachers and new topics this coming Sunday. Plan on attending Sunday Morning LIFE at New Life Robinwood.

Cleansing a Leper

Mark 1:40-46, Cleansing a Leper, October 15, 2006, Scott Haugen

Pachabel's Canon

All the talk about marriage in this week's text has put me in the mood for some wedding music. If you had this song at your wedding, I'll be it didn't sound like this! Enjoy!

Every Marriage Matters

Every Marriage Matters is a resource right here in Clackamas County that can help couples strengthen, save or prepare for marriage. They may be a resource to help several of us make it to our 70th anniversaries! (see below)

The Priority of Prayer

Mark 1:32-39, The Priority of Prayer, October 8, 2006

The Authority of Jesus and the Word of God

Mark 1:21-31 The Authority of Jesus and the Word of God, October 1, 2006, Scott Creps

The Opportunity of a Billion Lifetimes

Mark 1:14-20, The Opportunity of a Billion Lifetimes, September 24, 2006, Bob Binswanger

Campbells Celebrate 70th Anniversary

Last Wednesday at the SAM luncheon we celebrated with Ed and Jessie Campbell their 70th wedding anniversary. They were married on May 10, 1937. Their son, Don, gave us some history of their family and then several people shared what Ed and Jessie had meant to them over the years. Seventy years together is quite an accomplishment. To give you some perspective on what this means, just in historic terms, here are some facts about 1937:

• Charlie Chaplin had just made his first "talkie". (2/5/37)
• DuPont receieves patent for nylon. (2/16/37)
• Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd had just made their debut. (4/17/37)
• The Hindenburg had just exploded. (5/6/37)
• Franklin D. Roosevelt was president.
• Germany was invading Spain.
• The Golden Gate Bridge had not yet opened. (5/26/37).

Congratulations Ed & Jessie! Thank you for your example to the rest of us. May the Lord continue to bless you.

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

Mark 1:9-13, The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus, September 17, 2006

New Links to Online Articles by Pastor Scott

The New Life Church website has recently added links to two additional articles written by Pastor Scott. You can find them here.

Lazer Tag was a BLAST!!!

There were 60+ students and 8 adults who ventured to Ultrazone on Cinco De Mayo for a night of flashing lights and laser beams. Before departing, Andie Haugen shared the beginning of her spiritual journey with the entire group, which was followed up with an invitation for anyone to embark on a similar journey.

After arriving, the middle school students took the battlefield first. Having annihilated each other, they stepped off and it was the high school students turn. Rest assured that relationships were being nurtured outside "the zone," but once the gear was on and the buzzer sounded, the only common bond was Red, Blue or Yellow. At the end of the evening, everyone was exhausted from the rigors of intergalactic combat.

It was delightful to see a lot of new faces at the event. Pray for continued opportunities for the youth of New Life Church to develop and nurture relationships for the sake of Christ.

The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1:1-8, The Beginning of the Good News, September 10, 2006

Today's Prayer

Please don't read this too quickly!

Assurance

Almighty God,
I am loved with everlasting love,
clothed in eternal righteousness,
my peace flowing like a river,
my comforts many and large,
my joy and triumph unutterable,
my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation,
my sense of justification unclouded.

I have scarce anything to pray for;
Jesus smiles upon my soul as a ray of heaven
and my supplications are swallowed up in praise.

How sweet is the glorious doctrine of election
when based upon thy Word
and wrought inwardly within the soul!

I bless thee that thou wilt keep the sinner
thou hast loved,
and hast engaged that he will not forsake thee,
else I would never get to heaven.
I wrong the work of grace in my heart
if I deny my new nature and my eternal life.

If Jesus were not my righteousness and redemption,
I would sink into nethermost hell
by my misdoings, shortcomings, unbelief, unlove;
If Jesus were not by the power of his Spirit
my sanctification,
there is no sin I should not commit.

O when shall I have his mind!
when shall I be conformed to his image?
All the good things of life are less than nothing
when compared with his love,
and with one glimpse of thy electing favour.

All the treasures of a million worlds could not
make me richer, happier, more contented,
for his unsearchable riches are mine.
One moment of communion with him,
one view of his grace,
is ineffable, inestimable.

But O God, I could not long after thy presence
if I did not know the sweetness of it;
And such I could not know except by thy Spirit
in my heart, nor love thee at all unless thou didst
elect me,
call me,
adopt me,
save me.
I bless thee for the covenant of grace.

(From The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975, p.51-52)

The Brazil Lunch Was A Delicious Success

Thank you to everyone who came, ate, gave money, or helped with the Brazil Lunch last Sunday. After the church service at Riverfalls we enjoyed an authentic Brazilian meal prepared by the team going there this summer. About 80 people came to the lunch, and after the cost of the food, we raised about $400 for the trip. It was not only a great time of fellowship and food, but it was also a great team-building experience for the team. We appreciate your involvement and your continued prayers and support for those of us preparing to go.

Flute Recital

You're Invited To...

A Senior Flute Recital

by
Hannah Cochran

On Sunday, May 20th, 2007
at two o'clock in the afternoon
@
The Old Church
1422 SW 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201

Park free of charge on street or at PSU parking structure at
1631 SW 12th Ave.

This recital is the culmination of Hannah's independent study class at West Linn High School. It will last about an hour and a reception will follow.

An Acronym for Prayer

Having a hard time praying? Could you use some additional motivation to prayer? Try giving God some "IOU'S":

Incline my heart
Psalm 119:36: Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law (Psalm 199:18)
Unite my heart to fear you
Psalm 86:11: Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; 
give me an undivided heart, 
that I may fear your name.
Satisfy me
Psalm 90:14: Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

This acronym came from "The Blazing Center" Q & A video from Desiring God Ministries.

TGIF

Today
God
Is
First

Brazilian Lunch Fundraiser

Join us Sunday at noon downstairs at Riverfalls for a Brazilian fundraiser lunch! The menu will include:

• Frango a la'Brasileira [Poor Man's Chicken]
• Feijoada [Black Bean Stew]
• Arozz [Rice—Brazilian Style]
• Feijao [Beans—Brazilian Style]
• Couve Manteiga [Buttered Collard Greens]
• Salada de Tomate e Palmito [Tomato & Hearts of Palm Salada]
• Brigadeiro [Chocolate Truffles]
• Banana Frita [Fried Bananas]

The lunch is being prepared by the New Life team going to Brazil this July. Come with your donations to support the team, learn more about what they will be doing there, and learn fun facts about Brazil. Everyone is welcome!

Pregnancy Resource Center Support!

New Life Church gave $1315.60 in February to support the Portland Pregnancy Resource Centers. Lisa Emerson, the Development Assistant for PRC, says,

Please convey our very heartfelt thanks to your families and let them know their gifts make eternal differences in lives right now. . . for the young women, girls and babies of Greater Portland.

I would love to see us do at least that well helping them with their Steps for Life Walk-a-thon coming up next weekend.

Not Blogging

I have been offline for a few days -- not blogging. This is a photo album of what I've been doing since my last blog post. The Dolphins are 2-0 and I must say are quite a sight. Saturday I graduated from Western Seminary with my Doctor of Ministry Degree (Finally)! My family came up for the occasion. Scott Creps graduated with his Master of Divinity degree at the same time.

Then, I have been the past two days at Western Seminary Board of Trustees meetings. It was a blessed and happy weekend. I will be glad, however, to settle back into a more normal routine. . . including blogging.