Current Events Discussion Group - October

“How do you pick a presidential candidate?”
October 23rd @ 7:00pm, Riverfalls Campus

Mission Statement:

The Current Events Discussion Group (CEDG) exists to explore and evaluate contemporary social, political and cultural issues so that each member may discern and apply their personal faith convictions within their daily lives.

The opinions and views expressed at the CEDG reflect those of the of the person who gave them and not New Life Church.

The CEDG will be meeting the fourth Thursday of every month.

Discussion Questions:

1. What social and political issues are relevant to choosing a candidate?
2. Does one issue carry more weight than others? Why?
3. What can we learn from Jesus and Paul’s interactions with political power?
4. How should a candidate’s moral and religious commitments effect your vote?

Contact Information:

For more information on CEDG procedures and for a required Information Packet addressing this month’s topic contact Tiffani Howard: 503.223.6357 or tiffani@howardink.com

Required Preparation

1. Scripture Reading: Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 & Deuteronomy 17:14-20
   
2. Read the following articles:
   How to Pick a President by Daniel Taylor & Mark McCloskey
   In the Booth, Not of the Booth by Adam Smith
3. Pick and answer one of the Discussion Questions from the list above. Be prepared to give a 4-5 minute defense/presentation of your answer (i.e., less than one page written).
4. Consult at least two additional media sources dealing with the question you've chosen. These sources must reflect two varying/opposing answers to the question and they must be from reputable, evangelical sources.
5. If you do not complete the required preparation before the CEDG meeting then you may only participate in the discussion/questioning portion of the meeting.
   

Upcoming Monthly Topics:

Church and State • Creation Meets Evolution • Is American a “Christian Nation”? • Evangelical Environmentalism • Christianity and the Israeli State • Old Testament Wars vs. Modern Wars

Week 3 - “The Church” (Part 1)

Using the Prayer Resource Book:
This week and next we will be focusing on Part 3 of the Prayer Resource Book, “The Church” (pg. 18-34). Despite it’s emphasis in the NT (as the prayers this week display), the church often receives no more than a passing, “God, please bless . . .” in our regular prayer lives. Each day we will concentrate on a different area of prayer for the church using the following schedule:

Day 1 (12th) — “The Spiritual Life of the Body” (pg. 18-21)
Day 2 (13th) — “The Pastor(s)” & “The Elders” (pg. 22-25)
Day 3 (14th) — “The Ministry of the Word” (pg. 26-28)
Day 4 (15th) — “Worship” (pg. 29-30)
Day 5 (16th) — “Financial Need and Stewardship” (pg. 31-32)
Day 6 (17th) — “Small Group Community” (pg. 33-34)
Day 7 (18th) — “Worship” & “The Ministry of the Word”

Prayer Appointment Cards
If you haven’t yet engaged in the 40 Days or it you’re having trouble sustaining your goals, then the Prayer Appointment Card is for you. The cards were included in last week's worship folder, but you can also pick them up at either location. Simply record the “Where, When and What” of your prayer life on the card and treat it just like you would a regular appointment: block off the time in your calendar, put the card somewhere memorable and show-up.

24-Hours of ExtraOrdinary Corporate Prayer
From 9:00am Saturday the 18th to 9:00am Sunday the 19th we will be joining together (4-5 people per hour) for a full 24 hours of prayer. Stop by the table in the foyer or contact Aaron Orendorff, 503.957.4335/aaron.orendorff@gmail.com.

Small Group Participation
Using the Collected Scriptures from the “Small Group Community” pages (33-34), write out two or three prayers that you can use for both your personal group and for the small group ministry across New Life.

Remodel is Underway!

The remodel at New Life Riverfalls that we have been talking about for a couple months is officially underway. The church voted overwhelmingly in favor of changing the library and upper fireside rooms into a coffee bar and living room for the church. We also approved an exterior project to update the entrance. Once the interior project, which is the project we began talking about, is underway and fully funded the exterior project can begin once the money for it comes in.

This remodel will have a big impact on our Coffee Cart ministry and will be used every school day as well as Sundays. It will also make the first impression of the church much more attractive.

The work will commence around October 20 and we hope to have it ready of Christmas. Please continue to pray for the project. You may donate by simply marking your giving envelope, "Building Fund." Thank you.

Week 2 - “What Is Prayer”

Using the Prayer Resource Book:
This week begin each prayer by reading one or more of “The Prayers of Paul” from Part 2 of the Prayer Resource Book (pg. 12-13). The aim of this exercise is to “learn what to pray for, what arguments to use, what priorities we should adopt, what beliefs should shape our prayers and much more.” Read through each prayer 5 or 6 times. Read slowly, concentrating on each word and phrase and paying attention to how they connect and build. Try comparing different versions of each prayer by reading from various translations.

Reflection:
After you’re familiar with the prayer, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is Paul praying for (spiritual vitality, practical needs, deliverance, etc.)?
2. What is the pattern of this prayer (thanksgiving, petition, exhortation, etc.)?
3. What is Paul’s chief concern? What does he pray for most?
4. How is Paul structuring or building this prayer (i.e., look for words like “so,” “therefore” or “in order to”)?
5. How is Paul’s faith (that is, his theology) shaping his prayer? What do his prayers tell us about God?

Prayer:
Use one or more of Paul’s prayers as your own. Change the wording to reflect your needs and situation, but try to let Paul’s prayer shape your prayer. On the reverse side of this page is a sample of what this might look like.

Small Group Participation:
Bring a modified version of one Paul’s prayers to your small group and explain how you answered the reflection questions for at least one text. Also, if you haven’t shared your assessment and goals yet, do it this week.

New Ignite Website

Ignite Youth Ministries, the high school ministry of New Life Church is pleased to announce the first phase of our new website. It is full of information and resources for both parents and students. Click here to see. We hope you take a moment to check out the site and tell somebody else about it. Enjoy!

Week 1 - Individual Instructions

This Sunday marked the beginning of New Life's 40 Days of ExtraOrdinary Prayer. Each week there will be instructions (some for individuals, some for small groups) to help guide you through this process. This week the focus is on "Approaching God."

(1) Assessment
Take an honest look at your current prayer life by recording the answers to the following questions:

1. How many days each week do you pray?
2. On average, how long do you prayer (if you’re not sure, time it)?
3. What do you regularly pray for (e.g., family, finical needs, health issues, etc.)?
4. Who do you pray with on a regular basis?
5. How do you keep track of “prayer requests”?

(2) Goals
The aim of the 40 Days of ExtraOrdinary prayer is simply to pray more. If you don’t have regular time of prayer already, then aiming to pray for 5-10 minutes every other day is a great improvement. If you already pray for 5-10 on a daily basis, then try to increase your prayer time by another 5-10 minutes. Whatever they are set realistic goals that reflect where you are now and where you want to be in the future.

1. How many days a week will you pray?
2. What days of the week work best?
3. When will you pray? Remember, to be specific (e.g., “at 9:00 pm” or “immediately after dinner” not “sometime at night”). Be realistic and set times that work naturally. For example, “When the kids nap,” or “For the last 10 minutes of my lunch break.”
4. Where will you pray (outside, in your office, in your bedroom)? Try to pick somewhere you won’t be disturbed and let the people around you know what you’re doing and why it’s important.
5. How long will you pray?
6. How will you keep track of your prayer life (calendar, personal planner, etc.)?

(3) Accountability
If you’re not part a small group where you can share your assessment and goals (or if you don’t feel comfortable sharing them) then pick a close friend or mentor to share with. Don’t go it alone and if it’s at all possible pick someone who’s not in your family. Remember, it’s easy to share when you succeed; it’s when you fail that being honest really counts. Be gracious but firm to yourself and to your accountability partner(s).

(4) Using the Prayer Resource Book
This week, begin each prayer by reading part or all of the “Approaching God” section in the Prayer Resource Book (pg. 6-11). If you haven’t picked-up a Prayer Resource Book, they’re available at either campus for free. As you begin to pray, don’t immediately bring out your grocery-list of needs. Instead, approach God slowly, reminding yourself who He is, who you are and what He’s done through the gospel to reconcile those two realities. Focus on relating to God as a Person. Aim at communion and interaction, not just asking. The best way to do this is to pray God’s words as your own words, letting Scripture shape and guide your time with God.

Please Welcome Children's Librarian, Lisa Reavely!

We are excited to have special help these days in our downstairs Children's Library at Riverfalls. Lisa Reavely is our new Children's Librarian, assisting our Church Librarian Joeleen Montgomery in a variety of important ways. Thank you Lisa for your valuable assistance! If you are a bibliophile too, pint-sized or full-sized, we'd love to have your assistance in our libraries! Please contact Joeleen Montgomery for further information.

New book suggestions, courtesy of our Children's Librarian:

On Video or DVD:
VeggieTales: Jonah (Sing Along Songs and More) video
Larryboy from VeggieTales: The Angry Eyebrows (video)
VeggieTales: Jonah, A VeggieTales Movie (video)
VeggieTales: King George and the Ducky (video )
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,The Witch, & The Wardrobe (DVD)

Books:
VeggieTales: My Day (book and CD)
VeggieTales: Larry Lights The Way (book)

Bible: Noah's Ark Bible: NRSV Illustrated Children's Bible

New Books Available for Check Out Upstairs

Many of our library books are boxed up, awaiting our upcoming remodel project that will be taking place at our Riverfalls building this fall. But will that stop our indomitable Church Librarian Joeleen Montgomery from keeping us well-read?! Of course not! The following titles are available in the library for check out:

Main Library:
Max Lucado: Come Thirsty (248.4)
Carol Kent : Tame Your Fears (248.8) + study guide
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: A Place of Quiet Rest (248.8)
Max Lucado: GOD'S Promises for YOU (242)
Helen M. Young: Love Notes from God for Busy Moms

An idea for our remodel!

Other churches are using their space like we are planning to after we remodel our Riverfalls campus. Here is an article about creating a Starbucks alternative ministry. Anyone interested?

Avast, Me Hearties! Talk Like a Pirate Day!

With all the serious things you'll find on this blog. . . it's probably time to relax. So, Talk Like A Pirate! At least for a day. September 19 is official Talk Like A Pirate Day. Here's the official site to get you started! Aye-Aye!

40 Days of Prayer

Starting in less than two weeks (September 28th) New Life Church (in tandem with both Oregon City churches) will embark on a process we’re calling “40 Days of ExtraOrdinary Prayer.” This is the second time our church will give itself to a forty day period of intense private and corporate prayer (many of you probably recognize the same name from 2006). The highlights of this process will include:

• Weekly Prayer Focuses for Individuals and Small Groups
• 24-Hour Period of Corporate Prayer
• A Culminating Event of Prayer and Worship to Close the 40 Days on November 6th
• Prayer Resource Book to Help Aid You and Your Group in Its Prayers

Here is a preview of what the covers for the Prayer Resource Book will look like (a special thanks to Andie Haugen for her design work).




More to come soon.

Birth Announcement: Margaret Danielle Brophy

Says Mommy Danette,
"Margaret Danielle Brophy was born at 7:38 pm on September 12th. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19 inches long. As you can see in the picture, she has dark hair (for now). She sleeps well and eats well, and loves to be swaddled."

Margaret joins proud parents Jeff and Danette, and big brother Nicholas.

Congratulations!! And welcome to your New Life Church family!!!

Young Adults Progressive Dinner

Last Thursday night, the Young Adults Group (one of the less well known Life Groups at New Life) hosted a progressive dinner that began at the Hanson’s, continued to the Elliott’s and ended at the Currey’s. Here are a few pictures of the event.


Just in case anyone was wondering, the mini-basketball Nate’s holding was used to play GOAT (a four-letter version of PIG) on a Fisher-Price basketball hoop…a game which Aaron won.


A special thanks to everyone who hosted and provided food (thanks Dawn for the pies).


The Young Adults Group meets regularly every Sunday morning during second service upstairs. Check back on our regular web-site for the Group’s own page…coming soon.

“The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”

Last week’s sermon—“Christ, Our Life – Part II”—focused on answering the question, “In light of the gospel, how do we pursue radical and lasting change?” Colossians 3:1-2 gives the following instructions, “. . . seek [NIV – ‘set your hearts on’] the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Gospel change occurs from the inside-out. We begin, not by changing our behavior, but by (1) despising our idols and (2) treasuring Christ. We take our eyes off of earthly things and set them on the “things that are above.” Often, we only pursue the first step. That is, we begin to despise our sin and go about the work of change with an attitude of “No! Bad Christian. Don’t sin. Bad Christian.” What we don’t do is cultivate a positive love for Christ as revealed in the gospel.

Thomas Chalmers, a Scottish minister from the 19th century, wrote about this need powerfully in his sermon, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.” In the sermon, Chalmers writes about how most people’s desires change over time. Normally, a person moves from childish appetites to physical pleasure, from pleasure to the love of money, from the love of money to a lust for power.

There is not one of these transformations in which the heart is left without an object. Its desire for one particular object may be conquered; but as to its desire for having some one object or other, this is unconquerable. . . . Such is the grasping tendency of the human heart, that it must have a something to lay hold of . . . [This means] the way to disengage the heart from the positive love of one great and ascendant object, is to fasten it in positive love to another . . . it is not by exposing the worthlessness of the former, but by addressing to the mental eye the worth and excellence of the latter, that all old things are to be done away and all things are to become new.

You can read the rest of Chalmers’ sermon here.

Men's Roundup.

The men from New Life Church had a great weekend at Roundup at Camp Tadmor. The weather was fabulous. Lincoln Brewster and Trace Bundy were really fun. The challenge from the Word by Gary Thomas was very apropos.

I was blessed because the guys from New Life camped next to the group from Light on the Hill Fellowship and Maranatha Baptist. That made it easy for me I was able to wander around and take my pick of everyone's food. It doesn't get any better than that.

The best thing, however, will require another blog post and pictures I don't have.

Praying for Muslims

For the past several years Christians around the world have been praying in a concerted way for Muslims to come to know Jesus Christ. One organization puts together a prayer guide that is used to pray for Muslims during the 30 days of Ramadan (the Muslim holy month in which many Muslims fast and pray for God to give them special revelations). You can receive a daily e-mail during this 30 days that gives you a few brief prayer requests for Muslim people in different parts of the world. You can get on this email list by going to http://www.30-days.net/. In the colomn on the right side of the page, click on "Get our e-news and e-prayers". We are just a few days into Ramadan so get on that list today and start praying for many people in the Muslim world to come to know
Christ.

Speaking of ministry among Muslims, about 40 people from New Life Church attended an open house last week and heard about the ministry of
Calvin and Ruth Kim. Calvin and Ruth are missionaries from the Portland area who are being sent out by World Venture to teach at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beruit, Lebanon. They will be equipping Arab Christian leaders to do ministry in the Muslim world. You can find out more about their ministry by going to www.worldventure.com/Missionaries/Missionary-Directory/Missionary/Kim_Calvin_Ruth.html. By praying for and supporting this couple in ministry New Life Church can have a great impact for Christ on the Muslim world.

Determining Our Idols - X-Ray Questions

Last week’s sermon focused on answering two questions:

(1) What is our fundamental problem as human beings?
(2) How does the gospel, rightly understood and embraced, address that fundamental problem?

Our fundamental problem as human beings is not that we desire evil things. Rather, our fundamental problem is that we over desire—we inordinately desire (i.e., “epithūmia”)—good things. The Bible’s predominate mode of describing this inordinate desire is idolatry, taking a good thing—often a legitimate, positive, God-approved thing—and turning it into an ultimate thing. Whatever we give our hearts to, whatever we turn into our lives (i.e., “My kids are my life. . . My job is my life. . . Sexual gratification is my life.”) becomes our functional god. This god, or more often, these gods, express themselves visibly in what we say and do, but behind our words and deed are our motivations. Determining our motivations is the first step towards dethroning the idols in our lives.

David Powlison, “Idols of the Heart and ‘Vanity Fair’”

The deep question of motivation is not “What is motivating me?” The final question is, “Who is the master of this pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior?” In the biblical view, we are religious, inevitably bound to one god or another. People do not have needs. We have masters, lords, gods, be they oneself, other people, valued objects, Satan. The metaphor of an idolatrous heart and society capture the fact that human motivation bears an automatic relationship to God: Who, other than the true God, is my god?

Powlison, in his book Seeing with New Eyes, offers thirty-five “x-ray questions” to “aid in discerning the patterns of a person’s motivation”:

The questions aim to help people identify the ungodly masters that occupy positions of authority in the hearts. These questions reveal “functional gods,” what or who actually controls their particular actions, thoughts, emotions, attitudes, memories, and anticipations.

I’ve attached a copy of those questions to this post in the hope that you will use them to examine yourself. Powlison’s introduction and commentary on the x-ray questions alone is worth the cost of the book.

X-Ray Questions (pdf)
Seeing with New Eyes

Sin, Idolatry and Internalizing the Gospel

For the next two Sundays I’ll be preaching from Colossians 3:1-10. A large portion of this week's message will center upon understanding the concept of sin through the lens of idolatry. In conjunction with the biblical text, a great deal of my message (and certainly all of its underlying theology) is indebted to the writing and teaching of two men: Tim Keller (who many of you already know) and David Powlison (who is a bit less recognized). The two most helpful articles by these men are available online for free. Keller summarizes excellently his approach to communicating, understanding and engaging sin on page two of his essay:

Sin isn’t only doing bad things, it is more fundamentally making good things into ultimate things. Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God. Whatever we build our life on will drive us and enslave us. Sin is primarily idolatry.

Here are the links to both articles:

Tim Keller, “Talking about Idolatry in a Postmodern Age”
David Powlison, “Idols of the Heart and ‘Vanity Fair’”

Birth Announcement: Liesel Whitbeck

Is this a proud papa, or what??!

Josh and Marcy Whitbeck welcomed baby Liesel (Lily) Whitbeck on August 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 am. Liesel weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

All are happy and healthy and doing just fine.

High School Beach Bash: Building Community

Thank you to our leaders: Youth Pastors Matt and Alicia Vorhees; Dave Nizic; Josh, Elaine, and Baby Iris Hochstettler--for what appears to have been an awesome day at the beach! The focus of the long day was "Building Community", which involved strengthening relationships through fun times on the beach, dinner in Seaside, and a look at the early church model of community. Pastor Matt challenged the students by asking: "What does Jesus-shaped community look like"? If you would like to know more about our student ministries at New Life Church, please visit their unique website at http://www.ignitenw.com/!

Luis Palau Season of Service at West Linn High School

Last Sunday afternoon, August 24th, fifteen volunteers from New Life Church joined dozens of other volunteers from Rolling Hills Community Church to beautify the grounds surrounding West Linn High School. The team from New Life Church focused on sprucing up the administrator's parking lot, located directly across from the high school on West "A" Street. Together they pulled weeks, swept, and blew debris from the parking lot, trimmed back ivy and blackberry bushes, painted speed bumps and swept the sidewalks. This project was part of a larger coordinated effort by Luis Palau Ministries, in conjunction with last weekend's Portland CityFest '08 event, to organize over 26,000 volunteers throughout the greater Portland area to put the love of Jesus Christ into action as the physical needs of a community are met.

Birth Announcement: Arya Faye Mathews

Please welcome this beautiful new member of New Life Church!

Arya Faye Mathews was born to Tyler and Sheree Mathews on August 9th, 2008. She weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21 inches long. Mommy and baby are happy and healthy, and doing just fine!

The Mathews family will be moving to Southern Oregon in early September to be closer to family.

New Life Church @ Luis Palau Festival

Several folks from New Life Church attended the Luis Palau Festival at Waterfront Park in Portland last Friday and Saturday. They heard some great music, saw the VeggieTales, played Guitar Hero, and heard a powerful gospel presentation by Luis Palau. Some of our church members served as volunteers and helped people who were making decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

In all, it was a great experience to see the body of Christ from around the Portland area come together for this exciting campaign. To find out more about what happened at the event go to http://www.palau.org/ and click on the link to the Portland Festival Blog.

Outdoor Service This Sunday!

Hello New Life Church. Don't forget, this Sunday is the All Church Outdoor Service and Picnic at 10 AM at New Life Robinwood (19915 Old River Drive, West Linn, OR 97068). Bring a chair, a covered dish, and a friend! We'll have a great time worshipping God in the great outdoors.

Just a quick note about Sunday: When two congregations come together there are bound to be people you don't know. Make a special effort to make a new friend this Sunday!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

Thank You from Hilda Berney

Dear New Life Church,

Thank you for the beautiful flower from the church family, and thank you for all the visits from loving and caring friends who saw Bob in the hospital.

--Hilda Berney

3rd Annual National Night Out

New Life Church hosted the 3rd Annual National Night Out Party for the Robinwood neighborhood of West Linn this past Tuesday night.

About 100 people showed up to enjoy good food, good music, and lots of good conversation.

A crew came by from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

They put on quite a show for the kids. The kids also enjoyed a bounce house and other fun games.

One of the highlights of the evening was the appearance of the Rick Sollers Memorial Chuck Wagon that was used to cook up all of the tasty burgers and hot dogs.

The night was mostly about New Life Church showing the love of Jesus to our neighbors. We had several good conversations with neighbors and invited many of them to come back for our Outdoor Service and Picnic on August 17th.

Special Thanks from Karen Kersey

I wanted to thank everyone for all the cards, visits, flowers, phone calls and especially all the prayers.

It was all appreciated and I felt very loved.

Thank you all!
Karen Kersey

Ladies High Tea August 3

We had such a wonderful time last Saturday afternoon in Canby. Many ladies from New Life Church met together for delicious treats and abundant sunshine. It was an opportunity for the young ladies to mingle with the not-as-young ladies. We had such fun learning more about each other with questions like "What has been the biggest innovation during your lifetime?". Or just "What are your hobbies?" It's amazing the things you can learn in an afternoon of conversation!!

Small tables on the lawn, beautifully decorated, encouraged conversation.

What a picturesque spot!

Here is the beautiful dessert table, and part of the team that created such a memorable day. THANK YOU SO MUCH--this was a day we will not soon forget, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Yesterday's Baptism

Yesterday people from four congregations came together to honor Jesus Christ and celebrate the baptism of ten individuals. The weather was perfect and the river sparkled. Best of all though, person after person spoke of the change God had made in their lives as they trusted Jesus as their savior.

Please continue to pray for each person who was baptized. They will all face their unique challenges following Jesus. The group who was baptized is: Michael Ramage, Tim O'Connor, Jim Jones, Alex Rodriguez, Tyler Mathews, Claire Tolbert, Chelsea Kegans, Kylie Svendsen, Max Brandstetter and Dylan Brandstetter.

You can see more pictures here.

Baptism Tomorrow!

Just a reminder, this Sunday, August 3rd, we will be gathering at the Haugen’s house for an outdoor baptism. Nine people will be following Christ in baptism! This will be a great time of encouragement, celebration, and fellowship. The worship and testimonies will begin at 4:00 p.m.

Click here for a map and directions, please carpool and bring your own chairs if possible.