New Books and CDs Added to the Library

You'll find these new books and CD's in our library:

CD's Small Town Poet
Steven Curtis Chapman - Declaration
Nikki Leonti - Shelter Me
Damaris carbaugh -Giving My Life Away
Crystal Lewis -Beauty for Ashes
First Call -Sacred Journey
Deeper Still-A Day Like Today
Amy Grant - House of Love
Wayne Watson -How Time Flies
Courtney Spears-Redeemed
10 years -Africa Children's Choir
Michelle Tumes - Listen
Jaci Velasquez-Heavenly Place
Avalon-In a Different Light
Shannon Wexelberg-Faithful God
Damaris-Heart,Mind and Soul
Above the Noise-17 songs from Todays Top Christian Artists
All-4-One - and the music speaks

BOOKS
Shelly Beach-Precious Lord Take My Hand (Meditations for caregivers)-242B
Chapman, Gary-The Five Languages of Apology (How to experience healing in all your relationships)-158.2C
Chan,Francis-Forgotten God (Reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit)-231C
Chapman, Gary-ANGER(Handling a powerful emotion in a healthy way)-241.3C
Cloud,Dr. Henry-Boundaries with Kids (When to say yes, when to say no, to help your children gain control of their lives)-649C
Demint,Jim -Saving Freedom (We can stop America's slide into socialism) -323D
Dormon,Sara PH.D.-So you want to ADOPT...now what? -362.7
Eckman, David PH>D- Healthy Relationships (or singles & couples) - 248.4E
Englizian,Crosby H.-PACING the Shadows (When anxiety and faith collide) - 285E
Fischer, John -12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me) (finding grace to live unmasked) - 248.4F
Greig, Doris W.-We Didn't Know They Where Angels (Discovering the gift of Christian hospitality)- 241G
Harris, Alex & Brett -Do Hard Things (a teenage rebellion against low expectations)-248.8H
Harris, Alex & Brett -Start Here (Doing hard things right where you are) -248.8H
Hingson, Michael-Thunder Dog (True story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust at ground zero) 974.7H
Jeremiah, Dr. David-What in the World Is Going On? (10 prophetic clues you cannot afford to ignore) - 236.9J
Leman, Dr. Kevin-Have a NEW Teenager by Friday (From mouthy and moody to respectful and responsible in 5 days) -306.8L
Martin,Jonathan-Giving Wisely(Killing with kindness or empowering lasting transformation?)254.8M
Metaxas,Eric - BONHOEFFER (Pastor, martyrdom prophet, spy)284.1M
Piper, John-Don't Waste Your Life (you are not your own for you were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body) - 248.4P
Piper, John - What JESUS demands from the world (All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, Jesus) - 241.5P
Piper, John-BLOODLINES (Race,cross, and the Christian) - 270.08P
Platt, David -Radical (Taking back your faith from the American dream) - 261.1P
Rosenberg,Joel C. -Inside the Revolution (How the followers of Jihad,Jefferson & Jesus are battling to dominate the middle east and transform the world) 956.05R
Tada,. Joni Eareckson- HEAVEN (your real home) -236.24T

FICTION
LaHaye,Tim
The Mark (the beast rules the world)
Left Behind(a novel of the earth's last days)
Kingdom Come (the final victory)
Morris, Lynn (Cheney Duvall,MD series)
The Stars For a Light #1
Shadow of the Mountain #2
Toward the sunrising #4
Secret Place of thunder #5
In the Twilight, In the Evening #6
Island of the Innocent #7
Driven With the Wind #8
Rivers, Francine
Her Daughter's Dream
Her Mother's Hope
Sawyer, Kim Vogel
My Heart Remembers

Thank you to all who participated in Project Angel Tree

Thanks to everyone who participated in Project Angel Tree this year. Through your generosity we were able to share Christ’s love with 23 children of incarcerated parents. Thanks to each one of you who purchased gifts and to the drivers that took the gifts to the families. Your efforts mean so much to these families. Most inmates do not live near their children, making visits extremely rare. To receive a Christmas gift from an incarcerated parent helps strengthen the bond between parent and child and can lessen the hurt of not being together. Thanks to you, these families had a much merrier Christmas.

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Lake Bible Church – Lake Oswego, OR, Pastor Jim Andrews

Global Partner: Western Seminary

• Please pray that the Lord would raise up donors to the school and that they would give generously at the end of the year.

NLC Ministry: Men's Discipleship Ministry

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

• Area Church: Happy Valley Baptist Church – Happy Valley, OR, Pastor Robert Vandiver
• Global Partner: Stephanie Rogers – Josiah Venture
• Praise: Our Thanksgiving Feast last weekend was a special time as 21 of us came around the table to share a meal together and all the things we are thankful for. There were also 3 new students! Many kids later mentioned how it was a great night for them and that they realized they have a lot to be thankful for. 
•  Prayer: Pray that I can continue to have spiritual conversations with my girls and for the Holy Spirit to be revealing Himself to them. Two have been asking questions but their hearts don't seem fully engaged.
• NLC Ministry: Transition Ministry

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Sunday, November 20, at our annual meeting for Budget and Elections, we recognized several individuals and couples who have served God at New Life Church for years. They have enable and brought about changes that we are enjoying. They have laid a foundation that we are still building from. Several are still actively engaged in ministry now. I do want to again say “Thank You!” to this group.

This group has served a long time at New Life, some of them for decades and they are at least 75 years of age. I hope they have many more years of fruitful and faithful service. Here they are in no particular order:

• Bob & Bonnie Bruechert
• Bill & Alma Coston
• Ralph & Shirley Hanson
• Al & Elsa Sutherland
• Harold & Donna Wilson
• George & Betty Nelson
• Bob & Barbara Montgomery
• Bill & Jeannette Kramer
• George Milliken
• Agnes Spidal
• Colleen Mickelson
• Phyllis Cooper
• Pat Meyerdierk
• Anita Austen
• Joan Meyers
• Eleanora Larson
• Nancy Ross
• Louise Holladay

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

• Area Church: First Baptist Church – Gladstone, OR, Pastor Brian Early
• Global Partner: Michele and Anna Gandolfo – Italian Ministries, USA
• NLC Ministry: Coffee Creek Prison Ministry
• Please pray for the inmates during the holiday times. 
• Pray for a new ministry that is in the works, we need Department of Corrections  to approve it and assign a room and other obstacles that are involved in a new ministry. 
• Pray for their sock drive (they are doing a sock drive for the homeless, many give their month salary $36 to $100).
• Pray for Graduation coming up 11/30.
• Pray for a Chapel for services

Happy Thanksgiving

Here is one of the most fundamental things i am thankful for about New Life Church:

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Have a wonderful and thankful day!

Women's Holiday Gathering

With our busy schedules, it is difficult for the women of New Life Church to connect. That is why the Women's Holiday Gathering was put on the calendar. This event provides an opportunity for the ladies of the church to simply visit with one another in a relaxed, holiday setting. This is especially important in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Please join us on Thursday, December 1st at 7 p.m at New Life Riverfalls. Friends are welcome!

This Should Be Thanksgiving...But it is Black Friday!

If you are going to shop at Amazon for Black Friday, please do it here: Shop Amazon's Black Friday Week. The church benefits when you use our link. Thank you.

Why Do We Sing Hallelujah?

One of my favorite words to sing is "hallelujah." Often though, it's easy to sing words as tradition without knowing what they mean. John Piper recently wrote a brief blog post explaining the meaning of the word "hallelujah." I hope and trust this will come to your mind as we sing, and will help you fix your mind and affections on God.

"The English word “hallelujah” is a transliteration of two Hebrew words, hallelu and jah. The first word, hallelu, is the second person imperative of “praise.” The second word, “jah,” is the short form of Jahweh (or Yahweh).
So when we say, “Hallelujah!” we are exhorting others (people and angels) to join us in praising Yahweh.

What gives a punch to my singing, “Hallelujah,” is that Jah (=Yahweh) is not a generic word for God, but the personal name of the God of Israel.
To shout, “Hallelu Jah!” — “Praise Jah!” — is like standing in the council of the gods and boldly saying, “Not to you, Molech!” “Not to you, Baal!” “Not to you, Dagon!” “Not to you, Artemis!” “Not to you, Zeus!” But to Jah, and Jah alone, I give praise. And I call you to join me! Praise Jah!

And not only is Jah God’s personal name, but it is the one he gave himself to distinguish himself from all the gods. And it is thrilling in meaning.
When Moses asked God what name he should use to identify God in Egypt, God said, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

The name Yahweh is built on the words “I AM”. So God put his absolute, transcendent, self-sufficient being at the center of his identity. “All the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but Yahweh made the heavens” (Psalm 96:5).

So, the next time you sing “Hallelujah” pause for a split second between “hallelu” and “Jah” and say it like a name. We praise you . . . Jah! You are above all gods . . . Jah! Join me, all you heavenly hosts, and praise . . . Jah! He is! He simply, eternally, absolutely, independently, gloriously IS! Hallelu . . . Jah!

From Taylor Reavely

Missions Minute

At New Life Church, we are privileged to support missionaries all around the world both prayerfully and financially, in an effort to see the good news of the gospel spread through the nations. The Global Outreach Team (G.O. Team) here at New Life has a mission of its own:

The Global Outreach (G.O.) committee will aim to personally involve every person in New Life Church for God's cause world‐wide, and challenge them to spread the news of Christ's excellence at home and around the world. (Matt. 28:19‐20)

Here are the missionaries New Life Church is currently partnered with:

• Carmen Bryant – Campus Ambassadors, Missions Door


• Brian and LaVonne Buhler – Humanitarian Development, South Asia


• Michele and Anna Gandolfo – Ostia, Italy


• Dan and Alice Simmons – WorldVenture Rome, Italy


• Rick and Mary Beth Holladay – The Art Factory, Kandern, Germany


• Calvin and Ruth Kim – WorldVenture, Beruit, Lebanon


• Paul and Diana Mayhugh – WorldVenture, Macau, China


• Paul and Beryl Metko – Americas West, Scappoose, Oregon


• Stephanie Rogers – Josiah Venture, Slovenia


• Skip and Ruth Sorensen – WorldVenture, Uganda


• Rich and Cheri Strahm – Kiev, Ukraine


• Bruce Tissell – WorldVenture, Teresina and Piaui, Brazil

The Missions Minute will spotlight a different missionary every month – highlighting the work God is doing through them and sharing their immediate prayer requests. If you would like to receive email updates from any of New Life's global partners, please send an email to office@newlifenw.com.

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Barton Community Baptist Church – Boring, OR, Pastor Thom Turner

Global Partner: Carmen Bryant – Missions Door

• Please pray for staffing needs for Missions Door.
• Please pray for new financial partners to come alongside Missions Door.

NLC Ministry: Middle School

• Praise the Lord for Brandon joining the MS leadership team. 
• Praise the Lord for students who are all excited and committed to living lives sold out for the Lord. 
• Please pray for friends and visitors to come to salvation.

Prayer Focus for the week of October 16th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Grace Church of Molalla – Molalla, OR. Pastor John Baker

Global Outreach Partner: Skip and Ruth Sorensen – World Venture, Kabale, Uganda

NLC Ministry: H2O

• Pray for wisdom as this ministry seeks God's plan for the future and the leadership of H2O.
• Pray that panhandlers and homeless people would get a sense of God's love for them through even the short contact of an H2O bag.

Books Added to the Library

The following books have been donated to the library:

Teen:
Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement by Lucarini, Dan.

Non-fiction:
Zondervan Handbook to the BIBLE
Nobody Don't Love Nobody by Bess, Stacey 371.96
Run with the Horses by Peterson Eugene H. 242.5
He Still Moves Stones by Lucado, Max 226
Eerdman's Handbook to The History of Christianity by Dowley, Dr. Tim 270
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by P:eterson Eugene H. 223
Mastering Worship by Hayford, Jack 264
Relational Christianity by Meeks, Steve231.7
How to have GREAT small-group Meetings by McBride, Neal E. 253
Too Busy NOT to Pray by Hybels, Bill 248.3

Fiction:
A Gathering of Finches by Kiorkpatrick
Assassins by LaHaye, Tim
Babylon Rising by LaHaye, Tim
The Price by Mills-Macias,Kathi
The Ransom by Mills-Macias, Kathi
Apollyon by LaHaye, Tim
The Indwelling by LaHaye, Tim
PAUL : A Novel by Wangerin, Walter Jr.
The Sacrifice by Whitlow, Robert

Child and Youth Worker Training and Appreciation Luncheon was a success!

At New Life Church, we prioritize the safety of our children and youth, which is why child safety training is mandatory for all workers. Thank you to all the workers who serve our children and youth and attended the annual child safety training on Sunday, October 9th. This year the event also included an appreciation luncheon to acknowledge the dedication of our workers. Cupcakes, like the one pictured above, were prepared by Dustin Hannifan. Several gentlemen, including members of our Elder team, served lunch to the guests at their tables. Childcare was provided by the pastoral staff, pictured above.

Darcey Philpot and Kristen Van Tuyl led the training sessions and two guest speakers from The Children's Center addressed the group. Twice as many workers attended the training this year than attended last year. A make-up session is scheduled for October 23rd.

(Thank you, Elaine Hochstettler and Rose Miller, for providing the photos.)

A Letter from Mike Polley

Mike Polley, who is serving in Afghanistan, sent us this update to share with the church:

Dear family and
friends,
We have reached the 10 month mark since we left Oregon. The weather
has cooled down to 60-70s for high and 40-50s for low. At 7,300 feet, we
could get snow before the end of the month. We are shipping some
nonessential items home. This has brightened everyone’s spirits knowing
the end is not too much further away. We should all be home before
Christmas (knock on wood).

One of our priorities has been to develop partnerships with the
Afghans. We are trying to come along side of them, work with and teach
them, so they can adequately take over for us when the US forces leave by
2014. Our interactions have been new, different, and at times, downright
uncomfortable. For example, most of our interactions are through
interpreters since none of us speak their language and only a very few of them
speak (broken) English. Sometimes you wonder if the intent of the message
is being translated correctly. Their customs and courtesies are different
from ours and they enjoy social events (you best not be in a hurry to accomplish
your agenda).
One common social event is eating. Yes, eating their food, prepared their way. There are no USDA regulatory agencies over here or food preparation inspections. While their food is filling and tastes good, you sometimes wonder how it was prepared. Some Soldiers have felt queasy after eating, some have thrown up, some have had diarrhea and some unlucky Soldiers have had all of the above. They don’t have dishwashers to sterilize the dishes. In most villages, there is no running
water to wash your hands prior to eating. So, it is uncomfortable to meet
and greet each other and then sit down to eat. Who knows where those hands
have been. Without furniture, you normally sit on the floor and eat with
your fingers because there are no eating utensils; plus you serve yourself from
community dipping bowls. The Afghans remove their shoes inside buildings
and sit cross-legged with their feet inches from the food. When they serve
their tea, you wonder where the water came from. Did I mention
flies? They are all over the place and on the food. I think you’re
getting the picture. Only the strong survive. The higher your rank,
the more likely you are to find yourself in this situation. That is where
the battalion commander (BC) and I come in. We often participate in these
events as it would be rude not to. I can say that the BC and I have pretty
good diets, exercise regularly, take vitamins and have decent immune
systems. So far, we have not gotten sick, but we are the exception (again,
knock on wood).
I’ve had 15 days off so far this year. That was my
required leave that I talked about in my last letter. Working 12 hours a
day is calling it an early day. Most days are 14-16 hours per day, while
some are longer. Yes, we do take breaks, eat, exercise and try to get in a
nap about once or twice a month. I must admit that I’m really tired on
some days, but persevere through. A 5-15 minute power nap can save the
day. Most Soldiers don’t put in these many hours, but it is tough and
demanding at the top of the pyramid. So you can believe me when I say I
looking forward to coming home.
Operationally we are amazing. We are involved with engineer missions (including horizontal, vertical and route clearance), Civil-Military operations, Afghanistan National Army (ANA) partnerships and much more. Unfortunately you’ll have to wait until I get back to hear and see some of the things we have accomplished, plus stories from behind the scenes. I have attached a couple of pictures of some projects
we done. The horizontal construction company had to level the area and the
vertical construction company built the structures. As you can see from
the pictures, we do quality work. And of course, any living conditions at
any location that we can improve are liked by all. The orders just keep
coming in.
We are already thinking and planning for winterization as winter
for us is just around the corner. The locals say we had a mild winter last
year and could get several feet of snow this year. Some years they say
have snowed as much as six feet. Well, if that happens, we hope to be on a
plane by then. Many, many other stories to tell, but will have to wait
until I get back.
I took my physical fitness test on 26 SEP 2011, and while my score of 353 was impressive (88 push-ups in 2 minutes, 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes and 13:53 in the 2 mile run – all in less than one hour – all at 7,300 feet elevation) a few young bucks did beat my score. The Bible says that “iron sharpens iron” and this competition has been fun. Some of these Soldiers are in the best shape of their lives. Numbers are still coming in so you’ll have to wait until next time to hear how I’ll be rewarding them.
I also ran the Lincoln (Nebraska) ½ marathon in 2:02 last month as well as the
Army 10-mile at 1:30. The Portland satellite marathon is next
weekend.
Alex had a good time in Italy. He met a girl named Maria
through one of the Soldiers here (her sister) and it was their first get
together. Even though they had talked on the phone, Skype and emailed, it
was the blind date of blind dates. Could have been bad for one or both of
them, but they both really enjoyed it. He said they have a lot in common
and enjoyed each other’s company. She is planning to move to Oregon…
I am happy to report that there are a few less bad guys here and that we have made
a positive difference with the missions and interactions we’ve been involved
with. Please keep us in your prayers. I am looking forward to seeing and
talking with all of you when I get back.
Proudly serving my country and missing you,
Mike

Pastor Bill and Jeannette are grandparents!

Introducing Clara Evelyn, born on October 11, 2011 at 5:17 p.m. She weighs 7 pounds, 11 ounces. The proud parents are Bill and Jeannette's son, Jeff, and his wife Irma. Congratulations to all!

Prayer Focus for the week of Oct. 9th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Living Hope Church – Oregon City, OR. Pastor Mike Albin

Global Partner: Paul and Diana Mayhugh – World Venture, China (Ephrata, WA)

NLC Ministry: GriefShare

Make a LOUD Joyful Noise

The Gospel Coalition, one of the most trustworthy and conservative organizations in modern Christendom, recently tackled the topic of how loud a worship service should be. You can read the blog post here. I have several takeaways from their article:

• I'm comforted to know we are not the only church who is asking this question.
• "The goal of music in the gathering isn't great sound or even great music. It's a church gathered and united in song." A congregation lifting their voices in praise is the reason we have music in church. Is the church singing?
• Comfort is not merely a function of volume, but harshness.
• The Scripture endorses loudness (Psalm 47:1; Psalm 150:5).
  
• Loudness is not a function of style, though it is often perceived to be.
• Managing the sound is a pastoral concern...and one we are paying attention to.

We are working at creating congregations who sing out because they cannot contain their love for God. We want the music to serve that and we grieve when it doesn't happen and enjoy it like everyone else when it does. Thank you for bearing with our misses and for praying for our success. May God be treasured and worshiped exuberantly by New Life Church!

Happy Birthday Bill!

As you may know Pastor Bill Kramer and Jeanette Kramer are in Texas visiting their son. Their son, Jeff, and his wife are expecting Bill and Jeanette's first granddaughter. We are excited for them to be there and experience this with their son.

This is, however, Bill's 80th birthday. He probably wanted to keep it a secret, but he works in the wrong place.

Congratulations and happy birthday, Bill!

Prayer Focus for the week of Oct. 2nd

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Logan Community Church – Oregon City, OR

Global Partner: Bruce Tissell – World Venture, Brazil

• Praise God for the way that God uses people to help each of us through difficult times.
• Pray for Bruce as he teaches church history at the seminary in Teresina. He has to cover the same material in 2/3 the time. Pray that he would be clear in his teaching and that together he, and the students, can learn from this semester of church history.
• Pray that the lab will finish the work on the crown that was ordered so that he can get his tooth fixed on a more permanent basis. Pray also that the medicine he is taking to dissolve the kidney stone will work.
• In mid-October (10-15) Bruce will be teaching two intensive courses at the Intensive Seminary. This time he is teaching the Christian Life and a Bible exposition class of the Old Testament historical books. Pray that his teaching will be relevant to the student’s lives and ministries.

NLC Ministry: Women's Bible Study

• Pray for the provision of child care during the upcoming class.
• Pray that "The Prodigal God" will give the women a fresh appreciation of God's love.
• Pray that the women will be encouraged by one another as they meet together.

Prayer Focus for the week of Sept. 25th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: GracePointe – Milwaukie, OR, Pastor Mike Fleischman

Global Outreach Partner: Dan and Alice Simmons – World Venture, Rome, Italy

NLC Ministry: Awana

• Praise God, we are beginning the school year with many more children than last year (close to 70).
• Praise God for the GREAT leaders giving their time and love to children at Awana!
• Pray for more volunteers. 
• Pray for children to accept Jesus as their Savior. 
• Pray for the Word to have power in the children's and parent's lives.

In The News

Some of the work of New Life Church was in the news yesterday, both in print and on television. I don't think I know of a day when two different media commented on the work of our church. Some neighbors expressed concern to KPTV12 about the transition houses the church owns in a segment called, West Linn halfway homes concern some neighbors, that ran last night on the news.

And the West Linn Tidings ran an article on the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program that happened last week.

Since those both happened the same day it made me reflect on several things:

• I could have, and should have, communicated with the neighbors and lowered their stress levels considerably, but I didn't think about it.
• When the church begins serving outside the four walls of the church building, the constituency and the number of people affected changes, as does the way they are affected. I didn't account for that.
• I continue to be proud of the men and women in those houses and the changes they are making in their lives.
• There was a day when the church used to fight about so much stupid stuff amongst themselves that they never got outside the walls to make any kind of difference. Those days are long gone and I am thankful for the change in the church.
• The output of the church in service for Jesus' sake is the measure of a church, not the number of people sit in a service on Sunday mornings.
• Neighbors helping Neighbors needs to be a regular activity of the church. Thanks to all of you who made West Linn a better place.
• The outcome Jesus envisions for the church is for people to see the good works of the church and draw conclusions about Jesus from them [1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Matthew 5:16] These good activities indicate that followers of Christ have received genuine grace [Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-8].

All this to say, I am very proud of New Life Church. I pray that God will bless the church and pray the city will be glad we are here.

Rome & Moldova Report

Taylor and I returned from Moldova at 1:00 on Sunday morning after 22 1/2 hours of traveling! Thank you for your prayers; we had a rich and full couple weeks. We will give a full report Tuesday night, September 27th at 7:00 in the Fireside Room at New Life Church River Falls.

I apologize for not posting some pictures earlier, but had some technical difficulties and were extremely pressed for time. So, I couldn't figure out the technical problems.

We were privileged to see Dan & Alice Simmons and to be with their church three times. We heard of the impact of Dale & Cris Austen's visit there earlier this year. One of the reasons Dale & Cris had the impact they did was because Michele Gandolfo had such serious health problems while they were there that changed not only their trip, but the church as well.

As you may have heard, I lost my passport in Rome. That provided a little more excitement than we anticipated. Taylor left Rome by himself to start the class. He taught three days by himself before I got there.

Our students loved the Lord and loved the class. Our definition of worship was:

Worship is our God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered, Word-saturated, delightful response to the person and work of God which results in adoration and action.

We'll share more on Tuesday. I do want to thank you for your prayers. We needed them.

Prayer Focus for the week of Sept. 18th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Good Roots Community – Milwaukie, OR, Pastor Lenny Bennett

Global Partner: Calvin & Ruth Kim – World Venture, Beirut, Lebanon

• Pray that the Kims will increasingly become more like Christ.
• Pray that God will raise more partners in prayer and finance.
• Pray that they will have a renewed sense of calling.
• Pray that all of our partnering churches will remained united.

NLC Ministry: Alpha Course

• Pray that God would bring the right people to participate.
• Pray that people would believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world through Alpha.
• Pray that for people to provide meals to those participating in Alpha.

Prayer Focus for the week of Sept. 11th

Each week New Life Church has a prayer focus. This week is the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We recognize at this time that there is much brokenness, pain, and strife in the world. Our prayer focus this week is to:

Pray for our country.

• Pray that we will have peace.
• Pray that our leaders in city, state, and national governments will govern justly and will maintain integrity.
• Pray for military personnel who are in dangerous areas.
• Pray for those across the country who have lost homes, jobs, and property due to economic turmoil or natural disasters.
• Pray that people in our country would see Christ as the only hope for peace and security.

Pray for personal evangelism.

• Pray for neighbors, family, and friends who are far from God. Pray that their deepest pains and brokenness would be healed.
• Pray for opportunities to share the good news that Jesus is the Savior of the World.
• Pray that the people of New Life Church will be bold to proclaim this gospel. Pray that they are humble, kind, gentle, and gracious when they do.

Thank you from the Hannifans

Our dear church family:
Thank you for everything! I know God's plan is the best and know Mark is with his heavenly Father, but it is still hard to deal with sometimes. We would not have been able to get through any of this if it were not for our church family. What we find hard, God keeps us strong on His promises. Thank you again!
With much love,
Bonnie, Nicole, and Dustin

Prayer Focus for the week of Sept. 4th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.


Area Church: Lake Bible Church – Lake Oswego, OR, Pastor Jim Andrews


Global Partner: CB Northwest


NLC Ministry: Senior Adult Ministry

10 Baptized in the River

On Sunday, August 28th, 10 people from New Life Church were baptized in the Clackamas river. After giving testimonies of God's work in their lives, Tammy Crane, Rosie Bloom, Vi Gilbertson, Katie Scheuerman, Lindsey Goff, Alex Hada, Ellissa Hada, Jayne Fraley, Bev Gunther, and Deanna Doane were baptized as family and friends witnessed this important step of faith.

Prayer Focus for the week of August 28th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Happy Valley Baptist Church – Happy Valley, OR, Pastor Robert Vandiver

Global Partner: Western Seminary

• Pray for the seminary as they start school.
• Pray that quality students enroll and have a great school year. 
• Pray that some of those will come to New Life Church.
• Pray for financial blessing for the school. 

NLC Ministry: Coffee Cart