Church was well attended with over 50. Scott introduced a new series on grace. We also installed a new floor in the back. It looks great! Thanks Patti for leading music today and a beautiful song during communion.
Sunday
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Church was well attended with over 50. Scott introduced a new series on grace. We also installed a new floor in the back. It looks great! Thanks Patti for leading music today and a beautiful song during communion.
Wednesday
New Sunday School Class starting on February 1 at 8:30 a.m.
Kent will be leading a Sunday School class on Bible Prophecy starting on Sunday morning, February 1, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. We will meet in the back of the main hall in the carpeted room. Feel free to bring coffee and doughnuts with you! Bring your Bible and Kent will provide study sheets as needed.
Tuesday
From Scott
This was sent to me and I asked permission to pass it on because I believe it really belongs to all of you.
"Your not suppose to make me cry at work. This is the first time I have ever really felt comfortable in a church. I don't know that much about the Bible, but I am really enjoying learning.I have met so many people and made so many friends. Those friends helped me with my car, I never could have asked for anything better. Andy and I are so happy to be part of something so new and heart felt. Thank you for making us feel at home. "
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
"Your not suppose to make me cry at work. This is the first time I have ever really felt comfortable in a church. I don't know that much about the Bible, but I am really enjoying learning.I have met so many people and made so many friends. Those friends helped me with my car, I never could have asked for anything better. Andy and I are so happy to be part of something so new and heart felt. Thank you for making us feel at home. "
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Prayer List Updates
Partners,
Sorry for not getting an update to Kent yesterday for our prayer list. I want to pass on some that were shared Sunday and one that I received this morning:
Dave Renfrow--hospital wed. through fri. for medication for arythmia
Sam Renfrow--sleep test
Alanna--unspoken family issue
Aidan?--Dave and Dianna soon to be born grandson--continued growth
Friend of Popejoys dealing with cancer
New President
Dick Langley--continued recovery of shoulder injury
--and for his great grandaughter born premature at a little over 2lbs.
I am sure there are many more and some I missed...please pass them on to myself or Kent and I will try and get them posted promptly.
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Sorry for not getting an update to Kent yesterday for our prayer list. I want to pass on some that were shared Sunday and one that I received this morning:
Dave Renfrow--hospital wed. through fri. for medication for arythmia
Sam Renfrow--sleep test
Alanna--unspoken family issue
Aidan?--Dave and Dianna soon to be born grandson--continued growth
Friend of Popejoys dealing with cancer
New President
Dick Langley--continued recovery of shoulder injury
--and for his great grandaughter born premature at a little over 2lbs.
I am sure there are many more and some I missed...please pass them on to myself or Kent and I will try and get them posted promptly.
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Monday
Message from Scott
Partners,
My last message on "God encounters" really touched me (supposed to affect you all...not me). As I listen to "I will never be" Sunday and reflected on the events that God has brought into my life to where I can't and wont go back...it may sound kind of sappy and I always thought it was when I heard others talk of it...pictures of life and time spent with all of you flashed through my mind.
The God encounter that is the beginning of New Church has been used by God to change me and my families life for the better. Sure, there has been some trying times, and I am sure there will be more, but sitting from the "pastor's view" I can testify that New Church is filled with people who are getting it! Not just going to church but actually being the church!
We have countless stories of people not looking down on others in need and just throwing them crumbs, but people who have actually went down, got down, and even got their hands dirty extending support to each other. "Religious Churches" are full of words and the obligatory statement: "I'll pray for you"...relationship is when prayer is followed by sharing resources and personal sacrifice.
The relationship with God that you have is not just seen on your faces, heard in the singing of songs, or the saying of your prayers it is testified too by those inside and outside of our "partnership" who have been touched and influenced with the love of God in action.
Attached you will find an accounting of last years expenditures. This coming year will bring many financial challenges with the addition of the expenses of being in a building. Fret? Worry? Panic? "Not gonna do it!" New Church has seen God provide in His time on time every time! However, if we do not share the need how can God's people know?
Here are some monthly responsibilities that will be added with the acquisition of the building:
The average power bill is around $550 with peaks as high as $1,100 with lots of use and bad weather. We will have additional office expense in phone/Internet use $90 (we normally have had a phone bill of $45 but we are exploring ways to reduce that in the coming months). The water bill can range a bit from $50 to ? Trash bags, cleaning supplies, and all the other misc. will add up as well.
As you look at the financial statement keep this in mind...it is hard to track and place a value on all the donations and gifts God's people have generously given. That applies to not only material needs of the church, but also in our helping and meeting the needs of others.
What will New Church look like this time next year? I don't know...I have had two people ask me where the pews are we removed....in case we need them. Now that is definitely a God sized vision!
I am confident and pray to this end...New Church continues to be a place where grace reigns, we hold our dreams loosely insight of what God has for us, and we continue to live and reflect a true love relationship with God. I believe the rest of the stuff that goes to "church" (although necessary and needed) will take care of itself.
"Imperfect people partnering together to become fully mature followers of Jesus Christ."
'Ever expanding irresistible community"
New Church's vision and mission. More than words...it is an outlook on life.
Thank you so much for allowing myself, Deanna, and the kids go on this journey with you.
Thanks you for all your gifts, words of encouragement, and the support. We can never express wholly how much it means to us!
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
My last message on "God encounters" really touched me (supposed to affect you all...not me). As I listen to "I will never be" Sunday and reflected on the events that God has brought into my life to where I can't and wont go back...it may sound kind of sappy and I always thought it was when I heard others talk of it...pictures of life and time spent with all of you flashed through my mind.
The God encounter that is the beginning of New Church has been used by God to change me and my families life for the better. Sure, there has been some trying times, and I am sure there will be more, but sitting from the "pastor's view" I can testify that New Church is filled with people who are getting it! Not just going to church but actually being the church!
We have countless stories of people not looking down on others in need and just throwing them crumbs, but people who have actually went down, got down, and even got their hands dirty extending support to each other. "Religious Churches" are full of words and the obligatory statement: "I'll pray for you"...relationship is when prayer is followed by sharing resources and personal sacrifice.
The relationship with God that you have is not just seen on your faces, heard in the singing of songs, or the saying of your prayers it is testified too by those inside and outside of our "partnership" who have been touched and influenced with the love of God in action.
Attached you will find an accounting of last years expenditures. This coming year will bring many financial challenges with the addition of the expenses of being in a building. Fret? Worry? Panic? "Not gonna do it!" New Church has seen God provide in His time on time every time! However, if we do not share the need how can God's people know?
Here are some monthly responsibilities that will be added with the acquisition of the building:
The average power bill is around $550 with peaks as high as $1,100 with lots of use and bad weather. We will have additional office expense in phone/Internet use $90 (we normally have had a phone bill of $45 but we are exploring ways to reduce that in the coming months). The water bill can range a bit from $50 to ? Trash bags, cleaning supplies, and all the other misc. will add up as well.
As you look at the financial statement keep this in mind...it is hard to track and place a value on all the donations and gifts God's people have generously given. That applies to not only material needs of the church, but also in our helping and meeting the needs of others.
What will New Church look like this time next year? I don't know...I have had two people ask me where the pews are we removed....in case we need them. Now that is definitely a God sized vision!
I am confident and pray to this end...New Church continues to be a place where grace reigns, we hold our dreams loosely insight of what God has for us, and we continue to live and reflect a true love relationship with God. I believe the rest of the stuff that goes to "church" (although necessary and needed) will take care of itself.
"Imperfect people partnering together to become fully mature followers of Jesus Christ."
'Ever expanding irresistible community"
New Church's vision and mission. More than words...it is an outlook on life.
Thank you so much for allowing myself, Deanna, and the kids go on this journey with you.
Thanks you for all your gifts, words of encouragement, and the support. We can never express wholly how much it means to us!
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Thursday
Update January 14
Greetings all!
I sit with cold fingers to cold keyboard to write, but I am over joyed to be doing so from my OFFICE! Productivity can only increase now baby!
Well, our first service in our new God given building was great! There were over 50 in attendance with 5 guest. We are still working on the sound system, but it was nice to be meeting in a more permanent type facility.
Thanks to all those who came by on Saturday and helped with the clean up and moving.
Special thanks to those brave men (and "22") who helped move the pews. They risked personal injury, showed great strength and balance as 8 lengthy and enormously heavy pews were moved in perilous icy weather conditions across the street to make way for a fellowship area at the back of the sanctuary. (pictures posted on website soon)
This week we will be wrapping up our series "Encountering God" and next week we will be begin a series on grace "Life on the Edge" (anyone have a better title let me know).
How do we stay on the edge and experience the adrenaline rush that comes from looking out over the vastness of what could be, and still keep our feet planted firmly on God? Living on the edge is breath taking! Scary! Rewarding! Even though it may be accompanied by feelings of fear, self doubt, and anxiety I don't think the Apostle Paul would have traded it for anything! However (Paul warns) just across the line on either side we find the manipulative concealed killers of "legalism/religion" or "selfish indulgence."
I will give you a hint...the edge is wider than you think...yet the ground seems to shift when others join us on the edge...and like a true mountain's edge there are outcrops and inlets.
This Sunday we will have a "linger-longer" (our word for "potluck" thanks to Dianna R.). We get out kind of early so you can bring either breakfast type foods or lunch. Just a chance to get together and celebrate what God has done last year and anticipate what He has in store...and...we just like to eat!
God is moving! Are you?
P.S- Hopefully soon our website will take on a new look and offer the ability to listen or download messages...look for it....wait for it
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
I sit with cold fingers to cold keyboard to write, but I am over joyed to be doing so from my OFFICE! Productivity can only increase now baby!
Well, our first service in our new God given building was great! There were over 50 in attendance with 5 guest. We are still working on the sound system, but it was nice to be meeting in a more permanent type facility.
Thanks to all those who came by on Saturday and helped with the clean up and moving.
Special thanks to those brave men (and "22") who helped move the pews. They risked personal injury, showed great strength and balance as 8 lengthy and enormously heavy pews were moved in perilous icy weather conditions across the street to make way for a fellowship area at the back of the sanctuary. (pictures posted on website soon)
This week we will be wrapping up our series "Encountering God" and next week we will be begin a series on grace "Life on the Edge" (anyone have a better title let me know).
How do we stay on the edge and experience the adrenaline rush that comes from looking out over the vastness of what could be, and still keep our feet planted firmly on God? Living on the edge is breath taking! Scary! Rewarding! Even though it may be accompanied by feelings of fear, self doubt, and anxiety I don't think the Apostle Paul would have traded it for anything! However (Paul warns) just across the line on either side we find the manipulative concealed killers of "legalism/religion" or "selfish indulgence."
I will give you a hint...the edge is wider than you think...yet the ground seems to shift when others join us on the edge...and like a true mountain's edge there are outcrops and inlets.
This Sunday we will have a "linger-longer" (our word for "potluck" thanks to Dianna R.). We get out kind of early so you can bring either breakfast type foods or lunch. Just a chance to get together and celebrate what God has done last year and anticipate what He has in store...and...we just like to eat!
God is moving! Are you?
P.S- Hopefully soon our website will take on a new look and offer the ability to listen or download messages...look for it....wait for it
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Sunday
God is great! Our first service in the new building!
We met for the first time in the new building! We first had fellowship during coffee and juice hour. Scott continue his series on "encountering God!" We had over 50 in attendance as God is blessing us!
Tuesday
Moving Day!
God willing we will be moving and arranging things in our new building this Saturday at 8:30a.m.
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
God takes care of his people!
Just got a call a few minutes ago and New Church has been given 100 folding chairs!
Ask.......pray......God moves in His time on His schedule in ways we can't or won't ever understand! Don't over think it...just do it...just live in and enjoy His presence!
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Ask.......pray......God moves in His time on His schedule in ways we can't or won't ever understand! Don't over think it...just do it...just live in and enjoy His presence!
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
(A real-fallible person serving a real-infallible, awesome, and gracious God!)
Monday
Update January 5, 2009! What a great start!
I love the words of the old hymn "And can it be....that I should gain and interest in the Savior's love."
As I look back over the past 6 months this song and all the lyrics come to mind. "Amazing Love...How can it be?" New Church is comprised of a vast array of different people. All of us carrying our own hang ups, dragging our own baggage around, and in different spots in our relationship with God, yet....God has shown some amazing favor in His dealings with us. So, to keep with the hymn theme let me count some of the blessings:
1. Bringing a good launch group together
2. Providing a meeting place at a awesome affordable rate
3. Out of no where providing funds for the equipment we needed
4. Bringing more people into our path...from 17 in our planning stages to now over 40
5. God has allowed to help people in with physical and financial needs in a greater way than I have personally experienced in my last two ministries.
6. We have shared in two baptisms
7. We have enjoyed seeing many re-engage in their relationship with God's church
8. We have seen personal relationships grow as we grow together in God
9. People have been challenged and are stepping up and sacrificing their talents, gifts, money, and resources to further God's kingdom.
10. New people are engaging in ministry (even though they are nervous and scared)
11. God has provided a building for our use
These last two are very special to me as the pastor....God has reigned down his Spirit on us and is leading in developing in New Church a true atmosphere where GRACE is key and we allow God to do the changing as we lead people to His Word.....and the genuine care expressed and felt in our services as we break into prayer groups and attendees share concerns, joys, and request as they all share life together. (I wish you all could see it....God is showing up at New Church on Sundays!)
I won't sit here and even pretend to express to you what God is going to do in 2009. I have learned not to put God in to my expectations, but rather we will seek to embrace and receive the vastness of God's vision. That does not not mean we don't plan or seek God's leading to make plans, but we will hold our wishes lightly and allow God to lead.
Establishing a Sunday School program this fall, developing further our weekly Bible Studies, taking over the "Food Share Program," looking into Awanna for kids, discipleship and leadership training events, growing both Men's and Women's ministries are just a few things we will be seeking to focus on this coming year.
Human effort and strength has not brought about the accomplishments New Church has seen. God did it. We just seek to join Him and bask in His Glory!
We pray God brings all of you, our supporters, a new year that challenges and blesses as He leads you into a more intimate relationship with Him.
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
As I look back over the past 6 months this song and all the lyrics come to mind. "Amazing Love...How can it be?" New Church is comprised of a vast array of different people. All of us carrying our own hang ups, dragging our own baggage around, and in different spots in our relationship with God, yet....God has shown some amazing favor in His dealings with us. So, to keep with the hymn theme let me count some of the blessings:
1. Bringing a good launch group together
2. Providing a meeting place at a awesome affordable rate
3. Out of no where providing funds for the equipment we needed
4. Bringing more people into our path...from 17 in our planning stages to now over 40
5. God has allowed to help people in with physical and financial needs in a greater way than I have personally experienced in my last two ministries.
6. We have shared in two baptisms
7. We have enjoyed seeing many re-engage in their relationship with God's church
8. We have seen personal relationships grow as we grow together in God
9. People have been challenged and are stepping up and sacrificing their talents, gifts, money, and resources to further God's kingdom.
10. New people are engaging in ministry (even though they are nervous and scared)
11. God has provided a building for our use
These last two are very special to me as the pastor....God has reigned down his Spirit on us and is leading in developing in New Church a true atmosphere where GRACE is key and we allow God to do the changing as we lead people to His Word.....and the genuine care expressed and felt in our services as we break into prayer groups and attendees share concerns, joys, and request as they all share life together. (I wish you all could see it....God is showing up at New Church on Sundays!)
I won't sit here and even pretend to express to you what God is going to do in 2009. I have learned not to put God in to my expectations, but rather we will seek to embrace and receive the vastness of God's vision. That does not not mean we don't plan or seek God's leading to make plans, but we will hold our wishes lightly and allow God to lead.
Establishing a Sunday School program this fall, developing further our weekly Bible Studies, taking over the "Food Share Program," looking into Awanna for kids, discipleship and leadership training events, growing both Men's and Women's ministries are just a few things we will be seeking to focus on this coming year.
Human effort and strength has not brought about the accomplishments New Church has seen. God did it. We just seek to join Him and bask in His Glory!
We pray God brings all of you, our supporters, a new year that challenges and blesses as He leads you into a more intimate relationship with Him.
Have a blessed Day!
Scott Wolff
Sunday
What a great last Sunday at McLean! January 4, 2009
We said goodbye to McLean! We have had a wonderful six months! We have grown and our youth are strong. God is good and we are moving to our new building next week. What a joy to have our own place for worship, Sunday School, Bible Studies, Youth Programs, potlucks, tc.
Thursday
New Year's Party!
We had a great celebration on December 31 to ring in 2009! There was plenty of food and fun! Thanks to all who came, brought food, and had fun. At midnight there was an exciting game of Apples to apples with Ruth Ann Hieronymus coming out the big winner.
Cari and Kent, At last Grandparents!
It was a long and harrowing time, finally on December 31, 2008, Azul Maiv Chi Kong was born to Staci and Adam. Baby and mother are doing fine. Cari and I are very excited and thrilled to be first time grandparents. We promise to do our best to raise Azul in
a Christian home dedicated to Jesus. Here is a link I am working on for Azul's pictures. Azul Maiv Chi Kong
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