FriedensNotes
Week of March 13, 2005
Confident Praying
And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, "Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time; and he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. (1 Kings 18:33-35)
When it came time for God to respond to Elijah's prayer, Elijah demonstrated his confidence in God. He didn't simply build an altar and call down fire. Instead, three times he drenched the altar and the sacrifice with water until everything was saturated. Then he filled the trench around the altar with water as well. He was sure that God would not only answer, but answer in a powerful way. Christians can have this same confidence. If we pray according to God's will, we have the assurance that God will answer, no matter how difficult our circumstances (John 14:14). Is there something in your life that you've not prayed about because you fear it is impossible? Come to God with confidence. Remember, with God all things are possible-so pray accordingly. Be confident; God is able.
-- Woodrow Kroll, http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/features/lessons/69
New Classes for Women
A new series of women's studies will be offered on Sundays during the 9:15 education hour. A different facilitator will lead discussions on a different topic each Sunday. The teachers and subjects are: "Praying Women" on March 13, led by Barb Blaesing; Subject TBA on March 20 by Bridget Huston; "It's Never Too Late" on April 3 by Alice Rabenhorst; Q&A with pastors' wives on April 10; "Women Without Spiritual Partners" on April 17 by Barb Blaesing; "Developing Spiritual Disciplines" on April 24 by Karen Wetzel.
Parenting and Marriage Classes
There's still time to get in on the new class for parents of young children, "Establishing Effective Discipline for Your Children" by Dennis and Barb Rainey. Dads are especially encouraged to get involved. There's a discussion group that meets at church at 9:15 a.m. between worship services. There also are home discussion groups meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday in Port Washington at Dan and Vicki Benson's (268-0755) and at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Saukville at Doug and Amy Lawrence's house (284-1689). The home groups are for those who can't make it on Sunday or want to complement the Sunday discussions. Cost for the book is $10 but scholarships are available. Call Dan and Vicki Benson if you'd like to host your own home group or for more information. In addition, Cliff and Pam Landon will begin a new chapter in their ongoing Homebuilders Series on April 1 with "Improving Communication in Your Marriage." That group meets at 7 p.m. on Fridays. Call the Landons for more information at 284-5916.
Easter Lilies and Memorials
It's time to order your Easter lilies and special Easter memorials. Orders for must be received by Palm Sunday, March 20. Lilies cost $8.95. Look for the form in your bulletin or call the church office at 284-2471.
VBS Volunteers Needed
There's a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall for Vacation Bible School volunteers. This is one of the church's most important outreach efforts to the community. You can be a part of it! Sign up this Sunday or call Pam Landon, 284-5916.
Strategic Planning
It's time for Friedens to lay a prayer foundation to help develop a 5- and 10-year ministry plan to influence the greater Port Washington area for Christ. If you're interested fill out a slip in this week's bulletin or call the church office at 284-2471.
Holy Week Service Schedule
A 7 p.m. communion service will be held Maundy Thursday, March 24. On Good Friday, there will be a 1 p.m. worship service. Easter Sunday worship services will be at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. There also will be a special Easter breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. There will be no Sunday school or adult discussion groups on Easter.
This Week's Bible Reading Plan
Join with other Friedens family members in reading through the Bible in 2005. Here's this week's reading plan:
- March 13 -- Deuteronomy 19-21; Mark 13:21-37
- March 14 -- Deuteronomy 22-24; Mark 14:1-26
- March 15 -- Deuteronomy 25-27; Mark 14:27-53
- March 16 -- Deuteronomy 28-29; Mark 14:54-72
- March 17 -- Deuteronomy 30-31; Mark 15:1-25
- March 18 -- Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 15:26-47
- March 19 -- Joshua 1-3; Mark 16
You also can find each day's readings, along with Bible study tools and other helps online. While there online, you also can share with others what God is teaching you in your reading. Also look for the reading list each month in the FriedensBote and on bookmarks in the west foyer.
"The Passion" Revisited for Lent
A new version of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" is being released this Easter season, with some of the violence toned down from the movie's initial release last year. This may be a great opportunity to see the movie if you were discouraged from doing so last year, or for taking friends and family who similarly were reluctant. For more information, go online.
Reasons to Believe
How can anyone believe that someone rose from the dead? But it is possible to believe it. In fact, it's a logical certainty. Read "Ten Reasons to Believe that Christ Rose from the Dead". Then ask yourself, if Christ rose from the dead, how should that change my life, how I live and my relationships with others?
Mark Your Calendars
- Sunday: Effective Child Discipline, at Doug and Amy Lawrence's, 284-1689; Blaze (6th-12th grades), 6-8 p.m.
- Monday: Missions Committee, 7 p.m. at church; Effective Child Discipline, 6:30 p.m. at Dan and Vicki Benson's, 268-0755.
- Tuesday: "Tea with Theresa," at the Zahurance home, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 268-6839; "Basic Bible Doctrines" 11:30 a.m. at church, Pastor Don; High School Discipleship night, 7-9 p.m., at Ferrells', 375-1009; Christian Recovery Group, 8 p.m. in church library, (414) 745-6430.
- Wednesday: AWANA staff meeting (no club), 6:30 p.m. at church, Geralynn Esselman, 284-9598; "Basic Bible Doctrines" at church, Pastor Don, 6:30 p.m. at church; 6th-8th grade guys Bible study, 6:30-8 p.m. at Schuettes', 284-1072.
- Thursday: Prayer group, 6:30 a.m. in Pastor Mark's office; Choir rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.; Team Poland meeting, 7:30 p.m. at church; Young Adults 20s Group, 6:30 p.m. at Dave and Kelly Wolf's in Saukville, 268-0755.
- Friday: Indoor Golf Outing, 6:30 p.m., 268-6839.
- Saturday: Awana Olympic Game practice, 9-11 a.m.
- Sunday: Worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m.; Growth Groups at 9:15 a.m.; Blaze, 6-8 p.m.
Helps and Hollers
- Volunteers are needed to help in the sound and video ministry. Call Mike Bendt, 284-5499, for more information.
- Volunteers are needed for Early Childhood Ministry to man the nursery during worship and during Sunday morning growth groups. If you're not attending an adult growth group, this is a great opportunity for service, even if it's only one Sunday every other month or so. Call Kathy Kato at 268-6999.
- Pray for Friedens family members enduring cancer and other health issues, including Dawn Uselding, Peg Bannon, Warren Grady, Jeff Starr and Brandon Novack.
- Pray for Friedens family members who are out of work or underemployed, including Bridget Huston, Paul Kopp, John Newton, Charles Nitzke, Dan Dufner and Paul Olivent. Do you know anyone in similar straits? Send the church an e-mail or call.
- For other prayer requests, call the church HEARTS Line, 284-7007. If you'd like a request added to the HEARTS Line, call the church office, 284-2471.
- Food Pantry needs this week include cereal, soup, low salt vegetables, lite fruit, flour, bathroom tissue and cash. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the west foyer. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the church at 284-2471.
FriedensNote is the weekly e-mail newsletter of Friedens Evangelical Church, 454 N. Milwaukee St., Port Washington, WI 53074. For more information on the church, call (262) 284-2471 or visit our website, www.friedenschurch.org. If you'd like to subscribe, unsubscribe, or have questions, e-mail us at friedens@sbcglobal.net, with "FriedensNote" in the subject field.
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454 N. Milwaukee Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
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