New Stage of Life

This Sunday Amy and I will embark on a new stage of life. Paul and Monica will be married on Sunday and we will enter (insert Twilight Zone announcer voice) the Empty Nest Zone. It is interesting how your age and your mortality hits you when your youngest gets married. I mean we are still relatively young, but you just feel a bit older when both of your kids are married and have their own lives. In all seriousness, I am humbled by God’s goodness. By His grace our two sons love God and His church. By His grace God has added two wonderful young ladies to our family. We are excited about Sunday and we are rejoicing during this exciting time in our lives and in our family.

February flew by as you would expect from the short month, but I have a feeling that March will fly by as well. We are just a little over four weeks from Easter and there is much to do between now and then. Just take a look at the calendar below.

Get connected. Stay connected.


Upcoming Events:
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
March 14th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 20th – Men’s Ministry Workday
March 21st – Women’s Ministry Luncheon
April 2nd – Good Friday Service @ 7:00 PM.
April 4th – Easter – Two Services @ 9:00 & 10:45
April 18th - Baptism

Chili

There is a lot going on at Venice Church. Check it out below. Get connected. Stay connected.
Here are some highlights:

Men, your February Men’s Ministry Meeting is Sunday right after the service. We always have a great time at these and I am really looking forward to indulging in Wayne’s and Alex’s chili! There will be the usual stuff at the meeting plus important information about our workday and next season.

Ladies, you received a special email earlier today detailing your next event. Be sure to make your reservation at the information counter.

And…there are several of you that receive this email that should seriously consider attending our membership class. It is coming up on Saturday March 13th @ 9:00 AM. I would love to see you there. You can register for the class by checking the appropriate box on the back of your response card on Sunday.


Upcoming Events:
February 28th – Men’s Ministry
February 28th – The Truth Project – 6:00 PM
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
March 20th – Men’s Ministry Workday
March 21st – Women’s Ministry Luncheon
April 2nd – Good Friday Service @ 7:00 PM.
April 4th – Easter – Two Services @ 9:00 & 10:45
April 18th - Baptism

Not Quite a Miracle

What a great win by the USA Hockey Team last night! It was not exactly a miracle. We have closed the gap between Canada and us quite a bit. In fact, as many Americans play hockey now as Canadians.
Our skill level is way up and our tenacity is back where it should be. Hopefully Ryan Miller can stay hot and the boys can bring home the gold.

Give Me a Break NBC...

It has been a beautiful week. There is more rain coming, but this sure was a nice break from it.

You guys watching the Olympics…I mean the commercials? I love seeing one preliminary race and then four commercials and then another preliminary race and then four commercials and then a human interest story and then another four commercials. By the time the medal race comes along I am fast asleep. Oh, by the way…I already know who won the medal. Thank you NBC for all of the commercials and for tape delaying events that are happening live in my time zone.

That is enough ranting for today. Enjoy another beautiful day and I will see you on Sunday when we talk about The Prayer of Surrender.

There is a lot going on at Venice. Check it out below. Get connected. Stay connected.


Upcoming Events:
February 21st – Wedding Shower for Monica Delwarte
February 28th – Men’s Ministry
February 28th – The Truth Project
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
April 2nd – Good Friday Service @ 7:00 PM.
April 4th – Easter – Two Services @ 9:00 & 10:45
April 18th - Baptism

Truth Project, Parking, etc..

The response to The Truth Project has been outstanding and this session is now full. If you are signed up, please look forward to updates from Brad Jensen. The first session will be Sunday evening February 28th @ 6:00 PM. If you were shut out this time and would like to attend, please look for another seminar coming this fall.

This Sunday we dive deeper into our series Connecting With God: The Lord’s Prayer. We will see the prayer of connection this week. I look forward to seeing you then.

God is blessing us with good attendance so let me remind you…if you arrive early for music, prayer meeting, or other ministries…please help us by parking on the street and down the street just a bit. And…please pray with me that God will add many to our church family through CLASS 101 on March 13th.


Upcoming Events:

February 12th – EPIC Winter Camp

February 28th – Men’s Ministry

February 28th – The Truth Project

March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family

April 2nd – Good Friday Service @ 7:00 PM.

April 4th – Easter – Two Services @ 9:00 & 10:45

April 18th - Baptism

Superbowl Prediction

I am going to stay out on the limb with my prediction...Colts 31 - Saints 7.

Special For Ladies...

Ladies, this reminder is especially for you…
You are invited to the shower for Baby Girl Morales this Sunday right after the service. Betsy and Ruben have been faithful members of Venice for many years. Let’s show them our love by celebrating the future arrival of their daughter. The Morales are registered at Babies R Us and Target. Lunch will be served so please RSVP to Becky Henson at henson.becky@yahoo.com.

You are also invited to the wedding shower for Paul Henson and Monica Delwarte on Sunday February 21st following the morning service. Monica is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target. Lunch will be served so please RSVP to Denise Jensen at bjensen623@verizon.net.
Your participation is greatly appreciated. Wedding and baby showers are a sign of a growing church. Thanks for celebrating these blessed occasions with us.

Coming up at the end of February we will be offering a special seminar for you. It is called The Truth Project and it will be hosted by Brad Jensen. There is limited space available. If you are interested in knowing more about what you believe and why you believe it this study is for you. You may begin signing up on Sunday. For more information contact Brad at bradjensen7@sbcglobal.net.

Celebrating With You,
Amy


Upcoming Events:
February 12th – EPIC Winter Camp
February 28th – Men’s Ministry
February 28th – The Truth Project
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
April 2nd – Good Friday
April 4th – Easter
April 18th - Baptism

More Reality...

This Sunday morning we will finish up our Eternal Realities Series when we talk about the The Reality of Heaven. It should be an exciting time as we see what God has planned for us.

This Sunday evening will be our Annual Business Meeting. We will review 2009 and look ahead to the remainder of this year. We get started at 6:00 PM. We would love to see you there.

Next week I am going to begin a series called Connecting With God: The Lord’s Prayer. We will take eight weeks and we will walk through the Lord’s Prayer together.

Coming up at the end of February we will be offering a special seminar for you. It is called The Truth Project and it will be hosted by Brad Jensen. There is limited space available. If you are interested in knowing more about what you believe and why you believe it this study is for you. You may begin signing up on Sunday. For more information contact Brad at bradjensen7@sbcglobal.net.

Upcoming Events:
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting
February 12th – EPIC Winter Camp
February 28th – Men’s Ministry
February 28th – The Truth Project
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
April 2nd – Good Friday
April 4th – Easter
April 18th - Baptism

Update on Mrs. Trubey

Mrs. Trubey is being moved to Culver West Rehabilitation Center today. She is doing a bit better, but still has a long recovery ahead of her. Please keep her in your prayers.

As I mentioned last week, God is sending many visitors our way. Many of those visitors are returning for a second and third visit. Please pray with me that God will draw many to salvation and many into membership here at Venice. It is an exciting time in our church. I am excited about what God will do in our neighborhood. We praise Him for His provision and His desire to use us to reach others.

The next two weeks offer a good opportunity to invite a friend to the service. We are going to embark on a two week series called Eternal Realities. This Sunday I am going to talk about The Reality of Hell. Next week it will be The Reality of Heaven. I hope to see you then.

Upcoming Events:
January 16th – Men’s Ministry
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting
February 12th – EPIC Winter Camp
February 21st – Men’s Ministry
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family

Here we go...

2010 has begun with a bang and with the exception of a half marathon disruption last Sunday things are going very well here at Venice Church. Last Sunday was just a minor distraction and for those who never made it to church, we look forward to seeing you on Sunday. We hope to give you much more notice the next time one of these rolls around.

At Venice Church, we are focused on reaching people who are far from God this year. We fully expect that God will send some others to us that are Christ followers, but need a church home. We are having visitors every Sunday. We want to be as accommodating to our guests as possible and one way that we may be able to help is to think about parking. We have a limited number of parking spaces. If you could help us with our parking it will be greatly appreciated. Here is what we would like to do. If you arrive early and you are able bodied, think about parking on the street, but not right in front on Lucille. This may not work for you if you are a Senior or if you are a family with small children, but if it will work for you it will help us by leaving the best spaces on Lucille and some spaces in the parking lot. It is just one small way that we can be more user friendly here at Venice Church.

I just received word last night that Mrs. Trubey has fallen and been injured. She is in the hospital in the Marina. I will know more after I check on her today. Please put her and keep her in your prayers.

Finally…men I look forward to seeing you at IHOP on Lincoln on Saturday morning at 9:00 for Men’s Ministry.


Upcoming Events:
January 16th – Men’s Ministry
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting
February 12th – EPIC Winter Camp
February 21st – Men’s Ministry
March 13th – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family

Have a Great Year

God has been so good to us in 2009. I am looking forward expectantly to what 2010 will bring. Beginning on Sunday we will be talking about how to have a great year. I look forward to seeing you then.

FYI…The office will be closed next week (January 4-8). Amy and I will be on a Conference/Cruise.

Upcoming Events:
January 16th – Men’s Ministry
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Just a few more days...

I hope that you are having a wonderful Christmas week. I hope that you will be with us on Christmas Eve. The service will begin at 6:00 PM. Childcare will be provided for the little ones.

Once again you are to be commended. We reached our goal for the Christmas Outreach Offering. We are at $5,438.00 as of today. It is not too late to give. Just drop it in and write Christmas on the envelope.



Upcoming Events:
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 16th – Men’s Ministry
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Your Faithfulness

You rock! As of today the grand total for our Christmas Outreach Offering is $4,748.00. Your faithfulness is amazing. We praise God for His great provision in our lives and for our church. He is good. He is faithful. We praise Him for this offering. And…you still have an opportunity to give. We will wrap up the offering on Sunday. Who will put us over our goal of $5,000.00? If you haven’t given and would like to…just drop it in the basket on Sunday and mark your envelope “Christmas”.

Please pray. The door hangers are beginning to drop. Pray that some far from God would receive the invitation and will come to a service and come to know Christ. That is what it is all about. Please pray that God would draw some into His Kingdom and into Venice Church.

Make plans to be with us on Christmas Eve. The service will begin at 6:00 PM. Childcare will be provided for the little ones.

I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.




Upcoming Events:
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 16th – Men’s Ministry
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Christmas Offering

Some of you have been asking for it and you got. It’s wintertime (such as it is) in the city. I know that you all have a lot going on…so I am going to attempt to keep this short and sweet today.

Men…your Men’s Ministry Meeting is this Sunday right after the service. Make your plans to be with us and…most of you did not sign up so look for the Men’s Ministry Email and respond to it so they know how much pizza to buy. We always have a great time. Come and join us.

We are continuing to receive our Christmas Outreach Offering. I am very pleased to inform you that we are half way to our goal of $5,000.00. We want to be a blessing to those in our neighborhood who are far from God. The invitations will drop on their doors next week. I know that you want to have a part in this special opportunity to give. I know that God will bless your generosity. Just put your offering in an envelope and write “Christmas” on it.

I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.


Upcoming Events:
December 6th – 20th Christmas Outreach Offering
December 13th – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Tiger...Come On Man!

I am really disappointed in Tiger Woods. Despite the truth that I know from Scripture, that we all sin and that we are depraved, I always hope for better. I don’t hope for perfection. I know that is not realistic. I hope for better. I want to believe in people. I want to believe that some guy, any guy, is going to excel in his field, make ungodly amounts of money, become a universal icon and not cheat on his wife and his kids. I want to believe that one or some of these guys are not going to become so enamored with it all and so arrogant that they think they are above, not just the law, but basic morality. I hope for one of these guys to realize that you never get away with it.

Numbers32:23
But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the LORD, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Tiger Woods is a guy who makes his living playing a “gentlemen’s game” where the players police the game themselves without need of referees. Tiger would never, ever, think of cheating at golf, but apparently he will cheat on his wife and kids.

One more thing. Don’t these guys ever learn? Will one of them ever learn from Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and the rest? I get it. I know there are plenty of professional athletes that don’t cheat on their wives, but never get accolades for being “normal”. Just once, could the greatest in the world, the greatest of all time, be a man that we could be proud of?


Upcoming Events:
December 6th – 20th Christmas Outreach Offering
December 13th – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 23rd – Women’s Ministry
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Thanksgiving

Please pray about the part that you will have in our Christmas Outreach Offering. We are going to reach approximately 40,000 residences in our neighborhood with Christmas invitations. I know that you want to share in the blessing of touching lives with the gospel this Christmas. The offering will be received the first three Sundays of December. Just put your offering in an envelope and mark it “Christmas Offering”.

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It doesn’t get much better than Thanksgiving. In honor of Thanksgiving I offer up…

My Top Ten Thanksgiving Things…
10. Cranberry Sauce.
9. Family.
8. Turkey.
7. Rook (It’s a card game…just so you know.).
6. Sweet Potatoes or Candied Yams (I don’t know the difference).
5. Dressing
4. Cool Whip
3. Golf Outing the day before Thanksgiving.
2. Pumpkin Pie.
1. Football…when the Cowboys win.
(Easy…just a little holiday humor there.)

I hope that each and every one of you has a very Happy Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.



Upcoming Events:
December 6th – 20th Christmas Outreach Offering
December 13th – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Blessed

Thank you so much for all of the cards, emails, and phone calls that we received since my mom went home to be with the Lord. Your love and encouragement have truly uplifted and sustained me during this difficult time. Thank you for being a wonderful church family.

If you have some time on Sunday afternoon we are going to be decorating for Christmas at 2:00 PM in the Worship Center. Your help is greatly appreciated. Make sure that when you come…you bring your Christmas spirit with you! It is always a lot of fun. I hope to see you then. If you have any questions, please email me at amersh55@yahoo.com.

Men, don’t forget your Men’s Ministry Meeting/Breakfast on Saturday morning at 9:00 AM in the kitchen. I know that it is always a great time of fellowship.

Much Love,
Amy

Upcoming Events:
November 21st – Men’s Ministry
November 22nd – Christmas Decorating
December 13th – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Thank You

The service for Amy’s mom, Eddie Crice, is Saturday at 11:00 AM. Please pray that God would be glorified as we remember and celebrate a life that was devoted to God and her family. Thank you so much for your outpouring of prayers and support for our family. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Amy’s mom is no longer suffering and we look forward to being reunited with her in heaven some day. We are thankful that God is our comfort and refuge during this time. His grace is sufficient for all of our needs.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4) He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5) For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

We give thanks today to the men and women of our Armed Forces both veterans and currently serving. We thank them for their sacrifice as they fight for our flag and to protect our freedoms.

And…if you are signed up for CLASS 201 on Saturday…this is your reminder. You will meet in the Berean Room at 9:00 AM. If you have any questions please contact Brad or Denise at bjensen623@verizon.net or bradjensen7@sbcglobal.net .


Upcoming Events:
November 14th – CLASS 201: Growing to be Like Christ
November 21st – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
January 31st – Annual Business Meeting

Get In a Group...

The heartbeat of Venice Church is our small groups. The Services are good, but real community, real fellowship happens in small groups. We have had our introductory lesson and now this Sunday we embark on 40 Days of Love. We are going to learn about love. We are going to learn to love. We are going to practice love. The best place to learn, grow and practice is in a small group.

This is a great time to give a group a try. It is just a six-week commitment. Try one for the next 40 days. They meet just about every evening of the week. You can find one that will serve you well. If you try one and it is not a good fit…then try another one. For a list of small groups check out the website at http://venicechurch.com/ministries.html. I would be glad to help you find one that will work for you.

The Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale is this Saturday from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. There is going to be some good stuff for sale and the proceeds will go to our Missionary Families for Christmas. Encourage your friends and neighbors to check out the sale.


Upcoming Events:
November 7th – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale
November 14th – CLASS 201: Growing to be Like Christ
November 21st – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service

A Note From Amy...

Trunk or Treat is coming up on Saturday October 31st from 4-7 PM. If you signed up to bring a car or if you would still like to bring a car, please be in the parking lot at 3:00 PM on Saturday. There are still invitations available in the church office. You may come by and pick some up. Please call before you come. This is an outreach to our community, but it is for you and your kids too! Stop by and trick or treat before you hit your neighborhood. I hope to see there.

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday. Set your clock back one hour when you go to bed on Saturday night.

If you are interested in serving in the Coffee Bar or if you have been serving in the Coffee Bar we will have a meeting right after the service on Sunday…do you know what I mean by right after…immediately after the service on Sunday. If you are interested in serving once a month or even every Sunday we could use your help. I will do my best to answer any and all of your questions at the meeting.

Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale is Saturday November 7th from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please let me know if you are coming to help at the sale. We have plenty of room for more items. Clean out those closets and bring some stuff to sell. It is for a good cause. We are raising money to send to our Missionaries for Christmas.

On Sunday afternoon, November 22nd at 2:00 PM we will decorate the Worship Center and lobby for Christmas. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you would like to help.

There is a brand new Spanish Speaking Small Group. It is led by Ruben Morales and it meets on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the EPIC room. The group is presently studying the book of Galatians. If you are interested or if you know somebody who may be please contact Ruben at rsmtwtfsm@gmail.com.

There is a lot going on at Venice Church. As you can see there are plenty of opportunities to serve. I hope you will get involved and stay involved.

Upcoming Events:
October 31st – Trunk or Treat
November 1st – 40 Days of Love Begins & Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 7th – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale
November 14th – CLASS 201: Growing to be Like Christ
November 21st – Men’s Ministry
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service