The Time Is Now

I told you that it was coming and it has arrived. God has presented us with three wonderful mission projects that I would like to tell you about.

Gospel Alive is an organization that sponsors youth camps in Great Britain. The youth of England need desperately to know the truth about Jesus. Dale Peterson and Gospel Alive take the gospel there every summer. 53% of the students who attend the camp give their lives to Christ. We have the privilege of sponsoring 4 students that will attend a camp this summer. We are sending $1,000.00 to assist these students so that they can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are also getting in on the ground floor of the Boston Project. The Boston Project is designed to start 5 new churches in the greater Boston area over the next 10 years. There are two churches that have started in the last five years that are doing well and will serve as the sending churches for the new church plants. Our Leadership Team believes that this is a worthwhile endeavor. Think about this. There are more Christ followers residing in Bagdad, Iraq than there are in Boston, Massachusetts. I know. That’s crazy right? We want to partner with other churches to start new churches in Boston. Support of this project will begin when the infrastructure is ready to receive funding.

And…Luke and Kelly Lyons will be with us on Sunday May 23rd to tell us more about what God has called them to do in Metro Manila in the Philippines. God is doing amazing things in the Philippines and I know that you will want to hear more about what God is doing through this young couple.

God is using us here to reach the people of Venice and the surrounding areas. God is using us to partner with others to reach around the world. I want to encourage you to continue to give your tithe to Venice Church so that we can reach our neighbors with the gospel, but let me encourage you to give to our missions program as well. I am excited about the new opportunities that God has and will put before us. Not all of us can go, but most of us can give. If you want to give to support projects like these make sure that you designate your mission offering on your envelope.

Have a great week and tell somebody about Jesus.


Upcoming Events:
May 23rd – Missionaries Luke & Kelly Lyons
June 5th – Women’s Ministry & Rockstars Christmas in June
June 6th – Epic Camp Fundraiser
June 20th – Father’s Day
June 23rd – 26th – Epic Camp
June 27th – Guest Speaker: Dennis Carlson
July 31st – Church Picnic
August 15th – Guest Speaker: Bob Henson
September 12th – 14th Men’s Road Trip

Missions

Over the next several weeks and months you will be presented with opportunities to impact the lives of people all over the world. You can read about the Operation Christmas Child project below and coming up on Sunday May 23rd a fine missionary couple, the Lyons, will be here to talk to us about what God is doing in Manila. More opportunities will be presented in the future.
It is our desire to put more missions opportunities before you on a more regular basis. So…this is what I would like for you to do for now. I believe that God would like for Venice Church to do more to support missions in our country and around the world. Would you pray with me that God would work in us and show us who to partner with? Would you pray about what God would have you do in the area of missions? It could be that you give to missions here at Venice and you will be moved to give more. It could be that you have not been giving to missions and God will move you to begin. For now…let’s pray together and see what God will do.

I am excited about the Rockstars Childrens Ministry and Ladies Ministry missions project. The kids and the ladies are partnering to send 100 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year. The project takes place on Saturday June 5th. There will be a flyer with details in your handout this Sunday. Even if you are not a kid or a lady you can participate. Contact Amy (amersh55@yahoo.com) for more information.

Get connected.
Stay connected.

Upcoming Events:
May 9th – Mother’s Day
May 23rd – Missionaries Luke & Kelly Lyons
June 5th – Women’s Ministry & Rockstars Christmas in June
June 6th – Epic Camp Fundraiser
June 20th – Father’s Day
June 23rd – 26th – Epic Camp
July 31st – Church Picnic

Mustache Challenge...Over

I kept it for three plus weeks, but it bugged.
Mustache Challenger...over and out.

Men's & Women's and Kid's Ministry Oh My

This Sunday our Men’s Ministry season wraps up with a BBQ at Bob Tripp’s house. Men, let me encourage you this way. If you have been attending the meetings this year…finish strong. Make the last meeting. Enjoy the fellowship. If you have not been attending the meetings…start with this one. I promise this. You will enjoy the food. You will enjoy the fellowship. You will not be lost during the lesson. You don’t need to have been at the meetings or read the book to follow this lesson. Most importantly, you will get your foot in the door, get acquainted with the guys, and you will hear about next season. Next season is going to kick off with a fantastic and fun trip. You will want to hear about it and when you hear about it you will want to go.

I am excited about the Rockstars Childrens Ministry and Ladies Ministry missions project. The kids and the ladies are partnering to send 100 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year. The project takes place on Saturday June 5th. There will be a flyer with details in your handout this Sunday. Even if you are not a kid or a lady you can participate. Contact Amy (amersh55@yahoo.com) for more information.

There is a lot of good stuff going on at Venice.
Get connected.
Stay connected.


Upcoming Events:
May 1st – Rockstars Portrait Party
May 2nd – Men’s Ministry
May 9th – Mother’s Day
May 23rd – Missionarires Luke & Kelly Lyons
June 5th – Women’s Ministry & Rockstars Christmas in June
June 6th – Epic Camp Fundraiser
June 20th – Father’s Day
June 23rd – 26th – Epic Camp

Kids...

Dreams do come true! We have and have had many dreams for Venice Church. Some of them are big dreams and some of them seem to be fairly simple dreams, but when they come true it is thrilling. I have always dreamed that God would fill our church nursery with babies. It seemed like it might never happen, but alas it has happened. We have new babies and more on the way. God is so good.

We have dreamed of a ministry for children that would be growing and thriving and God has blessed us with more and more children to minister to. This past Sunday we had 29 kids and 10 leaders working with them. We thank God for Richie, Becky and their entire team. I believe that God has bigger and better things in store for our kids and their families. Check out their upcoming events in the calendar below and look for details in the handout on Sunday.

And…we have dreamed of a youth ministry that is marked by love for God and love and acceptance of others. God has delivered there as well. Daniel, Kristen and their staff do a wonderful job. I am excited about what God has in store for the EPIC Student Ministry. Their camp is coming up on June 23rd. Please pray that God will have his hand on the camp. Please join them for their camp fund raiser after church on June 6th. You can be a blessing to a kid by giving to help them go to camp.

There is a lot of good stuff going on at Venice.
Get connected.
Stay connected.


Upcoming Events:
May 1st – Rockstars Portrait Party
May 2nd – Men’s Ministry
May 9th – Mother’s Day
May 23rd – Missionary Luke Lyons
June 5th – Women’s Ministry & Rockstars Christmas in June
June 6th – Epic Camp Fundraiser
June 20th – Father’s Day
June 23rd – 26th – Epic Camp

We Must Be Doing Something Right....

I guess you can file this under…we must be doing something right. My pastor friends tell me that when God begins to move in a church or in a community that adversity is right around the corner. I know that when God shows up many times the Devil shows up too. This past Friday night our sign was “tagged”. On Sunday night, somebody threw a piece of concrete through one side of our sign. It will be repaired today and we will move on.
And…we will not be deterred from what God has called us to do. God placed Venice Church right here on this corner to bring people to Christ and then help them grow to be like Him. We will continue to do what God has called us to do.
Pray that God will continue to provide for us. Pray that God will protect us. Pray for the people in our neighborhood who are far from God. And take advantage of your opportunities to share Christ. At our Men’s Ministry meeting this past Sunday we were challenged with the truth that each one of us has been given a platform for sharing Christ. Your platform is your home, your job, your school, your team, your club…wherever God has put you. Help somebody find Jesus. Tell somebody about Jesus. Tell them what He has done in your life.

Don’t forget that we are baptizing on Sunday the 18th. If you would like to be baptized just respond to this email and I will add you to the list. If you have questions about baptism then respond to the email and I will do my best to answer your questions.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. We will wrap up our series talking about The Mystery of God’s Glory. Have a great week.

There is a lot of good stuff going on at Venice.
Get connected.
Stay connected.

Upcoming Events:
May 2nd – Men’s Ministry
May 9th – Mother’s Day
May 23rd – Missionary Luke Lyons
June 20th – Father’s Day

God Showed Up

The email is coming to you a day early this week because…well…I cannot contain this news any longer. God came up big for us this past Easter weekend. We had a total attendance of 439 (79 more than last year) and 9 adults marked their card that they had given their life to Christ! God is so good and we give Him all the glory for what was accomplished this past weekend.
You are to be commended. Many of you had a guest or guests with you. Thank you for caring for your friends and family and inviting them to a service. Special thanks to our Communication Team. They did a wonderful job on our door hanger and campaign. Many visitors came because of the door hangers. Again we praise God for working in us and through us here at Venice Church.

This Sunday our Men’s Ministry will meet right after the service. We are having hot wings for lunch. We always have a great time. Don’t miss out guys!

And don’t forget that we are baptizing on Sunday the 18th. If you would like to be baptized just respond to this email and I will add you to the list. If you have questions about baptism then respond to the email and I will do my best to answer your questions.

There is a lot of good stuff going on at Venice.
Get connected.
Stay connected.

Passion Week

It is Easter week and this week is always an exciting time in the Kingdom of God. It is an exciting time here at Venice Church. I hope that you are planning to be with us for our Good Friday Service. It will begin at 7:00 PM and there will be free coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies served immediately following the service. Plan to hang around for a bit and enjoy your friends and church family.

Of course Sunday is the big day. We have two services at 9:00 and 10:45 AM. Free coffee, hot chocolate, and Krispy Kreme Donuts will be served before each service. I hope you are planning to attend and have invited somebody to come with you.

And…we would like to have a concerted effort to welcome those who arrive on Sunday. If you would like to help by greeting those who arrive or by passing out handouts, please let me know by responding to this email. When you respond, please let me know which service you will be attending. Thank you.

Get connected.
Stay connected.

Upcoming Events:
April 2nd – Good Friday Service @ 7:00 PM.
April 4th – Easter – Two Services @ 9:00 & 10:45 AM.
April 11th – Men’s Ministry
April 18th – Baptism
May 1st – Men’s Ministry
May 23rd – Missionary Luke Lyons

Years and counting...

Amy and I hit another milestone this week. This Sunday will mark our 14th year here at Venice Church. God has been so good to us and to our church. It is a pleasure to serve with all of you here. We look forward to what God has in store for us in the future.

Our Easter door hangers are being delivered this week. Please pray that God would use them to turn hearts to Christ. When a person grasps the true meaning of Easter it can literally be life-changing. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Our desire, with these door hangers, is to seek out some who need to be saved.

This Sunday we will wrap up our series called Connecting With God. This week…The Prayer of Fulfillment. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

There is good stuff going on at Venice. Get connected. Stay connected.


Upcoming Events:
April 2nd – Good Friday Service @ 7:00 PM.
April 4th – Easter – Two Services @ 9:00 & 10:45
April 11th – Men’s Ministry
April 18th – Baptism
May 1st – Men’s Ministry
May 23rd – Missionary Luke Lyons

New Members

It was my pleasure to walk 13 new members through our membership class last Saturday. God has blessed us with many wonderful people and He has added another batch to our family. It is exciting to see what God is doing in our church an in our neighborhood. Please pray that God would use the door hangers that go out Easter week.

Please invite somebody to attend one of our Easter services with you. Door hangers and campaigns are all well and good, but there is something about one of you saying to your friend, “I really like my church. You might like it too. Would you like to go with me sometime?”

This Sunday we will continue our series called Connecting With God. This week…The Prayer of Deliverance. I will see you on Sunday at 10:00 Am.

Get connected. Stay connected.


Upcoming Events:
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
May 23rd – Missionary Luke Lyons

Spring Forward 2010

Don’t forget to spring forward on Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time begins and with it comes the anticipation of spring and summer. Easter is right around the corner and I always like to remind you that it is a wonderful time to invite a friend to a service. We are rolling out an Easter campaign. It is complete with 40,000 door hangers going to our neighbors to invite them to one of our three services. You can get the gist of the campaign at our website at venicechurch.com. Please pray that God will give an increase in attendance and people giving their lives to Christ. On Easter Sunday I am going to begin a series of messages called Making Sense of Life’s Mysteries. I hope that we can answer some of the difficult questions of life.

This Sunday we will continue our series called Connecting With God. This week…The Prayer of Release. I will see you on Sunday at 10:00 Am.

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
May 23rd – Missionary Luke Lyons

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our son Paul and his new bride Monica!
We are blessed with two wonderful sons and now two wonderful daughters-in-law.

C3 West Coast

I am attending the C3 Conference in San Diego. C3 stands for Creative Church Conference. I have learned a lot and have been encouraged to keep doing what we do at Venice Church. There is nothing like the church when it is working right. God has been so good to us at Venice. We really have momentum and I believe that God is going to keep it going.
You guys are the best. Amy and I are blessed to serve in such a great place with such great people. I look forward to seeing you and worshiping with you on Sunday.

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