December 2008http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/en-US2010-07-31T23:45:26ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.5 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Happy New Year!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/31/happy-new-year.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-31T17:48:56ZHappy New Year - 2009!!  I've heard it said that "7" signifies completion, and "8" signifies new beginnings.  That would be true in our lives.  Julie and I look at 2007 as the year of completing the work God had for us at Hope Church in Osceola, WI, and 2008 has been the year to start anew.  As a result, CenterPoint Church in St. Croix Falls, WI, began meeting weekly a little over three months ago. We're still in the "soft launch" phase, where we are gathering more committed, dedicated Christ-followers to help accomplish the mission of reaching the "unchurched" (approximately 80% of our population) here in our valley.  We're leading up to our "big launch" around Easter.  Would you like to join us?

I'd like to invite you to attend our 10AM service this Sunday, January 4th, to hear a message on "Renewing Your Mind" in 2009.  I always like to start each new year off with sharing about the importance of spending daily time in our bibles.  Please come!  This will be a great way to start the new year!

Pastor Dick

]]>Beautiful Christmas Service!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/22/beautiful-christmas-service.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-22T18:44:26ZThanks to the St. Croix Falls High Snow Dance on Friday evening, everyone who came to the CenterPoint Family Christmas Service on Sunday was able to appreciate the HUGE, beautiful snowflake decorations that hung above our area of worship...a true provision from God's own hand for our special service!!  God's plan of salvation and the meaning of the names of Jesus from Isaiah 9:6 were shared during the message, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace".  Steve Langer & the Worship Team lead everyone in Christmas worship songs."Silent Night" was lead by Steve & Leah. 

]]>CenterPoint Family Christmas Servicehttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/18/centerpoint-family-christmas-service.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-18T19:28:52ZYou're Invited!!!

THIS Sunday, December 21st, 2008

St. Croix Falls High School (Main Entrance)

10:00-11:15AM

Invite your family, neighbors and friends for a service filled with the anticipation, celebration, and exuberance of Christmas.  The Worship Team will be leading us in some familiar Christmas worship songs, we'll watch a fun and a more serious video clip about Christmas, and hear a message from the Bible on the significance of the birth of Christ.

Come One, Come ALL!!

 

]]>The Meaning of Christmashttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/17/the-meaning-of-christmas.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-17T13:17:52ZThe following excerpt was taken from "The Christmas Season" by Dennis Bratcher.  To read more click here.

"I think that the true meaning of Christmas is about possibility in the midst of the impossible. It is not the kind of possibility that comes from a confidence in our own skill, knowledge, ability, or a positive mental attitude. It is possibility that comes solely from the fact that God is God, and that he is the kind of God who comes into our own human existence to reveal himself and call us to himself. It is a possibility that is so surprising at its birth that we are caught unaware, and so are left with wonder at the simplicity of its expression in this infant child. It is a possibility that is easily symbolized by a helpless infant that has nothing of its own by which to survive; yet an infant that, because he is Immanuel, God with us, will forever change the world and all humanity. It is this same God who has promised to be with us, with his people, with the church and with us individually, as we live as his people in the world.

It is not just hope, as if it were wishful thinking that things will get better when they cannot. It is hope incarnated into flesh, a hope that can be held in a mother’s arms, a hope that expresses a reality that will live beyond endings and death itself. It is the hope, the possibility, that springs from impossible and insignificant beginnings, infused with the power of God through the Holy Spirit, that will blossom into a light to the nations.

It is this possibility, this God, that we celebrate at Christmas. And we do so with a confidence born, not of our own desire for it to be so, but from the birth of a child over 2,000 years ago, a child who was the Son of God!"

]]>Invitation Distributionhttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/16/invitation-distribution.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-16T17:38:19ZOn Saturday a small group of CenterPoint representatives walked through the neighborhoods surrounding the St. Croix Falls High School where we meet each Sunday.  We're inviting as many people as we can to our CenterPoint Family Christmas Service THIS coming Sunday, December 21st at 10AM.  Come One, Come All!!!

]]>A Night of Laughter!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/13/a-night-of-laughter.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-13T00:24:03ZLast Friday, about 30 of us weathered the first real storm of the winter to watch the Plymouth Playhouse production of "Church Basement Ladies".  Laughter is sure good medicine for the soul!

]]>Thankful for the Giverhttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/december-2008/2008/12/4/thankful-for-the-giver.htmlCome As You Are2008-12-04T13:45:52ZThis holiday season caught me by suprise. The heart full of joy and gratefulness came just a few days after Thanksgiving.  This morning I was reading in the book of 1 John, Chapter 4.  Verses 9 & 10 really meant a lot to me: "This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I am so very grateful for Jesus, my Savior.  Let's tell as many people as we can about the amazing GIVER - especially as we approach and celebrate the event of His Son's birth! - Julie

"Thank You Lord"

I’m thankful, Lord, for many things,
But this Thanksgiving day
I’m dedicating to the praise
Of only You, I pray.

Aside from blessings temporal,
Apart from gifts so kind,
I’m thankful for the Giver more
Than all the gifts combined.

I’m thankful, Lord, for who You are,
For Your great love divine
That stooped one day at Calvary’s cross
And saved a soul like mine.

I’m grateful for the years gone by
In which, with guiding hand,
You have with utmost wisdom led,
All by a perfect plan.

I’m thankful, Lord, for many things,
Apart from gifts so kind,
I’m thankful for the Giver more
Than all the gifts combined.”

-Georgia B. Adams

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