CenterPoint Church

Hi Everyone!

This Sunday is already the first weekend in August.  The summer is really speeding by.  We've had three preview services, done a lot of fun activities, and it is now time to begin pulling it all together. As the launch of CenterPoint Church is around the corner, it is more important than ever that we all come together as a Launch Team to pray and to plan for the launch on September 14th.  The rest of August is filled with another preview service, a CenterPoint camping trip, and another baptism/potluck.  This Launch Team meeting is important!

This comes as a personal invitation to you to come to the meeting this Sunday morning.  Each of you is very important for CenterPoint to launch strong and with adequate manpower to serve those we are trying to reach with the gospel here in our valley.  Please make this Sunday's Launch Team meeting a priority. We'll meet at the Panda King on Hwy 8 in St. Croix Falls at 9AM.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

In Christ,  Pastor Dick

I must admit, after the incredible day we experienced on Sunday, it has been difficult to settle down and think about anything else.  For those of you who weren't able to join us, it's almost difficult to put into words the opportunity it was to be part of what God is doing in the midst of our CenterPoint family.  Cheers of affirmation and clapping could be heard across Sand Lake as family and friends witnessed the dedication of little Dillon and Connor, and the baptism and public profession of faith of six of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Even neighbors across the lake joined in the celebration offering encouraging cheers.  Jonathan led us in singing and the Spirit of the Lord was surely in this place. 

A huge thank-you to Roger & Sandy for making their lake home and fantastic beach available for CenterPoint baptisms! The weather could not have been more beautiful...with perfect temperature and barely a breeze.
Charlie and Dana recently came to a deep and sincere understanding of faith in Christ and have put their trust in Him. They dedicated themselves to raising little Dillon and Connor in the fear and love of the Lord. We all dedicated ourselves to helping them.Denny, Illean, Donna, Renee, and Adam & Bailey were publicly baptized as a symbol of their profession of faith in Jesus Christ.  For Adam & Bailey, this was particularly meaningful as they were baptized six days before their upcoming wedding.

This was a true time of celebration for the CenterPoint family...so much so that several people have requested to be baptized in August.  Another Baptism Service will take place on Sunday, August 31st.

We're getting into the great habit of following our events with a potluck.  Come on along to our next event....our 4th Preview Service on August 10th @ 10AM in the Lions Park in St. Croix Falls. Take a "sneak peak" of what's to come in September!

There's a lot going on this weekend!  On Saturday, the 26th, a motorcycling day-trip to Duluth and back is being organized.  This is an outreach event.  Everyone will rendezvous at The Ridge Restaurant (formerly Adventures) in Osceola around 9:30AM.  The excursion will be on the back roads, stopping some where for lunch.  If you have a motorcycle and can come, or if you know someone who would like to join the group, come on along!    The plan is to return around 7PM.

 

Saturday evening, Dr. Dwight Perry, director of Great Lakes Converge Worldwide (formerly the BGC) will be at Dick & Julie's home  for dinner at 6PM.  If you have questions for Dr. Perry, and would like to join us for dinner, please let Julie know as soon as possible (715/294-1833).  If you are unable to come for dinner, but would still like the opportunity to meet Dr. Perry and hear what he has to say about the GLBC, please arrive at the Enerson's house around 7PM.

 

 

Sunday morning, July 27th, we will be having a Lake Baptism followed by a potluck.  We'll be meeting at Roger & Sandy's house (see details on July Weekend Schedule) at 11AM.  Please bring a dish to pass, lawn chairs, swim suits & towels (if you want to swim).  Baptisms are always a very special time in the lives of those being baptized, as well as in the life of a church family.  We've got 11 people who are planning on being baptized.  Come and be inspired by their public proclamation of faith in Christ!

Summer certainly can become a busy time of the year, even though one would think of it as a relaxing season.  Due to busy schedules we wondered about participation in the Wannigan Days parade last Saturday.  Well, not to wonder.....God not only provided about 25 of us, four wagons and four coolers, and one Volkswagen beetle, but He allowed a terrific storm to pass through just prior to the parade, and then gave us beautiful blue skies just in time to begin the parade.  We couldn't have asked for more.  It seems we passed out approximately 1600 icy pops and about 1600 informational cards (with suckers and tootsie rolls attached).  The amazing thing was that just as many people were requesting the informational cards as there were children asking for the icy pops. I know that each one who participated came away encouraged beyond our expectations.  So, thank you to each and every one of you who braved the long trek of the parade and did it with bright and smiley faces.  Next Sunday, at Sand Lake, CenterPoint will have a baptism service followed by a potluck, of course.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.  I vividly remember my own lake baptism service.  It certainly was a huge spiritual marker in my life, and an experience I shared with close friends, children and grandchildren.  So, by all means if you are thinking of sharing your baptism experience next Sunday, I highly encourage you to contact Pastor Dick and get your name on the list of those who will be professing their faith through baptism.  Watch for more details this week.

What a fun time we all had at the Wannigan Days Parade on Saturday evening.  After being concerned that the parade was going to be rained out, the skies cleared and the weather couldn't have been more perfect as we all walked close to three miles.  We ended up passing out 1600 freeze pops, and 1600 postcards.

The interest in CenterPoint Church was phenomenal. We heard questions like:  "Where are you meeting?" , "Where is this church?", "Can anyone come?"  We also heard comments like: "I've been looking for a church!", "I attended a church with the same 'Come As You Are' motto", "I know of someone who is looking for a church like this".  

God is at work!  He is building His church in the St. Croix Valley.  God says in Matthew 16:18 , "...I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it".  As we follow Him, we can have great confidence that He WILL accomplish that to which He has called us. Thank you to everyone who participated in the parade, and for making it such a success.  We had a blast!!

As is becoming our habit, a potluck will follow.  If possible, bring a dish to pass (casserole, salad, dessert).  Bring a lawn chair & swim suit if you want to swim.

Please let me know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized.  There will be a short time of instruction around 10AM before the baptisms.

Click on the following link to watch a great video on baptism.  Once there, click on the "Baptism Video" button: 

http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/membership/default.asp?sc=baptism&qid=8005

Why be baptized?  Here is a brief explanation supported by God's Word:

    Jesus instructed his disciples to baptize all who received the gospel message (Matt. 28:19;  Mk. 16:15-16).  The apostles and others in the early church obeyed this command faithfully (e.g., see Acts 2:41;  Acts 8:12;  Acts 10:47-48).  In fact, they were so anxious to baptize believers that the time of day and the location seemed of little consequence (e.g., see Acts 16:25-33;  Acts 8:36-38).

1. the spiritual burial and resurrection which takes place when one receives Jesus Christ  (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12).  The Greek word translated "baptize" means to dip or immerse.  This definition, coupled with the burial analogy offered in the above passages, indicates that the style of baptism practiced by Christ and his disciples was full immersion in water (as opposed to the sprinkling practiced by some church groups today).
2. the washing away of our sins (Acts 22:15-16; 1 Peter 3:20-21).  Baptism, then, is an outward manifestation of what has taken place inwardly - the cleansing of our hearts from sin.

 

I hope to see you there!  Pastor Dick

    For those of you who weren't in attendance at the Preview Service Sunday at Lions Park, we missed you.................and, you missed a very special service.  We were privileged to enjoy a great time of music and worship as the worship team led by Linda Berg set up under the canopy at Lion's Park.  In one week God provided a worship team and all the equipment necessary, including the ability to allow one plug-in to service all the equipment and one person who had the knowledge to put it all together.  God is soooo good.  It was another example of how He continually provides as we commit CenterPoint ministry into His hands.  Pastor Dick presented a powerful word from Nehemiah, again reiterating the commonality between Nehemiah and rebuilding Jerusalem and the start of CenterPoint.  Prayer and planning are certainly very evident in accomplishing the visions God had entrusted.  We followed the service with another terrific potluck and a time of fellowship.

What a beautiful day we had!  The St. Croix River was a great scene to enjoy as we celebrated our third Preview Service on Sunday.  Linda & Brooks Berg did a fantastic job of leading us in worship.  A huge thanks to Shane, Mike, Twyla, and Leah for helping out with worship this time.

We heard a third message from the book of Nehemiah and were reminded to be ready for opposition from the Enemy as we move forward with CenterPoint Church.  The goal of spiritual attack is to create fear, create discouragement, to make the obstacles look very big and our strength very small, and to stop the work.  Nehemiah 6:9 says, "For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done'  But now, O God, strengthen my hands."

Pastor Dick shared seven keys to winning a spiritual battle:

1. Remember that life is war.  Don't be surprised by the battle.
2. Remember that this is God's calling; It is part of His plan to build His church.
3. Remember the great things God has done.
4. Remember that God is Great and He will fight for us. 
   
5. Remember to pray.
6. Remember to be in the Word.
7. Remember to put on the Armor of God.  Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

What an amazing God we serve, and what an exciting adventure we are on as we follow God in advancing His Kingdom here in the St. Croix Valley! 

Here we are looking at our third Preview Service this Sunday, July 13th.  This time we'll be meeting at the Lions Park in St. Croix Falls.  Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on, and come prepared to experience God as we worship Him in a setting where we will marvel at His creation!  The park is located on the left-hand side of the road, about 1/2 mile north of the downtown area of St. Croix Falls on highway 87. 

The service will begin at 10AM, followed by a hot dog barbecue/potluck. The hot dogs will be provided. If you are able, bring a dish to pass (casserole, salad, dessert) and a beverage for your family and guests. 

The weather forecast is for a beautiful summer day. It will be a great place to worship the Lord, and to have a picnic together all the while overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River!

Begin inviting as many people as you can to this third "Sneak Preview" of CenterPoint Church. 

 

I pray you all enjoyed a great 4th of July weekend and had some time for a little R&R.  I guess I always think of the 4th of July as being the mid-point of summer.....and where has the first half gone?  Well, I know one thing for certain and that is we have some great gatherings to look forward to in the next two weeks.  This Sunday, July 13th, marks our outdoor service at the Lions Park in St. Croix Falls, with a potluck to follow.  So, be certain you have friends and/or family in mind to invite.  What an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, worship, and have great food and fellowship!  Looking ahead, Saturday, July 19th, marks the big Wannigan Days parade in St. Croix Falls.  Twyla was instrumental in arranging a space in the parade (it starts at 6PM) for CenterPoint and plans are being finalized for our participation.  So, be looking for more information regarding the parade and put the date & time on your calendars. We need all of you!

I must admit that I still feel a sense of excitement from our gathering last Saturday at the Pennel's.  What an incredible turnout, the weather cooperated, the food was fantastic, and the fellowship and fun couldn't be matched.  We met new friends and kept up with old friends, we played volleyball, ladder ball, croquet.......and the infamous jumping castle was a hit for certain.  We really celebrated God's goodness and faithfulness as we venture on towards our launch date of September 14th.  Thanks to everyone who participated in any way and especially to the Pennels...great host and hostess. Because Jesus was so often surrounded by crowds, He knew it was necessary to escape to a quiet place to clearly hear His Father's voice.  Jesus had many people seeking to influence the direction of His life.  His disciples often wanted Him to go where the crowds were. The crowds wanted to crown Him king.  Satan was tempting Him to make compromises in order to draw a following.  Jesus, however, knew His mission was to be obedient to the Father and not to attract crowds.  It was clearly prayer that Set the Agenda for Jesus' ministry.  Prayer brought Him encouragement at critical times, it enabled Him to go to the cross...and kept Him there in spite of horrendous pain. As I reflect on Jesus' life  and the tremendous devotion to prayer, it only confirms our need for continued prayer and fasting in order for us to discover God's Agenda for us individually, and corporately as the body of Christ at CenterPoint Church.

In Him,   Sandy

What an amazing time was had by all ages at the Summer Party this past Saturday! The day was full of high energy activity, great food, and a relaxing lawn chair to recline in while enjoying the company of others. A huge thank you to the Pennels for their gracious hospitality and the use of their home. Special thanks to everyone who came and those involved in making the day such a wonderful success. We have fantastic people! What a joy to serve along side this group of Christ Followers.

Remember, the Summer Party was a “Come Back Event.” Our Come Back Events are designed with a purpose. We are not just looking to have a great time with others (which we did), but also to accomplish our purpose. Our desire when we plan a Come Back Event is to provide you the opportunity and the atmosphere needed to get to know our staff and leaders, to connect with visitors and make them feel welcome, and to deepen relationships with those we already know.

We want everyone to feel loved and accepted, which means we may need to go outside of our comfort zone. Please make every effort to extend yourself to others. A simple “Hi” and a smile go a long way. If we want to impact our community, it is all of our jobs to be as welcoming as possible. One comment we overheard Saturday was, “I feel like this is one big happy family!” We want everyone to have this experience. We have two more Come Back Events planned before our launch in September. Don’t miss these opportunities to make some new connections. As we reboot the system, let’s start off with everyone “plugged in”!