September 2008September 2008http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2009-03-06T19:25:31ZSquarespaceThe Lord is my Shepherd!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/30/the-lord-is-my-shepherd.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-30T04:32:57Z2008-09-30T04:32:57Z

Dick’s messages right now are about the kingdom of God. He has been concentrating on the Lord as our Shepherd and our King. When we began meeting for weekly services three weeks ago, his message ended with everyone reading Psalm 23. Since then, I’ve been thinking about this special Psalm, and the comfort there is in knowing that the Lord is my Shepherd.

Years ago, I was impacted by a book written by Phillip Keller entitled, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to think more about the relationship of a sheep to its shepherd. The following is an excerpt from the book:

“It is a tragic truth that many people who really have never come under His direction or management claim that “The Lord is my shepherd.” They seem to hope that by merely admitting that He is their Shepherd somehow they will enjoy the benefits of His care and management without paying the price of forfeiting their own fickle and foolish way of life.                     

One cannot have it both ways. Either we belong or we don’t. Jesus Himself warned us that there would come a day when many would say, “Lord, in Your name we did many wonderful things,” but He will retort that He never knew us as His own.

It is a most serious and sobering thought which should make us search our own hearts and motives and personal relationship to Him.

Do I really belong to Him?

Do I really recognize His right to me?

Do I respond to His authority and acknowledge His ownership?

Do I find freedom and complete fulfillment in this arrangement?

Do I sense a purpose and deep contentment because I am under His direction?

Do I know rest and repose, besides a definite sense of exciting adventure, in belonging to Him?”

If we can answer “yes” to these questions, then with heartfelt gratitude and excitement we can exclaim proudly, just as David did in this Psalm, “The Lord is my Shepherd”! We can be thrilled to belong to Him, for it is in this that we will flourish and thrive no matter what life may bring to us!!

"The Lord IS my shepherd,  I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul!"         (Psalm 23:1-3)

Julie

]]>Message Serieshttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/24/message-series.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-24T14:25:38Z2008-09-24T14:25:38Z

The last few months I’ve spent a lot of time reading the Gospels and have been impressed with the fact that when Jesus started his public ministry, he and his apostles preached the good news of the Kingdom of God.  In reflecting on what should be the first sermon series at CenterPoint, I thought that I couldn’t go wrong by following Jesus’ example and talking about the Kingdom of God.

So what are the main points that the Bible teaches us about the Kingdom? First of all, an accurate understanding of the Kingdom and an appreciation of its importance are vitally important.  In studying any subject you need to have accurate sources of information in order to find the truth of the matter.  In studying about the Kingdom, the Bible is our source. 
      The main points are:
•    God rules everything.  From the nearest sparrow to the furthest star, it is all under God’s domain and He oversees everything.  
•    Tragically, rebellion erupted in this perfect world.  A counterfeit kingdom sprang up which foolishly sought to overthrow God’s Kingdom. Mankind was drawn into this rebellion and became both its slave and willing participant.  Now, the Bible describes the leader of this rebellion as the prince of this world.  God has allowed him to have real power.  This explains why the world is not as it should be.  It explains the pain and the suffering of this world.  
•    When Jesus entered the world and said that the Kingdom of God was near, he meant that God’s rule was breaking into the world and starting to take over the rebellious kingdom.  When he performed all kinds of miracles, including miraculously feeding people, healing people, raising the dead…it was evidence that the power of God was breaking into this lost world and beginning to establish His Kingdom.
•    There is a subtlety about God reestablishing His Kingdom.  It begins with Jesus not coming as a conqueror, but as a lamb that bears the punishment of the rebellion and becomes the gate that leads people back to God’s kingdom.  Another part of the subtlety is that now the Kingdom where God reigns is in people’s hearts as they learn to love Jesus.  
•    Life in God’s Kingdom becomes about learning how to please the King.  It is also about remembering where we came from and reaching back to those still trapped in the rebellious kingdom.  Learning to please God and reaching back explain the ethics of the Kingdom.  
•    Finally, we’ll look forward to the fulfillment of the Kingdom, where God’s rule is visibly and completely restored on earth.  At that future time, the counterfeit rebellious kingdom will be completely defeated, and only God’s Kingdom will remain.  

As we study these truths, the emphasis will be on the greatness of the King and how we should live in light of His rule and coming return.  If you’re interested in the details, come at 10AM on Sunday mornings to the St. Croix Falls High School. 
Come As You Are!
Pastor Dick
]]>CenterPoint Worship Leaderhttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/21/centerpoint-worship-leader.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-21T19:17:51Z2008-09-21T19:17:51ZPlease meet Steve and Stephanie Langer.  Steve has felt called to be CenterPoint's Director of Music, and will now be serving as our new worship leader each Sunday morning.  Steve comes with a lot of experience from our sister church, Faith Community, in New Richmond. Both Steve and Stephanie have a heart to serve and to see God glorified here in our valley.

We're meeting every Sunday now at the St. Croix Falls High School at 10AM.  Come and meet Steve and Stepahanie. 

Everyone is welcome!....Just "Come As You Are"!

]]>The Lord's Hand Was With Them!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/16/the-lords-hand-was-with-them.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-16T13:20:48Z2008-09-16T13:20:48Z

     On Sunday, CenterPoint had it's soft launch. It was a very encouraging day for all those who came. We could feel God's presence and blessing throughout the morning. Many have commented on the unity and love they could feel during the service. This was an answer to prayer!
     As I've been thinking back on Sunday's service, I've thought of the great Christian church in Antioch. What was the secret of its wonderful birth? Jim Cymbala, in his book The Church God Blesses, believes that one very simple phrase seems to say it all: "The Lord's hand was with them." With no New Testament to read, surrounded by hostile Jews and Romans, with no benefit from a formal church building, no apparent source of income, no power point or sound system or seminary training, unknown and unnamed believers started one of the most dynamic congregations of the Christian era.
     No where in the Bible is there an explanation about the methods used by the church in Antioch. All we know is that "the Lord's hand was with them".  Because of God's blessings, this church led many, many people to Christ in repentance and faith. It didn't matter what was against the believers because God's grace and blessings were for them in a remarkable way.
     It is said that Barnabas was sent to Antioch to see if the reports were true. Acts 11:23 says, "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts".  Barnabas "saw the evidence" that God was blessing and at work. There was no publicity department or newspaper to announce how well it was doing. It didn't need those things. When unbelievers are repenting of sin and turning to the Lord, when there is a strong prayer effort, when there is a spirit of unity and love among believers, that is when we experience a small taste of heaven right here on earth.
     The impact of the believers and the church they founded revolves around the fact that "the Lord's hand was with them." What happened in Antioch two thousand years ago can happen to us today. It doesn't matter where we meet, we can experience God's blessings to the extent that His hand of power is with us. As we care about the lost and find places to serve in CenterPoint Church, we can all accomplish more for God's kingdom than we ever dreamed if we learn the secret of asking God to stretch out His hand and do what only He can do in our midst. Our main calling is to live in fellowship with Christ and to labor with him in extending His kingdom. To miss out on this is to lose the deep sense of fulfillment and joy that comes only when we are partnering with Jesus. If we enjoy the blessings of God and labor for the cause of Christ, we experience significance both now and for all eternity. Let's continue to pray and serve as we press on in obedience to this effort we are calling CenterPoint Church!
Laboring with you,
Pastor Dick
]]>Practice, Practice, Practice!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/12/practice-practice-practice.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-12T23:16:46Z2008-09-12T23:16:46Z

We're very grateful to the Lord for putting CenterPoint on Steve's heart, and for answering our prayer for someone to be our director of music!  How's that for timing?  Welcome aboard Steve and Stephanie!

If you want to see what God is doing, come to our soft launch THIS Sunday, September 14th @ 10:00AM.  We'll be meeting in the St. Croix Falls High School - Main Entrance (see location on "Location" sidebar).  We hope to see you then!

]]>T minus 3 Days and Counting!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/11/t-minus-3-days-and-counting.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-11T12:49:40Z2008-09-11T12:49:40Z

The clock in the picture is perhaps the most watched clock in the world. It is the NASA countdown clock that counts down to the shuttle launch. While not quite as many people may be watching our countdown clock, I believe the ones who are following it are watching it with every bit as much enthusiasm!

We are down to less than 3 days to the launch of CenterPoint Church. It has been incredible to follow God and see all the amazing things He has done so far. This Sunday (September 14th) at Saint Croix Falls High - Main Entrance (see location on the sidebar) we launch with our service at 10AM with Nursery (3 and under),  and Children's Church (age 4 through 5th Grade).

I am so excited to see what God is going to do in us and through us in the days to come as we follow hard after Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength… We’ve come this far by faith… let’s keep trusting and following Him as we approach our soft launch.

]]>Worship..."Come As You Are"!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/10/worshipcome-as-you-are.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-10T03:12:08Z2008-09-10T03:12:08Z

The first official CenterPoint worship team practice has been scheduled for this Thursday.  The musicians are tuning their instruments, the vocalists preparing their voices, and the new CenterPoint sound system is being readied for great use.

 
 Julie and I had the opportunity to spend Monday evening with Steve and Stephanie Langer.  Steve is excited to serve the Lord by helping with worship.  Steve comes with a deep love for the Lord and a passion for worship.  The worship at CenterPoint is going to be celebratory, reflective, and relevant...meeting people where they are.  Our worship will be motivated by a desire to draw people into the presence and knowledge of God and move them to an active response to the person and work of God (Isaiah 6:1-8).  Worship is meant to be filled with all the emotions of life!  We want to hear the voice of God, calling us, to go and live eternally significant lives in ways that bring each person into a transforming relationship with God!

Please pray for the worship team as they practice and prepare for the upcoming soft launch this Sunday, September 14th, @ 10AM.  We'll be meeting each Sunday from now on at the St. Croix Falls High School.  Come As You Are!!!

]]>How Do We Grow?http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/8/how-do-we-grow.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-08T14:19:53Z2008-09-08T14:19:53Z

I am sometimes asked about the ministry of discipling others to spiritual growth and maturity. "What curriculum do you use?", "What program do you follow?" Over the years, I have found that if your curriculum isn't essentially the Bible and your program isn't relational, then what you're doing isn't discipleship.

Bible-based studies on spiritual growth are in abundance.  The missing link in discipleship is usually the personal interaction. We are quick to pick up a book thinking that it will show us what we need to do to grow in Christ, or listen to Christian radio thinking that it will provide all we need for spiritual growth. But we are slow to commit to a church, and ultimately to fellow Christians and say, "Let's share with each other what Christ is doing in our lives and help each other grow in Him." Discipleship is the intensely personal activity of two or more persons helping each other experience a growing relationship with God. Jesus' primary call to His disciples is seen in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me" and in Matthew 4:19, "Follow Me". We have the privilege to be a learner of what it means to be in Christ, walk in the Spirit and live by faith. We must always be disciples who are learning and growing in Christ through our relationships. We have the opportunity to help the children in our lives, our friends and others grow in Christ through our caring, committed relationships with them. By spending time in God's Word, fellowshipping with other believers, and serving those around us, we grow to maturity.

This past Sunday the CenterPoint Launch Team met for the last time before our soft launch this coming Sunday. Opportunities to serve were presented and met by this faithful group. As we serve the greater community in which we live, we will grow in maturity as disciples of Christ. Working together to accomplish the task God has given us to reach the lost gives purpose and meaning to our lives. This is an exciting time! This Sunday, we will begin to meet weekly as a church family. It is our desire to be a body of believers who love God, who love one another, but more than that...we love those around us who have not yet been introduced to a living, loving relationship with God. We must be willing to move outside of our comfort zones. This is our opportunity to live out the value of reaching the lost here in the valley. If you want to be part of this God-venture, then come along. CenterPoint Church will be a place where you can bring your neighbors, friends, family and colleagues....a place where you can "Come As You Are". CenterPoint Church will be a place to meet Christians who want to grow to maturity in Christ through loving God, loving one another, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

In Christ, Pastor Dick

]]>Come On Along!http://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/5/come-on-along.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-05T21:30:14Z2008-09-05T21:30:14Z

It's hard to believe that we are already into the first week of September.  We've been planning, praying, meeting together for the past few months, and in a week we'll be kicking off our soft launch.  Please be praying about who you want to invite to the first weekly service of CenterPoint Church.  It will take place on Sunday, September 14th, at 10AM in the Saint Croix Falls High School.

THIS Sunday, September 7th, will be our opportunity to walk through the space we'll be using in the high school.  If you want to help with the launch on the 14th, please come to this important gathering.  I will be sharing an encouragement from the Word, and will present serving opportunities.  We need everyone's help to get off the ground!  I'm getting more and more excited about meeting weekly from now on, and am expecting to see God use CenterPoint Church to impact our valley!  I look forward to seeing you soon!   

 Pastor Dick]]>Let Your Light Shinehttp://www.centerpointstcroix.com/september-2008/2008/9/2/let-your-light-shine.htmlCome As You Are2008-09-02T14:26:51Z2008-09-02T14:26:51Z
Sunday was really the last 'gathering' prior to the soft launch of CenterPoint Church.  We really missed those of you who weren't able to be here.  It all began with Pastor Dick sharing from the Book of Matthew, specifically on the King and His Kingdom.....the Kingdom so often referred to by Jesus. There were some very good thoughts and points to practice in each of our lives as we seek to become laborers in the Kingdom through our ministry as CenterPoint Church. How fitting..... here we were gathered on Labor Day weekend, as laborers in God's Kingdom here on earth. 
 
In the beginning days of our gatherings, even prior to our identity as CenterPoint, the road ahead was bathed with a great deal of faith and prayer.  To all of you who have faithfully prayed and fasted each Tuesday, I know you have been blessed to see God at work in the formation of CenterPoint Church, as well as individually in each of our lives.  Our God is an awesome God and to Him be praise and glory for bringing us to this place at this time.  September 14th will be the official Soft Launch of CenterPoint Church at the St. Croix Falls Senior High School.  Pass along an invitation to all your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to join us!
 
I am quite certain many of you come across items you would like to share with all of us, whether it be through devotions, a book, something from scripture that God really spoke to you through, or maybe an interesting article on say, spiritual growth, etc.  Much of what I write each week comes from similar findings that I come across.  I would really encourage each one of you to send Julie your 'findings' for publication on Tuesdays.  We would be delighted to hear from you!
 
As I thought about the very beginnings of CenterPoint and the mission/vision for our ministry, I thought about how we have prayed to be a light in our community, a beacon on a hill, reaching out to the unsaved in the valley.  John 1:4 says, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of man".  In the process of my devotions, I would like to share some of what spoke to me.  Jesus came as light into a world that was really in bondage to sin and darkness.  He was both light and life!  Because the forces of evil could  not withstand Him, He would dispel sin and darkness wherever He went. To everyone who was dead in their sin, He brought with Him a life that was abundant and free and available to all.
 
As a Christian, Jesus lives in each of us......and, His light is within each of us.  And, as Christians we are called to dispel darkness.  Actually, our light should shine so brightly through each and every one of us that those practicing and living in darkness should be uncomfortable when around us.  That light that is within each and every one of us should dispel darkness from the lives of friends, family, and co-workers.  That's an awesome thought, don't you think?
 
Colossians 1:27 states, "Christ in you, the hope of Glory".  In other words, the fullness of life found in Christ dwells within each one of us.  The life that Jesus offers is available to others through you.  So, don't ever discount what you have to give/offer those around you who are hurting.  Christ's life within you is more than sufficient to meet every human need.  When people encounter and meet you they actually encounter the Christ living within you.  You may not have all the answers,  but you do have Someone who does, and you have the power of the Holy Spirit!!   And, remember, you will not carry the burdens of the needs of others....Christ will.  We do have to be aware that many resisted Jesus, and there will be those who resist the truth you have to offer.  But, just think.......God chose you to express Himself through, and you can bring HIS light and life to others. 
 
So, if we are truly Abiding in the Vine, in God's Word, and bearing fruit we can make a difference in the Valley for HIM.  What an awesome gift, and responsibility.
"THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE, I'M GOING TO LET IT SHINE"
In Him,  Sandy

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