What’s your plan for 2019?
The challenge I heard from Pastor Joel up at Bethany Church in Ellison Bay last weekend was “Let’s worship God more in 2019." Not sure where you are focused, but I want to make sure it includes your own spiritual journey. God is so good and His Grace is generous—always moving towards us. May 2019 be a year where we intersect with His Grace in life-giving ways.
Here are three disciplines that put us on a collision course with God's Grace:
GATHER
together on the weekend
GROW
together in a group
GIVE
together
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GATHER TOGETHER
Speaking of gathering, we had a fantastic Christmas celebration—thank you for bringing family and friends!
- Over 4,000 people attended our 13 services—that's up over 1,000 from last year. And 900 showed up at our new facility in DeForest—standing room only.
- More importantly, people heard the gospel, sung, taught and lived out as we welcomed many guests.
- A neighbor of one of our campuses, who happens to be Muslim, showed up and shared kind words about their experience.
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FIRST Christmas at Northside Madison Campus!
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Christmas at the NEW DeForest Campus building!
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GROW TOGETHER
Join us at Group UP on January 12/13 and 19/20 at all campuses!
Life Groups are small groups of people who gather together regularly for Bible Study, prayer and care, building friendships, and serving together.
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GIVE TOGETHER
When we give like Jesus, lives are changed—ours and others. There are a lot of ways to give: time, talents and treasure.
- Thanks for those of you who support Door Creek regularly and for all who gave to our Christmas offering. Our giving has caught up with expenses, we've raised $100,000 to bless our partners around the world. Thank you for your continued support as we enter the new year.
- Christmas Stores were a huge success! Over 600 families were served at our three partner schools—1,850 gifts valuing $20,000 were donated.
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My New Year Challenge
- Gather with us on the weekend. The Road Blocks series starts this weekend, focusing on Fear.
- Get plugged into a group.
- Connect with God's word. The YouVersion app has great Bible reading plans. I've started a one-year chronological reading plan.
- Give—Grow your generosity. If you haven’t ever started, jump in. If you occasionally give, become a regular giver. If you give regularly, jump into giving a percentage of your income. Already there? Go to a tithe (10%). Already tithing? Add a percentage this year!
- Ministry Expansion Fund—for those who regularly give, again, thank you! And don’t forget we've established this fund to help shore up our financial position, including a Capitol reserve, and allow us to reach and build into more families, train leaders and improve some of our facilities and infrastructure. To date, we've raised $700,000 toward our $1 million goal.
All God’s best in the New Year—can’t wait to worship with you this weekend.
Together for Christ,
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P.S. From time to time, families in our church need a car. If you're in a position to donate a vehicle (in good working order), please give me a call.
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