Notes from Pastor Steve
Let’s CELEBRATE!!!! I am so thrilled to invite you to the BIGGEST CELEBRATION Sunday event we have ever had! Please clear your calendars and make plans to join the Open Door Christian Church family as we gather at noon on our beautiful Decision Hills campus to celebrate our 10th year of being a church! Yes! You heard that correctly – we are 10 years old!!! We will also be celebrating as people step forward in obedience to Jesus command that we be baptized. If you would like to make a public statement of your faith in Jesus, we welcome you to be baptized as well! There will be live music, games, food concessions from Sluka Concessions, a local artist will be doing caricatures and will also be offering an auction for one family portrait. Our beach will be open for swimming and our grounds will be open to hike, wander, explore, enjoy and have fun! I really hope you will make plans to come and spend the day with us. Bring your family and friends for this wonderful day of celebrating God’s work among us!
In the newsletter that follows you will see evidence of a church on the move and of God who is doing exciting things among us. We may all be in a unique situation with the changes and restrictions brought about by COVID-19, but in no way has our call to BE THE CHURCH changed, slowed or lost its focus. The team on staff at The Open Door has been fully committed to making the necessary changes, course adjustments and putting forth the effort to not only survive this season as a church but to trust in God’s provision that we can THRIVE through these days. We are seeing the results of that faith every day!
In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus gave his church a job to do. He said we should make disciples by means of baptizing them and teaching them to obey all he commanded. But what did Jesus command? Looking ahead to November and December, Pastor Jeff and I have been working on a sermon and study series. Our sermons at The Open Door will focus on "The Seven Commands of Jesus." We'll look at seven of the most important ways Jesus tells us to be obedient to him. In addition to this series of sermons, we'll have a simple print guide with discussion questions, and the chance to participate in groups to grow together in our obedience to Jesus. Watch for details on how you can get involved.
Do you have questions like: who is the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy Spirit do? While we may think we understand Jesus or God the Father, sometimes the Holy Spirit can seem like a bit of a mystery. In January 2021, our church will focus attention on the Holy Spirit. We'll look at what the Bible teaches about the Spirit each week in sermons. Then on the last weekend in January, we'll share in a retreat time together, growing into these teachings about the Spirit and inviting him to be more present in our lives. This series will provide an exciting way to start the New Year, inviting God to guide and direct us into the future!
I look forward to seeing you all on September 13 as we CELEBRATE our first 10 years and then hope you will plan to join us for our next decade!!!
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We are Celebrating 10 Years as
The Open Door Christian Church!
Join us Sunday, September 13th from 12 - 3 PM at our Decision Hills Campus for Food, Baptisms, Live Music, and so much more!
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Our very first OUTDOOR Night Of Worship!
Join us on Sunday, September 27th at 7 pm!
We will be worshiping on our outdoor platform at Decision Hills! Bring a chair!
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Loneliness has become the real pandemic during COVID. Quarantines, masks, and social distancing make it hard to build strong relationships. But we all need human contact! The Bible says clearly that it is not good for us to be alone (see Genesis 2:18) and it's not good for us to stop meeting together (Hebrews 10:25).
Life Groups are finding ways to laugh, pray, love, and thrive during these hard days. Last spring when COVID swept in, our Life Groups stepped up. Some of our groups began meeting weekly via Zoom, and they continue to grow. A couple new groups formed at that time. Other groups developed new ways to reach out to serve their neighbors. Still today people reconnect online with friends each week through Life Groups.
Are you looking for ways to connect? Are you longing for friendships? Are you hungry to dig into God's Word? We have Life Groups meeting throughout the week. For more information contact
Pastor Jeff (Text 612-812-1783 or email pastorjeff@opendoornewlondon.org).
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As we approach the upcoming season, we tend to associate fall with the need for comfort, whether it is comfort foods or being comfy and cozy. One thing is for sure, we all find comfort in knowing we are cared for.
Our Care Ministry is blessed to come alongside you!
We are a call/Text away at
320-292-5995 or 320-444-9580
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2)
If you have a heart to bring comfort and serve in one of our Care Support Ministries, please contact Lori at
763-360-9434!
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Jesus said he came so that we might have "abundant life" (see John 10:10). Yet so many Christians feel stuck, unable to experience all God wants to give us. What keeps us in bondage? The Bible outlines several ways we can keep ourselves from God's abundance. Judgments, lies we've believed, inner vows, and much more can keep us trapped.
This seven-week course teaches biblical ways to deal with the roots that keep you from abundant life. Each week includes solid biblical teaching that connects to daily realities. Then trained leaders will meet in small groups with participants, inviting God to make changes in individual lives. Each week also includes homework for deeper study and growth.
If you have been following Jesus for a while but know God desires to give you more, Making Change is for you. This experience will happen at the Worship Center at Decision Hills on Wednesday evenings, starting October 28. For more information or to sign up, contact Pastor Jeff
(Text 612-812-1783 or email pastorjeff@opendoornewlondon.org) by October 20.
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Even during quarantine, it's so exciting to see new faces at The Open Door. Is God calling you to make this church your home? Welcome!
Our Welcome Home experience gives new members a chance to meet others who are beginning to call this their church home, whether in person or online. You'll meet new friends AND get to know some of our key leaders! It's a fun conversation. Come learn about this church, the ways God is at work here, and how your presence can make a real difference.
Welcome Home happens three Sunday evenings (October 4, 11, & 18, 7-8 pm) via Zoom. Each evening answers unique questions about this church and involves a different group of our key leaders sharing their stories. Plan to participate in all three!
To sign up contact Marin in
the church office (office@opendoornewlondon.org)
by September 30.
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Everyone loves a good story. It’s what drives us to stay up longer at night than we intended—binge watching or binge reading—and there’s something about stories, no matter the genre, that attracts us. The truth is, we’re all living a story right now.
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to look at how Jesus’ promise of “life to the full” plays out in each of our life stories.
What is your story? Is it a tragedy, a comedy, a drama? What are you hoping for in the next chapter? Looking at our lives as stories can help us figure out who we are and what God is doing in our lives.
Join other adults on Wednesday evenings in the Worship Center from 6:15- 7:15 pm starting September 16. This will be a six week long course. We'll watch a video segment each week, then break into small groups to process what we've seen. Contact Pastor Jeff
(Text 612-812-1783 or email pastorjeff@opendoornewlondon.org)
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SUNDAY
9:00 am: Worship
10:30 am: Worship
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TUESDAY
6:00 am: Women’s Group - Meets via Zoom
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WEDNESDAY
6:00 pm – 8:15 pm: Youth Group (gr. 5–12 at our North 40 Campus)
6:30 pm: Children's Ministry grades k - 4th via email lessons
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THURSDAY
6:00 am: Men’s Group
Meets via Zoom
7:00 pm: Young Adults - Meets at the North 40 and via Zoom
Friday
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm:
Recovery Church - Meets at the North 40
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If you are passionate about what we are doing here at The Open Door and would like to partner with us in growing the Kingdom of God, click the GIVE button above to give your gifts, tithes and offerings! |
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Are you looking for ways to serve? Your talents and gifts are needed here!
Click the GET INVOLVED button above to see how you can serve!
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