Easter Sunday was great! Lots and lots of people. Wow!

Keep your eyes on upcoming Summer activities. Expecially for the children and youth. Early bird registrations are being excepted now on all camps and activities.

Clothing exchange will be April 30th 8am-4pm and May 1st from 8am-Noon. You may drop off your clean used clothes beginning April 25th.

Don't forget to join a Voyage Team in 2010.

What a great time we had roller skating last Sunday. I did not fall one time. Although I had a few close calls.

Time change is just around the corner. I used to love working the midnight shift during Spring forward Sunday. It meant I only had to work 7 hours instead of 8 and got to go home early to sleep. But we will make it just fine. Don't forget to turn your clocks forward March 14th.

We will be starting a new series this week called March Madness. It will be fun working through our brackets of books in the Bible. You will find out more on Sunday.

This morning was our first Senior Adult Coffee Shop. The Coffee Shop will be meeting the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month upstairs in the West Cove area.

I hope that each of you have a great week. Remember, Christ did not come to be served but to serve others. This should be a daily thought in our lives on how we can serve others.

Peace

Don't forget Sunday we will be skating at Yukon on Wheels from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Cost is $5. It's open to everyone. Hope to see you there.

Sunday is also our kitchen shower right after church. Bring something new for the kitchen. We have tons of people eating on Wednesday nights!

Here is your verse for the week. It comes out of Proverbs 24:26. It says "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips"

I sure do love my wife's kisses. lol

Hope you have a great rest of your week.

chris

I know that Valentines Day is this Sunday but more important to me is the following Wednesday. It will be the day that Valarie and I have been married for twenty years. Wow! That may not mean a lot to you but for Val and I, that means the world. If you would have asked either of us fifteen or so years ago if our marriage would last, I bet both of us would have laughed pretty loud.

We have come a long way and only by the grace of God have we made it to the big twenty year mile stone. God wants this same thing for you in your marriage.

God's plan for us now is to grow old together and watch our children grow and mature and become spouses and parents themselves.

How have we done it?
* praying together
* patience when we thought we had none
* unconditional love
* selflessness
* talking about issues as soon as they come up

Do we still have it all together? No way! God is still forming us into the man and woman that He truly wants us to be. But we do know one thing now that we didn't know fifteen years ago. If God is not the center of your marriage, your marriage will be the center of chaos and undeniable anguish.

Here we go Again!!

Oh the weather! Isn't it great. I am really looking forward to driving home from the church today.

We will be finishing up our series "This Year Will Be Different" this week. It has been such a great time of seeing how we can get on tract to honor God with our lives in 2010.

Don't hesitate in taking that step. Get involved in a small group. Monty will be starting a small group on Wednesdays beginning Wednesday February 2nd. His group will meet in the new west wing of the church.

Don't forget about picking up you contribution statements this Sunday.

We had a wonderful Sunday Night Experience last week. Great time of worship and sharing scripture with each other. The next Sunday Night Experience will be February 28th. It will be a family skate night at Yukon on Wheels. $5 is the cost at the door. You can bring your own skates.

Guys! Flag Football is next week. Make sure to sign up by this Sunday. We will play a couple of games on Superbowl Sunday. No Cost!! Well maybe some pain involved. Hope to see you there.

Be safe the next couple of days!

Has this year started off different for you? I know it has for a lot of us. Our teaching series has really stirred the hearts of the people of Newchurch. Keep up the great work!!

You can pick up your contribution statements for 2009 this next Sunday the 24th during the morning. You can pick them up in the atrium.

Next Sunday is also our Sunday Night Experience. We will enjoy a great night of praise and worship. Begins at 6pm!

Have you been looking for a place to build community with others and learn God's word? There are several new Voyage Teams/Small Groups that have begun on Sunday and Wednesday. Take some time and pick up a Voyage Team directory located in the atrium or upstairs in the West Wing. Classes are listed on the church website also.

Our annual flag football game will be played on February 7th from 2-4pm. Guys if you would like to sign up please do so at the info desk or just email me your information. This men's event is for those who are 18 years of age and older.

Hope each of you have a great week.

Chris

2010

It is always great to see a new year roll around. Except for the fact that it makes me feel a little bit older.

Membership classes (Anchor Classes) will begin this month. Each Wednesday night at 6:30pm one of the four required membership classes will take place. Anchor I on the first Wednesday, Anchor II on the second and so forth. Hope that you can take advantage of these classes if you are interested in becoming a member of Newchurch.

Wednesday Night Cafe happens each Wednesday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Bring your family to enjoy a great variety of home cooked meals. Cost is $3 dollars for adults and $2 for children. No more then $10 per family.

Financial Peace University begins January 13th. You can sign up by calling the church office at 721.2300. Ask for Scott and he can give you all the information that you will need. Get on the right track this year with your finances.

Hope each of you have a great week.

Chris

Well we are pretty close to the big day. Christmas is almost here. Join us Christmas Eve at 9:15pm and 10:30pm for our celebration services. Hope to see you there.

Been just a little while since last post. I was on vacation with my wife. Had a wonderful time.

It was great to come back to church and see the place looking like Christmas. I don't really get into the gift buying and all the hoopla that goes with it. Our family usually spends a small amount on gift cards for the kids and then just enjoy spending time with the family.

I hope that each of you take some time this holiday to truly enjoy who is around you. They will not be around forever.

We will have Christmas Eve services at 9:00pm and 10:15pm. Bring the kids in their pj's and come have a inspirational time as we sing and celebrate our Savior's birth.

Christmas Ladies Night Out is this Friday starting at 6pm. You can still purchase a ticket by calling the church office. 721.2300

Have a great week!!

Lots of things going on around us during the holidays always makes me look for that one spot that I can go to and be still. Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to be so busy for people. It makes my head spin. Hard to sleep. Wake up thinking that I forgot something. Whew.....

I am so glad to be able to stop sometimes and just be still. Look for that place today. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit!!!

Bedlam Blood Drive is this Sunday. Don't forget to bring your driver's license to check in. It will be located in the gym.

Thanksgiving is next Thursday. The church office will be closed the last half of the day on Wednesday the 25th.

Christmas Decoration night is on the 2nd of December. Just be at the church at 6:30pm ready to decorate.

Talk to you soon.

chris

Ladies, there is a potluck dinner for you this Thursday evening at 6:30pm in the cafe.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Join us on the 15th of this month for a great time of fellowship and community as we break bread together. It will begin at 6pm down in our Cafe area or Watermark as we call it. Bring what ever your family likes to eat and enjoy what everyone else brings as well.

Hope each of you have a great day!

Rain Again! Looks like we may be mowing until Thanksgiving.

Hope that you are having a great week. I enjoyed a week of vacation last week. I just spent it working around the house and playing with kids. What fun!

Trunk or Treat is this Sunday October 25th from 3pm-5pm. Lots of games for the kids and food for everyone. Hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn. We will have it in the back parking lot so invite your neighbors and family to come with you. I'll be doing a booth called "Guess Your Speed". We will have a radar gun and some baseballs ready for youngsters to guess how fast they can throw the ball. It will be fun.

Small groups are going great. Hopefully you have plugged into one on a Sunday or Wednesday. They really are great place to fellowship and learn about God's word together.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Chris

Thank you all who brought clothing to the Newchurch Clothing Exchange. We had over 250 people from our community come in to receive free clothes. It is a wonderful opportunity for our church to reach out. Great Job Newchurch!

Remember that our parking lot is now open around the south side of the church. Both roads on each side of the church are two way so you don't have to worry which one you enter in.

Don't forget about "Trunk or Treat" on the 25th of this month. It will be another great time of community outreach.

Hope each of you has a blessed week!

Had a great friend spend the night with us the other night. He is a pastor from Jinga Uganda. He also visited with our young adult group at our home. It was a great time of prayer and fellowship.

Clothing exchange went very well Friday and today. Over 200 visited on Friday alone.

So far no sickness in my home. Hopefully not yours either. Wash your hands. Alot!!!

Hope you are doing well. It has been a couple of busy days here at church. Voyage Teams got off to a great start. If you have not visited one please take an extra hour this Sunday and come to a Voyage Team. You can get a complete listing on the web site or just pick up a brochure at the information desk on Sunday.

Thank you for your special comments about Sunday. It was a great time!

The clothing exchange will be October 8Th and 9Th. Come get some free good used clothes if you need them. We will be handing flyer's out to a few schools and community. If you need to drop off some clothes you can do that beginning this Sunday. Bring all items to the gym.

The ladies will be separating them into sizes and gender next Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30pm until 8:00pm.

See you at church Sunday!

Wow! Could it quit raining just for a little while so I can mow my yard? lol

This coming Sunday morning we will kick off all of our new Voyage Teams (Sunday School)

Voyage Teams are a great way for you to get connected with the body of Christ here at Newchurch. A complete class listing, times and places will be available soon on the web and also a brochure at the info desk this Sunday. the information desk is located inside the atrium

Rain has delayed the finishing of the parking lot. There is just a little bit left.

The Preschool, Youth and Adults are able to meet in their new space. The children will begin meeting in one of their new rooms very soon. They will actually take over the old youth room. We are going to spruce it up a bit before the kids get in there.

I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday. By the way. I had an awesome birthday.

I hope that each of you are present this Sunday. We are at an exciting time here at Newchurch. Lots of discipleship classes will begin on September 27th. Be at church this Sunday to find out about all of the Voyage Teams.

Oh, by the way. I turn 45 Sunday.

Love you all

Hope Monday was a great day for you!

Sunday was pretty cool with most of the new space opening. I have not seen a human traffic jam at church in a long time. Some of the space by the carousel was a little crowded. I think once the back parking lot is open and the rethinking of youth exit after second service it will run smooth.

Did any of you notice anything this past Sunday with the new space? I would love to hear from you so that we can see through your eyes.

"Speed Grouping" will be coming this Sunday. It will be a great time for each of you to get involved in a Voyage Team (Small Group). Be here Sunday Morning to find out what this is all about.

Clothing exchange is coming up again in October. 9Th and 10Th to be exact. You can begin to bring clothes starting October 4Th. This is a great outreach for our community. Free clothes!

Hope all is well with you. I had a great Labor Day. I spent it working around the house which I rarely get to do.

I came in to church this morning for our Men's Iron Shop and noticed that someone else had been working yesterday. Looks like someone is moving all of the kitchen articles to the new kitchen. We will be having "Cafe" this Wednesday night. 5:30pm-6:30pm.

The youth must have been busy also. They were moving to their new room over the weekend also.

Looks like things are coming together quickly. Parking lot should be done by the end of the week. I don't think we will be able to drive on it for another week or two.

Get into the word today!!

Can't sleep!

Well another wonderful early morning for me. Guess it is because Boatfest is here. Still last minute details running through my head. I know everything is done but still just thinking.

Don't forget today is Boatfest. You can still pick up T shirts if you have not purchased one yet. Baptisms will be at 1pm sharp. If you are going to be baptized you will need to sign in at the baptism table.

If you have kids there will be moonbounces, facepainting and snow cones. Ok, even if you don't have kids come get you a snow cone.

Free burgers and dogs and some extras.

Hope you have a great day Newchurch.

Been praying for you.