Keep Pointing in Osage

Evidences of God's Grace

 

Weekly Links

Here's what's happening this week around PLC and your world.  God is on the move!

• Here's and update of what's going on at our Grinnell Campus and a great reminder from Jesse at our Waterloo Campus.
• Did you have a powerful Easter experience?  Wonder what happened to all of the pieces of wood?  Wonder no longer.  Here is Pastor Gabe's update.
• Here's an article about how American's view Christianity and other religions.  Points to the confusion and misunderstanding the average American has about basics of different religions.
• We're in the middle of our Iowa Nice sermon series.  Do you know what Iowans love?  Bacon.  Me too.  But not this much.
• What to make your marriage better?  Here are some simple tips that will help.
• Here are the mindblowing scriptures that Pastor John read during a recent sermon about who we are in Christ.
• Wonder what a 1080 on a skateboard looks like?  This young dude nails the first ever.  Amazing.

We Want to Celebrate You!

 

Can't see the video?  Click here.

Stories of Lifechange

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.    - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Yesterday I had the great privilege to participate in Elder Testimonies and I got a front-row seat to hear about how Jesus has dramatically and consistently changed lives of several people at PLC-Osage.  It was amazing to hear how God saved people and the power over sin and death that He's gifted people with by His grace.  Despite the wide range of ways that God choose to save the people who shared their story, a few things remained the same - Jesus saves, Jesus heals and Jesus brings life and hope.  It's also wonderful that some of these folks are being baptized this Sunday to publically declare what Jesus has done for them and to identify with His life, death and resurrection.

Then last night I received an email from Lisa Friesen that a 5th grader in our Kidventure accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior yesterday!  The Holy Spirit had been working on him for several weeks and God saved him yesterday.  Myron had the great privilege to pray with him.  Love hearing stories like this!

Often we are bombarded by negative stories, ads, politics and an overwhelming sense of pessimism in our culture today.  But God is alive and moving powerfully and we all get to be a part of it!  Be encouraged.  Keep praying and giving.  God is building His Kingdom and transforming lives and the amazing thing is that we get to be participants in what He is doing.  God wants to use  you to and me to reach people.

 

 

Stuff Worth Reading

Here are some links to happenings in your world worth checking out.

• Great story of an athiest who converted to Christianity after persecuting Christians and receiving love and financial support in return.
• Speaking of persecution, here's how Egypt Christians can be treated.
• Like to run?  Want to run with fellow PLC'ers for a good cause?  Check out this link to Pastor Jesse's blog about a 5k race this Saturday.
• Pretty sure I won't be riding this elevator.
• Get a good laugh from there church signs.

CRC Update and A Request

There has been a good deal if misinformation and rumors swirling around regarding the CRC's budget shortfall and how it impacts Prairie Lakes Church-Osage.  I want to provide clarity and help correct any misinformation. 

Here's what you need to know.

• The CRC is facing a budget shortfall and has been preparing to eliminate the shortfall going forward.  This has resulted in reduction in staffing hours and service hours at the CRC, increased rates for users (including PLC) and requests for the Ag Society and Historical Society to give more annually to the CRC.  To read more about specifics click here.
• Our monthly rental rates are going up by 21% effective 7/1/2012.  While this is a lot, it is less than the proposed increases that would have increased our rates by almost 50%.  At the board meeting last week I spoke and informed them of the exact increase amounts and how it would negatively impact us.  The board voted to approve a 21% for our rates and we are planning on paying those rates for the next twelve months.
• We have a good relationship with the CRC.  We love our church home and the people who work, volunteer and play at the CRC.  Several people in our church work for and volunteer at the CRC.  We love and respect them.  
• We are not working with the CRC to evict the Historical Society/Museum nor do we have any plans to rent their current space.  We are a tenant of the CRC and as a renter we have zero power to evict anyone.  We do not have a voice on the e28 Board.  This is simply a rumor.
• Prairie Lakes Church is part of the solution and not the problem and we will continue to work for a solution that is in the best interest of PLC the CRC and our communities.  Win the CRC wins, PLC wins.  When the CRC wins, the city of Osage and surrounding communities win.  Our goal as a church is and will always be to glorify God and to be good for our communities.  We will continue to provide weekly rental income for the CRC and take care of the facility as if it were our own. 

Here's what I'm asking all PLC'ers to do.

• Pray.  God is in control and He's got this situation already figured out.  Ask God to move powerfully to provide a solution beyond what we could ever imagine.  Also pray for the CRC employees, board members and volunteers who have been stressed and frustrated by this situation.  Pray also for the Ag Society and Historical Society and their members as they determine what is best for them in relationship with the CRC.
• Don't panic or freak out.  We are small town Iowa and we don't like change.  Situations like this are a good reminder to take a deep breath and maintain perspective.  All will be fine.  I'm convinced that 90% of gossip is spread because of fear.
• Shut down gossip.  Remember, as a church we want to be part of the solution for the CRC and not part of the problem.  Gossip is a sin and out of character for God's people.  When tempted to gossip, pray instead.  Correct misinformation from others when you hear it.  Direct people to me if they have questions about PLC and the CRC Board if they have questions for them.
• Trust PLC.  As your pastor, I am committed to leading God's church with clarity, conviction and courage.  Jesus is not falling off His throne and all will be fine.  Our vision will not change.  We will always be about loving God, loving people and influencing our world.  We will continue to boldly move forward.

Thanks for taking some time to read this and add clarity to your circles of influence.  Again, if you think I need to talk to someone who is spreading or believing misinformation - please send them my way.  God continues to do amazing things through PLC and I'm blessed to be your pastor!

 

Membership Class & Baptism Celebration

Our next Membership Class is this Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:30pm at the PLC Office at 619 Main St. Suite B.  Membership at Prairie Lakes is more than your name on a membership roster or attending church meetings. Members are called to a higher degree of responsibility, service and even sacrifice. By becoming a member, you become part of a family, a “spiritual” family who will provide support and encouragement in your walk with Christ. It is moving beyond attending on the weekends to joining us in creating and leading our various ministries.  Learn the essentials of what it means to be a member, what we believe, our history and what you should expect from our leaders and Elder Board.

Come and meet other newer folks to PLC, grab some refreshments and ask me any questions you have about PLC, faith or how to get connected around here.  Click here to register for Membership Class.

In two weeks (April 29) we will have our next Baptism Celebration in the CRC pool after worship at around 11:30am.  Baptism is an all out celebration at Prairie Lakes Church. If you have stepped over the Faith Line, we invite you to sign up to be baptized. Bring your friends and family, too.  We already have 4-5 folks signed up to be baptized and I'm pumped to celebrate with them as a church family.  If you want to sign up for baptism contact Shelly at the church office at 832-2913 or by email at shelly.grady@prairielakeschurch.org.

Today's Links

Here are articles from PLC and around the globe that will make you laugh, cry and grown in your faith. 

• Check out this short update from Mack with what's happening at the Grinnell Campus here.
• Some really amazing things happened last Wednesday at our Cedar Falls Campus.  Find out by watching this cool video.
• Here's a great article about the difference between lust and beauty.
• Here's a great video clip about being incarnational and dedicating time, energy and longevity to loving our community.
• Ever think that choir boys sounds like cats when they sing?  Me neither until this video.
• What's your reaction to Jesus?  Here are seven ways people respond to Jesus that we find in the first few chapters of Revelation.
• Faith or works?  Here's a look at the connection between both in Scripture.

Fantastic Easter Weekend

 

Can't see this video?  Click here.

Holy Week At PLC

 

Here's a link on how to invite someone to church.

Watch our Easter services live here.

Here is info on our Holy Week service times and locations.