Sunday Worship Service - March 16, 2008
9:00a & 10:30a Worship Services
Nursery is provided for both services and programs.
The Church Office will be closed March 21 and March 24 
in recognition of Holy Week.

Sermon Series beginning Sunday, January 20 - March 30 
"Shaped By God's Heart"  Senior Pastor John Hartenberger 
The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches. Books available through the Church Office.

Elders' Journal

Welcome: We’re glad you’re here this morning. If you are new in attendance, we ask that you take a moment to fill out the Welcome Card in your bulletin and place it in the Giving Box. We’d like to get to know you and as an added bonus, we’ll send you a coupon for ice-cream.

Elder Thoughts: As I write this article I am already in the midst of what I like to call the death throes of the tax season. During the interview phase with my clients, I see volumes of paperwork, some organized, some not. With all of the activity of clients coming in, the phone calls, it is easy to get distracted and lose the person while looking at the details. In the paperwork that I receive, I have a full years worth of life occurring in my clients. New births, death of parents and children, divorce and marriage, medical expenses that reveal cancer issues with the clients families. Real events, problems that with our missional purpose is a great opportunity to let Christ reveal himself through me. We do not realize how much impact we can have with fellow employees, family and neighbors because we can so easily get caught up in the details of life. Paul talks to the church at Colosse in Colossians 4:2-5: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. “As we live life as Pastor John likes to phrase it, we are confronted with a needy world. We need to be ready, “full of grace, seasoned with salt.”

Tithes and Offerings: We ask that you prayerfully consider your financial support of His church. Electronic funds transfer is an option for giving your financial gifts to ACEFC. Forms are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary and in the office. Place completed forms in the Giving Box.

Communication: The Elder listening sessions will continue to occur monthly on the second Sunday of each month. However, please don’t limit your questions, ideas and concerns to these sessions. Feel free to talk to one of the Elders (Tim Diestler, Dom Sollitto, Rick Landin, Chris Matula, Dennis Steffens or Pastor John) on Sundays or any time during the week. E-mail addresses are found on the back of the bulletin.

Prayer: Remember to pray first and pray focused in all things. Keep in mind the core prayer - that God will use you and your circumstances to advance and increase his kingdom.

Upcoming Events

Good Friday Communion Service - Friday, March 21, at 4:00p.

Easter Egg Hunt - At Lynndale Apartments Saturday, March 22, at 10:00a. 

Easter Sunday Baptisms - Sunday, March 23, We will be performing baptisms during both services. If you feel the call to be baptized or would like more information regarding baptism, please contact Pastor John (735-9971 or jhartenberger@applefreechurch.org).

Know Your Church Class - Sunday, March 30, 12:00p-2:30p for those interested in knowing more about this Church. Sign up at the Information Booth.

Brewers Game - Join us Monday, May 12, at 4:00p for Brewers vs. St. Louis game. Tickets are $15 each for the first 30 people to sign up. Sign up form is on the table in the Gathering area. For more information contact Ken Pennings.

ADULT SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Get connected...be involved!  Contact Pastor John (735-9971 or jhartenberger@applefreechurch.org) to join a Small Group.

EDUCATION AND EQUIPPING CLASSES (E & E)
David Olson, E & E Director 
     Mission Statement:  Ephesians 4:12 
     "...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

At 9:00a, Kris and Mia Peterson will lead a course on "The Five Love Languages" in room 101. 

At 10:30a, Tim and Sue Diestler will lead a course on "Discovering God's Way of Handling Money" in room 101.

SERVING & TRAINING at ACEFC
OPEN DOOR MINISTRY - Greeters needed, please contact Wendy Hall if interested.

OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Volunteers Needed for Free Oil Change - Saturday, April 12, 8:30a to 12:30p, at the Church. Sign up sheets to help with oil changes and serve in the kitchen are on the table in the Gathering area.
Pastor's Coffee - We would like to welcome all guests and new attendees to our monthly "Pastor's Coffee" after second service April 13. You will have an opportunity to meet Pastor John and an Elder, learn more about our church, and have a treat. Please meet in the Gathering area. For more information contact Nancy DeDecker.

Blood Drive - With Community Blood Center, Sunday, April 20, 9:00a-1:00p. Sign up at the table in the Gathering area. Must be 17 years old or older and have a picture ID with you at donation time.

 Spring Serving Weekend - At Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation. We will be leaving Thursday, May 1 and return Sunday, May 4. If interested, information available on table in Gathering area.

Persons in Need Free Giveaway and Blood Drive - will be August 23, from 9:00a-12:00p. Items needed: gently used clothing, bedding, towels, house wares, toys, and books. If you have any of these items (they must be in good shape), please consider donating them to the giveaway. It would be a great help if you could sort the clothes by size and gender, and mark the bags. We will begin collecting these items at the church the week of August 18. If you have any questions please contact the Church Office, 735-9971.  

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
Chris Matula, Ministry Director, (cmatula@applefreechurch.org)

We are in need of:

Storage Maintenance - Children's Ministry Closed and activity shelf - once a week.
Special Events Coordinator - to plan holiday events and help with outreach events within Children's Ministries 
NURSERY COUNTER - Rotation Schedule

CLASS HELPERS - weekly or rotation

Nursery is available for both Services - 9:00a & 10:30a

SNUGGLELAND for birth to 23 months in room 104. There is a rotating staff schedule. This time consists of playing, music, and taking care of God's youngest.
ADVENTURELAND is for 2 years to pre-kindergarten children in room 103. This includes playing, singing, craft time, refreshments, and teaching time.  Discipleland is the curriculum used.

Children's Ministries Classes
Kingdom Kids (1^st Service Sunday) 
Kingdom Kids starts in Worship Area with their families and will then be dismissed to class. 
Locations:

·      Kindergarten  room #106 with teacher Stacy Karle 
·      1st - 2^nd grade  #107 with teacher Bev Sollitto
·      3^rd - 5^th grade  #111 (Kitchen) with teacher Colleen Ziehr
Kid’s Fellowship for K-5^th Grade 
Between Services in room #107.  This is a supervised game time and includes snacks.
Kingdom Builders (2nd Service Sunday) 
This class builds upon the lesson from Kingdom Kids with an outreach focus providing a hands on approach with 3 stations of learning fun!  Discipleland Core Bible is the curriculum.
AWANA News...Tuesday, 6:30p-8:00p Diane Crotty, Commander
March's theme is "God showed His love through Easter"
Mar. 18:    Foreign Lands Night (Dress like you are from the country of your choice!)
Mar. 25:    No Club - Happy Easter and Spring Break

For questions or comments about AWANA Club…talk to your child’s director or Diane Crotty.

STUDENT MINISTRIES
Associate Pastor Mike Collison - 735-9971 - mcollison@applefreechurch.org

Middle School News…......
Sunday morning "Base Camp" -  9:00a,  room 108 with leaders Bob & Gay Phillip.  
We're studying the Bible in fun and creative ways and prepare for a new week.  During three years, we will cover the “best of the Old Testament, Gospels, and Early Church.”  This year is the Early Church (Acts-Revelation). 
Wednesday evening youth group “Maximum Elevation” -  7:00p-8:30p with coordinator Deb Welk. This is an energetic time full of play, relationship-building, and topical lessons designed for spiritual growth. Usually meeting at Houdini Grade School and get picked up at church.
Mar. 19:    Regular Meeting
Mar. 26:    No Meeting
Mar. 28:    Tundra Lodge Event

Senior High News…
Sunday morning "The Circle" - 9:00a, room 105 with Pastor Mike.
A Creative Bible Study to challenge your heart & mind. There’s sugar, caffeine, stories & laughter. 100% money - back guarantee that this is worth your time! Our focus: The Bible Jesus Read - Big Stories of the Old Testament. 
Wednesday evening senior high group "True North" meets regularly from 7:00p-8:30p at Church during the school year.
Mar. 26:      No Meeting

MISSIONS - Missionaries of the Week:
Vladimir and Valentina (Slava) Vsivkin
Pastor, Third Baptist Church
Vossovdineria St. 11/75
Brovary, Kiev Ukraine

MEN'S MINISTRIES 
Men's Morning Fellowship:  We meet every Wednesday at 6:15a for breakfast at Seven Angels Restaurant on John Street.  Contact Pastor John, 735-9971.
Want a delicious Breakfast  that you don't have to cook for yourself? Wonder what to feed the kids while the women are away on retreat? Come to the Men's Breakfast on Saturday, April 26, at 9:00a at the Church. Food and Fellowship. Kids of all ages welcome. Contact Jim Dyer or Bud Riska.
WOMEN'S MINISTRIES
Monday Evening Women of the Word ( WOW) )  meets at 6:30p, with the study "The Patriarchs" by Beth Moore.  Mary Noggle will be leading this study through March 31. Starting in April, we will begin "I Saw the Lord" by Anne Graham Lotz. Contact Mary Noggle to register.
Women's Retreat -  will be April 25, 26, and 27 at the Wagon Trail in Door County. Our guest speaker is co-author for the book  "Girl Talk...God Talk," Sally Miller. This year's theme is Soul Sisters. 

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