"Following Jesus…Engaging People"

Sunday Worship Service - April 27, 2008
9:00a & 10:30a Worship Services
Nursery is provided for both services and programs.

Elders’ Journal for April 2008

 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you. (Joshua 22:3 )

Welcome: We are so glad that you decided to join us today. We invite you to take a moment and complete the welcome card found in the bulletin so that we can get to know you better. If you’d like someone to contact you indicate that on the card. As a thank you, we’ll send you a Dairy Queen coupon.

Elder Thoughts: Let’s truly Look Ahead. As the missional church we hope to become, we have many serving opportunities, some of which you may consider to be a part. There’s a serving trip to New Orleans as well as one or two to the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation in Hayward. Although we recently did free oil changes, there will be another day for oil changes in the fall. You can help serve breakfast at the homeless shelter any third Saturday of the month. If you’re so led, you can purchase a gas card for those in need. The annual give-away may be on your radar, if so, start bagging up things to donate. Pray for someone you don’t know, or know all too well. There are other opportunities. If you’re not aware of them, please ask. Let’s remember the mission in all we do.

Tithes and Offerings: Electronic funds transfer continues to be 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. As always, your gift to the Lord is important regardless of the manner in which it is received.

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. Monthly updates on the sale of the Gillett Street property will be presented at Sunday services as part of the announcements.

Prayer: Please be in prayer for individual members of the church body as well as the corporate church. Specifically, we would appreciate prayer for us as Elders as we lead this body into the summer months.

Upcoming Events

Know Your Church Class - Sunday, September 14, 12:00p-1:30p for those interested in knowing more about this Church. Sign up at the Information Booth.

Congregational Meeting on June 1, at 12:15p to pass the 2008-2009 Budget plan.

ADULT SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
A new small group for Single Women will be meeting on April 29, at 7:00p, at the Church. Contact Julie or Wendy (735-9971 or office@applefreechurch.org) for more information

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
Paper Towel Collection - Starting May 11, we will be collecting Paper Towels for the Emergency Shelter. Please place donations in the wood boxes in the entrance way.
Thursday Coffee at Harmony Cafe - Join us at Harmony Cafe from 7:00a-9:00a, every Thursday to share coffee and conversation with the people from the Emergency Shelter.

Gas Cards - Contact the Church Office if you wish to purchase $10 Gas Cards for the American Indian Center.

Pastor's Coffee - We would like to welcome all guests and new attendees to our monthly "Pastor's Coffee" after second service May 18. 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.

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. Serving Trip meeting 12:00p, April 27, in the Sanctuary.

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)

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 and John Hartenberger
AWANA Leader meeting 6:30p, May 6.
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
Check out Mike’s Sabbatical blog: http://mikeonsabbatical.tumblr.com/

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.
Apr. 25:     8th Grade Farewell Sleepover
Apr. 30:     Case Study or Service Night  
May 2:        GB Blizzard Game
May 7:        Final Max El Meeting until Fall 2008

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. "True North" is done until Fall 2008.

Missionary of the Week:
Vera Hansen
(Greater Europe Mission)

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 for breakfast. Contact Jim Dyer or Bud Riska.
ACEFC Golf - The men of ACEFC are invited to join together on Mondays at 4:30p at Winagamie golf course for 9 holes of golf and fellowship. The cost will be $12.50 for 9 holes. We will be playing each Monday afternoon from April 26 through the end of August (except Memorial Day). Tee times have been established starting at 4:30p. We will have reserved tee times for up to 16 golfers each week with plenty of room for more if needed. If you can join us, please sign up today. Maps to the course and a signup sheet are in the Gathering area. By signing up, you are not committing to play every Monday - only that you intend to play.  Experience is not necessary, and bad golfers will fit right in with us. If you have questions, please contact Jim Dyer or Rick Ward.

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES
Monday Evening Women of the Word ( WOW) )  meets at 6:30p, they are the studying "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. 
Cooking for C.O.T.S. -  Ladies here is another great opportunity for serving, fellowship, and just plain fun. On May 28, from 3:00p to 5:00p join us in the Church Kitchen for Cooking for C.O.T.S. We will be cooking enough food to feed 35 hungry men. Contact Jeanne Schauland for more information.

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