Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers, I have FIVE REALLY IMPORTANT things I want share with you today:

1// Looking for a new spiritual challenge in 2014? Register for Story of God here. Better yet, bring someone with you who is unfamiliar with the Bible story. Register here. Registration ends January 7.

2// Here’s another significant challenge if the Story of God isn’t for you this time around—take the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course. It will rock your world…guaranteed! Starts January 16 at our sister church, Rockpoint Church, in Lake Elmo. For more information go here. I will be teaching during the first evening on God’s Mission in the Story of God.

3// This weekend we’ll be watching one of Andy Stanley’s sermons from his “Breathing Room” series. Andy addresses the question: What if your pursuit of a standard of living is undermining your quality of life?

4// Here’s last weekend’s sermon in 10 Tweets, “Recovering True Worship,” Exodus series:

1. Building the tabernacle not a simple task be/ access to God has significant barriers.
2. Until you understand that access to God is not easy, you’ll never truly worship him.
3. Our access to the after-show party at the Pantages Theater required the right credentials.
4. Our friend spent years acquiring the credentials, portfolio and skills to be invited as a guest singer. It wasn’t easy.
5. If access to celebrities and world leaders isn’t easy, why should I think access to God is easy?
6. We were created with an all-access pass to God in the Garden but rejected it.
7. Cheribum (angelic beings) with a flaming sword blocked access to Eden…Cheribum embroidered on the curtain separating the Holiest chamber.
8. Jesus dies…”It is finished”…The curtain torn…”Jesus opened a new way through the curtain…(Heb 10:19-22)
9. God went under the sword to restore our access. Access to God is free to us, by faith, but at an extreme cost to God.
10. When you take access to God for granted, you stop worshiping.

5// Here’s a selection from your comments, observations and questions from the weekend Communication Cards.

• Thank you Henry for a poignant sermon message.

• Nice worship set gang. Loved the quiet, contemplative song leading us in the message. Loved the “all Access Pass to God” analogy. Impressed upon me how we take for granted the cost – Jesus’ death – to have that access. Thanks for bringing it home.

• Thank you God! UR the Best!

• In the midst of silence, it was powerful to have these verses so powerfully impact me. He is approachable!

• My daughter prayed and asked Jesus to come into her heart on 12/26 with her parents. We praise God that His Spirit has called her to know Him! [What a great privilege and joy!!! Thanks for letting us know. There will be a candle lit for her this coming weekend to join the others who indicated first-time decisions during our Christmas services.]

• Beautiful guitar work on “Hear My Heart Lord”, how worshipful! Great music this morning!

• Excellent message.

• I love my church. Great message and worship! Thank you!

• Great worship. Great message. Thank you. Praise God.

Blessings, Pastor Henry

Thursday Memo

Hi Five Oakers,

There are a few things I want to share with you today:

1// Incredible Christmas services. Thank you to all the volunteers and staff that made it special.

2// About 7 people noted first-time decisions to follow, 12 marked they were renewing their relationship with Christ and about 10 requested more information on beginning a personal relationship with Christ!

3// Here is a selection of the comments from the Communication Cards:

• Thank you for a wonderful message – it hit my heart. Just what I needed. Thank you! Merry Christmas!

• Henry, is it possibly time to cut your toenails? Love all of the Christmas carols! Awesome celebration of Christ’s birth. [Good idea!]

• Thanks for a wonderful message today!  So touching!

• Thank you, Pastor Henry, for providing such meaningful sermons for us! Merry Christmas!

• Appreciated all the Christmas songs.

• Thank you for this Christmas service.

• Loved the opening Christmas music set and the video!  Beautiful, absolutely beautiful Christmas message.  So simple, so powerful, so well-constructed and clear.  Praise God.  Loved your family stories, too, and Judy’s story underscored it all.  Thanks for calling people to Jesus.

• Powerful message, beautiful service. Great job everyone. Thanks to all who volunteered and helped in any way with the Christmas services.

• Wonderful Christmas service.

• I liked Pastor Henry’s preaching. Merry Christmas!

• Thank you for the message. Thank you for the invitation! I have family members with me, who don’t have a relationship with Christ yet!

• I am just thankful!

• Praise God!

• Thank you staff and volunteers for facilitating a wonderful Christmas service. I feel blessed.

• All glory to God!

• God’s blessings to all of the staff and Five Oaks this holiday season.

• Thank you Heavenly Father! Thank you Five Oaks staff and volunteers!

• Pastor Henry, you made things very clear and real.  And I love the worship music here.

• Thanks for a great Christmas sermon.

• I am so thankful for Jesus and His awesome sacrifices!

• Wonderful alter call with piano!  Moving – piercing!  Never is a better way for believers to prepare for communion.  Love Christmas in my church.

5// Some helpful links as you enter the new year next week:

• How to Read the Whole Bible in 2014 (Justin Taylor)

• My post from a few weeks ago, "Five Ways to Get into the Bible Daily."

• Here’s a Bible reading plan to do with others over the next three years: "Bible reading plan for 2014 by Tim Chester."

• Get more out of the Bible for the rest of your life by completing "The Story of God." Register here.

4// "Religious people find God useful. Christians find God beautiful.” (Tim Keller) Come worship our beautiful God this weekend. Join us as we conclude the Exodus series.

Blessings, Pastor Henry