July 2019

Lewis Lake News �1

LEWIS LAKE NEWS Receiving God’s Blessing | Becoming God’s Blessing

New Church Logo. You may have noticed this image showing up a lot here at church. This is our new church logo. These days we hear a lot about “branding” (creating a symbol that is easily identifiable as belonging to a company/group) is very important as it promotes recognition in the community. A logo is an important element of branding. Trent and Sarah Terpstra understand the important role that branding plays and graciously donated the funds necessary to hire a marketing team to assist administration to create a professional logo for Lewis Lake. Thank you Trent and Sarah!

In This Edition

A NEW RELIGION? 2.....................................................Sanctuary Decommissioning Service 3 .........................Something Smells Fishy! 4............................................Understanding Bible Words Better: 5............................New Online Directory 6..................................................Children Ministries 7......................................................50 & BETTER 8..............................................................Book Corner 10...............................................................Sunday Service & Hospitality Calendar 11 ......................Event Calendar 12...........................................................

The next step in the process was to communicate who we are and what we are about to the Deluxe Marketing design team. It was important to us that our logo communicate that we are first and foremost followers of Jesus Christ. After numerous revisions this is the design the team went with. The cross in the photo incorporates a wave to represent Lewis Lake. It was an interesting process and we are happy with the design.

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �2

A NEW RELIGION? Every once in a while we see a new religion pop up in the land. But usually, as we take a deeper look at these new groups we discover that they are simply repeating ancient mistakes concerning God, salvation and the future. One new religion that I have been running into more and more looks very similar to Christianity, but is actually quite different.

The formal name for this new faith is “Moral, Therapeutic Deism”, but many simply call it “Cultural Christianity”. Albert Mohler lays out the basic beliefs of this alternate version of Christianity.

1. “A God exists who created and orders the world and watches over human life on earth.”

2. “God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.”

3. “The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.”

4. “God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.”

5. “Good people go to heaven when they die.”

As you can see, this looks very similar to Christianity, but there are actually some significant differences. First of all, Jesus is quite absent from this religion. The reason Jesus is missing is because these people do not feel they have any real sin from which they need to be saved. They feel that, deep down inside, they are actually good. They believe that they are doing everything that God could reasonably expect from them. When Jesus calls people to “repent and believe”, they really don’t see how this could apply to them.

Secondly, the real purpose of life is missing. They believe that the goal of life is to be happy. Missing is any sense that the purpose of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Thus, recreation often becomes their main pursuit in life rather than worship, devoting themselves to the Apostle’s teaching, to fellowship and service.

Thirdly, people in this religion don’t seek to involve God in every aspect of life. Instead of “keeping in step with the Spirit”, their interaction with God is very off and on. When something important needs to happen like a big decision or a medical situation, then God is brought in, but otherwise not.

Finally, there is the sincere belief that nice people go to heaven. It makes sense. If the main thing God wants from us is to be honest, nice and fair to other people, then, if we feel we have done that, we obviously will be saved.

True Christianity, on the other hand, understands that I am sinful to the uttermost, and no amount of being nice can fix that. Jesus paid the ultimate price to wash away my sin and I receive this free gift of forgiveness as a live in true and sincere faith in Him. True faith is not simply a mental acknowledgment of Jesus, but involves repentance and belief that centers life wholly on the person of Jesus.

So guard yourselves and make sure you don’t fall for something that looks like Christianity, but is actually a different religion. There is a reason why Jesus is the only possible way one can come to the Father.

Pastor Bob.

“True Christianity, on the other hand, understands that I am sinful to the uttermost”

Pastor Bob DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at Lewis Lake and has served this congregation since 1982.

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �3

165 people attended Worship on June 23, 2019 many stayed to take part in the sanctuary decommissioning service. Pastor Bob De Young, Pastor Joe Reed, Chairman Brian Hudoba and Elders; Earl Bracewell, Dave Johnson and Duane Munsterteiger lead the church body in a responsive reading of Psalm 145:1-13.

The tear down process will begin soon. the plan is to salvage as much of the old building that is possible.

Pastor Bob De Young, gives praise for all God has done in this special building.

Sanctuary Decommissioning Service

The Old Sanctuary served us well and holds many fond memories but it is time to give her rest. Photographed on the right is 95 year old Gordon Vickstrom, I’ll bet he could share a few stories.

Pictured above from left to right Earl Bracewell, Pastor Joe Reed, Brian Hudoba, Pastor Bob DeYoung, Dave Johnson and Duane Munsterteiger.

Photo credit Jerianne Hoyles

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �4

Something Smells Fishy! I love this time of the year and the taste of fresh fish caught from our local lakes and streams. Here is a guide from the Minnesota Department of Health in regards to safe fish consumption due to mercury and other contaminants found in our local waters. {Minnesota Department of Health: Fish Consumption Guidance}

Debee Stassen RN, AGNP-C

Statewide Safe-Eating Guidelines for special populations: Pregnant Women, Women who are planning on becoming pregnant and children under the age of 15.

How Much is a serving of fish? • A serving of fish is based on the

body weight fo the person eating the fish. For example, 1/2 pound (or 8 ounces of uncooked fish is equal to about 6 ounces of cooked fish.

• To adjust meal serving size for a heavier or lighter weight person, add or subtract 1 ounce of fish for every 20 pounds of body weight.

{MN Department of Health}

For more information on fish consumption visit

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/fish/index.html

And Put Fish on Your Plate!

Debee Stassen RN, AGNP-C has been a member of Lewis Lake for 14 years and currently serves as the Director of Women Ministries at Lewis Lake Covenant Church.

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �5

Understanding Bible Words Better:

Justificationa forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law (Romans 5:1-10).- Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Statewide Safe-Eating Guidelines for men, boys age 15 and older and women who are not pregnant.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”

And let the one who hears say, “Come.”

And let the one who is thirsty come;

let the one who desires take the water of life

without price. Revelation 22:17

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �6

New Online Directory A few months back the office staff began using a new web-based church management software designed for small and mid-sized churches. This program (Breeze) saves the congregation money while providing many easy to use features. One of the features we are most excited about is the online directory. With Breeze you can see and manage • Personal and family information• Church Event Calendar• Online Church Directory (allowing you to look up fellow Lewis Lakers)

We anticipate that you will eventually be able to look up your giving/tithing history and sometime down the road possibly opening up online giving.

You can run Breeze on any sized device or use the Breeze App for iPhone, iPad, & Android. Download the app at www.breezechms.com/mobile-app or download it where you download apps for your device.

Once you are in the app, you will have to set up your account. Our church name is Lewis Lake Covenant Church. The web address you will use to log into Breeze is lewislake.breezechms.com

The app will not allow you to create a profile unless you are already listed in the membership database with a current email address. If you are unable to set up your profile speak with Tami to get it set up.

There are brochures on the East wall that have all this information and more.

Talk to Tami in the office if you need help getting set up.

Want the latest information from Lewis Lake?

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

@LewisLakeCovChurch

Get connected today!

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �7

VBS 2019 August 5th -8th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Registration will begin July 14th watch for announcements

The format this year is different than what we have done in the past which will require many more

volunteers.

We are still looking for volunteers in the following areas:

• Three helpers for registration

• Crew leaders-9th grade to 90 years old who enjoy kids and are willing to guide 5 kids of mixed ages

to the different stations

• Three group supervisors to be available should Crew leaders need assistance

• 7th and 8th graders who would like to help

• People who want to assist with decorations

Sign-up sheet on the East wall.

Next VBS Team Meeting Monday, July 15th at 7 pm in the fellowship hall

Playground Equipment Thank you Dave Strelow, Josh Nehring, Randy Terpstra and Brian Hudoba for getting it set up. The work is not quite done yet the timbers and pea rock will be delivered this week.

Children Ministries

CAUTION TO PARENTS For your child’s safety, please keep them off the equipment until the

“caution tape” is removed. Thank you!

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �8

50 & BETTER STATE CAPITOL TOUR AND LUNCH Tuesday, July 16

Meet at Church to leave by 8:30 amThe tour starts at 11 am and lasts 45 minutes. There is no cost for this event. The group will plan to stop for lunch following the tour. Please sign-up by Sunday, June 30th so we can make reservations for this guided tour.

Tour Highlights (from the Capital website)• The second-largest self-supported marble dome in the world• Exterior marble cleaned and repaired• Decorative art, murals and paintings restored to original 1905 patterns and colors• Exposed limestone foundation walls and new public spaces in basement• Stories about the Capitol's history, art and architecture• The chambers where government decisions are made• Weather permitting, walk to the Quadriga (golden horses) on the roof

50 & BETTER ANNUAL PICNIC 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 10

At the home of Jim & Wendy Akkerman

Sign up to bring a dish to share or a dessert.

5th SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH

Tentative destination Jack & Jim’s in Duelm

50 & BETTER

Do you have a prayer request that you would like sent out on prayer chain?

1. You can write your request on a “Connect Card” (located on the bookshelf above the Bibles).

2. Call the office 320-396-32933. Send an email request to lewislake1030@gmail.com

(email is not monitored after 5pm/weekends).4. After hours or on weekends send a text to Tami

320-630-7371.

Thank You Prayer Warriors!

“Thank you Lewis Lake Church for all the prayers for Bob after his stroke. Bob is doing very well and no longer needs therapy. Also a special thank you to Butch and Marilyn Bachman” Bob and Bonnie Unger

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �9

Annual Senior Day at the Lake

Thanks again Bev and Dallas Tvedt for hosting this event

each year.

Everyone in attendance had a

GREAT time!

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �10

Alice in the Palace At the urging of some very dear people I have compiled, edited, and formatted the “Alice blogs” into book form, and am happy to say that Alice in the Palace is, to the best of my abilities and with the help of a few good friends, done and ready to go. As many of you know because you walked the journey with us, this is the story of my four-year-old daughter Alice from the first mysterious symptoms until her death from a brain stem tumor 8-1/2 months later. Along the way, I recorded a fairly raw account of what we were experiencing and feeling, for better and for worse, along with my own reflections on Alice, wrestlings with God’s involvement, thoughts about the prayers of his people and the fate of children who die. I also wrote an epilogue on the anniversary of Alice’s funeral, which was just last week.

Thanks to everyone who followed Alice’s story and encouraged us along the way, and if you’d like a nicely organized pretty good looking (if I do say so myself) record of Alice’s story you can get one, or it might be an encouragement for a friend who’s going through “the stuff.” I don’t know why you might want to buy one, but if you do, now you can!

For what it’s worth, I bought a copy myself and I really like it. And (far) more importantly, Michele approves. By the way, Michele drew the cover picture for a card she sent to Alice’s best friend Kenzie, and I loved it so much that I took a picture of it before she dropped it in the mail.

The book is available at Amazon.com in paperback for $10, Kindle for $5. If you purchase a print copy you can get the kindle version for free.

jr

Pastor Joe Reed is the Associate Pastor here at Lewis Lake.

ICE CREAM FUNDRAISER FOR CER Today and EVERY Sunday after service through Summer

Grab an ice cream (bowl or cone) in the fellowship hall to support our disabled friends living

in the Covenant Enabling Residences.Just a $1 donation.

Book Corner

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �11

The church body gathered on June 23, 2019 to decommission the “Old Sanctuary” See more on page 3. ?

Congregational Quarterly Business Meeting Monday, July 8 at 7:30 pm

July 7 July 14 July 21 July 28

Greeters Ken & Geri Van Driel Joe & Tonya Burk Randy & Vicki Terpstra DuWayne & Sue Williams

Ushers Dana & Cory Nielson

Service Nursery Makayla Stafford & Brianna Thoeny Alaina Jones & Youth Dave & Michelle Nelson Trent & Sarah Terpstra

Pianist Ivy Sutton Michele Reed Diane Sutton Phyllis Bracewell

S.B. Sound Chad Rolf/Jodie Rolf/Jesse DeYoung/Joe Reed

S.B Computer Wendy Akkerman/Jen Peterson

Fellowship Hosts

Set-up Reed Girls

Clean-up Rick & Angie Tvedt - Volunteers Needed

Sunday Service & Hospitality Calendar

Mission Sewing Saturday, July 6

9am to 1pm Contact Debee Stassen,

320-333-5108

No experience necessary.

Knit Together Needlework Group

6:30 PM every other Wednesday in the home of Elke Olson—1 mile north of Church

An open invitation to grab your needlework—knit, crochet, embroidery, mending or ??? for a time of conversation and laughter while working on your project or learning how.

Contact Elke, 320-396-3407 or rosewood.shores@gmail.com

Women Ministries Team Meeting Monday, July 8 at 6:15 pm

Sermons preached at Lewis Lake can be found on our web site (www.lewislake.org) under the “Sermons”

tab.

July 2019

Lewis Lake News �12

Keep up to date with Lewis Lake

You can find the Church Calendar online at www.lewislake.org

Under the “Church Calendar” tab.

Event Calendar