Archive for November 2007

The Greatest

Play now #294, The Greatest, Sunday, 11-25-2007, Pastor Mark Boucher

Text: 2 Peter 1:5-8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Theme: Love is letting God’s heart beat in and through you.

INTRODUCTION:

  1. I brought my message with me to Maine.
    1. What would Jesus do? Do everything in love.
  2. As Americans, our values and lifestyle are far apart.
    1. “Love is the greatest, I just can’t stand some people.”
    2. “People should be sensitive to others, but I had my reasons to curse them.”
  3. Peter ends his list of virtues with love (agape)

Text: 2 Peter 1:5-8

  1. The highest form of love ever known.
    1. We are so confused about love. (The definition of love takes up 4½ pages in the Oxford dictionary.
    2. Demonstrated b God through Jesus Christ.
  2. How important is love? How important is your heart to your body?

Theme: Love is letting God’s heart beat in and through you.
What can we do to strengthen our hearts in God?

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

  1. Watch for the warning signs for heart disease and failure.
    1. Heart attacks are usually preceded by “signals.”
    2. What are some signals of love growing cold?
    3. Dizziness and confusion about God’s priorities and ours.
    4. We tend to emphasize gifts above character.
    5. If I can just speak in tongues …
    6. We tend to emphasize sacrifice over character. (v3)
    7. Some martyrs were just showing off.
    8. Sacrifices won’t make up for lack of love.
    9. Another warning sign: irregular heartbeats, heart murmurs.
    10. Love does not envy (v4)
    11. Love does not boast (v4)
    12. “It is not proud …” (v4) ~ Do I try to impress others?
    13. “It is not easily angered.” (v5)
    14. Love keeps no record of wrongs. (v5)
    15. “Love does not delight in evil” (v6)
    16. A person filled with God’s love can’t laugh at evil and filth.
  2. Exercise your heart in the love of God.
    1. How can we strengthen our hearts?
    2. Practice patience and kindness everyday (v4)
    3. Love is like the motor oil that keeps the parts from destroying each other.
    4. Love is a candle burning, not a firecracker.
    5. God is not looking for superstars, just lights.
    6. Find joy in what gives God joy.
    7. “Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.” (v6)
    8. Stay positive in a negative world.
    9. In the last days the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24).
    10. “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (v7)
    11. “No matter how bleak your circumstances, you can always love and still feel good about life.”
    12. People fail, but love never fails. (v8)

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

What can we do to have more of God’s love beating through us?

  1. Receive the love of God.
  2. Repent for lack of love in our words and actions.
  3. Keep fighting the battle for love. “Jesus reduce me to love.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS, 11-25-2007

JOIN US TODAY

  • WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • Pastor Boucher, “The Greatest” (2 Peter 1:5-8)
  • CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • Classes for all ages meet here and at the school
  • ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR REHEARSAL, 2:00-4:00 PM
  • GOSPEL EXPLOSION SERVICE at 6:30 PM
  • Boston Teen Challenge
  • YOUTH/CHILDREN CHRISTMAS REHEARSAL at 6:30 PM

JOIN US THIS WEEK

  • MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • TUESDAY 9:30 AM—WMs Coffee Break (Fellowship Hall)
    7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
  • WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
    6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
    Rainbows
    Girls Ministries
    Royal Rangers
    Impact Student Ministries
    Effective Personal Soul Winning
    Adult Bible Study (L.A.B.I.)— Parables for Living series continues
  • THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Ladies’ Night Out
  • FRIDAY 7:00 PM—Heart Burn (Youth Praise & Worship)
  • SATURDAY 7:00 PM—All-church Prayer (Prayer Room)

ANNOUNCING

  • THE WOMEN’S MINISTRIES CHRISTMAS GATHERING will be held Monday, December 3, 6:30-9:30 PM, in the Fellowship Hall. Please stop by the WM table in the foyer to sign up.
  • YOU CAN STILL ORDER a Christmas potpourri jar from the Royal Rangers. Forms are located at the Welcome Center; they must be turned in with payment by next Sunday, December 2.
  • FROM CARE NET PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER:
  • (1) Kathy McKinnon, is transitioning from executive director to board member. A new leader is needed for the Center’s day-to-day operations. Ministry and management experience are a plus.
  • (2) Nurses (LPNs and RNs) are needed. Do you have a few hours a week you could work with clients? Volunteer position could become a paid staff position. Volunteer Client Advocates are also needed. To volunteer, please call Kathy at 978-342-4244.
  • IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY HAD A BABY, please contact Tatiana McIntosh for a free gift from the church.
  • WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED in foster parenting through a Christian agency? If you’d like to find out more about the Eleen Bard Foster Care program, please pick up a brochure in the church office.

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

  • From Lilian Mbiyu: “Thanks to all who stood for me in prayer, encouraged me and sent cards (especially Wee Kids) after my accidents. I’m thankful to God for all of you.”

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

  • Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
  • Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
  • YACC for Young Adults (Gardners)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
  • Young Adult Discipleship (Bells)—Thursday, 6:45 PM
  • Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
  • Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

  • The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
  • Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

  • Beginning Mortgage: $600,000
  • 30-month Offerings Goal: $405,000
  • 30-month Total $ Pledged: $215,736
  • Offerings/Payments: $57,415
  • Current Mortgage Balance: $542,585

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

  • A single mom needs help moving on Saturday, December 1. Can you give a few hours? If you can, please call the church office.
  • Washing machine needed. Please call Dara.
  • A church family is looking for a two-bedroom apartment in Leominster. Please call the church office if you have a lead.
  • A woman in the church is in need of temporary housing for a couple of months. She can pay rent and provide for her own needs. Please call the church office if you can help.

BULLETIN INSERTS

2007-11-25_page06.JPG2007-11-25_page07.JPG2007-11-25_page08.JPG2007-11-25_page09.JPG

FROM PASTOR MARK, 11-25-2007

The giving of thanks is an act of humility. The person who is thankful says, “I need God and people in my life.” The Lord is pleased by our humble gratitude as a father on earth derives joy from a grateful son. Psalm 138:6 says, “Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar.” A proud person doesn’t thank God or others but is trapped in an I deserve mentality. We have just passed the holiday of Thanksgiving, but may we, as God’s people, practice continuous “Thanksliving.”

Pastor Mark Boucher

 

Adult Christian Education Winter Electives

Beginning Sunday, December 2 2007, 10:10-10:50 AM

Welcome to the Family

  • Taught by Pastor Mark
  • This course will meet in Pastor Mark’s office.
  • This class is an introduction to Leominster Assembly of God. You will be introduced to the purposes and vision of Leominster Assembly of God as well as the practices and policies of the church. This course is for anyone interested in becoming a member of our church and is a requirement for membership. Class size is limited to 15.

Drawing Closer to God

  • Taught by Pastor Bob
  • This course will meet in the Triangle room next to the sanctuary.
  • This class is for all new Christians as well as any Christian who wants to draw closer to God. God says that if we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. This is your chance to become the dynamic, joyful disciple of Christ that you have always wanted to be. This class is a requirement for membership.

The Sermon on the Mount

  • Taught by Pastor Dave
  • This class will meet at the elementary school across the street from the church.
  • You are invited to come and sit at the feet of Jesus as He unfolds to us through the teachings of His Word the deep truths of what it means to live as a Christian from God’s perspective.

Christian Discipleship

  • Taught by Harry Marshall
  • This class will meet at the elementary school across the street from the church.
  • In our walk with God we face struggles and trials similar to the great partriarchs. We will be looking at the lives of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph to see how they prevailed with God during good and bad times.

Financial Freedom

  • Taught by Manny Onos
  • This class will meet at the elementary school across the street from the church.
  • Each attendee will receive the means to prepare his/her individual road to true financial success and will be thoroughly equipped to remove the obstacles on the road to receive his/her rewards of eternal pleasures, possessions and powers in this present life and in the life to come.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

  • Taught by Rev. Fumio Taku
  • This class will meet at the elementary school across the street from the church.
  • God calls us a “temple of the Holy Spirit”. Come and discover how to release the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Using the Old Testament illustrations of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Temple, we can receive insight on how the Holy Spirit is to function in our lives.

Living in Philadelphia

Play now #293 Living in Philadelphia, Sunday, 11-18-2007, Pastor Mark Boucher

Text: 2 Peter 1:5-8
Theme: We can learn kindness and love for one another

ANNOUNCEMENTS, 11-18-2007

JOIN US TODAY

  • WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • Take the Land Offering
  • Child Dedication in 11:00 service
  • Pastor Boucher, “Living in Philadelphia” (2 Peter 1:5-8)
  • CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, 1:00-3:00 PM in Pastor’s office
  • ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR REHEARSAL, 2:00-4:00 PM
  • CHURCH BOARD MEETING at 4:00 PM in Pastor’s office
  • EVENING SERVICE at 6:30 PM
  • Concert: the nationally known and anointed Steve Camp

JOIN US THIS WEEK

  • MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • TUESDAY 9:30 AM—WMs Coffee Break (Fellowship Hall)
    7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
  • WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
    6:30 PM—Thanksgiving Eve Service
  • THURSDAY Happy Thanksgiving!
    “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34).
  • SATURDAY 9:00 AM—Royal Ranger Craft Day
    4:00 PM—African Fellowship Prayer
    7:00 PM—All-church Prayer (Prayer Room)

ANNOUNCING

  • THANK YOU to all who helped with Operation Christmas Child—those who gave shoe box gifts, those who volunteered, those who prayed! This year we gave a record 347 shoe boxes!!
  • THERE IS NO REHEARSAL at 6:30 tonight for the youth and children’s Christmas program. See you next Sunday!
  • EVERYONE IS INVITED to the Wednesday night Thanksgiving Eve Service at 6:30 in the sanctuary. We will give thanks to our Lord through worship, testimonies, Communion and the Word.
  • PLEASE NOTE: the church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday this week.
  • SIGN UP CONTINUES for our rotation in the Hospitality Network (November 25 through December 2). There are still several slots open for two-hour on-site hosts and overnight hosts.
  • IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY HAD A BABY, please contact Tatiana McIntosh at for a free gift from the church.
  • DID YOU TAKE PICTURES during the Parade of Nations? The church would like to have some. Please e-mail to info@laog.org.
  • WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED in foster parenting through a Christian agency? If you’d like to find out more about the Eleen Bard Foster Care program, please pick up a brochure in the church office.

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

  • From Raju Drakes: “Thank you for your prayers for me during and after surgery and for Rebekah during her illness. We are both on the road to recovery. Thank you for the meals, gifts, visits and prayers. They were an encouragement and blessing to my family and me. Thank you!”

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

  • Seekers of Light men’s study (Sullivans)—Sunday, 3:00 PM
  • Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
  • Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
  • YACC for Young Adults (Gardners)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
  • Young Adult Discipleship (Bells)—Thursday, 6:45 PM
  • Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
  • Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

  • The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
  • Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

  • Beginning Mortgage: $600,000
  • 30-month Offerings Goal: $405,000
  • 30-month Total $ Pledged: $215,722
  • Offerings/Payments: $55,131
  • Current Mortgage Balance: $544,869

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

  • Washing machine needed. Please call Dara or the church office.
  • A church family is looking for a two-bedroom apartment in Leominster. Please call the church office if you have a lead.
  • A woman in the church is in need of temporary housing for a couple of months. She can pay rent and provide for her own needs. Please call the church office if you can help.

BULLETIN INSERTS

2007-11-18_page06.JPG2007-11-18_page07.JPG2007-11-18_page08.JPG2007-11-18_page09.JPG2007-11-18_page10.JPG2007-11-18_page11.JPG2007-11-18_page12.JPG2007-11-18_page13.JPG2007-11-18_page14.JPG

FROM PASTOR MARK, 11-18-2007

Many Americans are convinced that all they need is more money. The dream for “the best house, best car, and best career” drives people to a frantic, stress-filled life. In Proverbs 8 we read, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (vv. 10-11). Satisfaction in life is never found through the accumulation of money and stuff. The Bible teaches quality over quantity. If we ask God for wisdom, He will teach us how to handle this world’s stuff as well as how to find contentment in His presence.

Pastor Mark Boucher

The Real Deal

Play now #292, The Real Deal, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 11-11-2007

Text: 2 Peter 1:5-8
Theme: A real Christian is the one who is becoming godly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, 11-11-2007

JOIN US TODAY

  • WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • We will share in Communion as we worship our Lord
  • Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Gift Dedication
  • New Members received
  • Faith Promises taken
  • Pastor Mark Boucher, “The Real Deal” (2 Peter 1:5-8)
  • CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
  • Water Baptism class meets in sanctuary
  • ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR REHEARSAL, 2:00-4:00 PM
  • EVENING SERVICE at 6:30 PM
  • Pastor Harv Meppelink shares; Water Baptism service
  • YOUTH/CHILDREN CHRISTMAS REHEARSAL at 6:30 PM

JOIN US THIS WEEK

  • MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • TUESDAY 9:30 AM—WMs Coffee Break (Fellowship Hall)
    6:30 PM—Marriage Seminar (DiMarzios)
    6:30 PM—Prayer for Israel (Sanctuary)
    7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
  • WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
    6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
    Rainbows
    Girls Ministries
    Royal Rangers
    Impact Student Ministries
    Effective Personal Soul Winning
    Adult Bible Study (L.A.B.I.)—Guest: Rev. Fumio Taku (Matthew 24)
  • THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Ladies’ Night Out (Movie Night)
    6:30 PM—Teen Challenge Banquet (Sheraton)
  • SATURDAY 7:00 PM—All-church Prayer (Prayer Room)

ANNOUNCING

  • CONGRATULATIONS to our new members being received today. If you would like to become a member, please pick up a Serving Through Membership brochure in the foyer.
  • THE FUNDRAISING BANQUET for the Twin Cities Teen Challenge Center is this Thursday, 6:30 PM, at the Leominster Sheraton. The speaker is Rev. Jackie Strothoff, Teen Challenge Girls’ Home Director in Providence. There will be good food, music, speaking about Jesus’ life-changing power, and giving of offerings for the renovation of a double garage into an Academy classroom. Today is the last day to purchase tickets at the Welcome Center.
  • NEXT CHILD DEDICATION: Sunday, November 18, during the 11:00 service. Please fill out and turn in an application card.
  • IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY HAD A BABY, please contact Tatiana McIntosh for a free gift from the church.
  • DID YOU TAKE PICTURES during the Parade of Nations? The church would like to have some. Please e-mail to info@laog.org.
  • IF YOU DO RESIDENTIAL SNOW PLOWING, please call the office. We have begun to receive calls for referrals.
  • PRO-LIFE BELLA OPENED THIS WEEKEND. The movie, Bella, has been hailed as the most important pro-life movie in years. You can find locations and show times at www.BellatheMovie.com.
  • FREE ITEMS: An appliance repairman has offered to donate two washing machines and one gas dryer to anyone in need. He has refurbished them, and they are in good working condition. If interested, please call Dana at 978-534-4047.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

  • Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
  • Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
  • YACC for Young Adults (Gardners)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
  • Young Adult Discipleship (Bells)—Thursday, 6:45 PM
  • Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
  • Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

  • The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
  • Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

  • Beginning Mortgage: $600,000
  • 30-month Offerings Goal: $405,000
  • 30-month Total $ Pledged: $214,572
  • Offerings/Payments: $53,429
  • Current Mortgage Balance: $546,571

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

  • John Arnold is looking for an affordable or free guitar or trumpet to be used to glorify the Lord. You can connect with him by calling 978-790-5472 (leave a message) or see him at church—second service. Thank you.
  • A woman in the church is in need of temporary housing for a couple of months. She can pay rent and provide for her own needs. Please call the church office if you can help.

BULLETIN INSERTS

2007-11-11_page06.JPG2007-11-11_page07.JPG2007-11-11_page08.JPG

FROM PASTOR MARK, 11-11-2007

“Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven” (Psalm 85:11). As Americans, we are blessed by God with abundant food. Our nation’s food harvest is made possible by plentiful rains from above and the rich soil here below. The Psalmist describes the spiritual harvest of godliness as faithfulness and righteousness working together. Just as the rain comes from above, so our righteousness is only possible from God, Who is above all things. He showers righteousness on those who repent from sin and trust in Jesus Christ. From His righteousness, God expects our faithfulness. God provides the righteousness from above; we respond with faithfulness here below. God’s grace and our response…this sums up the true Christian life.

Pastor Mark Boucher