November 30, 2008 by PastorMark.

#335, Treating People Right, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday, 11-30-2008

Pastor Mark Boucher continues The Message of Jesus series: “Treating People Right,” Matthew 25:31-46

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November 30, 2008 by PastorDave.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION WINTER ELECTIVES
Beginning Sunday, December 7, 10:00-10:50 AM

WELCOME to the Family

Taught by Mark Collett
This class will meet at the Johnny Appleseed Elementary School across the street from the church

This course meets at the school across the street, and in it you are 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.

Drawing Closer to God

Taught by Pastor Bob and Nunzio Nano
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.

Encourage One Another

Taught by Pastor Dave
This class will meet at the Johnny Appleseed Elementary School across the street from the church.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We are commanded to encourage each other. The great thing about encouragement is that anyone can do it. You do not need a lot of money, time, or talents. Sometimes a word of encouragement can change a life! Come, be encouraged to be an encourager!

Lessons from 1 and 2 Corinthians

Taught by Harry Marshall
This class will meet at the Johnny Appleseed Elementary School across the street from the church.

The studies in this unit will help us better understand God’s nature and how He works, how we are to relate to other believers, and what it means to have Christ living in us. Come and let the teaching of the Word of God focus your life on Jesus.

Financial Freedom

Taught by Manny Onos
This class will meet at the Johnny Appleseed 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.

CHILDREN’S & YOUTH CLASSES

2s and 3s: Christine Salliby

Kids will discover the true meaning of Christmas through the story of Jesus’ birth, as well as fun Christmas activities and games. They will also learn that Jesus accepted and loved the children who came to Him. They will see that Jesus loves all people and how they can care for others just like Jesus.

4s and 5s: Sally Dyer

Children will see past the glitter and gifts as they look at Christmas through the eyes of the angels and others who first heard about the miracle of Jesus’ birth. They will also discover how much Jesus cares when they’re ill, afraid, and even hungry through powerful stories about how Jesus helped others. They will learn that Jesus’ power is greater than all other powers through stories of how Jesus fed 5,000 people, walked on water, controlled nature,a dn healed a man who was born blind.

1st and 2nd grade: Rick and JoAnn Boehm

The students in this class will discover how to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas through the story of Jesus’ birth, the best Christmas gift of all. They will find out how they are similar to and different from Jesus through stories about His early ministry and baptism. These children will discover that even though God made people different, Jesus shows us how He loves everyone the same through stories about four people who desperately need to know Jesus loves them.

3rd and 4th grade: Debbie Nurnberger

Kids will discover how Jesus’ birth brought hope to common people, fear to royalty, and joy to those looking for His arrival. They will find out how God’s presence in their lives affects their obedience, attitude, and behavior through stories about Caleb, Samuel, Jesus’ return, and others. The lessons will also focus kids’ attention on those around them who need Jesus as they learn how to share their faith from Levi, the woman at the well, and Jesus.

5th and 6th grade: Peter Kovacs, Alethea Morris, Kim Johnson

By examining the perfectly planned events and people surrounding Jesus’ birth, kids will discover how these stories prove who Jesus is and how much God loves them. Kids will see why these basics are important to their faith: What is the Church? Why is it important to go to church and participate in Communion and baptism? How important is God’s forgiveness? They will also find out how to avoid the mistakes made by the nation of Israel.

7th and 8th grade: Thaddeus and Dagii Bell

The middle school students will finish their studies from the book, The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ. Then they will study Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and will relate to how these prophets often struggled to stand for God in cultures that refused to listen. Students will explore the factors that contribute to the crises that teens face today and how God’s Word offers guidance for avoiding some and making it through others.

High School: Palma and Ed Riley

The students will continue in The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ as they study how Jesus conducted His life during His teen years and prepared for the work of His Father.

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November 30, 2008 by admin.

WELCOME TO LEOMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF GOD

• Welcome Center ~ Just inside our main entrance you will find friendly assistance, maps, and literature about LAOG.
• Bulletin ~ Our weekly bulletin provides up-to-date information about what is happening at LAOG.
• Web site ~ Check out www.laog.org for up-to-date information about ministries and staff, bulletin, calendar, sermon notes, etc.
• LifeLine TV ~ Sunday services are aired on local access TV. Schedules are available at the Welcome Center.
• LifeLine ~ WFGL 960 AM (1:15/6:00 AM, 5:15/9:00 PM, M-F)
• Van Service ~ Call 978.534.1190 x19 for a ride to the Sunday morning services. Please call no later than Thursday.

NOVEMBER 30, 2008

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ (Youth Chapel)
  • Royal Rangers Ministry Highlight
  • Pastor Mark Boucher continues The Message of Jesus series: “Treating People Right,” Matthew 25:31-46
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, 10:00 AM, Classrooms & JA School
  • The Winter 2008-09 quarter begins next Sunday. You can pick up an overview of the classes at the sign-up table in the foyer!
• CHRISTMAS CHOIR REHEARSAL, 2:00 PM, Sanctuary
  • Choir meets at 2:00 PM; Band meets at 3:30 PM
• YOUNG ADULT GROUP, 4:30 PM, Youth Chapel
  • Young adults, 18 to mid-20s, study the Word, get assistance with purpose planning, and pursue a life fully dedicated to the Lord.
• SUNDAY NIGHT DISCIPLESHIP, 6:15 PM, Fellowship Hall
  • Every Sunday night, fellow Christians gather to discuss essential truths Jesus taught His disciples through His words and His example. Join us!
• YOUTH MINISTRIES BIBLE STUDY, 6:30 PM, Youth Chapel
  • Young people, ages 12-18, are encouraged to explore God’s Word and come to understand its relevance and power for them today!

THIS WEEK

• MONDAY
  • 6:30 PM Hospitality Network Volunteer Mtg.
  • 7:00 PM Prayer (Prayer Room)
• TUESDAY
  • 6:30 PM Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • 6:30 PM English for All Nations
  • 7:30 PM Christian 12-Step (Room 205)
• WEDNESDAY
  • 6:30 PM FAMILY NIGHT
  • Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  • Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  • Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  • School of the Word & Spirit (SOWS)
• THURSDAY
  • 7:00 PM Worship Practice (Sanctuary)
• FRIDAY
  • 6:00 PM Kids 4 Christ Caroling
  • 6:30 PM Women’s Christmas Party
• SATURDAY
  • 7:00 PM Prayer (Prayer Room)

UP and COMING

• Hospitality Network Volunteer Meeting (December 1). All volunteers—past, present, future—are encouraged to attend this 6:30 PM meeting, in Room 205 at the church, to review the revised manual and to discuss the new location of the shelter.
• A Christmas Carol (December 4-7, 12-14). Cornerstone Performing Arts will perform this classic through music and dance at Phillips Hall, First Parish Church, 923 Main St, Fitchburg. See the foyer bulletin board for dates and times. Tickets can be purchased by calling 978.345.2915 or at www.cpacFitchburg.org.
• Kids 4 Christ Caroling (December 5). Please note the date and time change. The kids will be going caroling to shut-ins this Friday, meeting promptly at the church at 6:00 PM! After caroling, there will be food and fellowship at the church until 9:00 PM. Please sign up at the Welcome Center today!
• Women’s Ministries Christmas Party (December 5). All women are invited to the Potluck Christmas Party, 6:30-9:30 PM, in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a $10 gift for the Yankee Swap and a dozen wrapped Christmas cookies if you want to participate in the cookie swap. Please sign up at the Welcome Center today and indicate what potluck item you’ll be bringing.
• Ministry of Joy Adult Fellowship (December 6). A Christmas Special will be held this month, 12:00-2:30 PM. There will be a special presentation by Basil and Alethea Morris and their children, as well as violin music by David Blomquist and worship music by Ron Crocker. There will be fellowship, food, fun—a good time for all! Please bring a $5.00 wrapped gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. And if you plan to eat lunch with the group, please bring a lunch dish to share.
• Angel Tree Deadline (December 7). All Angel Tree gifts are to be brought to the church on or before next Sunday. Thank you to all who participated in this special ministry!
• Holiday Concert (December 7). To benefit the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Montachusett Chorale will once again be performing a Holiday Concert in Tata Auditorium at Leominster City Hall. The concert is next Sunday at 2:00 PM. The cost of tickets is $12.00 (in advance) and $15.00 (at the door). For tickets, call 978.534.9187 or 978.342.3294 or stop by the church office.
• Dreams and Wishes (December 13). This event will take place at Common Ground, 1:00-4;00 PM. Donations of money are needed as well as gifts for children: new bikes, coats, mittens, and gloves. Items can be dropped off here.
• Hospitality Network Rotation (December 14-21). Stop by the MIHN table in the foyer to sign up as a volunteer.

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

• We extend our love and prayers to Jay McCaffrey and his family on the homegoing of his wife, Betty. She will be greatly missed. The funeral was held yesterday. Please keep the family in your heart and in your prayers.

SMALL GROUPS

• HOMETEAMS
  • Fliers for HomeTeams, home discipleship small groups, are located at the Welcome Center (directions included).
  • Seekers of Light—men (every other Sunday, 3:00 PM—Nov.30 is the next meeting)
  • In Line with the Word (Tuesdays, 6:30 PM). Led by Sally Dyer, Lunenburg.
  • Christians in Action (Tuesdays, 7:00 PM).
  • Branches of Messiah (Wednesdays, 6:30 PM).
  • Women of Faith (Fridays, 10:00 AM).
• THE TRUTH PROJECT
  • Jim and Ginny Sullivan are hosting this DVD series at their Leominster home on Thursday nights.
• ONCE-A-MONTH FELLOWSHIPS
  • Ministry of Joy (first Saturday of the month, 12:00-2:30 PM).
  • African Fellowship (first Saturday of the month, 4:00 PM).
  • Led by Manny and Beatrice Onos, Fitchburg.

TAKE THE LAND UPDATE

• Original Loan Amount: $600,000
• Paid Down from Church Budget: 74,486
• Total Offerings, 6/07 - 11/08: 107,730
• Current Loan Balance: 417,784
• Average Monthly Offerings: 6,052
• Expected payoff date for loan is August 2011.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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November 30, 2008 by PastorMark.

I’ve seen it happen too many times. Someone gives up on God because he doesn’t see God work in his life. I had a person say to me, “I waited for God to take away my anger, but I still have it.” The truth is that sometimes we get it backwards. We passively sit back and wait for God to “magically” solve all of our problems. While we’re waiting for God, He is waiting for us. God is waiting for us to seek Him and then to take action steps of obedience. James says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (4:8). If we actively seek God, humble ourselves, and are willing to obey, we will discover the grace of God. He is able to change us and our circumstances if we truly seek Him.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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November 25, 2008 by PastorMark.

Currently, our “Take the Land” loan balance is $420,072 (as of Nov. 23, ’08). We are continuing to make steady progress as the Lord is enabling us to pay down this loan. These two properties have added 55% more land to our property. We are excited about the future and thank you for giving and praying.

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November 23, 2008 by PastorDave.

#334, Have a Heart, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 11-23-2008

Title: Have a Heart

Text: Ezekiel 36:26

Introduction

• Our focus has been on the message of Jesus. To forgive & reconcile; to destroy the power of Satan and deliver people from bondage.
• So we understand that Jesus’ message is to directly affect us: forgive us, reconcile us, deliver us… The third phase of Jesus message is our response to the first two.
• A CHANGED HEART
• Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

THE HUMAN HEART

1.    HEART – (lev): all of man’s inner nature (whole spectrum of human emotions, mind, seat of the will.

2.    Jesus said we need a new or changed inner nature; a changed emotional life, thought life and action life.  (WHY)

3.    Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

4.    Acts 28:27 – “For this people’s heart has become calloused.”

5.    Jesus can forgive us and reconcile us to God and destroy Satan’s work and deliver us from bondage; BUT UNLESS WE ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO CHANGE OUR HEARTS WE WILL GO RIGHT BACK TO ALL OF THAT!!!!!

6.    We have hearts of stone, we need hearts of flesh!

UNDERSTANDING A HARD HEART

1.    Before we chalk this up to a work Jesus has to do on His own in us, and we really have no responsibility let’s turn ourselves to His Word and let’s hear from Jesus.

2.    Matthew 13:1-5 – “Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

3.    Matthew 13:20, 21 – “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy, but since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”

4.    A heart of stone (rocky places) has a problem; not much soil.

5.    So roots begin to grow, but because the soil is shallow the roots cannot go deep enough to prepare for the “weather” that is coming.

6.    So even though there is “quick” growth early, when the sun comes up and the heat of the day is upon the plant, it withers, not because the sun is too hot, but because of the lack of root growth.

7.    The rocks (stones) are trouble or persecution that comes because of the word. In other words, the Word of God will expose the hard areas of the heart.

8.    The rocks (prevent root growth) are defined by our responses to life: Life has presented all of us with its challenges and we respond it a way that callousness our hearts. It’s how we survive!

9.    All of this works together to produce one thing: A HEART OF STONE!

10.                    A heart of stone hurts us more than anyone else. It is like putting poison in our own souls.

IDENTIFYING THE ROCKS

1.    Jer. 31:33 – “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

2.    God’s desire is to have His Word (His Doctrine, His way of thinking) in our minds and written on our hearts!

3.    Here are seven stones of the heart that need to be recognized:

a.      Strife: James 3:16 – “For where…strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

b.     Anger: Proverbs 29:22 – “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot tempered one commits many sins.”

c.      Offenses: Proverbs 18:19 – “An offended brother is more unyielded than a fortified city.”

d.     Grudge: James 5:9 – “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned.”

e.      Envy: Proverbs 14:30 – “Envy rots the bones.”

f.      Resentment: Job 36:13 – “The godless in heart harbor resentment.”

g.     Bitterness: Hebrews 12:5 – “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

4.    Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you…”

5.    We often replace forgiveness with sacrifice, I can’t let it go…but I’ll work harder.

6.    Matthew 9:13 – “I desire mercy not sacrifice.”

7.    The enemy works hard is this area: John 10:10 – “Thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.” (steal our time, kill our bodies and destroy our relationships)

ROCK REMOVAL

1.    We are the ones that suffer if we try to follow Jesus with a heart of stone.

2.    Story of lady who loved the Lord but help bitterness and unforgiveness toward others.

3.    1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

4.    Proverbs 28:13 – “He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces then finds mercy.”

5.    Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (Jn. 13:34)

CLOSING

1.    It is interesting to me that in James 5:14-16, when the people are sick the instruction from the Holy Spirit is to call for the doctors but rather the elders. And when the elders discern and sin is confessed, the prayer of faith is then empowered to heal.

2.    Jesus wants to take your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh, which is a major part of His message to all of us.

3.    Are their stones of unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, etc… perhaps they are tormenting you with emotional, physiological or even physical suffering.

4.    I am calling the elders and we are inviting you to come repent, confess, receive healing and let the Lord take out a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh!

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November 23, 2008 by admin.

The C.H.A.T.* Corner

Recently, I received photos of my parents taken in the early 1940s! As I gazed at them, time slipped away, and I was taken back to my childhood. It seemed to be a kinder, gentler time. A time when we could hop on our bikes and be gone for hours and no one worried. A time when we knew that everyone watched out for one another.

Something has changed! We’ve retreated behind the safety of the walls of our church and homes. For many, the sense of neighborliness and community have faded away. But we are called by Jesus to be “salt and light”! This means that we need to look outside of our walls. Remember, we stand on the Word and we are protected by the armor of God!

I’ve realized recently that my life is a church! What kind of church do I model for everyone that I come in contact with? In those unguarded moments, what do the lost see in me? Are my actions and my conversations in line with God’s Word, or is it still all about me and what I want?

What about you? Have you asked yourself recently, “Who can I serve in my world today?” What a great way to show the love of Jesus and to teach our children about discipleship! Perhaps it’s a phone call, a brief visit or card in the mail to someone who is alone or just had a baby, or just lost a job! Perhaps it’s donating time to help someone with yard work or a household repair. Maybe it’s providing a simple ride to the store or to a doctor’s appointment. How about it? Why not get involved and do something for someone else? God will open the doors! Are you willing to step out and serve? Show the love of Jesus and build relationships!

Sally Dyer

*Church Health Advisory Team

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November 23, 2008 by PastorMark.

REFLECTIONS FROM HOME
By Pastor Mark Boucher

On Monday morning, October 13, I received the news of my father’s death. Although expected, his death produced a jolting shock inside of me. There is a certain finality that settles in. “I won’t see him ever again in this life.” As I prepared for the funeral, I found myself reflecting over lessons I have learned from my dad’s life. Let me share some with you.

It is so important to come to grips with the family of our birth or our upbringing. God is the One who establishes when and where we are born (Acts 17:26). There is no “ideal” family in this broken world of sin, so we need to cultivate a grateful heart for what God gives. As a young college student, I was tempted to blame my father for the ways he failed. In Bible College, I was exposed to well-adjusted Christian families and realized how dysfunctional mine seemed to be. But God always has a plan.

Those who grow up in difficult circumstances can turn them into opportunities to learn how to trust God. Another benefit of trials from own home life is that God uses them to help me empathize with other broken people and families. Although I would have loved having a Christian father who nurtured me in the Lord, I have learned to accept and love who and what my father was. Concerning his faults, my attitude has become, “He did the best he could; he only followed the model of his father and upbringing.” Trusting God meant I needed to forgive my father and see him through the eyes of Jesus. As I reflect on how much Jesus forgives me, it becomes easy to let go of past hurts and disappointments.

I have made a choice to be grateful for what my dad was, and not just focus on what he was not. Dad was a man who believed in working hard and staying together. He provided well for us and loved my mother, his wife, until her death. He was a respected business owner and developed a good reputation in the community.  For all this, I am grateful.

When I do reflect on his sins and failures, I do so with the freedom of having forgiven him through the power of my Lord. While visiting him in the nursing home, I could talk to him with love and respect because my Heavenly Father more than made up for what my earthly father lacked.

The Bible contains many stories, principles and commands concerning the importance of fathers. The death of my father reminds me how vital it is for me, as a father (and for all fathers), to live for Jesus and leave a godly legacy to those who follow. One way to do this is quite simple…just talk to your children. When Nicole was around two years old, I remember several occasions when she was fussy and crying. I recall going over to her at these times and just talking to her. It wasn’t what I said (she couldn’t understand much then) but it was my voice that seemed to help her distress and halt her crying. She did not comprehend my words, but my voice reassured her that I was there and that I loved her.

Many years have passed, and our daughter Nicole is now 19. This past summer Nicole and I set aside a Daddy/daughter day. I’ll never forget that day. We shared and talked about God, life and the future. Nicole allowed me to speak into her life, and I allowed my heart to listen to her concerns. Although I never did this with my own father, I have the privilege of walking a different pathway than how I was raised. By the power of Jesus, we can change!

In our culture, Mother’s Day always eclipses Father’s Day. Many children, no matter how old, harbor bitter thoughts toward their fathers. There’s a saying that goes, “Everyone in prison hates his father.” As Christians, we are empowered to love, which is always the greatest course of action. Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:7).

God’s love enables us to forgive and pray for the best for everyone, including our imperfect parents. My prayer for those who still have earthly fathers is: “Lord, please turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). God bless you!

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November 23, 2008 by admin.

WELCOME TO LEOMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF GOD

• Welcome Center ~ Just inside our main entrance you will find friendly assistance, maps, and literature about LAOG.
• Bulletin ~ Our weekly bulletin provides up-to-date information about what is happening at LAOG.
• Web site ~ Check out www.laog.org for up-to-date information about ministries and staff, bulletin, calendar, sermon notes, etc.
• LifeLine TV ~ Sunday services are aired on local access TV.   Schedules are available at the Welcome Center.
• LifeLine ~ WFGL 960 AM (1:15/6:00 AM, 5:15/9:00 PM, M-F)
• Van Service ~ Call 978.534.1190 x19 for a ride to the Sunday morning services. Please call no later than Thursday.

NOVEMBER 23, 2008

• WORSHIP & THE WORD at 8:30 and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ (Youth Chapel)
  • Child Dedication (11:00 service)
  • Pastor Dave McIntosh continues The Message of Jesus series:  “Have a Heart,” Ezekiel 36:26
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, 10:00 AM, Classrooms & JA School
  • Check out the Winter 2008 classes insert in today’s bulletin. Adults, you can start signing up for classes today in the foyer!
• CHRISTMAS CHOIR REHEARSAL, 2:00 PM, Sanctuary
  • Choir meets at 2:00 PM; Band meets at 3:30 PM
• YOUNG ADULT GROUP, 4:30 PM, Youth Chapel
  • Young adults, 18 to mid-20s, study the Word, get assistance with purpose planning, and pursue a life fully dedicated to the Lord.
• SUNDAY NIGHT DISCIPLESHIP, 6:15 PM, Fellowship Hall
  • Every Sunday night, fellow Christians gather to discuss essential truths Jesus taught His disciples through His words and His example. This week we’ll be discussing submission to church authority. Join us!
• YOUTH MINISTRIES BIBLE STUDY, 6:30 PM, Youth Chapel
  • Young people, ages 12-18, are encouraged to explore God’s Word and come to understand its relevance and power for them today!

THIS WEEK

• MONDAY
  • 7:00 PM   Prayer (Prayer Room)
• TUESDAY
  • 6:30 PM   Prayer (Prayer Room)
  • 6:30 PM   English for All Nations
  • 7:30 PM   Christian 12-Step (Room 205)
• WEDNESDAY
  • 6:30 PM   Thanksgiving Eve Service
• THURSDAY
  • Happy Thanksgiving
• FRIDAY
  • Church Office Closed
• SATURDAY
  • 7:00 PM   Prayer (Prayer Room)

UP & COMING

• Ministry of Joy Adult Fellowship (December 6). A Christmas Special will be this month, 12:00-2:30 PM. There will be a special presentation by Basil and Alethea Morris and their children, as well as violin music by David Blomquist and worship music by Ron Crocker. There will be fellowship, food, fun—a good time for all! Please bring a $5.00 wrapped gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. And if you plan to eat lunch with the group, please bring a lunch dish to share.
• Hospitality Network Volunteer Meeting (December 1). All volunteers—past, present, future—are encouraged to attend this Monday 6:30 PM meeting, in Room 205 here at the church, to review the revised policies/procedures manual and to discuss the new location of the shelter.
• Hospitality Network Rotation (December 14-21). Stop by the MIHN table in the foyer to sign up as a volunteer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• THANKSGIVING at Common Ground: A meal will be served for the homeless and needy. Ten pre-cooked meals (per Board of Health) that serve 10 people at $55-$60, beverages, and paper goods must be purchased. If you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to Leominster Assembly of God, and write “Common Ground Thanksgiving” in the memo. Most importantly, please pray that lives will be touched for Christ.
• ESL News. Esther Perez has joined the ESL staff as a helper. The school has 80 registered students this year! Please keep the ESL school in your prayers.
• Angel Tree Deadline. All Angel Tree gifts are to be brought to the church on or before Sunday, December 7. Thank you to all who are participating in this special ministry!
• Holiday Concert. To benefit the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Montachusett Chorale will once again be performing a Holiday Concert in Tata Auditorium at Leominster City Hall. The concert will be held Sunday, December 7, at 2:00 PM. The cost of tickets is $12.00 (in advance) and $15.00 (at the door). For tickets, call 978.534.9187 or 978.342.3294.

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

• Bernie LaBounty, 49, passed away Thursday night, having never regained consciousness after suffering a seizure last Saturday. The funeral will be held Tuesday, 2:00 PM, at Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg.

SMALL GROUPS

• HOMETEAMS
  • Fliers for HomeTeams, home discipleship small groups, are located at the Welcome Center (directions included).
  • Seekers of Light—men (every other Sunday, 3:00 PM— Nov.30 is the next meeting)
  • In Line with the Word (Tuesdays, 6:30 PM). Led by Sally Dyer, Lunenburg.
  • Christians in Action (Tuesdays, 7:00 PM).
  • Branches of Messiah (Wednesdays, 6:30 PM).
  • Women of Faith (Fridays, 10:00 AM).
• THE TRUTH PROJECT
  • Jim and Ginny Sullivan are hosting this DVD series at their Leominster home on Thursday nights.
• ONCE-A-MONTH FELLOWSHIPS
  • Ministry of Joy (first Saturday of the month, 12:00-2:30 PM).
  • African Fellowship (first Saturday of the month, 4:00 PM).   Led by Manny and Beatrice Onos, Fitchburg.

TAKE THE LAND UPDATE

• Original Loan Amount:  $600,000
• Paid Down from Church Budget:  72,757
• Total Offerings, 6/07 - 10/08:  107,171
• Current Loan Balance:  420,072
• Average Monthly Offerings:  6,089
• Expected payoff date for loan is August 2011.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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November 23, 2008 by PastorMark.

Without a good immunity system, our bodies come under attack and we become weak and sick. In our spiritual person, we also face attacks which come in the form of sick thoughts and attitudes. To allow these “germs” to attack us causes us anxiety and soul sickness. God has a remedy. Proverbs 17:22 declares, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” As we choose to express thanks to God, we find our hearts lifted and strengthened. The germs die off and are replaced with a healthy, merry heart. My prayer is for all of us to know the joy of Jesus as we observe Thanksgiving.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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