Aug. 22: Three-Service Schedule Begins

In response to the continued growth of our congregation, and in order to move forward in our pursuit of planting new congregations throughout central Indiana, the leadership at New Life has decided to begin offering three Sunday morning services beginning Sunday Aug. 22.

The elders, deacons and staff of New Life have met on several occasions recently to prayerfully and carefully plan a tentative timeline for the next several years (see article on p. 4). In the process of those discussions, it was decided that an overflow room was logistically and financially counter-productive. While a three-service schedule certainly presents its own difficulties and stresses, it was unanimously agreed that this option presents the least amount of negative consequences.

This decision comes on the heels of another attendance record on April 11, when we had 352 people in the worship service. This underscores the urgent need for a third service, and in particular, for this service to be available by Aug. 22, when students will be returning after summer break.

We conducted a quick survey this month in order to find out what would be the best time schedule for three services. Very few people indicated a willingness to attend an 11:30 am service, so we have chosen the earlier schedule, which will offer services at 8, 9:30 and 11 am. Sunday School details are still in the works.

In response to these developments, I’d like to say two things. First, we are going to need help on Sunday mornings! If you have been attending New Life for a while, but have not yet found a place to serve, this is a great opportunity to get involved. (There is a survey included in this issue of Lifeline where you can indicate your specific interest). We will need help with nursery, children’s church, greeting, serving coffee, worship band, and in the sound booth. College students, we need your help too.

The second thing I want to say is a word of encouragement. We know that this plan runs the risk of overtaxing our devoted volunteers, which is something we want to avoid. So the more volunteers who are willing to step up, the less work we all have to do.

But it is also worth pointing out that it is a good thing to work hard in the service of our Lord. The psalmist says in Ps. 84:10 – “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God then dwell in the tents of the wicked.” What a privilege it is to work hard for a Savior who suffered to the point of death for our salvation.

And don’t forget the big picture – church planting! Ted Powers, church planting coordinator for the PCA, was with us last Sunday, telling us about the urgent need for new congregations in the United States. In light of this, I will be attending a Midwest church planting seminar in Chicago this coming week. So please pray for me as I learn more about this process, and please consider how you might chip in to help the effort to move to three services.

My love to you, in Christ,

Bob

New Life’s Annual Beautification Event May 15

Are you handy with a hammer? Skillful with shelving? Fabulous at fencing? Dashing with a duster? Willing with a wipe? Stellar with a sweeper? Are you happy with a hoe? Masterful with mulch? Or powerful at planting? If so then we need you!

It’s time for the Annual New Life Beautification Event! Saturday May 15, from 8 AM to 2 PM, please join us as we take care of the wonderful building and grounds that have been entrusted to our care as members of New Life. Some of the items on our agenda include: hanging shelves in the kitchen, building a fence around the air conditioning unit, general maintenance around the inside and outside of the church, cleaning windows, walls, floors, and chairs, and weeding, mulching, and planting in the New Life vegetable garden.

Lunch will be provided by the Events Team.  Please bring the following equipment for use that day if you are able – hoses, ladders, rakes, hoes, shovels, and gardening tools.  Mark your items with your name so we can be sure they are returned to you.

Look for the sign up sheet and let us know if you’ll come enjoy a morning of fellowship that includes a labor of love and a free lunch!

Duck Race Fundraiser!

The Monterrey, Mexico Team will be “selling ducks” to raise money for the Mexico Missions trip. When you buying a “duck” you are buying a number that will be written on a rubber duck that will then be in our duck race on May 16 at Morrow’s Meadow.  We will put all the rubber ducks in containers and dump them into the river and if the duck bearing your number is one of the first 20 to cross the finish line in, you could win one of our amazing prize baskets. The prize baskets contain various themes such as “A Night at the Movie” which contains movie tickets, candy, pop corn, and other fun movie themed prizes. There is also a Colts basket which contains various Indianapolis Colts paraphernalia as well as two tickets to one of the Colts games next season. All of the baskets are all worth a minimum of $50 and include prizes themed for people and families of all ages and walks of life.

The ducks are $5 a piece or 5 ducks for $20, and you do not have to attend the Duck Race on May 16th to win a prize. If you would like to buy a duck to support our trip, or just take a chance at winning some fun prizes, please contact the church office.

Below is a list that we will be updating with the current baskets and their contents:

Golf Basket

Titleist SX86-1 Black Stand Bag – $160
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls (One Dozen) – $58
Titleist Players Glove – $23
Cobra Tour Golf Cap – $20
Golf Tees (2Pkgs) – $1.50

Total Value – $262.50

Fun in the Sun

(There are two of these baskets with the same contents, but one is themed for a girl and the other for a boy)

Plastic Tub -$2
Beach Towel – $5
Bottled Water – $1
Sun Block – $8
Self Tanner – $8
After Sun Lotion – $6
Chapstick (SPF15) – $1
Hand Sanitizer – $1
Wet Ones Wipes – $1
Sun Glasses – $5
Kite – $3
Puzzle Books – $4
Water Bottle – $3
Sand Pail & Shovel – $1
Bubbles & Toy Wand – $3
Beach Ball & Toys – $4
Goldfish & Crackers – $2
Swim Goggles – $2

Total Value – $60

Kitchen Basket

Grater – $8
Funnel Set – $2
Whisk Set – $3
Colander – $5
Wooden Spoons – $2
Wooden Cutting Board – $4
Spatula Set – $3
Dish Cloths – $3
Print Dish Towels, Pot Holders & Oven Mitt – $5
3 Black Utensils – $6
Measuring Cups, Spoons, Plain Dish Towel, Pot Holders & Oven Mitt – $3
Dish Scrubber – $1
Dish Detergent – $1
Coffee Mug – $1
2 Spices – $1
Star Cookie Cutter $1

Total Value – $53

Family Movie Night (at Home)

Pop Corn Tubs – $4
Candy – $6
Pop Corn – $7
Butter & Cheese Seasoning – $4
Peanuts – $3
Coke – $3
Sprite – $3
DVD “The Blind Side” – $25
DVD “Marley and Me” – $15
DVD “The Secret of NIMH 2″ – $5
DVD Family Adventure Set – $5

Total Value – $80

Baker’s Basket

Pampered Chef Food Chopper – $29.50
Pampered Chef Cheese Grater – $19.50
Pampered Chef Thermometer – $15
Pampered Chef Apple Wedger – $12
Pampered Chef Dish Towel – $7
Pampered Chef Bag Clips – $5
Glass Baking Dish – $10
Non-Stick Cookie Trays – $5
Cookie Cutters – $2
Happy Spoon – $6
Various Spices – $4

Total Value – $115

Princess Basket

Disney Glitter Doll – $10
Make Up Castle – $10
Disney Princess Cup – $7
Disney Princess Umbrella – $7
Princess Tiara – $6
Disney Mini Doll Set – $5
Princess Bracelets – $3.50
Lavender Basket – $3
Princess Wand – $1

Total Value – $52.50

Colts Basket

(there are two of these)

2 Tickets to a Colts Game – $136

Colts Hat – $12

Colts Shirt – $14

Total Value – $162

Car Care Kit

Pail – $4.99

Towels 3pk – $2.79

Sponge – $2.39

Glass Cleaner – $3.39

Tire Shine – $4.99

Protectant – $3.19

Wheel & Tire Cleaner – $4.29

Oil Change at Mark’s Service Center – $26.88

Total Value – $54.73

Discerning Pallet

(Coffee Basket)

Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans – $4

3lbs of Starbucks Coffee – $32

Starbucks Travel Mug – $10

2 Kids Travel Mugs – $16

Starbucks Free Drink Coupon – $5

1lb Alliance World Coffee (Vecinos) – $14

Vecinos Gift Card – $10

1lb Blue Bottle Coffee – $8

Blue Bottle Gift Card – $10

Dunkin Doughnuts Coffee – $9

Panera Gift Card – $10

Coffee Junkie Gift Card – $10

Total Value – $143

Movie Basket

DVD Maiden Heist – $16.97

DVD The Marc Pease Experience – $19.99

Movie Mistakes and Bloopers Book- $14.95

2 Sodas- $2.50

Twizzlers- $1.20

Total: $55.61

More Baskets will be added so please continue to check back for updates.

Our Responsibility to Our Youth

Spring is in the air, track and baseball are in full swing, and the Mexico missions team is raising support again. This being our fourth year going back to Monterrey, (July 10–17) I am sure for many the excitement and newness of the trip has worn off. However, I would like to express two reasons why the trip is not only still exciting but serves a vital role in the life of our congregation, and challenge all of you to commit to praying for the team as well as prayerfully consider supporting us financially.

First of all, in January we had our annual meeting where we discussed, among other things, the church budget. During the meeting several members asked why we don’t spend more money on missions. It became evident that many of you have a desire to see the gospel furthered and kingdom work accomplished here in Yorktown as well as all over the world. We came out of that meeting with a resolve to give more aid to missions work, and in response to this the session added $1,000 to our foreign missions budget. This money is being used to aid Campus Crusade’s trips to East Asia and increase our support of the Pfeils in Japan.

We are now asking you, as members of the congregation, to help us support the annual Mexico missions trip. It is so exciting to see how God continues to strengthen the relationships and sense of family among New Life and Bethel Iglesia, the church we work with in Monterrey. The more we continue to partner with these people the smaller our cultural walls become and the more entwined our worlds and spiritual lives become.

Secondly, when Pastor Bob baptizes a child, he asks us: “Do you, as a congregation, undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?” Each time we, as a congregation, respond “we do.” We have made a commitment to our children, to our families, and to God to do all that is in our power to nurture the growth of His children.

Each year the Mexico trip has a tremendous impact on our teenagers to become more serious about their faith, to see the world through a gospel-centered lens, and experience having to rely on God in ways they never have before. And this year we have an even larger team with several students joining us from other churches.

Last year, one of our teenagers was describing to me this realization that had occurred to him while in Mexico. He explained that for the first time he had this confidence in scripture and in the gospel that he had never experienced before, and he felt that against all odds he just knew the gospel was true. This is a beautiful example of a young man experiencing assurance of salvation in a new and exciting way. Similarly, half of our foreign missions committee consists of high school youth that are now taking seriously kingdom work on a global level. If you take seriously the commitment you have made to our children and nurturing their spiritual lives, please support the Mexico trip in any way you can.

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’” (Jer. 1:4–5)

God has been at work in our lives and the lives of our children from before the beginning of time, and He is calling us to partner together as a congregation and as a global church to see the gospel spread and nurtured in our lives and communities. Please support the Mexico trip with your prayers and finances and watch how God will use it to grow our congregation, further His kingdom, and enrich your spiritual walk.

In His grace,
Adam & the 2010 Mexico Team

If you are interested in supporting the Monterrey Team, please contact contact the church office.

New Sermon Series on the Psalms

It is sometimes hard for Christians to discern the proper place that their emotions should have in their spiritual walk. This becomes especially challenging when we struggle with negative emotions, like fear, despair or the desire for revenge. Should a Christian have these kinds of feelings? And if we have them, what do we do with them?

With these questions in mind, our next sermon series at New Life will be called, “The Psalms: The Cry of the Soul.” God in his mercy has given the Psalms to his people partly so we would know how to express our emotions, both positive and negative. So, starting April 25, Pastor Bob will begin a nine-part series exploring the different kinds of psalms and the way they apply to the struggles of living in a fallen world.

When the series on the Psalms is completed, we will continue our annual summer tradition of doing a short Q&A sermon series, so you might start formulating your questions now.

Movie Review: Up in the Air by Amy Spiegel

It’s always pleasant when I unexpectedly enjoy a movie that I had no intention of liking. Of course, you might ask yourself, why would you sit down to watch a movie with the expectation of not enjoying it? That indeed is a good question to which I must honestly answer “I don’t know.” I really love watching movies, even bad ones. I suppose it is a bit like intentionally walking down the breakfast food aisle after spotting that neighbor who annoys you lingering at the Pop Tarts. You could quickly dart down baking goods but some sick part of you enjoys the torture. Or at least you enjoy having something to complain about. And bad movies are really, really fun to complain about it. So it was with the intention of hating it, that I sat down to watch the movie Up in the Air. I didn’t actually know that much about the film but I am not a fan of George Clooney or at least I haven’t been since he stopped wooing nurses and saving lives on ER back in the day. I just can’t ever forget that he is George Clooney; he completely throws off my suspension of disbelief mojo and I find that very frustrating. Anyhow, I didn’t expect to like Up in the Air but I did…mostly.

If you are unfamiliar with the basic premise of the movie, allow me to summarize. George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a traveling hatchet man who spends most of the year literally up in the air. His job is to fire employees for companies around the country who are unwilling to do it themselves. Bingham enjoys his no-strings-attached philosophy, even giving motivational seminars on how to unburden yourself from life’s burdens including commitments to family and friends. Everything is going well for Bingham until a new recruit to his company and an affair with a fellow “traveler” on the corporate highway make him question his priorities. It all sounds like pretty heavy stuff and it can be at times (the scenes of people’s responses to being let go are heart wrenching without being melodramatic) but the comical atmosphere and witty dialogue help to ease the tension of the movie without treating the subject matter too lightly. This is one of the strengths of the movie; but it is also one of its biggest weaknesses. As the movie draws to a close, there is a momentum of change and progress in Bingham’s life but ultimately I was left thinking “Is that it? What does that mean?” It was almost as if the filmmaker shared his character’s detached philosophy and didn’t want to commit to one perspective or another. The point seems to be that Bingham’s approach is deeply flawed but the film doesn’t offer an alternative viewpoint.

Perhaps that is over thinking it a bit, but whatever its failures, overall I would recommend Up in the Air. It will certainly give you something to talk about and the supporting cast is great, especially Anna Kendrick who earned a well-deserved Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Clooney’s co-worker. One final bit of info: The movie is rated R for language and some sexual content; so depending on your viewpoint, you might want to steer clear. Otherwise, hope you enjoy it, even if you aren’t expecting to.

Plans in Place for the Community Garden

YORKTOWN, IN—Almost ready for occupancy, 1,600 sq. ft. of country living, located on small hill overlooking river. Perfect for families willing to reap what they sow. Must be willing to trade a little work, minimal expenses and some patience for fresh-picked produce and the chance to help others.

Does this sound like a come-on for a real estate deal that is too good to be true? It’s not. Last spring, some members of NLPC tried to start a garden plot just outside the kitchen door and there were a few tomatoes and peppers grown during the summer of 2009. This summer, I hope more families take part in the garden and we declare a bounty come August and September, sharing the overflow with Muncie Mission, the YWCA or other charities involved in feeding people.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to grow your own vegetables; you worry about the quality of the produce in supermarkets; or you just want the freshest food possible for your family—signing up for a garden plot is for you. If you live in an apartment, deed-restricted home, or have a small lot, this is an ideal solution for gardening.

With weather permitting, I hope to begin working the ground April 24 or 30, renting a heavy-duty tiller and enlisting help from those interested in farming in getting the plot ready to plant as soon as the threat of frost is past (usually the first weekend of May). Renting the tiller will probably be the only cost related to using the church’s garden plot. Or, if we can find three to five people with normal tillers who would be willing to let us use them for a weekend, our cost drops significantly.

Signup sheets are on the bulletin board in the hallway and if you have any questions please contact the church office.

Fighting the Good Fight in Prayer

Of all the things the Christian life involves, it is hard to identify an aspect that is more important than prayer. Phil Ryken, pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, correctly states that there can be “no effective preaching, no persuasive evangelism, no committed discipleship, no authentic mercy, and no cultural transformation without fervent prayer.” Martin Luther called prayer “the real calling of all Christians.”

Most, if not all, Christians would heartily affirm such claims, and yet admit to feelings of great weakness when it comes to prayer. I have yet to meet a Christian who thinks his or her prayer life is as strong as it could be or should be. Many carry a heavy load of guilt because of this, but it bears mentioning that being faithful in prayer
is not easy. The practice of prayer places us on a field
of battle that requires us to engage in spiritual warfare and disciplined struggle.

Consider that we have an adversary who wants to prevent us from praying. The devil will tempt us through constant (sometimes self-induced) distraction, interruptions, sloth, and busyness — even busyness with ministry — to hinder our prayers. If we wait until “the time is right” or until “I’m in the right mood” for prayer, we will likely not pray at all. We must fight to remain faithful in prayer.

And we must fight not only with the devil, but with ourselves — against the sinfulness of our flesh that is disinclined to go to God and too proud to admit our complete and utter dependence upon God for the most basic things of life. In addition, our prayer life can be hindered due to sin in our life with which we refuse to part. We also struggle with prayer because, according to Scripture, we do not know how to pray (Rom. 8:26). For these reasons, we need to understand that prayer is a battle that must be fought, and that we need help to pray diligently, consistently, faithfully, and with wisdom.

Fortunately, God helps us in prayer. First, He has given us His Spirit to enable us and strengthen us in prayer (Rom. 8:26). Second, He has given His Word to guide and direct us in prayer. We ought to become familiar with the language of Scripture in order to be instructed in how to pray.  The Psalms are extremely helpful in this area. Note how Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish seems to reflect an intimate familiarity with the Psalms. In addition to the Psalms, Jesus has taught us how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer (Mat. 6:9–13).

There is a third help God has given us in the spiritual battle with prayer: He has given us fellow soldiers to fight with us and for us. Note the communal nature of the petitions in the Lord’s Prayer: our Father, give us this day our daily bread; lead us not into temptation. Jesus assumes that we will be in prayer for each other in private (Mat. 6:6), but also with each other in the communion of the saints. As a united spiritual army marching under King Jesus, times of communal prayer are essential.

There are many opportunities to pray for and with one another at New Life. One way is through involvement in a LIFE Group. Another is through our monthly prayer meetings. Please consider attending our monthly prayer service at 6:00pm in the sanctuary. There is currently much to pray for in the life of the church and it is important to thank God for what he is doing, to seek His direction in the decisions that are ahead, and to pray with and for each other.

In His Grace,

Brian

Join the “Pray for an Atheist” Campaign

By most estimates, there are 20–30 million atheists in the United States.  This is a staggering figure, especially since so many atheists are quite hostile to Christianity and all things religious.  It is also astonishing given the fact that the evidence for God is so clear.  The Bible says that all of creation testifies to the reality of God (Ps. 19:1, Rom. 1:20), so why are there atheists?  To this question also the Scriptures speak clearly, as the Psalmist says “the fool [the “morally deficient”] says in his heart there is no God” (Ps. 14:1), and the Apostle Paul notes that they “suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Rom. 1:18).

So if atheists willfully suppress the truth, apologetic arguments will likely have little effect in persuading them to believe.  So what recourse do we have when it comes to responding to the growing numbers of atheists in our culture?  In a word, we can pray.  The Holy Spirit is strong where we humans and our arguments are inadequate.  He can melt even the coldest heart, as he did with some well-known former atheists, such as C. S. Lewis and Lee Strobel.

Do you have a friend, colleague, or family member who is an atheist?  Do you pray for him or her consistently?  A number of Christians have designated the month of April as “Pray for an Atheist” month.  Will you join the movement?  There are no meetings, fees, or any other commitments involved.  Simply commit yourself to praying for an atheist at least once daily for the whole month of April.

A Facebook page has been dedicated to this initiative, where Christians can post prayers and mutual encouragement as they pray.  If you use Facebook, simply follow these steps: Search for “Pray for an Atheist” on Facebook; become a “fan” of the page; pray for an atheist by name each day during April; encourage your Facebook friends to join you.

Those interested in this subject should consider purchasing Jim Spiegel’s latest book, The Making of an Atheist, which is available on New Life’s book table

The Believer’s Passion for the Resurrection

The following is an excerpt from a book called, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter, edited by Nancy Guthrie (and available for sale on our book table). It features a collection of contributions from authors like John Piper, Jonathan Edwards, Phil Ryken, Martin Luther, J.C. Ryle and Augustine, all on the subject of Good Friday and Easter. The excerpt below is from Tim Keller:

“On the one hand, the resurrection is a fact to be believed. On the other hand, it is an experience to connect with. If you have one without the other — if you believe in the resurrection as historical fact, but never experience the resurrection personally, or if you think of the resurrection as a spiritual experience but don’t believe it was a fact — you come out with a form of religion and no power. “My question is — do you believe them both? Do you believe in the resurrection as a historical event, and have you also had that profound personal experience of spiritual resurrection? Christianity refuses to be stuck in either category. It is not all about rationality, nor is it all about mysticism. It’s both. “On one hand, Christianity is about beliefs, proposition, and ethics. But that’s not enough. You have to experience him to know him. There has to be a real connection. And on the other hand, Christianity is not only a mystical religion. It’s not like Eastern religions with no rational content. Christianity has hard edges to it. It says, ‘This is true, and this is false. This will get you saved. This will get you damned. This actually happened.’ “Christianity says that if you want to experience God, you have to believe the truth. You have to believe that he really lived, that he really died, that he was really raised. And if you see that truth and believe in it, it leads to an experience, which leads to more understanding of the truth, and the truth leads to more experience. . .” “To be a Christian is not just to believe in a set of propositions. It is that, but it’s much more. It is to say, ‘I count everything as loss or rubbish in comparison to my number one ambition, which is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering.’ Paul is saying that if you understand the doctrine of the resurrection, you don’t just believe, you have a passion.” My love to you In Christ, Bob

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