Hi,
I hope your week is going as well as mine is! I have been helping out at The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a youth ministry for jr. high and high school students. Our whole week has been centered around communicating your faith. What a great privilege to be able to motivate and equip the young students who have so many dreams and who have so much potential.
We are also preparing for the college students to return. For me it's kinda like waiting for Christmas. It can't get here soon enough. We are making welcome packages and brochures and dreaming and praying about all the new people we are going to meet and eager to see those familiar faces too!
This weekend we will be saying good-bye to Samuel Odamah (but hopefully only for a year). Samuel will be continuing his studies at Harvard. There will be a taco dinner after the 6:30 worship time so that we can spend a little more quality time with Samuel and one another. God's blessings to you Samuel. Thanks for being such at great blessing to all of us at The Point!
Also this weekend we will be talking about Security - spiritual security. It is too important to miss. If I don't see you before, I will see you on Sunday.
God bless,
Bill
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Only God
Wow,
Only God, that's all I can say, Only God. This past weekend was amazing.
It is a joyful privilege to see God at work in our midst. The Point was packed for our evening worship service. And it was so cool that after we talked about "Give us this day our daily bread," that we were able to place some of God's abundant blessings into the hands and stomachs of some of our neighbors. Thanks to all who helped in so many ways to make The Point a safe and welcoming place to so many. Btw, don't forget to count your shirts!
How is your walk with God going? I want you to know you have a loving Savior who cherishes you and wants to spend quality time with you. And I want you to know that when we dive into his Word he meets, encourages and transforms us. I read 1 Peter this morning (yep, the whole book - only five short chapters) and there is just so much good stuff for our lives. For example it speaks of our inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. That is quite the concept for those of us who live in a disposable society. It speaks of our value as it reminds us of our purchase price - "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. And that God's word, the absolute truth, stands forever. And that is just in chapter 1. I encourage you to make 1 Peter your devotion time with God this week. Read it. Reread it. Pray through it. And why not commit a verse or two to memory as well. The word of God is living and active so why not go on an adventure with Him!
Jesus Cares was very cool on Monday evening. Abby and Jeff were able to make some really cool connections not only with the residents but also with the workers as well. Soon we will be holding a training session to equip those interested in being involved in this ministry. So keep your eyes and ears open for that.
Postcards were sent out to all the freshmen that we have names of. I can't wait till they get to campus and see Jesus here!
Mark you calendars for the Welcome and Welcome Back picnic. The date is Sunday September 13 at noon at Lake Park.
Most if not all of the footage for the DVD was completed this past weekend. Now comes the editing. We need your prayers for that because we have close to five hours of footage that we need to edit down to about 5 minutes. Yikes.
Kale Donovan made it home on Sunday!! What a blessing! God we pray that you would continue to do the marvelous and the miraculous in his life and in the life's of his family.
One final thing: Did you hear?! The Special Announcement. For the second year in a row, The Point of Grace was awarded the Best of Milwaukee Places of Worship! Only God! Only God!
Have a great week with Jesus. I look forward to seeing you this week as we get involved with Mission Impossible!
Bill
Only God, that's all I can say, Only God. This past weekend was amazing.
It is a joyful privilege to see God at work in our midst. The Point was packed for our evening worship service. And it was so cool that after we talked about "Give us this day our daily bread," that we were able to place some of God's abundant blessings into the hands and stomachs of some of our neighbors. Thanks to all who helped in so many ways to make The Point a safe and welcoming place to so many. Btw, don't forget to count your shirts!
How is your walk with God going? I want you to know you have a loving Savior who cherishes you and wants to spend quality time with you. And I want you to know that when we dive into his Word he meets, encourages and transforms us. I read 1 Peter this morning (yep, the whole book - only five short chapters) and there is just so much good stuff for our lives. For example it speaks of our inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. That is quite the concept for those of us who live in a disposable society. It speaks of our value as it reminds us of our purchase price - "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. And that God's word, the absolute truth, stands forever. And that is just in chapter 1. I encourage you to make 1 Peter your devotion time with God this week. Read it. Reread it. Pray through it. And why not commit a verse or two to memory as well. The word of God is living and active so why not go on an adventure with Him!
Jesus Cares was very cool on Monday evening. Abby and Jeff were able to make some really cool connections not only with the residents but also with the workers as well. Soon we will be holding a training session to equip those interested in being involved in this ministry. So keep your eyes and ears open for that.
Postcards were sent out to all the freshmen that we have names of. I can't wait till they get to campus and see Jesus here!
Mark you calendars for the Welcome and Welcome Back picnic. The date is Sunday September 13 at noon at Lake Park.
Most if not all of the footage for the DVD was completed this past weekend. Now comes the editing. We need your prayers for that because we have close to five hours of footage that we need to edit down to about 5 minutes. Yikes.
Kale Donovan made it home on Sunday!! What a blessing! God we pray that you would continue to do the marvelous and the miraculous in his life and in the life's of his family.
One final thing: Did you hear?! The Special Announcement. For the second year in a row, The Point of Grace was awarded the Best of Milwaukee Places of Worship! Only God! Only God!
Have a great week with Jesus. I look forward to seeing you this week as we get involved with Mission Impossible!
Bill
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Moving Forward
Hi,
Remember there will be a Special Announcement in worship this weekend?!
I hope you are seeing God's blessings in your life this summer. If you haven't, stop in sometime during the week at The Point and we will be able to show and share with you a great number of blessings that God has poured out on us.
Here are some things to keep you up-to-date and in the loop.
The TPOG garden is going great guns. Thanks to Nick and Diana and everyone else who has been able to water and nurture along the garden. A reminder that the food from this garden will go to help prepare meals here at The Point and also to help fill the stomach's of the homeless and those in need. What a cool labor of love!
The small group Bible studies continue to meet. The men's group meets on Tuesday mornings at 8 at The Roast (Maryland and Locust). The women's group meets at The Point Friday morning at 10. The book study, Essential Church?, finished up last night with a list of things for us to do here at The Point to improve on the already vibrant ministry that Jesus is giving us to do.
The two committees (building and no building) are about to wrap up their work and give us their final reports.
Through the generosity of the Antioch Foundation, we are working with Cornerstone Stewardship Ministries so that we are sure to be on the right path so that God's kingdom may come to us and to many others.
This Sunday we will continue to shoot the DVD to let people know what is going on at The Point. So be sure to come and bring a friend or two as well. As a part of this endeavor, we will have a cookout beginning at 5 pm.
I have a special prayer request for Kale Donovan. Kale is the nephew of Hannah Kunz (Marquette). Kale is about three weeks old. He was born with Zellweger Syndrome. He has already had a number of surgeries. I ask you to join me in prayer that God would turn our worry, concern, and fear into JOY! And that God's love would fill and lift up the hearts and lives of the Donovan's and the Kunz' families. Thanks.
Remember: There will be a Special Announcement at worship this weekend! I'll see you at 10:30 or 6:30.
Have a great day with Jesus!
Bill
Remember there will be a Special Announcement in worship this weekend?!
I hope you are seeing God's blessings in your life this summer. If you haven't, stop in sometime during the week at The Point and we will be able to show and share with you a great number of blessings that God has poured out on us.
Here are some things to keep you up-to-date and in the loop.
The TPOG garden is going great guns. Thanks to Nick and Diana and everyone else who has been able to water and nurture along the garden. A reminder that the food from this garden will go to help prepare meals here at The Point and also to help fill the stomach's of the homeless and those in need. What a cool labor of love!
The small group Bible studies continue to meet. The men's group meets on Tuesday mornings at 8 at The Roast (Maryland and Locust). The women's group meets at The Point Friday morning at 10. The book study, Essential Church?, finished up last night with a list of things for us to do here at The Point to improve on the already vibrant ministry that Jesus is giving us to do.
The two committees (building and no building) are about to wrap up their work and give us their final reports.
Through the generosity of the Antioch Foundation, we are working with Cornerstone Stewardship Ministries so that we are sure to be on the right path so that God's kingdom may come to us and to many others.
This Sunday we will continue to shoot the DVD to let people know what is going on at The Point. So be sure to come and bring a friend or two as well. As a part of this endeavor, we will have a cookout beginning at 5 pm.
I have a special prayer request for Kale Donovan. Kale is the nephew of Hannah Kunz (Marquette). Kale is about three weeks old. He was born with Zellweger Syndrome. He has already had a number of surgeries. I ask you to join me in prayer that God would turn our worry, concern, and fear into JOY! And that God's love would fill and lift up the hearts and lives of the Donovan's and the Kunz' families. Thanks.
Remember: There will be a Special Announcement at worship this weekend! I'll see you at 10:30 or 6:30.
Have a great day with Jesus!
Bill
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
His Grace Our Hope
Hi,
This weekend we will be continuing our teaching series on the Lord's Prayer entitled, "His Grace Our Hope." Our specific emphasis this weekend is "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." It is going to be really cool to see what God's will is for our lives. Worship times are 10:30 am or 6:30 pm. this Sunday.
This Saturday is the 4th of July. As we celebrate our independence with cookouts, fireworks and fun I encourage you to celebrate safely. And as we celebrate our nation freedom, please don't forget to celebrate our freedom won for us by Jesus Christ. Feel free to go nuts over this one. It's going to last forever!
I already had two really cool meetings this week. One with Tom Trapp, the campus pastor at UW and one with Dan Oberer, pastor at Hope in Farmington, MN. What a neat thing to explore God's Word and ministry with these two guys. Keep them, their families and their ministries in your prayers. Just a reminder you can send your prayer requests to pray@tpog.net.
Mike Westendorf is back after two mini-tours, one to southwestern Minnesota and one to the Pacific Northwest. It is amazing what God will do as we make it our goal not to bless ourselves but to bless others. When you get a chance, talk with Mike. He has more than one "God story" to share.
As pastor at The Point, I want to thank all of you for all that you do to make The Point a place where Jesus meets all people. I hope you are enjoying the journey as much as I am! It is so great an honor to be connected with you and God's ministry here at The Point.
I have to share with you a YEAH GOD moment. I received a phone call yesterday (Tuesday) informing us that The Point of Grace is the recipient of an award: The 2009 Best of Milwaukee Place of Worship. Join with me in shouting - YEAH GOD!
A reminder to wrap up: The DVD focusing on The Point of Grace will be shot on Sunday, July 12. We will be having a cook out at 5 pm and follow that up with our worship service.
See you at worship!
Bill
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Summer Activity
Hi,
Another week and it is the same thing - blessed by God beyond measure! God's blessings are truly remarkable and more the sands of the seashore. Why not take a momnet to write down or think of ten of those blessings?
Our men's small group met yesterday (Tues.) and Book study group meets tonight at 6, and the women's small group meets this Friday at 10 am.
TPOG staff is busy preparing for the upcoming school year:
* planning the freshman welcome
* planning the the beginning of the semester picnic
* making brochures
* contacting students
* praying
* tables and banners in the union
* etc
We can't wait!
Did you know we have three souls currently in the Exploring Christianity?!
Summerfest starts tomorrow (Thursday) with the Big Bang Fireworks Display. Have you signed up on Facebook yet?
This weekend our morning worship will be led by Brian Diring. Thanks Brian. I will be back for the evening worship. In the morning I will be helping out in the worship at Trinity in Dundee. It is a part of the Dundee Dash. If it is half as fun as last year it will be great. Give thanks to God in prayer for Trinity has been and is a tremendous supporter of TPOG.
On Monday Pastor Tom Trapp and I will meet and do some planning in the afternoon and then we will "force ourselves to go to the Brewers game." Oh, well :)
God's blessings on your week!
Bill
Another week and it is the same thing - blessed by God beyond measure! God's blessings are truly remarkable and more the sands of the seashore. Why not take a momnet to write down or think of ten of those blessings?
Our men's small group met yesterday (Tues.) and Book study group meets tonight at 6, and the women's small group meets this Friday at 10 am.
TPOG staff is busy preparing for the upcoming school year:
* planning the freshman welcome
* planning the the beginning of the semester picnic
* making brochures
* contacting students
* praying
* tables and banners in the union
* etc
We can't wait!
Did you know we have three souls currently in the Exploring Christianity?!
Summerfest starts tomorrow (Thursday) with the Big Bang Fireworks Display. Have you signed up on Facebook yet?
This weekend our morning worship will be led by Brian Diring. Thanks Brian. I will be back for the evening worship. In the morning I will be helping out in the worship at Trinity in Dundee. It is a part of the Dundee Dash. If it is half as fun as last year it will be great. Give thanks to God in prayer for Trinity has been and is a tremendous supporter of TPOG.
On Monday Pastor Tom Trapp and I will meet and do some planning in the afternoon and then we will "force ourselves to go to the Brewers game." Oh, well :)
God's blessings on your week!
Bill
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hi Everyone,
I have to tell you, I am and we are just so blessed. The ministry that God is doing with and through us is nothing short of WOW. Let me give you a little glimpse:
June 16
7:15am The Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter of WELS Kingdom Workers met here at The Point. The meeting focused on the ministries that they support (we are on of them). Talk about Christ centered people. I was honored to give a devotion which highlighted God the Father and his undeserved love for his wayward children. I used the parable of the prodigal son and talked about how the prodigal son was content to be a slave for his father, but his father was not content that he be a slave but that he be his son. I also talked about baptism and how God didn't just clean up our name in baptims but that he gave us his name in baptism.
10:00 am I had a tele-conference with Faith Highways which really struck a chord with me on getting really intentional in all that we do but especially in outreach.
11:00 am I had a teleconference with Pastor Dan Oberer from Farmington, MN. We are studying the Lord's Prayer together as we get ready to start our new teaching series, "His Grace . . . Our Hope." The conversation was in depth and a lot of fun. Pastor Dan is doing great work in Farmington!
2:00 pm I met with Jeff Davis from Cornerstone Stewardship Ministry. He took some notes on what we are doing and is looking for ways to help us accomplish our goals and provide resources so that we can accomplish our goals. (I also have to tell you that the Antioch Foundation - one of our greatest earthly supporters, if not our greatest earthly supporter is so gracious that they are taking care of the expenses of this assistance. Yes, they also pray for us big time, too!)
4:15 pm I begin to reflect on the four meetings that I had and how God was just so present in everyone of them. I want you know we have tons of people who are supporting us, encouraging us and praying for us. God has sent an army of people to be with us.
Today, (Wednesday) is going to have fewer appointments. I will meet with our staff at 10:30 am. Then at 4 pm I will start our adult instruction class, "Exploring Christianity," with two students and then at 6 pm Essential Church? book study will meet at Noodles!
It is just one exciting opportunity after another. I hope you can get a sense of just how exciting this ministry that we are all a part of is.
Pray for Mike W. as he heads to Minnesota to Share the Hope!
Just a heads up: On July 12 we will be shotting a DVD to promote The Point of Grace Campus Ministry. The DVD shoot will begin around 4:30 with a grill out and continue through our worship that night.
God's blessings on the rest of your week. And if I don't see you before, I will see you this weekend for worship: "His Grace . . . Our Hope."
I have to tell you, I am and we are just so blessed. The ministry that God is doing with and through us is nothing short of WOW. Let me give you a little glimpse:
June 16
7:15am The Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter of WELS Kingdom Workers met here at The Point. The meeting focused on the ministries that they support (we are on of them). Talk about Christ centered people. I was honored to give a devotion which highlighted God the Father and his undeserved love for his wayward children. I used the parable of the prodigal son and talked about how the prodigal son was content to be a slave for his father, but his father was not content that he be a slave but that he be his son. I also talked about baptism and how God didn't just clean up our name in baptims but that he gave us his name in baptism.
10:00 am I had a tele-conference with Faith Highways which really struck a chord with me on getting really intentional in all that we do but especially in outreach.
11:00 am I had a teleconference with Pastor Dan Oberer from Farmington, MN. We are studying the Lord's Prayer together as we get ready to start our new teaching series, "His Grace . . . Our Hope." The conversation was in depth and a lot of fun. Pastor Dan is doing great work in Farmington!
2:00 pm I met with Jeff Davis from Cornerstone Stewardship Ministry. He took some notes on what we are doing and is looking for ways to help us accomplish our goals and provide resources so that we can accomplish our goals. (I also have to tell you that the Antioch Foundation - one of our greatest earthly supporters, if not our greatest earthly supporter is so gracious that they are taking care of the expenses of this assistance. Yes, they also pray for us big time, too!)
4:15 pm I begin to reflect on the four meetings that I had and how God was just so present in everyone of them. I want you know we have tons of people who are supporting us, encouraging us and praying for us. God has sent an army of people to be with us.
Today, (Wednesday) is going to have fewer appointments. I will meet with our staff at 10:30 am. Then at 4 pm I will start our adult instruction class, "Exploring Christianity," with two students and then at 6 pm Essential Church? book study will meet at Noodles!
It is just one exciting opportunity after another. I hope you can get a sense of just how exciting this ministry that we are all a part of is.
Pray for Mike W. as he heads to Minnesota to Share the Hope!
Just a heads up: On July 12 we will be shotting a DVD to promote The Point of Grace Campus Ministry. The DVD shoot will begin around 4:30 with a grill out and continue through our worship that night.
God's blessings on the rest of your week. And if I don't see you before, I will see you this weekend for worship: "His Grace . . . Our Hope."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Only Jesus!
Hey Everyone,
Yesterday (Sunday) was phenomenal. Little Oliver Nelson was baptized and brought into God's Kingdom!! Congratulations to Marques and Corissa on the birth and rebirth of their son. Congratulations also to big brother Rivers.
Yesterday, we sent Dong-Uk back to South Korea complete with a new and growing faith in Jesus Christ! Keep Dong in your prayers as he continues his faith journey.
Sitting on my desk is $24K check from the Campus Ministry Committee to support us in our ministry. Are you kidding me??
We will have a Prayer Service tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 7 pm for Charlie Hohenstein and his family. Charlie's father David was called home last Monday. He now enjoys the glorious prize of eternal life in heaven. The prayer service will be held at St. John's, Wauwatosa. Visitation with the family is from 5 - 7 pm.
I also had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Garden Homes Lutheran Church yesterday. What a neat congregation!
Tonight we share our love as we host "New Friends" beginning at 6:30. You are more than welcome to come and have a great time with some of our developmentally disabled friends. It truly is a remarkable time.
Our first small group Bible study also begins tonight at 6:15!
For more information on Heavenly Harvest our Community Garden contact Diana Mount at chocolate_hug @yahoo.com. This is cool!!
The book study on Essential Church? is this Wed. at 6 pm.
I will also be at WLC for District Convention Tuesday and Wednesday.
Friday I have a wedding rehearsal and Saturday the wedding!!
Thanks to our committees who are faithfully doing their work in the background.
Our message series "What if God really meant it" continues this Sunday.
Only Jesus could bless us so much and give us so many opportunities to reach out. God's blessings on your week.
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