Memorial Day and beyond

Hey Everyone,

What a neat day in our country! This Memorial Day I think back and think of all those who served in so many wars so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. And I, of course, am thankful for those who are now serving our country at home and abroad. It is my prayer that we and all Christians will use the freedoms we have in this country to proclaim the freedom for captives that is only found in Jesus!

Our first book study this summer is going to be Essential Church? You can pick this book up at any major bookstore or online. It is written by Thom and Sam Ranier. The cover is just to the left. Our first meeting night will be June 10 at 6pm at The Point. We will have a grill out and then review the introduction and the first chapter of the book. This book brings us key information that we need to know and put into practice so that we can best share Jesus with our culture. If you are planning on being a part of this study, please e-mail at pastorbill@tpog.net, so we know how much food to prepare and so I can contact you personally with any up-dates that may be necessary. This book study is open to all!

In case you haven't heard - Paul Micheel has received his vicar call to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. God's blessings Paul, be sure to stay in touch - you will continue to be in our prayers.

Congratulations again to all of our graduates from UWM, MU, MSOE and WLC. God's blessings as you illustrate Christ in your various professions.

The campus ministry rally in Eau Claire was awesome!! College students from various ministries in the US met for three days and considered what it meant to Walk in the Light! I got back just in time to talk about Christ in College with Ryan Markgraf and Amber Frick at Grace, Downtown! What a deal!! I'm so blessed.

Nick and Diana have come up with a great idea - to have a community garden. If you want to take part in growing, eating and sharing food contact Nick or Diana at 414-455-8170. This is going to be a really cool way to get to know some of our neighbors, have some home grown food, and be able to donate to those who are in need.

President Mark Mattes and I will be meeting Tuesday to discuss a few aspects of our ministry. Did you know that Mark and I meet from time to time to keep the communication flowing and improve the ministry at The Point? Mark is such a great blessing for us at The Point. Be sure to keep Mark and his family in your prayers.

Speaking of praying, do realize there are many reasons to go to God in prayer. In prayer we can go to God with our praise, with our sins, with our thanks, and with our requests plus a whole lot more. Prayer is an awesome way to communicate with our loving God. If you want to be a part of our prayer team, contact abby at abby@tpog.net. Note: You do not have to be a part of the prayer team to pray. :)

This coming weekend we are continuing our series: What if God really meant it? We will at God saying, Remember the Sabbath day be keeping it holy.

God's blessings to you this week and always!

Bill

Congratulations and Calling!

Congratulations and God's blessings to the graduates of 2009! You made it and we are proud of you.
Do you have a summer job yet? Imagine that your summer job start next Monday at 8 am. Your boss has telephoned you and asked you to arrive about 15 minutes early so that you can fill out some paper work. As you are talking with your boss, she lets you in on some bad news. She says, "When we hired you, we thought we would have a full summer's worth of work for you but it looks like we only have a bout a month. So I'll give you three options: 1) I'll help you try to find another job, but there are no promises. 2) I'll pay you a $1,000 a week for the four plus weeks that you work here. (That's not bad for a summer job, especially one where you only work a month!) or 3. You can work for a penny a day that doubles every day for the 30 days that you work for us. No brain-er right. No brain-er that is if you picked the penny a day doubled every day. If you chose that method of payment, you would be a millionaire 5 times over at the end of the month. Cool.
Our calling in life, however, is not to make the most money that we can. That is not necessarily a bad thing, it is just not our calling. Have you ever struggled over what you are called to do? Most of us do. In fact there is more than just a little bit of angst when we are trying to determine what we are supposed to do.
Our calling is to be like Christ, to be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. We are to be like Christ whether we are at home, in the neighborhood out on a walk, at the park, at the game, at church, in the office or wherever. Our world is calling out to us to "Give me Jesus!" So let's live up to our God given calling a let people know we are Christians by our love, the love that God gave to us and the love that God wants us to share.
Memorial Day Weekend is up next. Remember in your prayers those who have lost so much so that we could enjoy so much (and this of course includes not only our military families but also Jesus)!
I will be in Eau Claire for the next couple of days for the Campus Ministry Rally. Pretty exciting stuff as college students and I learn more about how to Walk Like Christ.
The two ministry committees began their work this past Sunday. We pray that through your work we will all be better positioned to love God and to love the world!
God's blessings this summer. Be sure to check out tpog.net to keep informed of all the things that are happening at The Point.

Bill

Exciting Week

Hi Everyone,

I don't know about you, but I am preparing for a very exciting week with Jesus! And I have to tell you what gets me really fired up is studying God's Word. This morning I began a week long study of the book of Colossians. Oh man is it awesome. Will you join me in reading the book of Colossians everyday this week and studying it for key themes that we can incorporate into our day to day lives?! Just a heads up on some of the cool things talked about in Colossians are: being connected with God, baptism, prayer, life in Christ, joy, our homes, freedom in Christ - oops sorry - there is just a lot in it.
I have to tell you another reason why I am preparing for another exciting week with Jesus: because last week was full of fantastic blessings. God's grace is fresh and new and exhilerating each and every day. No one could have imagined the blessings that God poured out on us this past week as a family of believers. And since God doesn't change, I am expecting great blessings for this week too.
Some highlights of this upcoming week: Bible Class at MSOE, meeting with one of God's son's who has a tremendous heart for ministry, Manitowoc Lutheran High School (our time with them last week was moved to this week), pastors conference, and our two committees will begin work this Sunday.
Some of you are going to be going home for the summer - we pray that God's blessings be on you. I am just a phone call or e-mail away and God is always be your side. For some we will be staying here and are going to have the priviledge to plan ministry together for the entire next school year - I pray that God will give us wisdom and grace in our planning.

Colossians 3:12-17

¹²Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Have a great day and week with Jesus!

Pastor Bill

Son Tan?

Hey Everyone!

The end of the semester picnic was a blast. It was a full day from soccer to badminton to volleyball to ladder golf to baseball and football. I just don't think we could have done anymore. Thanks to all who came out and made the day such a special day.
We have a busy week at The Point. In addition to our normal Bible Classes, we have:
an appreciation dinner for our housefellows tonight (Mon)
Mike and I are off to Manitowoc Lutheran High School for devotion and to meet students who will be living in Milwaukee next year (Wed)!! Also on Wed I will be giving a presentation to the Atonement Lutheran Ladies Aid. The Point will also be hosting ESL Wed. evening at 5:30. If you can help out, why not stop by and share some good times and some good news with the international students from UWM.
Thurs, is a presentation for the Gloria Dei Betheseda Ladies Aid.
Fri. Mark and I have a meeting with a business planner.
God has a lot of neat blessings in store for us this week. How amazing it is to be able to be a part of his plan!
Hey, don't forget two things: National Day of Prayer (Thurs) and Mother's Day is this Sunday!
God's blessings as you finish up the semester. Be sure to check out tpog.net to keep up-to-date on all the happenings at The Point.

God in 3D

Hi,

I hope you had a terrific weekend. Mine was fantastic. The Point of Grace Choir joined with the St. Lucas Choir this past Friday evening for a concert at St. Lucas to help them reach out to the Bayview Community. What a night! St. Lucas was an awesome host. The choir rocked. And the gospel in word and action was shared with Bayview. Thanks to all who were involved. It will be a night I won't soon forget.
We also started our new teaching series God in 3D. We looked at some of the most powerful things in the world and compared them with God and his Word. It wasn't even close. God is a hands down winner. And not only that, we are winners too because of God's love! Way cool.
I'm headed off to Madison today to spend some time with Tom Trapp, the guru of campus ministry. We are going to be talking about teaching series, outreach and fund raising. It will be a power packed afternoon.
In addition to our normal schedule this week Mike and I will be at Manitowoc Lutheran for chapel on Friday morning. Friday night is the Brewers game and then the semester end picnic at Lake Park on Sunday from noon to 6pm. So it is going to be a fast and exciting time living in God's grace this week.
As always, if I can do anything for you please be sure to let me know.

P.S. Patrick Behringer was amazing at his Senior Recital last Thursday! Way to go Patrick.

Boston and Beyond

Hey,

I have to tell you, I'm still reeling in the joy of Easter. Only the Triune God could conquer sin, death and Satan in such a heart wrenching and yet powerful way! Jesus lives, the victory is won!

Thanks to Paul Micheel for delivering God's message to us on April 19th!

I'm sitting at the airport waiting to board my flight to Boston. It's a little weird going to Boston for the marathon but not being able to run in it. I do look forward to watching people excel using their God given gifts. I hope to be at the finish line to see the "elite" runners finish on Monday afternoon.

When I get back it is going to be an amazing time at The Point. The choir is going to be at St. Lucas on the 24th. This is going to be an awesome event because a couple of things are going to happen. First, we are going to be able to share God's love with the people of St. Lucas and the Bay View community. Secondly, St. Lucas is using this to become a "player" in their community by taking donations both can food and monetary to fill the food pantry of the Bay View Community Center. The choir will then have a praise concert on Sunday the 26th in the evening worship service. Invite your family and friends.

We will also be starting a new message series on the 26th called "God in 3D." In this series we will look at the dimensions of God's Word, Prayer, and the Sacrament of Baptism. You aren't going to want to miss this.

One last thing on the 26th: We will begin production of a promotional video of The Point so that congregations and students can get a birds-eye view of The Point!

The Point's Spring Picnic is May 3 at Lake Park, picnic area # 6. This is our usual spot. This is a non-threatening way to invite people to get acquainted with The Point. As always free food, dun and games will be provided.

The Point is also forming two committee to help shape a dynamic ministry for Milwaukee and beyond. Keep these committees in your prayers.

That's all for now. I'll keep you in my prayers!

Christmas at the Point

This Friday Night (the 5th of December) at 7:00pm we are hosting our annual Christmas at the Point concert. Our choir has been working terribly hard to learn the new music.  I have to say that with our new members it's been exciting learning to work together as a team.  If you're free that night, please do consider stopping by.  We'll have music, cookies, and fellowship to get you feeling the Christmas spirit!

diana