From Pastor Carl s Desk By Pastor Carl Billings

August 2018 From Pastor Carl s Desk By Pastor Carl Billings A Word About Transformation/Metamorphosis And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2nd Corinthians 3:18 The above verse is the theme verse for the National Via De Christo conference. I am making a presentation at that conference, so I have been thinking a lot about that verse. The phrase that jumps out at me is, transformed in his image. Sometimes we have been guilty of reducing our faith into a fire insurance scheme. You know what I am talking about, get the kids baptized so they go to heaven, or say the sinners prayer so you can be saved, or go and confess your sins with the brief order so you can be forgiven. Each one of those actions are important parts for our faith life but if we see those actions as all there is to the faith, it reduces the faith to fire insurance. You know what you do with fire insurance: you buy the policy, pay the premium and then forget about it until you need it. That is not God s agenda for us, rather he wants to transform us. The Greek (the original language of the New Testament) word that the NIV 11 translates transformed, is a word we all would recognize. It is metamorphosis. That is a powerful word and it defines God s agenda for us. The Oxford American Dictionary s definition for the word metamorphosis is the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form. That is God s agenda that we as Christians, as spiritual beings, and as humans would mature into the people that God created us to be. So how can we cooperate with God s agenda? Paul gives us the answer in this same verse, contemplate the Lord s glory. Paul is not talking about some super spiritual discipline, he simply is entreating the Corinthians and us to focus on Jesus through worship, prayer, study, devotion and service. In that process, God s Holy Spirit works in our life, transforming us into the people he created us to be before sin and selfishness marred his good creation. The way we communicate that agenda at Discover Church is with our mission statement, Inviting all people to discover their full life in Christ. Every one of Paul s letters are about God s transformation agenda and how we can cooperate with that agenda. A good example is Paul s letter to the Ephesians. In our August sermon series we will be looking at that amazing letter, and Paul s encouragement and instruction on how to let God s Holy Spirit mature us and bring us to our full life in Christ. The title of the series is Get Smart - Live Better. The individual sermons are: August 5 The Power of Praise August 12 Trust the Gift and Get to Work August 19 Grow Up August 26 Put On Christ I hope to see you in worship. In Hope and Joy, Pastor Carl August 2018 page 1

IN THIS ISSUE Pastor Carl 1 Contact Information 2 Vision Statement & Values 2 Pastor La 3 Children s Ministry 4 Youth Ministry 5 Summer Opportunities 6 Council President 7 Stewardship Opportunities 7 Women s Ministry 8 Men s Ministry 8 Amazing Grays 8 Opportunities to Serve 8 Learn and Grow 9 August Calendar 10 Have an announcement for the bulletin or newsletter? Please email Patsy Cesare, Administrative Assistant at Patsy.Cesare@discoverchurchnetwork.org Bulletin Deadline: Noon on Wednesdays Newsletter Deadline: Noon on the 3rd Friday CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION Discover Church 1400 81st Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 Office Phone: 763-561-5877 Email: info@discoverchurchnetwork.org Website: discoverchurchnetwork.org After Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Phone: 763-561-5877 press 9 Church Office hours: Monday Thursday: 9AM-3PM Friday: 9AM Noon Staff Pastor Carl Billings, Senior Pastor: Ext. 1002 Pastor La Andriamihaja, Associate Pastor: Ext. 1003 Pastor Jonathan Brandon, Youth Pastor: Ext. 1004 Christy Grigor, Children s Director: Ext. 1005 Joe Gerber, Worship Director: Ext. 1006 Jessica Kuhn, Business Manager: Ext. 1001 Patsy Cesare, Administrative Assistant: Ext. 1000 Bud Larson, Custodian Discover Church Vision Statement: Believe, Belong, Bless Discover Church Mission Statement: Inviting all people to discover their full life in Christ Discover Church Values Discipleship is a Priority Inspired by the Living Word Spirit Charged Culture of Forgiveness Ordinary People Serving an Extraordinary God Vision for World Mission Ethnically Diverse Rooted in Our Communities Reaching Out August 2018 Page 2

From Pastor La s Desk Pastor La Andriamihaja I am fully aware that many of you are still enjoying the warm and lazy days of summer. So enjoy, be safe and be blessed for the remainder of these beautiful summer days. As you do so, here are some things I d like for you to consider and be a part of, both this month and coming up this fall, at Discover Church. 1. National Night Out (NNO): As in the past, Discover Church will once again host a gathering of friends, neighbors and community leaders on Tues., Aug. 7 th, at Sunkist Park (just East of our parking lot, on 82 nd Ave. N.). We ve hosted this annual event for a few years in the past and have had great times in meeting and fellowshipping with our neighbors and friends over grilled foods and fun activities for children. Although we took a couple of years off, we re ready to once again gather, meet, serve and celebrate the fact that we re in this neighborhood for good. So, if your own neighborhood isn t having a National Night Out on Tues., Aug. 7 th, I invite you and your family to come and join us. The Lord will supply the good weather, our Men s Ministry will provide the food, the city of Brooklyn Park will provide the goody-bags for the children, and the Holy Spirit will allow for a spirit of friendship and fellowship to all. If you are interested in helping out with this event, please feel free to contact me (Pastor La: 612-396-2762, or prlha123@gmail.com). 2. Men s Annual Retreat (Sept. 14 16): Our Men s fall retreat will once again be at Cragun s Resort on Gull Lake, in Brainerd, MN. All men in the congregation are invited and encouraged to attend (and bring a friend). The cost for the weekend, which includes lodging for Fri & Sat nights and all the meals, is $251.28 each if you have a roommate (double occupancy), or $389.79 for a single occupancy. A $125 deposit is required with a reservation. Please register and make your reservation by Aug. 15th so I d know how many men to prepare for our studies during the weekend. For more info, or registration form, please contact Dave Nelson (763-670-1096). I am looking forward to a great time of fellowship, Bible Study and good Christian fun as brothers in Christ. 3. Affirmation & Support Group: As some of you know, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness in April of this year. To my shock and horror, I was told that I m a diabetic and that there s no cure for it. At the time, such news was a complete shock to me that I could not distinguish the difference between chronic: and terminal illness. As a result, I suffered episodes of deep depression and longed for opportunities to talk and share with others what I was feeling about my diagnosis. But the Lord is good to use such episode in my life to prompt me to consider starting a monthly gathering of individuals (and families members) in the congregation who long to be affirmed and supported as they struggle, embrace and accept their diagnoses, chronic or otherwise. I envision such a group to provide practical ways of dealing with and managing our illnesses, as well as offer ways for our love ones and caregivers to be replenished and supported while they love on us. I hope to have our first gathering by early to mid October, this fall. That s all I got at this time, but please stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks and month. In the meantime, I would greatly welcome the assistance and prayers of anyone who is willing to help me shape and implement this monthly group. In the meantime, continue to enjoy, be safe and be blessed this the summer, in Jesus name. August 2018 page 3

Children and Family Ministries Christy Grigor, Director September 9, 2018 Student s move up to their next grade level class! Balloons, games and lots of fun in Sunday School! CHILDREN S MINISTRY FALL RETREAT COMING SEPTEMBER 28-30 Lynx Game Faith and Family Night: August 5 Vacation Bible School: August 6-10 Children s Ministry Teacher Meetings: August 13, November 12, February 11, May 13th Rally Day: September 9 Children s Ministry Fall Retreat: September 28-30 For more information about Children s Ministry contact Christy Grigor in the church office at 763-561-5877 or by email at Christy.Grigor@discoverchurchnetwork.org Volunteers Needed in Children s Ministry Our Children's Ministry is in need of loving adults to teach or be classroom helpers. Serving our children in this way is more than just "doing a good thing!" You are helping to form the faith of a child and showing them the love of God! One of the main things young families are looking for in a church is strong children s programs. We need volunteers in our children s ministry to make this happen! Please consider serving once a month or more often if your schedule allows. Current Volunteer Needs: A helper in the 3 Year Old class Help children walk to the restroom, pass out snacks, be a second adult in the room if there are any emergency needs. Teachers in the Age 4 to Kindergarten Class OR Girls 1-4th Grade Class Teachers receive lessons that are simple. Crafts and object lessons are completely pre-prepared. Or you can write your own lessons if you prefer. Helpers in the Age 4 to Kindergarten Class OR Girls 1-4th Grade Class Helpers attend as a second adult in case of emergency, receive children after Children's Ministry Sermon during the 10:00am service. Attend the beginning of the service and walk out with the children. Childcare Volunteer for a new mom s We re starting a weekly, Friday morning this Fall for young moms and need volunteers to do childcare while they meet. Help these moms be able to focus on scripture while their little ones are cared for. Volunteer for once a week or on a monthly rotating basis. To volunteer please contact Children s Minister Christy Grigor in the church office at 763-561-5877 or by email at Christy.Grigor@discoverchurchnetwork.org August 2018 Page 4

Youth Ministries Pastor Jonathan Brandon, Director August 1: Backyard BBQ August 8: Backyard BBQ August 15: Backyard BBQ August 22: Backyard BBQ September 9: Rally Day September 19: Small Groups Begin October 7: Journey Confirmation October 12: Friday Night Live MILWAUKEE MISSION TEAM HOUSTON MISSION TEAM Milwaukee Mission Team: Elijah Awonuga, Clea Cesare, Nijah Cesare, David Freytag, Elijah Koopman, Natol Nejo, Tyson Newburgh, Josh Stenback, Ali Swanson, Brett Koopman, Brandon Winkels, Kirsten Jensen, Courtney Kruse and Jonathan Brandon Houston Mission Team: Peter Althoff, Maddi Bitzer, Todd Grover, Carly Mastrian, Staci Kruse, Kiersten Kruse, Todd Henning, DeeAnne Henning, Logan Thorson, Lizz Saxerud, Autumn Kowalzek, Kirsten Jensen and Jonathan Brandon. For more information about the Youth Ministry at Discover Church, contact Pastor Jonathan at jon.brandon@discoverchurchnetwork.org or (763) 561-5877. August 2018 page 5

VACTION BIBLE SCHOOL Summer At Discover Rise Up! VBS August 6th-10th 9:00am-Noon Grades 1st-6th Cost:$15 includes T-shirt Scholarships available Registration: Forms are available at the Children s Ministry table in the foyer. Volunteers Needed: We need lots of volunteers to help make VBS a success for the 100+ kids who will be here all week. Many hands make light work, please help if you can. Volunteer to help during VBS. Work one day or all 5! Contact Christy for more information. Help set up tables, chairs, craft materials, etc. following the 10:00am service on Sun, Aug 5. Sign up on the Ministry Desk. Help take down everything at 12:30pm on Aug 10. Sign up on the Ministry Desk. Sponsor a child from Hospitality House: We are so thankful that all of the scholarship envelopes were taken. Thank you to everyone who has already donated. If you still have an envelope and would like to give, please drop it in the offering plate or put it in the box on the Ministry Desk. Questions? Contact Christy Grigor at 763-561- 5877 or Christy.grigor@discoverchurchnetwork.org Grab your lawn chair and invite a friend for our final summer outdoor service. This special service and picnic are perfect for inviting new people to check out Discover. Sunday August 19, 10:00am One service only outside at 10:00am. No Sunday School for children or youth. Church picnic lunch to follow. Food provided for a free will offering Bring your own lawn chair Invite a friend! RALLY DAY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE Help us fill the church on Rally Day! Welcome everyone back from summer vacations. Invite a friend and help introduce them to Discover. Children move up to their new grade level classrooms. Pastor Carl will launch a new sermon series: Find You Happy Place. August 2018 Page 6

Church Council President Jason Waldron On Sunday July 22, the Discover Church Council met to discuss a recommendation from the Stewardship Committee to raise Pastor La s salary to 75% of his full time salary. I am happy to Inform you that the council has adopted this recommendation and this change will go into effect August 1, 2018. I am incredibly proud and grateful for the generosity of our congregation as we have worked to put our financial house in order as a church. The council recognizes that this has been a trying time for our church and the budgetary decisions have been difficult. Thank you for responding to these times with your prayers, your time, and your finances. Due to the generosity of our congregation we have been able to return the money borrowed from the building fund last year and restore a portion of Pastor La s compensation. In addition to this, we have not seen the historical drop in giving that usually occurs during these summer months. We are hopeful that this trend will continue and that as we set the budget for 2019 we are able to fully restore the compensation and staffing levels, along with the ministry budgets that have been reduced over the last few years. Please continue praying for our congregation, our staff, our council, and our pastors. We pray that God will continue to move in our congregation and in our neighborhoods. We also pray for the future of our church, that we would continue to be a vibrant faith community filled with people who are forever changed by Discovering their full lives in Christ and empowered by His Spirit to share His love. Shine On, Jason Waldron, Discover Church Council President DAY OF BLESSING Thank you to Jeanette Hanneman who has sponsored August 10, 2018 as a Day of Blessing in memory of Bill Hanneman. NEW DAY OF BLESSING PROGRAM Introducing the new Day of Blessing program. This program is an opportunity for an individual, family or group to give an extra financial blessing to the church over and above their regular tithe. Honor a loved one or commemorate a special event date by sponsoring a day at Discover Church. To cover a full day s operating expenses the gift would be $2,336 or sponsor a half day for $1,168. You may wish to remain anonymous, or let the congregation know why you chose that particular date. We are currently taking sponsorships for the rest of 2018 and all of 2019. If you would like to bless a day at Discover Church, please pick up a sponsorship form at the Ministry Desk and return it to Business Manager, Jessica Kuhn. For more info contact Business Manager Jessica Kuhn by email at Jessica.kuhn@discoverchurchnetwork.org or call the church office at 763-561-5877. Stewardship Updates August 2018 page 7 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE Financial Report through July 22, 2018 2018 Annual Budget $852,561 Year-to-Date Offerings $498,042 Year-to-Date Actual Spending $469,483 Year-to-Date Variance $28,559 STAY CURRENT ON YOUR GIVING THIS SUMMER MAIL YOUR OFFERING: Discover Church 1400 81st Ave N Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 DROP IT OFF: Our office hours are: Mon-Thurs: 9:00am-3:00pm Fri: 9:00am Noon GIVE ONLINE: Go to discoverchurchnetwork.org, click on "give" and follow the on screen instructions. You determine how much you want to give and if you want to give a one time offering or set up a regular weekly or monthly auto withdrawal.

Women s Fall : Registrations will begin August 12th, a $10.00 fee will be collected. We will be using Beth Moore s 12 week series Daniel Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy. Buy your own book at a Lifeway store or order online. We will meet Tuesdays at 6:30pm August 28-November 13. Contact Libby Axe for more info at 763-576-6699 or laxe50@comcast.net. Unshaken Conference October 5-6 at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. Sponsored by Moms in Prayer, this conference will help you encounter God s peace so you can stand unshaken no matter your circumstance. Cost $30 before Sept 1st & $40 after. Flyers are available at the Ministry Desk. For more info contact April Eisenberg at 651-373-9259 or aprileisenberg@gmail.com. Women s Ministry Women s Fall Retreat: Women s Fall Retreat is Sept 28-30 at Mt. Carmel in Alexandria. Topic is Life by Design with speaker Teresa Lewis. Brochures available at the Ministry Desk. To register please call 320-846-2744 or go to mtcarmelministries.com. For more info contact Barb Victorson at 763-560-2420 or barbvictorson@aol.com. New For Moms: Starting September 14th we will have new Bible study on Friday mornings from 9:30am-11:00am for moms of preschoolers up through high school aged kids. Childcare will be provided. We will be doing a 22 week study on the book Entrusted with a Child s Heart. Workbooks cost $40 and sign ups begin at the Ministry Desk on August 5th. Contact Sara Brandon for more information at saralbrandon@gmail.com or 763-670-9974. Men s Ministry Thursday Night : All men are invited to join us on Thursday nights at 7:00pm for a Bible study, prayer and fellowship. For more info contact Chad Murray at 763-242-3470 or chadderinmn@gmail.com. Men s Fall Retreat: The annual men s retreat will be September 14-16 at Cragun s Resort. If you are interested in going, contact Dave Nelson for more details at 763-670-1096 or dnjesusrocks@outlook.com. Weekly Prayer Meeting: Every Saturday morning at 9:00am. All men are invited. Amazing Grays Brunch Bunch: Join us on Sunday, August 5 for brunch at Bakers Square in Brooklyn Park at 10:00am. Lunch at Malone s: We will have lunch at Malone s on Elm Creek Blvd. in Maple Grove on Thursday, August 16 at 11:00am. For more information contact Elaine Sorensen at 763-515-6178 or Carol Pahl at 763-323-8233. Opportunities to Serve CHURCH WORKDAY SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH 9:00AM NOON We need your help with some cleaning & maintenance projects around the building. Please consider giving a few hours of your morning Saturday, August 4th from 9:00am-Noon to help keep the church looking great! Contact Pastor La for more information. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 SUNKIST PARK On Tuesday, August 7 at 6:00pm Discover Church will once again host a National Night Out (NNO) gathering at Sunkist Park, located a block East of the church parking lot. Come and meet our neighbors, build relationships with others and enjoy a cookout by our Men s Ministry. All are welcome. If you d like to help in any way, please talk to Pastor La for more information. August 2018 Page 8

Opportunities To Learn, Grow and Get Connected LOOKING TO GET CONNECTED AT DISCOVER? JOIN A LIFE GROUP! Life Groups are groups of people who gather monthly to eat, fellowship, do Bible study, pray, serve and connect with each other. All our Life Groups are centered around the Discover Church Vision Statement of Believe, Belong and Bless. Check out our Life Group display on the wall in the foyer at church. Group contact information is available there so that you can find a group that fits your life. For more info about Life Groups, see Pastor Carl. Want to learn more about becoming a member at Discover Church? Join us for the New Member Class on Sunday, August 5 at 11:15am following the 2nd service. Please see Pastor Carl or Pastor La for more information. Please RSVP to Patsy in the church office at 763-561-5877 or email at patsy.cesare@discoverchurchnetwork.org. COMING THIS FALL NEW BIBLE STUDY SERIES ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION WEDNESDAYS AT 9:30am OR SUNDAYS AT 6:30pm NEW MINISTRY FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUNG FAMILIES: FOOD FOR THOUGHT This new ministry is for High School graduates to young families with elementary aged kids. Come share some food, have some great discussion and fellowship with other young adults at Discover on Sunday, August 5 from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Child care is available. Bring a potluck dish to share. For more information contact Dorinda Olstad at dorindaolstad@gmail.com. Financial Peace University is coming this Fall on Thursday nights from 6-8pm, September 9-November 15. FPU is a 9 week program by financial planner and radio host Dave Ramsey that uses Biblical principals to help you get out of debt, create a working budget and plan for the future. Cost is $100. Scholarships are available. Sign up at the Ministry Desk. Contact Sara Brandon for more information at saralbrandon@gmail.com or 763-670-9974. LIFE AFTER LOSS This grief group meets on the last Sunday of each month in the Conference Room at 10:00am and deals with all kinds of loss, including death of a loved one, illness, divorce, and job loss to name a few. For more info Call Nancy at 763-783-8367 or Bob at 612-804- 7568. Next Meeting: Sunday, August 26. SACRED STRETCHES EXERCISE CLASS Sacred Stretches will not meet in August. Watch for more details to come about when we will start back up in the fall. For more information contact Pamela at 763-360-4792. Starting in September, Pastor Carl will lead a new Bible study series on the book of Revelation that will be offered at two times each week. Watch for more information coming soon. All Church Prayer Three opportunities to pray for our church, families and community. Saturday, August 4 at 9:00am Wednesdays at 6:00pm: August 1, 15, & 29 August 2018 page 9

August 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 6:00pm All Church Prayer 6:00pm VBS Youth Planning 6:00pm Youth BBQ 2 7:00pm Men s 7:00pm Women s 3 4 9:00am All Church Prayer 9:00am Church Work Day 5 8:30am Worship 10:00am Worship 10:00am AG Brunch 11:15am New Member Class 11:15am VBS Setup 5:00pm Food for Thought 7:00pm Lynx Game 6 7 6:00pm National Night Out 8 6:00pm Youth BBQ Vacation Bible School 9 7:00pm Men s 7:00pm Women s 10 11 9:00am Men s Prayer Mtg 12 8:30am Worship 10:00am Worship 13 6:00pm Sunday School Teachers Meeting 14 6:00pm Stewardship Committee 7:00pm Church Council 15 6:00pm All Church Prayer 6:00pm Youth BBQ 16 11:00am Amazing Grays Lunch 7:00pm Men s 7:00pm Women s 17 18 9:00am Men s Prayer Mtg 19 10:00am Outdoor Worship 11:30am Church Picnic 20 21 22 6:00pm Youth BBQ 23 7:00pm Men s 7:00pm Women s 24 25 9:00am Men s Prayer Mtg 26 8:30am Worship 10:00am Worship 10:00am Life After Loss 27 28 6:30pm Women s Bible Study 29 6:00pm All Church Prayer 30 7:00pm Men s 7:00pm Women s 31 LONG RANGE DATES: September 2: Teen Challenge September 9: Rally Day August 2018 Page 10