Service Recap: 6/19/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)
The O.A.S.I.S./Confirmation class will be collecting items to be donated to Hesed House in Aurora, which serves the poor and homeless.

Readings
Old Testament: Proverbs 4:1-7
New Testament: Phillippians 2:19-30

Sermon Outline
Title: Father's Day Message
Theme: God's Model For Manhood
Text: Phillippians 2:19,20

5 Marks of a Godly Man
1) Compassion - Men who put relationships before results.
2) Consistency - Men who put character before conformity.
3) Cooperation - Men who put cooperation before competition.
4) Commitment - Men who put Christ before comfort.
5) Courage - Men who put service before security.

4 Models of Missing Manhood
1) Macho Maniac (all sports, all the time)
2) Great Pretender (can't admit the truth of situations to others or himself)
3) World Class Wimp (always backs down and never leads)
4) Gender Blenders (doesn't know how to be a man at all)

Service recaps coming

I've been a bit remiss in posting the service recaps. They should be coming soon for the last couple weeks so stay tuned.

Displaying the Ten Commandments

What's the prevailing opinion on public displays of the Ten Commandments? With the recent Supreme Court ruling saying this display is legal and that one is not I've been wondering what the driving force behind some Christian's zeal to erect these public monuments is exactly.

I heard someone say not too long ago that it was more important for Christians to display their religion in the way they live their lives than it was for stone tablets to be recreated. One of the unique aspects of Christianity is that it is a religion largely (save for the cross) free of iconography. And the cross serves as a reminder of the sacrifice made for us by Jesus Christ. Everything else, from paintings to the creche, are artistic in nature, in that they are designed to recreate a moment artistically for those who were not there to experience a moment themselves. Artistic license is taken in all these forms since we don't really know how the manger looked or even what Christ looked like (an issue that's been debated for decades at least).

So I guess what I'm asking is which do you think is more important? A statue made of concrete or a life lived in a way evangelizing Christ and the salvation attainable through Him? Feel free to leave a comment below.

--Chris

A kind of mission statement

I've been thinking (but obviously not writing) a lot about this blog and what it should entail. So much of the news on religion these days is tainted by political leanings and manuverings that I have just decided to just ignore the issue entirely. It's not a cowardly tactic but I simply don't want to get into it since feelings become so enflamed when some topics come up that we lose sight of our Christianity.

I did want, though, to link to a story on Think Progress titled God Is Not A Political Pawn. To be brief, those who invoke the name of God or His son Jesus Christ in a rhetorical effort to substantiate the rightness of their cause often miss the point. Christ rose from the dead to save us all. Regardless of what side we come down on on social or political issues, we are redeemed through Him when we accept Him into our hearts. If you are a liberal who believes abortion should be available to all those seeking them out and believe Christ shed His blood for you, you are saved. If you are a conservative who believes homosexuals having access to legally binding marriages will bring this country down and truly believe in the Triune God, you are saved.

People who disagree with you don't "despise your Christ" and aren't as dangerous to America as terrorists. They are people who disagree with you. Politicians who use God and Christ as cards to be played in order to appeal to a certain group of people should know that they are the ones who are desicrating God and the gift of free will He gave us.

We now return you to your regular non-politically charged programming.

Service Recap: 5/29/05

Missed the Announcements. Sorry.

Readings
Old Testament: Psalm 104: 1-9, 24, 35
New Testament: 2 Chronicles 16: 7-10

Sermon
Title: What Will Your Memorial Be?
Theme: Commitment
Text: 2 Chronicles 16: 9

Four Commitments That Will Change Your Life
1) I commit my life to Christ (Romans 10: 9)
2) I commit to being a member of God's family (1 Peter 1: 3)
3) I commit to being a model of the life of Christ (Hebrews 6:1)
4) I commit to being a messenger of his love (2 Corinthians 5: 19, 20)

Three Questions to Ask Yourself
1) What am I going to live on?
2) Who am I going to live with?
3) Who am I going to live for?

"Every commitment you make has a cost and a benefit."

Service Recap: 5/22/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)

• Summer Marriage Bible Study will begin Wednesday, June 15 at 6:15PM at the church office. The sessions are intended to provide a Biblical perspective on marriage for those either married or engaged couples.

Readings
Old Testament: Malachi 3:8-12
New Testament: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Sermon Outline
Title: Giving God's Way
Theme: Clearing up the Confusion, Part 2
Text: 2 Corinthians 8 & 9

3 Biblical Reasons For Giving
1) Giving is an expression of appreciation for God's blessing in the PAST.
2) Giving helps me to examine my motivation in the PRESENT.
3) Giving allows us to enlarge our expectations of the FUTURE.

3 Characteristics of Biblical Giving
1) It is regular.
2) Is is planned.
3) Is is proportional.

Giving comes down to what Pastor Hawkins has termed "NUTS stewardship."
N: Never
U: Underestimate
T: The
S: Spirit

"The essence of Chrisianity is giving." - PDH

Two Kinds of Giving
1) By reason (this is what we can afford)
2) By revalation (God has blessed me and I'm going to give back)

Instances of some form of the word "give" in the Bible: 2,161.

"Giving is God's method of enriching our lives." - Stephen Wolford

Religion In the News

Three stories I thought were worth pointing out:

"The Power of the Mustard Seed" is an interesting article making the case for a strong, strict church that inspires powerful and passionate members.

The Business Week piece "Earthly Empires" takes a bit more of an earthly view (hence it's title) of a big Dallas, TX church.

Weekly Standard writer David Gelernter talks about "Bible Illiteracy in America".

All are worth reading.

Service Recap: 5/8/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)

• Krispy Kreme fundraising cards are still available! For New Song that means $5 from every $10 card purchased goes straight to the New Song building fund. For you that means for every dozen donuts you buy you get a dozen free! Krispy Kremes make for a great start to your Sunday (before church that is).
• Gospel artist CeCe Winans will be performing for free at Calvary Church in Naperville May 22. For more information contact Calvary in Naperville.
• Matthew West will be in concert June 4, 2005 at Christ Community Church in Plainfield. Call 815-254-3800 for more information.
• Shiloh Studios in Aurora will present "The Butterfly Princess" and "The King Lives", featuring some kids from New Song, Saturday May 21 at 4PM and 7Pm.

Readings
Old Testament: Proverbs 15:1-9
New Testament: Colossians 3:12-17

Sermon Outline
Title: Special Mother's Day Message
Theme: "Try A Little Kindness"
Text: Colossians 3:12

How To Show Kindness To Others
1) Be Sensitive (Philippians 2:4)
2) Be Supportive (Proverbs 15:4)
3) Be Sympathetic (Romans 12:15)
4) Be Straightforward (Proverbs 27:6)
5) Be Spontaneous (Galatians 6:10)

"Because of God's great love and concern for you, you should practice tendergearted mercy and kindness to others..." - Colossians 3:12

Service Recap: 5/1/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)

• Krispy Kreme fundraising cards are still available! For New Song that means $5 from every $10 card purchased goes straight to the New Song building fund. For you that means for every dozen donuts you buy you get a dozen free! Krispy Kremes make for a great start to your Sunday (before church that is).
• Gospel artist CeCe Winans will be performing for free at Calvary Church in Naperville May 22. For more information contact Calvary in Naperville.
• Matthew West will be in concert June 4, 2005 at Christ Community Church in Plainfield. Call 815-254-3800 for more information.

Readings
Old Testament: Psalm 145: 10-16
New Testament: John 14:11-18

Sermon Outline
Title: Prayer Can Change Your Life
Text: John 15:1-8

Four Purposes of Prayer
1) Prayer is an act of dedication. (John 15:7)
2) Prayer is an act of communication. (John 15:15,16)
3) Prayer is an act of supplication. (Philippians 4:6,7)
4) Prayer is an act of cooperation. (John 14:11,12)

Prayer is an opportunity to:
1) Express ones devotion to God.
2) Express ones dependence on God.

Creationism vs. Intelligent Design

Check out this Slate article if you're looking to pick up talking points on Creationism versus Intelligent Design. It's especially important to know this stuff considering the battle going on over in Kansas.

Christian News Media

The Columbia Journalism Review has an interesting story on the "alternative media" being created by evangelical Christians. Here's the best pull-quote:

"As Christian broadcasting has grown, pulpit-based ministries have largely given way to a robust programming mix that includes music, movies, sitcoms, reality shows, and cartoons. But the largest constellation may be news and talk shows. Christian public affairs programming exploded after September 11, and again in the run-up to the 2004 presidential election. And this growth shows no signs of flagging."

Service Recap: 4/24/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)

• Matthew West will be in concert June 4, 2005 at Christ Community Church in Plainfield. Call 815-254-3800 for more information.
• Krispy Kreme fundraising cards are still available! For New Song that means $5 from every $10 card purchased goes straight to the New Song building fund. For you that means for every dozen donuts you buy you get a dozen free! Krispy Kremes make for a great start to your Sunday (before church that is).
• This week New Song welcomed a new class of five confirmands into membership. Congratulations to all the new members as well as their families and friends who helped them along the way. God's blessings as you enter the church fully!

Readings
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
New Testament: Romans 1:11-17

Sermon Outline
Sermon Series: Set For Life
Title: Habits of Highly Ineffective Christians
Text: Selected Passages

4 Habits of Highly Ineffective Christians
1) Highly ineffective Christians edit scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16)
2) Highly ineffective Christians live an unexamined life. (Psalm 139:23,24)
3) Highly ineffective Christians live like a chameleon. (Matthew 6:24)
4) Highly ineffective Christians keep quiet about their faith. (Matthew 28:19,20)

3 Steps toward superficiality
1) Fill your life with noise, because God often speaks in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:12)
2) Fill your life with activity, becasue the Lord says, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
3) Fill your life with superficial friendships, because the Bible says, "As iron sharpons iron so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)

2 ineffective methods of sharing your faith
1) The "skirt": "Me? Christian? Yeah, but not really serious about it.."
2) The "scare": "I'm a Christian? Let me pray for your immortal and otherwise dammed soul right here and now in the middle of the toll-plaza."

Are you an "insulated Christian"? Do you look at your faith from the outside with no real connection to what it means?

New Website & RSS

Two announcements relating to all things web-related from New Song Church:

1. Our homepage has been redesigned and is now chock-full of great and up-to-date content. This has been a tremendous blessing as we rely on the web for a lot our outreach.
2. This blog now has an RSS feed. If you are using an RSS reader you can plug our feed into your list of subscriptions and get instantly updated on what's going on.

--Staff of New Song

Service Recap: 4/17/05

Announcements: (for more information please contact the church office)

• The New Song Summer Co-Ed Softball team is looking for team members for their fourth season on 12-inch softball. All games are held behind the Eola Community Center in Aurora.
• Cornerstone Music Fesitval will be held Thursday, June 30th through Sunday, July 3rd and includes many popular Christian music stars. The event includes not only music but activities for all ages of fans. Contact the church office before April 30th if you are interested in attending.

Readings:
Old Testament:
New Testament: Luke 15:11-20

Sermon Outline
Sermon Series: Set For Life
Title: Woulda-Shoulda-Coulda
Text: Luke 15:11-24

The ABC's of Dealing With Regret
A - Assess your situation to gain the right perspective. (Luke 15:13-17)

We all lose perspective through:
1) "All or nothing" thinking
2) Over generalization
3) Emotionalism
4) Perfectionism
5) Catastrophizing (ed note: Pastor wasn't sure if that was a word but I say we run with it.)

Steps to take for the proper perspective:
1) Write down exactly what you regret.
2) Discuss the situation with a godly individual.

B - Be Yourself because comparisons amplify regrets. (Luke 15: 28-29)

Facts to Remember:
1) You don't have to compete for God's Love (Psalm 86:5)
2) God celebrates your uniqueness. (Psalm 139:13-14)

C - Confess your regrets to God and those you've hurt (Luke 15:18)

Facts to Remember:
1) God's forgiveness isn't like human's forgiveness.
2) The assurance of forgiveness doesn't depend on your feelings.

D - Develop a plan for the future and build it around God (Luke 15:18,20)

Service Recap: 4/10/05

Announcements: (for more information please contact the church office)

• The New Song Summer Co-Ed Softball team is looking for team members for their fourth season on 12-inch softball. All games are held behind the Eola Community Center in Aurora.
• Cornerstone Music Fesitval will be held Thursday, June 30th through Sunday, July 3rd and includes many popular Christian music stars. The event includes not only music but activities for all ages of fans. Contact the church office before April 30th if you are interested in attending.

Readings:
Old Testament - Psalm 92:1-4
New Testament - Luke 15:11-20

Sermon Outline
Sermon Series: Set For Life
Title: Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda, Part 1
Text: Luke 15:11-24

The ABC's of Dealing With Regret
A - Assess your situation to gain the right perspective. (Luke 15:13-17)

We all lose perspective through:
1) "All or nothing" thinking
2) Over generalization
3) Emotionalism
4) Perfectionism
5) Catastrophizing (ed note: Pastor wasn't sure if that was a word but I say we run with it.)

Steps to take for the proper perspective:
1) Write down exactly what you regret.
2) Discuss the situation with a godly individual.

African Proverb: The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today.

B,C and D coming next week!

Service Recap: 4/3/05

Announcements: (for more information please contact the church office)

• The New Song Summer Co-Ed Softball team is looking for team members for their fourth season on 12-inch softball. All games are held behind the Eola Community Center in Aurora.
• Cornerstone Music Fesitval will be held Thursday, June 30th through Sunday, July 3rd and includes many popular Christian music stars. The event includes not only music but activities for all ages of fans. Contact the church office before April 30th if you are interested in attending.
  

Readings
Judges 15:14-20
2 Peter 1:2-8

Sermon Outline (From guest speaker Rob V.)
Title: Who Is the Lord of Your Life?

Five Disciplines of Christian Living to Guard Your Heart and Mind and Grow Closer to God:
1) Read your Bible (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
2) Spend Time In Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
3) Spend Time In Fellowship With Others (Acts 2:46-47)
4) Tell Others About Jesus (Philippians 1:27-28)
5) Serve the Church and Others (1 Peter 4:9-10)

Service Recap: 3/27/05 - Happy Easter

Announcements: (for more information please contact the church office)

• The New Song Summer Co-Ed Softball team is looking for team members for their fourth season on 12-inch softball. All games are held behind the Eola Community Center in Aurora.
• Cornerstone Music Fesitval will be held Thursday, June 30th through Sunday, July 3rd and includes many popular Christian music stars. The event includes not only music but activities for all ages of fans. Contact the church office before April 30th if you are interested in attending.
• The Northern Illinois District (N.I.D) is holding a Singles "Post Tax" Bowling Party Saturday, April 16th. Reservations must be made by Friday, April 8th.
• If you are looking to unload all those plastic Easter eggs from your basement, bring them in to church so C.O.M.E. can use them next year.

Readings
Old Testament - Psalm 118:14-24
New Testament - Matthew 28:1-8

Sermon Outline
Title: The Darkness and the Dawn
Theme: Easter Changes Everything
Text: Romans 5:10

How To Move From Good To Great
1) Open my mind to God's power (Romans 12:2)
2) Open my heart to God's grace (Ephesians 1:8)
3) Open my life to God's love (Ephesians 3:16-19)

"Jesus said, 'I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders - an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out'" ~ Luke 5:32

Christ changed the world by:
1) Giving us an answer to sin by dying on the cross
2) Giving us His power

Why do people close their minds to God?
1) Hurt - They've been burned before, possibly by a bad church experience in their past.
2) Pride - "I can do it on my own, I don't need God!"
3) Fear - "What will I turn into? One of those Jesus-freaks?"

Two ways to make sure you never change:
1) Try Harder - Without accepting God's mercy, obtained for you by Christ on the cross, trying harder means you're spinning your wheels.
2) Changing Externals - The change needs to come from within and be accepted in your heart.

Service Recap: 3/20/05

Announcments (for more information please contact the church office):

• Cornerstone Music Fesitval will be held Thursday, June 30th through Sunday, July 3rd and includes many popular Christian music stars. The event includes not only music but activities for all ages of fans. Contact the church office before April 30th if you are interested in attending.
• The New Song Summer Co-Ed Softball team is looking for team members for their fourth season on 12-inch softball. All games are held behind the Eola Community Center in Aurora.
• The Women's Ministry has a number of events coming up:

Bedtime Stories at Aurora Public Library - Monday March 28th @ 7PM

Movie Night - Wednesday, March 30th. Meeting at 6:30 at Oswego
Oberweis

Reading
Luke 19: 28-44

Sermon Outline
Title: From Darkness and the Dawn
Theme: Seizing Spiritual Opportunities
Text: Luke 19: 28-44

3 Ways to Respond to Spiritual Opportunities
1) Move out of your comfort zone.
2) Act on areas in need of personal housecleaning.
3) Make the step toward being a team player.

Service Recap: 2/27/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)

• Next Sunday New Song will be celebrating Charter Sunday, marking our transition from a mission church to a fully recognized congregation of the LCMS. Speaking at the 10:30 service will be Rev. Bill Ameiss, President of the Northern Illinois District.
• The Women's Ministry has a variety of events planned for the next few weeks. These include:

Story Time at Fat Bean Coffehouse 3/8 at 10 AM.

Ukranian Easter Egg making 3/8 at 6 PM.

Bible Study at the church office 3/16 at 6:30 PM.

Mommy & Me Bedtime at the Aurora Public Library-Eola Branch 3/28 at 7 PM.

Girls' Night Out movie night 3/30, meeting at the Oswego Oberweis Dairy at 6:30 PM.

• The Men's Ministry is planning a retreat to Loredo Taft Field Campus March 18th and 19th. Food and lodging is included in the $55 registration fee.
• C.O.M.E. will be holding another Easter egg hunt and is looking for anyone willing to donate wrapped candy or leftover plastic eggs.

Readings
Old Testament: Psalm 56:1-4, 8-11
New Testament: Romans 12:9-18

Sermon Outline
Title: The Secrets of Deep Relationships
Focus: Authenticity, Part 2
Text: 2 Corinthians 4:2

3 Keys to Authenticity in Relationships

1) The fear of exposure keeps us from being authentic. (Proverbs 26:23)
Key Concept: Walk in the light. (1 John 1:7)
2) The fear of rejection keeps us from being authentic. (Proverbs 29:25)
Key Concept: Trust in Gods' unconditional love. (Daniel 10:19)
3) The fear of being hurt again keeps us from being authentic (Psalm 73:21)
Key Concept: Get a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Great quote: "Your self-esteem is largely determined by what you think the most important person in your life thinks about you." Let that person by Jesus Christ, who loved you so much He died on the cross for you!

Service Recap: 2/20/05

Announcements (for more information please contact the church office)

• Men's Ministry will meet this Saturday at Panera Bread on Rt. 59 at 7:45 A.M.
• C.O.M.E. will be holding another Easter egg hunt and is looking for anyone willing to donate wrapped candy or leftover plastic eggs.
• The Men's Ministry is planning a retreat to Loredo Taft Field Campus March 18th and 19th. Food and lodging is included in the $55 registration fee.
• There will be a Rock Group reunion Sunday, Feb. 27th. Dinner will be provided, but all are welcome to bring a dessert dish.
• Immanuel Lutheran Church of Freeport will be hosting a Bible seminar on Sat. April 9th concerning the End Times. Contact Immanuel Lutheran at 815-235-1993 for more info.

Guest Speaker: Tolkild Masvie from the Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies, speaking on witnessing to Messianic Jews in Israel.

Readings

Old Testament: Psalm 4:1-8

New Testament: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Sermon Outline

Title: The Secrets of Deep Relationships

Focus: Authenticity, Part 1

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:2

What Causes Us to Wear Masks?

3 Keys to Authenticity in Relationships (Parts 2 & 3 will be covered next week)

1) The fear of exposure keeps us from being authentic. (Proverbs 26:23)

FIRST KEY TO AUTHENTICITY: Walk in the light (1 John 1:7)

Service Recap: 2/13/05

Trying a new format for this weblog so please bear with me.

ANNOUNCEMENTS (for more information, please contact the church office)

• C.O.M.E. will be holding another Easter egg hunt and is looking for anyone willing to donate wrapped candy or leftover plastic eggs.
• The Men's Ministry is planning a retreat to Loredo Taft Field Campus March 18th and 19th. Food and lodging is included in the $55 registration fee.
• There will be a Rock Group reunion Sunday, Feb. 27th. Dinner will be provided, but all are welcome to bring a dessert dish.
• The Rainbows group, helping children dealing with seperation from a parent due to death, illness or any other reason will be starting back up soon.

READINGS
Old Testament: Psalm 118:1-9
New Testament: Matthew 18: 15-20

SERMON OUTLINE
Title: The Secrets Of Deep Relationships
Focus: Graduate Level Loving
Text: Matthew 18: 15-17

What To Do When Love Breaks Down
(3 steps to follow for restoring a broken relationship)
1) Go (Matt 18:15)
2) Go alone (Matt 18:15)
3) Go in love (Eph. 4:15)

"That they may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in You; That they (disciples) also may be one in us.." - John 17:21