Hi Church!
In Ephesians chapter six, verses 10-18, Paul admonishes us Christians to stand up, suit up, and pray up. We are to suit up with “the full armor of God,” which includes the shield of faith. The shield Paul referenced in this passage was the one used by the Roman heavy infantry. It was 2.5’ wide and 4’ high.
When attacking a stronghold that was protected by archers (with arrows often dipped in tar and ignited before firing), each infantryman would raise his shield above his head
With all the shields raised and touching, they formed an impenetrable roof that protected all of the soldiers from the arrows. What made the shield useful and bolstered its protective power was the cooperation and joint participation of each infantryman.
When we take the gospel to the masses, we are storming the strongholds of the prince of darkness. How does Satan respond? He launches his fiery arrows at us. God has given us a shield called faith. It always works best when used in cooperation with other godly Christ followers. Christian, we never do our best in isolation. Our faith is at its most powerful when exercised in unison with other saints.
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 25th, our bi-monthly corporate prayer gathering is taking place at 9:00am in the lobby. This is your opportunity to join with others in God’s throne room in concerted, effectual intercession.
Later in the day, our Fall Harvest Festival is happening from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Due to the weather, we have moved the food court and games indoors. We still have some trunks with treats, each one under protective cover. Pray for a great turnout, lots of fun, and many opportunities to connect with the members of our community.
One week from Saturday, November 1st, is the date of our annual Capture the Vision dinner. A three-course dinner will be served for everyone 5th grade and older. The dinner includes a garden-fresh salad with a dinner roll, a main course (ham, roast beef, fully loaded baked potato, sautéed green beans with bacon and mushrooms), and dessert (brownie with ice cream). Please sign up by Sunday for the dinner so that we know how much food to buy. You can pay at the door. Thank you!
Children 4th grade and younger will enjoy pizza and an age-appropriate movie with supervision. Following dinner, we will enjoy some worship, a fun video highlighting this past year of ministry, a clear vision for the coming year, and the presentation of this coming year’s budget. All of this for $4.00/person, maximum $12/family.
Did you enjoy witnessing the baptisms of six children and youth this past Sunday as much as I did? And to think we have only just begun to reach into our community with the transforming power of the gospel! I honestly believe that we haven’t seen anything yet! What God is positioning us, as a church family, to do is both fantastic and amazing. The summer of 2026 will be the introduction of Kamp Koinonia (“fellowship”).
A well-run summer Bible Camp is one of the most effective discipleship tools ever designed. It is a five-night, six-day adventure combining worship, games, Bible lessons, crazy activities, gospel presentations, outstanding food, swimming, and deep fellowship. Unfortunately, in a day of run-away inflation, Christian camps are struggling. A week of camp can cost $1,000 and more, and common folks cannot afford it.
God led us to a beautiful Christian Camp in the Illinois Valley. We previewed it and became excited with the possibilities. We can provide a full week of camp, including a t-shirt, for $260. For many parents, especially those with multiple youth, this cost is still prohibitive. So, I come to you asking if you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to reach our backyard mission field for Christ by helping provide a week of Bible camp for teens and children as a Christmas gift from the LifeLink family.
You will find camp shares hanging on the small Christmas tree in the lobby. Take one, check the appropriate box ($260, $130, $65, other) and return in an envelope with your contribution. We will continue to collect donations until the Sunday before Christmas. I appreciate your willing and generous spirit. Thank you.
On Sunday, November 2nd, something very exciting is happening in our KidzLink ministry. Due to continued growth, we are adding a new department to help us train our students in the best environment possible. Our Early Childhood group will remain in the first classroom we remodeled. Our Primary class, for students K-2nd grade, will meet in the most recently remodeled room. Our Elementary aged students, 3rd-6th grades, will gather in the multipurpose room.
Here is how each of us can help. Consider serving in our KidzLink ministry. It is exciting and rewarding. Consider volunteering to help transition the multipurpose room from a classroom to a dining room. This will be necessary every Sunday morning. Finally, be considerate. Should you arrive at the multipurpose room with food before it has been converted into a dining room, patiently offer to help or find a seat in the Holy Grounds Café. I thank you in advance!
Kristie and I will not be worshipping with you this Sunday, as I am filling the pulpit for another church whose pastor is out of town this weekend. Pastor David will be concluding our current series, The Journey, preaching from Genesis chapter 50. Next Sunday, we will begin our next series covering the Beatitudes. As we continue to grow, parking becomes more challenging. May I encourage you to join me in parking on the grass? Thank you!
In His Mighty Grip,
Steve
In Ephesians chapter six, verses 10-18, Paul admonishes us Christians to stand up, suit up, and pray up. We are to suit up with “the full armor of God,” which includes the shield of faith. The shield Paul referenced in this passage was the one used by the Roman heavy infantry. It was 2.5’ wide and 4’ high.
When attacking a stronghold that was protected by archers (with arrows often dipped in tar and ignited before firing), each infantryman would raise his shield above his head
With all the shields raised and touching, they formed an impenetrable roof that protected all of the soldiers from the arrows. What made the shield useful and bolstered its protective power was the cooperation and joint participation of each infantryman.
When we take the gospel to the masses, we are storming the strongholds of the prince of darkness. How does Satan respond? He launches his fiery arrows at us. God has given us a shield called faith. It always works best when used in cooperation with other godly Christ followers. Christian, we never do our best in isolation. Our faith is at its most powerful when exercised in unison with other saints.
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 25th, our bi-monthly corporate prayer gathering is taking place at 9:00am in the lobby. This is your opportunity to join with others in God’s throne room in concerted, effectual intercession.
Later in the day, our Fall Harvest Festival is happening from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Due to the weather, we have moved the food court and games indoors. We still have some trunks with treats, each one under protective cover. Pray for a great turnout, lots of fun, and many opportunities to connect with the members of our community.
One week from Saturday, November 1st, is the date of our annual Capture the Vision dinner. A three-course dinner will be served for everyone 5th grade and older. The dinner includes a garden-fresh salad with a dinner roll, a main course (ham, roast beef, fully loaded baked potato, sautéed green beans with bacon and mushrooms), and dessert (brownie with ice cream). Please sign up by Sunday for the dinner so that we know how much food to buy. You can pay at the door. Thank you!
Children 4th grade and younger will enjoy pizza and an age-appropriate movie with supervision. Following dinner, we will enjoy some worship, a fun video highlighting this past year of ministry, a clear vision for the coming year, and the presentation of this coming year’s budget. All of this for $4.00/person, maximum $12/family.
Did you enjoy witnessing the baptisms of six children and youth this past Sunday as much as I did? And to think we have only just begun to reach into our community with the transforming power of the gospel! I honestly believe that we haven’t seen anything yet! What God is positioning us, as a church family, to do is both fantastic and amazing. The summer of 2026 will be the introduction of Kamp Koinonia (“fellowship”).
A well-run summer Bible Camp is one of the most effective discipleship tools ever designed. It is a five-night, six-day adventure combining worship, games, Bible lessons, crazy activities, gospel presentations, outstanding food, swimming, and deep fellowship. Unfortunately, in a day of run-away inflation, Christian camps are struggling. A week of camp can cost $1,000 and more, and common folks cannot afford it.
God led us to a beautiful Christian Camp in the Illinois Valley. We previewed it and became excited with the possibilities. We can provide a full week of camp, including a t-shirt, for $260. For many parents, especially those with multiple youth, this cost is still prohibitive. So, I come to you asking if you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to reach our backyard mission field for Christ by helping provide a week of Bible camp for teens and children as a Christmas gift from the LifeLink family.
You will find camp shares hanging on the small Christmas tree in the lobby. Take one, check the appropriate box ($260, $130, $65, other) and return in an envelope with your contribution. We will continue to collect donations until the Sunday before Christmas. I appreciate your willing and generous spirit. Thank you.
On Sunday, November 2nd, something very exciting is happening in our KidzLink ministry. Due to continued growth, we are adding a new department to help us train our students in the best environment possible. Our Early Childhood group will remain in the first classroom we remodeled. Our Primary class, for students K-2nd grade, will meet in the most recently remodeled room. Our Elementary aged students, 3rd-6th grades, will gather in the multipurpose room.
Here is how each of us can help. Consider serving in our KidzLink ministry. It is exciting and rewarding. Consider volunteering to help transition the multipurpose room from a classroom to a dining room. This will be necessary every Sunday morning. Finally, be considerate. Should you arrive at the multipurpose room with food before it has been converted into a dining room, patiently offer to help or find a seat in the Holy Grounds Café. I thank you in advance!
Kristie and I will not be worshipping with you this Sunday, as I am filling the pulpit for another church whose pastor is out of town this weekend. Pastor David will be concluding our current series, The Journey, preaching from Genesis chapter 50. Next Sunday, we will begin our next series covering the Beatitudes. As we continue to grow, parking becomes more challenging. May I encourage you to join me in parking on the grass? Thank you!
In His Mighty Grip,
Steve
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