Author: Believers Church

November 13, 2020 Believers Church

New Adventures

What have us north folk been up to? So we got to set up our stand at Boo at the Zoo! Every October our local zoo hosts trick or treating events with local businesses and organizations. For three Saturdays leading up to Halloween, we got to hand out candy to trick or treaters and church information to the parents. Then, all dressed up, on Halloween, we set up in four different neighborhoods to do the same thing. These ended up being a great way to meet our community. We look forward to hopefully doing it again next year.


While the teams were on the domestic trip, We took a brief pause on revelation and Jeremiah. During that time we were treated to a series on Kings and Kingdoms as well as a study in Joshua. The team came back to some really nice weather (like seriously it was warm), giving us the opportunity to catch up with them on some beautiful days. Now, winter has arrived,  but October was not our last hurrah before it got cold. We’ve got some ideas on how we want to spend it together.

Campus Ministry

Street Level has continued to meet once a week as we go through Galatians. The Garage, Street Level’s meeting place, has been such a nice space and just what we needed. In addition to our Monday study nights, we’ve plans some other fun events. We joined in on the Halloween fun by having a party; complete with costumes, pumpkin carving, and old Halloween movies. Man, there were some intricate pumpkin carvings…they had some crazy skills! Next, we look forward to a retro video game night!

After thanksgiving, many students will not be returning to campus as all classes will be online. But some students will be staying in the area. We will continue to meet after thanksgiving. Also, we hope to print and mail  WOTS to every UWS students very soon. Street Level has been quite blessed this year with not only a neat meeting space and opportunities, but an awesome core group. We are excited for the rest of the semester.

Prayer Requests

Please pray not only opportunity to continue to reach students and our community, but that real strong relationships would be a distinguishing part of who we are; for us to continue to grow in unity and love for one another. Also, please pray for our leaders as they continue to seek God’s direction.

November 10, 2020 Believers Church

When I was growing up my dad drove truck on the weekends to earn some extra money. He’d get up at three AM, get in the truck, and head to the coal dock in Superior. Once there, he’d load up the first of three loads to be brought to the Iron Range. I remember asking one Friday night if I could go with him. I had no idea what I was getting into. What boy wouldn’t want to spend a day around big trucks, seeing front end loaders, and exploring the inner working of power plants? The next morning I woke up earlier than I ever had, grabbed my lunch box, and followed my dad, him with his thermos of coffee and mine full of hot chocolate.

I’d get very little sleep. The days would be long. The seats would be uncomfortable. Believe it or not, the excitement of big trucks and heavy equipment wasn’t enough to hold my attention and desire. But the presence of my dad in the seat beside me had me going day after day. To the best of my memory, there wasn’t a trip my dad took that I didn’t go with if I could. The lack of sleep didn’t matter. The discomfort of sitting in a truck seat didn’t matter. I didn’t care that there was nothing to entertain myself with. It didn’t matter where we were going, I just wanted to be with my dad.

I loved those trips. I’m sure there were difficult days. Days when the truck wouldn’t start, days with flat tires, days where my dad or I irritated each other. But I got to spend time with my dad. I got to know him better than ever. I got to go where he was going and do what he was doing. He didn’t need my help. In fact, in some ways, I am sure his day would have been easier without me, but he let me come. My dad was going to work and I was going with him.

God invites us along

There is no doubt that God is at work in the world. We don’t always know what that work is. Nor do we have a perfect understanding of how to do the work and yet God as our perfect heavenly Father invites us along. He will open up the passenger door and ask if you are getting in. You can pass if you want. He won’t force you to spend time with Him. But if you don’t spend time with Him, you will not know Him. If you don’t go with him, you won’t do what He is doing.

There will be days where being with God is going to cost you. You’ll lose sleep. You will be uncomfortable. There will be days you don’t even know where you are going. There will be days where there seems to be no earthly reason to continue on. Is the presence of God enough to keep you going? If you know Him as the Father He truly is, His presence alone is enough. The presence and closeness of God is what we should treasure most.

The Presence of God is the Point

In Exodus 33 the Israelites are in the wilderness after God has delivered them from Egypt. They are a sinful and rebellious nation. In the previous chapter, they had created a golden calf as their preferred god to worship. Needless to say, they were not being ideal children. God tells them to go into the promised land full of great blessings, comfort, and riches. He even says that He will send His Angel before them to drive out their enemies. He guarantees the Israelite’s earthly desires. But then says that He is not going to go.

Moses replies saying, “If your presence is not going to go with us, please don’t make us go.” He knew that to enter into a land full of blessings and riches but without the presence of God is far worse than staying put in the harsh wilderness with God at their side. He knew that it is better to be anywhere with God than in paradise without Him.

Will You go With

Getting in the passenger seat with my Dad was a little intimidating. I had no idea what was in store or where we would end up. I didn’t know how long we would be gone. But I did it and never regretted it. The same is true of going to work with God. It’s more than a little intimidating, it’s terrifying. You never know where He might take you or what He might expect you to do along the way. Do you want to be with your Father? If you’ll go, you will find He will take you on the ride of your life.

November 4, 2020 Believers Church

The Text

Romans 12:17-21 “17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The Subject

Pastor Matt Chandler teaches about how, in a time of extreme division, we have the opportunity to overcome evil with good. Listen as he walks us through Paul’s teaching and how we can leverage this dark time for the good of God.

Citizens of Earth | Matt Chandler | 11/03/2020
Listen right here as well or right-click the player to save the audio.
November 1, 2020 Believers Church

A-ha!

Liver Sausage Pineapple

A few years back, I got an idea… I vowed, whatever next potluck holiday gathering I’m invited to (whether family, friends, or otherwise) I was going to resurrect one of those bizarre 1950’s unflavored gelatin salad recipes and bring that as my contribution. A notorious one is the classic liver-sausage shaped like a pineapple. The recipe calls for 1 pound liver sausage, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin, Sliced stuffed olives, and a Pineapple top.

…I didn’t do it, guys! Don’t worry. (…but consider yourself warned)

It’s hard to imagine that at some point in history, Americans used an ungodly amount of unflavored gelatin, mayo, fish, veggies, fruit, and liver sausage in one dish, but they did. To be honest, gross food aside, the 1950s is one of my favorite periods in American history… mostly because of the music and cars.

Hmmm…

All of this got me to thinking about the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. We are talking about a feast hosted by the Savior and attended by all believers of all time. It made me wonder if we’re very good at the idea of celebrating. I looked online for a suitable artist depiction but, let me tell you, they all seem odd. Some show everyone dressed like we’re from first-century Nazareth. Really? Others depict some sort of mid-1800’s formal English dinner with fine China with brass chafing dishes. No thanks. Maybe it’ll be like a 21st century Wisconsin potluck? All I can say is, I hope not. Spoiler alert, it will be way beyond our imagination and we won’t be concerned with the look and feel, but the Host!

Huh?

“So, what are you doing for the holidays?” That’s a big question this year with all the restrictions. Isn’t it funny how many of our families seem to be tossing out all pandemic concerns for the sake of the holidays? Especially now with the highest numbers recorded since March. “What?! We can’t skip Thanksgiving or Christmas! That’s just wrong!” Unfortunately, we cannot be together like in past years, but maybe it will make us appreciate it more.

Celebrating is good for us. God instilled a practice of celebration in the Israelites. It wasn’t “parties for the sake of parties” as we see in college house-parties. God provided times for people to pause their lives and celebrate His goodness. Weddings, seasonal feasts, etc. all helped Israel remember, reflect, and realize the goodness of God. Even psychologists agree that celebrating improves a person’s wellbeing. And doing so together with others helps us feel we’re connected. But with this pandemic, how can we do this?

First of all, ask yourself, is it the worst thing for us to skip the old holiday routine? It’s just for one year, guys. We’re such creatures of routine. Second, maybe you should get to the bottom of why you do the holidays as you do. Maybe you’re sincere… or maybe you do what you do because “my family would be pissed if I didn’t”. Third, how about applying some creativity? Are you single with one or more roommates, why not make this year a special year with your housemates? Are you married or have a family, maybe it’s time you all stay at home and make it a special celebration just with those of your household …and, in the spirit of the scriptures, make it a time of reflection on the goodness of God. And I mean celebrate! Do something out of the normal… special.

Ohhhh!

As we celebrate whatever way this year, we should reflect on the coming celebration-of-all-celebrations, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Try and imagine what you think it will be like. Let your imagination run for a bit. I picture a 1950s backyard cookout.

Revelation 19:6-9 “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure’—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

1950s cookout
October 28, 2020 Believers Church

The Homeschool Group has now been meeting for together work time for two months.  We were able to start off the school year outside in the warm sunshine.  Since it has gotten cold (and snowed) we now have the ability to use the new combined Gathering Room to meet in.  This room provides us the space to properly social distance and be in the same room together.  Thank you to the Pastors and Nehemiah who worked hard at making this usable for us. 

Our Weekly Meeting

During our time together, the kids share things they are learning through projects and experiments they are doing.  Digestion, How Sound Travels, Places to Visit in New England and the Letter “R” are examples of things that have been shared.  This presenting helps the kids learn how to speak in front of an audience.  In addition, there is a short time of reading out loud together to help with reading and presenting skills.  The older ones read through a short play while the younger ones work on beginning reading skills.  During our worktime, the kids will give each other spelling tests and sometimes practice state capitals, but sometimes its nice just to be able to do schoolwork next to a friend! 

When work is done, we end by playing a sport or exercising together.  Throughout the fall, we learned about several organized sports, such as volleyball, football and basketball.  We may be able to squeeze in playing soccer if the weather cooperates.  A dance lesson is also in the works.  The kids are looking forward to outdoor time in the snow and on the ice when we are able.

Lending Library

We are excited to announce a new Homeschool Resources Lending Library to assist parents in teaching worldview, creation, Biblical sexuality, and various other topics to their children! 

The idea of this material is to be a supplement to the core subjects that the kids are studying.  As parents, there are topics that we should be covering that are not part of our regular curriculum. This library is meant to be a resource to help with some of those topics. These can generally be covered over a few weeks.  Winter months or spring or summer break may be a good time to cover some of these topics.

This is located in Gathering Room 1 for you to browse and checkout after church services on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and during homeschool group time on Thursdays.

If anyone, parents or otherwise, run into any resources which you feel may be beneficial to this library please send them our way.   

Here are just some of the items available to you: 
  • The Talk: Biblical Sexuality is a series of 3 books for different ages, starting at age 6 through teenagers. The author of this series also played a part in developing Covenant Eyes. The introduction to the first book lays out reasons why this topic should be covered by parents and done early.
  • Worldviews: A Children’s Intro to Missions is a workbook the compares the five major worldviews to Christianity. It also introduces several cultures and countries where these beliefs are prevalent.  There are multiple activities, crafts and recipes as well as an introduction video for each worldview.  There are two different books, but both cover the same thing.  The Jr. Edition would be appropriate for upper elementary school, while middle schoolers would benefit from the other one.  There are scans of the activity pages, please ask for them!
  • Lots of books and videos from Answers in Genesis including: One Blood for Kids: What the Bible Says About Race, Dragons, Awesome Science: Exploring The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Meteor Craters and Petrified Forests
October 25, 2020 Believers Church

Greetings from the Philippines! Read the latest ministry update from Shofar Missions Cebu.

Getting Out There

After months of strict quarantines, God has allowed us to get out and see people that we haven’t seen in months. We have even been able to leave the city borders! Our trips have included updates to Shofar Cable TV in Balamban, visits to Street Level Ministries students, brief meetings with staff at schools, and fellowshipping with various churches on Sundays. God is good… we’ve been reminded of how incredibly important and encouraging it is to be among His people.

Street Level Ministries

This semester is proving to be a challenging, yet fruitful season for Street Level Ministries Cebu. Although we are not meeting in person for our weekly meetings, God has provided many ways for us to stay connected to the students. We are currently going verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Mark during our Friday night Bible discussions on Google Meet. A couple of weeks ago, Jonah and Jessica from SLM River Falls joined us for our meeting. We have been able to see most of the SLM members in person and plan to continue visiting them individually as the semester goes on. The next issue of Word on the Street Magazine will release next month. It’s amazing what God allows us to do despite being spread out across the islands!

Exploring Creation Science

It’s October, which means it’s Science Month! At the Banawa Nazarene School, that involves weekly lessons on Zoom for the Grade 4 students. This provides an interactive learning environment where students can ask questions and engage with the experiments digitally. Hopefully, a set of similar interactive lessons will be taught to the Inayawan Nazarene students next month. Schools also have the opportunity to watch lessons via Facebook Live at a set time each week. These lessons will continue for the remainder of the semester. Also available to students are Daily Bible Reading posts and worksheets online, as well as printed Explore Booklets. The ultimate goal is to equip students to know why they believe what they believe.

Prayer Requests

  1. For God’s continued protection from the virus and on our bikes as we seek to safely minister.
  2. That the SLM students would desire to know Jesus better, to wholeheartedly follow Him, and that their love for Him would compel them to reach out to other students.
  3. Fruitful ministry among primary and secondary aged students, strong internet connections, and continued growing relationships with school staff.