FALL - Heartbeat - EDITION - Jamestown First Assembly
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Heartbeat
Quarterly Publication of Jamestown First Assembly
FALL
EDITION
2017
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
In This Issue
Page 2-3: Pastor’s Pen Page 26-29: Women’s Ministries
Page 4: Birthday’s & Anniversaries Page 30-31: Men’s Ministries
Page 5-7: Upcoming Events Page 32-37: Small Groups
Page 8-9: Article by Curt Hill Page 38-40: Sunday School
Page 10-18: Kidz Konnect Page 41-45: Missions/Special Speakers
Page 19-22: Student Ministries Page 51-52: Something to Think About
Page 23-25: Primetimer’s
At A Glance
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER
4th~Labor Day-Church Office closed 7th~Youth 5th Quarter Event 5th~Daylight Savings Ends
6th~Deacon Meeting 8th~Pastor Appreciation 19th~Deacon Meeting
Momentum Service@ TBC 12th~Deacon Meeting 10th~Youth Event
10th~Fall Kickoff (Sunday School, 13th~BGMC Friday Night Thing 16th~Primetimer’s Hymn Sing and
Wednesday Family Night Lunch
14th~JBQ meet at Jamestown
Classes, Women’s Tuesday
19th~Primetimer’s Hymn Sing and 17th~BGMC Friday Night Thing
Morning Break)
Lunch 21st~No Ladies Morning Break
12th~Kidz Konnect Parent Meeting
19th-21st~Youth Convention 22nd~No Wednesday Night Classes
13th~Kidz Konnect Christmas
Musical Auditions 22nd~Missions Convention 23rd~Happy Thanksgiving! —
23rd~Youth for Christ Banquet Church Office Closed
14th~Primetimer’s Potluck
27th~Youth Reverse Trick or Treating 24th~Church Office Closed
17th-201th~The Swanepoels
29th~Missions Convention 26th~BGMC Sunday
20th~See You At The Pole
22nd~BGMC Friday Night Thing 31st~Harvest Celebration
23rd~Stock Car Stampede Breakfast
24th~BGMC Sunday
25th~Small Groups Kickoff
29th-30th~ Ladies Fall Connection
Pastor’s
Pen
CREATED FOR COMMUNITY Everybody needs it but few people achieve it
Part 1
Hebrews 10:24-25 A nd let us consid- temple courts. They broke bread in ideal of community challenges us, in-
er how we may spur one another on their homes and ate together with stead, to commit ourselves to life to-
toward love and good deeds, not giving glad and sincere hearts, praising gether as the people of God.
up meeting together, as some are in the God and enjoying the favor of all
habit of doing, but encouraging one the people. And the Lord added to We all know that maturity takes time.
another—and all the more as you see their number daily those who were But we don’t consider that it also takes
the Day approaching. being saved. our brother’s and sister’s in Christ
time. It’s a process that is revealed in
Romans 12:4-5 (NIV) For just as each 1 John 4:11 (NIV) Dear friends, the "each other"
of us has one body with many mem- since God so loved us, we also ought language of the New Testament: Love
bers, and these members do not all to love one another. one another, forgive each other, and
have the same function, so in Christ regard each other more highly than
we, though many, form one body, and 1 John 1:7 (NIV) But if we walk in yourselves.
each member belongs to all the others. the light, as he is in the light, we Teach and correct each other, encour-
have fellowship with one another, age each other, pray for each other, and
Psalm 133:1 (NIV) How good and and the blood of Jesus, his Son, puri- bear each other’s burdens. Be friends
pleasant it is when God’s people live fies us from all sin. with one another, kind, compassionate,
together in unity! and generous in hospitality. Serve one
The one thing that these verses are all another and submit to one another out
Matthew 18:20 (NIV) “For where two leading to is the importance of commu- of reverence for Christ. This list just
or three gather in my name, there am I nity. I am concerned that we would be scratches the surface, but it is enough
with them.” more than just a crowd of individuals to remind us that we need to be con-
that gather on a Sunday, but that we nected in community for our faith to
Romans 12:16 (NIV) Live in harm o- would become a community of faith. grow up in Christ.
ny with one another. Do not be proud, Christian community is simply sharing
but be willing to associate with people a common life in Christ. It moves us The goal of community is that individ-
of low position. Do not be conceited. beyond the self-interested isolation of ually and together, we should become
private lives and beyond the superficial mature, no longer knocked around by
Acts 2:46-47 (NIV) Every day they social contacts that we pass off as clever religious hucksters, but able to
continued to meet together in the “Christian fellowship.” The biblical stand tall and straight, embodying the
Pastor’s Pen
very "fullness of Christ" (Paul’s idea in I felt crushed. disconnected world. I fear that we
Eph. 4:11-16). would add to someone’s pain like
Sometimes I wonder if community- Shaun described. So be spurred on to
building in many churches has fallen love and good actions. We must be
Shaun Stevenson makes this observa- into the same trap that so many other more than a crowd. We need to grow
tion: things have fallen into: We talk more in biblical community. God’s Word
about it more than we actually practice calls us to being more than a crowd
I slipped into the back pew and stood it. Sermons, Bible study books, pod- that passes each other on a Sunday!
there fidgeting with the Bible in the casts, tweets, Facebook rants—they’ve We must develop authentic community
addressed community at some point. with each other. To do so—you will
rack in front of me. The church I was
Home groups sit around and talk to have to take personal action, you will
visiting met in an old Presbyterian other about how great their community have to extend yourself, you will have
building from the time when churches is when they may have someone sitting to be friendly, you will have to get out
actually built huge, impressive struc- on the sofa right next to them who feels of your comfort zone, you will have to
tures complete with steeple, stained wildly disconnected from everyone attend a small group, you will have to
else. We love the idea of community— join a Sunday School class, you will
glass, and an ornate pulpit that didn’t
everyone engaged and involved and have to be open to different people,
move off the stage for a worship band. connected—but how many people show you will have to break out of a rut. But
I had found my way to this hip little up like I did to the back of that church, the blessing is, the payoff is; you will
inner-city church because people longing for someone to reach out to have a mature, growing, others-
claimed it had a strong community them, shake their hand and have more centered faith—that will please the
than a two-second conversation? Lord. Plus you will have “authentic
where everyone felt welcomed and
friends” who will help carry your bur-
loved. Church should be a place where peo- dens in return.
ple feel safe and comfortable and se-
After prayer, a thirty something lady cure and ready to share life with oth- Let us not just be a familiar crowd that
stepped to the front of the room, asked ers. But if no one ever initiates that knows each other by face, but let us
for visitors to remain seated and an- conversation, how much of a communi- develop a genuine, authentic, warm
nounced: “Go and greet these new ty do we really have? Should it always community. Where we share the life
people and make them feel welcome!” be the outsider’s job to try and con- of Christ with each other! My prayer
nect? Or should the insiders be more is: Lord your kingdom come, your will
Everyone started moving and talking intentional about looking beyond their be done!
and shaking hands and laughing, but own cliques?
they didn’t come my direction. I sat
there like a lump as people walked past Shaun makes some very good observa- Jeff Wiedenmeyer
me to the coffee kiosk in the back. One tions that we must grapple with, if we Pastor
older lady smiled briefly at me and want to be a scriptural community—
then hurried on. “Christians” in a very cold, bitter,
September
03 Denise Waldie
October
03 Lance Savage
November
02 Joe Weltzin
04 Randy Schlecht 04 Judy Vilhauer 06 Kenneth Curtis
Birthdays
09 Merri Erickson 07 Leroy Kirschenmann 06 Elsie LIechty
10 Jesse Casavant 12 John Schaller 07 Jordan Simpson
14 Cameron Edwards
13 Dennis Hofmann 08 Julie Byron
18 Gary Riffe
17 Shirleen Pettet 09 Sara Hegerle
18 Aiden Venter
19 Rusty Kluting 19 Jane Kluting 16 Travis Titus
22 Lee Marshall 23 Brileigh Gahner 18 Raina Pahl
30 Adriaan Venter 23 Val Rueb 18 Lucy Els
23 Jodie Venter 19 Darcy Harr
25 Gladys Bjur 20 Marby Weltzin
25 Carol Hollaar 23 Kirsten Beaman
28 Jon Hegerle 27 Lynn Kylmanen
29 Terri Marshall 30 Leona Deutscher
Anniversaries
30 Nicki Mirzadeh
September October 01 Nicolaas & Lucy Van Der Linde
November
24 Jon & Elsie Liechty
01 Louis & Bonnie DeLair
03 Jim & Pattie Casavant 05 Austin & Marissa Gahner 28 Ray and Carol Elhard
12 Joe & LeAnn Beckstrand 15 Tom & Jeannette Waldie
26 Mike & Bethany Hillesland 16 Curt & Rachel Liechty
25 Shawn & Becky O’Neill 22 Val & Olga Rueb
23 Dennis & Evelyn Hofmann
29 Bill & Sibyl Hines
If this is your birthday or anniversary month and your name is not included please fill the information out on a connec-
tion card and drop it in the offering.
Quarterly
Tidbits
September/October/November
2017 Community Block Party! August 31st, from 5pm-
8pm will mark this year’s Community Block Party. If you are inter-
ested in helping at our booth to introduce Jamestown First As-
sembly to the new and returning college students, call the church
office at 252-4092.
Annual Stock Car Stampede Breakfast! This year’s Annual Stock Car
Stampede Breakfast will be held this Saturday, September 23rd. If you would
like to be a part of this outreach help is needed in both cooking and serving.
To take part as a cook, please arrive by 5:45am. To serve please arrive by
6:30 am. Breakfast will be served starting at 7:00am.
November 5th/2:00AM
Wednesday Night Dinner will start September 27th. We are
still in need of 4 or 5 people to help head up different nights a month
on a rotation basis to prepare and organize the meal. Please see
Pastor Jeff or Jill Riffe if you can serve in this way. We want this min-
istry to continue to bless our church and community! Please express
your interest soon. Wednesday Night Dinner is a meal the church will
serve before the start of Family Night Classes on Wednesdays. The
meal will be served from 5:15pm-6:15pm. The cost is $3/person with
a max of $10/family. You can contact Jill Riffe at 701-320-6357.
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm Friday 8:30am - 12:00pm
thegathering
This fall we are renaming and relaunching our Sunday PM Service!
Starting on Sunday, September 24th, thegathering will meet @ 6:00 PM.
Does Sunday morning not work for you? Do you
have to work on Sunday mornings? Jamestown First
Assembly has a place for you!
Welcome to thegathering! Come and be encouraged
in your faith, meet new friends in the community, and
experience God’s love through worship.
Pastor Jeff & Tamra Pastor Kenneth Pastor Andrea
Lead Pastor Student Ministries Children’s Ministries
THANK YOU to our Pastors for their love, faithfulness and
service. We appreciate you! We will celebrate and honor
our Pastors on Sunday, October 8th. Please watch your
bulletin for upcoming details.
GETTING THE WHOLE
EXPERIENCE
By Curt Hill
Some of us remember singing an old Gaither song, The Family of God. The first line of the
chorus is “I’m so glad I’m a part of the fam’ly of God!” It was a great song because we really
were glad that we were part of that family. I write today because I am concerned that many of
us are not getting the whole experience.
Family relationships occur at three distinct levels and we see these in God’s family as well.
When you are born you relate only to your mother and father. Later you interact with the imme-
diate family, which also includes your brothers and sisters. You also relate to your extended
family, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins and all the rest.
The first and most important relationship in the church is our connection to the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. Missing that makes you a stranger and not part of the family. Of course, that
does not end at the new birth. We cultivate that relationship all the rest of our days.
The problem that many of us have is that we confuse the immediate church family with the
extended church family. We think that First Assembly of God, in Jamestown is both, while in
fact it can only serve as the extended family. In general, our immediate family is our small
group or we do not have one.
Small group is that place where we do not dress up and we do not wear masks. We laugh
with those who laugh, we mourn with those who mourn and we pray for each of them. We
know each other way too well to try to conceal either the joys or sorrows of our life. These are
the people that we walk together through life. We reveal ourselves in a way that we never could
on Sunday.
You might get the mistaken idea that I am critical of our Sunday meetings. These are won-
derful times. We worship with many others of like mind; we serve in various capacities, includ-
GETTING THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE
ing giving; we are encouraged, instructed and convicted by the sermon; we get to briefly meet
with our friends. Everyone of these is good and hard to duplicate in any other setting.
Let me brag a bit on my small group. We are a diverse group from different areas with dif-
ferent occupations. We have walked together through numerous joys and hospital visits. When
one of us needs a hand the others are more than glad to pitch in. It is an unusual week where
we only see each other on our meeting night or at church. Each one of us has frequented each
other’s houses. I would very much like to claim credit for our harmonious existence, but I still
don’t know how it happened. God has knit us together in a way that defies understanding.
However, this I know: I am closer to these folks than my birth family.
One bitter-sweet fact that you all know is that families change. The kids leave the house
and start their own families. My small group may grow into multiple small groups. The bitter
will be not seeing those I love as often and the sweet will be getting to know new brothers and
sisters. This is the progression of life.
The small group ministry will be starting soon. Don’t miss out!Junior Bible Quiz
WHAT IS JBQ?
Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ) was created and designed to help children de-
velop a love for the Bible and an understanding that its truth can
guide their lives daily. Junior Bible Quiz offers a fun, exciting way to
motivate children to understand the all-important truths in God’s
Word. Through cooperative learning, children work together on
teams to learn and understand the questions and answers from the
Bible Fact-Pak. Then using cooperative competition the children meet
with other teams for a fun quizzing match. JBQ is the fastest growing
discipleship program in children’s ministry.
JBQ Practices are every Sunday starting
September 10th in Kidz Konnect Room.
2017 FALL MEET SCHEDULE
October 14th-Jamestown
November 18th-Fargo
JBQ is a great discipleship
program for both students
and parents!The Jamestown Kiwanis Club is coordinating a Kids Against Hunger event November 4th at the Stutsman Harley Davidson Shop. Kidz Konnect Kiddos will meet together at the church on November 4th at 8:45 . We will be volunteering and filling bags from 9:00- 10:30. Parents we would love for you to come with us. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Kidz Konnect room closer to the time of the event. This is a great opportunity to serve as Christ did!
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER
We will be head-
ing to TBC in El-
lendale Wed,
Sept 6th for their
Momentum ser-
vice.
We will leave the
Slater by 5:45.
Permission slip
required!
Wednesday, Sept
27th, Our students
will be joining stu-
dents from all over
the globe around
their school flag-
poles at 7am to pray
for our school, com-october
october
CHRISTMAS
PROGRAM
Practices start
October 2nd!
Friday, Oct 27th
4pm-11pm
Spend the Afternoon and
evening having fun with
friends while we care for our
community!
YOUTH CONVENTION 2017november
november
November 4th
the youth group will
be helping package
bags of food for
Kids Against Hun-
ger from 8:45-
10:30 at Stutsman
Harley Davidson
When: Friday, November 10th
Time: 7pm-11pm
Where: Slater Center
What: A night of puzzles, mystery,
suspense, food, fun, and friends!PRIMETIMER’S POTLUCK!
September 14, 2017
When: Thursday, September 14th
@ 11:57 AM - 3:23 PM
What to bring: a side dish to share and a
Who: Primetimers 50+ lawn chair
What: Lunch - Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Buns Why: Fellowship & Fun - Lunch, Corn Hole
and Homemade Ice Cream will be provided Tournament and prizes for the winners!
Where: Pastor Jeff & Tamra’s home
- 217 19th Ave. NE, Jamestown, ND 58401
RSVP Sept 13th
Please let Tamra
know that you plan to
join us by calling or
texting her
@ 701.368.8471Primetimer’s
Meet at the church at
10:30am for the Hymn
Sing followed by a no-host
lunch at a local eating
& Lunch establishment!
Hope to see you there!
No host lunches:
October 19th: Pita Palace November 16th: Paradiso'sConnect Conference
September 29 - 30
Friday, Sept 29 REGISTRATION
2:00 pm Registration FIRST TIME ATTENDEE FREE
3:30 pm The Connection Leadership Development Each One—Bring One
7:00 pm Evening Celebration //MUST PRE-REGISTER BY SEPT 17//
9:30 pm After Party
General $45
Saturday, Sept 30 Student $30
8:00 am Prayer Walk On $55
9:00 am Morning Celebration | Session 1
10:45 am Morning Celebration | Session 2
11:30 am Farewell Please let Tamra know if you have already
registered or if you would like to register.
Lodging has been reserved at the LaQuinta Inn (2240 N 12th St, Bismarck) for our
group. It is a block of 5 rooms. Single Occupancy is $114.98/Double Occupancy is
$57.49. Please sign up on a Connection Card if you would like a room or call the
office at 252-4092. Rooms will be booked through the church office.JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY
Women’s Bible Study
Starting September 26 & 27, 2017
Morning Break: Tuesday’s @ 9:00am
Evening Break: Wednesday’s @ 6:30pm
IS YOUR HEART BREAKING?
Nehemiah’s heart broke so deeply for the suffering Jews that
he left the comfort of his of his Person palace to restore their
desolate community. Through seven video sessions and in-
depth, relational Bible study, Nehemiah will inspire you to listen
to what God has put in your heart to do. Let God break your
heart for the hurting, because He often uses a breaking heart
to restore the broken.
Books can be purchased for $15 (optional)
See Tamra for books and for more information
*Childcare will be provided at both sessions*My sheep hear My voice…
If hearing God seemed challenging, Priscilla Shirer invites you
to explore a more intimate relationship with Him, one that can
make hearing Him—His will, His heart, and His voice—your
ongoing experience. Discover how you can listen with greater
confidence, clarity, and confidence.
Women’s Bible Study
Coming in November!Note: Truthful Men for Trustless Times 2 Corinthians ~ We will be in Chapter 6
TRUTHFUL MEN FOR TRUTHLESS TIMES
Book of 2 Corinthians
“Things are not always what they seem.” You can’t judge a book by its cover, a movie by its trailer, or a
person by their Facebook page. Yet, that doesn’t stop us from trying ourselves. We try to project the best
image of ourselves for others to see. If we did judge everyone by their online appearance, we would con-
clude that everyone is happy and confident!
This kind of thing isn’t only limited to the internet. It’s our clothes, the way we talk, the things we
buy. What we see of someone, in these matters, is how we craft our impression of that person. Yet, as
we all know personally – things are not necessarily as they appear to be. Appearances can be deceiving.
It’s out of this knowledge of reality that people long for what is authentic, what is real. We long to
live genuine lives beyond appearances. Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians has much to say about this.
Men’s Bible Study
Meets Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM downstairs fellowship hall.
Starts: Wednesday September 27th
This class will be led by Pastor Jeff WiedenmeyerSMALL GROUPS
JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY
SMALL GROUPS
September 2017-May 2018
LEADERS & LOCATIONS
Tuesdays
Bill & Janette Hruska
Location to be announced
Women’s
Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Morning Break
PH. (218) 639-1927
Led by Tamra
Wiedenmeyer
Church Fellowship Hall
Morning Break: Curt & Loree Hill
Tuesdays at 9:00 am at Curt & Loree’s
~childcare provided 860 Riverside Dr, Valley City
PH. 252-4092 Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
PH. 845-4584
Wednesdays
Men’s Bible Study
Joe & LeAnn Beckstrand
Fellowship Hall
at Gordy & Marva Entzminger’s
Led by Pastor Jeff
1116 Western Park Village,
Wiedenmeyer
Jamestown
PH. 252-4092
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
PH. 269-9662 (Joe) or
269-2856 (LeAnn)
Women’s
Evening Break
Led by Tamra College Group
Wiedenmeyer Led by Pastor Kenneth Curtis
Church Fellowship Hall Slater Center
Evening Break: Wednesdays at 8:30pm
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm PH. 840-1963
~childcare provided
PH. 252-4092SMALL GROUP STUDIES
*all groups will be studying the same material each week
1. THE END OF ME—By Kyle Idleman
In his award winning book, not a fan. Kyle Idleman challenged us to pick up our cross and die to our self. But what
does that actually mean? Join Kyle as he explores the upside down paths that lead us to Jesus. Featuring the true testimo-
nies of author and spoken word artist Jefferson Bethke, NBA star Landry Fields, founder and director of Scarlet Hope,
Rachelle Star, and the former US manager of Apple Records, Ken Mansfield - this cinematic journey unpacks the counterin-
tuitive truths of Jesus: You must be Broken to be Whole, You must Mourn to be Happy, You must be Authentic to be Ac-
cepted, You must be Empty to be Filled
2. COMMUNITY—By Andy Stanley
Why is community so important to your spiritual life? Because God designed you that way. He wants to use other people to
grow you and grow other people through you. In this 8-session, video-based study, you'll explore how building deep relation-
ships with the people in your small group and serving in the larger communty around you will grow your faith. This study
pack includes topics: Show Up, Pursue God, Join In, Be Real, Be the Church, Be Together.
3. GOLIATH MUST FALL—By Louie Giglio
It’s likely you have a threatening giant in your life . . . an adversary or stronghold that’s diminishing your ability to live a full
and free life. Frozen in the grip of rejection, fear, anger, comfort, or addiction, you’ve lost sight of the promise God has for
your life. Demoralized and defeated, you’ve settled for far less than his best. God has a better plan for you—a plan for you
to live in victory. That’s why he has silenced your giant once and for all. In this six-session video Bible study, Pastor Louie
Giglio uncovers a newfound twist in the classic story of David and Goliath. He shows how the key to living free from our gi-
ants is not better slingshot accuracy, but keeping our eyes on the one and only giant-slayer: Jesus. Put your hope in him,
and watch Goliath fall. Sessions include: Dead but Still Deadly, Fear Must Fall, Rejection Must Fall, Comfort Must Fall, An-
ger Must Fall, Addiction Must Fall.
4. DISVOVERING GOD’S WILL – By Andy Stanley
God has a personal vision for your life, and He wants you to know it even more than you do. But determining God's will can
be a difficult process, especially when you need to make a decision in a hurry. The Discovering God's Will study designed
for small groups. Will take you through the important steps of decision making, pursuing God's will, seeking counsel from
others, learning to use discernment, and understanding the mind of God through Scripture as you seek His will. Topic’s in-
cludes: The Adventure Begins, Asking for Direction, Unfolding the Map, Checking the Compass.
5. IF—By Mark Batterson
Wrestling with regrets? Let God take your "if onlys" and use them as a springboard to a future filled with great possibilities!
In this 4-week study, Mark Batterson helps you embrace a confident, ready-to-conquer attitude based on the astounding
question posed in Romans 8: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" The topices includes: If Only, As If, What If, and No
Ifs, Ands, or Buts about it.
6. HOW’S YOUR SOUL—By Judah Smith
Judah Smith, bestselling author of Jesus Is_____, asks a surprisingly different question from the usual "How are you?"—but
this is the question Judah chooses to ask his friends, because he knows the health of the soul is too often overlooked in the
busyness of everyday life. In the rush of living moment to moment, many of us find ourselves simply surviving, struggling
daily with frustration, restlessness, boredom, and ever-fleeting joy. But if we would pause, we’d find the things that matter
most in life—stability, peace, hope, love—are rooted in the health of what Judah calls the "inside you."
7. THE LIFE YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED—By John Ortberg
In The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg guides you and your group through the spiritual disciplines and teaches
you how they can transform your spiritual life.
What does true spiritual life really look like? And what keeps you from living it? What can you do to pursue it?
If you’re tired of the status quo – if you suspect there’s more to Christianity than what you’ve experienced – John Ortberg
invites you to join him on a road to transformation and spiritual vigor that anyone can take.
Cultivate new intimacy and confidence in prayer. Discover the freedom of secrecy. Taste the benefits of slowing life’s frenet-
ic pace. Learn how to be guided by the Holy Spirit & hellip; and much more.September 2017-May 2018 1. COMMUNITY—By Andy Stanley Why is community so important to your spiritual life? Because God designed you that way. He wants to use other peo- ple to grow you and grow other people through you. In this 8-session, video-based study, you'll explore how building deep relationships with the people in your small group and serving in the larger community around you will grow your faith. This study pack includes topics: Show Up, Pursue God, Join In, Be Real, Be the Church, Be Together. 2. SACRED MARRIAGE—By Gary Thomas In this six-session small group Bible study (guide sold separately), Sacred Marriage, writer and speaker Gary Thomas invites you to see how God can use marriage as a discipline and a motivation to reflect more of the character of Jesus. Your marriage is much more than a union between you and your spouse. It is a spiritual discipline ideally suited to help you know God more fully and intimately. Sacred Marriage shifts the focus from marital enrichment to spiritual enrich- ment in ways that can help you love your mate more. Whether it is delightful or difficult, your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God. Everything about your marriage—from the history you and your spouse create, to the love you share, to the forgiveness you both offer and seek by turn—is filled with the capacity to help you grow in Christ's character. Sessions include: God’s Purpose for Marriage: More Than We Imagine, The Refining Power of Marriage, The God- Centered Spouse, Sacred History, Sexual Saints, Marriage: The Love Laboratory. 3. AHA – By Kyle Idleman We've all had an "aha moment" in our lives, an insight that changes everything. With everyday examples and testimo- nies, author Kyle Idleman draws on Scripture to reveal how three key elements - awakening, honesty, action - can pro- duce the same kind of "aha!" in our spiritual lives. In trademark City on a Hill style, the AHA Small Group Study marries straightforward bible teaching and cinematic storytelling. In it, three modern-day prodigals seek life apart from the Fa- ther, find themselves alone and desperate in their own distant country, and are faced with their AHA moment. 4. FREED-UP FINANCIAL LIVING—By Dick Towner Freed-Up Financial Living is the core of the Freed-Up resources. It is designed for anyone, regardless of their financial situation. This resource pairs sound financial knowledge with biblical principles of money management, guiding participants to
YOUNG FAMILIES
Sunday School Small Group
develop a personal spending plan that reflects both in a healthy, balanced way. They explore what the Bible and the
culture say about the five financial areas of life (earning, giving, saving, debt and spending).
We strongly believe that there is a biblical mandate for the church to live in a financially responsible, empowered way.
This is due to the fact that our relationship to our money is central to our relationship to God! Freed-Up Financial Living
addresses the matter of who we serve (Matt. 6:21), where our heart is (Matt.6:24) and what the love of money can lead
to (1Tim.6:10).
5. LEAD YOUR FAMILY LIFE TO JESUS—By Ken Blanchard
The Lead Your Family Like Jesus DVD group study is for parents who want to influence their child's spiritual growth. In
six sessions, leadership expert Ken Blanchard along with authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer show participants how
to follow Jesus as servant leaders and become a models of strength and direction for their families.
Parenting is a daily challenge filled with failures and victories, but following the example of Jesus provides strength, di-
rection, and grace. This video series features compelling stories, encouraging words, and down-to-earth tips in six ses-
sions: To Lead Is to Serve (putting the needs of your family first), The Heart (solving the EGO problem by Exalting God
Only), The Head (naming and reaching your family goals), The Hands (coaching your kids toward real success), The
Habits (gaining wisdom and stamina by staying close to God), Ready to Lead (turning good intentions into joyful ac-
tion).
7. WISER TOGETHER—By Bill Hybels
Explore the book of Proverbs and the importance of living in community. In this five-session video-based Bible study,
bestselling author and pastor Bill Hybels challenges you to make doing life together a priority, exploring from the book
of Proverbs how experiencing community and growing in wisdom are inseparably linked and offering practical direction
on how to experience this with others.
All of us want to get better at life. Getting wiser alone, however, is not the way it works. God didn’t wire us to catch onto
wise and godly living through lone-ranger attempts at learning; it’s something that rubs off on us when we spend time
with others who have the wisdom of God living inside of them. As the proverb says, "Iron sharpens iron as one person
sharpens another." Sessions include: Walking with the Wise, The Counsel of Community, Iron Sharpens Iron, The
Heart of Community, Faith and Friendship.
8. KINGDOM MARRIAGE—By Tony Evans
What happens when a kingdom man marries a kingdom woman? Kingdom Marriage: Connecting God's Purpose with
Your Pleasure helps couples grow together as a kingdom couple to fulfill God's design and purpose for their marriage.
Through practical insights and powerful stories, Dr. Tony Evans inspires and instructs so couples will discover the
hope, challenge, and guidance God's Word provides for their journey together. Designed to be a 6-week study, King-
dom Marriage, this study guides Christian couples on how to tap into the power of God as they seek God's purpose and
perspective for their marriage. Author and speaker Tony Evans explains how kingdom couples bring light and life to
their families and communities and offers many practical insights and applications.SUNDAY SCHOOL
Classes Begin
September 10th
Sunday School
JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY Adult Classes
2017-2018
The Journey Foundations For
Teacher: Kenneth Curtis Christian Living
Teacher: Lance & Simka Savage
College students, come walk with us as we
dig through and discuss different relevant Would you like to investigate the foundations
topics to our current culture. Be encouraged, of your faith? Come and learn the building
be enlightened, be challenged to live the life blocks for a strong foundation as a believer
God created you to live. in Christ and its practical application for daily
Christian living. "In Him we live and move
and have our being." 7:28 (NIV)
Young Families
Teacher: Joe & LeAnn Beckstrand
Come join us on this journey of life, marriage and family. We will be exploring the vital role of
community, how God created marriage to be a discipline and motivation to reflect Jesus, how to
live in financial freedom, how to lead your family closer to Jesus and so much more.
9:30 am Sunday Mornings
There are Sunday School Classes for all ages as well! Nursery is provided.Sunday School
JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY Adult Classes
2017-2018
Radiant Life Adult Class
Teacher: Richard Pettet
This Fall Session, the Adult Class will be studying the compassion of Jesus according
to the book of Luke. You will be challenged to follow Christ’s example of compas-
sion for fellow believers and the lost. Then the class will begin to study the Holy
Trinity. It is critical that we have a Biblical understanding of God. We will discuss
the fundamental doctrine of the Trinity to explore the nature of God and prepare
us to respond to arguments against our belief in the One True God.
1 & 2 Corinthians
Teacher: Curt Hill
First and Second Corinthians are among Paul’s most famous letters. They are in-
tended as both a correction and encouragement to a church that had numerous
problems. Yet in them we see the apostle’s love for the church, as well as some
very rich theology. Similar to previous studies the book will be covered on a verse
by verse basis.MISSIONS
Special Guest Speakers
September
Evangelist Rudi Swanepoel will be with us in
service Sunday Morning and Sunday Evening September
on September 17th through Wednesday the 17th-20th
20th. Weekday services will start at 6:30pm
each evening. Rudi was born and raised in South Africa. Rudi is a
motivational/inspirational speaker who has a tremendous love for
people and for the well-being of the local church.
Make plans to join us! Nursery will be available!
Randy and Linda Lindsey, missionaries to September
Mexico, will be with us Sunday Evening Ser-
vice, September 10th. Randy and Linda be- 10th
gan pioneering ministries in 1980 while Randy
was attending Bible college and established a church for the deaf in
Everett, WA. From there, they moved to Jerusalem, Israel and began
a ministry to the deaf, which is still in existence today.
After concluding the evangelism ministry, they began a weekly children's evangelism out-
reach ministry in a shopping mall location in Faribault, Minnesota. The ministry grew and
developed and led to them discovering the huge need for reaching the deaf people in
Mexico. They established a deaf children's ministry, a deaf department in a large hearing
church and a separate church for the deaf in its own building in Mexico City.
Now they are planning to begin extending the ministry to the deaf to other large cities in
Mexico.
Make plans to join us! Nursery and a toddler class will be available!
October
Missions Convention ~ October 22nd & 29th
See next page for more information2017
MISSIONS CONVENTION
OCTOBER 22nd & 29th
Duane Henders and his wife Cari, missionaries with Global Teen Challenge, will
be with us in the Sunday morning service, October 22nd. They have helped to estab-
lish the Teen Challenge ministries in Portugal, Trinidad, Romania, Ireland, Aruba,
Guinea Bissau, Angola and Honduras, and are now working to establish Teen Chal-
lenge in Guyana, Grenada, and Suriname. They have also been involved in training
staff for many countries in Africa, Europe, Central America and the Far
Sunday Evening, October 22nd, we will be joined by a guest speaker who is prepar-
ing to serve in an unreached location. Come and learn of the many ways the Lord is mov-
ing in this area of the world and guiding his servants who are working in this harvest field.
Huldah Buntain, missionary to India, will be with us, Sun-
day Morning service, October 29th. Huldah and her late husband Mark founded
Calcutta Mercy Ministries in 1964. over the years the ministry has grown to include
over 100 primary and secondary schools, Bible and vocational schools, children’s
homes, a daily feeding program for 10,000 people, rural clinics, and a 173-bed
hospital serving 100,000 patients each year and providing 40% with free care.
Matt & Rachel Nelson, missionaries in Spain, will be with us Sunday
Evening Service, October 29th. The Nelsens are one of several key families
serving at the production campus at International Media Ministries in the prov-
ince of Madrid, Spain. International Media Ministries (IMM) partners with mis-
sionaries, national churches and media outlets to develop innovative access to
the Gospel by producing creative content for evangelism and by training othersM I S S I O N S in F O C U S
LOOK AHEAD DEC 11 & 12: KIDZ KONNECT CHRISTMAS MUSCIAL DEC 24: CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE DEC 15: PRIMETIMER’S HYMN SINGF & LUNCH DEC 25: CHRISTMAS DAY! DEC 16: FRIDNAY NIGHT THING-CAROLING DEC 31: YOUTH NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY DEC 18: YOUTH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
September 2017
JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY
1720 8TH Ave SW www.ourheartispeople.com phone: 701-252-4092
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
7 pm Prayer
time @ church
3 am Pastor Jeff 4 Church Office 5 6 7 am Deacon Prayer 7 JAMA 8 9
Closed! JEMF TBC Student Min-
Labor Day 3:30p Middle School istries Fair
6:30 pm Youth Church
pm no evening
service 7pm Prayer time @
church
10 am Pastor Jeff 11 12 13 7 am Deacon Prayer 14 15 16
Communion 3:30p Middle School Primetimer’s
Fall Kickoff Mania 6:30 pm Ladies Potluck @ Collaborate 15-16
JBQ ,SS begins Evening Break Wiedenmeyer’s
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
6:30 pm Kidz Konnect
Musical Auditions
7 pm Prayer
6:30 pm Youth Church
pm Randy & Linda time @ church
17 am Pastor Jeff 18 19 20 7 am Deacon Prayer 21 22 BGMC Friday 23 Stock Car
3:30p Middle School Ma- Night Thing Stampede Breakfast
nia Outreach
Evening Service—
Everyone together
Rudi & Sharon Swanepoel 17-20 7 pm Prayer
time @ church
pm Pastor Jeff
24 am Pastor Jeff 25 26 9am Ladies 27 28 29 30
SEE YOU AT THE POLE
BGMC Sunday Morning Break
7 am Deacon Prayer
3:30p Middle School Ma-
New Evening Service Membership Class nia 6:30 pm Ladies
Evening Break
Small Group KickOff @ Wiedenmeyers
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club Ladies Fall Connection
6:30 pm Kidz Konnect
pm Pastor Jeff Small Group Small Group 6:30 pm Youth Church
~ Sunday ~ ~ Tuesday ~ ~Thursday~
8:30 am 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
Information Connection time in the fellowship halll Ladies Morning Break Bible Study Small Group meeting at church
for the 9:30 a.m. 7 :00 p.m. For more information contact 252-4092
Sunday School Small Groups meeting at various locations
newsletter 10:30 a.m. For more info contact 252-4092 ~ Saturday ~
needs to be Morning Worship & 7:00 p.m.
Children’s & Toddler’s Church ~Wednesday~ Prayer Time
into the office 6:00 p.m. 7 am Deacon Prayer at the church
Evening Worship Service 6:30 p.m.
by the 15th of Ladies Evening Break Bible Study
the month. ~ Monday ~ Men’s Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Kidz Club
Thank you! Small Groups meeting at various locations Youth Church at Slater Center
For more info contact: 252-4092 Small Groups meeting at various locations
For more info contact 252-4092October 2017
JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY
1720 8TH Ave SW www.ourheartispeople.com phone: 701-252-4092
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 am Pastor Jeff 2 3 9am Ladies 4 7 am Deacon Prayer 5 6 7
Communion Youth Morning Break JEMA
3:30p Middle School Mania
6:30 pm Ladies
Membership
Evening Break
Class @ Wieden- 6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
meyers 6:30 pm Kidz Club
6:30 pm Youth Church 7 pm Prayer
pm Pastor Jeff Small Group Small Group Small Groups time @ church
8 am Pastor Jeff 9 10 9am Ladies 11 7 am Deacon Prayer 12 JAMA 13 BGMC Friday 14
Morning Break 3:30p Middle School Mania Night Thing JBQ @ JFA
6:30 pm Ladies Evening Bk
Membership 6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
Class @ Wieden- 6:30 pm Kidz Club
meyers 6:30 pm Youth Church 7pm Prayer time @
pm Pastor Jeff Small Group Small Group Small Groups 6pm Deacon Mtg church
15 am Pastor Jeff 16 17 9am Ladies 18 7 am Deacon Prayer 19 10:30 am Prime- 20 21
Morning Break 3:30p Middle School Mania timer’s Hymn Sing
Membership 6:30 pm Ladies and Lunch
Evening Break
Class @ Wieden-
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
meyers Youth Convention
6:30 pm Kidz Club
6:30 pm Youth Church
Pm Pastor Jeff Small Group Small Group JPS no school JPS no school 7 pm Prayer
22 am Duane Henders 23 YFC Banquet 24 9am Ladies 25 7 am Deacon Prayer 26 27 28
(Global Teen Chal- Morning Break 3:30p Middle School Mania
lenge) 6:30 pm Ladies
Evening Break
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
Missions Convention Small Group
6:30 pm Kidz Club
6:30 pm Youth Church 7 pm Prayer
Pm Special Guest Small Group Small Groups time @ church
29 am Huldah Buntain 30 31 9am Ladies
Morning Break
Missions Convention Harvest Celebra-
tion
Pm Matt Nelson Small Group Small Group
~ Sunday ~ ~ Tuesday ~ ~Thursday~
Information 8:30 am
Connection time in the fellowship halll
9:00 a.m.
Ladies Morning Break Bible Study
9:00 a.m.
Small Group meeting at church
for the 9:30 a.m. 7 :00 p.m. For more information contact 252-4092
Sunday School Small Groups meeting at various locations
newsletter 10:30 a.m. For more info contact 252-4092 ~ Saturday ~
needs to be Morning Worship & 7:00 p.m.
Children’s & Toddler’s Church ~Wednesday~ Prayer Time
into the office 6:00 p.m. 7 am Deacon Prayer at the church
Evening Worship Service 6:30 p.m.
by the 15th of Ladies Evening Break Bible Study
the month. ~ Monday ~ Men’s Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Kidz Club
Thank you! Small Groups meeting at various locations Youth Church at Slater Center
For more info contact: 252-4092 Small Groups meeting at various locations
For more info contact 252-4092November
October 2017
2017
JAMESTOWNFIRSTASSEMBLY
1720 8TH Ave SW www.ourheartispeople.com phone: 701-252-4092
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 7 am Deacon Prayer 2 3 4
JEMA
3:30p Middle School Mania
Digital Sign 6:30 pm Ladies
Evening Break
2nd-9th
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
6:30 pm Kidz Club 7 pm Prayer
6:30 pm Youth Church time @ church
Small Groups
5 am Pastor Jeff 6 Winter Quarter- 7 9am Ladies 8 7 am Deacon Prayer 9 JAMA 10 11
Communion ly Newsletter Due Morning Break 3:30p Middle School Mania
6:30 pm Ladies 7 pm Mystery
Evening Break
Melody o u tpm8Men’s
t h —318
1 3 Club
th Youth Event
6:30
6:30 pm Kidz Club
6:30 pm Youth Church 7pm Prayer time @
pm Pastor Jeff Small Group Small Groups 6pm Deacon Mtg church
12 am Pastor Jeff 13 14 9am Ladies 15 7 am Deacon Prayer 16 10:30 am Prime- 17 BGMC Friday 18
Morning Break 3:30p Middle School Mania timer’s Hymn Sing Night Thing
6:30 pm Ladies and Lunch
Evening Break
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
6:30 pm Kidz Club
Y o u t h C o n v e n t i7opm
n Prayer
6:30 pm Youth Church
pm Pastor Jeff Small Group Small Group Small Groups time @ church
Evangelism Cohort @
DO
19 am Pastor Jeff 20 21 no Ladies 22 7 am Deacon Prayer 23 24 25
Morning Break No Wednesday Night Thanksgiving Day
Digital Sign Classes
23rd-29th Church Office Church Office
Closed Closed
7 pm Prayer
pm Pastor Jeff Small Group time @ church
26 am Pastor Jeff 27 28 29 7 am Deacon Prayer 30
BGMC Sunday 2:30PM AVE MARIA (A)
3:30p Middle School Mania
6:30 pm Ladies
Evening Break
6:30 pm Men’s 318 Club
6:30 pm Kidz Club
6:30 pm Youth Church
pm Adam Magill Small Group Small Group Small Groups
~ Sunday ~ ~ Tuesday ~ ~Thursday~
8:30 am 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
Information Connection time in the fellowship halll Ladies Morning Break Bible Study Small Group meeting at church
9:30 a.m. 7 :00 p.m. For more information contact 252-4092
for the Sunday School Small Groups meeting at various locations
10:30 a.m. For more info contact 252-4092 ~ Saturday ~
newsletter Morning Worship & 7:00 p.m.
needs to be Children’s & Toddler’s Church
6:00 p.m.
~Wednesday~
7 am Deacon Prayer at the church
Prayer Time
into the office Evening Worship Service 6:30 p.m.
Ladies Evening Break Bible Study
by the 15th of ~ Monday ~
7:00 p.m.
Men’s Bible Study
Kidz Club
the month. Small Groups meeting at various locations
For more info contact: 252-4092
Youth Church at Slater Center
Small Groups meeting at various locations
Thank you! For more info contact 252-4092Something to think about...
By Thom S. Rainer
The doctor told my dad he was dying.
Our family physician was a kind man, a true friend of the family. But he was firm. Dad was on the short
path to death.
My father, then 58 years old, had been smoking for four decades. I suppose his time in the military in
World War II proved to be the primary impetus to his taking on the bad habit. His peers smoked. There
were hardly any voices suggesting the evils of smoking then. And it proved to be a relief and escape
from the ravages of war he witnessed day after day.
To be clear, our doctor had not declared to my dad that he was terminal. At this point, there was no can-
cer present. The only sign was an early onset of emphysema.
But the kind physician could see all the signs. Dad had to make major and dramatic changes or he
would die within a few years. Indeed, it might already be too late regardless of any changes he made.
He never stopped smoking.
Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 61. He died one month after his 62 ndbirthday.
Many churches are dying.
Some are so sick that they are a few years, perhaps just months, from death. But too many refuse to do
anything. Any potential and dramatic turnaround will not take place because these churches do nothing.Something to think about...
WHY DYING CHURCHES DIE
By Thom S. Rainer
Why? Why do these dying churches walk resolutely down the path of death? Why don’t they attempt
something dramatic, something bold? I have worked with too many of these churches. Allow me to
share six common responses to these questions.
1. They refuse to admit they are sick, very sick. I have worked with churches whose attendance has
declined by over 80 percent. They have no gospel witness in the community. They have not seen a
person come to Christ in two decades. But they say they are fine. They say nothing is wrong.
2. They are still waiting on the “magic bullet” pastor. They reason, if only we could find the right
pastor, we would be fine. But they bring in pastor after pastor. Each leaves after a short-term stint,
frustrated that the congregation was so entrenched in its ways. So the church starts the search again
for the magic bullet pastor.
3. They fail to accept responsibility. I recently met with the remaining members of a dying church.
Their plight was the community’s fault. Those people should be coming to their church. It was the
previous five pastors’ fault. Or it was the fault of culture. If everything returned to the Bible belt men-
tality of decades earlier, we would be fine.
4. They are not willing to change . . . at all. A friend asked me to meet with the remaining members
of a dying church. These members were giddy with excitement. They viewed me as the great salvific
hope for their congregation. But my blunt assessment was not pleasing to them, especially when I
talked about change. Finally, one member asked if they would have to look at the words of a hymn
on a screen instead of a hymnal if they made changes. I stood in stunned silence, and soon walked
away from the church that would close its doors six months later.
5. Their “solutions” are all inwardly focused. They don’t want to talk about reaching the ethnically
changing community. They want to know how they can make church more comfortable and palatable
for the remnant of members.
6. They desire to return to 1985. Or 1972. Or 1965. Or 1959. Those were the good old days. If we
could just do church like we did then, everything would be fine.
These churches are increasing in number. Culture indeed has little patience with a me-focused congre-
gation, much less so than, say, 15 years ago.
Is there hope for these churches? Will these dying congregations indeed die?
I have seen God intervene a few times in such situations. But, in every case, the church has turned its
face to Him, and forsaken all of their own preferences, desires, and human-centered traditions.
But most dying churches will die.
I pray that your church, if it is indeed on the path to death, will be the rare exception, to the glory of God.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on August 9 , 2017. Thom S. Rainer serves as presi-
dent and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three
sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and nine grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at
facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.Church Building
Slater
Center
1720 8TH AVENUE SW
JAMESTOWN, ND 58401
701-252-4092
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