No Condemnation? Sounds Good, Huh?

It’s possible that there is no voice of condemnation that you hear as powerfully and as frequently as your own voice of condemnation. That has, occasionally, been my experience. That’s why this passage of scripture is so helpful and powerful for those me: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:1.

  

FALL KICK-OFF 2012, is today!  Sunday, September 16th (9am or 11am).  If you live in the Chicago area, you won't want to miss this terrific service!

First Church of God, 4600 W. 111th Street, Oak Lawn, IL

Blessings,

Dan

E-Flash From Dan 9/14/12 -- Fall Kick Off Info

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I have that sense of anticipation and energy that emerges when something big is coming.  You know by now what it is, right?  Yes, the Fall Kick Off is coming this Sunday, September 16^th.  This is going to be the beginning of a new journey for us as a church.  We’ll be starting a new 3-week series titled:  A Fresh Start and a New Journey.   You won’t want to miss this one, I believe God is going to use it powerfully.

Also, we’ll be starting our new, expanded Next Step format on Wednesday nights.  Next Step will now start at 6pm and this week (Sept. 19^th) we will begin at 6 o’clock with a dinner (free of charge) that is being prepared for all!  Sounds like a pretty good deal, huh?

We’ll have the first of our Sunday evening learning times with “The Case For A Creator”  by on Sunday, October 14^th, at 6pm.

We’ll be launching the Alpha course on Sunday mornings, in between the services, on October 21^st.

Whew!!!  It’s cool!  (And just think, Trunk or Treat is coming is October, too.  So, we’ve got a sugar rush just around the corner, as well!  “Why, yes, I’d love another Kit Kat, thank you for asking.”)

If you want to hear a bit more about the Fall Kick Off (and, come on, who doesn’t?) take a moment to check out the What’s Coming Podcast with Lisa Roule, Stephanie Chiocca and myself.  You don’t want to miss the fun of this podcast!  Go ahead and click on the link to listen.  Link…   http://visitusonline.org/scmedia.php?type=mediaplayer&loc=visitusonline.org/media/media/mediaplayer.php&id=201209131109360CC053

Good things are happening and we give God the glory.  Hope to see you this Sunday!

Love and blessings,

Dan

P.S.  The guys are leading the worship this Sunday, so get ready for the wonderful approach and the terrific energy they bring!

What's Coming Podcast with Dan, Lisa & Stephanie

Dan Marler, Lisa Roule & Stephanie Chiocca talk about what's coming this weekend 9/16/12.  The 2012 Fall Kick-Off.  This one is really fun.  Take a listen!

               Click here for audio!

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Dan & Vic Fall Kick Off 2012 Podcast

Take a listen!  It's fun!

            Click here for audio!

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E-Flash From Dan, Sept. 1, 2012

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Some of you might be thinking, “If I go to church on the Labor Day weekend will I get some kind of extra credit from God?”  And of course, we all know God doesn’t work that way.  Come on, don’t be silly.  It’s not that you will get extra credit from God.  In fact, I’m chuckling at such an amusing thought.  No, you won’t get extra credit for attending on the Labor Day weekend, it’s just that *God will sort of like you a little bit more.

So, I’m hoping to see you all at church this Sunday, September 2^nd!

By the way, we really do have a terrific service planned.  We will have great worship music.  And I have a message, from the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, that I believe God will use to challenge and inspire us.

And don’t forget that our Fall Kick-Off is coming on September 16^th; A Fresh Start And A New Beginning.”  This year the Falll Kick Off includes the roll out of our new Next Step format on Wednesday nights.  Please pray that God will use our church in powerful ways.  I’m believing that He will! 

Love and blessings,

Dan

  

* Note:  Just in case it’s only obvious to me, please know that this is a joke.

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E-Flash From Dan, Aug. 24, 2012

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Have you ever known someone who was restlessly chasing after this and that in a seemingly endless attempt to find some type of lasting satisfaction in life?  It’s not an uncommon scenario and I suspect it could describe all of us at one time or another.

This is a reality that is recognized in the Bible.  And the well known Bible story of the woman whom Jesus encounters at the well touches on this aspect of life.

That’s what we are going to be talking about this Sunday and I hope you are planning to be here.  Jesus’ encounter with this woman provides some great truths for all of us.  And if you were wondering, the answer is: Yes!  Yes, the worship team is planning a wonderful time of praise.  They definitely know how to deliver the goods, right?  

I’m already trusting that God is going to do great things.  In fact, I got really excited for a moment, there, and I’m having to sit back down and take a few deep breaths.

Please remember that our Fall Kick Off is coming up on September 16^th.  The Kick Off is titled:  A Fresh Start And A New Journey.  And that’s what we’re planning to do as a church.  Would you please pray for our church?  And pray that God will open up opportunities for us to invite people to the Fall Kick Off?  I can picture us starting our fall season this year with the church full of people who are anxious to learn about God, connect with Him and experience His activity in their lives.

Also, on Wednesday, September 19^th, we will begin our newly expanded Next Step discipleship time.  We are increasing the time for Next Step because we want to add some other elements that are helpful and important for our discipleship experience.  For example, we want to spend more time together sharing meals and fellowship.  We will be spending a little more time in prayer and more time praising God in song.

So, Next Step will have a new starting time of 6pm on Sept. 19^th.  I’m inviting you to come and be a part of this terrific discipleship time.  We realize that 6 o’clock is early for some of us and there will be folks who won’t be able to make it at 6pm.  We encourage you to come when you can get here.  You will be able to plug in to what’s happening if you arrive at 6:30 or 7pm, as well.

There’s more that I can tell you, but that’s enough for now.

Hope you’ve been having a good week.  Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

Love and blessings,

Dan

E-Flash From Dan, August 17, 2012

A Fresh Start And A New Journey

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Powerful things will often happen when a local body of believers gets fired up, motivated, and committed to the work of advancing the church and advancing God’s kingdom.

I can tell you without exaggeration that God has used the church here in Oak Lawn to completely alter the course of my life.  That sounds like I’m laying it on thick, but it is the truth.  And I know that God has used this church to bring positive spiritual change to the lives of many of those who are reading this message.

With that in mind, I hope you will begin praying about our Fall Kick-Off services which are happening on Sunday, September 16^th.  I believe that God is leading us to invite individuals that we know to “A Fresh Start and a New Journey” and I believe that God is leading us, as a church, to be making some fresh starts and renew our journey together with Him.

Will you, please, make this a matter of prayer in your life?

Even now we are looking at offering a new opportunity for learning and spiritual growth on Sunday mornings.  (More details to come.)

Our Children’s Ministry will be launching a new theme designed to teach our kids Bible stories and values in a fun way.

We have been working at retooling our Wednesday night time with a view toward more intentional discipleship.  (We have more details coming on this, as well.)

Our Youth Ministry is working on a special outreach to students.

I’m excited and I’m trusting that God will do mighty things!  We have invitation cards with basic information about our Fall Kick Off services on our literature table.  Please feel free to take those cards and distribute them freely. 

And, again, I’m hoping that we will all make this a matter of persistent prayer.  Pray for the services.  Pray for our church.  Pray for our church leaders.  Pray that we will recognize the truth and power of God in our lives.  Pray that God will bring people our way.  Pray that we will have opportunities to invite. 

Then let’s take the risk of making an invitation.

This is a wonderful church.  I am already believing and trusting that God is going to work through us in some fresh new ways.  Thank you for being a part of it!

I love you all very much!

Blessings,

Dan

P.S.  Just a little reminder that we will be coming to the Lord’s Table for Communion this Sunday (Aug. 19^th).  Let’s come with hearts joyfully prepared to enter into this important and sacred time together.  See you Sunday!