Side By Side, (LIVESTREAM)

Church Service Update

Hello New Journey Church Family,

Many of you have already heard this news, but I want to share it in every format we can so that no one will be missed!  

The Shepherds of New Journey Church met to discuss when it would be appropriate to re-open the doors of our building and worship together in person once again.  We recognize the weightiness of this decision and that there are a vast array of perspectives on this issue.  Recognizing that God has created us as holistic beings with spiritual, social, emotional, and physical needs; we have made the decision that we will begin worshiping together in person starting May 31st (this coming Sunday) with intentional social distancing guidelines and safety protocols in place. For those who are immune compromised or uncomfortable with large group gatherings at this time, it is our desire to care for you as well.  We will continue our live stream which you can watch here on the blog, on our website or on our YouTube channel.  For now, we will also continue to put announcements, updates, prayer requests, etc. on this blog, but will likely slowly transition to sharing more information on our website and less information here.

I am praying for you as you and your family discern how to operate in this unique season.

God's richest blessings and love,

Tyler

Sunday Service; Pressing On, Philippians 3:8-4:1 (LIVESTREAM)

Our New Website

Two posts in one day!  I am excited to let you know that our website is up and running.  We will continue to add and adjust things as more photos come in.  Soon there will be a section dedicated to our camps, New Life and Trout, and hopefully a space where you can view past services.  

One nice feature of our website is that it is now possible to give online for those inclined to give that way.

The website can be found at https://newjourneyfosston.com/

If you would like some guidance in how to set up online giving, these are two helpful websites.

Link:  How do I give online?

Link:  How do I link and verify my bank account?

Thank you all for your patience as we've worked on the website.  

Blessings,

Tyler

A Quick Tour

Hello New Journey family!

I realize that many of you haven't set foot in our church building for almost three months.  Several people have been pouring out their efforts to make our building a beautiful and welcoming space.  I'm a bit overdue in showing you all of the updates, so let me take you on a quick tour!

First, lets start outside.  Many of you know that the parsonage roof had some issues.  In fact, two winters ago, a ceiling collapsed in the parsonage office because of issues with the roof.  Luke and his crew did an excellent job eliminating those issues.  Sorry that I don't have any of the "in process" photos, but here is the finished product.

Now to walk inside the church.

Going through the front door, you'll see these lovely decorations on the entrance walls.

Then, when you get into the foyer, you'll see this lovely new sign on our East wall welcoming people to our building.  It was made by Cut n' Creations here in town, with Nathan and JoAnn making the wood back drop.

On the West wall, you will see this beautiful clock between our stained glass windows.

Where did the couch, chairs, and fireplace decoration go?  We'll get to that in a moment...








On the far wall we have this inviting display.

Notice our fireplace got a contemporary redo.

Here is what the men's bathroom currently looks like.  Thanks Luke!

Walking across the foyer and into our updated fellowship hall, this is what you see.  Notice the new lights, and a couple cozy places to sit and visit.

In the far corner of the fellowship hall, you'll notice a new ramp and doorway.

This leads into our sanctuary where...

...we have a new sound booth being constructed, adding 

a bit more security for the computer and sound equipment.

The Sanctuary walls have been beautifully decorated by our decor team.

When we come together to worship in our sanctuary again, our screen no longer will cover the cross during our worship service.  We also have 131 of our 150 interlocking chairs purchased.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who have poured hours into beautifying our building these last few months!  Holes in bathroom walls have been patched, new lights put in, walls have been painted, the men's bathroom updated, and overall, our space has been made more welcoming!

Youth Group

Hey Students, looking forward to hanging out tonight at 6:30! 

Here is our link.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84790615951

Meeting ID: 847 9061 5951

Sunday Sermon with Nathan Fultz; New or Improved (lLIVESTREAM)

Sunday School:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87595015612

Meeting ID: 875 9501 5612

Wedding at Cana; The Chosen

Here is the TV show and episode I mentioned in my sermon.

Though the YouTube video is quite long; much of that is the director talking about the show and then interviews with the actors.  The episode itself is just over 50 minutes long.

I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcvcDDrW0ss

Sunday Sermon; Water to Wine (LIVESTREAM) and Hess Goodbye

Hello Church Family,

The Shepherds have talked further, and instead of an in person meeting tomorrow following our livestream, we will host a Zoom meeting dedicated to a time of prayer and encouragement for the Hess family, as we commission them to their next community and church family (This is in place of our Sunday School class).

It is difficult in this season to say goodbye in this way when all we want is to see faces and give hugs.  We leave it to the discretion of each of you and the Hess's to plan a time for a more intimate face to face meeting if you desire that.  If anyone would like to record a goodbye or write a note, I would happily share those with the Hess's here on our blog.

Talking with Phil, they believe they might still be in the area for another week or two.  Lord willing, with the Stay at Home order potentially expiring on the 18th, we may be able to give the Hess Family a more fitting goodbye.

Please pray for this special family and consider coming on Zoom at 11:00 am. on Sunday to bless them!

Here is the link.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87682618645

Meeting ID: 876 8261 8645

Spring Babies!

The New Journey Baby Boom continues!

Here are the precious bundles of joy God has granted our body in the last two months.

Ari and Lenette Schwartz and family welcomed little Zeke Alexander into the world on April 21st, right on his due date!

Luke and Terri welcomed their little girl, Vera (meaning "faith" in Russian and "truth" in Latin) Elaine (Luke's grandmother's name, meaning Shining Light), into the world on May 5th.  What a shining light she is!

That same day, Emily and my little girl decided that she'd like to share a birth date with her new friend, coming later that evening.  Her name is Juniper Grace.

Praise God for the precious gift of children!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

    the fruit of the womb a reward.--Psalm 127:3

Please pray for the mothers and these beautiful little ones.  We pray that each will grow in wisdom and stature, and in knowledge of the Lord; that from an early age they will make Jesus their greatest treasure.

Youth Group Tonight

Hi Students!  Come Join us this evening for Youth Group.  Tim will be sharing with us, we'll play some games and there will be a special guest joining us :)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85000429065

Meeting ID: 850 0042 9065

Pilgrim's Progress

Hello New Journey!

Jess wanted me to share an opportunity with you.  RevelationMedia has made their movie, Pilgrim's Progress, available for free online.

John Bunyan's classic Christian allegory, written in 1678, has never been out of print!  This animated rendition is beautifully done.  If you have not seen it, I can attest that it is a worthwhile watch for the whole family.  Be encouraged and trek with Pilgrim the journey of the Christian Life.

click the link below!

Pilgrim's Progress

The Right Kind of Righteousness, Philippians 3:1-11 (LIVESTREAM)

Sunday School Link:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81891863850

Meeting ID: 818 9186 3850

Sunday School Questions:

1. What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord?  (Phil. 3:1)

2.  Why does Paul count his man-made righteousness as  rubbish (Phil. 3:8) ?

3.  What greater joy are we offered when we surrender our "righteous resume"?  Why is it greater (Phil. 3:10-11)?

Sunday's Sermon Text, Philippians 3

Hello New Journey family,

This is the text we'll be studying together tomorrow.  I invite you to read through it before our sermon tomorrow morning.

3 Finally, my brothers,[a] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.