Resources
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
MAY 2012
This month we are celebrating the many things God has done over the last few months in Marirage & Family, Children's and Student Ministries. We have so much to share! Be sure to take some time to click on the links in the newsletter to gather additional information like the Women's Bloom Conference, the Children's Ministry Recruit and the Men's Car & Motorcycle Show.
Also, take a look at the Weekend Sermon Topics and Main Ministry Events/Focal Points on page 4 that are coming up during the course of the next several weeks. To view the newsletter, click here.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please email us.
APRIL 2012
Do you remember what it felt like the first time you attended a church service here at Real Life? Maybe you came with a friend, a family member, or a pal from work. Remember that first smile, that first handshake and the first time you heard, “Welcome to Real Life Ministries…we’re glad you’re here!” No matter the circumstances, there was a first time to walk in those front doors, and we’re asking you to revisit that memory for a moment this weekend. For Christians, Easter is one of the most significant times of the year. It represents the recognition of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It’s also a time of year when we have our largest influx of visitors to Real Life. We’re asking our people to think about this weekend’s services in terms of reaching out and making ourselves a little uncomfortable, so that more people might be welcomed into our church.
Here at the main campus, we’ve installed signs for “First Time Visitors,” so keep an eye out for the new parking areas. You might consider using some of the spots in the far outskirts of the parking lot and take a nice stroll into the building. Who knows, you just might meet a new person along the way! Someone once greeted you with a handshake, a smile, and said, “Welcome,” and this weekend it might be your turn to do the same.
April is full of good news, so here is the link for this month's newsletter! There are so many wonderful things we've highlighted from the Men' and Women's Ministries to the Singles and LIFERS 50+ Ministries. We hope it will encourage you to jump in and become part of this discipleship process. Thanks to all of you who are already involved! We appreciate you! It’s a great time to be a LIFER!
MARCH 2012
Wondering why you should read this month's newsletter? Here are just a couple reasons why it is definitely worth your time.
1. The information is timely. You will know up to the minute information, news, and events in our church body.
2. The stories are compelling.You will be encouraged by how God works through His people. You might even want to share what God is doing in your own life, especially during this Historic Faith Journey (click here).
3. The upcoming events are engaging. You will be given dates and times to share with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family, like the Easter Egg Hunts or Services.
4. You will be provided opportunities to participate. There are many ministries in which to serve or volunteer. Become a part of the team!
5. You get to refocus on what really matters. We are the church! We need each other, whether it's in sharing a need or passing along a win story, we want to continue loving God and others.
Thanks for taking the time to read about how God chooses to use us to reach our community, our nation, and our world.
Click here to go directly to our March Newsletter.
FEBRUARY 2012
Next, we take a look at married life. The number one reason cited for divorce decreees is "Irreconcilable Differences." We look at how these differences start in a marriage and what happens when we don't deal with these issues.
Finally, we take a look at being single. Did you know that singles are the fastest growing demographic in America? Whether single by divorce or by personal choice, there are some unique challenges.
At the end of these articles, there is a survey to help us better communicate with you. As an added incentive for taking this survey, you will be entered into a drawing for one of the following:
- A free tuition to “Weekend to Remember” held at the CDA Resort. (This is a $250 value)
- Seeds Family Worship CD - Yes, the same artist that did his concert here at Friday service
- Key Word Learning System for learning the books of the Bible by Walk Thru the Bible.
JANUARY 2012
Happy New Year, Lifers!
We hope you had a wonderful time with your friends and family over the holidays. As we begin the new year, we would like to share a little information with you about some of our support ministries. The staff and volunteers involved in these ministries help shape the information, communication and environment for our pastors and leaders to share the love of Jesus with people.
Thank you for taking a moment to read through some of the life changing stories in this month's newsletter. As you learn more about the support ministries and if you are not already committed to serving, please take some time to pray about what God might have you do to help minister in these areas.
To read this month's newsletter, click here.
DECEMBER 2011
This month we spend time in our newsletter focusing on the church and the outreaches in which we have been called to participate. Locally, nationally and around the world! See where God is working and how you can participate in being His hands and feet to people. To read more, click HERE.
Christmas: It seems during this time of year that time slips on by just a little faster. There is never enough time to get everything done on our "To-Do" list. Instead of running at a frantic pace, let's take some time to contemplate the fact that God loves us so much, that He sent His Son to save us! Instead of multiplying the things we buy, the places we go, and the people we try to impress, let's slow down and focus on the gift of love and relationship with Jesus and each other.
Set aside time to spend with your families. If you need a little guidance for a Christmas Season devotional or Advent Calendar, please go to our link HERE. Also, be sure to mark your calendar and decide which Christmas Sermon Service you and your family will be attending this season.
NOVEMBER 2011
We have a wonderful edition from our Marriage and Family Ministries this month. The team has provided insight into what the discipleship process looks like in their particular ministry. There is something for everyone in your family whether you are single or married, have children or grandchildren, you are not going to want to miss the articles and upcoming events that apply specifically to your individual life stage.
Also, don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday Night! You are not going to want to miss the new sermon series, Crazy Love beginning this weekend with Pastor Jim.
The mornings are crisp. Fall is starting to settle in North Idaho! This month's newsletter if full of fall ministry connections for people who are hurting or have special needs. Specifically, we look at the Counseling Intake Program, GriefShare Ministry, Special Needs Ministry, and Divorce Care. We also praise God for our Worship Arts and Prayer Ministry, and would love to share a little about what has been happening within the ministry of those teams.
Currently, we are right in the middle of the 50 DAYS series. For those of you that may be a little behind, don't get discouraged! Just begin Chapter 4 this week and you can catch up later, if you'd like. Last weekend Bill talked about the WISDOM of SOLOMON. This weekend, Jim will be talking about the FAITH of ABRAHAM.
Need a little daily encouragement? We now have a blog set up to walk with you in your daily devotions. Go to Shaping Your Spirit. We hope you feel encouraged to share what God is doing to shape your character throughout these 50 DAYS. Tell us how God is challenging you in your faith and the changes you have experienced. Also, if you are not connected in a small group, it's not too late. Go to Get Connected! We are happy to help you find a group in your community.
SEPTEMBER 2011
We are so excited to kick-off the Fall ministry season this weekend. We are calling it Vision Weekend because Pastor Jim will be sharing the direction that he and the elders believe God is leading us, as a church body. During services, we will spend some time introducing new staff, saying farewell to the Harris family, identifying our small group leaders and laying the ground work for the 7-week sermon series 50-Days.
In this issue we will take a look at small group essentials and provide multiple venues to get you and your families connected into some type of small group. We are also celebrating what God did during Community Day (on page four).
To read all this and more, click here.
AUGUST 2011
Hope you are all having a really great summer! This month, we want to give you a personal tour of our Marriage and Family Ministries. Spend a few moments getting to know the heart of our pastoral staff. This information offers you help to find wisdom and resources to both repair and maximize God's plan for your family.
Learn why healthy marriages are essential personally and spiritually both as individuals and as the church body. Find out how to help your son or daughter with a lasting faith in God. If you are divorced and need healing, explore how the body is reaching out to individuals and families just like yours. And finally, discover why the church offeres pastoral care and become aquainted with some of the resources that we offer on a regular basis.
To read all this and more, click here.
JULY 2011
In this month's newsletter, we have so much to share. Included is a very personal letter to you from Pastor Jim Putman. There is also a preview of what to expect in our next sermon series...The Games of LIFE.
Some other highlights include introducing our Biblical Education Team, information on this year's Community Day, highlights from the Sports and Outdoors ministry and much more! Thank you for
taking the time to read this newsletter and helping us stay connected to you, the body of Christ.
May 2011 Newsletter
This month's newsletter focuses on the Marriage, Parenting and Family Ministries. There are some major changes happening in this ministry! This issue has some great updates and is well worth reading. Find out what God is doing in the hearts of Men and Women, Single Adults, Marriages, Parents and entire Families!
April 2011 Newsletter
In this month’s issue we're talking about the amazing things that are happening within the Real Life Kids Ministries and how it's been an exciting start to 2011 for THIRST, the Young Adult Ministry here at RLM. There are some exciting new opportunities for our Single Adults to check out as well as all the ways you can get connected, grow spiritually and serve together in our Men’s Ministry. Also, we share how Lifers 50+ is a new ministry with a foundation that goes back to Real Life’s early years!
March 2011 Newsletter
In this month’s issue, we would like to share a story about two of our RLM Association members who were asked to travel to Anchorage, Alaska at the end of January to speak to the Alaska Southern Baptist Convention. For those who don’t know, the Real Life Association is the part of RLM that provides, in part, training and resources to outside church leaders and organizations both in the United States and other parts of the world.
February 2011 Newsletter
The struggles of marriage and family are real, but so is the provision of God to help our families! This newsletter is focused on what is happening here at your church to help people both married and divorced, and to help parents, singles and couples find and fill the need to belong. We also highlight the up and coming ministry events you don't want to miss! It is our desire here at RLM to equip you with as many resources as we can to provide you with the information you need to draw closer in relationship with Jesus!
Ever wonder how things work at RLM? In this issue, we highlight seven support ministries that help make RLM a more relational place to be. They are Guest Ministries, the Audio/Video Department, the Resource Café, the Baptism Ministry, the Information Technology Department, the Communications Department, and the Maintenance/Janitorial Department.
December 2010 Newsletter
The struggles of marriage and family are real, but so is the provision of God to help our families! This newsletter is focused on what is happening here at your church to help people both married and divorced, and to help parents, singles and couples find and fill the need to belong. We also highlight the up and coming ministry events you don't want to miss! It is our desire here at RLM to equip you with as many resources as we can to provide you with the information you need to draw closer in relationship with Jesus!
The good news is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ does heal our past, and sets us on the course to have a new family: God’s household. In this edition of the RLM newsletter, we want you to hear about some of the things that are happening at our church to promote healing and repair families, as well as set a straight course for generations to come.
Getting to know you. This edition is divided into two sections. The first section highlights what God is doing in the Prayer Ministry and Worship Arts Ministries. In the second section, we focus on three ministries that help hurting people. These ministries come along side people who are dealing with some kind of addiction issue, counseling request, or urgent financial need.
Acts 1:8 (NLT) says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” For us this passage could be paralleled to Post Falls, the Inland Northwest, across the United States, and around the world. In this month’s newsletter, we focus on reaching the world for Jesus one person at a time outside the Kootenai County area because we have been commanded to go and make disciples.