Easter: A Season of New Beginnings
The Chapel Digest - April
EXTEND AN INVITATION
Hi Christian Chapel Family -
April is one of my favorite months of the year at Christian Chapel. Many years, Easter Sunday is in April. This year Easter Sunday is April 9. We will celebrate together at 8:00 a.m. / 9:15 a.m. / 10:45 a.m. I hope you’ll consider inviting your friends, family, coworkers, roommates, neighbors, classmates, teammates, or whoever else comes to mind.
Extending an invitation to church is easy for some, and terrifying for others. I get that, but our fear or discomfort can’t stop us from inviting others into the new and full life we have discovered in Christ. When you invite someone to church, you’re letting them know that you care about them. You are also showing them what matters in your life.
Studies from Lifeway Research show that between 60-70% of people would consider attending church if invited by a friend or family member. Even 30% of people who classify themselves as unchurched say they would consider accepting an invitation to church.
Easter Sunday is a prime time to extend an invitation, especially in the Tulsa area.
“What are your plans for Easter?” is a common question, and a massive open door to extend an invitation. According to Pew Research, Americans google “church” around Easter more than any other time of the year.
There is something about the Easter season that turns the hearts of believers, seekers, and even some skeptics towards the church. It’s our joy and privilege to partner with the Holy Spirit and extend invitations for others to join us for an Easter celebration.
I’m praying that God will direct you to a few people to extend invitations to this Easter. Extend those invites with grace, confidence, and joy. As we all do our part, we will celebrate the stories of those that accept the invitation to join us and discover resurrection life in Jesus!
Chris Dow
Lead Pastor
"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."
- Hudson Taylor -
Healing – Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Summer, 2021
The following Chapel Praise story was submitted by one of our Kingdom Builders Partners. Names have been changed to initials due to the sensitive nature of their work.
In early 2021 while we were traveling to different churches to raise a team of supporters for our work overseas, our daughter B. began experiencing severe pain throughout her body. Pain that regularly brought her to tears. Her knee was particularly painful, with limited range of motion which hindered her ability to walk normally. After bloodwork and evaluation, B. was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
This was a lifetime terrible diagnosis. This disease only gets worse with age. We found a renowned specialist in Oklahoma City and began traveling back and forth for appointments. The doctor had significant concern that long-term damage to her knee had already occurred, and was developing a plan for B. to begin weekly injections to help ease her pain.
From the moment B. was diagnosed, we asked many of the churches we visited to pray for her and often took her forward for prayer when it was offered in services we were attending.
In summer 2021, B. and her siblings attended a church camp. B. came home from camp and told us that she had stopped taking her medicine because God had healed her. She has not had significant pain since that time!
In her subsequent follow up appointment with the specialist in Oklahoma City, it was confirmed that B. had reduced inflammation throughout her body and improvement in the flexibility of her knee, despite previous indications that her knee had already suffered long term damage.
After further examination, the doctor confirmed that B. was completely healed. She had absolutely no symptoms or indication of Juvenile Arthritis. Her knee was fine, her walking was flawless, and she moved with full mobility. Jesus healed her!!
COMING UP THIS MONTH
SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES - 8:00AM, 9:15AM & 10:45AM
Sunday, April 2nd
Noon - 2:00pm I Spring Carnival [sign up to serve]
6:00pm - 8:00pm I Homegroups I Chapel Youth D-Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery [get involved]
Tuesday, April 4th I 9:30am - 11:30am
Rooted Women's Bible Study [learn more]
Wednesday, April 5th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Lent Service I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery
Friday, April 7th I 7:00pm
Good Friday Service
Sunday, April 9th I 8:00am, 9:15am & 10:45am
Easter Sunday Service I Bunny Photo Booth I Donuts
Tuesday, April 11th I 9:30am - 11:30am
Rooted Women's Bible Study [learn more]
Wednesday April 12th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery
Friday, April 14th I 3:00pm - Saturday, April 15th I 6:00pm
Chapel Kids 5th & 6th Grade Retreat I Sky Ranch
Friday, April 14th I 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Chapel Youth Spring Blitz [learn more]
Sunday, April 16th
12:15pm - 2:15pm I College Lunch
6:00pm - 8:00pm I Homegroups I Chapel Youth D-Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery [get involved]
Monday, April 17th I 7:00pm
Chapel College Connect
Tuesday, April 18th I 9:30am - 11:30am
Rooted Women's Bible Study [learn more]
Wednesday, April 19th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery
Friday, April 21st I 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Royal Family Kids Camp Volunteer Training
Saturday, April 22nd I 8:30am - 4:00pm
Royal Family Kids Camp Volunteer Training
Tuesday, April 25th I 9:30am - 11:30am
Rooted Women's Bible Study [learn more]
Wednesday, April 26th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery
Wednesday Night MEnu
Join us for a family meal served on Wednesday nights from 5:15pm - 6:30pm.
Lent Services/ The Annual Business Meeting, Chapel Youth and Chapel Kids run from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Nursery is available.
Mar 5 - Team Flo
BBQ Pulled Pork
Little Smokies
Baked Beans
Potato Salad/ Garden Salad
Assorted Ice Cream
Mar 12 - Team Candi
Brown Sug. Balsamic Roasted Pork Loin
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Glazed Carrots
Rolls
Almond Butter Cake w/fresh fruit
Mar 19 - Team Donna
Meatball Subs
Chips
Lemon-Jell-o Cake
Mar 26 - Team Marilyn
Quiche
Mandarin Mixed Greens Salad
Croissant Rolls
Dessert
Meet A Missionary
Matt & Randi - Live Dead Missions
Matt and Randi were living the ‘American Dream.’ Matt had a desirable career and was using his gifts serving in ministry in the local church. Randi was a stay-at-home Mom and was incredibly involved at her kids' school PTA and at church. They were raising their children in a wonderful home in a safe neighborhood. Matt & Randi had always believed that every Christian should be directly involved in the Great Commission, and they had been actively giving to support workers around the world. Over the course of several years, the Holy Spirit brought them to an attitude of willingness to consider taking the Gospel to another nation. That attitude of surrender developed into a compulsion to go.
Matt and Randi were willing to abandon all the life that they loved and respond in radical obedience to the Lord’s calling.
They are now part of grass roots efforts to develop a Live Dead team in the Holy Land. Their primary focus is reaching people groups that have little Christian presence and limited or no access to the Gospel. They have planted their family in a secular community. They are anticipating additional workers and leadership to join them in the country within the next year. Their primary focus during their first years in their new home is learning the language, culture, and building relationships so that they can share Jesus effectively right now, and build strategic partnerships for future ministry.
Matt recently joined seven other Christian men on a cycling trip across the Holy Land to share the Gospel with others. They cycled about 100 km per day (about 60 miles per day, 300 miles total) sharing the Gospel each day. God led them to fellow cyclists, gas station attendants, hostel clerks and guests, soldiers, tourists, and a special encounter with a homeless man.
Please pray that God will honor Matt and Randi’s radical obedience with an overflow of His presence in their lives. You can also pray for their kids to adjust to their new home, school, and culture.
10 q's with
Kids Pastor, Amy Beiler
- If I could meet anyone from the Bible other than Jesus who would it be?
John, Jesus' disciple. His books in the Bible are my favorites! - What are three words that best describe your personality?
Kind, joyful, peaceful - If you weren’t a pastor, what job would you want?
It would be so much fun to be a backup singer for a Christian artist. - Who’s in your family?
My husband, Dave. Three kids: Josh, Caleb, and Lydia - Did you work with Kids before becoming the Kids Pastor at Christian Chapel?
Yes! I taught elementary music for 8 years, then was a stay at home mom for 5 years before taking this role. - What do you do at Christian Chapel (and for how long)?
Children's Pastor; September 1st of this year will be 10 years for me in this role - What do you love about Christian Chapel?
I love the multi-generational make-up, the emphasis on missions and care of foster kids, the priority of Spirit led living, and the importance the church leadership puts on ministry to children and youth. - What is the funniest thing a kid has ever said to you?
So. many. things. 🙂 My favorite was when I was asking a question that one kid knew the answer to right away. I didn't call on him because I knew he knew the answer, and I wanted to see if any other kids knew the answer. Plus I was trying to create a little bit of suspense. When we finally arrived at the right answer, he said "Finally, woman!" It was hilarious! - What is your most memorable moment from being a kids pastor?
Spiritual moments at Kids Camp are at the top of my list for sure. Getting to see these kids receive from God and experience His presence is a privilege that I cherish. - What is one piece of advice you would give parents for building their children's spiritual foundation?
Bring them to church...often! But also remember that the church still only has them a fraction of the time that you have them in the home. So talk to them about spiritual things, pray with them, discuss the Bible, and let them see you living out your faith. Also, ask the Holy Spirit to help you live with consistency around your children (in public and at home). Your actions and attitudes when no one else but your children are around will be a witness to them more than anything. And remember that we as church leaders are praying for you and supporting you in this journey to help your kids find and follow Jesus!
Archive
-
March 2023
Type content here...
