New Year’s Resolutions
The Chapel Digest - JANUARY 2024
New Year’s resolutions often revolve around definable achievements or specific actions. We want to exercise a certain number of days each week, cut a set amount of frivolous spending, run a precise number of weekly miles, fish a preferred number of days, or save a particular amount of money.
There is nothing wrong with selecting a few measurable, individual goals for 2024. But as followers of Jesus our goals should not be restricted to what we do, they should also include who we are. As we start a new year, we want to ask God to give us a picture of who He wants us to be in 2024.
If we don’t know what kind of person God wants us to be, the scriptures are always our best starting point. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul gives us a few characteristics that should define our lives when he writes that, 22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
This list of attributes is not a to-do list or a to-strive-for list. It is a description of a life that has been surrendered to the Holy Spirit. When Paul says that these things are the fruit of the Spirit, it means that this is what the Holy Spirit grows in our hearts, minds, and souls and then displays in our words and actions.
We cannot achieve these accomplishments through our list-making, rule-keeping, or disciplined-living. We only display them as we live by the power of the Holy Spirit each day. As we change who we are and begin to live by the power of the Holy Spirit, it changes what we do and creates results in our speech, actions, and relationships.
In 2024 we can invite the Holy Spirit into every moment of everyday. As we do, we will become more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. As the Spirit’s power grows in our soul, the Spirit’s fruit is produced in every area of life. Over time, the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us changes who we are and shows out in what we do. Our best resolution for change is to invite the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, and help us grow each day.
Chris Dow
Lead Pastor
"God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality."
- Rick Warren -
Linda Duntley
Arthritis
I came to Christian Chapel on March 12, 2023 with many physical ailments. I have Multiple Sclerosis and had been in the ER the previous week due to a flare up.
I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. For the last 7 years I have only had one finger that I can consistently bend. I have some fingers that I have not been able to bend for 17 years due to arthritis.
During the morning service on Sunday, March 12 there was an invitation to receive prayer for healing. I responded, knowing I needed healing, but I was not full of faith. I moved forward out of obedience, knowing that I was sick and would like to be well.
I walked forward and without me expressing my need, Rubens Cunha prayed for me to be healed of arthritis. I was initially disappointed as multiple sclerosis was what I really want to be healed from.
I didn’t feel any different as I headed back to my seat. As I picked up my purse, I noticed that one of my fingers was bending. That was new and unexpected!
It had been so long since my fingers have bent that I don’t even try anymore. When I felt that one bend, I tried another one and then another one and then another one. One by one all my fingers began to bend and move as they had not moved for years. I drove home that day with a full grip all the way around the steering wheel.
When I got home, I tried a few other tasks and noticed an incredible difference. I was no longer dropping things on the floor. The increased dexterity in my fingers was making a real difference. On top of that – the pain in my fingers was gone.
In my life I have known disappointment and heartache, but March 12 was a wonderful reminder that Jesus never abandons me, Jesus is always faithful, and I always have hope in Him.
COMING UP THIS MONTH
SUNDAY Morning Services - 8:15AM, 9:30AM & 11:00AM
Wednesday, January 10th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]
Thursday, January 11th
7:00pm I ORU Basketball Home Game (vs South Dakota) [reserve tickets]
Saturday, January 13th
7:00pm I ORU Basketball Home Game (vs St. Thomas) [reserve tickets]
Sunday, January 14th
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00 I Sunday Service - NEW TIMES
9:30am I Next Steps [sign up]
Wednesday, January 17th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]
8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter
Friday, January 19th
8:00pm - 7:00am (Jan.20th) Chapel Youth Lock In
Sunday, January 21st
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00 I Sunday Service - NEW TIMES
6:00pm - 8:00pm I Home Groups I Chapel Kids I Nursery I Chapel Youth D-Groups [get involved]
Wednesday, January 24th
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]
8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter
Saturday, January 27th
7:00pm I ORU Basketball Home Game (vs South Dakota State) [reserve tickets]
Sunday, January 28th
8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00 I Sunday Service - NEW TIMES
Tuesday, January 30th
9:30am - 11:30am I Chapel Women: Rooted Bible Study [find out more & sign up]
Wednesday, January 31st
5:15pm - 6:30pm I Family Dinner
6:30pm - 7:30pm I Adult Discipleship Groups I Chapel Youth I Chapel Kids I Nursery [view groups]
8:00pm - 9:00pm I NEXT GEN Encounter
Wednesday, January 31st - Saturday, February 3rd
Chapel Men Ski Trip [sign up]
Wednesday Night Schedule
Join us for a family meal served on Wednesday nights, starting from 5:15pm - 6:30pm.
Adult Groups, Chapel Youth and Chapel Kids run from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Nursery is available.
MENU
January 10 - Team Flo
Pasta w/Marinara Sauce
Meatballs
Caesar Salad
Garlic Bread
Dessert
January 17 - Team Candi
Beef Pot Pie
Green Beans
House Salad
Vanilla Mousse w/fresh fruit
January 24 - Team Donna
Chicken Noodle Soup
Ham & Cheese Sliders
Cheese & Crackers
Iced Brownies
January 31 - Team Marilyn
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Sunshine Carrots
Roll
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
WhIch Group Will You Attend?
A new session of Adult Groups begins on Wednesday, January 10th.. Below you can see a little more information about the groups available.
A family meal will be served from 5:15pm and Groups, Chapel Kids, Chapel Youth and Nursery start at 6:30pm and run until 7:30pm.
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Thriving in Babylon - Chris Godfrey - Room 220
This video/discussion series will introduce us to Daniel. He lived in a fast-changing and godless society that created the potential for fear, concern, and discouragement. Daniel's life will teach us how to thrive and survive under similar circumstances with the power of hope, humility, and wisdom.
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Unusual Miracles in the Bible - Mike Buie - Room 222
The Bible is full of unusual miracles. As we study these intriguing stories, we will find that the common theme of "need" accompanies all miracles found in Scripture. As we are confronted by our needs, we discover that God in his nature and ways still wants to work miracles in our lives as well.
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Grief Share - Karol Miller - Room 223
This group is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. We want to help you find encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend.
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Follow the Healer - Dr. Daniel Isgrigg - Room 224
This group will explore the Biblical truth that Jesus heals and that every follower of Jesus is called to participate in His ongoing wholistic healing ministry.
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Estudio Bíblico: Creer - Valdemar & Sobeida Arguello - Sala 225 (segundo piso)
Viviendo la historia de la bíblia para ser como Jesús: Un estudio bíblico para hispanohablantes.
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Back to the Basics (Study on 1 John) - Renny Bailey - Room 227
When Jesus offers us new life, He wants us to be sure that we have received it and are living in it. This group will explore what I John teaches us about the evidence of our salvation, and how we can be assured we are walking in new life.
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Conquer Men’s Group - Ken Preaus & Scott Beasler - Room 228
Every man needs a battle plan for sexual purity. The Conquer Group will equip you to fight for sexual purity in your mind and your heart while helping you walk in the freedom God intends you to experience. You will learn proven principles & scriptural truths that will set you free and help you share that freedom with other men.
Meet A Missionary
Shane and Chelsea - Overland Missions
Shane and Chelsea Bloedorn met at a young adult group at Christian Chapel. They were both recent college graduates seeking God’s plan for their future. Their friendship turned into a dating relationship and eventually led to marriage. After they were married, God directed them to begin serving with Overland Missions which resulted in a move to Zambia.
It was a massive step of faith to move away from all that they knew and loved. Leaving their families was especially difficult. When they arrived in Zambia, God continued to clarify their calling as they encountered a nation with immense physical and spiritual needs. The Overland Mission leadership team asked them to join the remote base in Chipepo. It is a six to eight hour drive over rough roads from the capital of Zambia. Shane was immediately drawn to the challenge of the remote location. For Chelsea, it took a little more convincing from the Holy Spirit, but she quickly obeyed God’s direction.
The Bloedorn’s have served in Chipepo for six years. During that time they have built a base, shared the gospel, discipled believers, trained pastors, welcomed other missionaries to their team, and grown their family. The work is endless, but incredibly rewarding!
After seeing the desperate need for sound Biblical teaching in the established churches Shane & Chelsea moved from weekly revival meetings in the villages to training and equipping local pastors. They discovered that many pastors had been thrust into positions of leadership with little or no training. They lacked encouragement, support, and oversight. Basic ministry training including how to study the Bible, how to preach, how to make disciples, and how to care for believers had not been offered to them.
This need created another ministry opportunity. Shane & Chelsea launched a Bible School to train church leaders. They have graduated thirty students through their first two sessions. As they expand this training ministry, they are translating their teaching materials into Tonga, the local language. This will enable them to reach even more current and future church leaders with a comprehensive, easy to understand curriculum. These newly trained pastors and church leaders will strengthen existing churches and launch out to plant new churches.
Shane & Chelsea believe that Zambia, and in particular their chiefdom of Chipepo, can become a beacon of light for the rest of Africa. Their vision is for Chipepo to become a strategic source of trained pastors and missionaries that take the Gospel throughout Africa and around the world.
A Note from Chelsea and Shane:
“Thank you, Christian Chapel family! We literally could not and would not be here without your years of love, support, commitment, and investment in Jesus’ work in us!!!”