I just heard it again on a sports radio talk show this week…in football, it’s blocking & tackling. In basketball, it’s dribbling, passing, shooting. The dictionary describes fundamental as “basic principle or element.” This month in United, we are discussing those habits that are fundamental in growing with Christ. Week 1 is knowing God through his Word, the Bible. Week 2 is the simply act of talking & listening to God in Prayer. Week 3 is the practice of Confession. Week 4 is growing in Community with other Christ followers. Yes, there are many other ways God uses to mold us into the image of Jesus. What are some of those fundamentals that you find helpful in growing spiritually? Your suggestions might become the next Fundamentals series!
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Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas with family, friends, and United as ONE. There will be no mid-week youth services for the rest of December. HOWEVER, don’t miss out on the first Wednesday of the new year as we start 2011 with a blast. Old man winter is here to stay, so let’s play.
Join us for a fun night of tubing at Sleepy Hollow Wednesday, January 5 from 5:30 - 9:15 PM. Cost is $3 for pizza and $10 for tubing. Don’t have time to fix dinner? Throw the family in the car and eat Papa John’s Pizza in the Fellowship Hall from 5:30 - 6:00.
Remember to turn in your parental consent and waiver form before this event at the lobby Ministry Opportunities Desk.
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There’s a paradox about mission trips. The paradox is this: as I go to help others know Christ, it is I who sees Christ more clearly. This coming summer, United has the incredible opportunity to see Christ more clearly as we head south, South America, that is. We have been invited to join our very own Kevin & Cindy Elder in their mission to help the light of Jesus shine brightly in Medellin, Columbia June 10-18, 2011. Download your application today. With questions, contact Linda Coop at lcoop@desmoinesfirst.org.
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Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
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