en Uplifting and Inspiring http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40&article_id=52 Student Ministry Weekly Meeting Student Ministry meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the church. Wednesday night meetings are for students in grades 5-12. The church is at 141 Depot Drive in Waconia. Come out for an exciting time of fun, fellowship, and spiritual challenge. Some important dates for parents and students to keep in mind for the month of March: Wednesday, March 17-no regular student ministry. Travis would like to meet with only students in grades 8-12 and discuss a book study! Wednesday, March 24-Parent/Student meeting. Travis would like to meet with all parents of students. Student ministry will be taking place at the same time. Fellowship of Christian Athletes The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives... one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ. The FCA Vision To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. The FCA Mission To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. The FCA Values Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence. Integrity We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately, and publicly. Serving We will model Jesus' example of serving. Teamwork We will express our unity in Christ in all our relationships. Excellence We will honor and glorify God in all we do. Date: every Thursday morning Time: 7:30 a.m. Where: Clearwater Middle School--Coach Langer's room Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:29:57 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40&article_id=51 Vision Statement: Promise Student Ministries accomplishes LIT by being rooted in the Word of God (Bible), looking into the truths the Bible teaches and being involved in the community of Waconia. Contact Travis Berry at (952)442-1109 if you have any questions. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:29:26 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=41 Promise Community Church is committed to reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Promise reaches beyond the local community by giving and praying for missionaries. Promise supports five missionary families, four of which are serving in sensitive countries. Promise currently is looking for those interested in being a part of a missions committee. If you are interested in being a part of the missions committee, contact Pastor Mark. missions prayer breakfast TBA missions festival TBA missions faith pledge Promise currently supports five missionary families, $100 per month per family. Four of the five missionary families serve in sensitive countries so their names cannot be printed in the bulletin or on our web site. Please consider making a faith pledge towards missions. We would love to be able to continue our current monthly support and take on another missionary family this year. You can make a pledge simply by filling out the blue missions faith pledge card and returning it to the information table or placing it in the offering. You can make a missions faith pledge at any time during the year. If you need a blue missions faith pledge card you can pick one up at church or call the church office and we will send you one. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:22:58 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39&article_id=49 v:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} b:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Guest speaker: Jayme Montera Mercy Seat MinistriesPlease contact the church office for a copy of the message. Order a CD of a Sunday morning service which includes the worship and sermon for $2. Place payment in an offering envelope and drop it in the offering. Please specify the date of the service or name of the message on the offering envelope when ordering. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:11:08 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39&article_id=50 family camp Plan your summer vacation and a time of great spiritual enrichment by attending Family Camp between July 2 and July 11 at Lake Geneva Bible Camp in Alexandria, Minnesota. Guest speakers include Jim Bradford, Denny Duron and Rich Wilkerson. Family Camp includes recreational activities and speakers for every age group. Brochures are on the information table. student ministry Student Ministry meets on Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the church. Student ministry is for grades 5 through 12. Talk to Travis Berry for more information. men's ministry Men's ministry resumes studying the book Wild at Heart in March. Books cost $10 and you can pick one up at the information table. They study chapter 5 this week. Men's ministry meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Talk to Bill Adamson if you have questions. men's morning study A men's study on The Complete Works on Prayer by E.M. Bounds meets Friday mornings from 6 to 7 a.m. at the Caribou Coffee at the corner of Penn and 79th Avenue in Bloomington. Talk to Brian Ackermann if you have questions. newcomer's bible study Are you new to Promise? Want to get connected? The newcomer's Bible study is for you. The topic for the group is Tough Questions: Finding answers to the questions that you have about faith and life. The study is on the second and fourth Sunday nights at Vaughn & Teresa Shepherd's home from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and feel free to join anytime. The next study is Sunday, March 14. Free childcare provided at the Magstadt's. Talk to Corey Magstadt if you want to know more. ladies' study A study for ladies on The Love Revolution, the book by Joyce Meyers, meets on the first and third Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. at Renee Hagan's home. Renee lives at 1671 Sandbar Circle in Waconia. The next study is on Thursday, March 18. Talk to Tracie Garrison for more information. ladies' bible study A study for ladies on the book of Romans begins next Sunday at 5 p.m. The Bible study will meet on the first and third Sundays of the month at the church. A soft copy of the study guide is free and a printed copy of the study guide is $5. Talk to Linda Peterson for more information. prayer Prayer meetings are the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Pastor Mark leads the next prayer meeting on March 18. Feel free to come or go at any time between 7 and 8:30 p.m. student ministry meeting Travis Berry meets with students in eighth through 12th grade on Wednesday, March 17 in the student ministry area to discuss a book study on Do Hard Things. No student ministry for fifth through seventh grades. Chat with Travis Berry if you have questions. your child: essentials of discipline The DVD series "Your Child: Essentials of Discipline" begins Wednesday, March 17. The class will run for 12 weeks on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Discover what's okay, what's not and what works when disciplining your child in this series. The series answers questions about whether you are being too strict or too permissive, how to handle the strong willed child, changing tactics as your child ages and how to deal with children's different temperaments. Make the most of the series by purchasing a participant's book for $10. The participants book includes pre-work to be done prior to each lesson. A copy of the participant's book is available to review at the information table. Checks should be made payable to Promise Community Church and can be given to Pastor Mark or placed in the offering and designated for the participant's book. Childcare will run concurrently with the class. building update Pastor Mark gives an update on financial statements and building plans this Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come hear the update and ask questions. food shelf Promise receives donations for the Waconia United Food Shelf the first Sunday of the month. Place your non-perishable food donations in the box next to the bulletin board. funeral Our prayers are with the Garrison family for the loss of Tracie's grandmother, Rose Smith. Rose passed away last week in Osborne, Kansas. Please continue to pray for the family as they journey through this time of grief. newsletter Please pick up a March newsletter from the information table after service. Pick up some of the other stuff on the table, too, while you're at it Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:09:31 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39&article_id=68 March 7, 2010 Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:05:50 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=40 The money kidz give through BGMC provides missionaries with supplies. Kidz are using special BGMC offering envelopes to give their money. Each month we give special recognition to the kid who is the month's "Biggest Giver."   Kidz will also have the opportunity to learn more about missions during the Missions Festival in June when we will have missionaries come speak in our service.  We want to challenge kidz to give in fun and creative ways to missions.  In the past we've used M & M tubes, Pringles cans and juice box containers. We are currently running a Buddy Barrel contest until the end of the year.  Kidz are encouraged to fill as many barrels as possible by Christmas and whoever has the heaviest barrels will win a prize!  Get your barrel today from Ms. Diane. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:18:55 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=45 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=45&article_id=67 Women of any age or faith background are invited to join us for a bible study on the book "The Love Revolution" by Joyce Meyer. The bible study will be on the 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at Renee Hagan's home. Renee lives at 1671 Sandbar Circle in Waconia. It is $20 for the book. Check the website calendar for meeting dates. Children are welcome to come and play during the study. For more information call 952.442.1109 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:21:49 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=45 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=45&article_id=62 .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } As women we all face many joys and challenges in our lives. It is my desire to join you in your joys and walk with you through your challenges. Daughters of Grace meets once a month for a time of worship and fellowship. We also have special activities throughout the year. We would love to have you join us for any of our events. If you have a prayer request or would like more information about Daughters of Grace, please contact Tracie Garrison. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:16:57 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50&article_id=80 Bill Adamson leads Promise's men's ministry. Bill led men's ministry at Grand Rapids Assembly of God in Grand Rapids, Minnesota prior to his involvement at Promise. He saw God do great things in the men's ministry and across men's ministries in Grand Rapids while he led the men's ministry. Bill has been married to his wife Debbie for 22 years. They have a daughter Bethani and two dogs Jazmine and Dakotah. Bill has coached basketball for more than 24 years and currently coaches women's basketball at Crown College. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:23:20 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=43 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=43&article_id=58 Travis Berry is very blessed to be able to interact with the students of Promise Community Church. Travis was born in Hopkins, MN and grew up in Maple Grove, Mn. He attended Maple Grove Senior High School and is a senior at Crown College and graduates in December 2009. He is working towards a degree in Youth Ministry and is very thankful for the opportunity to take the ideas spoken about in the classroom and apply them directly to Promise Community Church Student Ministries. The goal of Travis' ministry is fairly simple. He wants to be a vessel used by God to get students LIT. LIT is an acronym for L (loving God and loving people) I (investigating Truth) and T (telling others about Jesus' sacrifice). Travis' Favorites: Favorite food: Pizza and tacos Favorite movie: Luther and Dumb and Dumber Favorite music: I enjoy all types but Bob Dylan and Lecrae are some of my favorites Favorite sports teams: Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves and the Wild (Minnesota boy) Wed, 9 Dec 2009 11:47:10 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=49 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=49&article_id=79 Men's Ministry provides a place for men to grow in their faith through transparent relationships with other men. Men's Ministry meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the church. Men's Ministry discusses the book "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge beginning Thursday, December 9. Call the church at 952-442-1109 for more information. Wed, 9 Dec 2009 11:34:43 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=76 Ms. Diane is challenging kidz to give up pop for missions during the month of November. Kidz are collecting coins in an empty pop can for BGMC. Kidz can turn in their can with coins on Sunday, December 6. The kid with the most coins in their can will win a 12 pack of the pop of their choice. Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:04:19 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=45 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=45&article_id=63 Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:57:36 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=45 Looking for a change? Looking for a place to grow spiritually? Looking for a place that loves kids (or kidz as we call them)? Uplifting and inspiring worship, biblical preaching and fun, safe children's ministry are a part of what makes Promise Community Church a special place! Our vision is to build followers of Christ who minister to the Lord, the congregation and the world. We meet Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. at 141 Depot Drive (between Walgreen's and Subway in Waconia). If you are new to the area or if you are without a church home, we invite you to give us a try. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:34:56 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=27 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=27&article_id=32 Promise Community Church has a variety of children's ministries for ages from birth through fourth grade. Cry Room A cry room is available for use during Sunday morning services for children age birth through walking. This room is not staffed, but supplies and equipment is free for those needing to use the room for their infant. Toddler ChurchToddler church is provided during Sunday morning services for children from walking through the age of two.Preschool Children's ChurchPreschool children’s church is provided during Sunday morning services for children ages two and three.Kidz Sunday School Kidz Sunday school is for ages four through fourth grade during Sunday morning worship service. Kidz Sunday school is not held the first Sunday of the month so children can join their families in worship and communion. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:54:03 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=46 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=46&article_id=66 Do you purchase milk from Kwik Trip? Save your caps or the tops of the milk bags from Nature's Touch and place them in the container on the information table. Promise will get 5 cents for each bottle top or bag top. Proceeds will support our missionaries. If you have any questions contact Linda Peterson. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:58:54 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=37 Good News Club meets after school on Tuesdays at Southview Elementary School. Good News Club includes a Bible lesson using curriculum from Child Evangelism Fellowship, songs, Scripture memorization, activities centered around the lesson, and review games. We also like to have fun throwing a Good News Club Party at different times of the year! You can call Ms. Diane, kidz pastor, at the church at (952) 442-1109 if you would like more information about Good News Club for the 2009-10 school year. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 1 Sep 2009 07:12:15 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=44 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=44&article_id=61 .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } Tracie Garrison was born and raised in Kansas. She came to Minnesota in 1989 to attend North Central University and graduated with a BA in Children's Ministry in 1995. After graduation, Tracie married Brian and had two children. Tracie was a children's pastor in Columbia Heights from 1996-1997. She was an associate pastor at her hometown church in Beloit, KS from 1999-2001 where her focus was children's and youth ministry. Tracie also was a worship leader in Beloit. After moving back to Minnesota, Brian and Tracie became involved at Promise Community Church in early 2005. Tracie has a heart for worship and women's ministry. "It is my desire for women to reach up to God and receive all that He has for them and then share that with others who need His love. Women play a vital role in the family and the church. Women are natural nurturer's and we seek to encourage them through monthly Daughter's of Grace meetings and the secret sister ministry." Sat, 16 May 2009 09:18:13 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=9 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=9&article_id=15 Mark and Diane Sullivan are privileged to be called to be pastor and kidz pastor of Promise Community Church. Mark and Diane moved to Waconia in August 2004 as church planters to establish Promise Community Church. Our Women's Ministry coordinator is Tracie Garrison, who helped launch Promise Community Church and has faithfully attended since its first service on September 18, 2005. She has been serving the women of Promise since May 2007. We are blessed to have Travis Berry, a senior at Crown College, as our Youth Director. He has been working with our Student Ministry since the Fall of 2008. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Thu, 7 May 2009 15:09:42 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=20 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=20&article_id=14 Diane Sullivan is a native of Minnesota, born in Fridley and raised most of her life in Princeton. She was raised in a Christian home and attended the Lutheran Church. She learned at a young age that to have salvation she must accept Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. After high school, she earned an Associate of Arts degree at Central College in McPherson, Kansas. She attended North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota after Central College. Mark and Diane met while attending North Central University and were married in 1991. Diane finished her bachelor of arts in Behavioral Studies with a Minor in Music, and graduated with honors 1994. She served alongside her husband as youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, and worship leader at Crossroads Church from 1993 to 1999. She served primarily in the children's ministry department at New Life Christian Center in Princeton from 2000 to 2004. She served as Nursery Coordinator, Children's Worship Leader, Children's Musical Director, Kids Ministry Team leader, and moppettes worker. She has a passion for kids and is excited to be the Kidz Pastor at Promise Community Church. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:46:15 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19&article_id=13 Mark Sullivan grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Yes, he is a die-hard Bears fan (which is a challenge in Minnesota)! Mark did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ until he was a high school senior. Once saved, he felt the calling on his life to let others know the life transforming power of having a personal relationship with Jesus. He attended Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois where he received his Associate of Arts degree and then transferred to North Central University where in 1991 he graduated with his bachelor of arts in Pastoral Studies. He served as Youth Pastor at Crossroads Church in Prior Lake from 1993 to 1999. He served at New Life Christian Center in Princeton from 2000 to 2004 on a volunteer basis in preaching ministry, Sunday School, Junior Bible Quiz, and Adult and Children's Drama Ministry. God has called him to be a church planter in Waconia, Minnesota in 2004 and now serves as pastor of Promise Community Church. Mark has been an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God since 1995. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:45:54 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36&article_id=42 Raise money for Speed the Light and BGMC when you search the internet. GoodSearch.com is a search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use Goodsearch.com just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo! Go to www.goodsearch.com and enter Promise Community Church as the charity you want to support. We give have the half the proceeds from Goodsearch.com to Speed the Light and half to BGMC. Speed the Light (STL) is the student-initiated ministry that provides transportation and communications equipment to missionaries across the nation and in over 150 countries around the world. Boys and Girls Missionary Crusades (BGMC) is the child-initiated ministry that helps provide missionaries with supplies. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:44:49 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=33 Junior Bible Quiz is a Bible study ministry for kidz in first through sixth grade. The ministry is built around a Fact-Pak of 576 questions and answers covering Bible facts, doctrines and memory verses. Kidz compete on their knowledge of the Fact-Pak in quiz competitions against other teams. Quiz meets are held on Saturdays five times a year in October, November, January, February and March.That's a lot of questions!Yes, it is, so we divided them into manageable groups. Kids study between 10 and 20 questions per week. We also design the ministry so kids take three years to learn all questions. Younger children are assigned the easier questions (some of the theological concepts in some questions are difficult even for older children!).How much does JBQ cost? JBQ does not have a monetary cost (just hard work and time). Where are competitions held?League meets are held at Cedar Valley Church in Bloomington. How long do meets take?Quiz meets are made up of about seven quiz matches. Meets begin at 9 a.m. and run until about 1 p.m. including the awards ceremony.We plan for an hour and 15 minutes of travel time to the meet. We plan for about two hours travel and lunch time on the way back.What do parents do?Parents need to ensure that children study the assigned questions. Children should study 10 minutes a day or an hour a week. Parents need to ensure children attend weekly practices. We ask that one parent serve as an official at the five league meets.What are some of the questions?A sample of some of the questions:For 10 points“Who were the first man and first woman?”Adam and Eve“Who wrote more books of the Bible than any other person?”the apostle PaulFor 20 points“What did Paul tell Timothy was true prosperity?” Godliness with contentment is great gain“Jesus said that God had planned for His house to be used as what?”A house of prayerFor 30 points“Why did God send his Son into the world?” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16, 17“How does the church grow?”When individual members of a church contribute their God-given gifts, then the church will be healthy and grow in love. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:41:34 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=3 Promise Community Church is a Bible believing church affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. The phraseology employed in this Statement is not inspired. No claim is made that it contains all Biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines. 1. The Scriptures Inspired The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21). 2. The One True God The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28: 19; Luke 3:22). THE ADORABLE GODHEAD (a) Terms Defined The terms "trinity" and "persons" as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from "gods many and lords many." We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural (examples, Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16,17). (b) Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained. Luke 1:35; I Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; I John 1:3,4). (c) Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit Accordingly, therefore, there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Spirit which constitutes Him the Holy Spirit and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter; the Son is the Begotten; and the Holy Spirit is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one. (John 1:18; 15:26; 17:11, 21; Zechariah 14:9). (d) Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are never identical as to Person; not confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; not opposed as to cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son as to relationship. The Son is with the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son is from the Father, as to authority. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, neither Person in the Godhead either exists or works separately or independently of the others. (John 5:17-30,32,37; 8:17,18). (e) The Title, Lord Jesus Christ The appellation, "Lord Jesus Christ," is a proper name. It is never applied, in the New Testament, either to the Father or to the Holy Spirit. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Son of God. (Romans 1:1-3,7; II John 1:3). (f) The Lord Jesus Christ, God with Us The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man. He is, therefore, acknowledged to be both God and man; who because He is God and man, is "Immanuel," God with us. (Matthew 1:23; I John 4:2,10,14; Revelation 1:13,17). (g) The Title, Son of God Since the name "Immanuel" embraces both God and man, in the one person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title Son of God describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title Son of God belongs to the order of eternity, and the title Son of Man to the order to time (Matthew 1:21-23; II John 1:3:; I John 3:8; Hebrews 7:3; 1:1-13). (h) Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ Wherefore, it is a transgression of the doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title Son of God solely from the fact of the Incarnation, or because of His relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father, and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God; a denial of the Father and the Son; and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (II John 1:9; John 1:1,2,14,18,29,49; I John 2:22,23; 4:1-5; Hebrews 12:2). (i) Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Spirit that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all (Hebrews 1:3; I Peter 3:22; Acts 2:32-36; Romans 14:11; I Corinthians 15:24-28). (j) Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Spirit to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of deity, and to give Him all the honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead except those which express relationship (see paragraphs b,c, and d), and thus honor the Son even as we honor the Father (John 5:22,23; I Peter 1:8; Revelation 5:6-14; Philippians 2:8,9; Revelation 7:9,10; 4:8-11). 3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare: (a) His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35). (b) His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22). (c) His miracles (Acts 2:22;10:38). (d) His substitutionary work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21). (e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4). (f) His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9,11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:3). 4. The Fall of Man Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19). 5. The Salvation of Man Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. (a) Conditions to Salvation Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7). (b) The Evidences of Salvation The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12). 6. The Ordinances of the Church (a) Baptism in Water The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4). (b) Holy Communion The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements--bread and the fruit of the vine--is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (I Corinthians 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers "till He comes!" 7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; I Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20). 8. The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (I Corinthians 12:4-10,28), but different in purpose and use. 9. Sanctification Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto God (Romans 12:1,2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (I Peter 1:15,16). Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union, and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11,13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; I Peter 1:5). 10. The Church and Its Mission The Church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; 2:22; Hebrews 12:23). Since God's purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is: (a) To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16). (b) To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (I Corinthians 12:13). (c) To be a channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12:28; 14:12). The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This experience: (a) Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 26:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:3,4). (b) Adds a necessary dimension to a worshipful relationship with God (I Corinthians 2:10-16; I Corinthians 12-14). (c) Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the body of Christ (Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:11,12; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:29). 11. The Ministry A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20), (2) worship of God (John 4:23,24), and (3) building a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11,16). 12. Divine Healing Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; James 5:14-16). 13. The Blessed Hope The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (I Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51,52). 14. The Millennial Reign of Christ The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27,30; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-14; 10:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Romans 11:26,27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3,4). 15. The Final Judgment There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8). 16. The New Heavens and the New Earth We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness: (II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21,22) sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:40:31 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=7 1. We value the Word because it is Him incarnate and provides clear direction to our lives. We value teaching based on the Word that applies to life. 2. We value prayer and worship because it brings us into connection with our God and changes us and our circumstances. 3. We value family because God created it. The family is the first institution created by God as a basic building block for society. 4. We value the family of God. We are called to belong, not just believe. 5. We value children because Christ values them. We value them because they are uniquely open to God and receiving Christ as savior. They are a heritage from God and a blessing for life. 6. We value the unsaved because God loves them. We desire to communicate the gospel to the lost and see them come into a relationship with Him. 7. We value the moving of the Holy Spirit. We believe that He saves, fills, delivers, heals and does the miraculous. 8. We value maturity in Christ. We need to grow in Christ. 9. We value discipleship. Discipleship is the process of passing values to other people so they can be mature in Christ and minister for Christ. 10. We value excellence. If it's important enough for us to do, it is important enough for us to do well. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:39:45 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2&article_id=11 Promise Community Church desires to reach the young families in Waconia, Watertown, Mayer, St. Bonifacius, Norwood Young America and Cologne with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Promise does this by providing ministries that are relevant and exciting for every member of the family. sc_project=1483906; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=13; sc_security="80a4fd4f"; Tue, 3 Jun 2008 16:39:15 MST http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=18 http://www.promisecommunitychurch.com/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=18&article_id=10 A. Accept that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself nor be good enough on your own to go to heaven and spend eternity with God. (Romans 3:23) B. Believe that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and on the third day after He died, He rose from the dead and lives eternally at the right hand of God. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31) C. Confess that you are a sinner. (I John 1:9) Please contact Promise Community Church at (952) 442-1109 if you made a decision for Christ and live in the Waconia area. Thu, 29 Sep 2005 04:11:35 MST