Baptism Meeting - Sunday November 8th

For those who are interested in being baptized as a believer, please
meet with Pastor Bob in his office on Sunday Nov. 8th directly after
the service.

The baptism service is Sunday November 15th! Invite your family &
friends!! Read Full Post»

Ladies Mark Your Calenders!!!

River Chicks Christmas Party!!! River of Life Church Friday December 18th 6-9 PM Bring a Friend and a Finger Food to Share ~ESV Bible Raffle ~ Bring a non-parishable food item and enter your name ~Ornaments Exchange~ Bring One to Get one ~Open Mic ~ Sign up to share a song, poem or short devotional * This is an Adult only event, please no children* Sponsored by: The Women's Ministry Team If you are interested in helping w/ this event, have any questions or concerns, Please contact us at WM@PortageChurch.org

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Prayer Request

Please pray for my good friend Sheila, she is fighting a rare, aggressive cancer! She has 3 beautiful school aged children, and a husband that needs Gods Peace, and Strength! Sheila is going through aggresive treatments right now, that are causing her to be be sick and very weak. Please BATHE the Boodry family in Prayer    If you would like to help out by making a meal, please contact Jenn Selbach @ 608-617-4274 or Jenn@PortageChurch.org    Thank You and God Bless~Jenn

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HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!

Well October 31st is "Reformation Day"... This is when we celebrate the protestant movement to debate and remove ourselves from the Catholic church. Specifically, this is the day that Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to the Schlosskirche (Castle) Church door.

A big part of the debate and protest was the Catholic church attempting to make money claiming to help remove the dead from Purgatory quicker. The Reformers refuted this teaching and taught that we are saved by Christ alone, by faith alone, by His grace alone, that we trust God's word alone, and all for God's glory alone!

The Reformers also wanted the Word of God to be available to everyone, not just the priests. So because you hold a Bible today, you can say "Thank God for the Reformation!!"

So on this day, we celebrate Reformation Day! We cherish that we have one mediator between God and man - the man Christ Jesus! So celebrate with us... God is awesome and worthy of all praise & Glory!!

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!

*For more info on Reformation Day, click this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation_Day

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Local Trick or Treating Times

The following are the trick-or-treat times for areas across Columbia and Marquette counties.

All trick-or-treating times listed take place Saturday.

Arlington: 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Endeavor: 4 to 7 p.m.

Montello: 5 to 7 p.m.

Oxford: 5 to 7 p.m.

Packwaukee: 5 to 7 p.m.

Pardeeville: 4 to 7 p.m.

Portage: 4 to 7 p.m.

Poynette: 4 to 7 p.m.

Rio: 2 to 4 p.m.

Westfield: 5 to 7 p.m.

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Life Groups Handout

For those of you involved in Life Groups, you can get the handout for each week at church on Sunday mornings in the info center.

You may download and print from www.PortageChurch.org/lifegroups.pdf

These are updated every Friday afternoon for you.

Enjoy your Life Groups! Please keep us updated by posting on the blog how they are going. You can post on the blog by e-mailing to: Prayer@PortageChurch.org

"To the praise of His glorious grace!"

Pastor Bob Turner †

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English as a Second Language Workshop

...sharing Christ as we teach English to our international neighbors! God's brought the world to our doorstep!  Learn how to minister to the internationals in your midst through ESL ministries: Nov 14th and 21st, 2009 (9am - 5pm both Saturdays) Friendship Baptist Church Fort Atkinson, WI Registration Fee: $30, by November 2nd! (includes all training, materials, and lunches both days) Any questions? Contact Caryn Jette at cjette_esl@yahoo.com!  Register at my website:  www.eslwi.com PS - I know someone in Madison who is looking to carpool.  Contact me if you're interested! Caryn Jette CBA Literacy Missions Coordinator www.eslwi.com

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A True Believer & Baptism Part 2

"A True Believer & Baptism

(the sign of the new covenant)"

Part 2

Genesis 17

In the Sermon series

10 Signs of a True Believer

by Pastor Bob

Click the link below to go to

Pastor Bob's personal blog

Unmerited Favor

www.PortageChurch.org/Pastor

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Baptism Service - November 15th

We are going to be having a baptism service on Sunday November 15th.

If you would like to be baptized as a believer, please let us know by
filling out a Yellow Card during Sunday services. We also highly
recommend talking to your Life Group Leader for more information. Read Full Post»

Mike Naber has passed away

* Update -
Mike Naber's funeral will be Tuesday Oct. 20 from 4-7 PM at Olsen's Funeral Home on Main Street in Rockford, IL.

If you are able to come, Anita and the family could use some support from her local church.

If you are unable to make it, please be in prayer for the family and friends mourning his passing. If you would like to send condolences, you can e-mail Anita at:ajostergard@yahoo.com

Please be in prayer as Mike Naber has passed away Tuesday morning. Mike's fiance, Anita is meeting with me this afternoon to inform the kids and start to plan the funeral.

A little history on how I met Mike, Anita & their family: When our house sold, Alisha and I rented a town house in Portage before buying our new house. We were blessed to move next door to Mike & Anita. They saw all the people helping us move in and were amazed to find out it was our awesome church family. This was an instant chance to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.

The whole family started to come to church with us. Anita received Christ and was soon baptized. A little while later, Mike answered an invitation with tears flowing to surrender his life to Christ. He was soon baptized after that. (attached is a photo of Mike's baptism)

We mourn Mike's death, but we also celebrate his new life in Christ. He is worshiping our Lord in Heaven today.

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Revised Greeter List

Revised Greeter List available at church this Sunday.  Please pick up from the credenza in the entryway.  Read Full Post»

Memory Verse

Here is the wording that the kids learned for the October memory verse. The wording we sent home was from a different version.

Thanks for continuing to practice.


Memory verse to be practicing for October:
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ….Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Pre-school verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ….Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. Read Full Post»

A True Believer and Baptism

"A True Believer & Baptism

(the sign of the new covenant)"

Genesis 17

This is the seventh sign in the series

10 Signs of a True Believer

by Pastor Bob

To listen to this Sermon

click the link below to go to his personal blog

Unmerited Favor

www.PortageChurch.org/Pastor

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HOLIDAYS : LIVING WINDOWS

NEEDED: PASSIONATE, CREATIVE people, 2-3 preferably.

Every year Downtown Portage puts on an assortment of Holiday activities between Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of those is a Living Windows Display. In past years It's About Faith has offered us their window to participate in this event. This would be a great time for our children to share the story of Christ's Birth with our community!! (and as an added bonus we have some real live babies that might play that part--just an idea)

I have lots of costumes but again, I am looking for a few GREAT volunteers to form a team and get things planned and carried out. Anyone who has a heart for this type of ministry please call me ASAP ... Call Mary Hamburg (608) 742-8284.

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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD--SHOEBOX!!!!

Hello fellow river of lifers!!

It's that time of year again. YAY! We are kicking off our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox program on SUNDAY OCT 11th!

Please check your worship folder for specific details. Shoe boxes will be available in the back of the church from this Sunday while supplies last. They will need to be returned before SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8th. Please involve OUR children and pray for the child that receives it.

Any Questions Please direct toward Mary H. @ 608-742-8284 or Sheila Bates 608-566-3898.

Thanx and God Bless! ...

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NEEDED: Easter Play ---TEAM

...As some of you may remember, last Easter we did an Easter Play depicting Christ's death and resurrection. The kids loved it and I've already had some of them come forward with suggestions on how we can improve this year! Yay!

I need to start forming a TEAM now, so we can meet early in January. I know its early, but we barely had time last year to accomplish the goal. I wish to be proactive (and less stressed) this year. My hope would be to have a TEAM of 5-8 volunteers, some costumes (we have some...), props, etc. I really hope some of you feel lead to do this, and as passionate as our children are about teaching the Gospel!!

PLEASE contact Mary Hamburg @ 608-742-8284 before Oct 30th---I would love to have some of the same volunteers as last year and add a bunch more!!! As soon as I have a list of names We can set a time for a meeting to brainstorm and begin planning!! Thanks so much, and Gods Blessings

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Love & Logic

FREE parenting program

-Raise your child's self-esteem
-Reduce their level of anger/frustration
-Guide your children to solve their own problems
-Set limits with your children
-Use healthy consequences
-Share control through choices
-Utilize empathy while allowing your child to feel the pain of his/her mistakes

Wednesdays, October 14th & 28th, November 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th from 6:00-8:00PM at the Portage family resource center.

Childcare available upon advance notice.

Register by calling 742-8482
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Community Programs

Please pass on this information to anyone that can use it.....

With the economy as bad as it is and so many people without jobs please take advantage of the community programs that are there to help us. These are programs available in Columbia County.....

-The 2nd Monday of every month a food truck comes to St Vinny's at 1311 W Wisconsin St in Portage. The next one will be next Monday, October 12th at 11:00 AM. It's a good idea to get in line early.

-Energy Assistance is a program that offers assistance for the winter towards your electricity bills. This is income based. Can call 1-800-506-5596 or 742-4088 to set up an appointment.

- The Food Pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00AM-noon and Thursdays from 5:00PM-6:00PM. 211 W Pleasant St, Phone # 742-3774.

-Community action can sometimes help with housing or food at 742-3320.

-Food share at 742-9227.


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Ride Needed from the Dells

A single mom and her two daughters (ages 5 and 16) would like to come to our church, but mom cannot drive.  If you or someone you know lives in the Dells and would be willing to give this family a ride to church, contact Debbie Millman. (608.354.5804) or fourdisciples@verizon.net

Thanks!

 

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FREE DRYER

... Hello. My sister lives in mauston and is giving away her 5yr old white electric dryer. It runs good and is free to the first person who can go pick it up. My number is 608-697-3309 if you have questions. Thanks. Kelly Zuelke

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A True Believer Glorifies God

"A True Believer Glorifies God"

Genesis 17

This is the sixth sign in the series

10 Signs of a True Believer

by Pastor Bob

To listen to the sermon

click the link below to go to

Pastor's personal blog

Unmerited Favor

www.PortageChurch.org

Read Full Post»

Harvest Party

Just a reminder that Harvest Party is today. Please come and join us to show our Love to our community.

We will have Harvest Party no matter what. If it's yucky weather we will be in the church building.

If you are signed up for set-up please arrive by 2:45. If you are helping with games please arrive by 3:30 so we can all pray together and get information for the day.

Harvest Party starts at 4:00.

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