This week's topic: "Why me, God?"
Sunday,
December 13th, 2009
 
In this issue...
Special Service Times
The Christmas Contest
Christmas Play DVD's
Single Parent Party
Ladies Faith Crafter Weekend
Contributions Deadline
Fall Adult Classes
Childrens Sunday School
MOPS begins
Small Groups
JBQ/Royal Rangers/Mpact Girls
Heart 2 Heart
Celebrate Recovery
Moms In Touch
Hispanic Class
Prayer Chain
Rochester Assembly E-News  
 
December 10th, 2009
  
 

 

Greetings!

                               
                                                                    Pastor Jim new
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
 
Even though I have been battling the winter flu bug, I still love the snow! 
 
What about you?
 
It is fun to watch how each of my neighbors respond to heavy snowfalls. One guy likes to get up at 5 am and fire up his snow blower so that the whole neighborhood has a wake up call.  Better yet, his dog loves to play in the snow and so we all get to hear it bark as he throws one of her doggy toys!
 
Another neighbor has a new snow blower and loves to take his time with the snow.  He may start earlier than we all do, but he also will be the one who is still out there when everyone else is finished.
 
Another neighbor waits until everyone else is done so that his driveway doesn't get any of the "blow bye" from other's blowing snow!
 
One neighbor loves to go up and down the street doing just the side walks! 
 
Every single one of us has this unique side; each one being created in the image of God. I guess we could call ourselves "God's original masterpieces."
 
That is what I love about the Christmas story - God chose a person like Mary to carry and give birth to the Son of God. 
 
Why Mary?  What is it about Mary that makes her so special?
 
Or is it possible that every single one of us is special? Is it possible that every single one of us has been called by God to do something special for the Kingdom of God?
 
I hope to see you this Sunday. 
 
I have a special video clip that I really believe is going to hit home and bring out the true meaning of Christmas.
 
Sunday could change your life - for eternity!
 
Pjman in snow














 
 
 
 
Weekly Ministries
 
Sundays:
Morning Services:       
             First Assembly - 8AM
             The Bridge - 9:30 AM
             The Late Service - 11AM
             (ASL Interpretation) - 11AM
Christian Education:    
              8AM, 9:30 AM, 11AM
Kid's Ministries/Nursery:                                                    
               8AM, 9:30AM, 11AM
Evening Services:  6PM - 1st & 3rd  Sun
Small Groups:                 
               2nd & 4th Sunday
 
Wednesday Nights: 
Children's Ministry
                JBQ - 6PM
                Mpact Girls/Royal Rangers - 7PM (September - May)
                Wonderful Wednesdays (June - August)

Gate Youth Ministry - 7PM
Adult Bible Study - 7PM
Music Ministry
                Choir - 7PM (September - June)
                The Bridge Practice - 8:20 PM
                (Late Service Practice now on TUESDAYS @ 6PM)
Deaf Bible Study - 7PM
Men's Bible Study - 7PM
 
Fridays: 
AWAKE - (young adults) - 7PM               
 
Saturdays: 
Celebrate Recovery - 5:30PM
 
Weekly Prayer Meetings:  
Thursdays    Prayer Room - 7PM
Sundays      Prayer Room - 9AM
 

CHECK OUT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!

 
Dec 11-12, 18-19   The Christmas Contest Production
Dec 20    Christmas Unwrapped
Dec 20    Hispanic Church @ 11am in Room 14
Dec 20    Deaf Church @ 11am in Room 3
Dec 20    Night of Prayer @ 6pm
Dec 23    No Wednesday Night Church Activities
Dec 24    Candlelight Christmas Eve service @ 5pm
Dec 24    Church Office Closed @ Noon
Dec 27    No 6pm Small Group @ church
Dec 30    No Wednesday Night Activities
Dec 31    Candlelight New Year Eve service @ 6pm
Dec 31    Church Office closed @ Noon
Jan 1        Church Office Closed
Jan 29-30    Ladies Faith Crafter's Weekend
 
candlesSpecial Service Times:

 
CHRISTMAS EVE & NEW YEAR'S EVE SERVICES:
Make plans to attend both of our candlelight services in December
with the whole family! 
 
The Christmas Eve service will be Thursday, December 24th @ 5pm
 
The New Year Eve service will be Thursday, December 31st @ 6pm.
 

poster"The Christmas Contest"
2009 Christmas Production

 
Rochester Assembly presents
a musical comedy/drama with a deep, contemporary message! 
 
December 11-12, 18-19
All showings @ 6:30pm
Tickets: $4 each
Outside Doors open @ 5:30pm
Seating available @ 6pm
 
Childcare will be provided
with pre-registration
 
Tickets on sale NOW
 
 
Written and Directed by Rod Roe
Music by Rod Roe & Kevin Carey
 
Storyline:
 
It's 19th century England (similar to Scrooge) in a rural town with an old mill that employs half of the  community. The owner of the mill, John Kingsley, is a wealthy yet stern man who threatens to close the mill during a sudden economic downturn right before Christmas. Meanwhile the poor but ultra-optimistic Gregory Fielding ignores his family's plight and daydreams of better days ahead.
 
Kingsley and Fielding are the opposing ends of the emotional spectrum and at odds constantly until the unthinkable happens - Kingsley's Son and Fielding's Daughter fall in love!
 
The only hope for the town's apocalyptic end lies in the hands of the play-minded Constable, who concocts an unusual scheme involving a contest of two plays. Only one outcome can spare the town, and it's up to a young man named Bartholomew Bolt as to what it will be!
 
The Christmas ContestChristmas Play DVD's
Purchase Your copy!

 
The Christmas Contest DVD's may be
pre-purchased
in the Gathering Area at
the Ticket Table.
 
They are $20 each. You may buy 2 for
$38 or 3 for $55 dollars total.
 
These DVD's are professionally shot on 3 cameras simultaneously and then edited by YiDeyo Arts, from Austin, MN.
 
They come with a beautiful DVD case and printed sleeve.
 
This would be a great Christmas Gift for someone!
 
You must pre-purchase ahead of time so that we know how many to order!
 
 
 
adult pizza partySINGLE PARENT
PIZZA PARTY
Fellowship Event
 
 
Date:  Sunday, December 13th 
Location:  Rochester Assembly in Rooms 11 & 12
Time:  Noon (immediately after 3rd service)
                         
Details:   Pick up your child(ren) from Kid's Corner after 3rd 
service and come for pizza and great fellowship!       
Sign Up:  Please sign up for this event at the Information Center
 
 

scrapbook toolsLadies Faith Crafters Weekend
Women's Fellowship Event

 
Mark your calendars now:
 
When: Friday, January 29th & Saturday, January 30th
Time: 4pm Friday to 5pm Saturday
Location: Rochester Assembly - Rooms 11 & 12 (by kitchen)
 
Bring: Whatever craft you have, pillow and sleeping bag if staying the night, your own meals and drinks and supplies you may need with your craft (there will be several tables set up for you to use)
 
OPTIONAL: Bring a snack to share :-)
 
For Ladies only (age 13 or older)
 
Please RSVP to Julie Filbeck at 5jranch@charter.net
 
offeringplateContributions Deadline
December 31st

 
Remember all tithes and offering need
to be in the church office by
December 31, 2009 in order to receive
credit on your 2009 taxes. 
 
classFall Adult Classes
Sunday Morning Bible Classes

 
These classes meet during each of our
Sunday morning services.
 

 

 
September 13 - December 27, 2009
 
8:00am to 9:30am

Theme:         BEREANS
Unit 1: The Expanding Church (Acts); Unit 2: The Gospel Fulfills the Law (Leviticus- Deuteronomy)
Facilitator:    Pastor Ernie Gafkjen
Location:      Location #3

 
9:30am to 11:00am
 

Theme:         MODERN LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB
Ages 18-30 [AWAKE] and beyond
Facilitator:   Pastor Jeff Saxton
Location:      Classroom off the Gathering Area (down from the Book Nook)
 
Theme:         ENGAGED AND YOUNG MARRIEDS
Marriage and new parenting issues
Facilitator:    Pastor Bruce Kallies
Location:      Kids' Church
 
Theme:         TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER 2009
A continuation of the study of God's way to manage personal finances
Facilitator:    Allan O'Bryan, Mark and Annemarie Vaupel, Doug and Sarah Batzlaff
Location:      Youth Worship Area, Locations #14 and #15
 
Theme:         THE HOLY SPIRIT UNLEASHED IN YOU
Facilitator:    Dave and Brenda Sorensen
Location:      Location #19
 
Theme:         TIEMPO DE  APRENDER - El tabernaculo
Facilitators:  Jorge and Dora Quirarte
Location:      Location #13
 
Theme:         COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Fellowship & lively discussion on Bible topics
Facilitators:  Charlie & Carol Geselle; Adrian & Pam Farrington
Location:      Room #11
 
Theme:         INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Prayer for the church, the services, and needs within the body as well as discussion from Kay Arthur's book, Lord Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days, with a focus of staying in the Word as we pray.
Facilitators:  Dan Carlson/Sara Templin/Paul & Rhonda Eckerson
Location:      Prayer Room, Room #4
 
Theme:         BEREANS
Unit 1: The Expanding Church (Acts); Unit 2: The Gospel Fulfills the Law (Leviticus- Deuteronomy)
Facilitator:    Pastor Ernie Gafkjen
Location:      Location #3
 
 
11:00am to 12:00pm
 
Theme:         INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP GROUP
Enjoying and embracing our many cultures
Facilitators:  Abi and Betty Akinbolu
Location:      Location #3
 

children sunday schoolChildrens Sunday School
New Classes
 

 
There are several new classes
starting for children this Fall
 
Time: Sundays 9:30am - 10:45am
 
Kindergarten - Room 7 (Teacher is Ruth Gaffron)
1st Grade - Room 5 (Teacher is Marion Tibesar)
2nd Grade - Room 6 (Teacher is Sandy Simar)
3rd Grade - Room 8 (Teacher is Susan Rhyne)
4th Grade - Room 9 (Teacher is Dave Streifel)
5th Grade - Room 12 (Teacher is Bob Gaffron)
6th Grade - Room 18 (Teacher is Frank Templin)
 
6th Grade Foundations for Faith class begins January 2010
(Teacher is Teresa Carlson)
 
 
MOPSMOPS
Mothers Of PreSchoolers 
 
 
Who: MOPS is for any mother with
children
kindergarten age or younger
(including pregnant
moms!).
 
Where: Rochester Assembly
Rooms 11 & 12.
 
Time: Thursdays 9:30am to 11:30am
 
Come on out and join with other moms and be encouraged as we explore "Life on Planet Mom" this year.
 
 
Small Groups small groups 
Getting to know God and others  

 
When: 2nd & 4th Sundays
 
How: Sign up at Information Center 
 
Where: Homes throughout Rochester
and surrounding communities
 
Contact: Pastor Aaron @
 
Let's get together!
 
 
kidsJBQ/Royal Rangers/
Mpact Girls

Wed Night Children's Programs

 
Time: Wednesdays @ 6pm for JBQ
(Junior Bible Quiz)
7pm for Royal Rangers &
Mpact Girls
 

 
mentoring womenHeart 2 Heart
Mentoring Ministry for Women

 
Women of all ages are welcome!
 
If you desire to either be mentored,
or to mentor someone, this is
for you!
 
There will be an orientation coffee soon where you can come and get more details.
 
For more information, contact Jodi (536-0723) or Laurie (288-4895)
 
Key Bible Passage: I Thessalonians 2:7-8,12
 
Let's encourage each other!
 
Celebrate Recovery climber
Saturdays 5:30pm
 
 
Celebrate Recovery is a Jesus-focused, twelve step program for people who seek to develop a closer walk with Christ.
 
Meetings are located at Rochester
Assembly. 
 
For more details, contact Dale at daledepeel@charter.net or call 254-7258 
moms in touchMoms In Touch
Mothers Prayer Ministry

 
Moms of Kellogg and Century
students, come pray with other
moms for your children, school,
teachers, and staff on a weekly
basis.
 
Time: Tuesdays 9:15-10:15am
Location: Teresa Carlson's home (2173  17th St. NE  Rochester)
RSVP: Doris Brandt @ 289-7622
 
For information about Moms in Touch in other area schools,
contact Teresa Carlson @ 536-0584 or visit www.MomsInTouch.org.
 
 
spanish church newTiempo De Aprender
Hispanic Church & Class

 
"Time to Learn". This class
is a Spanish class taught by
Jorge Quirarte and is part of the new
Spanish church we are starting
at Rochester Assembly.
 
Time: 9:30am
Location: Rochester Assembly - Room #13
 
Everyone is welcome! 
Prayer Chain prayer chain
Prayer Ministry

 
The church is taking phone
and email requests and
passing them on to the
prayer chain. You may call
in requests @ 288-0868 or
email requests to
 
Any requests after office hours or during the weekend, you will need to call Teresa @ 536-0584.
 
 
About Us

For more information, contact below:
 
507-288-0868
 
Rochester Assembly
4240 18th Ave NW
Rochester, MN  55901

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."  ~ Billy Graham