Hey Heartlanders!

As always, there is a lot going on at Church of the Heartland.  Here are a few things to remember…

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Williams and Peruth Beshiisha from Uganda and rejoicing that they will be here in time to share their testimonies at the Project A1:8 banquet on Sunday night.  Please pray for safe travel for the Beshiishas and for their church and growing family that they will leave behind.

No youth next week because of the A1:8 banquet.  The week after that (November 15th) – weather permitting, of course – we’ll take a trip to the apple orchard.  Horseback riding and lunch optional   More details will be available on Sunday at church.

Don’t forget about our IronMan men’s group that meets at 6:30 on Thursday nights.  The men are having a great time together!

Jamie and Ian’s life group, “Everybody Loves Marriage” meets at their house on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.  All married couples are welcome!

The Project A1:8 missions banquet is Sunday, November 8th, at 6 p.m. at the Winamac campus.  Last year’s banquet was a huge success; the event both raised funds for ministries around the world and raised awareness about what God is doing in other nations.  Take some time to think about what God has done this year – especially all the changes that have taken place in Uganda!  He is doing awesome things, friends!  If you’ve turned in your RSVP card, you don’ t want to miss this event, one of my favorites of the year!

Have a great week!

Last night I went to see John Mason at a combined service in Winamac.  I was excited because he’s written books, and I really wanted to hear what he had to say.  His message was short but challenging.  He spoke about gratitude, and his closing question is one I’ve been thinking about all day: “What would your life look like if, for the next twenty years, you were the most grateful and appreciative person you know?”

Kind, appreciative words, he says, are the greatest weapon for good in the earth.  I believe that’s true.  It’s hard not to love someone who’s grateful for everything and who makes sure that people know how valuable they are and how much they are appreciated.  Last night I thanked God again for the amazing people in my life, for my family at Church of the Heartland…  I am blessed beyond measure!

Take some time today to reflect on the ways that God has blessed you.  Spend some time being thankful.  He gives great gifts!

Last Sunday the teens (and pre-teens) of Rock Youth in Logansport made some fancy fall decorations for our window in the mall… Some were fancier than others, like mine which I painted solid pink   Why have an  orange pumpkin when it could be ALL PINK?  That’s what I want to know.

We had a great time hanging out and painting.  Look what we did!

One of my favorite things to do is read great books and tell other people about them so they can experience those same great books…. It’s kind of why I’m an English teacher.  (I just wish more 14-year-olds wanted to READ what I tell them to.)  Anyway, I’m reading one of those great books……

Forgotten God by Francis Chan (the same author who wrote Crazy Love!) could transform your walk with the God.  This book is all about the Holy Spirit and his role in your life.  We had a Bible college class last year about the Holy Spirit that completely changed the way I think about him.  If you don’t know the Holy Spirit very well – or if you have questions about him – check out this book for some basic teachings about the Holy Spirit that will give you a new appreciation for who he is and and his role in your life.

In the Bible, Jesus says that it’s better that he returns to heaven and the Holy Spirit comes in his place.  In Forgotten God, Chan teaches about God IN us and the joy and power that come from living by the Spirit.  If you feel like your spiritual life is missing something, it just might be that personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.  This book has challenged and encouraged me.

Chan writes,

“The fact is that God is calling.  The Spirit is beckoning.  The real question is will  you follow?  Will you listen?…

… what would your church look like if everyone was as committed as you are?  If everyone gave and served and prayed exactly like you, would the church be healthy and empowered?  Or would it be weak and listless?

… believe that you have been given a manifestation of the Spirit and that your church, the worldwide body of Christ, and the world are crippled without your involvement.  I write this because I love the church and want you to trust that you are more than just a helpful addition.  You need to believe you are a vital member.”

The Holy Spirit is God IN us, choosing to make his home in us.  Let’s remember that we are vital members of the body of Christ – people who already have everything we need to live victorious lives and to encourage others!

Tonight is your LAST CHANCE to see Linda Turner!  She will be ministering at the last service at the Logansport campus tonight at 7 p.m.  Don’t miss it!!!

If you can’t make it to church tonight, watch the live broadcast on the internet at www.livestream.com/churchoftheheartland.

Linda is an incredible speaker and one who truly lives out the Word of God that she preaches.  So far, she has ministered in 112 nations (115 by the end of the year).  Linda is truly life giving and connected with the heart of God, and anyone who attended the women’s conference, the Bible college class, or the evening service has been blessed.

Linda has encouraged us not to fear or run from God’s plan for our lives and to seek God about the unique plan he has for our future.  She carries a passion for nations, for teaching, and for reaching the lost that is inspiring.  God can and will change your life through this anointed speaker.

Last night’s service was AMAZING!  Linda, your ministry has challenged, encouraged, and blessed us.  Don’t miss tonight’s message!

Just a reminder of some exciting events coming up in and around Church of the Heartland that you won’t want to miss!

September 30: Everybody Loves Marriage at Jamie and Ian’s house at 7:00.

October 1
Linda Turner – for women only!  7:00 at Ugly Mugs coffeehouse in South Bend.  Even though it’s a weeknight, this is definitely one event that is worth losing a little sleep over!  You won’t want to miss Linda Turner’s powerful women’s ministry.  If you want to carpool, meet at the church at 4:45.

October 1 also begins the IronMan men’s group, at 6:30 at the church.

October 2
Linda Turner at Bible college in Winamac at 7:00.  This is open to the public and will be another awesome night!

October 4
Linda Turner in LOGANSPORT at 6:00.  She is an anointed minister who shares the Gospel and encourages people all over the world.  Come listen to her at every opportunity, and pray about who else needs to hear her message.

October 5
Linda’s final message in Logansport at 7:00.  Don’t miss it!

Coming up on October 28th, at First Assembly of God in Logansport: Jesse Duplantis!
Jesse is a well-known speaker who will bring a powerful message, and he’s coming to our city!  Plan attend this event!

At Logansport, we’re loving this sermon series, The Death Spiral.  Through studying the life of Saul, we’re learning that fear and insecurity will ruin us.  The sermons have challenged me to examine myself and let God examine my heart… I, for one, don’t want to be controlled by my own insecurities or by the opinions of others.

I think that one great thing about this teaching and about using a character from the Old Testament is that it reminds us that the Word of God is relevant.  The lessons that God taught his people thousands of years ago are ones we still need to learn today.  Insecurity still torments us, and we can still learn from Saul’s example about what happens when our insecurities get out of control.

Examine your heart this week, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about your insecurities.  Let’s remember that our security is in Christ and that HE is enough for us!  Let’s live boldly and confidently, knowing that we’re his children.  Take your insecurities to God today!

I made a mistake as a youth leader on Sunday.  Our Logansport Rock Youth team took some of our teens (and one 8-year-old who might as well be a teenager) canoeing on the Wabash River…. and I told them that they wouldn’t get wet.

We all got very, very wet.  My own personal canoe got tipped over three times – and one of the times was by the people in my own canoe… on purpose! My apologies to the people I misinformed before we left church.  I really thought that the day was too cold for people to want to get wet!

I didn’t even paddle a canoe (just rode around in one – my idea of a good canoe trip), and I was tired by the end of the afternoon!  I had a great time, and I think we created some great memories for our teenagers.  What’s happening in Logansport is exciting!  We had a great day together, and my prayer is that the relationships the teens build during times like these, just having fun and hanging out, are connections that will remind them that the church is a safe place where they can be accepted and that our God is a God who loves people just the way they are.

Pray for Rock Youth in Logansport as we seek the Lord for strategies to reach teens in our area!

Still a little wet………….

Leigh Anne

This week, Pastor Jim and his team of painters worked really hard to update our KWAM room, nursery, and the hallway in between.  It looks awesome!!!!  I’m shocked at how it looks.  All I personally did was paint the yellow at the bottom of the KWAM room wall – but combined with all the other colors, even I can’t get over how good it looks.  I LOVE our new look.  I can’t wait to post pictures and show you all  how awesome it is!  Thanks, Heartlanders, for your hearts to make things excellent for our kids!

Last Sunday our Rock Youth group was supposed to go canoeing.  We were really excited, and we had lots of canoes and lunches and big plans.  The week before, the river was too low.  Then it rained for about four days and the river was too high, and we had to postpone the trip.  As Robert would (and did) say, BOO!  A few true outdoorsmen were willing to take their chances on the river, but we made other plans instead.

Instead of canoeing, we made other plans and decided to do a photo scavenger hunt.  We had a great turn out – 16 teens and 9 adults – who filled three vans and drove all over Logansport, acting crazy and taking picture of each other with our cell phones.  I was so proud of our teens and our adult team – especially our drivers, who did awesome and didn’t look stressed out at all!

Some of the things you might have heard in one of the vans (in all caps because, let’s face it, there was a lot of yelling):

“STOP!”

“PULL OVER!”

“I THINK I SEE ROADKILL!”

“DOES IT HAVE TO BE A LIVE ANIMAL?  LET’S PUT THE CHIHUAHUA IN THE FIELD!”

“CAN I JUST ACT LIKE ROADKILL?  I’LL LAY DOWN IN FRONT OF THE TIRES.”

“If there’s five minutes left and we still haven’t found everything, you can act like roadkill and someone else can act like a dog with another person walking you.”

It was a great day.  Our youth group is growing, and I am excited about the relationships that we’re building with teenagers from our church and from the community.  God is going to do something great with this generation, and I am really thankful to be a part of helping them fulfill His plan for their lives!

Next week, we’re at the Ben Long Center for basketball and, for those of us who are less excited about sports, sit-down games Bring your A game and your tennis shoes, practice your 3-point shot, and come hang out with us next week!

Leigh Anne