Dear Central Family,

Saint Jerome wrote;

"Nothing can draw me away from the Manger of Christ. There is for me no better place on earth. From that very place at which God gave to me His Son from heaven, I would like to send my soul back to Him in heaven."

" Whenever I look upon this place, my heart holds a sweet conversation with the Infant Jesus. I say to Him: 'Oh, Lord Jesus, how you tremble! How hard is your bed for the sake of my salvation! How shall I ever repay this?'

"Then it seems to me that the Holy Child replies, 'From you, Jerome, I ask only the song, Glory to God in the Highest! Let that be enough for you."

As I begin 2007 it is my dream that Jerome's prayer will be my prayer; Lord, I pray that nothing will draw me away from the Manger of Christ! Is this your dream? As we gather for worship on the first Sunday in 2007 may the Holy Spirit grant us such faith to stay close to Jesus and to live our lives for the Glory of God!

Paul Johansson, Senior Pastor
paul.johansson@clcelkriver.org

Bible Reading 2007
Would you like to read through the Bible in 2007?  Stacy Minor will provide information on a daily Bible reading program.  If you interested, please sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office.

Crossways
Sundays 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon
Crossways is an excellent and comprehensive Biblical Survey course that uses illustrations to better understand the biblical narrative. The entire course consists of 6 ten-week sessions presented over the course of two years. You can sign up for one ten-week session or anticipate all sixty weeks. This course is an excellent tool to better understand the Bible. If you have gone through Alpha, Crossways will help you take the next step in your faith.

Building A Sending Church
Wednesdays, Jan. 17, 24, 31 & Feb. 7 at 7:00 pm
As we embark upon Odyssey 2010, Building A Sending Church, Dr. Van Gelder will help us understand trends in North America, changing contexts in which Central functions, factors contributing to the mission of Building A Sending Church, and the dynamics of change and development.
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Men
Men's Morning Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:30 am - Otsego Cafe
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Men's Basketball
Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the FLC

Quest for Authentic Manhood
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
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Tuesday Men's Prayer
Tuesdays at 6:30 am in the Sanctuary

24 Hour Men's Retreat
Feb. 9 & 10, 2007
Mike Yankoski, author of “Under the Overpass,” will be our guest speaker. $50 includes overnight lodging, breakfast, lunch and unlimited coffee and an excellent speaker. Leave 5:30 pm, return 5:30 pm.

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Adult Education
Beta
Beginning Jan. 21 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Many people who have completed Alpha ask, “Now what?!” Beta is a six week experience of learning how to follow Jesus in daily life. The format is similar to Alpha – we’ll share a meal, hear a talk, and enjoy small group discussions.

Crossways
Jan. 7 at 9:30 & Jan. 9 at 11:00 am
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Snapshots of the Apocalypse 
Jan. 16 from 6:30 - 7:00 pm
Brighten up your winter weeks with Tuesday evening worship!  We are working through the last book of the Bible – Revelation!  This is a book full of hope and encouragement.  Each week we will look at a different “snapshot” that helps us understand what it means to belong to Jesus when times are tough. 

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Youth (High School)
Confirmation
Resumes Jan. 17
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Confirmation Retreat
Jan. 15-17
Click here to register

Didaskalot (Bible Study)
Resumes THIS Sunday, Jan. 7
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Sunday Night Live - Returns 1/28
Sundays at 7:01 pm
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Youth (Middle School)
WyldLife
Resumes Jan. 17
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Hangin' at Central
Resumes Jan. 17
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Road to Real
9:30 - 10:30 amon Sundays in Room 211 with Tom-Pete and Ryan
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Journey Groups
Meet on Sunday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm.   If you’re not in a Journey Group and want to be, contact Ryan Braley.
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Food, Facts & Fun (Tutoring)
Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
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Children
Church School Project
We will need 200 empty frosting tubs and lids for a project in February.  If you can help, please drop them off in the church office.

Story Time Central
Monday, Jan. 15 at 10:00 am or 6:30 pm
3-4-5 -year olds. Sign up in the Welcome Center or on our website.
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Women
Small Group Studies  
Three groups are studying “Hope in God in Times of Suffering:  Suffering as Becoming.”  All women are invited!  Mary Circle will meet on January 9 at 9:00 am at the home of Jean Cook.  Meet at church at 8:30 am to carpool. Sarah meets at 7:30 pm, January 9 at Elaine Hageman's home; Lydia meets at 9:00 am, January 11 in Room 205, Vicki Tyler hosting. 

Jesus the One and Only
Thursdays at 6:45 pm, resuming Jan. 11/18
Even if you did not participate in the first half of Jesus the One Only, you are invited to join women in looking at the second half of Jesus’ life and ministry.
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Bible Study - 1 Peter
Thursdays, beginning Jan. 11 at 11:00 am at Central

Women's Craft Night
Friday, Jan. 12 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm
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HOOPLA!
Sunday, Jan. 14, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Look what's coming up...it's a HOOPLA....a night of card and board games with a hot sandwich and appetizers...for women and their significant others. Watch for more
information to come.

A Call to Grace
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm, beginning Jan. 15
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Caring
GriefShare
Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, in the Church Lounge
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DivorceCare
Returns to Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Caring Ministry room
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Special Children, Special Parents
Jan. 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm
The guest speakers will be from ARC. 
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Befriender Ministry
Meeting on Monday, Jan. 8 at 6:30 pm
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Seniors
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Missions
Mexico Mission
We have over 80 footprints just waiting to be picked up.  Visit the table in the lobby and find out how you can make a child smile in Mexico.  If you would like to fill up a bag for a child, we have  Ziploc bags with a picture of a child, a set of foot prints and a list of items that can be placed in the bag. 

Jamaica Mission Trip 
The children of Robin’s Nest would love to have your hand to hold, your lap to cuddle in and your heart to melt.  The Jamaica team will travel April 1- April 8, 2007. If you would like to join us or have questions, call leaders:  Larry, Kelby and Carol Greier-Klimek at 763-241-1024. 

Global Disciple Prayer
If you can commit to being a global disciple by praying for different nations in 2007, please be sure to sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office.

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Memorial Service
Monday, Jan. 15 at Central - 7:00 am
Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, Dr. Mark Ochu, past President of the St. Cloud NAACP, Professor Deborah Leigh, Co-founder of the Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative at St. Cloud State University and Pastor Bescye Burnett of Blessed Cross United Methodist in Zimmerman will be our special guests as we gather in remembrance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The public is invited.