CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

On Easter Sunday we heard the twofold announcement of the Angel; "Come and See" and "Go and Tell". This Sunday we are so blessed to have the Minnesota Teen Challenge Choir lead our three Sunday Worship experiences. You will want to come and hear the songs and stories of Jesus' power over addiction, abuse, violence and sin. The Minnesota Teen Challenge consists of youth and adults who are discovering the power and presence of the Risen Christ in the midst of their rehabilitation from drugs, violence, abuse, alcohol and other powers of darkness.

I encourage you to make every effort to come and support this ministry. I know you will be blessed by the songs and stories of Jesus. In preparation for Sunday please join me in doing three things;

* Invite a friend or family member
* Consider how you will financially support this ministry
* Pray for the Choir, the body of Central, and yourself that the Holy Spirit will work in all of our lives this Sunday.

As we enter the Easter season and see signs of new life all around us may we continue to know what it means to discover Jesus each and every day! More than anything else this is my prayer for Central.

Paul
paul.johansson@clcelkriver.org

Minnesota Teen Challenge Choir
Sunday, April 15 - 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 services
Minnesota Teen Challenge (MnTC) is one of the largest residential drug and alcohol programs in the state of Minnesota. They serve teens and adults from all ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Come and hear their stories of how Jesus Christ is changing their lives from the inside-out.

Church Spring Cleaning
Saturday, April 14 at 8:00 am
We will start the day with breakfast in the Family Life Center at 8 a.m. and begin the sprucing up of the church and church grounds following breakfast.

Spring Alpha
Beginning Sunday, April 15 at 5:15 pm
Everyone is welcome on an Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Alpha is a ten-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and discussion. The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and non-pressured.
register online/more info...

Simply Christian
Beginning Wednesday, April 18 from 7:00 - 8:00 pNot since C.S.Lewis' classic summary of the faith, Mere Christianity, has such a wise and thorough scholar taken the time to explain to anyone who wants to know what Christianity really is and how it is practiced. In his book, Simply Christian, N.T. Wright walks the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question.
more...

Story Time Central (Ages 3-5)
Monday, April 16 - "A Seed is a Promise"
10:00-11:00 am or 6:30 - 7:30 pm
We'll be planting seeds and learning about how God created things to recreate themselves.
click to register...

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

Men’s Boundary Waters Trip Meeting
Tuesday, April 17, 8:00 - 9:00 pm
Planning meeting for the Men’s Boundary Waters trip June 14-18. We’ll meet to talk about equipment, routes, costs, and menus. This trip is a great opportunity for beginners or more experienced canoers.
click for more...

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Adult Education
Simply Christian
Beginning Wednesday, April 18 from 7-8:00 pm 
Not since C.S. Lewis’s classic summary of the faith, Mere Christianity, has such a wise and thorough scholar taken the time to explain to anyone who wants to know what Christianity really is and how it is practiced.  In his book, Simply Christian, N.T. Wright walks the reader through the Christian faith step by step and question by question.  Wright challenges skeptics by offering explanations for even the toughest doubt-filled dilemmas, leaving believers with a reason for renewed faith.

Crossways - “The Preexilic and Exilic Prophets”
Sunday, April 15 at 9:30 am
Tuesday, April 17 at 11:00 am
A ten week course of the prophets; thus says the Lord! Sign up in the Welcome Book or at the Welcome Center.

Youth (High School)
Confirmation
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the Yuth Room
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Didaskalot (Bible Study)
Sundays at 9:30 am with Curt Hinkle
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Sunday Night Live
Sunday, 7:01 p.m. Resuming THIS SUNDAY!
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JLO (Junior Leader Orientation)
For high school Juniors interested in serving middle schoolers through WyldLife, The Studio, etc. Contact Curt Hinkle or Ryan Braley for more information.

Crooked Creek Ranch - Summer High School Camp
July 21-29, Crooked Creek Ranch in Colorado
$595 (Register by April 1, $50 discount)
On-line registration and payment available

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Youth (Middle School)
WyldLife
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the FLC
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The Studio
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Road to Real
Sundays at 9:30 - 10:30 am in Room 211 with Tom-Pete and Ryan
No Road to Real Easter Sunday.
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Journey Groups
Sunday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  
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Food, Facts & Fun (Tutoring)
Wednesdays from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
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Castaway Club - Summer Middle School Camp
June 24-28, Castaway Club near Detroit Lakes - $375 (Register by April 1, $50 discount)
On-line registration and payment available

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Children
Story Time Central (Ages 3-5)
Monday, April 16 - "A Seed is a Promise" from 10:00-11:00 am or 6:30 - 7:30 pm
We'll be planting seeds and learning about how God created things to recreate themselves.
click to register...

Women
Friday Night Crafts & Fellowship
April 13, 6-10 pm, rooms 210-211.
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The 3 Day - Info Meeting
Wednesday, April 18, 6:30 pm, rooms 210-211.
The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women, August 24-26, who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. A couple Central women are interested in forming a team. If this interests you, please come to our information meeting. Contact: Sonja Dixon

Six Week Bible Study
Thursdays, April 19 from 11:00 am -12:15
Join us as we study the book of 1 John.  Bible study guides are available in the office for a suggested donation of $5.00.  Sign up is available at the Welcome Center and in the church office.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Monday, April 23 from 6:45 – 9:00 pm
Join us for a speaker on a mom-relevant topic, discussion and fellowship with other moms of young children, and a craft. The next meeting will be May 7. Call Kirsten 441-4538 or Anita 241-8735 for more information.

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Caring
GriefShare
Saturdays at 8:00 am in the Lounge. GriefShare takes participants through the grief process.
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DivorceCare
Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Room 126.
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Special Children, Special Parents
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Befriender Ministry
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Out of the Shadows
Beginning Thursday, April 26, from 6:30 - 9:00 in the Youth Room.
If you have had experience with abuse of have helped women who struggle with this issue and you would like to be part of a ministry to bring Christ’s healing for painful relationships, call JoAnne 763-753-8182 or Betty at 763-441-2363.
click for more...

............................................ Mission
Community Thanksgiving Meal - Meeting
Friday, April 13 at 6:30 pm in the FLC
We will brainstorm and plan for the 2007 Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Central. For more information, contact Jennifer Sundt at maddyjax@msn.com or Kristen Norby at eknorby@charter.net.     

April Shower 
Abba Pregnancy Resource Center is in need of new layette items for gifting to new moms and babies.Each mom receives a diaper bag filled with necessities and newborn outfits about a week prior to their due date.For the month of April, we have a porta crib set up outside the church nursery for donations of new items along with “shopping list” cards of  suggested items and needs. No time to shop? Cash donations are welcomed - checks can made to Central, designating Abba P.R.C. as recipient.us in Making Jesus Known - Share your heart and “Shower them with Love” this April!If you have  questions, please contact Joni Pearson/Abba Mission Team, 763-441-7238.

Pancake Breakfast 
Saturday, April 28 at Applebee’s from 7:00 - 10:00 am
Mark this date on your calendar and join us. Enjoy great food while supporting the Mexico Mission Team from Central. All proceeds will go to purchase food for the children and families in Mazatlan. Each year, we feed over 1,000 people and supply food bags to many families. Come and help make our mission, yours.

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OPERATION CLEAN-UP
Saturday, April 21.
If you get a call from one of our teens asking you to support Operation Clean-Up, this is want it’s about:  It’s a Camp Fund-raiser; OCU is Saturday, April 29; Kids will get pledges, and then beautify Elk River by picking up spring trash for four hours; They will target public places like the schools, parks, places where trash collects and never seems to get picked up. If you know of public places that we should include in our clean-up efforts, give Curt Hinkle a call at 441-2363, x225 or  e-mail at curt.hinkle@clcelkriver.org.