This Sunday we gather around the story of Jesus healing the Centurion's servant in Matthew 8:5-13. In our Matthew odyssey, this is the second of three stories about Jesus' healing. During this three week series on healing, you and others have the opportunity to come forward for prayers of healing and anointing with oil. In Matthew, these three miracles of healing are presented immediately following the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon ends with Matthew declaring that Jesus taught as one having authority. Every Sunday it is our hope that Jesus will be amongst us as one with authority.

On Wednesday night, some of us are discussing NT Wright's book; "Simply Christian." In one of the chapters we read this week, he poses the question;

How do you get across a message so radical as that? (the sermon on the mount) How do you say something so drastic to people who are expecting something quite different? In two ways in particular: by symbols (dramatic actions) and by stories. Jesus used both. The remaking of God's people was at the heart, too, of his remarkable healings. There is no doubt, historically, that he possessed healing powers; that was why he attracted not only crowds but also accusations of being in league with the devil. But Jesus didn't see his healings simply as a kind of premodern traveling hospital. He wasn't healing the sick just for the sake of it, important though the healing itself was. Nor was it just a way of attracting people to listen to his message. Rather, the healing was a dramatic sign of the message itself. God, the world's creator, was at work through him, to do what he had promised, to open blind eyes and deaf ears, to rescue people, to turn everything right side up. The people who had been at the bottom of the heap would find themselves, to their own surprise, on top"

Please join me in praying for healing! I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.

In Christ,

Paul
paul.johansson@clcelkriver.org

Maximum Impact Broadcast
Friday, May 11 from 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
7:00 am - registration, 8:00 am start time; lunch included. Cost: $39.00
Contact: Sheri Merkling

Thank you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
May 10, 2007
As Mother's Day approaches, please keep in your prayers all of the Mom's, those desiring to be moms, and those mom's who have experienced the loss of a child this year. Mom's  also please be sure to pickup your special gift at the Welcome Center.

Outdoor Worship Setup Team Meeting
Monday, May 14 at 7:00 pm
Outdoor worship is back beginning June 3 at the 10:45 service. We are searching for approximately 12 people to help be a part of a rotating setup team. This involves bringing our portable audio system outside and connecting wires, etc. Training will be provided. We would love to have enough people where you would only need to commit to one Sunday per month.
Contact: Jason Beaver

Senior Recognition
Sunday, May 20 at 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 am
Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors at each of our Sunday morning services. Please be sure to keep these grads in your prayers as they take their next steps in life.

Men
Men's Morning Bible Study
Thursdays at 6:30 am
The Backroads Café - Nowthen Join a great group of guys on Thursdays for breakfast and a thought-provoking Bible study. We are working through the gospel of John. We meet at The Backroads Café in Nowthen at 6:30 a.m. First time you visit, your breakfast is on us!  Contact Pastor Jeff. Be sure to note the change of location!
click for more...

Men's Basketball
Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the FLC

Quest for Authentic Manhood
Thursdays at 6:45 pm
click for more...

Tuesday Men's Prayer
Tuesdays at 6:30 am in the Sanctuary

Men’s Boundary Waters Trip
June 14-18
This trip is a great opportunity for beginners or more experienced canoers.
click for more...

Canadian Fishing Trip
July 28 - August 4; Cost: $435
We are joining the men of Zion Lutheran in Anoka for the 1st annual fishing ministries at Pasha Lake Cabins in Ontario, Canada. The $435 includes 7 nights lodging, breakfast, dinner, boats, motor, trailers, gas, bait, license and good fellowship. This is a walleye dream trip. Call the Church office for additional information. Dan Dixon from Central will be along to help all of us novices - yes he will bait your hook and clean your fish.

............................................

Adult Education
Simply Christian
Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 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”
Sundays at 9:30 am and
Tuesdays 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 (Grade 9)
Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 pm.  Open Gym 8:00-8:30 pm.
click for more...

Didaskalot (Bible Study)
Sundays at 9:30 am with Curt Hinkle
Discover stuff about Jesus from the Gospel of Mark.  Room 210.
click for more...

Sunday Night Live
Spend time with your Mom - NO SNL!
click for more...

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

Salad Luncheon Fund-Raiser
May 20  10:30-12:30 am
SIGN-UP SUNDAY AT THE WELCOME CENTER

............................................

Youth (Middle School)
WyldLife
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the FLC
click for more...

The Studio
click for more...

Road to Real
Sundays at 9:30 - 10:30 am in Room 211 with Tom-Pete and Ryan
We are viewing and discussing the new release One Night with the King.
click for more...

Journey Groups
Sunday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  
click for more...

Food, Facts & Fun (Tutoring)
Wednesdays from 3:00 - 6:00 pm
click for more...

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

............................................

Children
100 Dresses Book Club
Mondays, April 30-May 21, 4:00-5:15.
Girls in grades 3, 4 and 5 are invited to a special Book Club for four weeks, right after school. Sign up by calling the church office, in the welcome book or e-mail Jill. If you need a ride from school to church, call Jill so we can arrange one at 763-441-2363.

Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Mark your calendar for July 9 -12. (3 years old-2nd Grade) This years theme: “Avalanche Ranch"

Music Camp 
Students, grades 2-6 are invited to join director, Kristin Bjorklund, July 9-13, 9:00-11:30 a.m. for Central’s annual music camp.  This year we will be rehearsing, choreographing and producing the musical, “Livin’ Inside Out in an Upside Down World!”  Registration is $20 and includes music, CD, and T-shirt.  The musical will be shared in worship on Sunday, July 15, here at Central.  Register on-line, at the Welcome Center or in the church office.

Parent’s Day Out
Take advantage of a morning off and do what you want!  Three opportunities!! Saturdays May 19, June 23 and July 14.  Sign up is available at the Welcome Center or register by calling the church office at 763-441-2363.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Monday, May 14 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.  Call Kirsten 441-4538 or Anita 241-8735 for more information.

Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study at the Coborn's Deli
Tuesdays from 6:45 - 7:45am
What a Awesome way to start your day! Great Conversation around God's Word over breakfast with a bunch of Women!! I can't think of anything better! Bring your bible and join us as we begin our journey through the New Testament beginning in Luke.

The Three Day 
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.– call  Sonja Dixon in the church office.

The Power of a Praying Woman
Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm or Thursdays mornings from 11:00-12:30 pm beginning June 11/12 respectively. Sign up at the Welcome Center or by calling the church office

............................................

Caring
GriefShare
Takes participants through the grief process. Be sure to watch for the dates.
click for more...

DivorceCare
DivorceCare Is support for separated or divorced people. Be sure to watch for the dates.
click for more...

Out of the Shadows
For those who have had experience with abuse of have helped women who struggle with this issue.  If 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. This program meets on Thursdays, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. for eight weeks in the youth room.
click for more...

BeFriender Ministry
BeFrienders is a ministry of listening presence.  If you have a heart for helping others, people who are homebound, who are grieving or are going through a difficult  experience. 
click for more...

Special Children Special Parents
A support group for families with special needs. This group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month.
click for more...

............................................

Mission
Camp Noah Bake Sale
We have something for everyone!  Buy your mom some sweets at the bake sale and make a donation to Camp Noah.  Grab a fish from Noah’s water - each fish has a list of craft supplies needed for our day camp with children from Montegut, LA.  Bring your list of items back to Central by June 1.

13th Annual Abba Walk for Life
Saturday, May 19th at 10:00 am
Abba Pregnancy Resource Center of Elk River will once again walk their two-mile stretch through downtown Elk River to raise funds for the center. The public is welcome to join in this walk beginning at 10:00 a.m. (registration at 9:30) leaving from the center at 953 4th St. NW. There will be refreshments following the walk with Open House until 3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn how your assistance is helping the center.

Central has already impacted the $4,000 goal with an awesome profit of $523 from cinnamon roll Sunday! In addition, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be matching 50 cents for every dollar raised, up to $1600.What this means is that if $3200 is raised, Thrivent will fund another $1600.God has certainly blessed this ministry, and though the praises are entirely His, we thank you Central Lutheran for opening up your hearts and helping us Make Jesus Known in Elk River.

............................................

Quilters
Monday, May 21 in rooms 210, 211. 
We will not meet again until September.  Thank you to everyone who helped with this mission project, the many helpers and to those who donated fabric, sheets or thread.  We will continue to welcome donations so as you go to garage sales, please keep us in mind.  Anyone who has helped in anyway with this project is invited to join us at Marilyn Webbers home on June 4 at 12noon for a salad luncheon. Call 763-856-3860 for instructions on the luncheon and directions. Carpooling from Central is available.

Library Additions
Central's Library has several excellent new books in a variety of categories. Some of them are:

• When the Belly Pops, the Baby's Done (about pregnancy)
• Wired by God (about the parenting of teens)
• Islamic Imperialism
• Soujourner Truth (a biogrqphy)
• More Dangerous Devotions (about the Old Testament)
• Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul
• Window on the World (about different countries)
• 5 of the "Saga of the Sierras" series (fiction by Brock Thoene)
• Light from Heaven (fiction by Jan Karon)
• Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship

Beautiful Roses
Visit the Corner Bookstore and More to see the beautiful roses made from wood     shavings. A variety of color that will last  a lifetime for that special someone in your life.  All proceeds go to a non-profit organization that is raising funds for homes that will be built in Louisiana for pre-qualified evacuees. Visit  www.hopefilledhands.com for more information.

Prayers for Healing
The chapel will be open for those desiring a time for healing prayer or conversation from 9:00-Noon Sunday mornings, May 13 and May 20.

Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at Guiding Hands Preschool, Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  (Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Sherburne County Chapter 30098 will match funds up to $400.00)

Annual Taste of Elk River
Saturday, May 19 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm
The festival is a food and wine tasting event held at Lions Park Center from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from any Rotary member and at the Bank of Elk River, First National, ER Area Chamber of Commerce, Northbound Liquor and Westbound Liquor stores. The Rotary Club has decided to purchase a walk-in freezer for CAER with the net proceeds from this event.  CAER will be able to store more donated frozen foods and meat in this new cooler.