Parkersburg Tornado Help

As was announced last night, a group will be heading to Parkersburg Saturday, May 31, to help with some cleanup effort. The plan is to meet at the Hiawatha Casey's, at the corner of Center Point Road and Boyson, by 8:00am. People will then carpool up to Parkersburg (80 miles) and report to the United Methodist Church. A volunteer station is set up there, and they will give instructions on where to go.

The only thing you should have to bring is safety glasses and work gloves (hard-soled shoes recommended). If you have a sledge hammer or shovel, you may wish to

At this time no clothing donations are needed, and it seems the Butler County site has taken down the list of items to donate. We will consider collecting donations as a follow-on effort in the weeks ahead.

Directions from Casey's to the P'burg Methodist Church:
http://tinyurl.com/5r8tal

For information for volunteers:
http://www.butlercoiowa.org/


I will be heading up earlier in the morning with a few other folks, but John Connelly will be at Casey's with map printouts for you.

Thanks to everyone who is giving their time for this!

-Steve

Summer Schedule

Along with my personal announcement, we also announced the summer schedule (beginning in June). The easy way to remember it is as follows:

1st Thursday - Regular (7:30 pm @ Maranatha)
2nd Thursday - Serving
3rd Thursday - Regular
4th Thursday - Park (come early to eat, worship at 7:30, locations to be announced)

There is a 5th Thursday in July, and the leadership team is trying to come up with some sort of special event for that night (outside worship night? some other event?).

If you want a "hard" schedule, copy the following, paste it in your own word processor, and print it out (or just stick it in your own calendar program on your computer or the Internet):

June 5 - Marantha, 7:30 pm
June 12 - Serving (time and location to be announced)
June 19 - Marantha, 7:30 pm
June 26 - Palisades-Kepler State Park - Shelter 1 (6:30 pm Bring-your-own Picnic &/or Hiking, 7:30 pm Worship, Fire afterwards)

July 3 - Marantha, 7:30 pm
July 10 - Serving (time and location to be announced)
July 17 - Marantha, 7:30 pm
July 24 - Bever Park, 7:30 pm (come early to picnic)
July 31 - Special Event

August 7 - Marantha, 7:30 pm
August 14 - Serving (time and location to be announced)
August 21 - Marantha, 7:30 pm
August 28 - Park-to-be-announced, 7:30 pm (come early to picnic)

Sept 4 - back to weekly schedule at Maranatha

We'll try to keep this updated as serving opportunities and parks are confirmed. Here's to a great summer!

A Time for Everything

For everything there is an appointed time,
and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to search, and a time to give something up as lost;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to rip, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – NET)

This is only the 2nd (and last) time that I have posted the same thing on my personal blog as I have posted on Waterblogged, the “official” blog of Watershed. But I felt it best to put this in both locations since it concerns Watershed and myself.

Last night at Watershed, I announced at the beginning of my message that I am stepping down from leadership of Watershed. Anytime a leader announces they are “stepping down” immediately questions arise: “What’s wrong?” “What did he do?” “Is there some scandal I don’t know about?”

So let me start by saying that nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. My marriage is fine. I’m doing well spiritually. I don’t have some unconfessed sin I am needing to deal with.

Also, Watershed is fine. In fact, it is going great and could possibly be at its healthiest point ever in its 4 1/2 years of existence.

So why would I be stepping away if everything is “fine”? Simple: obedience.

Now I must confess that my obedience has come slowly. I have sensed that God has wanted me to do this for several months. But I like Watershed – I like the young adults who come, I enjoy teaching, I enjoy worshiping alongside of those who come, and more. And so I fought against what I knew God was telling me to do.

But by February, I knew I had to obey. This feeling wouldn’t go away after much prayer and counsel.

This summer seemed to make the most sense for a transition, so I will be transitioning out of leadership during June, July, and August. The leadership team (made of Steve Adolphs, Matt & Amber Schouten, John Connelly, and Bill & Sue Lottes) will continue to protect the vision of Watershed. At this time we don’t have a solid answer on how we will oversee the teaching schedule since I have been doing that pretty much by myself. But I have no fears that we, with God’s guidance, will come up with a great solution.

I always knew my time with Watershed would some day come to an end, but I always thought it would happen when I died or God moved me to a different ministry. But I’m obviously not dead, and I don’t have other plans in mind. So my plan is to just pour into my family more and the ministry I was called to first as the young adult pastor at New Covenant. But I am remaining open to whatever the Lord wants to do with my life.

I want to thank all of the young adults that worshiped together through the gatherings of Watershed. Seeing you worship, give of your time in serving, and caring for one another and those outside of Watershed has been an inspiration to me. When we tried to start Watershed back in 2003, many people said we were crazy – it wouldn’t work. There was no way you could have people from many different churches come together without it wrecking. I think they would be right if Watershed was a man-birthed organism. But from the very beginning, we knew that God was leading and creating this unorthodox ministry. And we simply chose to follow Him in faith. That is why I believe Watershed is as strong as it is right now.

I’m excited about the future of Watershed. I wish I could be intimately involved to watch it closely, but God either has different plans for me or for Watershed (or both). I’m excited because last week around 10 people stood up saying they were feeling some sort of call from God to go overseas for a long term commitment (a year or more). I’m excited because I see people worshipping authentically through the songs and as they listen to the messages. I’m excited because I see new people being welcomed naturally. I’m excited because God is clearly doing something by moving me out, and we get to place our faith in Him and follow His lead just as we did when we started this crazy thing.

I’m not leaving Cedar Rapids anytime soon – so to any Watershedders reading this – if you see me around, please stop me and say hi. I’ll want updates! But not only will I want to know what’s going on with Watershed, but also I’ll want to know what God is doing in your life. So I encourage you to keep going deeper, to get in over your head so that the “river” of Jesus Christ can take you wherever it/He wants.

Still going deeper with you,
Erin

Bringing Relief to the Cyclone Victims in Myanmar

If you haven't heard by now, a major cyclone slammed into Myanmar (also known as Burma). Current estimates report that 22,000 people have died, another 40,000+ missing, and possibly a million people homeless. Right now, water and food are difficult-to-get necessities. Electricity is out, so news is slow to travel. But the government of Myanmar, which has been very closed to other countries as well as the gospel, is suddenly opening up - they realize they can't handle the magnitude of this tragedy themselves.

Since most of you can't just pick up what you are doing to fly over and help in relief efforts, I thought many of you would be willing to help give financially to help. Here are 3 reputable organizations that will bring relief in the name of Christ and have strong financial accountability:

• Gospel for Asia
• Samaritan's Purse
• World Vision

To give, simply click the link above for the organization you want to donate through. Each link goes directly to each organizations page concerning the cyclone, as well as directions for how to give.

Young Adult Worship Service at Mission of Hope

I got the following email. Thought it might interest some of you! The speaker has given the message at Watershed 3 different times in past years, and those of you who have not heard her would probably benefit the most. Plus, she's a personal friend of mine. :o)

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Mission of Hope is having a worship service designed especially for youth and young adults!

Saturday, May 10th
6:30 PM
Mission of Hope - 1537 1st Ave SE
Message - Karen McCaa
Music - "Happy-Go-Lovely"

Join us for a positive and uplifting message by well-known and loved Christian motivational speaker, Karen McCaa. A counselor at Kirkwood Community College and traveled speaker for Nike Co., Karen comes to us from Indiana, and her teachings are universally respected and cherished by all who hear her. Karen pours out her heart as she shares personal stories and Biblical teaching that will be sure to inspire and motivate us to lead lives that honor & follow our Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition, local young band "Happy-Go-Lovely" returns to Mission of Hope to lead us in worship! It's guaranteed to be a night of fun and revelation!

Please forward this invitation, invite your children, bring a friend. Hope to see you there!
Tina

Tina Herring
Worship Coordinator
MISSION OF HOPE
(319)362-5559

Spiritual Q & A - The Answered Questions

We held our Spiritual Q & A last night. While many across Iowa were questioning who to caucus for, we were asking questions about life, the Bible, spiritual matters, and more. I must say there were some GREAT questions asked, and I wish we could have gotten to all of them.

Below are the questions we DID get to. The other questions we didn't have time for will be posted in separate posts with comments open.

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- What is the "year of Jubilee"?

- My friend proclaims Christ, but is considering moving with her boyfriend. She says the Bible has nothing to say about this issue. What does the Bible say about this issue?

- If a person is in a relationship with a non-Christian, should that person continue the relationship or break it off and have a "hole" in their heart? Also, would Jesus be upset if that person wants to stay in the relationship?

- What are some good verses or passages that can encourage others in their faith?

- What is faith, and is it blind?

- My parents are new believers and are unfamiliar with the Bible. Where would you recomend they start reading in the Bible?

- How can we be joyful, knowing that some people will not be with God in eternity?

- When studying the historical books of the Old Testament, how do we "put ourselves in the Israelite's Place" - reconciling the ethics of a nation at that time - military conquest, plunder, putting the conquered "to the sword" vs. our ethics since the time of Christ - "love your neighbor", "peace", etc.?

- Many Muslims believe Allah is the same as the Christian God - how does the Christian church view the relationship between Yahweh and Allah?

Question - Church

How should we address the fact that the Church as a whole is miserable, poor, blind, and naked?

Question - Matthew 6

What does "the eye is the lamp of the body" and "if the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness" mean in Matthew 6?

Question - Bible Translations

Note: There were two different questions related to this topic, so they are both being put in the same post.

What is/are good translations of the Bible? Why? What benefits? Ease of understanding?

Which translation of the Bible is the best to read? (i.e. most accurate)

Question - Obedience

How can we grow in obedience?

Question - Worldliness and Holiness

What is Wordliness?

-OR-

How do we become holy?

Question - Taming the Tongue

The Bible says the mouth is like a wild animal that cannot be tamed - how does the Lord teach us to control our tongue?

Question - Guidance Scriptures

This spring I will be graduating from school, but I don't know where I'll end up when I find a job. What verses would be helpful in guiding me on trusting God to help me through this big change in my life?

Question - Sabbath?

Should we observe a Sabbath? Why?

(Preferably answer in terms of the Covenant Theology vs. New Covenant Theology vs. Despensationalism debate)

Question - Christianity being purified?

Is Christianity going through a purification process?

e.g. Catholics -> Methodists -> Baptists -> Pentecostals

Spiritual Q & A

Just a reminder: this Thursday, Jan 3, we will have a "Spiritual Q & A" night. Bring your spiritual questions (or a friend with spiritual questions), and I will do my best to try and give you an answer from the Scriptures.

I thought some of you might like at least 24 hours to think of what questions you might like to ask or who to invite, thus the quick blog post.

See you tomorrow night (if you don't go to the caucuses).

Post Abortion Study

I got the following in an email. As I got ready to delete it, I thought there might be someone from within Watershed that might benefit or know someone who would benefit from this Bible Study. All the needed information is below. Something like this could be really helpful to someone, especially as we get ready to go into a new teaching series called "Baggage" starting Jan. 10th.

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Next Post-Abortion Healing Bible Study (PAS) class starting Jan. 21:

Are you grieving over an abortion in your past? Did that choice leave you with regrets? Do you wonder if God could ever forgive you? Do you wish there was someone safe you could share your secret with? You are not alone. *Approximately 43% of women have experienced an abortion in the U.S. by the time they reach age 45. There is hope and there is healing.

Please contact Marilyn by Jan. 18 if you'd like more information or to be included in the next PAS class at Aid to Women: 364-8967 or marilyn.s@ aidtowomen.com.

Class will begin Jan. 21, meeting on 11 consecutive Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m.,
after normal business hours. ATW: 701 Center Pt. Rd. N.E., just north of Coe College.
Class and materials are provided at no cost.

One woman had this to say about the class completed at Aid to Women:
“I just want to thank you for what you did for me. I can’t hardly believe how differently I feel…. Thanks so much for helping me along my healing path.”

Please come. All calls are confidential.

*Alan Guttmacher Institute

Watershed Schedule

I heard that a rumor is circulating about Watershed's schedule with Christmas and New Year's approaching. So to set the record straight, here is when Watershed is and is not meeting over the next couple of week's:

12/20 YES, we are meeting! Nate Ndjerareou will finish up our "Faith, Hope, Love" series.
12/27 NO, we are not meeting! Enjoy the break with family or friends (or both!).
1/3 YES, we are meeting! Bring your questions for a Spiritual Q&A
1/10 YES, we are meeting! This will be the start of a 4-week series called "Baggage: Who We Are In Light Of Our Pasts"

So, I hope to see you tomorrow night, Dec. 20th, for our Christmas Watershed gathering.

No worship gathering tonight due to snow!

For several reasons that all came together in the past 5 minutes, we have decided to cancel tonight's Dec. 6 Worship Gathering.  So plan to come next week to hear Sarah Ndjerareou (Nate's wife) continue our Christmas series "Faith, Hope, Love" with a talk about Hope, and then the following week to hear Nate close up the series with "Love."

Again, there is NO worship gathering tonight.  Enjoy your evening!

-E 

Thursday MP3s are Posted!

If you've been hoping to download an MP3 of a Thursday night message, you're in luck! Mike has all the latest recordings on the Watershed "listen" page.

We're still working out some technical issues regarding the podcast feed, but that should also be coming to the new website soon.

Make sure to thank Mike for taking care of this!