Lake Stevens Family Church

Keeping Encouraged!

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to simply be encouraged? I would venture to say everyone has had times where they’ve needed to be encouraged. Remember, God knows you need encouragement. The Bible says that God encourages the hearts of those that need to be lifted up. As I have spoken to a number of people recently, there seems to be a common thread, folks right now need a lift. God cares about those that need to be lifted up and strengthened emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically and so forth. God not only cares about this need, He took the initiative to create a solution. YOU!

You are God’s dispenser of encouragement. God created you to reach out and lift up those that need a lift. “But I need encouragement” you say. God says that as you bless others, that is exactly how you will be blessed. Be generous with encouragement, and you will have a generous return. Be stingy with encouragement and you will have a small return. The Bible says that how you give is how you will receive.

I ran across a great story about a guy who was very generous with encouragement. In fact he was the leader of Southwest Airlines. Everywhere he went he was always encouraging those around him, he knew people’s names, he joked with the employees and he was constantly lifting the hearts and spirits of those around him. And listen to what happened:

On Bosses Day in 1994, a full-page ad appeared in USA Today. It was contracted and paid for by the employees of Southwest Airlines, and it was addressed to Herb Kelleher, the company’s CEO:

Thanks Herb

For remembering every one of our names.

For supporting the Ronald McDonald House.

For helping load baggage on Thanksgiving.

For giving everyone a kiss (and we mean everyone!)

For listening.

For running the only profitable major airline.

For singing at our holiday party.

For singing only once a year.

For letting us wear shorts and sneakers to work.

For golfing at the LUV Classic with only one club.

For outtalking Sam Donaldson.

For riding your Harley Davidson into Southwest Headquarters.

For being a friend, not just a boss.

Happy Boss’s Day from Each One of Your 16,000 Employees.

A display of affection like that only happens when you are a person who reaches out and encourages those around you.

So; do you need to be encouraged today? (I know I do!) Let’s get out there and find someone we can lift up! I know I will. Will you?

See you Sunday,

Pastor Virgil

	Keeping Encouraged! Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to simply be encouraged? I would venture to say everyone has had times where they’ve needed to be encouraged. Remember, God knows you need encouragement. The Bible says that God encourages the hearts of those that need to be lifted up. As I have spoken to a number of people recently, there seems to be a common thread, folks right now need a lift. God cares about those that need to be lifted up and strengthened emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically and so forth. God not only cares about this need, He took the initiative to create a solution. YOU! You are God’s dispenser of encouragement. God created you to reach out and lift up those that need a lift. “But I need encouragement” you say. God says that as you bless others, that is exactly how you will be blessed. Be generous with encouragement, and you will have a generous return. Be stingy with encouragement and you will have a small return. The Bible says that how you give is how you will receive. I ran across a great story about a guy who was very generous with encouragement. In fact he was the leader of Southwest Airlines. Everywhere he went he was always encouraging those around him, he knew people’s names, he joked with the employees and he was constantly lifting the hearts and spirits of those around him. And listen to what happened: On Bosses Day in 1994, a full-page ad appeared in USA Today. It was contracted and paid for by the employees of Southwest Airlines, and it was addressed to Herb Kelleher, the company’s CEO: Thanks Herb For remembering every one of our names. For supporting the Ronald McDonald House. For helping load baggage on Thanksgiving. For giving everyone a kiss (and we mean everyone!) For listening. For running the only profitable major airline. For singing at our holiday party. For singing only once a year. For letting us wear shorts and sneakers to work. For golfing at the LUV Classic with only one club. For outtalking Sam Donaldson. For riding your Harley Davidson into Southwest Headquarters. For being a friend, not just a boss. Happy Boss’s Day from Each One of Your 16,000 Employees. A display of affection like that only happens when you are a person who reaches out and encourages those around you. So; do you need to be encouraged today? (I know I do!) Let’s get out there and find someone we can lift up! I know I will. Will you? See you Sunday, Pastor Virgil		Pastor Virgil: "My Mind God's Masterpiece" - MP3 - Sermon notes: GIF\| PDF
	UPCOMING EVENTS Tomorrow - April 11th & 12th - Kids' Convention - Nitro H20: Please pray for our kids as they head to their Kids’ Convention this weekend!!! They are going to have a great time & God is going to do some amazing things in their lives. If your elementary aged child has registered for Nitro – they will be meeting at 3:00PM tomorrow – Lake Stevens Safeway parking lot. Contact Brittney Shorb for questions: bshorbie@hotmail.com This Sunday - April 13th - Water Baptism Next Water Baptism is this Sunday, April 13^th - 6:00PM at Cedar Park Church in Bothell. If you have not been water baptized, but would like to be, please mark the box on the front of your communication card & someone will contact you – or contact the office at 425-334-5900 or LSFC@LakeStevensChurch.com. Foundations: A Study in Basic Christian Beliefs If you are a new Christian or someone that wants to "get back to the basics" of your Christian walk - then this is the class for you. Please contact the church office at 425.334.5900 or LSFC@LakeStevensChurch.com for more information. Class is $5.00 per person. Managing Our Finances God’s Way Are you ready to take control of your finances instead of the other way around? Did you know that there are 2,350 verses in the Bible about money? Did you know that nearly half of Jesus’ parables are about possessions? The Bible is packed with wise counsel about your financial life. In fact, Jesus had more to say about money than heaven and hell combined. Join us for this 6 week series and learn how to manage your finances God’s way.

	UPCOMING MESSAGES The Center Of Your YOUniverse 04.13.08 - My Heart Christ's Home 04.20.08 - My Deed's God's Tools 04.27.08 - My Life God's Desire You will not want to miss any of these incredible weekend messages. But if you do miss a week, make sure you subscribe to our weekly “podcast”. All of our weekend messages are available online at www.lakestevenschurch.com.

	WHAT’S HAPPENING AT LSFC Sunday - Lake Stevens Community Kid's Choir Kids – ages K-7^th grade - Join us, Sunday’s, from 4:30-6:00PM. We sing High Powered, High Energy Songs…teaching the kids’ the importance of worship. For more information contact Angela Brown at angela@lakestevenschurch.com or 425.334.5900. We will resume practices May 18^th!!! Tuesday - Volleyball (A-Level Play) 8:00 -10:00 PM at the Snohomish Boys and Girls Club. Enjoy an energetic workout with friends from church and the community! Contact Virgil Brown: virgil@lakestevenschurch.com Wednesday - Poker and Wings 6:30 PM at various locations. Guys hanging out, playing poker, eating wings, getting to know each other. Contact John Shorb: john.shorb@cedarpark.org Ladies Bible Study Group & Fellowship Ladies, are you looking to develop lasting friendships? Join us for the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month as we study God's word and fellowship with each other. Next meeting will be April 23^rd , 6:30PM. For more information contact Laurie Gibson at Gibsonlla@hotmail.com or 425.334.5900 (Church Office) Thursday - Mom's Play Group For mothers of children ages birth through preschool. Come fellowship with other moms and let the little ones play! Meets Thursdays at 11:00 AM at Brittney Shorb 's house. Contact: bshorbie@hotmail.com for more information. Thursday - Volleyball (C-Level Play) 7:30 - 10:00 PM at Lake Stevens Middle School. Enjoy an energetic workout with friends from church and the community! Contact Virgil Brown: virgil@lakestevenschurch.com		For more information on Small Groups, visit our our website.
	KIDS' MINISTRIES This week’s Nursery Teachers: 9:30 am = Sarah R./Ami B. 11:00 am = Carla C./Amanda V. This week's Pre-K Teachers (3-5 yrs.): 9:30 am = Laurie G./ 11:00 am = Steve C./Summer V. This week’s Elementary Teachers (K - 5th): 9:30 am = Brittney S./Breanne P. 11:00 am = Mikey & Thomas T./Brittney S. This Sunday, Superhero’s of The Bible Party Kids - Join us this Sunday, April 13^th, during our 11:00AM service for our Super hero party!! There will be tons of fun, food and a celebration of the GREATEST Superhero of the Bible…Jesus!!! Don’t miss the bounce house, video games, face paintings… We are always looking to add people to our great team of teachers and helpers…Get involved – you will find great reward!!! For more information on how you can get involved in our children’s department, contact bshorbie@hotmail.com


	MUSIC Psalm 96:1-2 says, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” Weekend Music for April 13th: Song by Artist from Album: When I Think About The Lord By Unknown from Unknown Amazing Love by Billy James Foote from Shout Praises Everyday by Joel Houston from All To You: Live I Am Free by Jon Egan from iWorship: Platinum
	CONTACTING US Virgil Brown - Lead Pastor - virgil@lakestevenschurch.com Angela Brown - Music - angela@lakestevenschurch.com David Masse - Music Associate - david@lakestevenschurch.com Rick Doucette - Media Director - rick@lakestevenschurch.com