Archive for May, 2009
May
24
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 24, 2009
Monday-Friday July 27th-31st
Stillwater Retreat Center
1001 Yoder Rd., Yoder, IN
Come and receive a full week of quality martial arts training from your instructor. As a bonus, you will be given the opportunity to workout with students from other schools who will be sharing the campground with you and your classmates. Enjoy 3 classes a day plus group games and worship facilitated by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
We will have campfires, board breaking, swimming, games, hiking, chapel, boats, cookouts, and lots of FUN!
Only $179! That includes lodging,meals, testing fees, a new belt if applicable, a t-shirt, and one breaking board! $199 if you register after July 1st. Space is limited, we only have 75 spots available so register now to guarantee your spot!
Payments can be made to Praise Lutheran Church
c/o Martial Arts Camp
Questions? Call (260) 490-7729 for registration information. Ask for Pastor Brown!
May
19
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 19, 2009
** The following was written on a Sunday of one of my recent vacation days when I was out of town and visited a church other than Praise.
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Today I worshipped at a church that started about 15 minutes late. As I entered about one minute before the announced service time of 10am, everybody was mingling and talking freely with one another. There didn’t seem to be any need to stick with any sort of schedule and nobody was worried about time. About quarter after ten the pastor went to the microphone and the people gathered around. Many came and went freely during worship. There was, however, a large core of people that stayed for the entire time.
Today I worshipped where many came just for the food being served. No doubt they heard a good message while they were there and met some great people. Most stayed for the service, but a few left after they got what they had came for.
Today I worshipped in a place where a man was yelling in church. He wasn’t the pastor, he was just some guy in the congregation. Every so often when the pastor would announce some great work of Christ, this man (and even many others) would shout “amen” and “hallelujah.” It didn’t appear as if they were looking to draw attention to themselves. They merely wanted to add their praise to the King of Kings.
Today I worshipped in a dirty place. There was trash all around and yet it didn’t seem to bother anybody.
Today I worshipped beside people of all sorts of backgrounds and walks of life. White faces were definitely in the minority. Most faces were dark skinned, but not all the same shade and type. And yet there didn’t seem to be any focus on diversity. Instead, we were gathered in unity.
Today I worshipped in a church where people brought their pets with them. Some dogs were lying quietly beside their masters and others were playing and being petted by others.
Today I worshipped in a place where the youth were walking around right in the middle of the service. They were delivering bread and juice to those who were there to hear the message.
Today I worshipped with a church which had a foul aroma in the air. The pungent body odor being omitted by some was mixed with a waft of urine that urged me to close my eyes and concentrate on better things.
Today I worshipped where I witnessed a man shaving right in the middle of the worship service. He didn’t seem to be distracted. He was listening intently. He was merely multi-tasking and doing his best to make himself presentable before the Lord.
Today I worshipped in a church where people were smoking cigarettes. Some churches burn incense and light candles. This church had no candles, but there was fire and the smell of smoke made its way across my face.
Today I worshipped in an outdoor church where there were folks bowing their faces to the dirty stained ground. Yet, people were still lying prostrate and humbling themselves before their Maker. It didn’t seem to matter that the asphalt was clearly a place where many had urinated and upheaved whatever it was that was in their bellies from the night before. Those bowing down knew that their sins had caused them to be lower than even the dirt. This was a complete display of humility.
Today I worshipped at a church that had a pastor and worship leaders that had to raise their voices in order to compete with the sound of traffic. Sirens of police cars rushed by the congregation and the noise of large semi-trucks broke in and nearly stole the attention of those who were offering themselves before the throne of the Almighty.
Today I worshipped under a bridge. The “Church under the bridge” ministries is an committed group of Christ’s servants that unload band equipment, tables, and chairs out of a small bus every Sunday morning in Austin, Texas where the homeless are plentiful. Instead of focusing on planting and rooting themselves in a fixed building, they go out and meet the people where they are at… even under a bridge. The bridge is your typical overpass large concrete structure that supports a major highway overhead. So many passing above never know the true beauty that takes place every Sunday morning below. Praise God that our Lord has not forgotten His people under the bridge. He came to be with them under that bridge. Jesus Christ came for the very purpose to lift His people out of low places and lift them to a place of honor and provide a great banquet feast that will last for all eternity.
Today I worshipped in a church where God transformed the lives of those who previously had no hope.
Today I worshipped and tears came to my eyes.
Today I worshipped with a church where the name of Jesus Christ was honored and lifted high.
Today I worshipped under a bridge, tomorrow I shall dine in a palace – and I shall be accompanied now by many new friends.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
Pastor Brown’s phone number has changed. The “emergency” number listed previously (the number for his martial arts association) still works. However, he now has a new local Fort Wayne number for everyday calls and for the benefit of the ministry at Praise. Also, he can now receive text messages at this new number. The number is (260) 460-7725. A reminder that all mail for him should continue to be sent to the church: 1115 W. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
In May Pastor Brown took some his vacation time and traveled to present his Breaking Barriers Live Gospel presentations at three locations in Sacramento, California, once in Woodburn, Indiana, and performed three shows in Austin, Texas. His upcoming schedule and pictures of past events can be found at www.SinBusting.com
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
Are you interested in a 2 week basketball camp from June 15th – 26th? It meets from 8:30am to 11:30am Mondays through Fridays. This is not a Praise event, but one that we are advertising for Concordia. If interested, contact Josh Eggold at 580-2528. The cost is $110 per camper for the two week program.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
Family event and all ages of youth Saturday June 6th 7:30 “Lost and found” is coming to Praise for a concert. This nationally renowned band will put on a show that families can enjoy together. Tickets are $12 at the door, $10 in advance, and ages 5 and under are free.
3rd – 5th Grades June 8th & 9th. Join us for 2 days of fun, physical activity through your favorite sport, and meaningful spiritual devotions. This is a day camp only and costs only $10.
6th – 8th Grades June 10th & 11th Join us for 2 days of fun, physical activity through your favorite sport, and meaningful spiritual devotions. This day camp costs only $10. Camp is
6th – 12th
Grades Saturday June 13th Join us for swimming at the Degitz house. We’ll have a poolside cookout and a full afternoon of fun. Available to both Jr. & Sr. High. Don’t miss it.
All grades
(3rd – 12th) Tuesday, June 23rd Join us for a group trip to Cedar Point. This full day of high speeds and thrills is available for all ages. Parent chaperones are needed because we will split the youth groups up and ride separately when we arrive at the park. Note that there are specific height requirements for some of the major rides (48” for some roller coaster) Group rate is $32 if we purchase at least 20 tickets. Please make checks payable to Praise Lutheran Church and give to Pastor Brown by Sunday, June 14th.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
August 2nd – 6th the Junior High will be camping at a Christian music festival at Six Flags Amusement park in Darien Lake, New York. The trip that will cost less than one hundred dollars per person. With fundraising, I don’t anticipate financial matters to be a concern for anyone. Please register through me, Pastor Brown, ASAP so that we can be as informed as possible and make the most accurate advance preparations and plans for our trip.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
With my past and current involvement in karate it is easy to see my enthusiasm and passion for the martial arts. However, my zest for sports isn’t just limited to those holding a martial flavor. I’m a firm believer that we all need to be holistically healthy, and this means pursuing a healthy body as well as mind and spirit. Physical fitness is important and is capable of being obtained in a wide variety of different ways. I want to encourage our youth to get involved in any sport or physical activity that interest them. The upcoming camp next month provides a variety of such opportunities. The camp is offered through Fellowship of Christian Athletes and I, Pastor Brown, will be helping to lead the camp and taking our youth. Senior High are encouraged to come and help lead Bible studies & small groups (huddles) during the camp and will not be charged if volunteering. 3rd – 5th grades are able to attend June 8th and 9th. 6 – 8th grades are able to attend June 10th and 11th. To register, see Pastor Brown or go to www.NorthernIndianaFCA.org, click on “camp,” “local camps,” and then “download the 2009 power camp Brochure.” Pastor Brown also has printed registration forms. The cost of two days of camp is only $10.00. This fee includes lunch and all participation in the camps.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
On Sunday, June 7th we will be dedicating our new worship cart and the Bibles that so many at Praise have so generously donated. Although we want to encourage folks to bring their own Bibles to church, we are excited to have these new Bibles available on our new worship cart so that the Word of God can be readily available even to those who either forget to bring theirs on a particular Sunday or to those who may not have a Bible. And if there are those who do not have a Bible, know that you should come and speak to one of your pastors. It is important enough that every single person have the Holy Scriptures at their fingertips, that we will gladly provide for any who do not have the means to get one for themselves.
May
16
Posted by Pastor Brown on
May 16, 2009
Attention Praisers who will next year be entering 3nd, 6th, 9th, and college: This is the time of year that we want to congratulate you on wrapping up your current school grade and begin focusing on moving into your next grade level. The same holds true with youth group. Beginning June 1st, we will make the switch from your previous youth group to your new group. Please join in with the youth groups of the grade you will be entering Fall of 2009.
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