August 2015 Issue Volume 12 - Issue 5

Lives Changed

Recap

Souls Saved

59

Souls Rededicated

58

New LifeChangers

75

Sunday Rewind

Sunday sermons are now available at the click of a but-ton to watch in its entirety!

After worship, just go to the church website and click on Sermon Rewind or click here - www.nlicic.org/rewind

Life Events

Let us celebrate with

you! Please notify us of

your weddings, new births,

homegoings, deployments,

and moves. Call the

Church Office at

618.632.6542.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Bishop’s PEN 1

Money & Back 2 School 2

The Invitation Story 3

Pictorial Review Invitation 4

Call Us: 618.632.NLIC (6542) Website: www.nlicic.org

Email Us: changinglives@nlicic.org FaceBook Us: NLCLifeChangers

NewLifeCouples & SinglesNLC CONTACT BISHOP:

Email: bishopdudley@nlicic.org Follow on Twitter: BishopGVD

Bishop’s Blog: http://dudleylifenotes.blogspot.com/ Bishop’s Page: BishopDudley

ISSUE EDITORS: DAGNE BARTON

Photographer: Anita Thomas Reporter: Daphne Dorsey

CONNECT WITH US

By Faith By Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr.

Jesus tells us all it takes is faith the size of a mus-tard seed. Matthew 17:20 - He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mus-tard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Paul says we all have a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 - …in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. So if it's that easy Jesus, why am I struggling getting things done by faith? Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have all the faith they want to get all they need? While you, on the other hand, can't move your mountain-sized problems to solution. Let alone move a mountain into the sea! Mark 11:23"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Well remember this when it comes to faith. It's a “spiritual muscle”. The only way for faith to get stronger; it must be used. In order for any muscle to grow, it must lift something that puts it under stress and strain. Many of your problems are stressors of growth. I say many because some problems are self-inflicted by bad choices. Those problems must run their course and our prayer isn’t more faith, but more joy, peace and strength to endure the circumstances. Psalm 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps

me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they

trust in you. 2 Corinthians 12:10 - That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in

hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Now let's get back to Faith. So when you are believing God that by faith he is going to do something remember the heavier the weight the bigger the faith. Do the following to get big faith: 1. Get you a word to stand on. Psalm 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart that

I might not sin against you. 2. Get you a word to act on. James 2:18- Now someone may argue, "Some people have

faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

3. Get you a word to speak on Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

4. Get in a small group this Fall to grow in faith – topic – FAITH!

Then watch God move your mountain: by faith! God will do it! John 15:7

- If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done

for you. - By Faith!

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It’s that time again… Have no fear help is on the way Back to school Budget Tips #1 - Make a Game Plan It can be easy to forget that your kid has a surplus of jeans when you are already in the store. So prior to hitting the stores, open the closet doors and dresser drawers wide and start sorting items and evaluating what kind of shape their clothes are in. Count what's

left and then decide where you need to focus your shopping dollars. Your child may only need a couple of pairs of khakis, so it's a good idea to plan out a few priorities beforehand. #2 - When to Buy It's hard to deny kids new outfits for the first day of school, but when it comes to additional clothes, you can convince them it's ok to hold off for a few weeks. After the big back-to-school season starts to simmer down, lots of stores feature great sales -- and kids might find there are some hot new fashions they would have missed out on if they hadn't seen what all the kids at school were wearing before they made their own choices. Hit the circuit around mid to late September to get the sweet deals, but also consider changing your overall game plan. Instead of buying clothes for the new school year all in one trip, consider spreading out your shopping throughout the year. Lots of stores have great clearance racks that can dive into deep dis-counts, so pick up items here and there and then pre-sent them all in August to an excited child. #3 Get creative Who says back-to-school items have to be brand new? Trade clothes and books with other families, or hit the thrift stores and garage sales. If school uniforms are required, check whether the school has a trading or discount program. Also, take inventory of leftover items for last year; some may be reused, like pens and pencils. Buying online? Play it smart! Order together with enough friends to get free shipping. Or buy bulk packs of supplies to share. You might also find a steal on eBay or Craigslist. Craigslist and eBay are the perfect places for moms to meet up and make online clothing swaps and sales. Whether you're looking to buy individual items or a whole heap of clothes for one low price, chances are good you'll find some of the items on your list pretty quick. If you're going to be looking through store Web sites, a simple internet search can tell you if any online coupons are up for grabs. Just google the name of the store and the word coupon to help you cover all the

bases. #4 Local Locations If virtual shopping is not for you, why not try out the physical equivalent? There are any number of stores that offer big discounts, and, if you go often enough, it's completely possible you'll even stumble across some of the name brands on your kid's wish list. Try thrift stores, outlet malls and other discount retail-ers to score the best deals on lots of new and resale clothes. Plus, some of these stores offer bag days and you can really get a great haul for a small chunk of change if you hit up one of them. Get out to the yard sells. It is a win-win new items that are too small may-be a great fit for your young one. #5 Learn from the experience Make your savvy back-to-school approach an annual tradition. Keep track of this year's expenses to help figure out the budget next year. Keep notes about what you discover, like where the best thrift stores are and when the store shelves start to empty. They'll come in handy a year from now. And if your kids' cost-savings decisions help you come out ahead, use it as a teachable moment to talk to them about what to do with the money that was saved. Practice these smart shopping habits each year, and by the time the kids graduate, you'll have saved a bun-dle. And they'll be much more prepared for the real world. Proverbs 22:6King James Version (KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Bring School Supplies for the School Supply Drive this month!

Prayer Walk ur child’s Campus this month—learn how!

Prayer 4 Back 2 School Saturday, August 29th. More to come!

Daily prayer focus on LifeChanger Parents FaceBook Page & Newsletter

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Record Number of

Worshipers Attend The Invitation 2015

Annual Outdoor Worship Service By Daphne Dorsey

Sunday, July 11 may have been one of the hottest days of the year, but more than 1200 people braved the heat to attend The Invitation 2015 annual outdoor worship service that was held in O’Fallon Park. The record setting attendance is being credited in part to canvassing efforts that were done by Lifechangers several weeks before the event in more than 75 neighborhoods throughout the Metro East area, the handing out over 2000 special “invitation” GO bags as well as members inviting family and friends. It’s also estimated that of those attending, more than 250 were first time visitors.

The theme for this year’s Invitation was “Go…Make Disciples!” The worship service featured lively and spiritually moving music led by New Life in Christ’s Worship Arts Pastor Jermaine Manor and the Voices of New Life Choir followed by Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley Sr.’s uplifting sermon on discipleship. Over 20 people made a decision for a closer walk with Christ! Patricia Cowan and her teen daughter Mallory who reside in Ferguson, Mo. were invited by Lifechanger Charlotte Chance. This was their second time attending The Invitation. “We do have a church home but would not miss an opportunity to fellowship and give God great praise,” she said. “We pray for

your church, we pray for your members, we pray for your success, and, we’ll continue to visit!” Following worship, there was lots of free food, games and numerous activities for every age group. While the teens were swimming at their pool party, many of the adults were reliving their childhood by playing some very serious kickball! Many of the younger children enjoyed the various bounce houses, the water slide and face painting. “It’s great for the kids and families to get out and interact with everybody and to get to know every-body,” said 12-year-old Michelle Parker. She was try-ing to stay cool while waiting in the snow cone line. “This type of event is such a powerful tool in reaching people where they are, on their level,” said Lifechanger Jessica Cromer, who was also waiting on a snow cone. “Activities like this are priceless because it allows people to meet each other differently out-doors than (just being) behind walls.” The official kick off for The Invitation week-end began on Saturday, July 11 with an “Apollo” themed talent show and concert featuring rising gos-pel artist Travis Greene. The Invitation is reminiscent of a time when churches would hold outdoor worship services during the summer months to reach those who would otherwise not attend a regular church ser-vice. More than 120 volunteers helped to make this year’s event a success. Tyler Ohnesorge of Edwardsville was also a first time guest. He was invited by Lifechanger Josh White and plans to attend The Invitation 2016. “I liked it a lot! This brings people together, said Ohnesorge. “It’s a fun and friendly environment where everybody gets to have a good time while also learning about the word of God!

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