New Bible Study: Pray, Christian, PRAY

New Bible Study!

Pray, Christian, PRAY!

Sunday mornings April 7 – May 5

“Prayer is a wonderful Christian work. Still, because of the Old Adam and the pressures of Satan and a godless world, it is as Martin Luther once observed, ‘the most difficult of works.’” – Arthur Clement

New York City keeps the members of this congregation busy with life.  Some of the members of Sure Foundation have mentioned that this is one of the reasons they don’t pray as often as they would like.  Following the theme of the year “Go on to Maturity”, this Bible study will revitalize the prayer life of the members of this congregation to reflect their spiritual maturity.  As we study the biblical principles of prayer we will take time to consider practical prayer advice for the individual, couple, and family.  Please join us Sunday mornings from April 7^th – May 5^th as we gain a higher appreciation for prayer so that not even the busyness of life will keep us from vital conversation with our God.

¡Nuevo Estudio Bíblico!

¡Oren, Cristianos, Oren!

Los Domingos – 7 de Abril hasta 5 de Mayo

"La oración es una obra cristiana maravillosa. Sin embargo, debido al viejo Adán y las presiones de Satanás y de un mundo sin Dios, la oración es como Martin Lutero dijo una vez, "la más difícil de las obras. '" - Arthur Clemente

Nueva York mantiene a los miembros de esta congregación ocupados con la vida. Algunos de los miembros de Sure Foundation han mencionado que este es uno de los motivos por los que no rezan con la frecuencia que les gustaría. Siguiendo el tema del año "avancemos hacia la madurez", este estudio de la Biblia va a revitalizar la vida de oración de los miembros de esta congregación para reflejar su madurez espiritual. Al estudiar los principios bíblicos de oración vamos a tomarnos un tiempo para considerar consejos prácticos para la oración individual, de pareja y familia. Por favor, únase a nosotros los domingos por la mañana a partir del 7 de abril al 5 de mayo para lograr una mayor apreciación de la oración a fin de que ni siquiera el ajetreo de la vida nos impida de tener una conversación vital con nuestro Dios.

Connecting with God: A Lutheran Sermon Series on the Means of Grace

New Summer Sermon Series: 

Connecting with God

People are yearning to connect with God in meaningful and deep ways.  Some people make pilgrimages as if God were far away.  Others try to connect with God through fasting or extreme meditation as if God exists on some other plane of reality.  God is not far away and he doesn’t exist only in some other plane of reality.  Connecting with God is as simple as reading the Bible, being baptized, and participating in the Lord’s Supper.  We connect with God through his means of grace.

June 17:            Inspiration of God’s Word

June 24:            Its effect in our hearts

July 1:                Its effect in our lives

July 15:              Baptism’s Immediate Effect

July 22:              Baptism’s Daily Effect

August 5:          Lord’s Supper: Sacramental Union

August 12:        Lord’s Supper: Communion with God

August 19:        Lord’s Supper: Communion with Each Other

April 8, 2012 - The Easter Effect

Finances. War. Cancer. Crime. Being alone. Failure. Death. What is it for you? What keeps you up at night? All of these have a negative effect on our lives.

That is why we need Easter AND its Effect.

Jesus came into our world and faced our biggest fears and in his resurrection he conquered them all.

Join us for the Festival of the Resurrection
APRIL 8, 2012

• Festival Worship – 9:30am
• Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt – 10:30am

8 de Abril de 2012 - El Efecto de la Pascua

Finanzas. Guerra. Cáncer. Crimen. La Soledad. Fracaso. Muerte.

¿Qué es para usted?
¿Qué es lo que lo desvela en las noches?

Todos estos tienen un efecto negativo en nuestras vidas.

Es por eso que necesitamos La Pascua y su efecto. Jesús vino a nuestro mundo, se enfrento a nuestros miedos más grandes y en su resurrección conquistó todos.

El Festival de la Resurrección
8 de Abril de 2012

* Festival Worship – 9:30am
* Misa Cristiana en Español – 11:30am
* Comida de Pascua y Busca de Huevos de Pascua – 10:30am

Sure Foundation Pastor to Present at Mission and Ministry

This week, Pastor Dan Olson, will present at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary at its annual Mission and Ministry Conference. He will share the joys and challenges of minsistry in our urban, multicultural context. Take a look at his media presentation here: 

New Administrator / Teacher for ESL Program

In December of 2011, Sure Foundation Lutheran Church was chosen among other applicants to receive special funding from WELS Kingdom Workers. The grant will be used to fund the new position of English Administrator/Teacher at Sure Foundation.

Sure Foundation has chosen Kristy Goodman to fill the new ministry role. She begins working among us immediately. Kristy Goodman has extensive experience in teaching English both overseas and in the United States. She is currently studying at Columbia University to receive a Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Kristy Goodman, ESL Instructor at SFLC

We welcome Kristy to our ministry team and ask God to bless her efforts among us. English classes are Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:30pm. Consider volunteering or taking the class. Email Kristy with questions.

Our New Mission Statement - We speak your language

Together, we have developed and finalized our new mission statement (cf. below). We are currently in the process of translating the mission statement in the languages of our church and community. Share with us a translation in your language!

Guided by God's word, we SHARE the Gospel of Christ with all people.
Compelled by Christ's love, we SERVE Christ and our neighbors.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we STRENGTHEN the people of God.

Guiados por la palabra de Dios, compartimos el Evangelio de Cristo con todo el mundo.
Motivados por El amor de Cristo, servimos a Cristo y al prójimo.
Fortalecidos por el Espíritu Santo, animamos al pueblo de Dios.

遵上帝之意，我们与世人共享福音；

从基督之爱，我们侍奉基督与友邻；

守圣灵之唤，我们与神的民同强进。

Guide avek pawol Bondie a, mou patage levangil kris la ak tout moun.
Se lamou kris la ki mande sa, nou bay pep Bondie a fos.
Sentespria ba nom fos, nou sevi kris ak prochen nou yo.

परमेश्वरको बचनको निर्देशनमा, हामी ख्रिष्टको सुसमाचार सबैलाई सुनाउछौँ ।
ख्रिष्टको प्रेममा वाध्यभएर, हामी ख्रिष्ट र हाम्रा छिमेकीहरूको सेवा गर्छौ ।
पवित्र आत्माको शक्तिले, हामी परमेश्वरको जनहरूलाई सशक्त बनाउछौ ।

Guidés par la parole de Dieu, nous PARTAGEONS l'Évangile de Christ avec tous.
Contraint par l'amour de Christ, nous SERVONS Christ et nos voisins.
Renforcé par le Saint-Esprit, nous ENDURCISONS le peuple de Dieu.

하나님의 말씀에 따라, 열방과 복음을 나누고자 합니다.그리스도의 사랑으로, 예수님과 이웃을 섬기고자합니다.성령님의 인도하심으로,하나님의 사람을 양육하고자합니다.

私たちは神の言葉に導かれ、全ての人々とキリストの福音を分かち合います。
キリストの愛に促され、 私たちはキリストと隣人に仕えます。
聖霊に力を与えられ、私たちは神を信じる者たちを力付けます。

خدا کے کلام کی جانب سے ہدايت سے نوازا، ہم نے تمام لوگوں کے ساتھ مسیح کی انجیل اشتراک.
مسیح کی محبت سے مجبور ہے، ہم مسیح اور اپنے پڑوسیوں کی خدمت کرتے ہیں.
روح القدس کی طرف سے حق حاصل ہے، ہم خدا کے لوگوں کو مضبوط بنانے.

Tanyssa Behnke on Art in the Park

Tanyssa Behnke's experience at Art in the Park inspired a recent blog post published on the WELS mission blog.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE.

Celebrate Unity in Diversity

I now know a little bit better what heaven will be like.

In Saint John's Revelation, he is a bit repetitive about it, but for good reason. He liked to describe the people in heaven in this way, "...there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language...(Rev. 7:9).

That is why I say that now I know a little bit better what heaven will be like. On Sunday, as one Christian family at Sure Foundation, we worshipped the Lamb. We worshipped him in English, Spanish, Creole, Chinese, and Urdu. There were worshippers there from China, India, Pakistan, the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Argentina. Yes, it was a little slice of heaven.

Praise be to God for unifying us in Christ and to his Holy Spirit for giving us gifts of diversity.

Click here to hear the sermon!

See our pics from Pentecost Sunday!

Celebra la Unidad en la Diversidad

Ahora entiendo un poquito mejor como será el cielo.

El Apocalipsis de San Juan es un poco repetitivo en este respecto, él siempre celebra la diversidad del cielo. Le gustaba describir a la gente de esta manera, "...apareció una multitud tomada de todas las naciones, tribus, pueblos y lenguas..."

Por eso suelo decir que ahora entiendo un poco mejor lo que será el cielo. El domingo pasado, la familia cristiana de Sure Foundation alabó al Cordero de Dios. Le adoraba en inglés, español, criollo, chino, y urdu. Había personas de China, India, Pakistán, Estados Unidos, México, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Perú, Ecuador, República Dominicana, Puerto Rico, Trinidad y Tobago, Haití, y Argentina. Sí, ahora entiendo un poco mejor como será el cielo.

Escucha al sermón

Fotos aquí

Pentecost Sunday

On the very first Pentecost Sunday, the people gathered in Jerusalem exclaimed, “...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Now, some 2,000 years later, Sure Foundation will again celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to his church with some tongue speaking of our own. Members of Sure Foundation will read in their own “heart languages” readings from the Scripture in a service that will be done in English, Spanish, Creole, and Urdo.

On Pentecost Sunday, we will celebrate the unity that we have in Christ and also the gifts of diversity that Christ has given us. In that spirit, several people from different parts of the world will confess their common faith with us. Come, join us and bring your favorite food dish to share.

Sure Foundation will celebrate Pentecost Sunday on May 29 at 10:30am.

Alcanzando al Mundo en Woodside, Queens

Volando todo la noche entera de Nueva York a Lima, Perú da un montón de tiempo para reflexionar, especialmente si usted no puede dormir en un avión.

Llegé en Nueva York de nuevo absolutamente convencido de que nuestro ministerio evangélico en Woodside, Queens, está llegando a los confines de la tierra. Cuando estaba predicando en nuestra iglesia en Lima, Perú, uno de mis estudiantes de Inglés, entró en la iglesia con una sonrisa en su rostro. Nos conocimos por la primera vez en Queens. Después de hacer la misa conmemorativa por un miembro de Queens, por lo menos diez personas se me acercaron y me dijeron: "¿Te acuerdas de mí? Yo estuve en su iglesia en Queens." De hecho, todas las personas con que tuve contacto en Lima, Perú durante el fin de semana me conocieron por medio de nuestra iglesia aquí en Queens.

Podemos estar relativamente una pequeña iglesia, pero Dios nos ha usado para cambiar los corazones y la vidas de personas en lugares tan distantes como Lima, Perú.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Reaching the World In Woodside, Queens

Flying over night from New York's, JFK Airport to Lima, Peru gives one plenty of time to reflect, especially if you cannot sleep.

I made a weekend trip to Lima, Peru, solely for ministry purposes. While in Lima, I visited with several families from our congregation in Queens, NY, carrying pictures and goods for loved ones. I attended the baptism of one of our members at one of our Lutheran churches in Lima, Peru. I had the opportunity to also preach at the same church. Finally, I had the joy to share the joy of Easter at a memorial service.

I walked away absolutely convinced that our Gospel ministry in Woodside, Queens, is reaching the ends of the earth. As I preached at our church in Lima, Peru, one of my English students, walked into the church with a smile on her face. We met first in Queens. After I did the memorial service, at least ten people walked up and said, "Do you remember me? I was at your church in Queens." In fact, all the people I had contact with in Lima, Peru over the weekend heard the gospel because we simply shared the good news with our neighborhood in Queens, NY.

We may be a relatively small church, but God has used us to change hearts and lives in places as far away as Lima, Peru.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Sure Foundation Featured on Single Fare

Recently, Sure Foundation Lutheran Church was featured in a blog post by the creators of the art show Single Fare: A Show of Small Works on Used Metrocards.

As part of our 10th Anniversary Celebration, Sure Foundation created a "Fellowship Mosaic" artwork as a celebration of the faith, community, and life of Sure Foundation. SFLC member Charis Carmichael Braun and artist friends Bill Bukowski, Jason Jaspersen and Karen Goetzinger have artwork in both the Fellowship Mosaic and the Single Fare exhibition. The Fellowship Artwork is available for viewing throughout the day during regular office hours or worship times. Come see it!

• Feature Article @ Single Fare
• More on the Fellowship Artwork

Jail and Prison Ministry Presentation

Is there any hope for those in prison and jail? Will they ever change?

Mr. Mark Santelman of WELS Prison Ministries will present to Sure Foundation Lutheran Church during the English and Spanish Bible class hour on March 13, 2011. He will share stories about how America's hardest criminals are being changed by the Holy Spirit. He will also ask for help in bring Christ to Rikers Island inmates and their families.

The WELS Jail Ministry Training Team is an initiative funded by WELS Special Ministries and Prison Ministry to train WELS members for jail and prison ministry. We thank them for their prayers and encouragement.

Mr. Santelman shared this real letter from on inmate concerning the impact of jail ministry:

"Until I found Jesus - or rather until He found me, I hated all those around me. I was lost and very lonely and want to mesh out that pain to those around me - the pain that I was feeling. I had my own version of violence - I am a murderer - but when Jesus came into my heart I walked away from it all. I haven't done drugs or hated or hurt since that day. I was leader of the most violent gang here in prison for 12 years (been in prison 17 years.) Now I talk to those gang members about Jesus! Isn't that a wondrous story of the power of God's love through the Holy Spirit?!! RK"

Check out some photos from the presentation:

Click here to view these pictures larger

"Porque Te Amo" - Domingo de Confirmación

Sure Foundation celebró otro domingo de confirmación con el tema de Isaías 43:4. Pastor Tim recordó al pueblo de Dios que Dios usa las palabras "Te amo" con sinceridad y compromiso. De hecho, cuando Dios dice, "Te Amo", él promete sustituir por nosotros en Jesús y él promete que nos llame por nombre. Llamó a su pueblo por nombre desde los fines de la tierra para conocerlo mejor. Después del sermón, 11 personas adultas confesaron su fe en Jesús. Ellos vienen de países tan diversos como China, Honduras, Colombia, Perú, y por supuesto los Estados Unidos. El día nos muestra otra vez lo que Dios decía en Isaías, "Trae a mis hijos desde los confines de la tierra." (Isaías 43:6). De verdad, el nos ama.

• Escucha al sermón.

Click here to view these pictures larger

"Because I love you..." A Confirmation Sunday

Sure Foundation Lutheran Church celebrated another Confirmation Sunday with the theme from Isaiah 43:4. Pastor Tim reminded God's people how God uses the words "I love you" with sincerity and commitment. In fact, when God says, "I love you," he promises to substitute for us in Jesus and he promises to call us by name. He called his people by name from the corners of the earth to know him better. After the sermon, 11 adult people confessed their faith in Jesus. They come from countries as diverse as China, Honduras, Columbia, Peru, and of course the Unites States. It just goes to show us that God means it when he says, "Bring back my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth..." (Isaiah 43:6).

• Listen to the Sermon!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Starting a new Holiday tradition...

All the women are invited to this unique celebration to be rejuvenated by our focus, ‘Be Still, my Soul.’

And, of course, please bring a friend to share the experience!

December 3, 2010 at 8:30 pm

R.S.V.P. to Amanda Bourman before November 26
AmandaBourman[at]gmail[dot]com

Mission work from a women's perspective | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)

Amanda Bourman and Katie Olson are featured in the WELS magazine Forward In Christ. They share their experiences and perspective as pastor's wives at Sure Foundation Lutheran Church.

Mission work from a women's perspective Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)

Under Jesus, One Family and One Church

Is it safe to say that most people like to be with other people who are like them? Maybe this is why certain neighborhoods in New York City are predominantly Asian, Latino, or other. Even church planters will tell you that you should really just reach out to one race of people because people just can't get comfortable with other races.

Jesus breaks down these barriers and more. He broke down race barriers in the Ephesian congregation between Jew and Gentile. The Apostle Paul wrote about the power of Jesus in Ephesus when he wrote that Jesus "...made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14)." He has done the same for Sure Foundation Lutheran Church. In a service given in Spanish and English, a Peruvian youth (Dilara) was baptized and two Haitian men (Ostayne and Pierre) were confirmed in their Christian faith. Although our languages and cultures are different, under Jesus we are one family and one church. Praise be to God!

Check out some pics below!