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Real Lives @ RLC
John and Erika Vaughn have been at Real Life Church for over seven years. A little over two years ago, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Avery.
“But there was something that just didn’t fit.” Erika explains. “Avery was a bubbly, happy and sweet baby, but as time progressed, we noticed that she seemed to be in pain and refused to stand on her right leg.”
Thus began a long medical journey, starting when Avery was 15 months old. “From the start, the Lord blessed us with doctors who really wanted to discover what was wrong. Each step led us closer to an answer.” At 17 months, John and Erika learned that Avery has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. “It was devastating and relieving all at once. We now had a name for the problem.”
After the “summer of the doctors”, slowly the Lord has helped them come to terms with the illness. “He has graciously taken care of Avery with excellent doctors.” Avery still has to be on high doses of medication and visits the doctor often, often, but her inflamed joints all look good at the moment.
“We’ve adjusted now and feel ready to face the future. This story doesn't end with a big miracle (yet!), but I have put a lot of thought into how many ‘mini-miracles’ the Lord performs all the time. Each piece of Avery’s medical puzzle fell right into place at the right time. Please allow this to encourage you, that the Lord is in the details and can provide a ‘mini-miracle’ for you as well!”
rlc event info
christmas tea
SURPRISE!
Don’t you just love a great surprise?
There’s so much that goes into a really great surprise…planning, thinking ahead about the other person and what they would truly enjoy the most, making it beautiful and
special.
Well, we’re thinking about you for our 12th annual Ladies’ Christmas Tea 2008 – and it’s a surprise! You won’t
know the “theme” for this event until you attend, & you won’t want to miss it!
You are invited to attend and bring guests on either:
Friday, December 5 or Saturday, December 6
7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium
at Real Life Church
Kim Wajda will be our special guest and speaker for both evenings.
Extra Tea Info…
As per our Real Life tradition, please bring one gift-wrapped ornament per person for our annual gift exchange. No
meal will be served, but there will be a short reception mid-way through the evening.
Valet parking will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the doors will be open for general seating beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for all ladies ages five and older at $10.00 per person. They will be available for purchase
November 16-30 after church on Sundays, or by contacting the church office at 651.490.5433 or
office@reallifechurch.net. Ticket sales are limited!
sneak preview
Join us for this progressive shop and snack on November 19. We will be meeting at the church
at 6:00 p.m. to carpool to Carver to enjoy shopping at the following shops: Mustard Moon, Carver
Creek and Seasons. All three are quaint shops that specialize in vintage wears, home comforts
and gifts. There will be a hot cocoa bar and various foods provided at all stores. They have
also agreed to donate a portion of their profits on that evening to Project Rescue. We hope you
can join us. Questions? Contact Michele Smith at 651-490-5433.
play date
Mothers and young children are invited to a play date Friday, November 21. This event will take
place from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. The location for this event is yet to be determined. This is a great
opportunity for mothers and children to get out and make some new friends. Please contact Holli
Springer (651-587-2277) with any questions.
2009 men’s winter camping expedition
On January 30-February 1, a few brave men will trek into the Boundary Water Canoe Area for a
little adventure, solitude, and snow-bound fun. If you are interested in joining the crew for this
year's expedition, there will be an informational meeting held at 11:45 after today's service down
at R.L. Bean Coffee Cafe (East end of the church), hosted by Mark Kingsriter. Spots are limited
for these trips! Bring your questions, concerns, and spirit of adventure to the meeting today.
Please note, while winter reed basket weaving will probably not be one of the field classes this
year, the proper method for building an igloo might be...
church decorating day
The holidays are quickly approaching and we need help getting RLC spruced up! Join us Saturday,
November 22 at 9:00 a.m. to help decorate the church. We need both men and women to volunteer. Please
sign up today if you are able to help.
Volunteer Opportunities
There’s a fulfillment in life that can only come from serving others! That’s what the GO is in our
CONNECT-GROW-GO Strategy. One of our Core Values is “Active Service is every believer’s God-given
calling.” That simply means that God wants everyone to be an active participant, not a spectator,
in this spiritual journey called life! Below are some opportunities to put feet to your faith...connect
with the contact to learn more!
Children's Ministries
Help connect our children to God, teach them His Word, and help them fall in love with Jesus! Contacts:
Interim Oversight: Michele Smith—651-490-5433; Nursery: Melanie Simmons—612-788-9349; Preschool: Stacy
Anderson—651-774-4949; “Lil’ K”: Kim & Dan Forbes—763-784-1498; Kid’s Church: Tricia Hoard—763-786-1961.
“R.L. BEAN” COFFEE CAFÉ
Do you have experience working in a coffee shop? Volunteer at the R. L. Bean Coffee Café! If you don’t
have experience but love coffee, we train! Enjoy coffee and friends at our coffee café. Contact:
Anna Spickelmier—651-231-1577.
CREATIVE ARTS TEAM
Our Creative Arts Team involves the use of music, drama, media, and tech support, all to help people
experience God’s presence. Contact: Pastor Jim Gooden—763-208-2308 (Includes Tech Team & Drama Team:
Len Volin—651-426-8552).
DEEPER MINISTRIES
If you like helping people connect in deeper relationships, this ministry is for you. We organize and
host dinners (“Invite Nights”) to create an environment for true connecting. Contact:
Erika Vaughn—651-762-7451.
DISCIPLESHIP
This ministry helps you go deeper in your personal relationship with the Lord through Adult Christian
Education Sessions and one-on-one mentoring. Contact: Pastor Eric Matty—651-490-5433.
FACILITY CARE TEAM
Help keep our building and grounds in great shape and remove any physical distractions from people
connecting with God. Contact: Nate Cote—651-481-3229.
GUEST SERVICES TEAM
Our mission is to make people feel welcome on Sunday Morning and serve as a resource for the church...introducing
and inviting! Contacts: Usher Team: Tom Gooden—612-781-5956; Welcome Team—Linda Gooden: 612-781-5956.
LIFE GROUPS
Our Life Groups help connect Real People, Real Life, and Real Faith. Contact: Pastor Eric Matty—651-490-5433.
MEN’S MINISTRIES
Our “Real Man Ministries” exist to help the men of our church grow and become the leaders, husbands, fathers,
and role models God created them to be. Contact: Dick Fair—651-340-1958.
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Our focus is to make sure we are having an impact outside the walls of our church building. Contacts:
Pastor Pete Drake—651-490-5433; Nursing Home: Greg & Marty Grandits—651-631-8809.
PRAYER MINISTRIES
Our Prayer Ministries exist to enlist, educate and equip members to a life of prayer. Contact:
Don Thompson—651-774-1873.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
CREW is our Jr. & Sr. High Ministry that helps students connect with God and each other. Contact:
Dave Mann—612-805-1149.
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
It’s our desire that each woman at Real Life Church will find herself encouraged and connected.
Contacts: Michele Smith—651-772-6408.
WORLD OUTREACH TEAM
This team oversees our world outreach programs, keeping the church up-to-date with info about our
missionaries and with what God is doing all over the world. Contact: Pastor Eric Matty—651-490-5433.
Not Sure Where to Serve?
God has wired each of us differently, giving us unique skills and abilities to use in serving others.
Watch the Sunday program for the periodical workshop we host on discovering your spiritual gifts and a
personality survey. You’ll find new meaning and purpose as you do what God designed you to do!
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this week's events
Tuesday
Men's Prayer Meeting 6:30-7:30 a.m.
Wednesday
sneak preview: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
life.line for kids: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
crew student ministries: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m
Friday
play date: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Coming up ...
november 12
the gathering
november 15
feed my starving children
november 22
church decorating day
december 5-6
ladies christmas tea
service times
Sundays
Weekly Worship 10am
Hispanic Service 2pm
-with Pastor Antonio Pacheco
Pastor Pete Drake
Pastor Eric Matty
Pastor Jim Gooden
Danette Matty
Michele Smith
Dave Mann
Living God's Way
... is our dynamic kids' church for kids grades 1 thru 6!
Every sunday morning we offer the following kids' services:
- infant nursery
- toddler nursery
- Lil'K (age 4 to 5)
- Iwilligoway kids church
R.L. Bean Café
Open Sundays
9am 'till 9:55am and
11:30am 'till 12:15pm