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Real Lives @ RLC
Brad and Maria Benson, and their children, Kayla, Courtney, and Brandon, have been attending Real Life Church for three years.
And if you’ve been around RLC for awhile, you’ve seen a big change in Maria!
Maria says, “The Lord has been helping me “break free’ from my addiction to food.” Since 2005, she feels the Lord has been wanting her to deal with the issue of her weight.
“Food was my main source of comfort. I told God that if it was really Him asking me to deal with this area, He needed to make it very clear.” And within two weeks, six friends talked to Maria about this specific issue ... God was making it clear!
In January of 2006, Maria had bariatric surgery. “I have lost 187 pounds so far but have gained a stronger relationship with the Lord. He has truly taken first place in my heart.”
“I struggle from time to time with turning to food first instead of Him, but it is a process.” And Maria is enjoying life again with biking, hiking, and other activities.
The biggest lesson Maria says she has learned through this process is how much God loves her. “I knew it in my head, but little by little, God is breaking me free so that I can fully experience His love for me!”
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.
Welcome!
We are so glad you decided to visit the Real Life Church website and hope you will stop by one of our services and
introduce yourself! We hope you sense not only a friendly, real atmosphere but God’s presence also!
“Church” can mean a lot of different things to different people, but we believe that the church is not a
building or a meeting. The Bible says that the “church” refers to PEOPLE...people on a spiritual journey,
learning to love God and others.
If you are just beginning your spiritual journey or looking for a new place to continue or renew your journey,
we welcome you to join us. God really does love you and has a place for you to belong!
This page contains some basic information about Real Life, our values and our beliefs. Please contact us
if you have any questions, comments or prayer requests...we’re here to help you in your journey!
Leadership
Lead Pastor
Pete & Diane Drake
petedrake@reallifechurch.net
Associate Pastor
Eric & Danette Matty
ericjmatty@reallifechurch.net
Assistant Pastor
Jim & Beth Gooden
jimgooden@reallifechurch.net
Director of Student Ministries
Dave Mann
crew@reallifechurch.net
Administrative Assistant
Michele Smith
office@reallifechurch.net
Board Members and spouses:
Dick and Kathy Fair
Greg and Marty Grandits
Bern and Mary Roeller
John and Erika Vaughn
Len and Jan Volin
Mission and Strategy
The mission of Real Life Church: To Lead People to Become Fully Devoted Followers of Christ
Connect --> Grow --> Go
- SUNDAY CONNECT SERVICE
Relevant Outreach and Passionate Worship - LIFE GROUPS
Transformational Discipleship and Caring Relationships - MINISTRY TEAMS AND EVERYDAY LIFE
Sacrificial Service and Relational Witness
CONNECT
Our Sunday Morning CONNECT Service is about bringing people into an atmosphere that is all at once attractive,
comfortable, and understandable, yet also inspiring and challenging. Through experiencing the presence of God
and interacting with how the scriptures powerfully apply to real-life situations, our goal is to connect
each person present to God, no matter where that person is at on their journey in knowing Him.
GROW
Since one of our Core Values is that discipleship (GROWing in your relationship with God) happens best in
the context of caring relationships, our goal is to see people move from Sunday attendance to regular
participation in a community with others; small groups that we call Life Groups.
GO
Seeing people move from being a “spectator” to being an active part of the life change that happens
around here at Real Life is what GO is all about! This involves not only learning your spiritual gifts,
serving and giving, but also helping bring the Good News of Jesus to those around you….helping people
CONNECT with God and others.
Core Beliefs
Our Core Beliefs ground our mission in the truth of the Scriptures, giving purpose and meaning to all we
do. These beliefs do not change over time; we cannot depart from these beliefs without abandoning our
mission.
Beliefs about God
There is one living, sovereign God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 43:10-11; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19.
Jesus was sent by the Father to live on earth; he was fully God and fully human, yet had no sin.
Jesus willingly laid down his life and after three days, rose from the grave. In doing this,
Jesus fulfilled the payment for the world’s debt of sin. Luke 1:31,35; 1 Corinthians 15:3;
2 Corinthians 5:21.
The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and Son to convict the world of sin and to empower all
Christ-Followers for a life of serving and sharing Christ’s good news. He lives in every
believer and is a constant helper, teacher, and guide. John 14:16-17; Luke 24:45-49; Acts 2:38-39.
Beliefs about people
God created people in his image, and everyone matters to God. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:1-2.
All people are sinners and need God’s forgiveness. Romans 3:23.
Those who confess and turn from their sin, trusting in Jesus Christ, will be saved by grace and
become children of God, with the promise of eternal life. John 3:16-17; Galatians 3:26.
Beliefs about the Church
Jesus Christ is the head of the church and all believing people are members. Ephesians 4:15-16.
The Bible is the inspired word of God and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Jesus Christ will return and there will be a final judgment. Matthew 24:3,37.
Core Values
Our Core Values describe who we are. One might say these describe our “personality.” These values
distinguish us from other churches that hold the same core beliefs; they describe the values that
shape and inform our strategy.
- Being Real about life is a vital part of authentic faith.
- All People Matter to God and therefore matter to us.
- Caring Relationships are the best context for true discipleship.
- Being Spirit-Led means doing things God’s way, not our own way.
- Relevant Innovation is essential for continued effective ministry.
- Pursuing Excellence in who we are and what we do honors God and inspires people.
- Active Service is every believer’s God-given calling.
Service Times
SUNDAY
- Worship Service—10 AM
- Nursery—Available during service.
- Kid’s Church—dismissed after worship during the service.
- Jr. High—”MidPoint”—dismissed after worship during the service every other Sunday.
- Sr. High—”S4”—dismissed after worship during the service every other Sunday.
VARIOUS NIGHTS
- CREW Student Ministries
Jr. & Sr. High
Wednesdays, 6:45 PM—8:15 PM - The Gathering
A time of extended prayer and worship about once a month.
Watch program for specific information. - Life Groups—various nights and locations.
Watch program for specific information.
Many ministries break for the summer and the month of December.
Volunteer
After connecting and growing, we encourage everyone to GO by becoming involved in one of the many areas of
service at Real Life Church. Contact the church office to learn more about getting connected with any of
the following areas:
- Children’s Ministries
- "R. L. Bean" Coffee Café
- Creative Arts Team
- “Deeper” Ministries
- Discipleship
- Facility Care Team
- Guest Services Team
Next Step
“OK, but where do I get started?”
Each quarter, Real Life Church hosts a New Friends Fellowship
This informal meeting will bring you together with new and long-time Real Lifers who are looking to get
connected. Watch the Sunday Program for the next one … we hope to see you there!
Top of Page
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