It Takes a Healthy Village
Last night marked the end of Family Life Month. Our Faith Family shared a meal, played games, and roasted s’mores by the fire together. Looking around the room it felt like a tradition etched itself into the life of our congregation. After leaving last night my five-year-old daughter relayed her excitement to do it all again next year. I certainly agree with her sentiment.
Our community gives me so much hope. Growing up in an unhealthy family and community helps me appreciate our church body in so many ways. I truly believe the health of our community connects to what I hear many of you express: “Faith is a place where I feel I can be myself.” From my observation I see many of you living your lives so authentically within and outside of our four walls. I believe this happens because we value God’s Word in connection with His people.
With the culmination of Family Life Month, our staff would be remiss if we did not take the time to encourage you to continue your momentum in gathering with us and grow with us. There are so many opportunities to grow and they begin this Sunday. Please see a brief overview of each GROW opportunity below and click here to register or learn more:
Sunday Morning GROW Opportunities (Begin February 2):
Smart Stepfamilies (Sundays @ 9am): I want to encourage anyone who considers their family a blended one to attend this class. It is led by passionate members of our congregation, the Woelfel and Niemeyer families, who understand what it is like to walk the journey of a blended family.
Praying Daily with Jesus (Sundays @ 9am): I’ll be honest, prayer made me nervous before I attended Faith. However, I met some of our faithful prayers and it completely shifted my perception of prayer. Whether prayer is your jam or scares you a bit, this class is for you. Spend time with Ron Achterkirch, Molly Simpkins, Jill Kindall, and Mike Bortel and learn how to enhance your prayer time with God.
The Prodigal Prophet-Jonah (Sundays @10:30am): Tim Keller wrote the Prodigal Prophet for Christians to dive deeper into the connections between Jonah, Jesus, and the prodigal son. Heather Novak teaches various studies each year and this one is sure to be fascinating and edifying.
Mid-Week GROW Opportunities (Begin February 4 & 5):
Twelve Women of the Bible (Tuesdays @ 9:30am & Wednesdays @ 6:30pm): Hosted by Women’s Ministry, this DVD study explores the lives and value of twelve women of the Bible. A guided discussion using visuals, Scripture, and study guides will demonstrate how the life-changing stories of women in the Bible transform lives today.
Alpha (Wednesdays @ 6:00pm): Alpha is for anybody looking to dive deeper into questions surrounding meaning. Whether you’re a Christian or a skeptic, Alpha is for you. Invite your friends for free, delicious food and wonderful discussion.
FLEDGE (Wednesdays @ 6:30pm): This new group is for women entering the empty nest season of their life. Led by Jane Palmer, this study biblically equips women in the process of launching their children into the world.
Discovery Bible Experience (Wednesdays @ 6:30pm): Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the Bible? Discovery Bible Experience engages Christians in understanding what God says to them through His word.
Wow! I don’t know about you, Faith Fam, but I so look forward to growing with our village over the next few months. Opportunities to better steward the growth and health of our congregation abound. My hope is you will join one or more of these classes on Sundays and Wednesdays. God will surely use them to do a great work in you as an individual and through our church body.
Until Sunday,
-Tone Waters, Director of GO & Communications