Lots of cool stuff this week! First of all: We've been truly blessed to have such a great team working with us and a group of caring people showing up each week. I want to thank you all for making it possible.
Baptism: On Sunday Jan 29th we will be talking about what it means to be baptized, who should do it, when, and some of the common misconceptions around it. Two weeks later we will have an afternoon Baptism Service courtesy of one of the local churches (since we don't have a baptismal and its too cold to do it outside). We have some people who have already expressed interest, if you have told me or filled out one of the cards, GREAT! If you haven't or want to remind me, GREAT! I'm PUMPED!
Family Group: Our Tuesday night Family Group at the Weststrates house have been going well. If you haven't been in a couple weeks then now's as good a time as ever to show up. There are always tasty snacks, great discussion and its your chance to get questions answered. We're also pondering another Family Group later on in the week held closer to DHA. If you have a desire to attend a Family Group but aren't able to make the one on Tuesday night, please let me know.
Budget: Josceline has tidied up our books from last year and is getting ready to send out donation letters for your taxes. She has been a huge blessing because I am really bad at bookkeeping! If you are a Gideon Pledger and have fallen behind on donating, please hang in there. Don't worry about catching up on months that you've missed if you can't. Feel free to pick up with our current month. It's a new month, of a new year, and a chance for God to bless us through the blessings He's given you.
On January 28th the guys are going to a hockey game in Manchester, tickets are $10 and we'll leave around 5:30. More details coming, but if you don't have the $10 don't let that stop you. We've got some people who have sprung for a few extra seats. Lets Roll!
Prayer Requests/Praises:
H. Has a hearing tomorrow for her kids. She is trying to get them back from the state. Pray that God will give her strength and that the best thing possible for the kids will be done.
G. Has had a flare up of an intestinal condition and is in a great deal of pain. Pray that God will heal him.
D. Has been cleared of her medical condition and can return to work again, she's glad to be getting out of the house.
If I've missed anything I apologize.
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sermon Archive, Service status
If you missed attending a service, live far away, or want to share a sermon with a friend, an audio archive of the sermons is available on the website:
http://www.theimagodei.com/sermons
Each week's sermon is usually available by Sunday night. They are in MP3 format, so you can easily download the file or listen to it within your browser.
Services have been going well, we have been working on streamlining the process as the church grows. We have been amping up the band - Chris has joined us with his bass guitar and I (Chrissy) am now playing on a full drumset instead of just a djembe. We also started offering communion today, and we will continue to do that twice a month.
The total attendance numbers have been averaging 25 the past few weeks, counting volunteers and kids. We have started up a children's program during church for kids of any age to attend. We are hoping to do some more outreach here soon to gain some new interest.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Getting Ready for a New Year!!
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and I'm sure you're all getting psyched for the New Year. I just wanted to let you know what has happened in the last week at Imago Dei.
At our Sunday Service we had 3 people commit to living their lives for Christ!! Super exciting! We had some new people from the community and a few of them came because of the Cookie event from Friday. Regulars were a little sparse as it was Christmas day and many people were at family. However we were able to give away dozens of presents to children and help a number of families with groceries for the holidays. Praise God!!
H. is still struggling to get her kids back from DCYS and will have a court date on Dec 28th. Please be praying for that as she is struggling without them. She is also asking for prayer that she will find a permanent place to live since she was released from the homeless shelter.
D. is praying for strength to keep plugging away and that his family will be strong in the tough times they are facing.
We hope you will also pray for our new series that we are about to begin advertising for "You Don't Have What It Takes". This is how we are beginning the new year. We have mailers going out and have some door to door plans for later in the month. Pray that God will move mightily in the community.
For those of you who have committed to helping Imago Dei financially either through our weekly offering or through our Gideon Pledge, we are beginning a new year and we need you to remember the commitments that you've made and continue to uphold them. As we are getting settled in place and the church is taking up more and more of my time, I will need to be cutting back on my other employment and we need to remain in the black. If you have any problems with continuing to support, please let me know so we can plan accordingly. But I pray that God will move in your hearts to continue to support our efforts to reach out to this community.
Grace and Peace
At our Sunday Service we had 3 people commit to living their lives for Christ!! Super exciting! We had some new people from the community and a few of them came because of the Cookie event from Friday. Regulars were a little sparse as it was Christmas day and many people were at family. However we were able to give away dozens of presents to children and help a number of families with groceries for the holidays. Praise God!!
H. is still struggling to get her kids back from DCYS and will have a court date on Dec 28th. Please be praying for that as she is struggling without them. She is also asking for prayer that she will find a permanent place to live since she was released from the homeless shelter.
D. is praying for strength to keep plugging away and that his family will be strong in the tough times they are facing.
We hope you will also pray for our new series that we are about to begin advertising for "You Don't Have What It Takes". This is how we are beginning the new year. We have mailers going out and have some door to door plans for later in the month. Pray that God will move mightily in the community.
For those of you who have committed to helping Imago Dei financially either through our weekly offering or through our Gideon Pledge, we are beginning a new year and we need you to remember the commitments that you've made and continue to uphold them. As we are getting settled in place and the church is taking up more and more of my time, I will need to be cutting back on my other employment and we need to remain in the black. If you have any problems with continuing to support, please let me know so we can plan accordingly. But I pray that God will move in your hearts to continue to support our efforts to reach out to this community.
Grace and Peace
Friday, December 23, 2011
Updates from Today
Alright folks, thanks for all the prayers for H. and her family. It doesn't look like she's going to get the kids back for Christmas but probably by next week. Please keep praying for the situation. She has retained a lawyer who has set a low retainer. She is only $100 from hitting it, but doesn't have the means right now. She has moved in with a friend (as she can no longer stay at the women's shelter). If anyone wants to help you can let me know at pastornathan@theimagodei.com
Tonight we had our Christmas Cookie decorating event! A big thanks to Amber for organizing it, she has been a tremendous help. I also want to thank everyone else who helped set up, monitor, and clean up. We had a number of kids who have been attending and quite a few that we haven't seen before. I didn't get an exact count, but we had 4 new adults and at least half a dozen new kids. Praise the Lord!!
This Sunday we will be celebrating Christmas at Imago Dei and we will provide presents for the kiddies and have a soup lunch afterwards. Come to hear "The Shepherds Story"
Tonight we had our Christmas Cookie decorating event! A big thanks to Amber for organizing it, she has been a tremendous help. I also want to thank everyone else who helped set up, monitor, and clean up. We had a number of kids who have been attending and quite a few that we haven't seen before. I didn't get an exact count, but we had 4 new adults and at least half a dozen new kids. Praise the Lord!!
This Sunday we will be celebrating Christmas at Imago Dei and we will provide presents for the kiddies and have a soup lunch afterwards. Come to hear "The Shepherds Story"
Thursday, December 22, 2011
PRAYER REQUEST: Took the Kids for Christmas
We have an emergency prayer request from Heather. DCFS came and took her kids last night, making the accusation that she takes too much medication to adequately take care of them (she has cancer). They have not assigned her a court date till late next week. She is in transit to a lawyer right now. We need to do a serious prayer warrior stand on this folks. Pray for a return for the children, pray for strength and peace for Heather, pray for God to move hearts and minds.
Thanks
Thanks
Monday, December 12, 2011
Weekly Prayer Requests
Good Sunday! Feeling really encouraged by what God is doing!
Some urgent prayer requests:
F. Her friend left a suicide note today and then disappeared. Pray that John is found quickly alive and that he gets the help he needs. She also has a hearing this week regarding her children, pray that God will provide.
Chrissy and I had to put a new transmission in the truck this week and we picked up a cheap beater car so that we can still get around while the truck is in the shop. Was not in the budget.
Bible Study will again be at the Weststrate's. If you need directions you can call me or email the church. 6:30 Tuesday.
Looks like we will be doing a Christmas Cookie decorating event at the SOCC on Friday the 23rd. If you can help get the word out, provide cookies, or help the night of, please contact myself or Amber.
On a super happy note: We have had interest in a baptism service. We are going to need to figure out where to do that as the Cocheco River is a little cold this time of year.
On another super happy note: Chris Kujawa has joined on here at Imago Dei as an intern of sorts. He has finished his seminary education and has a heart for missions and church planting. We are looking forward to partnering with him and his family as they prepare for what God has for them.
Grace and Peace
Some urgent prayer requests:
F. Her friend left a suicide note today and then disappeared. Pray that John is found quickly alive and that he gets the help he needs. She also has a hearing this week regarding her children, pray that God will provide.
Chrissy and I had to put a new transmission in the truck this week and we picked up a cheap beater car so that we can still get around while the truck is in the shop. Was not in the budget.
Bible Study will again be at the Weststrate's. If you need directions you can call me or email the church. 6:30 Tuesday.
Looks like we will be doing a Christmas Cookie decorating event at the SOCC on Friday the 23rd. If you can help get the word out, provide cookies, or help the night of, please contact myself or Amber.
On a super happy note: We have had interest in a baptism service. We are going to need to figure out where to do that as the Cocheco River is a little cold this time of year.
On another super happy note: Chris Kujawa has joined on here at Imago Dei as an intern of sorts. He has finished his seminary education and has a heart for missions and church planting. We are looking forward to partnering with him and his family as they prepare for what God has for them.
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Quick Update Today
We have some Prayer Requests from Sunday/Today
F. Has a court date on Dec 16th and she wants it to go well for her family.
H. Looking for a home and prayers for dental work that can't be afforded.
Today has brought about a hiccup. Our pickup (our only vehicle and the one we use to cart our equipment back and forth to the community center) has decided that it doesn't want to move in reverse. I had to push it out of a parking space at Walmart in the rain this morning. I'll be taking it to the shop this afternoon and I hope and pray that it will be easy/cheap to fix.
Sunday was amazing! 25 people at service! Biggest giving Sunday yet! Food to hand out for free! God has been blessing us by bringing us into relationship with those around us.
F. Has a court date on Dec 16th and she wants it to go well for her family.
H. Looking for a home and prayers for dental work that can't be afforded.
Today has brought about a hiccup. Our pickup (our only vehicle and the one we use to cart our equipment back and forth to the community center) has decided that it doesn't want to move in reverse. I had to push it out of a parking space at Walmart in the rain this morning. I'll be taking it to the shop this afternoon and I hope and pray that it will be easy/cheap to fix.
Sunday was amazing! 25 people at service! Biggest giving Sunday yet! Food to hand out for free! God has been blessing us by bringing us into relationship with those around us.
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