Baggy Pants and Skateboards in Tow.

Earlier this evening I bought a pizza from the Little Caesars that is just a few doors down from our new location. As I walked toward the pizza shop, I glanced down at Encounter’s new location. Standing outside Encounter’s front doors was a group of baggy-pants-let-me-show-you-my-boxer-shorts-wearing teenagers. Their skateboards were in tow.

Admittedly, I wondered what these social misfits were doing standing outside the doors of Encounter Church. Thoughts ran through my mind. Such as…

“What are they scheming?”

“Did I remember to set the alarm?”

 “Are they planning on returning later tonight with their cans of spray paint?”

If we can be honest, this is how we often categorize young men with baggy pants and skateboards in tow.

Obviously, and I don’t think I’m alone in my thinking, my summary of their intent was determined by a fear of who they are rather than a belief in who they can become.

This Sunday we’ll be discussing how God’s plan for redemption changes the way we view everything, including how we view young men with baggy pants and skateboards in tow.

I wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed because of my inability to view the world through God’s plan of redemption.

How about you? Do you struggle to see the world through God’s plan of redemption? Are you missing opportunities to be a catalyst of redemption? Take a minute to comment and share your thoughts. ~MB

A Note from Michael.

I LOVE ENCOUNTER CHURCH! 

Happy mid-week greetings Encounter Church! Don't you just love this weather? Here are a few items I’d like to share with you as we CELEBRATE what God is doing and ANTICIPATE what He is going to do!

1) What a great Worship Gathering we had this past Sunday. Thanks to the band and sound crew for the work they put toward preparing for the gatherings each week. This past Sunday was truly Inspiring Worship. They set a new standard!

2) I’m working hard on this Sunday’s teaching lesson. We’re in week two of our series titled Catalyst of Redemption. Pray for me as I prepare for this week’s lesson.

3) Don’t miss Encounter’s Building Dedication on Sunday, March 6. This is going to be a HUGE Sunday for Encounter Church. Invite your friends and family to be a part of this historic day. I dropped a ton of postcards in the mail yesterday to friends and family. Earlier this afternoon I received a phone call from a friend who received the postcard and is going to attend. Who are you inviting?

4) I just met with Kerris and we spent extended time talking about Encounter’s Passion Week Experience (April 18-22). This is the week leading up to Easter Sunday (April 24) and will be a great time for us to remember the significance of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. I can’t wait to share more details in the coming weeks. Get ready and plan on being involved every evening.

5) Have you “Liked” Encounter’s Facebook page yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

6) Some of you have asked about the sermon podcasts. Honestly, I didn’t realize anyone listened to them. Hopefully we can get them loaded up within the next week. Thanks for your patience. (I’d give you a good excuse if I had one.)

7) After our Dedication Sunday on March 6, I’ll be starting a teaching series titled Plan A. This series will look at the early church in the book of Acts and the significant role the church has in God’s redemptive plan. I’m really looking forward to this series.

8) Be sure to arrive to our Worship Gatherings EARLY! If you show up at 10:15, you’ve already missed most of the good stuff. The coffee shop tables give you a great place to enjoy a donut, sip on a cup of coffee and build Loving Relationships.

Have I mentioned, I LOVE ENCOUNTER CHURCH? ~MB

Preparing for Communion.

This Sunday, at our 10 AM Worship Gathering, we'll be taking part in communion. 

Communion is a time for Christians to remember and reflect on the significance of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 gives us some very important instructions concerning communion...

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.

This Sunday come ready to remember the grace and mercy that is available to us through the cross of Christ!

Dedication Sunday, March 6.

After King Solomon completed the building of the Temple in the Old Testament, a special celebration was held to dedicate the Temple to the Lord. The book of 2 Chronicles 5-7 recorded for us this historic account.

In 2 Chronicles 6:33, King Solomon declared…

So that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears Your Name.

Encounter Church, we’ve been blessed with a great facility to use in engaging the culture with God’s Love and Truth. Many of you rolled up your sleeves and got involved in transforming an old warehouse space into what it is today, a space where God’s Name will be declared and lives transformed.

On Sunday, March 6 we are going to have a special time of celebration so that we, just like King Solomon did, can dedicate our new facility to the service of the Lord. It will be a time of festivity, recognition, prayer and commitment.

You do not want to miss out on this historic Sunday in the life of Encounter Church. Mark your calendars and invite your friends, family and neighbors to take part.

Join with us in dedicating 9105 Galene Drive to be a place that bears the Name of our Lord! ~MB