Church Picnic Fun-ness!

You don't want to miss the church picnic coming up this Sunday at 11 AM at Des Pres Park (click here for park info). This will be a great time for our church family to gather. As well, consider inviting some friends to this event. We all have friends who might not be interested in coming to a Worship Gathering but they would certainly be open to a picnic. You never know which of your friends will come if you don't at least extend the invitation.

We are needing a few extra hands the day of the picnic. We need individuals to help set-up, serve, grill and tear down. If you're able to roll up your sleeves and help out, be sure to email Justin Beverly at justinbeverly@gmail.com. He'll get back with you regarding the various service opportunities.

Regarding the meal, Encounter will be providing the sandwiches, drinks and paper products. If your last name begins with an A-L, please bring a side dish. If your last name begins with an M-Z, please bring a dessert. Of course, if you want to bring one or two or three of each, we'll be sure to help you eat it!

You'll also want to bring yard games (i.e corn hole, frisbee, football, etc.).

Huge PROPS to Justin and Angela Beverly for being the key leaders with this picnic. Their help is greatly appreciated! Interestingly enough, our church picnic last Memorial Day weekend was Justin and Angela's first exposure to Encounter. Kellie Meurer simply invited them to come and they've stuck around (hip, hip, hooray!). You see what a simple invitation will do. Encounter wouldn't be the same without the Beverly family.

Remember, there is no Worship Gathering this Sunday morning at 10 AM. Sleep in. Read the paper. Sip on a cup of coffee. Chase the kids around. Do whatever you'd like to do in the morning and then show up at 11 AM for some picnic fun-ness (to steal a Sharonism).

See you this Sunday morning at Des Pres Park at 11 AM. Good times will be had by all.

Fear or Courage?

(Guest blogger, Lisa Thurman, brings us a few thoughts on fear and courage.)

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. (Anais Nin)

I read this quote the other day and it made me think how sometimes what we do or don’t do revolves around our fears and how much of life we miss out on when the latter happens. That, in turn, got me thinking about what God says about fear.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18)

What fear is overcoming you?

Failing, losing, doing, not having enough, not being good enough, harm, death, life, abuse, panic, sickness…

How is it impacting your life?

Paralyzed, scared, unable, limited, paranoid, unhappy, miserable, threatened, immobile, trapped, missing out…

Do you have the courage to break free?

Yes? No?

Do you believe?

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 56:4)

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. (Matthew 10:26)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

And my personal favorite...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Start expanding your life with God given courage. ~LT

Be Still.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7).

Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).

Be still before the Lord, all mankind (Zechariah 2:13).

With our eyes fixed on God, may our unbelieving thoughts be stilled. When we only see trouble and not God, these unbelieving thoughts only frustrate and lead to a complaining spirit.

When Jacob thought he had lost his son Joseph and then possibly Simeon, he cried out, “Everything is against me” (Genesis 42:36). Elijah ran in fear for his life and said, “I have had enough Lord, take my life” (1 Kings 19:4). Jonah, in the midst of throwing an angry fit toward God, burst out by saying, “I am angry enough to die” (Jonah 4:9). 

Even during the most difficult of times, Psalm 46:10 reminds us that we should be still and know that He is God. While our complaining hearts are to be still and silent, our praying hearts are to continue. Within that prayerful and meditative stillness our hearts turn to God. Confiding all our grief and fear in God will bring strength and patience. We'll come to realize that our concerns are safer in His hands than our own.

Choose to be still before God today. ~KW