Students This Weekend!

SOMPLACE IN TIME!

It is Student Serve weekend!  That means that students will be participating in various aspects of our service.  They will be performing on the worship team, serving at coffee bar, and running tech.

Because we serve this weekend in the morning, Sunday night is a fun night!  The theme is "Someplace in Time."  Students are welcome to dress from their favorite time or favorite person/character.

They are asked to bring a munchie/drink to share.   Friends are always welcome!  Contact Traci at Traci@ImagineLifeDifferently.com with questions.

Children's Practice for Christmas Begins this Sunday!

Family Christmas Program
Saturday December 20th 6pm

It's Time to Prepare!

Once again Life Bridge will host a family Christmas event. Children of all ages, (yes, that includes you if you like!) will perform a variety of acts.

There are many ways for your family to participate:

Holiday Spruce Up and Hanging of the Greens Begins this Weekend!

Spruce Up Tomorrow!

Saturday November 29th 9am-1pm

Join us in helping to get the building ready for Christmas!  We will begin by doing some clean up, followed by some planning.  Lunch is included.  If you are interested in helping to plan the Christmas decor, then please plan on meeting with Tricia Guzzo over lunch.

Hanging of the Greens Next Saturday!

Saturday December 6th

Mark your calendar to join in the decorating festivities!  Watch for details.  The evening promises fun, music, and creativity!

Happy Thanksgiving! A Time of Giving Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.  (Psalms 78:4 NIV)

Thanksgiving is a time of being thankful and celebrating all that God has done.  Here are just some things we are thankful for at Life Bridge:

A Man with a Legacy

Bob Sloniger

CDEA/Ignite Church Planting Honors the Legacy and Contributions of Bob Sloniger

Amid the many speakers giving tribute to the impact of Bob Sloniger's ministry, some he knew and others he didn't, was the consistent message of legacy.  Over the last 60+ years Bob has gone where God has called, ultimately bringing him to Chicagoland and the Chicagoland District Evangelistic Association (CDEA).  Among those who have been in church planting for many years, Bob is known for his innovation and intuition.

As Pete and I were beginning to work with Bob, he kept saying that we plant new churches to reach new people.  It is hard to imagine for us that planting a church wasn't always about evangelizing the lost, but this was a purposeful distinction with Bob and the CDEA.  It has resulted in creative venues, such as Life Bridge's coffee-house style, Adventure Christian (Bradley/Bourbonnais, IL) meeting in a movie theater, and Impact Christian (Merrillville, IN) preaching from a wrestling ring.

Lunch with College Students and 500 Turkeys Volunteers!

Lunch This Sunday!

Hot Dogs and Turkeys?  Huh?

Yes, this Sunday will be a flurry of activity as we simultaneously serve lunch to both students and volunteers and for one last time this year convert Life Bridge for 500 Turkey Distribution.  The planned menu is simple fare:

• Hot dogs, 
• Soup
• Chips or side items, 
• deserts, 
• and drinks.  

Your contribution, not only in food and paper products, but also in helping to connect and welcome both students and volunteers is a blessing to all!

Hang out for lunch, and stay a while for Distribution!  See you Sunday!

High School Student Make a Difference at SICOM!

Waiting for session to start

SICOM (Student International Conference on Missions)!

This past weekend Christian Burns, Lily York, and Jasmine Gasaway, Kent Hillman, and myself took off for Columbus, OH where we were challenged by:wonderful teaching and worship,

• talking and praying with missionaries in the field in Poland, 
• putting our faith into action as we packaged food for Lifeline Christian Mission & IDES and built walls for CrossRoads Mission for Cookson Hills
• and seeing the world through someone else's eyes through a film about a young south Asian women trapped in sex trafficking, her escape, her recovery and healing through a Rapha House facility.

Holiday Spruce Up and Hanging of the Greens!

Spruce Up

Saturday November 29th 9am-1pm

Join us in helping to get the building ready for Christmas!  We will begin by doing some clean up, followed by some planning.  Lunch is included.  If you are interested in helping to plan the Christmas decor, then please plan on meeting with Tricia Guzzo over lunch.

Hanging of the Greens 

Saturday December 6th

Mark your calendar to join in the decorating festivities!  Watch for details.  The evening promises fun, music, and creativity!

Preparation for the Christmas Program Begins 11/30!

Family Christmas
Saturday December 20th 6pm

Once again Life Bridge will host a family Christmas event. Children of all ages, (yes, that includes you if you like!) will perform a variety of acts.

There are many ways for your family to participate:

Family Celebrating 500 Turkeys Family Boxing Nights! The Best is Yet to Come- DISTRUBUTION!

Monday Set Up!

I can't tell you how exciting this week has been!  It began Monday evening as people gathered to transform Life Bridge in preparation for our Family Boxing Nights.  Thanks for all the hands that made setup go so quickly and laid the foundation for successful Family Nights on Tuesday and Wednesday!

Tuesday & Wednesday Family Boxing Nights

Boxing Meals

Assembling Gifts

Playing Together!
Kids love that the adults play too!

These are always a lot of fun as volunteers participate by manning stations or by being in a group that goes through 4 different stations throughout the evening.  At the stations families get to create decorations for Distribution Days over snacks, have fun bonding over the game, "Do You Love Your Neighbor?", assemble gifts for the families at crafts, and finally box meals!  Thanks to everyone who participated!

Check out 500 Turkeys Facebook for more pics!

Clothing Set Up is Happening Today through 8PM! Come On Down!

Clothes N Prayers Clothing Setup
Thursday November 20th
Noon-8pm

As you may be able to imagine from this picture, the clothing setup is a massive undertaking that requires the assembly of racks, setting up of tables, further organizing of clothing and continued hanging of items.  The basement will literally be transformed!

Many hands make light work, not to mention great fellowship!  If you have time today, stop by Life Bridge and join in on getting the clothing ready!  All hands are welcome!

500 Turkey's Prayer Vigil Begins Friday at 2pm! Sign Up Here!

Sign up Online for a Prayer Vigil time slot!

November 21st 2pm through

November 22nd 2pm

This weekend we will have members of 900 families come through Life Bridge.  They will receive meals, including Domino's gift certificates for free pizza, $5 gift cards for perishables, a gift to create long lasting family memories, and an opportunity to pick up needed clothes.

God has gone before us as He worked through our churches and our community to provide food, money, clothing, and volunteers.  Now begins the real work...  Our goal isn't to simply feed families for a day, it is to touch them with God's love and make a difference for eternity.  This work is done through prayer and love.

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God's service;  (1 Corinthians 3:7-9a NIV)

We will serve side by side this weekend, creating a welcoming environment for our guests and meeting their needs.  In prayer, we will ask God to continue going before us and prepare their hearts to see His love through our actions.  We will pray that this meal and experience will be seeds that will continue to grow.

So please take a few minutes and sign up for a half hour time slot to pray. Materials will be provided to help guide your time and prayers.  The time can be spent anywhere that it is convenient for you to pray.

Signup online with Volunteer Spot with this link!

500 Turkeys Prayer Vigil

Sign up at the Ministry Counter for a time slot!

November 21st-November 22nd

Prayer is the most powerful tool we have in any ministry.  As we buy yams, we pray.  As we make cookies, we pray over them.  As we pack shoe boxes, we pray.  

Now as we prepare to bless 800 families and seemingly countless individuals with meals this Thanksgiving and clothing as we go into cold weather, we need to pray.  Our goal isn't to simply feed families for a day, it is to touch them with God's love and make a difference for eternity.  

So please take a few minutes and sign up for a half hour time slot to pray. Materials will be provided to help guide your time and prayers.  The time can be spent anywhere that it is convenient for you to pray.

Signup online with Volunteer Spot with the following link!

500 Turkeys Clothing Set Up

Clothes N Prayers Clothing Setup
Thursday November 20th
Noon-8pm

As you may be able to imagine from this picture, the clothing setup is a massive undertaking that requires the assembly of racks, setting up of tables, further organizing of clothing and continued hanging of items.  The basement will literally be transformed!

Many hands make light work, not to mention great fellowship!  You will experience worship in a whole new way as we pump some music as we laugh, sing, and work side by side.

Here's how you can sign up:

500 Turkeys Week!

WEEK!!!

Life Bridge Hosts Family Boxing Nights
Tuesday, November 18th & Wednesday November 19th

On these nights we will have nearly 150 people at Life Bridge helping to make all this happen!  To make this go as smooth as possible it helps to have Life Bridge people or friends in some key spots.  Your participation also helps us to create a wonderful serving experience for our guests!

Don't miss out!  Sign up today!

NEEDED:
Tuesday

Snack Leaders (1)

Craft Leaders (1)

Group Guides (1)

Provide Snacks & Drinks

Wednesday

Game Leader (1)

Craft Leader (2)

Group Guides (1)

Provide Snacks & Drinks

Other:

If you would rather participate in a non-leader type role there are many options also available... cleaning up tables, providing snacks, drinks, and miscellaneous!

Click here to sign up for Family Boxing Nights!

Clothing Set Up Thursday, November 20th Noon-8pm

Click here to sign up for Clothing Setup!

Distribution Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd 1-7pm

Click here to sign up for Distribution Days!

Family Christmas Program

Family Christmas
Saturday December 20th 6pm

Once again Life Bridge will host a family Christmas event. Children of all ages, (yes, that includes you if you like!) will perform a variety of acts.

There are many ways for your family to participate:

Holiday Spruce Up and Hanging of the Greens

Spruce Up

Saturday November 29th 9am-1pm

Join us in helping to get the building ready for Christmas!  We will begin by doing some clean up, followed by some planning.  Lunch is included.  If you are interested in helping to plan the Christmas decor, then please plan on meeting with Tricia Guzzo over lunch.

Hanging of the Greens 

Saturday December 6th

Mark your calendar to join in the decorating festivities!  Watch for details.  The evening promises fun, music, and creativity!

Celebrating In Concert

Life Bridge In Concert welcomed incredible talent from the very beginning!

It is always a great evening to watch people use their gifts.  One thing that makes In Concert special is the sheer variety of entertainment.  This evening hosted music, a monologue reading, ballroom dance, and a comedy debut.

Life Bridge desires to create a safe place where people can grow in the giftedness that God has given them and use that giftedness to share God's love.  In Concert successfully does this.

Check out this clip to get a taste of the night:
Life Bridge In Concert Comedy Debut by Erik Biggs by Bethy Biggs.

150 OCC Shoe Boxes Packed and Ready to Go!

150 Shoe Boxes Packed and Ready to Go!

In less than one hour 15 people packed 150 shoe boxes!  We began the evening viewing a video about Operation Christmas Child.  Kids and adults alike then enjoyed packing shoe boxes.  Afterwards, we celebrated with some great cookies!

Next, the boxes will make their way to an OCC facility where coloring books and other materials will be added to tell the kids about Jesus.  Along with these materials, kids will be offered an opportunity to go to a class to learn more about Jesus.  Please continue to pray for these boxes and their impact on these young lives.  

If you wish to contribute a pre-packed shoe box, please bring it by this Sunday, November 16th, at which time all the shoe boxes and 500 Turkeys food items will be prayed over.  Following services the shoe boxes will be packed up to take to our area OCC drop off location.  

In Concert Promises an Evening of Great Entertainment!

Life Bridge In Concert

Saturday November 8th 6pm

Doors open 6pm
Performances from 6:30-9pm

Invite friends and family and come on down!

In Concert is a  conglomeration of mostly musical gifts from people at Life Bridge and its friends.  Performances will include music, comedy, dance, and more!  Invite some friends, plan an early or late dinner and make In Concert a part of a memorable night!

Life Bridge Hosts 500 Turkeys Family Boxing Nights

Life Bridge Hosts Family Boxing Nights

Tuesday, November 18th & Wednesday November 19th

On these nights we will have nearly 150 people at Life Bridge helping to make all this happen!  To make this go as smooth as possible it helps to have Life Bridge people or friends in some key spots.  Your participation also helps us to create a wonderful serving experience for our guests!

Don't miss out!  Sign up today!

NEEDED:
Tuesday

Snack Leaders (1)

Craft Leaders (2)

Group Guides (1)

Provide Snacks & Drinks

Wednesday

Game Leader (1)

Snack Leader (1)

Craft Leader (2)

Group Guides (1)

Provide Snacks & Drinks

Other:

If you would rather participate in a non-leader type role there are many options also available... cleaning up tables, providing snacks, drinks, and miscellaneous!

Click here to sign up for one of these spots!

Clothing Setup for 500 Turkeys

Clothes N Prayers Clothing Setup
Thursday November 20th
Noon-8pm

As you may be able to imagine from this picture, the clothing setup is a massive undertaking that requires the assembly of racks, setting up of tables, further organizing of clothing and continued hanging of items.  The basement will literally be transformed!

Many hands make light work, not to mention great fellowship!  You will experience worship in a whole new way as we pump some music as we laugh, sing, and work side by side.

Here's how you can sign up:

500 Turkeys Prayer Vigil

Sign up at the Ministry Counter for a time slot!

November 21st-November 22nd

Prayer is the most powerful tool we have in any ministry.  As we buy yams, we pray.  As we make cookies, we pray over them.  As we pack shoe boxes, we pray.  

Now as we prepare to bless 800 families and seemingly countless individuals with meals this Thanksgiving and clothing as we go into cold weather, we need to pray.  Our goal isn't to simply feed families for a day, it is to touch them with God's love and make a difference for eternity.  

So please take a few minutes and sign up for a half hour time slot to pray. Materials will be provided to help guide your time and prayers.  The time can be spent anywhere that it is convenient for you to pray.

Signup online with Volunteer Spot with the following link!

OCC Shoebox Packing Next Wednesday!

Operation Christmas Child: IT'S TIME TO PACK BOXES!

Wednesday, November 12th
6:30-8pm
Life Bridge in the Children's area.
Plan now to help pack boxes!

This is a great family activity!

What you will experience:

Kairos at Westville Correctional Facility This Weekend! Please Pray!

We've baked Jesus Cookies & Now its time to Pray!

Thanks you to everyone who will be sharing God's love with inmates this weekend at Westville Correctional Facility through the homemade cookies!

The Kairos Weekend at Westville, November 6-9th, is a series of carefully planned events that flow one to another. For many participants, this experience creates the desire to become a Christian and for others the desire to continue his/her personal Christian growth. After this weekend, the program will continue by helping the participants establish small, 3 to 6 person Prayer and Share Groups within the Westville Correctional Facility. These small groups meet weekly to share their lives on a deep spiritual level and to pray for one another, other residents, their loved ones, and the staff of the institution.

Now its Time to Pray.

A prayer vigil begins November 6th and continues through the 9th.  While we are celebrating that all the prayer slots have been filled, we ask you to continue to keep Kairos' efforts in prayer and ask that God will soften the participants' hearts to hear His message. (Hopefully, the cookies will help some too!)

Thanks to All for a Wonderful Lunch!

A Wonderful Lunch!

Thanks to everyone who provided food, and stayed for lunch!  In spite of a broken furnace on a cool day, many enjoyed the meal with us.  We welcomed Intentional Valparaiso, college and young adult ministry meeting at Life Bridge on Monday nights. We were able to help make connections with a couple of college students.  

Kudos go out to Sara Jax, Sue and Robin Renfro!  It was an impressive act of teamwork to get all the food prepped. served, cleaned up so quickly.  I walked out of the preschool class where I was teaching and there were people with plates of food!  

Next luncheon is on Turkey Distribution Day, November 23rd!  Stay for lunch and stay to serve!  Sign up on 500turkeys.com!

The Persecuted Church and What You Can Do

Persecuted Church

This past Sunday, November 2nd, 2014, about 30 of us joined together to view the film Love Costs Everything and to pray.  The evening was one that both raised awareness of what our brothers and sisters around the world are facing for their faith and inspired us to be more bold in our faith as we listened to the personal stories shared throughout the film.

Daily we watch news broadcasts of what is going on in the Middle East and even around the world. Christians live in fear of being beaten, imprisoned, and killed.  They are pressured consistently to deny Christ.  Now as we listen to the reports, we no longer have to feel totally out of control to act.

How can you continue to support the Persecuted Church?