Not Relaxing. Writing.

I'm writing a book.  There, I've said it out loud.  I know that you may have heard me talking about the desire to write.  You may even know that I've gone back to school with this purpose in mind.  I really didn't expect to begin the writing project until after graduation, which is still three years away.  God made it really clear during this past semester in school, though, that it is time.  I need to write.  So, I signed up with a self-publishing company a couple months ago and now I am starting to write the book.

I share all this with you because...

"Bad Box" Class Begins This Tuesday!

The "Bad Box" class has become a trademark of Life Bridge.  You may have heard Pete teach the concepts on a Sunday morning, but this is an opportunity to learn more, dive deeper and experience the power of God in your life.  The teaching is simple, biblical, and practical for all.

What is "Bad Box Class"?

Sign Up for Feed the Need Today!

Each year Life Bridge hosts Feed the Need.  Area churches and the community partner together to help feed NWI in 12 hours. Feeding our communities with food and faith!

This years event will take place on Saturday, June 6th from 8am-8pm at 2 locations - Valpo & Portage Town & Country.

Sign up online today to participate in Feed the Need!

You can participate in a variety of ways:

OCC is Collecting Small Toys

Shoe Box Bunco is coming on Saturday, June 27th at 6pm.  Tickets will be available this Sunday near the Welcome Center for a suggested donation of $10.  This is intended to be a fun way to support Operation Christmas Child and get to know some new people.  All proceeds will help to cover the cost of shipping the shoe boxes.

Currently Collecting:
Currently OCC is collecting small toys such as balls, jump ropes, McDonald toys, etc.  OCC asks that we stay away from toys that may be army related, weapons, war, potentially scary, and liquids such as bubbles.

God loves us with His best, so we want to show God's love the same way.  Because of this we ask that used items be in "like new" condition.

Time to Return Birthright Bottles!

Have you been filling your Birthright Baby bottle with coins and bills?  Great!

It time to bring them back!  Drop them off at the Welcome Center.

Birthright of Valparaiso strives to provide guidance, education, and care to those facing unplanned pregnancies.  They do this largely through these baby bottle donations.

Prayers, not only for this ministry, but also for the young women that they serve is always appreciated!

Enjoying Being Home

I'm writing this on Friday, sitting out in my back yard.  I've joked about living in an area surrounded by cows and cornfields.  My chair is facing the cow pasture, but none are out where I can see them right now.  I can see the rows of green in the farm next to me, but I don't know how to tell if it's corn or soybeans yet.  The blue sky is broken up with a few white puffy clouds and the warm sun has the temperatures at about 70 degrees right now.  Its beautiful.

I'm really enjoying being home right now.  It's not just because the temperature is just right in a week where temps have been fluctuating from 40 to 80 degrees, although that does help.  It's because...

"Bad Box" Class Begins Tuesday, June 2nd

The "Bad Box" class has become a trademark of Life Bridge.  You may have heard Pete teach the concepts on a Sunday morning, but this is an opportunity to learn more, dive deeper and experience the power of God in your life.  The teaching is simple, biblical, and practical for all.

What is "Bad Box Class"?

Sign up today for Feed the Need June 6th!

Each year Life Bridge hosts Feed the Need.  Area churches and the community partner together to help feed NWI in 12 hours. Feeding our communities with food and faith!

This years event will take place on Saturday, June 6th from 8am-8pm at 2 locations - Valpo & Portage Town & Country.

Sign up online today to participate in Feed the Need!

You can participate in a variety of ways:

Thank You Toolbox Ministries for Our Improved Children Spaces!

Much appreciation goes out to all who used their gifts to make the safety improvements requested by the Fire Department, much of which was in the basement.  This past weekend, children's classes were moved back to their previous meeting areas.  The kids loved the space and the rest of us loved knowing that we are in a safer environment.

The work of Toolbox Ministries helps to accomplish the mission of empowering one more to walk with God as they create physically safe and well-maintained spaced for worship, small groups, children's and student ministries, counseling, and much more.

Work continues in the children's area and around the building on Mondays from 4-8pm.  Saturday workdays in June are to be announced.

Bring Your Birthright Baby Bottles Back!

Have you been filling your Birthright Baby bottle with coins and bills?  Great!

It time to bring them back!  Drop them off at the Welcome Center.

Birthright of Valparaiso strives to provide guidance, education, and care to those facing unplanned pregnancies.  They do this largely through these baby bottle donations.

Prayers, not only for this ministry, but also for the young women that they serve is always appreciated!

OCC - Shoebox Bunco June 27th

Shoe Box Bunco is coming on Saturday, June 27th at 6pm.  Tickets will be available this Sunday near the Welcome Center for a suggested donation of $10.  This is intended to be a fun way to support Operation Christmas Child and get to know some new people.  All proceeds will help to cover the cost of shipping the shoe boxes.

Currently Collecting:
Currently OCC is collecting small toys such as balls, jump ropes, McDonald toys, etc.  OCC asks that we stay away from toys that may be army related, weapons, war, potentially scary, and liquids such as bubbles.

God loves us with His best, so we want to show God's love the same way.  Because of this we ask that used items be in "like new" condition.

Not Seeing

"I got my grades!"  This was all the text said when I received it from my youngest daughter, Amanda.  She had attached a picture of her grades with the text.  I scanned down the list a bit overwhelmed at its sheer size.  She was taking ten (10) classes this semester.  Yes, many of them were one credit hour classes, but still, there were ten of them!  She had one "C+," one "B," and the rest were distributed between "A-" and "A."  I was excited and shocked all at the same time.  (She had been preparing me for a few of the classes where she thought she had bombed the final exam, final paper, or simply blown it in other ways.)  I had to respond immediately: "Fantastic!  What a great semester!!!"  Of course, this prompted me to check my account to see if my grades had posted yet, too.

Feed the Need June 6th!

Each year Life Bridge hosts Feed the Need.  Area churches and the community partner together to
help feed NWI in 12 hours. Feeding our communities with food and faith!

This years event will take place on Saturday, June 6th from 8am-8pm at 2 locations - Valpo & Portage Town & Country.

You can participate in a variety of ways:

Men's Shelter Laundry Time!

The men have now been with us for a month!  It's time to do laundry!

One of the great things about this ministry is that there is something for everyone!  We have men who host throughout the night (sign up at the Ministry Counter to Host a time period), others who do set up and greeting, and still others who cook and serve breakfast (also sign up at the Ministry Counter to participate)!

Now there is an opportunity to do laundry!  Simply pick up a bag or two at the bottom of the steps, wash the linens, and return them to Life Bridge by Thursday evening.

Toolbox Ministries

God has worked in some awesome ways through the many people who helped to make the changes around the building to create a safer environment for all our guests.

We now have:

• more safety lights in the event of power outages
• greatly cleaned up electrical wiring (decades of old wiring have been removed!)
• safer storage of materials
• much more

Celebrating Student Luncheons

At the end of a season, it is time to reflect.  As the students return home this week, we get to reflect on our time with them this year and the meals that we have shared.

While initially we set out to offer students a home cooked meal and get to know them better, God has done immeasurably more than we asked or imagined!

Birthright of Valparaiso

As we celebrate Motherhood this time of year, we are working to bless those who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Birthright of Valparaiso strives to provide guidance, education, and care to those facing unplanned pregnancies.  They do this largely through these baby bottle donations.

To participate, simply pick up a baby bottle at the welcome center and place loose change in it throughout the week.  The bottles can then be returned to Life Bridge the week of May 24th.

Prayers, not only for this ministry, but also for the young women that they serve is always appreciated!

Operation Christmas Child is Collecting Small Toys

OCC is celebrating the great response to the items we have been collecting so far this year! Through you God is providing to show His love and message of salvation to children around the world!

Mother's Day This Sunday!

We are celebrating Moms this weekend, as well as the end of the year for our students, with pictures and Lunch!

Lunch
The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, and chicken.  The men are grilling and having an apron contest!  Desert is an ice cream sundae bar.

Pictures
What mom doesn't like pictures of their kids?  Family, kids only, multiple generations, or special relationships... It's up to you! Pictures will be taken following each service (9am & 11am) and throughout the luncheon.  The prints will be available the following Sunday, 5/17.

Invite your mom and/or women who have made a difference in your life to enjoy creating these special memories this Sunday!  We look forward making memories together!

Birthright Will be at LB This Sunday!

This Sunday, May 10th we will have an opportunity to meet representatives of Birthright of Valparaiso.

As we celebrate Motherhood you will learn how you can be a blessing to those who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Welcome to the Family!

Welcome to the Family, Hailey Mann!

This past Sunday, May 3rd Hailey Mann accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior!

All praise to God for the work He is doing in her life!

Operation Christmas Child is Looking for Small Toys

Collecting Small Toys!

Operation Christmas Child collects items throughout the year.  Past items have been toothpaste/toothbrushes, and Bar Soap/Washcloths.   While these items are still welcome, we are now looking for small toys: balls, puzzles, travel toys, jump ropes, kid's meal toys, etc.  Please remember that these items need to fit into a shoe box.  Also, no liquids, please.

Feed the Need is Coming!

Each year Life Bridge hosts Feed the Need.  Area churches and the community partner together to help feed NWI in 12 hours. Feeding our communities with food and faith!

This years event will take place on Saturday, June 6th from 8am-8pm at 2 locations - Valpo & Portage Town & Country.

You can participate in a variety of ways:

Mother's Day Luncheon May 10th

We have one more opportunity this year to honor not only our students but also our moms and the special women in our lives.  On Sunday, May 10th, the men are pulling out the stops and cooking for Mom's Day!  So don't fret over where to take mom for lunch or how you, with the assistance of your kids, are going make a meal worthy of mom.  Combine your efforts with others and join us here at Life Bridge for a special time of celebration!

Plans are in the works to make this a special time.  We hope to see you there.

Spill the Beans & CGI This Friday at 7pm

Looking for something different to do Friday evening?

Come on out to Spill the Beans Gourmet Coffee Shop in Merrillville (just north of US30 on Broadway) on Friday, May 1st at 7pm.

Enjoy the musical talents of our own Frank Guzzo and Steve Campbell.

Proceeds from the night benefit:

Two by Two Production to Benefit 500 Turkeys

Two by Two

May 2nd, 2015
First Presbyterian Church of Valpo
3401 N. Valparaiso St and Bullseye

Get a jump start on Mother's Day! Come see the May 2nd production of Two by Two. Tickets are only $10 and proceeds are generously gifted to 500 Turkeys to help feed 1000 families this year for Thanksgiving.

What is it they say about TWO birds? Double the fun? I think so. There were 2 turkeys on the ark, right? Tickets are still available at the door.

Kairos at Westville Correctional This Weekend

Kairos has their outreach at Westville Correctional Facility this weekend.  There are 22 men who will be participating in the weekend.

Please pray for the men attending and those who are serving and ministering to them this weekend.  Pray that God's Spirit will guide all involved.

Thanks to all who provided Jesus Cookies for this event.  The prayers over the cookies extend to other inmates as well as correction officers.

OCC Goes Shoebox Bunco!

Shoebox Bunco will be held on Saturday, June 27th 6-8pm at Life Bridge.  All proceeds will support
Operation Christmas Child.  Mark your calendar now and watch for details.

A Planning Meeting will be held this Sunday immediately following 2nd Service to pray and discuss ongoing OCC opportunities.  All are welcome to attend.

OCC is still collecting Bars of Soap & Washcloths.  The next item will small toys - balls, McDonald's toys, etc.  So as you begin spring cleaning keep this in mind.  Toys need to be in very good condition.

Feed the Need

Feed the Need is an opportunity to invite our community to join us in donating food items to support those in need through the Northwest Indiana Food Bank.  Each year we partner with area churches and grocery stores to reach out together in the name of Christ.

This year this will be taking place on Saturday, June 6th.  Other churches we have the opportunity to serve with this year are Portage Christian Church, Church of Jesus Christ, and New Hope Church of God.

Birthright of Valparaiso

Beginning Mother's Day for 2 weeks we will be supporting:

Birthright of Valparaiso
905 1/2 Calumet Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383

Learn more soon!