God Sightings: April 2016

Friday, April 29, 2016

New Growth

I find myself ready to take a nap today. (I doubt that dream will become reality.) My schedule this week just seemed to be a continuation of the past couple weeks – travel, attend events, meet with people, counsel, teach, and pray. I’ve had weeks now of long days and short nights. There is much to do. With my daughter graduating college next week, the schedule doesn’t look like it’s going to let up any time soon.

This Sunday May 1st Immediately following 2nd service

We will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo Life Bridge style!!
Come and enjoy the meal and the company!

Sign up at the Ministry Counter to bring your Mexican dish of choice!
Plan now to attend and invite Friends and Family.

New Creation Men’s Shelter Meeting

Every Thursday Now through October

Life Bridge Christian Church

Are you a night owl? Have a heart for the homeless? Enjoy feeding hungry people? Or maybe you have time to help with some laundry?

How can we you be a part of this ministry?

Setup/Welcome 7pm-9pm (Set up can happen earlier if necessary)
Volunteer to host a shift (1st Shift 8-Midnight; 2nd Shift Midnight-4am (toughest to fill); 3rd Shift 4am-7am). This is like guest services! You are there to create a welcome environment, build relationships with the men through conversations and meet needs. Often there is time to work on your own stuff once the men go to sleep.
Breakfast – Volunteer to cook breakfast; donate items or money to feed the men.
Laundry – once a month we do laundry! Simply grab a bag or two and return them by the next Thursday!

If you have any questions or are interested in serving in this ministry, contact Sara Jax at SaraJax@ImagineLifeDifferently.com.

Kairos Prison Ministry

The Indiana State Prison outreach last weekend saw God at work. Stop by and talk with Bill to ask him how things went. We hope to share soon about these outreaches. Thanks to all who prayed and provided cookies. For now, our focus turns to Westville Correction Center on May 12-15th.

Next Steps:

Sign up now to in the prayer vigil for Westville Correctional Center May 12-15, 2016.
Cookies for the Westville Correctional Center will be collected on Wednesday May, 11th by 2pm. They can be dropped off in a freezer any time between now and then.

Last Saturday OCC had their annual Bunco Fundraiser. Their goal was to raise $500 toward the mailing of the OCC shoe boxes. With approximately 30 people participating, and among much fun and laughter, they met their goal!

While it is awesome that this goal was met, God was at work in conversations throughout the event. We continue to pray for the seeds that are planted locally as we reach out globally.

We will continue to take donations of washcloths and soap, but are now focusing on small toys, such as small balls, matchbox cars, kids’ meal toys, etc.

Currently Collecting: Small Toys

Ongoing Events

Greenhouse Cafe

M-TH 10am-4pm

Mondays

Ministry Mondays 6:30-8pm meets to be purposeful in developing our serving skills and to coordinate ministry efforts. All are welcome.
dIVe (Intentional Valparaiso) is a small group for post-High School and young adults from all over Northwest Indiana. They meet at Life Bridge Cafe on Mondays from 8:30pm-10ish.

Tuesdays

Tuesday Midweek Bible Study Potluck Dinner at 6:30 followed by studies for children, students, and adults! Current study: "Words" Deeper

Wednesdays

Faith-Based Cancer Support Group (regularly meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at Life Bridge 6:30-8pm)
Questions? Bible Study 7pm

Thursdays

Worship Arts Bible Study and Band Practice Thursdays 6:30-9pm

Sundays

Worship Service 9am & 11am New Series Begins: “Words”
Encounter Student Worship Sundays 6-8pm Series: “Hacked”

Ongoing

OCC is currently collecting Small Toys

Friday, April 22, 2016

Living and Active

I didn’t share my perspective on the week last week. That’s because the ten days prior to that were packed full of long days and short nights. I was in a one-week intensive class at school last week and was presented with more ministry opportunities than I could physically keep up with surrounding the week. Busy isn’t necessarily bad. It’s just busy.

Indiana State Prison Outreach with Kairos Begins April 21st

Please be in prayer for the inmates at the Indiana State Prison as Kairos has their outreach event this weekend. These men will be presented with God’s truth, an opportunity to accept His forgiveness and an opportunity to forgive others. Your cookies help make all this possible.

Cookies that come in from this point on will be used for the Westville Correctional Center in May.

Saturday, Bunco April 23rd 2-4pm

Cost: $10 Tickets are available at the door.

All proceeds will go toward helping with shipping of the shoeboxes to kids around the world.

Join the fun and help support this ministry! Friends and family are welcome to participate.

Get your Bunco ticket online at OCC Shoebox Bunco

Currently Collecting: Washcloths & Soap

God Sightings

This blog is used to share opportunities to experience God by engaging in service and community. We try not to stop there, but to also share with you what God is doing through these events and all around us. This past week Life Bridge hosted In Concert on Friday night and a Spring Spruce Up on Saturday.