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.

Sit & Savor Cinco de Mayo THIS SUNDAY!

cinco-de-mayoThis 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

22650_inshelterEvery 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.

Operation Christmas Child


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.

toy-carsWe 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.

Sign up now to in the prayer vigil for Westville Correctional Center May 12-15, 2016.

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

OCC Shoebox Bunco THIS SATURDAY!

Operation-Christmas-Child-Party

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

JamieInConcertThis 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.

New Creation Men’s Shelter Meeting

22650_inshelterEvery Thursday  Now through October

Life Bridge Christian Church

Last night launched our rotation with the men’s shelter.  We hosted 17 men and 20 were fed breakfast this morning!  What a way to be a blessing.

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!
Might you still have some laundry from last rotation?  If so, please drop off at Life Bridge before Thursday.  We found we were short on blankets.

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

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.
  • IV (Intentional Valparaiso) is a small group for post-High School and young adults from all over Northwest Indiana. They meet at Life Bridge 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

  • Midweek Movie Matinee Noon – Bring your lunch and enjoy!
  • 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
Ongoing
  • OCC is currently collecting Soap & Washcloths

Friday, April 15, 2016

InConcert is TONIGHT!!!

Screen shot 2010-08-10 at 2.03.01 PMFriday, April 15
Doors at 6pm – 8:30-9pm

InConcert is family-friendly entertainment including musical performances, dramatic readings, dance, and more.  
Invite some family or friends to join this evening of free entertainment and fun!

Toolbox Ministries Spring Spruce Up This Saturday

Toolbox Ministries

Saturday, April 16 8am-1pm

Believe it or not Spring is coming! Join us in caring for the building and grounds. God has entrusted a great resource into our hands. Let’s continue to make sure that it remains a useful tool to Him!

Check by the Ministry Counter to view a list of things on the list!

If you would like to help at a different time or have any questions, contact Tim Qualkenbush at (219) 928-8326.

Indiana State Prison Outreach with Kairos Begins April 21st

If you haven’t baked cookies yet, now is the time!  Simply bake and package them using the recipe and directions below and then put them in one of our freezers.  The are usually picked up the Wednesday before.

Here are just a couple of other ways you can support Kairos' efforts:

  • Be in prayer for the participating inmates at Indiana State Prison and the team presenting.  Sign up now to in the prayer vigil for Westville Correctional Center May 12-15, 2016.
  • Bake Cookies
  • Make Hand prints of children
  • Purchase a meal ticket for feed an inmate a special meal

Bake cookies and freeze them. (Each weekend service to a prison requires 3500-5000 DOZEN cookies! Special recipe required.)

New Creation Men’s Shelter Meeting

22650_inshelterBegins Thursday April 21st

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; 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.

OCC Shoebox Bunco

Operation-Christmas-Child-Party

Saturday, Bunco April 23rd 2-4pm

Cost: $10 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

Sit & Savor Sandwich Sunday THIS WEEKEND!

cinco-de-mayoSunday 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.

Feed the Need

12969271_10153515264683085_1976832008_n

Save the date: June 4th 8am-8pm

Town & Country (Valparaiso & Portage)

Opportunities to sign up to assist at the doors or organizing on the trucks will be coming soon. 

For now,  if you are interested in helping to coordinate this one day event, contact Jeni Bolton at Jeni@ImagineLifeIDifferently.com

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.
  • IV (Intentional Valparaiso) is a small group for post-High School and young adults from all over Northwest Indiana. They meet at Life Bridge 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: "Path of Life" Deeper

Wednesdays

  • Midweek Movie Matinee Noon – Bring your lunch and enjoy!
  • 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
Ongoing
  • OCC is currently collecting Soap & Washcloths

Friday, April 8, 2016

Going Out

What an energizing way to start the week.  Sunday services brought us a great treat as guest speaker, Aziwoh “Azima” Ndimbe, shared her testimony with us – a story that comes from half way around the world in Cameroon of Africa. (Listen to her story during our second service here.) Her story was powerful.  Her use of Scripture was impressive.  Her heart for God was obvious.  Her story helped us understand how we impact people’s lives when we go out and share the Good News in various ways.  Sunday, we celebrated our “going out” by packing and sending shoe boxes through Operation Christmas Child.

This week has been all about “going out” for me.  I’ve listened to my oldest daughter share the excitement, and struggles, that went along with flying out of town on her first business trips this week.  I’ve battled the rain storms as I travelled from Valparaiso to Cincinnati, going out to meet with my family for a couple days.  And, according to the weather forecast, I will battle the elements again to go out to Anderson University and watch my middle daughter dance tonight.  Going out is not always easy.  Often times it messes with our comfort, our finances, our sleep schedule, and even with our peace.  Going out, though, is a part of our calling as Christ-followers.  Jesus told his disciples that they would need to go out.

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:2-3 NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8 NIV)

He trained them.  He commissioned them.  He sent them.  Going out without God’s purpose is just travel.  Going out with God’s purpose is mission.  That’s something we always need to remember: we are always called to empower one more to walk together with God.  Thank you, God, for giving us this mission.  Thank you, Azima, for encouraging us to keep going out.  Go team!  Praise God!

Circles Of Grace Hilltop Dinner

community-meal-clipart-1Friday, April 8th 6pm
Life Bridge Christian Church

Circles of Grace has been serving the Hilltop community dinner once a month for about 15 years. Once again, Life Bridge gets to be a part of this ministry!

Join us as we work together with this ministry to reach out to our community. Come on down to enjoy dinner and build relationshipsdinner_8652c with our neighbors! What better way to make a difference for Christ… food and new friends!!

InConcert is Coming!!!

Screen shot 2010-08-10 at 2.03.01 PMFriday, April 15
Doors at 6pm – 8:30-9pm

What is InConcert? InConcert is family-friendly entertainment including (but not limited to!) musical performances, dramatic readings, dance, and more.

Performance slots are going! There are still 2-3 slots left. Check out the Ministry Counter for more details on open slots and other ways to participate. If you are interested, contact Frank Guzzo at Frank@ImagineLifeDifferently.com

Toolbox Ministries Spring Spruce Up

Toolbox Ministries

Saturday, April 16 8am-1pm

Believe it or not Spring is coming! Join us in caring for the building and grounds. God has entrusted a great resource into our hands. Let’s continue to make sure that it remains a useful tool to Him!

Check by the Ministry Counter to view a list of things on the list!

Kairos Outreaches Begin This Month

The Kairos outreaches are coming up quick!  Time to bake cookies!!

Here are just a couple ways you can support Kairos' efforts:

Sign up online for a time slot in the prayer vigil for Indiana State Prison April 21-24, 2016 and/or Westville Correctional Center May 12-15, 2016.

Ways to Participate:

  • Bake Cookies
  • Make Hand prints of children
  • Purchase a meal ticket for feed an inmate a special meal

Bake cookies and freeze them. (Each weekend service to a prison requires 3500-5000 DOZEN cookies! Special recipe required.)

It's never too soon to begin making cookies!

Kairos Cookie Preparation

Since the cookies will be taken into a prison, there are some very rigid requirements that must be followed. Every cookie is inspected before it is allowed in the facility, and any that are over sized, broken, or stuck together must be removed. These instructions for Kairos cookies are very important!

The No-No's for Kairos Cookie Preparation:

Do Not add icing, powdered sugar or any other topping or coating on the outside.

Do Not use pre-made, dry, refrigerated or frozen cookie dough. The impact of agape love felt from homemade cookies is overwhelming when the inmates realize the sacrifice of time in mixing and baking cookies from scratch.

Do Not use butter or margarine. The ones made with butter break easily.

Do Not bring bought or no-bake cookies. Do Not use raisins or nuts.

The size should be 2" diameter or the lid of a Pringles canister.

PLEASE BAKE ONLY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES USING THE RECIPE BELOW! (and this recipe will help prevent breakage of the cookies)

COOL - PACK - FREEZE

Cool! Cool! Cool ... each cookie thoroughly. Chocolate chip cookies tkae a long time to cool completely.

Bag thoroughly cooled cookies in a sandwich sized, press zip type bag. (NO bags with tab sliders) FYI - when you bag the cookies please put them standing on end (like coins in a toll or lifesavers). This makes for easier packing and transporting.

6 Cookies per bag and freeze them.


Jesus Cookies (Basic Cookie Dough Recipe - Makes 5 dozen)

1 cup Crisco

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. add eggs one at a time. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Beat in vanilla. Add chocolate chips. Drop onto cookie sheets by spoonfuls. Bake at 325 degrees until medium to dark brown (From 13-20 minutes). Cookies should be 2 - 2 1/2 inches in diameter (Size of a Pringles lid).

The Key Ingredient: Prayer. Pray individually or as a family over the ingredients before and during mixing. Pray over the cookies as you drop them onto the cookie sheets and bake the, Ask God to use your cookies as a source of His love to shine on the prisoners and staff on the Kairos weekend. Pray that each cookie brings the inmate, officer, or warden who eats it closer to God. We want every person to become part of the family of God.

New Creation Men’s Shelter Meeting

22650_inshelter

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? 

Our rotation for the men will be beginning in about a week.  Join in this meeting to learn more about what is involved and how you can participate. 

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

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.
  • IV (Intentional Valparaiso) is a small group for post-High School and young adults from all over Northwest Indiana. They meet at Life Bridge 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: "Path of Life" Deeper

Wednesdays

  • Midweek Movie Matinee Noon – Bring your lunch and enjoy!
  • 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
Ongoing
  • OCC is currently collecting Soap & Washcloths

Friday, April 1, 2016

A Time to Celebrate

Anyone who knows me, even a little, would know that I greatly enjoyed this past week.  Friday evening was an excellent Good Friday service, remembering the primary purpose of Jesus’ ministry: dying so we can live.  The first section of the Resurrection Suite (co-authored by our own Frank Guzzo), was powerful.  It was an honor to participate in the reflective service.

Saturday brought another reason to celebrate: two baptisms!  Chris Caldwell, a member of Life Bridge, and his out-of-town sister (Kaci Chambers) decided to make their commitment to Christ together!  Praise God! Check out the video here.

Sunday, of course, brought many reasons to celebrate – the greatest of which is: Jesus is alive!  The service was filled with music, Scripture, and many reminders that we are not alone in our journey of faith.  We enjoyed a couple more songs from the Resurrection Suite this day as well.  Not only that, we had a little over 200 people joining us, with new people who accepted our invitations to join us! Here’s a link to the second service.

Sunday also brought another pair of baptisms as well.  Ron Johnson joined his adult son, Kyle Johnson, in giving their lives to Christ.  It was a day filled with reasons to celebrate!  Check out their baptism video here.

What’s my perspective.  This week, I can see nothing but reasons to praise God, thank God, and enjoy walking with God.  Praise God!

OCC Special Guest this Sunday!



Join us this Sunday to hear first hand from a shoebox recipient!  Hear what God is doing around the world through our donations.

Special Upcoming Dates:

  • Sunday, April 3rd, 2016 Join us to hear from an OCC Shoebox recipient, Azima Ndimbe from Cameroon at either of our weekend services (9 & 11am)
  • Saturday, Bunco April 23rd 2-4pm $10 All proceeds will go toward helping with shipping of the shoeboxes to kids around the world.
Get your Bunco ticket online at OCC Shoebox Bunco
Currently Collecting: Washcloths & Soap

Sit & Savor Sandwich Sunday THIS WEEKEND!

daves-deli-tray-fc80b1b2b045a392_thumbSunday April 3rd Immediately following 2nd service

We will be having Sandwich Sunday! Hot, cold, short, or tall…

There are many ways to be a part of creating a welcoming environment and fostering relationships…

  • Come and enjoy the meal and the company!
  • Bring Sandwiches, chips, or deserts to share!
  • Serve in setup and clean up
  • Donate money toward meat/supplies

Plan now to attend and invite Friends and Family.  See you there!

Circles Of Grace Hilltop Dinner

community-meal-clipart-1Friday, April 8th 6pm
Life Bridge Christian Church

Circles of Grace has been serving the Hilltop community dinner once a month for about 15 years. Once again, Life Bridge gets to be a part of this ministry!
Join us as we work together with this ministry to reach out to our community.  Come on down to enjoy dinner and build relationshipsdinner_8652c with our neighbors!  What better way to make a difference for Christ… food and new friends!!

InConcert is Coming!!!

Screen shot 2010-08-10 at 2.03.01 PMFriday, April 15
Doors at 6pm – 8:30-9pm

What is InConcert? InConcert is family-friendly entertainment including (but not limited to!) musical performances, dramatic readings, dance, and more.

Performance slots are going!  There are still 2-3 slots left. Check out the Ministry Counter for more details on open slots and other ways to participate.  If you are interested, contact Frank Guzzo at Frank@ImagineLifeDifferently.com

Kairos Outreaches Begin This Month

Time to bake cookies!!  Kairos Prison Ministry's Spring Outreaches are coming up this month!

Here are just a couple ways you can support Kairos' efforts:

Sign up online for a time slot in the prayer vigil for Indiana State Prison April 21-24, 2016 and/or Westville Correctional Center May 12-15, 2016.

Ways to Participate:

  • Bake Cookies
  • Make Hand prints of children
  • Purchase a meal ticket for feed an inmate a special meal

Bake cookies and freeze them. (Each weekend service to a prison requires 3500-5000 DOZEN cookies! Special recipe required.)

It's never too soon to begin making cookies!

Kairos Cookie Preparation

Since the cookies will be taken into a prison, there are some very rigid requirements that must be followed. Every cookie is inspected before it is allowed in the facility, and any that are over sized, broken, or stuck together must be removed. These instructions for Kairos cookies are very important!

The No-No's for Kairos Cookie Preparation:

Do Not add icing, powdered sugar or any other topping or coating on the outside.

Do Not use pre-made, dry, refrigerated or frozen cookie dough. The impact of agape love felt from homemade cookies is overwhelming when the inmates realize the sacrifice of time in mixing and baking cookies from scratch.

Do Not use butter or margarine. The ones made with butter break easily.

Do Not bring bought or no-bake cookies. Do Not use raisins or nuts.

The size should be 2" diameter or the lid of a Pringles canister.

PLEASE BAKE ONLY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES USING THE RECIPE BELOW! (and this recipe will help prevent breakage of the cookies)

COOL - PACK - FREEZE

Cool! Cool! Cool ... each cookie thoroughly. Chocolate chip cookies tkae a long time to cool completely.

Bag thoroughly cooled cookies in a sandwich sized, press zip type bag. (NO bags with tab sliders) FYI - when you bag the cookies please put them standing on end (like coins in a toll or lifesavers). This makes for easier packing and transporting.

6 Cookies per bag and freeze them.


Jesus Cookies (Basic Cookie Dough Recipe - Makes 5 dozen)

1 cup Crisco

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. add eggs one at a time. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Beat in vanilla. Add chocolate chips. Drop onto cookie sheets by spoonfuls. Bake at 325 degrees until medium to dark brown (From 13-20 minutes). Cookies should be 2 - 2 1/2 inches in diameter (Size of a Pringles lid).

The Key Ingredient: Prayer. Pray individually or as a family over the ingredients before and during mixing. Pray over the cookies as you drop them onto the cookie sheets and bake the, Ask God to use your cookies as a source of His love to shine on the prisoners and staff on the Kairos weekend. Pray that each cookie brings the inmate, officer, or warden who eats it closer to God. We want every person to become part of the family of God.

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.
  • IV (Intentional Valparaiso) is a small group for post-High School and young adults from all over Northwest Indiana. They meet at Life Bridge 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: "Path of Life" Deeper

Wednesdays

  • Midweek Movie Matinee Noon – Bring your lunch and enjoy!
  • 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 Easter Services 9am & 11am  New Series Begins: “Letters”
  • Encounter Student Worship Sundays 6-8pm
Ongoing
  • OCC is currently collecting Soap & Washcloths