Friday, November 25, 2016

Celebrating God’s Work Through Life Bridge and 500 Turkeys

12274374_10153469399012798_2336807355603311706_n15179094_10154729832134878_2364289382406934853_n20161114_201455Thanks to all who contributed stuffing, Cornbread, money, and time! 1300 meals were distributed as an expression of God’s love and provision.  The blessings are far broader than those 1300 families… it includes each person who contributed in any of the myriad of ways. 

May you recognize God’s provision in your life… physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Thanks for helping to make this possible.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 18, 2016

Being Thankful

“So, what’s the schedule next week?”  This was my question in 7:00am Hebrew class this morning just as we were wrapping up for the day. “We meet on Monday and then we are off for the rest of the week,” was the professor’s reply.  “Praise God,” I thought to myself.  I’m ready for a Hebrew-break.

There are times in life when we are ready for a break.  Breaks are good.  God gave the Israelites weekly breaks (The Sabbath), seasonal breaks (Festivals and Feasts), and a break every seven years (Sabbath Year), and even another break every 50 years (Year of Jubilee).  God wants us to have breaks.  God gives us these breaks so we can rest…with Him.

Thanksgiving provides us a seasonal break much like one of the seasonal breaks given to the Israelites. (The Festival of Ingathering took place after the harvest was complete.)  These breaks weren’t just about rest, though.  They were a time to pause and reflect upon the faithfulness of God.  It was a time to remember God’s goodness and how we are recipients of God’s blessings.  It was a time to be thankful to God for all that God had done.

This Thanksgiving, my prayer is that we will take the time to pause, reflect on the goodness of God, and give thanks to God for pouring out that goodness on us.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving

Pie Night!

0912-holiday-pie-slices

Pie Night

Wednesday, November 23rd 6:30-8pm

Life Bridge Christian Church

Join us for  a time of celebration and thanksgiving!  While we anticipate lots of special foods on Thursday with family and friends, on this night pie will be the main course!  All kinds of pie!  Bring a pie and join the fun!

As a community and Church we will take time to share and laugh together as we reflect on God’s provision in 2016 and give Him thanks!

Friday, November 11, 2016

Winter Gear Drive Ends THIS WEEKEND!

14628089_10153923139723085_268256874_nNow through Saturday, November 12th! 

Time to go through the coat closet… or grab the crocheting needles!

Life Bridge is collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to be distributed through 500 Turkeys to those in need.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Encouraging Me

I mentioned to one of our teams yesterday that this series has been speaking directly to me quite a bit.  Our “40 Days of Courage” has been encouraging me to walk together with God and help others do the same. Watching Joshua and the Israelites choose, over and over again, to trust God has been inspiring to me.  Even when they fail, it is not the end for them.  They get right back up, turn back to God, and go back into battle knowing that God is with them wherever they go.

We’re in our 14th year at Life Bridge Christian Church, now.  We’ve seen a lot over the past 13+ years since our opening day.  We’ve fought a lot of battles against the enemy.  We’ve won some.  We’ve lost some.  Sometimes we struggle with being discouraged and even frightened.  But, like Joshua’s generation, we have remained faithful to God’s call in Valparaiso, Porter County, Chicagoland, and beyond.  God has planted us here to empower one more to walk together with God, and that is exactly what we are doing.

Over the next couple weeks, we will be reminding ourselves of God’s design and plan for our lives.  We will be celebrating where we have been living out this plan.  We will also be challenged to look forward to our next steps in our walk together with God.  I look forward to seeing you there.

International Day of Prayer THIS SUNDAY!

DayofPrayerSunday, November 6th 4pm – Love Costs Everything; 6pm – Prayer Service

We have brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who face persecution daily.  Not the kind of persecution that makes us feel uncomfortable or fearful of mentioning our faith at work or school, but persecution that threatens personal safety, their jobs, and so much more.  Christ says that persecution should be expected… the prophets before Christ, Christ himself, the disciples, and followers since have been persecuted… and it continues around the world today.

We will gather to pray for the Church and those facing persecution.  We will be inspired by those who find themselves facing persecution today and count it a blessing to stand among the faithful throughout history. We will be spurred on in our faith… May God be glorified in their lives and in ours.

Events:

  • 4pm  - Love Costs Everything (Christ In Youth Documentary) communicates a message of faith and hope amid persecution. Runtime: 105 minutes  (No Child care provided.  Movie does have graphic images.)
  • 6pm – Prayer Service
    • A time of worship
    • Video testimony
    • Live interview with Sara Little on Christianity in China
    • Prayer stations
    • Children’s programming available

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing this Wednesday!

Operation-Christmas-Child-Party

The items have been collected.  The shoeboxes are here.  Now its time to pack! 

Our goal is to pack 100 shoeboxes to share God’s love and blessings with kids around the world.  This is a fun event for all ages!
The Packing Party takes place Wednesday, November 9th from 6:30-8pm and includes:
         * An brief video about the mission of OCC
         * Packing of 100 boxes
                                                        * A time of celebration with some munchies!

This is a fun, family-friendly event that allows all of us to make a kingdom impact around the world.  Thanks to all who have helped us to get to this point.  Our God is a mighty God!