Ceiling Tiles

So I walked into the building this week and found stacks and stacks of ceiling tiles.  “Where did they come from?” I wondered.  It didn’t take long before I found out the answer.

MOVE is HERE!

High School Students are heading to Milligan College in Johnson City, TN this Sunday for the MOVE Conference!

Our 5 students will be among 27,000 students visiting college campuses throughout the US. They will be challenged through intense, interactive worship, dynamic preaching, small group study and community building.  They will not only learn and worship together – they spend quality time together, discovering ways that God will use them to impact the world.

The focus this year is 3 fold:

• We were designed for Good.
• We were made for a Purpose.
• We were created for Kingdom Work.

Operation Christmas Child

Currently Collecting: Personal Items (Hair brushes/combs, barrettes, flip flops, t-shirts, socks, etc)
Challenge: We have been challenged to add a WOW! element to our shoeboxes.  If you like to shop and scout for deals, maybe this is the thing for you!  Keep your eyes open for special ways to bless these children!
Ideas include: Soccer ball with pump, Stuffed animal, Toys (puppets, trucks, etc.), Doll (baby, Barbie, etc.), Musical instrument, Outfit, Shoes

Christmas in July at Vagabond!

July 16th, 2016 10am-2pm

Vagabond Cafe

Start your Christmas shopping early!  Bring a friend, stop in and have a Vagabond special coffee or tea, and browse the items for sale in support of those most in need in our community and around the world.

Vagabond Cafe! What’s Up?

M-W 10am-6pm; Th 10am-5pm; Fri & Sat 10am-Midnight

Our coffee and other drinks are “pay-what-you’re-able.” This means when you walk in you will be offered a drink but not from behind a register. If you choose to donate there are recommended amounts but that is not at all an expectation. Donations are greatly appreciated to help cover our operating expenses but whatever we get beyond that is donated to one of our local ministry partners such as New Creation Men’s Shelter, Life Bridge Christian Church, and others who work directly with our local community offering help and care to those in need.

Vagabond is seeking people who have time to serve and desire to give back to the community.  If you would be interested in hosting Vagabond for a couple hours at a time, message them on Facebook or email at vagabondvalpo@gmail.com.

Where else has Vagabond been?

• Heath McNease Concert in June courtesy of First United Methodist Church!  Vagabond served their refreshing coffees to those who attended.
• August 7th 10am Vagabond will be serving their refreshments to serve our Life Bridge family and Valparaiso community when we have service at the Central Park Plaza

What is being said about Vagabond?

• Yummy coffee drinks, fast internet, and a Minecraft server for Melody and Joy. Now we just need a second laptop so they don't fight over playing time. – Facebook
• Great people, great coffee, great music, fantastic purpose. – Facebook 

What can you find at Vagabond beyond a great environment, coffee, and WIFI?

• Information about needs-based ministries in our community.  Check back frequently as this grows.
• Live Music as scheduled
• Community gaming opportunities (Minecraft and more!)

How can you participate in this ministry?

• Come by for a coffee, or plan on meeting someone here to share the environment and support the ministry
• Drop off used shirts, tees, or sweater donations (really any shirt with some stretch) in the designated basket.  This supports a ministry, Stripes, who is committed to getting girls out of sex trafficking.  While helping them heal and acclimate to a new life, they use these shirts to make rugs as a means of skill development, purpose, and financial support.
• Have some hours to serve? Become a Vagabond host and barista!  Sign up with Vagabond at this link.  Don’t worry about being left alone, someone will contact you concerning training.  It’s a positive way to use your time, build community, and support a variety of ministries!  All while enjoying the free WIFI and environment for yourself!

Check out their website at http://vagabond.intentionalnetwork.org/.  If you have questions about Vagabond and how to get involved, message them on Facebook or email at vagabondvalpo@gmail.com.

Ongoing Events

New! Vagabond Cafe!

Mondays –Wednesday 10am-6pm;

Thursday 10am-5pm

Friday-Saturday 10am-Midnight

(Some exception apply when Reserved events take place.)

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)

Thursdays

• Worship Arts Bible Study and Band Practice Thursdays 6:30-9pm
• Hosting Men’s Shelter 7pm-7am (Friday morning)

Sundays

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

Ongoing

• OCC is currently collecting Personal Items

Drum Parts

I was at the Life Bridge building with a few team members when someone came to the door looking for Frank.  She had a drum part in her hand.  Apparently, there was a mix-up when the team led worship for a special even at Town and Country Christian Church for Camp LRCA.  When we packed up and came back, a drum part was left behind.  (We ended up getting the high-hats to work with duct tape for a couple weeks.)

Standing there, we started talking about a few coordination things.  Now the drums would work better…we have toner for the copying machine…the air conditioning is working better…etc. As we talked, we were reminded of the gifts God keeps showering down upon us.  The drum part saved us having to buy a whole new high-hat set.  The copier/printer contract is over, saving us $400 per month.  The insulation in the ceiling saved us $600 this month and will continue saving us $100 per month from here on out. 

Of course, the conversation moved past tasks, projects, and money really fast and started focusing on our relationships with God and people.  We (Traci and I) just completed a computer program that allows us to better enter and track Connect Card, Event Attendance, and other involvement information.  This will help us make wiser decisions as we plan events, coordinate teams, and shepherd the flock entrusted into our care.

The capstone of our conversation, though, was the reminder that God is working in and through His people every day.  We enjoyed sharing with one another a visible reminder of God’s work in our lives:  Shannon Uttal and Chuck Hartz were baptized this week.  We all paused.  God really is good all the time.  Go team. Praise God.