"Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair." G. K. Chesterton
I had the opportunity to visit some other faith communities
this summer during my 3-month sabbatical
. I found myself walking into a church worship service with my kids for the first time in a long time. One particular week,
as
I
stood
with
my children,
Lyla (3) and Russell (5)
,
tears stream
ed
down my face
. I got
to hear Lyla sing the words of the worship song alongside me and the others gathered in worship that day.
Being on the "attender
-
" rather than "pastor
-
" side of a Sunday morning worship gathering reminded me of some dynamics at play when we
worship
. Something
that
I
have
noticed in myself and others is that o
ur culture has program
m
ed us to listen to a sermon for information. We are conditioned to attend a church service with a bent towards "What can I get out of this?"
There is nothing wrong with seeking information but I wonder if God is more interested in our
formation
,
rather
than our merely acquiring more
information
.
When I approach a sermon (or
Scripture, or
book,
or
event
that is participatory
)
, I tend to
seek to cover as much ground as possible as quickly as I can
. In this way,
I m
ay
not notice
God's gentle whisper
that
invit
es
me to pause and reflect,
to
stop and ponder
, or
to
turn and repent
.
When I approach a Bible study seeking to master the text so that I can defend it, I miss out on the invitation from God for the text to master
me
. When I'm all about mastering the text, I am in control and I am
"
in my head.
"
But when I allow the text to master me, I relinquish control
.
I allow all my heart, mind and will to be moved.
Richard
Rohr
, of the Center of Action and Contemplation,
says, "The opposite of faith is not doubt
; t
he opposite of faith is control"
When I come to church and listen analytically, critically, and sometimes judgmentally, I am standing at a distance with my own purposes, objectives and desires driving me.
I am treating God as an object to be analyzed and studied, rather than a subject
, a Person,
to dance with.
When I come to church expectant, open, available, and willing to be surprised
,
sometimes God will speak to me through a song, a prayer, or another soul
:
-
Informational
listening keeps the experience "out there
,
" where I can control and manipulate it to fit my life agenda.
Formational
listening,
allows space and silence for God to speak.
-
Informational
learning is characterized by a "problem solving" approach. We are looking for a fast and easy nugget of wisdom that we can apply that will change our lives now.
-
F
ormational
learning recognizes that faith is a process. It is not something we have or don't have, but rather something
that
mature
s
and grow
s
, bit by bit.
So, the next time
that
you set aside time for prayer,
S
cripture, a podcast, a book, or a sermon, why not ask God to help
you see Him with more than your mind alone
?
Ask Him to help
you move from your head to your heart
. Then watch Him
give
you
the
eyes
to see, the
ears to
hear,
and
the
courage to listen and obey
H
is promptings in your life
.
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For a variety of reasons we tend to think of our lives as separated rather than interconnected. We act as though our lives are compartmentalized - work is over here, friends over there, church is in the corner, finances is way over there, and exercise has left the neighborhood. But God designed us as interconnected beings - with psychosomatic unity. You are one whole and complete you, with each
part doing its necessary function and with each part interacting together.
In this Vital Signs series we want to consider how we are interconnected, whole people. The tendency is to think of each are of our lives as a silo - separate, contained, isolated. The reality is that we are more like a sponge with each area of our lives interacting with all the other areas. As followers of Christ, we are given spiritual life that is not kept in a silo in one part of our lives, but interconnects with each and every area of our lives. So, just like we take our temperature to check how our body is doing, how do we check our vital signs for our spiritual health?
Paul wrote, "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). We hope God does just that - sanctify us through and through.
Join us throughout the month of September for this engaging new series!
Worship with us this weekend at 9am or 10:30am. Childcare and Sunday School/Youth Group* classes available.
*Youth Group meets during the 10:30am service.
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Platt Park @ Platt Park
Join us THIS WEEKEND, Sept. 3, as we head down to Platt Park on the corner of Logan and Iowa St. after the second service. Bring your lunch, chair/blanket, Frisbee, slack line, corn hole, etc... and get to know the people you see on Sunday mornings! If there is inclement weather, we will move to a local restaurant which will be announced during service on Sunday morning. Kids are welcome!
Kids' Club (1st - 5th) Parent Meeting We will be having a brief Parent Information Meeting after the second service on Sunday, September 10th. Please plan to attend this meeting, as this will be the best way to become familiar with what your child is doing in Kids' Club. (Plus, there will be lunch!)
Israeli Tour-Guide, Shimon Zemer, at PPC
Want to take a pilgrimage to Israel without leaving Denver?!
Shimon Zemer, our excellent tour guide from this year's trip to Israel, is coming to Denver! He will be at our church on Monday, September 18th, and we'd love to have you join us in meeting him, hearing about current events in Israel, learning more about Israel, and talking about our next trip to Israel (Spring 2019).
Shimon is a native of Israel and has served as a tour guide for more than 25 years. His stories are endless and fascinating! Join us Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.
This will be a fun way to connect to Israel, whether you want to travel to Israel or not. However, if you ARE interested in the next trip, please let us know so we can begin generating a list of interested people! To get on this list, please email [email protected].
To further entice you...we will have coffee and desserts! We hope you can join us!
Sign Up for Nepal Updates
Are you interested in staying connected with our ministry partnership in Nepal? Let us know! We would love to include you on our monthly ministry update email newsletter. To be added, please fill out a connection card via paper or via our app, or email us at
[email protected]
.
New Guest Lunch New to Platt Park Church? Join us for lunch on Sunday, September 10, immediately following the 10:30am service to learn more about our history, mission, and how to get connected in the life of the church. No registration necessary...just come on in!
Download our Church App.
We now have a custom church app you can download to stay connected with everything here at Platt Park Church! You can access sermons, events, and give, right through our Church's app. Just go to your phone's app store, search for Platt Park Church, and download. Or click here:
Download Our App
Party in the Parlor Looking for ways to connect in our faith community? Want to find a place to serve in our church, in Denver, or globally? Come to our "10 minute Connection Party!" Susan Stein will be in the parlor following both the 9am and 10:30am services and is excited to share opportunities for serving and connecting at Platt Park Church and beyond!
Looking for a way to connect in our faith community? Consider volunteering during Sunday morning services. We have needs for volunteers in the following areas: Greeter Team, Communion Servers, Hospitality Team, Media Presenters, and Children and Youth Ministry Volunteers. Contact Susan Stein ([email protected]) for more information and to get involved!
#CasseroleCare Volunteers.
We're thrilled to offer #CasseroleCare to our new moms, families undergoing a severe illness, and others in need! It's a good-old fashioned meal train, where we deliver home-cooked or freshly prepared restaurant dinners. Service opportunities include meal preparation, delivery, or simply donating a gift card from your favorite fast casual restaurant! Please indicate #CasseroleCare on your comment card, or contact Marcie Everett at [email protected] for additional details.
The APPLE TREE CLOSET is open for shopping! Beautiful, upscale women's clothing, shoes and accessories are regularly donated to us by Common Threads on South Pearl and you can purchase them for a fraction of their original price. Students and those with low income can even shop for free! The proceeds from this ministry benefit our Benevolence/Blessing Fund. Come check it out on the lower level! (Due to space limitations we are no longer accepting donated items from the congregation).
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COMING IN OCTOBER - NEW FALL GROUPS!
Small groups are one important way to grow deeper in relationships with God and with one another. We learn to know Christ more and how to follow him in word and deed in the context of community. Joining a small group is such a vital and easy way to get to know others in the church, establish friendships and grow in Christ in a more relaxed setting. Sometimes participating in a group can help you determine if joining a church in Denver is for you.
Adoption Connections (For people with ties to the adoption)
Leaders- Gwen & Tim Vogelzang
Fourth Friday of every month, 6:15pm - 8pm @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)
We welcome Platt Park members as well as anyone outside the church body who has ties to the world of adoption. Whether you've adopted internationally, domestically, through foster care, you're considering adoption, you were adopted, you placed a child for adoption...everyone is welcome. Bring dinner and eat as a family at 6:00pm, if you wish! Our formal time together will begin at 6:30; when we will share journeys, discuss adoption related topics, and grow in community. (Childcare starting at 6:30).
Babies and Tots (For families with babies and toddlers)
Leaders: The Detzels, the Larsons & the Rondeaus
First Saturday of every month, 4pm - 6pm @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)
We are a new group for parents of babies and tots! We will keep it simple, gathering together for guided conversation, worship and community building (and maybe some food too!) Childcare provided.
Evening Edition (For women)
Leaders- Carol Schmidt & Heather Easter
Thursday evenings, 6:30pm-8pm @ Platt Park Church (Lounge)
"Have you ever wondered why sometimes you seem to "succeed" spiritually, and other times you seem to "fail?" Or, when you are fully trusting and obeying God, that you seem to encounter more obstacles, discouragement, and defeat? As crazy as it may sound to our modern world, the Bible says that there is an enemy, and he is out to devour us like a roaring lion. This fall, the Evening Edition Women's Group will be studying C.S. Lewis' book The Screwtape Letters. This book is a timeless classic told from the devil's point of view. Childcare Provided.
The Front Door (For people who are new to our community)
Leaders- Tim & Susie Grade
Sunday nights, 5pm- 7pm (October 8, 15, 22, 29) @ the Grade's home
Are you new to Platt Park Church? Do you want to meet more people and get to know the pastors? This four-week group is an opportunity for people who are newer or not-yet connected in the faith community to share a weekly meal and conversation about the mission and vision of our church. We will gather in co-pastors, Tim and Susie Grade's home for a potluck style dinner, followed by casual conversation.
Holy Yoga (All are welcome!)
Mondays from 6:30pm-7:30pm @ Platt Park Church (Social Hall)
Holy Yoga is the intentional practice of connecting our entire being; body, mind & spirit, with God. You will experience a Christ centered yoga practice including breath work,
meditation and physical postures. This "Slow Flow" yoga is for all experience levels, linking breath with motion. Modifications are offered if you are looking for a
more gentle
practice or if you are looking to up-level. Come join us for an opportunity to connect to God through His Word, worship and wellness. All levels are welcome! Please bring a mat, water bottle, and a friend! No childcare. Suggested Donation: $10
Just Worship (All are welcome!)
1st Wednesday of every month, 6:30-7:30pm @ Platt Park Church (Sanctuary)
Charlie and others will lead us in an hour of worship. Come, relax, rest, sing, BE in the presence of God as 'he inhabits the praises of his people' (Psalm 22:3). Childcare (0-5
yr
olds
)
Morning Edition (For women)
Leaders: Lara Hedberg & Kelli Detzel
Thursdays Mornings, 10:00am - 11:30am @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)
Join us for connection, honest conversation and weekly prayer. Get to know other women and be known as we open the scriptures and discuss the book "What is the Bible
? :
How a book of Poems, Letters and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything," by Rob Bell. Childcare Provided.
Monday Night Men (For men)
Mondays, 7pm - 8:30pm @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)
This fall we will be reading Richard Rohr's book, The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. Find out about these 9 personality types, how you see the world, and how others might see the same world differently!
Simply Jesus (All are welcome)
Leaders: The Kidds & the
Haverlands
1st & 3rd Mondays, 7pm - 8:30pm @ the Haverland's Home
We will be studying John
Ortberg's
book,
Who
is this Man? Jesus' influence has swept over history, bringing his inspiration to the evolution of art, science, government, medicine, and education. This book and video series will challenge and encourage us to lead lives of dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope that will continue to inspire and challenge humanity today.
Connect (All are welcome)
Leaders: Charlie Dodrill & Susan Stein
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 6:30-8:00pm, (Location TBA)
Come learn and engage with different spiritual practices for our continuing journey toward the heart of God. You will hear from some amazing spiritual formation leaders in our community and gain practical guidance in the spiritual disciplines. Join us and experience new ways of hearing from and being present to God. Childcare provided.
Sunday Funday for Families (for families with school-age kids)
Leaders: Olivia Kosky & Anne Coughlin
First Sunday of the Month, 5:00pm- 7:00pm @ Platt Park Church
Sunday
Funday
for Families is a group where families can connect, socialize and learn together. This fall, we will be utilizing a video series called "Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child's Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days." This series is most relevant for families in the season of life of character-building and setting expectations for behavior in their kids. Childcare provided.
Sunday Morning Bible Study (All are welcome)
Sunday Mornings, 10:30am- 11:30am @ Platt Park Church (Lounge)
Big Picture Thinking of God: Have you ever wondered about what happened in the Garden of Eden? And how it fits into the New Testament. Or why God created us in the first place? Or what is God's plan
is
for his people? If you've had these questions and want to examine the major themes of the Bible and how the Old Testament and New Testament fit together, then join us for a five-week study on The Big Picture Thinking of God. This class is taught by Sandy Laws, New Testament scholar and graduate from Denver Seminary. Childcare provided.
Wednesday Morning Men (For men)
Wednesdays, 7am - 8am @ the REI Starbucks (1416 Platte River Rd.)
This Fall we will be reading Richard Rohr's book The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. Find out about these 9 personality types, how you see the world, and how others might see the same world differently!
One Question Dinners (All are welcome)
Enjoy a meal and get to know some of the amazing people in our faith community! Your host will provide the main course and offer "one question" to get the conversation started. Guests will be asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. The goal is simply to make friends and build community! Space is limited for each gathering. Please email your host directly for more details and/or to RSVP.
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We believe giving is at the heart of the message of the Gospel. John 3:16 says, "God loved the world so much that he gave..."
We appreciate your presence and partnership in our family of faith. Thank you for your generosity. Our weekly budget is $7,000.
August 6: $8,272.01
August 13: $10,439.50
August 20: $11,030
August 27: $3,664
September 3: $9,262
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