Sunday, February 14: THIS SUNDAY!

Over the years, I have found the Scripture recorded in Proverbs 29:18 to be painfully true: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." I have observed that visionless people have clearly identifiable traits that contribute to their ultimate demise. Visionless people are pliable people. They have no guiding principles or values, and, as a result, they fall for anything. Visionless people are pitiful people. They are always looking for someone to help them rather than help themselves or looking for people to blame for their plight instead of solving their problems. Visionless people are petty people. They focus on small petty things rather than things that are truly important. There is an old cliche which states, "They major in the minors and minor in the majors." Ultimately, visionless people are powerless people. Everything is a problem, every obstacle is insurmountable, and, as a result, little or no progress is made.

On the other hand, people who have a vision are principled, positive, patient, and powerful. They have values that guide them, beliefs that encourage them, and strength that sustains them while waiting and working for their vision to become a reality. The vision we are developing today will give us the faith we need in the future and will also give us the power we need to solve today's problems as we build a better tomorrow.

"Plot Twist" is a series of messages that unpacks the story of Joseph found in the book of Genesis. Throughout everything that happened in his life, his hope and faith in God made him resilient against the betrayal, injustice, pain, and loss. In our 10:15 a.m worship this Sunday, February 14, we will hear the incredible conclusion of his multifaceted story. Our in-person worship in the Gordon-Conwell chapel will also feature some choice videos for Valentine's Day! We urge you to be with us for a memorable Sunday either in-person or online on the Imagine Church Facebook page. Invite a friend, too!

Also, it's not too late to participate in Gregory Roberts' corresponding Bible study highlighting Joseph's unique kind of faith. Simply sign up by emailing Gregory at [email protected], and you, too, can participate remotely in this study.

Everyone has a story, and, when we share our faith stories in worship, it can help build up another's faith! This is what we plan to do with a unique series at Imagine Church during the Sundays of Lent called "Your Story." February 21 - March 28, six very special members of the Imagine Church community will share about their particular journeys of faith. Some will speak for just several minutes while others may take the regular sermon time, but you will be blessed and your faith increased by hearing their stories. This will take place during both our in-person worships at GCTS and also online in the messages premiered on our Imagine Church Facebook page.

Please respond to this Facebook post or send an email to [email protected] to express your interest and willingness to learn! Thank you for helping our ministry grow!

On Sunday mornings, elementary aged Imagine Kids (grades K-5) are dismissed from the chapel early in worship for their session with our Minister to Children and Families, Gregory Roberts. And what a sight it is to see so many kids and youth stand up and exit the chapel together! We hope you and your Imagine Kids will join us for in-person worship on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. at Gordon-Conwell -- and bring a friend, too!

Additionally, as a way to supplement the in-person sessions, you can catch Gregory's weekly message LIVE on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on the Imagine Church Facebook page. With the help of Elijah and Lilly, Gregory kicked off this past Sunday's message, 'The Story of Joseph and His Jealous Brothers,' and, this Sunday, they will pick up where they left off -- you won't want to miss it!

Gregory Roberts | 704-502-3107 | [email protected]

Tim kicked off last week's Super Bowl Sunday Pre-Game Party with a great motivational message, and then our youth had a blast playing games and enjoying some yummy snacks! Thanks to all the youth who attended and brought the energy! If you missed it, check out these Facebook pics.

On February 14 and 21, we will take time to watch and discuss the movie I Still Believe, the true life story of Christian music mega star Jeremy Camp. Jeremy’s remarkable journey of love and loss proves there is always hope in the midst of tragedy and that faith tested is the only faith worth sharing. You won't want to miss it -- so we invite you to bring a friend, too!

Please help us connect with you and the youth by joining us on Remind or Instagram (search for Imagine Youth). In addition to posting the latest events, Tim will post weekly devotions that he hopes will get your sons and daughters connected to what God can do in the lives of all the young people at Imagine Church. If you and/or your youth are not already signed up for Remind, please follow these steps to get set-up to receive push notifications or texts from Tim:

Get push notifications on your smartphone by going to the following link(s):

Sign-up to receive text notifications by texting @imagineyg to the number 81010.

Have a blessed week knowing God is with you! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, and we encourage you to bring a friend, too!

Tim Gunn | 803-322-1113 | [email protected]

The Greater Community Life Group is meeting again in 2021 every two weeks on Wednesday evenings. The ladies are reading Max Lucado's You Are Never Alone with facilitation provided by Michelle Transou. For more information about the group's next series, contact Michelle at 704-299-6235.

If you are led to make an offering and will be worshiping with us in person this Sunday, we invite you to place your offering in one of the collection baskets at the GCTS chapel. Anyone, however, can make a safe and secure online offering from our church website (https://imaginechurchnow.org/giving/) or by utilizing mobile text giving (SMS) by following the steps that were detailed in last week's newsletter. Of course, cash or check can always be mailed directly to our church office at:

THANK YOU for making our ministry possible here in this community and around the world -- God is undoubtedly at work in the life of our church family!

There are so many opportunities that exist for our church family to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to help others through various means of service right here in our community. If you are aware of an opportunity that you would like to see highlighted in the newsletter, please email Kari DiDonato at her Imagine Church email: [email protected]  

We encourage you to donate unused clothing, household items, furniture, or appliances to any of these locations. Click here for a complete list of locations and contact information.

What happens to your monetary donations and/or your store donations when the items sell and are turned into money? Check out this video for the answer: Tender Hearts Ministries Video

As was mentioned in last month's newsletter, throughout the month of February, we will be collecting baby wipes, diapers, formula, and baby food to be donated to the residents of Tender Hearts House of Hope. If you would like to make a donation, please feel free to bring your items to Gordon-Conwell for any Sunday worship this month, or reach out to Kari DiDonato, Imagine Church Administrator, at [email protected] to make alternate collection arrangements.

Zach Preston began a new form of immunotherapy this week along with the first of five radiation treatments for a lesion on his sternum; doctors are confident this will alleviate the pain coming from the sternum.  Rhonda reports that the last round of chemo infusion really wiped him out. May we all pray for Zach's strength and comfort as he receives his new rounds of treatment and that God would remind them both of His constant presence.

Dana Martone's daughter, Meredith Martone, was a passenger in an automobile accident last Wednesday night which left her with a crushed pelvic plate and other broken bones which will require three to four months of rehab and physical therapy. We are grateful, however, that Meredith survived the accident and that her injuries will eventually heal. Please hold Meredith and Dana in your prayers each day.

Tamra Roberts' mother, Tina Farrow, in Wisconsin has received a challenging prognosis in her ongoing fight against cancer, and we offer daily prayers for Tina, for Tamra, and for others of their family.

Jimmy Ferguson spent several hours in the ER at Atrium Steele Creek with fever and congestion but was released around 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. Please hold both Jimmy and Becky in your prayers. 

Sandy Holland, mother of Patricia Gray, and Dan Gray, father of Matt Gray, have both been in the hospital in recent days with breathing and heart issues, respectively, and our prayers for each of them have been requested.

We rejoice with Ray and Michelle Transou at the news that Ray's nephew, Ray Sheppard, received a clear leukemia scan and had his port removed.

We offer prayers of God's comfort and healing for Jo Johnson, a special friend to many in the Imagine Church family, as her illness progresses.

If you are wanting your name added to our birthday list, simply send us a quick email at [email protected]. We want to celebrate with you!

Together we have imagined a different kind of church -- one that is not bound by committees or tradition or the way things have always been done, but one that seeks ways to bless and transform lives through the grace and love of Jesus Christ. We believe that wherever life happens, church can happen, too. That's Imagine Church.