Worshiping Sundays In-Person and as an
Online Faith Community

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10:15 a.m.: In-Person Worship Service and
Online Facebook Worship
    
Church Office: 980-999-3500

Weekly Newsletter: October 29, 2020
Weekly Newsletter:
September 16, 2021
The current mask mandate issued by the city of Charlotte requiring face coverings be worn in any indoor public space regardless of vaccination status will remain in effect until at least Monday, September 20, 2021. The mandate is based on the current COVID-19 metrics, and the duration of the public health rule will be dependent upon the metrics improving. This mandate applies to all individuals who are at least four years of age. Imagine Church remains committed to our biblical mandate to "do no harm" and to "love our neighbors as ourselves." We believe that wearing masks during this time protects the safety and well-being of one another, especially the most vulnerable among us. We will have masks available on tables in the rotunda at Gordon-Conwell, and we encourage those who do not bring their own to wear one.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 16: TODAY!
6:30 p.m. Missions Team Meeting, First Properties of the Carolinas Conference Room, 1 Executive Court, Lake Wylie

Sunday, September 19: THIS SUNDAY!
10:15 a.m. Sunday Worship at Imagine Church (in person at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Chapel, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte, and online on Imagine Church Facebook Page)
Message: Fake News That's Not in the Bible, Part 6 by Pastor Bruce
Separate sessions for ALL ages of Imagine Kids and Imagine Nation Youth
Proclaim - Lee Potter; Safety & Security - Nick Jones
11:45 a.m. Leadership Team Meeting, Room 122-A, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Tuesday, September 21:
7:00 p.m. Community Bible Study, Main Class Group (in person at Community Church at Lake Wylie, and dedicated online groups)

Wednesday, September 22:
10:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Women's Group, Community Bible Study, CCLW
Study of Revelation
7:00 p.m. Ladies Life Group, Home of Debra Tadlock, 117 Shimmerlake Lane, Belmont
Bible Study on Daniel and Revelation

Sunday, September 26:
Message:  Five Words We've Redefined by Pastor Bruce
Music for Worship by Bo and Lauren Magnie, Elena and Otis, from St. John, US Virgin Islands
Separate sessions for ALL ages of Imagine Kids and Imagine Nation Youth
Proclaim - Paula Davis; Safety & Security - TBD
Imagine Church Devotional
"Victories with Scars"
The only song I know of that has been written about football and nominated for a Grammy was recorded in 1977 by recording artist Bobby Bare. It may be the corniest song ever nominated for a Grammy, too. It was entitled, "Dropkick Me, Jesus, Through the Goalposts of Life." 

There are times for all of us when we're feeling dropkicked through life, when life is hard and difficult. However, as we've said before, it's not because Jesus is giving us those things; they're just part of what happens in life. Sometimes they're the consequences of our own decisions; sometimes it's what happens to our bodies; sometimes it's what is happening in the broader world. It's not that God is making all these horrible things happen to us, but what we believe is that somehow God can work in the midst of them to bring about a victory from the agonizing defeats of life. The pain in our lives, when put in God's hands, can actually be used to bring about something good and beautiful that can end up as a surprising victory.

It's not that the pain always goes away; there are circumstances we sometimes must walk through which are so hard that, though the pain may lessen, we will always continue to carry the loss with us. However, I have seen instances in which the pain and adversity we've experienced become the instrument God uses to lead one day to victory. I call these "victories with scars."

I don't know what your scars are, but I know you have them. I think about Jesus when he was resurrected out of the tomb. He was made whole again, yet we know from Scripture (the gospel of John, chapter 20) that Jesus still had the scars in his hands, his feet, and his side. Surely God could have taken away the scars; but maybe God wanted us to know that our scars can become instruments of victory if we allow God to use them in that way.
Are you using your scars from the past, your pain from the past? Can you share with people who are walking through a journey right now that you've been on before? Are you willing to allow God to use you to help other people? When you do that, it becomes a victory, not only for them, but for you as well. That's why I have come to know there really is such a thing as "victories with scars."

In the name of the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
Bruce Jones, Pastor and Co-Creator,
Imagine Church of the Carolinas
Worship This Week
Families arrive and parents check their kids into a children's ministry designed to communicate in a way that's fun. Teenagers go to a session created to stretch their faith and give them a sense of adventure. Adults experience a worship experience that is visitor friendly, features celebrative instrumental music and memorable, singable songs, along with informal, relational prayers. Can this be worship? It is at Imagine Church! The quality of the 75 minutes we spend in worship fuels the other 167 hours of the week. At 10:15 a.m. this Sunday, September 19, you will be inspired by the music and encouraged in your faith, and you will find hope and maybe an answer or two to some of life's challenging questions. Bruce will be concluding the thought-provoking series, Fake News That's Not in the Bible. Join us this Sunday in person in the beautiful Gordon-Conwell Chapel or online on the Imagine Church Facebook page -- and invite a friend!
Leadership Team Meeting after Worship
Imagine Church's Leadership Team will get an update on the status of our permitting process and will look at the associated cost figures when the team meets just after worship this Sunday, September 19, around 11:45 a.m. in Room 122-A at Gordon-Conwell. Team members, we ask you to be present!
Magnie Family to Bring Their Music on September 26
Our pastor's daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Bo Magnie, have made a name for themselves as accomplished musicians, performers, and recording artists in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we're excited to have them lead worship at Imagine Church on Sunday, September 26, at 10:15 a.m. Even their children, Elena and Otis, get in on the act! Bruce will share a brief message, too. You will be blessed and inspired by their music with a Caribbean flair when they share their talent with us on September 26!
It's Still Not Too Late to Join Community Bible Study (CBS)
Community Bible Study (CBS) began its 2021-22 Session last week on Tuesday evening, September 7, and will continue to meet weekly on Tuesday nights from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Church at Lake Wylie (located at 104 Hamilton's Ferry Rd., Lake Wylie, SC) with some groups meeting Wednesday mornings.

There are groups for everyone: Couples Groups, Women's Groups, Men's Groups, Teen Groups, and Dedicated Online (Zoom) Groups. CBS provides a beautiful way to truly understand God's Word, and Pastor Bruce encourages everyone to join Community Bible Study for this 2021-22 Session.

Even though the 2021-22 Session has already begun, it's not too late to register -- you can do so by clicking here: CBS Registration

Questions? Go to https://www.communitybiblestudy.org/about/ or email us at cbsLakeWylieEve@gmail.com for more info.
Shriners Hospital to Benefit from Philanthropic Event
Each year, one of the most outstanding philanthropic events in the entire region is conducted with leadership largely from the Imagine Church family: the Lake Wylie Classic Golf Tournament and Silent Auction to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, SC. Ron Domurat, Tim Imrick, David Nichols, Russ Partin, Steve Phillips, and Julie Van Slambrook lead this annual effort which brings together hundreds of people and raises an astonishing amount of money for this worthy cause. The 2021 event on the weekend of September 10-11 had gorgeous weather and likely raised a record-breaking amount. We have been told that, when the total is finally determined, it will be announced one Sunday at Imagine Church. We are proud of these individuals, and we all are blessed by what they do in our greater community.
Imagine Kids
This past Sunday, September 12, Gregory Roberts and Jim Hare engaged with the Imagine Kids to reinforce the message about Jesus being the good shepherd. Check out Jesus is the Gate! (Part 3) (at the 21:15 minute mark) if you missed it on Sunday.
We invite Imagine Kids of ALL ages (nursery through 5th grade) to join us at Gordon-Conwell this Sunday, September 19, when Gregory's message will be: Jesus's Sheep Know His Voice.
Babies can be dropped off in the nursery immediately upon arrival to GCTS, and Imagine Kids will depart from the chapel after praise and worship. We hope you will bring a friend with you!
Memory Verse:
Parents, here is the memory verse for you to practice with your child(ren):

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:11 NIrV)





Gregory Roberts | 704-502-3107 | ImagineKids@ImagineChurchNow.org
Imagine Nation Youth
Join Tim Gunn for Imagine Nation Youth this Sunday, September 19. All middle school and high school aged youth will be dismissed after praise and worship to gather for fun activities as well as a meaningful message and discussion with Tim.
If you are registered for Winter Xtreme (Dec. 28-30) and missed this past Sunday's meeting after church to review and ask questions about the Winter Extreme schedule, concerts, housing arrangements, etc., please contact Tim at the email or cell number listed below.

Also, stay tuned for more youth events coming this Fall including Scarowinds and much more!
Weekly Devotion:

This is my command -- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

It’s so easy to become afraid. Whether it’s fear of the future, fear of failing your history test, or fear that your crush will reject you, everyone deals with fear. And while fear is something that we all face, if we let it, fear will stop us from doing the things God wants us to do.

The bad thing about fear is that, if you give in to it, you’ll find yourself unhappy and living with lots of regrets. So instead of letting fear cripple your life, choose to be strong and courageous.

You can stand against fear when you know that God is with you. You know that you’ll come out on the other side of every difficulty winning because God will not leave you. Today, regardless of what you’re facing, know that God has a plan for you. Don’t allow fear to stop you from doing what God has called you to do.
Did you like what you read above? Follow these steps to get set-up to receive Tim's weekly devotional messages and other important information for Imagine Youth via Remind:

Get push notifications on your smartphone by going to the following link(s): rmd.at/imagineyg
 
Sign-up to receive text notifications by texting @imagineyg to the number 81010.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday morning, Imagine Youth -- and bring a friend, too!

Tim Gunn | 803-322-1113 | Youth@ImagineChurchNow.org
Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus
There are so many opportunities that exist for our church to be the hands and feet of Jesus by helping others through various means of service right here in our community and around the world. If you have a heart for missions, you are invited to join the Missions Team or simply support its initiatives. For more information about the Missions Team, please email Kari DiDonato at her Imagine Church email: imaginechurch2014@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER'S MISSION FOCUS:
~ Partnering with Kinard Elementary ~
"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." ~ Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)
As you know, for the month of September, the Missions Team will focus on educating you about opportunities that exist to make an impact on the children at Kinard Elementary School in Clover, SC, a Title I school where 40% or more of the students qualify for free/reduced lunch and are eligible for school-wide programs that benefit all students in the school. Parent participation and involvement are encouraged in all Title I schools, but because many parents work during the school day, there is a huge opportunity for our church family to make an impact by volunteering in classrooms, eating lunch with students, and mentoring students, among other things.

If you missed seeing this video previously, please take a moment to view and listen to Mr. George Smith, Principal of Kinard Elementary:
Two Sundays ago, Sherri Ciurlik of the Imagine Church Missions Team spoke about opportunities that exist to partner with Kinard Elementary to serve both Kinard's 495 students and also Kinard's teachers and staff. If you missed Sherri's passionate and heartfelt message, please take a moment to listen to it now:
Sherri Ciurlik's Message (40:35 minute mark)

If you feel called to serve in some capacity -- pen pal, mentor, lunch buddy, teacher/staff supporter -- with this partnering initiative with Kinard Elementary in Clover, SC, please take a moment to email Kari DiDonato, Imagine Church Administrator, at imaginechurch2014@gmail.com, and express your interest by answering these questions:

  1. Your Name
  2. Your Email
  3. Your Preferred Phone/Text Number
  4. Skills & Interests
  5. Preferred Student Age with which to Engage
  6. Weekday Availability

We're thrilled to have already received emails from interested individuals, and we look forward to brainstorming ideas on how we can engage in meaningful ways with the students at Kinard while also providing emotional support and encouragement for Kinard's teachers and staff. Thank you for praying on this opportunity to create a symbiotic relationship between Imagine Church and Kinard Elementary -- one in which we touch the lives of children and teachers while they, in turn, touch our lives, too.
Offering Our Gifts with the Joy That God Has Given to Us
Your faithfulness to give joyfully in the name of our Savior has been an amazing thing to observe, and we thank you for demonstrating your knowledge that our monetary gifts are a mere gesture of sacrifice in comparison to Jesus's ultimate sacrifice for us. God is at work in the life of this church family by helping to grow Imagine Church's ministry through your generous giving, and, so if you are led to make a tithe, offering, or gift, we offer these safe and convenient giving options:

MAIL: Cash or check donations can be mailed directly to our church office at:

Imagine Church
13000 S. Tryon Street, Suite F-114
Charlotte, NC 28278

WORSHIP: Cash or check donations can be placed in one of the collection baskets at our Sunday in-person worships at GCTS.

ONLINE: Use this link to access our Church Center online giving platform:

MOBILE: Make a donation from your smart phone using the mobile Church Center app. Search for Imagine Church in Lake Wylie to create your account:

Or, text the amount of your offering (ex: $123) to 84321.

RECURRING: Make a recurring donation using Church Center:

THANK YOU for making our ministry possible here in this community and around the world!
Ladies' Life Group
The Ladies Life Group is continuing to meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Debra Tadlock's beautiful home (117 Shimmerlake Ln, Belmont, NC). You can join them as they delve into their Bible study series of Daniel and Revelation.

Please stay tuned for details about upcoming events and outings from the Ladies Life Group.

Debra Tadlock | 704-460-9075dsb0602@yahoo.com

Guys & Cars Life Group
Please stay tuned for details about upcoming events and outings from the Guys & Cars Life Group, and reach out to Jim Gilkeson with any questions.

Jim Gilkeson | 803-627-6637gilkesonj@gmail.com

Adult Life Group
The Adult Life Group's next outing will be a Carolina History & Haunts "Beyond the Grave" Ghost Tour in Charlotte on Saturday, October 16, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Rain or shine, this outing will be a 90-minute walking tour guided by the eerie glow of candlelight -- a little spooky fun that's entertaining and educational, too!

We will meet 15 minutes before the start of the tour in the Hearst Tower Outdoor Plaza at 214 N. Tryon St. next to Malabar restaurant. Recommended parking decks are: The Dunhill Hotel and the Hearst Tower deck.

Cost is $15 per adult, and children are less if we end up having any sign-up for this outing. Everyone should register and pay in full in advance using this link:

Or use one of these mobile apps to register:


After installing the mobile app, search for Imagine Church of the Carolinas, and select it as your church. You can then see events and register.

Reach out to Paula Davis at the contact information below if you have any questions.

Paula Davis | 704-906-0101decarbodavis@gmail.com
Weekly Inspiration and Encouragement
Inspirational Song:
By: Jeremy Camp

In this life there is one guarantee
This broken world will only leave me empty
But there’s a life that healed my heart
And it holds firm when I’m falling apart
I will stand on the truth
In the living word of God

Submitted by: Jennifer Tankersley,
Minister of Worship and the Arts 

Bible Verse of Encouragement:
 
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
~ Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
Prayers and Praises
We offer Christian sympathy to Ray and Michelle Transou, Emma and Anna, at the death of Ray's father, Wayne Robert Wilson, of Princeton, West Virginia, on September 13, 2021, following a brief illness. A service to remember and celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Please hold Ray and Michelle and family in your prayers.

Remember in your prayers Angie Dennis, recovering at home from illness and hospitalization; Greg and Cindy Holmes (sister and brother-in-law of Adrienne Lanier), both of whom are recovering from illness; Jerry Brownlee (father of Lydia Smith) who is in declining health; those in Louisiana, New York, and New England who are dealing with the destruction of Hurricane Ida; those in our church family and our friends who have been battling the Delta Variant of COVID-19, for their health, safety, and well-being.
Happy Birthday!
We send heartfelt and happy birthday greetings to these Imagine Church family members who have birthdays throughout the next two weeks:
Sep 16.....Ken Moreno
Sep 20.... Chase Jones
Sep 21.....Ben Horgan
Sep 22.....Brooklyn Gunn
Sep 23.....Katie James
Sep 23.....David Kowalczyk
Sep 23.....Roland Neuffer
Sep 24.....Campbell Hurst
Sep 24.....Kaelyn Turner
Sep 25.....Brad Kokoski
Sep 28.....Craig Galeota
Sep 30.....Tim Gunn
Sep 30.....Chuck Spencer
Sep 30.....William Van de Nobelen
If you are wanting your name added to our birthday list, simply send us a quick email at Info@ImagineChurchNow.org. We want to celebrate with you!
Why Imagine Church?
Imagine a church where believers want to bring their unchurched friends. We make an important assumption each week: some of the people who attend Imagine Church will not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. These guests come seeking answers to life's questions. They come looking for hope. Proclaiming the gospel can encourage believers in their faith, and, at the same time, introduce guests to Jesus Christ. That's Imagine Church.
People come alive when they learn to engage in a bigger story.