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Worshiping Sundays In-Person and as an
Online Faith Community
Be sure to 'Like' us on Facebook
to view our online sermons
10:15 a.m.: In-Person Worship Service and
Online Facebook Worship
Church Office: 980-999-3500
Weekly Newsletter: October 29, 2020
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Weekly Newsletter:
December 2, 2021
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We continue to monitor reports on the Mecklenburg County mask mandate which continues to be in effect. The county will drop the current mandate if the percent positive rate drops below 5% for seven straight days. The mandate will automatically lift once that goal is met. Until such time, Imagine Church and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary continue to strongly recommend face coverings for indoor gatherings as long as the mask mandate is in effect. Masks will be available in the rotunda on Sunday mornings for those who need them. |
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Friday, December 3:
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Imagine Church Ladies Shopping Night, Give Hope Global Hope House, 15732 Smith Boyd Road, Charlotte
Give the gift of hope this year!
Sunday, December 5: THIS SUNDAY!
10:15 a.m. Sunday Worship at Imagine Church (in person at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Chapel, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte, or online at Imagine Church Facebook Page)
Second Sunday of Advent
Message: "Who Needs Christmas? Part 2" by Pastor Bruce
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Separate sessions for ALL ages of Imagine Kids and Imagine Nation Youth
Proclaim - Lee Potter; Safety & Security - Jeff Delp
Monday, December 6:
6:30 p.m. Missions Team Meeting, First Properties of the Carolinas, 1 Executive Court, Lake Wylie
Tuesday, December 7:
7:00 p.m. Main Class Group, Community Bible Study (in person at Community Church at Lake Wylie, and dedicated online groups)
Wednesday, December 8:
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
Study of Daniel and Revelation
Sunday, December 12:
10:15 a.m. Sunday Worship at Imagine Church (in person at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Chapel, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte, or online at Imagine Church Facebook Page)
Third Sunday of Advent
Message: "Who Needs Christmas? Part 3" by Pastor Bruce
Separate sessions for ALL ages of Imagine Kids
Proclaim - Christina Jones; Safety & Security - Pat Nolan
10:15 a.m. Imagine Nation Youth Christmas Luau Party
(Youth go directly to Room 122-A instead of the Chapel)
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Imagine Church Devotional |
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"To Be Jesus in Our Community"
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Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, as I observed Kari DiDonato assigning the households to which we would be delivering Thanksgiving dinners, I once again noticed something about the personality of Imagine Church. Though we don't do it perfectly, it's our desire to be Jesus in our community -- his hands, his feet, his eyes, his ears, his voice. We desire to be about his business and to reflect what Jesus reflected.
It's our hope and our prayer that people will be attracted by what goes on at Imagine Church and ultimately be changed by the message that we teach and preach and attempt to live. Simply put, that means we desire to be the church that the New Testament explains that the church should be. From the start, we have chosen to focus on two main things: to make church fun and to serve the community. We strive to be a force for God as the center of Christian activity and caring in the Lake Wylie community and the surrounding region.
Let me tell you what I believe that means. It means bringing men and women together in such a way that there is a natural sense of accountability, a natural sense of belonging, where human beings care for each other -- not because their names are on a list somewhere, but because they're experiencing life together, and they are seeing what God is doing in their hearts.
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What we're discovering at Imagine Church is that transformation -- life change -- takes place not when we try to do Christianity alone, but within the context of Christian community. Like everything else that is meaningful, life change takes place when we live in relationship with each other.
I'm proud . . . no, proud is not the right word . . . I'm grateful, that we have felt called to be as Jesus in our community. I hope that implies that the people "out there" in our community and in the wider region will always know that we are here for them, that Imagine Church will be a center of Christian activity and caring.
You see, our greatest potential as a church is not found in what happens in worship on Sunday morning. Our potential to impact lives, to impact our community, has everything to do with taking what we gain in worship on Sunday mornings and applying it to the needs of others. And the beauty of it is, when you commit yourself to Imagine Church and give, and pray, and serve alongside one another, you get to receive the incredible blessing of watching God at work. That's why we strive to be Jesus in our community.
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
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Our worship seems to take on a different, vibrant dimension during the Sundays of Advent. We hear creative versions of favorite carols, we light candles, we hear scriptural stories that are familiar, yet speak to us in fresh ways. All the while, a sense of holy anticipation is building within us. We invite you to join us on a journey to Bethlehem when Imagine Church gathers for worship at 10:15 a.m. this week on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 5. We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion and hear part 2 of our new series entitled, "Who Needs Christmas?" We invite you to be with us, in person in the beautiful Gordon-Conwell Chapel or online on the Imagine Church Facebook page. Join us during this most wonderful time of the year!
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Always a memorable highlight of the year, Imagine Church's Christmas Eve worship will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening, December 24, in the Gordon-Conwell Chapel. Our Imagine Kids will provide a live nativity scene as part of our worship, and we will light glow sticks near the conclusion. If you have relatives with you, bring them along as our special guests! |
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Imagine Church doesn't conduct worship or other activities on the last Sunday of the year (this year on Sunday, December 26) to give our A/V and safety volunteers, musicians, staff, and Imagine Kids workers a vacation day. You've got to love a church that gives you a Sunday off! Worship will resume the following week on Sunday, January 2, 2022. |
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Give the Gift of Warm Clothing and Outerwear to Local Students Needing Assistance |
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Our last minute help is needed to fulfill clothing and outerwear 'wish list' items for students who are eligible recipients of Clover School District's Holiday Assistance Program!
If you are led to help these students receive these much needed warm articles of clothing this Christmas, please take the following steps:
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Claim the item(s) on this Sign-Up Genius - CSD Holiday Assistance Wish Lists - Needed Clothing,
- Purchase the requested item(s), and
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Submit the purchased items (UNWRAPPED and LABELED with the words IMAGINE CHURCH and the associated ANGEL TAG # found in the comment section of each item) by any of these means:
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a) Submit item(s) in person to Kristin Clark, Katie James, or Kari DiDonato at Imagine Church's worship service THIS SUNDAY, December 5th, at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary,
b) Submit items(s) to Crowders Creek Elementary School (5515 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC) BY 2:00 p.m. MONDAY, December 6th, or
c) Make pick-up arrangements with Kari DiDonato (see contact info below) by MONDAY, December 6th.
NOTE: As an alternative to purchasing the clothing items listed on the Sign-Up Genius, you may also consider purchasing a gift card that could be used to obtain the needed articles of clothing.
We are so grateful for your generous hearts and for your desire to give the gift of new warm clothing and coats to students in need of assistance right here in our community!
Questions? Contact Kari DiDonato at her personal email ([email protected]) or by phone/text at 803-810-4992.
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Shop for Christmas Gifts While Supporting Give Hope Global!
It's a Win-Win THIS Friday, December 3rd!
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Invite a friend (or two), and join Imagine Church THIS Friday night for a night of shopping at the Hope House to support Give Hope Global!
Friday, December 3rd from 7-9 PM
15732 Smith Boyd Road, Charlotte
*** Gift wrapping will be available! ***
Check out their items at:
100% of the proceeds go back to Give Hope to help with tuition costs for university students. Give Hope Global is currently helping to support two Haitian Medical students reach their goals of becoming doctors to make a difference in Haiti and provide healthcare for their community. And since all items are hand made by Haitian artists, your purchases also help the artisans support their families, too.
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Bruce,
You are right, Christmas is about meeting Christ and looking at how that one event changed the priorities of the world and how we should change ours. Just try to imagine this world if there was never a Christmas; if the prophecies of the Old Testament were never fulfilled? If all of the disciples never were, if all of the charities, hospitals, churches, orphanages opened in Jesus' name never were? Without Christmas there would be no Mother Theresas or Billy Grahams in the world. It is unimaginable what this world would be without the birth of Jesus!
Merry Christmas!
Rev. Wayne Lynch
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We invite Imagine Kids of ALL ages (nursery through 5th grade) to join us at Gordon-Conwell this Sunday, December 5, when Gregory will share his message titled "Jesus' Coming is Promised."
And, in case you missed it, click here to watch the second part of Gregory's message series from last week:
(at the 20:40 minute mark)
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Christmas Eve Nativity Scene:
Any Imagine Kids who stayed after this past Sunday's worship to be a part of the nativity scene for Christmas Eve, please plan to briefly stay after church again each of the next two Sundays: December 5 and December 12.
Questions? Reach out to:
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CENTRIKID CAMP
You are invited to sign up for "CentriKid Camp July 2022".
CentriKid Camp is a place for kids (rising 3rd graders to rising 7th graders) to get away to hear loud and clear that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.
CentriKid Camp will be at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, NC from July 22-24, 2022. The cost is $199, and a deposit of $75 is due at this time. Please use this link to register your child and pay the $75 deposit: CentriKid Camp - REGISTER HERE
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Memory Verse:
Parents, here is the memory verse for you to practice with your child(ren):
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Preschoolers can memorize just the first sentence: "Then Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life.'"
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We invite all youth to dismiss after praise and worship this Sunday, December 5, to meet separately with Tim for a meaningful session with Imagine Youth. |
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Youth Christmas Party:
Imagine Nation Youth, we will have our Christmas Party on Sunday, December 12, during morning worship. Youth, please go directly to Room 122-A and bypass Chapel that morning. There will be games, food, and fun -- you won't want to miss it, so bring a friend, too! Remember to wear your Hawaiian shirt, and bring a gift in the $5-$10 range for a game we will play.
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Imagine Life Christmas Party:
Chris Jones will be hosting a Christmas Party for Imagine Life on Saturday, December 11, from 6-8pm at his house:
1192 Ross Brook Trace, York
All high school seniors and college students who might happen to be in town are invited to attend.
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Winter Xtreme 2021
We're excited for Winter Xtreme in Gatlinburg this December 28-30! For those youth who are registered, please use this link (click on 'Profile' and then 'My Registrations') to pay off your account in full:
There will be a meeting for everyone attending Winter Xtreme on Sunday, December 12 immediately following morning worship. Will go over room assignments, what to bring, the schedule, and answer any questions. Please plan to attend.
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Weekly Devotion:
Have you ever thought about the types of people you hang out with? Who do you spend most of your time with? The answers to these questions can tell you a lot about yourself and where you’re going.
It’s easy to think that it doesn’t matter who you hang out with. You might not really spend much time thinking about that. However, today’s Bible verse shows us that we should care about the kind of people we spent time with. Whether we want to admit it or not, those people influence us.
The majority of what you’ll accomplish in life is tied to who you choose to spend your time with. If you spend time with people who challenge you to live for God, and be better, you’ll find that you’ll always be growing.
Today, choose to spend some time reflecting on who you hang around. If you don’t have friends pushing you to do and be better, consider trying to find some that will. The friends that you hang around are important. They can direct the path your life takes.
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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.
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We look forward to seeing you Sunday morning, Imagine Youth -- and bring a friend, too!
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Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus |
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MISSION AND OUTREACH RECAP:
~ Clover School District's Holiday Assistance Program ~
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"What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well" -- but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."
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Tithes and Offerings: Keeping Our Ministry Alive and Vital |
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Your faithfulness to give has been an amazing thing to observe. Thank you for demonstrating how God is at work in the life of this church family by helping to keep Imagine Church's ministry alive and vital through your generous giving. 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:
*** (NEW) ZELLE: Now you can setup Zelle to send donations to Imagine Church via the following email address: [email protected]
THANK YOU for making our ministry possible here in this community and around the world!
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The Ladies Life Group continues their study of the books of Daniel and Revelation as they meet weekly on Wednesdays at 7pm at the home of Debra Tadlock (117 Shimmerlake Ln, Belmont, NC).
Please stay tuned for details about upcoming events and outings from the Ladies Life Group.
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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.
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Imagination Destinations Life Group |
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Don't forget to register for the Imagination Destinations Life Group's outing to Carowinds' Winterfest on Wednesday, December 15 -- it's fun for the whole family, and everyone is invited to join! We'll begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at Hickory Tavern in Steele Creek, and we'll head on over to Winterfest at Carowinds after that. Winterfest tickets are $23, and the cost of dinner will be on your own.
Use the above link to register for this event. If you have a Carowinds Season Pass, please select the 'Season Pass Holder Attendee' type. Otherwise, please select the 'Standard Attendee' type, and provide payment of $23. This is a special church rate, so Imagine Church will end up purchasing the tickets for those who need them.
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Weekly Inspiration and Encouragement |
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Inspirational Song:
By: Micah Tyler
Feels like joy to the world
Feels like snow in the air
Feels like choir singing
Church bells ringing
Hope is everywhere
Jesus Christ has come
And one thing is clear
Between the tiny little baby
And all my friends and family
It's the best time of the year
Feels like joy
Submitted by: Jennifer Tankersley,
Minister of Worship and the Arts
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Bible Verse of Encouragement:
"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,"
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It was good to have Ken and Julie Moreno with us in worship on Sunday, November 28. Bruce performed their wedding in the GCTS Chapel one year ago to the day, and we're glad they chose to celebrate their first-year anniversary with us!
Continue to hold Paula Davis in your prayers as she recovers from injuries suffered in a bad fall (and we suspect there is no such thing as a good fall).
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We send heartfelt and happy birthday greetings to these Imagine Church family members who have birthdays throughout the next two weeks: |
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Dec 2......Vaughn Dunn
Dec 4......Justin Litzenberger
Dec 5......Amie Schilling
Dec 7......Lena Herold
Dec 7......Ashley Schoeller
Dec 8......Abby Scott
Dec 9......Chris Jones
Dec 9......Sandra Kelly
Dec 9......Brittany Meehan
Dec 9......Susan Phillips
Dec 11....Betsy Goodwin
Dec 11....Joshua Jones
Dec 11....Dave Nichols
Dec 12....Jimmy Ferguson
Dec 12....Maddie Rowley
Dec 13....Teagan Domurat
Dec 14....Julie Moreno
Dec 15....Tommy Halstead
Dec 15....Will Lockey
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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!
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Imagine a church which believes that the nature and character of God are described by these two words: grace and truth. Grace is the love, honesty, and compassion that God gives and shows us in Jesus. It's how Jesus saves us, heals us, sets us free, and increases our capacity for love. God's truth describes the reality that things are not as they should be. We are self-obsessed, broken, fearful, and oppressive. It's what Jesus came to save us from. |
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Because everybody needs a place. A place to belong. A place to become.
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