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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:
April 15, 2021
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Saturday, April 17: THIS SATURDAY!
8:00 to 11:30 a.m. Imagine Church Serve Day
Meet at First Properties of the Carolinas, 1 Executive Court, Lake Wylie; breakfast will be provided
Service Projects at Clover Area Assistance Center and Palmetto Women's Center
Sunday, April 18: THIS SUNDAY!
9:45 a.m. Online message to Imagine Kids by Gregory Roberts (Imagine Church Facebook Page)
10:15 a.m. Worship indoors at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Chapel, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte (and online worship on Imagine Church Facebook Page)
Third Sunday of Easter
Message: "The Struggle Is Real (The Story of Thomas)"
Separate Sessions for Imagine Nation Youth and Imagine Kids
Proclaim - Jim Gilkeson; Safety & Security - Russ Partin and Steve Phillips
10:30 a.m. Imagine Life College Ministry
Tuesday, April 20:
7:00 p.m. Ladies Life Group, Room 127, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Bible Study on 1 Peter
Sunday, April 25:
9:45 a.m. Online message for Imagine Kids by Gregory Roberts (Imagine Church Facebook Page)
10:15 a.m. Worship Indoors at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Chapel, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte (and online worship on Imagine Church Facebook Page)
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Message: "Christian Baby Steps"
Separate Sessions for Imagine Nation Youth and Imagine Kids
Proclaim - Tim Imrick; Safety & Security - Chris Jones and Scott Tadlock
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Imagine Church Devotional |
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I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees of the International Council of Community Churches of which Imagine Church is a proud member. The ICCC is dedicated to uniting Christians in their rich diversity through the love of God and with the spirit of community. Its vision is to proclaim the love of God which unites and which can overcome any division.
I have come to appreciate and cherish the view of Christianity held by the ICCC and by Imagine Church as the via media or middle way between the extremes. We are finding scores of Christians who are drawn to Imagine Church because they believe the gospel calls us to be healers and bridge builders, not dividers. As many Christians are drawn to a centered or balanced faith, there is an increasing frustration with the role that Christianity has played in the culture wars. Too often faith has been used by Christian leaders or politicians to further a particular political party or personal agenda. The media often reports brief sound bytes from extreme fundamentalist or ultra-liberal church leaders. In truth, most Christians find themselves somewhere in between those two extremes. Is there not anyone who can articulate a middle way?
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Imagine Church seeks to listen to both sides and look for ways to integrate the legitimate concerns of each and then forge a new way forward. Any issue about which thinking Christians disagree likely has important truth on each side of the debate. Imagine Church strives to hold together the evangelical and social gospels by combining a love for Scripture with a willingness to see both its humanity as well as its divinity and by coupling a passionate desire to follow Jesus Christ with a reclamation of his heart toward those whom religious people have often rejected. This, friends, is Imagine Church. It is why I have come to love it as no other congregation and why I have dedicated the rest of my life to it.
I believe this willingness to listen to those with whom we disagree, and to take seriously their legitimate concerns, is critical for people of Christian faith, but it's true for nationalities as well. If we can continue to do that, there is hope for the lost and broken world our Savior came to redeem. And if we can apply that same willingness on a different plane, it could also mean there may be hope for the broader national and international conflicts that threaten our world today.
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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Did you know that Easter is more than one day? The season of Easter continues for seven Sundays, and this week, April 18, is considered the Third Sunday of Easter. Our 10:15 a.m. worship picks up the Easter story from John, chapter 20, and includes the famous post-resurrection appearance and conversation of Jesus with the disciple Thomas. Thomas has been given an unusual description throughout history: "Doubting Thomas". That title, however, may not be completely deserved. We hope you will join us in-person in the beautiful GCTS Chapel or online on the Imagine Church Facebook Page for Sunday's message, "The Struggle Is Real: The Story of Thomas". We hope to see you on Sunday.
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Masks Still Encouraged for a Few More Weeks |
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As more and more individuals have received their vaccines, it has been tempting to want to omit the masks that have been part of our Covid-19 protocols since we resumed in-person worship back in mid-November. We have come so far, but the race is not yet completely won! We want to make sure we still protect the most vulnerable among us, and we accept the projection that by the end of May, most all the adult population will have had an opportunity to receive the vaccine. So, we feel like we're almost there! We ask you to work with us for these remaining few weeks knowing that, by the end of May, we expect we can forego the masks in worship. |
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Church Building Plans to Be Unveiled on May 2 |
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We're excited about our plans for an usual and historic time of worship on Sunday, May 2, when our church building plans will be presented to the Imagine Church family. We ask you to circle this date on your calendar and either plan to be present in person at the GCTS Chapel at 10:15 a.m. or watch online. We will have a lot to present that day! |
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Church Property Tax Exemption Approved |
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We are pleased to report that the South Carolina Department of Revenue has approved the property tax exemption for Imagine Church's 16-acre site on Highway 55 East, in Lake Wylie. Usually churches can apply for an exemption once the property is developed, but our use of the grounds last fall for outdoor drive-in worship helped us make the case which was reviewed and accepted by Government Services/Exempt Property Division. This follows Imagine Church's approval by the IRS in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Leadership Team is pleased to report this news to you! |
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When you worship in person at Gordon-Conwell, elementary aged Imagine Kids (grades K-5) are dismissed from the chapel early in worship for their session with Gregory, so we invite you to spread the love and share the fun by bringing a friend with you to Imagine Kids, too!
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Memory Verse:
Parents, here is the memory verse for you to practice with your child(ren):
"When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:3 NIRV)
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This Week's Message
This week, Imagine Youth will be talking about God's Love, and we are going to see how does your love measure up. Join us this week as we explore 1 Corinthians 13 on Love.
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Imagine Life Will Meet This Sunday, April 18
Imagine Life, our new Imagine Youth ministry that is focused on engaging our college students and high school seniors, will meet this Sunday, April 18, in Room 103 of GCTS. All high school seniors and college students who may happen to be in town are invited to attend and participate.
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ATTENTION PARENTS OF GRADUATING SENIORS:
We want to recognize our soon-to-be graduates -- so, if you are the parent of a graduating high school or college senior, please let us know by email at [email protected], or contact Bruce, Tim, or Kari on the church staff.
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Imagine Youth 2021 Summer Youth Retreat
July 1-3, 2021
Camp Longridge in Ridgeway, SC
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Cost $150
$50 non-refundable deposit was due April 4
$50 payment due May 2
Final $50 payment due June 6
It's not too late to register:
(or pay by check made payable to 'Imagine Church')
Comprehensive schedule will be coming soon, but the plan is to leave from the CSD YMCA at 1:00 on Thursday, July 1st, and return by 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 3rd.
Questions? Call Tim Gunn at 803-322-1113.
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In today’s Bible verse, we see that even in the middle of really tough circumstances, God is with us. He’s there to comfort us and help us. So if you’re faced with a difficulty, choose to focus on God. Focus on His love for you. Don’t let fear take root in your heart. Instead, choose to walk in the comfort and peace that God provides. |
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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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Pastor Bruce,
Congratulations on having the faith, knowledge, imagination, and leadership to develop Imagine Church. It had been over 15 months since I was with Kevin and his family due to Covid. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting you, Tyra, visiting the church site, and attending service at Imagine. I have five precious souls in Lake Wylie, and I feel comforted knowing that they are in good hands with you. I look forward to future visits to Kevin's and will enjoy attending services at Imagine. Thanks for the warm welcome.
~Ken Kozel (Kevin Kozel's father),
Greenfield Township, Pennsylvania
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Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus |
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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: [email protected]
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Imagine Church's first SERVE DAY is set for THIS WEEKEND:
Saturday, April 17
8:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Registered participants should meet at 8am at the First Properties of the Carolinas office where breakfast will be provided: 1 Executive Ct, Lake Wylie
We are grateful for those adults and youth who have pre-registered to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty while serving at these locations:
Clover Area Assistance Center (CAAC):
Headed up by Fred Wetherell, ten (10) people will do outdoor work like cutting back bushes, planting flowers, picking up trash, etc.
Palmetto Women's Center:
Headed up by Debra Tadlock, ten (10) people will assist with constructing a prayer garden (bench, painted rocks, bird houses, etc.) using supplies and materials that will have been previously purchased and prepared.
If you are not registered to participate in this particular Serve Day initiative, we still encourage you to think of ways you can serve others without expecting anything back in return -- exactly as we are called to do. We thank you for your willingness to do something deeply meaningful for others in our local community!
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(Mark 10:45 NIV)
Please direct questions regarding Serve Day to Church Administrator Kari DiDonato at her church email address: [email protected]
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Five Ways to Give -- Which Is Best Suited for You? |
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With more and more people coming back to worship in person with Imagine Church, we recognize that not everyone wants to make their offerings in cash or check. That's why we offer all of our Imagine Church worshipers -- in person and online -- a variety of giving options including several safe and secure eGiving and mobile options. Here's a summary of giving options for your consideration:
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 Church Center, our new online giving platform:
MOBILE: Make a donation from your smart phone using the new mobile Church Center app. Simply search for Imagine Church in Lake Wylie to create your account:
Or, use your phone to TEXT your donation. Simply text the amount of your offering (ex: $123) to 84321, and you will be prompted for any other needed information.
RECURRING: Establish a recurring donation using this link to access Church Center, our new online giving platform:
If you previously had a recurring donation set up through our old ChurchTrac platform, please note that we suspended those recurring ChurchTrac payments as of March 1st. If you have not yet logged into Church Center to setup a new recurring payment in this new system, there has likely been a lapse in receipt of your desired levels of giving.
THANK YOU, Imagine Church family, 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, and your generous giving helps to keep Imagine Church's ministry alive and vital.
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The Ladies Life Group, led by Debra Tadlock, is continuing to meet on Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. at Gordon-Conwell in Room 127. The group wants to continue with Bible studies and will be starting on 1 Peter this coming Tuesday, April 20. You are invited to take a journey with this group over the next several months as they delve in to these books of the Bible:
1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.
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Weekly Inspiration and Encouragement |
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Inspirational Song:
By: Matt Maher
“Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life
My future in His hands"
Submitted by: Jennifer Tankersley,
Minister of Worship and the Arts
Bible Verse of Encouragement:
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11 ESV)
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The sympathy of the pastor, staff, and Imagine Church family is offered to PJ and Amy Fronczkiewicz, Maizy and Ada at the death of PJ's father, Pete Fronczkiewicz, in Anderson, South Carolina, on April 12, 2021. He had experienced cardiac arrest on Friday night and was not able to recover. We pray for God's comfort and care for the members of this precious family.
We are grateful for the recovery Annastin Gunn has made and that she was released from the hospital on Easter Day in time to accompany her family for some R&R at Folly Beach during spring break. We are relieved to know that Annastin continues to do well.
Hank Freitag, brother of Bonita Nugent, is making an improvement and receiving good reports since his cancer diagnosis in early March, and we are grateful for this news. Hank resides in Tinley Park, Illinois.
Please continue to hold Meredith Martone in your prayers as she slowly recovers from injuries in an automobile accident in February, and Jerry Brownlee (father of Lydia Smith) as he improves following heart-related issues and hospitalization.
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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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Apr 17.....Danielle Bower
Apr 19.....Lisa Gilkeson
Apr 22.....Maizy Fronczkiewicz
Apr 23.....Owen Galeota
Apr 29.....Stephanie Galeota
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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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Embracing Scriptural imagination for the renewal of the church
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