Worshiping Sundays as an Online Faith Community
Be sure to 'Like' us on Facebook to view our Live sermons.
10:15 a.m.: Facebook Live Worship
11:00 a.m.: Imagine Nation Youth
Church Office: 980-999-3500
|
Weekly Newsletter: March 26, 2020
|
|
|
|
As with the rest of the country, Imagine Church has suspended all worship services and activities for the time being due to the current health crisis. Our sense of community can still be found through online worship, phone calls, Zoom conferencing, and the sharing of emails and texts with each other. Please pray for those who are infected with this virus and their families, for medical personnel who are offering care to those who are sick, for scientists who are working diligently for a vaccine, and for governmental leaders as they make difficult decisions. May the Lord who is our light and salvation give us grace and strength for this and every time of need.
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, March 29: THIS SUNDAY!
10:15 a.m.: Sunday Worship via Facebook Live
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Message: "Imagine Life Without Fear" by Pastor Bruce Jones
Sunday, April 5:
10:15 a.m.: Sunday Worship via Facebook Live
Palm Sunday
Message: "In a Box," by Heidi Chausse
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Imagine Church Devotional
"
Because God Cares for You"
During a time of great uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic, with fear and anxiety creeping at the door, the beauty of Christianity is that we always have love, hope, and joy deeper than any negative circumstance.
 There is a verse I want to share with you today. It's from 1 Peter 5:7, and it simply says, "Cast all your anxieties on God, because God cares for you." I ask you to focus on that during these coming days. We have permission to take all our anxieties -- all those things happening around us that we have no control over -- and God says, "You can cast those on me."
Now, what does that mean to "cast it upon him?" It means you have permission to give responsibility of those things to God, and that God willingly takes responsibility for them. Isn't that great? Now, why would God do that? Look at the last phrase; this is amazing. "Because God cares for you."
The word "cares" is a great word. You know what that really means? It means you matter to God. That's what it means! You matter to God. You're important to God. So important that God says, "If you'll walk with me through this, then I'm going to take care of the rest."
 Can I say this to you, as sincerely as I know how? The best thing you could ever do today is to put your trust in Christ as your Savior and Lord. And to know that He gives you the promise of eternal life, and He peels off what is the biggest source of stress that we know as human beings: that of death and the beyond. The best way I know to relieve yourself of one giant source of stress is to walk humbly with God, casting all your cares and your anxieties upon Him.
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
We were amazed at the response last week to our first Facebook Live worship during the pandemic when 82 households joined us for Imagine Church worship. We hope you and others will join us again this Sunday, March 29, at 10:15 a.m. when Pastor Bruce shares a message entitled, "Imagine Life Without Fear." He will also try to answer any questions you may have and lead us in prayer for our church family, our individual families, and for the world. Make sure you "like" Imagine Church on Facebook, and then go to the Imagine Church Facebook page Sunday morning at 10:15 to join us. Anything from pajamas to a tuxedo or evening gown is acceptable attire!
|
|
So, What's Ahead?
Predicting the news that will break tomorrow has proven difficult; trying to predict where things will be a month from now is nearly impossible. As the number of COVID-19 cases in Mecklenburg County continues to rise, a stay-at home order is in effect until April 16. South Carolina schools will remain closed until at least the end of April, and North Carolina schools are closed through at least May 15. As our first concern is the safety, well-being, and health of our church family, we will follow the counsel of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and are unable to state at this time when we will begin to resume worship and other activities together. Our Church Administrator, Kari DiDonato, has canceled the lunch scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 12; we may move the meal to whichever Sunday we are able to resume worship (whenever that is) as we plan to celebrate Easter together at that time. Please know that you can contact Pastor Bruce or Kari with your questions at any time, at [email protected].
|
|
Your Giving Is Sacred and Deeply Appreciated
Your giving is always important and a way to honor God and fulfill the church's mission, but never has it been more so than during such a critical time. The church staff is aware of the need to suspend any program expenses so the church can continue to provide staff compensation and honor our contract with Gordon-Conwell. Church Treasurer, Jim Gilkeson, and Pastor Bruce will make a decision at the end of March about the mission entities we support. We are deeply grateful for your contributions during this time. You can give online using the church's website at
https://imaginechurchnow.org/giving/
or by mailing your contribution to the church office:
Imagine Church
13000 S. Tryon Street, Suite F-114
Charlotte, NC 28278
Thank you for your generous hearts!
|
|
Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus
 There are so many opportunities that exist for our church family to be the hands and feet of Jesus and 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 this section of the newsletter, please email any pertinent information to Kari DiDonato at her Imagine Church email account: [email protected]
York County Council on Aging:
The York County Council on Aging provides home-delivered meals and also group meals to each of 7 senior centers throughout York and Chester counties. They depend on wonderful volunteers to help them in a myriad of ways, and because of the health risks associated with the COVID-19 virus, they are in great need of volunteers to deliver meals to an increased number of home-bound seniors. Additionally, volunteers are needed to make phone calls to home-bound seniors to check on their well being.
If you feel led to volunteer your time serving our area's seniors, please reach out to any of these three ladies who will help find an area of need that is best suited for you:
Clover - Ms. Patty - (803) 222-9286
York - Ms. Elaine - (803) 684-6115
Rock Hill - Ms. Ashley - (803) 327-6694
York County Council on Aging
917 Standard St.
Rock Hill, SC 29731
Children's Attention Home:
 Located in York County, the Children's Attention Home has a mission to provide a safe and nurturing home for abused and neglected children. They serve children in foster care and teens without reliable shelter, offering them temporary shelter, compassionate support, and individualized care.
Given current state and local guidelines for COVID-19, the Home has suspended all campus visitors, guests, and volunteers until further notice. However, there are still opportunities to serve and help them meet their needs. If you are led to help the Children's Attention Home with their on-going mission, please check out this list of needed items:
Or you can sign up to provide a meal for the kids (mostly teenagers 13-19 currently) while supporting local restaurants & workers at the same time!
Children's Attention Home
PO Box 2912
Rock Hill, SC 29732
Phone:
(803) 328-8871
|
|
Weekly Inspiration and Encouragement
Inspirational Song:
Words by: David Leonard, Leslie Jordan, and Jason Ingram
Music by: All Sons & Daughters
Submitted by: Matt DiDonato, drummer for Imagine Church's praise band
Bible Verse of Encouragement:
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7).
|
|
Prayers and Praises
We extend Christian sympathy to Lisa Gilkeson at the death of her aunt, Sue Perry, on March 24, 2020.
Dick Bloom, father of Susan Phillips, suffered respiratory failure and is quarantined at a Raleigh hospital. Please hold Susan, along with her mom and dad, in your prayers.
Bob Wujciak has had a few small health issues but they have all been resolved for now, according to word from Linda Wujciak. Bob misses his visitors but knows that a no-visitor policy is wise for now.
Please continue to pray for:
- Martha Edwards
- Lisa Neuffer
- Vaughn Dunn
- Zach Preston
- Tammie Callahan (sister-in-law of Tyra Jones)
- Jerry Brownlee (father of Lydia Smith)
Have a prayer request or praise item to share? Please email
[email protected]
so the church can join you in prayers and praise!
|
The Women's Life Group has been meeting on Tuesdays to work through their Bible Study entitled "The Battle Plan of Prayer". Participants of this study should continue to read from your book (5 chapters at a time) and answer the corresponding workbook questions. We will watch the remaining videos that accompany this study at a future date when we are allowed to reconvene in person or, perhaps, via Zoom conferencing. You are encouraged to become Prayer Warriors and pray, pray, pray during this challenging and uncertain time!
Over the next few weeks, we will reassess the viability of our outing to visit the Treetop Winery in Monroe. Currently, this outing is scheduled for
Saturday, April 25, but we will be prepared to push out the date and reschedule if necessary. Please stay tuned for more information about this and future Women's Life Group activities.
Guys & Cars Life Group
Please stay tuned for information about future Guys & Cars Life Group activities.
Adult Life Group
Over the next few weeks, The Adult Life Group will reassess the viability of our outing to visit the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. Currently, this outing is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, but we will be prepared to reschedule or cancel this outing if necessary. Please stay tuned for more information about this and future Adult Life Group activities.
Home-Based Life Groups
In response to the current health crisis, both the Greater Community Life Group and the Landing Life Group have decided to put a temporary stop to their in-home gatherings. Heidi Chausse did, however, conduct a prayer service this week with the Greater Community Life Group by Zoom conferencing, so perhaps this will become the norm until we can resume our in-home gatherings. Over the next few weeks, we will reassess the situation and make adjustments accordingly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We ask all home-based Life Groups to let us know their meeting schedule by dropping us a note at
[email protected]
. Thanks!
|
Imagine Kids
Parents, please be looking for an email from Gregory with ways that you can worship with your kids from home.
Upcoming Events
June 28 - July 2, 2020: CentriKid Camp!
Deposits of $60 were due in February, but you can still reach out to Gregory Roberts at the contact information provided below to discuss enrolling your 2nd-6th grader in CentriKid Camp.
We will also need adult chaperones, so please pray about your involvement.
March Memory Verses
Parents, here are this month's memory verses for you to recite with your child(ren)!
Preschool:
"
'Come and follow me,' Jesus said."
Matthew 4:19
Elementary:
"Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 3:13
|
|
Imagine Nation Youth
Tim's Facebook Live message was so well received this past Sunday by Imagine Nation Youth and their families that he will be sharing another message following Pastor Bruce's 10:15 a.m. sermon on
Facebook Live THIS Sunday, March 29! Remember, all you have to do is 'like' Imagine Church on Facebook and then tune into Imagine Church's Facebook page at 11:00 a.m. to join us as an online faith community.
Upcoming Events:
July 10-13, 2020: Summer Youth Retreat at Lake Junaluska
Here's an overview of this year's Summer Youth Retreat:
Friday, July 10:
Meet at CSD YMCA at 9:30 a.m. (depart 10:00 a.m.)
Lunch, Asheville Fun Depot, Dinner, and Session 1
Saturday, July 11:
Breakfast, Session 2, Lunch, Free Time, Dinner, and Session 3
Sunday, July 12:
Breakfast, Session 4, Lunch, Free Time, Volleyball Tournament, Dinner, Session 5 and Walk to the Cross
Monday, July 13:
Breakfast, Session 6 and Communion, Pack-Up, Lunch, and Sliding Rock
Return to CSD YMCA at 5:00 p.m.
Contact Tim Gunn with questions or to request additional information.
|
|
Happy Birthday!
(Note: Birthdays listed are for the next two weeks.)
Debi Preston
|
Mar. 27
|
Savannah Brown
|
Mar. 30
|
Russell Partin
|
Mar. 31
|
Emil Stanford
|
Apr. 3
|
Lyric Cunningham
|
Apr. 4
|
Vaughn Rowley
|
Apr. 4
|
Emersyn Schoeller
|
Apr. 4
|
Anthony Conte
|
Apr. 6
|
Dominic Conte
|
Apr. 6
|
Lindsay Thalinger
|
Apr. 6
|
Jeremy Stanford
|
Apr. 7
|
Annastin Gunn
|
Apr. 8
|
Wes Whalen
|
Apr. 9
|
If you are not on the list, b
e sure to stop by the welcome table on Sunday
mornings or send us a quick email at
[email protected]
! We w
ant to celebrate with you!
|
|
Imagine a church where the gospel connects to the real world and helps you live your Monday-to-Saturday life, and where beliefs aren't rigid boxes to check, but are springboards into imagination and meaningful action. That's Imagine Church!
IMAGINE CHURCH
Simple Church: Pray, Love, Serve
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2018 Imagine Church of the Carolinas. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
