Sunday, February 7: THIS SUNDAY!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and even though we're not having our usual soup lunch following worship (thank you, Covid-19), it's still "Wear Your Jersey to Church" day, and we invite you to wear your favorite team's attire if you attend in-person worship this week, February 7, at 10:15 a.m. Bruce will share part 2 of "Plot Twist: The Story of Joseph" in a series that focuses on the story of Joseph and the relevance it has for our lives. Even though life sometimes offers us a twist we didn't expect, we can trust that God will take even the evil of this world and use it for our greater good. This message will also be available on Facebook Premiere on the Imagine Church Facebook page. See you Sunday morning!

During the weeks that Pastor Bruce will be sharing worship messages on the story of Joseph, Gregory Roberts of our church staff will be offering a Bible study based on the same Old Testament character and story, helping the participants learn more about Joseph's unique kind of faith. There is still room for you! Send Gregory an email to sign-up at [email protected].

Although we've enjoyed the screened porch messages from Pastor Bruce over the weeks of the pandemic, the Leadership Team recognizes that worshipers are missing out on the music from our worship leader, Jennifer Tankersley, and our amazing musicians in the Imagine praise band.  We're ready to take the step into live streaming our worship from the GCTS chapel, but we need a few dedicated volunteers who enjoy tech stuff. Jonathan Parker of the GCTS technology staff will provide all the training you need! If you would like to rotate on our new team to help stream our worship services, send us a note at [email protected]. Thank you!

Here's how to get set up for mobile giving:

Just as part of the initial set-up, begin on our church website (https://imaginechurchnow.org/giving/), and then click on the 'Donate Now' link. Follow the prompts to log-in or create a new account.

Then, click on the 'SMS' link and follow the directions to connect and link your payment information with your phone number.

Once you've done that, you'll receive a text message from the mobile giving number, and you can text any dollar amount you wish to give -- you can even include a comment. You'll receive a text confirmation that your contribution was successful.

In the future, whenever you want to give, just go straight to that text message thread, and enter the amount you want to give. That amount will be charged to the card you've linked to your phone number, and you'll receive another text confirmation that your contribution was successful.

IT'S THAT EASY!

Of course, you can always continue to place your offering in one of the collection baskets at the GCTS chapel, make a safe and secure online offering from our church website (https://imaginechurchnow.org/giving/), or mail your cash/check directly to our church office at:

Imagine Church

13000 S. Tryon Street, Suite F-114

Charlotte, NC 28278

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]  

Women with children are among the fastest growing homeless groups in the United States. Domestic violence, poverty, abandonment, lack of affordable housing and low wage jobs all contribute to this mounting problem. In keeping with their motto of “keeping a tender heart towards those in need”, Tender Hearts House of Hope women’s shelter was opened on September 7, 2007 to address the needs of homeless women and children in York County.

All this month, 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 any Sunday worship this month, or reach out to Kari DiDonato, Imagine Church Administrator, at [email protected] to make alternate collection arrangements.

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.

We extend Christian sympathy to Kathy Lutteke and Amy Davis at the passing of Kathy's sister and Amy's aunt, Rosie Ann Rasmussen, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, on January 25, 2021.  

Please keep in your prayers Lydia Smith's father, Jerry Brownlee, who has been at Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, and her brother, Patrick Brownlee, who is battling complications of Covid-19 at the same time.

We continue to pray for Zach and Rhonda Preston as Zach goes through another round of cancer treatment, that God will give him strength and courage to accompany his warrior spirit.

We are praying for Patricia Holland Gray's mother, Sandy Holland, who has been hospitalized in ICU in Fayetteville, NC, in recent days, with non-Covid related heart issues; she was able to return home on Tuesday of this week.

We pray for the family of Steven Vaughn whose earthly life was claimed by Covid-19 on Sunday, January 31, 2021. He was a close friend of Nancy Church and Melanie Todd of our Imagine Church family.  

We praise God for the good report received by Ray Sheppard, nephew of Ray Transou, whose leukemia scan was completely clear and whose port has been removed.

We pray for those in our church, community, and across the U.S. who are dealing with Covid-19 related issues, and we also pray for the swift and wide distribution of the vaccines.

Additionally, as a way of reaching our online faith community, you can also catch Gregory's weekly message LIVE on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on the Imagine Church Facebook page. Gregory's last message was the continuation of 'The Lost Son'. This Sunday, Gregory will begin a new message series for kids and families about Joseph to coincide with Pastor Bruce's series.

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

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.

This Sunday, February 7, Imagine Youth will have a special Super Bowl Sunday Pre-Game Party! Be sure to join us at GCTS for food, games, prizes, and lots of fun...and wear your favorite NFL or college team jersey! Please note: Youth should go straight to the youth room upon arrival to GCTS.

On February 14 and 21, we will take time to watch and discuss the movie I Still Believe. You won't want to miss it!

If you have a son or daughter in college, please give Tim their up-to-date address so he can send them something from Imagine Youth.

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

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!

We all have questions and struggles as well as victories and joys. Imagine Church is fashioned for real people who are experiencing messy, complicated, beautiful life together, and who are learning to invite God into every single day. We don't worry about one's past. No one is too messed up for God or for God's church. We've imagined a different kind of church -- one that is not bound by committees or tradition, but that seeks ways to bless and transform lives through the grace and love of Jesus Christ. That's Imagine Church.