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
Weekly Newsletter:
June 10, 2021
Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 13: THIS SUNDAY!
9:45 a.m. Online Message for Imagine Kids (Imagine Church Facebook Page)
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: "The Gospel According to Toy Story: When We Have to Start Over" by Pastor Bruce
Separate sessions for ALL ages of Imagine Kids and Imagine Nation Youth
Proclaim - Jim Gilkeson; Safety & Security - Russ Partin

Tuesday, June 15:
7:00 p.m. Ladies Life Group, Room 127, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Bible Study on 1st and 2nd Peter

Sunday, June 20:
9:45 a.m. Online Message for Imagine Kids (Imagine Church Facebook Page)
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)
Father's Day
Message: "Each Dad Has a Choice" by Pastor Bruce
Separate sessions for ALL ages of Imagine Kids and Imagine Nation Youth
Proclaim - Paula Davis; Safety & Security - Chris Jones
10:30 a.m. Imagine Life College Ministry
Imagine Church Devotional
"Even Hypocrites Are Welcome"
Over the years I've had a number of people ask me, "Why can't I be a Christian without being part of the church?" Going to church by itself doesn't make you a Christian; but being a Christian will lead you to become part of the body of Christ. There was actually a day when I asked that question myself. In fact, I used to say, "I wouldn't be a preacher if you paid me ten million dollars!" But here I am, and I can promise you it's been for considerably less. Obviously I had a change in heart -- and what has happened in my own life is part of the answer of why you can't be a Christian without being a part of God's church.

The lack of pretense at Imagine Church keeps us from getting hung up over the hypocrisy of the church. There is an old story about a man who was sitting in a bar one night lamenting his troubles. He said, "You know, there's never been but two perfect men who have ever lived." His friend said, "I've never heard of but one." The other fellow said, "Then obviously you've never met my wife's first husband." The good woman was apparently guilty of romanticizing the past, and I suspect her first husband was being overrated. The perfection of humanity is at present a myth.
I claim to be an adult, but sometimes I can act pretty childish. I claim to be an American, but there are times when I'm pretty un-American. There is a world of truth in the sign I saw in front of a church on the way to Gastonia a while ago. It said, "You have to be a sinner to join this church." It can't be any other way since there aren't any other kinds of people. We all share the human condition.

Yes, there are going to be some hypocrites in the church. In Imagine Church, we preach a better gospel than we can practice, but we don't quit trying. We hold up ideals we never quite reach; we confess a faith we don't always live up to. But this is the sacred goal we have set for ourselves. And in the meantime, we try to be faithful and to do our best to be the church in our community. And we leave the rest up to God.

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
In March, 2020, we were in the middle of a series called "The Gospel According to Toy Story" when everything suddenly shut down due to the global pandemic. We switched to online worship for several months with a few outdoor services, eventually returning to a combination of in-person worship and live streaming. Now that the pandemic is winding down and more and more people are returning to in-person worship, Bruce felt it was time to pull out the sermon he had prepared for March 15, 2020, though never delivered -- until now. This Sunday, June 13, 2021, we will get to hear part 3 of "The Gospel According to Toy Story" in a message entitled "When It's Time to Start Over" based on the movie Toy Story 3. It's at 10:15 a.m. this Sunday, in person or online on the Imagine Church Facebook page!
Looking Ahead
Father's Day (this year on Sunday, June 20) is always a memorable occasion for Imagine Church as we will present a gift to each father who is present for worship; this year we will include a dramatic word of testimony from one of the dads in our church family. We invite you to be present and to bring your dad, or, if you can, worship with him online!
As we go through life, we learn that our luggage is often filled with emotions we might be unaware we feel, but God invites us to release the burdens and to trust Him to restore our brokenness, helping us experience the freedom God offers. On Sunday, June 25, Bruce will introduce our new summer series called "Summer Baggage: Weighed Down by the Baggage We Carry."
A Fun Day For Ministry Volunteers
We are grateful to Steve and Ginny Chole for hosting our ministry volunteers to a pool party/cookout at their home on Saturday, June 5. The weather was ideal, the food was delicious, and people were hungry not just for the meal, but to share the gift of fellowship together for the first time in some fifteen months due to the pandemic. We wish to thank Steve and Ginny (and Ginny's dad, Dick Lewis) for their gracious hospitality and for opening their lovely home to such a large group. It was a day to remember!
Summer Youth Retreat - How To Help
Our Imagine Youth will be departing on July 1 for the 2021 Summer Youth Retreat at Camp Longridge in Ridgeway, SC. Want to make it a retreat to remember? Here are some items you can donate before then:

  • Bottled water
  • Other individually bottled drinks (no energy drinks, please!)
  • Individually packaged snacks
  • Water balloons!

Also, you can pray for our youth attending this summer's retreat. Pray that, while they are at Camp Longridge, their hearts will be moved to consider a relationship or to strengthen their existing personal relationship with Christ.

Thank you in advance for your donations and prayers!
Please contact Tim Gunn with any questions.
803-322-1113 or Youth@ImagineChurchNow.org
Latest News
Chuck Spencer of the Imagine Church family is the author of a new book, Next Voice You Hear, by Warren Publishing. Written with hearty doses of insight and love, Next Voice You Hear is the gripping and hauntingly beautiful story of one departed soul's struggle to control the mind of his bodily host while on Earth. It is available through Amazon and also at Barnes and Noble. Congratulations, Chuck; we are proud of you!
Jim Carlson is the Facilities Manager at Gordon-Conwell and a very special friend to Imagine Church. Their son is in the Marines and needs to find a home for his 4-year-old Siberian Husky who is very friendly and loves kids and other dogs. They are not asking anything for the dog, but wish to find it a good home. Please contact Jim at 612-205-3423, or Bruce can get you in touch with him.
What They're Saying
Dear Imagine Church,
Thank you for the church ceremony and the awesome gifts! I love the water bottle and picture frame! Thank you for everything! The recognition and the thoughtfulness mean a lot.
Love,
Addie Galeota
2021 Clover High School Graduate

Imagine Kids
This past Sunday, June 6, Gregory and Tamra led the Imagine Kids in a game of "Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down" as they answered this question: What Can Separate Us From God's Love? NOTHING!

Check out their message here at the 22:00 minute mark:
We invite Imagine Kids of ALL ages (nursery through 5th grade) to join us at Gordon-Conwell this Sunday, June 13, for Gregory's message, "Can Harm or Hunger Separate Us From Christ's Love?". Imagine Kids will depart from the chapel after praise and worship, and 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):

"Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love. That's because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done." (Romans 8:39b NIRV)




Parents, if the entire verse is too long for your preschooler, have them learn just this part:

"Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love."


Gregory Roberts | 704-502-3107 | ImagineKids@ImagineChurchNow.org
Imagine Youth
This Sunday:
Join Imagine Youth this Sunday, June 13, as Tim discusses James 1:19-27, "Listening To God," as we continue our Summer series on the Book of James.
Looking Ahead:
Imagine Life Will Meet NEXT Sunday, June 20
Imagine Life, our new Imagine Youth ministry that is focused on engaging our college students and high school seniors, will meet NEXT Sunday, June 20, 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.

Imagine Youth 2021 Summer Youth Retreat
July 1-3, 2021
Camp Longridge in Ridgeway, SC

Summer 2021 Theme:
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me”. (John 14:6)
IMPORTANT DATES
ALL MONEY DUE at this time
Q&A Meeting for Attendees: Sunday, June 20th, after worship

Summer Retreat Schedule of Events:

Thursday, 7/1
12:30 pm: Meet at CSD YMCA (leave by 1:00 pm)
3:00 pm: Arrive, unpack, and free time
5:30 pm: Dinner (spaghetti and meatballs and cake)
7:00 pm: Service
 
Friday, 7/2
8:00 am: Breakfast (eggs, grits, bacon, and biscuits)
9-11:00 am: Paintball and Ropes Course
12:00 pm: Lunch (BBQ sandwich and mac-n-cheese)
1-4:00 pm: Lake Activities
5:30 pm: Dinner (chicken, rice, corn, and chocolate pie)
7:00 pm: Service
10:30 pm: Bonfire by the Lake
               
Saturday, 7/3
8:00 am: Breakfast (pancakes, eggs, and sausage)
10:00 am: Depart
12:00 pm: Arrive back at CSD YMCA


What To Bring:
  • Bible
  • Clothes for 3 days
  • Older clothes (if playing paintball)
  • Swimsuit for the lake
  • Tennis shoes
  • All bathing and hygiene supplies (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
  • Towels for lake and for bathing
  • Pillow, sheets, blankets, or sleeping bag (twin bunk beds)
  • Snacks and drinks, water (NO energy drinks)
  • Eno-style hammocks
  • Extra money for their store (NOT mandatory)


Please Note:
  • Cell Service is limited.
  • Please let Tim know of any medicines you are taking or if you have allergies of any kind.

Call Tim Gunn with questions at 803-322-1113.
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. – Psalm 32:8
It can be easy to think that God doesn’t really have your best interests at heart. You might find it hard to trust Him because you worry that if you totally submit your future to Him, He will make you do something you don’t want to do. So instead, you look to friends for validation and for your future.

However, today’s verse tells us something interesting. It tells us that God wants to lead you along the best pathway for your life. God doesn’t want to make you do something you don’t want to do or make you give up something. Instead, He wants to advise you and watch over you.

Today’s Truth: God Wants to Help You Make the Best Choices
God wants to help you make the best choices. He wants to keep you on track and help you avoid heartache. So today, choose to follow after Him. Don’t look to friends for validation and making choices for the future. Instead, look to God. He wants to lead you into the best decisions and the best path for your life!
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
Our Mission Project for June is with our strategic global partner, Philippine Hope!

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

COVID has certainly affected our world, and we have an opportunity to help some children in the Philippines where our missionaries, Paul and Cecilia Bosch, reside. They have partnered with Tanglag Elementary School to provide much needed equipment in an area where families do not have internet.
How can YOU help?

  • We are seeking monetary donations for two (2) printers/copiers, paper, folders, and supplies. Our goal is $920, and our mission team will match your monetary donation dollar for dollar!
  • Additionally, we are asking for 2 gently used laptops (2016 or newer) to send to the school.

Please contact Tyra Jones at 704-408-9395 if you have laptops for pickup, or feel free to bring them to church any Sunday in June. If you will be making a monetary donation, please note "Philippines" on your check, or specify "Philippine Hope" from the drop-down menu of our online donation site.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing how God will bless this project!
Your Tithes & Offerings Grow Our Ministry!
Your faithfulness to give has been an amazing thing to observe, and we thank you for demonstrating how God is at work in the life of this church family by helping to grow Imagine Church's ministry 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:
Ladies Life Group
The Ladies Life Group meets on Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. at Gordon-Conwell in Room 127. The group is currently studying 2 Peter, and you are invited to take a journey with this group over the next several months as they continue to delve in to these additional books of the Bible:

1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.

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

Guys & Cars Life Group
The Guys & Cars Life Group will be attending the Classic Car Show at Fred Caldwell Chevrolet in Clover, SC on August 14, 2021. More details will come as we get closer to the event, but go ahead and save the date now.
 
Jim Gilkeson | 803-627-6637gilkesonj@gmail.com





Adult Life Group
Great news! The Adult Life Group will be starting back up with the intent of meeting outdoors for now. They will be handing out questionnaires over the next two Sundays to solicit opinions, and they welcome all input.

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

“Hold on to me when it's too dark to see You
When I am sure I have reached the end
Hold on to me when I forget I need You
When I let go, hold me again”

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

Bible Verse of Encouragement:
 
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Prayers and Praises
There are several from our church family whom we hold in our hearts and lift up in prayer daily: the family of Justin and Jennifer Tankersley, Hannah and Kate, at the passing of Jennifer's father, David Edward Debs, on May 27; Lydia Smith's father, Jerry Brownlee, of Winston-Salem who is improving and has been able to return home; Meredith Martone who continues slow but steady progress in recovering from injuries in an accident; Scott Waterman who had recent surgery related to his diabetes but is back home.
Happy Birthday!
We send heartfelt and happy birthday greetings to these Imagine Church family members who have birthdays throughout the next two weeks:
Jun 10.....Bill Patterson
Jun 14.....DiAnna Kessler
Jun 14.....Cooper Partin
Jun 16.....Myles Birge
Jun 20.....Addison Partin
Jun 21.....Vicki Barwick
Jun 21.....Sherri Ciurlik
Jun 21.....Becky Ferguson
Jun 21.....Colbi Skvarla
Jun 21.....Rose Spencer
Jun 22.....Haylie Kokoski
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 that admits we don't have all the answers and believes that disagreement and discussion are healthy. We maintain you shouldn't be in a church of all Republicans or all Democrats or all Independents, or all liberals or all conservatives. Or all Clemson fans or all Carolina fans. Christian community is Christian not because it's like-minded on every issue, but because it's rooted in Jesus who is a lot more interesting than religion has made him seem (see Ephesians 2:14). That's Imagine Church!
Why can't church be more like that?