Outreach opportunities and Update
We’ve been sharing a bit lately on our outreach initiative with the Junction Neighborhood Association but that’s not all that’s going on. We’re also looking to do a ’door hanger’ campaign to introduce our new neighbors in the new housing subdivision across the Hanlon from us. In order to do this we need a champion for this outreach. Someone with good organization skills and heart to pray for our new neighbors would be perfect to work with me in putting this together. Let me know if that’s you!
In addition, we have an opportunity to serve with an organization called Start2Finish which is a children’s reading and running program. There is a chapter in the Willow Road area where a number of our Oasis kids come from so this is a great opportunity.
This could be for a full year or semester during the year. Here is how you can serve:
Coach (2 days/wk) - Assisting with program activities and mentoring (online)
Parent/Guardian Liaison (1hr/wk) - Connecting with families for check-ins (online)
Coach (1 day/wk) - Assisting Club Director to deliver programming (in-person)
*Both online and in-person Coaching (3days/wk).
If you’re interested, or would like more information, contact Ashanthi Joshua (ashanthi.joshua@gmail.com) who is heading this initiative for us.
Oasis@Midweek
Our first Oasis@Midweek kid’s gathering is tomorrow night (Wednesday!) at 6:30pm. O@M is for children JK to grade 6 and follows up on the themes, fun and Bible teaching of our Oasis Summer Camp. It’s a great opportunity for kids to be reminded that ‘you are treasured’ by God in an enjoyable and practical way.
O@M is now happening twice a month, on the 2nd and last Wednesday monthly. It’s not just for kids who were at Oasis but for any who are looking for a great night out so feel free to invite grandkids, neighbors or friends.
Thought for the Day: What is the Fruit of the Spirit and How Do I Grow It?
Its fall and harvest time. Patrick will be starting to pick his grapes as usual and expects another big yield of fruit. I’ve been thinking about fruit lately and will be talking about it her for the next few weeks. If you’ve been around the church for a while you’ll likely have heard of the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is comprised of the following character traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and we find it in Galatians 5.
But what is it?
It’s like a rubber band ball tightly woven together, each band interconnected. The only way to produce the Fruit of the Spirit though is to have the Holy Spirit in you. This initial step happens when we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If a person doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, they don’t belong to Jesus, it’s really that simple. The key here, if this is the case, is it’s impossible to grow the fruit of the Spirit in one’s life if you don’t have that connection. We receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, when we make a conscious decision to follow Christ and let Him be the Lord of our lives. Then, through the Holy Spirit, you can begin to grow in the Fruit of the Spirit. We’ll look more at this in the weeks ahead.
In His grip,
Pastor Chris