Well our group met for a second time and once again we had a very nice time. It is fun to fellowship with everyone and encouraging to talk about how we can serve others in the name Jesus Christ.
After discussing a few passages of scripture and the first few chapters of 'The Conspiracy of Kindness' we discussed what service projects we would like to do. We decided to have each family make one (or more) backpacks for the homeless. Once we have assembled our backpacks ( we used this website for a bit of guidance http://www.ushelplines.org/homeless.php) we are going to each try to look for an opportunity to offer it to someone who needs it. Our goal is for each family to give out one and talk through the experience at the next meet and see where it leads.
We also are going to do a few group activities each year. We decided that we would have a fall project to help with yard work for those who need help (we thought we would seek out single mothers, the elderly and those caring for family with Alzheimer's). In the winter, we are thinking about organizing some free babysitting for parents who have a heard time finding time to get out to shop.
We am looking forward to our next meeting.
- Dave and Sarah
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
One Experience
I have spoken to a few of you about the recent promptings I have felt to reach out to those in need – particularly those living on the streets I see on my drive into work (folks I’ve seen ‘for the 21st time’). Oddly enough, over the past several weeks, I had not seen these people in their regular spots along the I-75 service drive or driving down Fort Street.
I did see a man (Steve) this morning. I felt encouraged by some of my recent discussions with you to step out and try to (in some small way) meet this gentleman. So, I pulled my car over and took out a small amount of money ( I don’t have my care packages put together yet) and offered Steve a small gift. I also mentioned that I was happy to meet him and would be praying for him (I didn’t necessarily mean right there on the street), but Steve bowed his head for prayer. I asked if there was something I could pray for specifically and he mentioned that his health was not that great and his current situation was difficult. So we prayed.
I have to tell you that I was a bit nervous before deciding to talk with this man. But, after speaking with him a bit, I wish would have talked with him a bit more, asked him what other needs he has, or if there was anything more I could do for him. I just felt the desire to help – he seemed like a gentle person who was open to help. So, if you happen to read this – please say a prayer for Steve – for improved health and for God to walk him through this difficult time in his life and for change.
- Dave
I did see a man (Steve) this morning. I felt encouraged by some of my recent discussions with you to step out and try to (in some small way) meet this gentleman. So, I pulled my car over and took out a small amount of money ( I don’t have my care packages put together yet) and offered Steve a small gift. I also mentioned that I was happy to meet him and would be praying for him (I didn’t necessarily mean right there on the street), but Steve bowed his head for prayer. I asked if there was something I could pray for specifically and he mentioned that his health was not that great and his current situation was difficult. So we prayed.
I have to tell you that I was a bit nervous before deciding to talk with this man. But, after speaking with him a bit, I wish would have talked with him a bit more, asked him what other needs he has, or if there was anything more I could do for him. I just felt the desire to help – he seemed like a gentle person who was open to help. So, if you happen to read this – please say a prayer for Steve – for improved health and for God to walk him through this difficult time in his life and for change.
- Dave
Monday, June 16, 2008
Exciting
I am running to work this morning, but wanted to let folks know that our team met this weekend. It was a good time of fun and fellowship. I am looking forward to see how this group develops and grows. I will post more later today when I have a bit more time.
In general our group is gravitating towards 'Invitational' and 'Service' evangelism. So, we are currently 'brainstorming' to develop a list of individual and group evangelism opportunities. More to come......
In general our group is gravitating towards 'Invitational' and 'Service' evangelism. So, we are currently 'brainstorming' to develop a list of individual and group evangelism opportunities. More to come......
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Creating Opportunities . . .
I am excited to report that our small group had our first meeting this week. We met on Tuesday, did the first session of the "They Like Jesus, But Hate the Church" bible study and then spent some time talking about where to go from here.
Collectively, we came up with three opportunities . . .
1. In June, our small group (kids included) will be holding a free car wash. Our plan is to make arrangement to use the church parking lot on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and serve the people in our community. (We chose to wash their cars, instead of their feet.) :o)
2. In July, the Scheibers offered to host a backyard BBQ at their house. We are all prayerfully considering who we will invite to the "get together".
3. Also in July, we are going to be providing free hot dogs and sno-cones near the Trenton Mid-Summer Festival. We thought this would be a fun way to show the love of Christ.
At our meeting this week, we challenged each person in our group to choose one person they know who is not a Christian, and pray specifically for them for this month. We are challenging the rest of you to do the same! We also ask that you remember our above mentioned opportunities in your prayers in the next few months.
We would love to hear how everyone else is coming along!
Collectively, we came up with three opportunities . . .
1. In June, our small group (kids included) will be holding a free car wash. Our plan is to make arrangement to use the church parking lot on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and serve the people in our community. (We chose to wash their cars, instead of their feet.) :o)
2. In July, the Scheibers offered to host a backyard BBQ at their house. We are all prayerfully considering who we will invite to the "get together".
3. Also in July, we are going to be providing free hot dogs and sno-cones near the Trenton Mid-Summer Festival. We thought this would be a fun way to show the love of Christ.
At our meeting this week, we challenged each person in our group to choose one person they know who is not a Christian, and pray specifically for them for this month. We are challenging the rest of you to do the same! We also ask that you remember our above mentioned opportunities in your prayers in the next few months.
We would love to hear how everyone else is coming along!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Looking forward to seeing everyone Friday . . .
Just a reminder that we are have our large group gathering this Friday evening (4/18) at 6:30 p.m. at the church. We will be discussing our lifestyle evangelism "project" and enjoying some fellowship. Child care will be provided.
Until then, let's all spend sometime in prayer, asking Him to use our group for His glory.
In Christ,
Jen McConnell
Matthew 28:19
Until then, let's all spend sometime in prayer, asking Him to use our group for His glory.
In Christ,
Jen McConnell
Matthew 28:19
Friday, April 4, 2008
Woo hooo
This is long overdue. I'm looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you better. When you see J David Barr or Dave Barr, that is my work name alias. Why? My dad (also named Jerry) works here and Barr is a whole lot easier for folks to remember in sales than Barwikowski. I am a partner in this family business and we wholesale steel. Oddly enough, more people know me as Dave than Jerry. Jamie and I stumbled into First Pres in 1993 after leaving her childhood Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod church (aka WELS). We had to leave her church because WELS members, "Should never pray with non WELS folks, and non WELS folks won't be entering the Kingdom of God." I don't know how many WELS folks subscribe to that, but the pastor sure did and that was enough for us. I was instantly smitten by the Westminster Confession and the liberty of believers in 'non essentials' at First Pres. We have a very good thing here, and we can't take it for granted.
Jamie and I love to entertain, and I LOVE to grill. I have a natural gas and a charcoal Weber grill. One of my other likes is French and Italian wine. Believe me, I'm totally against drunkeness and even getting close to .080 BAC, but there's something glorious about matching food and wine and I have a very hard time enjoying a good steak and chasing it down with iced tea. Jamie and I often mix believers and non believers in food and wine settings in order to provide relaxed settings and encourage real conversations. Some of my non believing friends are real challenges and are entrenched agnostics, but they've witnessed our very sincere and spritual fellow Islander Christian friends and they are intigued by them.
Folks, this evangelism thing is very serious, for we know the fate of those who don't believe. Jamie and I intend to do more events like these, and it would be great to have you participate as well.
Jerry Barwikowski
Jamie and I love to entertain, and I LOVE to grill. I have a natural gas and a charcoal Weber grill. One of my other likes is French and Italian wine. Believe me, I'm totally against drunkeness and even getting close to .080 BAC, but there's something glorious about matching food and wine and I have a very hard time enjoying a good steak and chasing it down with iced tea. Jamie and I often mix believers and non believers in food and wine settings in order to provide relaxed settings and encourage real conversations. Some of my non believing friends are real challenges and are entrenched agnostics, but they've witnessed our very sincere and spritual fellow Islander Christian friends and they are intigued by them.
Folks, this evangelism thing is very serious, for we know the fate of those who don't believe. Jamie and I intend to do more events like these, and it would be great to have you participate as well.
Jerry Barwikowski
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
