GIFT – Growing in Faith Together – means Goin’ Fishin’!
Our GIFT time following worship in Lent will focus on the imperative of invitational evangelism – on inviting others to the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ that we have experienced.  As Jesus called his first disciples with an invitation they couldn’t refuse, so He calls us:
            Follow me, and I will teach you to fish for people!
Our pastor Chuck Mize is excited to lead the first three sessions in this series, on March 9, 16, and 23.  As they say, The Christian faith is more caught than taught.  Here is the series:
 
Goin’ Fishin’ – Fishing for People
The Imperative of Invitational Evangelism Today
Scripture texts:  Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 28:16-20
 
March 9: You’ve got to know your lake:  it’s not our grandparents’ church anymore.
Our changing culture and the place of the church in society.
Christendom has ended.  Why that’s a good thing.
What are the things that don’t change?
 
March 16: Don’t forget your tackle and bait.
Relevance, relevance, relevance!
Hell doesn’t work anymore.
Never judging or condemning.  Always inviting!
 
March 23: You’ve got to love to fish.
For us, the fish are people.  If you don’t love them, they’ll never be caught.
Forget glittering generalities.  Make it personal.
Have a plan and work it.  Never give up!
 
March 30: Kathy & Bob Erickson will be presenting their efforts to establish relationships in their community.

April 6: Going Fishing, Reflect Light
Pastor Adam Hamilton offers practical thoughts on how we can share our faith by building relationships in non-threatening ways. People without a church do not want doctrine, they want to see people who care about them and who make the world a better place. What would you like people to say about our church?  Come and brainstorm ideas based upon what Adam shares with us.
 
Let’s discover the joy of going fishing for people together!

Sing A New Song!

Somewhere deep inside the springtime of our souls is a new melody we’d like to hear … a new rhythm we’d like to adopt … new harmony we’d like to call our own.  Let’s explore the newness of spring in our lives together … and sing a new song!

Our morning retreat will include both solo and group activities, including collaborative song-writing, an inspirational soul walk, making a prayer shaker and yes, singing.  We will end with lunch together and time for fellowship.  Mark your calendars now!

Saturday, May 10, 8:30-1:00pm in the Chapel at Southminster.