Elijah Project 08'

This is a short video of our outreach for 2008. We were able to raise over $11,000 to help six families get back on their feet after the devastating floods took everything they had. Thank you Life Church family for making this possible.


Elijah Project 08'-Complete from LIFEchurchnow.org on Vimeo.

Letters to the Next President!

Well, after getting the kids off to school I headed to the Grant Wood AEC to cast my vote. The line was relatively short and the voting went on without a glitch. Holding that large ballot in my hand reminded me of the amazing freedom that we have here in the United States - that ordinary people like you and me have the power to say who will lead our country. My father served in two wars and for the most part he held to the conviction that he was doing his part in promoting that freedom.

In just a few hours we will have a new president. History will be made today one way or the other. Either we will have the first ever African American President or the first ever female Vice President. As that person steps into office what would we say to them? As a follower of Jesus how would we counsel our new President?

Starting this weekend we are kicking off a series called Letters to the Next President. This series is coming together as a result of some of the "You Pick" suggestions for sermon topics and because it is immediately after one of the most historic elections of all time. Be sure to be there as we look at three different Biblical heads of state and how they acted or failed to act. Through this series we expect to gain some leadership lessons that are applicable to those who hold public office all the way to the person who is leading their children in the home. Don't miss this series and be sure to invite a friend.

Come support the LC Band

A group from the Life Church band will be opening up for Shane and Shane on 9/26/08. Tickets are $20

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th @ 8PM
Englert Theatre
221 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
319.688.2653

YOU Pick!

We are currently in an election season and many are focusing on the “topics” that are most important to voters as we seek to elect a new president. Over the centuries the church has often found itself in conflict with popular culture on certain issues. Starting November 9th we will have a conversation about some of these issues. We invite you to post the issue that you would like to talk about. We will collect these issues through October and select the top three and explore what the Bible has to say on these issues. We will also be setting up a “You Pick” polling table at the Ped Mall(volunteers needed!)

Game Day

Every team spends a considerable amount of time training, running drills and preparing for the big game. Life can often be compared to the big game. The objective --- to win. In this new series we are calling everyone out of the stands and into the game. Kick off starts September 14th. See you there and be sure to wear your team jersey.

Help Wanted - LC Drama Team

If you enjoyed the Awaken drama this weekend and are intereseted in joining the LC Drama team, please contact Chris Cary at chris@lifechurchnow.org .

Awaken Team Rings The Bell

Yesterday, the "Awaken" youth team stepped up and rang the bell. They performed their first skit on a Sunday morning and did an amazing job. The human drama was set to the song "Everything" by Lifehouse and really brought the house down. There were quite a few wet eyes in the crowd and I believe that these type of dramas usher in the presence of God in ways that we cannot understand. I am extremely proud of them and can't wait to see what's going to happen in their lives as they realize how amazing they truly are.

If you want to let them know that you appreciate them or that you enjoyed the drama, please post a comment on the "Awaken" facebook wall.

Life Church Women's Retreat, November 14-15

clean

a life church women's retreat

When?
Friday, November 14 & Saturday, November 15

Cost?
$40 per person (includes meals)

What is “Clean"?
A retreat for women, by women, who want to spend time connecting with one another and with Christ. We’re looking forward to hanging out, laughing, worshiping God, reflecting on the teachings, and supporting one another through prayer and group discussions.

For more information, please stop by the got questions? table during the Sunday-morning service and pick up a brochure/registration form. Registration deadline is Oct 31.

Call Heather (319-541-5338) email weber.heather@gmail.com with further questions.

"Everything we have--right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start--comes from God by way of Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:30, The Message

Back To School Picnic

Well, school is now in full swing, so we figured it's time for us all to get together and hang out. This coming Saturday, 9/6, Ayla and I will be hosting a Life Church barbecue at our house. Every week we discuss the importance of community and these events are just one of the many things we do to at the LC to support our weekly ramblings.

So, here are the details:

When: Saturday, 9/6, 6:00 to Whenever
(We will have the Wii available, games, and a campfire for Smores)
If you can't make it for supper, stop by later to hang out and play games

Where: Aron and Ayla's, 45 Coll Court

Who: All family members and friends are welcome

What to Bring: Side dish and desert (barbecue food will be provided)
If you'd like a different main dish, please feel free to bring that as well.

RSVP: akolosik@gmail.com

Discipleship @ Life Church

Hey guys,
I am excited about discipleship at Life Church this Fall. We have several spiritual growth opportunities that will be kicking off the week of September 7th. Aron will be leading a study through Luke and Acts. Heather will continue the women's prayer every other Sunday and I am especially excited about Alpha. Alpha is an awesome opportunity for any person at whatever stage of their spiritual journey to explore the meaning of life. It is a ten-week course that circles around a shared meal, a video teaching and small group discussion. I encourage any of you that are ready to ramp up your spiritual journey to consider signing up for the Alpha course. Check out this short promo on Alpha.

Walking in the Spirit

I have been looking over my notes for tomorrow's teaching and I feel like the Holy Spirit is so convincing me of the truth that God wants us to be people that are walking in the Spirit. I love the idea of walking. It's not running, it's not sitting, it's simply walking. Step by step we have an opportunity to link up with the creator of the universe and overcome our human limitations.

What if the Holy Spirit is all around us exhaling his life, his peace, his joy, his victory? And what if our job is to just breath? To simply inhale what God is doing all around us. "God help me to walk in the spirit."

New Series - Just Breathe

I am excited about this new series that we are kicking off Sunday. It's called Just Breathe and it is a teaching on the Holy Spirit. Now I know that for some this may send chills down your spine and for others you welcome a teaching on the Holy Spirit. I believe that God has put something on my heart that will challenge us all to live lives full of the Holy Spirit. What if God was exhaling His Spirit all around us and our job was to just breathe? I hope you can join us for this amazing series as we seek to be a people that are full of God, full of his spirit.

Members Meeting - Saturday, August 9th

Hey Life Church,
We are having our very first members meeting this coming Saturday, August 9th at the Coralville Public Library. The new library has meeting rooms on the lower level. We will be meeting in the old auditorium at 9am sharp! If you consider Life Church your home church then we strongly urge you to plan on being there for this members meeting. We have a lot of information to share. It is going to be an awesome time of vision casting and momentum building. We are excited about the potential for exponential growth and we believe you play an important role in this.

Child care will be provided. We have reserved the meeting room at the Coralville Rec. Center for the children. If you have an infant you may consider just bringing them along to the meeting. But, if your child is "potty" trained and willing to stay with some baby sitters you can drop them off at the Rec. Center.

If you plan on using the childcare services please let us know so that we can hire enough people. You can simply email Aron at aron@LifeChurchNow.org to let us know.

See you there!

Men's Breakfast Reminder

Hey guys, just wanted to post a quick reminder about the men's breakfast scheduled for tomorrow morning at Rich's house.

The details are:

Start Time: 9:30
Location: 39 Chad Court, Coralville, IA
Phone #: (319) 594-0837

This is just a great time to hang out, get to know each other, and get full. Cya tomorrow.

It's Official - Life Church Has Hit Facebook

Last week I had an epic failure and succumbed to peer pressure by signing up to facebook. Today is my tenth day on facebook and I must admit, it's really been an awesome tool to open lines of communication with new friends and old friends. So, because of my failure, I've decided to try to bring others with me and created a "Life Church - Iowa City" facebook group. It really is a great communication tool and is simple to maintain. As we continue to experiment with living life together, we need to keep trying new things to create community and facebook is just another one of those ways.

40 Days of Prayer

Last week we kicked off in a very subtle way a 40 days of prayer challenge. Today, Heather Weber, in her message encouraged us that as followers of Jesus Christ God has given us authority to realize the Kingdom of God here on earth. What an awesome challenge to pray and believe that we can have a part in ushering in peace, righteousness and joy into our lives and the communities that we live in.

Heather also challenged us to pray for the country of Ethiopia and the current famine and drought that is killing so many innocents...

"Father, these are your children, your creation and our brothers and sisters. We feel the pain of dying children, mothers and fathers. Father, will you bring rain into that dry land. Father will you miraculously touch the malnourished. Father, will you supply adequate food to those on the brink of starvation. Father, will you reveal your love and concern for these precious people. Hear our prayer."

33 days to go.
rgg

Life Church BBQ/Potluck (July 19th)

Come join us for a time of fun and fellowship at the Greenes. All are welcome. Brats, burgers and drinks will be provided. Bring a side dish, a dessert or a salad. Be sure to invite a friend and we look forward to seeing you this Saturday at 4:30pm.

Here are some ideas of stuff to bring:
Vegetable trays
Pasta salads
chips and dip
casseroles
fruit salads
pies, brownies, cookies
cheese and crackers
etc.

Here are the directions to the Greenes:

View Larger Map

See you there.

Cleanup help July 7th and 8th

Here is another opportunity for us to help out our community. If you are available, the information below will get you started.
Thanks Life Church
---------------------------
Help at New Life
July 7, 2008 - 10:45 AM

New Life still needs some volunteers for Monday and Tuesday, July 7 & 8. We are still in a clean phase, so wear appropriate clothing. I think we have masks here. Water and Red Cross meals are available for free.

Contact Josh at 563.505.0808

Details for Tomorrow's Flood Clean-Up

For those of you who can volunteer to do clean-up for local residents affected by the flood, please report tomorrow at 8 a.m. to the New Life Church Parking Lot on the Coraville Strip (New Life is located beind Lone Star restaurant). We will form teams and disperse from there to go into local neighborhoods.

Please bring tools if you have them, such as crowbars, hammers, shovels, wheelbarrows, or wagons. Also, please bring your own mask and gloves if you are able so that we can leave the masks and gloves in the flood buckets to residents who will be cleaning after we leave.

Saturday Flood Clean-Up Teams

The needs in our community for flood clean-up are urgent. Many homeowners have recently or are just getting access to their homes. They are racing against the clock to get water-damaged items out of their homes, such as furniture, carpets, appliances, and cabinetry, and then stripping drywall off the walls in order to prevent mold growth in the studs.

We would like to form teams of volunteers to target our selected neighborhood and offer help to homeowners on Saturday morning. At this point, the exact time and location is still to be determined but we'd like to recruit your help in advance. Please contact me (information below) if you are available.

In the meantime, you are looking for ways to be of service during the work-week, the best route to go is to find a homeowner in a flood-affected neighborhood and offer your assistance. There are many, many people in need right now and one could literally walk through a neighborhood and join with many teams doing clean-up. When you help, it's ideal to go prepared with some basics, such as: Rubber and cotton gloves; masks; old tennis shoes; crowbar (for knocking down drywall); wheelbarrow or wagon (for pulling drywall, carpet, misc. items to the curb); and water.

Also, the flood relief kits and garbage bags that were donated by Convoy of Hope are stored in the United Methodist Church's west parking lot. Please help yourselves to these as needed, or take them with you when you go to volunteer. Our only request is that you contact me with the number of supplies you've taken (for grant/accounting purposes).

Contact Info: 541-5338 or weber.heather@gmail.com

Flood Clean-Up--Help Needed at New Life Church

Today I received a call from John White, the pastor of New Life Church on the Coralville Strip. New Life's building sustained significant damage during the flood and the church is trying to start clean-up as quickly as possible. The needs for clean up are urgent and immediate, and New Life is requesting volunteers from Life Church who can come any time from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (6/25), Thursday (6/26), and Friday (6/27). There will be a clean-up supervisor on site to direct volunteers. We're asking our Life Church community to help out New Life in whatever ways it can. (Evening hours are also a possibility if there are enough volunteers, so please email weber.heather@gmail.com with with your availability if you desire to come in the evening).

New Life is located behind Lone Star on the Coralville Strip. Report there any time between 9 and 5. The site is quite filthy, so you'll want to wear old clothes, work shoes,and possibly bring your own gloves/mask along. We have given 10 flood relief cleaning kits to New Life, but bringing extra supplies is not a bad idea.

In addition to the New Life needs, Life Church met with other evangelical church leaders and Iowa City's city manager Mike Lombardo today. A consensus was reached that each church would "adopt" a neighborhood affected by the floods and serve there. Details on how we can help assist civic leaders in organizing relief efforts for neighborhoods are forthcoming and possibly a team will need to be assembled as soon as this Saturday. Stay tuned for details.

Flood Relief Meeting this Wednesday

For those in the Life Church community interested in strategizing about flood clean-up efforts, please attend an organizational meeting at the Coralville United Methodist Church (806 13th Avenue, one block east of the Coralville Recreation Center). We'll be meeting this Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. and will be discussing how assist in flood clean-up, as well as how to distribute the 500 flood-relief kits and clean-up supplies donated to Life Church by Convoy of Hope, a non profit disaster relief organization.

Elijah Project 08--Flood Relief

As the Iowa River slowly receds from the floodplains in Coralville and Iowa City, Life Church has been in contact with other area churches and Iowa City officials to assess the needs of area residents and businesses who have been displaced by the flood.

At a meeting this coming Tuesday, we anticipate some solid decisions will be made as to how exactly area churches and individuals can harness our efforts to help the city provide shelter, clothing, food, monetary and clean-up assistance to those in need. We will post information on what you can do to get involved on the blog and communicate via email and Sunday service announcements.

In addition, Life Church is in possession of 500 flood-relief kits that were donated by the Assemblies of God organization Convoy of Hope. These kits were packaged with clean-up efforts in mind, and we will be able to distribute them to area residents and businesses as soon as clean-up efforts begin in full swing.

Every year, Life Church targets a particular community need for the Elijah Project. This year, the floods have made the community need obvious. Over the coming days and weeks we'll be posting more information on how you and your family and friends can volunteer to help. Please take the time to consider now what you may be able to donate (food, clothing, materials, money) or whether you are willing to provide shelter for an invidual or family. The opportunities will present themselves quickly.

Informal Sunday Morning Gathering, June 15

Those who can gather on the west side of the river will be meeting this morning for an informal time of worship and prayer at 9:45 at the Coralville Rec Center. If you are able to volunteer with sandbagging/other flood work efforts after the meeting, please come prepared in work clothes, with shovels and gloves.

We pray that all among you are safe. If you have any flood-related needs or concerns please don't hesitate to call the church number at 594-0837.

God on Film

We kicked off a new series this past week called God on Film. In this series we attempt to exegete popular movies and juxtapose them against scripture. Often movies raise spiritual questions and we believe that it is our responsibility to answer those questions and point people to Jesus. Join us as we look at four popular movies and redeem the spiritual themes contained within them. Check out the trailer to this series...

Life @ the Park-Memorial Day 08'

Enjoy the pics from our 3rd annual - Life @ the Park. IT WAS A BLAST!
Every year it gets bigger and better and this year was no exception. Thank you to all who came out and just had fun. It was so relaxing to sit down with old and new friends.
If you have a favorite moment, then please take time to share that with us and post a comment.

BTW....my favorite moment was when the adults SMASHED the youth in volleyball. What's that I smell? A SKUNK! Maybe next year youngsters?

Water Baptism (June 15th)

Hey LC family,

In a few weeks we will be celebrating water baptism. This is a great opportunity for any person who has entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ to take the next step and follow his example in water baptism. If you are interested in taking this next step be sure to email or call Pastor Rich at (319) 594-0837 / pastor.rich@LifeChurchNow.org. There will be a short baptism orientation the week before for any person being baptized on the 15th.

Forgiveness

Check out our latest Life Church video on forgiveness. We got the idea from a Church in DC and personalized it a little.


Bottom of the Sea from LIFEchurchnow.org on Vimeo.

God, you love too much!

At Life Church we have adopted an ethos statement that goes like this,

"Mission is why we exist and Love is the context."

We affirm strongly that the Church is an organic representation of God with the express purpose of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. We have a mandate from Jesus to take this message to the ends of the earth. The second half of this statement explains the method or the context. Jesus once said,

"the world will know that you are my disciples by your love for each other."

This past weekend we talked about Jonah and how he didn't buy this idea that God loves everybody. In the story of Jonah God's grace extended even to the brutal Assyrians. This angered Jonah that God would be so merciful and forgiving.

One of the major themes from scripture that we as a faith community have sought to fully embrace and practice is God's unending love for all of humankind. To reach out with compassion and care to those who are broken, lost and maybe even antagonistic toward Christianity. This communal practice starts with individual commitment. I want to challenge all of us to spend the next few days meditating on God's love and then intentionally live it out in our circles of influence. We can be difference makers (true disciples) by intentionally loving those around us.

It would be awesome if God was accused of loving too much when people experienced his love through us. May we be known by our love!

rgg

Life @ the Park

Hey guys,
This Memorial Day (May 26) Life Church will be celebrating our third annual Life @ the Park. Each year it has been an incredibly fun event. Lots of activities for all ages, lots of food and plenty of fun. Everyone is invited and we encourage you to bring a friend or two or ten. You don't want to miss this event. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know some people that you only see casually on Sunday. Check out some pictures of our previous Life @ the Park. Life @ the Park 07
Directions: Kent Park (map) - After entering Kent Park follow the signs to the Deer Run Shelter

Following Jesus a.k.a. Discipleship

As I was reading Rich's previous post, I started thinking on how the term "discipleship" probably isn't easily accessible to those outside the church walls, or those we would call "seekers" (What's discipleship anyway??). For those of us who've been in the church a long time, we typically think of discipleship in terms of the process, the way one grows from a "baby" (Christian) to a "mature" believer, the way our faith is strengthened over time and through relationship with Christ, the way his transforming power in our lives begins to transcend, struggle by struggle, the conflict within ourselves and our relationships.

Discipleship programs often masquerade as the tool to get you from from point A to point Z in ten tidy steps, but the truth is, a series of discipleship classes will be just the jumping off point for a lifetime of following Jesus. A synonym for disciple is "follower," and following has no finite ending. That is, unless we turn away. So perhaps when we talk about discipleship classes for seekers, we're talking about something not unlike an orientation for a walkabout in the Outback. Here's the gear you'll need. You're tour guide's name is Jesus. Here's where to find water. (Don't touch the rattle snakes.)

Ever since I've been on the journey, I've sidled up to followers who've been walkign longer than I have. I want to learn whatever I can from them, get whatever help I can get along the way. For those who've only been following for a few days to a few months or years, a series of classes--really, hanging out with others on the journey and paying attention to the observations of a more experienced follower--could be quite helpful in navigating the Christ-trodden path and answering a follower's most important questions. Where does Christ go? What does he say? How does he get there? How do I do it too?

Discipleship at Life Church

Last year we talked about a paradigm for discipleship and growing in Jesus Christ. It was taken from Acts 2:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Without going into much detail four elements can be found in this passage:

1. Seeker (spiritual dimension) - "everyone was filled with awe..."
2. Learner (intellectual dimension) - "they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching..."
3. Influencer (relational dimension) - "All the believers were together..."
4. Investor (financial dimension) - "had all things in common...and gave to anyone as he had need..."

We have been praying and planning to implement an effective and transformational discipleship program here at Life Church. Please pray with us as we prepare to launch something in the Fall to address this need. In the meantime I would encourage all of you to seek opportunities for spiritual growth. Remember it is God's passion for all of us to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Be looking for an opportunity in the Fall to take the next step.

rgg

Great Opportunity!

Since the beginning of 2008 we have had our eye on Life Church's kids ministry. We had been planning to raise the level of Kidmo by developing a stronger team of committed children's ministry workers. We thank God that Kriss Armento has taken on the challenge to lead this new endeavor. Please pray for her as she develops her team.

Recently a great opportunity has been made available to us. The Assemblies of God has guaranteed us $5000 in the form of a matching grant. We would have to raise $2500 and in turn they will give $2 for every $1 that we raise. These monies will be used to upgrade the Kidmo area with partitions, a new projector and screen, banners and other print material, sound equipment and additional curriculum. I am asking our Life Church community to consider giving toward our children's ministry. All it would take is for 25 individuals to give $100 each. We can do this. Help us create an atmosphere where our children can become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Wired

We had our first worship and prayer night (we call it Wired) on May 2nd and what a great time we had.
It was a lot of work to get everything setup and ready for the event, but I will say that is was all worth it. I want to send out a BIG THANK YOU to Pastor Rich for all the help with setup.
I would love to continue doing this on a regular basis (once a month) for our own community of faith but for others as well. In the future, I would also love for other church leaders to be a part of leading worship and advocates for the prayer time. I don't know of another church in the area that is doing anything like it, so I'll be the catalyst.

I would love to hear from those who attended, any thoughts?


Chris Cary
Creative Arts Pastor

Awaken

I am very excited about the upcoming Easter service - Awaken.

An Easter celebration of the visual and performing arts

a·wak·en·ing (ə wā′ kə ning) 1. a revival [of the arts]. 2. the renewal [of faith] 3. an act of awakening from sleep [resurrection of Christ].

Free Event - Open to the public
Date: 3.23.08
Time: 10:00 a.m.

It is a chance for us to do something different in a great venue. We will be having the event at the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City.