Awaken City Church

Awaken City Church….. “Awakened Hearts Loving Our City”

Did you know that over 3000 churches close each year? Have you ever wondered why? In fact, I was just reading about a church that at one point drew as many as 9,000 people on Sunday mornings and now are down to just 100 people on Sunday’s, most of whom are beyond retirement age. What does it really take to be an effective church in the millennium? This week we will be to explore these questions with a new series entitled “Do Something!” If you want to better prepare for this Sunday’s message you should read John 5:1-13 and come ready to be challenged to “Do Something!”

Time Change – Don’t forget to move your clock forward before you go to bed this Saturday night.

Small Group Leaders Training – Next Saturday morning, March 20th, we will provide anyone training to anyone interested in leading a small group here at Awaken City Church. Please contact Ray McKinnon for details. Ray@awakencitychurch.com

Homeless Ministry Update

"This is the best day of my life!" spoken with tears by our dear friend Father Time when a group of us arrived at Jules antique Store where he works. When he entered the store we sang to the best of our ability the wonderful happy birthday song. We then took him to the Mellow Mushroom and treated him to a lunch out that he has not had in a long time. He said that he felt like someone. We reassured him that he was, and that he also was very special and we loved him. After we finished lunch we went back to the store and had birthday cake. He was very touched that we thought him so special that people would actually take off work and come spend time with him. I believe this ministry is more than meeting needs, it's actually connecting and developing relationships with those people in need. This is where the real gift is. After this wonderful adventure, we went to the library to find a few more of our friends, and there we spent the rest of the afternoon outside laughing and having a great time with James and Pop. I would say that this day was a gift to all of us.

More homeless news….

Hey Everybody,

I just wanted to give you an update about our needs list. I would like to thank those of you who were part of getting Mr. Simpson's lights and heat turned back on. He came to me Sunday with tears of joy in his eyes and also with a few dollars in his pocket. He came with the intention of paying back at least a few dollars to show his gratitude. That brought tears to my eyes. He hugged me 3 times very tight during our conversation. I could feel the gratitude in those hugs! He is also interested in attending Awaken. I believe there a lot of our friends who would love to as well, so let's pray hard about getting downtown ASAP. We had just enough money donated to cover the cost of his bill. Steve Still, from the Salvation Army was able to provide many of the items on our needs list, and our thanks goes out to him for helping meet our needs. There was a gentleman who received a cane that he had put on the list, and when I gave it to him, you would have thought I just gave him a house! He too gave me a hug, and was so thankful for this need being filled. He said to me, "I'm tired of falling down all the time." God continues to bless this ministry, and meet needs in so many ways, and I am looking so forward to what He will do in the future!

I am sending out the most recent needs list, and if you can provide any of these items please reply all so we know what has been covered. Thank you for your efforts in serving these friends of ours downtown!

God Bless you.

Mary

Bus passes, Large tee-shirts, medium navy and white tee-shirts, jeans size 32x32- there are 2 men in need of this size, work boots waterproof if possible- size 10.5, jeans size 36x30- there are 2 brothers in need of this size, men's sneakers size 8, work boots size 9.5, Size 8 ladies clothing for a new woman who came on Sunday. She is getting into an apartment this week, and came out of an abusive relationship from another state and is starting over.

See you Sunday,

Frank Bishoff