Monday, June 13, 2011 Being A Church Without A Building

As a new community of faith, Encounter does not possess a building of it's own to gather for worship. This presents both opportunities and challenges.

It reminds us that church is not a building or an event, but a people and a lifestyle of faith. It reminds us that following Jesus takes place in every aspect of our lives.

We have been fortunate to meet at several unique and outstanding locations in Helena such as the Dunphy Building, Exploration Works, and the historic Pattern House.

At each location we've gathered, we've been intentional to create an atmosphere that is authentic, welcoming, and unique — so that people can encounter God in a real and tangible way.

Seeking A New Gathering Location

After five years of being vacant, Encounter's most recent gathering location, the Pattern House, may soon have a new owner.

We are currently looking to open a conversation with this potential new owner, but must relocate our morning gatherings for now.

We are exploring potential new gathering locations and will be relocating our next morning gathering which takes place Sunday, June 26. Appropriately, we will be continuing our Chase The Lion series and exploring what it means to "Overcome Adversity."

What's Next?

We are making strategic plans to soon begin gathering for worship every Sunday, but will continue with our current schedule until further notice.

You can join us for our unique, edgy, and authentic worship environment every 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings. We also meet for LifeGroup every 1st and 3rd Sunday.

WEEKLY EVENTS BY SUNDAY:
1st Sunday: LifeGroup @ 5:30pm
2nd Sunday: Worship Gathering @ tba
3rd Sunday: LifeGroup @ 5:30pm
4th Sunday: Worship Gathering @ tba
5th Sunday: Engage Your Community

Please check back soon for more on our June 26 and upcoming morning worship gathering times and location. To be notified when we announce our new gathering location for June 26, or if you have a lead or idea to suggest for our next gathering location in Helena, contact us today!.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 Tootsie Pops at Alive@Five - June 22 @ 5:30pm

Come down to Alive@Five in the Great Northern Town Center and connect with the Helena community by giving away Tootsie Pops.

It will be a great way to meet people and to make conversation. Plus we ave friends from First Baptist Church of Clinton coming to help.

It's just a simple way to let people know that we care about Helena! Join us by the fountain near ExplorationWorks.

WHAT: Tootsie Pops at Alive@Five
WHEN: Friday, June 22 @ 5:30pm-6:30pm
WHERE: Great Northern Town Center (by ExplorationWorks)

Monday, May 9, 2011 Serving Helena at the Spring Art Walk - May 20 @ 5:30pm

Join us as we connect with and serve those coming out for the Spring Art Walk in Downtown Helena.

As warmer temperatures approach, we plan on giving away FREE water bottles and conversation along the route of the Fall Art Walk.

We'll meet and setup just outside the capitalFRET music store at 335 Last Chance Gulch. It's just another way to be a burning bush in our community.

WHAT: Serving Helena at the Spring Art Walk
WHEN: Friday, May 20 @ 5:30pm-9pm
WHERE: 335 Last Chance Gulch (capitalFRET on Last Chance Gulch)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 Worship on Mother's Day! - May 8 @ 11am

We invite you to bring a mom to church on Mother’s Day!

It could be YOUR mom, grandmother, spouse, or even someone ELSE'S mom — but every mom will receive a FREE GIFT.

Our featured speaker and mom of 16 years, Andrea Powell will share "What I learned from Mom ... about following Jesus."

So come to the Pattern House and experience a unique, welcoming, and authentic atmosphere. You'll hear some great music, an encouraging message, and there's fun at EncounterKids.

Be sure to invite your family and friends!

WHAT: Worship on Mother's Day
WHEN: Sunday, May 8 @ 11am
WHERE: The Pattern House [map/directions]

Listen to the podcast here!

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt @ The Pattern House - Afterburn

Easter Sunday, April 24, was Encounter's very first Easter Sunday Worship Gathering. Despite snow and rain throughout the week, Easter was a beautiful, sunny day — and it was the picture perfect day for a Super Fun Egg Hunt outside!

We had over 24 first-timers on Easter with lots of kids. We explored what it means to "Come Awake!" and how we are called to "rise up from the grave" of the broken things in life through Jesus. Listen to the podcast here.

After the great music and discussion during the worship gathering, we held a drawing for the "Biggest Easter Basket Ever!" It was certainly the biggest Easter basket in Helena with items donated from individuals and businesses throughout Helena.

Special thanks to Van's Thriftway, Lasso The Moon Toys, Montana Book & Toy Company, Panhandler Plus, GamePods Jr. Downtown, Capital Fret, and Great Harvest Bread Company.

When we're all done, we went outside for a Super Fun Egg Hunt boasting over 600 eggs filled with chocolate goodies. It truly was an Awesome Easter, by all accounts, and an awesome way to connect with the community — to be a church that's not just IN Helena, but FOR Helena!




You can find all the great photos on Facebook here.
Check out a Picasa slideshow here.