Encounter Church Helena: March 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Don't Go To Church This Easter - Easter Egg Carnival

You might be wondering why we are asking you NOT to go to church this Easter. At Encounter, we believe that we are most like Jesus when we serve others by giving ourselves away. We're not so much about "doing church" as much as we are about "being the Church."

That's why if you're connected with Encounter, we're asking you to participate in our Good Friday FWD gathering instead and spend Easter Day serving individuals and families in our community through the largest Easter Egg Hunt & Carnival in the North Helena Valley.

EASTER EGG CARNIVAL @ JIM DARCY ELEMENTARY

At Encounter, we have a unique opportunity to participate in and volunteer for the largest Easter Egg Hunt & Carnival in the North Helena Valley on Easter Sunday afternoon.

Last year there were over 1,000 people who came and enjoyed the day with their family. And this year will be another opportunity to share God's love and serve Helena families in a fun and rewarding way.

COME MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Come be a vital part of serving an often overlooked portion of the Helena community by giving of your time on Easter Day. There will be kid's bouncers, a rock wall, cotton candy, snow cones, carnival games, face painting, and several Easter Egg Hunt areas for different ages.

While this event is organized by Encounter's sponsor church, Big Sky Fellowship, our participation will make this event a multi-church effort.

We had a number of conversations at the carnival last year opening doors for both Encounter and building relationships with people in our community.

SIGN UP NOW!

There is no cost for us to contribute our time and effort to this community impact event, so I encourage everyone to participate. Let us know how you can help now! Sign up by clicking the button below and indicating how you can be involved. We'll follow up with you within 24 hours.

Here is how you can provide needed help:

— Setup @ 2:30pm (set up equipment, canopies, booths)
— Running a booth @ 4:00pm (cotton candy, sno cones, face painting)
— Being a runner @ 4:00pm (help wherever needed)
— Trash cleanup @ 4:00pm (pick up candy & food wrappers)
— Tear-down @ 5:15pm (pack up booths & equipment)

Don't Go To Church This Easter - Servolution 2010

You might be wondering why we are asking you NOT to go to church this Easter. At Encounter, we believe that we are most like Jesus when we serve others by giving ourselves away. We're not so much about "doing church" as much as we are about "being the Church."

That's why if you're connected with Encounter, we're asking you to participate in our Good Friday FWD gathering instead and spend the week before Easter serving individuals and families in our community through Servolution 2010.

If you attend another church, then feel free to attend church Easter morning. But you, too, can make a difference and change lives this Easter through Servolution 2010.

SERVOLUTION 2010

Servolution 2010 is a effort of churches and organizations around the world to "Share God' Love and Change Lives Through Simple Acts of Kindness" from March 26 to April 2.

Servolution is more than an event, it is a lifestyle. And it is an expression of the culture and DNA of Encounter to give back to our community. We want to bless people without asking anything in return. Our hope is to brighten someone's day through a small gift or simple act of kindness.

It is a simple way to say that God loves them — no strings attached. So each gift and act will be accompanied with a small card that simply offers "Let us know if we can help you."

SERVING NURSES AND DOCTORS IN THE E.R.

Last year, the 7 Days of Servolution in Helena was huge for us in Helena and made a definitive impact on our community. This year, we are focusing and unifying our efforts on one act of service during Servolution for the faculty and staff of St. Peter's Hospital Emergency Room.

In realizing that many of the nurses and doctors work crazy long and exhausting hours, we want to thank, bless them, and let them know God cares.

We could bring them home-made treats, coffee, energy drinks, snacks, and a variety of other helpful items. We will especially focus this effort for the late evening or early morning shifts.

CALLING EVERYONE

There are two ways to participate and we are looking for everyone to be involved in both. First, we need to purchase, make, donate, and collect items by Sunday, March 28. Then, please join us as we present the gifts to the hospital ER starting Tuesday, March 30.

ITEMS & DONATIONS NEEDED SOON!

– Homemade treats like chocolates or cookies  
– Hand lotions & lip balm 
– Energy drinks
– Tea and coffee packets
– Assorted snacks 
 – Unsigned anonymous thank you notes
– Cash donations for gift basket(s)
– Cash for packing material & printing of cards ($15)

Let us know how you can help now. Sign up by clicking the button below and indicating what you can donate and how you can be involved. We'll follow up with you within 24 hours.

View the video above or on Vimeo here.

Check it out! Servolution is a multi-church, multi-organization effort across the globe. You are invited to come to this planning meeting no matter what church you are from, and even if you don't have a church. Like last year, we will be working together to make this a Helena-wide effort. Get some great ideas and register your organization at the global Servolution website here.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Special 'Good Friday' FWD - Friday, April 2 @ 7pm

Join us for a special Friday Night FWD for Easter weekend. We're mixing it up for our next one on Good Friday.

A Special 'Good Friday' FWD

So we're doing it a little different and calling it Good Friday FWD. This is not your traditional Easter service, it's not even on Sunday!

There will still be refreshments and a great band. And it'll still be an awesome opportunity to connect with friends and meet new ones in a casual atmosphere where you can be yourself.

Participate In The Passion!

We invite you to come experience a special night to reflect upon Good Friday, the day that Jesus was crucified on a cross. Join us as we participate in interactive activities designed to share in and meditate upon His Passion.

Experience it all through prayer stations, communion, scripture, and music in a candlelight atmosphere. You don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind event!

Invite Your Friends!

It would be sweet if you would invite some friends and get the word out about this special Good Friday FWD. You can view and download the PDF flyer here. and give it to your friends, give it to your coworkers, give it to your mom!

Location And Directions

Good Friday FWD will meet at the Big Sky facilities at 8181 Avocet Drive. Don't know where that is? Go North on Montana Avenue PAST Bob's Valley Market at Lincoln. Then go 1.5 miles North and TURN LEFT on Avian Road. Make one more quick left and you're there. Look for the signs at Bob's and Avian.

Childcare will be available ($3 donation helpful)
View the Friday Night FWD video here
More about Friday Night FWD here
RSVP on Facebook here

Encounter LifeGroup @ The Powell's - March 19

Join us for the next Encounter LifeGroup as we discuss REPENTANCE & BAPTISM. We'll be meeting will be at the Powell home this Friday, March 19 @ 7pm.

An Encounter LifeGroup is a small group of six to eight people who gather regularly for spiritual growth, life encouragement, and support. It's a safe place to ask tough questions and build lasting friendships in an environment with others like you.

THE PURPLE BOOK — REPENTANCE & BAPTISM

We are going through The Purple Book to form a foundation that no storm can demolish, and a heart that is formed and guided by truly knowing and following Jesus. This time, we are discussing chapter 3 of The Purple Book — Repentance & Baptism.

Books are $6.99 at Cornerstone Christian Bookstore., but no worries if you just want to check out the LifeGroup. You can always get the book later.

WHAT: Encounter LifeGroup @ The Powells
WHEN: Friday, March 19, 2010 @ 7pm
WHERE: Powell Home [map/directions]

Snacks will be provided. There will be Wii and board games for the kids. So kids are welcome, but there will be no child care.

Please RSVP on Facebook here

Have a 'Sweet' Time Planning to Serve our Community

A whole year after our first blitz of community impact, Encounter is still active 'being the change' in Helena. It was last April, we participated in the global effort of SERVOLUTION to "Share God's love & changing lives through simple acts of kindness." And now, we're inviting you and your church or organization to get involved this year. 'Cuz it's been SWEET!

Join Us For A 'Sweet' Get-Together!

As the impact of the 7 Days of Servolution in Helena 2009 continues to echo through our community, join us as we begin to organize a community-wide impact effort for SERVOLUTION 2010. We will also be discussing and planning ways we can serve others throughout the Summer.

WHEN: Monday, March 15 @ 6:00pm
WHERE: Dairy Queen, 2850 N. Montana
WHAT: Discuss & Plan Community Service
WHO: You & Your Friends & their friends. Everyone Welcome!

RSVP: RSVP on Facebook here

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Friday Night FWD - Friday, March 12 @ 7pm

Friday Night FWD is an awesome opportunity to connect with friends and meet new ones in a casual atmosphere where you can be yourself.

There's coffee, there's a rockin' worship band — a little edgy and a little loud, and an interactive group discussion about life and faith.

You Gotta Check This Out!

We invite you to come this next Friday night. Journey with us together as we explore what it means to follow Jesus in a real, tangible way. This week's topic is Supernatural. Is the spiritual world real? How did Jesus respond to the supernatural? Join us as we talk about the supernatural side of Jesus on Friday, March 12 @ 7pm.

You Can Help!

It would be sweet if you would invite some friends and get the word out about FWD so we can move it into town. You can click on the image for a JPG or download a PDF flyer here. Oh yeah, because we want to keep FWD fresh, we're always on the lookout for musicians who might want to get involved one or more weeks. So let contact us if you know someone.