Thursday, March 31, 2011 Serving At The Kids Spring Fest - April 16 @ 10am

As part of our AWESOME APRIL, come join us as we usher in Spring at Pioneer Park with the Downtown Helena Kids Spring Fest.

Encounter Church will be hosting a FREE kids bounce house, popcorn, and cotton candy and we need to build a volunteer team now.

Working alongside other fun interactive kids activities sponsored by Downtown Helena organizations and businesses, this is an awesome opportunity to connect with the community and get the word out about the new Pattern House location and 11am gathering time. We'll also be collecting food for Helena Food Share so, if you can, please bring a donation of canned or other nonperishable food!

Please RSVP on Facebook or contact us if you can help setup and operate the booths as we connect with and serve our community. And even if you can't help, be sure to drop by with your kids and say hi!

VOLUNTEER SHIFTS:
9am-12pm Setup & First Shift
12pm-3pm Second Shift & Teardown

WHAT: Serving at the Kids Spring Fest
WHEN: Saturday, April 16 @ 10am-2pm
WHERE: Pioneer Park next to the Lewis & Clark Library [map/directions]



View photos of last time we served on Facebook here.
View a full screen Picasa slideshow here.

Encounter Meet & Greet Evening Concert - Apr 22 @ 6:30pm

If you haven't had the opportunity to meet our group at Encounter? This is your chance!

As part of our AWESOME APRIL, we invite you to come out to the Pattern House for free yummy food, cool refreshments, and some great conversation.

Then later, we have some great music lined up at with recording artist duo, Temple Veil.

It's gonna be a great evening that you won't want to miss! Be sure to mark you calendar and invite some friends!

WHAT: Meet & Greet Evening Concert
WHEN: Friday, April 22. Doors open @ 6:30pm. Concert @ 7pm
WHERE: The Pattern House [map/directions]

COST: Snacks, Refreshments, & Concert are all FREE
KIDS: There is no EncounterKids for this event

Easter Worship at Encounter - April 24 @ 11am

We invite you to join us for our first ever Easter Morning Worship Gathering on Sunday, April 24 @ 11am!

At the Pattern House, you'll find a welcoming casual atmosphere designed for you to Encounter God in a real and tangible way.

Of course, there will be great live worship music, an encouraging message, and fun for the kids. But we're also having a Super Fun Egg Hunt and giving away the Biggest Easter Basket ever!

Be sure to invite your family and friends!

WHAT: Easter Worship at Encounter
WHEN: Sunday, April 24 @ 11am
WHERE: The Pattern House [map/directions]

Listen to the podcast here!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 An Awesome April is Here!

If you've been following Facebook or Twitter, you know we've been talking about an Awesome April.

A number of upcoming changes are generating a new momentum for Encounter as we communicate the excitement of what God is doing in people's lives and in our community. You've got to be asking, what is happening this April? Well, check it out!

Our Worship Gatherings Have Moved!

We've already posted about this, but Encounter Worship Gatherings have moved to the Pattern House on Sunday Mornings at 11am. This is gonna be huge! The Pattern House is an awesome place to meet (you know it is) AND meeting in the mornings is opening the door wide open for many of our friends and neighbors to check out Encounter. This is your opportunity to check us out and invite a friend!

Serving at the Kids Spring Fest

We're ushering in Spring at Pioneer Park with the Kids Spring Fest on Saturday, April 16 @ 10am-2pm. Encounter Church will be hosting a FREE kids bounce house, popcorn, and cotton candy alongside other fun interactive kids activities sponsored by Downtown Helena organizations and businesses. This is another great opportunity to serve our community while also getting the word out about our new 11am meeting time at the Pattern House.

Meet & Greet Concert Evening

Haven't had the opportunity to meet us? This is your chance. We invite you to come out to the Pattern House on Friday, April 22 @ 6:30pm for some free yummy food, tasty refreshments, and some great conversation. Then later, we have some great music lined up at 7pm with recording artist duo, Temple Veil. You don't want to miss this!

Easter Worship at Encounter

Finally, we'd love to have you join us for our first ever Easter Worship Gathering on Sunday, April 24 @ 11am at the Pattern House ! Of course, there will be great live worship music, an encouraging message, and fun for the kids. But we're also having a Super Fun Egg Hunt and giving away the Biggest Easter Basket Ever! Be sure to invite your family and friends!

An Opportunity to Get Involved!

What is really Awesome about this April is the opportunity to get involved with what God is doing in Helena. Yes, we would love for you to attend some events and get to know us, but there is a huge opportunity to make a difference - to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Right now, we are building a community of people who are willing to selflessly serve others with the unconditional love of Jesus. Not only are we regularly impacting the Helena community (you've heard the buzz), there are opportunities for musicians, computer geeks, people who like talking with others, people with a passion to teach kids, and more. Come explore this movement of God called Encounter.

Opportunities for an AWESOME APRIL: Click Here!

Encounter Now Gathering at the Pattern House

We are pleased to announce that our worship gatherings have moved to 11am Sunday mornings at the historic Pattern House.

A PART OF HELENA

Built in 1897, the Pattern House served as pay master in the early days for the Northern Pacific Railroad, to a pattern building workshop for the foundry that ran next door.

In the 90's, the Pattern House became a popular coffee house in Helena, but has been vacant since 2005. Encounter is now excited to use the space to connect with the Helena community and provide a unique environment in which to Encounter God, Experience Community, and Engage Culture.

OUR FIRST SUNDAY WAS PERFECT

We held our first un-announced gathering this last Sunday on March 27 as a "trial run" to determine the logistics of how to setup for worship, areas for kids, and refreshments. It was a success. The Pattern House is a perfect intimate environment that is warm and welcoming. View photos of the setup below.

AN AWESOME APRIL IS COMING

April is gonna be AWESOME! We'll be taking every opportunity to get the word out about our new gathering location and time. On Saturday, April 16 @ 10am-2pm, we'll be serving the community and getting the word out at the Downtown Helena Kids Spring Fest as we host free kids bounce houses, cotton candy, and popcorn. We've had teams of missionaries come pray over and help clean up the grounds at the Pattern House. We'll also be walking the area, letting our neighbors know.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Our first event at the Pattern House will be a Meet & Greet Concert Evening on Friday, April 22 @ 6:30pm. There will be yummy food, tasty refreshments, and plenty of conversation. We're hoping to get to know you, and hoping you can get to know us better. There will also be a great musical guest, Temple Veil.

Then, Sunday, April 24 @ 11am will be our very first Easter Morning gathering. Enjoy great live worship music, an engaging message, and a fun time for kids. Plus, we're having an awesome Egg Hunt for the kids and giving away the biggest Easter Basket ever!

WHERE TO FIND US

Centrally located in Helena, just go east from Malfunction Junction (where Montana Avenue, Helena Avenue, and Lyndale meet) on Lyndale, the Pattern House is the first building on the right at 1229 E. Lyndale Ave.

Click here for more details, map, and directions.




View the Picasa slideshow here
View the photos on Facebook here

Serving the Helena Food Share on March 23 - Afterburn

This last Wednesday, March 23, a group of us from Encounter Church gathered to serve the Helena Food Share and support the awesome difference they make in our community.

The Helena Food Share does an outstanding job providing emergency food assistance to families experiencing economic difficulties.

There was something for everyone to do. We took on whatever projects they assigned our group. We were able to bag over 1,000 pounds of potatoes, assemble 4 crates of eggs, 36 bags of rice, and stack almost 100 cans of potato chips.

We are always eager to serve and share God's love in tangible way. It's why Encounter is known as a church not just IN Helena, but a church FOR Helena.



View the Picasa slideshow here
View the photos on Facebook here

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 Come Serve At The Helena Food Share – March 23 @ 6pm

Coming up on Wednesday, March 23, Encounter Church is organizing a group to serve the Helena Food Share and support the awesome difference they make in our community.

Last time, we took on whatever projects they assigned our group including washing carts and baskets, filling and labeling 150 bags of oats, and organizing potatoes, eggs, and plastic bags.

Come be a "burning bush" as we engage our community in a tangible way — just 2 hours of your time can make an incredible impact. We've seen the Food Share in action and they are a blessing to the many neighbors here in Helena who need a helping hand when it comes to being able to put food on the table.

Please RSVP on Facebook or contact us to let us know you can serve.

WHAT: Serving @ Helena Food Share
WHEN: Wednesday, March 23 @ 6-8pm
WHERE: Meet at the Food Share [map/directions]



View photos of last time we served on Facebook here.
View a full screen Picasa slideshow here.

Storytelling: A Fresh New Approach To LifeGroups

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

We are launching a fresh new approach to small groups starting on Sunday, March 20 and you are invited!

The Story: Discovering Life
Through The Scriptures

"The Story" format will help you build deep authentic relationships while discovering yourself through the process of storytelling the scriptures. Get truly connected with Christ and others as you grow in an Encounter LifeGroup.

LifeGroup Details

LifeGroups meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday @ 5:30pm, with some exceptions. We'd love to have you come out, even if you are just checking it out. For the kids, there is a Wii console and board games available, and child care can be arranged upon request.

WHAT: Encounter LifeGroups
WHEN: 1st and 3rd Sundays @ 5:30pm
WHERE: Click Here Upcoming Locations & Dates

To join or host a LifeGroup, click here and let us know. Check for the latest LifeGroup articles or the calendar for the next LifeGroup gathering.

March Series "Dangerous Church"

The early disciples were serious about God and dangerous to the world.

What is the difference between a "safe church" and a "dangerous church"? As individual believers and as a faith community, how do we become what we are called to be?

With a two-part series, we will take on these questions and more encouraging you to move beyond a safe and cautious faith, and to boldly follow Jesus with an unshakable devotion able to change the world.

Invite a friend for some great live music, a welcoming atmosphere, engaging and relevant teaching, and a fun time for kids at EncounterKids. You can RSVP for our next gathering on Facebook below.

Sunday, March 13 @ 5:30pm - Worship Gathering | Dangerous Church I | Podcast Here
Sunday, March 27 @ 11am - Worship Gathering | Dangerous Church II | Podcast Here

To find out more about what to expect at an Encounter Worship Gathering or to get directions to our meeting place, choose a selection from the "Get Times & Location" menu above.