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.
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.
This last Saturday, Encounter helped Downtown Helena usher in Spring at the first ever Kids Spring Fest at Pioneer Park.
A group of volunteers primarily from Encounter hosted a free kids bounce house. and gave away over 250 bags of popcorn, nearly 400 servings of cotton candy, and around 350 Tootsie Pops.
An estimated 600 kids and their parents came out for the event!
What an awesome way to serve our community. As part of our effort to a "burning bush" in Helena, this is just another way to be a church that is not just IN Helena, but FOR Helena!
You can find all the great photos on Facebook here. Check out a Picasa slideshow here.
At Encounter, we've cancelled this week's Worship Gathering specifically to pray for and walk the neighborhoods near the Pattern House, downtown, and anywhere else.
Whoever comes out can pray for our neighbors as we place small flyers and Tootsie Pops on doorknobs and pass them out to individuals.
We have over 500 invite cards and Tootsie Pops and are coordinating a time after 11 on Sunday afternoon. But we could add more times on your schedule over the next 10 days — from today until April 16. The Powell family and others would love to join with you as we are able.
Volunteer for Awesome April here Read more about Awesome April here
AFTERBURN
At Encounter, we are an outward-focused church. As we grow together inwardly, we must never forget that we are here to help others know Jesus. On April 10, we cancelled our Worship Gathering specifically to pray for and walk the neighborhoods near our new gathering location, the Pattern House. On Saturday, April 9, we prayed over nearly 70 households giving away small flyers and free Tootsie to individuals. On Sunday, April 10, we covered even more of the neighborhood with over 200 more households.
You can find all the great photos on Facebook here. Check out a Picasa slideshow here.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Encounter partnered with Downtown Helena again this year to help bring some Fall fun to the Helena community at Pioneer Park.
There was a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, needle in the haystack game, and more — all organized by DHI and various Helena businesses.
In the four hours of the Kid's Fall Fest, we went through over 300 popcorn bags, 700 cotton candy cones, and 350 Tootsie Pops. We estimate nearly 1,000 kids and their parents had a great time throughout the event!
As part of our effort to a "burning bush" in Helena, we at Encounter came alongside Downtown Helena to provide for FREE two kid's inflatable bouncers, cotton candy, and popcorn for the event. What a awesome time and great opportunity to let people know about our Grand Opening the next day!
The Encounter team of volunteers did an awesome job serving our community and sharing God's love in tangible way. We invite you to engage our Helena culture and join us in our next project at the Fall Art Walk on November 12.
You can find all the great photos on Facebook here. Check out a Picasa slideshow here.
Come join us for the Downtown Helena Kids Fall Fest at Pioneer Park on Saturday, October 17 @ 10am to 2pm.
WHAT IS IT?
This is a Downtown Helena event with all sorts of booths and activities such as a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, needle in the haystack games, and pumpkin art.
As part of our effort to Be The Change in Helena, Encounter is coming alongside Downtown Helena and providing two kid's inflatable bouncers for free — Also free cotton candy, and popcorn for the event.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are still calling for volunteers to help with activities between 9am and 3pm. If you can help, contact us and we'll let you know what opportunities are available. Serving people in a city-wide event like this is a blast. Especially on the day before the Encounter Church Grand Opening the next day on 10-10-10. Don't miss out!
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!
There will be something for just about everyone, so bring the whole family from 10am-2pm for a day of fun!
WHAT: Downtown Helena Kid's Fall Fest WHEN: Saturday, October 10 @ 10am-2pm WHERE: Pioneer Park(behind the Lewis & Clark Library)
Contact us now to get involved. Engage your culture and personally Be The Change in Helena. Check out the Facebook event here.
The number forty (40) is seen throughout the scriptures as a period in which God has made major changes and transformations. To name a few...
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights during the flood of Noah and it took another 40 days for the water to subside.
Moses was on the mountain with God for 40 days ... twice.
The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert wilderness.
Jonah warned the City of Nineveh they had 40 days until God would overthrow the city. The people repented in those 40 days and God spared the city.
Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days before He began His ministry.
After Jesus was crucified and was resurrected, He spent time with His disciples for 40 days before He ascended to the clouds.
It only seems appropriate as we get closer to the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10, that we recognize we are only 40 days away. That's right, we are only 40 days from our public launch and we are stoked! These 40 days are an opportunity to build excitement and to ask God to again bring major transformation in our hearts, in the Encounter community of faith, and in our city.
Join Us In 40 Days of Prayer & Impact
As we count down these last 40 days before the Encounter Grand Opening, we will be focused on the prayer and impact God desires to make in our hearts and our community. We will posting and emailing one prayer a day with a practical way we can make a positive impact in those around us for that day.
So we are asking you to join us in what God is doing and is going to do in these next 40 days. Pray with us. Act with us. Imagine the impact we could have in Helena if each one of us is individually involved in making Helena a better place. Imagine the lives that could be touched. Imagine how the spiritual landscape of our community could be changed even BEFORE the grand opening.
Connect With Us Daily
We ask that you come back here to the Encounter Helena Blog each day here. Or even better, subscribe to the Encounter Helena Blog receive a daily email. There are three steps.
Go here and fill out the simple form with your email address.
Check your email for the Verification Message from Feedburner, then click on the link in the message to activate your email subscription. (You might need to check your spam or junk mail folder.)
As part of our Summer Countdown and as we move into the last 40 days before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10, we will be hosting the Rock Climbing Wall for free at Alive@Five.
We invite you to come climb the Encounter Rock Climbing Wall and come say "Hello!" For us, it’s just an opportunity to serve our awesome community and let you know who Encounter is and what we are all about.
As you may know, we believe that we are most like Jesus when we serve others by giving ourselves away and by "being the change" we want to see in our community.
ROCK CLIMBING WALL AT ALIVE@FIVE Wednesday, August 18 @ 5pm
We'll see you at the 15th Street Lot just off of Last Chance near the Great Northern Town Center — on the corner of Front Street and 15th Street
ROCK CLIMBING WALL AT ALIVE@FIVE Wednesday, September 8 @ 5pm
Join us at Pioneer/Heritage Park right next to the Lewis & Clark Library.
If you are willing to volunteer to help setup or operate the rock wall, help out with waiver table, or hand out flyers & Tootsie Pops at Alive@Five, please contact us here.
We just had our best Friday Night FWD ever. I am meeting with several friends this week over coffee and whatnot. And I am preparing for our first 10-10-10 Launch Meeting this Friday!
Something awesome is happening in Helena. A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
This Friday, May 14 @ 7pm, all are invited to the Powell home to join us for this discussion over pizza.
We want your input and feedback as we begin to discuss the particulars of how this creative, authentic, relational, relevant, intentional, and excellent church will publicly launch this Fall on 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010).
How do we truly become something out of the ordinary that catches peoples' attention so they can encounter God? What is a launch team and do I want to be on one? How can I serve an for how long? What does a public launch or grand opening look like? We will talk about these questions and more.
Maybe you want to do it for your friend who doesn't know God. Maybe it's your bother or sister that is fed up with church politics or just doesn't connect with traditional church. One thing is for sure, you can be part of the foundation of this movement in Helena that makes a difference.
The spiritual landscape of Helena will never be the same and you have an opportunity to be a part of the change.
WHAT: 10-10-10 Launch Meeting WHEN: Friday, May 14, 2010 @ 7pm WHERE: Powell Home [map/directions]
Pizza and pop will be provided. No commitment, just an opportunity to see the momentum that is gathering. There will be Wii and board games for the kids. So kids are welcome, but there will be no child care.
Servolution 2010 is a effort of churches and organizations around the world to "Share God's Love and Change Lives Through Simple Acts of Kindness" from March 26 to April 2.
HOSPITAL ER
In realizing that many ER nurses and doctors work crazy long and exhausting hours, we wanted to thank them, bless them, and let them know God cares. So Servolution at Encounter focused on faculty and staff of St. Peter's Hospital Emergency Room.
The gift basket was a big hit in the ER. As we brought in the collected items one nurse said "It's like Christmas!" We we able to collect donations of home-made goodies, mixed snacks, chocolates, energy drinks, waters, lotions, gourmet bread and of course, our signature Tootsie Pops.
EASTER EGG HUNT & CARNIVAL
To take an active part in helping, a group of us from Encounter also volunteered for the largest Easter Egg Hunt & Carnival in the North Helena Valley. In assisting our sponsor church, Big Sky Fellowship, we were there especially setting up the the large and small kids' bouncers. The final report is that nearly 800 people had an awesome time!
HOSPITALITY BASKETS FOR YWCA
To finish off our efforts for Servolution 2010, we delivered more baskets. We've previously put together YWCA Hospitality Baskets for new women staying at the Helena YWCA Home for Women. This Monday after Easter, we delivered as many additional baskets as we could collect and put together, and the YWCA was very appreciative and stressed how special the baskets have been for their new residents since October!
SERVING OTHERS IS A LIFESTYLE
For us at Encounter, serving our community is a lifestyle. It is part of engaging our culture and helping them to know that we are not just a church IN Helena, but a church FOR Helena. Join us in our next community impact effort and 'Be The Change' in Helena.
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)
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.
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.
What a great turnout yesterday at God's Love Homeless Shelter! About 12 people arrived to help prepare a Scalloped Macaroni & Ham dish for those staying at God's Love.
It was crowded — a real case of "too many cooks in the kitchen." So several of us found ways to talk to and encourage those stating at the shelter as well as root on our favorite football team (insert Colts or Jets here).
As usual for God's Love, a line began to form about 4pm and we prayed for the meal as a group. We served up around 80 helpings of the Scalloped Macaroni dish and still have some left over to serve another lunch meal this week.
We just want to thank those who came out to help and to make a difference in our community. Thanks to Aaron McNay for heading up the "chef" duties and those that purchased items for the day. We also want to thank Vann's Thriftway for donating near half the food items for the recipe.
We invite you to Be The Change in Helena and join us at Encounter in our next project to serve the Helena community.
You can find all the great photos on Facebook here. Check out a Picasa slideshow here.
I mentioned earlier this week about serving at God's Love Homeless Shelter (read here). We'll be preparing a meal and serving from 80 to 100 people this Sunday, January 24 from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. You are welcome to join us.
CAN YOU DONATE?
We are now collecting donations for the needed food items. I've divided the ingredients into $15 to $25 packages. If you can donate either money or a package listed, please contact us immediately.
PACKAGE 1 - About $15 125 oz (7.8 lbs) - Dried Elbow Macaroni
PACKAGE 2 - About $13 6.5 cups (6 onions) - Chopped Onions 75 tablespoons (3 packages of 16 oz each) – Butter
UPDATE 1-22: Looks like everything is covered. A huge shout out to Van's Thriftway for a great donation of food for Sunday's effort. Also, a couple of individuals really stepped up. Thanks so much!
Wanted to give you a quick update on the Haiti Earthquake Relief efforts. Right now, the most urgent need for organizations is money. And there are a number of great organizations out there that are taking donations. One such organization brought to my attention is BGR. You can read more about them here.
Again, our choice to partner with Samaritan's Purse rests upon the desire of a quick response. Samaritan’s Purse has been on the ground and meeting the needs of people since the beginning.
If you have not already donated at least $5 or $10, we urge you to help by skipping your Starbucks this morning. The devastation and chaos is heartbreaking and you can make a difference.
To donate to Samaritan's Purse, click the button below.
We've mentioned before that we believe it is important to give ourselves away in our community. We want to be the change by sharing God's crazy love in real and tangible ways. So this Sunday, January 24, a group from Encounter will be serving a free meal to residents of God’s Love Homeless Shelter here in downtown Helena.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP
On Sunday, we need people to prepare food, serve food, and just be an encouragement to those receiving assistance from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. During this week, we'll need people to pick up some of the materials and food we need. Here is a preliminary list, but it will be updated when more details are known.
• Cooks
• Beverages
• Food Preparers
• Foam Plates / Bowls
• Food Servers
• Plastic Silverware
• Encouragers
• Napkins
• Recipe Ingredients
• Napkins
• Side Veggies
• Cups
MORE DETAILS TO COME
If you can help with this effort, or even financially, let us know soon. I will be sending more details to those who contact me and from the discussion at Friday Night FWD. (UPDATE: Check out what we need here.)
WHAT: Serving @ God's Love Homeless Shelter WHEN: Sunday, January 24, 2010 @ 2:30-5:30pm WHERE: God's Love [map/directions]
After an amazing three years, we've made the decision to bring the Encounter Church ministry to a close. Read more about it here.
Be A Burning Bush
Like a burning bush, we at Encounter want to be something out of the ordinary that catches people's attention so they can encounter God.
Our passion is to see this generation and beyond experience an authentic, growing, and life-changing relationship with Jesus with others who are on the same journey.
At Encounter, we envision a dangerous church, a gathering, a faith community, a group of people, who are drawn together to pursue what it means to boldly follow Jesus beyond once a week, beyond religion, and in the missional context of real life.
Enews & Prayer Partner Updates
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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!
