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July 11/12 Will the Church in America Survive
This? Acts 1
July 18/19 What's Next for the Church?
Acts 2
July 25/26 If God is Love, Why all of this?
Regan Archer speaking
In Person Worship Return July 11/12
June 2020
The Family Portrait
Newsletter
Family in Christ Community Christian Reformed Church
11355 Sheridan Boulevard Westminster, CO 80020
www.familyinchrist.com 303-466-7770
Office hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Online Worship Services: Saturday, 5:00 pm Sunday, 10:00 am
on YouTube and Facebook
Our VISION: Changing the Spiritual
Terrain of our community by making and mobilizing more
followers of Jesus Christ.
Our MISSIONOur MISSIONOur MISSION
Current Sermon Series
June 13/14 Is God Punishing Me?
Genesis 16
June 20/21 Can Reading the Bible Help?
Psalms 119
June 27/28 What About my Doubts?
John 20 Wes Jones speaking
July 4/5 What About the Government?
Romans 13
A hearty thanks is due to over 275 of you who filled out the Reopening Survey during the last couple weeks. It has helped inform us as we make plans for returning to in-person worship. While around half of respondents indicated they were comfortable returning for in-person worship in the near future, the other half indicated they would continue watching the services at home for the time being. Therefore, we are purchasing the necessary cameras and equipment so we can live-stream the services once we return to in-person worship. A special fund entitled: Reopening Upgrade Fund, has been set up should you wish to help us purchase some of that technical equipment.
While there are still many details to work out, we anticipate offering in-person worship once again beginning the weekend of July 11/12. In order to abide by the limit of 50 people in a room, we will be offering an additional
As we exit the Shelter in Place and Safer at Home restrictions and quickly approach being able to worship together in person again, we don't want to return to the way things have always been, but want to push forward into the vision and mission that God has given us. With such, we have a team working to realign our lobby theologically and aesthetically in order to advance God's Kingdom here in Westminster, Denver and the World! Exciting things are happening... stay tuned!
8:30am service on Sunday mornings. Seating will also be available in both the Sanctuary and in the Great Room. Our second Sunday service will begin at 10:30am and will be designed for the whole family, since we are not yet able to offer a separate ministry to children at this time. These start times will give us the opportunity to do a thorough cleaning of worship and lobby space in between services. Our Saturday night service will remain at 5 pm, but again, no separate ministry to children will be offered.
We will be abiding by all the guidelines of the Colorado Department of Public Heath, including the wearing of face coverings and the practice of social distancing. And while some of these restrictions may feel burdensome, perhaps even excessive, we choose to practice them as an act of sacrifice for the more vulnerable among us. (Romans 14).
More details to follow in the coming weeks. But I am looking forward to the opportunity to worship together once again!
Paul
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The “Bin” Schedule
Until we are able to gather again at our church facility, remember to set aside items for our collection bins that are available at the East and West entrances as an opportunity to help with ongoing ministries. Here’s the current rotation:
Any weekend: Refuge Laundry Kits, quarters, laundry pods, dryer sheets. Drop off at the PEAK information desk or set up a collection time with Kelly Vath: [email protected].
Any Weekend: Jesus on Colfax, serves those who are living in motels on E. Colfax. Bring McDonald’s, Panda Express and grocery gift cards and / or cash to the mini-bin located at the Outreach Center in the Lobby.
1st weekend: Growing Home, serves homeless families or those at risk of becoming homeless. Bring non-perishable food items, diapers, etc. to be distributed through their food pantry. It’s generally our Communion weekend, so let that be your monthly reminder to bring food for others, as we receive God’s special nourishment.
2nd weekend: Breaking Free,
sponsored by our Youth, addresses the needs of those living on the streets. Bring new socks for men, individually packaged snacks, winter gloves, hats, disposable water bottles, deodorant, bungee cords.
3rd weekend: The Refuge, a Broomfield ministry that serves those struggling economically, including single moms and homeless individuals. Bring tissues, toiletries, baby supplies (diapers/wipes/food, formula), general (soap/shampoo) and feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, dish soap.
We are working on plans for how and when to reopen our facility for in-person worship services. Because we know people will feel safe returning for worship on-site at different times, we will continue to offer live streaming services online, even after we return to in-person worship.
Currently we’ve had to pre-record and edit the service each week to make online worship possible, a very time-consuming process. In order to be able to offer both in-person and live streaming worship at the same time, we need to upgrade some equipment that wasn't in our (pre-COVID-19) budget. We have, therefore, set up a special fund called the ReOpening Upgrade Fund. If you are able, would you please consider offering a special financial gift so we can be ready when that reopening comes? Visit our online giving page to donate to that fund. Or you can designate a gift using your normal means of giving.
More than ever, it’s so important to have a quality, online presence as we move into the future together. Thank you for your generosity to help Family in Christ reach others Beyond the Walls!
To be determined based on guidelines from local health officials:
Annual Church Yard Sale Saturday, September 12
from 7:30-3:00pm.
Please be saving your useable "garage sale" type items. Watch for more details in the next newsletter.
All proceeds benefit Operation Christmas Child.
Help us keep the Food Pantry Stocked! Saturday, June 13 and July 25 from 8 am - 11 am
In cooperation with the City of Westminster, we are holding two food drives. All donations will go to Growing Home, which has seen higher demand for food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any non-perishable food is appreciated; the following is a list of specific high demand items:
Non-perishable foods: Canned vegetables - particularly corn, tomatoes and mixed vegetables. Also rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, salsa or hot sauce, canned beans, canned fruit, macaroni and cheese, canned soups, canned tuna in water, canned chicken
Hygiene kits/toiletries: Kits can include (but not limited to) shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, etc.
Non-food items to protect staff, volunteers, and visitors: Surgical-type face masks, disposable latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves, boxes for packing food for distribution to families, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, plastic zipper bags - quart & gallon, reusable shopping bags
This is a great opportunity to include your neighbors in the July 25 drive. Pick up some bags at FIC and pass them out as a simple way to start some redemptive conversations. Let's invite our neighbors into something positive and help them to think differently about the church!
We are a group of women who have a love and desire to use our creativity to honor Christ. We love Christ and we want to use our gift of creativity to give it back to God by serving others. Some of us have a passion for all types of crafting, but we focus mostly on paper crafting. We believe that our card ministry is a form of serving God’s people by spreading His Word and His Love. We are called to glorify God and be His disciples to spread his Word to be his hands and feet and bring other people along with us as we serve Him together as a team. Most of us not only donate our time, but also our materials; because of this we are able to help other ministries in our church. We raise money through the selling of our cards and from our yearly craft fair and then we are able to help other ministries financially. What follows is just a snapshot of what we have done within our church, our community, and our world.
Our Church: Enfolding Ministry: Create Hello
Cards that are sent to 1st time visitors and gifts for the Welcome Bags
Women’s Ministry: Created gifts for various events
Children’s Ministry: Created cards for leadership and gifts for volunteers
Student’s Ministry: Create cut out items as needed
Prayer Ministry: Create prayer cards used to send to those who have submitted prayer requests
Our Community:
Created survival bags for the City of Westminster Police Department
Helped purchase blankets for the Thanksgiving Outreach in downtown Denver
Helped the Redeemed and Restored give away a car to a family in need
Purchased Angel Tree Gifts $300 worth of quarter for The
Refuge laundry kits Over $300 worth of supplies for our
Breaking Free bags for the homeless
Our World: $100 for Operation Christmas
Child in 2019 300 Breast Cancer cards for
facilities in need 150 cards for those serving in
the military so that they can send home to their loved ones
If you would like more information about this ministry and/or how to get involved, please contact me in the church office (303-466-7770, ext. 201) and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Carmen Handcrafted with Love
by Family in Christ
Family in Christ Card Ministry
During the current closure of our
facility, cards from the Card Ministry
are available at Carmen’s home
(in Arvada)
JUNE 20 20 Page 3
Laundry Packs for The Refuge
The Family Portrait is a publication of Family in Christ Community Church. Articles, contributions, and suggestions are welcome; submit to [email protected]. A Word or Publisher document is preferred; editorial license may be invoked based on space or content.
During this time as we navigate through COVID-19, the newsletter will be done on an as needed schedule.
Partner with our Children’s Ministry WHY: To help The Refuge provide laundry kits to individuals who are homeless or unable to do their laundry due to laundromat costs.
WHAT WE NEED: Our main need is $10 rolls or quarters, but we also need laundry pods, dryer sheets, granola bars, and Ziploc sandwich bags.
WHERE TO DROP IT OFF: Please email [email protected] to coordinate pick up or drop off!
For more information about The Refuge and all they do in Broomfield & Westminster, go to:
http://www.therefugeonline.org/
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The P.E.A.K. is where kids learn to: PRAY about everything without ceasing,
EXPLORE God’s great creation, Jump into fun ADVENTURES as
God makes them fiercely brave; and discover new life with their
forever friend as they get to KNOW Jesus better every day!
PEAK Children’s Ministry
Online PEAK Sunday School & Little Grizzly Preschool on YouTube!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe to our
Channel! Find us under the name Peak
Children’s Ministry or attached to the Main
Family in Christ Channel!
Litt le Grizzly Preschool Sundays at 9:00am
PEAK Sunday School Sundays at 10:00am
Learn more about the PEAK service projects you and your kiddos can get involved in. Ware are partnering with two local places to meet the needs of our community r ight now. See page 3 for details about The Refuge Laundry Kits; Hope House information is below. For more information, email [email protected].
PEAK Virtual VBS 5K - June 27
Join the PEAK, June 27 at any time of the day, for the PEAK Virtual 5K VBS! On this 5K, we will be headed on the first missionaries journey! Each mile marker you hit is another important stop on the missionaries’ journey!
The whole family can participate in this awesome 5K! If you have little legs in your family, complete as much distance as you are able! All we ask is that you’ll share your family's journey with us on the PEAK Facebook Page @childrensministryfic
The PEAK VBS 5K is $15 and includes a kid’s t-shirt, certificate and mile marker missionary videos link. (t-shirt pick up time will be announced in two weeks!)
All proceeds from the VBS 5K will go toward updating the PEAK Children’s Wing at FIC!
Register Online at:https://www.familyinchrist.com/virtual-vbs/
303-466-7770, ext. 209 Mrs. Kelly Vath—Peak Children’s Minister Mrs. Sheila Shea—Peak Assistant Director & Preschool Coordinator Mrs. Deanna Vath—Peak Nursery Director Mrs. Pam Cummings—Peak Welcome Coordinator Mrs. Calla Alter—Peak Wow Coordinator & Events Director Mrs. Laura Griffy—Peak Kindergarten & 1st Grade Coordinator Mr. Todd Afflerbaugh—Peak 2nd & 3rd Grade Coordinator Mrs. Mary Boggs—Peak 4th & 5th Grade Coordinator For more Information, Email: [email protected]
Hope House Supply Collection
WHY: Because they are outstanding!!!! We could not be more excited to be working with Brie Dilly at Hope House to help stock their supplies for amazing teen mamas to provide for their families. Hope House is metro-Denver’s only resource providing free self-sufficiency programs to teen moms, including Residential, GED, and College and Career Programs. Additional supportive services include parenting and healthy relationship classes, life skills workshops and certified counseling, all designed to prepare them for long-term independence.
WHAT WE NEED: They have currently asked for (the PEAK will continue to update this list as needs arise!):
size 5 & 6 Diapers
Pull Ups
Frozen Foods - Anything that makes for a quick heat and serve meal, whether it’s individual servings or larger meals like lasagna. Their mamas love the ease of no fuss heat and serve!
WHERE TO DROP IT OFF: Please email [email protected] to coordinate pick up or drop off!
JUNE 20 20
What Youth Group Looks Like:
Games, socializing, and worship will be happening simultaneously during both formats from 4:00 - 5:00. Then we will combine the two formats from 5:00-6:00 to unite the youth group with prayer, sermon, discussion groups, and pause for the cause.
Time and Place
4:00 - 6:00 pm is main youth group Will have flex time afterward
Meet at outside locations when possible Church (Will start at church) Parks (Move to parks as the summer goes on)
Meet at church if weather is ugly
Page 5
LIFT Student Ministries Grades 6 —12
Wes Jones, Student Ministries Pastor [email protected]
303-466-7770 ext. 208
like us at Family in Christ - LIFT Student Ministries.
"Lift Students will Lift Him
who Lifts us to Lift others."
In Person Format: Wes and Andie
Game time
Spread out live singing with
individual lyric sheets
Live mini sermon given by one of the leaders
Bring your own snack
Small group discussion
Prayer
Pause for the Cause
Virtual Format: Scott, Katie, LaPrell, and Stephen
Game time
Live worship by Stephen
Mini video sermon given by one of the leaders
Small group discussion
Prayer
Pause for the Cause
Elevation Squads: First Sunday of every month.
Combo of in person and virtual
For those who want to meet in person, the option will be available; for those who want to meet virtually, they join a call during the elevation squad time.
What Bible Studies Looks Like:
Sunday Mornings (after re-opening):
Bible study format
Must bring your own Bible
Can choose to stay in the Sanctuary with parents
High school and middle school stuff possibility
Thursday Afternoon:
3:00-4:30pm at church AND on zoom
Must bring your own bible
High schoolers and middle schoolers are together for the study
Follows all other protocols for LIFT
Hikes
Pickleball
Ultimate Frisbee Golf
Save Save the the
Dates!Dates!
July 27 July 27 -- 3131
Protocols for in person gatherings:
Will meet in groups of 10 or less
Have to wear a mask
Hand sanitizer after a group activity
Auto-immune students may need to stay home
Tuesday night group Join us for a discussion of Jennie Allen's book, "Get Out of Your Head" This study will run June 23-July 28 from 6:30-8:00 pm with a group discussion via chat using the app BAND.
Contact Megan Miller, [email protected] to sign up and for more details.
Wednesday night study on Prayer ends June 24. Watch for details for a new study in the fall.
Wednesday morning group This group meets from 8:45-10-45 a m. on Wednesdays, starting June 17. We will be studying Max Lucado's "Life Lessons" studying the books of Ruth and Esther.
Contact Betsy Lamb (303-961-1073) for details or to sign up.
Thursday Morning & Evening We are offering two opportunities to study Priscilla Shirer's study, "Armor of God", June 4 - July 30 at either 7:00 am. or 7:30 pm.
Join for a discussion via Zoom. Contact Christi Krupinski --
[email protected] or CharCampbell--
[email protected] for more details or to sign up.
Women’s Summer Bible Studies There are still a variety of ways to stay connected this summer!
Starting June 14
Join Betsy Smith & other guest instructors for Outdoor Christ-Centered Yoga on the Church Patio this June & July. Donations are encouraged, which will be given back to the church.
Questions? Email [email protected]
Outdoor Christ-Centered Yoga on the Church Patio
**** The Zoom links will be the same each time you wish to join us for class in June and
July. They also are password protected. Please email Betsy
([email protected]) for the passwords. ****
Sunday Mornings from 8:30 – 9:30 am
A few thoughts about Zoom… Practice getting on and off of Zoom prior to the first class that you try.
Test it out on your phone or computer. Play around with muting and unmuting yourself.
Try to join 5-10 minutes early to say hello to others in the class and enjoy a few minutes of community.
After class has started, please mute yourself to make it easier for everyone to hear the teacher.
If you don’t want to be seen, you can always turn the camera off. You will still be able to see the teacher, but others will not see you. If you don’t have a camera on your laptop, you can still participate too!
Page 6 NEW SLET TE R T ITLE
Connecting / Reconnecting with your Family in Christ
Book Club News The book club will meet Monday, June 15 at 7:00 to talk about the "thousands " of book we've read since last June. We will meet at church; no problem if you're not comfortable meeting yet.
Rock and Roll Yoga Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm at Squire’s Park (99th and Lowell) at the covered pavilion. Bring a mat and water bottle; this class is designed for all abilities. For more information, contact Sheila Shea at 303-465-3634.
Men’s Bible Study Saturday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30 am We are currently studying the book of John through the end of the year. New members are welcome anytime. Contact David Anderson for the Zoom link (720-550-1120, [email protected]). You can show up in person beginning June 20 or on Zoom.
Unhurried
VOLUME 1, I SSU E 1
See this cute little heart shaped leaf plant on the left? Within a week it will become the plant on the right. By two weeks, it's going to be a full-fledged, ridiculously long, tap-rooted plant. Within a month, it will have a root system requiring a shovel to fully remove as it creates
a thick mat of leaves covering and smothering everything in it's path while sucking all the water it can get its greedy little roots to. In a garden (or a lawn) it's a disaster plant. Unfortunately it's also really good at spreading it's tiny, little, just about invisible seeds to the four winds so they pop up everywhere. Every day I pull at least 20 from my garden and a few that popped up in my lawn, as well. It looks so cute and innocent, but I know it well and know that not pulling that small innocuous shoot will lead to damage shortly.
Our brains are a lot like a garden. We've got to take care to weed out even the start of the suckers that will only hurt us. Things like hatred, greed, jealousy, and spite need to be yanked and chucked every day or they're going to grow, suck the life out of us, and cause major damage. It's why God hates sin and it's why the Psalmist begged God to search him and show him the start of sin in his life so it could be handled. Because that cute, little, not a big deal thing you're letting grow, and maybe even watering, a bit if you're honest... Yeah, it is going to eat you alive if you don't get it out. It's going to tell you all kinds of nonsense to stay. It's not a big deal. You have a right to it! That person put it there and you can't let them off the hook by pulling it out! It's a lie from the pit of hell y'all. At best, that thing wants to stunt your growth and keep you from doing all those things you might have otherwise. At worst it wants to take you over and kill you. Pull your mental weeds! (And if this is growing in your yard, kill it with fire, if you must. Your local gardeners thank you!) Megan Miller
Page 7
How Does Your Garden Grow?
It has been a strange couple of months. It is often hard but important to appreciate the good that comes of challenging times. For me, I’m grateful for how I was forced to slow down during these past 3 months.
My younger sister who lives in Texas quarantined here in Tampa with me for several months and I loved getting extra time with her. Sipping coffee on Saturday mornings like we haven’t been able to do for more than a few days at a time in years.
I read more books, spent more quiet time with the Lord, and enjoyed a lot more time outdoors. That doesn’t negate all the hard, difficult things about this time of health, job, and financial crisis but it does help me move forward to the next season differently. This pandemic changed me.
Anyone else participate in the exercise of morning pages? Morning pages are when you ‘brain dump’ by writing for 10-15 minutes every morning without picking up your pen. Whatever is on your mind you just allow to flow out. On Monday I wrote: The world is reopening and as it does I am fighting against my old ways. I still want quiet moments. I still want to be home more. I want deep, meaningful relationships and room in my head to dream.
When I went back and reread that days ‘dump’ I was surprised by how profound that felt for a 5:15am exercise. I don’t want to leave this pandemic season and not take with me the lessons I learned from a slower pace. I wrote that I like the person I am when I slow down so much more than busy Becca.
I picked up a book called ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’. It’s written by a Pastor and it takes you through his journey but also parallels with Jesus’s life in the bible as he examines what our pace is supposed to look like and what we can learn from the productive but un-rushed life of Jesus.
Author John Mark Comer says, ‘Hurry and love are incompatible. All my worst moments as a father, a husband, and a pastor, even as human being are when I’m in a hurry’. I relate so strongly to this and I’m betting some of you will find yourselves here too. Hurry doesn’t make me more gracious. It doesn’t make me more Christ-like. Whether or not I would have admitted it four months ago, it also hasn’t made me a better employee or coworker.
So as the world reopens, I’m resisting the urge to return to normal and finding a new normal in more categories of my life than one. I anticipate continuing to use more hand sanitizer than ever before, but also keeping more margin in my days and more freedom in my calendar. I’m continuing to study how Jesus spent His time in scripture and trying to glean some wisdom. This week I participated in a real Sabbath – a day of rest and worship. If Jesus took a day to rest after creating the world, maybe we should reexamine treating it like another weekend day.
If you, like me, have felt the value in this new, slower pace than I challenge you to fight to keep some of the good that has come of this time. Continue to spend more time with your families. Be slower to get up from your time with Lord. Be more available not just in body but truly available to the people you care about. Let’s have less moments of being our worst selves in the pursuit of doing more. We can live more intentionally when we slow down.
Becca Christensen, blogger Crossroads Career
Elders The role of Elder is one of shepherding the flock and encouraging them to understand their calling to care for and support one another.
Terry Bessler (2020) 720-837-9556
Will Boggs (2021) 303-438-9278
Susan Faltinson (2022) 720-371-3890
The Council of Family in Christ consists of lay people elected to serve as Elders or Deacons for a 3-year term. Along with Pastor Paul, the Council works together for the welfare of the congregation and to foster community outreach. Feel free to contact an Elder or Deacon; they are available to shepherd and encourage.
Deacons The role of Deacon is servant-oriented, to offer mercy, and oversee the benevolence ministry.
Todd Afflerbaugh (2021)
415-730-7157 [email protected]
David Anderson (2021) 720-550-1120
Ryan Gallagher (2021) 720-258-5315
Lisa Malick (2022) 941-224-1365
Staff & Ministry Team Paul Jorden—Senior Pastor
303-466-7770, ext. 203 [email protected]
Carmen Braaksma—Office Manager 303-466-7770, ext. 201 [email protected]
Randy Borden—Facilities 303-466-7770, ext. 207 [email protected]
Regan Archer—Deployment Pastor 303-466-7770, ext. 204 [email protected]
Terry Bessler—Pastoral Care Pastor 720-837-9556 [email protected]
JoAnn Bjorem—Financials 303-466-7770, ext. 202 [email protected]
Worship, Music & Technology Jonn Dilley—Pastor
303-466-7770, ext. 213 [email protected]
Katie Barnhart—Website, App, Communications 303-466-7770, ext. 211 [email protected]
Margie Bessler—Newsletter Editor [email protected]
Student Ministries 303-466-7770, ext. 208 Wes Jones—Student Ministries Pastor
Travis Morgan (2020) 303-552-6432
Travis Nicholson (2020) 303-451-9223
Keith Osborn (2020) 303-465-6066
Sue Vencill-Johnson (2022) 303-808-5634
Paul Vestal (2022) 509-308-4596 or
720-420-0251 [email protected]
Pat LaPlante (2021) 303-913-2643
Ry Mittlestadt (2022) [email protected]
Russ Zigler (2022) [email protected]
Julie Walden Elder at Large
Council
Have you been taking advantage of our weekly Virtual Lobby when watching services online?
Just click on the link provided on Facebook or YouTube in the chat box after the Saturday or Sunday service stream. You will need to have the Zoom app and a computer, laptop, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone. (see thoughts about Zoom on page 4.)
It’s been fun to “see” members of the Family and catching up. Hope to see you soon on Zoom!
Children’s Ministries 303-466-7770, ext. 209 Mrs. Kelly Vath—Peak Children’s Minister
Mrs. Sheila Shea—Peak Assistant Director & Preschool Coordinator
Mrs. Deanna Vath—Peak Nursery Director [email protected]
Mrs. Pam Cummings—Peak Welcome Coordinator [email protected]
Mrs. Calla Alter—Peak Wow Coordinator & Events Director [email protected]
Mrs. Laura Griffy—Peak Kindergarten & 1st Grade Coordinator [email protected]
Mr. Todd Afflerbaugh—Peak 2nd & 3rd Grade Coordinator [email protected]
Mrs. Mary Boggs—Peak 4th & 5th Grade Coordinator [email protected]
Adult Ministries Life Group Ministry Oversight
Regan Archer, Terry Bessler, Carmen Braaksma, Pastor Paul
Char Campbell—Women’s Ministry 303-947-5608 [email protected]
