You are to be Praised

One thing that I love about Christ is that He is so constant and faithful when everything/everyone in this world is constantly changing. He is a constant presence and source of strength. He has promised to be my guide and provide for all of my needs as He tells me to depend solely on Him. He is so trustworthy, so mighty & powerful, and so loving. I am thankful for an almighty Father.

I have been grateful for God's provision in our lives again lately:

This past semester has been a very busy and stretching one. I felt like my time was devoted to many things and I was stretched as I tried to listen daily to the Lord's voice, asking him to guide me on how to use my time. (many times I failed) Scott and I began praying this summer about me working part-time so I could devote more energy to the needs of our community in Wicker Park. We felt that the Lord was leading me to cut back on some of my hours which  left our budget extremely tight. (about a dollar off every month) Yet, we both felt that it needed to be done.

So today, I was called into my manager's office and told that I would be getting a raise. After doing the math, I figured out that I will be getting paid the exact same amount that I was while working full time. The Lord provided right down to the very last penny. He is so good and so personal. It is definitely not coincidence that it ended up being the very same amount and He wanted Scott and I to know that.

Another special blessing this week is that we have two new co-laborers for Mosaic Church. Aaron & Ashley Cauble have stepped out in faith moving from Texas to Chicago to follow Christ as He is moving in Wicker Park. Tonight, after our crazy youth/kids night, Scott and I were talking and I realized that they could not have come at more perfect timing. The Lord provided for our need of help engage the community, reminding me that He does not only provide financial but in ALL things. There is such a comfort and peace in following Christ, knowing that there will be difficult times but that He will never stray from us and holds us in the palm of His hand.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Mosaic Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TKj9u7yC-w

Here is a video of part of what Mosaic has been up to this summer! 

Mosaic Update

Here is an article that the local online newspaper wrote about Mosaic Church:

http://oururbantimes.com/business-news/youth-wicker-park-and-bucktown-assault-businesses-and-schools-offers-help

Our prayer is that through our the body of Christ, Wicker Park & Chicago will feel Christ's immense love, come to know the character of God, and see Christ in us. 

Children's Carnival

Today our church had the opportunity to volunteer at the Wicker Park Children's Carnival. Our church along with others and many organizations offered this event free of charge to the community! There were numerous games, face paintings, puppet shows, and other activities. We served popcorn & snocones as well as provided a bouncy house! It was a lot of fun- we enjoyed meeting new people in our neighborhood and having the opportunity to tell them about our Sunday gathering!

Sidewalk chalk advertisement! 

Autumn supervising the bounce house.

Amber was a snocone making machine!

Jason & Natalie making popcorn!

Ashley already working hard straight from the airport!

Scott helping serve popcorn.

Children's Carnival 2011

 

A People Called to Serve

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping one command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5: 13-14


When we moved here last September, one of the first things Scott did was meet with the principal at our neighborhood school. He asked what her vision and dreams were for the school and how a church could help her accomplish those goals. Since then we have been praying for the school (staff, teachers, students) and encouraging the teachers by sending notes and baked goods. Scott has also spent every afternoon on playground patrol- making sure that kids get home safely and that no unauthorized people come onto the campus. He also opens the "Paw Bucks" store a few days a week. (a positive reward system for the students) Needless to say, the principal, students & staff love him and are astounded of why he spends so much of his free time volunteering at the school.

He has had the opportunity to explain to them that he serves a loving God who calls us to serve others. He gets to give them a glimpse of the vision of our church to engage the community reconciling all things back to the Lord. We want to impact our community by serving them with the love of Christ.

Throughout Scott's time at the school, he has become friends with one of the coaches. He has supported the teams by driving kids to their games and cheering them on. He has even coached the soccer team when the coach couldn't make it. He has met and gained respect from many of the middle school boys & girls. And through serving, God opened an opportunity that we never envisioned or expected.

Last night we rented out the Wicker Park field house for a Friday night youth event. We were blessed to have seven youth students & five children come for pizza, wii games, and basketball. We are going to continue this every Friday night and pray that students will come and be changed by the life and words of Jesus. Please pray with us as we reach out to the kids in our neighborhood.

Last night Scott and I were talking about how we never imagined this opportunity coming our way. Yet, when we obey Christ and serve His people, I believe He will open doors and move in ways we never dreamed of. As believers, we are people that are called to serve & love others. When we do this in prayer  I believe God will move in our lives and others.

Lord, help us serve others wholeheartedly and with the power of your Spirit. Please use our lives to point to yours.

Scott at the Paw Bucks Store