HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Week
Prayer and Fasting
In this season of Lent, where we “wandered the wilderness” with Jesus in prayer and fasting, we as a church joined up with a few others to commit to 24/7 Prayer for 40 days. Before we even set out on this journey we wanted to mark a win for ourselves. Our win was not filling every prayer slot for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the entirety of Lent. Our win was not miracles or visions occurring in the prayer room. While all these are good and desirable and even things we prayed for(!) our win was simply this: Rooting in the Presence of God. A wise (new) friend and mentor recently said this: The purpose of wilderness is Presence. Friends we have won and are winning daily here.
Some sweet fruit that we are tasting is unity of the church. We are partnering head over heals with churches in our city in prayer and fasting, and our hope for the future is in restoration of our city in all things. Pray for our church friends and partners, the churches that make up the CHURCH OF DENVER: The Oaks, Coram Deo, Scum of the Earth, and Lincoln Park Church Emerge as we partner more and more together.
Dwell and Deliver
With Holy Week in view we are setting ourselves up to Dwell with Jesus and Deliver Rest to the Restless in a variety of way. We as a church are remembering, worshipping, celebrating, and practicing in a number of ways:
We will continue our normal rhythms as a community including a Family Meal to eat, drink, and waste time together with friends and neighbors.
We are going to hold a night of table liturgy for Good Friday where we remember and press into the darkening that was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Son of God Son of Man.
On Easter we are going to do what Denver does well (best?): BRUNCH. A neighborhood brunch will be held in our home to welcome neighbors into what they know well which is breakfast for lunch on Sunday (PRAISE GOD EASTER LANDS ON A SUNDAY THIS YEAR).
Finally we will be holding a joint outdoor service with two of our dear friends and companions: Scum of the Earth, and Lincoln Park Church Emerge. These two are located less than a mile away, and are becoming dear friends and brothers and sisters in the gospel. God has and is continuing to unite us together with a vision of the Kingdom.
This is not our “public launch” as a church plant. This does not mean that we are doing Sunday services every week now or that we are finally a “real church”. It is something so much more. It is a declaration to our people, to our city, and to the watching world (read: spiritual powers) that we are ONE. Together we will sing, meditate on scripture, pray, and feast on a meal in celebration of the resurrection of our King. Together we will remember that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again.
Other Troublemaking Activities…
We are praying and pursuing all the different ways we can be active in our neighborhood and in our city. God has opened doors for me (Michael) to be on the Parent Teacher Association at Aksel’s school, and we are also beginning to build partnership with them as a church. PRAISE GOD!
Ally’s business is continuing to grow as is her skill, and she has been given the chance to mentor a high school student in recovery over coming the month. This is a chance for Ally to teach her and train her in what it looks like to start a tattoo business
God has been incredibly generous to us in countlesss ways (some of you reading this are a part of that. You know who you are!) One fun and unexpected way was an incredible gift from our sending church, Redeemer Church. To you we publicly say: THANK YOU.
I’ve gotten the chance to start a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with a friend over the last month. This is a space to discover more of the person of Jesus through the scriptures by the Spirit and is a place we hope to see disciples and microchurches formed.
Prayer Needs
Our Family
Unity, joy, and healthy bodies through the winter (KEEP PRAYING).
Healthy work / life balance in the transitioning of multiple jobs and roles in vocation.
DCIS at Fairmont Elementary School
Staff and Administration
Inroads that are paved with love by us being a blessing.
People far from Jesus:
Chandler, Jon, Caleb, Greg, Dana, Tuan, Amy, Mike, Avery, John, Ramsey, Walter, and so so many more.
Sig and Kevin. Amanda and Charles.
Our Church
Our Holy Week spaces/
Emerging leaders, united as one body, disciple-makers to be exposed and called, gifts and callings to be identified.
Deliverance (action) taken by our people as we follow Jesus.
