FROM OUR PASTOR - Woodmen Valley Chapel
Transcription
FROM OUR PASTOR - Woodmen Valley Chapel
The Vision of Woodmen Valley Chapel To launch and strengthen a fleet of Christ-following communities who are compassionately sailing through a turbulent culture toward a deeper amazement of God’s grace. Three Implications of Our Amazement (Indications of the amazement we already have as well as catalysts for deeper amazement.) Exploring If we are amazed, we will Explore God’s Grace through digging into Scripture and applying it to the story of our personal and corporate journey. Experiencing If we are amazed, we will Experience God’s Grace through acknowledging our desperation and submitting it to the forgiveness and power of His intervention through Christ, resulting in an authentic relationship with Him as well as others in community, and experiencing daily transformation as a result. Expressing If we are amazed, we will Express God’s Grace by fully engaging with life, worshiping on an everyday basis, communicating the liberating gospel of grace to others, living lives of compassion within and outside the walls of the church, all in an environment of creativity and calling. FROM OUR PASTOR On either side of Spain’s Coat of Arms are two columns known as the “Pillars of Hercules,” the ancient name given to the Straits of Gibraltar. Around the pillars there is a banner bearing a Latin phrase: Plus Ultra. Translated literally, it means “more beyond.” Centuries ago, the phrase on that same banner was Ne Plus Ultra, “nothing more beyond.” In fifteenth century Spain, it referred to the belief that there was nothing beyond the Straits of Gibraltar. When people looked west, they believed there was nothing beyond the ocean’s horizon except for the edge of the world. So how did Spain’s motto get changed from “nothing more beyond” to “more beyond”? In the first part of the sixteenth century, King Charles I of Spain made the alteration after a gentleman named Christopher Columbus “sailed the ocean blue.” His voyage resulted in the discovery of lands and realities the people of Spain had been missing. At Woodmen Valley Chapel, we are continually acknowledging there is “more beyond”… in our worship, in our community life, in our outreach and impact, in our pursuit of Truth and amazement over God’s grace. In this issue of The Woodmen Journal, you’ll be able to read stories about the “more beyond” efforts of some WVC versions of Christopher Columbus. A slight difference is that we are heading “east” instead of “west”! Our Woodmen Heights campus is a source of both curiosity and excitement for many and you’ll be able to read the history and get the latest updates on our exploration of God’s purposes for us on the eastern side of our city. I would also like to encourage you to ensure that what’s happening out at Woodmen Heights is an object of your intercession and prayer. In the midst of this strange economic climate, we simply want to obey God and follow His lead! I’m very grateful to be journeying with you—at Rockrimmon as well as Woodmen Heights … Plus Ultra, Matt Heard, Senior Pastor How c an w e afford th is ma ga z i n e ? Since the launch of The Woodmen Journal, we have heard that question a lot. For the Communication Arts Team, it is not a new question. Late last year, when we were dreaming up The Woodmen Journal, we asked ourselves the same question; can we really afford this? We quickly realized that in any economic climate, let alone the current financial uncertainties, this would have to be a “budget neutral” project; meaning we couldn’t spend any more money than was already planned in our budget. Every dollar spent on The Woodmen Journal would have to come from trimming in other areas. Through the winter, we looked for places in the Communications budget where we could cut spending and still meet the needs of the Woodmen family. We talked to our print vendor and found the most cost-effective size for the weekly bulletin. We cut back on radio advertising and we even took steps to bring more print jobs in-house by making better use of the equipment we already have. In the end, we found the money we needed. With the guidance of the Finance Team, the blessing of the Elders and the help of a huge crew of dedicated and talented volunteers, we are able to bring you the high quality product you are holding, while still being good stewards of the tithes and offerings you entrust to Woodmen Valley Chapel. IN TH IS ISSUE The Future of Woodmen Heights? by Doug Olsen, Executive Pastor Wondering what’s next for our growing community? Executive Pastor Doug Olsen shares how Woodmen made the decision to “Go east ... ” and gives us a glimpse of what’s to come. PAGE 14 Senior Editor Art Director Dan Schultz Designers Jason Fleming Senior Designer, WVC Luke Flowers lukeflowers.com Chuck Haas CONTENTS 5| 12| 19| WHERE ARE THOSE PEOPLE ... PASTORAL CARE 3 CONNECTIONS 4 FACE2FACE WORSHIP ARTS 5 Facebook, High Schoolers and a conversation about Woodmen Heights SPORTS & REC 6 BEHIND THE SCENES 7 WOMEN 8 Wondering how WVC connects services on opposite sides of the city? So were we... NEW FRIENDS Community at The Heights in a new way 2 5 | EMBRACING OUR CITY Showing God’s love in challenging situations FIND OU T MO RE Trying to keep up with everything that’s happening at Woodmen? Visit woodmenvalley.org for information, upcoming events and to listen to sermons online. Interested in joining The Woodmen Journal Team? Have a good story to tell? Send us an email at [email protected]. Like The Woodmen Journal? Love the Earth? The Woodmen Journal is also available online at woodmenjournal.com. [email protected] Katie Haas CommArts Coordinator, WVC Rob Huff imagestudios.net Scott Johnson bmbdesign.net Amy Kiechlin Lisa Ruppert [email protected] Story Contributors Deb Brown Julie Crandall Judy Dunagan Rich Griffith LEGACY 50+ 10 Matt Heard HIGH SCHOOL 12 Mark Skalberg MIDDLE SCHOOL 13 FEATURE 14 GET CONNECTED 18 SMALL GROUPS 19 GLOBAL IMPACT 20 MEN 21 STEWARDSHIP 22 Chelsea Schultz SINGLE ADULTS 24 Photography A.C.T.S. 25 Dan Schultz CHILDREN 26 Consultation CALENDAR 28 Randy Scott Dick Siever Copy Editors/Proofers Bob Condron Allison Filkins Katie Haas Sonja Haas Sandy Housley Leura Jones Susan Post Project Coordinator Kevin Feldotto Adele Mulford Printing GP Printing standoutprinting.com Cover/Feature Illustrations provided by Way Architects waygroup.com Coming soon to The Woodmen Journal and woodmenjournal.com A new feature designed to help you answer those burning questions you have always wanted to ask, but never got the chance. In future editions of The Woodmen Journal, the pastoral staff at Woodmen will be answering your questions about life, faith and what it means to follow Christ. How does it work? It’s simple. Submit your questions online at woodmenjournal.com. Every month, we will answer questions here in print and on the web at woodmenjournal.com. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM ASK AWAY. in the Atrium KEVIN FELDOTTO | Pastor, Pastoral Care Atrium (n) \ā-trē-əm\ : a many-storied court in a building (as a hotel) usually with a skylight. The Atrium at Woodmen Valley Chapel’s Woodmen Heights campus is a physical structure. The many windows, the large fireplace and the warm colors lend a relaxed feel. But even a casual observer, pausing for a time to observe the space, would notice something more. This structure contains life. The early morning light pours from the high windows, spotlighting the table where a volunteer arranges the sacred donuts. At a nearby table, two families catch up on life to the sound of the band rehearsing in the auditorium. This is their Sunday morning tradition—arriving before most others, they connect over coffee and hot chocolate. Pastoral Care LIFE James doesn’t hate him. In fact, James seems to be looking past the failures to the man God created. Over at the bookstore, Mary peruses a book on parenting teens. She and her husband could use some help with their 16-year-old son. Putting him up for adoption has seemed like a pretty good option these last few weeks. Tommy runs to the Children’s desk with an expectant smile. He doesn’t understand why Daddy has been gone, but he does know that every week there will be people here who make him feel safe. His mom prays that he will some day understand a God who never leaves. The Thompson family sits around the table, some with their Bibles open. As the message moves into communion, they pause to remember what Christ’s sacrifice means to them. In this holy moment, these parents realize they are a family embraced by God. This is real life—pain, joy, loss, deep laughter, tears, joking, extreme sorrow—it can all be found in this room. It is people sharing each other’s burdens and joys; laughing with those who rejoice and crying with those who mourn. This is life in the Atrium. UPCOMING EVENTS GriefShare Workshop: May 7–July 30 When: 6:30-8:30 pm Where: Rockrimmon Worship Center, Room 107 Cost: $20 Registration: woodmenvalley.org/griefshare People begin to stream in and Jim greets them with a smile that comes easily. Seeing Tom and Lois come through the doors, he is quick to embrace them. Well aware of what they are going through, he leads them over to the fireplace. As they are warmed by the fire, Jim prays that God would make His presence real in the midst of their pain. On the sofa, a youth leader leans in close as Jill tentatively begins to explain her addiction. The cutting started a year ago, but shame has kept her silent. Feeling safe with this friend, she pours out what has been imprisoned for too long. People arriving for their Sunday adult classes gather to swap jokes and give each other a hard time. They tell stories from the past week, and share plans and dreams for the coming days. For many, this group has become their family. Frank talks with James next to Guest Central. Frank doesn’t really believe that God would want anything to do with him. Weighed down by his moral failures, he is convinced God probably hates him, or at least He should. One thing is clear this morning, Resumé Writing Workshop: May 16 When: 8 am–4 pm Where: Rockrimmon Worship Center, Room 107 Cost: $10 Boundaries Workshop: May 27, June 3 and June 10 When: 6:30–8:30 pm Where: Rockrimmon Community Center, Room 100 Cost: $10 Who Are You Now? Finding Hope in the Midst of Job Loss: June 8 When: 6:30–8:30 pm Where: Rockrimmon Community Center, Room 100 Cost: No fee MS/LUPUS Wellness Group Meeting & Luncheon: June 2 Former NASA Astronaut Brigadier General, USA, Ret. Robert L. Stewart will be sharing the story of his own spiritual journey. He represented man’s first untethered operations from a spacecraft in flight and is in the Army Aviation Hall of Fame, 2007. When: Meeting: 10–11:30 am; Luncheon: 11:45 am–1 pm Where: Rockrimmon Worship Center, Room 107 To register for the above events, visit woodmenvalley.org/ workshops. For more information, call Lana at 719.388.4972. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 3 CONNECTIONS ? What’s the purpose of Woodmen Valley Chapel’s Connections Bookstore exists for two very simple reasons: To serve you! To bless our church! We want to serve you by providing the best possible resources available. We carry a broad variety of resources—books on foundational Christian theology share space with practical books on prayer, parenting and relationships. A good Christian novel is a great escape from the everyday and Connections carries a large selection. Continually looking for ways we can serve you beyond your expectations, we have added a number of gift items to allow you to express your faith while giving to others. We carry a full selection of Willow Tree Angels (a great Mother’s Day gift). In addition to frames, art, figurines and a broad assortment of cards, check out the Christian themed skateboards that match some of the t-shirts and lifestyle jewelry we have carried for years. We look forward to always bringing you a great selection of resources to encourage you and allow your faith to be enriched. As important as it is to serve our congregation with products and services that increase their love for Christ, we see a great deal of meaning in giving blessings back to the staff and church. To do this, we: • offer extra discounts that save the church money. • run programs and provide assistance that extends the ability of Woodmen to reach out to those who seek help. • oversee the library. • pray for, care for and guide hundreds of people every year to the appropriate ministry connection they need for encouragement and healing. • give away thousands of dollars of free food and coffee, sermon CDs and books. Pat Walter–Manager Connections Bookstore & Café Our desire is that the more successful the store becomes, the more we will be able to bless ministries financially through special projects, or by bringing guests in for ministry enrichment. Thank you for being part of Woodmen Valley Chapel and for being part of the community of Connections Bookstore. We enjoy every moment of walking alongside you and witnessing your journey toward a deeper amazement of God’s grace. Upcoming Events May 10 – Mother’s Day (special Gift Packages available; see our ad on page 11) May – Graduation (books and cards of congratulations and encouragement) June 21 – Father’s Day (Special Gift Packages available) June – Lisa Tawn Bergren release party: God Found Us You An Untroubled Heart By Micca Campbell Micca Campbell knows all too well the unpredictable nature of life. As the 21-yearold mother of an infant son, her world was shattered when she lost her husband to a tragic accident. Reeling from her loss, Micca feared for her future, and struggled to overcome her aching loneliness. Yet in her darkest moment, she discovered God’s remedy for her deepest fears. Micca presents a woman’s guide for living a carefree, worry-free life. She explores the anxieties of every woman’s heart from insecurities, to finances, to marital challenges, to raising healthy children. Visit us online at connectionsbookstore.com 4 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM WORSHIP ARTS Ever wonder how Woodmen connects worship services on opposite sides of Colorado Springs? Read on for some answers about the people and technology that bring us together every weekend. Why bother with connecting the campuses? Why not just have separate worship services? We are one church in multiple locations. For us to truly be one church, it’s important that we celebrate God’s worth together. There’s something powerful that happens when God’s people come together to worship and praise Him. Seeing and hearing people worshipping simultaneously at other locations, and joining them in worship, is a great way for us to express being one church. How do the musicians play together at multiple sites? Very carefully! The team from one campus takes the lead on a given song. As their team plays, the bands at the other sites are hearing selected instruments to allow them to provide the rest of the sound in the venue where they are playing. Here’s an example: When the band at Woodmen Heights is leading a song, the musicians and worshippers on stage hear only the musicians in the room with them. The people at Rockrimmon hear the worship leader’s vocal, the leader’s instrument, and the drums from Woodmen Heights, in addition to the musicians playing in the Rockrimmon sanctuary. How do we make the connection to see and hear the people at the other campus? The campuses are connected through dedicated lines on the Qwest Metro Optical Ethernet (QMOE). This allows us to send four channels of audio and two channels of video between the two campuses. We’re guaranteed 16 megabytes of bandwidth. Prior to switching to the QMOE last year, we were using four bundled T-1 lines. The QMOE gives us more bandwidth, and is more economical and reliable. We use equipment called a VBrick at each campus to encode and decode the audio and visual signals from our services so they can be transmitted over IT lines. How do you plan and coordinate worship services with multiple sites? We always want significant parts of the services to happen live in all the sites. In addition to Rockrimmon Worship Center and Woodmen Heights, the Video Café in the Stone Chapel has a smaller worship team each week. So the music, the greeting, the teaching, and other creative elements such as dance or painting, are divided between venues. A lot of thought and prayer goes into selecting songs and creating a service flow that minimizes distractions and allows the Spirit room to move. We build the service around a theme or central idea so the songs, videos and teaching all come together to set the stage so people can respond to the Lord. We hope that worship will be a transformational encounter with God as we respond to His revelation. I’ve been thinking about serving at WVC. Do you ever need volunteers? YES! We’re looking for more ministry partners to run video cameras, lights and the computers that project the words on to the screens. You don’t even need experience! WVC’s Sight and Sound team will train you, and you only need to serve one weekend a month. We’re also looking for a few people with audio and video experience. If you’d like to find out more about joining the team, get in touch with Annie Stevens at 719.388.5021 or [email protected]. Some of the crew that help make everything happen at Woodmen Heights. On the screens we see a lot of video from the other campus. Who makes that happen? It takes a team of 25 people each weekend to bring the sights and sound of the services to the congregation. A producer and director at each campus coordinate the visuals that are presented. The director at each campus communicates via headset with a group of camera operators to let them know which shots are needed. The camera team gets a workout keeping up with the worship team and the speakers, especially when Pastor Doug Olsen is teaching! WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 5 “ Sports & Rec More than a game … Woodmen Heights Sports Mixes Competition and Praise Paul Matthys | coordinator, Sports & REc Woodmen Valley Chapel Sports Camp Coach Inducted into Soccer Hall of Fame Coach Lou Sagastume was inducted into the Soccer Hall of Fame in mid-February, capping a 35-year career that included coaching the Men’s Soccer program at The United States Air Force Academy. Coach Sagastume, known as the father of Falcon Soccer, built Air Force into one of the most respected programs in the nation during his 28 seasons as head coach at the Academy. Despite all his achievements in the soccer world, Lou is the first to dismiss these awards for the glory of God through Jesus Christ. Lou believes that sports have gone astray in this country and other parts of the world, and it’s time to bring it back using God’s principles of faith, commitment, integrity and more. Coach Sagastume can always be overheard telling his players, “A medal or game won by cheating only fools the world but never God.” Coach Sagastume will be teaching Woodmen Valley Chapel’s 4th Annual Youth Soccer Camp July 6-10. The camp is also coached by additional Division 1 coaches and Coach Sagastume is assisted by prior college and high school stand-out players. Most any Monday or Tuesday evening you will hear the sounds of competition coming out of the gym at Woodmen Heights. But these sounds are different players. Several players have college from most gyms in the country. experience and come out to meet While you do hear players directing new players. One player has invited play on the basketball and volleyball all the volleyball players he works courts, you also hear players talking with as a way to introduce them to amongst themselves about how Christ. “This is a ministry to me, Jesus Christ has changed their lives. to share the Gospel while playing Several players, who do not attend hard. Some guys need it.” The recent a church on a regular basis, were closing of several church volleyball recently invited by Woodmen Valley programs in Colorado Springs has players to check out a volleyball open drawn Christian players to join gym. One such player mentioned Woodmen Valley players at open “The play here is different—it’s gyms and leagues. Kevin Campbell, tough and fun at the same time, who oversees the churches leagues, without the foul yelling. There may said “This is a great way for be something to it here,” he said Christian volleyball players to come with a sheepish smile. together as a community and to Monday nights at Woodmen invite their friends who don’t go to Heights finds Chad Dewey running church.” Kevin doesn’t just say these the show at the basketball open words lightly. His team includes gym. Chad cuts an imposing figure a couple who is exploring the love at 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds. of Christ. Every team is required If you happen to have a budding soccer player or But you quickly find that Chad is to hold a spot open on their team a child that is interested in learning the correct way a humble, friendly man who loves for reaching out to others. If you to play soccer, visit woodmenvalley.org/sports for to share the story of what Christ would like to learn more about more information. has done in his life. Chad has been these open gyms and more, visit known to say, “I’ll dunk on you, but woodmenvalley.org/sports. in a loving way.” Chad leads the group in prayer and makes sure that the level of competition stays up and appropriate. As a fitness instructor, Learn from a dozen current NFL ath- • Coached by NFL Athletes Chad sets an example letes, like Chris Kuper, Broncos; Ryan • Professional, Certified of fitness to all ages of Lilja, Colts; Eric Ghiaciuc, Bengals; Speed & Agility Trainers Eric Green, Cardinals; Duke Preston, When: players who come out • 12:1 ratio between Bills; Alfonso Boone, Chiefs, to play. Coaches & Participants and Brandon Jones, Titans Tuesday Nights • Daily “Off the Field” with just to name a few. brings out Colorado the Pros teaching character Springs’ best volleyball qualities that relate to footFor More Information and to Register: www.profootballcamp.com or call: 719-266-9308 6 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM ball and everyday life. Behind the Scenes Elmer Hess’ Commitment to Service Don Needham | Pastor, Legacy Ministries Check out a strand of Hess family DNA and you will probably find a gene programmed for weekend church attendance. Elmer is certain that his Pennsylvania Mennonite family had him in services the first weekend of life. His deep bass voice became a part of the choir shortly after puberty! Other predominant Hess genes are character and dependability. When he says, “I’ll take care of that,” he means it! This commitment to be present and serve behind the scenes is non-negotiable when it comes to Elmer’s walk with God. Since joining Woodmen when the Liberty Campus was opened in 2002, Elmer and his wife Anna, along with adult sons Glenn and Darryl and daughter-in-law Kandel, have exhibited servanthood in multiple places: ushering, greeting and volunteering in the Connections Bookstore to name a few. Serving around the Woodmen Heights campus isn’t the end of the story, however. Elmer is making plans for his second trip to Brazil this September with a Joni and Friends Wheelchair Distribution team. Describing his passions of “being there” and “serving,” Elmer says, “It was just the way I grew up. Serving as an usher is a gift God gave me. I believe it’s my job to be a model for my children.” That commitment to Christ must have rubbed off. Elmer will tell you that his greatest joy is seeing his children and their families live their lives as strong, serving believers. Commitments are tested during hard times, and never was Elmer’s “always be in church” attitude more striking than during one tragic weekend in July, 2007. Elmer’s wife, Anna, died instantly in a four-wheeling accident on a Friday afternoon. The following Sunday morning, Elmer and his entire family of four children and nine grandkids were in attendance for the 8:45 service. Asked how they could be in church so shortly after Anna’s death, Elmer simply replied “well, it’s Sunday and the Hesses are in church on Sunday!” Even through tragedy, the Hess commitment to service continued to bless others. A little over a year after Anna’s accident, Elmer got to experience the joy of seeing three suitcases of Anna’s clothing given away to needy families during the 2008 wheelchair distribution in Brazil. Without exception, you can expect a warm and genuine greeting from Elmer as he serves each weekend at Woodmen Heights. Until you’ve heard his deep, “rattle his cowboy boots” laughter, your weekend is not complete. He has been known to serve on the usher team at all three services during a regular weekend, and was present for five out of six recent Easter services. A congregation moves on the feet of its volunteers; often unseen servants like Elmer Hess. Many at Woodmen Heights have been blessed by Elmer’s commitment to being one of the many people who use their spiritual gifts to help make Woodmen a warm and inviting place. For more information on how you can get involved, visit woodmenvalley.org/getconnected. Until you’ve heard Elmer’s deep, “rattle his cowboy boots” laughter, your weekend is not complete. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 7 WOmen Women’s Ministries The Pursuit WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDIES Our Women’s Bible Study Ministry is called The Pursuit because we are passionate about pursuing a more intimate relationship with God through studying His Word together. During the school year, we have nearly 800 women attending a weekly Bible study on one of our two campuses. Two of these women, Connie Jackson and Kristin DuBois, share how the Bible studies offered at Woodmen Heights have impacted their journeys. “God’s Different Plan” by CONNIE JACKSON Have you ever had one of those seasons in your life in which you were in some sort of transition, but you didn’t really understand where God was leading? Last year was a year like that for me. I knew there was something God wanted me to be doing, but I didn’t have a clear handle on what that might be. I had a desire to go where God wanted me, and so I offered my strengths to Him. He instead decided to use my weaknesses. It seems that God had a different plan. Several times in the past I tried to fit in and attend women’s Bible studies. I really enjoy studying the Word, but I don’t seem to “blend” well. I am too loud, too tall, or too outspoken. I don’t feel a connection to most women. My career was in a maledominated field, and I wasn’t interested in the things that most women I met were interested in. Then God led me to the Beth Moore Psalms of Ascent study at Woodmen Heights. I decided to attend one study. It was short, convenient, and I had no other plans for the summer. I decided that I would go to the study each week, sit in the back, listen to the video and leave. I panicked Lisa Wadin (left) and Connie Jackson (right). Lisa leads the Tuesday night Women’s Bible study and Connie Jackson is a breakout group leader. I ended up at Woodmen Heights in a Bible study with a bunch of ladies I did not know, listening to Beth Moore, whom I had never heard before. What an eye opener that study was! The weekly videos were fascinating, the daily work at home caused me to want to dig deeper in the Word—but the ladies were the unexpected blessing. These are real ladies with real issues and real hearts. Since that first study, we have come to know one another well, caring for and about each other. As we’ve journeyed through Psalms, Daniel, and Esther, the group has changed. I find that I am still unqualified, but it doesn’t matter anymore—we have been able to build a bond that transcends Tuesday night. Sharing concerns, joys, laughter and hardships, we continue to encourage each other to be the women that God has called us to be— women who do not wish to be irrelevant in this culture. It seems that God had a different plan! “First Class Ladies” by KRISTIN DUBOIS Connie Jackson (front row, right) and her breakout group from the Tuesday night Women’s Bible study at Woodmen Heights. when I was asked to help by facilitating a small breakout group of women. I didn’t feel qualified, but I reasoned that I could do this for the summer; then I would find a more comfortable and suitable place to serve—after all, I knew my strengths. It seems that God had a different plan. 8 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM In December 2006, we moved to Colorado Springs for yet another military assignment. It didn’t take long for us to find our church home at Woodmen Heights or for me to see that there was a women’s Bible study on Thursday mornings. I quickly joined. By September of 2007, my husband had received orders to go to Afghanistan for one year. Through those challenging months, I continued to go to the Bible study and these wonderful women kept me encouraged and prayed for our family every step of the way. It was always a bright spot in my week to come and spend the morning with these dear sisters during the ups and downs of his deployment. This past November, as my husband was about to return, I asked the leaders to pray he would get an aisle seat on his flight home. While it may seem like a small thing, he’s 6’ 4” with broad shoulders, and being crammed in the middle seat of a very full plane for 18-plus hours isn’t exactly an exciting prospect. I also remembered a promise from the Bible: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will Dance Soul of the Spiritual, sexual, and relational healing from past and present relationships June 1-3, 2009 experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7 (NLT) As I shared this request with the ladies, one said, “Why don’t we just pray for first class?” It took me by surprise Our “First Class” leaders for the Thursday morning Bible study at because I wasn’t sure if the Woodmen Heights. From left to right, Lainie MacDonald, Kristin plane even had first class, DuBois and Bridget Jensen who started the study several years ago. but I said, “Absolutely!” When my husband arrived home, he called to tell me that he did indeed have a firstclass aisle seat all the way from Kyrgyzstan to Baltimore. I called Lainie MacDonald, our facilitator, and told her the news, which she spread among the leaders. God used that to encourage all of us that He answers our prayers! Now we are unexpectedly moving again, and one of the things I will miss most about Colorado Springs is this wonderful family of sisters in Christ. If you want to have some amazing fellowship with women who are striving to learn the Word of God and will genuinely care for you, please join the Woodmen Heights women on Thursday mornings. These ladies are first class! Summer Bible Studies Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David We are offering a summer Bible study for women at both campuses starting the first week of June. Check out the information about the study below and be sure to sign up online soon as these classes fill up quickly. We hope you can join us! This new Bible study combines two weeks of video teaching from Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. The video was filmed during a Deeper Still event at which these three women explored their lives and the life of David. You’ll laugh with them, cry with them, and learn to love God with them. This study provides a total of six weeks of interactive, in-depth Bible study and group discussion time. Mondays at Rockrimmon • 6:30-8:30 pm Starts June 1 • RR Worship Center, Room 107 Thursdays at Woodmen Heights • 6:30-8:30 pm Starts June 4 • Room 104 Cost: $20 (Sorry, no childcare for our summer studies) Register now at woodmenvalley.org/thepursuit. Woodmen Valley Chapel 290 E. Woodmen Road Rockrimmon Community Center Colorado Springs, CO 80919 woodmenvalley.org/dance • Clothing Exchange NEW DATE—June 5-6 RR Community Center Gymnasium • Bible Study for Military Wives—Hope for the Home Front A summer group for Military Wives begins Wednesday nights at Woodmen Heights on June 10. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 9 LEGacy 50+ Finishing Well upcoming legacy events LEGACY Friday Night Out (Rescheduled) Avocation Fair featuring Andy Bromley “Unplugged” Friday, May 22, 6:30 pm, Woodmen Heights Campus BBQ Dinner ($5/person) Do you want to connect with people in your age group who have common interests and hobbies such as gardening, woodworking, restoring classic cars, quilting, game nights, dance groups and more? We want to identify these common interests and hobbies among Legacy Builders. This Friday Night Out, you can check out the Avocation Tables around the Woodmen Heights Atrium and sign up for the groups of your choice. We’re looking for point people who will be willing to host the tables and enter into discussion about forming common interest groups. If you’re interested in helping out in any way or want to RSVP for the evening, contact Don at [email protected] or 719.388.4969. Life Event Forum: Assisted Living Ministry Saturday, June 27, 9:00 am Rockrimmon Worship Center, Room 107 Legacy will partner with Crossroads Ministries for a training session with President and Director, Kay Owen. Training is open to anyone at WVC who would like to get involved in visiting and ministering in area nursing homes. For more information, visit www.crossroadsusa.org. LEGACY Friday Night Out “N’Awlins” Night with Mark Tedder Friday, July 24, 6 pm, Rockrimmon Gym Join us for Legacy’s 2nd Annual Fish Fry and Fun Night. We’ll have southern fried catfish and N’Awlins’ style music provided by our own Mark Tedder. All proceeds from the evening will go toward “Wheels for the World Gospel and Wheelchair Distribution,” Legacy’s mission project in Brazil. To RSVP, contact Don Needham at [email protected] or 719.388.4969. Legacy Anchors Thursdays, 10:30 am Rockrimmon Worship Center, Room 107 Join us for worship, teaching and friendmaking. Contact Legacy Pastor Don Needham at 719.388.4969 or [email protected] for more information about Legacy. 10 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM Committed to the motto that it is better to “burn out than rust out,” Bob and Pat Trotter display an infectious energy for things that really matter. Bob, a retired industrial engineer, and Pat, a retired teacher and homemaker, are committed to using their blessings to make a difference in the world. Bob and Pat started attending Woodmen Heights in December 2004, just two months after the campus was dedicated. They didn’t waste any time getting involved, and today they are the organizers and motivators behind a multitude of Legacy service projects. Recently, we had a chance to catch up with Bob and Pat. What brought you to WVC? We needed a fresh church experience. Woodmen Heights gives us a place to experience our faith really “coming alive.” What keeps you at WVC? There are so many things: we found it really easy to connect and be accepted, have great community in an adult Bible study class, the spiritual depth of people in leadership at Woodmen and the many opportunities to serve. These are several important reasons why Woodmen Valley is our home church. Where have you plugged in to serve? We organize the sewing of wheelchair pads and bags for the ministry in Brazil, sew blankets for the homeless, work with the food pantry and serve as transportation to Legacy events. We’re even involved in printing t-shirts! Bob and Pat are living proof that “retirement” from spiritual activities and service should not be in a believer’s vocabulary. Regardless of one’s age, limitations or situation, it is always possible to “Leave a Legacy.” Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter at woodmenvalley.org/legacy. Mother’s Day Gift Packages from Connections Bookstore Package A • $40 Patsy’s Chocolate, a devotional, and a large Willow Tree Angel all wrapped in a beautiful gift bag. Package B • $25 Patsy’s Chocolate, a journal, and a small Willow Tree Angel all wrapped in a beautiful gift bag. Rockrimmon Bookstore Hours Tuesday 9 am - 7 pm Wednesday 9 am - 7 pm Thursday 9 am - 7 pm Saturday 2 - 8 pm Sunday 8 am - 1 pm Woodmen Heights Bookstore Hours Saturday 5 - 8 pm Sunday 10 am - 1 pm High School Matt Ferrell spends a little time on Facebook talking with students about their impressions of Woodmen Heights. MATT FERRELL | HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRIES COORDINATOR, WOODMEN HEIGHTS One Student Ministry, two locations is what makes Woodmen Valley Chapel (WVC) so unique. I have the privilege of working with the Woodmen Heights (WH) students. I love Woodmen Heights. I love walking through the Atrium on Sunday morning, watching students worshiping with their families, and then seeing those same students later that night as we meet for FUSION. I recently had the opportunity to talk with several of the WH high school students—through our Facebook page—about their memories of WH and what it has meant (and means) to them. I hope you get a glimpse of who we are. Who knows, it may just motivate you to come join us on Sunday nights at 5:30! 1. What is appealing to you about Woodmen Heights? What initially drew you when it was meeting at Liberty High School? Chris Jordahl: Knowing the people you worship with on such a deep level is really important and that is something I never had until I came to The Heights/Liberty. Micah McEwan: I enjoy the smaller community that WH has compared to Rockrimmon, especially at the high school level. Hans McConnell: I really enjoy the tight-knit community we have. It seems like everyone knows everyone else. Peter Jordahl: WH is appealing to me because it is small and everyone is really welcoming. 2. WVC is “One Church, two locations;” what does that phrase mean to you? MM: To me it means that even though we are two separate groups of people, we can still come together and be one. The one group, as a whole, has realized that we can efficiently thrive as two communities that are tied together. HM: It means that we are more effective and potent when we reach out to the community because we have so many more resources to draw from. Kaitlin Thorp: “One church, two locations” means my small community of friends and my family in Christ is just a part of something so much bigger. It is our own little model of how each follower of Christ plays a vital role in being a part of the Body of Christ. 3. What keeps you coming to the Woodmen Heights campus? CJ: My best friends are there. I wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t go every week. MM: The biggest thing for me is the relationships that I have there. 12 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM HM: I enjoy the friendships that I have made at Woodmen, and the teaching is always good. KT: WH has become my home. We are small enough that I can feel like I know everyone but large enough that I can keep meeting new people. I love the close-knit feel with the benefits of a larger church. PJ: Friends who I can always talk to and good lessons which keep me strong in my faith. I often am humbled at WH, because I do something incredibly stupid, but my friends are there to catch me, and laugh with me. 4. “Community” is a word that is talked about a lot. What does it mean and look like to have community at Woodmen Heights? HM: It means that we, as a group, are able to come alongside each other to help in the hard times and celebrate in the good times. It means that we always have someone to look to for help and support in everyday things. KT: Community at WH is people knowing each other both on a casual level, and a deep level. I know that no matter what is going on in my life, I have people I can surround myself with who will love on me and pray with me and we’ll make it though. It is the connection between people and love that they have for one another. PJ: It means that we aren’t all just neighbors and acquaintances, but we are friends and we have each other’s backs, “You mess with one of us, you mess with ALL of us!” Join this discussion on Facebook and share your thoughts with us! Simply search Woodmen Heights FUSION. Or, better yet … come join us on Sunday nights at 5:30 out at The Heights! GENESIS • June 6-7 , 2009 • $ introduce 50: Our a incoming nn freshmen rafting ca to FUSION ual retreat to help ps off an in is back. W c redible ov Learn mo hitewater ernight ex re at woo perience. dmenyou th.com. SALT L July 6 AKE CITY -12, 2 Missi Open 009 • on Tr ip t $ o 300 in 6 th- t all stud h e 1 n 2 t s curr Learn more grade. ently at wo odme nyout h.com . Middle School W ith G M ues at t H t Sp ea ea rd ke r Shift your relationship with your middle school student into high gear... Parent/Teen Retreat Experience June 26-28, 2009 $199 per team • 50 parent/teen teams • 30+ adventures • Over 300 miles • Relationships changed for a lifetime SIGN UP TODAY! For more information on SouledOut’s Amazed Race, or to sign up, visit... woodmenyouth.com Student Ministries Service Times MIDDLE SCHOOL SouledOut Services • 5:30-7:30 Sunday nights 360Groups • 7-8:15 Thursday Nights HIGH SCHOOL FUSIONxp • 1st & 3rd Sunday nights at 5:30 Small Groups • 2nd & 4th Sunday nights at 5:30 5th Sundays* *5th Sundays happen occasionally. When they do, just visit our website to find out what’s happening. Want to learn more about Student Ministries? Need to sign up for an event? Check out our new website at woodmenyouth.com. Same old address, brand new look. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 13 Feature Doug Olsen | Executive Pastor “Go west, young man” was a popular phrase attributed to Horace Greeley, Founder of the New York Tribune in the mid-1800s. The slogan served as the catalyst for a challenge to our nation to seize the opportunity for growth and expansion to the western plains. The actual quote was “Go west, young man, and grow up with the country.” Who would have expected that a similar challenge would be accepted by the leadership of Woodmen Valley Chapel (WVC) over a century later, when the decision was made to “Go east, Woodmen Valley, and grow with the county.” The decision to plant a campus on the expanding eastern corridor of Colorado Springs set in motion a dynamic and exciting opportunity which embraced WVC’s vision “To launch and strengthen a fleet of Christ-following communities …” a vision which had begun to take shape in the spring of 2002. A LITTLE BACKGROUND In August of 2001, Matt Heard arrived as our new Senior Pastor and we began listening for God’s direction regarding the February 1980 Woodmen Valley Chapel begins life in a converted chinchilla hut next chapter in the story of WVC. During that next spring, the visioning process culminated with a congregation-wide week of prayer and fasting. We began to understand that God’s vision for us was “To launch and strengthen a fleet of Christ-following communities who are compassionately sailing through a turbulent culture toward a deeper amazement of God’s grace.” During this same season, the WVC leaders had been dealing with the issue of how to accommodate our growing congregation at our Rockrimmon location. That dilemma had been put on hold while we clarified the new vision so the solution for more space could be guided by God’s overall vision for us. The concept of a “fleet of Christ-following communities” encapsulated our yearning for enabling WVC, though large, to feel small through a greater emphasis on small groups and service teams. But it also directed us toward a more decentralized approach regarding our larger-group gatherings. As a result of this clarification from our new vision, we established that WVC was to be one church that gathered in more than one location each week, and because of the growth dynamics of the city, the next additional location needed to be on the eastern side of Colorado Springs. June 1985 September 1982 40 families break ground for the Stone Chapel May 1985 Purchase of additional 8.5 acres at Rockrimmon Dedication of Noah’s Ark 14 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM June 1986 WVC calls Pastor Gary Huckabay Immediately, two parallel initiatives began to take shape: the first was the formulation of a multiple-site strategy which culminated with the launch of our Liberty Community which began meeting on a temporary basis at Liberty High School in October of 2002. As we started dreaming, researching and experimenting, we began to pioneer the technology needed for simulcasting our weekend services in a way that enabled us to worship weekly as two connected communities. Little did we know this strategic process would place WVC on the cutting edge of the emerging philosophy of multiple-site church campuses. We regularly have visitors from around the country, who want to observe how our phenomenal Technology and Worship Arts teams implement this philosophy in our weekend services. The second initiative, which began right alongside the birth of our multiple-site philosophy, was the search for a permanent location for our Liberty Community. To do that, we focused on the fastest growing sector of Colorado Springs: the eastern side of our city. In the late 1990s, under the direction of former Senior Pastor Jim Tomberlin, a group of WVC leaders began to explore the possibility of acquiring property in the yet-to-be developed Powers Corridor in order to open up another campus. After prayerful consideration, the Elders determined that it was not God’s timing to move forward then, yet the initial seeds had been planted within our church leadership regarding a multi-campus strategy. Fast-forward to 2002 … we knew it was indeed time, and the process of transforming our temporary Liberty Community into what is now our Woodmen Heights Community had begun. We were finally “heading east!” The next step in the process was to trust God to provide the land on which the church could develop its east campus. To accomplish this, a committee was formed to consider a variety of locations for this permanent church site. Initially, the goal was to obtain a tract of land sufficient to accommodate a church campus. Little did the team know that God had a much bigger plan for WVC. Following a series of inquiries and closed doors, a considerably larger tract of land became available on the northeast corner of Woodmen and Marksheffel Roads. The opportunity offered an initial 50 acres, with an option to purchase an additional February 1990 Five acres adjacent to Rockrimmon campus donated Spring 1987 Third Sunday morning service added February 1991 WVC calls Senior Pastor Jim Tomberlin 63 acres at a future date. Suddenly, the dream of another campus expanded to a vision of influencing an entire community. MOVING FORWARD Sensing God’s direction in December 2003, after a season of prayer and fasting, the Elders were unanimous in their decision to move forward with the purchase of the original 50 acres which was later annexed into the city. It appeared that God had not only provided the land, but acreage sufficient to influence the design of a community in what was anticipated to be the future hub of Colorado Springs. It was at that point, the formation of the Woodmen Heights Community began to take shape. In February 2004, a three-year financial campaign, Launch Your Faith, was initiated to both provide funding for the preliminary planning aspects of the Woodmen Heights Community as well as improvements to the Rockrimmon Campus. God provided an affirmation of the Woodmen Heights Community vision in December 2004 when the land owners donated an additional 13 acres to the existing property. Following this, funds provided by Launch Your Faith, allowed for the March 2004 groundbreaking of the multi-purpose building, which serves as the present Woodmen Heights Community. In June 2007, the church completed its land acquisition with the purchase of the final 50 acres. Although Woodmen’s leadership team acknowledges God’s provision for the property and current building, the vision for the community extends far beyond considerations of land and buildings. It is grounded in the belief that God provided the 113-acre parcel to allow WVC to have an innovative kingdom influence in the creation of a community. At the core of this belief, is an awareness of a rare and incredible opportunity for WVC to make a significant impact on the city. January 1994 Elders approve capital stewardship campaign to build a multi-purpose worship facility September 1995 Dedication of 1,200 seat Rockrimmon Worship Center September 1994 Labor Day groundbreaking of a new Worship Center WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 15 Future plans for the church campus envision it as the centerpiece of an integrated mixed-use neighborhood, serving as both a center for worship as well as a civic center for community use and outreach. This goal is already being realized through the growth and outreach of the existing Woodmen Heights facility. Since opening its doors in October 2004, the Woodmen Heights Community has grown to a substantial congregation of approximately 1,500 per weekend, extending Woodmen’s ministry beyond Colorado Springs to individuals and families in the eastern plains area. A recent analysis of the congregation’s growth demonstrates a 10.7% increase in last month’s attendance when compared to a year ago. The congregation is also engaging in a number of community outreaches in regard to food banks, service projects and opening the church for neighborhood activities. This campus is already experiencing growing pains, in that the current modulars are struggling to accommodate the increase in children’s programming. In the months ahead, plans will be initiated for a greater commitment of designated pastoral oversight, specifically directed to meet the needs of the Woodmen Heights congregation. It is exciting to envision what the years ahead will hold for this dynamic community of believers. In regard to the future Woodmen Heights Community Campus, specific acreage has been designated for its development. A multi-phasing approach will be utilized in achieving a systematic build-out of the various components of the overall campus design. Initial phases will focus on addressing the need for upgraded and expanded children’s space, and preliminary plans for a future church campus. Although no decision has been made on final architectural design or motif, preliminary plans draw on precedents established at WVC’s existing campuses and will incorporate the warmth and welcome of traditional mountain architecture. The future Woodmen Heights Campus will be designed to embrace the surrounding community, as both a place of worship and civic activity. In support of both this expanded WVC campus and the goal of impacting the local neighborhood, another significant aspect of the vision will be providing the opportunity for other like-minded community and Christian organizations to develop a synergy of partnerships. This network of shared resources will allow for the coordination of both kingdom and community-enhancing relationships. To facilitate this aspect of the vision, a separate entity and board of directors has been created. Within Woodmen Valley Chapel’s ministry, the Center for Strategic Ministry (CSM) presently serves to influence the master development of the entire property, as well as facilitating strategic connections and the collaboration of ministries. Current directors reflect a combination of skill-sets in church growth, finance, business development and ministry relationships. MEET SHILOH MESA The last component of the plan relates to the oversight of the remaining acreage not designated for church use. This acreage has been the focus of years of processing the necessary steps of land planning, rezoning, and obtaining city approvals for its development. After two years of extensive preparation, the City of Colorado Springs recently unanimously approved the site plan and rezoning applications, allowing initial planning of the property to move forward. Embracing the Old Testament reference to Shiloh, meaning, “a place of peace,” the community development, which will be a subdivision of the larger Woodmen Heights community, has been named Shiloh Mesa. As the sole land owners, WVC and the CSM can play a significant role in providing a vision for the overall development of the property, as well as in the selection of property owners, partners and developers to execute the vision. Shiloh Mesa’s master development plan presently envisions a variety of components. Central to the design concept is a new urban initiative that draws on traditional community design principles found in old-world villages. It is planned in such a way that residents are within easy walking distance of the Village Square, encouraging a mixture of spiritual environments, retail settings, housing, recreational structures and activities appealing to everyone from children to retirees. The result is a ‘living’ neighborhood, conducive to the May 2002 Congregation-wide week of prayer and fasting about the next chapter in WVC’s journey October 1999 Overflow expansion in Stone Chapel April 2001 WVC calls Senior Pastor Matt Heard 16 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM October 2002 Liberty Community launched at Liberty High School December 2003 Purchase of the first 50 acres at Woodmen Heights March 2004 Groundbreaking for the Woodmen Heights Campus enjoyment of community life; and a thriving, compact marketplace. The church campus at Shiloh Mesa will represent the heart of the development. It will be designed to embrace the surrounding community, opening into the Village Square, surrounded by an amphitheater and community park, all reflecting a backdrop of majestic mountain views. The Village Square will represent a place for special events, large and small, where the life of the community flows, serving as both a gateway to the church and as an anchor for the pedestrian pathways that connect all elements of the community. The Marketplace, easily accessible from other parts of the village, will feature a vibrant blend of residential, retail, conference and office spaces. This area is also designed to be the hub of the CSM complex, housing various ministry and missions partnerships and alliances. It will be a place to live, work, shop, dine and play; a place for friends and families to connect; where home, community and spiritual life coexist in a neighborly, vibrant and aesthetic atmosphere. Shiloh Mesa will also allow for a diversity of connections by mixing single-family and multi-family residences of assorted sizes and prices, bridging the divide of age and economic status. It is envisioned to include tree-lined streets and front porches designed for informal socializing and physical connections; mixing houses with shops, offices, recreational facilities and the church all within walking distance. Equally important is that the Shiloh Mesa community will be designed to draw individuals and families from other parts of the city to a safe place they can come and stay all day for spiritual and physical nourishment. May 2004 December 2004 Launch Your Faith celebration service at Woodmen Heights Campus July 2004 Rockrimmon Community Center opens The Shiloh Mesa Master Plan will require 10-15 years to complete. This season of leadership and church body involvement will plant the seeds of trees under which future generations will benefit from the shade. Shiloh Mesa is expected to be an ongoing process of community involvement and improvement that parallels the values reflected currently at WVC. The intention of the Shiloh Mesa planning process is to ask for and receive God’s clear leading as we fulfill the key role of impacting the community for eternity. Additionally, it involves being good stewards of the land and environment He has entrusted to us. Through fasting and prayer, the WVC and CSM leadership are trusting God for a plan that is beyond human understanding; one that includes a balance between faith and risk. The journey of discerning God’s will and receiving His provision for the Woodmen Heights project has been an extraordinary experience of faith and stewardship. It has been filled with the wonder of God’s provision and the amazement of His grace. God has also been faithful in guiding us through some formidable challenges, several of which still require a careful application of kingdom principles of stewardship during difficult economic times. Although, at each step of the planning process, careful and deliberate due diligence has been applied to our perception of God’s direction, current national economic uncertainties have resulted in a careful reassessment of how best to steward this precious resource. As trusted fiduciaries of the WVC community, our Elders and CSM directors are committed to continuing with plans for the design and marketing of the property. Current CSM and WVC initiatives include the challenge of providing sources of short term financing to meet ongoing expenses. As WVC “goes east,” our leadership team earnestly seeks God’s direction in regard to His timing and course of action. Please be in prayer for wisdom and discernment as the Elders heed Solomon’s counsel in Proverbs 16:9: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” 13 additional acres at Woodmen Heights donated to WVC October 2004 Liberty Community moves into new Community Center at Woodmen Heights November 2008 City approval of Shiloh Mesa Master plan June 2007 Final 50 acres of Woodmen Heights Property purchased WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 17 GET CONNECTED! Are you fairly new to Woodmen? Do you want to know more about our church? Are you wondering how to get plugged in? Then consider the following “next step” opportunities: Guest Central This is a great place to get started! Located at the Ministry Center at Rockrimmon and the Atrium at Woodmen Heights, this is where newcomers can receive information about our church, obtain a free Bible, sign up for the “Next Step” events or a small group and receive a “gift bag.” Woodmen Welcome Held quarterly, this event for those new to WVC includes lunch and childcare after the 11 am service on Sunday, a presentation by Pastor Matt on our vision, a Q&A session, identification of some next steps, and an opportunity to meet various staff members at display tables where information is available on their particular ministries. DATES: May 31 (Woodmen Heights) and July 19 (Rockrimmon). Discovery Held quarterly soon after the Woodmen Welcome, this 4-hour class meets on a Sunday morning and answers questions about Woodmen as a church, explains what we believe, how to experience true community with us, and the importance of serving God and others. This class is a prerequisite for becoming a member of Woodmen Valley Chapel. DATE: June 7 (Woodmen Heights) S.H.A.P.E. This is a four-week course offered on Sunday mornings through “Foundations” and is designed to help you discover how God has uniquely “shaped” you for serving Him and others. Assessments are completed to help you identify your 18 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences with which God has equipped you to succeed in ministry. DATES: June 7, 14, 21, 28 (Rockrimmon) Small Group Weekend This is a brief orientation meeting after each weekend service on the first full weekend each month, and explains how you can get plugged into a small group. DATES: June 6-7 Small Group Launch This three-week small group experience is scheduled quarterly on Sunday mornings, and is the primary means of forming and launching new small group communities. You’ll learn what the Bible says about community, what our church’s vision is for community, and how to get connected with other believers on the journey of faith. DATES: June 14, 21, 28 For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Kelly Russell at or [email protected]. SMALL GROUPS New Friends: Community at The Heights ROB BENTZ | PASTOR , SMALL GROUPS The Atrium at Woodmen Heights can be a scary place (not for longtime Woodmenites, of course, but for those folks who are new to the church). It’s big. There are lots of people talking and milling around. There’s a bookstore, a fireplace, and a table filled with donuts and coffee. Where does someone get started? Where does someone go to connect? Guest Central is the obvious answer, but let’s go one step further. How about a place to go when you want to meet people and truly understand Woodmen Valley Chapel? many years of moving around in the military, we know what it’s like to feel lost in the crowd at a new church. New Friends was created to make things easier for the people of Woodmen Heights to meet the ministry leaders of Woodmen Valley Chapel, so they can quickly get plugged in to our amazing church.” Since New Friends began, a number of the participants have connected with their specific ministry of interest as a result of the face-to-face interaction with ministry leaders. “By the end of the class, most people are comfortable trying out the ministry of their choice,” explains Bowers. “After many years of moving around in the military, we know what it’s like to feel lost in the crowd at a new church. —Wayne and Violet Bowers How about New Friends? Since February of 2008, a group of ministry partners have developed a great way for newcomers to get to know people at WVC’s Woodmen Heights Campus. Twice per year (spring and fall), a group of 20-30 people, new to Woodmen Heights, gather in a six-week class called New Friends. Each week, class participants have an opportunity to get to know each other and meet WVC pastors, directors and ministry leaders. Leaders from Worship Arts, Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Small Groups, A.C.T.S. and Children’s Ministries are some who have joined New Friends to discuss the details of the ministry and how people can get connected and/or serve. Violet Bowers, who along with her husband Wayne, had the vision and passion to get this unique ministry started, says, “After Glenn and Betsy Harrison, who attended the first class, were so encouraged by New Friends, they have become key ministry partners with this and many other ministries at Woodmen. Bowers adds, “New Friends is a great resource for anyone who wants to get more involved at Woodmen Heights—whether they’ve been attending two weeks or two years.” For more information about the next New Friends class, send an email to [email protected]. Small Group Weekend You are invited to stop by Guest Central for a 10-minute informational meeting to help you get connected into a small group at WVC. Join the fleet! Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, following all services. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 19 Global Impact Five years ago, Senior Pastor Matt Heard presented our congregation with the challenge to collaborate. This challenge began a refocus in Global Impact to strategically partner with mission ministries. The six strategic partners described below were selected as ministries who have a significant impact around the world, a significant relationship with Woodmen, a significant desire to partner with a major church, and a significant role in one of our four vision areas: Launching, Strengthening, Compassion and Turbulent Culture. Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. Visit online at compassion.com. Global Action’s vision is to challenge, inspire and equip believers to become risk-takers for God, who radically impact the world for Jesus Christ. Visit online at global-act.org. HCJB Global’s mission is empowering dynamic media and healthcare ministries that declare and demonstrate Jesus Christ. Visit online at hcjb.org. Joni and Friends mission is to communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities. Visit online at joniandfriends.org. OC International is an interdenominational faith mission in structure, interchurch in ministry, and international in vision whose mission is to mobilize godly and effective church leaders to reach all nations. Visit online at onechallenge.org. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries seek to reach and challenge those who shape the ideas of a culture with the credibility and the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is committed to reaching this generation around the world. Visit online at rzim.org. Imagine entering parts of the world previously inaccessible to us! Imagine an international global impact complex on the grounds of WVC’s Woodmen Heights Community. Imagine goers and senders from all over the world coming to Colorado Springs to receive development, training and education for greater effectiveness in the field. Imagine the potential of partnering together with other ministries already making significant tracks for the Kingdom. As we consider partnering with other ministries, we believe God will open unique doors of opportunity for Woodmen Valley Chapel, allowing us to accomplish far more together than either ministry could accomplish individually. 20 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM Matt Heard, Senior Pastor men The Reality of Life… Gentlemen, we face challenges on a daily basis; issues at work, frustrations at home, obstacles in finances or pitfalls in relationships—one thing is sure, we can’t do it alone! This is precisely why we have adopted as the theme for our men’s ministry, “Relationship Matters.” This month we have a special program and guest speaker lined up. Dave Cox was living his dream—a vibrant ministry, successful church, loving wife and supportive family—until it all came crashing down. Dave fell into an adulterous relationship. Dave was doing all of the right things on the outside and fooling everyone around him, but not himself and not God. You see, Dave was living by a different standard—thinking he must meet others expectations. He was missing out on what was most important; his relationship with God. He began to settle here, compromise there, until there was nothing left for him to stand upon. How often do we find ourselves on “Forgetting what is behind that very same precipice—bound by the and straining toward what whims of our minds and this world? We feel as though we are at the mercy of our is ahead, I press on toward flesh (our sin), our own fallibility. We the goal to win the prize for tend to give up what means most to us (faith, passions, dreams, heart’s desires, which God has called me relationships) for a moment of pleasure, heavenward in Christ Jesus.” fame, success, etc. But we have hope. This hope comes Philippians 3:14 from Jesus Christ. He sustains our lives, gives purpose to our being, restores our brokenness, forgives our wretchedness and bestows freedom to our hearts. Our greatest challenge is to choose to embrace these truths. Don’t become a statistic by walking through life alone. Get connected with other men and make a decision to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Commit to becoming a Man of God—a leader in your home and an example in your We would lo ve for you to church. Life is too short! Be what you connect wit Woodmen Va h other men lle at are called to be—Press On! to get connec y Chapel. Here are just a fe The room will be Packed with Fiber int era so get there early to other men ct mon who share the com of godliness. 23, 8-10 am y a M , y a rd tu a S hts. Woodmen Heig ted at Wood men Heights w great way s or Rockrimm on: Men’s 2.42 Tu esdays, 6:30 -7:45 am, W 2.42 is based HA on the descri ption of the ea trium 2:42. Weekly rly church in discussions ch Acts al disguises by seeking genu lenge men to put off wor ldly ine spiritual tr community co ansformatio nt n in a woodmenva ext. Contact: Dan Rockw lley.org) ell (drockwel l@ Warriors of W oodmen (WO W) Tuesdays, 6: 30-8 am, RR Stone Chapel Every man ne eds a band of brothers, fello the battle. W w warriors in hy? Because we have and who has com enemy—a “t e to steal and hief ” destroy. “I ha they may ha ve come that ve life,” states Je sus, “and have (John 10:10) . Join with ot it to the full” her men in bu relationships ilding lasting that strength en one anothe relationship with Christ. r and our Contact: Du ane Jensen (j ensenduane@ gmail.com) Woodmen K nights Tuesdays, 78:30 pm, WH Room 106 an This dynamic d RR Stone C group setting hapel en building with other men, sp courages community iritual growth through the model that C , and disciple hris ship WH Contact : Mike Martin t set for us. (mndrnow@ RR Contact: comcast.net Scott Ballen ) ger, (scottb@ rmi.net) WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 21 Stewardship $tewardship A HEALTHY WOODMEN HEIGHTS MIKE BIEDERMANN | PASTOR and director, FINANCIAL RESOURCES When we look at Woodmen Heights as part of the family of Woodmen Valley Chapel, there is an extraordinary sense of excitement! The families who regularly attend Woodmen Heights are a growing community of believers who continue to demonstrate through their actions what being a steward of God’s resources is all about. Their actions are practical in application and life changing in scope. Woodmen Heights is an integral part of WVC’s capacity to demonstrate the love of Jesus in practical ways. Whether it begins on our Rockrimmon Campus or Woodmen Heights Campus, Woodmen Valley Chapel has, in its Goddesigned DNA, a desire to reach out and address the physical and spiritual needs in our community. Too often our culture tends to marginalize groups of people, particularly those in need. When we ask how our stewardship is shown in this critical area, we’re reminded of Jesus’ words, “… Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even to the least of them, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Just visit the class led by Ron and Jane Oholendt on Sunday mornings and you’ll get a great picture of stewardship. This group is a wonderful representation of biblical fellowship, connecting at the personal level, and coming alongside church members when the need dictates. The strength of this group is rooted in God’s Word and shows itself in their care giving and actions. As part of the bigger picture of community service, this group is also engaged with the A.C.T.S. Ministry, whose impact is being felt through both campus communities’ efforts to reach out to those who need a helping hand. The “helping hand” heartbeat of Woodmen is counter-cultural. To have this desire in the life of WVC is a gift from our Heavenly Father, and it needs to be protected! It should also give us pause to be reminded that we live in a consumerbased society. Like a nail driven toward a magnet, we are constantly attracted to fulfilling our perceived needs with material things. Billboards, newspaper ads, marketing, TV commercials, and keeping up with the Jones’s remind us daily of that attraction. In and of itself, material things are not wrong or evil when we’re mindful of how God would direct us to use them for His purpose. However, when we pursue them out of balance, the “helping hand” heartbeat begins to weaken and wither away ... how exciting to see that this is NOT THE CASE in the Woodmen family! We can emulate the pattern of all those at Woodmen Heights who are part of the Oholendt’s class. For this purpose, WVC has a number of projects where you can engage and connect in meaningful ways to touch the needs of our community. In doing so we open the door to share with them the wonderful news that God cares, that there is an eternity, and that Jesus is “… the way, the truth, and the life” ( John 14:6). Check out our website (woodmenvalley.org) for more information and may you be encouraged to be an active part of the Woodmen family! l e d o M t n e m t s e v n I n a o t n I e s p m i l AG An investment hierarchy worth exploring has the following categories, presented in order of priority: Here’s a 411 that shouldn’t surprise any of us—we’re in a period of unusual economic turmoil. However, even as our generation experiences this time, God reminds us that there is “… nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new?’ Already it has existed for ages which were before us.” (Ecclesiastes 1: 9b-10) With that in mind, we might actually be able to focus on a learning thread woven in most all stories in the Bible—to be reminded that God is interested in our character rather than our comfort. He challenges us to evaluate our priorities in light of eternity, and to change our lifestyle where needed. Stewardship in light of eternity involves, among other things, how we choose to invest the resources that God has given us to manage for a season of time. There are a number of great models to use in evaluating our thinking in this area, including Faith Based Family Finances by Ron Blue and Jeremy White (2008), published by Focus on the Family. 22 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM 1. Eliminate all high interest and short-term debt. a.Credit card b. Consumer debt 2. Create an emergency fund for 3-6 months of living expenses. a.Start with one month of expenses set aside in savings 3. Save for major purchases. a.Cars b. Home c. Furniture 4. Diversify to meet long-term goals. a.Retirement b. College education c.Financial freedom d. Lifestyle changes 5. Invest in experienced, active risk-taking ventures. a.New business b. Venture capital c.Hedge funds d. Hard assets Challenge yourself in defining and exploring this investment hierarchy in light of Scripture! If you’d like to engage with others in this opportunity, Woodmen Valley offers a number of courses and curriculum to help. Call Crystal Cuellar at 719.388.4932 to check in and get more information. Foundations courses are designed to promote personal spiritual growth and development. Taught by Woodmen pastors and wellqualified members, Foundations courses seek to help participants grow in their knowledge of God, of His truth, and into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. A full schedule of Foundations courses are planned for the Fall 2009 semester. Visit woodmenvalley.org/foundations for more details as the Fall semester approaches. Unveiling World Religions with Dr. Bob Wenz • Sundays, June 7-August 2, 6-7:30 pm, RRWC 107 This eight-week course will remove the veil from world religions like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age, Animism, Jehovah’s Witness, and Mormonism. Dr. Wenz will contrast the truths found in the Bible with these world religions and seek to strengthen the believer’s understanding of the primary religions practiced in the 21st century. The cost for each Foundations course is only $10 per person. Visit woodmenvalley.org/foundations to register. single adults “I have made wonderful friends in MOSAIC and I count each a blessing.” “MOSAIC is filled with singles from all walks of life; some divorced, some widowed and others who have never been married. When I became a part of MOSAIC, it was a huge blessing at a time when my life felt as though it had been turned upside down and inside out. The people at MOSAIC care about and support each other. It means so much to be a part of a community which focuses on friendship and fellowship, but more importantly, personal and spiritual growth. I have made wonderful friends in MOSAIC and I count each a blessing.” Heidi Why We Do Events... Friday June 5, 7 pm We provide numerous opportunities to help single adults (30+) get connected in the MOSAIC community regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. Our hope is that when you visit one of our events or activities you’ll experience authenticity and develop a genuine sense of belonging and friendship. Our desire is to see you become part of our community and begin to grow in your relationship with God and others by exploring, discovering, and developing your God given abilities, and then making a difference in your local community and beyond! MOSAIC Sunday Mornings, 9 am Rockrimmon Community Center Gym Join us every Sunday morning to connect with other singles for interaction, teaching, discussion and fun! MOSAIC First Thursday, May 7, 7 pm Rockrimmon Stone Chapel Connect with God and other single adults as we join worship leader Jeff Morrison and Band for scripture readings, prayer and contemplation. Childcare is available for birth-11 years old, with 48 hours notice, by calling 719.388.5002. MOSAIC First Thursday, June 4, 7 pm Rockrimmon Stone Chapel You’re invited to join other single adults for the viewing and dialogue of the documentary film “Dear Francis.” “Lance and Kelly, two Texan college students with high ideals, great hopes, and a bit of naïveté, embark on a most unconventional AIDS prevention campaign to Swaziland. As they attempt to get through to their students, they quickly realize that the cause of this plague runs deeper than a mere virus. Dear Francis confronts audiences with the stark reality of the AIDS pandemic.” Childcare is available for birth-11 years old, with 48 hours notice, by calling 719.388.5002. 24 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM SWAZILAND SOCK-HOP Woodmen Heights $15 at the door Fun and dancing with a purpose! Join us for a whole lot of fun to raise awareness and funds for a playground for orphans in Big Bend, Swaziland. As one of the poorest countries in the world, Swaziland is the most impacted by HIV/AIDS, and as a result of this pandemic, is home to more orphans than in any other country! Woodmen is committed to offering long-term practical help to these countless orphans at Big Bend. (WVC’s Student Ministries has already raised funds for an 800 meter fence, kitchen, latrine, garden, water system and electricity.) Join us as we strive to make a real difference in the lives of those who desperately need the touch of God’s loving hand! .com themosaicsingles A.C.T.S. The Community Impact: A.C.T.S. Ministry is pleased to share information about two of our programs dedicated to showing God’s love to people who are in challenging situations. Embrace Ministry A.C.T.S. is launching the Embrace Ministry, a new team that partners with Express Inn, located at Cimarron and 8th Streets in Colorado Springs. Express Inn is owned by a family who is providing 175 rooms to help people experiencing housing issues. The Inn has an intake counselor who helps those facing severe economic hardship qualify for financial assistance packages including Housing Authority, SSI and veterans programs. Currently, there are 300 people living in this hotel, including 60 children. The residents are comprised of veterans, individuals with disabilities, single parents, and people facing unemployment and low-income situations. The immediate needs are food that can be prepared in a microwave, fresh fruit and summer clothing. Serving Opportunities Include: Food Team: Organizing all aspects of the food pantry. Clothing Team: Coordinating the clothes store located at the motel. Children’s Programs Team: These volunteers will conduct fun summer programs and arrange for a variety of field trips for the children who live at the Inn. They will also provide an after school program in the fall of 2009. Holiday Events and Birthday Team: Planning fun holiday events and organizing a once-a-month birthday party for residents having a birthday within that month. Hairdresser Team: Providing free haircuts to the residents on a regular basis. Support Team: Dedicated to providing all of the necessary support functions for Embrace Ministry. This is also the team that will identify ongoing needs of the residents of the Express Inn and create new programs to meet these needs. Medical Team: These folks will help with preventive care and nutrition counseling. We are also going to partner with a faith based healthcare organization to provide care. Spiritual Growth Team: Members of this team will provide worship services, Bible studies and personal mentoring for residents of the Express Inn. To donate items or sign up for teams, please visit woodmenvalley.org/embrace. Congregational Care We are excited to be caring for our Woodmen Valley Chapel congregation by offering yard clean-up to individuals and families who are physically challenged, military families with a deployed parent, grandparents raising a grandchild, foster care families, seniors unable to perform tasks and single parents. Yard clean-up consists of mowing, weeding, pruning, raking and planting flowers. All work will take place during the A.C.T.S. Congregational Care Day on Saturday, May 9. If you would like to help serve our congregation, go to woodmenvalley.org/actsevents. WOODMENJOURNAL.COM | 25 Children s n e ’ l Chi dr r s Minist ie It goes without saying that children are a unique lot. They think, look and act quite differently one from another. Less apparent, though, is that the same can be said of Children’s Ministries. Our KidsCove ministry varies from our Rockrimmon Campus to our Woodmen Heights Campus. For example, Woodmen Heights has, for some folks, a more intimate feel than Rockrimmon. The Atrium is like the town square where everyone and everything meets at Woodmen Heights, giving the area a hometown church feel. New families come in and are immediately greeted by friendly faces at the door. Our Children’s Ministries Welcome Desk is right in the midst of it all, helping parents check in their kids. Our greeters take parents through the registration steps and escort families to the rooms where their kids will spend a fun hour-and-a-half, laughing, learning and hearing about God. Close by is the Coffee Bar which serves pizza on Saturday night and donuts on Sunday morning. The church family gathers around after services for food and friendship, giving us all a sense of “roots” and belonging. Many happy memories are made for the kids and adults alike, at these gatherings. Woodmen Heights also boasts smaller class sizes. If your child needs more one-on-one attention, Woodmen Heights may be a great option for you. Since families tend to come to the same service time each week, it makes it easier for kids to make friends. While both our campuses allow for kids to meet and get to know other kids their age, Woodmen Heights may be a great choice if your child struggles in a larger setting. The Top five reasons we ‘LOVE’ the children’s modulars at Woodmen Heights! 5. Every parent gets to walk by the donut/pizza table as they hurry their kids to the modulars, eliciting the ever ready, “Mom, can I have one?!” 4. Dodging tumbleweed as you take your child to Sunday school counts as your daily aerobic work out. 3. Kids can be as loud as they want. And they are, because they have their very own building! 2. Kid-sized bathrooms mean an unexpected thrill for adults as they fall that extra four inches before hitting the seat! And the Number One Reason We love the modulars… 1. Parents get to know each other on very friendly terms as they negotiate the small hallways, sometimes even getting an accidental hug while trying to get through the ruckus! Plan Your Summer! Register for all events online at woodmenvalley.org/kidscove Preschool Summer Spectacular: June 11 9:30 am–11:30 am both campuses Vacation Bible School: June 22-26 9 am–noon, both campuses Preschool Summer Spectacular: July 7 9:30–11:30 am, both campuses Fingerprints of God - Kids Creative Camp: July 13-17 8 am–noon, Rockrimmon Campus 26 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM Upcoming Events for Families Baby Dedication Class: Sunday, May 3 Rockrimmon Campus Adoption & Foster Care Connection: Thursday, May 7, Rockrimmon Campus Camp EKC: Saturday, May 9, Rockrimmon Campus. Families with special needs children enjoy a morning of games, fun and partnership with others who are walking the same path. Baby Dedication Day: Sunday, May 10, both campuses Spring “Survival” Camp for 4th & 5th Graders: May 15-17, Camp Elim in Woodland Park. Kids spend a fun-filled weekend learning nature and spiritual survival skills. Register online. (Limited to 100 campers.) Check out our website at woodmenvalley.org/kidscove for more details. Children’s Ministries and Sports & Rec have teamed up to offer a summer full of exciting camps and activities. From learning football and soccer from the pros to exploring how God created us all to have an artistic avenue, there is something for everyone. To find out more about everything going on this summer, visit woodmenvalley.org. 2009 Summer Camps for Kids 2009 Youth Sports Camps Creative Me! Preschool Summer Spectacular “One Jump Ahead” Jump Rope Camp June 11 • Free Kids should wear their play clothes and join us for some messy, fun art projects. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 22-26 • 9 am–noon • Free • $5 t-shirt (optional) Kids entering kindergarten through 5th grade Rockrimmon and Woodmen Heights Campuses In “Wildwood Forest,” kids will discover that God’s character goes beyond their imagination and can be revealed in exciting, unexpected ways. Teddy Bear Picnic July 7 Ages 2 through 4 Rockrimmon and Woodmen Heights Campuses Kids bring their teddy bear and favorite adult and spend the morning with us, ending with a real picnic! Babysitting Basics June 8 – RR campus • June 9 – WH campus July 9 – RR campus • July 10 – WH campus 9 am–3 pm • $25 (lunch included) Students 11 years and older are encouraged to learn good babysitting practices. This six-hour session is taught by a registered nurse and will cover basic childcare, growth, development and safety issues. Each participant who completes the class will receive a certificate. Fingerprints of God Kids Creative Camp July 13-17 • 9 am–noon • $50 Kids entering 1st through 5th grade Rockrimmon Campus Kids will explore how God has created them to have an artistic avenue in which they can declare His Glory. June 1-4 • 9 am–1:30 pm • $25 Age 7-16 • Rockrimmon Campus Join in the fastest growing sport in the country. Campers will learn Double Dutch, single rope and speed rope techniques, as well as how to develop a jump routine using dance and music. Jump rope is recognized as one of the best ways to stay fit and strong. Basketball Camp June 8-11 • 9 am–noon • $65 Ages 7-14 • Woodmen Heights Campus Learn the basics of basketball. Players will be coached according to their age and skill levels. Character development on and off the court will be taught along with daily devotionals. All skill levels are welcome. Soccer Camp July 6-10 • 9 am–noon • $125 Ages 7-13 • St. Mary’s Grace Center Stadium Learn the skills needed to succeed on and off the field. Coach Lou Sagastume and a staff of Division One Soccer coaches make this the best coached camp in the Pikes Peak area. Players will learn ball handling and team concepts. Pro Football Camp July 14-17 • 8 am–noon • $199 Ages 7-14 • UCCS Stadium Learn from the Pros! This camp brings in professional football players to teach your child. Local coaches assist the pros to give your player the best instruction possible. Included in the camp is a “Meet the Pros” night and testimonies from the pros at the Mr. Biggs Events Center. Advanced Basketball Skills Camp July 27-30 • 8:30–11:30 am • $65 Ages 9-14 • Rockrimmon Campus This camp will focus on advanced offense and defense skills, as well as ball handling. upcoming events May 2-9 Men’s Service Project May 2, 9 am-noon, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Bring your kids (age 14 and older) and your work gloves and be a part of a great day of service to the community, working on various projects to assist the animals and staff at the Zoo. For info, visit woodmenvalley.org/actsevents. ARTalk Meeting May 2, 10-11:30 am, Fireplace Lobby RRWC Criticism...An Artist’s Friend or Foe? Sponsored by imagoDei. Visit woodmenvalley.org/imagodei for more info. Discovery Class May 3, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, RRWC, Rm 107 What is Woodmen all about? How do I join this church? Discovery is a four-hour class designed to help you answer these questions and is a prerequisite for membership at Woodmen. To register, contact Kelly at 719.388.4977 or visit woodmenvalley.org/discovery. Baby Dedication Class May 3, 9-9:45 am, RR Noah’s Ark, Rm 206 Learn what’s involved to dedicate your baby this summer. For more info, contact Karen Rudicil at 388-4954 or [email protected]. FUSION (High School) May 3, 5:30-7:30 pm, Both Campuses Visit woodmenyouth.com. AWANA Awards Ceremony (RR) May 6, 6-8 pm, RR Stone Chapel Join us to celebrate our Cubbies! Visit woodmenvalley.org/awana. MOSAIC 1st Thursdays May 7, 7-8:30 pm, RR Stone Chapel Join Jeff Morrison and Band for a night of worship, scripture reading and contemplation. Childcare is available (birth-11 years), with 48-hours notice, by calling 719.388.5002. GriefShare Support Group May 7-July 30, 7-8:30 pm, RRWC, Rm 107 GriefShare is a grief support group comprised of people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. For more info, contact Lana Rockwell at [email protected] or 719-388-4972. National Day of Prayer May 7, 7 pm, New Life Church Join fellow believers from around our city to seek God and pray for our nation. For more information, visit newlifechurch.org. 28 | WOODMENJOURNAL.COM A.C.T.S. Congregational Care Day May 9, 8:30 am-1 pm, Both Campuses Yard clean-up (mowing, weeding, pruning, raking and planting flowers) for individuals and families in our congregation who are physically challenged, military families with a deployed parent, grandparents raising a grandchild, widows and widowers, foster care families, seniors unable to perform tasks and single parents. Visit woodmenvalley.org/actsevents. May 10-16 FUSION (High School) May 10, 5:30-7:30 pm, Small Groups Visit woodmenyouth.com. Still Waters for Her May 12, 7-8:30 pm, RR Gymnasium Shannon Wexelberg, songwriter and worship leader, will be sharing some of her journey with us and lead us in worship. Childcare is available (birth-11 years), with 48-hours notice, by calling 719.388.5002. AWANA Awards Ceremony (RR) May 13, 6-8 pm, RR Worship Center Celebrate Sparks, T&T, Trek and Journey Clubbers! Visit woodmenvalley.org/awana. AWANA Awards Ceremony (WH) May 13, 6-8 pm, WH Auditorium Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our Clubbers! Visit woodmenvalley.org/awana. May 17-23 FUSION Sneak Peek for 8th Graders May 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Both Campuses Start the evening at SouledOut, then go to FUSION to get a “sneak peek” as a high school student! Visit woodmenyouth.com. FUSION (High School) May 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Both Campuses Visit woodmenyouth.com. Legacy Friday Night Out May 22, 6:30 pm, WH Campus Avocation Fair featuring Andy Bromley “unplugged.” BBQ dinner, $5/person. Visit woodmenvalley.org/legacy. Men’s Breakfast May 23, 8-10 am, WH Auditorium Former Pastor Dave Cox will share about mistakes, hardships and grace. For details, visit woodmenvalley.org/men. May 24-31 FUSION (High School) May 24, 5:30-7:30 pm, Small Groups Visit woodmenyouth.com. Children’s Ministry Partner Picnic May 31, 3-5 pm, Memorial Park Join us at Memorial Park in the pavilions for food, drinks, old-fashioned relays and games. For more info, contact Kristin Wood at 719.388.4949 or [email protected] FUSION (High School) May 31, 5:30-7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Come kick off the summer with us! Visit woodmenyouth.com. RECURRING weekly EVENTS Same time/same place every week SouledOut (Middle School) Sundays, 5:30-7:30 pm, Both Campuses Visit woodmenyouth.com. Recreational Open Gyms Mondays, 7-10 pm, RR Gym Visit woodmenvalley.org/sports. His Compassionate Hands Mondays, 6:30-8 pm, WH Colorado Rm Wednesdays, 9:30-11 am, RRWC, Rm 111 For more info, call 719.388.4904. SouledOut 360 Small Groups Thursdays, 7-8:15 pm, Both Campuses Visit woodmenyouth.com. Overcomers Outreach Saturdays, 5-6 pm, RR Prayer Chapel Contact Lon Adams at [email protected]. Children’s Choir Saturdays, 6-7:15 pm, RRCC, Rm 117/118 Contact Roann Keen at [email protected]. Weekly Events Calendar For a quick look at weekly events happening at Woodmen, visit woodmenvalley.org/thisweek. woodmenvalley.org One page of a magazine can’t begin to show you all that’s happening! For an in-depth look into the life of Woodmen Valley Chapel, be sure to visit our website at woodmenvalley.org. RR=Rockrimmon Campus • WH=Woodmen Heights Campus RRWC=Rockrimmon Worship Center • RRCC=Rockrimmon Community Center SERVICE TIMES Saturdays 6 pm Sundays 8:45 & 11 am Rockrimmon Community Woodmen Heights Community CONTACT US Phone Fax Email 719.388.5000 719.592.9305 [email protected] Identical services at both locations Children and youth programs for birth through 12th grade Check us out online at woodmenvalley.or g. ONE CHURCH, MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Rockrimmon Community 290 E. Woodmen Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Woodmen Heights Community 8292 Woodmen Valley View, Colorado Springs, CO 80908