Newsletter - September 6, 2009

Denver First Church September 6, 2009

keeping in touch...

DFC Ministerial Staff Stephen Abbott Young Adult & Family Pastor

Rich Cantwell Business Administrator

Bud Curry Hospital Chaplain

Tina Hayhurst Student Ministries Pastor

Bob Huffaker Interim Pastor

Scott Nauman Pastor of Worship & Arts

Jerry Nelson Minister of Instrumental Music

Randy Smith Christian Education Pastor

Marvin Suyen West Campus Pastor

DFC Church Board John Bruneau Bob Cheney Curtis Clay Glenn Domokos Troy Edwards Vini Giannatala Bryant Jaggers Judy Jones Gregg Moran Gene Rakes Bud Roe Kathy Tate Jim Webb Ron Williams Bonnie York

Denver First Church 3800 E. Hampden Avenue Englewood, CO 80113 303/761-8370 www.DenverFirstChurch.com

Table of Contents 1. Women of the Word 2. news update

congregation…

i. important info…

v. how you can help…

ii.“kotchadoingood...”

vi.a final word...

iii. news from the board… iv. timely news for the

3. calendar of events: September 6-12

News Update Important info... Dear Family and Friends of DFC, Here are some comments heard this week by Pastor Bud (the original “Energizer Bunny,” whom we are blessed to have on our staff at DFC): “Wasn’t that message extraordinary!?!... “Jesus came to give us His peace, and He left His peace with us—that’s Good News!” Dr. Diehl’s message was distinctively focused on the power of peace. He stated that, in the Dark Night of the Soul, a person may not be aware of joy or of power, but the peace that Jesus gives is adequate for the moment’s need. The congregation of DFC was enriched and challenged by Dr. Diehl’s message. CD’s and DVD’s of the message are available through the DFC Bookstore. Join us this Sunday as Dr. Bob returns to the pulpit! Please take a moment to read several announcements listed below that will appear in Sunday’s Insight. If you are viewing these in the eblast, click on each for important details; if you are reading this in the hard copy, please refer to the Insight for important details regarding these upcoming events. No Evening Service

Membership Class

Baptism Class

IN Group Fall Color Trip

Caregivers Support Group

Singles Ladies Night Out

Women of the Word

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study

Women of Faith Conference

Singles Go To The Rockies Game

District Power Surge

Candy Collection

Celebration Choir & Orchestra

Tennyson Center Kids

Today’s publication will cover the following topics: “Kotchadoingood!”, News from the Board, Timely News for the Congregation and How You Can Help.

News Update “kotchadoingood!”

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This week we have a congregation-wide “kotchdoingood!” Thanks to everyone who contributed to the hygiene packs for Mission:Denver. We collected a total of 500 packs -- that is enough to cover August and September! Also, thanks so much to the volunteers who give of their time each month for this ministry. At the August Mission:Denver, we were able to feed 500 people! We truly appreciate the dedicated team of volunteers that makes this happen each month. Here is an excerpt of a letter received regarding the a variety of DFC’s ministries: “… I am writing this letter to you to say I am extremely grateful for the van ministry. Having a ride gives me the opportunity to get acquainted with others on the bus. I really enjoy attending the Grace Place Singles. Celebrate Recovery has made me a stronger person. Additionally, I have been able to enjoy the friendships God has provided. I am extremely pleased for the volunteers who give their time.” In Christian Love, Elaine Spence

News Update news from the Board... Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Isn't it amazing how quickly time passes? Schools are back in session, and the leaves are already starting to show a twinge of color change from green to those fiery colors of fall. Speaking of time passing, we are now just over one week from the September 13 delivery of Pastor Shawn's first message from the pulpit of DFC. Remember that he will be challenging us to get out and reach the lost with the Gospel. Coinciding with that challenge will be the launch of our "Plug In" emphasis, encouraging each of us to find our purpose within the Body of Christ. And don't forget to invite two people you haven't seen around DFC in awhile. If they have a heart to plug in and engage in the battle, we want them to join us! Keep in mind there are many other opportunities to reach out to our unsaved friends and make an eternity of difference in their lives. One such opportunity just around the corner (October 2, 7:00 p.m.) is the Casting Crowns concert with Matt Redman. Will the music be just your style? Will it be too loud? I can't answer those questions. I can only wonder what an impact it might have if we put our personal preferences aside and buy tickets for a couple of people to whom we are trying to reach. What if we ask the question of whether they might like the concert? If we reach out and invite them to dinner first and just sit and listen to what's going on in their lives and show we really care about them, might it be that easy to show the love of Jesus to them? Maybe I'm being too simplistic. But maybe I'm not. I know the tickets are costly and I'm certainly not trying to make anyone feel pressured to attend this event if you're struggling to make ends meet. But there are things each of us can do no matter how much, or little, we have in the way of financial means. It doesn't cost anything except our time to stop and listen to someone, to show a genuine interest in their life. It will be so exciting to be a part of a church that has the "window watchers" Pastor Shawn described at the Visalia church. You remember them, don't you? They're the people who had invited someone to church that week and were now standing at the windows of the church anticipating the arrival of their friends. We can provide as much Windex to the facilities staff as is required to clean the windows after we've put our prints on them longing for our friends to appear. Let's be that church! Serving Him Alongside of You, Vini Giannatala

News Update timely news for the congregation... Be sure to put the following events on your calendar for September: Sept 11

Youth Lock-In (outreach event)

Sept 11-12

Worship & Arts Retreat

Sept 13

Kickoff Sunday/Pastor Shawn/New Members

Sept 16

All programming begins

Sept 18

Senior Singers (Intro session) Divorce Care & DC4K

Sept 20

Baptism

Sept 26

Mission:Denver

Sept 27

Bake Out Sunday

Kickoff Sunday, September 13th -- Get Plugged In What does “getting plugged in” mean? Think of it as plugging a lamp into an electrical socket in your home. Before you plug the lamp in, it might be the most beautiful lamp you have ever seen, but there is no electricity running through it and it will not light up. Once you plug that lamp in, it is connected to the electricity in your home, it is lit up and helping you to not trip and fall in the dark. Getting plugged in at DFC has the same effect. You can feel the electricity and excitement of what is happening around you, you have a solid foundation and have people around you to keep you on your toes! There are so many things to do at DFC: Sunday School classes, volunteer opportunities, choir & orchestra, and that’s just to name a few. Come on Sunday, September 13th and find out where you want to be involved -- Get Plugged In! If you have friends that don’t have a church home, or friends who used to attend DFC, but haven’t been around in a while, be sure to invite them. It will be a great day. Pastor Shawn will be preaching, we will have fun activities for kids (including jumpies, facepainting, Vern’s trains and Josh, the magician), youth activities and ministry booths for adults to check out. And, don’t forget, a yummy lunch on the lawn and fellowship with friends. Our fall ministries will be starting the week of September 13-19. The Children’s Department, Youth Department and Women of the Word Bible Study will begin their fall curriculum, just to name a few. One of the new groups that will begin this fall is a new men’s group that will study Tender Warrior, by Stu Weber. Stephen Abbott will be leading this group on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 pm (Room 201).

News Update timely news for the congregation...

New College Sunday School Class We have been offering a new College Sunday School Class for the past month. It is led by Mike Christensen. All college student are welcome to attend this class. It is on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the Cry Room. String Along With Josh Josh Sihombing, our resident magician and DFC volunteer, is offering guitar lessons on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights - at no cost to you. If you would be interested in signing up for a lesson, please call the Youth Office at 303/806-2611 to schedule a time. Attention Highschoolers Are you are a highschooler (9th-12th grade) or do you know a highschooler that is thinking about college? Southern Nazarene University, Northwest Nazarene University, Mid America Nazarene University and Point Loma Nazarene University are offering preview dates for their campuses in 2010. If you are interested in joining a group from DFC for a tour, please contact the Youth Department at 303-761-8370 for more information. Casting Crowns/Matt Redman Concert October 2nd – Casting Crowns “Until the Whole World Hears Tour” will be at DFC at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale in the DFC Bookstore or at Mardels. Artist Circle: $50 (in advance) and General Admission: $30.00 (in advance). Women of Faith Conference Women of Faith conference will be September 25 & 26 at the Pepsi Center. Contact Elsie Ellison at 303/806-0248 to purchase tickets. The special musical guest will be Steven Curtis Chapman.

News Update timely news for the congregation... Fabulous Fall You know summer is a memory when you walk in to Starbucks and see that Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back on the menu. Flipping the family calendar to the month of September and seeing the days scheduled with fall activities is another clue that it is time to welcome a new season. At DFC, the fall will be filled with many opportunities designed to create a sense of belonging and to nurture our kids in their Christian walk. Sunday, September 6, 2009 is Preschool Promotion Sunday. All four year olds will move to their new Pre-Kindergarten class. All Pre-Kindergarteners will move to their new Kindergarten class. Letters have been sent to children who are transitioning from the two year old room to the three year old room. Likewise, letters have been sent to three year olds who are transitioning to the four year old room. The promotions for the twos, threes and fours are based on birthdays. Parents who would like more information about Promotion Sunday can stop by the Adventure Zone Welcome Desk on Sunday morning. Marilyn Anderson, our Preschool Director, will be there to assist you. Wednesday night activities for children in grades one through six will begin on September 16 at 6:30 PM. Bible Blast and Survival Training are on the horizon for these adventurous kids. Bible Blast is a fast paced, reward-based program that has a unique blend of Bible story reading and memory work especially designed for first through fourth graders. Survival Training is a six-week program for children in grades five and six. The boys will learn about map reading, food & water procurement, shelter, and starting a campfire safely. The girls will learn the art of cooking, baking, sewing, and etiquette. These life skills will be a piece of the greater goal which is to encourage our fifth and sixth graders as they grow towards becoming Christ centered men and women. On October 31, 2009, the Children’s Department will be hosting a “Trunk or Treat” event. This will be an opportunity for our entire church family to reach beyond our walls and enjoy fall fellowship with others. As the date nears, more details will be shared but for now, please start watching for candy sales. We will soon be collecting lots and lots of individually wrapped candy. God has blessed us with wonderful children who seek Him and ask “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for your are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25: 4 – 6 NIV Sincerely, Susan Foster

News Update how you can help... NazzCar The new “NazzCar” club is off and running at DFC. Members of the club took Randy Smith’s car and gave it a complete makeover. If you love your car and would like for it to have a complete detailing and look sparkling new, inside and out, including your engine, have we got a deal for you. As a fundraiser for their new club, NazzCar is offering to do a professional detailing (a $300 value) for just $150.00. All money raised will go to future service projects in which NazzCar will be involved. DFC Pantry Thanks to all who donated to the DFC Pantry. We are still in need of soup, oatmeal and pasta. With these items, we are able to help families in our community that are in need. Children’s Department The Children’s Department needs additional helpers for the morning of Sunday, September 13. They need 4 extra helpers to fill in the gap while the regularly scheduled workers are out of town or have other commitments. A Final Word Toward dusk in the 1890’s on the streets of Boston, a man could be seen carrying a long pole with a small flame at its end. He would advance from street lamp to street lamp, turning on the valve to open a small stream of gas, extend the flame to the top of the post, and ignite the gas. He was the Lamplighter. His job was to light the way for those who would follow. As Christians, our role is similar. Whether proceeding into a storm or approaching the calm of night, it’s our job to light the way with the Light of the Son so that those who follow will find The Way. May we be found faithful. Randy Smith

Calendar of Events September 6-12

Thursday, September 10:

Sunday, September 6: 8:30 am:

Youth Prayer Time

8:30 am:

MOPS (Fellowship Hall)

9:00 am:

Sunday School (all ages)

12:00 pm:

IN Group Board Meeting (Community Room)

7:00 pm:

Orchestra & Choir Rehearsal

Nursery & Preschool open 10:30 am:

Morning Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Friday, September 11:

Nursery available

5:00 pm:

1st - 4th Grade Children’s Church (GLA) 5th & 6th Grade DOGS Worship

Celebrate Recovery Sponsor Meeting (Cry Room)

6:00 pm:

Celebrate Recovery (Fellowship Hall)

Monday, September 7: Building Closed for Labor Day

W&A Retreat (Wellshire Inn) 7:00 pm:

Waves Lock-In

Tuesday, September 8:

Saturday, September 12:

7:00 am:

Men’s Bible Study (GL Conference Room)

7:00 am:

7:00 pm:

Prophesy Bible Study - Bereans (Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, September 9: 4:30 pm:

Hang Time in the Youth Café

5:30 pm:

Rock Band Practice

5:45 pm:

Youth Membership Class

6:30 pm:

Wednesday Night Prayer (Community Room) Choir Rehearsal Celebrate Recovery (Room 200, 202) Youth Worship Service (Rock Room) Membership Class (Room 201) MASH Men’s Bible Study (West Diehl Chapel)

Men at Prayer (Community Room) Ladies Prayer Walk (DFC Parking Lot)

8:00 am:

Waves Lock-In Ends W&A Retreat (DFC)