Church,

We are canceling community groups this week and funneling people towards one of two house church worship nights. Choose whatever house church works best for your schedule and sign-up!

URGENT NEED: We need childcare for the Kerr House Church on Wednesday night. If you can provide this help, send Cole a message at 641-430-5343!

HOW TO MAXIMIZE HOUSE CHURCH

The intimate worship environment of house church is a safe place for our church’s spirituality to flourish (and spill over into Sundays and every day). Because of the unique setting of a small group of people worshiping in a living room, it gives every person the opportunity to bring their spiritual gifts to the table, whatever they might be. Consider how Paul described the gatherings of the Corinthian church: “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1 Corinthians 14).

One of the main reasons we chose THIS week for House Church was to fight against the summer slide (that temptation to “slide” in the summer on the spiritual disciplines and practices). So I think it would be really, really helpful for our church members to come prepared to pray for:

  • A renewed passion for Jesus

  • An increased joy in Jesus

  • A willing spirit to fight for deep worship

  • A church-wide spirit to war against apathy

  • 100 more years of joy in Des Moines as a church

Ultimately, FREEDOM in Spirit is the key. If God nudges you to pray aloud, feel freedom. If God nudges you to prophecy, feel freedom. If God nudges you to quietly reflect, feel freedom. If God nudges you to journal during house church, feel freedom. If God nudges you to offer a prophetic word to the church, feel freedom. If God nudges you to offer a word of encouragement to the church, feel freedom.

I think Monday & Wednesday will be special. Sign-up below if you haven’t already:

HARBAUGH HOUSE CHURCH

Monday Night, 6:00pm, 200 Main Street SE, Bondurant, IA 50035.

Food: Potluck style! The Harbaughs will be providing smoked Pork Shoulder. Bring another main dish or side.

Notes from the Harbaughs: There will be no childcare, but children can participate with the house church night and there is a large fenced in yard and a park across the street!

SIGN-UP HERE.

KERR HOUSE CHURCH

Wednesday night, 6:00pm, 770 Indian Ridge Dr., Waukee, IA 50263

Food: Pizza! Bring $5 to eat some pizza or let them know you won’t be eating pizza in the sign-up.

Notes from the Kerrs: “We might have House Church outside if the weather is good. The kids need to get some sleep for school the next day, so we will have a hard 8:30pm end time.”

SIGN-UP HERE.

YOU SHOULD DO IT

After House Church during Pentecost, I sent a survey out to our church members to see what their experience with House Church was like. Take a look at a few of the cool things our people experienced:

“The Spirit is so unifying and evident when we gather as a family. Coming off of house worship night , I felt encouraged and alive.”

“God showed me his joy in communing with other church members in another fresh way. I came after a long day of work and God refreshed my heart through the encouragement of others and the singing to remember that king Jesus is in control and has slotted each and every day to me as He seems it should be.”

“God showed me that I belong to this church family.”

“[I spent house church night] seeking out and confessing with other moms who are struggling too. Praying with and for them. Praying with others when I feel the spirits prompting, not passing up the opportunity.”

"I felt so connected to my brothers and sisters. Sometimes I look back when I was a kid and I can remember feeling at home, feeling absolute comfort, like my breathing isn’t constricted. And then for a long time I couldn’t feel that. It felt like I was holding my breath, like I couldn’t relax, just didn’t feel at home anywhere…. But the first time I felt back at home around other people was at the worship nights.”