Open House @ the Church!

 The day finally arrived!  The day we'd been anticipating!  The day our evangelism committee had laboured over, planning from scratch, attending to details, designating responsibilities, shopping for supplies, setting up, - really, just putting their heart and soul into this event.  Their desire was not just to give our church folk a fun afternoon together, but to draw some people from the community - people who need the Lord but may never be drawn to a church for the sake of worship.  So, they wondered how we could draw these people in, get to know them a little, perhaps plant a seed or more, and give the Spirit fodder to work with in their hearts?  Well, we've recently expanded our building, surely putting on a show for the whole neighbourhood as the work progressed.........so why not monopolize on their curiosity and invite them to see what we've done?  Great idea!

 And to make the event celebratory and fun, as well as informative and God-directed, the committee set up a number of different stations in our new foyer.  There was the cotton candy machine in the corner run by our young peoples group.......and me.......b/c I just couldn't leave it alone.  I mean, how fun is that?!!!

 There was a poster board of pictures of the work in progress.

 A welcome table right inside the doors.  The table featured our church's card, our brochure, outlining our statement of faith and what we believe as a church, some sermon CDs, and some books.

The sanctuary had a projector set up to play clips from Christianity Explored, where anyone could sit for a few minutes, or more, and watch.

 A beverage table, offering pop, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

 A Sunday School corner, with colouring pages and special pencils/erasers and the material used on display.

 More cotton candy :)

 A Cadets table, showing off some of the work they've done, as well as a do-it-yourself kite that any visitor could do themselves.  A Kingdom Seekers table was also there, sporting examples of their crafts over the years.

 Volunteers braved the cooler temps (though we really had a gorgeous day, with some very welcome sunshine) and held up signs, while also waving around cotton candy to draw people in :)

 The Cadets (with their fearless leader basking in the glow of his prestigious position.......) manned to popcorn machine, while eating their fair share and handing way too many bags to Yvetta....

 And Luke was there.

 The Committee had burned a number of CDs with Rich's recent sermon on John 3 - a simple - and yet never simple - explanation of the gospel in all its beauty and comfort and conviction.

 And Rich was there.  Seems our family like the cotton candy.  I won't even begin to talk about how much of it Corin ate. And don't ask me.  I'm trying to forget.....

 We also had lots of time to chat as a church family, enjoying each other's company, laughing, talking, eating, discussing, praying, helping - all the things that bind our group together.

 And we had a decent number of people from the community come in those front doors (though that's just Betty and Shane......;) - not as many as we would have liked, perhaps, but we know that the Spirit moves whom He will and we now pray that the seed sowed will reap a harvest of joy in time!

 A coupla little cuties :)

 And here is another Luke, also trying to hide behind his cotton candy......but well know it's you, Luke :)

And my beautiful friend, Michelle - beautiful inside and out, as she takes a turn with the newest member of our congregation - Lyla :)  As ladies we tend to fight over new babies...... :)

I feel like the excitement of this event is lasting - spurring us to pray for our community, making us more aware that they're out there, all around us every Sunday as we gather to worship.  Surrounding our building are people who need what we have - they desperately need our Saviour, our love, our care, our sacrifice of time and convenience for them.  For Him.  For His glory!  May our church foyer now be filled to overflowing with people, like us, who once were lost but became found by His grace!  Lets pray this way - and be willing to work towards it, that His kingdom may come and His Name be lifted high here in Winnipeg.

Thanks, Evangelism Committee!