Spring 2015 Report

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On the Horizon A Pastor’s Dream I want my children to have a real, authentic faith that is not just head knowledge but is a heartfelt, handson-faith. I believe faith is built on experiences shared through relationships, and I have a dream of taking a small team to Mexico—to a place called Anapra. I’m excited about individuals and This once dump is now a community built on the families finding healing and trash of surrounding towns. The faith forged through relationships makes it one of the most wholeness as disciples of Christ. My beautiful places I have ever seen. Antonio, who has hope for us is that as disciples we become a dear friend of mine, is a pastor in Anapra would gain the relationship and who started a school out of a desire to teach people to read the Bible. This school has since become a understanding to be proactive in our place where people find hope and grow in faith faith—to have a strong faith. through relationships. I think Antonio and the community of Anapra have something to teach us -Pastor Kevin Koske about faith. And so I want to bring a group who will begin to pave the way for more opportunities to minister and serve in a missionary type setting. We need people who can share this experience with the rest of us. Together we can gain a different perspective on our faith. By bringing that perspective back with us, we can offer hope to our community. I am asking you to pause, to take the time to prayerfully reflect and ask God if you are to join me?

WE ARE THE CHURCH WHERE HOPE IS FOUND




Instead of giving guests a gift like a mug or a book, we ask them to help us do some good in the community by choosing an organization for Church in the Mall to make a donation to in their name. In the last three months, Church in the Mall has made 10 financial gifts in these guests’ honor to organizations such as the Food Pantry Network and New Life Baby Pantry.

Concert & Fireworks July 2 @6:30pm Over the centuries, Americans have celebrated their independence with fireworks and loud music. .. .and this year is no different. Church in the Mall will be partnering with our good friends God’s Dirt and Flee (local bands) to host a free concert in our own backyard—our back parking lot on July 2 at 6:30pm. The mall parking lot is one of the best places to watch the City of Heath Fireworks. This free concert will kickoff before the fireworks—so mark your calendars and look for more information as this fun event comes together! 1

May 2015

Sharing Hope Need Some Take Some, Have Some Leave Some The Need Some Take Some cart is getting great use supplying people in our community with food. Each Sunday people from the Church in the Mall community bring their donated food and toiletries and by Saturday much of it has made its way into the hands of those who need it most. We’ve even been able to share with others in our community. During a recent Red Cross Blood Drive, we were able to help a woman who recently lost her job with some groceries from the cart. Regularly an older gentlemen with special needs stops in to take a few items as he needs. It’s especially encouraging to see those who have taken food return weeks later with something to give back. It’s amazing to see how a ministry began from a few individuals willing to take a risk and bring in items to share! This food ministry has become a point of hope for many in and outside our church family.

Sharing CITM with Our Neighbors Did you know that Church in the Mall often opens its doors to the mall tenants for trainings and meetings— it’s a simple way to share hope with our neighbors. Recently at a retail manager meeting, we discovered that Church in the Mall is the only church in all the malls owned by Glimcher Realty. While we are not the only the church in the mall in the world, in our sphere of influence we are unique. Both the general manager of Indian Mound Mall and the manager of Spencer’s shared how proud they are of the work we do and how they enjoy supporting us in return. It is encouraging to know we do make a difference, that we are indeed sharing hope!

SAVING SOLES WITH MAC N CHEESE

In April, we collected 69 pairs of shoes and more than 22 pounds of mac n cheese for the New Life Baby Pantry in Hebron. Many of their clients rely on free lunch programs at schools but during the summer months many of these kids are left hungry. The Pantry tries to fill their hungry bellies by providing mac n cheese. You can help by bringing in mac n cheese. We are also collecting gently used older boy clothes (ages 5-11) for the month of May.

During the winter months, the women of Church in the Mall gathered to tie blankets and knit baby hats. More than 30 blankets, 35 hats, and 15 tag blankets were delivered to the New Life Baby Pantry in Hebron. 2

May 2015

Where Hope Is Found Easter 2015 Church in the Mall is the church where hope is found! On Easter Sunday, 177 of us gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Greeters dragged chairs from every nook and cranny and people made room for one another so that we could worship as a community. It is a joy to belong to a church family and to worship together as the body of Christ and reflect on the reckless tenderness of God’s love—how He abandons caution to make a way for us to come home.

God Loves Creativity A group of creative individuals, transformed the front room display from a darkly lit cross to a celebration of spring and new life—The Resurrection and Reason for our Hope. These creative compositions draw a crowd as mall walkers, shoppers, employees, and the community of Church in the Mall reflect on the glory of God portrayed through art. People stop to view the changing scenery of the front room and remark not only on the beauty and creativity but how it inspires them and gives them a reason to pause and reflect. When we opened Church in the Mall 2 to our kids and youth last fall, the front room, which had been a children’s classroom, needed new purpose. How amazing to see how this space has become a way for us to share the creativity and beauty of God with the greater community.

Ash Wednesday: February 18, 2015 This Lenten season Church in the Mall celebrated its first Ash Wednesday service. In spite of the cold, a faithful gathering marked the beginning of Lent with music, a message, and the marking of ashes. The ashes symbolize repentance.

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May 2015

By the Numbers Finances Expenses

Total To Date

Percentage Details of Expenses

Mission Loving Others

$10,688.21

23.1% Benevolence, Outreach events, Red Cross Blood Drives, supporting local community organizations

Discipleship Growing in Love

$10,857.17

23.4% Small Groups, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Training

Worship Loving God

$15,946.70

34.4% Sunday Worship, Easter Services, Baptism, Communion, Music

Facilities A home base to do . . . ✤ Mission ✤ Discipleship ✤ Worship

$8,874.36

Totals

$46,366.43

Income

$47,476.59

Baptisms, Membership, & Attendance

January

100%

Total to Date

Tithes & Offerings

Month

19.1% Rent, Utilities, Insurance, Maintenance

Baptisms

Members

Average Sunday Attendance

2

1

103

February

76

March

88

April

1

1

128

2015

3

2

98

as of April 30, 2015

EVERYONE DESERVES A CHURCH HOME People come to know the Christ of the community because they come to know the community of Christ. Thank you for making Church in the Mall the church community where hope is found. The ministry of Church in the Mall only happens through your tithes and offerings. Your faithful giving ensures not only continued ministry but also the empowerment to do more for God’s kingdom in our community and beyond! We honor your gifts with faithful stewardship and accountability demonstrating financial integrity in what we do. 4