K-Group Photos (2.12.12)
Here are some pics from our latest K-Group gathering.
Here are some pics from our latest K-Group gathering.
This is a photo from our "Tacky Christmas" K-Group gathering on Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Turk's house. When I look at this picture, I can't help but smile—not because of Jesse's outfit or Nixon's (which were classic!), but because this group of folks didn't know each other not too long ago. Now, we gather to eat, study, share and pray together in the context of gospel community. I just love it, and am grateful. NOTE: For those of you not pictured, know that you were missed!
Typically, Tuesday (today) is one of my weekly "focus on the Sunday sermon" days. However, this week Creekstone is not having a Sunday morning service. So time for some golf, right?! For starters, I don't really play golf (because I don't like to cuss in public). I like to hike or run trails. Second, it's raining. Third, we are launching our K-Groups Sunday evening, and I am planning to take time to prepare a discussion guide that will prime the pump for what we hope these groups will be, which in my mind is something along the lines of Acts 2:42-47,
"42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
What if Creekstone were a worshipping community that was radically devoted to sound doctrine and to caring sacrificially for each other? What if we were a community where the power of God was manifest in ways that would only be explained by the miraculous presence of God? What if we were a community that was so alive to the wonder of God's grace in the gospel that we drew unbelievers in to the fellowship by the attractiveness of our joy? That would be a dream come true! But is it really possible? Absolutely.
It does not take a rocket scientist to understand the key to this kind of community. Essentially, the members of this early Christian community (1) believed the gospel with repentant faith and (2) were filled with the Holy Spirit (see verses 37-41 for context). Acts 2 teaches us that the kind of spiritual-community we long to experience cannot be created by a program or by principles. It must be the overflow of the Spirit Himself in the lives of grace-dependent people who are actively affirming the gospel motto, "Jesus is my righteousness." K-Groups can be gospel kindling, but the Spirit must set the fire.
In light of the potential for such a faith community, I want to invite you to sign up for a K-Group and be devoted to it. They meet twice a month, on the second and fourth Sunday nights of each month (Sept-Nov. and Jan-April) from 5:30-7:00 p.m. For more information and to sign up, go to this link on the Creekstone website. Also, be sure to email Andy Woznicki (ajwoznicki@gmail.com) with the group number you plan to attend (1, 2, 3, or 4).
As we have mentioned already, after much discussion and prayer, the staff team has decided to redesign our K-Groups (K is for koinonia, the Greek word for fellowship). Rather than base these groups on age and stage, we are going to encourage groups to gather geographically. This means that we likely will have groups representing the north, central, and south regions of our area, and maybe several of each where necessary. The plan is for these groups, beginning in September, to meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings of each month. With each having a host home in which to meet and at least two equipped facilitators, the structure of the gatherings will be loose and flexible, yet probably will include a time of connecting, discussing the morning's message, sharing needs and prayer. Our long range goal for these groups is that they will serve as churches within the larger church with pastor/elders overseeing the shepherding care for the folks in each K-Group Community and be the context where assimilation takes place naturally for new folks at Creekstone. Thinking that this new model will serve our community well, we plan to unveil more exciting details at our Vision Banquet following the service on Sunday, Aug. 21. We hope you will plan to be there!
Thanks to the Schermerhorn family for hosting a 30s/40s K-Group potluck gathering last Sunday. What a great time!
