Busy Weekend at Walnut Creek South

Walnut Creek South welcomed many new visitors and families during Party in the Parking Lot on Saturday, an event to begin the fall season and bless the Southside community. 

On Saturday, Walnut Creek South hosted Party in the Parking Lot as an opportunity to invite the Southside community to an afternoon of free fun. The event also fell on the same weekend as "National Back to Church Sunday," which presented an opportunity to invite people to come to church that same evening.

Highlights of the afternoon included free face painting, cotton candy, and Hickory Park barbecue for lunch. Drivers could see the crowd and castle bounce house from down Army Post Road, bringing in many visitors and families. Walnut Creek South members welcomed new friends, played games with kids, and worked hard to create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

"We passed out over 1,500 door hangers in the surrounding neighborhoods to promote the event," said Pastor Jon Schreiner of Walnut Creek South. "Many people said they wanted to come back to church with us some time."

Party in the Parking Lot helped Walnut Creek South members begin new relationships as they try to make themselves known in the community and lead people to Christ.

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By Tyler Johnson 

Walnut Creek South 

Party in the Parking Lot Welcomes Windsor Heights Community

Following the Sunday services at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights, Party in the Parking Lot kicked off outside.

Walnut Creek Church Windsor Heights hosted Party in the Parking Lot on Sunday to celebrate the beginning of fall and the new series, "Revealed: The Image of the Invisible God," through the book of Colossians. Sunday morning marked the first message in the new 17-week series.

Over 200 people enjoyed the sunny afternoon of free food, games, inflatables, and kids activities. Windsor Heights members were able to meet and welcome many new couples and families. Earlier in the week, Community Groups passed out hundreds of fliers in the surrounding neighborhoods to invite people to the event and church.

"Party in the Parking Lot is a positive way to open up to the community. The event gave people a chance to have a good time, see the body of our church at work, and hopefully meet people and have good conversations," said Lauren Jacobs of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights. "I think it went well, and I know God will use it!"

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By Jackie Wallentin

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

Movies in the Village Offers a Fun Evening for All Ages

Following dinner and games, families settle in to enjoy the double-feature.

Friday evening’s cool 50-degree weather didn't keep people away from Movies in the Village, an outdoor movie night at Walnut Creek Downtown double-featuring The Lego Movie and Remember the Titans.

The evening also offered a free dinner, popcorn, cotton candy, and activities for kids – including a bounce house. At dusk, as The Lego Movie appeared on the big screen attached to the church building, families cozied up next to heaters and under blankets to enjoy the show. Following The Lego Movie, late-nighters had the opportunity to stay for Remember the Titans.

“It’s a great way to get the community involved,” said Mackenzie Burke of Walnut Creek Downtown. “I enjoy seeing friends and meeting new people. It’s a fun way to spend a Friday night.”

Allie Crummy, also of Walnut Creek Downtown, added, “It’s nice way for all the services from Saturday night and Sunday morning to do something together.”

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By Tim Laehn 

Walnut Creek Downtown

"Revealed: Image of the Invisible God" Message Series Begins this Weekend

A new message series – “Revealed: The Image of the Invisible God” – begins at Walnut Creek’s Downtown, South, and Windsor Heights congregations this weekend. The 17-week series through the book of Colossians will continue through the beginning of January.

One of the series’ primary passages is Colossians 1:15-20, which describes the authority of Jesus and how He is the image of the invisible God. Over the course of the next 17 weeks, we will take an in-depth look at who Jesus is and how He can and will transform our lives. Free study guides for the series will be available at these locations within the next few weeks. You can also follow the message series through our mobile app or online.

Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by Him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through  Him and for Him.

He is before all things,
and by Him all things hold together.
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.

For God was pleased to have
all His fullness dwell in Him,
and through Him to reconcile
everything to Himself
by making peace
through the blood of His cross—
whether things on earth or things in heaven.