A Weekend Full of Fall Festivities at Walnut Creek Downtown and South

Walnut Creek Downtown and South both hosted Party in the Parking Lot events this past weekend.
Photos courtesy of Sarah Johnson

With summer almost over, Walnut Creek Church is in full swing for the fall. This past weekend both Walnut Creek Downtown and South hosted events to kick off the season and celebrate the beginning of our new church-wide series, "Set Free". This weekend marked the first message in the new series through the Book of Exodus.

Walnut Creek South hosted Party in the Parking Lot Saturday evening before the 6pm service with kids activities, inflatables, free food, and games. Many new people came to church making this weekend the highest attendance for a South service ever. The party continued after the service with free root beer floats.

Inflatables, face painting, and other kids activities created a family-friendly environment.

On the other side of Des Moines, the East Village was abuzz between the World Food Festival and Walnut Creek Downtown's two weekend events.

After the Saturday evening services, a large screen was set up outside for tailgating–church style. While watching the big game, people could enjoy free pizza and outdoor activities. Numerous passersby from the World Food Festival stopped in to watch the game, too. The Downtown location will host tailgating after Saturday services this weekend as well.

The festivities continued Downtown on Sunday with Party in the Parking Lot. The warm September weather provided ample sunshine for the afternoon barbecue, which began following the 10 a.m. service. Families from Downtown Saturday services joined the party as well, welcoming many new couples and families from the Des Moines community.

Keep track of all Walnut Creek's fall events through our online calendar. You can also follow along with the "Set Free" series through our mobile app or online.

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By Jackie Wallentin 

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

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