Walnut Creek Highland Park Hosts First Service In New Building

Walnut Creek Church was planted in 1984 when a group of people from our sister church in Ames (Stonebrook Community Church), moved to Des Moines and began meeting together in homes. In 1991, we purchased our first church building in Windsor Heights. Nearly ten years later in March 2000 we held our first satellite location in an elementary school in Waukee. 

The location was later moved to Horizon Elementary School in Johnston, becoming Walnut Creek Johnston. After growing and serving together there for the last 15 years, the congregation is ready to follow God's leading to a new place: the Highland Park neighborhood on the north side of Des Moines.

Walnut Creek Highland Park met for the first time in their new building this past weekend, May 1. "This Sunday was very encouraging after spending so many weeks in the planning process. Last week a lot of people put in hours cleaning, painting, and transforming the main level," said Pastor Bob Joy. 

Walnut Creek Highland Park is sharing the building with Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren.

Walnut Creek Highland Park is sharing the building with Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren, who have been in the building for 70 years. 

"God answered our prayers with this new 24/7 location. We're really excited because God has opened up doors for us to be in a new building where we can love and serve and minister the Gospel seven days a week," said Pastor Joel Swanson. 

Walnut Creek Johnston met in Horizon Elementary School on Sunday mornings for 15 years.

Walnut Creek Highland Park is located on the corner of 6th Avenue and Shawnee Avenue. They meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and welcome everyone to come check out their new location. 

"We're looking forward to the opportunity to let the neighborhood know we're here to serve and to love," said Joel. "We have experienced a new vitality as a body through this process. They're bringing life to this place."

"Return" Series Launches Church-Wide

Walnut Creek launches a new message series – "Return" – church-wide this weekend. The 11-week series through the Book of Malachi will continue through March, and we invite you to join us.

Over the course of the next 11 weeks, we will take a look at our relationship and responsibility to God and others in the church. God commands sincere worship with genuine faith and humility. The message Malachi had for a troubled people then is still relevant now.

Free "Return" study guides are available at each location. You can also follow the message series through our mobile app and online.

Share your thoughts and what you're learning during the series on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with the #ReturnSeries hashtag. Each Friday we'll give away a Walnut Creek sweatshirt and beanie. Join the conversation to enter for a chance to win!

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By Jackie Wallentin 

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights 

Double the Trunk-Or-Treat Fun

Lily and Nora Cornell 'fish' for candy at the Under the Sea trunk at the Windsor Heights Trunk or Treat event.
Photo by Glen Cornell. 

Young Spidermen and Princess Elsas gathered candy and other festive treats at the Trunk-Or-Treat events held at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights and Johnston Thursday evening. More than 125 families came to both events to celebrate Halloween the Walnut Creek way.

Trunk-Or-Treat is a family-friendly alternative to traditional Halloween trick or treating. Parents brought their children in full costume gear to the church parking lot for a safe night of fall fun as their children went from car to car collecting Halloween treats.

At the Windsor Heights location, nine Community Groups volunteered to host a trunk and decorate their car with a theme. Trunk themes included: Candy Land, Monster's Inc., Frozen, pirates, sharks, camping, under the sea, and Hall of Fame athletes.

Making their scariest or silliest faces, guests took pictures at a photo booth inside. Children also enjoyed face painting, a bounce house, games, and festive treats.

"Our first annual Trunk-or-Treat went extremely well. The volunteers did an excellent job decorating their trunks and even having a few interactive games for all the kids. It's going to be quite the challenge to come up with better trunk ideas for next year," said MaryBeth Meyer of Windsor Heights, who organized the event.

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By Jackie Wallentin  

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights 

Party in the Park Serves Windsor Heights Community

More than 450 people gathered at Colby Park on Friday, May 30 for Party in the Park. 

Walnut Creek Church hosted a Party in the Park on May 30 to celebrate the end of Mission to the City. During the weekend mission, hundreds of fliers were passed out for the evening of fun, which was an opportunity to bless the Windsor Heights community.

Throughout the night, which was held at Colby Park, over 450 people came to enjoy free food, an outdoor movie, lawn games, face painting and a castle-themed bouncy house.

To end the night, friends and families gathered on blankets to watch Disney's newest animated hit "Frozen," while the kids sang along to their favorite songs from the movie.

"Our neighbors came and it was fun introducing them to our closest friends. It was a great way for us to invite our neighbors without pressure," said Sam Karaidos of Walnut Creek Windsor Heights. "It was just a relaxing evening with great people and great food."

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By Jackie Wallentin
Walnut Creek Windsor Heights