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| Walnut Creek South hosted a free barbeque, games, and outdoor movie on Memorial Day. |
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| Bubble Ball was a popular activity at the Memorial Day barbeque. |
Showing posts with label Walnut Creek South. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walnut Creek South. Show all posts
Memorial Day Barbecue on the Southside
Walnut Creek South Volunteers Host Barbecue For The Door of Faith
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| Walnut Creek South served a meal to the men of the Door of Faith recovery shelter during Mission to the City. |
This the third year Walnut Creek has served a meal during Mission to the City for the Door of Faith, and it is becoming one of the premier events for the men in the recovery program. Staff from the Door of Faith and Hope Ministries corporate office attended the event as well.
“The advice most often given to these guys is to find a church and get involved. Then, watch how God works in your life," Mike Scott said, who is a graduate of the program and a member of Walnut Creek South. "This event, more than anything they are involved in during the year, shows them both what it looks like to get involved in the church and the benefits of it.”
After serving the meal, the volunteers plate up and sit down with the residents to talk about life and walking with Jesus.
"It is a comfortable surrounding, and the guys really appreciated the meal and hanging out after. It’s a great example of Christ's body working together and sharing the Gospel through interaction," said John Teeter of Walnut Creek South.
A Weekend Full of Fall Festivities at Walnut Creek Downtown and South
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| 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.
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| 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.
By Jackie Wallentin
Walnut Creek Windsor Heights
"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!
By Jackie Wallentin
Walnut Creek Windsor Heights
Busy Weekend at Walnut Creek South
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| 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. |
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.
By Tyler Johnson
Walnut Creek South
Walnut Creek South Celebrates Memorial Day at Door of Faith
For one of their Mission to the City projects, members of Walnut Creek South hosted a Memorial Day barbeque for the men living at Door of Faith, a Christ-centered, long-term life-recovery center for men.
“Sometimes the hardest times are the holidays,” said John Teeter of Walnut Creek South, who previously lived at Door of Faith for 10 months. “We thought it would be nice to have a barbeque for them. We brought the whole crew so we could mull about and talk to the guys – like they’re at a barbeque with a bunch of friends.”
Teeter and the rest of the crew from Walnut Creek South grilled pork chops and brats and served potato salad, baked beans and dessert. “Everything was homemade,” Teeter said. “Guys in group homes tend to get a lot of canned and processed foods.”
According to Teeter, the men they served were very appreciative. He said they heard a lot of sincere thank yous, and several of the men stayed to help them clean up afterward.
“The thing that Door of Faith offers that very few others do, they give you a year, they pay for your food, clothing, room and board. They won’t kick you out after you’ve graduated until you have a job and a place to live,” Teeter said. “They give you a year. If you use that year to seek God and get involved in a church, your success rate is extremely high.”
Partnering with organizations like Door to Faith to serve people of Des Moines is what Mission to the City is all about.
“How to Change the World” Message Series Begins
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| How to Change the World study guide |
A new message series – “How to Change the World” – began at Walnut Creek’s Downtown and South congregations on January 25. The 13-week series based on the book of Acts will continue through April 20, and we invite you to join us.
“The question we’re going to answer throughout this series is: How can I be part of changing the world? How can I join God in his plan to impact the world?” Pastor Dan Rude said in the first message of the series. “In the book of Acts, God lays out his plan for the church. We see a pattern, we see principles, for investing our life.”
One of the series’ primary passages is Acts 2:41-47, which describes the incredible community experienced by the generous and growing Acts church. Over the course of the next 13 weeks, we will take an in-depth look at the early church, the substance of their community, and how God uses discipleship to transform the world by the Gospel. To download a free "How to Change the World" study guide, click here.
At Walnut Creek, community groups continue to be the heartbeat of our church. With nearly 50 groups meeting at homes throughout the city for bible study and fellowship, community groups offer an opportunity to live out the example set by the early church. As part of the kickoff of the new message series, cards with prayer requests for our community groups were given out at church. Each week there will be a new list and a different area of emphasis. Here is this week's list:
- That each believer would be encouraged and grow in their relationship with the Lord (Ephesians 4:11-16)
- That we would have genuine friendships as we grow and pursue the Lord together (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
- That God would raise up more leaders (Mark 10:42-45)
- That God would raise up more laborers (Matthew 9:35-38)
- That our community groups would grow and multiply (Acts 2:47)
- That our community groups would be united (John 17:21)
Acts 2:41-47
So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.
Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.
Busy Weekend at Walnut Creek
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| Inflatables and games for kids were a big hit at both Walnut Creek South on Saturday, September 7, and at Walnut Creek Downtown on Sunday, September 8. |
The weekend of September 7 and 8 was a big one for Walnut Creek Church. The weekend's events included starting a new service time at once location, celebrating a grand opening at another location, and lots of fun activities for people of all ages.
New Service Time - Walnut Creek Downtown
On Saturday, September 7, a 5 p.m. service started at Walnut Creek Downtown, adding a new service time to the 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday services already meeting at that location.
"The first service went great, as a new series began on the book of Revelation," Pastor Luke Hukee said. "There were over 300 people in attendance."
Walnut Creek Downtown meets Saturdays at 5 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. at 323 E. Locust Street in Des Moines.
Grand Opening - Walnut Creek South
Although the Walnut Creek South congregation started meeting together in January and moved into their building in March, they hadn't celebrated an official grand opening – until now.
From 5:00 until 8:30 p.m. on September 7, the congregation celebrated in the church parking lot with inflatables, kids' games and food. "A lot of people came, and several new people came to church as a result," said Tyler Johnson of Walnut Creek South. "We had several visitors the next weekend as well."
Walnut Creek South meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. at 1101 E. Army Post Road in Des Moines.
Picnic in the Parking Lot - Walnut Creek Downtown
After the grand opening at Walnut Creek South, the inflatables made their way to the downtown location for a "Picnic in the Parking Lot."
Following the 10 a.m. Sunday service on September 8, people were invited to stay for a barbeque, inflatables, and games for kids. Many people from the 10 a.m. service stayed and were joined by families from all Walnut Creek congregations.
Walnut Creek South Officially on the Map
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| Walnut Creek South band (L to R): Jon Andorf, Zac Oler, Alaina Irlbeck, Sean Covington |
This winter, a group of about 40 Walnut Creek Church snowbirds headed south—not in Winnebagos that cost more than my house, and not for a temporary stay. This group of energetic Christ-followers planted a church on Des Moines’ south side. Although the church officially launched in January, they didn’t have their own building to meet in—until now.
Walnut Creek South held its first service in its new location last weekend. The church is located on a prime piece of real estate on Army Post Road right in front of Southridge Mall and the newest DMACC campus. “It’s a great location, and I think it’s going to be a wonderful home for us for years to come,” Pastor Dan Rude said. “We started the process of trying to get in here in August. A lot of people have worked really hard to get us here, and it’s great to finally be here.”
The building has a lot more going for it besides its location. Store-front windows allow lots of natural light into the large open space that houses the stage, plenty of room for seating, and an ample bar for refreshments and information. The building also features a black-and-white-checkered tile floor underfoot and a high ceiling with exposed rafters above the stage. Other perks include functional—dare I say attractive—bathrooms and space in the back with lots of potential for classrooms, offices, and storage.
“We’re super pumped and excited to be here,” said Ryan Weeks, who helped lead the church plant. “Everyone labored hard and gave it their all. It’s been a lot of work, and we have a lot of work left.”
The sign of building’s former occupant, Destination Lounge, still hangs above the front door. The rooms in the back are delineated by studs and unfinished drywall. But on Saturday night, the building was filled with so much energy and excitement, it wasn’t hard to look past the imperfections. “It’s pretty surreal. It looks totally different to see the parking lot full and all the people inside,” said Tyler Johnson, who also helped lead the plant.
More importantly than the building itself, the church is already growing, and its members are maturing. Someone who attended the first service back in January came to know the Lord and was recently baptized. The leaders also have many plans for future service and outreach opportunities to the south side.
Until now, the church was meeting at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church down the road. Although many obstacles slowed down the process of getting into their own building, everyone seems to agree it’s been for the best. “I think it’s been good to have time to work out the kinks. Things are going a lot more smoothly now than when we first started,” said Meghan Ostergaard, who also helped with the church plant. Johnson agrees: “God clearly wanted us to wait a while. God has been refining us, and that could be a reason he had us wait.”
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