Connecting

Good morning,

On Sunday I mentioned that one of our goals for 2026 is to is to revamp our connections ministries – those ministry opportunities for folks to get to know each other at a deeper level than what is possible on a Sunday morning.  This fall we are offering Ladies Quilt Knotting on Thursday nights (during youth group) as a time for the ladies of the church to connect with each other.  We are also bringing the Mens Breakfast back to the church to see if that is a better way for the guys to connect.

I mentioned that there are some folks at ABCF who are interested in being a part of a small group.  As I announced that on Sunday I realized that there might be some of us who don’t really know what a small group is. 

Small group ministry became very popular as a church ministry about 25 years ago.  Churches call them small groups, connection groups, life groups, cell groups, community groups and probably a bunch of names that escape me at the moment!  They are, in essence, a group of church members/attendees who commit to regularly gathering together outside of the Sunday morning worship service for bible study, fellowship, and fun. 

Some groups discuss the sermon series, others do a book study, and still others focus more on sharing and prayer.  Small groups often meet in homes, but some meet at the church.  Some have one study time a month and one fellowship activity a month, and others have two study times.  There is no “right way” to do small groups!  Small groups provide encouragement, accountability and an avenue to feel more connected at church.

If being a part of a small group is something that you are interested in, please see me in the next couple of weeks.  Once I know who might be interested we’ll work to set up a small group ministry that works for our church.

Switching gears – Scott Lees has started the renovation work downstairs.  Scott is opening up the classroom side of the downstairs to make it more flexible to use and adding a number of cabinets and countertops in the fellowship hall side.  We will need some help moving items around downstairs as he completes the work…I’ll let you know when we have that need.

Switching gears again – I know that this seems early, but I am starting to think about the Advent Season (its what I do).  If you would like to offer special music on an Advent Sunday, please let me know.

Here’s what’s happening:

1.      SATURDAY - Men’s Breakfast at 8 am. 

2.     SUNDAY - Holy Communion

3.     Monday, 10/20 – The Double Nickels are heading to Blessings of Hope.

4.     Thursday, 10/23 – Youth Group meets at the schoolhouse at 6:30 pm.

5.     Thursday, 10/23 – Ladies Quilt Knotting meets in the lobby at 6:30 pm.

6.     Saturday, 10/25 – Youth Group Service Project.  The youth will be baking apple pies to be auctioned off at the Lighthouse Auction.  Meeting at the Fite home (69 Ford Road, Nottingham) at 10 am.  Youth should bring a rolling pin and either a hat or hairnet.  If the weather is dry much of the food prep will be done outside, so dress accordingly.  Lunch is provided.  Pickup is 1 pm.  Please let Devon Fite know if your teen is participating.

7.      Sunday, 10/26 – Youth Group Luncheon

8.     Saturday 11/1 – Harvest Party at the church starting at 6 pm.  A light dinner will be served and then a number activities for folks to enjoy…the giant slide, a hayride, a campfire and the world-famous kid’s dessert bake off.  Rain Date is after the worship service on Sunday.

9.     Save-the-Dates:             11/8 – Youth Group Bonfire

11/23 – Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal

12/13 – Youth Group Christmas Party

12/19 – Christmas Caroling

12/30 – Blessings of Hope

This past Sunday we saw that the early church grew quickly.  The believers enjoyed both the presence of the Holy Spirit and the favor of the people.  Things were going well!  But whenever the Kingdom of God is expanding, opposition is sure to follow.  On Sunday we’ll look at the first instance of opposition to the spread of the Gospel and how Peter responds to it!

Scott