Thursday Night Service – FAQsVision: To reach out through a Thursday Night service, beginning March 13, (7:30-8:45)

Why do this? We believe that God wants to save more people in our area. God is serious about reaching the lost, and we want to follow him.

Why Thursday night? Why not a second service Sunday morning? We want to meet the needs we see before us now:

o The growing number of shift workers who can’t make it to a Sunday service;o Folks who’ve been hurt in church or jaded by past experiences often won’t get here

on Sunday;o An additional resource for us to invite co-workers, classmates, and neighbors: “you

know what, some friends and I are getting together tonight to talk about God & meaning… want to join us?”;

o People who are “associated” with a church, be it a family church or a long tradition of attending a particular denomination, but are hungry for more. This gives them an opportunity to see what a body like Grace can be;

o A chance for continued connection for all of us, as we all miss a Sunday here and there for vacations, etc.

Why Now? We have real momentum right now:

o For 2014, our average attendance so far is up to 282 (vs. 243 for 2013). We are welcoming more and more visitors and newcomers.

o We have the largest Discovering Grace class ever (over 20 people).o In January 56 people attended the Leadership Lab and over 60 people served at

Project Day.o God is connecting us to Christ and giving us a hunger to connect to the world.

As we have discussed the idea with Staff, Elders, Key ministry Leaders, and Worship Team, each group has expressed a positive response and indicated a willingness to move forward.

Moreover, it’s a low-cost, high-return possibility: we are not building a building nor hiring staff. We are leveraging our current space and energy (both staff and body) to reach out.

How long might we do this?We are using the next 6 months, from March 13 to Labor Day, as a pilot project. As we come into August, we will take stock of the effectiveness in numbers and growth, both tangible and intangible, in Sunday mornings and Thursday nights and we will re-assess.

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What will it look or feel like?It will be the same spiritual journey on Thursday Night as on Sunday Morning: same service contours, sermon series, worship style, with full worship team, warmth and friendliness. It will not be a stripped down version of Grace, but an additional endeavor of excellence.

We recognize that over time each service might develop its own feel, but as we begin, we want to focus on what we do well… which is love people into the kingdom through real fellowship, dynamic worship, relevant preaching and living out God’s call on our lives.

How will we prepare to launch March 13? A “Church Plant” Team

o Fifty of us will catch the vision to be part of this energetic new team. We need to have a core group of approximately 50 people we can count on to be there and be involved to make newcomers feel welcome. Would you be part of that group?

o Everyone is always welcome at any service! But, a core group of 50 people will pave the way to connect with new folks as God changes their lives!

The Worship Team will be ready to go—like they are on Sundays. The Welcome Team needs 3-4 people each Thursday (perhaps a corps of 8-10 new

welcome team members). The Hospitality Team needs 1-2 people to “set the table” with coffee before the service. The Children’s Ministry needs 3-5 people (3 in Seed Patch, and 2 for Grove). We will

use the “Summer Grove” video-based-curriculum to disciple our children during this inaugural season.

How will we get the word out? Personal invites: We’ll have “post-cards” that everyone can use as we get closer. Creative things we haven’t done: Door-hangers in our neighborhoods, for example. Posters at workplaces, especially large facilities like the hospital and factories. Billboard near the hospital (for 2 months). TACC 9 & WNCT possibilities. Social Media – we’ll blitz as we get closer.

What can I do between now and March 13?1. Please Pray! Catch the vision and Get Excited!2. Pray as a family that God would show you who you can invite to Thursday or Sunday.3. Pray through the challenge: “will I be part of the 50-person Church Plant Team?”4. Consider if you would “serve on Thursday and worship on Sunday” or “Worship on

Thursday and Serve on Sunday”. (as part of Welcome, Hospitality or Children’s).5. To help us prepare and not miss any detail, look for these upcoming events:

a. Feb 12th—Powerhouse Prayer focusing on Thursday nights (7:30pm)b. March 1st—Leadership Lab, Session 2 (9am-noon). This is for any and all who

want to grow in leadership, especially those who serve at Grace.c. March 2-9—24/7 Prayer Week. Spend an hour (or more) with the Lord as part

of an unbroken chain of intercession and worship. 6. Call/email Jason & Susan, Kent & Mary, Cindy, any of the elders with questions, feedback,

ideas or concerns. You might have the thought that others have missed! Your insights will sharpen the outreach. Your encouragement will mean much.

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