These are some thoughts on my mind…Women on Wednesday…Wonderful Fun Women…Wednesday’s Fabulous Women…or… Women Full of Worship…or WE:  Worship, Connect, Learn.

You might have guessed I am thinking of what is coming up this Wednesday, September 7^th.

What I am actually thinking of is our Women’s Evening and our Women’s First Wednesday (morning) events.

Vineyard Women shifted its monthly women’s gatherings so both events meet on the first Wednesday of the month.  (This should be easy for all of us wise women to remember.) J

My heart for Women’s Ministry at Vineyard is that it would be a place where women can connect with God and other women.  I envision all of us being at our friendly best and welcoming those who may have ventured out for the first time to meet some new people.  We never know how we may touch someone just by being friendly or inviting them to sit with us at our table.  Being friendly can not only make the difference of someone returning themselves, but possibly of one of that person’s family members get saved down the road because this person, in turn, invited them.  In a way, it is like mining a vein of gold.  How exciting!  You never know who might be touched from a welcoming woman–a wonderful woman—a woman like you!

We have two great opportunities coming up this week.

Women’s Evening (The first Wednesday evening of the month) begins at 6:45 p.m.  The topic, “Becoming a Woman of Grace,” will also be taught in the evening by Thora Anderson (me).  I am so excited to see what God will do.

Women’s First Wednesday (The first Wednesday morning of the month) begins at 9:00 a.m. 

Both events include worship, teaching and discussion.  Events are free. (An offering is taken for child care in the morning.)  Both also meet in the Middle School Auditorium.  Please pick up a brochure for more details.

God Bless you!

Thora

The other day, I drove by a Starbucks on my way back from church. I saw a group of women sitting at one of the outdoor tables. They were sipping their coffee drinks and seemed to be enjoying the pleasant weather and conversation.

Though my vehicle lingered briefly at that intersection, something caught my eye. One of these women was listening intently at her friends. The look on her face told me that she “got” whatever the others were saying.

I think that we all long for that kind of relationship, for someone who “get” us – whether it is a parent, a friend, a boyfriend or a spouse. We need to know that there is someone we can talk to, someone who will understand – even if they don’t necessarily agree with us.

Every week, our church offers us an opportunity to make that kind of connection through a small group. A small group is a great place to find people who understand where we’re at or what we’re going through. And if they don’t, they are willing to offer a listening ear, their friendship and their prayers.

The beauty of small groups is that they are made of people with similar interests and goals. There are groups for us girls; some are just for men; some are for parents; some are for singles, and some for married couples. Some groups focus on a topic, like prayer; some study a book of the Bible, and for some the main focus is building relationships.

This weekend, VC will hold its biannual “Small Group Fair.” Tables will line out throughout the courtyard, advertising the different groups available – some existing, some new.

If you have not yet joined a small group, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to find the group that’s right for you. During service, ask God to direct your search. And after service, walk around the different tables, and stop at the ones that interest you. Grab flyers and talk to the leaders standing there to get a better feel for what their group is all about.

If several groups appeal to you, feel free to visit them during the following weeks. Eventually, you will find the one in which you feel “at home.”

When you first visit, you might feel a little bit like a stranger. But I guarantee that as you get to know the people in your group and as you worship the Lord together and pray for one another, a very special bond will develop.

And one day, you will see you group nodding intently as they hear what you have to say, and you’ll realize you’ve found a group of friends that really, really “get” you.

Ana

Did you ever wish you had experienced the 1950’s?  (Penny loafers, rolled jeans, poodle skirts, Elvis, leather jackets?) 

 Have you been hoping for an event you can invite your “pre-Christian” friends to which will be fun?

 Well, here is your chance!

 June 25 is a date set aside for a “Girl’s Night Out.”  I don’t know about you, but every now and then, I am ready for some girl time.

 I wanted to “put a bug in your ear” so to speak, that this is a great opportunity to invite some sphere of your influence (be it your small group, friends, family or co-workers) to a fun night out for women.  This is a great opportunity to invite seekers as it is really a fun event.  I promise it will not be threatening and we won’t try to manipulate your friends to get saved or give a guilt trip to anyone about coming to church.  We want seekers to see that Christians can be really fun too!

 Please pray about either…

… inviting some of your friends from church to sit together (and then invite some more women to join you that night at your table),

…or ask some friends who don’t attend church to join you for a fun evening.

 Ask God it do exceedingly beyond what you can think with your invitations.

 It is my heart for this event to bridge the age gap and Girl’s Night Out is aimed from 6^th grade up to ……….well, the oldest women we can get to attend.  : )  My Grandmother is 101, but she lives in Missouri.  I wish she could come, but we advertised the event from 6^th grade to 100.  ; )

 It is also inexpensive!  Where else can you go for $3 in advance or $5 at the door for snacks and entertainment?  (No where I know of)  So, come and enjoy.  Get ready for some fun.

 For those of you who are really party animals, you can go out again with your friends after the event and stay out as late as you want.  (Or as late as your baby sitter will allow you)

 If you have questions, please ask.  Hope to see you there!

 Blessings,

Thora

The mighty storm’s winds swayed the palm trees and tropical vegetation with fury.  My brother Luis and I watched the bleary scene from our hotel window, like a pair of sad puppies at a pet shop, hoping to be let out.  This crazy Florida weather had turned our big plans upside down.

We were young and our family was on vacation.  On this particular day, we were supposed to visit Wet ‘N Wild, the big water park.  Luis and I were so excited!  This was the highlight of our trip and a totally new experience, since there were no water parks in Guatemala when we were kids.

We were going to have the most wonderful time!

But as we watched our dad shake his head at the televised weather report earlier that morning and then heard him ask the concierge about the storm, we knew we were doom.  How could this be!  The sun shone brightly the day before; there had been no indication for the sudden and drastic climatic change.

Our parents decided to spend the day shopping at a nearby mall, instead.  Whoopydoo.  The rest of the days had been planned already, so we never had a chance to visit Wet ‘N Wild before returning to Guatemala.

Fifteen years later my husband Ron and I began a yearly tradition.  Shortly after moving to sunny Arizona, we discovered a water park just minutes away from our new home.  No summer went by without our family spending at least one day of great fun at Waterworld.

Even my brother Luis had a chance to go with us, during one of his visits!

Isn’t it crazy?  That gloomy morning in Florida, I thought I’d never have another chance to enjoy a day like the ones we’ve enjoyed each summer here in Phoenix:  Gliding down the water slides; floating lazily on the snake river; catching waves at the big surf; eating hot dogs and ice cream and sipping on slurpies galore.  But God had many more days in store like the one I’d once missed.

And He had even more!  About the same time Ron and I discovered Waterworld, we became members of Vineyard North Phoenix.  Our new church family had a fun tradition of their own we gladly adopted:  Twice a year we get together at the Glendale Community College pool for a day of great fun. 

We swim and dive in the pool.  We play games and laugh hysterically as we watch our kids and friends compete in relay races or stuff their faces to see who’ll finish first a big slice of watermelon.  Some enjoy an indoor game of volleyball at the gym; others prefer to visit with friends while launching on the grass.

And there are plenty of hot dogs and other yummy treats available!

But the best part comes when we all gather together around the pool and witness our brothers and sisters get baptized.  Some of them are friends, our own children or spouses.  Some of them are complete strangers we welcome into our family, just as a newborn baby we love at first sight.

If you are new to our church family or have never attended a Baptism Day at GCC, I encourage you to check it out!  Gather your shorts or swimsuit, your sunscreen, your towel and your kids (or come alone and meet new friends,) and come join us for a day of fun in the sun this coming Monday, May 31 – on Memorial Day.

You’ll be glad you did!

Ana

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