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March 15 Edition 14

Keep your contact information up-to-date by filling out a Connect Card form or downloading the Church Center App! This way we can best communicate to you and your family regarding anything you may need to know about here at Shawnee Alliance Church.

We Are the Church

On Sundays, we're talking about what it means to be part of the church. Here is more information on what it means to be plugged into the family of Shawnee Alliance!

  • We Are the Body - we are all different (see things differently, have differing strengths, etc), which allows us to work and serve better together
  • We Are Unified - we focus together on one goal: Christ and Christ alone
  • We Are Here for Others - we are called to imitate Christ, who served self-sacrificially
  • We Are a Family of Families - we belong to a church family, and even though we mess up we keep trying to do better - together
  • We Are People of Prayer - prayer is not just something we do, it's a part of who we are. We can be honest with God in whatever we're feeling, and enjoy getting to know Him, even when the circumstance or outcome isn't what we would have wanted.
  • We Value the Church - we have access to Christ, especially in community - in both local congregations and the Church worldwide

Interested in hearing a sermon from this series? Visit shawneealliance.com/media to hear the conversations!

Want to read more on this topic? Pick up an "I Am a Church Member" book in the lobby of the Activity Center!

Building a community of faith... Leading people to become fully transformed followers of Jesus Christ.

New to Shawnee Alliance Church?

Would you like to know more about the church, submit a prayer request, connect with a pastor or find out about upcoming groups and events? Connect with us by filling out a Connect Card form at the bottom of our website or at the Church Center app. We would love to hear from you!

How to Connect with Us

Check out our podcast, Tuesday Talks with Shawnee Alliance Church! You'll find weekly episodes about how being a follower of Jesus impacts your everyday life. You can listen to us on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or YouTube. You can also find the link to the podcast at shawneealliance.com/media. Be sure to subscribe & share!

Easter & Good Friday Services

Easter Sunday Services

Join us on April 4 for Easter Services! At 9:30am we will have Traditional (East Campus) and Modern (West Campus) worship services, and at 11:00am we will have Modern services in our West Campus Activity Center with overflow in our East Campus Sanctuary. An online service will also be available at 9:30am on Facebook and YouTube.

Good Friday Service

Join us on April 2 at 6:30pm for our Good Friday Service! We will meet in the Activity Center to take time to remember Jesus' sacrifice and what it means for us today. This will be a family service; nursery and children's ministries will not be in session.

March Video Update from Pastor Kris

Volunteer Spotlight

As part of the church community, we choose to serve! Serving is not only a big part of being involved and active in community, but it is also a place where personal growth and transformation can happen! Serving takes our focus off ourselves and turns it to Jesus, who never placed himself in a position above others. He led by serving, and we're excited to follow in his footsteps! Below are a few statements from our volunteers about where, how, and why they like to serve in the church and community:

Andrea Martin (Nursery)

Honestly, I didn't grow up in the church. If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be volunteering in a children's ministry, I wouldn't have believed you. By the grace of God, my life has been radically transformed.

I’ve been serving with the nursery ministry for about four years now, checking in children and caring for babies and toddlers. I initially started volunteering because someone asked me to help and I enjoyed meeting new people, but since then, serving others has allowed me to consider my spiritual gifts, witness miracles, and experience God's presence in a new way.

I serve because we are the church - people who love Jesus and who love to serve others by driving the shuttle van back and forth, holding babies, praying with people, making coffee, and greeting everyone as they enter. In all of this, God changes us. Serving in the local church has allowed me to discover how God has uniquely created me and how the Lord can use all of us in different areas of ministry.

My family has utilized every children's ministry available at Shawnee Alliance, and it's such a blessing to now be able to volunteer my time to the ministries that my kids were in a few years ago. I know how much of a blessing it is to be able to truly focus on the worship and service, while knowing that my children are being cared for.

Nate & Amy Hager (Young Adults Ministry)

We serve the Young Adults Ministry because we ourselves are young adults desiring community with others who want to grow in their faith. When we first heard about the group, we were newly married and out of college, wanting to find people our age to walk through this stage of life with, and we were excited to jump in. We realized the importance of Christian friendships and related with many other young adults who felt out of place in an in-between stage.

We found a home within our family in this group and want to share that opportunity with other young adults. Through serving we have learned from other members of the group, been challenged to grow spiritually and emotionally into more mature believers, and have seen our new friends grow closer to God.

Currently, we are going through a Bible study and video series on the book of James led by Francis Chan. We would love to have anyone looking for faith and friendship to come join us! (We meet Wednesdays 6:30-8pm in East Campus Room D until March 24. More info at shawneealliance.com/groups!)

Ashley Covay (Nursery, Children's Events, Greeter, Upward & Women's Ministry)

You can usually find me in the preschool or toddler room on Sunday mornings. I started serving with the children’s ministry when I was a teenager and I have always enjoyed working with the two- and three-year-olds.

I enjoy serving because I know I'm being obedient to God in using my spiritual gifts and talents (1 Peter 4:10-11). I also serve here at the church as a Greeter, assist with Children’s events and Upward, lead a women’s group on Wednesday nights and recently began serving heavily in Women’s Ministry.

There are so many times that I feel unequipped to serve the children, women, and families of this church. The beauty of serving, though, is that I do not have to be perfect, or even know what I am doing; all I have to do is trust in God’s glorious grace. I encourage anyone who feels called to serve in any capacity to just do it. If God is placing serving on your heart, He will not let you fail.

Asher Font, 13 (Children's Ministry)

Asher really enjoys serving with the Children's Ministry and helping wherever he can. He enjoys running the sound booth and helping the leaders facilitate the activities for the kids. He believes it is important to teach others about Christ.

If you'd like to help with Nursery, Children's or Youth Ministries, please visit shawneealliance.com/volunteer and fill out a Family Life Ministry volunteer form to get started!

Paula Riedel (Our Daily Bread, Family Promise & Nursery)

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve - and I want to be like Jesus! While I could never serve the way he did, I can serve food. I can collect coats, clothing, toys etc. for the needy at Our Daily Bread and Family Promise. I can also hold babies in the church nursery to give parents a rest and allow them to focus on the message. We can all do something to be of service.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." There is no shortage of places to serve or people who need our help. What a privilege to become the physical hands and feet of Jesus.

Find a way to serve, that you enjoy, and give your heart to it! You will be blessed! Feel free to join us while we serve lunch at Our Daily Bread on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 11am-1pm. More info at shawneealliance.com/groups!

Have you been thinking about getting more involved and serving but don't know where to start?

Our staff would love to connect you in serving at Shawnee Alliance or in the community in a way that uses your gifts, talents and passions! You can start by filling out a volunteer form at shawneealliance.com/volunteer and we will be glad to help you connect with a ministry that fits well!

Upcoming Events

For more detailed info, see below or visit shawneealliance.com/events

Mondays with Jesus in Lent - Mondays (11am-1pm) until March 29

Wednesday Activity Night - Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm until March 24

Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen Volunteer Day -March 18 from 11am-1pm (more info on serving groups at shawneealliance.com/groups)

Family Fun Night - March 26, 6:30-8pm

Outdoor Cleanup Night - March 31, 6:30-8pm

Good Friday Service - April 2, 6:30-7:30pm

Easter Services - April 4 in person at 9:30 & 11:00am at both campuses and online at 9:30am (more info above!)

Keenager (senior citizens) Birthday Luncheon - April 13, 11:30-1:30pm. RSVP to kbraley@ohiolink.net

IF:Gathering Women's Conference - April 16-17, at Shawnee Alliance (with online option available) register at shawneealliance.com/events by April 8

"Unreined Ministries Gal Retreat" Community Event - April 16-17 at Lima Community Church (more info: Unreined Ministries Facebook page)

Family Fun Night - April 23, 6:30-8pm

Baptism - April 25 at both services, register at shawneealliance.com/events by April 11

Beulah Beach Overnight Camps

Email sheila@shawneealliance.com for your church discount code, and register at bbeach.org by March 20 for $25 OFF!

Mark your calendars! Beulah on the Road is coming to Shawnee Alliance June 15-18 with Family Fun Night on June 14. More details to come!

Family Fun Night

A night of fun for the entire family! Join us at the Activity Center on March 26 at 6:30pm for snacks, games and indoor activities. No registration required - just show up!

IF:Gathering Women's Conference

Join thousands of women across the globe as we gather together in different locations to learn more about who God is and disciple other women right where they are! The theme of the weekend is “Even If”: Even if the worst happens, we won’t lose hope.

Join us in the East Campus Children's Ministry Area on April 16 and 17. Cost is $20 for in-person (covers attendance and food) or $5 for online attendance. Register at shawneealliance.com/events by April 8.

Baptism

Our next Baptism will be Sunday, April 25 at both 9:30 & 11:00am services. If you have accepted Jesus into your life, Baptism is a way to make your decision to follow Jesus public and step forward in faith and obedience to Him!

If you're interested in being baptized, please register at shawneealliance.com/events by April 11 and attend the class on April 18 at 10:45am in East Campus rooms B-C. If you have any questions, you can ask them at the class or contact Pastor Bridgett (bridgett@shawneealliance.com).

Life Transformation Tools

Prayer Ministry Opportunities

Did you know that every Sunday we pray behind-the-scenes for our Sunday morning services? In this small group setting, our purpose is to pray God‘s heart on behalf of all aspects of our worship services. This includes prayer for our congregation (in-person and online), our pastors, staff, elders, youth, and all volunteers involved in the worship services and ministries.

Two great opportunities: 1) meet one Sunday each month with a small group of people to walk around the facilities and pray individually with and for those leading and serving in the ministries throughout the church that morning, and 2) meet in East Campus Room A (across from the office) from 8:30-9am each Sunday morning to pray.

We would love to have you join us! If you are interested in serving in the prayer ministry or would like more information, please email prayer@shawneealliance.com.

Mondays with Jesus in Lent

During the Lenten season, when we are called to repentance and reflection, we are setting aside each Monday as a day when we as a church can come together to pray and dig deeper into our relationships with Jesus. Weekly scriptures, sermon applications, and prayer themes can be found at the link below. You can pray at home, find a prayer partner for the season or come to the East Campus Sanctuary on Mondays between 11am-1pm to spend time alone or with others in prayer.

For more info and to download weekly content, visit shawneealliance.com/lent or scan the QR code below.

Links will be available weekly during Lent

Bible Reading Plan

Bring transformation to your life by reading your Bible! You will get to know Jesus on a deeper level and learn wisdom for your everyday choices. You can find a free Bible in any of our church lobbies. Please feel free to take one when you're with us at church on Sunday or download the YouVersion app on your phone. Use this simple SOAP format to guide your interaction with God's Word:

  • Scripture. Take your time reading each chapter and allow God to speak to you.
  • Observation. What do you see God doing in the Scripture? What is God saying to you?
  • Application. Ask yourself how you can apply this to your life right now.
  • Prayer. Communicate with God and ask Him to help you apply this to your life.

Try it out this week! Add a chapter from Proverbs every day to the below plan. (This list is also posted every Sunday on social media.)

  • Monday, March 15 - Romans 12:3-8
  • Tuesday, March 16 - Acts 2:42-47
  • Wednesday, March 17 - Eph. 2:19-22
  • Thursday, March 18 - Matthew 18:15-20
  • Friday, March 19 - Ephesians 4:14-16
  • Saturday, March 20 - Romans 10:14-17
  • Sunday, March 21 - Hebrews 10:19-25
  • Monday, March 22 - Matthew 21:1-11
  • Tuesday, March 23 - Psalms 1:1-6
  • Wednesday, March 24 - Rev. 7:9-12
  • Thursday, March 25 - Psalms 118:26-29
  • Friday, March 26 - Zechariah 9:9
  • Saturday, March 27 - Luke 19:28-44
  • Sunday, March 28 - John 12:12-19
  • Monday, March 29 - Romans 6:8-11
  • Tuesday, March 30 - Colossians 1:9-14
  • Wednesday, March 31 - 1 Peter 1:3-12
  • Thursday, April 1 - John 11:17-26
  • Friday, April 2 - Isaiah 53:1-12
  • Saturday, April 3 - 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Thanks for reading this edition of the Shawnee Alliance Snapshot! Please visit shawneealliance.com/media to view previous editions of this newsletter, watch sermons and testimony videos with links to our YouTube channel, and check out our Tuesday Talks with Shawnee Alliance podcast!