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.
There is a plethora of information in this edition of Shawnee Alliance Church Snapshot. Take your time reading and enjoy!
Thank You! A Message from Pastor Kris
Thank you for your generosity and love during Pastor Appreciation Month! The staff and I are blessed beyond belief that we have the opportunity to serve such an amazing congregation. Your kind words and thoughtful gestures have reminded us of how much we love ministering alongside you. It is truly an honor to serve, and I look forward to many more decades of celebrating transformed lives together!
I also want to take this as an opportunity to share my appreciation for the staff and ministry leaders at Shawnee Alliance Church. I am blessed to work alongside some of the most amazing Christ-followers I have ever met. I am blessed and humbled to serve.
Yesterday, we began a new sermon series entitled "I am Broken: God Transforming our Brokenness". Over the next five Sundays, we will examine how God intercedes on our behalf to take our fears, failures, and brokenness and transforms us into a testimony of His grace. My prayer is that in the same way the Armor of God has equipped us to fight our spiritual battles, this new series will give us hope and godly examples of transformation. No matter the brokenness we experience, God has a plan for healing for each of us. If you missed yesterday's message, please visit shawneealliance.com/media to view.
-Pastor Kris Browning
Beirut Relief Update
Shawnee Alliance donations given to the relief effort in Beirut, Lebanon through October 18, 2020 totals $8,425.33.
Women's Ministry Survey
As we look to add events and increase Women's Ministry opportunities and groups, we need your feedback! Please follow this link to complete a short survey:
Trunk-N-Treat
Trunk-N-Treat is THIS WEDNESDAY, October 28 from 6:30-8pm in the Activity Center parking lot. The entire event will be held outside this year and everyone is welcome! There will be hotdogs, popcorn, and of course, candy! Everything is FREE so bring your friends!
Volunteers are needed for: providing trunks, parking direction and clean-up. If you're interested in volunteering, please register at shawneealliance.com/events by the end of the day, October 26.
There is still time for monetary donations for candy: please write "Trunk-N-Treat" on your check memo line or select the Trunk-N-Treat option at shawneealliance.com/donate.
If you have any questions, contact Miss Erin at erin@shawneealliance.com
Upward Basketball & Cheerleading
The Upward 2021 Basketball & Cheerleading season is quickly approaching! This is a Christ-centered basketball and cheerleading league for kids who are in grades K-4. Kids in this league learn about the sports of basketball or cheerleading along with an understanding of Jesus’ role in our lives. Early registration ends November 1, so sign up now to help keep some money in your pocket! Please visit shawneealliance.com/upward to register, request a scholarship or if you have any questions.
Volunteers: If you are interested in being a coach or referee, helping with setup/teardown or running concessions, please register as a volunteer at shawneealliance.com/upward.
Operation Christmas Child
Prepare, Pack, and Pray can change a life! Operation Christmas Child boxes will be available in church lobbies to take and fill beginning Nov. 1. Select a “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies (please do not include foods, liquids, glass, aerosol cans, or war-related toy items). A $9 donation per box is suggested for shipping costs; give online to use the "Follow Your Box" feature to discover the destination of your shoe box! Return your boxes to the church by Nov. 22, then pray to strengthen the impact your gift will have on the children and communities where these boxes will be delivered!
Bible Study Highlight from Brad Reeder
Do you have interest in joining a Bible study, yet do not know where to start? Here is a Sunday morning group that might interest you!
The Power of Knowing God by Tony Evans
Are we living the life God wants for us? God has called us to know and experience Him as our friend, our heavenly Father, and our companion in life. He wants us to know Him intimately and profoundly, beyond intellectual studies and emotional experiences. In this six session series by Tony Evans, you will be equipped with tools to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus and helped to cultivate a heartfelt intimacy with God, experience the power of his presence, and connect with him in an abiding, authentic bond.
Although this study began on October 18, there is still time to join us on Sunday mornings from 10:45am to noon in rooms I and J on the East Campus. Interactive workbooks are available for purchase, but are not required. The study will conclude on November 29. For more information on this group and other study groups, go to shawneealliance.com/groups.
Hands-On Senior Citizens Banquet
The Hands-On Ministry invites all those 60+ to a FREE lunch and program on November 10 at 11:30AM in the West Campus Activity Center. RSVP by October 27 by emailing hands@shawneealliance.com or calling the church office at 419-991-6546.
Menu is Pulled Pork or Shredded Chicken Sandwiches, Escalloped Apples, Coleslaw, Assorted Desserts and Beverages (served family-style due to COVID regulations). If you have special diet requirements, please let us know when you RSVP.
Program will begin at 12:15PM. Kari Taylor, director of Cornerstone of Hope, will speak on "From Loneliness to Togetherness" and Beth Boehr-Miller will speak on "Preparing with Purpose for the What-If's of Life".
Children's Christmas Program
Children in Preschool-4th grade are invited to be a part of our Christmas Program! Rehearsals are during 9:30 and 11:00 Sunday morning services (only attend one) in K4 and preschool classrooms beginning Oct. 25. Dress rehearsal is Dec. 5 from 9-11:30AM and the Christmas Program is Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4PM in the Activity Center.
Hopeshakers Student Update
Fall is here and we’ve got plenty of activities for students!
Middle school: Wednesdays 6:30-8PM in the Activity Center and Sundays 11AM in the East Campus Hopeshakers room.
Sr. High: Girls & Guys small groups start at 5PM in the East Campus, and we gather as a large group at 6PM.
Join us for our annual Sr. High Fall Party this Saturday, October 31 (Contact Pastor Josh for more info at josh@shawneealliance.com).
Pastor & Staff Appreciation Month
Some time in the month of October, take a moment to encourage our pastors and staff and let them know how much you appreciate them. Join the church as we pray for our staff as they continue to lead us in God's vision and direction for Shawnee Alliance!
Staff Prayer Requests:
Pray for wisdom and grace as we navigate new emotional and social issues stemming from the pandemic.
Pray for unity in our families, growth and victory in spiritual battles, a safe and healthy school year for our kids, and wisdom in navigating each day with the joy, hope, peace and strength of Jesus.
Pray for continued wisdom in leadership and for an increase in divine appointments. Pray for continuity between the staff and elder board and that God's hand remain embedded in all details of our church. We desire to continue to see transformed lives!
Pray that God brings new encounters and freedom to the people of Shawnee Alliance Church, and that He helps families to establish new healthy family cycles that will transform our families and the community.
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!
Upcoming Events
Trunk-N-Treat - October 28, 6:30-8PM
Day of Prayer & Fasting - October 31, 10AM-Noon, East Campus Sanctuary
Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back) - November 1 at 2 AM
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - November 1
Operation Christmas Child Collection - November 1-22
Senior Banquet - November 10, 11:30AM
Child Dedication - November 15 (available in all Sunday morning services). Register at shawneealliance.com/events
Christmas Decorating - November 30-December 5 (times TBD)
Christmas Program - December 6 at 4PM
Baptism - December 13 (all services). Register at shawneealliance.com/events
Christmas Eve Services - December 24, 4PM, 6PM, 8PM and 11PM
New Years Eve Worship Celebration - December 31
The first Sunday in November each year is a day set aside to pray for and become more aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are facing persecution for their faith. Open Doors has tracked the rise of Christian persecution for years to produce the annual "World Watch List", which examines the 50 countries facing highest persecution. Persecution is higher today than any other time in modern history. This past year, in the top 50 World Watch List (WWL) countries alone:
- 260 million Christians experienced high levels of persecution for their choice to follow Christ
- 2,983 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons
- 3,700 Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned
- 9,488 churches were attacked
- 6 out of 7 of the top ten WWL countries were persecuted by Islamic oppression
For 19 consecutive years, North Korea has ranked No. 1 as the world's most dangerous place to live for Christians. 11 countries scored this year in the "extreme" level for their persecution of Christians. Only 6 years ago, North Korea was the only one.
They ask one thing of you: to pray for them. Take some time on our church-wide day of prayer and fasting to look over this list of 50 countries and pray over the specifics shared in this link: www.opendoorsusa.org/WWL. If you prayed for a new country each week, in one year, you will intercede for them all! "If one part of the body of Christ suffers, every part suffers with it." 1 Corinthians 12:26. For more information, watch the video at www.worldwatchlist.org.
October Prayer Meeting
On our next monthly day of prayer and fasting, Saturday, October 31, please join us in a time of prayer, beginning at 10AM in the East Campus Sanctuary. We will be interceding on behalf of our nation, our church, our staff and each other. Let's partner with God and expect His miracles in these areas!
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, October 26 - Matthew 9:11; Corinthians 15:42
Tuesday, October 27 - 1 Samuel 2:4
Wednesday, October 28 - Psalms 34:18; Psalms 51:17
Thursday, October 29 - Isaiah 65:14; Isaiah 61:1
Friday, October 30 - Isaiah 57:14-21
Saturday, October 31 - Mark 5
Sunday, November 1 - Matthew 16:21-27
Monday, November 2 - Psalms 34:18, Psalms 51:17
Tuesday, November 3 - Isaiah 61:1
Wednesday, November 4 - Ecclesiastes 4:11-13
Thursday, November 5 - Luke 4:38-39, Luke 8:43-44, Luke 14:2-4
Friday, November 6 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
Saturday, November 7 - Romans 8:35
Sunday, November 8 - Ruth 4:13-17
Monday, November 9 - Psalms 4:7-8
Visit shawneealliance.com/media to see previous editions of the newsletter, previous sermons, testimony videos, the Shawnee Alliance YouTube channel, a link to our Tuesday Talks with Shawnee Alliance Podcast, and more!