What Would Jesus Watch Film Night at the Sharps, Saturday

Hot summer nights . . . oh, wait. Not anymore. Ok, so it is officially Fall! And continuing in last summer's Theology and Film at the Sharps series, we will be hosting the September Theology and Film night. Maybe I'll simply call it WWJW - cause you know if Jesus were hanging around with us, the Messiah would be kicking back with a seriously excellent film on at Saturday night.

Showtime will be at 8:00 at the Sharp's house, 173 Norton St. We'll kick back in the living room (since it will be raining all weekend) and watch a most interesting and entertaining film with spiritual/theological themes and an optional discussion afterwards. Most likely, we will show La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon), a story of an illegal immigrant separated from her 9 year old son, a story of love, longing, sacrifice, and perseverance. You'll laugh, cry, and see the face of Jesus in it. We'll will provide the popcorn and soda. You can bring your favorite candy, cookies, chips and dip or other favorite edible.

So come hang out with fun people, watch a truly moving film, and share your thoughts about it afterwards. Besides, its raining all weekend, so no Durham fair or apple picking. What else are you going to do Saturday night!

See you Saturday at the Movies! Invite a friend!

-Tom

Movin' on Up

This Sunday (9/28), we’ll be meeting upstairs--that is, in the first-floor sanctuary--at United Church; Sunday School and childcare will remain downstairs. Why?

1. We hope that we'll be able to better serve the kids if we’re not trying to share the space downstairs. As you've probably noticed, small children like to be able to be loud, to run around, and to generally be kids. It's hard to let the kids do that when a large group of adults is practically in the same room having a profound, sometimes quiet and meditative encounter with God.
   
2. Moving upstairs will also give us (a lot) more space for our main gathering. No more standing, leaning against a wall because there's nowhere to sit. Trust me, there will be somewhere for you to sit in the United sanctuary...
   

Anyway, we’ll try it out and see how it goes. There will be some differences (the sanctuary is a traditional, old-school church which could be exciting or terrifying depending on your disposition), but the important things will stay the same: the God whom we are pursuing and the folks with us along the way.

Last, as I mentioned Sunday, meeting upstairs will give us more flexibility in terms of our order of service. So, come on time; otherwise, you may find that you've missed the talk, or communion, or some other opportunity to really encounter with God.

Upwards and onwards...

Ten Shekel Shirt Love146 Benefit Concert Wed. Night at Southern

Hey everyone -

I want to invite you to participate in a wonderful opportunity involving TWO of ECV's partner organizations. The newly formed chapter of InterVarsity at Southern is sponsoring a Ten Shekel Shirt benefit concert at Southern Connecticut State University tomorrow night 9/17, at 7:30 PM, Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom. All money raised beyond the cost of the band will directly benefit Love146 and their work to end child trafficking. The InterVarsity students are very excited about the opportunity to visibly demonstrate to the campus and the community our commitment to the gospel that implores us to fight for the oppressed, the abandoned ... the victems of human evil.

So please, come hear some great music, see Ten Shekel Shirt (along with our own Matt Croasmun as guest keyboard player) launch their new fall tour and album, Jubilee, and support an important movement around the world, led by love146. Tickets are $15 at the door, with opportunity for further donations. Tomorrow. Wed., 9/17. 7:30 PM, SCSU Student Center, 3rd floor ballroom. Parking is in lots 7, 8, and 9. Bring a friend!

Healing Course

Gateway Christian Fellowship (129 Bull Hill Lane, West Haven) is hosting a four-night course on healing, integrating both spiritual and medical perspectives THIS WEEK, Wednesday through Saturday (9/17-9/20).

The folks they have lined up to speak are amazing: Randy Clark, Francis and Judith MacNutt, Leif Hetland, Dr. Steve Mory, and Michele Kinrade--many are Vineyard-connected people; the opportunity to encouter all of them in the seem place is remarkable. Anyway, I know a few ECVers are going to try to check out at least a session or two. Check it out. Registration info (including cost) is available on Gateway's website.)

Here's the blurb from Gateway:

What causes sickness? How do we heal? Is there really a relationship between our thoughts and our health? Is it possible for the dead to be raised? This challenging course will investigate various spiritual and medical perspectives on healing throughout history.

Recently, hospitals have begun to welcome New Age healing methods – like Reike, and therapeutic touch. What is this "healing energy" and whose is it? This course will help you understand the process of healing, how to walk in God's healing power, and how to embrace a life of divine health.

Homegroups Are Back!

After a summer hiatus, our homegroups are back in action this fall. Our homegroups are really the central places of connection in our church, places where relationships are key--with God and with one another. Each group is a little different, but all of them are places where we connect deeply with one another and with God's work in the world, where we learn to hear God's voice (yes, God wants to speak to you!), where we hope and expect to find physical and emotional healing, and where we encourage one another in the ways that God is using us as agents of His healing in the world.

We're starting up 5 homegroups this fall, meeting on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. All the details are below. Come check one out or feel free to check out a couple different ones. They're all starting up this week.

Tuesdays, 7:00pm | 167 Norton Street
led by Robb & Asha Evans and Andy & Kathy Saperstein
The group will be open to anyone, but will be particularly focused on helping people to process issues of life and calling that are related to return from past or preparation for future overseas work and service, particularly in the Muslim world. There will be a strong emphasis on personal sharing and on focused prayer for one another, as well as on worship and on biblically based discussion of practical life issues.

Tuesdays, 7:30pm | 389 Norton Parkway
led by Matt & Hannah Croasmun and Titus & Julianne Kaphar
In addition to investing deeply in one another's personal growth and connection with God, this group will also be organizing some outreach events for kids in the Goffe Street neighborhood where the group will meet.

Wednesdays, 7:30pm | 60 Allene Drive, Hamden
led by Steve & Tamara Fitzgerald and Sepi & Karen Mahooti
The group that gives God no rest. (Isaiah 62: "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.")

Thursdays, 7:00pm | 290 Fountain Street
led by Todd & Michelle Kennedy and Ethan & Katie Smith
"Taste and see." This group will simply be focused on sharing life together, praying for one another, seeing God's power intervene in each other's lives, etc.

Thursdays, 7:30pm | 79 Kensington Street
led by Audrey Lin, Elisa Berry, and the Kensington Community House This group will be led in partnership with the Kensington Community House, an incarnational presence in the Kensington neighborhood.