Friday, January 15th, 2010

{News}

Response to Haiti Earthquake

Heartland Community Church has sent $10,000 to World Vision for their Haiti Earthquake Relief. They have a 30 year track record of work in Haiti.

Today's post on their website reads, "World Vision commenced emergency relief operations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's devastated capital city, with distributions of essential medical supplies to city hospitals. The distributions began on Wednesday, the day after the quake, and continued on Thursday, despite World Vision's own offices suffering heavy quake damage -- the worst to hit Haiti in 200 years. World Vision's main office building was rendered unusable, but operations continued from a second building." ...read more.

World Vision outlines two ways that you can help.

• Please keep in prayer the children, families, and communities left devastated by this disaster in Haiti. Pray also for God's protection and guidance upon those who are responding with emergency assistance.
• Donate now to World Vision's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Your gift will help our staff members rush emergency assistance to those in greatest need following the disaster -- like food, clean water, blankets, tents, and more. Give toward World Vision's Haiti Earthquake Relief.

In addition, the ECFA (Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability) has recommended several relief organizations that are active in Haiti.

Consider the 9 AM Service

At left you will see one of our Blue Chairs. It has a 45 minute sermon rating. Last weekend we ran out of Blue Chairs at the 11:00 am service and needed to set up about 50 folding chairs. Our folding chairs only have a 20 minute sermon rating. You can see how this could be a dilemma just as the message is reaching its conclusion. We encourage those who are able to consider attending our identical 9:00 am service where there are a plethora of Blue Chairs - all with the 45 minute sermon rating. Come on, it'll be fun ...maybe enjoy a brunch by the fireplace at the Cracker Barrel as well.

New Starts

Dan Deeble shares a couple so updates:

Eric Rochester, our missions pastor, has transitioned from the Heartland Staff in order to launch a new ministry. The Sending Project is a missions agency that helps to connect local churches together in the fight against physical and spiritual poverty around the world. This calling has been deep in Eric’s heart for some time and it is a perfect match for his gifts, experience, and passion.  To find out more, check out www.thesendingproject.org or you can swing by Heartland because The Sending Project will initially office at 12175 S. Strang Line.  Also, stay tuned for more updates on the future of HCC missions but, in short, there will be "no retreat."  We are using this transitional period to seek how we can best serve our partners and maximize our impact in this city and beyond. 

We are thrilled to announce that Shelley Winkler has accepted the new challenge of serving as Heartland’s “Equipping Pastor.”  This position is global in scope as she and her team will now focus on such things as discipleship, volunteer assimilation, and leadership development.  Over the past 5 years, Shelley has led our “Grow Division” and has taken our discipleship focus to unprecedented levels.  In just the past year, she has overseen the mobilization of nearly a thousand Heartland volunteers and has simultaneously led the task force that helped us move with excellence and soul (called the Transition Team). In truth, this promotion merely catches up in title what Shelley’s been doing for quite some time now.  And that’s always what happens with off-the-charts leaders (to quote ESPN, “you can’t stop them, you can only hope to contain them” J).  Way to go Shelley!

Tryouts for Musicians and Vocalists

Auditions for singers and musicians will be held on Saturday, January 30 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the auditorium. Sign up for an audition time online.Once you've registered you will have access to the charts and MP3s of the songs that we will be using for the tryout. Read here to learn more. Question? Contact Kevin Rogers.

What You Do Best Class - starts soon

Join us for the incredible adventure of discovering the gifts, skills and passions God gave to you! This 4 week class will include exercises and group discussion to help find the best place to volunteer at Heartland based on your gifts, skills and passions. We will have a Tuesday night class beginning February 9th. Class will be held at Heartland from 6:30-8:15pm. Childcare will be available for $20 per family. Click here to register.

You may want to take a spirtual pathways survey as well. It will help you discover the ways in which we're wired to connect with God. If you're interested in taking the free Sacred Pathways test, click here.

FPU Class Begins Monday, January 25th

Financial Peace University is an answer for the thousands of people in your community looking for financial guidance! During the class, the average family experiences an $8,000 turnaround in 13 weeks-paying off $5,300 and saving up $2,700.

You can register and pay for Financial Peace University online today. The cost of the FPU kit is $100 for an individual/couple. (Partial Scholarships are available.)

The class will meet on Monday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 pm and lasts 13 weeks beginning January 25th with a week off for spring break. Sign Up This weekend if you want to guarantee that you'll have your kit in time for the first class!

Each week, the class will consist of a video recording of Dave's teaching followed by a small group discussion.

Childcare is available for the class, you can register and pay for this online as well.

{Children}

New Babies at Heartland

It's a pleasure to announce the new babies: Jackson McClure, 10.29.09 (son of George and Katie), Graham Carter Pearson 10.23.09 (son of Russ and Emily). In addition, Joe and Sarah Leimer announce their son and heaven's newest angel, Luke Cirrus Leimer 10.04.10. (Pictured at left) New baby? Let our front office know by clicking here.

Heartland Kids are Going to Camp!

Want to go to a mini week of summer camp?  Here's your chance!  Heartland has spots reserved for 20 boys and 20 girls, July 22-24 and YouthFront Camp South.  Those spots are for kids entering 3-5th grade next summer and it's only $150 if you register by February 15th.  The best way to find out information and register is by going to YouthFront's web site.

Be sure to register for week 7B at South Camp to be with the Heartland group. If it says "full" ignore it and keep registering. Camp is full but our 40 spots are not filled.  For you kids that have been before, notice we are at SOUTH CAMP this year.  Its a new location but just as much fun!

Great Beginnings Resources

Great Beginnings (Infant - K) Parents, check this out! The First Look curriculum we use on Sunday mornings has come out with a cool, new monthly version of Small Talk! Small Talk captures what our kids are learning on Sunday mornings and gives parents creative ideas on how to reinforce those learnings during the week. We hope this will be helpful to you as you help your child discover that their best life awaits them in Christ!

Infant Dedication and Baptism

Heartland's Infant Dedication and Baptism is Saturday, January 23 at 9:30 and 12:00. (The 11:00 am service is full) If you have a child you would like to have baptized or dedicated sign up here. If you would like more information check out our FAQs here. If the January date doesn't work for you mark your calendar for May 8th. Register now for our January event. Questions? Contact Lynn Hawley.

{Youth}

Middle School Bowl/Minigolf this Sunday

Come join us at Incredabowl for all you can mini-golf, laser tag and bowling. this Sunday, January 17th from 6 to 9 pm. It will cost $20 and be held at the IncredaBowl at 151st and Antioch. All Middle School kids and friends are welcome.

High School Bowl this Sunday Night at Olathe Lanes

We'll have a Late night Bowl this Sunday (no school Monday) from 8-11pm at Olathe Lanes East and the cost will be $10 (games, shoes, and food). Bring a friend, it'll be great.

Middle School Summer Camp Registration

Want to know more about camp this summer? Visit this youthfront.org to watch videos and get information about Youthfront camps this summer.

The camp is for students entering 6th-8th grade in the fall of 2010 and costs $360 for the week of July 19-24, 2010.

Spots are limited, so sign up today and make sure to select our week. You'll be sent directly to Youthfront's website for registration. We do have limited scholarships available, for more information contact Shibu Mathew by February 15th.

High School Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast

Spots are filling up fast for our annual Gulf Coast Trip! The deadline for registration and deposits ($100) is this Sunday, January 17th.
Here are the trip details:
When: March 13-20 (spring break)
Cost: $320 (non-refundable) + spending money
Where: Lakeshore Baptist Church in Lakeshore Mississippi

Required parent/participant meeting is January 17th in the youth room following the 11am service.
Registration and payment can happen online. Just click here. Registration forms are also available at the youth information table. If you have any more questions click here to email Caley Bowen.

Parent Pow Wow

Have questions about the youth ministry? Looking for parent support? Want to talk with other parents? Then come to the parent pow wow on February 7th at 9am in the youth lounge. Let us know you're coming. For questions or comments you can contact Caley Bowen (HS) or Shibu Mathew (MS).

Summer Youth Internships

Are you in college and trying to figure out your summer? Then be a part of our youth intern team! Application and dates are coming January 24th. For questions or to get a jumpstart please contact Caley Bowen (HS) or Shibu Mathew (MS) or apply online today.

Keep up to date with all of Heartland's Youth Ministry by visiting the High School or Middle School pages.

{Women}

Women at the Well Dessert Night

A night designed for women by women on Tuesday, January 19th from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Heartland Atrium. Join us as we learn how and what it looks like to be "Comfortable in Your Own Skin" as women. Childcare available. The cost is $5.00/person or family and no reservations necessary - everyone welcome! Questions? lorir@heartlandchurch.org

For the latest Women's ministry news, make sure to check out their women's ministry pages.

{Men}

Check out all that is available by going to our men's ministry pages.

{Singles}

Keep up with the latest in Singles Ministry by visiting their pages.

{Couples}

Couples Communication Class

Couples are always looking for ways to improve communication and their marriages. The Couples Communication Class teaches a practical set of talking and listening skills. This course is designed to stimulate rich couple conversation, generating greater understanding and appreciation for the couple’s life together. The class is a five week commitment followed by a one hour coaching appointment with each individual couple. Class will be held on Tuesday evenings at Heartland from 6:30-8:30 pm starting February 9th. There will be a fee of $75.00 per couple for materials. Childcare will be available. Space is limited, so sign up now!

Marriage Tune Up

The next Marriage Tune-up will be on Friday night, 7 to 9 February 19. The theme will be, Affair proofing your marriage. There will be more details to follow but I want the church to have a heads up. They can begin signing up now online. There will be child care available.

{Missions}

Angel Tree Thank You Notes

Heartland delivered 170 gifts to children of incarcerated adults. We received the following thank you notes from a couple of inmates.

"I signed up to your program when I heard about it here at Lansing Correctional Facility. I didn't think much about the dynamics of it really. I am away from my children and this burdens my heart tremendously ..." Click here to read more.

Providing Meals at the Hope Center

Our youth ministry has experienced some exciting growth over the past year and as a result of that growth we've seen an increase in the need for people providing meals for the students involved in our Leaders In Training program each week. Providing a meal for this program allows the youth to enjoy a healthy meal together at the beginning of their evening before they begin their tutoring sessions.  Providing one of these meals is a great way for individuals, small groups, and families to get involved in The Hope Center.  If you are interested in helping in this way, or have any questions please contact Matt Nagel or call 816.913.6290 x103.

Check out the latest at the Heartland Missions website.

{General}

1:1 Spiritual Mentoring

The 1:1 mentor program is for everyone. This can be your first step in your journey of faith, your next step in growing an even deeper relationship with God or a rekindling of your faith. Being the mentor or the person being mentored you will learn what it means to be a follower of Christ and continue to grow alongside one another. This is a six month study using the book Discipleship Essentials as your guide. Stop by the Welcome Center for more information or sign up online.

About Heartland Class

New to Heartland or have questions about who we are and why we do what we do? We'd love to have you come and learn about us at our next About Heartland class Sunday, February 14th. The class meets from 12:30 - 1:30pm at Heartland. A snack and childcare are provided, free of charge - you just need to RSVP for the class no later than Sunday, February  7th. To RSVP online, just click here!

Serve kids with Special Needs

The staff and volunteers are working hard to make Heartland a welcoming place for the disability community. If you have a heart for those with special needs and are looking for an opportunity to use your gifts, let us help you find the perfect spot to serve. No experience or training is necessary – we’ll equip you with all the resources you need. You’ll make a huge difference in the life of one child and they will bless you in amazing ways!

We need 1:1 buddies for the 11:00 Sunday service and help with games, crafts and dinner at our monthly Family Night Out. Please contact Melissa George for more information.

New To Heartland?

If you're new to our church family, you may want to consider the following:

• Traditions - Learn More about Heartland in this Bonus Video Session
• Journey Devotional - Subscribe to our free Online devotional
• Volunteer Page - Want to begin Serving at Heartland?
• Grow Pages - Looking to grow in your faith?
• Give Online - Make your first gift to HCC.
• Care and Counseling - need an assist?
• Prayer - Let your request be known.

Prayer Requests and Assist Line

To request prayer, you may click here to submit a prayer request or praise report and one of the members of our Prayer Team will pray for you.

Heartland's Prayer Request Team is receiving many sincere requests for prayer, and these as these come in they are emailed to our team dedicated pray-ers. Click here if you would like to join the Prayer Team.

The Assist Line can now be accessed through Heartland's main number (913) 341-5820 ext. 330. We check the line multiple times daily and you can expect a call-back within 24 hours.