MapleGrove turns two
This week marks the two year anniversary of this ministry we call MapleGrove, and it has been an exciting ride. I’d like to share some of our accomplishments from this year.
A year ago our average Sunday attendance was just over 100. Now, we’re averaging 170. We’ve already had three Sundays over 200 this year. Our biggest Sunday last year was in the first two weeks of December (are we ready?).
Every week we hear a story about someone who has found the true, loving God through MapleGrove – one person recently shared that “MapleGrove is the first church I’ve ever been to that is more about what we CAN DO than what we CAN NOT.”
Kids @ MapleGrove are now experiencing their own praise and worship every week and have nearly doubled in attendance since spring.
Student LifeGroups are meeting weekly, and our monthly Catalyst event had over 65 people its’ first month, drawing students from all over Lapeer – many of whom have never been at MapleGrove before.
We got to be a part of baptizing 11 people in August.
Adult LifeGroups were started again in September and during the FIREPROOF series almost 70 people attended. Many people’s marriages were touched by this message. More to come on LifeGroups soon!
People are also getting to know each other better and meet each other’s needs directly on-line through Facebook. There are over 75 people from MapleGrove using this great tool.
We just had our first Harvest Party, and are about to have our first Winterfest. We plan to have these become annual, highly anticipated, events for our community.
The clinic continues to expand its services, and we continue to help meet the needs of the pregnancy center and the refuge. Several new Compassion children have been sponsored by MapleGrove members. … Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. – Isiah 1:17
There is a growing buzz in Lapeer about Jesus @ MapleGrove. This buzz creates a crowd just like it did when Jesus performed his first miracles (… they went out and spread the news about him throughout that region (Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)), and this growing crowd creates a couple issues;
Parking – our parking lot is in overflow mode. We are having the grass area south and west of the south lot kept clear of snow, so that those of us with vehicles that can handle it can park on the grass there. We are encouraging people we invite to park along the east side of the lane in front of the building in special “guest only” parking.
Seating – Many new people like to have the choice to slip into the back few rows their first several times here, so are asking team members to leave those rows open for our newest guests.
Thanks to all of you that have shared your time and talents with others through your work and service @ MapleGrove.