If you missed the message this past Sunday, it was a great one! You can check out the podcast here. In the midst of a storm, Paul said to cut the lifeboats because if the sailors escaped the ship, there wouldn’t be anyone left to direct it to safety. They all stuck together.

“I’m so glad I got through the storm all by myself.”
— Said No One Ever.

Pastor Don talked about how sometimes in the midst of the storm, we can be tempted to detach ourselves from church, actiongroups, or friends. I can certainly relate to that. I don’t know what it is about human nature that makes us think that avoiding people will make our storm any better because it never does. I’ve never heard anyone regret sticking with their community during a crisis. Rather, you usually hear all the good things that came from sticking around: more prayer warriors on your side, a support system to fall back on, and even just simply having someone to call when you need a helping hand.

One of my favorite things about actionchurch is actiongroups! They are small groups of people that gather together outside of Sunday morning to do things like Bible study, work out, fellowship, and serve others. Denise says, “We don’t just meet up during the week, we do life together.” I know I’ve quoted her a thousand times on this blog, but it bears repeating every time.

Storms are inevitable when life happens. Don’t abandon the ship and think that will make it easier. I promise you it won’t. Cut those lifeboats and commit to doing life together! No matter what the storm, let’s stick together.

It’s never too late to plug in to an actiongroup, check out the list of them here. We’ll be launching our next season of actiongroups in June for the Summer. Feel free to contact me to get more information or answer any questions at groups@actionchurch.com

As a (library) scientist, I have found that at least 98% of all friendships made at actionchurch happen in actiongroups. So, quit being lonely, join an actiongroup, and make some friends today!

We have TEN amazing groups to choose from. What’s your flavor?

If you like to be active, stay healthy, and/or workout, you may enjoy:

• A-Fit – Workout with friends early on Saturday mornings at John Rudy Park with your “coach” Darin Boling!
• Walk & Talk – Nettie Bull is committed to walking four days a week. Join her for some casual fellowship while you walk a few miles at York Township Park on Tuesdays at 5:00pm and Wednesdays at 6:00pm.

If you want to make some friends of the same gender, you may enjoy:

• Men of Action – For men, by men. Eating breakfast in fellowship at 8:30a.m. on the first Saturdays of the month led by Johnny Shearer.
• Women’s Group – The ladies are studying Malachi by Lisa Harper at Bonnie McBride’s house every Sunday at 6:00p.m.

If you like to study the Bible (via video or book study), you may enjoy:

• Starting Point – Join this casual conversation group looking at Andy Stanley’s Starting Point series about where we start as Christians. Great for those who are curious about the Christian faith or just starting out. We’ll be meeting at James McBride’s house on Wednesdays at 7:00p.m.
• 40 Days – Join Matt & Jennifer Burr as you study the newly revised Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Surrounded by the Lenten season, this group will meet on the fourth Sunday of each month to discuss the readings you can do on your own.
• Insights – Meeting on Thursdays at 7:00p.m., Bill and Denise host an “insightful” study at their home. Their motto: “We don’t just meet during the week, we do life together!“

If you are looking to hang out with someone your age, you may enjoy:

• Student Ministry – For the middle and high schoolers to meet every Wednesday at 6:30p.m. Fun, games, and a little Bible lesson; you’ll get to hang out with Josiah & Rachel at their place.
• Young Adults – If you’re 18-29, check out this group that likes to meet up for random fun get-togethers as well as serving opportunities. This group tries to meet monthly, so join their actiongroup today to learn about what new events are happening soon.

Finally, if you’re just looking for an honestly marvelous group that likes to spend some time serving others, you’ll definitely want to check out:

• actioncorp – Our fearless leader, Kenna Schaller, is organizing meet-ups on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30p.m. to plan serving opportunities. Focusing on “taking action,” this group will also hear about serving opportunities as they become available throughout the month.

If you are looking for a more informative list of our Spring 2014 actiongroups, check out our actiongroups page!

Excited? Ready to sign-up RIGHT NOW?!? Just e-mail me at groups@actionchurch.com

I’ll make sure to get your sign-up to the right leader or answer any questions you may have. All actiongroups are subject to start in February, so make sure to sign-up soon!

I love how my friend and mentor (the friendly red-head at the Info Table), Denise Snyder, once described what her actiongroup was all about: “We don’t just meet during the week, we do life together!”

Beyond Sunday morning, small groups of our large actionchurch community meet to fellowship, grow, learn, and even work out together. These actiongroups are just one part of our actionchurch body that allow us to take action in our daily lives within our local community through loving God and loving people…together.

²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 NIV

It’s time to kick off our 2013-2014 actiongroups year with a wonderful Fall line-up of opportunities for you to gather with fellow believers and do life together. Check out what groups are meeting during the week, weekend, or monthly below. Full descriptions of these actiongroups can be found on our actiongroups webpage!

WEEKNIGHT GROUPS

Financial Peace University – Tuesdays @ 7pm – Jesse & Marian Knopp’s Home
Walk & Talk – Wednesdays @ 6pm – Springettsbury Park & York Township Park
Student Ministry – Wednesdays @ 6:30pm – Josiah & Rachel Katz’ Home
Insights – Thursdays @ 7pm – Bill & Denise Snyder’s Home

WEEKEND GROUPS

A-Fit – Saturdays @ 6:30am – John Rudy County Park
Men of Action – Every Other Saturday @ 8am – Johnny Shearer’s Home
A-Hikers – Scheduled Saturdays @ 9am – Rocky Ridge County Park & Other Local Parks
Women’s Group – Sundays @ 6pm – Rachel Katz’ Home

MONTHLY GROUPS

Cigar Group – Raph Caloia’s Home
Young Adults – Varied Locations

Interested in joining an actiongroup? Have an idea for a new actiongroup? Interested in helping Marian coordinate actiongroups? Just send an e-mail to groups@actionchurch.com

On Sunday, I shared with everyone my actiongroups story. I decided to “try out” an actiongroup and it led me to incredible positive changes in my life like accountability, friends, and a social life (I seriously had none before actiongroups).

My challenge to all of you is to “try out” an actiongroup this spring. Now is the time to do it. We have NINE incredible groups and there’s a group for everyone:

• Ladies
• Men
• College Students
• Middle School and High School Students
• People who like to work out (or people who need to workout)
• People who care about getting their finances in order
• People who like board games
• People who like to smoke a cigar every now and then
• People who like conversing and gaining insight from the Bible with friends

Instead of trying to re-invent the wheel, I’ll send you over to our actiongroups web page for more information on each of the actiongroups and when they meet: http://actionchurch.com/actiongroups/

The actiongroups for the spring will be kicking off in February on their respective days of the week. There’s plenty of time to contemplate and sign up for an actiongroup. Just make sure that you do at least “try” one of them. If you have any questions or want to sign up, just e-mail groups@actionchurch.com