June 28, 2020

July 2, 2020 Zero Collective

IN THE WILD | WEEK 3

The wild can be unsettling, uncomfortable and even unbearable. It is in the wild that we tend to forget what God has done. But, what if there was a different way to live in the wild? To actually hold onto the most important things?

Like us, every time God’s people failed to remember they were set free, they ended up in slavery, fear, and worry. One of the most significant (and repeated) words in the book of Deuteronomy is the word

REMEMBER.

Continue to join us this summer for a journey through the Old Testament as we discover ancient practices that will help anchor our uncertain future.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2020)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,275 $2,533 ($579)

UPCOMING EVENTS

-STAY CONNECTED-

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM.

WATCH ON centergr.com/live OR centergr.online.church.

HOME CHURCHES:

Interested in getting connected to a Home Church?

Contact office@centergr.com for details.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTER STUDENTS MINISTRY:

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

LINDSEY GORVEATTE| CENTER STUDENTS PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passages:

Deuteronomy 26:1-10 (NIV)

Firstfruits and Tithes 26 When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, 2 take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name 3 and say to the priest in office at the time, “I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the land the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 The priest shall take the basket from your hands and set it down in front of the altar of the Lord your God. 5 Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. 6 But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to harsh labor. 7 Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. 8 So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; 10 and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.

Matthew 23:23 (NIV)

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

July 05, 2020

June 24, 2020 Zero Collective

IN THE WILD | WEEK 4

REMEMBER.

Continue to join us this summer for a journey through the Old Testament as we discover ancient practices that will help anchor our uncertain future.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2020)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$4,596 $2,533 $1,483

UPCOMING EVENTS

-STAY CONNECTED-

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, 9:30AM.

WATCH ON centergr.com/live OR centergr.online.church.

COME JOIN US FOR OUR

FIRST RE-GATHERING OUTDOOR WORSHIP EVENT AT THE CENTER CHURCH

ON JULY 12, AT 10:00 AM.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU AGAIN!

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

HOME CHURCHES:

Interested in getting connected to a Home Church?

Contact office@centergr.com for details.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTER STUDENTS MINISTRY:

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | THE CENTER CHURCH LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Exodus 20:8-11 NIV

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

June 21, 2020

June 17, 2020 Zero Collective

IN THE WILD | WEEK 2

REMEMBER.

Continue to join us this summer for a journey through the Old Testament as we discover ancient practices that will help anchor our uncertain future.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2020)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,155 $2,533 ($321)

UPCOMING EVENTS

-STAY CONNECTED-

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM.

WATCH ON centergr.com/live OR centergr.online.church.

HOME CHURCHES:

Interested in getting connected to a Home Church?

Contact office@centergr.com for details.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

We are meeting Sunday, 06.21.20!

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

BRIAN BLOOM | FRONTLINE LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passages:

Leviticus 23:27 NIV Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves,[a] and present a food offering to the Lord.

Genesis 3:1-6 NLT 3 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

Deuteronomy 8:9-18 NLT

9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

June 14, 2020

June 10, 2020 Zero Collective

IN THE WILD | WEEK 1

REMEMBER.

Join us this summer starting June 14 for a journey through the Old Testament as we discover ancient practices that will help anchor our uncertain future.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2020)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$1,590 $2,533 ($943)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM.

WATCH ON centergr.com/live OR centergr.online.church

STARTING 06.14.20: HOME CHURCHES - STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO

OR CONTACT office@centergr.com FOR DETAILS.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | THE CENTER CHURCH LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Leviticus 23:1-44 NIV

The Appointed Feasts

23 1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 3 " 'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord. 4 " 'These are the Lord's appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: 5 The Lord's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord's Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. 7 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. 8 For seven days present a food offering to the Lord. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.' " 9 The Lord said to Moses, 10 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. 11 He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. 12 On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the Lord a lamb a year old without defect, 13 together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah[1] of the finest flour mixed with olive oil-a food offering presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma-and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin[2] of wine. 14 You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. 15 " 'From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. 16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. 17 From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord. 18 Present with this bread seven male lambs, each a year old and without defect, one young bull and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the Lord, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings-a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 19 Then sacrifice one male goat for a sin offering[3] and two lambs, each a year old, for a fellowship offering. 20 The priest is to wave the two lambs before the Lord as a wave offering, together with the bread of the firstfruits. They are a sacred offering to the Lord for the priest. 21 On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly and do no regular work. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. 22 " 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.' " 23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 "Say to the Israelites: 'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. 25 Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the Lord.' " 26 The Lord said to Moses, 27 "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves,[4] and present a food offering to the Lord. 28 Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God. 29 Those who do not deny themselves on that day must be cut off from their people. 30 I will destroy from among their people anyone who does any work on that day. 31 You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. 32 It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath." 33 The Lord said to Moses, 34 "Say to the Israelites: 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord's Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. 35 The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. 36 For seven days present food offerings to the Lord, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work. 37 (" 'These are the Lord's appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the Lord-the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day. 38 These offerings are in addition to those for the Lord's Sabbaths and[5] in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the Lord.) 39 " 'So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. 40 On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees-from palms, willows and other leafy trees-and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. 41 Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters 43 so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.' " 44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed festivals of the Lord.

June 7, 2020

June 3, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 23

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,633 $2,925 ($12,615)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

WATCH ON FACEBOOK LIVE OR centergr.online.church (MOST USER FRIENDLY).

STARTING 06.14.20: HOME CHURCHES - STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | THE CENTER CHURCH LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 16:1-8 NIV

Jesus Has Risen

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

May 31, 2020

May 27, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 22

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,573 $2,925 ($13,348)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

WATCH ON FACEBOOK LIVE OR centergr.online.church.

STARTING 06.14.20: HOME CHURCHES - STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO!

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | THE CENTER CHURCH LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 15:16-32 NIV

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. The Crucifixion of Jesus 21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. 27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] [a] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

May 24, 2020

May 20, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 21

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,632 $2,925 ($13,996)

UPCOMING EVENTS

THREE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

DAVID DOERNER | ZERO COLLECTIVE TEACHING PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passages:

Mark 14:53-65 NIV

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

John 2:18-22 NIV

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

May 17, 2020

May 14, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 20

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,850 $2,925 ($13,703)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 4PM: “HABITS”

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 14:32-42 NIV

Gethsemane

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

May 10, 2020

May 6, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 19

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$1,861 $2,925 ($14,628)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 12PM: “HABITS”

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 14:1-31 NIV

Mark 14:1-31 New International Version (NIV) Jesus Anointed at Bethany 14 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. The Last Supper 12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial 27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’[d] 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

May 3, 2020

April 29, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 18

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,044 $2,925 ($13,564)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 12PM: “HABITS”

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 12:13-44 NIV

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

And they were amazed at him.

Marriage at the Resurrection

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection[b] whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[c]? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

The Greatest Commandment

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[d] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[e] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’[g]

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

March 26, 2020

April 22, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 17

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$4,466 $2,925 ($12,683)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 8:30PM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 12PM: “HABITS”

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

UPDATE to be posted soon.

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 12:1-12 NIV

The Parable of the Tenants

12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. 6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’[a]?” 12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

March 19, 2020

April 15, 2020 Zero Collective

AFTERMATH | WEEK 16

What happens when you’re an Easter person living in a Good Friday world?

When we read about eternal hope in Christ but just lost our job?

When we are healthy but our best friend is sick?

As a church, we are continuing our journey through Mark and discovering what it means to live in the aftermath of Resurrection. A post-Easter discipleship. A new way to live.

Join us Sunday starting at 9:30am.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,182 $2,925 ($14,224)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 12PM: “HABITS”

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

UPDATE to be posted soon.

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 11:1-33 NIV

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” The Authority of Jesus Questioned 27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” 29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

EASTER SUNDAY

April 8, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNWAVERING | WEEK 15

If our lives were defined by our actions only, what kind of life would we be leading? Throughout the Gospel story, we see that Jesus was absolutely unwavering in living out his destiny. Despite persecution, overcoming the powers of darkness, and in the face of the Cross. Jesus was unwavering in his commitment to God’s rescue mission. Wish we could experience this for ourselves? Well, we can. Join us as we continue our walk with Jesus through Mark and discover JESUS UNWAVERING.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$4,353 $2,925 ($13,481)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 12PM: “HABITS”

April 10, 7pm: ONLINE GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

UPDATE to be posted soon.

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 10:32-52 NIV

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” The Request of James and John 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

April 5, 2020

March 31, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNWAVERING | WEEK 14

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,482 $2,925 ($14,909)

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM.

ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE ON WEDNESDAYS, 8PM.

ONLINE EVENT FRIDAYS, 12PM: “HABITS”

April 10, 7pm: ONLINE GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

UPDATE to be posted soon.

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

BRIAN BLOOM | FRONTLINE LEAD PASTOR

LIVE STREAM- SUNDAY, 9:30am

Key Passage: Mark 10:17-27 & 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT)

Mark 10:17-27 17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’[a]” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard[b] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

2 Corinthians 8:9 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

March 29, 2020

March 25, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNWAVERING | WEEK 13

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,965 $2,925 ($14,466)

UPCOMING EVENTS

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT OUR CHURCH SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

DUE TO COVID-19.

JOIN US FOR OUR ONLINE SERVICES ON SUNDAYS, 9:30AM & 11:00AM.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK OUR ONLINE RESOURCES; SOME OF OUR SMALL GROUPS MAY BE MEETING DIGITALLY.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT:

HAS BEEN CANCELLED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES/RESCHEDULING.

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED:

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY:

UPDATE to be posted soon.

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

JOHN GORVEATTE | THE CENTER CHURCH LEAD PASTOR

BRAD VANDERSON | NEWLIFE CHURCH LEAD PASTOR

LIVE STREAM- SUNDAY, 9:30am & 11:00am

Key Passage: Mark 9:42-50 NIV

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] [b] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] [c] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’[d] 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

March 22, 2020

March 18, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNWAVERING | WEEK 12

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$960 $2,925 ($14,506)

UPCOMING EVENTS

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT OUR CHURCH SERVICE AND SOME EVENTS MAY BECOME SUBJECT TO CHANGE/BE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19.

SMALL GROUPS:

*DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (COVID-19):

PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR SMALL GROUP LEADER TO VERIFY THAT YOUR GROUP IS STILL MEETING.

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info, as new groups will be added.

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

There are currently no events scheduled (COVID-19).

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT: April 24-26, 2020

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED: Have a heart for moms and kids? Looking for a way to serve your community?

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY: Donations and helping hands are welcome!

UPDATED list of goods needed:

Breakfast Packs (3 items in a quart sized zip lock bag)

Oatmeal packets
Granola bars/Protein bars
Individual sized fruit cups
Individual sized cereal boxes
Quart size Ziploc bags

Snack Packs (4 items in a quart sized zip lock bag)

Individual sized crackers of any kind
Granola bars
Individual sized pudding or applesauce cups
Beef sticks/pepperoni
Individual sized trail mix
Popcorn packets
Quart size Ziploc bags
Note:
All food items must be non-expired as regulations prohibit us from distributing expired food.
Thank you for your donation!

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info,

or email Jodi at Hand2Hand Byron Center at hand2handbc@gmail.com directly.

DAVID DOERNER| ZERO COLLECTIVE TEACHING PASTOR

LIVE STREAM- SUNDAY, 9:30am & 11:00am

Key Passage: Mark 9:1-12 NIV

9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” The Transfiguration 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

March 15, 2020

March 11, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNWAVERING | WEEK 11

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,245 $2,925 ($12,541)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Small Groups have launched!

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info, as new groups will be added.

Child Dedication: March 22

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

March 15 and 22:

Join us at the church from 6:30pm-8pm!

March 29: BONFIRE NIGHT

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT: April 24-26, 2020

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED: Have a heart for moms and kids? Looking for a way to serve your community?

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY: Donations and helping hands are welcome!

List of goods needed:

spaghetti noodles
pasta sauce (plastic jars only)
canned fruit
canned veggies (excluding peas)
Ziploc quart size bags
plastic grocery bags

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info.

DAVID DOERNER | ZERO COLLECTIVE TEACHING PASTOR

Key Passage: Mark 8:34-9:1 NIV

The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

9 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

March 8, 2020

March 4, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNWAVERING | WEEK 10

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$3,447 $2,925 ($12,861)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Small Groups have launched!

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info, as new groups will be added.

Child Dedication: March 22

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

March 8, 15 and 22:

Join us at the church from 6:30pm-8pm!

March 29: BONFIRE NIGHT

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT: April 24-26, 2020

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED: Have a heart for moms and kids? Looking for a way to serve your community?

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY: Donations and helping hands are welcome!

List of goods needed:

spaghetti noodles
pasta sauce (plastic jars only)
canned fruit
canned veggies (excluding peas)
Ziploc quart size bags
plastic grocery bags

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info.

LINDSEY GORVEATTE | INTERIM STUDENT PASTOR

Key Passage: Mark 8:14-21 NIV

Mark 8:14-21 14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." 16 They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread." 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. 20 "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." 21 He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

March 1, 2020

February 26, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNFILTERED | WEEK 9

There is a good chance that you’ve heard the name “Jesus” before. Perhaps you grew up in a

church, recently showed up, or are still asking deep questions about who Jesus is?

It is tempting for all of us to put filters on Jesus. But what if God was more than our political

orientation, our skin color, or our religious preferences? What if we could take the filters off

and re-discover what God is truly like?

Well, we can. You are invited to join us for a journey through the gospel of Mark as we explore

JESUS UNFILTERED.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$5,952 $2,925 ($13,383)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Group Launch: March 1

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

Benchmark Sunday: March 1

Please contact john@centergr.com for more info.

Child Dedication: March 22

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

March

March 1, 8, 15 and 22:

Join us at the church from 6:30pm-8pm!

March 29: BONFIRE NIGHT

Questions? Please contact lindsey@neverthesame.org

WOMEN’S RETREAT: April 24-26, 2020

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED: Have a heart for moms and kids? Looking for a way to serve your community?

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY: Donations and helping hands are welcome!

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

Key Passage: Mark 7:1-37 NIV

That Which Defiles

7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b]

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d] and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[g] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.[h] 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

February 23, 2020

February 21, 2020 Zero Collective

JESUS UNFILTERED | WEEK 8

There is a good chance that you’ve heard the name “Jesus” before. Perhaps you grew up in a

church, recently showed up, or are still asking deep questions about who Jesus is?

It is tempting for all of us to put filters on Jesus. But what if God was more than our political

orientation, our skin color, or our religious preferences? What if we could take the filters off

and re-discover what God is truly like?

Well, we can. You are invited to join us for a journey through the gospel of Mark as we explore

JESUS UNFILTERED.

WEEKLY GIVING STATISTICS
(Fiscal Year Began June 1, 2019)

Last Week Weekly Need YTD

$2,256 $2,925 ($16,410)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, February 28: Hand2Hand Fundraiser (promoted by Lisa Solomon)

Come and sample different kinds of yummy chili AND- for a minimum donation of $10.00 - enjoy a bowl of your favorite chili; in addition you’ll receive a delicious dessert and bottled water.

All proceeds will go to Hand2Hand!

When: Friday, February 28 noon-1pm

Where: Principal Financial Group (Atrium)

3196 Kraft SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Any questions? Contact office@centergr.com

Group Launch: March 1

Visit centergr.com/nextsteps for more info.

Benchmark Sunday: March 1

Please contact john@centergr.com for more info.

Child Dedication: March 22

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com

CENTERSTUDENTS MINISTRY:

February

February 23: GAME/FUN NIGHT

Questions? Please contact Brendon at brendon@centergr.com

MEN’S RETREAT: February 21-23, 2020

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

WOMEN’S RETREAT: April 24-26, 2020

For more information visit zerocollective.org/retreats.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOPE UNEXPECTED: Have a heart for moms and kids? Looking for a way to serve your community?

The Center Church takes part in the Hope Unexpected Ministry.

Please contact office@centergr.com if you are interested in serving. We’ll get you connected!

HAND2HAND MINISTRY: Donations and helping hands are welcome!

Any questions? Please contact office@centergr.com for more info.

JOHN GORVEATTE | LEAD PASTOR

Key Passage: Mark 6:30-44 NIV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.