For the past several years, Antioch Church has started each new year by conducting a church-wide 21 day fast. This year is no different! We would like to encourage you to join us as we start the journey of 2012 with great expectation of the things of God! Imagine what might be accomplished for the Kingdom if we all come together and focus our hearts and prayer life on the same initiatives!

Daily video – click for link 

You may be asking yourself why should I fast?

Jesus fasted. (Matthew 4 & Luke 4)

Jesus taught that his disciples would fast after he left. (Matthew 9:14-16, Luke 5:33-39)

Along with prayer and giving, Jesus included fasting as part of a three-fold system of “righteous” living. He did not stress the importance of one over the other. He expected that a God honoring life would include all three. (Matthew 6:1-18)

Scripturally, whenever the Bible talks about humbling oneself before God, fasting was part of that humbling process. Think about how this might change the way you understand the following verse: If my people, who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:12)

Fasting is a time of intimacy with God. Fasting is a time to dedicate the first portion of your year to God—a type of first-fruit offering.

Fasting is a time of committed and specific prayer, meditation on the Word of God, and listening to the voice of God.

If you have never fasting before, here are some of the types of fasts you might consider:

Complete Fast—during this time you will consume nothing but water. This is a very difficult fast and should be done with caution and preparation.

Juice Fast—this type involves eating nothing, but does allow the consumption of 100% juice (no additives, fresh if possible). This type of fast has many of the same benefits as the complete fast, but is not as rigorous.

Daniel Fast—in this fast you eat basically just fruits, vegetables, and nuts. This is a great fast for someone seeking wisdom, or who desire to set themselves apart from the world around them. (doing a “Google” search for “Daniel Fast” will yield you plenty of helpful resources)

Activity Fast—while this type of fast is not included in the scripture (except for married couples) setting a side an activity that you regularly engage in (watching T.V. facebooking, reading the newspaper) and purposefully choosing to spend time with God is a great way to commit your time to God.

November 26 – December 31
Give in designated “Reaching” offerings

Tuesday or Thursday 1-5pm
Assist at The Storehouse
Contact Chris Shultz 913.432.4300

Saturday, December 3rd
Christmas Caroling at area nursing homes
Meet @ 9am in the Music Suite

Saturday, December 10th
Stuff stockings for the Rosedale Inner City Christmas Party
Following 5pm service in the Fireside Chapel

Sunday, December 11th
Gift wrapping for Angel Tree ministries
Following 9am service Fireside Chapel

December 11th-14th
Bake cookies for the Rosedale Inner City Christmas Party
Deliver cookies to the front desk

Wednesday, December 14th
Rosedale Inner City Christmas Party
Meet in the mall area of the church at 6pm
to go to the party
Sign up at Welcome Center

Saturday, December 17th
Help prepare boxes for The Storehouse Christmas Dinners
Meet at 3:30pm in the Fireside Chapel

November 26th – December 18th
Donate coats, hoodies, socks, gloves and hats for the homeless

Restart Mission
Sign up to prepare & serve a meal through
your Life Group

Volunteer @ City Union Mission
Call Tammy Sharp – 816-329-1487

We also have several mission trips scheduled for 2012:

Honduras – March
Guatemala – June
India – June

If you are interested in being a part of any of these trips please email us at info@antiochchurch.com

Thank you Antioch for 5 wonderful years of REACHING out to others through Christmas Outreach. We have literally touched hundreds of lives through your generous giving of both time and finances.

This year we want to focus on serving our church, our community and our world. For our church, we are highlighting The Storehouse. The Storehouse is our avenue to provide basic necessities for those in and outside of Antioch Church. On Saturday, December 17th we are planning to give away 100 Christmas dinners through The Storehouse. $30 will provide a Christmas meal for one family. Help prepare boxes at 3:30pm on December 17th.

Christmas caroling, Angel Tree ministries, Rosedale inner-city Church, Restart Mission and TLC have made a successful impact in our community. Several SERVE opportunities are available for you to REACH out and make a difference in a life this Christmas season. Saturday, December 3 meet in the Music Suite at 9am to go caroling at some area nursing homes. Sign up with your Life Group to prepare or serve dinner at Restart Mission. Stuff stockings December 10th after Saturday night service or attend Rosedale Party for inner-city kids Wednesday, December 14th at 6pm. Help wrap gifts for Angel Tree and TLC parties on December 11th following 9am service. Whatever opportunity you decide to be a part of will impact a life.

Angel House has become near and dear to the heart of Antioch. Over the past two years we have built 3 churches, 3 water wells and an orphanage in India. This year we are partnering with Angel House to adopt 180 orphans for Christmas. $30 will provide a child with gifts, new shoes and new clothes for Christmas.

Antioch let’s continue changing lives together! This year as we prepare for the greatest Christmas outreach ever, we are also building opportunities to SERVE throughout the year. The Storehouse is an on going ministry at Antioch which continually meets the needs of families through the food pantry, weekly volunteers, Back to School outreach and Car care. You can be a part of this vital ministry. Be on the look out for SERVE opportunities for our community in the monthly Preview or right here on the web.