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I was listening to a podcast recently in which the speaker asked, "What is the one word that someone could use to describe you that would devastate you if it was true?" Her answer was "needy." Most of us would rather be just about anything but "needy." Why is that? 

There is a difference between being "needy" and being "in need." When our condition of being in need becomes our identity, we become needy. Rather than just having a situation, we develop a reputation. But to be in need is to be human. Jesus demonstrates this throughout His life-from birth as a fully dependent infant, to the crucifixion, where He spoke through parched and cracked lips, "I am thirsty." Jesus had needs, but that did not make Him needy, it made Him human. 

We all have times in which our needs exceed our resources. At Platt Park Church, we have a small but mighty group of people called "The Blessing Team." We are on the lookout for ways that we can bless people by helping to meet the very real needs in their lives. Here is just a glimpse of some of the ways that we have done this: 

· Helped an individual avoid eviction by paying rent 
· Supported a refugee who is going to college 
· Helped a family of five by paying their rent 
· Paying for several counseling sessions to help a couple 
· Paid towards reducing medical bills for an individual 
· Monthly stipend for transportation for a person with special needs 
· Handed out grocery and Uber gift cards 

It is a marvelous and joyful experience to be giving out of our abundance to help those around us, both in our faith community and outside it. It is the love of Christ that compels us. 
This Sunday, October 1st, we will be collecting gift cards to distribute as needs arise. We thank you in advance for donating grocery cards, RTD pass books, or Target cards. 

If you are interested in hearing more about the Blessing Team, or in serving with us, please contact Carol Schmidt at carolschmidtco@gmail.com



This Sunday Banner

Worry - it's universal. It is as much a part of life as breathing. Yet Jesus said, Don't. Don't worry! Easier said than done.

In this series, we will explore all that Jesus had to say about worry. You'll discover where worry comes from, why it's so difficult to overcome, and what you can do to conquer it. We will explore an Old Testament story about a man who was challenged with a single question-a question that brought a new perspective to his worries. That question may be the key to overcoming worry in your life as well.

We hope you'll join us this Sunday as we kick off our October series, "Why Worry?" Worship with us at 9am or 10:30am. Childcare, Sunday School, and Youth Group* options are available for children of all ages!

*Youth Group meets during the 10:30am service.

What's Ahead Banner
Gift Card Drive
At Platt Park Church we have a small, but mighty group of people called "The Blessing Team." Throughout the month of October we will be collecting gift cards to distribute as needs arise. We are on the lookout for ways that we can bless people by helping to meet the very real needs in their lives.  Any donations of grocery cards, RTD pass books, or Target gift cards would be so greatly appreciated. It is a marvelous and joyful experience to be giving out of our abundance to help those around us, both in our faith community and outside it.    
If you are interested in hearing more about the Blessing Team, or in serving with us, please contact Carol Schmidt at carolschmidtco@gmail.com

Halloween Candy Drive
Our annual Halloween Block Party is around the corner and we need candy! Please consider donating unopened bags of candy for this incredibly fun, family friendly event! Donations can be turned into the main office or dropped into one of the donation boxes in the back of the church. Thank you!

PPC Men's Retreat
Join us on Friday, November 3rd, through Saturday, November 4th, in Nederland for a time of fun and friendship. The plan is to have fun and explore the Enneagram.  Cost is $65 for food and shelter...fun is free!  Email tim@plattparkchurch.org to register.

Connect, Grow, and Flourish!
Looking for ways to connect in our faith community?  Want to find a place to serve in our church, in Denver, or even globally?  Stop by the 'Connection Table' in the Parlor after service and  learn more about the good things that are happening in our faith community!  Susan Stein, (pastor of community integration & soul care) would love to chat with you and share opportunities to connect, grow and flourish at Platt Park Church!  For more info, please email susan@plattparkchurch.org

Spiritual Retreat for Mothers - October 27th-October 29th, 2017
Join our parter, Eagle Lake Camps, for an uplifting weekend away at Spiritual Refreshment for Mothers, led by author and speaker Catherine McNiel. Together with other mothers, we will look at God's design for motherhood and how to connect with the Lord in the sacred mundane of every mothering moment. Gather with us on the soul-stirring grounds of Glen Eyrie and accept this life-giving invitation to a weekend of encouragement, community, and practical practices for the mother who neither has time nor quiet.  F or more information or to make a reservation by phone, please call  719-265-7050 or CLICK HERE.

Nepal Partnership
Interested in our partnership in Nepal?  Let us know! We would love to include you on our monthly ministry update email newsletter. To be added, please fill out a connection card via paper or via our app, or email us at   info@plattparkchurch.org .

Download our Church App.   We now have a custom church app you can download to stay connected with everything here at Platt Park Church! You can access sermons, events, and give, right through our Church's app. Just go to your phone's app store, search for Platt Park Church, and download. Or click here:  Download Our App

Party in the Parlor  Looking for ways to connect in our faith community?  Want to find a place to serve in our church, in Denver, or globally?  Come to our "10 minute Connection Party!" Susan Stein will be in the parlor following both the 9am and 10:30am services and is excited to share opportunities for serving and connecting at Platt Park Church and beyond! 

Looking for a way to connect in our faith community?  Consider volunteering during Sunday morning services. We have needs for volunteers in the following areas: Greeter Team, Communion Servers, Hospitality Team, Media Presenters, and Children and Youth Ministry Volunteers.  Contact Susan Stein (susan@plattparkchurch.org) for more information and to get involved!

#CasseroleCare Volunteers.  We're thrilled to offer #CasseroleCare to our new moms, families undergoing a severe illness, and others in need! It's a good-old fashioned meal train, where we deliver home-cooked or freshly prepared restaurant dinners. Service opportunities include meal preparation, delivery, or simply donating a gift card from your favorite fast casual restaurant! Please indicate #CasseroleCare on your comment card, or contact Marcie Everett at marcieneverett@gmail.com for additional details. 

The APPLE TREE CLOSET is open for shopping!  Beautiful, upscale women's clothing, shoes and accessories are regularly donated to us by Common Threads on South Pearl and you can purchase them for a fraction of their original price. Students and those with low income can even shop for free!  The proceeds from this ministry benefit our Benevolence/Blessing Fund.  Come check it out on the lower level!  (Due to space limitations we are no longer accepting donated items from the congregation).

Groups Banner
COMING IN OCTOBER - NEW FALL GROUPS! 
Small groups are one important way to grow deeper in relationships with God and with one another. We learn to know Christ more and how to follow him in word and deed in the context of community. Joining a small group is such a vital and easy way to get to know others in the church, establish friendships and grow in Christ in a more relaxed setting. Sometimes participating in a group can help you determine if joining a church in Denver is for you.  
 
Adoption Connections (For people with ties to the adoption)   
Leaders- Gwen & Tim Vogelzang  
Fourth Friday of every month, 6:15pm - 8pm @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)   
We welcome Platt Park members as well as anyone outside the church body who has ties to the world of adoption. Whether you've adopted internationally, domestically, through foster care, you're considering adoption, you were adopted, you placed a child for adoption...everyone is welcome. Bring dinner and eat as a family at 6:00pm, if you wish! Our formal time together will begin at 6:30; when we will share journeys, discuss adoption related topics, and grow in community. (Childcare starting at 6:30).   
 
Babies and Tots (For families with babies and toddlers)  
Leaders: The Detzels, the Larsons & the Rondeaus  
First Saturday of every month, 4pm - 6pm @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)   
We are a new group for parents of babies and tots! We will keep it simple, gathering together for guided conversation, worship and community building (and maybe some food too!) Childcare provided.   
 
Evening Edition (For women)  
Leaders- Carol Schmidt & Heather Easter  
Thursday evenings, 6:30pm-8pm @ Platt Park Church (Lounge)   
"Have you ever wondered why sometimes you seem to "succeed" spiritually, and other times you seem to "fail?" Or, when you are fully trusting and obeying God, that you seem to encounter more obstacles, discouragement, and defeat? As crazy as it may sound to our modern world, the Bible says that there is an enemy, and he is out to devour us like a roaring lion. This fall, the Evening Edition Women's Group will be studying C.S. Lewis' book The Screwtape Letters. This book is a timeless classic told from the devil's point of view. Childcare Provided.   
 
The Front Door (For people who are new to our community)  
Leaders- Tim & Susie Grade  
Sunday nights, 5pm- 7pm (October 8, 15, 22, 29) @ the Grade's home   
Are you new to Platt Park Church? Do you want to meet more people and get to know the pastors? This four-week group is an opportunity for people who are newer or not-yet connected in the faith community to share a weekly meal and conversation about the mission and vision of our church. We will gather in co-pastors, Tim and Susie Grade's home for a potluck style dinner, followed by casual conversation.  
 
Holy Yoga (All are welcome!)   
Leader- Kari Johnson  
Mondays from 6:30pm-7:30pm @ Platt Park Church (Social Hall)   
Holy Yoga is the intentional practice of connecting our entire being; body, mind & spirit, with God. You will experience a Christ centered yoga practice including breath work,   
meditation and physical postures. This "Slow Flow" yoga is for all experience levels, linking breath with motion. Modifications are offered if you are looking for a  more gentle  practice or if you are looking to up-level. Come join us for an opportunity to connect to God through His Word, worship and wellness. All levels are welcome! Please bring a mat, water bottle, and a friend! No childcare. Suggested Donation: $10  
 
Just Worship (All are welcome!)  
Leader: Charlie Dodrill  
1st Wednesday of every month, 6:30-7:30pm @ Platt Park Church (Sanctuary)   
Charlie and others will lead us in an hour of worship. Come, relax, rest, sing, BE in the presence of God as 'he inhabits the praises of his people' (Psalm 22:3). Childcare (0-5  yr   olds  
 
Morning Edition (For women)   
Leaders: Lara Hedberg & Kelli Detzel   
Thursdays Mornings, 10:00am - 11:30am @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)   
Join us for connection, honest conversation and weekly prayer. Get to know other women and be known as we open the scriptures and discuss the book "What is the Bible ? :  How a book of Poems, Letters and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything," by Rob Bell. Childcare Provided.   
 
Monday Night Men (For men)   
Leader: Mark Bixler  
Mondays, 7pm - 8:30pm @ Platt Park Church (Parlor)   
This fall we will be reading Richard Rohr's book, The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. Find out about these 9 personality types, how you see the world, and how others might see the same world differently!   
 
Simply Jesus (All are welcome)  
Leaders: The Kidds & the  Haverlands    
1st & 3rd Mondays, 7pm - 8:30pm @ the Haverland's Home   
We will be studying John  Ortberg's  book,  Who  is this Man? Jesus' influence has swept over history, bringing his inspiration to the evolution of art, science, government, medicine, and education. This book and video series will challenge and encourage us to lead lives of dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope that will continue to inspire and challenge humanity today.   
 
Connect (All are welcome)  
Leaders: Charlie Dodrill & Susan Stein  
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 6:30-8:00pm, (Location TBA)   
Come learn and engage with different spiritual practices for our continuing journey toward the heart of God. You will hear from some amazing spiritual formation leaders in our community and gain practical guidance in the spiritual disciplines. Join us and experience new ways of hearing from and being present to God. Childcare provided.   
 
Sunday Funday for Families (for families with school-age kids)   
Leaders: Olivia Kosky & Anne Coughlin  
First Sunday of the Month, 5:00pm- 7:00pm @ Platt Park Church   
Sunday  Funday  for Families is a group where families can connect, socialize and learn together. This fall, we will be utilizing a video series called "Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child's Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days." This series is most relevant for families in the season of life of character-building and setting expectations for behavior in their kids. Childcare provided.   
 
Sunday Morning Bible Study (All are welcome)   
Leader - Sandy Laws  
Sunday Mornings, 10:30am- 11:30am @ Platt Park Church (Lounge)   
Big Picture Thinking of God: Have you ever wondered about what happened in the Garden of Eden? And how it fits into the New Testament. Or why God created us in the first place? Or what is God's plan  is  for his people? If you've had these questions and want to examine the major themes of the Bible and how the Old Testament and New Testament fit together, then join us for a five-week study on The Big Picture Thinking of God. This class is taught by Sandy Laws, New Testament scholar and graduate from Denver Seminary. Childcare provided.   
 
Wednesday Morning Men (For men)   
Leader - Tim Grade   
Wednesdays, 7am - 8am @ the REI Starbucks (1416 Platte River Rd.)   
This Fall we will be reading Richard Rohr's book The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. Find out about these 9 personality types, how you see the world, and how others might see the same world differently!   
 
One Question Dinners (All are welcome)   
Enjoy a meal and get to know some of the amazing people in our faith community! Your host will provide the main course and offer "one question" to get the conversation started. Guests will be asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. The goal is simply to make friends and build community! Space is limited for each gathering. Please email your host directly for more details and/or to RSVP.   
 
Hosts & Locations:  
 
For more information or to register for a group, please visit   www.plattparkchurch.org/growing  

Giving Banner

We believe giving is at the heart of the message of the Gospel. John 3:16 says, "God loved the world so much that he gave..."

We appreciate your presence and partnership in our family of faith. Thank you for your generosity. Our weekly budget is $7,000. 
 
August 20: $11,030
August 27: $3,664
September 3: $9,262
September 10: $9,106.00
September 17: $4,780.00

Ways to Give:
  1. Online at plattparkchurch.org/give
  2. Text the word "platt" to 77977
  3. Download the Platt Park Church app (visit your app store and search "Platt Park Church" then download)
  4. Via an offering envelope (included in the weekly worship program)
  5. During Sunday worship gathering (via the offering boxes)

Platt Park Church
303.974.7489

We are a simple, honest community of faith in Denver's historic Platt Park Neighborhood.