A Grateful Heart
by Pastor Lisa Thomas of Story Church
As we enter the month of October, I look back over the past several weeks with a very grateful heart. This has been a season filled with celebration, transition, new beginnings, and many reminders of the ways God continues to work through Story Church and Twice Blessed Free Store (TBFS).
Our annual Block Party was a wonderful success! We welcomed 204 guests for an afternoon of food, laughter, friendship, and fun. Michael Parry kept the grill going with delicious hamburgers and hot dogs. The children enjoyed watching Twisting Tony again this year as he transformed balloons into all kinds of colorful creations. Face painting and haircuts were offered for the first time, and both were wonderful additions. The day was filled with smiling faces, enthusiastic children and people visiting with one another. The Block Party provided a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships by spending time with our neighbors. It served to remind our community that Story Church is a place where everyone is welcome and loved.
On August 29, we said goodbye to Jason Kraft, who served faithfully as the Director of TBFS for the past two years. We are deeply grateful for Jason’s commitment, dedication, and loyalty to this ministry and for the sacrifices his family made along the way. We pray that God will bless Jason and his family as they begin their next chapter.
In Jason’s absence, we are excited to welcome Tim Gleason as the new TBFS Director. Tim brings enthusiasm, valuable experience, and a heart for ministry. We are grateful that God has brought him to us, and we look forward to seeing how Twice Blessed will continue to grow under his leadership. Please keep Tim in your prayers as he learns the rhythms of the ministry, builds relationships with our volunteers and shoppers, and helps lead TBFS into its next season.
We also recently began our new SWAG Bible Study (Sisters With Amazing Grace) in partnership with Sisters Haven every Tuesday at noon. We invited the mothers from their program to join us in hopes that we can study God’s Word together, build friendships, listen to one another’s stories, and support these women in their journeys. We may arrive with different backgrounds and life experiences, but I pray that every woman who joins us will know that she is seen, valued, supported, and deeply loved by God.
There is even more to look forward to this month! On October 17 from 5:00 to 7:00pm, Story Church will host our first Fall Fest. We will dedicate our beautiful Pieces of Peace mosaic and celebrate the garden harvest. What a wonderful way to close a great growing season, with gratitude for the beauty God has brought forth from the earth, through our community, and by the many hands that have worked together.
As I reflect on all these things, I am reminded that the life of the church is made up of many seasons. There are seasons of planting and harvesting, seasons of welcoming and saying goodbye, and seasons when God invites us to begin something new. Every season brings its own joys and challenges, but through them all, God remains faithful.
Story Church is not simply a building or a collection of programs. It is a community of people who are learning to love God and love one another. It is a place where stories are shared, burdens are carried, friendships are formed, and people encounter Christ in the midst of their lives.
As we move through October, I pray we continue to make room for one another. May we welcome new beginnings with hope, honor endings with gratitude, and remain open to wherever God leads us next.
With gratitude and hope,
Blessings,
Pastor Lisa Thomas
Story Church Campus Pastor