Author: OneLife Couples Ministry

October 16, 2019 OneLife Couples Ministry

Over the Summer

August found Gnosko cooking up chicken for lunch at the campout following Sunday’s service.  There was no shortage of watermelon and the chicken was something to look forward too.  Grilling is the Summer thing to do!  Our group enjoyed the various tasks to make this food event happen from prepping the food in the Summer kitchen to the manning the meat grilling station, to serving and cleanup.  

Fellowship

In Mid-September Gnosko full group attended the Glenn Kaiser concert held at the bandshell on the waterfront in Hudson!   It was a nice warm, sunny day.  So, Summer came back to us again and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the day including the music and sharing of Glenn’s testimony and ministry in action along with some great tunes.   Three hot air balloons floated by just through the trees.  They even dipped down into the water and left a trail of water raining down as they ascended back up.  Future fun perhaps to one day take our own ride/turn up in one of those.  What a neat perspective. There were opportunities to get to know the community at large in the audience and the vendors who were present.  Some of us took advantage of pairing up with another couple either before or after and grab lunch or dinner together.  

Heading into Fall

At the beginning of October, we found ourselves flipping flapjacks for the Prayer Breakfast.  It was a lot of fun to be able to serve breakfast for all who attended.

As a Gnosko group, we took a Fall color tour down to Alma WI to meet at Buena Vista Park on Sunday, October 13th. We had a great time although it was very windy and chilly, at least we did not have the 4” of snow that we had when we went last year.

Out of Town adventure!

Our Gnosko leaders are planning an escape room adventure in Rice Lake on Friday, October 18th which is described as a peaceful Ocean Charter Tour until a storm picks up and destroys the ship, leaving you and the other six people aboard stranded on an uncharted desert island… WITH AN ACTIVE VOLCANO???? This should be a good test for us as leaders to see how well we can work together.

What’s ahead

Also coming up this fall we would like to do some local home repair projects in our community. So please be in prayer for us on this and let us know if you know of someone in need. This could be sheetrock, window or door repair, as well as winter-proofing.

August 16, 2019 OneLife Couples Ministry

Rewind OneLife

JUNE: Mid-June drew us away from life in Menomonie for a couple of days to Duluth. OneLife group members (kids and all) took to the highway to help JFBDuluth host a coffee and ice cream vending booth at the Park Point Rummage Sale event. They share our heart in connecting with the community. It was a very nice time shaking hands with people and working shoulder to shoulder with our northern family.

THE NO-CANOEING CANOE TRIP: We had the novel idea of canoeing the “Green” Cedar River. With all the best intentions we gathered enough canoes and planned the route. The moment the Sunday service ended, dark clouds moved in with an overwhelming amount of lightening. Lightning-strikes and metal boats on water do not make for safe events. So, at the last minute, the group decided to cruise to Bayport for ice cream and chill at a park when the storm passed.

Ice Cream Kiddies
They’s lovin’ them some ice cream

JULY: First of all, I have to expose a grave ignorance on my part. Back in July, when Duluth Community Group joined OneLife to host our 4th Annual Biking for Tacos event, it wasn’t until we were almost completely done with the entire event that I connected why Laura was wearing that huge colorful sombrero. See, the event was called Biking for “TACOS”! Really, I thought she was just overly concerned about sunburn or something… Sheesh! I am slow.

Biking for Tacos this year put us in conversations with people from the community again; even some long-ago acquaintances. It was a great way to share a little fun with Menomonie. Duluth crew, it was really nice to hang with you guys for a couple of days.

  • Time to Eat
  • Jason and Adam
  • Follow the Gray Sand Road
  • Tasty Stuff
  • “Bikers”
  • Getting Ready
  • Los Tacos
  • Hydration

NEIGHBORHOODS: Over the summer, various OneLife members hosted gatherings in their neighborhoods to connect with neighbors and co-workers. These gatherings included various activities like homemade ice cream and hot dogs, evening breakfast, and a movie in the woods. This year these events seemed decently attended and connections were made, and at very little cost or work.

Fast Forward

As we head into the fall, we will be meeting twice a month to fellowship together. We have a few ideas in mind like our annual flag football and chili day, among other things. We are really looking forward to what’s in store.

let's play ball
…last year’s flag football game

Keep your eyes on the church calendar for more information about when we are meeting and what we are doing.

June 16, 2019 OneLife Couples Ministry

Reaching out in Red Wing MN

In May and June, we headed to Red Wing to assist Patti from the Connected Connection. The Gnosko member’s split into two groups. One staying behind to assist in organizing and the other group trekked to the property where we moved some of Patti’s items back to the shop location.

We moved a twenty-foot bar with ornated detailing from the 1880s. Moving that large item proved challenging. The group was able to get it from inside the building and onto a trailer bound for Red Wing. Back at the shop, a transformation of the outdoor space was completed with teamwork. Lunch was provided by Patti.

The next time we went we assisted Patti with shipments going to Honduras via cargo plane. We cleaned and organized donated items. We are blessed to help Patti, who at 78 years young is moving mountains assisting others. Pattie is a great example of serving others and does not let her age stop her.

Heyde Center for the Arts

In April, Gnosko found a bit of sunshine, warmth, and fellowship. We attended the 55th Annual Spring Art Show at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, WI. Local artists from the Chippewa Valley were invited to submit their art for the free show. This is a great community event to enjoy different mediums of art and creations. What a uniquely individual spark God puts within each of us…He created us to create, and this is just one form of that. Here’s a good article that speaks to it. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/make-god-look-great-create. Wrapping up our fellowship destination was by unanimous decision to Olson’s Ice Cream!

Healthier Living Update

With the help of the Holy Spirit, lots of support and encouragement, our Gnosko group is feeling much lighter these days. To the tune of 137 pounds (that’s 548 sticks of butter) and 68.25 inches lost! Please continue to pray and support our healthy habits.

April 16, 2019 OneLife Couples Ministry

It has been an event-filled beginning to 2019! OneLife has worked hard to strengthen our friendships within the church and in our neighborhoods. January, February, and March have all given our group opportunities to fulfill our vision and purpose. Let’s take a look back…

January

OneLife and Gnosko members got together on a Saturday back in January to go hang out in the Twin Cities. We mix/divided the groups into 1-car teams who would converge at Ikea for a really fun photo scavenger hunt. Teams were given an hour to walk through Ikea to fulfill some-20 odd photos including recreating a movie scene, sitting on a toilet, all in bed together, etc. Afterwards we enjoyed a lunch at the Ikea cafeteria. Dang, if that wasn’t a blast! Thanks goes out to Gnosko for their full participation. We really do “church” with an eclectic bunch of people.

January also brought about a very frigid neighborhood outreach in the Huhmann’s neighborhood. They ventured out on the ice of Lake Menomin for a fire, fellowship, and home-made ice-golf. Erik and Tavis also invented a new gliding-lawn-chair game. They had a good turnout and a really nice time with the neighbors.

February

OneLife joined Kindred for a Sunday evening of bowling. The members of both groups formed mixed teams and each team came up with a name and a theme. We bowled two games. On the first game, the first ball of each frame had to be done according to instruction: Fred Flinstone “Twinkle-Toes” bowling, bowl with the wrong hand, slow-motion bowling, and trophy bowling, just to name a few. We had a really nice time and laughed a lot. I can’t help but think how goofy we must have seemed to the rest of the bowlers that day. No doubt, it was clear we were enjoying ourselves.

February also brought a neighborhood gathering at the Samens residence. Nick and Amber planned a fellowship in their garage complete with toy projects for kids, food and lots of conversation. They had a nice turnout even with how cold it was. The kids and adults all had a good time.

March

Dyer’s, Schug’s, and Shields’ all planned neighborhood gatherings. Schug’s held a Friday night bonfire and snacks. Several people came and great conversation was had by all. Dyer’s had a Saturday art day complete with print-making, ceramics, and food. A smattering of Laura’s current and ex co-workers came and we all got to talk about art and life. Shields held a backyard fire and food on Sunday afternoon. They enjoyed getting to know a newer couple to church around a warm fire.

Yet Future

We have a large section of our group going to the Philippines this year. So we’re all pitching in to help cover them on the home-front. They will be in our prayers as they go. In the meantime, we will be preparing to head into the summer to do some community outreach events with the Duluth community group as well as Street Level International, the Bridge, and more neighborhood gatherings. Keep us in prayer as we seek to find ways to reach our neighbors with the good news.

Interested?

OneLife is a ministry for young couples and young families. Our mission is to minister to each other in the everyday things of life, minister to our neighbors in ways that express Jesus love and gospel kindness, and deepen fellowship within the church.
Our monthly events offer a mix of things including planning meetings, outreach events, and fellowships. But at least once a month, we open up our meeting time to non-members in the church to meet over coffee to discuss the current Sunday message which inspires some good discussion and prayer. You will find us gathering at coffee shops, the co-op, and local restaurants for these events.
Email us: onelife@jfbelievers.com

February 16, 2019 OneLife Couples Ministry

Gnosko are a group of married couples that are dedicated to God. Living our lives through helping each other and those in our community and beyond.

Calling donations for Kentucky

At the end of December, several Gnosko members fueled up at a local Denny’s before heading to Red Wing. We met with Patti who gave us an opportunity to pick up some items to send to Kentucky.  

Patti with the Connecting Connection regularly donates to Honduras via a cargo plane.  Some sizes of clothing (large on up) are too big to send down there.   That’s why we where able to get some clothing from that ministry there to send to Kentucky.  

So we rolled out the barrels and filled up the trailer.  These barrels were really sturdy and great to move around. We are planning to work with Patti in Red Wing this spring. To help repair items before they ship out to Honduras.

Before our day trip ended we were able to stop at a local place you can’t leave town without stopping at…Hanisch bakery….not to be confused with Harnisch!  From there we delivered the items back to be stored away until Street Level is preparing to leave for KY in March.

Currently, we’re collecting men’s work clothes and boots, housewares, furniture and more.  The next time we will do so is Sunday, February 24, and possibly beyond till shortly before the team leaves. Please contact Bryan Harnisch to make the specific arrangements to drop those items off with Gnosko. Please be in prayer for the upcoming SL missions trip, which is just around the corner, to prepare the hearts of those going and for the opportunities there while in KY.

Mark Driscoll Video

The Gnosko members group got together after church a couple weeks ago to watch Mark Driscoll’s Spirit-Filled Jesus Conference: Live by His Power video.  To sum up this amazing conference Mark taught us that Jesus didn’t do it on his own, He relied on the Holy Spirit. We shouldn’t rely on ourselves and should rely on the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did. Growing through every experience we have whether it’s good or bad, and we need to forgive as Jesus forgives us. We can fight the demonic with these five God-given weapons The Holy Spirit, Your Identity, Godly Perspective, Scripture, Faith to Trust.

A Trip to IKEA

January although cold brought plenty of fun.  On January 19th, the Gnosko Members accepted an invitation from the OneLife Ministry on a City Road Trip.  The intent of the event was to create opportunities for cross-fellowship and unity among the members of the church and among the members of Gnosko and OneLife.  The event included teams comprised of members from each group who spent the day together in fellowship and included an IKEA scavenger hunt, a group meal, lots of fun and laugh, and lots more.

Healthier Living

Some of us in Gnosko saw the need to make some life changes. These changes would be beneficial not only to us and our health but especially for keeping kingdom work in our plan. Towards the end of January Gnosko began The Biggest Loser.  We are having monthly weigh-ins to help keep us on track. Checking in with each other and holding each other accountable in this journey together.   We need each others prayers and support in the hopes of  better health and kingdom work for our future.   So feel free, all of you, to join us in encouragement, accountability, and prayer!  

December 21, 2018 OneLife Couples Ministry
OneLife 2018 Christmas decor
Whip it good!

Who we are…

OneLife is a ministry for young couples and young families. Our mission is to minister to each other in the everyday things of life, minister to our neighbors in ways that express Jesus love and gospel kindness, and deepen fellowship within the church.

Our monthly events offer a mix of things including planning meetings, outreach events, and fellowships. But at least once a month, we open up our meeting time to non-members in the church to meet over coffee to discuss the current Sunday message which inspires some good discussion and prayer. You will find us gathering at coffee shops, the co-op, and local restaurants for these events.

October

2018 Oct football fellowship
“Green-18! Green-18 -GO!”

October always has us looking to suck up on any remaining warm days we can get. We held our second flag football, fire and chili gig. The day was reasonably warm and sunny. Once again, no one got hurt (except egos) and we all headed home warn out from laughing, yelling, running, and eating some delicious chili. Some of our people get competitive while others are about as “who cares if we follow the rules” as they come. It makes for a really fun adventure.

November

2018 decoration party
Erik opted for a red bow for his head-wear.

November brought our members together to decorate for the Christmas season. This year we added some new ideas to upscale the feel. Our sanctuary is looking better and better all the time (new carpet, subtle decor, and lighting). This particular hangout included some holiday treats and cocoa. We also want to say thank you to Justin and Courtney for jumping in with us that day.

December

2018 OneLife party
What age does a younger person begin to love stuff like this?

December was especially fellowship-y. We saw a need for our group to come together more often just to be together and enjoy each other’s company. The leaders will be doing this and the members did. We gathered at the Huhmann’s house and fired up the pizza oven. So, did you know there were so many types of olives? I didn’t. We had fresh pizzas, sodas, and a smattering of other snacks. It was a nice relaxing evening.

Likewise, we also joined fellowship with Street Level. We brought an “IN-YOUR-FACE! -WINTER!” Summer picnic to the Street Level House. It was complete with virgin pina coladas, grilled chicken, burgers, BBQ beans, coleslaw, and orange fruity jello in molds. 50 plus attendees made for a very “rowdy” (Ben’s word) afternoon. Team Pete dominated Team Jenae in the event’s final activity, full-group Pictionary. The crazy thing is 95% of OneLife are the ghost of Street Level past. So, it was just a really fun way to connect, talk, encourage, and fellowship together before the students all started finals week. Thanks to Street Level for a great time!

Next on the Docket

January begins our winter neighborhood gatherings. Once each month, two families will be hosting an event to connect to neighbors. Who knows what fun things will come about. Its clear we all have neighbors who like to come together for food and fun. We just need to make it happen.

We will be taking a road trip to the Twin Cities in January with our friends from Gnosko. Their members and ours will be splitting up, cruising to the big city, and enjoying a game, food, and fellowship at none other than Ikea. Wondering how that works? The truth will be revealed.

February also presents a members fellowship with our friends in the Kindred ministry. It involves shenanigans with bowling balls, themed teams, and more! We are excited to make it happen.

Get Involved!

Covenant member of JFB, if you would like to get involved, reach out to pastor Tom for how to make that happen.

Church guest, you are welcome to attend an event if you like. Details of what we are doing and when is found on the JFB calendar page or you can email us at onelife@jfbelievers.com