Why Gather Mid-Week?
Different sized gatherings deliver different benefits. Large gatherings are good places for robust singing, corporate worship, and expository exultation in biblical preaching. Small gatherings are good places for personal accountability and tailored prayer for specific needs. Mid-sized groups can be good places for missions reports, baptism testimonies, and connecting with one another over the word.
The Wednesday night Connection is designed to provide an opportunity to share a meal together, to worship and sing, and dig deep into God's Word. During the academic year, we offer Bible-centered electives for children, youth, and adult participation. One hour per week of corporate weekend worship is not excessive, and therefore many feel that their delight in God merits a mid-week gathering for expression of grave gladness in Christ.
During the academic year (September through May), we have Wednesday Connection activities at our Downtown and North Campuses.
Schedule:
Dinner
Dinner is served between 4:45 and 6:00 PM. The cost is about $3 per person, with family rates available. Reservations are required by Mondays at noon.
- Downtown Campus, Main Hall. Call 612.338.7653
- North Campus, Room C400. Call 612.455.0800
Prayer
All are invited to ½ an hour of prayer ...the visible engine which drives our effort. All are welcome to join us.
- Downtown Campus, Room 111
- North Campus, Prayer Room
Worship
It is good for the body of believers to get together mid-week and make much of Christ in song. Setting aside time to solely and wholly focus on the person and renewing, life-giving work of Jesus Christ is vital. We put aside other activities for half an hour to refocus our hearts and minds as a church for corporate worship in the sanctuary. We also get to hear about God's work through missionary testimonies and baptisms of people in our church community.
Adult Teaching Time
"Growing a Heart for the Nations"
After worship, children and their leaders are dismissed to their classrooms and adults have a time of teaching together in the sanctuary. This Fall, our topic "Growing a Heart for the Nations" will feature various speakers who will encourage participants toward greater passion for ministry to the nations. See the speaker schedule (pdf). The speakers will be at the Downtown Campus, and these sessions will be shown simultaneously at the North Campus. The South Site does not offer all the same Wednesday Connection activities as the Downtown and North campuses, but South people have the opportunity to gather at the 501 Building and watch these sessions (during which nursery will also be available).
- Downtown Campus, Sanctuary
- North Campus, Sanctuary
- South Site, 501 Building (501 MN-13 E, Burnsville MN 55337)
The Bethlehem Institute (TBI) also offers some classes from 6:50-8:15 PM, which is during the adult teaching time and children & youth classes. These offerings include "Theological Foundations", "The Pleasures of God", and "Abortion Is About God." TBI classes require enrollment at the beginning of the term and a basic tuition. For more information, visit The Bethlehem Institute.
Children, Youth, & Young Adult Classes
For the joy of the next generation, children's, youth, and young adult (Sr High) programs are available on Wednesday (after 30 minutes of corporate worship in the sanctuary at 6:15 PM) at the North & Downtown campuses. South Site families are invited to participate at the Downtown Campus. Capable worship leaders, small group leaders, and teachers lead the children in a lesson time, encouraging them in the knowledge of Christ and the Word. Children enjoy worship, lessons, activities and small group times. See class list for programs for all our young people, which conclude at 8:00 PM. Classes for young people at the North Campus begin on September 10, and classes for young people at the Downtown Campus hope to begin on September 17. Read more.
Adventure Girls
5th and 6th grade girls near our North or Downtown campuses can join Adventure Girls. A van leaves the Downtown Campus church parking lot at 6:00 PM, taking participants to the program at 6:15 PM at Elliot Park. To learn more about this program Downtown, contact Marlene Johnson at 952.884.3982. A van leaves the North Campus at 6:15 PM, taking participants to the program at the random park buliding at Long Lake Road and Ridge Lane. To learn more about this program North, contact Shelly Boyer at 763.434.3407.
Nursery
Nursery care for ages 0-3 is available during Wednesday Connection, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
- Downtown Campus, Rooms 03-09 (in the basement below the sanctuary)
- North Campus, Rooms B301, B303, B305
- South Site, 501 Building (501 MN-13 E, Burnsville MN 55337)
Curriculum
We encourage you to explore the curriculum we use, much of it is available at Children Desiring God.
Check In
We have a check-in system and we invite you to stop by a check-in kiosk when you arrive so that we can welcome you and print you a name tag. If your children are in 2nd grade or younger, please escort them to their classroom after check-in to sign them in. Learn more about checking your children in and see other resources on our page for Children. More Jr & Sr High (7th-12th grade) information is available our page for Youth.