What’s Happening 5/22/26

The Propel Youth Ministry is kicking off the summer with a Propel Popsicle Mixer! We’ll be welcoming incoming 6th graders and introducing them to our Propel students and leaders. Students, invite your friends and join us on June 3rd from 7:00–8:30PM for a fun night together!

Every other year, we alternate between hosting a summer VBS and providing an outreach or service opportunity for our forKids ministry. This year, we are excited to host a one-day Summer Parking Lot Bash for both our church family and the community! The event will include food, games, crafts, and lots of fun, all centered around sharing the Gospel and teaching about God’s love at each station.

If you are interested in helping with this event, we will have a brief informational meeting after church on Sunday, June 7th in the Gathering Room. If you have any questions, please contact Brittany at brittany@forwardchurchfamily.com.

Forward Church family, we are excited to announce that we are now a pickup location for Azure Around the Table! Azure is a nation-wide program providing thousands of organic foods and health-minded products to churches and communities across the nation.

You’ll get SAVE 15% Off your first Azure order! As an added blessing, 2% of every order placed through our location is given back to Forward Church. If you would like to learn more or find out how to get started, be sure to pick up a flyer at the Welcome Desk this weekend. You can also reach out to Lynn Jenney at lynnjenney5@gmail.com with any questions.

LAST TWO WEEKENDS TO SIGN UP!

Make plans to join us for this year’s Women of Forward Fall Retreat. The retreat goes from Thursday, November 5th at 7PM through Saturday, November 7th at 3PM.

We’ll be gathering at Cliffview Resort in Natural Bridge, Kentucky—a beautiful setting for a refreshing and meaningful weekend together. This year’s theme is “This Is My Story”.

Registration is open! There is a $50 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit with registration. Registration will end on Sunday, May 31st (unless sold out before).

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to use the Walgreens parking lot across from the church for Sunday parking. Please first use the church parking lot, then the Calumet Club lot, and if those are full, you are welcome to use the business parking lots just past Walgreens on the left. Strandz Salon has asked that we leave three spots open in front of their doors.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

If you’re new to Forward Church, we’d love to invite you to Lunch with the Leaders following the service on Sunday, June 14th! This is a great opportunity to meet our church leaders and make connections with others who are new in the church as well. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Space is limited to 20 people, so be sure to register soon!

Women of Forward, join us for our next Game Night! on Friday, June 26th, from 6-8PM. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Register online and let us know you’re coming! See you there!!

We have a meaningful volunteer opportunity available for anyone with a heart to care for others. This ministry comes alongside our church family through life’s challenges and celebrations by sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways.

We are currently looking for volunteers to serve in one or more of the following areas: helping provide meals through MealTrain, visiting those who are sick at home or in the hospital, offering support during times of loss, and more.

If you feel called to be part of this ministry, please reach out to Lisa Sutherland at lisa@forwardchurchfamily.com.
There will be an informational meeting for all those interested on Sunday, June 28th.

We want to celebrate and recognize our 2026 high school graduates! If you are a graduating senior, or have a graduating senior, please email Blake your student’s name along with a horizontal (landscape) photo. Congratulations Class of 2026!!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Did you know we have a church app? The Church Center app is a simple way for you to stay connected. It’s your one-stop place for forKids check-in, giving, tithe statements, event sign-ups, payments, tracking, and much more!. Download it today!

Women of Forward – share the Love of Christ  – serve at The Breakaway Recovery House

Join us once a month as we share a meal and the love of Christ with the ladies residing at The Breakaway Recovery House, our neighbors just across the alley from Forward Church. Our goal is to make these women feel welcomed, valued, and invited to worship with us if they don’t have a church home.

Volunteers from Forward Church will prepare a meal and/or spend time in fellowship with the residents. Women of Forward, if you’d like to help or learn more, please contact Tonia Hatfield at Hatfield912@gmail.com.

Upcoming Dates:
May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18

Propel Youth Ministry

Propel is a ministry for middle and high school students. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7:00–8:30 PM at the church. It’s more than just a gathering—it’s a place where students can grow in God’s Word while building meaningful friendships and authentic community. Come join us—we can’t wait to see you there!

Contact Pastor Blake Belles at blake@forwardchurchfamily.com with any questions.

Merge Young Adults

If you are a young adult (age 18-29) and looking for encouraging community and solid Biblical teaching, then we invite you to join us as we gather every other Monday evening at the church. Dinner is always provided at 6:30 PM and our Bible study begins at 7 PM. Our next gathering is Monday, June 1st. Look us up on Stack Team app – Merge@Forward.

Reach out to Tanya at tanya@forwardchurchfamily.com with any questions.

Sunday School Class

The Sunday School class will be taking a summer break starting Sunday May 17th.  The plan is to reconvene the class this fall. Stay tuned for updates. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Hollander at dgchollander@yahoo.com.

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study

All men are welcome to join! Every Tuesday morning from 7-8 AM at Panera Bread on State Street. For any questions, reach out to Brent Kulwicki at brentkulwicki@gmail.com

Tuesday Evening Men’s Bible Study

All men are welcome! We meet every Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM at the church. If you have any questions or want to learn more, reach out to Vince Garmon at vinceg0710@gmail.com.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Forward, contact Pastor Neil at neil@forwardchurchfamily.com!

The Chest of Joash provides an opportunity to give above and beyond the normal tithe. The money from it goes directly to work needed done on our building.

In 2 Chronicles 24 we find Joash repairing the temple and a chest was set outside of it for people to bring a tithe that was used to pay the workers restoring the temple. Verse 10 says, “And all the princes and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished.”

A huge THANK YOU to all of you who have joyfully donated just as the Israelite officials and people did!

You can give to the Chest of Joash by clicking the button below and selecting “Chest of Joash” in the drop down menu.

We want you to know that you are not giving TO Forward Church, you are giving THROUGH Forward Church! Our commitment is to stewarding every dollar that God entrusts to us for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Join us online from anywhere every Sunday at 10:30am! You can stream our services here on our website! Just click “Watch Live” at the top of any page!

1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

We’re encouraging and challenging everyone to take the step to get connected in serving on a team with us at Forward! We have many opportunities to serve:

• forKids (Nursery, Toddlers/Twos, The Clubhouse/Pre-K, God City/K-1st, The Dig/2nd-5th)
• Propel Middle (meets Sunday mornings) and Propel High (meets Wednesday evenings)
• Greeters and Ushers
• Parking Team
• Tech Team

For any area you may be interested in or want more information on, click the “Serve With Us!” button below and we’ll get you started!