1️⃣ This Week’s Highlights
- Thank you to everyone who helped with the 15th Anniversary Celebration and Dumpster Day!
- Fall 2 Registration closes Wednesday—please encourage guests to sign up.
- 15 for 15 Challenge ends Friday—finish strong!
2️⃣ Program Updates
- Fall 1 programs – Week 7
- Fall 2 registration ends Wednesday
- 15 for 15 Challenge ends Friday
Week 7 Make-Ups:
- Tuesday: Aqua Stretch and Tone, 3 swimming lessons
- Wednesday: Water Aerobics
- Thursday: Aqua Stretch and Tone, 2 swimming lessons
- Friday: Arthritis Relief
Turkey Burn-Off:
- Registration open now for November 29th
- Non-members: $5 pre-registration or free with a member on event day as space allows
3️⃣ Facility Notices 🛠️
Rentals
- Saturday: Embellish Handbells, WPAC & Green Room, 12:30–4:00 p.m.
4️⃣ Staff Announcements 🎉
Green Dot Moments & Staff Shoutouts
- Shout out to Majors Reeds for covering devotions in the Ops Meeting!
- Shout out to aquatics staff for adapting to a temporary computer without complaint.
- Shout out to Albert and Margarita for serving our evening staff so well.
- Shout out to everyone who helped with the 15th Anniversary and Dumpster Day!
- Shout out to Laura for covering Nancy’s classes.
- Shout out to Steve for getting the Kroc Church shirts ready in time.
- Shout out to everyone for being kind and supportive to one another.
- Shout out to Margarita and Albert for cleaning up the cider and donuts.
- Yellow Dot Moment: Staff who helped save an event when tables were taken by another group—excellent teamwork!
- Green Dot Moment: Margarita assisted a guest with the InBody machine, resolving the issue with care and professionalism.
🎂 Birthdays This Week
- Angela L – October 27
👋 Welcome New Staff
- Jonathan Shippert – Welcome Desk Attendant
📌 Open Positions at the Kroc Center
- Lifeguard
- Fitness Attendant
- Child Watch Attendant
- Swim Instructor
Apply here: grkroccenter.org/learn-more/careers
5️⃣ Reminders & Resources 📌
- Benefit Enrollment Final Reminder: Ends Friday, October 31. Changes effective January 1, 2026.
- Thanksgiving Potluck: Thursday, November 20th.
Sign up to bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish: grkroc.org/thanksgiving2025 - Staff Christmas Party: Saturday, December 6th, 5–8 p.m. at Craig’s Cruisers
🙌 Missional Moment
Listening Before Speaking
The Transforming Power of Listening
When William Booth began his mission work in London’s East End, he didn’t start with sermons—he started by listening to the cries of the poor. The “Christian Mission” that became the Salvation Army began not in cathedrals but on the streets and in lodging houses, where Booth and his early workers heard people’s stories, their pain, and their hunger before speaking of salvation. Booth said, “You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.”
That statement is the theology of listening—you first hear the need before you speak of hope. The mission of the Army was always rooted in hearing the real life of the people and responding with the compassionate presence of Christ.
James writes, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” Real change happens when people feel heard and valued.
Practice: Ask two people this week a genuine, open-ended question and resist the urge to give advice.
—Pastor Mark
✝️ Note from the Pastor
From Past to Future: New Mercies Each Morning
In the ruins of Jeremiah’s lament, Lamentations 3:23 shines like a quiet ember: “His mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” In the midst of loss, the prophet remembers that God’s compassion is not exhausted by yesterday’s failures or pain—each morning carries the promise of renewed mercy and sustaining presence.
This verse bridges past and future: God does not erase our memories but meets them with faithful renewal. Our history—the mistakes, grief, and lessons—is held by a God whose mercy begins anew each day, shaping our future with grace instead of guilt.
Practically, we can bring our past honestly to the Lord and move forward unbound by it. Begin each morning this week with prayer and gratitude. Confess what needs healing, and trust in God’s daily mercy as you step into new choices. Join us Sunday as we open space to receive the mercies God offers anew.
—Captain Jack Huffman
🙏 Prayer Requests
From the 15th Anniversary Prayer Table:
- Jim – recovery from fractured pelvis
- Jamare Norman – surgery recovery
- Peace and calm in the world, especially the USA
- Deeble Family
- Lowery Family
- A senior struggling with loneliness and finances
- Housing dilemma
- Precious – good health
- Valeria – new job
- Business success, divine connections, and family salvation
- Sill Johnson – strength for a family friend
