“Welcome COS, in partnership with our daughter church, Waypoint, would like to thank Forestgate for our partnership in the recent diaper drive for refugee families. The drive collected an incredible 6,051 diapers, multiple boxes of wipes and gift cards and financial donations to help fill in diaper size gaps in the coming months. Forestgate's participation made a tangible difference for dozens of families who are rebuilding their lives here in Colorado Springs. These basic supplies meet immediate needs—and they send a powerful message of welcome and dignity to those who have been through so much. Thank you again for stepping up and showing the love of Christ in such a practical and beautiful way.”

Got a Gas or Propane Grill? Looking for 3-4 volunteers to bring their large gas or propane grills to the church wide picnic by 10am. Due to the charcoal ban by El Paso county we need to Bring Your Own Gas Grill (BYOGG)! We also need cooks. Please contact fellowship@forestgate.org, if you can help.

Chuck Young Ministry Assistant: We’re pleased to announce that Ruling Elder Chuck Young is now serving the church as our Ministry Assistant, fulfilling the duties of our Event Coordinator (until the position can be filled) and assisting the pastoral staff with many tasks including pastoral and hospital visitation. We’re thrilled to have Chuck’s assistance in several areas.

Children/Youth Sunday School Teachers: Thanks to several who have volunteered already to teach Sunday School next year. We still have vacancies for two teachers in the PreK class (4 & 5 yr olds), and we need one more teacher to assist Christa Funke in the K-1st grade class. If interested, please speak with or contact Dale Oderman (dbvlo68@gmail.com).

Search Committee for Assistant/Associate Pastor and Church Planting Resident: The Session is pleased to announce that we will be forming a new Search Committee soon. Their task will be searching for a new Assistant/Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Community Life. The same Search Committee will also be considering candidates for our next Church Planting Resident. The Committee will consist of Pastor Matt, at least one active Ruling Elder on Session, and members to be named soon. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the Search Committee, please pray about it and then contact the Session. Please submit all nominations to the Session by Sunday, August 3, so that the Session can appoint a committee soon thereafter, Lord willing. 

Ministry Fair is Coming!
How will you worship, connect and serve in the next ministry year?
Forestgate’s 5th Annual Ministry Fair, August 24, 10am-10:45am
*Please note: There will be no Sunday school or nursery during the SS hour on August 24.

Mercy's Gate and Crossfire Ministries are helping local kids this summer with their Backpack Collection to help ensure every child is ready for school.Place new backpacks and new or gently used Bibles in the Mercy's Gate donation cage by the front doors at Forestgate by July 20. There are several ways you can partner with Mercy's Gate to ensure every child is ready for school:
·       Donate New Backpacks: 
We need new, unused backpacks for children in PreK through 12th grade.
·       Donate New or Gently Used Bibles:
We are also collecting Bibles to offer at our table. 

Reclaiming Hope is an FPC ministry partner that supports survivors of human trafficking mainly by providing law enforcement backpacks for survivors at point of recovery along with counseling and mentoring support. They will host an Open House on July 25, 3-8 pm, called CHRISTMAS IN JULY to help kick off its Christmas Stocking donation drive. This is an opportunity to see Reclaiming Hope while having some fun and help fill stockings for survivors.  Accepting donations for stocking stuffers. Please see flyers for items that are needed. FPC will collect donations in the lobby July 13 and 20.

It’s that time of the year for…the Annual Forestgate Picnic!
When: Saturday, August 2, 11am-3pm
Where: Fox Run Regional Park, Gazebos #4 and #5
Please bring a side to share. We will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, and dessert. Lunch will begin around 11:30am. Feel free to bring along your lawn games, slackline, or other outdoor activities to enjoy in the afternoon! Please RSVP HERE by July 29.

Nursery and Children’s Church Volunteers Needed! We are in need of more nursery volunteers to serve during the 8:30am service and Sunday school hour as well as Children’s Church volunteers to serve in the 8:30am service. Both men and women are encouraged to serve! Commitment is one service slot every 4-6 weeks. If you love children and would like to help Forestgate in this way, please reach out to Aria at aria.rayes@forestgate.org.

Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study is meeting through August 12 (except July 8). We meet at 9 a.m. for fellowship and the study begins at 9:30 a.m. We will be reading and discussing Identity Theft by Melissa Kruger. Email TuesdayAM@forestgate.org to register and pre-order your book. The deadline to pre-order your book is May 11.

Children's Summer Sunday School: Join us in the double classroom as we use the Torchlighters curriculum and Lightkeepers books to discuss twelve great heroes of the faith!

Friday Morning Men's Bible Study is meeting on Fridays, 6:45am at the church. They are studying the book of Ephesians and warmly welcome other men to join them.