During the first of the year there is an annual tradition many take advantage of.  You know what it is?  New Years Resolutions!  How many of you have made a New Years Resolution?  I have, I will admit it, no problem.  I have had several people tell me of their desire to loose weight; I realize my own need to not only loose weight, but get into better shape.  You won’t believe it, but I played 2 sports in college and played semi-pro soccer until I was in my late 30’s I went from 290 pounds once down to 207 with 7% body fat.  I got into terrible shape since an injury to my shoulder and hamstring within 2 weeks in my late 30’s.  I need to get into better shape, so the weight loss and getting into shape is my New Years Resolution.  I am acting on this as I realize that just talking about a resolution doesn’t do any good.  I have started a Facebook group and will be sending out notices to various people through The Virtual Pew and Mosaic. We plan to host local health alternative pot-lucks during the initial 2-month session.  My hope and prayer is it continues on, but I realize workable goals are appropriate, that is why the initial session is only 2 months.  We/I am making the effort to do more than just talk about it.

There are other resolutions I am aware that many make, in fact, likely need to make.  Many want to become active and participate in a church body.  Now realize this, the people are the church, the building is the place you go to celebrate the goodness and worthiness of God.  I realize this because I have been there; it is easy to get out of the loop of being active in church.  I also realize this is so important and satisfying when you do become involved. 

Now on this point, please understand, it is a part of my philosophy that we don’t want people to leave their church to attend Mosaic unless God is specifically calling you to.  If that is the case it critical to speak with your churches leadership to make sure God is being glorified and lifted up in your transfer.  My preference and the method I believe God has designed for growth are to reach out to those not in churches.  Is that where you fit in?  Are you active in a church family?  If not, I want you to know, I would love to take the opportunity to sit down with you over coffee, (I’ll pay for it) and we can talk about Mosaic and how you can fit in.  Heck, if you don’t like or drink coffee, I’ll spring for juice, water, soda, whatever.  I would love to sit down and talk about the future of Mosaic, and how you could be involved.  Developing relationships with others who want to serve the community is something I get excited about. 

Just in case you don’t know.  Mosaic is located at ..

Mosaic isn’t about being a religious institution that has as a focus, ‘Religion’; instead we want to be open and honest where all people are welcome in a relaxing, non threatening venue.  We will try to answer your questions and go on this spiritual journey with you.  We obviously believe Jesus is the answer, but we understand your journey may not have brought you to that place. We want to help and search for those answers together. 

At Mosaic I don’t per say preach, and we don’t pass an offering plate except on a rare situation when we are blessing and giving that offering to someone in need.  I know that doesn’t sound like what many believe church is.  We teach or discuss more than preach, and everyone has a voice.  We focus more on grace (the free gift of love from God) than on judgment.  We realize we are all messed up and throw stones.  Heck, we are all encouraged to throw the stones down and open up both arms in love, to all people.

I realize many may be a part of other churches.  We frequently pray for other churches and those in ....Wichita.....  We pray Christ is lifted up and his message is being shared. We pray people from all walks are coming to know the love and salvation offered by Jesus.  We don’t want to steal your sheep.  We realize however there may be people you know where Mosaic would be a good fit.  We don’t mind the broken or difficult sheep, but believe when transfer growth takes place, the churches work together to insure the welfare and safety of those individuals.  We know that First Baptist and First Mennonite are a part of the church, as is Central Christian and Westside Church of God.  It is our desire to see churches come together to be the church.  It is why we are asking churches to also consider us as a reference point. 

There are unique ministries being offered at Mosaic, from reaching out to the poor, homeless, to tutoring community children, and offering a recovery program for persons who have been physically and sexually abused.  We focus on family and community concepts and desire to maintain that.  We have goals to help plant other community groups in connection with Mosaic when our attendance gets to be around 100.  People say they like smaller community groups, but many large churches move beyond that.  If that is what God has called them to do, fine, but we realize there are those who need smaller populations to be a part of that is our intent.  Don’t take this as if we don’t want to grow, we do. We want to grow churches like Mosaic all over the ....Wichita.... area, primarily by reaching those not currently in church.

I look forward to the New Year. I look forward to God bringing us the people we need, some of those are people who have made a resolution to strengthen their families, their souls, their spirits, and especially, their faith.  Mosaic is here and we look forward to what God has in store for us.  Hopefully, if you don’t have a church home, you will consider and pray about if God would have you as a part of Mosaic.

Now we ask you to again pray and think about this.  For those active in another church, great, stay there, help make your church the church Christ wants it to be.  For others, Mosaic welcomes you.  We also want people to consider their friends who may be on a journey where Mosaic can be of benefit.  You can check out the web sites and more about me by visiting www.thevirtualpew.com or www.furches.org Please prayerfully consider forwarding this to people you think may have an interest in a church like Mosaic.  I thank you in advance for that.

Blessings to you in all ways for the New Year

Mike

Mosaic Upcomings

The calendar for Mosaic is coming together. We are back on track, booking concerts and hoping to do unique ministry and work in the area. Let me give a few examples.

Yes let me make it clear, while we bring into Wichita some of the nations best touring bands, we book those bands, many of which are not religious in any way, and in fact, most of the bands featured at Mosaic are for the general public and individuals can come to those concerts knowing that unless otherwise indicated, the concert will be appropriate for all ages, and all groups of people from all belief systems. In fact, we specify which bands are Christian bands, and while those acts are few, we still want people to come into the concerts knowing they are in for a good night and good music. Wichita is a unique city in that many of the best bands playing the area, playing in various locations, bars and so forth are bands that are made up of Christians, so the concept isn’t that farfetched. Again, from hardcore, to top notch national touring bands Mosaic seeks to bring into a small venue some of the top bands not just in Wichita and the surrounding Kansas area, but national touring bands. It is our hope to eventually have Mosaic open every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and yes Sunday evening for concerts, comedy, magic, open mics and other events. We need you to help make that possible and thankfully many artists have helped with that as well. We are always booking for consideration bands into the venue. We have a sound system, can seat a maximum of 115, and normally have the venue set up where we can seat between 40 and 65. It is comfortable, clean and refreshments are always served, and better yet, the coffee is always free and we offer Fair Trade Coffee.

The following are examples of shows we have currently booked for upcoming concerts and events, note that for many of our events, our house band Mary Jane Furches and the Geriatrics will be playing. This band features a unique sound and features seasoned musicians. With the anniversary of Woodstock, it should be noted that Mary Jane even played for many of the Woodstock attendees on their way to Woodstock as she worked full-time as a musician in a coffee shop in Hampton Beach New Hampshire. She is an original folk artist and her videos have over one million views. Unless otherwise indicated, the shows start at 8 PM

August
30 – Sunday, From Wichita, Brian Nixon, 10 AM (this show is a part of the worship experience at Mosaic) 30 - Sunday, From Wichita, Brian Nixon with Special Guests Mary Jane Furches & The Geriatrics

September
5 – Saturday, From Lawrence, Tyler Gregory, Special Guests, Mary Jane Furches & The Geriatrics, Claurensau, Wichita’s Ryan Windham,

12, 13, 14 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Church Camp Out, Falls River (No Concerts this Weekend)
19 – Wichita’s A Cure for Katie, Saturday, Special Guest from Ballwin Missouri, Yesterday’s Hero

October
2 – Friday, From Chattanooga Tennessee, Jettison Never Special Guests Mary Jane Furches & The Geriatrics,
10 – Saturday, Emporia’s, Altered to Offer, Special Guests, Mary Jane Furches & The Geriatrics, (This is a Christian show, although, everyone is welcome.)
23 – 25 – Tallgrass Film Festival
30 – Friday, Wichita’s Ferocious Mary with Special Guests TBA, Midnight showing of the original Night of the Living Dead Will feature costume contests and more.

If a band or in artistic entertainment and you would like to be considered for an opening spot at any of our shows, especially those that say TBA, please feel free to contact me via myspace or via email at mike@thevirtualpew.com

All shows are free although we do have a recommended (this means if you can't affored it, don't worry about it) donation of $5 per person, this helps the bands out and we give 100% of all contributions less than $200 to the bands, anything over that we give them 80%, this should be noted it is for the feature band only. All bands are allowed and encouraged to bring and sale merchandise where they get to keep 100% of sales. We try to offer a fun, yet professional venue for bands and artists. We are also open to booking various forms of entertainment for Mosaic, from comedy to magic, and from music to art displays or demonstrations. If you have something you would like to do, and use our facility for no cost, let us know. We will even host parties, we just ask that people consider a donation for the use of the facility.

Now as many realize, Mosaic also doubles as a church, although we aren’t forceful and we certainly hope to be different. We have a lot of things going on that we are currently working on. We meet on Sunday mornings at 10 AM at what will likely be for many one of the most different “church” services they have ever been to. We do more than that though, for example some of the upcoming events at Mosaic which everyone is invited to.

September 12, 13, 14 Camp out at Falls River State Park, just a time to get together, hang out and have a good time, bring your own camping supplies, food and so forth, and we even allow and encourage people to bring the drink or beverage of choice as long as it fits within park guidelines. This will be a fun time and we will be having a baptism service on Sunday morning. Anyone interested in being baptized needs to speak to me as soon as possible.

Then coming in September Mosaic also starts up free tutoring services for children and adults. This will feature experienced, certified and trained school teachers on various levels to assist in this. We are now in the process of registering individuals for this, and will register throughout the tutoring process. If interested in obtaining tutoring for either yourself, or someone you know, call 316 – 305 – 0491

Coming in October, Mosaic will be starting, a pay as you can service called Mosaic Abuse Recover Center, or Mosaic ARC. This is recovery service for people who have been physically and sexually abused. I (Mike Furches) have a story that many are aware of that involves being abused as a child. I also have over 15 years of professional service of directing and working in certified, licensed and trained rehabilitation programs. I served over 12 years as either a Director or Executive Director of internationally known programs and helped train not only various states, but various nations as to the treatment and rehabilitation programs for their respective states and nations. We will also have a Masters Counselor Debbie Elwood working with this program. It is specific for those again who have gone through either/or/and physical and sexual abuse. The service is a pay as you can, we will never send out invoices, and we will never refuse treatment or services based on ability to pay. For more information on this program, feel free to contact me at 316–305–0491 or via email at mike@thevirtualpew.com

There is much more in the plans for Mosaic, the bottom line, with as many churches being the way they are, we want to be one that actually offers a service to the community, despite where the people we are serving are coming from. We are a church for people who have given up on church, for whatever reason. We hope we can serve you in some way, whether it be from coming to a good night of entertainment, or a service of some other kind.

Mosaic is located at 902 George Washington Blvd, Wichita, KS 67211 (across from the Dairy Queen on the west side of the building at the corner of Lincoln & George Washington) for more information call (316) 305-0491 or visit www.myspace.com/mosaicwichita

Cost is a recommended donation of $5 per person or 3 for $10. Of course, Mosaic has a policy, if you can't afford the regular admission, pay what you can, we would rather have a full house than an empty one.

Come on out, where the coffee is always free and the times are always good.

I am posting this as a bulletin and via several friends here in Wichita via pm.

We have several dates we are booking right now and some of the bands are pretty good.  I am looking for acts to open for the following dates and times.  The band they are opening for is listed here with their myspace link.

Thursday May 28 - Harder To Fall 8 PM - www.myspace.com/hardertofall 

Tuesday June 2 - A Fall To Rewind 8 PM - http://www.myspace.com/afalltorewind

Sunday June 14 - The Cast and Crew - 7 PM - http://www.myspace.com/thecastandcrewband 

While we can't make a guarantee, we can promise all of your concessions, plus a chance to play.  We are willing to work with as many local bands as possible, of all styles to headline you at Mosaic, we have several options there and we are doing a new thing with an advance contract to protect ourselves so contact me if interested. 

BTW we are willling to mix styles and all at the shows, so even if you are a different style, but are willing to work with one of the above shows, or want to put one together on your own, let me know.  Can contact me either here, or via mike@thevirtualpew.com or 316-305-0491

Mosaic Wichita

Please feel free to email me at this address or to call me at (316) 305-0491 (church cell) or at my home number (620) 545-7029 You can also find out more about me by visiting one of my personal web sites,

http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ or http://www.furches.org/ To see more about Mosaic visit http://www.mosaicwichita.org/ or www.myspace.com/mosaicwichita

Some happening events at Mosaic so listen up, get on board, be ready, and dress hip.



First thing up: Tuesday Night, March 10. Starting at 8 PM going until 11 PM, a hopping, hip, ready to go concert featuring four, count them four acts. They are, Toy Sails, Hot Air Balloon Trauma, Mike Adams, and a personal favorite of mine, Drew Gallant. This Folky, Poppy, Goodness concert is of all things, FREE! Did ya catch that, it is FREE. Well there will be someone collecting donations at the door of which the bands have offered to give Mosaic 100% of the proceeds. We are blessed to bless others, but when those others instead choose to bless us, wouza zouza, this cats still got some blues, but we know the rock that doesn’t roll.

Now there is also a Bible study of a unique style on Wednesday night at Mosaic. It goes from 7 PM until 8 PM because we believe you can get some essentials in a short period of time that can help ya become a better person and understand some of those spiritual lingos and teachings from the “Good Book.” We will be looking at the Gospel of John, Chapter 5 so be ready for this innovative, application study.

Now we have something else going on, that is on Saturday night, well Saturday is going to be a fun filled day for some of us. There is another great concert at Mosaic featuring The Jeremiah Foundation, Toy Sails and Oklahoma’s own Tesh. Now this concert isn’t free, but it isn’t much at a whoppin $5. Now with 2 concerts and a Bible Study, $5 for a total of all three events this week is a steal, heck it could come out even better for ya than that cause if you don’t have a Bible we’ll give ya one of those. Now on this Saturday concert though, Mosaic don’t get the money but that is cool, we give the money from the door of this one to the bands, if we have a really good crowd, well then we keep a little to help cover costs but so far we’ve given it all to the bands. But have you ever seen someone play a guitar with a bow like from a violin or something? If you haven’t you need to check this concert out cause one of those Hendry boys from The Jeremiah Foundation does some weird things with that guitar. Well let me rephrase that, they both do some weird things, one of them even uses a bow.

Now we are going to reschedule the Stars Go Dim (formerly Pillar) concert once again, it sounds like one of the dudes had something come up and they were going to lose money because of having to purchase an airline ticket if we kept it on the same date. Well Mosaic isn’t about bands losing money if we can help it so we are helping them. The date has been moved by one week, the new date is April 23, every thing else is the same, cost $10, (now how good is that, like having Pillar or Stars Go Dim play in your living room or something), time 8 PM, three acts and there ya go.

Now are you ready for this, there is something else we are doing at Mosaic, well sort of at, for, and an outreach of Mosaic. As many know, I actually live on a couple of acres outside of Wichita off of K 42, South of 119th and Kellogg. Well as an outreach we are offering off garden boxes for folks associated with Mosaic. We are starting an outreach to help with food for folks, now for the Peta folks please don’t be offended, but this also includes more than just the possibility of having a local garden. Here ya go, here is how it is.

For those interested in doing a box garden we are providing the space here at the house. You can grow whatever your little heart desires, (that is legal, and no Mary Jane or products of that nature will be allowed.) You are responsible for the upkeep of your box garden space. In other words, I aint growin your food and mine, I’m normally a city boy and find the concept of getting food off a vine instead of out of a can somewhat of a miracle. I’m providing the land, water and so forth, you can do the rest. Here is the scoop; we will also have an outreach garden which everyone helps with. In other words we grow our food, and we grow extra food to help with those who are having a tough time. This food will be used to be given to people you know, or those needing it. We are also setting up a chicken coop, not coupe as we don’t plan on teaching the chickens how to drive. The coop will be used to raise chickens, get eggs and fresh meat. Now if you want to help with this, you’re going to have to help get some chickens and work in the chicken coop as well. Now that ain’t all, we are also presenting the concept of folks going in and buying either 2 calves, or getting some goats to raise for meat. The meat once butchered will be used to divide accordingly amongst those who helped with the cows including paying for them. Now on this point, we aint naming the cows or goats. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to eat no Jimmy or Daffy. If ya need directions the address is 5410 Annapolis Avenue, Clearwater, KS 67026 (actually closer to SW Wichita than Clearwater) (phone for contact and more directions (620-545-7029)

That still aint all regardin Mosaic. There are a couple of other things we are looking at. One is getting a sign painted on our window front to announce to the world, as well as Wichita, where we are located. (Actually it is to help me know where it is at cause after all of those years of praying into bags with substances on them I shouldn’t have been breathin, I have a hard time memberin anything.) We will be looking more at this in the near future. We will likely be discussin it more at our next meeting this next Sunday, and the following week when we plan on doin some good eatin after church from our potluck dinner, that’ll be on March 22 for those needin to put it on your date book thangy. Yep, that’s right, you’re all invited to this as well, some talking, and some good pot-luck eatin and guess what this costs? Yep, nothing. We just ask that if ya can, bring enough food fer yerself and a few others. Of course if you forget, that’s okay, we still know a God who multiplies fishes and loaves, green beans, and pot roast.

Now there is another thang, we’re in the process of looking at promoting a benefit one day concert festival for the homeless in the Wichita area. Be on the look out for more about this in the near future, but this will feature both local and national bands, and all proceeds will go to benefit Mosaic’s Homeless outreach and ministry as well as other resource centers for the poor and needy in our area.

Now next ta last thing and I promise, and I’m goin back to that garden thing. We are in need of a few folks to donate the use of equipment. See, I am a city boy and while I now live on a farm type of place, I have a yard lawn mower that can pull a cart and all, but no tiller or plow. We need that kind of stuff, and any help with chickens and a chicken coop would also be wondeferious. In fact, we know it won’t only help Mosaic folk, but folk we know who are in need of maybe a hamburger, steak or eggs, maybe even a chicken. Some say this economy has us down, and that there is no hope. I beg to differ, we have a chance to help each other out and to do the work where we fall more in love with each other, from old hippies to them new fangled goth folk, from a factory worker to a sider, and a preacher to a school teacher, the church has the chance to be the church. Mosaic is different and we are looking forward to leading the way as to showing how we think the church can be the church and how we are different than some of those other folk who call themselves the church. In fact, we have learned, the church aint a buildin, it is a people and doing thangs fer each other and others who have a hard time helpin themselves is kind of kool.

Now for a last note, and if I is a lying, may you step on my sore big toe. I got this great idea from our former church plant pastor Matt Lowe. I am now hanging out at Mead’s Corner Coffee shop on Friday’s from 9:30 AM until at least 2 PM. This does a few things, let’s me get to know the community better, steal some of their bandwidth (they said I could) and meet some of you face to face. This last week was spectaculaus. I had a super great day, and the 5 cups of coffee I had didn’t hurt any. Would love to meet with you, so come introduce yourself, unless you already know me, if you know me you don’t need to introduce yourself, but ya can if ya wanto. I plan on doing this at least 2 other days a week at either Meads or another coffee shop in the area, still tryin to figer that out tho.. I look forward to meeting you and if needing to schedule something during this time, you can always call anytime at 316-305-0491.

Until next time, which will hopefully be one of these times mentioned here, Blessings to you as the Creator of the Universe wants to touch you and show you he loves you.

Mike

January 18 Update for Mosaic

Welcome to the weekly Mosaic update. Last week at church was great, the room was filled with guests and regular members of Mosaic. Thanks to the guests, friends and fans of the Emily Judson Band who led worship. The Lessons from the Soup Bowl message was great and church was so good on Sunday that if I had been looking for a church, Mosaic would have been the church I would have chosen, for those there, they will concur, those not there, well, you missed it. This week should be a good time of worship as Jason and Kati Hendry leads and the message for the week is Getting Ready for War! We also started up our Bible Study this last Wednesday and that was a great time as we had 5 people present and the response was very favorable. I’ll let you know now of some upcoming events, that are starting tonight.

Starting tonight, Mosaic has a busy week regarding music and concerts. Tonight we are having Jeremiah Foundation and Brian Nixon, it should be a great concert, the show starts at 8 PM and cost is $5. Also next week is 3 shows, two of them with National Recording Artists. First on Tuesday is Josh Dies of Showbread, costs is $5 and $10, we expect this show to sell out so get there early. Then on Wednesday night is Hardcore tour, For The Love Tour With The Great Transparency and Our Heroes End 8 PM $7. Then on Friday night, is Brett Prothro, guitar aficionado from North Newton. This show starts at 8 PM and is on a donation basis. If you are a musician, you will especially enjoy this show. Also a reminder, all volunteers are requested to be at the shows 1-2 hours early, and if possible to stay 1-2 hours after the show. Mosaic is located at 902 George Washington Blvd, at the corner of George Washington and Lincoln in Wichita KS. Lincoln is located one exit to the south of the Kellogg 1 35 exchange. We have also added additional shows and the calendar for those shows follow.

Every Sunday - 10:00 AM Worship (Child Care and classes are offered)
Every Wednesday - 7 PM Brown Bag Bible Study (except nights of concerts)
Various Nights Various Times / Small Groups (except nights of concerts)

January
23 – Friday, Jeremiah Foundation, Brian Nixon, drew gallant 8 PM $5
27 – Tue., Josh Dies of Showbread – Book Signing, Acoustic Concert $10
28 – Wed, For The Love Tour With The Great Transparency and Our Heroes End 8 PM $7
30 – Fri, Brett Prothro Acoustic Concert, 8 PM (Donations)

February
7 - Saturday Good Vs. Evil Tour This features both Christian and non Christian bands, it should not be viewed as a Christian concert by any means. This is a popular hardcore tour touring America now – &7 8 PM.
24 – Tue, The Fabtastics Tour with The Fabulous and Nineball 8 PM $7

March
14 – Tash, with Jeremiah Foundation and Another to be Announced – 8PM TBA

Now regarding worship, if you are a worship leader, know of one, or have ideas, read on, and pass along the following.

Things are starting to progress some, we are looking for worship leaders for the following dates, and of course this can include bands, individuals and so forth. We have been working at the development of our own worship band but we are also praying about a leader for this group.

Worship is a critically important part of worship for any church, we understand it is, and will continue to be so for Mosaic. We appreciate the prayers here and even with a team of our own, we believe it is good to have additional bands come in and help out.

Here is what we currently have.

January
25 - Jason and Kati Hendry

February
1 - JC McCowan and Broken Pieces
8 - Broken Pieces
15 - Open
22 - Brian Nixon 

March
1 - Open
8 - Open
15 - Open
22 - Open
29 - Open

To those in Broken Pieces, let me know of dates you would be interested in doing the worship and we can book accordingly to that. For those willing to fill in, just hit reply all and fill in your name or preference next to the date you are willing to lead. If you want Broken Pieces to play with you put that down. Once we find a worship leader who will commit to Mosaic I will pass this and leading over to them.