Journey Church // Encore

Journey Church // Encore Find a place to belong with the 55+ group here at Journey Church.

06/04/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha

Happy Midwest Summer,

Our next Encore event is the train ride out of East Troy. If you have not signed up, I am sorry to tell you that the trip is full. If you are signed up, here are some details you have been waiting for. If you have questions about being on the list or if you have paid, don’t be afraid to ask.
Date: Thursday, June 18th
Cost: $25/person
Leaving Church: 9:30 AM
Trip plan: Leave East Troy, go to the Elegant Farmer, then head back
Lunch: About 1:30 at Gus’ Drive In

Gus’ Drive-In is a classic 1950’s style diner known for its burgers, fries, shakes and frozen custard, offering a nostalgic, family-friendly atmosphere with diner décor. The menu includes typical diner fare like gyros, hot dogs and fried chicken, along with specialty items like the “Giant’s Burger” and “Screamers” (Custard slushies).

We are suggesting that you bring a snack along as we won’t be eating until after our complete ride, which will be about 1:30. You will have options at the Elegant Farmer if you want to pick up something there. We will head back to Kenosha after our lunch in East Troy.

If you signed up but find that you cannot go, please let us know as there are people on the waiting list for this event.

For everyone else, there is still room on the trip to the Lake Lawn Queen Scenic Boat trip on July 16th. The cost for that day will be $30 for the boat ride which is 1 ½ hours + money for lunch. There are not a lot of other details yet, but let us know and pay so we can know how to plan for transportation and the other details involved.

Our trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto is also filled up, but if you you are signed up you can make payments anytime. The cost of the trip is $1350.00/person, and everyone has paid their deposit. The balance will be due by August 2nd.

Tommye Sardin who is a friend of Encore and Journey Church is also a tour guide. She is planning a trip with Diamond Tour Group to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and New York City. If you missed our trip a couple of years ago, and would like to go with her group, you could see all these sights for $1525.00/person. If you mention that you are from Encore, she will give you a $30 discount on your trip. You can contact her at (312) 623-6510 for more details.

Please keep praying for:
Church Staff and Board as we go through this Senior Pastor Leadership change;
Pastor Kevin and Joelene as they take on their new position as Network leaders
Our friends who have physical needs
Families who have recently lost loved ones
Charlie Labanowski passed away last Sunday as he was getting ready for church
Betsy Wagner-Schiffra’s son was in a terrible motorcycle accident where his girlfriend was killed, and he is in the hospital with very serious injuries. Pray for them as they go through this horrible time both physically and emotionally.

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia
And the Encore Leadership team

This message was sent from Encore Activities // Kenosha.

05/13/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha

It’s getting close to the time that we are headed to Shipshewana, IN again and I hope you are getting excited! I know I am! We think we have a great schedule prepared for you.

We will plan to leave the church at 8:00 am on Thursday, May 21st. You can arrive between 7:30 – 7:45 so we can get loaded and be ready to head out right on time. Come into the church lobby so we can be sure everyone is there and to pray with Pastor Dan. We will be boarding the bus in the back lot (between Aurora Hospital and church). School is still in session and begins at 8:30. The parking lots get really busy in the morning, so please help us beat the rush. It is not a problem to leave your car, but please park in the far north part of that lot which is closest to the CLS vehicles.

As usual, our coach driver will make a “comfort stop” on the way down and depending on the time, we will stop for a quick lunch as we get close to our destination. We do lose an hour on the way over, and it’s only a 3 ½ trip, so we will determine some of that as the day progresses.

We will be staying at the Farmstead Inn and Conference center in Shipshewana. (Phone for your family is 260-768-4595). When we arrive, we will check to see if our rooms are ready. If they are, we will take some time to get settled and get ready for our first event which is scheduled at 4:00. If we are very early, you can start exploring the city.

The afternoon/evening are very full, with the “American 250 Celebration“ show, family style Amish meal and the Texas Tenors concert. Nothing stays open late in Shipshewana, so bring along some games, books, or a swim suit (there is a pool at the motel) if you are not ready to go to bed after the show.

Friday morning will be free time. Breakfast is available at the motel. You can sleep in late if you want to but this is your chance to explore the town. Many of the stores don’t open before 9:30 or 10:00, but you can find a friend and go out and find a cup of coffee earlier – go swimming in the indoor pool – read a book? Whatever you want – but you are free until our show which is scheduled at 1:00. Check out time at the motel is 11:00, so you will want to get everything ready to go in the morning. During this free time you will want to include lunch or a snack because we need to be back at the Blue Gate by 12:45 to be ready for the show. When the show is over, we will head out immediately for our meal at the Essenhaus restaurant which will be about 4:00. If you have not been there, it will be another exciting adventure. Following that meal, we will head back to Kenosha; planning to arrive back about 8:00 (we gain an hour coming back!)

The price you paid takes care of everything except your personal shopping/spending… coach bus/drivers tip/motel/entertainment events/main meals.

If you have further questions, don’t be afraid to ask. You can text me at 262-945-5586 or email at [email protected]

Thank you,

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia

PS - There are a couple of emails I do not have, so be sure your travel mate gets this information.

This message was sent from Encore Activities // Kenosha.

04/27/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha

Hello friends,

Two of our dear ladies recently went to be with the Lord. Please join us in praying for the families of Kathi Small and Mary Tennyson!

Tim and Mary were faithful to Encore and the events as often as their health allowed, and Mary was faithfully at The Well. The memorial service for Mary will be the next Saturday, May 2nd at the Kenosha Campus. There will be a 10:00 am visitation with 12:00 memorial service.

Continue to pray for the many needs that were presented in the last note, as well as others that God brings to your memory. Jeanetta Lambert-Spetz is facing some incredible medical challenges, but God is bigger that all of that. She continues to trust God and knows that He is faithful every day! Let’s stand with her in prayer believing for a miracle for her.

Ladies, it’s time for THE WELL’s annual Garden Party! Please join us on Tuesday, May 5th at 9:30 am (Kenosha Campus) to celebrate the end of our 5th season.

There are incredible guest speakers sharing their stories of overcoming heartbreaking challenges and triumphing through by God’s Grace. Debbie Stensgard and her daughter Kristen Molgaard will share their personal journey of disappointment and intercession – proving God’s love and faithfulness is still at work today. Their newly released book, WHEN LOVE GOES TO WAR, will be available for purchase.

Gretchen Covelli will also join us to share the delicious opportunities at The Kenosha Kitchen. The morning will finish with our favorite garden party. Ladies, save the date and plan to join together on Tuesday, May 5th. You don’t want to miss this!

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia
And the Encore Leadership team

04/19/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha
Kathi Small who has been active in our Encore Beach Park group, passed away this past week. She had been fighting cancer but kept a positive attitude the entire time. Both David and Kathi served in the production area of the Kenosha campus before joining the Beach Park campus for the past several years. Please pray for David and his son as they navigate this next season. Kathi’s memorial service will be next Saturday, April 25th at noon at the Beach Park campus.

04/19/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha
Hello friends,

Our sweet friend, Mary Tennyson passed away last night (Saturday evening). She and Tim were faithful members of our Kenosha Campus and Encore community and Mary attended The Well each month. We will send out information regarding services when they are finalized. Please pray for Tim and their family as they go through this season.

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia
And the Encore Leadership team

04/15/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha

Hello friends,

What beautiful spring days we are enjoying! I hope you are able to get outside between raindrops. But have you noticed how green the grass is? I’m loving it!

Our next open event will be June 18th when we head to East Troy for a train ride to the Elegant Farmer and back to East Troy. There are just a few spots left, so please sign up right away so we can make the arrangements of where we will eat and how much transportation we will need. The cost for the day will be $25 for the train, and the cost for your lunch.

If you are signed up for the Shipshewana trip, the balance is due this week. You can drop it off at the church office and I will get it when I go in – but let me know if you do that so I am sure to pick it up.

We have several people who need us to stand with them in prayer…

* Mary Tennyson was able to go home over the weekend but will continue with some on-going outpatient therapy. Pray for complete restoration for her.
* Please continue to pray for Judy Udvare and others who have recently lost a loved one.
* Steve Powell is recovering from a stroke and hopes to be able to come home very soon. Kim has asked us to pray for his vision and his memory. Let’s stand with them in believing for a full recovery.
* Chris (Maria) Johnson has been diagnosed with cancer again, and is going through some aggressive treatment. She has asked us to pray with them for another divine healing.
* Jeanetta Lambert-Spetz has been diagnosed with a very debilitating condition and is receiving some therapy. Her attitude remains positive and she knows God is faithful and able to heal completely.
* Joe Robinson is struggling with several serious health issues and is unable to get out to church services. God is able to heal every need we have.
* Cindy Gallagher had cataract surgery on her left eye one month ago and it is still blurry. She is also struggling with other health issues and personal problems, and is asking us to pray with her for God’s intervention in these areas.

I know there are others out there who need our prayers. Thank you for standing with them knowing that God already knows their situation, even if we don’t know the specifics. Let’s continue to hold each other up in prayer.

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia
And the Encore Leadership team
This message was sent from Encore Activities // Kenosha.

04/10/2026

PRAYER NEED

Mary Tennyson has been in the hospital in serious condition and needs a complete touch from God. Please pray for healing for her, and strength and peace for her husband Tim and the rest of the family.

Pictures from Encore "Feed My Starving Children" event. Thank you Sheri Sparks for all of the photos!
03/22/2026

Pictures from Encore "Feed My Starving Children" event. Thank you Sheri Sparks for all of the photos!

03/14/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha

Our next group event will be on Thursday, March 19 when we gather together to serve at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville, IL. We will pack meals for malnourished children around the world, and we will be able to know exactly where our meals are going. So many have signed up to help that we have had to close this event. If you have already signed up, here are the details you need to know:
· If you are riding with us from church, we will leave that morning at 8:15
· If you are meeting us there our event starts at 9:00, so plan to arrive between 8:45 and 8:55 so you can get registered.
· We will finish our project there about 10:30, and then head to the Egg Harbor restaurant in Libertyville. Your only cost for the day will be for whatever you order at the restaurant.
· We need to know if you are driving yourself and if you are planning to go to the restaurant following so we can make reservation and transportation arrangements.

On April 14 we will head to Verona, WI to visit the campus of Epic software where we will get to explore some of the buildings which are straight out of a fantasy novel. There will be lots of walking so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Following the tour we will enjoy a lunch together, then head back to Kenosha. Cost for the day will be $40/person for the transportation and your lunch.

May 21-22 several of us are headed to Shipshewana. That trip is full, but we can add you to the waiting list in case someone is not able to attend.

On Thursday, June 18th we plan to enjoy a 2 ½ hour scenic train ride from East Troy, WI to “The Elegant Farmer” and back. Cost for that day will be $25/person which is for the train ride and there is plenty of room for you on this trip, so sign up to let us know you plan to attend. Final details are still being worked out, but food will be an additional cost.

Prayer Requests:

Pastor Duane Bradley passed away at the end of February. Service details are still being worked out, but we will let you know when we hear more about that.

The celebration of life service for Karen Border will be this Saturday, March 14th at 10:00 am in the youth auditorium at Kenosha Journey,

The Binkleys who are faithful members of our Encore Beach Park family suffered a tragic accident recently. Bill was killed in the accident, and Rebecca has been in the hospital far away from their home in Illinois. Pray for healing for Rebecca and comfort for her and their family as they walk through this devastating situation. Services for Bill will be this Saturday, March 14th at McMurrough Funeral Chapel at 101 Park Place, Libertyville, IL. Visitation will be 10:00 am-1:00 pm with a service following at 1:00 pm.


A special for the ladies… Joelle Gould who is a senior at CLS and is the granddaughter of our own Pat Blount, is working on her senior project. This Friday, March 13th at 11:00 she will be leading a session of chair yoga in the Kenosha Campus lobby. Chair Yoga is a gentle form of yoga done sitting in a chair. This student led-class will focus on easy stretches and light movement to help improve flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. No yoga experience is needed, and all movements can be adapted to feel comfortable for each person. Treat yourself to a short relaxing class and expect to enjoy moving your body in a safe, supportive way! Let us know you plan to attend so Joelle can be ready.

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia
And the Encore Leadership Team
This message was sent from Encore Activities // Kenosha.

02/11/2026

Encore Activities // Kenosha

Good morning! Coming this Friday, February 13th, we are looking forward to our fabulous Taco/Movie night and we don’t want you to miss it! There is still time to sign up and attend – you can pay at the door but it helps us to plan correctly if we know you are coming. You are still welcome if you don’t get a chance to sign up. The cost is $15/person which includes the authentic Hispanic taco meal and the movie. Quite a bargain to celebrate Valentines day! (note: we don’t have access to card processing but cash or a check will work well.)

“Soul on Fire” is the movie we will be showing . It is the true story of overcoming a devastating near-death of a childhood fire to become a motivational speaker – emphasizing resilience and hope. It comes highly recommended.

You don’t want to miss this full evening of good food, fellowship and inspiration.

Marge – for Pastor Dan and Alexia
And the Encore Leadership Team

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10700 75th Street
Kenosha, WI
53142

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