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April 30, 2010 - Edition Number 84 |
| From the Pastor
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Dear Friends,
A couple of months ago, we discussed the fiscal challenges
our church faces, as well as some long-term facility and debt
considerations. On that Sunday
evening, March 7, we had an excellent turnout and edifying discussion on the
state of our church, as well as possible options moving forward. This Sunday night, May 2, we will, in
some ways, pick up where we left off in March. Dinner begins at 5:30 in the D-Wing hallway with pizza,
salad, dessert, and drinks for $2/person with a $7/family maximum. We will then excuse the children at
6:15 and begin this information meeting in the Fellowship Hall. We will discuss where we are, how we
got here, and the way forward. The
elders will release the proposed 2010-2011 budget, as well as discuss the
roadmap we are suggesting to you on aligning our facility costs to a more
sustainable level. We have had to
make some very difficult decisions in recent weeks, so we want you to have the
full picture of the information we have considered.
In many ways, this congregation is in an excellent position
and we are poised to move ahead in ministry in some key areas. There are shoals to be navigated,
however, and it is important that we move forward together through these times. We are on the cusp of something very
significant and there are several ways the Lord will make the path clear in the
weeks and months to come. I hope
you will plan to be here. Be
praying for the meeting and for the peace, purity, prosperity, and unity of
Christ Community Church. My sense
is that we are coming to the end of an all-too-long season and, like hikers
approaching a summit, we need to push ahead just a bit farther to reach an
easier spot. Bryan and I spent
some time yesterday afternoon preparing for our parts in Sunday night's
meeting. The longer we talked, the
more excited we were about this next season and also the more thankful we were
to be here, now.
On a related note, we want to take a step forward in our
praying together as a congregation.
We have used the Sunday Suppers as a venue for more intentional
corporate prayer, but these have been sporadic due to other events. We want to be more intentional than
ever about corporate prayer as we enter this season of great potential and also
great challenge. There will
be gatherings two different times each week to try to be convenient for as many
as possible. First, on Tuesdays at
noon, we invite anyone who can come to join us for a half hour as we pray for
our church, for the extension of the Kingdom of Christ around the world, for
the reformation of the Church in the world, and for the needs of our members. We will pray particularly for the Lord
to work in the matters we will discuss on Sunday evening. Second, we will do the same thing on
Wednesday evenings at 7:00. I'll
announce a room location on Sunday for both meetings. If we have two people or 200 people, let's resolve to move
through this season, and all of our lives, as if God does nothing apart from
the prayers of His people.
In the meantime, be praying for Sunday. Let's not be ho-hum and gather out of
habit (though it's a good one!).
Rather, let's come, anticipating that the Holy Spirit will convict some
of sin, comfort others with truth, and point us all to a risen, ascended, and
reigning Lord Jesus. Ask the Lord
to plant the Gospel deep in our hearts, like the seed in the good soil about
which I preached last Sunday. Pray
for me as I prepare to preach this week.
Pray for the others who participate in the service, such as Bryan and
the musicians. Pray for the
unconverted in the service. Pray
that our children and youth would learn to worship well in spirit and truth. Pray that we would all taste and see
that the Lord is good.
Your friend,
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| Sunday Night Supper |  Join us this Sunday night at 5:30pm for pizza night. We will be servering up pizza, salad, and dessert. Please bring $3 per person or $7 for a family of four. We will start our congreational meeting right at 6:15pm. Due to the importance of the meeting, childcare will be offered for children up through sixth grade. |
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| Introducing New Members | 
Brad and Angela Bryan:
Brad and I transferred from the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area to Greensboro 9 months ago. We have 4 children, three daughters (all married) and a son in college. Back in Louisiana we were a part of a wonderful church family where both Brad and I were active in various ministries. Brad enjoys bow hunting, fishing, bird watching and studying God's Word while I enjoy sewing, smocking, quilting, cooking, and opportunities of hospitality with friends.
Though we miss our family and friends back home we are thankful the Lord has led us to Christ Community Church where we've been blessed by the preaching of the Word, corporate worship and the warm fellowship we receive each Sunday. We look forward to growing in grace along-side the Christ Community Family!
Hello All,
My name is Mackay Smith; otherwise known as "that large person that sings in the choir." I am a new intern here at CCC working alongside our session and our youth director, Ashley, to teach God's word and minister to the middle and high school students of the church. Currently, I am finishing my third year (of four) at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, working toward ordination in the ARP church upon graduation next year. I proudly claim the sprawling metropolis of Gastonia, NC as my hometown, and I will fiercely argue that the barbecue there beats Stamey's in all categories. I enjoy singing, playing guitar, making laughable attempts at exercise, and reading in all the free time that we seminary students enjoy.
I am very thankful to God for bringing me here to CCC. It is a true answer to prayer (ask me about it sometime) to be able to worship and fellowship with a group committed by God's grace to His word and His glory. Thank you for the responsibility you have given me, and I welcome your prayer as I follow God's call in my life. I look forward to seeing you at church!
 Hi my name is Neldy Nussbaum. I am very excited to be joining Christ Community Church . I am from Bolivia and my family background is French and Spanish. I came to the US as a foreign exchange student while in college. While visiting a friend here on the east coast I meet my future husband Michael. Needless to say I have been here ever since. We have one child a son named Michael Patrick he is 23years old.
I love to play tennis and cook. I also enjoy gardening, a trait passed down from my mother. When in Bolivia I love to go horseback riding. I love being with other people, I am definitely a people person.I am very excited to join CCC because I love the fact that CCC is a Bible based church. I love the pastors. I am able to fully understand them when they preach even with the language barrier issue. I understand them perfectly. This church and the pastors encourage me to learn more about the Bible. I feel very welcomed and comfortable here at CCC. |
| Save The Date | |
Save the Date for these upcoming events:
- Ladies Tea May 1st, 3-4:30pm
- Sunday Supper and Congregational Meeting May 2nd, 5:30pm.
- Men's Breakfast May 8th at 7:30am
- Sunday Lunch for all young adults, including college students, on May 16th at the Marshes' Home (ask Ashley, Bryan or Mackay for more info)
- Vacation Bible School - Mornings of June 21-25th
More information to follow soon on these events. |
| Opportunities for Ministry |
- Sunday Supper and Congregational Meeting! Join us Sunday at 5:30pm for pizza night. We will be serving pizza, salad, and dessert. Please bring $2 per person or $7 for a family of four. We will start our congregational meeting at 6:15pm. Due to the importance of the meeting, childcare will be offered for children up through sixth grade.
- Men's Breakfast this Saturday May 8th at 7:30. Start your day with a hearty breakfast and fellowship with friends.
- Inquirers' Class: Interested in finding out more about CCC? The Inquirers' Class is our way of orienting prospective members to the history, doctrine, and ongoing ministries of Christ Community. The first session will be a dinner held on Friday, May 14th, from 6:00-8:30pm at the Marshes' House. Class will continue on Saturday (May 15th) at 9:00am in Room C 105, off front left of the fellowship hall. If you have any questions or would like to reserve your seat, contact Amy Munson (amunson@cccarp.org or 288-2365 ext.#23). We hope to see you there.
- Vacation Bible School will be June 21st - 25th, from 9am -noon. The theme this year is the "HIGH SEAS, Exploring the Mighty Love of God". If you are interested in being on the VBS committee please contact Debbie Cain, 288-2365 or dcain@cccarp.org. To volunteer or register your children, please go to the VBS table outside of the fellowship hall.
- Middle School: JumpStart Sunday Night from 6:15-7:30 (Join us for dinner downstairs with your family from 5:30-6:15). Wear your best "competitive" clothes for some all out "Survivor" challenges tonight!
- High School: OASIS "Wild Card" Wednesday this week! 7-9 PM... Join us in your "Gamer" clothes for a great night of fun and "Survivor" style competition!
- Save the Date: Women's Ministries will be hosting the 1st Presbytery's Annual Women's Ministry Meeting on August 21st at 10am. Susan Hunt is the main speaker for the day! Also there will be an event just for CCC ladies on Friday night August 20th.
- CCC's Future Webelo Campers The boys will be doing a few activities to help offset their costs of going to Webelo's summer camp in July. On May 15th and June 6th the boys will be providing car washes at Brassfield's Chick-fil-a. Chick-fil-a is also allowing us to host a Spirit Night on May 26th from 5-8pm. In addition, we will be having a yard sale on May 22nd. If you would like to donate any items for the sale, please email Cindy Morris at cindy_morris@vfc.com or call 707-5134. Any donations would be appreciated. Please join us for these events and invite some friends to join you.
- Support Ministry Team needs you. We would love for you to join the team of people who help out with many different things when there is a need (meals, childcare, etc) . This is a wonderful way to serve God and others. If you are interested or have questions contact Amy amunson@cccarp.org or 288-2365.
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Prayer Requests |
- Kevin Hanner and Family - comfort after the recent death of his mother, Doris
- Jean Herndon - healing from recent fall
- Helen Alburo's Aunt Estella - For her health and spirits as she recovers in a nursing home
- For Pastors Marsh & Crotts, Amy, Ashley, Debbie, James, Mackay and the families of our staff
- That we would all be more effective stewards of the resources (time, talents, financial means) that our Lord has entrusted to us, cheerfully giving to this and other ministries - investing in His Kingdom, from an eternal perspective
- Personal Missions: for a burden in each of us that would compel us to share the love of Christ with others
- Local Missions: for wise use of our benevolent funds as needs arise within and without our body
- Persecuted Christians: for an awareness in western countries to the suffering that many face in countries where freedom of religion does not exist
- Governing Authorities: pray for Guilford County, the City of Greensboro and our surrounding community leaders
- Our friends, relatives, and ARP Chaplains serving around the world in the U.S. Military.
- Pray for John Carson as he travels this spring to teach at colleges in Kenya and Uganda. John is a member of the ARP Mobile Theological Training Team.
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| Adult Bible Fellowship | |
- Study of the Gospel of John, Elder Sam Cain: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus, John 18
- The Christian
Home, Pastor Crotts: Marriage & Family Q&A Session
- The Westminster Confession of Faith, Pastor
Marsh: Chapter 28 on Baptism
All classes begin at 9:15 AM and meet in the lower level of the D-Wing |
| Last Week's Tithes's and Offerings |
April 25th
Worship Service Attendance: 305
Tithes and Offerings: $15,213 |
| To Prepare for the Lord's Day Worship |
Sunday's Sermon: "The Medium is the Message" Rev. Bill Marsh
Mark 4: 21-34 Confession of Faith:
Ephesians 1:3-14
We believe that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
We believe that in love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the beloved.
We believe that in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to his purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.
We believe that in Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.
We believe that when we heard the gospel of our salvation, and believed in Him, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
Worship Songs:
Psalm 3
How Firm a Foundation
Days of Elijah
Your Name
Doxology
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise |
| Food For Thought |
"Nothing makes God more supreme and more central than when a people are utterly persuaded that nothing - not money or prestige or leisure or family or job or health or sports or toys or friends - is going to bring satisfaction to their aching hearts besides God. This conviction breeds a people who passionately long for God on Sunday morning. They are not confused about why they are here. They do not see songs and prayers and sermons as mere traditions or mere duties. They see them as means of getting to God or God getting to them for more of His fullness."
--John Piper
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