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May 7, 2010 - Edition Number 85 |
| From the Pastor
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 Dear Friends, First, I want to share part of a note I received earlier
this week following up on last Sunday's sermon on the three parables in Mark 4:21-34 that
illustrate how the kingdom of Jesus Christ advances so differently from the
world's kingdoms. This is from one
of our members who served for several years as a missionary in an East Asian
country that is closed to Christian missionaries. We had summer groups that would come in for six weeks.
Mostly college students and a few U. S.-based staff, these guys were
hardly there long enough to get over jet lag and learn how to get back to their
dorms, but they would cast seed with fury. One of the staff met a guy,
who was later code-named Human Torch. The staff guy met Human Torch maybe
once before Human Torch ended up in the hospital. Human Torch was a
minority from one of the most devout Muslim groups; in fact, at the time there
were zero known Christians of this people group and none of the Bible was
available in their language. The staff guy took a risk and visited in
Human Torch in the hospital several times, but in such a monitored setting I'm
not sure if he ever got to fully share the Gospel with Human Torch. Well,
the staff guy eventually had to leave and after that Human Torch got out of the
hospital and returned to school. He connected with one of our long term
staff and was quick to accept Christ, noting that he had seen the love of the
Gospel lived out by this American who would take time to visit him. Human
Torch's faith grew quickly in depth, and two years later he became a missionary
translating the Gospel into his language, a decision that was quite literally
risking his life. He talks of wanting to hear his native tongue worship
the Lord in Heaven. All because some American guy in a place he hardly
knew how to get around planted a seed where most wouldn't even have thought to
plant. Human Torch is no longer the only believer in his people group. What a glorious reminder of how God uses the despised things
of the world for His great glory. Thanks to many of you for coming out last Sunday evening for
our congregational information meeting.
We discussed some weighty matters and I appreciated your patience in
listening to a lot of information, as well as the thoughtfulness of your
questions and comments. At that
meeting we released the proposed budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year that
begins on July 1. If you were not
present at the meeting and would like a copy of the budget, please email Amy Munson or
call her in the church office. We will have another information meeting this Sunday
afternoon at 4:30 for you to be able to ask questions and/or discuss the budget
with elders and deacons. The
meeting will be in D131-133, which is the first large room on the right when
you walk into the bottom floor of the adult education building. If you are not able to make this
meeting, we still want to be available to answer your questions and explain
assumptions that have gone into this budget. We had to make some difficult decisions and want you to
understand our thinking behind them.
You can send an email to the active members of the Session by clicking
on any of our names below. Phone
numbers are also listed if you would rather speak to any of us. We welcome your questions and feedback. Bill Marsh,
(Moderator) 430-7836 Bryan Crotts, (Vice
Moderator) 944-2892 Mickey McLean, (Clerk)
288-6224 Darryl Andrews
545-9742 Willis Drew 644-1116 Kent French 605-0523 Bill Harris
288-3721 Bill Ratchford
883-0777 Following our morning worship service on Sunday, May 16, we
will have a congregational meeting to vote on the proposed budget. We will have paper ballots for you to
cast your vote; even if you need to leave quickly because of children or other
responsibilities, please be sure to cast your vote that Sunday. We're off to a good start with our mid-week prayer
meetings. At noon on Tuesdays and
at 7 o'clock on Wednesday evenings, we are gathering in C105 to pray for our
church's needs, as well as the world's need for Christ. I know that those times don't work for
everyone, but do plan to come if you are able. Our time this past Tuesday was particularly rich and the
time seemed to fly. There is one schedule change for this week that you need to
note. We had scheduled the
Mothers' Day cookout for this Sunday afternoon. However, it became clear this week that many, many of our
worker bees would be tied up with their own families on Sunday afternoon. Thus, we have canceled the supper for
this upcoming Sunday (May 9), but will meet again on Sunday, May 23. We will complete Mark 4 this week, as we look at the last
incident in that chapter in verses 35-41
when Jesus calms the stormy sea. Be
praying that the Lord would grant us His Holy Spirit to use His infallible,
inerrant Scripture to calm our stormy hearts as we gather this Lord's Day. I look forward to seeing you then.
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| Sunday Supper has been cancelled |  Sunday Night Supper has been cancelled for this week. Have a wonderful Mother's Day. We will have a supper May 23rd. See you there. |
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| Save The Date | |
Save the Date for these upcoming events:
- 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
- Women's Ministry: First Presbytery's Annual Meeting August 20th and 21st
- Sunday Suppers for the coming summer months:
May 23rd
June 13th
July 11th
August 15th
More information to follow soon on these events. |
| Introducing a New Member |
 Gavin George is the almost-nine-year-old son of Robert and Natalie George and the big brother of Allie. Gavin came to CCC when he was four years old. He is excited about joining CCC because he loves going to church!
He goes to Caldwell Academy and enjoys taking Latin, Science and History. Gavin loves languages! Right now his goal is to be a German teacher. He is also interested in foreign cultures and world missions. He loves collecting coins, especially foreign currency. He enjoys farm-type animals, geography, studying flags, and horticulture. He loves collecting fruit and vegetable plants so that his parents will have something to do. He loves to read, especially adventure books and unusual historical facts.
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| Opportunities for Ministry |
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CCC's Webelo Campers will be having a car wash this weekend at Brassfield's Chick-fil-a, 10:30t til 2:30pm. In addition, we will be having a yard sale on May 22nd. If you would like to donate any items for the sale, email Cindy Morris 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.
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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: · No JumpStart Sunday...instead enjoy time with your mom and lavish here with gifts!
· Next Sunday....End of Year Party "80's theme"....more details to come!
- High School: · Oasis Wednesday 12th 7-9 PM. Join us in the Attic for our last "normal" big group of the school year!
· Next Wednesday...Oasis Oscars!
- 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.
- 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 passing of Kevin's mother
- Jean Herndon - healing from recent fall
- Helen Alburo's Aunt Estella - for her health and spirits as she recovers in a nursing home
- Our Preschool Teachers and families
- Pray for CCC Member Ellie Strenk and the rest of the team in Uganda today through May 22. Pray for safety and health for all the team members. Pray for wisdom in administering medical care and for many to receive Christ as Savior.
- For those in the church body with homes on the market - for speedy sales
- For those who keep up our building, grounds and properties
- That the families of our church will see husbands lead family worship in the home
- Personal Missions: that we would build quality relationships with other that they might hear of the Gospel, especially from our lips but from our lives as well
- Local Missions: for the work of Youth for Christ in Greensboro and our members who serve in this ministry
- Foreign Missions: for the way of the Gospel to be cleared throughout the earth
- Persecuted Christians: pray daily for the persecuted church around the world, especially in Communist, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu countries
- Governing Authorities: for our US Military leaders - the Joint Chiefs and those who serve under them
- Our friends, relatives, and A.R.P. Chaplains serving around the world in the U.S. Military
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| Adult Bible Fellowship |
- Study of the Gospel of John, Elder Sam Cain: The Crucifixion of Jesus, John 19
- The Christian Home, Pastor Crotts: Dating & Preparation for Marriage
- Study of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Pastor Marsh
All classes begin at 9:15 AM and meet in the lower level of the D-Wing |
| Last Week's Tithes's and Offerings |
May 2nd:
Worship Service Attendance: 305
Tithes and Offerings: $21,919 |
| To Prepare for the Lord's Day Worship |
Sunday's Sermon: "The Stormchaser" Rev. Bill Marsh
Mark 4:35-41 Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father
by whom all things were made.
Who for us men, and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried,
and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures;
and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life,
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke through the prophets.
And we believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Worship Songs: Holy, Holy, Holy God of Wonders Speak, O Lord God, All Nature Sing Thy Glory |
| Food For Thought | "The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, and sanctification center, where flawed people place their trust in Christ, gather to know and love him better, and learn to love others as he has designed. The church is messy and inefficient, but it is God's wonderful mess - the place where he radically transforms hearts and lives."
Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands (P & R Publishing, 2002), 116.
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