Connect E-Letter
July 2, 2010 - Edition Number 92 |
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From the Pastor |
 Dear Friends,
Sorry for a somewhat-late delivered CCConnect this
week. This wonderful weather
worked on my resolve the past few days, as I'm sure it did to you, too!
For the next six weeks, the choir will be taking a
well-earned summer vacation. Our choir
members faithfully rehearse each Wednesday evening for several hours and this
break gives them a somewhat slower pace for the summer. We will see them on Sunday mornings
again in mid-August. Our choir has
worked hard this past year on vocal technique and the fundamentals of how they
serve the Lord, and us, through vocal music. In addition, they have learned a lot of new music, all with
a commitment to increasing excellence. If the Lord should bring it to mind, speak to one of them in the next
few weeks and thank them for how they serve. Also, be praying for them and for whom else the Lord might
bring to join them at the end of the summer when they resume practice and
participating in the worship service. From time to time, I stick my head in their rehearsals and can assure
you that they have a lot of fun together as they rehearse. Perhaps you should consider joining
them this fall? Studio voices are
not required; rather, a heart that longs to see God glorified through our
church's worship music is all that you need to bring. Paula Faub can help you with the rest!
On that note, let's be a congregation of grateful
people. Psalm 92:1 says, "It is
good to give thanks to the Lord." To
the contrary, the underlying sin of ingratitude is noted in Romans 1:21 as
evidence of our rebellion against a good and loving God. Because of that, if we cultivate an
attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude for the Lord's goodness to us, both
directly and through other people, we will be a witness to a culture that often
defines itself by a sense of entitlement and privilege. I am reminded of Paul's question in 1
Corinthians 4:7, "What do you have that you did not receive?" So, let's be people who begin the day
asking before God, "What am I owed?" Regularly pondering this question should make us grateful people and,
dare I say, happier people. If I
could wave a wand and give us a reputation, it would be that we were a
prayerful congregation characterized by much thanksgiving to God and to one
another.
Do continue to pray for relief from our facility costs. As you know, we have listed our
property for sale and are asking the Lord to bring a buyer for some or all of
it. I know what a disconcerting
step that has been for some of you, but our fiscal situation requires it. Moreover, I was reminded today of the
ministry possibilities on the horizon if we can right-size our facility
costs. In a discussion over lunch
with one of our members, we began talking about all of the things we could do
as a church if we were not bearing $200,000 in capital costs alone, of which
$140,000 is interest expense. Wouldn't it be fun to dream together about some of those possibilities? Please commit to pray for our church
with unusual diligence in this season.
Last week, we discussed the rationale for a confession of
faith in our worship services. This week, I want to consider the reading of Scripture. Now, you might consider the reading of
God's Word to be a sine quo non of
Christian worship, but the reading of the Bible in public worship has been
surprisingly eliminated from much Protestant worship in the past 30 years. The irony of this is that
churches who claim to believe in the inerrancy and authority of Scripture have
slowly reduced the amount of Scripture in their service, while churches with a
higher liturgy often have four lessons from the Bible, though many of them do
not confess much confidence that God has spoken through it.
Instead, we want to be intentional to saturate our worship
services with Scripture. In 1
Timothy 4:13, God says through the Apostle Paul to Timothy that we should give
attention to its public reading. What more valuable element could we include than the reading of God's
Word? If we believe that God
speaks via the Bible, then this should be a priority for us. Our general practice is to read from
the alternating testament from which the preacher is preaching. Thus, as I have been moving through Mark's
Gospel this spring and summer, we have been reading through portions of
Deuteronomy. Beginning this week,
we will be reading through some of the Psalms. It is important that you have a balanced diet of God's
Word. When Paul left Ephesus, he
could tell the elders there that he had given them the whole counsel of
God. The Bible is full of
narrative stories, prophecies, laws, poetry, letters, teaching, and songs. If the Lord should give me 25 more
years of pulpit ministry at Christ Community, it would be hard to preach
through all of the Bible. Thus, we
want to read through good portions of those books that are not upcoming soon in
the preaching plan.
We'll be in Mark 6:30-44 this Lord's Day. What compassion and care we see in
Jesus toward His disciples and the world in those verses! I look forward to
seeing you Sunday.
Your friend,
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American Red Cross |
Thanks to all who were able to come out and donate blood on Tuesday. The Red Cross was able to collect 23 pints of blood. Many thanks go to our own Pam French, for always setting us up to give blood and Wendy Douglas for the great coupons for Chick-fil-a. If you would like to see them them in action at CCC check out digtriad. |
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Vacation Bible School's Crew
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Many thanks to all those listed below who helped make Vacation Bible School such a success last week:
Amy Kirkman Leah Van Eerden
Jane Lenfesty Lynn Holst
Kelly McClure Bryan Holst
Krista Smith Allison Boger
Andy Arnold Amelie Marohn
Michael Ann Justice Maddie McLean
Cae Lesesne Rhonda Terry
Jeannine Kawalec Kara Harden
Donna Rudisill Natalie George
Lawson Rudisill Michele Moyer
Kelly Miller Hannah Van Eerden
Bill Sykes Barbara Sykes
Julia Slade Christine Maynard
Terri Slade Wendy Song
Patty Marsh Anna Scott Marsh
Angela Bryan Shelley Armitage
Toni Montgomery Ben Marsh
Nan Oakely Robin Butler
Kathy Johnston Ellie Strenk
Victoria Guthrie Grayson Butler
Ashton Hallisey Madeleine Harris
Griffin McKnight Kylie McClure
Nadia Porras Stacey Barbour
Tricia Goad Darryl Andrews
Garrison Hurd Mitchel Hurd
Preston Lewis Josh Van Eerden
Paul Van Eerden Laura Guthrie
Laura Kunkel Mae Andrews
Jay Thomas Kim Lewis
Marian Hogan Sarah Lewis
Bryan Crotts Mickey McLean
Helen Alburo Jenni Martin
Mandy Crotts Brooke Douglas
Tammie McLean Ellen Robinson
Millie Fleischfresser Amy Munson
JoAnne Turner Kara Wood
Austin Bellemare Paula Faub
Bill Marsh Richie Sanfilippo
Julie Streng Adair Bolton
Pam French Robinson Boys
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First Presbyterial Women's Ministries | On August 21st, 2010, CCC is hosting the 103rd meeting of the 1st Presbyterial Women's Ministries. All ladies are invited! Susan Hunt will be the guest speaker. She is the Women's Ministry Consultant for Christian Education and Publications, a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Columbia Theological Seminary. She has authored numerous books and travels extensively speaking to various women's groups. Her desire to help women have a heart for each other, for the church and for the Reformed faith is unparalleled. Registration begins at 9 o'clock and a light breakfast will be offered with the program beginning at 10. Lunch is offered at $5 a person. (Nursery is provided for infants and toddlers. Please indicate the age and number of children when you respond affirmatively.) R.S.V.P. by July 30th to Amy Munson or call (336) 288-2365.
Also, on Friday evening, August 20th, 2010, Mrs. Hunt will address Christ Community's teen girls and ladies (location TBA). Please R.S.V.P. by July 30th to Amy Munson or call (336) 288-2365 for this event as well. |
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Adult Bible Fellowship Classes |
Adult Bible Fellowship Class (in the D-Wing at 9:15am) Christianity Explored - Class Facilitators are Robert George and Ken Kunkel
Youth and Parents Bible Class (in the Attic, upstairs D-Wing at 9:15am)
First Principles of the Christian Faith, for Parents and Kids - Jim Van Eerden (July)
A Study of the Attributes of God - Mackay Smith (August)
We offer the following ministries for children during the worship hour:
- 0-2 Nursery (B Wing, first floor)
- 2-3 year old class (B Wing, first floor)
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Children's Church for ages 4, 5, and 6 (B wing, second floor)
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Children's Sermon for 2nd through 4th grades. (during sermon time)
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Opportunities for Ministry |
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. Join us for a four-week one-hour class during the 9:15 Sunday School hour on July 11, July 18, July 25, and August 1. We will also be offering the same classes again in August. If you miss one due to summer travel, you can attend a particular session the next time. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Munson, or call her at 288-2365 ext. 23.
Youth Ministry Middle School Deadline to sign up for Summer Retreat is Sunday! July 16-19th...talk to Ashley today if you want to go!
High School Youth Summer "Oasis" in the Attic this Wednesday 7-9 pm. Don't miss it!
Women's Percept Bible Study The Tuesday evening Women's Precept group plans to continue the Kings and Prophets series with Passing the Mantle (5 lessons referencing: 2 Kings 2-14 and 2 Chronicles 21-25) to begin in September. All Bible students are invited. Details should follow in August. For more information call Kathy Wilson @ 288-8331.
Weekly Prayer Meetings
The meetings are held each week on Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 7pm. Join us in prayer for our people and His church in C-105 (located on the left hand side of the Fellowship Hall).
ARP Women's MinistryThe Women's Ministry will be putting welcome baskets in rooms at Bonclarken in August for about 80 families participating in the Joni Eareckson Tada-sponsored camps that minister to the disabled community and their families. Nancy Myers, president of the First Presbyterial Women's Ministry has shared the need for donations of either money and specific gift bag items. Let Mandy Crotts or Janet Hurd know if you would like to contribute. These items need to be turned in by Friday, July 23 in order to be delivered to Bonclarken on July 27 during the Family Bible Conference. Items needed:
- Bottled water - one per family member or at least two per room
- Journals and pens/pencils
- Rolls of "Lifesaver" candies
- Fruit snacks (raisins)
- Kleenex
- Hand sanitizers
- Devotional thoughts
- Animal crackers
- NO LATEX OR PEANUT PRODUCTS
The theme for the week is cruise-related and any ideas you have for items related to this theme would be welcome. |
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Prayer Requests |
- Pray for Edith Bowden (Renee Harris' mother) while in hospital. Prayers for comfort, healing and wisdom of the doctors.
- Pray for Bryan Crotts' health, especially that doctors would be able to determine the source of recent headaches and dizziness.
- Our pastors, staff, and their families
- That the Lord would continue to heal and sustain those with physical and emotional illness
- Personal Missions: for our conviction in heart & mind of the Gospel's transforming power
- Mission Churches: for our denomination's Outreach North America & our presbytery's Committee on Church Extension as they seek to plant new churches
- Local Missions: for the work of Youth for Christ in the lives of area children
- Persecuted Christians: for peace that passes all understanding to be given to those who suffer for Christ
- Governing Authorities: for the legislature before our governing bodies & that it would never bind our freedoms or overreach the boundaries God has placed on governments
- Our friends, relatives, and A.R.P. Chaplains serving around the world in the U.S. Military
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To Prepare for the Lord's Day Worship |
Sunday's Sermon "The Ultimate Care Package" Rev. Bill Marsh Mark 6:30-44
Confession of Faith
1 Peter 1:18-25
We were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from our forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for our sake who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that our faith and hope are in God.
Having purified our souls by our obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, we love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since we have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever."
And this word is the good news that was preached to us.
Worship Songs
Eternal Father Strong to Save
God of Our Fathers
Shout to the North
In Christ Alone
O God Our Help in Ages Past
Nursery Workers for July 4, 2010
9:30 Hour: Candy Smith, Ellen Robinson, and Patty Marsh
10:30 Hour: Kara and Madison Harden, Julie Streng and Krista Smith |
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Last Week's Tithes and Offerings | June 27, 2010
Sunday Morning Attendance: 328
Tithes and Offerings: $21,799 |
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Food For Thought |
"Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble."
- Philip Melanchthon
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