The Crusader, April 2008
The View From Here...
At March's Administrative Council meeting, I shared with the leaders of Christ Church the vision I believe God has given me for the next several years. I shared it to begin a conversation that will continue in our subsequent meetings, and I hope will continue with all of you, as it unfolds over the next several months. If you have any questions, feedback, etc., I'd love to hear what this vision stirs in you.
PL
Central to God's calling for us as a congregation in the next 4-5 years is to become the church that will fill our new facility. Just as the ground must be prepared and the foundation must be laid before the building goes up, we must be about preparing ourselves and laying the foundation of who we will be when we get there. I believe that God has given me direction on what kind of body we must be to move into the new church, what steps we need to take to become that body, and what I must do as your pastor to help us get there together.
What does Christ Church need to look like?
- External focus -- It is not about us. The Church is to be a gift to the world.
- Community focus -- When Jesus comes to town, things should get noticeably better. If our church was taken away, who would protest?
- Connectional focus -- We must connect to one another in deep, meaningful relationships in order to have the courage and the strength to reach out to the community and be a gift to the people around us.
- Message focus -- What is it about our experience with Jesus that this community cannot live without? Our message is that Jesus Christ has the power to transform lives, families, our community and our world.
- Pray -- Growth is an issue of spiritual warfare: God wants it, the devil doesn't. But the gates of Hell cannot prevail against a Church that prays.
- Grown in, out and up.
- Weed activity and practice discernment -- Is God calling us to do this now? Does everything that we do help accomplish the mission and further the vision?
- Develop stronger leadership -- As leaders go, so goes the Church.
- Develop systems for discipleship and connection -- primarily through small groups.
- Come
- Grow
- Give
- Serve
- Invest in my own physical, emotional and spiritual health -- boundaries/time management.
- Protect and nurture my family -- boundaries/time management.
- Inspire the congregation in worship -- preaching.
- Equip and challenge through my teaching -- teaching.
- Lead with Vision -- leadership/administration.
- Develop volunteer and staff leaders -- leadership/administration/giving.
- Develop trusting relationships with community leaders -- leadership.
From the Lay Ministries Director... Jaime Carpenter --every member in ministry--
- Membership 101 will be held on April 6 at 4:00 p.m.
- Safe Sanctuary Training will be offered on April 24 at 5:00 p.m., Thursday May 8 at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, May 20 at 9:00 a.m. Please let me know ahead of time if you are coming. Please prepare for your role in VBS and get your training soon!
- The Caring Ministries Team met on February 27. Our next meeting will be on April 16 at 1:00 p.m. in Pastor Larry's office. Coffee and conversation will meet again on Wednesdays April 9 and 23.
- Christian Education -- We are currently looking for a Sunday school helper for grades K-2. Tammy Kauffman is the teacher of the class, but she needs some helping (adult) hands. Safe Sanctuary Training is required. Classroom training will be provided. Our Sunday school helper will be asked to attend quarterly Christian Education meetings. Please see me for details. Our next Christian Education meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. in Pastor Larry's office.
- All members in ministry -- On April 27 from 6-9 p.m., Parents Anonymous will present a training "Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse for the Religious Community." This session will focus on the contributions our church can make in protecting children from harm. Everyone who works with children in this church is urged to attend. The training is here, it's free and childcare is provided. Please see Amy Rinck for details. If you have already been safe sanctuary trained, this training will give you more insight on how to keep us and the children of this church and our community more safe.
The Gathering
Sunday evening schedule
5:30 p.m. - Revelation Ringers
6:00 p.m. - Dinner and The Gathering
April 6 - Bible study; Creation Deadline (Admission Money Due)
April 13 - Bible study
April 20 - Bible study
April 27 - Bible study
Celebrate Recovery
We are taking our new leaders to the Celebrate Recovery Summit 2008 in August. They will be able to attend the educational/training seminars for their growth in helping others. This trip, as well as the materials we distribute (Bibles, Participants' Guides, etc.) and our Friday meals are made possible through your gracious support of our fund raiders. Thank you.
Celebrate Recovery is having a hoagie sale on Tuesday, April 15. All orders are due by Monday, April 7. You can place an order on the sheet in the narthex, fill out the slip in the bulletin and place it in the collection plate, or call 286-7532. Hoagies can be picked up Tuesday, April 15 after 3:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
We are participating in another Hoss's Community Night on Thursday, May 8 from 4-9 p.m. You can dine in or pick up gift cards for Mother's Day and we will receive 20% of the total of your bill. See Erin in the church office or contact one of our TEAM members for tickets.
I'm sure you have heard the line "April showers will bring May flowers." This is the water provided by God to provide us with new growth and beauty. I have learned that tears release our pain and sorrow to produce freedom and joy in our souls. Prior to this newfound belief, I understood tears to be a sign of weakness and therefore, as a man, I was not to cry. I discovered the truth to be that tears are a gift from God as part of our emotional package. Tears heal our soul and produce joy in our heart. So don't believe the myths about tears show weakness, and let your tears of healing and joy flow as they are good for the soul. Thank you God for the gift of healing through tears.
We ask for continued prayers for our TEAM, leaders, Pastor Larry and family, leaders and members of our church ministries and groups, our congregation and our community.
Nursery Notes
Parent Update
When dropping your child off at the nursery, please let the attendant know you are leaving your child. Give the attendant a report of your child's needs.
Example: Billy just ate an hour ago but will need a bottle during the 10:30 service. He will probably need a diaper change in the next five minutes and then he will fall asleep in the next ten minutes with his pacifier (which is in the side pocket of the diaper bag). Sally is in training pants; please take her to the toilet every 20 minutes and please make a big production of it if she goes.
Attendant Update
When you change shifts in the nursery, please update the next attendants.
Example: Child A is potty training; she just peed five minutes ago, but will need to go again in ten minutes. Children B & C just went to the bathroom and are now eating a snack, Child D was just changed. Billy needs a bottle during 10:30 service but he is sleeping in the pack and play right now. Child E is having crying spurts every three minutes but he is working through stranger anxiety. Parents would like us to tough it out. Do you have any questions?
I went to drop my child off at the nursery and there were only two attendants and they already had their hands full!
I will be posting a list of people on the nursery's bulletin board of people who will help in the nursery if there is an attendant shortage in the nursery.
For more questions and answers pertaining to the nursery, click on the Child Care link in the navigation at left.
A big thank you to all who helped to relocate the nursery to rooms 101 and 102. Many thanks to those who have sacrificed time, space and energy in making this happen.
God's Grown-Ups
God's Grown-Ups will meet for food and fellowship on Thursday, April 17 at noon at The Country Tavern in Middleburg.
Children's Ministry
At our next Children's Ministry meeting, Tuesday, April 9, we will be reviewing our Community Easter Egg Hunt. We will also be discussing the C.L.U.E.S. program for our children in grades 3-5. We're hoping to begin this program as an after-school event; an hour and a half weekly. C.L.U.E.S. approaches God's Word through searching for answers to mysteries--anything we do not know or understand. We'll do this through Bible study, a story, or other types of research. Some of the topics for discussion would be: Discovering Jesus, Young Bible Heroes, To Forgive or Not To Forgive, and God's World. If you are being called to become involved in this program, please plan to attend our meeting or call Jinny at 374-9401.
Our team is interested in any ideas that you may have for our children. Please contact one of our members to discuss your idea!
Just a note to thank all the members of our team as well as the Monday Night Men's group, and those who volunteered to help once again for our Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt held at Kidsgrove on Saturday, March 15, 2008! We had 200 children registered and several others who didn't register. The event was a success! Thank you so much for giving the children of our church and our community such a wonderful experience.
Agapeland News
Agapeland is moving into April and preparing for Arts Festival Week, March 31-April 5. Anyone wanting to share your talents please contact Laurie Kirchner. Woody Wolfe will be doing a concert Saturday, April 5. After the concert, you are invited to stroll through the Art Gallery showcasing the artwork of the children of Agapeland. There will be new bookcases, the stage will be painted, and a new reading corner called "Ms. Karel's Corner," in memory of Karel Page. Our annual Bike-a-thon will be held April 28 and 29, with a rain date of April 30 and May 1. If you know a preschooler who will be participating, please ask to sponsor them. This is truly their fund raiser and they can say "I helped." Sunday, May 4, Agapeland will sing at the 10:30 a.m. church service. Graduation Day will be Sunday, May 18 from 3-4:30 p.m.
You're Invited to Our Beach Party!
July 21-25 Morning and Evening Sessions
Sign up in the narthex -- talk to Jaime Carpenter for details!
Please pray for the VBS leadership team and those in our congregation who will (or have already) said YES to serving!
Dear God, use me to be a blessing to the children I will see at VBS. Help me to hear and obey your voice. Thank you for being my God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A BIG Thank You
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful church family for all the support given to me during my recent illness. To Pastor Larry and Jaime for their visits and prayers, to Joyce and Paul for always being there, to everyone for the get-well cards and to all the people who saw that we were well fed with delicious food. I will be forever grateful.
- June and Henry Kline
Adult Ministries
Willing Workers, led by Sam Patterson and Barb Naugle
Meets in the Sanctuary every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and uses Adult Bible Study Curriculum. April's focus is the last books of the Old Testament.
Contemporary Adult Sunday School Class, led by Janie Neff Haines
Meets in Fellowship Hall every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and uses current Christian book studies. April's focus is "The Secrets of God--Unlocking the Treasures Reserved for You" by Dr. Henry Cloud.
Parenting 101, led by Jaime Carpenter
Meets in room 202 every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. and uses Christian parenting. April's focus is Discipline and Respect.
Bible Study, led by Pastor Larry
Meets in room 103 Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and uses the Bible.
Small Group Tuesdays, led by Charity Cook.
Meets two Tuesdays a month at 7:00 p.m. in homes; call Charity Cook or watch the bulletin for each meeting's location. Study focus is on the scriptures.
Celebrate Recovery, led by Ed Fox
Meets Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in rooms 103 and 202. Weekly focus is on Step Studies.
Thursday Night Bible Study, led by Marrianne Hoyt
Meets Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. in room 103. The next study is "You are Loved" by Liz Curtis Higgs.
God's Grown-Ups, led by Fannie McFall
Meets the third Thursday of the month for lunch, fellowship and programs at various restaurants.
Monday Night Men, led by Pastor Larry
Meets Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Jason Carpenter's home.
Seasoned Sisters, led by Jayme Hendricks
Meets every other Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Jayme Hendricks' home.
Building Committee Update
We continue to progress in several areas of our relocation project.
Land Loan
In March, the Finance committee approved a $10,000 payment towards the principal amount of our land loan. With this payment, we have now paid off $195,000 of the original amount of $250,000 leaving us with a balance of just $55,000. The rapid reduction of the outstanding loan balance continues to save interest expenses and allows us to move more quickly on to the next steps in our process.
Site and Building Design
The committee has met twice so far this year with our project partners, architect Cornerstone Design and contractor T. Ross, and we will continue to meet with them on a monthly basis. We have started the site and building design phase. Our recent meetings have focused on confirming our space needs, reviewing the assessments we had done back in 2005. The architect has taken that information to create what he calls "bubble" diagrams--very basic, initial building sketches that have helped to guide our conversations. A topographical survey of the site is being completed now, which will map out the elevations and contours of the land and help us decide where to position the building. This survey will provide the architect with the data he needs to begin taking the bubble diagrams to greater levels of detail, which will get us closer to understanding the costs of the project.
Project Phases
Based on our conversations within the committee and with our partners, we are expecting our relocation to be a phased project. The architect will be creating a master plan -- one that plans for future expansions now, but allows for the building to be constructed in phases as financially feasible and as future space needs warrant. While nothing is or will be finalized for some time, we expect that Phase 1 may include a multi-purpose space, which would be used for worship, fellowship events, and other activities, and also a Christian education wing which would house the Sunday school classrooms and our Agapeland pre-school. The initial bubble drawings of this first phase show that we would have approximately two to three times the amount of space that we have here in our current building. Phase 2 would likely be the sanctuary, while a third longer term phase would include additional classroom space or address other needs. While many of us would prefer to see the entire building (all phases) constructed at one time, we realize that it might not be feasible to do so. And that's actually a good thing. A phased approach not only provides us with more financial flexibility as we build what we need when we need it, but also allows us to reassess our future space needs once we get in to the new facility, and plan future phases more precisely to meet our needs.
Committee Membership
We had two members resign from the committee in January. Jaime Carpenter resigned to spend more time in the other areas of ministry to which she is being called, while Barb Leland desired to free up more "Mom" time to spend with Henry. Both Jaime and Barb were very valuable members of the committee and will be missed. We have named Jason Carpenter to replace Jaime on the committee. Jason brings a valuable perspective and experience as the head of Trustees and has quickly become a contributor in the committee. We expect to name a replacement for Barb in the next few weeks. Please continue to keep the committee, our partners and our ongoing work in your prayers in the coming weeks, and consider or continue purchasing those Weis gift cards which benefit the building fund.
Summer Camp
Whether walking, wandering, fleeing or traveling along the way, Biblical characters are constantly on a journey of faith with God. This summer campers will hear the stories of the journeys taken by God's people, and they will be invited to take journeys of their own.
There is something for everyone! Check out the camping web site to find out more information.
All camps provide a wide variety of activities such as swimming, athletics, Bible study, worship, hikes, nature study and more. A paid summer staff works together with weekly volunteers to create an environment of faith and fellowship. Every program will take advantage of the natural surroundings, develop a community and worship God in a Christian camp setting.
Register by May 15 to take advantage of the discounted price.
A typical day at camp:
7:00 a.m. Wake up
8:00 a.m. Breakfast, Activities/Bible study
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Rest time, Activities/Games
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:00 p.m. Camp-wide Activities/Games
8:00 p.m. Vespers
9:00 p.m. Devotions
10:00 p.m. Lights Out (Elementary)
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (Jr. and Sr. High)
Kidsgrove Needs Your Help!
Warm weather is fast approaching and that means outside time at our area parks and playgrounds. Just as we have to get our own lawns and gardens ready for spring, we also have to update and groom Kidsgrove. We want it to be safe and ready for your fun play times.
With that said, Kidsgrove needs your help! For many years, the Kidsgrove Board President, Dick Norman, has done much of the work. With the Board's approval, there have been many new additions (check out the mini-town!) and improvements. But as the years roll on, we all have realized that a few people can't run it alone.
What can you do?
- Become involved in the everyday operation of Kidsgrove. (Become a board member; be a volunteer; be on the committee)
- Have a birthday party or family picnic there. There is no charge, but donations are always accepted.
- Spend an afternoon weeding or picking up. It's amazing what a few hours will do for the playground.
- Participate in Kidsgrove's biggest fundraiser--Kidsgrove Fall Festival, Saturday, October 11, 2008.
Missions
We are in need of a volunteer to coordinate the Serrv mission's table at the Market Street Festival in September. If you would like to volunteer for this project, please see Kathy or Gary Bunch.
Mark your calendar! On April 27 there will be a missions minute at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services on the Gideons ministry. All are invited during the Sunday school hour to join us in Fellowship Hall to hear more about the Gideon's and to view a few slides from their recent missions.
Missions would like to thank all who ordered and helped make hoagies. We sold 229--thank you!
Attention KidZone Staff
April 6 we will meet after church to look ahead to May and June, share concerns and pray for our ministry and the families we serve. We will meet after each service in front of the sanctuary for no more than 15 minutes. Please plan to attend!
Family Fun at Dutch Wonderland
Looking for some great family fun? May 17 and 18 is Christian Family Fest at Dutch Wonderland.
Next Step Christian Life Coaching
Janie Neff-Haines
Call for an appointment: 570-374-9347 or 570-898-8978.
Agapeland Staff
Teachers: Michelle Hoch, Laurie Kirchner and Mima Stiefel
Helpers: Tracy Foor, Dawn Miller and Deb Thompson
