A Christian Legend & the 2014 Academy Awards

Click below to read about and listen to Joni Eareckson Tada and this original movie score to be performed live at this year's Oscars!  

http://erlc.com/article/oscar-nominated-song-surprises-the-nation

Something New in Children's Worship!

We are excited to incorporate the Jesus Storybook Bible into Children's Worship!

Children's Worship at Christ Community Church is geared for children 4-8 years old, and the Jesus Storybook Bible is a wonderful addition to our current format.  You may wonder what exactly your children are engaging in while you hear the sermon each week?  Here is the breakdown:

• Children are greeted by name in the hallway at about 10:55AM
• Worship begins with the children standing, singing and signing to "The Greatest Commandment" by Seeds Family Worship, from the CD Seeds of Purpose.  (See link below and listen to song #4.) 
• Children sit down to sing and sign "Be Still and Know" from Psalm 46:10.
• Following the church calendar, children are taken through key accounts from the Old and New Testament, one story per week.  (Currently, children have learned about Jesus' baptism and will be regaled with his calling the twelve disciples and his  miracles in the coming weeks).  
• An adult teacher helps the children understand and talk about the story.
• An adult prays for the children, and then a snack is enjoyed - water and gluten-free cheese puffs!
• The remaining time is free for kids to engage with the Bible story in the way they choose:  Coloring pages, completing a Bible puzzle, or acting out the story with special, Biblical wooden figures perfect for a child's small hands. 
• Parent Pick-up immediately following the service.

Our teaching team currently consists of Randa Nader, Nene Akinbola & Deanna Meibeyer, Don & Donna Harris, and (rotating every three months on the 2nd Sunday of the month) Tim Kirk, Steve Sandvig and Michael Veitz.  Youth assistants are a big help each week, as well!

The resources we are using can be found on the links below or search on Amazon to hear every single song they've produced and consider buying a CD for your family!  They are high-quality CDs and every song is Scripture set to good music that won't drive parents crazy.  This is an awesome, easy way to get the Word into your heart, for good!

Click these links and check 'em out!
 http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com
http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com
 www.amazon.com/Seeds-Purpose-4-Family-Worship

A Powerful Reminder of our God

 A Quick Re-cap of Celebrate Life Sunday:

Approximately 100 people came out on the snowy-blowy morning of January 5th to participate in Celebrate Life Sunday.  One highlight of our time together was the hearty breakfast - it is good to come together to break bread, or much muffins, or enjoy fruit, sip coffee....you get the idea!

Another highlight was connecting the dots of Life Centers' eternal impact Life.  Patti Fraley, who serves faithfully at the East Pregnancy Center in Indy, worked graciously behind the scenes for weeks leading up to this morning to connect Christ Community with Life Centers' women: 

From Caitlin, the young mom who turned to Life Centers for support during her first pregnancy.  She not only found practical help, but spiritual healing in a newfound relationship with Christ, and then discipleship and true life change at Heart Change, and for whom Children's Ministry (you!) had the privilege of collecting over $400 as she and her husband (and young son) prepare for baby #2 - this time as a healthy, happy Christian family experiencing financial need;
 
to Ashley, the young woman whose life was changed when she turned to Life Centers for help after college, following a series of choices that left her needing answers.  In so doing, she found the true Answer -  coming to understand through LC's Bible study how to have a personal relationship with Christ - and now lives to tell about it (literally - all the time, as a profession!);

to Dawn, the director at East Pregnancy Center whose own life journey's missteps have fueled her passion for Christ and for life - that of unborn babies and eternal life for in-need moms and dads.

This is what we helped to support!  Giving money, creating onesies and cards/letters is a wonderful thing that will bless many.  But what we received in return was profound:  The powerful reminder that our God pursues.  He rescues.  He forgives.  He restores.  He reigns!  



***Special thanks to Pastor Steve Sandvig for thinking to snap a photo (the only one!) on his smartphone.  Photographers at future events appreciated! No need to apply :)

Celebrate Life Sunday + Bottles for Babies Update

We are excited to gather tomorrow morning for Celebrate Life Sunday!

• Eat a great breakfast
• Iron-on an adorable onesie*
• Create a card*
• Write a letter of encouragement*
• Read a sweet story 
• Hear a vulnerable testimony

* All created items will be donated to Life Centers to be given to moms in need of encouragement.

Plan to join us at 9 AM..... your last hurrah before the big storm!?


And, thank you so very much for your generous giving to Caitlin and her family this Christmas per our Bottles for Babies mercy giving.   
 Together, Christ Community Kids raised over $400 in two weeks!
We surpassed our goal by over $100.  The family was blessed with a shower of diapers, a bassinet and a new, larger diaper bag to accommodate the needs of two beautiful boys.

God brings His Kingdom through his Church - you and me - by the power of Christ and the leading of his Spirit.  It is so good to be part of what God is doing at Christ Community Church.