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JANUARY NEWS
FROM COMMUNITY
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Dear Family:
Happy New Year friends. It’s hard to believe the calendar so quickly flipped to January. Yet, here we are in a new day and time. The first Sunday of the year, we talked about Turning the Page of God’s story for each of us and Community Church of God. It means making the intentional choice to not get stuck in the story and instead choose a new adventure with the Lord and let Him begin writing a new chapter in us.
When you think about starting a “new chapter,” what images or thoughts come to mind? Sometimes it’s changes in behavior (eating less, becoming more active, stopping a bad habit), and sometimes it’s launching into a new experience (taking up a hobby, learning a new skill, setting a goal and working to achieve it). In the Kingdom of God, a new chapter is a brand new start to life itself.
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to remind them “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17). He was encouraging them to see that “new” in God’s eyes literally means a fresh start. Choosing to follow Jesus means that “God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil 1:6). God is constantly in the business of creation. Remember in the beginning, He made everything from nothing. God’s good word at the end of Scripture reminds us, “I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5).
What does God want to make new in you? That’s not a question we can answer for each other, but we can encourage one another as we each ask the Father. The more time we spend in God’s presence, the more we will come to know our next steps. One of the new things God wants for us as a church family is to have new vision, to see more clearly His will and purpose for the body of Christ worshipping at 1532 College Drive. In order to see what God sees, we have to spend more time with His point of view. Sitting at His feet, drawing from His Word, listening to His voice.
If that seems exciting (or even daunting), and you’re wondering how to begin, let me encourage you with several opportunities.
• Join us in reading through the Bible this year. We have a group in Youversion (The Bible app) reading through the NLT chronologically. There’s a space where you can comment, ask questions and receive insight as others are reading too. I can give you a link to the group, you can also find it on the church’s Facebook page, or scan the QR code on the newsletter.
• Commit to 21 days of prayer and fasting. On Sunday, January 9, we started 3 week journey of fasting from the things we hunger for or have more of our attention than the Lord, and to praying for God to have His way in each of us and His church. You don’t have to fast from food, especially for medical reasons, but choose something to surrender and make more space for the Father these next 3 weeks.
• Make a midweek commitment. We’ve launched a women’s and men’s study on Wednesday nights at 6 pm (Jan 12 launch, not to late to join), that will run through the end of February. Then in March, we’ll start studying a book of the Bible together, bit by bit. Children and students will have an opportunity for learning at the same time. Don’t make time with the Father a weekend-only experience in your life. Give Him time daily, and let’s “not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25).
I hope you’ll join us for some or all of these things. In the adventure you’re on with Jesus, I hope you choose “new” each time. The Lord’s promise is clear, even in these still uncertain times: "Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). Let’s walk His road together!
You are loved,
Pastor Joy
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Church Family,
I pray that you have and will continue to be blessed in this new year! Exciting things are happening in student ministries and I just wanted to take a moment to share with you about those. In December, my wife, Mahala, and I hosted the youth Christmas party at our house and had a blast eating good food and playing games! We also enjoyed doing some Christmas caroling with students in December. We have several upcoming events to share with you. First is True Love Waits, which will be starting this month. Students 6th-12th grade are invited to participate in this Sunday night gathering beginning Jan. 23rd at Kingdom Keys Life Center in Mt. Carmel. Together with area Church participation we will be discussing sexual purity, grace, boundaries, gender confusion, singleness, dating, and several other topics. Parents of students must see Pastor Jonathan to fill out a permission form for this program. We are also excited to be going to Winter Jam in Evansville! This summer, we look forward to attending International Youth Convention (IYC) in San Antonio, TX June 29th-July4th. We will begin fundraising soon! We would appreciate your prayerful support as we continue to grow student ministries and begin fundraising for IYC. There are many more exciting events and opportunities coming our students way! If you are interested in getting your student involved or partnering with us, please connect with Pastor Jonathan. You are loved Church!
Great Blessings,
Pastor Jonathan
Pastor of Student and Family Ministries
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Wee Kare is getting off to a good start in the New Year. We’ve had so much excitement from the Grand Reopening in the fall and have been able to add some new students to our roster. We’re so thankful for our teachers and assistants who do a great job helping our little ones learn about Jesus. Grateful also to our school board for all their wisdom in making important decisions. We, like most people, are dealing with the impact of another round of COVID in the community, but have so many people helping us make sure we keep our children safe and healthy. Parents are doing a good job of keeping their sick little home, too! Keep praying for us as its important our staff and kids are healthy and able to enjoy a full school year. If you haven’t, make sure you check out our new playground, finally installed and bordered in. It looks beautiful! We look forward to good weather and nice temperatures to take advantage of it. Thank you church family for your love and support of what we do. We are in this TOGETHER!
Thankfully Yours,
Cynthia Mobley, Preschool Director
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Important Dates for January:
• Sundays @ 9:00-9:50am – Adult Sunday School
• Sundays @ 9:30am – Common Grounds Coffee & Snacks
• Sundays @ 10:00am – Morning Worship
• Wednesdays – Midweek Ministries @ Community - 6-7:15pm – Classes for kids and students. Men's & Women's Bible Studies. (NOTE: 5:15pm Meal on first Wednesday of the month - meal is free - donations are accepted)
• Thursday, January 20 - Winter Jam @ 7pm in Evansville
• Sunday, January 23 @ 6pm – True Love Waits Series begins @ Kingdom Keys
Life Center (thru 3/13, w/no meeting on 2/13)
• Thursday, January 20 - Winter Jam @ 7pm in Evansville
• Sunday, January 23 - Annual Reports Available
• Sunday, January 30 @ 11:30am - Open Forum
• Saturday, January 29 @ 12 Noon - W.OW. has been moved inside at CCOG. Bring your voices, your instruments, and an open heart for a sweet time of worship.
• Sunday, February 6 @ 11:30am - Annual Business Meeting
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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS - JAN. & FEB.
We will be studying "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. Please let Pastor Joy know if you plan on participating. Books are $16.00 each.
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS - JAN. & FEB.
We will be studying "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy. Please let Steve Sherman know if you plan on participating. Books are $10.00 each.
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COMMUNITY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
January 1 Ryan & Brigitte Ruth
January 1 Jared Crummley
January 3 Audra Keepes
January 4 Madie McIntire
January 9 Jared & Meagan Steckler
January 10 Amanda Simpson
January 18 Jean Beckerman
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January 20 Shirley Goodman
January 20 Joy Sherman
January 24 Christina Futrill
January 25 Dale Gayer
January 25 Harper Niduaza
January 27 Jaxon Moore
January 28 Bob Christie
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NEWSLETTER & BULLETIN DEADLINES:
We want to include as many events as possible in our email and printed newsletters, along with the weekly bulletin. In order to do that effectively, please understand that some deadlines need to apply.
- Monthly Newsletters (Email & Print): The 20th of the preceding month.
- Weekly Newsletter: Noon on Monday
- Bulletin (this includes on-screen Sunday announcements): Noon on Wednesday
We'd like to thank you for both your help, and your understanding.
Jackie Pixley @ 618-263-3561
Terry Beckerman @ 618-263-2093
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HOW CAN WE HELP?
If you have or know of individual needs, prayer requests or questions, we want to help. In non-emergency situations or during office hours (M/F – 8am to 12:30pm) you may contact the office by:
Phone: 1-618-263-3561
Email – info@mtccommunity.church
Web – www.mtccommunity.church
Facebook – mountcarmelcommunitychurch
In emergencies contact:
Pastor Joy - 618-204-7456
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