November 2014.inside - Christ Community Church

News & Views
November 2014
Remember to Vote!
“In this nation, we have the opportunity to select many of the people who
will be in authority over us. Unfortunately, a number of Americans never
exercise their right to vote. They rationalize that they don’t know the
nominees, that none of the candidates are godly, or that one ballot can’t
make a difference. But believers have a responsibility to investigate each
contender and cast an intelligent vote.” (Dr. Charles Stanley)
We are coming up on another “election day” on November 4th (Tuesday) when
we as a nation will select the men and women who will govern our country, state,
county and home town for the next couple of years. Who will they be? Will they be
God-fearing men and women who will allow their faith to influence their decisions? Will
they prayerfully seek the Lord’s will and the Lord’s way as they deliberate, debate and
decide the direction our country will take?
Those of us who profess to be believers in God do have a responsibility to ask
these questions, to investigate the candidates by pursuing their views and biases, and to
exercise our right to vote so that we may help elect God-fearing leaders who will seek
to serve the Lord as they lead us.
This is not some new theological position. 60 years ago Emanuel E, a protestant
reformed theologian, noted that Christians are heavenly citizens who must sojourn in
the midst of this world for a season. As such, Christians have a civic responsibility. This
caused Emanuel to ask “What must this Christian do with these ‘rights’? What is his
duty as a citizen of this world?”
These certainly are good questions for us to ponder. Are we shirking our duty
if we fail to vote? Leo Tolstoy wrote “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for
good men to do nothing.”
So do something! Vote!
I am encouraging you to vote. I am not telling you how to vote or who to vote
for. That is a decision you must make. If you want help making that decision don’t look
to other people to make up your mind for you. Rather, pray for God’s wisdom and
guidance as you consider the choices you are about to make. Pray that God will give
you the discernment you need to make His choice your choice.
In fact, don’t just pray about the election. Keep praying for all those who are
ultimately elected. The most powerful thing we can do as
Christians is to pray!
I think one of our biggest problems is that we too often do
far more complaining and accusing than praying. It’s time for
us to ask God to influence our leaders and to put His people
in places of authority.
The Psalmist says, “Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also
in Him and He will do it.”
PRAY! VOTE! AND PRAY!
His and yours,
Pastor Dave
Inside this issue:
Church Calendar
2
Prayer Requests
3
Stewardship Report
4
November Birthdays
4
November Anniversaries
4
Looking Ahead
4
Thanksgiving Eve Service
4
Care & Share Annual Craft
& Bake Sale
4
Is Christ Community Your
Home Church?
5
Affirmation of Affiliation
Form
6
Capital Improvement
Updates
7
Thank You To Bud & John
7
Thank You From Helen
Arnold
7
Thank You From Trixie
7
Christmas Orchestra
8
Caroling at City Of Lights
8
Adult Bible Study Schedule
8
Sex Trafficking Info Meeting 8
Children’s Church, Nursery & 9
Sound Booth Schedule
AWANA Schedule
9
Youth Group Schedule
9
AWANA Crock Pot
Fundraiser
9
November 2014
Page 2
Christ Community Church
Nisswa, Minnesota
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
10:30 AM—Disciples of
Jesus
2
3
9-9:55 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM – Coffee & Rolls
10:15 AM – Family
Worship
5
ELECTION DAY
10:30A Care & Share
5:15P Family Fellowship
Dinner
6:00-7:30P AWANA
(Favorite Hat Night)
Youth Group & Adult
Bible Study
7:30P Praise Team
Remember to
VOTE
9
10
9-9:55 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM – Coffee & Rolls
10:15 AM – Family
Worship
Hallway & Entryway
Carpet Cleaned
16
4
17
11
12
6:30PM Leadership
Team Meeting
5:15P Family Fellowship
Dinner
6:00-7:30 PM
AWANA /Youth Group
& Adult Bible Study
18
9-9:55 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM – Coffee & Rolls
10:15 AM – Family
Worship
30
9-9:55 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM – Coffee & Rolls
10:15 AM – Family
Worship
7
24
25
26
7:00 PM Thanksgiving
Eve Service with
Communion
(No Wednesday
Night Classes)
8
10:30 AM—Disciples of
Jesus
13
14
15
9-2 Care & Share Craft
& Bake Sale
10:30 AM—Disciples of
Jesus
20
21
5:15P Family Fellowship
Dinner
6:00-7:30 PM AWANA,
(Crazy Hair Night)
Youth Group, & Adult
Bible Study
7:30P Praise Team
Practice
9-9:55 AM Sunday School
10:00AM – Coffee & Rolls
10:15 AM – Family
Worship
11:30AM AWANA Crock
Pot Fundraiser
23
19
6
22
10:30 AM—Disciples of
Jesus
27
28
Happy Thanksgiving
Office Closed
Office Closed
5PM Caroling for the
City Of Lights
29
News & Views
Volume 25, Issue 11
Page 3
We lift up many of our faith family who need an extra measure of God’s grace as they fight with illness, face surgery, gain strength in
recovery and healing, grieve the loss of loved ones, search for new employment, and seek God’s will for their lives.
Please Pray For:
Prayer requested by:
Please Pray For:
Prayer requested by:
People Battling Cancer:
P ••
A ••
•
R•
•
T ••
N ••
E ••
R ••
•
S •
I
N
P
R
A
Y
E
R
Branden Burnard
Wendy Maravec
Brady Lind
Tim Patnenaude
Kelly Marcum
Deb
Larry Olson
Aunt Bonnie
Deb Anderson
Tina’s Dad
Warren Swanson
Donald Duscher
Connie Norheim
Wendy Beireis
Mel
Debbie McFarlane
Erik Olson
On Going Health Problems:
•
Tudy Burnard
•
Betty Hanson
•
McKayla
•
Dave Thomsen
•
Cole Southerton
•
Emily VanKampen
•
Berniece Anderson
•
Charlie Kriewald
•
Sue and Bradley
•
Kim Harvey
•
Dennis Trowbridge
•
Valerie Williams
•
Don Walter
•
Greg Kostik
•
Pastor Richie
•
Hattie Sunde
•
Tim Stange
•
Gilbert
•
Gordy Berg
•
Ardie
•
Becky Shinabarger
•
Mara Fortune
•
Ann Garland
•
Ray Simenstad
Helen Arnold
Deann Ebert
Heather Cook
Doreen Mahoney
Nancy Wallin
Kelly
Betty Simenstad
Kelly Erickson
Tina Beck
Nancy Garland
Judy Eckart
Heather Cook
Sue LaFlex
Deb Frazer-Leary
Dana Kletscher
Pastor Dave
Helen Arnold
Peggy Thomsen
Judy Eckart
Edith Thomsen
Nieman’s
Nancy VanKampen
Kathy Kriewald
Ray and Kathy Long
Edith Thomsen
DeLynn Howard
Betty Simenstad
Nancy Garland
Pam Rice
Pastor Dave
Heather Cook
Kelly Erickson
Tiffany Berg
DeLynn Howard
Deann Ebert
Pam Rice
Nancy Garland
Betty Simenstad
On Going Health Problems:
•
Michael Hartwig
Heather Cook
•
Kanee
Kelly Erickson
•
Scott Young
Helen Arnold
•
Patsy Rothmier
Helen Arnold
•
Chris Schlais
•
JoAnn
Tina Beck
•
Sarah Mendez
Sheila Fox\
•
Emily Mitchell
Susan Mitchell
•
Jeff Hoffmann
Lisa Johnson
Recovery from Surgery/Rehabilitation:
•
Patsy Rothmier
Helen Arnold
•
Jeff Thomas
Ron & Kathy Kriewold
•
Martha Larson
Helen Arnold
•
Helen Arnold
•
Lanny Norgren
Pastor Dave
•
Kathy Kriewald
Others With Needs:
•
Bonnie
Jeremiah & Kelly Erickson
•
Donald & Joyce
Tina Beck
•
Wayne Cook
Heather Cook
•
Karen Jay
Shelly Neiman
•
Jesse Arnold
Helen Arnold
•
Rebecca
Lisa Johnson
•
Makyla Thomsen
Edith Thomsen
•
Tyrel Nelson
Hattie Sunde
•
Mark
Deb Frazer-Leary
Those Greiving:
•
Family & Friends of Michael Friedman
•
Family & Friends of Brenda Sundstrom
We Praise God for Answered Prayers:
•
Debbie Johnson
Sandy Walker
To stay up-to-date on the prayer requests we are asking if you have someone on the prayer list you want to keep on the list,
please submit a new prayer request. Fill out the “Comments, Prayer Requests and Praise” tear-off on the side of Sunday’s
bulletins. We will be compiling a new prayer request list EACH month. You will need to fill out one of these requests
each month you would like us to continue praying. You could also e-mail your prayer request to
christcommunitychurch@nisswa.net.
This will help us to stay up-to-date on each individual request. We also appreciate your updates on answered prayers.
News & Views
Volume 25, Issue 11
Stewardship Report
Page 4
by Nancy Garland, Financial Secretary
Sunday Offerings
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
$
$
$
$
4,109
2,125
2,258
2,256
Year to Date
January - December 2014
Actual
Budget
Difference
General Offerings
$ 125,669
$ 131,494
-5,825
We began a new budget year on January 1st, 2014.
November Birthdays
1
2
3
4
6
7
10
13
13
14
14
15
16
16
18
18
20
21
24
25
28
29
Ester Mitchell
Tim Prem
Dave Kletscher
Tammy Paulson
Tracey Whitlock
Carla Carlson
Craig Van Kampen
Nicole Atwater
Alexis Converse
Helen Arnold
Betty Salfisberg
Judy Eckart
Thomas Dorion
Kathy Long
Char Brewer
Damon Johnson
Tyler Sylvester
Jeff Simon
Nathan Noyes
Sheraden Grosskreutz
Dylan Stumvoll
Carole Lewis
November Anniversaries
4
19
27
30
Don & Janet Mason
Darwin & Shannon Sylvester
Larry & Gloria Nines
Robert & Linda Larson
Remember:
Set your clocks back 1
hour on Saturday night,
November 1st.
We give thanks to God and to each
one of you for your faithfulness in
giving. Please continue to pray that God
will provide for our church’s financial
needs. As you can see we are running
behind our budgeted needs. Each of
us has the privilege of prayerfully considering our pattern of giving and seeking God’s
direction so that we are offering to Him
what He desires.
LOOKING AHEAD
November 2
November 5
November 5
November 5
November 5
November 11
November 12
November 15
November 16
November 19
November 19
November 19
November 26
November 27
November 28
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Care & Share Meeting
AWANA (Favorite Hat Night)
Youth Group & Adult Bible Study
Praise Team Practice
Leadership Team Meeting
AWANA, Youth Group, & Adult Bible Study
Care & Share Annual Craft & Bake Sale
AWANA Crock Pot Fundraiser
AWANA (Crazy Hair Night)
Youth Group & Adult Bible Study
Praise Team Practice
Thanksgiving Eve Service (No Regular Classes)
Happy Thanksgiving (Office Closed)
Caroling at Nisswa’s “City of Lights”
Join us for Thanksgiving Eve
Service with Holy Communion
on Wednesday, November 26th
at 7pm. We will not have
any of our regular scheduled
Wednesday night classes.
Care & Share Annual Craft & Bake Sale
9AM9AM-2PM November 15th, 2014
If you have items for the sale, please drop them off at the
church during office hours, Nov. 11th-13th, between 9-2pm, Friday,
Nov. 14th between 6-8pm, or Saturday, Nov. 15th before 8:30am.
News & Views
Volume 25, Issue 11
Page 5
Is Christ Community your Church Home?
As we begin another new program year it seems only natural to look over our membership records and see that they
are up to date and accurate. Part of that process involves trying to determine who is here and who may have moved
on to another location due to the situation they find themselves in or the circumstances of their life. We need you to
help us in that process. Please fill out the Affirmation of Affiliation form on another page in this newsletter and get the
information back to our church office. Thanks!
As our Leadership Team begins to seek candidates for the next year I also have been looking over the church directory
to help them identify the people who are actively involved in the life of the church. (We do have some folks who affiliate with the church, but who are rarely ever present at anything we do.) We have a number of different circumstances
that all include people for whom CCC is home. Some people are here all year round. Then there are those who are
only here for a season (usually a warm one) and also those who are only “up north” on week-ends and have made our
church their “home away from home”. All of these people are welcome as affiliates of our church. In fact, here’s what
the by-laws say:
Article 2: AFFILIATE Member
1.
2.
3.
We acknowledge that believers, who have made CCC their church home, affiliating with the body of believers which fellowship here, should
identify themselves as "Affiliates" of the body. Such identification is made when one demonstrates the support of this local ministry through
the acceptance of the Church Purpose and Doctrinal Basis, and also through attendance, study, and support of this ministry with their
giving and the use of their spiritual gifts. (I Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 10:25; II Timothy 2:15; I Peter 4:10-11; Acts 17:11)
As the adolescents of our congregation mature and take on responsibilities, we encourage them to pursue their own affiliation in order to
exercise rights of membership, such as voting.
Those who affiliate with the body here are requested to formally notify the Leadership Team and/or the Pastor that they consider CCC to
be their church home. Such notification shall be made by: Completing an Affiliate Questionnaire Form
It will be wonderful to get all of our records current so thanks in advance for re-affirming your relationship to our
church!
I’ve also been looking back at our past in order to have where we’ve come from and who we are now be an integral
part of our planning for where we’re going in our future. I’ve noticed some very interesting things about our church’s
growth, splits and sustaining membership. Most of you may be aware of the history...we have unfortunately suffered
through a number of church splits through the years. By the grace of God we seem to have finally become a healthy
congregation that is learning how to deal with internal conflicts without having to split the church. Praise God for that.
Here’s some of what I’ve learned:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
After the dust settled following the major split in 2004 and preceding the departure of Pastor Jim in 2006 the church membership was 152 families representing 359 individuals.
Of that membership 71 families comprised of 154 individuals were fairly regular in attendance and active in the life of the
church.
In 2006 - 26 families left the fellowship with Pastor Jim and formed a new church (Open Door Community Church which is
now located in Breezy Point)
12 of those families (22 individuals) were already basically inactive.
At that time 38 families (75 individuals) were remaining at CCC and active in the church.
From 1996 to 2005 the church added 38 active families (57 individuals)
From 2006 to 2014 the church has seen God add to her number 39 additional families (88 individuals)
Of the 152 families on the church roster in 2006, 92 of them are no longer here (23 have died) and 26 of the remainder are
inactive.
Currently the church has 62 active (fairly regular) families which number 146 individuals.
If Christ Community Church is indeed your church home, I would encourage you to be active and regular in the life of
the church. After all, what makes you an affiliate is the fact that you have chosen this particular local body of believers
to be your faith-family, your church. You demonstrate that through attendance, study, and support of this ministry
with your giving and the use of your spiritual gifts. I am happy that you are a part of the family!
Pastor Dave
News & Views
Page 6
Volume 25, Issue 11
AFFIRMATION OF AFFILIATION
Christ Community Church
24646 Hazelwood Drive, PO Box 627
Nisswa, Minnesota 56468
LAST NAME:______________________________________FIRST:_______________________MIDDLE:_______________
Dates to use for
permanent address:
Permanent Address:_____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:_________________________________________________________________
Alternate Address:______________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:_________________________________________________________________
Dates to use for
alternate address:
Telephone Numbers (list area codes):_____________________________________________
Email address:___________________________________________________________________
Family Members: (please list full names)
Be sure to list everyone, including yourself.
Birthdays: (Month, Day & Year)
Be sure to include the year…the computer
defaults to 1900 if we don’t enter the year!
_______________________________________
___________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________
Our Wedding Anniversary Date is: (Month, Day & Year) ______________________________
Our relationship with Christ Community Church
We are regular affiliates…Christ Community Church is our “year-round” home.
We are seasonal affiliates…Christ Community Church is our home during the season that we live in central
Minnesota, and we have another church home during part of the year when we live somewhere warmer.
We are seasonal affiliates…Christ Community Church is our “home away from home” because it is our
church when we are up at the lake for the week-end.
We are seasonal affiliates…Every year we vacation in Central Minnesota and we have become part of the
Christ Community Church family when we’re here.
We would like to be on the mailing list and receive the Monthly Newsletter…Christ Community Church is
not our church home, but we are regular visitors or we are related to Christ Community Church or someone in
the church in some way, and we love to receive the newsletter and keep up on all that’s happening.
Thanks for completing this form and helping us keep our church records “up to date”.
Please return the completed form to the church office by dropping it off when you’re at
church, faxing it to us 218-963-3287 or mailing it to the church at: Christ Community
Church, PO Box 627, Nisswa, MN 56468. Thanks again! (You can also email the information to us at christcommunitychurch@nisswa.net)
TODAY’S DATE: ___________________________________
News & Views
Page 7
Volume 25, Issue 11
Update on our Capital Improvement projects
Here is a list of the projects that have been completed thus far:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Bring Elevator up to MN Code
Upgrade Parking Lot Lights
Rebuild Retaining Walls
Replace carpet on stairway
Interior Lighting Upgrade
Upgrade Sanctuary Lighting
Paint Garage
Fellowship Hall Entry Doors
Completed
half complete
Upper - Completed
Lower – not done
Completed
(also re-carpeted elevator)
Lower level – Completed
Upper level – not done
Sanctuary – Completed
Completed
Completed
Also we decided to build a front deck, staircase and sidewalk.
Completed
The following projects still remain for us to do in the next year (or two):
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Sealcoat Parking Lot and Drives
Replace Guard Rails
Clean Upper Level Carpet
Replace Roofing
Paint Main Building Exterior
Repair Windows and Screens
Replace Interior Door Stops
Landscaping (Upgrade Exterior Plantings)
A special thank you to Bud
Garland and John Ebinger for
their hard work and excellent
job building our front deck and
retaining wall!
I want to thank
every one so much
for all your prayers
and cards during
my knee surgery.
God bless you all!
I am so blessed.
I hope to see you
all soon.
-Helen Arnold-
A BEARY big thanks to all
who helped Trixie with her
Halloween event. Everyone
had a BEARY good time!
Consider
yourself Trixie kissed!
(It’s her way of showing
her appreciation and love.)
News & Views
It’s time to dust off your
instruments for this year’s
Christmas Orchestra. We
will be playing during the
Sunday morning service
on Dec. 21st, There will
be two practices on
Wednesday, Dec. 3rd and
Wednesday, Dec. 17th
after AWANA and Youth
Group (7:30PM). If you
would like to be a part of
this group, please talk to
Julia Biley.
Volume 25, Issue 11
Page 8
This year’s caroling for the “City of Lights” in Nisswa
will take place on Friday, November 28th. We will meet
at the gazebo at 5pm. We will sing carols there until
Santa arrives and then we will go caroling
through all the stores. Stay and watch the
fireworks at 7:30PM. Watch for a sign-up
sheet out in the church lobby the first part of November.
If you have any questions, talk to Betty Simenstad.
We are offering an Adult Bible Study on Wednesday evenings during the same time period as
AWANA and Youth Group (6:00 - 7:30 PM). This allows you to join us for the family fellowship
meal at 5:15 and also to volunteer periodically as a helper or listener for AWANA. It also provides an
opportunity for parents of AWANA kids or Youth Group kids to attend a Bible Study while their children are involved in our Children’s and Youth Ministries on Wednesday evenings!
Each week is a study independent of the other lessons so it doesn’t matter if you can’t make every
week...come when you can and be blessed. We’re studying the Gospel of Luke.
Here’s our November schedule:
Nov 5
Luke 1:39-45
The Paradox of Blessing
Nov 12
Luke 1:46-56
O Magnify the Lord
Nov 19
Luke 1:57-66
I Told You So!
Nov 26
NO CLASS — THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICE
Learn More About Sex Trafficking
Join Communitas Church for a presentation on sex trafficking 101.
Learn more about a growing problem in your backyard and how you can help!
Time/Date: November 20th at 6:30PM
Location: Communitas Church-824 Laurel Street, Brainerd
Presenter: Joy Friedman, Training & Outreach Director at Breaking Free in St. Paul
Please consider bringing a donation for the hundreds of women and girls Breaking Free helps escape sex trafficking.
Current needs include: personal care items (shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, moisturizer, etc.), diapers and
other baby care items, gift cards to Target & Walmart.
Questions? Call Shelly Lindsey at 218-821-8996
News & Views
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
VOLUNTEER
DATE
Volume 25, Issue 11
Page 9
NURSERY
PHONE #
VOLUNTEER
PHONE #
SOUND BOOTH
PHONE #
11/2/2014
Learys
839-9709
DeLynn Howard
839-1736
Noah Blakeman
820-5645
11/9/2014
Lisa Johnson
963-4850
Nancy Wallin
963-2704
James Fox
963-1026
11/16/2014
Sundstroms
568-8025
Tiffany Berg
330-2317
Dana Uhrich
330-0790
11/23/2014
Bethany Bean
821-4660
Mariah Blakeman
270-0339
Todd Howard
822-4802
11/30/2014
Nancy Wallin
963-2704
Jill Clark
746-3821
Pastor Richie
232-3532
12/7/2014
Learys
839-9709
Jackalyn Fox
963-1026
James Fox
963-1026
12/14/2014
Jill Clark
746-3821
Tiffany Berg
330-2317
Dana Uhrich
330-0790
12/21/2014
Foxes
963-1026
Mariah Blakeman
270-0339
Kent Blakeman
820-5645
12/28/2014
Sundstroms
568-8025
DeLynn Howard
839-1736
Todd Howard
825-4802
*If you are unable to be here the week you are scheduled please call and switch with someone else on
the list. Also, please let the church office know that you have switched weeks by calling 963-2626.*
Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed
CALENDAR-(Wednesday Nights)
CALENDAR-(Wednesday Nights)
Family Fellowship Dinner at 5:15pm
Family Fellowship Dinner at 5:15pm
November 5th-Regular Night
November 5th-Favorite Hat Night
November 12th-Regular Night
November 12th-Regular Night
November 19th-Regular Night
November 19th-Crazy Hair Night
November 26th-No Class
November 26th-No Class
(Thanksgiving Eve Service)
(Thanksgiving Eve Service)
AWANA will be having a crock pot fundraiser on Sunday, November 16th after the Sunday
service. This fundraiser will help cover the costs of the supplies that are needed throughout
the year. If you would like to bring something for the fundraiser, sign up out in the church
lobby. If you have any questions talk to Pam Dorion or Tina Beck.
NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
NISSWA, MN 56468
PERMIT #39
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
24646 Hazelwood Drive
PO Box 627
Nisswa, MN 56468
Phone: 218-963-2626
Fax: 218-963-3287
E-mail: christcommunitychurch@nisswa.net
Web: www.christcommunitychurchnisswa.com
"A Loving Church"
… An evangelical church whose mission is…
TO KNOW AND MAKE KNOWN
OUR LORD AND SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST AND HIS LOVE
November 2014 — Volume 25, Issue 11
“News & Views” is a monthly publication of Christ Community Church, Nisswa, Minnesota
November 15th from 9AM9AM-2PM
Invite your friends to come along to
purchase all the wonderful things that
have been made by the men and
women here at church.
Sunday, November 16th
Join us after the Sunday service
A Free Will offering will be received for AWANA