CCC Gainesville | Blog
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Advent water color by Caeli Tolar
The season of Advent officially begins this Sunday. What is advent? Advent literally means coming. It is the time of the year when we remember and celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world. How is Advent different from Christmas? Advent and Christmas are closely related. They both point us back to a specific time in human history – the birth of Jesus. Advent, however, has a depth to it that is not implicitly recognized in the celebration of Christmas alone. Advent reminds us that Jesus came and that he came for a particular purpose. Furthermore, Advent reminds us that not only has Jesus come, but he will come again.
Here are some of the ways that we will celebrate Advent at Christ Community
1) The lighting of the Advent candles
The theme of Advent this year is “The Word Became Flesh”. We will follow the story of the coming of Jesus as it is revealed to us in the Gospel of John. Jesus is the Word. And the Word became flesh (John 1). This is what Advent is all about. Jesus, being fully God, humbled himself by becoming a man. His true identity as God Incarnate is revealed time and time again from his own lips as he confesses that he is the great “I am.”
And as the “I am,” Jesus announces that he is:
- the Bread of Life (John 6)
- the Light of the World (John 8)
- the Good Shepherd (John 10)
I want to encourage you to read these passages in their full context each week and seek to grasp the weight and glory of what is being said about Jesus.
2) Advent artwork series
You will notice a change in the bulletins during Advent series. Each week there will be new artwork provided by Caeli Tolar that will help illustrated the themes of the Advent readings. Pay attention as we progress through some of the great themes of the Gospel: grace, mercy, hope, and love. The original water colors will also go on display in the foyer.
3) Carols of the Coming King
Everyone is invited to gather together on the evening of December 7 for a special worship service starting at 6:30. This service will include readings and songs that will focus our attention on the wonderful truth the Jesus is the king that was promised from ages past. Special focus will be given to the prophecies about the coming Messiah found in Isaiah. There will be a time of fellowship with refreshments following this service. This will be a great time to gather as one family and to celebrate and worship the King who has come and who is coming again.
Here are some resources for you and your family:
1) Scripture Reading Suggestion
Advent is an opportune time to contemplate the reason for the coming of Christ. One of the best ways to do this is to study the many different passages in Scripture that explicit tell us why Jesus came. Here are a few to consider over the next several weeks:
- Jesus came to fulfill the Law & Prophets (Matt 5:17-20)
- Jesus came to serve and give his life (Mark 10:35-45)
- Jesus came to save sinners (1 Tim 1:12-17)
- Jesus came to bear witness to the truth (John 18:33-40)
- Jesus is coming again! (Revelation 22:6-21)
2) Books/Devotionals for Advent:
- Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas by Nancy Guthrie
- Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation by Joel R. Beeke
I have read both of these and there are excellent. Here are two new ones for this year that look promising:
- The Expected One: Anticipating All of Jesus in the Advent by Scott James
- Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas by Stephen J. Nichols
Online Resources:
- Good News of Great Joy| Desiring God just published a free e-book with daily Advent readings. It’s available in PDF and other formats for Kindle, Nook, iPad, and more.
- For Yonder Breaks a New and Glorious Morn!| Christ the King Presbyterian Church published this Advent devotional (PDF) in 2009. The dates may not be accurate for 2012, but the five weekly readings can be used this year just the same.
- Born a Child and Yet a King| The second devotional from Christ the King Presbyterian Church was released in 2010. Just like their first devotional, the dates may not be correct for this year, but the weekly readings can be easily adapted for 2012.
- A Guide through the Advent Season| Redeemer Presbyterian Church created this guide (PDF) that includes three weekly devotionals.
- Advent Season Readings| A collection of readings from Redeemer Presbyterian Church that you can use and adapt for your own traditions.
- Our King is Born| A collection of devotionals, resources, family activities, and more by Love & Justice Church geared around Advent and Christmas.
I hope you and your family have a truly blessed Advent season.
Kyle
Operation Christmas Child Collection Week is almost here! Over these next two Sundays please bring your completed boxes to the church. On November 24th a team of people will be taking the boxes our church collects to one of the drop off locations in town. You can drop of your boxes or get more info on OCC at our table in the foyer.
Is Operation Christmas Child new to you? OCC is a wonderful ministry from Samaritan’s Purse that takes small gifts packed by people like you and me and delivers them to children around the world. I love this quote from the Operation Christmas Child website:
A small shoebox can teach a child about the love of God, lead him or her to faith in Christ, inspire pastors, and plant new churches. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out is eternal. Be a part of changing lives through the power of a simple gift.
I love it! Something as small as a shoebox of gifts can be used by our great God to show children and communities throughout the globe His love and grace. I always tell my children that we give gifts at Christmas not just because we love the people that we are giving to, but also because it reminds us of God’s great gift to us in the person of His Son, Jesus. This ministry is a way that we can share that with a boy or a girl who needs the good news and great joy of God’s love.
The best part of all of this is that these gifts are not delivered in a vacuum. The delivery of the boxes connects the children with local churches and children are discipled and cared for by that church. Many times whole families come to faith in Jesus through one small shoebox. Your gift matters…God can do amazing things with it! The OCC website has many wonderful and touching stories of children, families and communities that have been changed because of God’s work through this ministry. Go check it out and get inspired!
Need help with getting started? Below are some simple instructions on how to pack a shoebox gift.
This is a wonderful project to do with family, friends, your small group or Bible Study! It is also a great way to get even young children involved in giving and global missions. Make shopping and packing the box an event with your group or family. And don’t forget to pray, pray, pray for the child that will receive your box and for the church that will be following up with that child and his or her family.
Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please), a small plastic container or just grab a box from church. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork from the OCC website. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page on the OCC website.
Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using the “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop it off at our OCC table in the foyer at church.
Dear CCC Friends and Family,
On Tuesday, November 4, the Pulpit Nominating Committee (PNC) held it’s 4th meeting. We are well into the first stage of our work in identifying the leader God has for CCC. We begin each meeting with a short devotion from Chris Brauns’ Book “When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search” and group prayer. One of the ways we have been encouraged in the past two months is in your (CCC friends and family) commitment to pray for us; corporately and individually. We need God’s provision, not our own solutions. Prayer is essential. From Braun: “The necessity of prayer during recruitment is seen in the example of our King. These verses from Luke are extremely relevant for a church looking for a pastor:
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot. (Luke 6: 12-15)
Here was Jesus, chairman of the only perfect search committee of one. He had perfect wisdom and discernment. He was the greatest recruiter in the history of humanity. Yet before he met with candidates for spots on his team, He spent the night in prayer.”Similarly, prayer was necessary in the early church, as they sought elders and pastors:“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” (Acts 14 :21-23)Prayer is essential. Here are 5 ways we can pray for our next pastor.
- Pray that God would increase his passion for preaching the Word of God.
- Pray that God would give him a love for CCC and the strength to leave his current position
- Pray that our next pastor would begin relationships at CCC in the right way, even during the search process.
- Pray that God would prepare our future pastor to shepherd the flock more effectively throughout the trials and blessings he has faced or currently faces.
- Pray for our next pastor’s family. Pray that God, who knows each detail about each member of his household, would give the members of his family strength as they consider leaving their current setting and going to a different church.
Current Activity & Updates
- The PNC has organized itself and elected: Michael Marshall (Chair), Sharon Stankunas (Vice Chair), and Christian Smith (Secretary)
- Information has been gathered from the congregation, leaders and the session in hopes of completing a Church Profile Form (CPF) and online magazine by Dec 2nd. A huge “thank you” to those who contributed by submitting a form. The CPF will be shared with prospective candidates and our church family. Reestablishing central doctrinal commitments, reviewing the gospel and CCC’s mission statement, have been crucial in organizing what we are committed to in the days to come. Our first step in building unity has been to establish again our theological center–the gospel, the person and work of Jesus, the sufficiency of His Word, and our purpose in Gainesville.
- Meetings are scheduled for November 18, December 2, and December 17.
In Christ,
The Pulpit Nominating Committee
The Connors, our missionaries to India, are coming home by the second week of December. They will be in Gainesville for approximately 7 months before returning to India. Praise report: God has graciously provided them a home to live in during their stay here, but they still need some furnishings for this home. Some of these items are:
- A set of bunk beds or a full size bed
- 2 or 3 end tables
- A couch
- 2 living room chairs
- Dishes for 10 or 12 settings
- Other (If you have an specific items to donate, please let us know.)
If you can help with any of these items or have questions please call Beverly or Doug Robinson (352) 327-7511.
Let’s support our missionaries!
The Missions Team invites you to our Local Missions Weekend November 7-9th!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
We are very excited for this special time of fellowship, learning and service. It all begins with our annual chili and pie contest Friday at 5:45 PM. After the trophy for tastiest chili and the blue ribbon for yummiest pie have been awarded, we’ll enjoy a 7:00 mission program led by John Sittema and CCC’s Chris Hiatt!
Sign up to bring chili, pie, or other items here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4eaaa72ba6f58-cccchili
Childcare & missions-focused activities for children will be available during the missions program. Please RSVP to kids@christcommunitychurch.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Our Local Missions Weekend continues with a Get Out and Serve morning! Sign up this Sunday in church or by email to service@christcommunitychurch.com. It is very helpful if we have RSVPs for the work day!
We’ll enjoy a quick prayer and light breakfast at 7:45 AM and head out to do work projects promptly at 8:00 AM. Potential projects in service to A. Quinn Jones School, Christians Concerned for the Community, and the Women’s Resource Center. Our projects should wrap up no later than lunchtime.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
The Local Missions Weekend will conclude with a morning of education and fellowship. Our 9:00 AM Panel will take place in the Sunday School room, and we’ll hear from:
- A.Q. Jones School – Sue Keller, Principal
- Christians Concerned for Community – Ericson Frank, Executive Director
- Lancaster Correctional Institution (Gilchrist County), Ty Keys, Senior Chaplain
- Women’s Resource Center, Tania Studstill, Executive Director
John Sittema will preach during the worship service with a special missions offering that will help our missions partners here in Gainesville to meet their specific needs throughout the next year.
Finally, we will enjoy sweet fellowship and informally reflect on our experience with lunch on the church grounds following worship.
We cannot wait for this opportunity to learn, grow, and serve with our church family and community! Please take a moment to sign up for the Friday night’s food list, RSVP for Friday night’s childcare, sign up to Get Out and Serve on Saturday morning, and prayerfully consider the special missions offering on Sunday.
