CCC Gainesville | Blog
Norman Wirzba, author of Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating, will be speaking at the University of Florida this week as a guest of the Christian Study Center. Wirzba’s book is the focus of one of Christ Community’s current adult education classes – Eating as Prayer. Details:
“Theological Reflection on Justice and the Land”
Norman Wirzba, Professor of Theology and Ecology, Duke Divinity School
This week – Thursday, September 19
UF – Little Hall, Room 101 @ 5:15 pm
This event is free and open to the public and is part of the series co-sponsored by the the Christian Study Center of Gainesvillle and the UF Department of Religion entitled, “Seeing Justice, Seeking Justice.” In preparation for his visit, please enjoy an interview with Dr. Wirzba regarding food and faith, courtesy of Mars Hill Audio.
For more, see http://christianstudycenter.org/
If you call Christ Community your church, then we want you to come to Vision Night on Friday. We’re relentless about inviting people and asking everyone to come out for this event, because it has become part of our DNA as a church. Each year, we pause to reflect on where God has been at work in the church, and we look forward as our leaders share their vision for the coming year.
Do you wonder what we’re about?
Where our time, energy and resources will be focused in the coming year?
We’re working hard to make this Vision Night the best one yet. Please join the ~135 adults who plan to attend! Come participate, learn, and let us know how we can do it better next year.
Vision Night
- Friday, September 13th at 7:30PM
- Christ Community Church
- Free childcare available. Please RSVP!
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jn. 14:27
For he himself (Jesus) is our peace. Eph. 2:14
Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the day on our calendars that earned its own dark branding, “9/11.” Other days, in history, stand out as graphic reminders of the pervasive brokenness of the world; but in my lifetime, no day underscores that reality more clearly than September 11, 2001.
I’ll never forget how it felt watching the twin towers of theWorldTradeCentercrumble to the earth. It was chilling, frightful, and surreal. But as I remember that day of terror and trauma, I choose, even more so, to remember you, and to fix my gaze on you, Lord Jesus.
You are the Prince of Peace—the archetypal, quintessential, irrepressible Peacemaker. You’re the one who’s come to make all things new and put all things right; to restore broken things and broken people; to bring new creation delight from old creation decay; to lift the curse on creation and pour out your love into our hearts.
Your death on the cross, to use the image in the James passage, was the ultimate “sowing of peace”. As you died, taking the judgment we deserve, you were planted as the very seed which has secured an eternal harvest of righteousness. Your death was the death of death itself; and the promise, and provision, of eternal life.
Because of you, terror is terrified. Indeed, because of you, one Day there will be no terror or tears; no more brokenness or barrenness; no more heartaches or heartburn; no more human trafficking or even human tooth decay; no more war or aggravation; no more evil or envy; no more poverty or pouting; and no more “not yet,” “not enough,” or “not now.”
Our labors in you, Lord Jesus, are not in vain. Because of you we can, and must, live as peacemakers—sowing the peace of the gospel, with the hope of a guaranteed harvest.
We praise you that your name is Redeemer, Reconciler, and Restorer. We cry loudly, “Maranatha!” Come, Lord Jesus, come! Until that Day, give us all the mercy, grace, and peace we need for this day. So very Amen we pray, with joy and hope.
–from Scotty Smith
The Tuesday Evening Women’s Bible Study will be starting up again on September 10th from 6:30-8:30 PM. We will be meeting every other Tuesday through November 19th in various homes. There will be light snacks at each session. The first session will be at Laura Smoot’s home. Please email her at lauracsmootATgmailDOTcom or call 706-566-4147 for directions.
We will be studying through the book titled “Joy! A Bible Study on Philippians for Women” to continue the church wide study from this summer on this wonderful book of the Bible. The study book will not be needed for the first session.
More detailed information can be found on the CCC website. Please join us if you are able, even if you can only attend some of the sessions.
