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Perhaps you've seen a blacksmith working on his anvil. The key to shaping a piece of iron into a usable shape is to first heat it in the fire. While it is hot, the hammer can beat it into whatever shape the blacksmith desires. Once it has cooled, there's little chance of changing it's shape without re-heating it. Opportunities come and go in our lives and many of them require us to respond in the moment. If we aren't prepared or even paying attention, we'll miss out on our chance. The most successful business person, athlete, or Jesus-follower needs to be ready for when key moments arrive. In Ephesians 5:15-20, Paul spells out God's strategy for success and it revolves around being in tune with the Holy Spirit who lives within us and being ready to make the most of the opportunities He brings our way to BLESS others. I hope you'll be able to join us as we look at this passage this coming Sunday, Oct. 29th.  Once again CCC will be hosting Trunk or Treat on Halloween night in our front parking lot from 5-6:30. The idea is to create a "mini neighborhood" in the form of decorated vehicle trunks from which kids can collect candy. It's a fun event that is always well attended by our community - especially since we're strategically located right next to a prime Trick or Treating neighborhood! We need your help to make this a success. Here are some different ways you can participate:
And following Trunk or Treat, head down to Cascade Bible Church for their Carnival!  Have you wondered what exactly a "Covenant Church" is? Have you wanted to learn about how CCC came into existence? Do you wonder what church membership means? Well, we're offering another chance to learn the answers to these and other questions through our "Exploring Church Membership" class. On Sunday afternoon, November 12th, from noon to 3:00 pm, Pastor Jeff and Tami will host this class in their home. We'll share lunch, hear stories, watch some short videos, and give you the lowdown. There's no requirement to join the church after attending, but this is the pathway to formally affiliating with CCC as a church member. Contact Pastor Jeff to let him know of your interest or for further info.  We've started up a high school youth group here at CCC. We're not only welcoming high school students, but also any adults who would like to be a part of the fun and learning. You can help in a number of different ways such as:
In 1996 the Seattle Seahawks were purchased by Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen for $200 million. Since the previous owner, Ken Behring, had been threatening to move the team to southern California, Allen became an immediate hero to the Seahawks fans (unlike Clay Bennett who moved the Sonics to OK City!!). Among Allen's interests is sports. He also owns the NBA's Portland Trailblazers and is part-owner of the MLS Seattle Sounders FC. But being the owner of these teams doesn't make him an athlete. I'm sure that none of the players would look to Allen for advice or an example of how to play on the football field, basketball court, or soccer pitch. He's just providing (and receiving) the money. We're all on God's Team, His Church, and we, too, have an owner. Similar to billionaire Paul Allen, our owner, in the words of the old chorus, "owns the cattle on a thousand hills; the wealth in every mine." But unlike Allen, our owner is the perfect example for us to follow as we "play the game of life" as Christ-followers and part of His Body. In fact, Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1 "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." This Sunday, October 22nd, Steve Ludeman will be sharing what it looks like when we imitate our owner. Take a few minutes and read Ephesians 5:1-14 in preparation for what Steve will be sharing. Trunk or Treat is Coming! Once again CCC will be hosting Trunk or Treat on Halloween night in our front parking lot from 5-6:30. The idea is to create a "mini neighborhood" in the form of decorated vehicle trunks from which kids can collect candy. It's a fun event that is always well attended by our community - especially since we're strategically located right next to a prime Trick or Treating neighborhood! We need your help to make this a success. Here are some different ways you can participate:
And following Trunk or Treat, head down to Cascade Bible Church for their Carnival!  Have you wondered what exactly a "Covenant Church" is? Have you wanted to learn about how CCC came into existence? Do you wonder what church membership means? Well, we're offering another chance to learn the answers to these and other questions through our "Exploring Church Membership" class. On Sunday afternoon, November 12th, from noon to 3:00 pm, Pastor Jeff and Tami will host this class in their home. We'll share lunch, hear stories, watch some short videos, and give you the lowdown. There's no requirement to join the church after attending, but this is the pathway to formally affiliating with CCC as a church member. Contact Pastor Jeff to let him know of your interest or for further info. A Special Visit with Carrie Abbott of the Legacy Institute On the weekend of October 28-29, Carrie Abbott, founder and President of The Legacy Institute, will be with us along with her husband, Greg. Here are the various opportunities you and your children will have to interact with her:
Encouragement for Parents (parents only, please) Saturday, Oct. 28th, 3:00-5:00 pm @ CCC Jr High & Sr High ONLY Event Saturday, Oct. 28th, 6:30-8:30 pm @ Cascades Bible Church Sunday Worship Sunday, Oct. 29th, 10:00 am @ CCC Carrie will share briefly during our morning Worship Celebration Tweens (ages 10-12) ONLY Event Sunday, Oct. 29th, 12:30-2:00 pm @ CCC We will be hosting classes for grades K - 6th on Sunday afternoons beginning on Sunday, Oct. 29th and continuing for 5 weeks. Contact Mandy Schmekel for more information (997-0595)  I think everyone has a unique set of rules for the people living in their household. Whether it's about shared chores, not wearing shoes inside, or even who gets to be in control of the TV remote, there are certain expectations that need to be spelled out in order for the household to function smoothly. God's family is no different. Since we've all been adopted as his sons and daughters, we've also become brothers and sisters within the household of faith. Regardless of how we may have lived or treated others before we became a child of God, we need to adapt to the new "house rules" that God has established. It's not meant to be seen as a list of "do this or face the consequences", but rather as "this is the way our family functions at it's best". The last 3 chapters of Ephesians spells out a number of these practical ways to live out our identity as God's children. This Sunday, October 15th, we'll take a looks at some of these that are found in Ephesians 4:25-32. Take a few minutes to read these verses and consider how life would be better if we all lived according to God's design for us. I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday. Trunk or Treat is Coming! Once again CCC will be hosting Trunk or Treat on Halloween night in our front parking lot. The idea is to create a "mini neighborhood" in the form of decorated vehicle trunks from which kids can collect candy. It's a fun event that is always well attended by our community - especially since we're strategically located right next to a prime Trick or Treating neighborhood!
We need your help to make this a success. Here are some different ways you can participate:
 I rarely watch awards shows - do I really need to know if other people in the entertainment industry like a certain movie, play, song, or performer? Do I need to cheer on my favorites? Okay, I'm done playing the curmudgeon. One thing that has become a regular part of these shows is the red carpet arrival and interviews. It's pretty much guaranteed that one of the interviewer's questions will be about the clothing that the star is wearing - in particular, who the designer of the dress or suit is. The standard wording of this question is, "Who are you wearing?" Clothing is used as a metaphor by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 4 he encourages them (and us) to "throw off" our old sinful nature like dirty, ugly clothes. We're brand new people when we're "In Christ", so we should "put on" our new nature like brand new clothing. When asked, "Who are you wearing?", our answer is, "Jesus!" This Sunday, October 8th, we'll be talking about our "New Uniforms" as a part of God's Team, the church. I hope you'll be able to join us. No More Bench Riding! This Sunday morning will also feature our Ministry Fair as a part of our Worship Celebration. Various ministries within our church will have displays describing what they do and how individuals can get involved in serving in big and small ways. Plan on coming with the goal to discover where you might fit best in using how God has shaped you to serve.
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Pastor JeffThoughts about living as a Jesus follower and life at Community Covenant Church Archives
December 2020
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