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We've arrived at that season in which Christmas wish lists are being made and presents will soon be piling up under the tree. When the time comes to unwrap the gifts, our hope is to find the exact thing that we've been longing for. Sometimes we tear off the paper only to discover that we've received something "practical". You know the kind of gift I'm talking about: socks and underwear. Or it may be something that you didn't even realize you needed. This coming Sunday, December 3rd, we enter the Advent season and begin a new sermon series that I'm calling "Sock & Underwear: Opening the Gift of Jesus". When Jesus came into the world most people didn't even notice that the Messiah had arrived. And many thought he didn't measure up to what was really on their "wish list". And yet, Jesus was - and IS - the best gift ever! I hope you'll be able to join us as we celebrate Jesus! Advent Candle LightersEach Sunday in Advent (December 3, 10, 17 and 24) and on Christmas Eve, we light an Advent candle along with a brief reading and prayer as a part of our worship service. I'm looking for couples or families that would like to participate. If you would like to be a part of this portion of worship, please contact Pastor Jeff (206-650-1557 or jeff.palmberg@outlook.com). Christmas CarolingThis coming Thursday, December 7th, we'll be caroling through Twisp as a part of the "Mistletoe Madness" shopping night. We'll meet at the end of Glover Street near the big tree at 5:30 pm and then work our way down the street singing as we stop in at the different businesses. Plan on joining us for this festive way to spread the true meaning of Christmas through song! Covenant World Relief Offering Box The mission of Covenant World Relief is to join God in loving, serving and working in relationship together with the poor, oppressed, traumatized, and the marginalized. Through the generous support of Covenant churches around the country, CWR was able to distribute over $2.1 million to 104 community development and disaster relief projects in 32 countries in the last year!
In past years we've collected money for CWR by using the soup can banks. This year we have a box in which you can place your donations of cash or checks (made payable to "Covenant World Relief") throughout the month of December. Together we can bring the love of Jesus to those in need. Jerry Seinfeld made some interesting and hilarious observations about human beings and helmets. Take a listen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgOUgrOHuFc Only a fool would risk injury by not wearing the correct protective gear. But how often do we blindly try to live our lives ignoring the danger from a spiritual enemy who's always trying to take us down? We've been given everything we need to stand firm against Satan's attacks, but do we bother to put on our protective gear? This Sunday, November 19th, we'll be looking at Ephesians 6:10-17. Take a minute and read the passage and consider if you're actively putting on the full armor you've been given. Hope to see you there. Welcoming New MembersThis Sunday we will also welcome in 8 new members into our congregation: Bret and Kelly Alumbaugh Alan and Chris Bisnett Stephan and Sarah Grimes Diana MacAdow Naomi Murray We're always glad to have folks formally commit to Christ's Body through membership. If you're interested in learning more about CCC and membership let Pastor Jeff know. Another "Exploring Church Membership" class will take place soon. Church Annual Meeting - Sunday evening, November 19th Everyone is welcome to join us for our CCC Annual Meeting on Nov. 19th.
We'll celebrate the past year and look forward with anticipation to what God has in store for His Body at CCC in 2018. Members will have the opportunity to vote to approve next year's church budget and vote on Church Council positions that are up for new terms. Besides the joy of participating in this important part of Body life, there will also be food! The evening will begin with a potluck at 5:00 pm and conclude with dessert.  I remember being in school and finding myself getting overly concerned whether or not my classmates were doing the assignments. Afterall, if I had to do the work, why shouldn't they have to? It was only fair! My teacher, in so many words, would tell me to, "just worry about doing your own work." In our relationships with other people we too easily get focused on what they should be doing rather than just concerning ourselves with our own job. When we do what God instructs us to do, we're being faithful to Him regardless of the other person's part. The results, after all, are up to God. This Sunday, November 12th, we'll be looking at Paul's instructions for the parent-child and the employer-employee relationships as found in Ephesians 6:1-9. It's not easy to focus on doing our part if the other person isn't doing theirs, but God can do amazing things when we're faithful to following Him.  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 this 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. You can still be a part of this class. Simply let Pastor Jeff know of your interest. Church Annual Meeting - Sunday evening, November 19th Everyone is welcome to join us for our CCC Annual Meeting on Nov. 19th.
We'll celebrate the past year and look forward with anticipation to what God has in store for His Body at CCC in 2018. Members will have the opportunity to vote to approve next year's church budget and vote on Church Council positions that are up for new terms. Besides the joy of participating in this important part of Body life, there will also be food! The evening will begin with a potluck at 5:00 pm and conclude with dessert.  As I'm sure it's clear to you by now, I'm a big Seahawks fan. (I know! What a shocker!) One of the things I've noticed as I watch the games is how well Russell Wilson seems to do in completing pass plays to certain receivers. Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Jimmy Graham, and recently Paul Richardson, always seem to make catches at key moments. It seems that, even when the play breaks down and he's forced to scramble, Russell knows where these players will be - and they know where they need to run so that Russell can get them the ball. I've heard interviews in which the players have talked about spending extra time with Russell so that they really get to know each other, what the other person is thinking, and how to anticipate his actions. When they're on the same page, things fall together like they did in the final moments of the game against the Texans in which a series of 3 completed passes moved the team 80 yards in 90 seconds and resulted in a game-winning touchdown! So why am I writing about this? Because those of us who are married need to be in sync with our spouses, too. When we work toward the same goals, we will experience fulfilling and joyful marriages. When we head in different directions, problems are on the horizon. This coming Sunday, November 5th, Steve Ludeman will once again be leading our discussion on the book of Ephesians. However, this week will look a bit different since he will also be joined by Gene and Janie Westlund and John and Melodie Fleming. These couples will speak about the joys and challenges of marriage - and there may even be an opportunity to take questions from the congregation. You won't want to miss this special Sunday! And remember that this weekend is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time = set your clocks back 1 hour (or come early for church!) (FYI: Tami and I will, unfortunately, be missing it. We will be in Pullman for my nephew's "Senior Day" game as a member of the WSU football team. Thankfully, all of our sermons are recorded and available on our church website, so I'll get to listen in later!) Communion Sunday and Crisis Fund OfferingEach Communion Sunday (the 1st Sunday of the month) we provide an opportunity to contribute to our church's Crisis Fund. This Sunday we'll have a basket collecting donations which will then be used to help those within our congregation and community who find themselves in financial need. You can make a check out to "CCC" and place it or cash into the basket following the worship service or drop it off/mail it to the church with a designation that it should be applied to the Crisis Fund. Thank you for enabling us to share the love of Jesus in a practical way.  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. Church Annual Meeting - Sunday evening, November 19th Everyone is welcome to join us for our CCC Annual Meeting on Nov. 19th.
We'll celebrate the past year and look forward with anticipation to what God has in store for His Body at CCC in 2018. Members will have the opportunity to vote to approve next year's church budget and vote on Church Council positions that are up for new terms. Besides the joy of participating in this important part of Body life, there will also be food! The evening will begin with a potluck at 5:00 pm and conclude with dessert. |
Pastor JeffThoughts about living as a Jesus follower and life at Community Covenant Church Archives
December 2020
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