The next Starting Point takes place this Sunday, January 29th from 1pm-3:30pm in rooms 108-109. Lunch and childcare are provided. It’s free, but sign up is required. To sign up for Starting Point you can simply email signmeup@communitycc.net or sign up our website here.

I hope you’re enjoying a terrific week and your 2012 has gotten off to a terrific start. There’s certainly an added bit of excitement in the air around Maryland due to the Ravens’ big AFC Championship game coming up this Sunday vs. those annoying New England Patriots. I’m sure many of you are displaying your purple pride as you’re reading this. I encourage you to continue donning the purple right on through Sunday at one of our CCC services at either 8:30am, 10am, or 11:30am. (My prediction…30-27 Ravens.)

This Sunday is a special Sunday at CCC and not just because of Baltimore’s big playoff game. At the beginning of each service, we’re having our annual Parent and Child Dedication. It’s always a special time when families intentionally stand before their church family and make promises about how they will do everything they can to point their children toward God the Father through Jesus Christ. And our church as a whole gets to encourage them along the way in that endeavor. It’s a very cool moment and one I hope you don’t miss.

We’ll be continuing our series called I Quit where we’re looking to start 2012 off on the right foot. And we’ve got a special video I’m anxious for you all to see.

David Robinson
Community Christian Church – Helping People Find Their Way Back To God
8094 Sandpiper Circle
White Marsh, MD 21236
www.communitycc.net
410-933-8330

Why are we talking about guardrails you ask? Good question. Here we go…

Guardrails are “a system designed to keep something from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.” Just like the guardrails we see on the roads we drive on every day, the guardrails we place in our personal lives are designed with a simple purpose, to create a useful barrier in order to protect us from a potential danger. We don’t often spend a lot of time thinking about or paying attention to them, but when we need them, we are very glad guardrails are there. In the same way that guardrails protect us on the road, when we establish them in our lives, they can help to both protect us and direct us. Most likely our biggest mistakes in life could have been avoided if we had guardrails steering us in the right direction. The goal should never be to see how close we can get to a guardrail without crashing but rather to respect their presence, keeping a safe distance from veering “too far,” in the wrong direction.

MS Students – Epic | Sunday nights | 6-8pm
HS Students – Group Life | Wednesday nights | 7-9pm

Ryan Arnold
Student Minister
ryan.arnold@communitycc.net

We want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event by running, walking, volunteering, or sponsoring the Pond Skipper. Your generosity is appreciated and will make a difference for the students and staff of Dundalk Middle School.

WOW! This past Sunday was a powerful day for CCC. I don’t think we’ll soon forget the impact of coming up to the front of the auditorium and laying down our 212 commitments before God as we turn up the heat with our generosity. God is calling our church to big things ahead, and I’m grateful to be a part of it all with you.

In fact, on this Thanksgiving day I echo the thoughts of the Apostle Paul when he wrote to the Philippian church,

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

I’m grateful to God for your partnership in this wonderful thing called his church. And I’m confident God will bring to fruition the work he’s currently doing in each of us individually and collectively.

Hearing some of the stories of those who have committed to 212 has been both encouraging and inspiring to me.

Thanks so much to all of you who have already turned in a 212 commitment card as a statement that you’re sacrificing radically to help people find their way back to God through the ministry of CCC. I can’t wait to share the total with you very soon.

I want everyone to have a chance to be part of this huge initiative for our church before announcing the final total. And I know a few people weren’t here this past Sunday or weren’t quite ready to turn in their cards. If you haven’t made a 212 commitment yet, there is still time. Here’s how you can still be involved.

You can either:

1) Go to the 212 website (www.ccc212.net) and fill out an online 212 commitment card.

OR

2) Fill out a 212 commitment card this Sunday at CCC services (8:30am, 10am, or 11:30am).

And as always, if there are questions you have about 212 or would like to talk with someone from our 212 team, please don’t hesitate.

There is so much riding on this for our future. This is a defining time in the life and history of CCC. It will shape us individually and as a church family. Remember when it comes to our generosity, God doesn’t want something from us as much as He wants something for us. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and grow over the next two years.

Thank you for your prayers, for your generosity, and for your commitment to CCC. Pray for those this week who will make their 212 commitments as we seek to be all in and turn up the heat together to 212.

Get Hot!!!

David Robinson

If you weren’t able to be at CCC for commitment Sunday, you’re still in luck! It’s never too late to turn up the heat and live a radically generous life. You can make your 212 commitment online through the 212 website. You can also commit on Sunday at CCC. We’ll have commitment cards available if you need one.

If you have any questions please email us and let us know. It’s going to be a wild ride as we journey to 212!

We’re just about half way into our 212 series that’s launching us into a two year initiative to turn up the heat and live radically generous lives. We’re challenging everyone to wrestle with what God might be calling you into during this season at CCC. And likewise, we’re rolling out the collective focus for our church in the foreseeable future. It’s definitely an exciting time to be a part of Community Christian Church.

Don’t miss any of it, including this coming Sunday, November 6, for week three of 212. (Identical services at 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am.)

You can also frequent the website for this initiative at www.ccc212.net. Check out the videos, the 212 booklet, the daily readings, and the blog. You can also sign up to receive the 212 texting challenges and encouragements by texting ccc212 to 62953. Be a part of the entire journey.

So I hope to see you on Sunday. (And don’t forget to set those clocks back for daylight saving time. It might just be the best night of the year!)

David Robinson

I hope you’re all doing well as we approach the end of this final week of October.

This past Sunday was a special day at CCC as we rolled out a new initiative we’re launching that will set the tone for our church for the foreseeable future. We rolled out 212, which is a five week series that will propel us into a two year focus where we’re looking for and expecting God to do some incredible things in us and through us. I’m excited about what God will do in us as we listen to his leading and the steps he’s specifically calling us each to take. And I’m excited about what God will do through us as we collectively seek to be faithful with everything he’s entrusted to us.

As you know, our focus here at CCC is to help people find their way back to God. 212 will allow us to do that like never before.

I encourage you to be present for each week of this series and fully engage with 212 through the daily readings, along with it being the focus for your small group.

If you missed it, be sure and pick up a copy of last week’s service, or download the podcast through iTunes or our website. You can also check out the 212 website, which is www.ccc212.net.

This is definitely an exciting time for us as a church. And I’m certainly glad to be on the journey with you.

I hope to see you this coming Sunday at either 8:30am, 10am, or 11:30am as we continue to turn up the heat!

p.s. – Don’t forget about Trunk or Treat, which will take place next Monday, October 31st from 6-8:30pm. It’s the perfect event to invite someone who is not a part of any church. Don’t miss it!

David Robinson

Welcome to September! I hope you’re all safe and dry and fully powered following our visit from Hurricane Irene. I’m sorry we weren’t able to have services this past Sunday due to the storm. I certainly missed seeing you all and gathering together as a church.

Not to worry though…we plan to get together this coming Sunday (and the Sunday after that and the Sunday after that, etc.). We’re wrapping up our Postcards Series on this Labor Day weekend. I know there’s a lot going on at this time of year between school kicking back up, all the fall sports in full swing, and folks trying to squeeze out those last few days of vacation – but I hope you’ll make it a priority to gather together each and every week with the CCC family. (Identical services at 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am.)

Due to the storm, we pushed a few things to a later date that were originally scheduled for the August 26th weekend. Here’s what’s happening in the coming weeks:

CHILDREN AND STUDENTS
6th Grade Blitz (For new 6th Graders and their parents from 4:30-6pm) & Freshman Frenzy (For new 9th Graders from 1-3:30pm) are both happening on Sunday, September 11th. If you find yourself in these transition years or you have someone in your family who is, then these two events are just for you. You can sign up in the lobby on Sunday mornings at CCC or contact our Student Minister, Ryan Arnold at ryan.arnold@communitycc.net.

The Fall Retreat is for all students in grades 6-12 and is the place to be if you’re in Middle School or High School. The Fall Retreat kicks off the school year for the Student Ministry and is a tremendous way to get rolling in the fall. It’s happening the weekend of September 23rd-25th. You can pick up a registration packet in the lobby at CCC. There’s even a discount if you register by September 11th. Don’t miss it!

Kindergarten Confidential, originally slated for this past Sunday, is now taking place this coming Sunday during all three services in room 109. If you have a child starting kindergarten this year, then you’ll want to take advantage of learning about all things related to our Elementary School age programming called Discovery Island. Feel free to show up if you weren’t able to sign up beforehand.

LIVING WITH GRIEF
If you’ve recently lost a loved one or are struggling with grief and the journey toward recovery, I would encourage you to participate in the Living With Grief session taking place at CCC on September 11th from 1:30-3:30pm. There is not cost, but sign up is required. You can sign up in the lobby at CCC or call Brian Willem at 443-253-7715.

SUPPLY DRIVE
Throughout the month of August we’ve been collecting school supplies in order to serve and bless Dundalk Middle School. Although the end of August marked the end of this drive, we decided to extend the collection of those materials one more week to this Sunday, September 4th, due to Irene. Simply drop off your purchased items in one of the orange buckets placed around CCC.

Have a terrific start to your Labor Day weekend! See you soon.

David Robinson

You might have assumed as much, but due to the visit from Hurricane Irene we’ll not be having Sunday morning services tomorrow at CCC. (That’s right, a preacher is telling you not to show up to church.) In fact, all events and activities scheduled for tomorrow have been postponed. (Living with Grief Session, Freshman Frenzy, and 6th Grade Blitz will all be rescheduled. Check the CCC website for updates related to these events.)

We’ll also be extending the School Supply Drive for Dundalk Middle School through next week.

Please pass along the information to anyone you think might not already know.

So stay safe and as dry as possible and I’ll see you next week!

David Robinson

Email nick@communitycc.net if you have any questions about the upcoming transitions for children and students.

Check out the events tab on our website for more details or stop by the information table in lobby at CCC to sign up.

I hope you’ve had a tremendous start to your summer.

We slammed into summer a couple of weeks ago with the first ever CCCPalooza. It was quite the celebration and I hope you were able to take advantage of the many opportunities and events throughout the week.

We kicked off July with our annual CCC at the Movies series, where we’re tapping into some big summer releases and other recent movies as a jumping off point for Biblical conversations about life and faith. All stories, even movies, can reveal something to us about the bigger story – the story of God’s kingdom.

So make sure you don’t miss out on week 3 of CCC at the Movies this Sunday. And if you like movie theater candy, we’ll have some of your favorite (completely free, of course).

Let me remind our CCC parents of children from birth through 5th grade about the Children’s Ministry. Every week, we provide fun, safe, and creative experiences so kids know how much they matter to God and how much they matter to us! If you appreciate worshiping at CCC as a grown-up, we think you’ll love the environments for our CCC kids (and you’re kids will love it too!).

I’m looking forward to seeing you this Sunday. Have a wonderful start to your weekend!

David Robinson

Today we assisted the very first medical clinic in La Baie. People were lined up to be seen when we woke up in the morning. We were able to treat roughly 50 people with everything from ringworm, dehydration, a dislocated hip and severe wound infections. A mother brought her little boy who was literally starving. The amount of trust that these people were willing to put in complete strangers was truly amazing. We wish we could’ve done so much more.

Please continue to pray for the work God is doing in this place and that we would be a tremendous blessing to the people we are serving.

We just got this update from our team in Haiti and wanted to pass it along to you. It would be awesome if you could take the time to say a prayer for them while they’re gone.

UPDATE:
After 17 hours of travel we arrived in St. Louis du Nord to a warm meal, devotions, and then much needed sleep. In our first two days we’ve taken a tour of the mission, visited Ansafelour and prayed around a voodoo temple as well as went to the ocean, played with the children, visited the elderly home, taught English, and took food to the elderly in the neighborhood around the mission.

We’ve already shared the most incredible experiences and adventures and our hearts are moved deeply.

More to come in a few days!

• Pipe cleaners
• Beads (red, white, yellow, green, blue, black)
• Construction paper
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Stickers
• Coloring books
• Bubble wands
• Soccer balls
• Beach balls
• Frisbees
• Bandanas / handkerchiefs

If you are interested in serving on the Summer Team, you can sign up to attend the Orientation on Sunday, June 5, from 10:00-11:15AM. Email nick@communitycc.net to sign up or sign up in the lobby at CCC. You can sign up to serve even if you can’t attend the Orientation. I’m really looking forward to serving with the summer team!

Nick Blevins

I hope this email finds you doing well on this first week of May.

This coming Sunday we’ll be wrapping up our GINORMOUS series where we’ve been exploring some critically important verses from the Bible we all need to have a handle on. Don’t miss the final week at any of our services – 8:30am, 10am, or 11:30am.

Following the conclusion of this series, we’re launching into a brand new series simply called “Questions”. If you’ve ever found yourself asking some troubling or tricky questions about the Bible, or faith, or God, then this series is for you. Whether they’re questions you’ve struggled with personally or that you’ve been asked and you simply didn’t know how to respond, this upcoming series is going to be fantastic in helping all of us navigate some of the really big questions.

If fact, I’d love to hear what big questions you wrestle with or would like to see addressed in the coming weeks. I think we all have at least one question that seems to trip us up; I’d love to hear yours. Email them to questions@communitycc.net.

And as you know, the beginning of a series is a perfect time to invite someone who’s not a part of any church to join you at CCC. I really think the “Questions” series could be incredibly helpful for folks who have some hang ups about faith, church, and God. Maybe this is the perfect time to be bold and invite a friend or family member to CCC.

Don’t forget we’ve got some great opportunities coming up over the next several weeks.

ServeFest is taking place on Saturday, May 14th. We’re partnering with bunches of other church in the area to serve and bless our community and there’s still time for you to be a part of it all. Go to servefestmd.org, peruse the many different projects, and jump in to help. I hope CCC shows up in a huge way on the 14th to serve and bless our community.

In the meantime, have a terrific rest of your week.

I hope to see you on Sunday as we wrap up this GINORMOUS series.

David Robinson
Community Christian Church – Helping People Find Their Way Back To God
8094 Sandpiper Circle
White Marsh, MD 21236
www.communitycc.net

Click here to view the embedded video.

ServeFest is right around the corner and will be here before we know it! This is going to be an incredible day of serving and blessing people all around our community.

CCC is passionate about serving and blessing our community, and it’s our hope that everyone who calls CCC home will participate in ServeFest on May 14. If you haven’t already signed up go to the website where you can get more information and find the project that appeals to you.  Think about inviting a friend to sign up with you for an unforgettable day.