It’s not a Joan Jett and the Blackhearts album. (Although it is.) Nor is it a shoe store. (Although it’s that too.) And it’s not a Tom and Jerry short film. (Although it’s that as well.) At CCC, Fit-To-Be-Tied is a 7 week small group experience for couples looking to prepare to take the huge step of marriage. The next session is open to couples who might already be married, but never had a chance to go through a small group like this. We explore a myriad of angles surrounding a marriage relationship, including conflict and communication, personality styles, love languages, marriage boundaries, sex, money, what the Bible has to say about love and marriage, etc. The next session of Fit-To-Be-Tied (Not the Quiet Riot song) is scheduled to kick off on the first Tuesday of April. You can sign up in the lobby on Sunday at CCC or send an email to fit@communitycc.net to get signed up.

If you’re wondering what a next step might be for you at CCC, a Starter Small Group might be the answer. This small group runs for 6 weeks, meets right here at CCC, and is lead by Nic Cox, our Minister and Coordinator of Small Groups. It’s a real safe place to explore some central premises of our church and Christianity overall. It’s also a great first experience with Small Groups if you’ve never been a part of one before. (Come on, it’s 6 weeks!) You can sign up in the lobby on Sunday or email Nic Cox directly at nic.cox@communitycc.net if you’re interested in being a part of the Starter Group.

Hey Friends,

I hope you’re all doing well, especially now that spring appears to be springing.

This past week I thoroughly enjoyed watching so many of you take that crucial and important step of baptism. Hearing some of your stories over the weekend reminds me of why we started this church to begin with some 5 years ago. These are some of my favorite Sunday gatherings – when we set up the tank and celebrate people’s baptisms together. Whether young or old, guy or gal, it’s really exciting to hear people articulate their belief in Jesus Christ as they allow God to shape their journey and their story from here on out. That’s good stuff.

I hope you didn’t miss it.

This coming Sunday we’re kicking off a brand new series called GINORMOUS. The beginning of a series is a great time to invite a friend who is not a part of any church to come along with you to a CCC service. (Service times are 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am.)

I hope you have a fantastic rest of the week! See you soon.

David Robinson

Hey Friends,

We had a fantastic 5 year celebration this past weekend at Community Christian Church. I hope you were able to be a part of it all.

Friday night was sidesplitting at our annual Comedy Night where Darren Streblow and Taylor Mason helped us laugh our socks off. The desserts at the end of the night were a great way to top off the evening.

And then on Sunday we had more than 900 people come out to celebrate CCC turning 5. It was terrific! Hopefully you were able to pick up a piece of birthday cake and a goodie bag full of treats. (You know you love the white wristband and stickers, not to mention the candy!)

God has certainly been faithful over the last 5 years. And it’s been quite a ride thus far. I look forward to what’s in store for us as we journey along together. Our future is bright and our hope is firmly placed in the one who does not disappoint.

I’m glad you’re a part of what’s happening at CCC.

We have another exciting Sunday coming up here at CCC with our Baptism Celebration during all three services and Starting Point from 9:45 – 11:30. (Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour as we spring forward.)

I look forward to reading your stories (remember, 100 words or less) and hope we all can become better at expressing how Jesus has changed our lives. Have a great rest of the week and I’ll see you again on Sunday as we conclude our series – “Just Walk Across The Room.”

David Robinson

At CCC we have been in the midst of a message series called Just Walk Across the Room. Over the past 2 weeks we talked about straightforward ways we can share our faith and help other people draw near to God. If you missed either week, or both, you can listen to it on the Messages page of our website. Below is a story from Nic Cox about how his brother invited him to a student event and what that has meant for his life.

I grew up marginally Catholic, which means we went to church once a month or so, mostly when my brother and I were misbehaving.  I certainly didn’t take it very seriously. When the time for a choice about confirmation came, our entire family took a step back from church altogether. For several years we didn’t go anywhere on Sunday morning.

My uncle began talking to my father about how important it was to have his family in church and for him to be the leader of our family, including in the realm of spirituality. Because of those conversations our family began attending church with my uncle. Yet, I still remained aloof. I didn’t want to be involved and I certainly didn’t want to become like one of those Christians you see on TV, with their bland clothing, plastic smiles, and no personality.

One day out of the blue, my brother announced he was going to a student event at the church on Sunday evening, and he asked if I’d like to join him. I didn’t, but when you’re fourteen and you have a chance to get out of the house you take it.  I’m glad I went, because what I discovered there changed my impression of Christianity.  These weren’t perfect people in sweater-vests thumbing through Bibles.  These were regular high school kids just like me.  And if I was that wrong about what Christians were like, was it possible I was wrong about what God was like too?

Through that student group I was able to go on several service trips to Mexico, make lasting friendships that endure today, and to encounter Jesus in real and meaningful ways. All because my brother offered a simple invitation and I accepted.

Nic Cox

Hey Friends,

I hope you’re all doing well.

It’s quite a significant week around here at CCC. It’s hard to believe, but we’re celebrating 5 years as a church this coming weekend. Things got kicked off on March 5, 2006 here at 8094 Sandpiper Circle, and we’ve been meeting every Sunday since. (Except for a couple of blizzard days last year.)

Our 5 year birthday celebration begins this Friday, March 4th with our annual Comedy Night. Darren Streblow and Taylor Mason are coming in to help us laugh our socks off. The event is sold out and we’ve got quite a long waiting list for tickets.

If you did snag some tickets, the doors open at 6:30pm and the laughing starts at 7pm. Deserts will be provided at intermission. (Be sure to bring your sweet tooth.) I look forward to seeing you all there. And remember to wear a clean pair of socks, ‘cause you’ll be laughing them off!

The 5 Year Celebration continues this Sunday, March 6th at the CCC services taking place at 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am. We’ve got quite a time planned together, including all sorts of free stuff to give away. So invite a friend to join you (they’ll get free stuff too!) and don’t miss the 5 Year Celebration. It’ll be a blast.
 
 
 
I hope to see you this weekend!

David Robinson

We’ve been collecting school supplies to bless Dundalk Middle School, and there’s still time to pick up a few things from their list (click here). Sunday is the last day for the drive, so don’t forget to bring the items with you to CCC this Sunday and drop them in one of the orange buckets around the building.

At CCC we have been in the midst of a message series called Just Walk Across the Room. Over the past 2 weeks we talked about straightforward ways we can share our faith and help other people draw near to God. If you missed either week, or both, you can listen to it on the Messages page of our website. Below is a story from Ryan Dupre about how his friend invited him to church to serve and what that has meant for his life.

After growing up in church I went through a “freak-out” phase where I got as far away from church and God as possible. For a few years I was looking at various offbeat ways of approaching faith. I believed in there being a “spiritual realm”, but basically I was into the entire religion/faith/new age section at Barnes & Noble. That search led me back to exploring the Bible, and it was right around that time a friend invited me to help his band out and play some guitar for a church event.

It wasn’t anything more complex than a friend asking me for a favor, but that invite helped me stick around and give God a fair shot. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t a ploy; it was just a genuine invitation from someone I cared about. It was very simple and honest. Now that I think about it, his approach to inviting and getting me involved is a big part of what helped me start out on a new path.

Ryan Dupre

At CCC we have been in the midst of a message series called Just Walk Across the Room. Over the past 2 weeks we talked about straightforward ways we can share our faith and help other people draw near to God. If you missed either week, or both, you can listen to it on the Messages page of our website. Below is a story from Melissa Carpenter about how her friend invited her to church and what that has meant for her life.

In high school, my best friend Candace invited me to go with her to a young adult bible study. She invited me more than once before I took her up on it. At the time, I was 18 and my family was not a part of any church. This was my first real exposure to studying the Bible and hearing about Jesus. I was like a sponge, soaking it all up. This sparked some huge changes in my life. I started attending a church, accepted Jesus into my life, and was baptized. I was set on a wonderful path. Now a relationship with Jesus is a fixture in my life. Even to the point where now I work for the church!, As an 18 year old I would have never of guessed in a million years! My friend’s invite was simple, but completely changed the course of my life. I can’t imagine my life any other way. I am so grateful to my best friend (who still is by the way) and for what she shared. It has made all the difference.

Melissa Carpenter

Our middle school trip this summer is focused on our community. Instead of traveling hundreds of miles away to serve, we are going to find and meet needs right here in Baltimore. Many times when we think about service trips our initial thought is of a third world country and severe poverty. The truth is, there are people in our own neighborhoods and community who are in desperate need of service. We want to teach students that following Jesus and serving others begins right where you are. Make sure you pick a trip packet in the lobby at CCC today.