http://visitccc.com/ What's happening at Christ Community Church. This feed contains all church-wide news. en sallen@visitchristcommunity.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-05T17:35:36+00:00 /ccc/mens_small_groups_-_register_today/ /ccc/mens_small_groups_-_register_today/#When:14:24:56Z Eighteen (18) new small groups will be offered for men beginning the third week of September (9/20), including Mere Christianity, 10 Questions That Trouble Men Most, Driven By Eternity, Essential Jesus, and books of the Bible like 1 John and Romans. Many groups will meet on Monday evenings and Friday mornings at Christ Community, but other times are offered as well. We encourage you to register by clicking the box to the left, where all the options are listed. You can click on Small Groups to see all the options, or the different levels of groups (101, 201, or 301) to see a more detailed description of each one. For more information or questions, contact Paul Clough, 610.431.0300 x180. men 2010-09-01T14:24:56+00:00 /ccc/homepointe_getaway_giveaway_entries/ /ccc/homepointe_getaway_giveaway_entries/#When:16:35:36Z Thanks to everyone who submitted HomePointe Getaway Giveaway entries.  Below I've summarized each entry.  The first one listed is our winner!  The next two tied for 2nd place.  I listed the remaining entries in no particular order.  As you read these ideas, consider intentionally implementing one of them with your family.1st PLACE  Every year since I have been a child, my extended family has a family reunion at Cape May County park, and then a good percentage of us stay in Sea Isle for the week.  Each year in the last 15 or so, my siblings and I have rented  4 or 5 houses very close to each other so we could all be on the same beach together. This year, 7 of my siblings and their families were there (about 45 people), along with other various relatives in other houses. Needless to say, it is a very large extended family. Since our own children have been young, we have consistently taken them to a church in Sea Isle or Ocean City on the Sunday that we are at the beach. They would occasionally question why we were the only ones out of the whole extended family who did this. I would say that we felt it was important to not forget the Lord's day even on our vacation, and it was a great way to start the week to help us keep our focus on the Lord. Well about three years ago, two of my sons came to me and said, "Why can't we have church at our house and invite cousins over?" So we agreed that if they could get someone to give a talk, and if they would lead the worship, we would give it a try.Well it has been amazing, to say the least, how God has used my two son's boldness, creativity, and musical talent to bring many people in my family who would never otherwise start off their vacation week (or any other week for that matter) in a time of worship and praise, prayer and Communion. It is actually a highlight of the vacation week now after three years. The first year, a lot of people were very hesitant and reserved about it. We had probably twenty or so people that year. This year we had 37 people and they were not reserved or hesitant! It was an amazing time of worship and sharing.  It is truly an example of living out our faith with our family. 2nd PLACE (tied) A few weeks ago, my middle son (John) and I were talking and something came up that he had not done, as I often do I made a joke (okay, sarcastic) comment about how incredibly difficult this particular task must be for him to not have accomplished it yet. This type of humor goes over very well with my oldest son but I could see a look in (John's) eyes that showed me that he was not amused and that he was a little hurt.I called him over and asked him how he was feeling and he started to brush it off, but I encouraged him to tell me how my joking made him feel. He admitted that he felt hurt when I did that. I apologized and also explained that with (my oldest son), it is a bit of a tension breaker when we joke and we both have fun. I also explained that we are all individuals and that part of my job as his mom was to get to know him intimately and to become better about communicating with him. I then asked him to at some point in that day write down 5 things that I do that make him feel loved. Well about 20 minutes later he returned with a list (typed up) of 8 things. It was so neat to see so clearly what is important to him in his relationship with me. This helped me to prioritize the things on his list as I interact with him. Many of the things were so simple, yet so easily neglected. His first one was "when you snuggle me" and his 2nd was "when you scratch my back." His last was "when you swim and jump on the trampoline with us" two things that are somewhat fun for me, but not my favorite activities. In between was "when you keep lots of cereal and milk in the house." I have noticed that he seems personally offended if he wakes up and the milk, or his favorite cereal has run out, but I would never have imagined that it would make the list : )This was such a revelation that a few days later I asked all of the boys to write their five things for both me and for (my husband). It has been one of the most rewarding things we have ever done. As with (John's) and (my oldest son's), (my other son's) lists were filled with such simple activities that if we pay attention we can be sure to do every day. We spend so much time (and often money) trying to make sure our children know how much we love them and often, if we just ask, we would hear that what makes them feel most loved is our time and special ways of giving them our undivided attention. 2nd PLACE (tied) First, a little background information.  We have five children (ages 1, 5, 7, 9 & 11).  Having so many children means that it can be expensive to go places as a family and it also means that we don't have many opportunities for one-on-one time with our children. I have a friend who grew up in a large family and she said that each year on her birthday, she went out to dinner with her parents—but without any siblings.  (This was something her parents did with each child on his/her birthday).  The children were allowed to choose the restaurant and could order anything on the menu.  My friend has such fond memories of her birthdays that I decided we needed to try something similar. But it didn't work.  AT ALL.  First of all, all of five our children have birthdays within five weeks of each other.  This is way too much eating out and it is impossible to find (and afford!) a sitter for all 5 birthdays.  So we changed the game plan and instead, created activity tickets for the kids.  Each ticket had an activity on one side and a child's name on the other.  We'd pull a ticket for each kid at the beginning of the month with a goal of completing the activity by month's end.  But this didn't work either.  Sometimes the ticket would say Movie Night and then all the kids would want to watch the movie and the child who's name was on the ticket didn't end up with special time because Movie Night became a family activity.  Or, more often than not, the end of the month would roll around and we'd realize that we hadn't completed the activities on the tickets. We were inspired by the Home Pointe Challenge and came up with what we call Double Date Day.  Double Date refers to the date on the calendar, i.e., the 11th and 22nd of each month.  We chose these dates because they are easy to remember (and easy for the kids to remember too.)  Each month on the 11th, one child gets to choose one activity/treat to enjoy alone with either Mom or Dad.  We do this again (with a different child) on the 22nd of the month.  (We're actually keeping a spreadsheet of dates/activities so we make sure the rotation is fair.)  So far some of the activities that have been enjoyed: Fishing w/dad, mini golf w/dad, out to breakfast w/mom, movies w/mom, painting pottery w/mom and camping w/dad.So far we are enjoying our Double Dates and the kids are excited about them too.  Thanks for the inspiration!  - Music is the universal language-and here at our home and we have used it to make this place one of safety, comfort, and God centered community.  Through the musicians and bands that our girls have met over the years and my husband has recorded, we have been privileged to host several outdoor shows here at our home.  For a small fee (collected ONLY for the musicians) we have enjoyed supporting the talents of and being serenaded by folks just starting out in their musical endeavors to bands that are seriously on their way.  Our whole family has been blessed with the opportunity to talk and pray and even counsel people of all ages who come to hear music but are welcomed to stay and rest. - We knew our summer would be busy and hectic with our children. At the same time, though, we wanted to work hard at opening their eyes to God and the things that He has given us. With 5 children under the age of 3.5, though, we knew we'd have to make it fun in order to keep their interest. We decided to focus on 2 goals: prayers and thanking God. Beyond that, we wanted these 2 things to be consistently done on a daily basis.  So far, we have been using our time before bed to incorporate goal #1. First we read one of "the God books." These are books, affectionately named by our big girls, that have poems, verses, children's Bible stories, etc in them. This is followed by praying with the girls (ages 3.5, 3.5, and 2.5) every night.For goal #2, we have tried to make the kids aware of the many wonderful things that God has made. We are hoping that this also makes them appreciate the simple things and not complain about things that are insignificant. Our intent is to try to capture this with photographs!Some of our activities so far this summer:  God's wonder as witnessed at Longwood Gardens, Thanking God for the rain, God gave us freedom on the 4th of July, Thanking God for hot days & sprinklers!, Loving the family that God gave us. Hopefully there will be more to come! - God's Photo Album - Materials: Bible, Scrapbook/Notebook, Scrapbook materials, Photos (can add to the activity by taking own photos to use in the photo album - i.e. a picture while down the shore for Genesis 1, take a walk in the woods and take pictures of nature, take pictures of friends a Biblical characters, magazines/catalogs (cut out pictures used in the scrapbook), colored pens/crayons/markers/pencils and glue.The object is to learn scripture as the family builds a photo album of the stories of the Bible.Example Page: Genesis 1:1-2:25.  Photos: light/dark, water, land, open field, trees, flowers, fruit, stars, sun, moon, universe, fish, birds, animals, man, woman, beautiful garden.Title the page Genesis 1:1- 2:25, choose key verses to write (or print and paste) on the page, paste picture on the page, decorate/color the page.As you are creating the page which can take as little or as much time as you would like depending on the level of detail and age of the children.  (i.e. 15 minutes a day for a week to complete one scripture passage).  As a family, discuss the key scripture to include on your page, what pictures you are looking to include on the page and why, what God is doing through the story, and Who God reveals Himself to be through the story.  At the completion of the project you will have God's Photo Album - Who He is, What He's done and How we fit into the great story.  This can be passed down or repeated throughout the family generations.- We consistently serve our extended family who have no relationship with Christ by loaning  our teenage twin boys to them for 2 weeks in the summers.  They are a family (2 teenagers and parents ) in turmoil with individual isolations among themselves. Our boys bring them cohesiveness as a family, joy, peace and a presence of love that overwhelms them.  The presence of our children who are taught of the Lord speaks louder to them than the many words we have spoken to them. They are truly missionaries in their own backyard.- Breakfast on the beach.  Brown paper bags are decorated the night before and filled with juice boxes, fruit, bagels.  Early the next morning, Nana, Grandpop and 4 grandchildren walk to the beach for a picnic breakfast.  The children were astonished that the fun part was to wear their pajamas.  We spread beach blankets and thank Jesus for the beautiful morning sunrise, the ocean and sand and our vacation as well as anything the children want to add. After breakfast with curious seagulls and the requisite donuts from the boardwalk shop, we frolicked in the ocean and returned 4 wet, happy, children to their relaxed and rejuvenated parents.- We are a family of 5 who enjoy our summers together.  One of our favorite things to do is travel to the beach.  We rent a home with a well equipped kitchen with the intention to cook in at night.  This not only saves money, it gives us extra beach time and an opportunity to bond and serve as a family.  Here is how it works for us.  A few weeks prior to our departure we make a menu for dinner.  Each of our 3 kids has the opportunity to choose, prepare and serve a dinner.  When they were younger (grade school age) they needed some help from an adult.  This past summer however at the ages of 11, 14 & 17 our kids could run the kitchen on their cooking nights.  This gave mom a break, mom and dad time to relax and catch up—uninterrupted because our kids were working together to prepare meals.  As the years have gone by the meals have  become more elaborate.  Our 14 year old son tries to present his meal “Iron Chef” style.  This tradition has grown as our kids have grown and we all love it.  The roles then reverse after dinner and mom & dad clean up—again giving us time together.  This exercise is simple—and everyone seems to enjoy it.  We have learned that we can save money going while on vacation & everyone gets a break.- "Walking Through the Seasons" - Usually about once or twice a month on a Saturday or Sunday we pack up all 4 kids and head to a local hiking area:  Ridley Creek, Strouds Preserve, and St Peter's Village to name a few.  We do this all through the year and love to glorify God's amazing touches as He changes the seasons.  Sometimes we stop for lunch and other times we pack a picnic lunch.  Sometimes we bring our bikes, while other times we venture off the paved paths into the woods.  We look for special pebbles along the river beds and toss them into the water, we wade in water, sometimes (Todd) pulls out his fishing rod and we catch a sunny or two.  We hike in the heart of the winter when the ice is puddling along the trails and the trees are so bare you can see the sky.  We hike in the fall when the leaves are falling all around us.  We hike in the spring as the weather starts to warm and the flowers begin to bloom.  We hike in the summer, sometimes hopping on the rocks at St. Peter's, stopping to cool off along the river beds.  The older kids love the adventures as we choose different areas, and the baby giggles and coos with delight at the amazing and new sites she encounters.  It's so fun to watch the kids run or ride ahead of us, talking and laughing or pointing out unique things they find.  Most of all, we are together as a family, enjoying the beauty God has given us.  We know how blessed we are to live in a great country where we are free to spend our time enjoying the natural places around us, and to just spend time with each other!- Our family recently hosted a "ping pong tournament" for neighbors and friends. Friendly competition, fellowship, food and a time to reflect on the country that we live in and the Lord who gives us all things.     homepointe 2010-09-05T16:35:36+00:00 /ccc/getaway_giveaway_winner_chosen/ /ccc/getaway_giveaway_winner_chosen/#When:18:14:14Z The Getaway Giveaway winners have been determined!  We'll announce the top 3 spots this Sunday morning during both services.  Thanks to all of you who submitted entries.  The ideas were all excellent.  Far beyond our Giveaway, we hope you are inspired to consider these entries (listed below in an article on 9/5) and implement one or two in the life of your family.   homepointe 2010-09-02T18:14:14+00:00 /ccc/divorce_care1/ /ccc/divorce_care1/#When:03:00:36Z   A new session of DivorceCare begins on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 from 7:00-9:00pm in the Conference Room at Christ Community. The group will meet for 13 seesions and runs through Tuesday, December 21, 2010.  You are welcome to join at any time. The course is video based, with group discussion afterward. You can see more at www.divorcecare.org You can look over the list of topics at http://www.divorcecare.org/about/topics/ Cost is $20 for materials including a workbook to keep and take notes in. Yes, divorce is very traumatic. I have been divorced myself and have known that heartache firsthand. But I can tell you that recovery is possible, especially with the kind of help and support that DivorceCare can provide. You are not alone. The course is for your benefit, and I will do my best to be of service to you.For more information, please email Erik at ephoet@verizon.net or click on the links above. singles 2010-09-02T03:00:36+00:00 /ccc/first_monday_men_-_join_us_october_4th_at_600_pm_for_dinner/ /ccc/first_monday_men_-_join_us_october_4th_at_600_pm_for_dinner/#When:16:20:13Z First Monday Men - gentlemen, mark your calendars for each first Monday from October to May, as we start a new season focused on "Eight (8) Tough Questions for Men." We gather from 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel - every guy is welcome. men 2010-09-01T16:20:13+00:00 /ccc/2010_fall_ministry_kickoff1/ /ccc/2010_fall_ministry_kickoff1/#When:11:22:28Z As the days get shorter and Fall approaches, our staff are hard at work preparing to kick-off the 2010-2011 ministry events.  Here are some notable ones to put on your calendar.  Don't forget to check VisitCCC.com often to get the latest news and events at Christ Community Church!Women's Ministry- Women's Leadership Retreat - Sunday September 12th- Women's Bible Study begins Week of September 27thWorship Ministry- Fall Choir Meeting - Wednesday September 8th, 7:00pm in the Chapel KidzROCK- New Classes begin this Sunday, September 5th (2 yrs - 5th grade both hours)- Adventure Club (1st - 5th grade) Kickoff- September 30th (Registration Sept. 19th, 26th)CrossRoads (Young Adult)- The Truth Project - Begins Monday, September 13, 7pm in Student CenterSingles- Divorce Care - Tuesday, September 14, 7pm in Conference Room Middle School Ministry- 6th Grade Ground Zero Transition - Tuesday September 7th 7:00 - 9:00 pm- Ground Zero Kick-off! - Tuesday September 14th 7:00-9:00 pmMen's Ministry- Men's Small Groups begins Week of September 20th- First Monday Men (every month October - May) - Monday, October 4Couples & Family Small Groups- Couples Small Groups begin Week of September 27thFirst Connections- Fall four week session begins Sunday, September 19th at 10:30 am in Room 201 churchwide 2010-08-30T11:22:28+00:00 /ccc/a_circle_of_friends/ /ccc/a_circle_of_friends/#When:01:00:04Z Sharing together in a small group is a remarkable experience.  Small groups help us pursue wisdom. They give us the blessing of shared insights. Biblical truths discussed, challenged and understood offer an uncommon conversation in a world of frivolous pursuits and worry. Small groups give us a place to belong, to connect personally, sometimes intimately, as the truth of God's Word reminds us that we all need more of God in our lives—that we are not alone in this effort. When we join together in small group we receive the gift of friendship. Friends share in the laughter, help us get through tears, and mostly hold us up when life brings us down.We need that purpose of friendship that draws us into a safe place and points us to God. "Two are better than one… if one falls down, the other helps [her] up…" - Ecclesiates 4:9Are you looking for a study friend or small group? Do you want to pursue a circle of friends? Join us this year in women's Bible study.  We have a choice of 4 dynamic study choices—all offered in your choice of 3 sessions each week:Tuesday Evenings, 7:00-9:00pm  [Same time as Jr. High Youth]Wednesday Mornings, 9:15-11:15am  [Infant care—Kindergarten]Thursday Mornings, 9:15-11:15am  [Infant care—Kindergarten]"People join small groups for many reasons—to know a few people well, to learn, to grow spiritually—- but the single most influential aspect of any healthy small group experience is care. When we care for and are cared for by others, we are practicing the heart of the gospel. In fact, groups that learn how to care for one another in word and deed usually wind up having a deep and lasting impact not only on each other, but on entire churches and communities." - Thom Corrigan, “Why Small Groups?”REGISTER NOW for Women's Bible Study…DOWNLOAD Study choice description & flyer… women 2010-08-29T01:00:04+00:00 /ccc/christmas_choir_starting/ /ccc/christmas_choir_starting/#When:18:48:25Z Fall is here which means our Christmas Adult Choir is starting up again!  As always we're looking for new and returning members to join us as we prepare for a Christmas concert in December.  As always there are NO auditions and NO experience is required.  If you love to sing, even if you don't think you sing very well, we'd love to have you join us.  We spend a good amount of time working with people on how to sing correctly and we also give out a host of resources to help the choir learn parts and lyrics.  Everyone 13 and older is invited to attend. If you're interested in joining us, our first information meeting and rehearsal is Wednesday, September 8th, at 7:00pm in the Chapel. We'll listen to a number of the pieces we'll be singing this year, start working on a couple of pieces and take any questions you might have.  This year our repertoire includes traditional carols as well as pieces by Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Paul Baloche, Joseph Martin, and Mark Hayes, among others.  The pieces reflect a number of different styles from traditional to contemporary but all carry the message of Christ coming to redeem his creation.  You won't want to miss this opportunity to sing praises to God during the Christmas season!Also if you have children whoa re interested in being a part of the concert, stay tuned for an update on our Fall Children's Choir! worship 2010-08-26T18:48:25+00:00 /ccc/music_that_matters/ /ccc/music_that_matters/#When:17:48:11Z Join us for an end of summer gathering at the Desire of My Heart Farm next Saturday night, August 28th from 4pm-9pm. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, snacks or picnic dinner and enjoy some great music by some terrific musicians for a meaningful effort. This is a benefit concert to support the Andrew L. Hicks Memorial Fund. Andrew was killed tragically in July from a fall while on a hike with his famiy on vacation in California. At Andrew's funeral, Andy and Karen shared that they were establishing a fund with a primary goal to develop volunteerism/service among the youth of our community, and to support mission work for the youth of the City of Chester. All funds donated will be used for purposes which were meaningful to Andrew: the Youth of the City of Chester and the work of World Impact in Chester, and Henderson High School soccer & ice hockey.If you would like to contribute directly, contributions can be sent to: Andrew L. Hicks, Jr. Memorial Fund c/o Fulton Bank, 116 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19380.  Concert location:  111 Hatfield Road, Wagontown (Coatesville for GPS) women 2010-08-17T17:48:11+00:00 /ccc/getaway_giveaway_winding_down/ /ccc/getaway_giveaway_winding_down/#When:14:30:05Z Thanks to those who have submitted entries in our HomePointe Getaway Giveaway contest.  It's been inspiring to me and others to see how you have developed faith in your home while enjoying your family at the same time.The deadline for entering the Getaway Giveaway contest is Friday, Aug. 27.  It's simple to enter.1. Creatively serve and enjoy your family members at home this summer. 2. Email me at sallen@visitccc.com describing how you are serving and enjoying your family.The CCC staff will choose what we think are the top three creative ideas.  First prize is a night's stay, a dinner and breakfast for two at The Desmond Hotel.  Second and third prizes are dinners for two at Roger's Bistro. Prizes will be announced in Sunday services on September 5. Hope to hear from you soon! homepointe 2010-08-17T14:30:05+00:00 /ccc/volunteer_opportunity_malachi_dads_initiative/ /ccc/volunteer_opportunity_malachi_dads_initiative/#When:19:00:37Z Chester County Prison Chaplain Jack Crans is seeking churches willing to assist in the prison and communities in addressing the issue of fatherlessness by coming alongside male and female prisoners, ex-offenders who will be returning to Chester County homes, and their families.      More than two dozen male prisoners at Chester County Prison are part of a new Malachi Dads initiative to help mitigate the issue of fatherless in families.  They will be released over the next several months, and will need continued assistance and discipleship within their communities and families.      Malachi Dads was developed in Louisiana State Penitentiary in 2003 by Awana Clubs International, a long-time Christian ministry focused on helping churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth among ages two to 18.  Burl Cain, warden of the largest maximum-security prison in the U.S., known in the late 1960s as the “Bloodiest Prison in the South” due to inmate violence, invited Awana officials to speak to the prison’s fellowship of Christian men in 2003.  They found that inmates wanted to see an evangelism and discipleship program established for their children.      Awana subsequently started Awana Lifeline, designed to provide spiritual, parental, vocational and educational training for inmates; a second program to provide churches in urban neighborhoods with training to start Awana programs for children of inmates in their areas; and a year-round Lifeline Handbook Program that helps fathers and their children work through Awana Bible curriculum in tandem and create a long-distance parent/child bond.      The Chester County chaplain is seeking churches, faith-based organizations and individuals to help create a strong prisoner re-entry /family support network, both within and outside the prison.      This initiative includes:•    The male prisoner project currently underway in the Chester County Prison Work Release Center that is hoped to be extended to the main prison.  Some 60 children ultimately will be impacted by this current activity.  Both male and female volunteers currently are involved in this initiative, with women also receiving training for•    A companion initiative for women prisoners, 90% of them being mothers, that is expected to start in the fall; and•    Extension of the initiative in the future to general fatherless family populations within Chester County communities.      Churches and individuals interested in this initiative and future trainings should contact Chaplain Crans at jackccgm@aol.com.  Information on the initiative, now in place in 30 prisons across the country, including this first venture in Pennsylvania and the Northeast, is available at www3.awana.org/lifeline. outreach 2010-08-14T19:00:37+00:00 /ccc/getaway_giveaway_entry/ /ccc/getaway_giveaway_entry/#When:19:29:56Z I thought you might enjoy reading one of our recent Getaway Giveaway entries.  Remember to send me your idea of how you and your family are enjoying and serving each other this summer.  You can send those emails to getaway@visitccc.com Who knows, you might win a night, dinner and breakfast for two at The Desmond! "I am writing to share how we are attempting to create more quality time with our children.First, a little background information.  We have five children (ages 1, 5, 7, 9 & 11).  Having so many children means that it can be expensive to go places as a family and it also means that we don't have many opportunities for one-on-one time with our children.I have a friend who grew up in a large family and she said that each year on her birthday, she went out to dinner with her parents—but without any siblings.  (This was something her parents did with each child on his/her birthday).  The children were allowed to choose the restaurant and could order anything on the menu.  My friend has such fond memories of her birthdays that I decided we needed to try something similar.But it didn't work.  AT ALL.  First of all, all of five our children have birthdays within five weeks of each other.  This is way too much eating out and it is impossible to find (and afford!) a sitter for all 5 birthdays.  So we changed the game plan and instead, created activity tickets for the kids.  Each ticket had an activity on one side and a child's name on the other.  We'd pull a ticket for each kid at the beginning of the month with a goal of completing the activity by month's end.  But this didn't work either.  Sometimes the ticket would say Movie Night and then all the kids would want to watch the movie and the child who's name was on the ticket didn't end up with special time because Movie Night became a family activity.  Or, more often than not, the end of the month would roll around and we'd realize that we hadn't completed the activities on the tickets.We were inspired by the Home Pointe Challenge and came up with what we call Double Date Day.  Double Date refers to the date on the calendar, i.e., the 11th and 22nd of each month.  We chose these dates because they are easy to remember (and easy for the kids to remember too.)  Each month on the 11th, one child gets to choose one activity/treat to enjoy alone with either Mom or Dad.  We do this again (with a different child) on the 22nd of the month.  (We're actually keeping a spreadsheet of dates/activities so we make sure the rotation is fair.)  So far some of the activities that have been enjoyed:*fishing w/dad*mini golf w/dad*out to breakfast w/mom*movies w/mom*painting pottery w/mom*camping w/dadSo far we are enjoying our Double Dates and the kids are excited about them too.  Thanks for the inspiration!" homepointe 2010-08-11T19:29:56+00:00 /ccc/the_end/ /ccc/the_end/#When:18:16:05Z Last Sunday we held our annual summer worship concert at the church.  This year the theme was Jesus: Who Was and Is and Is to Come, focusing on the life of Jesus, hoe He is working in the world today, and his promise to return and restore all things.  It was a wonderful time of celebration, reflection, and sharing together as a congregation.  And it was so cool to see our Children's Choir sing about Jesus!During the evening though, I couldn't help but think of a number of people I've talked to recently whoa re going through circumstances that I can't even begin to imagine.  Health issues, family issues, work issues.  I noticed several of these people in attendance at the concert worshiping God with all their hearts.  Their faith was truly inspiring in the midst of pain and sorrow.  It made me reflect on the reality that we sang about at the end of the concert, that Jesus is coming again and that he will one day wipe every tear from our eyes as he makes all things new.  To quote the Andrew Peterson song we sang at the concert:And in the end, the end is oceans and oceans of love and love againWe'll see how the tears that have fallen are caught in the palmsOf the giver of love and the lover of allAnd we'll look back on these tears as old talesAfter the last tear falls there is loveAs time goes on and we have to face difficulty, pain and suffering, it is so helpful to remember that the God we worship in Jesus will return one day to bring his kingdom to its fullness.  It doesn't make the pain go away but it does give us hope and peace in the darkness.  So let's remember to worship Him, not only for what He has done for us or what He is doing in our lives, but also for the promise of His returning which will restore the whole world and bring love in all its fullness. worship 2010-08-11T18:16:05+00:00