Threads

by Arlene Richardson

 Threads is an enjoyable, easy reading, true story of one family’s unlikely adventure in business, mission and church planting. The author, Arlene Richardson, writes in a way that makes one feel they are sitting across the table hearing the amazing details first hand.

 “Threads” is a very appropriate title. The business God dropped in their lap (literally through a handmade quilt) includes countless threads have been, and continue to be, sewn together into beautiful masterpieces/quilts. Arlene tells of finding fabric scraps in her grandmother’s attic.  A group of supporters from the Carolinas then stitched the pieces together and shipped the pleasing result overseas, to Arlene’s new home on the field. No one would have predicted the bud of an idea as her friend and helper was exposed to this new concept. Before long, she and others began imitating it and creating new designs of their own.

This book covers a 10 year journey of not just literal threads, but also God’s threads weaving their way, connecting lives and cultures, giving purpose and new life, as He goes about His bigger plan, His master quilt.

Grab a cup of coffee and “listen” to Arlene yourself as you open this book and read. Maybe God has an unforeseen story in your own life just waiting to be unraveled as you too step out in obedience to his call.

If you are interested in, or want to find out more about, this year's GPS (Global Partnership Service) Opportunities, please attend a meeting this Sunday, April 7, 10:30am in Room 214.

Global Partnership Service (GPS) Opportunities

 INDIA

Madurai, India – July 2013

This team will potentially conduct some Vacation Bible Schools in schools and some villages, spend time with orphans, connect and minister to elderly women, could conduct medical camps, work with crafts, work with music, and spend time in prayer.

BOSNIA

Banja Luka, Bosnia – Tenitively Fall 2013

This team will primarily construct a themed playground at a pre-school, promote activities for the pre-school, perhaps host an event in the towns main park and possibly hold a day camp comparable to Vacation Bible School.

Consider giving to others this year for Palm Sunday and Easter!

A recent look in the food cupboards of the Salvation Army, Coatesville revealed their food supply is very low. 

On March 24 and 31, there will be a table in the lobby to collect food items for the Salvation Army.

Their biggest needs are: 

• Any canned meats:  chicken, tuna, beef
• Jelly:  any flavor
• Beans:  any
• Milk: any ~ boxed, canned or powdered
• Canned spaghetti sauce, with or without meat
• Boxed stuffing
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Canned or boxed soups
• Instant oatmeal

Also note that LARGE cans are especially appreciated for filling the food boxes for the larger families.

Consider blessing others by contributing one or more of these items!

We've had a fantastic conference this weekend, and have one last event for our men tonight.  See you there.

First Monday Men:  Join us tonight at 6:30 for Dinner & Guest Speakers:  Scott Y., update of Obrerofiel, a Spanish Web Ministry & Steve B., from Upper Darby with immigrant focus.

Global Partnership Service (GPS) Opportunities

 INDIA

Madurai, India – July 2013

This team will potentially conduct some Vacation Bible Schools in schools and some villages, spend time with orphans, connect and minister to elderly women, could conduct medical camps, work with crafts, work with music, and spend time in prayer.

BOSNIA

Banja Luka, Bosnia – July 2013

This team will primarily construct a themed playground at a pre-school, promote activities for the pre-school, perhaps host an event in the towns main park and potentially hold a summer day camp comparable to Vacation Bible School.

Informational meeting for this year’s GPS opportunities is

Sunday, February 17, at 10:30 in Room 214

Thank you for giving to those in need this Christmas season! You helped to provide:

• 248 pairs of pajamas to those in Coatesville in partnership with the Salvation Army.
• Christmas gifts to 42 families including 100 children through the Angel Tree program.

There are 2 ways to serve during the Thanksgiving holiday!

• Coatesville Salvation Army- help is needed for food preparation, purchasing supplies, delivering food, set up, serving and clean up.
  • Food drop off at CCC Sat., Nov. 17, 8:00am-10:30am
  • Meal at Salv. Army - Sun., Nov. 18, 2:30pm-5:00pm
     
• Chester World Impact - we are looking for 50 people/families to purchase an entire meal AND 3 individuals to drop off meals at World Impact.

With Autumn brings the wonderful smells and tastes of apples and pumpkin, the beautiful sights of changing leaves. What a great reminder of our amazing and creative God. Fall also brings new opportunities to serve! Below are some ways you can serve with our church this season:

• ESL Classes – at the Salvation Army, Coatesville, will start October 10. If you would like to help with teaching or with childcare on Wednesdays, 1:00–2:30pm, contact Wendy at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
• Sponsor a child with Compassion International – we will have child sponsor packets available in the lobby on Sunday Oct 14 & 21.
• CONNECT ’13 is our biannual missions conference that will take place March 1-3. We would love your help planning for this event. There is a planning meeting October 28 at 10:30, room 214.
• We had a speaker from India Bible Literature in September and he gave us devotionals to use for 30 days and during that time put aside money to donate to help provide Bibles and funds to this ministry. If you would like to participate in this, devotionals are available at the info desks and money is due back to CCC by October 30.
• BRUSH STROKES – On November 16, artist Richard Bollinger will host an event at CCC where he will share his "story" and sell framed prints to raise funds for two ministries, The Center for Short Term Missions and Good Works.
• Thanksgiving Meals will be provided in partnership with World Impact to give to those in need in Chester. Sign up to participate starting October 28.
• We will serve the people of Coatesville a Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army on November 18. Food donations will be delivered on November 17. Sign up to participate starting October 28.
• 50 Churches/50 Orphans - is an opportunity for our church to pray for those without parents in the month of November.
• Bread and Blessings – every Monday we help to provide lunch at the Salvation Army and you are very welcome to help! Contact Cathy at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• The Bridge Academy in Coatesville has ongoing needs, especially with meals preparation. Contact Jordan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information and details.
• Our church has 2 teams with Good Works, a ministry to help improve the living conditions for low-income families in Chester County. To help on Saturdays with one of these teams contact Dan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Have a great season serving Him!

Recently we participated in the Book Bag Drive with Bridge Academy and Community Center (BACC). Through your generosity, we were able to provide 35 filled book bags towards the 650 they collected to help those in need in the local community. Thank you to those who participated and Sharon Reno for helping coordinate it at our church!

Now BACC is in need of bricks! The front entrance to the BACC has a staircase that is covered with brick. Due to the age of the building, the bricks are cracked, broken, and bowing out. They need to redo this portion of their building.

If you are interested in donating to the Bridge Academy, you can donate via check you can mail your tax-deductible donation to "Bridge Academy & Community Center" and mailed to: The BACC, PO Box 219 Downingtown, PA 19335. You could also check out their website http://www.thebridgeacademy.org/volunteer/bricks.aspx to donate through paypal.

Are you an experienced mason? Would you be willing to donate some of your time to this project? If so please contact them at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Lastly, Bridge Academy Community Center – is offering a Volunteer Orientation/Training on Sept. 4, Tues. from 6:30-8:00pm at 570 Olive Street, Coatesville.  All are welcome to attend, if you are interested in working with this unique ministry visit their website at www.thebridgeacademy.org and consider taking this training class.

The Bridge Academy, one of our Local Ministry Partners located in Coatesville, is having its annual Book Bag Drive and we would like to invite you to help! Their goal is to provide a book bag to every child in their area who needs one and to start their school year out with the needed school supplies. If you have questions you can contact Sharon at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  She will also be at a table in the lobby after services on July 29 and August 5 to answer questions and collect book bags filled with the following items:

5 pocket folders
2 notebooks
one 3-ring binder
2 pks of crayons
markers or colored pencils
1 pk of pencils
1 pk of pens

Isaiah 32:17-18   The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
Shalom House, the small house adjacent to our church is now completed and was dedicated today! Many people came to see the renovations at the open house, and Barbara Z. led a prayer of dedication. It is our hope that this home, which so many of the church helped to make possible-by donations of items, time, and skill – will be a wonderful and comfortable place for our Global Ministry Partners to abide for short stays when in the area from their many places of ministry around the globe. The first family will arrive this Thursday!
A huge thank you to so many of you who contributed!

What a fun project this is! (See details in prior post for an explanation of what Shalom House is.)

Everyone is working together, from the men dedicating amazing amounts of time and talent renovating, to the volunteers coming on Saturday mornings to weed, to the donations of furniture and household items coming from every direction, to those willing to help with interior decorating... We are so thankful for everyone's enthusiasm and sacrifice to make this home a nice place, a place of peace and rest for our global ministry partners.

At this point we have most of the bigger furniture, but are still looking for the following items:

• 6 kitchen chairs to match an oak table
• Vaccum
• Serving utensils
• Hot pads
• Board Games in good condition with all the pieces
• Cookie sheets

There are a few items we would prefer new, or very gently used:

• 2 twin and 1 crib mattress covers
• 2 pillows
• Lamp shades and harps-2 each
• Twin mattresses
• Trash cans-for inside
• money donations towards these items

We will also need helpers and vehicles to move heavier items July 11-14.

We will be cleaning the house July 9, starting at 9am-if you would like to join us!

If you are able to help with any of these items please contact Kim at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

THANK YOU!!

There will be an open house immediately after second service on July 15 if you want to see the house!

The small house adjacent to Christ Community Church (1120 Phoenixville Pike) is owned by the church and is in the process of nenovation for use as temporary housing for our Global Ministy Partners. We are seeking items to make it a functional and comfortable home.

Your donations are welcome! We would prefer a broad variety of household goods, new or gently used in working condition. Desired kitchen items include a coffee maker, pots and pans, dishes, utensils, glasses, mugs, etc. Bedroom furnishings are needed such as a queen bed and twin beds and bedding. Additionally we are looking for dressers, a desk, coffee table, side tables, towles, household decorations and more.

If you have any of these items you would like to donate, please contact kim at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 610.431.0300. If you could email pictures of larger items it would be appreciated (due to space requirements). We also welcome monetary donations.

Thank you!