Christ Community Church's Women's Spring Study (beginning the week of May 13) is CANCELED. Those women who have registered and paid for childcare will be contacted by the church and refunded. Summer Book Club books are still available at the Women's Table in the lobby on Sunday mornings. |
We are delighted to welcome Jennifer Rothschild as our featured speaker for Mothers & Others, our spring special event just for women. Jennifer is a best selling author and speaker. She is an artist, a musician, and a woman passionate for a God she cannot see, but knows bravely. Diagnosed at the age of 15 with a degenerative eye disease, Jennifer lost her sight but gained strength in her faith through her journey in the dark.
Two identical seatings: Friday, May 11th - 7pm ~ Saturday, May 12th - 10am Mothers & Others is an event for ALL women -- with the emphasis is on 'others'... an intergenerational event for young teens to the wisest among us. Come and bring a friend and enjoy special music, friendship gifts, lite elegant fare and be inspired and challenged to be brilliant. TICKETS $14. Tickets are Available for Saturday, May 12th 10:00a.m. seating. Stop in the Main Lobby before/afters services and Bible Study, or call Megan, 610.431.0300x105. |
Life gets complicated, crazy busy, and sometimes chaotic -- REGISTER NOW to join us and Breakaway from your regular routine and come away with us for a weekend of friendship, spiritual challenge and refreshment. We'll explore our temporary stay in the journey of life, and the opportunity we have as women to be purposeful, equipped, and poised for living wisely and godly lives. Click here for registration materials... Breakaway, our spring retreat at the beach, is planned for April 20th-22nd at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Registration continues through March 1st. Questions? Want to help us prepare? Contact Deb at 484.883.4458 or Louann at 610.431.0300x109. Registration begins January 15th. |
All women are invited to join us on February 25th, for Snowflake Cafe, a morning of spiritual inspiration, stimulating workshops, encouragement and friendship. This year's program of workshops has something for everyone... an ideal time to bring a friend. Workshops include topices on fitness, organization, women's health issues, intimacy in marriage, and relationships. For spiritual challenge... workshops on deepening your relationship with God, the daily Word, and inner beauty. DOWNLOAD a program for workshop details. Snowflake Cafe is from 9am-12noon. We will begin our morning with some special cafe, sparkling fruits and treats, and a few surprises. You can pick from two sessions of workshops and we will conclude our morning with personal sharing from Lynne Hutzel, who will share about her insights on navigating life's storms with strength from her relationship with God. We know this will be a special time! This is a FREE event, but please register to help us plan workshop space. Note some workshops have limited seating. Register in the main lobby or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Come and join us, and be warmed, in body, soul and spirit! |
A prayer for the new year, the gift of ourselves... Dear Lord, May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs. May we be strong and may we be gentle. May we sing songs of joy and talk down fear. May we shine like stars in a darkened generation. adapted from Lynn Hybels' Nice Girls Don't Change the World
"Look to the Lord and His STRENGTH; seek His face always..." 1 Chronicles 16:11 ~~~ Build STRENGTH with us in the study of God's Word - Women's Bible Study meets 3 different times each week: Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm and Wednesday & Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:15am [Kids Club available]. ALL women are welcome. CLICK HERE for more info...
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Thank you for your hard working hands and your heart works in service-- you have helped touch our community with God's love through your work and generous serving. For the past two weeks we have blanketed our community with hands on service in 16 different ministries and organizations. We have painted, packed lunches, made handmade baby blankets, shopped, wrapped, cooked, delivered, baked, decorated, wrapped gifts, hosted, prepped for parties, visited the infirmed, organized, repaired, and cleaned ... and more!
Serving together with you has been absolutely JOYFUL! May your Christmas be blessed with the joy that Christ has given us, that we shared together and extended to our community in His Precious Name... the name of Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!
Together we served: SAFE HARBOR - CHESTER COUNTY WOMEN'S SERVICES - SALVATION ARMY COATESVILLE - BIRTHRIGHT - REST MINISTRIES - CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK - WEST CHESTER FOOD CUPBOARD - BRIDGE OF HOPE - GOOD WORKS - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER - HOME OF THE SPARROW - YOUNG LIVES - YOUNG MOMS - SPANISH HEALTH MINISTRY - COUNTY CORRECTIONS GOSPEL MISSION - BRIDGE ACADEMY - THE PEACEMAKER CENTER - CAMP AT THE OLD MILL - CHESTER COUNTY YOUTH DETENTION CENTER “Whatever you did for one of the least of these...you did for me”. Matt 25:40 |
But Christmas from the Heart is not about us -- it's about them... the hungry, the elderly, the incarcerated, the broken, the battered, the poor and the homeless. It's about worshipping and glorifying our King, who said, "Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." -Matthew 25:40. ALL WOMEN are invited to serve with us. CLICK HERE to download a serving flyer, or email Louann Rodgers for last minute needs and/or instruction details. ======================== CLICK HERE to read the feature in the DAILY LOCAL
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"For the foundations of the earth are The Lord's..." God's had me on my knees recently. I've been searching Scripture for wisdom and I'm thankful for His truths. I'm thankful for His inspiration to have a heart of gratitude. Hannah's prayer to The Lord found in the early verses of 1 Samuel reflect an uncommon heart of gratitude....gratitude that brings a heart of joy -- an uncommon response to longing, adversity, grief, pain and loss. Gratitude brings us the unexpected perspective of God's grace. We know that God is at work in all things. But when we can give thanks for the things that make no sense to us, the things that hurt us most, then we are claiming our trust in God and the promises of His Word. It is not enough to pray through adversity, but to be grateful in it. Having uncommon gratitude brings us closer to the grace God intends for us. Stepping out in that trust is the faith that draws us near to God's heart...it is the blessing of obedient faith. Theologian Henri Nouwen says it this way, "Gratitude is more than a mere "thank you." It is a discipline to be practiced each day in a conscious way." The apostle Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Thessalonians, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (5:16-18) Gratitude frees us from bitterness and discontentment, lightens our perspective when life gets heavy, and brings peace to anxiety and a renewed sense of humility before God. The humble heart sees the blessings of God clearly, and longs to share them with others. Truly, gratitude helps us recognize more fully where we are... because of God's grace. For that, above all else, I'm most thankful. |
"We don't serve God to gain His acceptance. We are accepted, so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we love Him, and so we follow Him." Serving in the way God intended us to serve is an expression of His love in us. We become His hands and feet, our hearts surrendered to the needs of others because of Christs' love that pours through us. "I have given you an example to follow, do as I have done to you, Jesus said." Jn 13:15. Jesus had washed the feet of the disciples and knelt before his friends in service. Like that simple but profound example, we are sometimes called to humble positions. We are sometimes asked to wait when we want to rush... to sacrifice our time... to serve the difficult... to surrender our comfort, our resources, our earthly treasures. Am I willing to deny myself just a bit more than I really want to? Am I willing to surrender my ambitions and interests for the interests of God for others? Am I willing to incline myself to God's heartbeat? It's difficult to reconcile the gospel without the willingness to allow God's call on our lives. Saint Francis of Assisi said it this way, "Start doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." Isn't that really what we want? We pray that God will expand our borders and invite Him to interrupt our lives... we just don't expect Him to do it -- but when He does, it is unmistakable, and it demands a step of faith that is life changing. It's a step first made in a humble position, knees bent and perhaps a bit messy. That's a step we don't want to miss.
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Christmas from the Heart... bringing Christmas to our community with hands on care and service - is November 29th thru December 8th. Download a flyer of projects here. SIGN UP in the lobby or email Louann. |
This year we are focused, fortified, and fervently pursuing God through the study of His Word. We are building the strength of our spiritual core. "Look to the Lord and HIS STRENGTH; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11 We are digging deep into God's Word for wisdom, truth and direction for the circumstances we face every day. Join us for Bible study that will equip you for the climb of life. Share in small groups that will help hold you accountable and bring friendships and encouragement. One key to a deep friendship is time spent in long conversations. As the gospels show, this is the type of relationship Jesus had with his friends, the disciples. Jesus said, "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15. At the heart of such friendship is the communication of Truth. "Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." Proverbs 2:10 Join us friends... CLICK HERE for more information or email or call Louann Rodgers, 610.431.0300x109. |
REACHING HIGHER. Are you building your core for the climb? Join us as we DIG DEEP in the pages of God's Word to REACH HIGHER. We are building strength in our inner core... strength for the journey of life that often brings us unexpected interruptions -- strength for the times when we need to surrender to someone greater than ourselves. 1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us "Look to the Lord and his STRENGTH; seek His face always." SEEK HIS FACE. ALWAYS. Sounds easy - straightforward - clear. But life interrupts. Are you building your core for the climb? Join us in small group study that will bring to life God's Word for the STRENGTH we need in our every day lives. We have four study tracks to choose from:
We meet 3 times a week -- all studies are offered all three sessions:
ALL women are welcome to join us - childcare is available for our morning sessions. REGISTER TODAY - Study begins September 20-21-22. Have Questions? Contact Louann, 610.431.0300x109 or email. |
I'm convinced we have two choices every summer... give in to the heat and humidity and go at the season with vigor and sweat -- or hide from the heat any chance we can get. Air conditioning is a wonderful thing, but sometimes I fear it robs us of those moments of abandon which we can only find in summer. In summer I find my youth and creativity. A rule-follower by nature, I actually break some rules. I blast the music in my car at levels I've always said were inappropriate. I let dishes pile in the sink. We all stay up way too late and enjoy more ice cream and popcorn than is reasonable. We live in that part of our country where summer brings the inevitable humidity. I am reminded of Dr. Seuss's classic book "Summer". A one word title book packed with sweaty, summer word pictures... images of swings, sun, sand, softball and fire-flies... drippy ice cream cones, bicycles, heat, cloud drawn pictures in the sky and the slow, lingering time. As children we wiped away the humidity and ran faster. As adults, we properly adjust our activities and try to manage the balmy heat, keeping a 'dewy glow' without breaking into a sweat. One morning spent with my six year old nephew reminded me of just how proper I had become. What a spiritual picture for me! Does my spiritual energy pursue God with a wake up morning joy, honest curiosity and earnest pursuit that sometimes might take a tumble or even break out into a sweat? Am I just a bit too staid and appropriate? Are my journal notes ordered just so, and is my worship tentative? I want to push through the sweaty seasons of change... contentent, obedience, tough decision making, and prayerful waiting with a spiritual passion that is real, active and life changing. I want to be filled with God's purpose and assurance. A wise friend shared this priceless quote with me, "We should not arrive at death's door all prim and proper in a pretty and well-preserved body. Instead we ought to arrive breathlessly, skidding broadside through the pearly gates, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW! What a ride!" [source: "Laughter from Heaven" by Barbara Johnson]
So let's pursue God daily at an earnest pace. Let's move from our comfortable places and ask God to use us for His purpose each and every day. Let's look with wide childlike eyes at the things around us and listen with ears willing to hear correction, direction and truth --- and respond with obedience, wise discernment and surrender. Let's break a sweat. "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." [Psalm 145:18]
~~~~~~ Plan to join us for women's Bible Study, beginning September 20-21-22 Join us as we seek wisdom and pursue God at an earnest pace. ALL women are welcome. |
Do you ever feel like asking God some tough questions? Do you wonder if God notices the struggles in your life? Want to get up some courage? Join us for our Spring Study, a teaching study by Angela Thomas, "Brave" where the questions we all wonder are actually asked. Angela Thomas is an author, Bible teacher, graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, national speaker and encourager. She understands a woman’s heart and offers God’s path to freedom—God's truth in a world desperatly seeking divine direction. Each study session will explore two brave questions.
"We all pretend for a while or for a lifetime. But pretending is not living…I believe that God meant for life to take our breath away, sometimes because of the sheer joy of it all and sometimes because of the severe pain. To choose living over pretending means that we will know both." ~~~ With this study there will be NO HOMEWORK and the study is FREE [including limited childcare!]. But we do need you to REGISTER so we can plan seating. The format will be informal, but your heart will be stirred! Bring a friend and be brave. ~~~ Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm, May 10, 17 & 24 Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:15am, May 12, 19, & 26 ~~~ |
Spring arrived today quietly, with sunshine and a still morning. Winter was long, icy and wet this year… interrupting us with schedule changes, school cancellations, and icy wet winds that kept us indoors.
Spring brings such a refreshment in the air - you can smell it and you can feel it. Spring is a precious, spectacular time filled with bold colors, vibrant winds, and amazing growth. Springtime moves us because the whole earth becomes alive with a display of creation that overwhelms us with beauty and the unmistable hand of creation. Spring awakens in us a new vision of hope and renewal. I pray your spirits are feeling that same refreshment as we listen for God's stirring each day, with a willing heart ready for growth. Pondering and praying about this new season brings some excitement too ... anticipation for all God is doing and what He will continue to do! "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." - Zechariah 10:1 "The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other." - unknown author "That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy writ. And seeing gardens in the Spring I well can credit it." - Winifred Mary Letts "And you will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." - Isaiah 58:11b 
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 The business of a new year is upon us...remember to allow for time to replenish yourself and be with friends. A gathering of girlfriends can be just what you need when your schedule gets hectic, and a fun theme for that gathering makes it even better. We have a new schedule for Girls Night Out for 2009 packed with themes ranging from marriage to tasty food sampling. I'm especially excited about the Girls Night Out we have planned on January 28th…Wisdom for Marriage. It's the perfect time of year to focus on our husbands - Valentine's Day is next month - and the panel of women coming to speak with us bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Each of the women have a specific situation in their marriage that they are so gracious to share with us. One of these situations may be something that you are facing in your marriage. Come and hear what these wise women have to say. It should be a very special evening. If you've never been to a Girls Night Out before, it is an informal gathering of women who meet a someone's home for connection and friendship. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to RSVP. Feel free to bring a friend or two or three! Next month, we will be discussing The Shack by William P. Young. Join us for our Winter Book Club on February 25th. I hope to see you at Girls Night Out. If you have questions, comments or ideas for a future Girls Night Out, call me at 610.518.3852 or click to email. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up…though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 |
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Events
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Are you feeling 'winter'... Need a break? Want to be encouraged and find a refreshment?
I have said several times this week it has been crazy busy, a bit exhausting, but joyfully so! You have shared generously, compassionately, and incredibly joyfully... in the words of a staff manager at one organization we served this week, "You have met unmet needs... this has been an answer to prayer
Christmas from the heart begins this week... and for the next two weeks, hundreds of us going into the community to serve side by side 16 different ministries and organizations... painting, cleaning, cooking, baking, serving, organizing, wrapping, stocking, shopping, and more. Many hands and hearts working to extend God's love to our community. With such a broad number of different needs to fill, there is something for every one of us.
I guess I really do want to sweat.
A new season begs for movement. Sunshine days draw us into God's beautiful creation, a beckoning that rewards us with color, aromas, and reminders of life.