CCOG Newsletter
Weekly Updates
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Reflections from Pastor Jennifer
For those who are in the midst of grief, we are praying for you. If you are grieving a loss, the death of a dream, the unbelief of a loved one, or whatever it may be, please know that you are not alone. Your mourning touches the heart of God. Our Good Father rushes to us when we cry. Yet, He does not rush us to grieve quicker. Instead, He sits down with us in the ashes and holds us while we cry.
OCC
For the month of April, we need shower items. These include things like soap, loofahs, and wash cloths. Also, shipping costs and shoe boxes are helpful. Remember, no glass or liquids are allowed.
April Focus
Our monthly focus is Rain Down Blessings. One way we will do this is by contributing to Watchmen of the Streets. If you would like to join us in ministering to our homeless neighbors, meet at the church this Tuesday, April 16, in time to leave by 5.
Revival
This weekend, April 19 and 20, Grace Community church is hosting revival. Great preaching and worship to be expected!
Prayer
Thursday, May 2 is National Day of Prayer. Prior to this day, you will receive a list of prayer requests. Your challenge is to take some time that day to lift your church family in prayer. Also, you are invited to join a prayer meeting at 10am on May 2. Please let me know if you would like to attend.
Mother's Day
To celebrate mothers this year, join us for a ladies game event. Bring your moms, daughters, or any special ladies in your life. Would Friday, May 3, Friday May 10, or Saturday, May 11 would work better for you? The date will be determined by what works for the most people.
HoCo 2024
Counting the Cost
Whether we realize it or not, we make our decisions every day based primarily upon one core and foundational decision: Who we have decided to follow. Will we choose to follow Jesus? Or will we follow self?
Each of us must count the cost of the decision to follow Jesus. What will it mean for us to really follow Him? Are we willing to lose everything if necessary? Are we willing to leave everything? Will we follow Jesus no matter the cost? Every day, all throughout the day, we will be tested on this decision. Who will be first? Will it be Christ or will it be self?
Jesus says plainly and boldly that we must pick up our cross if we want to follow Him. We must choose Him over our closest relationships, over our possessions, and even over our own lives. There is not a lot of wiggle room here. Either we are willing to leave everything renouncing all that we hold dear and pick up our cross and follow Him ... or we are not.
How can anyone really do this? Doesn't it seem utterly impossible? Yes, because it is. We are incapable of doing the impossible and doing it with the right heart motives. But nothing is impossible with God. In truth none of us can follow Jesus without His Spirit helping us and leading us from the inside out. If it is your heart to be a true disciple of Jesus, I encourage you to ask Him right now for His amazing grace to help you assess the cost and His amazing grace to grant you not only the desire and the willingness to pay the cost but the ability to actually do it. Leave everything He is calling you to leave. Count it all as nothing in order to follow Him.
PRAYER
Lord, you know how difficult, uncomfortable, and frightening it is for me to think about what I might need to change in my life or things that I might need to give up in order to follow Jesus fully. Please deal gently with your servant as you lead me down the road of true discipleship. Please work in my heart what I am unable to work in my heart myself–an undying and unwavering allegiance to your Son alone.
In Jesus' name, I pray,
Amen