August 2009
Fall Kickoff
- Sunday, September 13
- Byron Burns will be here to sing for us!
- We’ll have a BBQ lunch in our Social Hall & Patio after the service.
- Everyone is welcome—invite a friend.
From the Pastor
Hello CCH Family!
One of the most difficult things for any individual or family to do is to visit a church. It can be a daunting, intimidating and uncomfortable task. Those who do come to visit our church, or any church for the first time, should be applauded for their courage to visit a place filled with strangers and attend a program that they don’t know anything about!
The reason I bring this up is that just about every week we have individuals visiting our church. They have decided to take the bold step to be a guest at our church and see what we’re all about. It’s a courageous effort! However, maybe we can make this difficult step a little easier, a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable!!
How can you help? What can you do to help someone’s initial visit be a positive one? Here are some proactive steps you can take to help make a visitor feel welcome…
- Even before the worship service starts, if you see a visitor sitting by themselves (visitors usually come early and sit alone) take the initiative to go over and introduce yourself to them. You don’t need to overwhelm them - you can simply introduce yourself and thank them for visiting the church.
- During most worship services there is a greeting time or a time to shake hands with those around you. Make sure you take the time to walk over and greet a newcomer. Don’t just greet those you’re comfortable with…make the effort to greet those you don’t know.
- After the worship service is over, make an effort again to talk to someone who is new to the church rather than just a small circle of friends. Thank them for coming and invite them to come back and visit again.
- Invite a visitor to get a cup of coffee at the refreshments table. You might respond to this by saying, “I wouldn’t know what to talk about!” Here are some questions I like to ask people when meeting them for the first time…
- Have you visited our church before?
- How did you find out about CCH? Do you live in the area?
- Is there any question I can answer for you about our church?
- And if they are open to your conversation you can ask, what do you do for a living? What’s your occupation?
- Share a little bit about yourself with that person.
- Let them get to know you a little bit so that next time they visit they feel they are familiar with someone at the church.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Dave!!
PATHFINDERS by Amber George:
August is already here. Which means summer is almost over and school is starting soon! It went by so fast.
First, I want to say thanks to everyone for committing to be at church every week and to get there early. It has already made a big difference in the Sunday School and Preschool classes. We had twelve kids in the Children's Ministry classes last week and eleven the week before! Let's keep it up and invite friends!
The Pathfinders are continuing their curriculum series called “The Bible Tells Me So”. We have been learning about the Ten Commandments and have already looked at the first three Commandments. This month we will be learning mom's and dad's favorite Commandment, “Honor your Mother and Father” -- among others.
Also, the kids will still be working on their own workbooks in class each week in Sunday School and will be taking home a “Disciple Guide” weekly. I encourage you to help your kids go over this; that way you can keep up with what they are learning in Sunday School.
Also, an announcement for parents of preschool children: Please remember to sign in your kids before class and leave any special instructions on the sign in sheet. You can do this before the church service begins so you don’t have to leave when the sermon begins.
Lastly, if anyone is interested in helping teach Sunday School once a month in the Pathfinders class we would love to have you! We still need some volunteers. Please let Amber know if you are interested and we will get you started right away!
I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer! Have fun and stay safe!
YOUTH: by Chris Miuccio
- Chris will be having another 12th Grade- College age group gathering on Sunday, August 16th from 7-8:30-ish at Barnes and Noble in Westlake to discuss current events, prayer requests and life challenges. Bring a friend. Very casual atmosphere.
- August Sunday studies will be "Scripture Memorization Month"
See you there!!
Missions
Backpacks for kids -- Everything is going well with the backpack outreach. We have all the supplies pledged to be brought in.
Please have all items here no later than Wednesday, August 12 so that we can be sure all the supplies are purchased. We will then be able to get last minute items if needed.
Help is needed filling the backpacks on Sunday, August 16 after the service. We’ll meet in the social hall.
Mission Team Meeting: The next mission team meeting is this Sunday, August 9 after the service.
World Vision Adopt-a-child — “Jeanne” is our adopted little girl from Rwanda (6 years old). There is a picture of her in the lobby along with a box for the money and letters. $1 per person per month will help fund Jeanne’s care. Letters to Jeanne are appreciated too!
Pins & Needles: our next meeting will be Thursday, August 27th.
Manna Food Collection - This outreach continues on the 4th Sunday of every month. The tub will be out in the lobby again on August 23rd. The pantry is low so anything is helpful, but the following are especially needed:
- soups,
- canned fruit, beans and chili;
- macaroni and cheese,
- peanut butter,
- sugar,
- and cooking oil.
After the passing of Skip H. in July, Marcia sent a note to CCH that reads: Bless each and everyone that has prayed, cried and upheld us during this difficult time. The flowers graced the service and were also used for the graveside. I hope all of you will pray for our church. Our sympathy goes out to the entire family.
Dale R. — continued prayer for his lung disease—and Dee is battling pneumonia.
Darlene H.’s mom, Anita’s health is poor.
Jane M.’s sister’s friend, Diane had surgery for pressure sores and is recovering. Pray for healing of her paralysis.
Emily—15 year old daughter of pastor Dave’s good friend has a mass on her brain stem and is undergoing tests.
Lissa—one month old daughter of Adam G.’s friends is not thriving, still around 5 lbs. She also needs heart surgery in the fall.
Daughter of Dave & Judy--Cindy's friends lost their home in a recent fire.
Nancy O. is our Prayer Chain coordinator. Please be sure to let her know of any updates and prayer needs.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
If we have your birthday or anniversary on record—we are listing those who celebrate this month. Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary to you!
If we don’t show you here, please drop an email with your dates—or better still go on line www.cchagoura.com/groups and fill out a survey form - we’d love to have that on file!
August Birthdays
- 14—B. Thomas
- 10—J. Hanna
- 14 — W.Patton
- 26 — D. Hanna
- 26—R. Thomas
- 8—Cossentines (40 years!!)
- 23 — A. & A. George
Lifeline Screening
2 weeks out from screening date—August 12 at Christian Church of the Hills in Agoura.
Have you suffered a broken bone in your hip or spine? Do you feel as if you are getting shorter? If you answer "yes" to either of these questions, you may want to consider being screened for the risk of osteoporosis. We are pleased to offer a Life Line Screening preventive health event that can be used to detect just such a risk. Life Line Screening uses a quantitative ultrasound bone densitometer, using the heel as a measurement site, to assess one's risk of osteoporosis. This screening compares your bone density to that of the average 20-year-old adult female, according to World Health Organization guidelines. The osteoporosis screening is not only for women. Of the 10 million Americans who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, 2 million are men.
The screening will take place on August 12, 2009. Your Health is in Your Hands, so call 1-888-653-6441, or visit www.lifelinescreening.com, for more information or to pre-register.
Pick up a pink flyer in the lobby for a list of tests Lifeline performs.
Holy Humor – signs outside churches…
- There was a Church that had problems with outsiders parking in its parking lots, so they put up a sign: CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY trespassers will be baptized!
- Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!
- People are like tea bags - you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are.
- Fight truth decay - study the Bible daily.
- Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives
- Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this World.
- It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin.
- This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing? ---------(U R)
- In the dark? Follow the Son.
- If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd
Labels: Byron Burns, Fall kickoff, Youth Group, Youth Group; Kids; Adult Bible Study; Missions
