September 2009

Fall Kickoff

Sunday, September 13

• Byron & Brenda Burns will be here to sing a mini-concert for us!
• We’ll have a BBQ lunch (tri-tip and veggie burgers) in our Social Hall & Patio after the service.
• Salads, Chips & Dips, Desserts—potluck
• $3 per adult to cover BBQ
• Raffle: gift cards from Famous Dave’s BBQ , Golden Spoon Yogurt and Barnes & Nobles.

Everyone is welcome—invite a friend. This will be a great morning!

From the Pastor

Hello CCH Family!

Can you believe it? Summer is gone and the fall season is here!! As we head into September I hope you’re planning on being here for our Fall Kickoff Sunday, on September 13! Byron Burns is our special guest and he’ll be performing a mini-concert during the worship service. Byron is one of the best vocalists I’ve ever heard and he will inspire you and bring encouragement to your walk with God.

In addition, I’ll be starting a new sermon series entitled…”Survivor: How to Survive Life’s Challenges!” Here are some of the topics I’ll be teaching on…

September 13 Survivor: Outwit, Outlast, Outplay

September 20 Surviving an Economic Crisis

September 27 Surviving Tragedy and Heartache

October 4 Surviving a Tolerant Culture

October 11 Surviving My Schedule

October 18 Surviving the Stress of My Job

October 25 Surviving Failures in Life

These are difficult times that we’re living in and sometimes it’s tough enough to just keep going day to day. Each Sunday I’ll give you some practical tools to not only survive but overcome the challenges that come your way.

I hope to see each and every one of you in God’s house on Sunday! And remember…”Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith…” Colossians 2:6

I love you all,

Pastor Dave

Thank You

Dear CCH Family,

I want to thank all of you for the kind words that were both said to me and written on the thank you card that I received last Sunday at the end of the worship service. It was certainly uplifting to read what each of you wrote on the card and I feel lucky to have such a loving congregation. Thank you again for expressing your love and appreciation to me - I consider it a privilege to be your Pastor!!

I love you all,

Pastor Dave

Kids News

September is here! It is hard to believe. This year is flying by. And, now everyone is back school and getting ready for fall (and for this heat to be over).

With fall quickly approaching, we will be having our Fall Kick-Off on Sunday, September 13^th. I want every kid to invite one of their friends to church that day. Since, we will have Byron Burns performing that day the kids will get to stay in the service and watch. We will also see one of our very own kids get baptized in the service! We will be having a BBQ after the church service with lots of awesome food and DESSERTS! It will be a lot of fun. And, don’t forget the raffle!

Also, just a reminder… let’s not forget to be at church early every week. It really does make a big difference in the Sunday School and Preschool classes. Let's keep it up and invite friends! Every week the kids receive stickers for attendance, memorizing verses and winning games. When the kids receive all their stickers they get to go to lunch after church!

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 seven Commandments. The kids have been doing a great job with this series and learning their memory verses.

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 and that way you can keep up with what they are learning in Sunday School.

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 is enjoys the rest of their summer! Have fun and stay safe!

Youth News

On Sunday, Sept 27th, Chris will meet with the Young adults group (11th grade to college) at Barnes and Noble (in Westlake) at 7pm for discussion and fellowship on contemporary and personal issues.

On Sunday, September 6th Chris will be finishing up the "Memorize a scripture

per week" and begin a new series on September 13th entitled "God's Purpose For My Life".

New Bible Study

Every other Tuesday, starting Tuesday, Sept. 15th, Chris will be leading a new, fun type of Bible study called "The TV Dinner Ministry". For the first evening you may bring your own meal and eat while we watch one 30 minute TV show (Could be a drama, could be a comedy, could be a reality show). Afterwards we will discuss the Biblical implications of the show and how it relates to our lives and the lives of others. This night's episode is an episode of "I Love Lucy" entitled "Job Switching" where Ricky and Fred become the homemakers and Lucy and Ethel go to work at a candy factory. You may ask "How does the Bible fit into this, Chris?" to which I say, "Come and find out!". 7 p.m.-8:10 p.m.

Volunteers Needed

1. We NEED singers and musicians for our Worship Team. Too many of you think you have terrible voices or aren't very good at an instrument....and you're probably right (just kidding!)...but this is not about how good you are and more about how willing you are!! Many of us think the only miracles God can do are grand ones like walking on water or turning water into wine.....when maybe there are little ones than can turn an okay voice into a great one! Put another way - if God can change the heart of the Apostle Paul....isn't He capable of something easier like changing a voice? Are you willing to step out in faith and try it at least once? Call Chris......818-917-3289. He is waiting for your call.
2. Also needed are Kids Sunday School Teachers —We can always use more rotating volunteers to teach about once a month in the kid’s class (grades K-5). I will train you and step you through the lesson format and be here to help! Please see me, Amber.
   
3. Can you prepare the communion trays (and clean up after the service) one Sunday per month? We recently had an opening on the 4th Sunday of the month. The job is not difficult, with training you will feel confident the first week. Many hands make light work! Please see Lori or MaryAnn.

Mission Update

• 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! This month we’re asking everyone to write her a note. There will be note pages in your Sunday bulletin. Please take a few minutes to share with Jeanne.
• Pins & Needles: our next meeting will be Thursday, September 24th when we will come up with a new project to begin in January. We will take a break for the next few months for the holidays. Please bring in finished baby blankets by September 13th.
• Manna Food Collection—4th Sunday of each month. Next collection will be Sunday, September 27.

Watch soon for some great outreaches being planned.

Baptism Sunday

We have one baptism scheduled for Sunday, September 13th (Fall Kickoff). We’d love to schedule more. If you have been considering being baptized, please call the church office, or let Pastor Dave or Chris know on Sunday and we’ll meet with you and plan for that.

It’s also a great day to place membership and start our Fall Kickoff with a blessing!

Prayer Chain

Dale R. — doing pretty well right now and gained back some weight.

Lorretta H. asks us to pray for a friend, Marilyn who has cancer.

Wes P.— pray for Wes as he starts a new chapter of life going to college and living away from home.

Jaime & Will H. — pray for a safe and easy transition to school in Washington for Jaime. They move early in September. And just found out she’s pregnant!

Several members of our church have family that is either out of work or has very light work. Pray the God will provide.

Jenna P. will be baptized on September 13th.

Nancy O. is our Prayer Chain coordinator. Please be sure to let her know of any updates and prayer needs at 706-2124.

Cindy Leese R. On Tuesday, September 8, Cindy was induced to delivery her first baby (a girl). Samantha Penny R. was born late in the evening and weighed in at 7lb. 2oz. Everyone is doing well. Grandma Judy says Samantha has red hair!

Congratulations to Cindy and Brian and the Leese family.

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!

September Birthdays

1—Dave F.

6—Melanie P.

Anniversaries

8—Rob & Kathy P.

15—Bill & Darlene H.

25—Bill & Kay D.

Congratulations everyone!

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!

Some Funnies

My grandson was visiting one day when he asked , "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?"

I mentally polished my halo, while I asked, "No, how are we alike?"

"You're both old," he replied.

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A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible.

Then, one day, she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus?

The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"