October 2009 Newsletter

Picnic at Malibou Lake Park

On Sunday, October 11th, right after the worship service, we will hold a potluck picnic at the lake. Thanks to Loretta Hicks who lives nearby, we are able to hold our picnic at this great private park. We will have games, hamburgers, beverages and paper goods. We need you to bring the food and lawn chairs!

Here is a link to their website for directions (there will be printed ones at church as well)… http://www.maliboulake.com/contact/directions.html.

Please sign up in the lobby at church so we know how many people to expect.


From the Pastor

It seems to me that this is a time in our nation when so many people are experiencing tough times. That might include relational problems, career problems, family problems or especially, financial problems. As Christians, we are not immune to these trials and problems.

In order to help deal with the struggles you face, the Bible constantly teaches us to ask ourselves the following question…”What is it God that you are trying to teach me or what is it you are trying to change in my life?” If we can manage to ask that question, some positive results might come out of the negative circumstances we find ourselves in. That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote…
Rom. 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us…

Someonce once said…”God's purpose is always greater than your problems”. No matter what you're going through right now, try to ask yourself “How can God use this problem to bring about His purpose in my life?” Here are four ways he might be accomplishing that…

1. God is using this problem to direct me and teach me.
2. God is using this problem inspect me or test my faith and character.
3. God is using this problem to correct me and mold into a better person.
4. God is using this problem to protect me from future harm.

So if you’re struggling right now with some serious problems and not sure how you’ll make it through, remember that God is present and can use this situation to bring about His purpose in your life.

May you stand strong and firm despite life’s challenges as you walk the path of life with your Lord and Savior!

In His Great Love,
Pastor Dave


Multi-ministry Updates: Chris Miuccio

Tuesday, October 6th will be our next TV Dinner Ministry! We will be watching an episode of The Simpsons in which Homer decides he doesn't want to go to church. We will discuss biblical insights that arise in the various parts of the episode. Bring your own dinner, snack, dessert or just coffee and we'll eat while we watch and then discuss afterwards. 6:30pm-7:45pm.
October 20th will be 2nd study in October and we will watch an episode of The Twilight Zone.


Sunday, October 18th, a representative from Joni and Friends will give a presentation how our Church can do it's part in helping the disabled. Our church building is already built with the disabled in mind and we have hopes of getting interested and consistent volunteers to begin a disabled ministry here at CCH.


Sunday, October 25th will be the next 12th Grade/College age get together at Barnes and Noble in Westlake at 7pm. We will talk about many things but focus on plans for the future!


Kids and Youth: Amber George

Fall has finally arrived! October is here and it is getting close to Halloween! As most of you know, CCH has the annual Halloween Carnival at the end of October. This year is going to be a little different. Instead of having our carnival on a Saturday night, we are going to have our Halloween Carnival/ Party on Sunday morning during Sunday School. It will take place on Sunday, October 25th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Preschoolers, kids and youth will NOT go into the worship that morning. They can come straight to the youth room at the start on the service to begin our Halloween Party!

There will be games, treats, a movie and food. Pizza will be served after the worship service at 11:30 a.m. Parents are welcome to come in after church to hang out with their kids and have some pizza. We would love to have you join us.

This a perfect event to invite friends to. So, invite as many people as you want. We will have flyers to hand out to friends. Also, don't forget to wear your costume! We will be having our annual Costume Contest, so dress your best!

VERY IMPORTANT: ABSOLUTELY NO SCARY OR GHOULISH COSTUMES WILL BE ALLOWED AT CHURCH! We will ask you to change into regular clothes if your costume is inappropriate. Parents, please make sure costumes are suitable for Sunday morning.

The Pathfinders will be finishing the series called “The Bible Tells Me So” this month. We have been learning about the Ten Commandments and have already looked at the first nine 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 to keep up with what they are learning.

Lastly, if anyone is interested in helping teach Sunday School once a month in the Pathfinders class or Preschool we would love to have you! We still need volunteers. Please let Amber know if you are interested and we will get you started right away!

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!

Everyone have a great October and a happy, safe Halloween!


200th Anniversary of the Restoration Movement
Christian Churches, Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ all have their roots in Thomas Campbell’s “Declaration and Address” in 1809, a statement and call to Christian love that echoes with great hope for today.

In celebration of our heritage and unity, Pepperdine University is holding a “Great Communion” on Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 in the Elkins Auditorium.


Missions

1. Halloween Bake Sale—please bring a few extra dollars and help support the sale by purchasing baked goods on Sunday, October 4. The money will go to help Angeles Crest Camp—there is much to be done after the fire raged through the mountain. (We will not hold a ACCC cleanup day just yet, the roads are still closed until November sometime—or later. The camp was spared from the actual fire, but they have no income except insurance money, and donations. )
2. World Vision Adopt-a-child — “Jeanne” is our adopted little girl from Rwanda (7 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.
3. Pins & Needles: We will be on break for the remainder of this year. But please keep creating. We thought making scarves to be handed in on January 28th could go to local shelters for the homeless. After that, perhaps a granny square afghan to raffle off or donate.
4. Manna Food Collection—4th Sunday of each month. Next collection will be Sunday, October 25.

Thanksgiving Dinner

We are hoping to deliver Thanksgiving groceries to at least five families. What we’d like from you are names of families in our area that we can lend a hand to this Thanksgiving. It may even be your own family! There will be inserts in the Sunday bulletin where you can fill out the name of a family (and address) so we consider them for this outreach. In November we’ll hold a drive for food and grocery gift cards. Watch for the list to be published of what items to bring in.


Baptisms

Jenna P. was baptized on our Fall Kickoff Sunday. We are so happy for the decision Jenna has made to serve the Lord with all her heart!

This Sunday Rose T. will be baptized.



Adult Bible Studies: Sunday mornings at 8:45 with Randy O. teaching—Ephesians. Monday mornings at 10:30 with Kathy N. teaching — Ephesians. Tuesday evening at 6:30 (1st & 3rd weeks) with Chris M. teaching lessons from TV episodes. Wednesday evenings at 7:00 with Pastor Dave teaching — Hebrews.
Kids & Youth on Sunday mornings!into the Word and study on a daily basis at home.


Study Guides

The next quarter’s study guide booklets are in. Encounters with God is a helpful tool to get you The daily studies in Old and New Testament books take about 15 minutes.

There are five study guides, first come first serve. And the cost to CCH is $3 per booklet. There is a donation box out if you can help toward that expense.


Prayer Chain

• Dale R. — doing pretty well right now.
• Lorretta H. asks us to pray for a friend, Marilyn who has cancer.
• Several members of our church have family that is either out of work or has very light work. Pray the God will provide.
• Fran F. — doing much better after the flu and sinus infection.
• Rose T. — general welfare of her daughter-in-law.
• John .— Dave G.’s brother. Continue prayer for cancerous tumor removed successfully from bladder. Unknown prognosis at time of printing.
• Nancy O. is our Prayer Chain coordinator. Please be sure to let her know of any updates and prayer needs.

Volunteers Needed

There are areas of service available for those wishing to be involved more here at CCH. For more information on any of these, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of the staff.

1. We need singers and musicians for our Worship Team.
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).
3. Can you prepare the communion trays (and clean up) one Sunday per month?

Senior Living

Charlie, who attended here regularly a few years ago, has opened a Christian Senior Living house in the Valley. She has job opportunities and openings for seniors. If you are interested, please visit: http://web.mac.com/shilohchateu.com/Site/Home.html


Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary to everyone who celebrates this month. If we have your birthday or anniversary on record they are listed below:

October Birthdays
20—Doug S.
25—Dave C.

Anniversaries
3—Dave & Dani C.
8—Blake & Janet S.

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!


Backpack Outreach

On behalf of Sumac Elementary School, I want to thank you for your generous donation of numerous backpacks and school supplies to be used for many of our students in need.

Thank you for choosing Sumac Elementary School. Your contribution is appreciated.

Sincerely,
Carol Martino, Principal


Women of Faith

This year 12 ladies enjoyed some great speakers, music, special singers and more at the Women of Faith conference. It was uplifting, moving, and the music was great. We laughed ‘til our sides ached at Anita Renfroe!

Several ladies have purchased tickets in advance for 2010 in order to get seats in the lower areas. We don’t know yet where those seats will be, but Amy Fechner bought 7 extra tickets.

If you know you will be interested in attending next fall, please talk to Amy. She would love to have you purchase one of the seven seats now.

The cost is $79. Please see Amy to be sure there are no added fees.