December 2009

Christmas services
The best thing about Christmas is Jesus Christ! Pastor Dave’s new sermon series is entitled “GETTING TO KNOW THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS!" We’re using the four weeks during the Christmas season getting to know more about Jesus! The series is based out of the Old Testament and helps us to see Jesus Christ Jesus in a unique way. Here is the schedule of sermons…

• November 29 - Jesus: The Wonderful Counselor
• December 6 - Jesus: Our Mighty God
• December 13 - Jesus: The Everlasting Father
• December 20 - Jesus: The Prince of Peace

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
on December 24th, from 5:00—6:00 p.m. This is a warm family service with Christmas carols, the story of the birth of Christ, communion, and candle lighting to “Silent Night”.
A wonderful way to begin celebrating Christmas!


Final Edition by Lori George
This is the final edition of the “Good News” newsletter. The decision to close the church came after two years of deliberation by our elders. We did not want to become an “adult” only church and our children and youth departments have shrunk over the past few years so that we felt it was a good time to consider our options. One of the steps in those considerations was to approach a local church (Westlake Lutheran Church) to see if there was interest in purchasing our building. They immediately replied that they were very interested. We are currently in escrow with that church.

CCH has been a church of love and caring for 30 years. Our mission at CCH is to see lives changed by bringing unbelievers to Christ and encouraging believers to become like Christ. This mission statement has been faithfully put into practice. We have received so many kind comments from past and present members as to the ministry of our church and how it has blessed each of you. Thank you for that. And we certainly enjoyed seeing over 200 of you here in March to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

Professions of faith and baptisms have continued regularly – most recently with Rose Topliss and Jenna Prieger. Amanda Miuccio is planning on being baptized on December 27th. Amanda wanted to be baptized in the church she grew up in. Please let us know if you would like to be baptized on that day as well.

Teaching the Word and living it in our daily lives has been our main focus – and you are proof of the fruit of our labors. God is faithful and will lead us all to find other churches in the area where we can worship and serve and continue to grow in our love of the Lord. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)

In the past two years we have had a mission outreach campaign in place, Go M.A.D. (make a difference), where we have reached out to many local charities and organizations. To date we have touched 22 groups either on a regular basis, monthly, or once-a-year. The response has been so gracious and rewarding. Jeanne, our World Vision child, will continue to be supported by one of our own members. We have funds in reserve that will carry her through June 2010.

Our last service is scheduled for Sunday, December 27, 2009. We will have an open mic for sharing what CCH has meant to you in your walk with the Lord. We will provide a list of sister churches and their contact information at this service; as well as a church directory. After the service there will be a catered lunch and lots of time to share and care for each other! If you plan to attend, please let us know so that we have enough food ordered for everyone. There is a signup sheet in the church lobby, or you may email or phone to R.S.V.P. We welcome all current and past CCH friends and family.
It’s been a wonderful 30+ years. God bless you all.


From the Pastor
Dear CCH Family,
As the thirty year chapter of Christian Church of the Hills comes to a close, I want to thank all of you who have been a part of this church family. It has been a privilege to be your pastor and share in your journey of following Jesus Christ. Although there is some sadness in the parting of ways, there is also an excitement of what is to come. I know that our Father in heaven has a great plan for each one of you as I believe He has for me and my family.

Though it is difficult to find a new church family, I am reminded of the phrase, “Home is where you hang your hat.” I am convinced that wherever you end up, there is another church that over time will become your church family.

Remember to love God with all your heart, share God’s love with everyone, and walk in the warmth of His grace. May the love of Christ be with you all.

Have a very Merry Christmas.
Pastor Dave Crouse


Christmas Greetings to all!

I've been a member of CCH since 1995, an Elder since 2006 and a staff member since 2007. I’ve been most blessed by the sincere effort by each person here to be more like Jesus....and isn't that the environment a Church is supposed to provide?

Some may interpret a scripture differently, some may place form above content, some may have wonderful social skills and some may not...but ALL have brought who we are in Christ, so that HE can make a quenching lemonade from us sinful and broken lemons!

It is sad we have to close our doors and will not experience the community we have so become accustomed to, but equally exciting is the road the Lord has ahead for each one of us. I know God is holding each of our hands and leading us to where He would have us go, not for our physical or social comfort.....but for our spiritual growth.

I treasure my years here...the friendships made, the bonds established and all the acquaintances. I've been blessed to watch others grow in the Lord and do and say things that would not have been possible but by the grace of God! The Father, the Son and Holy Spirit dwelt here and I felt them, tangibly, expressed by our Staff, Elders and beloved congregation.

Well, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it's been wonderful to stand alongside you worshiping and praying together. I'll always be available for phone calls, meetings, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts and any other consumables you care to throw my way! Call me - let's maintain our fellowship, okay? God is good and the future in Him is bright and shining like the stars in the universe!

Love and prayers, Chris


Kids Korner by Amber George
It is finally December! Time to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus and also celebrate Christian Church of the Hills. Just two quick announcements for the month of December.

First, on Sunday, December 20th the kids will be having a joint Christmas Party with the Youth Group. All kids will attend the beginning of the worship service like normal, then will be dismissed to the youth room for some fun and games and holiday cheer! Feel free to invite your friends to our last kid’s party!

Second, on Sunday, December 27th (our last service) all children will be staying in the worship service. There will be no classes on that Sunday. Younger children and parents are more than welcome to use the wiggle room at any time. This will be a family service and everyone is welcome.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all my volunteers, teachers, those who have donated and participated in the Children’s Ministry! There are so many of you that it is impossible to name you all in this newsletter, but you know who you are. You all hold a special place in my heart and have made this Children’s Ministry even better over the years. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to the kids. It has meant more to them than you know.

Lastly, to all the kids I have seen grow up over the last six years… I have been so blessed to have you in my life and to be a part of yours. You all mean the world to me and I will miss you so much. It has been amazing seeing you guys grow over the last six years and now, some of you are even in high school! I have had so much fun teaching you over the years, learning about your interests and hobbies, having supper club on Wednesday nights, going to summer and winter camps with you and driving to tons of special events. I have so many wonderful memories with all of you that I will never forget. I pray constantly that you will continue to grow in Christ and always lean on Him whenever you need someone.

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
– 1st Timothy 4:12

I love you all so much! Thank you for everything! God Bless You and Merry Christmas!


Ladies Christmas Party & Dessert
Saturday, December 19 at 11:00 a.m.
This will be a great morning at Lela Adams’ beautiful home on Lake Sherwood. All ladies are invited.

We will have a luncheon and then bring out the cookies for dessert. If you have a Christmas cookie you’d like to share, please bring a plate with you!

Directions are available at the sign up sheet in the lobby at the church.


Missions/Outreach
Angel Tree Gifts — Adopt a child’s wish list for Christmas and buy them some gifts off the list which are out on the table in the lobby (5 names left). Sign the sheet and let us know which child’s list you took. The gifts from the new lists need to be here December 20th. All others (prior to these 5 names) need to be here by the 6th!!

Manna Food Collection—Last collection will be December 27.

Feeding the Homeless
It has been arranged for us to help at the New Years Eve meal at Emmanuel Presbyterian church in Thousand Oaks (Lynn Rd. and Camino Manzanas) from 6—7:30 p.m. The organization is through Lutheran Social Services and rotates churches from November through March, 7 days a week providing a meal, overnight and lunches for the next day. We will need people to help serve and we’ll need donations to cover the chicken we provide to feed 50 people ($160 — El Pollo Loco). There is a donation box and signup sheet in the lobby. This would be a nice way to end the year. . See Judy Leese for more information.


Pastor Dave’s Messages on Memory Stick
The messages since March 25, 2007 are all on our www.cchagoura.com website where you can listen for free, or download them; but we are offering a memory stick for $20 with all of the messages on it. The money needs to be paid by December 20th, and we will create the memory sticks to be available on our last Sunday. There is a signup sheet in the lobby.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
December Birthdays
7 — Drew Lewis
12 — Lynn Sweeney
19 — Jerry Adams
23 — Diane Diggs
29 — Caitlin Crouse
Anniversaries
None on record for December.

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary to everyone who celebrates this month.