2009 is just a few days away and we wonder, what will it bring? We think of new hopes and the anticipation of a fresh start. There is an eagerness, despite the chill of early winter and after-holiday quietness from a pile of celebrations. Consider these Questions for a New Year -- some thought provoking insights about how we spend our time and where we put our energies in the new year. Perhaps you might make some resolutions… click here for some not so traditional but certainly meaningful Resolutions for a New Year. We're not all oriented to write new years resolutions or to set lofty goals, but, we can challenge ourselves to new spiritual growth… growth and purpose for each new day we are blessed with. "...for this is the day The Lord has given us, let's rejoice, and be glad in it!" - Psalm 118:24 |
Advent ushers us into a special kind of waiting that is alert and watchful, patient and yet full of anticipation. We are all waiting for something this Christmas… are you waiting for special traditions, an expected gift, a planned gathering? Perhaps you are waiting for relief from difficult circumstances, for answers to a medical problem, direction for a big decision, forgiveness from a loved one, or perhaps, restoration of a broken relationship? |
Join us this year as we celebrate together Christmas Jewels… brilliant reflections of the heart of Christmas. We are delighted to feature two guest artists, Emory Colvin of Dramatic Encounters and Lee Ann Tobin worship leader with YWAM. This is a terrific time to bring a friend, sister, mother, neighbor or co-worker ... to share in the jewels of this season with you. Choose the celebration that best fits your schedule [Dec 9th-10th-11th]. This is a FREE event, but know that you will go away with some amazing treasures! Invitations are available at the women's table. If you would like to help provide food for our festive buffet, stop at the table and sign up. Questions/directions? call (610.431.0300x109) or email Louann, or click HERE for more info. |
We are partnering with the Orphan Care Coalition in PA, DE and NJ to raise awareness and support for children right here in our community who are waiting for a forever family. CLICK HERE to download a flyer. What can you do?
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:5-7a Join us as we pray for these children. |
We are a nation founded in prayer. Our nation needs our prayer and God needs to hear the hearts of His people. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Next week we will elect our next President. This is a pivitol time for our country and our world. We have the privilege and the responsibility of freedom in this country that many around the world do not have. On Election Day, November 4th, be sure to vote. Exercise the liberty of your voice with your vote. |
Consider ways to respond to God's gentle prodding… join us in small group Bible Study, connect with a mentor or prayer partner, reach out to a friend and invite her to join you. Here is a colorful display of promises from God's Word… an encouragement for us as we open His Word for wisdom and truth. Be blessed! |
We hope you will join us as we mine for precious riches…
REGISTER NOW and bring a friend… come and enjoy our welcome gatherings and check out our books and study guides. Come and visit… all are welcome! Questions? Call Louann at 610.431.0300 x109 or email today. We hope to see you soon! |
The first official day of fall is right around the corner. As the season changes and your calendar get busy, be sure to take note of some important dates and some terrific opportunities for you to connect here at Christ Community. We're excited about our new Sunday message series entitled "Swimming Upstream, Parenting in Today's Culture", a six week series on parenting and exploring principles that everyone needs to hear. This is a terrific time to invite a friend. Sunday services are 9:00a.m. and 10:30a.m. Get ready to join us for an exciting and dynamic year ahead in both Men's and Women's Bible Studies. We are anticipating all God has for us this year as we dig deep into the Word of God. Weekly small groups offer great discussion as we share in discovering God's Word together. Depending on your schedule, we have several tracks of study available to choose from and several study sessions that you can join. You can register online for both men and women's study groups (see links to the left). On Monday evenings you can participate in our seasonal choir, as we prepare some amazing music for our Christmas Concert. No experience is necessary! Join us at 7:00p.m. in Room 214. Next Sunday, Sept 21st, we will hear from our summer Global Partnership Service teams during second hour, 10:30a.m. in the Student Center. Join us as we hear about the experiences of the Alaska, Morocco and Indonesia teams. Got kids? For elementary students, our KidzRock Adventure Clubs kick off a new year on Thursday, Sept 25th, 6:15-8:00 p.m. Registration for clubs begins this coming Sunday morning. Jr. High Ground Zero Kick Off (no registration necessary) is Tuesday evening Sept 16th (6th grade students begin Tuesday Sept 9th), 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Sr. High Powerline meets on Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m. And don't forget our Midlifers Barbeque, Sunday Sept 21st., a great time for connection and friendship. We have something for everyone. Come and join us… we hope to see you soon! |
 These days of early autumn come with a blur. New schedules, school start-ups, parent meetings, committee demands, business changes, even sleeping patterns… somehow, it all seems to radically increase in pace once the month of August comes to a close. The pile of commitments is overwhelming. I felt the pressure right away. Two of my daughters are involved in high school sports this fall. The schedule is demanding, incessant. The pressure is there and expectations high. The demands of schedule, workout and intense commitment has been significant. Our culture demands engagement in the activities of achievment. Women feel it most, for ourselves and those in our lives that we care for. Let's be significant. Let's find some gems! GEMS of friendship and connection that will support and encourage us during difficult Come dig with us as we search for these riches… Join us for Women's Bible Study that begins this month with our Welcome Gatherings:
REGISTER NOW for several choice of study tracks, and your choice of small groups. We look forward to finding treasures together! Questions? Call Louann at 610.431.0300 x109. |
| August arrives this week, and after the anticipated days of summer heat we have some terrific plans for refreshment coming this fall. We are very excited about the Women of Faith Infinite Grace Conference [September 12-13th at the Wachovia Center]. We are delighted that more than 130 of us will be attending in lower level box-suites where we will share in a time of spiritual refreshment, challenge and inspiration. Presenting at this regional conference are (among many) are Nicole Mullen and Max Lucado. If you have pre-registered with us, final registration is due before August 15th. September also brings the beginning of a new season in Women's Bible Study. We have three choices of study schedule [Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm, and Wednesday & Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:15am], several choices of Bible study topics, kids clubs, and even a choice of type of small group [download PDF flyer with all the details]. We study God's Word to find real answers to the reality of the challenges we face in every day life. Connecting in a small group brings shared insight and understanding, cultivating friendship and accountability. If you want to find a small group or a mentor, we would love to help connect you. Our God calls us to relationship with Himself and with His people. As the summer days linger, join us for Sunday worship [9:00 am and 10:30 am]. Our Pastor of Student Ministries, Billy Burch, is speaking the first two Sundays in August. Next month, our senior pastor, Jim Stevens, begins an exciting new series entitled Swimming Upstream: Parenting in Today's Culture. We hope to see you soon! |
| Summer brings travel and distance, changes of schedules and routines. Don't be away too long... perhaps summer can be a time of new friendships and renewed ones. Perhaps summer can really be a time of personal and spiritual growth. Consider some of these ways to join us this summer: SUMMER BOOK CLUB meets next on Tuesday evening, August 12th. Summer Scriptures will keep you connected to The Word. Don't let summer be a dry time. Look for ways to encourage a friend in prayer & accountability. Plan now to register for Women's Bible Study that begins in September, and pray about who you should invite to join you. You can register online at the green button to the left of this web page.
we have the perfect chairs, chairs of friendship and spiritual encouragement. "...encourage one another, and build each other up..." - I Thessalonians 5:11 |
| I sat by the beach this weekend. Dug my toes in the sand and soaked up the sun. A familiar ritual each spring, after the long winter, a break in the weather draws me back. I'm a beach girl. Summers at the beach were a part of growing up, filled with piles of sandals, buckets of sea-shells, and foods that mix well with the salty air. Sitting by the ocean, with the waves rolling in and out, I feel the pulse of nature's rhythm and expectant regularity. Despite the season, the patterns of the ocean remain constant. Changing slightly with the tides, the incessant ebb and flow of the waves, large or small, is assured. As I pondered the power of the ocean and the ceaseless waves, I felt peace. Some of that peace certainly comes from the familiar feelings the beach always brings me, but most of that peace comes from the reflection of our God who created this immense ocean and it's indomitable waves. Our spring study of Ephesians 3:14-19 reminded us that there will never be a day when God's grace and truth would not be available to us. We live in the grace of a sovereign God who persistently pursues us. The God who created the beauty of those persistent waves gave us a word picture of His assurance. Scientists tell us that because of the rotation of our earth and the gravity of the moon and the sun… the ocean's waves will not cease. God's love and peace will not cease. This summer you might find your way to a beach, sitting in the sand, looking out over the ocean. Stop and consider the vast majesty of our persistent God. His unending grace. His measureless love. As the summer days approach, don't let the changing schedules, family travel or break in your daily routine overlook your time with God. You just might want to sit in the surf and let those wave wash over you, like the relentless, measureless love of God. Click here to download a Summer Reading Plan: Summer Scriptures. |
| Need a spring refreshment? Join us as we begin THIS week for a 3-week teaching study by Beth Moore, "Measureless Love", meeting during three different sessions each week:
This is a rich teaching study by Beth Moore that will require NO HOMEWORK. Come and hear biblically focused teaching on understanding the power of God's love, a profound understanding that will change your everyday life. Teaching will be followed by an informal table discussion and reflection time. This study is FREE, but we need you to register so we can plan space [childcare $10/child]. Come and grow with us this month! All are welcome… CLICK HERE to REGISTER. |
| The month of May begins with several events that remind us of our gratitude for the women God has placed in our lives. We are focusing our spring missions efforts on Sisters in Service (http://www.sistersinservice.org) a missions organization supporting women and children who are serving in desperate circumstances around the world. Sisters in Service gifts can be purchased for projects on behalf of a loved one or friend. Perhaps you can honor your mother or friend with a Mother's Day or birthday gift that provides support for women serving in remote places, often with significant needs. Stop at the information table in the main lobby to pick up a gift catalog. You can choose from several types of projects. Questions? Contact Barb Zahniser. Our Mother's & Other's event will be held on Friday evening May 9th at 6:30p.m. Simple Pleasures… finding joy in everyday moments is the focus of this elegent evening for women from all ages and stages in life. Sharon Thomas, author and founder of Established Footsteps Ministries will be our featured speaker. Special music, friendship gifts, poignant reflections and several treasures will be shared with women who are mothers, daughters, co-workers, friends, neighbors, mentors… the women you love. Questions? Contact Louann Rodgers. This Sunday is Mother's Day, May 11th. Plan to join us for this special morning as we hear from God's Word and share in a time of worship together. Our Worship Services are 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. |
Consider the beauty of the very simple things we might miss in all of our spring events… the first daisy to bloom with it's delicate yet perfect petals, the sound of fresh spring rain landing on the leaves of a tree, a bowl of fresh fruit as a centerpiece for a family gathering, a book of classic poems, a charming piece of antique jewelry, a long drive to visit a friend you haven't seen in awhile, with the windows down! Come and join us on Friday evening, May 9th, at 6:30pm as we celebrate the simple pleasures… finding joy in everyday moments. Join us for this evening celebrating the women God has placed in our lives. Share in friendship gifts, special music, inspiring encouragement, and charming treasures. This is the perfect time to invite a friend or neighbor, sister, mother or daughter...someone you would like to encourage. Tickets available April 13, $10, Reserved Seating available. |
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Advent is a season that gives us the opportunity to practice something that is hard for most of us to do: wait. Advent teaches us to wait for the coming or the arrival of Christ into our world, not just way back in Biblical times, but now--in the places where we long for his presence and need his movement among us.
Christmas brings memories of glittery reflections… shiny bows, wrapped packages, tinsel, tree lights, jewel-tone colors, vibrant images and sparkling memories. So much of our holiday celebrations are filled with a unique combination of contrasting memories of old and expectations for new celebrations with those we love. 
November is National Adoption Month. The statistics are staggering, over 100,000 children in the United States, 1000 right here in Pennsylvania, long to know the love and care of parents, the stability of a family, and a permanent home. 
CLICK HERE to download a 
These days of autumn boast some of the most crisp and colorful of any season. 
This week we begin to mine… digging deep into the rich soil of God's Word for insight and understanding for the circumstances we face every day. 
We are very excited about the kick off of our new year of Bible Study:
seasons and times… DIAMONDS of truth and wisdom that we need to nagivate in our changing world… and JEWELS of peace, purpose and personal growth in our spiritual lives so that we can be uncommon women of strength and grace. Let's search for rich, meaningful depth in our spiritual lives this season.
Whatever you do, don't be away too long…
The awesome God who brings us the rise and setting of the sun, the complex beauty of changing seasons, and the fresh assurance in each new day. Awesome creation. Sovereign power. Measureless love. Incredible peace. 
Does your life just seem to get busier and busier? Spring is here and a new season has a long list of to-do's… spring cleaning, spring mulching, spring gardening, spring clothes shopping, spring concerts, spring field trips… spring has us sprung!