New Years Eve Party

Gather at the Gills to ring in the New Year. We'll have music, games & a midnight sparkling cider toast! Drop by for a while, or plan to stay and play. Bring a snack or drink to share. Friends are welcome!

Have you ever tried pumpkin bowling? You really should--it is the next Olympic sport! It's challenging & takes a lot of skill. Bring your friends and meet some new ones at Dave & Ellen Dyer's home on Saturday November 21 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Guys bring a drink, girls bring snacks; bring lawn chairs & cameras too. If it rains, bring a board game; we'll hang out in the Dyer's basement.

"Becoming You: Discovering & Living Your God-ordained Destiny" part 3

"I plan on speaking about the role our relationships play in
discovering our destinies. I feel it is good to teach how we can help each other since we are so relational." John Shuey

Join us Friday, October 23 at 7:00 pm in the Christ Community Church auditorium for this FREE seminar. Worship & fellowship, too. Invite a friend to come with you.

Directions to Martins

Dave & Trudy Martin
70 Keswick Drive
Mechanicsburg PA 17050
695.2021

Click HERE for a google map

Truth Project

Focus on the Family's The Truth Project is a DVD-based small group study that practically and personally introduces viewers to the truth claims of God.

Join Brad & Cheryl Rider, leaders and hosts, for a 12 week study on Wednesday nights.

If you have questions about world views, philosophy, truth, evil, heaven and hell. Or if you've ever wondered how to answer questions that others may have on these topics, you will want to attend this! This is a great study for those who want to be able to share and discuss their faith with others.

For more information, visit Focus On The Family website: www.thetruthproject.org/

Introducing Jim Gallagher

Jim was born and raised in Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love), and moved to Harrisburg in 1983, with his wife, Eileen. They have been married for 31 years and have 4 children. He has been a member of CCC since 1986, owns a small business, enjoys any beach anywhere, and watching most sporting events.

Friday, September 25 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium at Christ Community Church, Jim will speak to the Young Adults. His topic is "Live an Engaged Life"

Ever feel you just can’t seem to get to all that the Lord has invited you to accomplish? Did you know that the challenge of optimum effectiveness is to manage your energy in all dimensions of your life? We’ll take a brief look at how your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual sources of energy all operate together. Consider life as a series of sprints where you are fully engaged for periods of time and then fully disengaged, being renewed before jumping back into the track meet.

God is my provider

I got a job at a small organization in Harrisburg, PA. As the months went by, I found that this office was not a healthy environment for me to be working in. I also struggled to accept my boss’s management style. I became extremely depressed and my self-esteem plummeted. I felt the less work I did, the less I would have to deal with my boss, and soon my initial “give 125%” attitude was nothing but a memory.
I was ashamed of my new work ethic, which only added to my self-loathing, and after about 10 months, I finally admitted to myself that this wasn’t the place for me. Unfortunately, by this time, my confidence in my abilities was at a low point, and I began to doubt that I could succeed anywhere. One night, as I was praying, I poured myself out to the Lord and admitted that I was becoming someone I wasn’t proud of, and I wasn’t sure I was on the right career path any longer. However, I didn’t think I had the strength or courage to switch jobs, and in this economy I certainly wasn’t going to give up my steady salary. I ended my prayer with a simple, but bold plea, “I can’t move Lord, so please, if this isn’t the right path, move me.”
Not long after, I lost my job.
I was furious, broken and depressed. Being a person who always liked to be in control, the fear of the unknown soon saturated every part of my being and I found myself paralyzed with anxiety. I felt completely vulnerable and helpless, yet in the back of my mind, I began to wonder if perhaps this was His answer to my prayers. Little did I know, that this was going to be one of the greatest blessings of my life and the Lord was going to reveal himself to me in ways I could have never imagined.
After investigating my immediate options, I learned that due to unusual circumstances, my unemployment was not going to start for at least six weeks (if at all). As soon as the panic began to set in, the Lord provided: I received a check from my old job for my saved vacation and sick time, quickly followed by a $1,500 tax refund! That paid all my bills for two months.
Right around the time that money was drying up, I was approved for unemployment. The amount I was told I would receive each month was obviously God’s design because it was enough to pay all my bills and stay in my apartment.
Over the next four months, I started to heal. I prayed, expressed myself artistically, and began working through some deeper issues. I even found my adventurous side again.
During this time, I also found a new church home. Christ Community Church became a life-line for me, and sharing my story was a very important step in my healing process. Slowly but surely, I began to value myself again, and I learned to rebuke the feelings of failure that had possessed me for far too long.
In June, I hit another hurdle. My car took a turn for the worst and I racked up a bill of $1,100. Once again the Lord intervened and money that I thought I owed my health insurance company became available. I fixed my car without going into any debt.
Then, I got a call from the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg and was asked to come in for an interview for a secretarial position. Having studied public relations and graphic design, this wasn’t the career I was hoping for but I certainly wasn’t going to turn down an interview. I got a call from the VP at the YWCA and was offered a job, however, it wasn’t the position I had applied for, and this job had not even been advertised yet. The position offered to me was directly under the VP and focused on two major areas: public relations and graphic design!
The compensation package initially offered to me included just enough for me to pay my bills but was less than my old salary. I prayed about it and then, nervously, I countered their offer. I knew it was a risky move, but believed that if this was the job for me, it would all work out. The next day the YWCA offered me more than I asked for in my counter!
Tears come to my eyes every time I think about my journey. It wasn’t easy, but I learned that when I truly give control over to the Lord, He always provides. I still have a lot to learn, but I am stronger now than I ever was before. I knew He would provide for me and that everything was in His control, but it was still hard to imagine how this situation would ever work out. Now that I know what He had planned all along, I am in awe of His infinite wisdom and amazed by His kindness. Today, I am proud of the person I am becoming and the peace that comes from knowing I am walking on the right path, by His grace, is indescribable.

Devan Drabik is an artist & expert Trivia player. She is 23 and lives in Harrisburg.

Swimming

Have you ever thought that you were missing something when you left church? Check out this article. Leave a comment... let's get a dialogue going!

To ponder

My buddy Aaron has this thought-provoking blog that I enjoy. Hope you visit him and get inspired like I did!

"Unpacking Your Backpack" Part 1

Pastor Thom Gardner will facilitate a 1 day healing seminar on Saturday, August 29 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This seminar focuses on healing our wounded past in the presence of God. You and I were created to live in the presence of God. Many obstacles have come between our face and our Father's. This separation prevents us from finding intimacy for which we were born. Everyone will receive healing truth from the personal presence of God while uncovering seven basic influences that can control our hearts to rob us of abundant life in Christ.

The seven influences we will address are: fear, rejection, worthlessness, shame, insecurity, defilement, hopelessness.

There is no fee; a love offering will be received. Please register by calling Regina at 761.2933 x316

Pool Party - Sunday August 23

Meet up at John & Nancy March's home for some fun in the sun: water volleyball & other water games, or stay dry with ping pong, bocce ball & frisbee. John will grill some hot dogs: ladies, please bring a snack to share. Fellas, please bring a drink to share. Everyone bring a lawn chair & invite a friend, neighbor, co-worker or sibling to come along.

Ladies Bible Study

Hope to see you sisters on Tuesday at 6:30 pm for the Bible study! Bethany and Candace have some great things planned, so mark your calendars: September 1 and 15. Watch the above video and join us as we discuss beauty, worth and God's heart. If you need directions, leave a comment or send me an email.

God's Faithfulness in Life's Doorways

“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Revelation 3:7). When doors of opportunity seem to be closing all around me, it is easy to wonder where God is. When I have spent hours of thought and energy attempting to make progress and see little results, it is tempting to become discouraged. Although many doors have recently been shut in my life, I now see God’s hand on the process I went through and the purpose for it.

At the end of March 2009, I came back to Pennsylvania after a trip to India and some other travels. By the end of April, I had quite a list of places where I had submitted job applications. I hadn’t heard a word back from many of them, but a few contacted me to set up interviews. Before one of my first interviews, I prayed that I would have favor and receive the job. Following the interview, I had decided it wasn’t the right place for me. After this experience, I began to pray, “God, I want this job, but I want your will.” My interviewing marathon continued, and so did my prayers: “Not my will, but yours, Lord.” I laughed with a childlike trust that God had something in store as I prayed this for the third, fourth, and fifth time: “Here I am again, praying for this job. I want this job! But, I want Your will more. Have Your way.”

By the sixth interview, I was worn out and tempted to become discouraged. I figured God must have had something specific in store, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I could handle the lack of response, my bills, and interviews that didn’t seem quite right. Thankfully, God provided a great place for me to live, many delicious home cooked meals, and many other blessings through a family that helped me out immensely. It seemed as though God placed His faithfulness in their hands, and they carried it to me.

In May, God opened a door and provided a part-time job that helped pay some bills. This was a relief, but only skimmed the surface of my financial needs. Shortly after beginning this job, I received a phone call from another place that I had applied to in April. The interview was very positive and encouraging. The position seemed like a great fit! Before I left, the interviewer said, “I look forward to working with you” but told me she had one more interview and would call back on Monday. Monday came without a ringtone. Tuesday and Wednesday passed and I still hadn’t heard. By Wednesday evening I was praying and thinking that if there was one more “rejection” I might not be able to keep from becoming depressed! Thursday I received the call and the job offer!

During the interview I was told, “The position actually opened in January, but they held it for some reason . . . I don’t know why.” In January I was still in India . . . as I think about that and give God a wink, I wonder if He was saving it for me! The position I received is one that I am very excited about and could not have imagined, thought of, or expected! During my three months of searching and “waiting”, God reminded me that the most important part of our prayers is not the answers we receive, but our relationship with Him. God was also stretching me and my faith while at the same time keeping me within the bounds of what I could handle. While my faith was being stretched, God was faithful to express His intimate involvement in my life, was faithful to draw me closer to Himself, and was faithful to provide. If doors are shutting all around you, please be encouraged that God knows where you are and He is there with you. His hand may be the one that is closing the doors. If it is, He will surely lead you to an open door that may just be something you could never imagine or ask for!

To read a blog post by Katie C that was written before her journey to India, check out "Down the Road" by clicking HERE.

Bonfire

Friday July 24 at 7 pm we'll descend on the home of Phil and Esther Mayeski for games, smores, bonfire & worship. Please bring a lawn chair & a drink. Smores will be provided. We're going a play a few team building games (fun stuff, trust me) and then we're going to make smores & talk around the campfire about the games we played. After some discussion about taking risks, learning to trust and living in community, we'll have some worship time to listen to what Jesus has to say about our lives, our community & stuff.

Remembering my first love

By nature I am a curious person. I think it is a child like attribute that I’ve always had. Being curious always leads me to question things, not to disprove, but to learn. Curiosity could be a bad thing when you get curious about things you shouldn’t be looking into. However, when used right it is a great gift of God. It is what lead me to re-evaluate my faith and what I pursue.

My testimony begins about a year ago when I was talking with someone at church who had lost everything: job, wife, child, and so on. As he spoke I sat there watching him holding his Bible to his chest and listened to him speak about Jesus with pure delight and great peace. He wasn’t hurt or bitter or angry, he was satisfied with Jesus. He explained that once he found Jesus, his wife actually called him after two years of silence. As I was talking with him, I began to wonder “What have I been pursing? This guy is blessed because he pursued after Jesus and only Jesus. I wonder what would happen if I sought to love the Lord as much as this guy does? How could I put my passions & distractions aside and make God my main attraction?”

I saw results in this guy’s life that I wasn’t seeing in my own. I love Jesus too, so what was different? I decided to humble myself like a child; be willing to be corrected and willing to learn. I asked myself questions, “What if I have been seeking other things like prophecy & power & destiny? What if I have forgotten my first love? How do I repent and return to God?”

Although I read the scripture and prayed often, I some how let my first love slip through my fingers. I knew that the first thing I had to do was humble myself and go back to first principals and read the scriptures like it was the first time. This would give me a fresh look, and make me like a new wine skin. The second thing I had to do was pray for repentance and asked God give me heart to love Him and to seek Him for Him. I began to not care about the other things I was pursuing as much as I wanted to pursue Him.

During the time of pursuit, I found myself reunited to my first love, and then in the midst of it I saw tremendous breakthrough in circumstances that would never have changed if not for God stepping in. I received three major promotions in less than a year at work, and all three were given to me without my even asking for them. This all was very necessary, because I really needed a better job desperately. God’s goodness is a constant wonder to me.

I returned to my First Love, not for a blessing, but because in my heart I truly wanted Jesus. He was all I wanted. And I got blessed greatly along the way. The Bible says He is good and faithful, we are blessed when we seek Him first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).” I am living proof of this scripture. He is worth the humbling, repenting, praying, fasting, and whatever it takes to get to Him. He is worth it!

Michelle Dorris is 30 years old, and lives in Mechanicsburg. She is an active member of Christ Community Church.

Got a story to share? Email youngadults@christcc.org

Movie Night on Friday June 19

Extra treat: they are going to make root beer floats for us... wow!
Come at 8:00 pm; bring a lawn chair.
Free popcorn. Bring a snack to share.
After the film, plan to stay and have your brain stretched as we discuss the main themes.
Rain location is the CCC Youth Building!

Overcoming Life's Disappointments

In light of the incredible message that Brian shared on Sunday May 17, it seemed appropriate to share about a book I read by Rabbi Harold S Kushner “Overcoming Life’s Disappointments”. Rabbi Kushner’s humorous examination of the life of Moses (and ultimately, our own lives) has a real insightfulness; the author is formally trained and also has much warmth and understanding. Many illustrations come from members of his own congregation whom he has walked along side of during various traumas. And though Rabbi Kushner is Jewish, his truthful message benefits a broad audience. In fact, I recommend it as a graduation gift. Had I read this book on the heels of my school completion, I would have been better set up to dream big & not be afraid of failure or set backs; it would have helped me interpret those set backs as stepping stones instead of badges of shame. Rabbi Kushner encourages us to dream great dreams and when those dreams are not realized, we can go through life with a foundation of understanding that sometimes we are naïve, sometimes we fail, but always it is sweet to dream.

Introducing Brian Pontius

Some of you may know Brian & Susan Pontius... a very cool couple! Brian will be sharing on Sunday, May 17th at the Young Adult worship service, and for those of you who don't know him, I thought you might enjoy an introduction to his topic for that evening.

"Over the last ten years, as I have endeavored to know Jesus more, He has made gray what I once thought was black and white. The complex has become simple. The absolutes have become negotiable. Yet in the midst of it all is where we find God and He finds us." ~Brian

Heaven coming to Earth... what does it look like?

Two years ago, I accepted the position as a Speech Therapist in a nearby school district. It was my first professional work experience and I was supposed to be the expert in speech and language; an expectation I feared I would not live up to. It was very difficult for me to feel confident to show these people Jesus because I was insecure about my abilities as a professional and since I was the new person on staff I was extra shy. But the desire to see Heaven invade my workplace burned deeply in my heart. I wanted the entire school district to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I wanted my caseload to become non-existent because all my students would be healed from ADHD, Autism, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and Speech Disorders. I wanted to pray with all of my co-workers; however, there was also a natural desire bubbling up from within me to fit in and be accepted by my co-workers and my students. So, how do I live for God in this situation? What does that look like each day? How do I make that my goal when I have natural work duties that need to be accomplished each day?
I often struggled with feeling that I was failing. I felt that there was so much on my plate and I wasn’t seeing major transformation in my school. I cried out to God and asked Him, “How do I do this? How do I live in a secular world for you? What does it look like to re-present Jesus here?”
In Africa this summer I learned some amazing lessons that I drew on for direction. Missionary Heidi Baker’s main teachings were “What is good news to the poor?” and “Stop for the one.” Now that I am back in America, working in a school, I find it is very easy to get caught up in “life.” Sometimes I get lost trying to get through my to-do list. I have to constantly remind myself to ask that question, “What is good news to this person today?” Though I’m not surrounded by those living in financial poverty every day, I am overwhelmingly surrounded by those who are poor in many other ways. At times these are more difficult to see because their poverty is covered up by success, material items, and things of this world. But don’t let that blind you to the cry that is inside of their hearts. We may be the only Jesus some people will ever encounter. They need to know His love and feel His compassion.
God began to open my eyes to the individual. He taught me the lesson of seeing the one person that He placed in my path in that very moment. What does this person need today, Nicole? Maybe it means I need to stop working on my paperwork and instead spend an hour listening to her story about her family situation. My paperwork will get done, though I may have to sacrifice my own time later. Or, maybe, I should follow up on that idea, the one I have been avoiding, to go pray with the gym teacher who is really sick. I could come in early each day and ask her if she would like to pray with me today. It could mean listening to the needy student who always stops by my office instead of telling her she needs to get back to class. She’s neglected at home, don’t neglect her at school.
When I narrow my focus down from saving this entire school district in a year, to meeting the needs of this one hurting person that God has placed before me today, I no longer feel overwhelmed. I feel excited because God is moving through me, changing me as he touches lives right in front of my eyes. Staying filled up with the Lord makes it much easier to be sensitive to His voice and feel His gentle nudges to smile at someone, or maybe today is a day I am to speak truth into their lives. Only God knows what needs lie deep in their hearts. He has given us the mind of Christ and Holy Spirit to reveal His thoughts to us. What a relief! We just need to tap into Him and He is the one who will transform our workplaces.



Nicole is a young adult who is in passionate pursuit of Father God's heart. She seeks the compassion and love of Jesus to share it with the world.

Got a story to share? Email youngadults@christcc.org

Fashion Exchange

Ladies, we're going to celebrate our identity in Christ and we're going to celebrate in style! The Fashion Exchange will feature free fashion (supplied by your friends & sisters), giveaways to great local stores, chocolate and inspiration.

Here's how it works:

Each article that you borrow will have a tag attached with the owners name, phone number and prayer request. While on loan, you can be praying for the owner. Also, if the article happens to get lost or damaged, you can call the owner prior to the return night & ask how much the item cost. At the return night, instead of returning the article to the owner, you will give payment (and an apology is very respectful too).

The fashion exchange is a chance to get something "new" for a while. It goes without saying that you should not bring anything that is an irreplaceable family heirloom.

You will not want to miss the return night on April 19 because that is when we will award the prizes (merchandise prizes from local stores) as well as return the fabulous items you enjoyed for FREE!

Hope you can come & invite a friend... after all, the more folks who come, the better the selection of styles!

Super Bowl Party

Guys: bring chips or soda. Girls: bring dip or sweets.
Everyone bring some money towards ordering a pizza.
Invite your friends to join us! Join us at 5:30 pm.

MARIE AND HARRY LIVE IN CARLISLE