Greetings!
It is official. We are settled into the new offices. It has given us so much extra space, all the offices together in one place. As nice as all that is, the thing I enjoy most is something I had not realized I missed during all the days of construction and work. Sitting in the morning and reading and meditating. How true that the daily grind of life can often find us moving things we need most to the side. Starting each morning with Scripture, reading a few passages from a book, and spending time meditating and praying about things in my life and the lives of those around us. It really does shape our outlook each and every day. What about you? Can you find time to focus on God to start your day? As Lent approaches, may this be a time for you to rediscover how a few minutes can shape an entire day. See you Sunday! Jim Upcoming Sermons
Jan. 31: Romans 5:1-11; Romans 8:31-39. Sin: Separation from God
Feb. 7: Philippians 2:1-11. Jesus: God or Man?
Feb. 14: Luke 4:1-13.Temptation: "The Devil Made Me Do It"
Feb. 21: Genesis 15:1-12 & 17-18. Promises: God is Faithful
Feb. 28: Isaiah 55:1-9. Transformation: Moving Toward God.
** Also on Feb. 28: Annual Congregational Meeting immediately following our Worship Celebration. Please mark your calendar and make plans to stay for updates and congregational business.
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HELP WANTED: 2-3 Gardeners! Do you like working in the garden, watching things grow? Are you concerned for those who are hungry in our community? We need two or three people to work with Jim to oversee the garden this spring and summer. All the produce raised will go directly to the Ball Chatham Food Pantry with the excess available on Sunday mornings for anyone to take in exchange for a donation for the Food Pantry. Contact Jim for more information or to sign up. We hope to start planting the early crop in March.
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Construction Project Update
The recent project to expand the offices is near completion. Soon the lift will be installed and the Youth Loft will near completion. What a difference a few months can make. There have been some issues and challenges along the way. Surprise! We needed a new furnace and duct work - furnace was installed in 1986 - that have added to the cost. Surprise Again! Just as we were finishing, the other furnace - installed in 1986 - decided to stop working as well. What's with 1986?! So a second furnace and duct work was needed. You might be wondering how you can help. Due to Christmas and other mission opportunities, we have waited until now to ask for some financial help. Would you consider helping cover the cost of some of our needs that were both planned and unplanned? At the entrance to the Worship Center, we will have a board with items we hope to have covered. We are grateful for any help you can offer. And we give thanks to God for all God's blessing here at CPC and in our individual lives.
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"Treasure Island" Focus on Giving for February Clubhouse
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Clubhouse in February
Feb 7: The Israelites Build the Tabernacle. Exodus 35:10-36:7.
Feb 14: Nehemiah Gives His Time to Rebuild the Wall. Nehemiah 2:1-6:16.
Feb 21: Jesus Tells About the Widow's Offering. Mark 12:41-44.
Feb 28: The Rich Young Ruler. Matthew 19:16-26.
Bible verse: Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:8b
Got Kids?! We Do! Five recently-turned 4-year-olds, along with several newcomers, officially joined The Clubhouse in January. We're super excited! If you'd like to learn more about our Sunday morning Children's Program or would like to volunteer to be part of our crew (one Sunday each month), contact Laura VanProyen at the church office, 483-4204.
SAVE THE DATE for the next Clubhouse Family Sunday Event:SUPER SIZED Game Day Feb. 21 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. CPC Fellowship Hall. ~ Fun and Refreshments for the Entire Family. Bring your bicycle or sports helmet if you have one.
Event Contact: Hope Petrie, 697-5290 or petriehope@yahoo.com.
SUMMER SAVE THE DATE! Vacation Bible School, June 19 - 23, 2016. Shh! Sneak peek - We're headed to Egypt to journey with Joseph from prison to the palace!
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Frontline Youth Opportunities in February
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Sunday, Jan 31: Frontline begins with dinner at 5:45 at Olsen's Cafe.
Saturday, Feb. 6: Westminster Presbyterian Church has invited Frontline to join their youth for an afternoon retreat focused on "Storytelling: Remembering What Matters." Guest speaker Mark Yaconelli is well-known and entertaining! Frontline will cover lunch and transportation for students. Contact me about carpooling from CPC at 11:15 AM to share lunch, followed by a keynote presentation and interactive sessions. Can't spend the whole afternoon? Meet us there from 3:30 - 5 p.m. The youth will return at 5:20 PM.Feb. 7: Super Bowl Sunday. No Youth Group.
February 26-28: High School Youth opportunity. Fire Up!
This powerful discipleship weekend begins Friday night with worship and guest speaker Brooklyn Lindsey. On Saturday, prepare to enjoy worship and music,small groups, student and adult seminars, afternoon recreation and an evening of worship. The conference concludes on Sunday morning after a time of worship and a final message from the speaker. Fire Up is hosted in Troy, IL and designed for 9th -12th graders and their friends. See Bonnie to sign up ASAP.
2016 Mission Trip! We will do mission work in Louisville, Kentucky at
Cedar Ridge Camp June 26 - July 1, 2016. With team-building initiatives at the beginning of the week, helping with camp maintenance during the day and enjoying some of Louisville's attractions in the evening, this trip will bless our CPC Frontline Students with the opportunity to serve and then relax and play too.
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CPC Membership: If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member, please contact Amy Bifano, 483-4204. We would love to welcome you to our church family.
Food Pantry Update for Feb. 7
Please continue with mon etary donations to purchase perishable goods. Just mark your check "Chatham Food Pantry."Per Capita Due Feb. 21
$28 per member. These dues support the ministries and management of the Great Rivers Presbytery. Please mark "Per Capita" on your check memo line. Thank you!
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Mark Your Calendar for March Events
- Layton Howerton Concert, March 6: If you haven't been blessed by Layton's music, you will not want to miss him in March. He will lead worship Sunday morning and present a concert at 7 p.m. that night. A love offering will be taken afterwards. Make plans to invite friends and family now.
- "Road to Resurrection" & Easter Egg Hunt, Sat. March 16: At Road to Resurrection, you'll step back in time and follow Jesus' footsteps through the week leading up to his death and resurrection. Along the path you'll encounter people who've met Jesus and become part of an incredible experience. Draw closer to Jesus at this memorable event. Followed by a traditional Easter Egg Hunt for pre-K to 5th grade.
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Joys and Thanks
- Pastor Jim and NO back surgery for the time being.
- Beautiful new office and conference room space.
- Thankful for the work crew and volunteers who continue to help with the building renovation, especially The Loft youth space.
Prayer requests include: Laura Black, battling brain tumor; Sheila Dudra; Mary Elliott; Steve Sabo, at home recovering from stem cell transplant.
Prayer Requests may be submitted via email: info@chathampresbyterian.com; website: chathampresbyterian.com; or call the office 483-4204, 9 a.m. to noon, weekdays. After hours, call Cindy Gamble 483-3835 (h), 971-1751 (c) or Tina Knollenberg, 652-4715.
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