Simple Faithfulness

In Malachi, God reveals the unfaithfulness of His people: unfaithfulness in their relationship with Him, which trickled down to unfaithfulness in their marriages and other relationships. Malachi’s prophecy served as a blunt reminder of the reason for faithfulness: it is an essential aspect of God’s character. Faithfulness in human relationships acts as a signpost, pointing to God’s faithfulness in the world. Specifically in Malachi, God highlights His faithfulness to the covenant He made with Abraham’s family, from whom the recipients of Malachi’s prophecy were descended.

Faithfulness isn’t just a stodgy virtue; it’s a vibrant and real experience of God’s life intersecting with ours and impacting the lives of others. To withhold faithfulness is to obscure part of God’s presence in the world. While faithfulness is meaningful, it isn’t always easy. Remaining faithful to imperfect, broken, and limited people requires persistence. As Sean Cronin mentioned this past Sunday, faithfulness isn’t established in a single day—it is cultivated daily.

God has been unfailingly faithful to us each day, and we are invited to participate in that same faithfulness. Faithfulness to God isn’t built in a moment; it grows through daily encounters with Him in His Word, in prayer, and among His people. Similarly, faithfulness to our spouse, family, or friends isn’t formed overnight. It develops through daily acts of love and connection, expressed in a multitude of ways (e.g., the five love languages).

This week, what specific step of simple faithfulness is God’s Spirit calling you to take—with Him or with others?

This Sunday, Mitch Knight will be preaching from the next passage in our series from Malachi (2:17-3:5). I hope you'll plan to gather to praise and worship Jesus, be edified by the body of Christ, hear the good news of Jesus, and be invited to live further into Jesus' abundant life!

From Jesus Prom 2024

Thank you so much to the 20+ CCCers who generously gave their time, talent, and treasure to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our Jesus Prom guests! Over 80 individuals were blessed through this event. We’re especially grateful for our older youth group students and Mitch Knight, who took the lead in planning and overseeing the event. Well done, faithful servants of King Jesus!

Christmas Giving Project: We’re excited to bless many families and individuals this season. Thank you all for your incredible generosity in providing the items needed for this project!

The remaining support needed is help with wrapping lots of toys. Wrapping will take place in the CCC youth room on:

• Friday, December 20th from 2 PM to 4 PM

• Saturday, December 21st from 4 PM to 6 PM (with pizza provided).

Additionally, immediately following the worship gathering on Sunday, December 22nd, we’ll pack boxes for each family/individual in the youth room and lobby. While donating items is important, the relational aspect of packing the boxes as a community or family is just as meaningful. Following the packing, if you’re willing and able to deliver a box (or more) to the recipients - your help would be greatly appreciated.

All of this can only happen with your support as we come together as the body of Christ to be His hands and feet, working to bless those around us. May God richly bless this effort for his Kingdom’s growth!

(December 28, 2pm-5pm) Drop into the Clarence Church of Christ and catch up with Hector, Joy, Lucia, and Gaby, enjoy some Mexican snacks, and learn more about what God is doing in Mexico. Let us know you’re stopping by!

Text “ccc” to (833) 304-0788 to get texts about upcoming events, activities, snow closures, and opportunities to get involved.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

What Gives Weight to Your Worship?

What’s your vision of a perfect life? For many of us, it’s shaped by the pursuit of pleasure, ease, and comfort. But here’s the hard truth: chasing those priorities will leave us restless and wanting. Malachi 1:6-2:9 confronts this head-on, challenging us to reflect on what we give weight to in our lives and worship.

The Problem: Giving Weight to the Wrong Priorities

In Malachi’s time, the priests and people of Israel gave their leftovers to God—blemished sacrifices that fell short of God’s standard. They prioritized their comfort, ease, and benefit over honoring God. This misplaced weight revealed a deeper issue: their worship had become hollow, lacking the reverence and focus that God deserves.

Today, we face similar temptations. It’s easier to prioritize sleeping in over prayer, Netflix over Scripture, or tailgating over church. These choices reveal where we ascribe glory—often to ourselves or the world’s vision of a perfect life.

The Invitation: Reevaluate Your Priorities

Malachi’s words call us to something greater: to give weight to God’s presence and perfection. Worship isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about recognizing our need for God’s perfect life and letting that shape every part of us. True worship starts with prioritizing God:

- His Presence: Spend time in prayer and Scripture, seeking God’s guidance.

- His People: Commit to community with other believers.

- His Glory: Offer your best in every area of life, not your leftovers.

The Freedom of God’s Perfection

Here’s the good news: perfection isn’t something we achieve on our own. Jesus, the perfect human, unites us with God’s life and peace. When we prioritize Him, we’re freed from striving for a perfect life on our own terms. Instead, we’re invited into a life shaped by God’s wisdom, guidance, and abundant grace.

Action Steps

1. Reflect: What currently gives weight to your priorities? Is it leading to anxiety and emptiness?

2. Confess: Acknowledge where you’ve fallen short of giving God the honor He deserves.

3. Reprioritize: Take tangible steps to put God first—whether that’s carving out time for worship, serving others, or surrendering a comfort that’s holding you back.

Final Challenge

What gives weight to your worship? Don’t settle for giving God your leftovers. Instead, step into the freedom and fullness of life that comes from prioritizing Him above all else. If you’re ready to take that step or want to learn more, reach out to a trusted follower of Jesus today. Let’s journey together toward a life united to God’s perfection.

From Jesus Prom 2023

Jesus Prom, Sat., Dec. 14, 6pm. Dinner and dance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted by CCC students and adults. There are many ways to participate. Contact Mitch Knight to get involved.

Ask the Lord to reveal His love, compassion, and care through us to our guests during the Jesus Prom (1 John 3:18).

Christmas Giving Project: We’re trying to bless 14 families, totaling around 60 people—about 40 are kids. We're also partnering with New Generations Church to contribute to their efforts to bless 300 people from the East and West sides of Buffalo, so every contribution makes a difference. Thank you all for your incredible help so far! If you’d like to contribute, there’s still time to sign up in the CCC lobby. Donations will be distributed after the worship gathering on Sunday, December 22nd. Let’s make this a blessing for as many as possible!

(December 28, 2pm-5pm) Drop into the Clarence Church of Christ and catch up with Hector, Joy, Lucia, and Gaby, enjoy some Mexican snacks, and learn more about what God is doing in Mexico. Let us know you’re stopping by!

Text “ccc” to (833) 304-0788 to get texts about upcoming events, activities, snow closures, and opportunities to get involved.

Sean Cronin will be preaching from the next passage in our series from Malachi (2:10-16). I hope you'll plan to gather to praise and worship Jesus, be edified by the body of Christ, hear the good news of Jesus, and be invited to live further into Jesus' abundant life!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

Are You Keeping Track of God’s Actions? (Copy)

One snowy night, I learned a hard lesson: staying on track matters. Thinking I knew better, I chose country roads over the safer highway. The result? A totaled car. That moment taught me the danger of leaving a proven path for my way.

This isn’t just about driving—it’s about life. Like Israel in Malachi 1, we often think we know better than God. They ignored His ways, chose their own, and found themselves lost. Yet God, in His love, reminded them of His faithfulness throughout history and called them back to His track.

When life feels derailed, when God seems distant, take a moment. Look at how He has acted in history and in your life. The same God who loved and guided Israel works today through Jesus to bless and restore us.

Action Step:
Cry out to God. Ask Him, "Where are You?" Then, listen. Open His Word. See His actions throughout history and trust Him to guide you. Surrender your life to His track, and find His blessing in every step.

Let’s stay on track—together by consistently meeting with Jesus through the Word of God. What is your plan to encounter God’s actions in God’s Word today?

Jesus Prom 2023

Jesus Prom, Sat., Dec. 14, 6pm. Dinner and dance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted by CCC students and adults. There are many ways to participate. Contact Mitch Knight to get involved.

Ask the Lord to reveal His love, compassion, and care through us to our guests during the Jesus Prom (1 John 3:18).

Christmas Giving Project: We’re trying to bless 14 families, totaling around 60 people—about 40 are kids. We're also partnering with New Generations Church to contribute to their efforts to bless 300 people from the East and West sides of Buffalo, so every contribution makes a difference. Thank you all for your incredible help so far! If you’d like to contribute, there’s still time to sign up in the CCC lobby. Donations will be distributed after the worship gathering on Sunday, December 22nd. Let’s make this a blessing for as many as possible!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

CCC’s Strategy: Meet Consistently, Share Vulnerably, and Invest Sacrificially

What Guides You to Abundant Life?

Have you ever felt like you were following the wrong light, chasing after something that promised fulfillment but left you stranded? Without proper guidance, we can end up lost, stuck, and unsure of our next step.

The world offers many guides: political leaders, influencers, celebrities, social media, or entertainment. These lights shape how we think, spend our time, and invest our energy. But the question remains: Are these lights guiding us toward true abundance or leaving us chasing after something that falls short?

The Bible gives us a better example. The early followers of Jesus, particularly the Thessalonian church, lived into God’s abundant life by letting Jesus be their guide. Their lives show us three key habits:

1. Meet Consistently The early Christians prioritized gathering together around God’s Word. Acts 2 tells us they met daily, learning from the apostles, worshiping in the temple, and connecting in homes. They created space to encounter Jesus personally and in community. For us, this might look like regular Bible reading, prayer, and attending worship services.

2. Share Vulnerably Acts 2:46 paints a picture of believers breaking bread with glad and sincere hearts, sharing life and faith in deep community. Vulnerable sharing—like Paul and Silas encounter with Jason’s household in Acts 17—opens the door for Jesus to work through others and strengthen faith. Who are the people you can trust to share your journey with Jesus, both struggles and victories?

3. Invest Sacrificially The Thessalonians gave of themselves to further God’s mission, enduring hardship and persecution for the sake of Jesus. Paul commends their “work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). True abundance comes when we invest our time, talents, and treasures in making Jesus known—locally and globally.

Next Steps

What’s guiding you right now? Are there lesser lights distracting and guiding you away from the fullness of life God offers in Jesus? If so, take a step today:

• Meet with Jesus consistently through Scripture and the body of Christ for worship.

• Share your life in Christ with others, vulnerably allowing mutual encouragement and challenge to further obedience.

• Invest sacrificially to participate in God’s mission.

If you’re unsure how to begin or feel stuck, please reach out to a trusted follower of Jesus to help you take steps toward letting Jesus guide you to God’s abundant life by participation in these three rhythms.

Don’t settle for anything less than the fullness of life in Him. Meet consistently with Jesus and his people. Share vulnerably from a life with Jesus with his people and those not yet his people. And invest sacrificially for Jesus’ mission.

ICOM Recap
I hope you were able to take advantage of the opportunity to hear the keynote speakers and attend workshops from the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) last week. Eleven of us were able to gather on Friday evening for dinner and then watch the live streamed evening session of the ICOM, which focused on how we’ve been entrusted by Jesus to go and bear witness of Jesus to all people of the world. Together, both digitally and in person, we discerned how to live further into this call through song, prayer, proclamation, reflection, and discussion.

Next fall (November 2025), the ICOM will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. I encourage you to consider participating—whether in person, with a small group here in Western New York, or on your own time at home. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be further equipped and mobilized in our shared mission to guide all people to abundant life in Jesus.

Jesus Prom (Sat., Dec. 14). Dinner and dance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted by CCC students and adults. There are many ways to participate. Contact Mitch Knight to get involved.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

CCC’s Values: Disruptive Truth, Simple Faithfulness, and Uncommon Presence

Imagine you're unbearably thirsty, willing to drink anything—even something unsafe—just to quench it. In survival situations, people sometimes drink from unfiltered sources and get sick, all because they let survival or convenience dictate their actions. But what if we looked beyond the quick, easy solutions and reached for something life-giving instead?

Certain values often guide us, like a preference for non-disruptive information, impressive appearances, or choosing isolation over community. While these may promise comfort, they lead us away from the true, abundant life God offers.

At Clarence Church of Christ, we believe in three values that align with the example of Jesus' life with the woman at the well in John 4: Disruptive Truth, Simple Faithfulness, and Uncommon Presence. These values aren’t just concepts—they’re filters that guide us toward life as God intends. Jesus exemplified these values with the Samaritan woman at the well. He met her where she was, engaging her with truth that disrupted her old patterns, and the simple, yet faithful action of being present with her, despite cultural divides.

We’re inundated with values that lead to emptiness. Will you join in allowing Jesus to filter CCC toward a life in God’s abundance? Allow Jesus’ truth to disrupt the patterns of your life, live in faithful simplicity, and be present in life-giving ways uncommon in our context. Let’s walk this journey together, letting Jesus’ values filter us — and those around us — toward God’s abundant life.

Celebrate more of what is happening through our mission partners in Egypt!

Facing a language barrier with a refugee group, they launched Arabic classes to help them connect and hear the Gospel. Through Hope International University Egypt, a dedicated team is delivering top-quality programs across all degree levels. In Upper Egypt, they celebrated 39 graduates, building stronger church connections. They’ve also started a Bible study for Coptic Orthodox deacons—please pray for unity! Lastly, they’ve recently published three new books on the topics of relationships, anger, and depression.

What is the ICOM (International Conference on Missions)
The Clarence Church of Christ has a long tradition of connection to the annual International Conference on Missions (ICOM). This event unites followers of Jesus, leaders, and global missionaries to encourage and spur engagement in God’s mission. The ICOM offers a valuable opportunity to learn about God’s work globally and helps each follower discover their role in His mission. This year's conference is in Lexington, KY, and the theme emphasizes that Jesus has entrusted us with the gospel—the best news—to share with those around us. As we experience His grace, we are called to extend His glory. Every believer is created, called, commanded, and commissioned to be a disciple-maker, making participation in God’s global mission essential.

Join the ICOM at Home
While many attend ICOM in person, technology now allows for remote participation. We invite you to participate purposefully in this way. We understand that you have a busy schedule and aren’t able to join all the digital ICOM programming, so we encourage you to set aside time to watch 1-2 of the ICOM workshop live streams, along with one keynote speaker session live stream – all available to stream live between November 14-16.

How to Participate at No Additional Cost to You:
Continue reading to register. After registering, access the stream here.

Jesus Prom (Sat., Dec. 14). Dinner and dance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted by CCC students and adults. There are many ways to participate. Contact Mitch Knight to get involved.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

CCC’s Mission: Guiding All People to Abundant Life in Jesus.

“Marco… Polo… Marco… Polo…”

This classic game reminds us of the way we navigate life—by listening for a guiding voice, even amid distractions. In our daily lives, we’re constantly calling out, seeking what feels like true life, while many voices compete to answer, “Find it here!” These voices promise fulfillment: wealth, success, even happiness itself. But instead of life, we often end up stressed, stretched, and still longing for something more real.

In John 10, Jesus makes a bold claim: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). Jesus declares himself as the one voice that truly leads to abundant life. He invites us to follow him, to know his voice intimately, and to find in him the life we’ve been searching for.

But how do we recognize his voice in a world so full of competing messages? Jesus explains that his sheep—his followers—know his voice because they are with him consistently. Just as sheep are familiar with their shepherd’s voice, spending intentional time with Jesus enables us to discern his voice as well. That’s why, at Clarence Church of Christ, we’re focused on guiding all people to abundant life in Jesus by meeting consistently with Jesus. By meeting consistently with Jesus, we become familiar with his voice and, in turn, can help others to encounter it too.

This mission of guiding all people to abundant life in Jesus matters because so many today are searching for meaning in transient things—success, material wealth, and self-fulfillment. But abundant life doesn’t reside in these; it’s found only in Jesus, who speaks to our deepest needs and desires. Our hope as a church is to guide all people, wherever they are, to hear Jesus’ voice and experience his abundant life.

So, whose voice is guiding you? If it isn’t the voice of Jesus, let us help you find it. Whether you’ve just started on this journey or you’ve been following Jesus for years, we’re all called to deepen our walk with him. Spend time with him, let him lead you to the fullness of life only he can offer, and join us in guiding others to experience the same.

What’s the mission of the Clarence Church of Christ? Guiding all people to abundant life in Jesus. I encourage you to memorize it and seek Jesus for how you can be part of it day-in-and-day-out.

If you missed it, you can watch the unveiling presentation of CCC’s refreshed vision: our refreshed mission, values, strategy, and marks of success.

Celebrate what is happening in Egypt!

A recent report from our mission partner in Egypt shared how a ministry group recently invited them to provide training, reconnecting them with a church they helped establish years ago. They’ve also been part of six new believers being baptized and are beginning classes to deepen their understanding of foundational Christian practices. They are grateful for the expanding opportunities to serve and for all who support their mission in Egypt and the surrounding region.

Celebrate what is happening in Eastern Africa! 

Within the last month, our mission partner in Kenya was part of the baptisms of 12 new siblings in Christ, many them coming from a M*sl*m background.

Thank you for making a Faith Promise!

Supporting our mission partners gives us the opportunity to see more people enter God’s kingdom, as reflected in these two testimonies. Your support, like the 23 Faith Promises received to date, allows us to support our mission partners because of your generous commitment to God’s mission. Thank you for your trust in the Lord and for sharing from His abundant provision! We continue to seek and trust that God will provide for His mission to flourish. If you've been delayed in submitting a Faith Promise, you can still submit one here.

What is the ICOM (International Conference on Missions)
The Clarence Church of Christ has a long tradition of connection to the annual International Conference on Missions (ICOM). This event unites followers of Jesus, leaders, and global missionaries to encourage and spur engagement in God’s mission. The ICOM offers a valuable opportunity to learn about God’s work globally and helps each follower discover their role in His mission. This year's conference is in Lexington, KY, and the theme emphasizes that Jesus has entrusted us with the gospel—the best news—to share with those around us. As we experience His grace, we are called to extend His glory. Every believer is created, called, commanded, and commissioned to be a disciple-maker, making participation in God’s global mission essential.

Join the ICOM at Home
While many attend ICOM in person, technology now allows for remote participation. We invite you to participate purposefully in this way. We understand that you have a busy schedule and aren’t able to join all the digital ICOM programming, so we encourage you to set aside time to watch 1-2 of the ICOM workshop live streams, along with one keynote speaker session live stream – all available to stream live between November 14-16.

How to Participate at No Additional Cost to You:
Continue reading to register for access…

Also, our students have the opportunity to participate in-person for the student version of conference called, SICOM, November 15-17. See more information here. Adults, I invite you to encourage our students to take this opportunity.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

Horizon: The Mission, Values, Strategy, and Marks of Success at the Clarence Church of Christ

Mission: What We Hear as the Church

In our increasingly secular culture, where spirituality is often shaped by success, experiences, and achievements apart from God, the mission of our church needs to intersect with this reality. In light of this reality, the church’s leadership is calling the congregation to adopt the following mission for the church going forward: Guiding all people to an abundant life in Jesus. Jesus makes known: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Abundant life in Jesus goes beyond the world’s definition of a “good life” — it’s the most fulfilling life possible, aligning us with our Creator’s purposes and filled with deep peace, purpose, and lasting fulfillment.

Values: What We Feel as the Church

Our values define what we hold dear in this journey. They help shape us into people who look and act like Jesus, embodying His life in the world. Our values are:

Disruptive Truth
We are committed to God’s truth even when it disrupts our lives. Truth is often uncomfortable; it calls us to reconsider our priorities and patterns, challenging us to live differently from the world.

Simple Faithfulness
We are committed to being faithful to God. While faithfulness may not always be possible in grandeur ways, we can be faithful in simple and grounded ways, like excellence within our means, consistency, and frequency, routine habits, serving, and giving. The same simple, not always flashy, faithfulness that characterizes God’s relationship with us.

Uncommon Presence
Jesus’ presence was unique — He spent time with those the world often avoided, treating them with honor and love. We aspire to that same uncommon-in-our-world, grace-filled presence, meeting others the way that Jesus did with the woman at the well (John 4). We hope that when people encounter us, they encounter Jesus.

Strategy: Where We Go as the Church

The following strategy will help us practically step into our mission in everyday life:

Meet Consistently (close circle):
A close circle represents this avenue of participation, as it’s where the presence of Jesus comes closest to our lives, making space for Jesus to have access to our lives. Building an abundant life in Jesus happens within a framework of regular, intentional gatherings:

• Meeting with Jesus daily through Bible study and prayer.

• Gathering weekly with Jesus’ people in worship.

• Connecting consistently with other believers to encourage each other in the faith.

• Engaging with someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet, building relationships that open doors to share His love.

Share Vulnerably (dotted circle):
A dotted circle represents this avenue of participation, as it’s where the presence of Jesus extends into our personal relationships, making space for others to access our lives with Jesus through our witness. Abundant life grows in spaces and relationships characterized by authenticity and vulnerability:

• Sharing honestly with Jesus in prayer.

• Sharing openly with a small group of disciples, receiving encouragement, wisdom, and reminders of God’s promises.

• Sharing vulnerably with those outside the church, letting them see Jesus’ impact on our lives.

Invest Sacrificially (half circle):
A half circle represents this avenue of participation, as it’s where the presence of Jesus goes with us beyond our lives, making space to invest in people disconnected from Jesus’ abundant life. Giving of ourselves — our time, talents, and resources — is part of discipleship:

• Investing sacrificially in our own relationship with Jesus.

• Supporting the church and the global mission of God.

• Walking alongside one to two others in discipleship, helping them grow closer to Jesus.

• Reaching out to someone who isn’t yet part of God’s kingdom, actively working to help them experience Jesus’ love.

At the intersection of these practices — consistently meeting, vulnerably sharing, and sacrificially investing — we experience abundant life in Jesus.

Marks: Who We Become as the Church

If our mission is guiding all people to abundant life in Jesus, how do we know we’re making progress? These “marks” help us evaluate our growth qualitatively and quantitatively toward abundant life in Jesus:

When did I meet with Jesus today?
This reflects our relationship with Jesus through Bible reading, prayer, and worship.

Who am I vulnerably sharing with this week?
This is where we share our life with Jesus in relationship with others.

What am I doing to help someone enter God’s kingdom this year?
This reminds us of the mission, making sure we are actively investing in someone’s journey toward Jesus.

By reflecting on these questions regularly, we can see how closely we’re hitting the bullseye of our mission. As individuals and as a congregation, this self-evaluation guides us back to our core purpose: living in the abundant life of Jesus and guiding others to do the same.

How Do We Put This into Practice?

The church leadership aims to resource and equip the congregation for this mission by providing opportunities to regularly meet with Jesus and the church body, to share vulnerably from a life rooted in Jesus, and to sacrificially invest time, talent, and treasure in furthering God’s Kingdom. We desire to see each person empowered to live out this mission, becoming a beacon of abundant life in Jesus for a world seeking purpose.

All of this simply captures our understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in WNY, in an increasingly secular age, in a world searching for abundant life in everything but Him. We have the opportunity to collectively row in the same direction and live, share, and invest toward guiding all people to abundant life in Jesus. The leadership of CCC hopes you will join in this mission.

The sermons throughout November will be focused on giving more attention to the mission, values, strategy, and marks. I hope you will make time to hear and reflect on them further.

You have the opportunity to join God’s mission for the world by supporting CCC’s mission partners through a monthly Faith Promise offering. But what exactly is a Faith Promise? It’s modeled after the Macedonian Christians’ example in 2 Corinthians 8—a commitment to give toward mission work, even beyond your regular giving. It’s an act of faith, where you express your desire to be generous, trusting that God will make your small contribution go further than you could imagine. It's not about meeting a need that God has—God doesn’t need our money—but about participating in His desire to funnel His abundance into the world through our generosity.

You can learn more about the Faith Promise process and submit a paper form in the offering box at the church building, or digitally at ClarenceCC.org. You can submit your Faith Promise anytime between now and this Sunday, November 3rd.

What is the ICOM (International Conference on Missions)
The Clarence Church of Christ has a long tradition of connection to the annual International Conference on Missions (ICOM). This event unites followers of Jesus, leaders, and global missionaries to encourage and spur engagement in God’s mission. The ICOM offers a valuable opportunity to learn about God’s work globally and helps each follower discover their role in His mission. This year's conference is in Lexington, KY, and the theme emphasizes that Jesus has entrusted us with the gospel—the best news—to share with those around us. As we experience His grace, we are called to extend His glory. Every believer is created, called, commanded, and commissioned to be a disciple-maker, making participation in God’s global mission essential.

Join the ICOM at Home
While many attend ICOM in person, technology now allows for remote participation. We invite you to participate purposefully in this way. We understand that you have a busy schedule and aren’t able to join all the digital ICOM programming, so we encourage you to set aside time to watch 1-2 of the ICOM workshop live streams, along with one keynote speaker session live stream – all available to stream live between November 14-16.

How to Participate at No Additional Cost to You:
Continue reading to register for access…

Also, our students have the opportunity to participate in-person for the student version of conference called, SICOM, November 15-17. See more information here. Adults, I invite you to encourage our students to take this opportunity.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

Partnering with God’s Abundance

You have the opportunity to join God’s mission for the world by supporting CCC’s mission partners through a monthly Faith Promise offering. But what exactly is a Faith Promise? It’s modeled after the Macedonian Christians’ example in 2 Corinthians 8—a commitment to give toward mission work, even beyond your regular giving. It’s an act of faith, where you express your desire to be generous, trusting that God will make your small contribution go further than you could imagine. It's not about meeting a need that God has—God doesn’t need our money—but about participating in His desire to funnel His abundance into the world through our generosity.

In 2 Corinthians 8, we see the Corinthian and Macedonian followers of Jesus facing their own issues and needs, much like we do today. Life is full of pressures, and it's easy to adopt a mindset of scarcity—thinking we don’t have enough to give, and that we need to hold onto our limited resources to manage our own circumstances.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians still resonate today: “I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others” (2 Corinthians 8:8). Like Paul, I’m not commanding you to make a Faith Promise to support our mission partners. But I want to invite you to reflect on your love for God’s mission and consider the example set by the Macedonians. Despite their poverty, they gave generously, trusting in God's abundance.

Their approach mirrors Jesus’ example—entering into our scarcity to reveal the richness of God’s love and provision. God is inviting us to trust in that same abundance. He isn’t asking for something we don’t have; He’s asking for a heart that’s willing to give what we can, trusting that He will multiply our offering.

You can learn more about the Faith Promise process and submit a paper form in the offering box at the church building, or digitally at ClarenceCC.org. You can submit your Faith Promise anytime between now and November 3rd.

Will you couple your desire to give with God’s abundance? Where we see limits, God sees opportunity. Generosity is a response to His overflowing love. When you trust in His abundance, you step into a partnership with Him that brings life and hope to others. Generosity arises out of God’s abundance.

What is the ICOM (International Conference on Missions)
The Clarence Church of Christ has a long tradition of connection to the annual International Conference on Missions (ICOM). This event unites followers of Jesus, leaders, and global missionaries to encourage and spur engagement in God’s mission. The ICOM offers a valuable opportunity to learn about God’s work globally and helps each follower discover their role in His mission. This year's conference is in Lexington, KY, and the theme emphasizes that Jesus has entrusted us with the gospel—the best news—to share with those around us. As we experience His grace, we are called to extend His glory. Every believer is created, called, commanded, and commissioned to be a disciple-maker, making participation in God’s global mission essential.

Join the ICOM at Home
While many attend ICOM in person, technology now allows for remote participation. We invite you to participate purposefully in this way. We understand that you have a busy schedule and aren’t able to join all the digital ICOM programming, so we encourage you to set aside time to watch 1-2 of the ICOM workshop live streams, along with one keynote speaker session live stream – all available to stream live between November 14-16.

How to Participate at No Additional Cost to You:
Continue reading to register for access…

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

God is on mission

God is on mission…

Over the past two months, we have revisited and re-familiarized ourselves with the mission work of God, which we, as a church, have the privilege of joining. For many years, God has enabled CCC to be part of making Himself known on three continents.

As we read the biblical accounts of Peter being imprisoned, Paul being beaten, and John being exiled for aligning their lives with Jesus and guiding all people to abundant life in Him, we realize that these situations are not so distant, based on what we’ve heard from some of our visiting mission partners. Our mission partners have willingly placed themselves in locations that are spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically hostile.

Currently, most of us regularly experience a greater degree of freedom and openness to live like Jesus and share His abundant life. While we do not have to suffer to the same extent as our mission partners, we are called to suffer with them as we are able. We are to live out Romans 12:15 (NIV): “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Although we may not endure the same hardships as our mission partners, we have the opportunity to support them sacrificially, both financially and through prayer. By investing our resources in the work of making Jesus known where few, if any, have heard of His abundant life, we share in the sufferings of our mission partners. The path to knowing Christ more deeply often comes through suffering with Him, as Paul states in Philippians 3:10 (NIV): “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death….”

By coming alongside our mission partners in their painstaking work to make Jesus known, we share in the sufferings of Christ and come to understand the heart of God more clearly—His heart that desires no one to perish but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

Over the past two months, we have had the opportunity to witness the frontier ministry in which we are involved, making Jesus known in challenging places. We’ve heard the good news of new children being adopted into the family of God, and we’ve learned that progress is being made toward the completion of the Alley Project. We’ve also heard that God is always present and active in making Himself known, even when we or our mission partners cannot see it as clearly or as soon as we’d like from our limited human perspective.

Thank you to everyone who has given their time, talent, treasure, and attention to become more aware of what God is doing to make Himself known around the world through our limited efforts. It is humbling and awe-inspiring that we have the opportunity to be part of such profound work, which has eternal and life-altering impacts for so many who have yet to know the hope of abundant life available in Jesus.

This Saturday (October 12th), you are invited to set aside an hour and a half from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the CCC building to join others in guided prayer for CCC’s mission partners. This interactive experience will assist you in interceding for our mission partners’ work and help position our hearts before God for the Faith Promises we will make on Sunday, October 20th, to financially support our mission partners for the coming fiscal year. I hope you will make time to join!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

God on Mission Through Jesus: How to Notice God’s Presence in Your Life (John 5:16-30)

Have you ever tried spotting something that’s right there, but somehow still hard to see? A couple of weeks ago, my family and I were sitting on the steps of our house when we heard a distinct *tap, tap, tap*. It was a woodpecker. We could hear it but couldn’t see it. We narrowed it down to a tree in our neighbor’s yard. Eventually, with each other’s help, and binoculars, we managed to spot it blending into the dead branch it was hammering away at. The bird was there all along, but it took a different perspective to notice it.

That woodpecker reminded me of how often we want to see God in our lives but struggle to recognize His presence. We know He's there, but we don’t always see Him clearly. And when things don’t go our way or answers seem delayed, it can feel like God pops in and out, helping only when He absolutely has to. But that perspective misses something vital: God is always at work, even when we can’t see it.

The Challenge of Noticing God’s Presence

In John 5, we find a story of a paralyzed man who sat by a pool believed to have healing powers. He had likely been waiting for years, unable to be healed and experience the life he longed for. The man was searching for God’s presence, but he couldn’t encounter it—until Jesus arrived and healed him. 

The religious leaders who witnessed this miracle had their own struggle. They couldn’t recognize that God was being revealed in Jesus because they were blinded by fear of losing their status under Roman rule. God’s presence was right in front of them, but they missed it.

Jesus Helps Us See God Clearly

In John 5:19, Jesus says, “The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees His Father doing.” Jesus models what it looks like to live with the awareness that God is always present and active. Just like I needed help with my perspective to find that woodpecker, we all need help to see God’s presence in all areas of our lives. Jesus shows us that God is never absent—He is always working.

With the healing of the paralytic we see that God is continuously moving. He’s never "popping in and out." He’s always on mission, sharing His love and bringing life. The more we focus on Jesus, the clearer we see God’s presence at work.

God’s Mission in Motion

God’s mission didn’t start with us, and it won’t end with us. It began before creation, when God’s love overflowed into everything He made, and it continues today through Jesus. When we follow Jesus, we’re joining a mission that has been in motion for eternity. 

Sometimes we get frustrated because we don’t always immediately see how God is at work. I’ve struggled with this myself—wondering if I’m missing opportunities to share Jesus with people in my life. But here’s the good news: We don’t carry the weight of the mission. Our job is simply to notice where God is already working, ride the wave of God’s mission, and, along the way, guide people to see God’s presence as best we can.

So, How Do We Do This?

1. Focus on Jesus: When you struggle to notice God, turn to the life of Jesus in the Bible. He shows us what God’s presence and activity look like. Like a pair of binoculars, Jesus helps us see God more clearly.

2. Trust God is Always at Work: Shift your perspective from thinking God pops in-and-out of your life to trusting He is always present and active. Even when it's hard to see, God’s work is constant.

3. Be a Guide for Others: Just as Jesus helps you notice God, you can help others see God’s presence too. Ask them reflective questions like, "What if God is working in this situation in ways you can’t see by yourself right now?"

Are You Ready to See God’s Presence?

Maybe you’ve been feeling like that paralyzed man by the pool—wondering where God is in your situation. Or maybe you’re like the religious leaders, so distracted by other concerns that you’ve missed seeing Jesus at work. Either way, Jesus invites you to notice God’s presence today.

Ask God to help you see Him more clearly through Jesus. Whether you’re new to following Jesus or have been a disciple for years, God’s mission is unfolding, and you are part of it.

Jesus helps us notice God’s presence. Are you ready to notice?

Note:

During this Sunday's worship gathering, we’ll hear from one of our partners working among the Alley people. I encourage you to prioritize attending and hear how God has faithfully made Himself known through His witnesses in an incredibly challenging context. Please note that the worship gathering will not be streamed; the only way to participate is in person at 10 a.m. this Sunday.

Being there in person not only allows you to hear their story but also provides essential encouragement and energy to our partners, strengthening their resolve for the work ahead. I hope you will join us.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

August 8, 2024 - You worship because Jesus was clearly communicated to you.

When we worship Jesus, it's often because someone clearly communicated who He is to us. 1 Corinthians 14 reminds us of the importance of clarity in sharing God's message. Just like an unintelligible message on social media or a complex word that a child doesn’t understand, if we don't communicate the gospel in a way that others can grasp, they might miss the message entirely. The Apostle Paul emphasized that in our gatherings, the truth of Jesus should be conveyed in a way that everyone can understand. This way, they can fully experience God's presence and respond in worship.

As followers of Jesus, we need to be mindful of how we share our faith. We can't assume everyone understands the language or concepts we use, especially if they've never encountered Jesus before. It’s crucial to find new and relatable ways to communicate the love of Christ, just as Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do. Ask yourself: How can you make Jesus known to those around you in a way that’s clear and accessible? Whether through your words or your actions, rely on God’s Spirit to guide you in sharing the message of Jesus so that others, too, can come to worship Him.

Please read below for upcoming CCC opportunities.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Download a shareable image (above) to help invite families to register for a fun, four-day, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. If interested in serving as well, contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

Join us on Wednesdays as we fast from breakfast to pray for our church and the world. You can participate in person at the CCC auditorium or online via Zoom here. The auditorium and Zoom call will be open for prayer from 8:28 AM to 9:15 AM. Feel free to pray as you’re led and come and go as needed. Guided prayer points will be provided. Our goal is to intentionally surrender ourselves to God's leading and provision.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to clean many of the seldom-tended areas of the CCC building! Your efforts help make the building a tool of hospitality to the communities around us, just as God has shown us hospitality in His eternal kingdom.

Pre-Register today!!! MountainviewChristianCamp.org

Mountain Do Camp (7th-12th) - August 11-14 (Please contact Mitch Knight for a ride and further details.)

2024 Ladies Retreat at Mountainview Christian Camp

To our sisters in Christ, we pray you are well and looking forward to the Ladies Retreat. We are looking forward to presenting it to you. Our speaker will be Suzanne Bracci, a Christian Life Coach and author from Western New York. Reserve the dates of September 13-14, 2024 to attend. We want each of you to know that God loves you, has given you gifts you may not be aware of, or as our kids mature, our purpose changes. These times can be scary and/or frustrating and Suzanne will speak to us on Saturday of our uniqueness as women of God in the Scriptures and putting on the Mindset of Christ. Registration fees are as follows. If possible please register and send to Mountainview Christian Camp, c/o Sharon Schmaltz, Registrar, 7240 Dryer Road, Victor, NY 14564 (registration form enclosed): $35 Weekend, $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. As always, there will be a registration table at the camp if you come in later at camp. ALL LADIES 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME. There will be music, fun and catching up with friends we haven’t seen. Save the date now! It can be a great time to decompress after all the preparation to send our children to school as well as a time for the kids to bond with Dad for 24 hours. Please consider the benefits of taking time out to be rejuvenated with other sisters in Christ and to commune with our Heavenly Father. September is a wonderful time to do that before the Fall schedules return to normal. Please feel free to contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

This Sunday, August 4th, we’ll reflect on 1 Corinthians 15:1-34. Be prepared for God’s word to disrupt your ordinary, call you to faithfully follow God’s Spirit, and invite you to be uncommonly present with others like Jesus.

July 31, 2024 - When we live in love, we live like Jesus.

From Mitch Knight’s sermon this past Sunday:
First Corinthians 13 is often called the 'wedding passage', which describes what love is and isn’t. While its use in weddings is common, its true value shines when we understand it in context. Paul wrote this chapter to guide the Corinthians, who were struggling between following Corinthian culture and Jesus’ teachings, urging them to grow out of selfishness and into love. Love is fundamental in Scripture, mentioned over 500 times, because living in love means living like Jesus. Love is indispensable to our faith. Without it, our actions, no matter how miraculous, are meaningless. Just like a car without fuel, our faith without love goes nowhere. God’s mission to rescue humanity is built on love, demonstrated through Jesus, and we are called to show this love to others. Let’s embrace the transformative power of love, living like Jesus, because when we live in love, we live like Jesus.

Action Step:
This week, think of someone you have difficulty loving. Right now (or make a note or set an alarm to) intentionally pray for that person who is difficult to love or recognize their inherent value as a person created in God's image. When we live in love, we live like Jesus.

Please read below for upcoming CCC opportunities.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

Would you consider joining others in fasting from breakfast and praying from 8:28 am until 9:15 am on Wednesday mornings? Join in prayer, in-person at the CCC auditorium or online via Zoom here: https://clarence-cc.squarespace.com/connect - for guided thoughts to help you pray.

This Saturday…

To prepare the CCC building for the Kids Summer Extravaganza, several areas need cleaning beyond the usual weekly tasks. As a church, we are ALL stewards of the worship space God has entrusted to us.

Please consider cleaning part of the church building on Saturday, August 3rd, from 9 am to 12 pm (or at another time of your convenience between now and August 18th).

Choose a room to clean the following: dust, remove cobwebs, clean marks on surfaces, walls, windows, floor (if needed), vacuum corners and edges, and sort, declutter, trash, or recycle unused* items (*if an item is not broken or obviously trash, please check with staff before moving it).

A number of people who participated in the Sunday morning Chosen group this past year gathered this week at the Ebersole home for fun, fellowship, and community building. They also enjoyed delicious!!! smoked pulled pork and other fixings. The Chosen group will resume watching and discussing episodes of The Chosen this fall. This Sunday morning group is a great way to connect further with people in the church.

Pre-Register today!!! MountainviewChristianCamp.org

Sr. High Camp (9th-12th) - August 4-10

Mountain Do Camp (7th-12th) - August 11-14

2024 Ladies Retreat at Mountainview Christian Camp

To our sisters in Christ, we pray you are well and looking forward to the Ladies Retreat. We are looking forward to presenting it to you. Our speaker will be Suzanne Bracci, a Christian Life Coach and author from Western New York. Reserve the dates of September 13-14, 2024 to attend. We want each of you to know that God loves you, has given you gifts you may not be aware of, or as our kids mature, our purpose changes. These times can be scary and/or frustrating and Suzanne will speak to us on Saturday of our uniqueness as women of God in the Scriptures and putting on the Mindset of Christ. Registration fees are as follows. If possible please register and send to Mountainview Christian Camp, c/o Sharon Schmaltz, Registrar, 7240 Dryer Road, Victor, NY 14564 (registration form enclosed): $35 Weekend, $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. As always, there will be a registration table at the camp if you come in later at camp. ALL LADIES 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME. There will be music, fun and catching up with friends we haven’t seen. Save the date now! It can be a great time to decompress after all the preparation to send our children to school as well as a time for the kids to bond with Dad for 24 hours. Please consider the benefits of taking time out to be rejuvenated with other sisters in Christ and to commune with our Heavenly Father. September is a wonderful time to do that before the Fall schedules return to normal. Please feel free to contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

This Sunday, August 4th, we’ll reflect on 1 Corinthians 14. Be prepared for God’s word to disrupt your ordinary, call you to faithfully follow God’s Spirit, and invite you to be uncommonly present with others like Jesus.

July 24, 2024 - Serve the need however God's gifted you

When my wife Julia works late, it falls on me to prepare dinner for our kids. Julia is a gifted cook, unlike me. And while my meals may not be gourmet, my willingness to serve the need is what matters most on those days. This mirrors 1 Corinthians 12: willingness to serve is more important than one's specific gifts.

Paul emphasizes that gifts are given by God to express His work through us for the common good. The unity in the body of Christ means recognizing that our varied gifts are meant to support each other. If one part suffers, all parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all parts rejoice with it (1 Corinthians 12:26).

The challenge is to serve the need, no matter how we're gifted. Our willingness to serve reflects the mindset of Jesus, who, though divine, took on the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:5-7).

Consider what needs you see around you and how you can serve, even if it’s not your strongest suit. Your willingness to serve is the first step. Be part of God’s work to redeem and renew the world. Serve the need however God’s gifted you.

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Click/tap image for a sharable flyer

Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

consider joining me in prayer and fasting on Wednesdays, fasting from breakfast and praying from 8:28 am until 9:15 am. Join in-person at the CCC auditorium or online via Zoom here: https://clarence-cc.squarespace.com/connect

To prepare the CCC building for the Kids Summer Extravaganza, several areas need cleaning beyond the usual weekly tasks. As a church, we are ALL stewards of the worship space God has entrusted to us.

Please consider cleaning part of the church building on Saturday, August 3rd, from 9 am to 12 pm (or at another time of your convenience between now and August 18th).

Choose a room to clean the following: dust, remove cobwebs, clean marks on surfaces, walls, windows, floor (if needed), vacuum corners and edges, and sort, declutter, trash, or recycle unused* items (*if an item is not broken or obviously trash, please check with staff before moving it).

Pre-Register today!!! MountainviewChristianCamp.org

Jr. High Camp (6th-8th) - July 28-August 3

Sr. High Camp (9th-12th) - August 4-10

Mountain Do Camp (7th-12th) - August 11-14

To our sisters in Christ, we pray you are well and looking forward to the Ladies Retreat. We are looking forward to presenting it to you. Our speaker will be Suzanne Bracci, a Christian Life Coach and author from Western New York. Reserve the dates of September 13-14, 2024 to attend. We want each of you to know that God loves you, has given you gifts you may not be aware of, or as our kids mature, our purpose changes. These times can be scary and/or frustrating and Suzanne will speak to us on Saturday of our uniqueness as women of God in the Scriptures and putting on the Mindset of Christ. Registration fees are as follows. If possible please register and send to Mountainview Christian Camp, c/o Sharon Schmaltz, Registrar, 7240 Dryer Road, Victor, NY 14564 (registration form enclosed): $35 Weekend, $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. As always, there will be a registration table at the camp if you come in later at camp. ALL LADIES 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME. There will be music, fun and catching up with friends we haven’t seen. Save the date now! It can be a great time to decompress after all the preparation to send our children to school as well as a time for the kids to bond with Dad for 24 hours. Please consider the benefits of taking time out to be rejuvenated with other sisters in Christ and to commune with our Heavenly Father. September is a wonderful time to do that before the Fall schedules return to normal. Please feel free to contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

This Sunday, July 28th, Mitch Knight will help us reflect on 1 Corinthians 13. I hope you’re anticipating God to call you further into his way of life this Sunday.

July 17, 2024 - From Selfishness to Service

Have you ever made a decision at the expense of someone else? Have you prioritized your wants and desires over others? Have you excluded others because of what they believe, think, or say? I have. Unfortunately, this is the human condition, and the Corinthians were just as susceptible to selfishness as we are today. The church in Corinth struggled with being shaped by the culture around them rather than the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Nowadays, we can benefit from the lessons taught to and learned by the Corinthian church. We can understand where selfishness is molded to service.

Last week, in preaching on 1 Corinthian 11, Jordan challenged us to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus, find abundant life in Him, and be guided toward service out of our selfishness. More specifically, we were called to an action step by writing down the name of someone close to us that we don’t know that well yet. So, rather than having this person sit at a different communion table, we should invite them to join us at ours. Who in our Church family is God impressing upon your heart to get to know? Reach out to them and see if you can’t find a time to meet up, encourage one another, and live together as the body of Christ.

As Paul so eloquently writes in 2 Timothy: “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22). We are not alone in our walk with Christ, nor are we meant to be. We are a family, wholly and dearly loved, and called to love one another just as Christ has loved us.

———

Grace and Peace to you as you follow Him this week!

Mitchell Knight

An Amazing Experience is Planned for our Kids!

Click/tap image for a sharable flyer

Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

Camp Season is Upon us!

Mountainview Christian Camp is a great environment and opportunity for kids to learn and grow in their faith and find abundant life in Jesus! You can find out more and pre-register at MountainviewChristianCamp.org.

The Different Weeks are as Follows:

First Chance Camp (K-5th) - July 19-21

Junior Camp (4th-6th) - July 21-26

Jr. High Camp (6th-8th) - July 28-August 3

Sr. High Camp (9th-12th) - August 4-10

Mountain Do Camp (7th-12th) - August 11-14

Youth Group Continues into Summer

We are excited to continue offering weekly Youth Group meetings throughout the summer. Our students are currently studying the Old Testament and learning about the prophets, the promised and sent messengers of God during times of disobedience in Israel and Judah.

In a culture where we have many things competing for our attention, how can we return to God with our whole soul, heart, mind, and strength? The prophets help us to consider these kinds of questions and more. We encourage any and all junior-high and senior-high students to join us at Youth Group on Sundays from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the church building, where we hope to guide all students to abundant life in Jesus!

Youth Group Students After our Lesson

Join us Next Sunday at 10am!

This Sunday, July 21st, we’ll examine 1 Corinthians 12 and how God equips us to build up the body of Christ. Spiritual gifts are a fantastic blessing, and they help point us and others back toward the gift giver, our Heavenly Father. Join us Sunday at 10 am to see the abundant life God has given you and how you can help others receive it!

July 10, 2024 - Is the church outside the U.S. different?

Since January 2024, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to participate in an online Learning Community (LC) hosted by Renew.org. These LCs are designed as webinars complemented by two Zoom debrief sessions, featuring insightful content delivered by ministry practitioners—ministers, church planters, consultants, missionaries, and more.

One particularly impactful session was with Josh Howard. Originally from the U.S., Josh married an Indian woman and now resides with his family in India. He ministers in coordinating and equipping a disciple-making movement across the country. If you're familiar with India, you know it's home to a staggering population nearing 1.5 billion people. During the webinar (and also on a separate podcast) Josh shared eye-opening insights into the state of the church in India.

In India, the traditional strategy of establishing churches with a congregation and a building is seen as insufficient for reaching over a billion people. Instead, discipleship occurs on a much more personal level—one group, one family at a time. While India may not have an abundance of large, growing churches, it is filling with disciples making disciples, spreading through second and third generations of relationships. This is not just about making disciples; it's about igniting a disciple-making movement. This movement is akin to a wildfire, not reliant on any single person or congregation but spreading organically as followers of Jesus make new disciples as He commissioned.

Why is This Happening in India and Not Here?

Why do we not see similar disciple-making movements here? Why are tens, hundreds, even thousands of people not becoming disciples of Jesus as they are in India (and similarly in the underground church in China)? The difference appears to lie in worship, particularly in the priority given to seeking God through prayer and fasting.

Prayer and fasting are not magical tools to coerce God into action, but there is a noticeable difference between the churches in the U.S. and India: this practice often precede significant disciple-making movements. The practice is to seek God first, surrendering to Jesus, and asking where His Spirit is already at work. This approach contrasts with the practice of implementing plans and strategies and then asking God to bless them. While this is an oversimplification of what has become characteristic of the church in the U.S., it highlights the core difference between the two approaches.

Biblical Foundations and Personal Convictions

Throughout the Bible, we see figures like Moses, David, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, Ezra, Paul, Barnabas, and Jesus Himself seeking God through prayer and fasting. They implored God to show His presence, guidance, and action—seeking what only He can make happen. Changing a person’s mind or heart is one of the hardest things in the world, and that is God's specialty. He continually woos people to Himself, as seen from Genesis to Revelation.

Reflecting on this, I am convicted by my lack of routine in prayer and fasting. Specifically, I feel called to dedicate time to fasting and prayer for our church, its future, and our role in guiding people in our sphere of influence to experience abundant life in Jesus. I am convinced that we need to seek God's leading for our future.

A Call to Action

To put this conviction into practice, I plan to set aside Wednesday mornings from 8:28 am to 9:15 am for fasting and prayer. I invite you to join me in this routine. My vision is for participants to fast from dinner the previous night until 9:15 am on Wednesday morning. You can join me physically in the CCC auditorium or online (via Zoom). Whether you’re at work, watching your kids, or driving, you can tune into the Zoom call and join us in prayer.

This isn’t intended to be a dialogue but a time for us to collectively seek God in prayer. The 8:28 am time frame is inspired by 1 Kings 8:28, where Solomon prays, “...give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” While we no longer worship in a temple like Solomon’s, our bodies and Christ’s church are described as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19). It's from this temple of God that we seek God in prayer today.

I plan to start this prayer gathering on Wednesday, July 17th, and continue weekly. Along the way, I aim to provide some direction to assist us in prayer. My hope is that together, we will seek God’s presence and guidance, making His movement among us clear and evident.

I pray you will join me in this endeavor, in person or online, each Wednesday. Let us seek God together, prioritizing His will and presence in our lives and in our community.

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Click/tap image for a sharable flyer

Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

Pre-Register today!!! MountainviewChristianCamp.org

First Chance Camp (K-5th) - July 19-21

Junior Camp (4th-6th) - July 21-26

Jr. High Camp (6th-8th) - July 28-August 3

Sr. High Camp (9th-12th) - August 4-10

Mountain Do Camp (7th-12th) - August 11-14

To our sisters in Christ, we pray you are well and looking forward to the Ladies Retreat. We are looking forward to presenting it to you. Our speaker will be Suzanne Bracci, a Christian Life Coach and author from Western New York. Reserve the dates of September 13-14, 2024 to attend. We want each of you to know that God loves you, has given you gifts you may not be aware of, or as our kids mature, our purpose changes. These times can be scary and/or frustrating and Suzanne will speak to us on Saturday of our uniqueness as women of God in the Scriptures and putting on the Mindset of Christ. Registration fees are as follows. If possible please register and send to Mountainview Christian Camp, c/o Sharon Schmaltz, Registrar, 7240 Dryer Road, Victor, NY 14564 (registration form enclosed): $35 Weekend, $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. As always, there will be a registration table at the camp if you come in later at camp. ALL LADIES 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME. There will be music, fun and catching up with friends we haven’t seen. Save the date now! It can be a great time to decompress after all the preparation to send our children to school as well as a time for the kids to bond with Dad for 24 hours. Please consider the benefits of taking time out to be rejuvenated with other sisters in Christ and to commune with our Heavenly Father. September is a wonderful time to do that before the Fall schedules return to normal. Please feel free to contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

This Sunday, July 14th, we’ll reflect on 1 Corinthians 11:2-34. What disruptive truth might God’s word have for you to hear this Sunday? What simple faithfulness might he call you toward this Sunday? How might he call you to be an uncommon presence to those disconnected from God’s kingdom?

July 3, 2024 - What ignites your purpose?

Have you ever tried lighting birthday candles with matches? It's a race against time before the match burns out. With a lighter, however, you have a continuous flame. A match is limited, while a lighter has a longer-lasting purpose.

Finding Your Fuel

This brings up a deeper question: What ignites your purpose? What motivates you and keeps you…

• Caring for Children: Is it about giving them the American dream, or having them support you in old age, or is there a wider calling?

• Learning: Is it just for a diploma, or is there a wider use of your training?

• Maintaining a Home: Is it just for shelter, or does it exist for something more?

• Working: Is it just about money and status, or does your job have a wider purpose?

• Living: Why do you continue to live, eat, and take care of yourself, even in old age? Is it merely to avoid pain, or is there a wider purpose driving you?

• Participating: For those who belong to a church, what keeps you participating? Is it tradition, social ties, or a wider purpose?

Lasting Purpose

Many purposes, while good, are limited. A family, education, home, and job are beneficial but often only impact a few. Participating in a church community is valuable, but its full potential is reached when it benefits more than just yourself.

In a world separated from the life of God, whom gave everything it’s original purpose, we’re tempted to chase lesser goals that can't fully satisfy. This is like trying to light many candles with one match. Each purpose flames out, leaving us wanting more.

A Wider Calling

As much as we might sense our individual purpose from God, what about our purpose as a worshiping community? Over the past few months, the CCC leadership team has been dreaming and seeking Jesus for the broader purpose God may have for the Clarence Church of Christ in the coming years, beyond our current activities. Paul’s testimony in 1 Corinthians 9 offers a spark of imagination for what this broader purpose could be.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul shares that he found a lasting purpose in God's mission of redeeming the world and guiding everyone he encountered to abundant life in Jesus. This purpose goes beyond personal gain and comfort, offering a challenging yet enduring and eternally impactful mission. Paul's purpose wasn't just a program in addition to the rest of his life. No. Paul's purpose was a way of life. The way of Jesus' life fueled his purpose in all he did.

Paul's testimony provides a framework for a broader purpose that we too could more fully embrace as a church in Western New York — the vision and mission of this church involved in guiding all people within our sphere of influence to experience abundant life in Jesus. Paul found this purpose to be lasting and impactful, and we believe it can shape how we step further into a more enduring and impactful purpose as a church in the coming years.

What Ignites Your Purpose?

Are you seeking purpose with fuel that will burn out quickly? Or are you seeking purpose with fuel that will burn for a long time and make a great impact for God’s eternal kingdom?

Jesus ignited Paul’s purpose. What ignites yours?

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Starting this Sunday, July 7th, we will begin a new series called Ordered: God’s Order for Living and Worship, exploring God’s revealed order for living and worship as given in 1 Corinthians 10-16. This series will run through July and August. This Sunday, we’ll reflect on an overall life of worship and the impact it brings to other areas of life. Read ahead and prepare yourself to hear how God’s Spirit will be calling you to respond in obedience to his word.

Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

Pre-Register today!!! MountainviewChristianCamp.org

First Chance Camp (K-5th) - July 19-21

Junior Camp (4th-6th) - July 21-26

Jr. High Camp (6th-8th) - July 28-August 3

Sr. High Camp (9th-12th) - August 4-10

Mountain Do Camp (7th-12th) - August 11-14

To our sisters in Christ, we pray you are well and looking forward to the Ladies Retreat. We are looking forward to presenting it to you. Our speaker will be Suzanne Bracci, a Christian Life Coach and author from Western New York. Reserve the dates of September 13-14, 2024 to attend. We want each of you to know that God loves you, has given you gifts you may not be aware of, or as our kids mature, our purpose changes. These times can be scary and/or frustrating and Suzanne will speak to us on Saturday of our uniqueness as women of God in the Scriptures and putting on the Mindset of Christ. Registration fees are as follows. If possible please register and send to Mountainview Christian Camp, c/o Sharon Schmaltz, Registrar, 7240 Dryer Road, Victor, NY 14564 (registration form enclosed): $35 Weekend, $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. As always, there will be a registration table at the camp if you come in later at camp. ALL LADIES 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WELCOME. There will be music, fun and catching up with friends we haven’t seen. Save the date now! It can be a great time to decompress after all the preparation to send our children to school as well as a time for the kids to bond with Dad for 24 hours. Please consider the benefits of taking time out to be rejuvenated with other sisters in Christ and to commune with our Heavenly Father. September is a wonderful time to do that before the Fall schedules return to normal. Please feel free to contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

June 26, 2024 - Knowledge in the posture of Jesus.

In the divided and tribalistic world we live in, it’s easy to be drawn to one side of an issue over another. As followers of Jesus, this can be tricky, as we believe in the objectively revealed truth in God’s word. How can we avoid contributing to tribalism and division when compromising on truth isn’t an option? Ultimately, the determination of right and wrong lies in God’s infinite wisdom, not our limited perspective. In a world separated from God, creation, and each other by sin, unity is not fully attainable on our own. We need someone to bring clarity and correct our perspectives.

So, is there anything we can do? Absolutely. We can participate in this process. One word sums up the difference a follower of Jesus can have, compared to the proud and arrogant and divisive ways of the world: posture. We can adopt the posture Jesus takes with us. We can emulate Jesus’ humble, compassionate, and loving posture toward us and others. This does not mean compromising on truth, but it does mean approaching the truth with a posture that is non-manipulative, non-coercive, and non-mean-spirited.

We can live out the truth from a posture of care. We can speak the truth with concern and curiosity, wanting to understand why others don’t see the truth as we do, and recognizing them as people with real struggles, concerns, and frustrations with the way a broken world is experienced. Taking the loving posture of Jesus allows space for God’s presence in our interactions, enabling God’s Spirit to bring connection rather than division, allowing God’s Spirit to convict and make hearts long for more than a skewed version of truth. As Mitch preached this past Sunday, knowledge of the truth is good, but love is greater. May we continue to allow Jesus to shape and mold us to interact with others in the posture he took, while steadfastly holding to the truth.

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Join us in hosting a fun, four-day, Bible, mystery-themed experience – helping kids (PreK to 5th grade) explore some big questions about God. Volunteers needed for set-up, registration, tech support, group guides, general assistance, cleanup, and more. Contact Alexandra Fish to get involved and help kids discover the abundant life God has for them!

This Sunday, June 30th, we will conclude the Holy Wholly: Sanctified Unity series from 1 Corinthians 1-9 by reflecting on 1 Corinthians 9. Starting Sunday, July 7th, we will begin a new series called Ordered: God’s Order for Living and Worship, exploring God’s revealed order for living and worship as given in 1 Corinthians 10-16. This series will run through July and August.

June 12, 2024 - Trust that Jesus isn't limited by your situation.

Marriage is increasingly unstable and less common these days. Our responses to marital troubles are often limited to enduring the issues alone, divorce, or avoiding marriage altogether. However, 1 Corinthians 7 shows us that Jesus offers a broader perspective.

His solutions aren’t limited to these options. God's word provides far-reaching answers for marital troubles. Trust in Jesus’ grace and support, knowing He can meet you in your situation and offer hope beyond your limited options.

Embrace His comprehensive perspective for navigating marital challenges. Trust that Jesus’ wisdom and imagination extend beyond the options you can see. Trust that Jesus isn't limited by your situation.

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Hunter Haley on Unsplash

If you missed the first Share Your Faith Workshop last Sunday, Sean Cronin shared a tool to share the good news of Jesus with another person by using 3 circles. Below is an overview of that tool.

A Vacation Bible School-like experience at CCC, August 19-22, from 6pm-8pm, for PreK-5th. See Alexandra Fish to help fill one of the number of needs for this week.

Ahmed Zayan on Unsplash

This past Sunday (June 9), we reflected on what God’s Word revealed about navigating trouble in marriage. How is Jesus calling you to trust that He isn’t limited by your situation?

This Sunday, June 16th, Sean Cronin will help us reflect on what 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 has to say about the unmarried, single life. If you know of someone who needs to encounter God in such a situation, share and invite them to join you here next Sunday. Grab them a coffee. Meet them at the door. Sit with them. Take them out for lunch to follow-up after. I pray you’re open to hear what step of faith God’s voice will direct you to take in response to his Word.

June 5, 2024 - Align with Jesus no matter where you find yourself

How aligned is your life to God?

1. Understanding the Importance of Alignment

A level is a tool used to determine the horizontal straightness of an object, ensuring it is aligned with the earth's gravitational pull. Similarly, a plumb-line checks vertical straightness. These tools ensure structures are true to the standard. Without proper alignment, construction projects become messy and frustrating. This principle can be applied to our lives, particularly regarding sexuality, where alignment with a true standard is essential to avoid chaos and frustration.

2. The Modern Landscape of Sexuality

In today's world, there are countless standards for sexuality, leading to confusion and messiness in personal relationships and self-perception. The differing views on sexuality range from it being a personal right to a mere physical activity. This lack of a unified standard parallels the frustration of working on an unlevel house, making it difficult to measure and make progress accurately. When our sexual standards are misaligned, our lives reflect the same disorder and frustration found in construction projects with misaligned building materials.

3. Finding Fullness of Life through Alignment with Jesus

The Bible, particularly in 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, offers a standard for sexual activity, emphasizing that true alignment and fullness of life are found in aligning with Jesus. Whether in marriage or celibacy, living according to God’s design brings clarity and fulfillment. Jesus provides a clear standard, inviting us to align with His teachings to avoid the messiness of multiple, conflicting standards. By aligning with Jesus, we experience true fullness of life, ensuring that our personal relationships and self-identity are built on a solid, unchanging foundation.

Align your life with Jesus, and discover the true standard that brings clarity and fulfillment in every aspect of your life.

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Hunter Haley on Unsplash

If you missed the first Share Your Faith Workshop last Sunday, Mitch Knight shared a tool to share one’s transformation story with Jesus in 15 seconds (or: elevator testimony), with the following framework:

1. Before Christ: “There was a time in my life when __________. (e.g., I tried to be perfect on my own).

2. Come to Christ: But, then I met Jesus and _______. (e.g. I know I’m not alone; and that I have a power greater than my own ability.)

3. After Christ: So, now _____________ (e.g. I know that I’m not alone and can trust his perfect guidance to do what’s best.)

This Sunday, Sean Cronin will lead the last session of this workshop, and talk about another tool to assist you in sharing your faith in Jesus with others. Join immediately after worship, in the youth room (snacks and child-care available). Participation in previous weeks of the workshop is not necessary to participate in the workshop session this Sunday.

This past Sunday (June 2), we reflected on the alignment of our lives to Jesus, including with our sexuality. How is Jesus calling you to re-align your life with his design and purpose for your life? What’s standing in the way of that happening; and how is God’s Spirit calling you to respond in obedience to his word? This Sunday, June 9th, we’ll reflect and respond to what God’s Word in 1 Corinthians 7:10-24 has to say to us. I pray you’ll be open to hear what step of faith God’s voice will be directing you to take.

A Vacation Bible School-like experience at CCC, August 19-22, from 6pm-8pm, for PreK-5th. See Alexandra Fish to help fill one of the number of needs for this week.

May 26, 2024 - Finding wholeness in Jesus.

Imagine a cream-filled donut. Without the cream, it’s an empty shell. Without the dough, the cream would be a messy blob. This simple treat offers a profound metaphor for our lives, showing the need for harmony with our physical bodies and inner selves.

Many struggle with self-understanding, often torn between physical appearance and inner life—thoughts and feelings. This struggle isn't unique. The first-century Corinthians faced similar issues. Paul, an early Christian leader, reminded them and us that we are whole beings, created in God's image, though broken due to separation from Him.

Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians 6 is timeless: our true selves are fully understood in Jesus. Created by God, our bodies and spirits are meant for Him. Separation from God leads to confusion and brokenness.

Using the example of sexual immorality, Paul illustrates how deviating from God's design distorts our sense of self. This distortion isn't just about sexual immorality; it’s about re-aligning our inner and outer selves; and this is only possibly by turning to Jesus for clarity and healing. God knows us completely and can restore our brokenness.

Paul reminds us that through Jesus, we can experience a whole, restored life. Jesus lived in perfect harmony with God, and through his death and resurrection, made a way for us to be healed. We can experience a resurrected wholeness like Jesus. We are called to trust in God and allow Him to guide us toward wholeness.

If you’re struggling to understand yourself, consider how Jesus can bring clarity and wholeness to your life. Reach out to trusted followers of Jesus for support. Experience your whole self in Jesus, knowing He understands every part of you and desires to bring you into complete harmony with His purpose.

Experience your whole self in Jesus.

Below, see further CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

Continue to trust that God is present and active. See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

Hunter Haley on Unsplash

If you missed the first Share Your Faith Workshop last Sunday, Sean Cronin shared a tool to share one’s transformation story with Jesus in 2 minutes, with the following framework:

1. Life before Christ (or personally surrendered to Jesus, if grew-up in a church-participating family) (what your life was like before Jesus changed it).

2. Process of coming to Christ (your “aha” moment in Jesus).

3. Life after Christ (what is different about you because of Jesus).

This Sunday, Mitch Knight will help you engage with another tool to assist you in sharing your faith in Jesus with others. Join immediately after worship, in the youth room (snacks and child-care available). Participation in previous weeks of the workshop is not necessary to participate in the workshop session this Sunday.

This past Sunday (May 26th), we reflected on the wholeness of life that Jesus can bring to our life. How has Jesus brought wholeness to your life? This Sunday, June 2nd, we’ll reflect and respond to what God’s Word in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 has to say to us. I pray you’ll be open to hear what step of faith God’s voice is directing you to take next.

Help guide your PreK-5th grade-aged kids to apply what they encounter about Jesus in Little and Big Impact on Sunday mornings by referencing or re-playing the lessons here: youtube.com/@cccimpactkids

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In 2024, if you buy a product online or want to try a new restaurant, you’ve likely checked out an online review beforehand. Like it or not, reviews make a strong first impression and influence people's choices, including where they attend church. It would be a great help if you could leave a simple review about the impact CCC has had on your life and your growth in Christ. You can leave a Google review here, and help others be encouraged to take a step toward experiencing Jesus with us.