In This Edition: Remembering. A Quick Note. Shaped to Depend on God. Donuts. And a Cornhole Event.

Remembering God's Faithfulness

In this powerful message based on Isaiah 51:1-16, we're reminded that remembering what God has done in the past helps us trust Him for what's to come. Just as the exiles in ancient times were encouraged to recall God's faithfulness throughout history—from creating a nation through Abraham and Sarah to delivering His people from Egypt—we too are invited to remember God's story. When our personal narratives get interrupted by challenges and competing storylines, we can find hope by anchoring ourselves in God's greater story. By recalling His past faithfulness, we gain confidence to face an uncertain future, knowing that God's story is the dominant one that leads to restoration, justice, and peace.

How is God’s Spirit inviting you to respond?

1. Identify Your Competing Storylines: What competing narratives or worldviews are currently influencing how you see your life and future? How might remembering God's faithfulness help you reorient your perspective?

2. Create Your Remembrance Practice: What practical steps can you take to regularly remember God's faithfulness in your life? How are you immersing yourself in God’s story by engaging Scripture? Pray in relation to your situation based on how God has acted in the past. Create an ongoing note or journal for remembering the times that God proves to be faithful to you.

3. Pass It On: How can you help others in your life (children, friends, family members) remember God's faithfulness? How might stories from Scripture, or your personal experiences with God, encourage someone else facing uncertainty today?

This Sunday, we’ll reflect on Isaiah 51:17-52:12. I hope you'll join us as we continue reflecting on the Suffering Servant passages from the book of Isaiah and the guidance they offer to our lives today.

Have You Written to Your Person Yet?

Shaped to Depend on God in Seasons of Suffering

To help our church meet with Jesus, share openly with Him, and follow His way, our leadership has prepared a prayer guide on Isaiah’s Suffering Servant. Designed for the weeks before Easter, it fosters a daily rhythm of Scripture, prayer, and transformation as we spend time with Jesus. Use it throughout March and April, asking the Lord to deepen your life in Him and lead others to His abundant life.

Catch up on this week’s guide.

Pick up next week’s guide (April 7-12) on the Info Page table this Sunday.

Palm Sunday Donuts

This next week, April 6th–12th, you’re encouraged to use your resources to bless someone who’s often overlooked (co-worker, neighbor, public worker, etc.), whether with donuts or another thoughtful gesture. On April 13th, we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday and how Jesus has taken notice of us by bringing our favorite donuts to share before and after the 10am gathering (and see who brings the best donuts!). Let’s make God’s love visible and celebrate His goodness experienced in our own lives!

An Easy Way to Meet New People and Invite a Friend

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: Don’t Quit. Thanks! Learn to Serve like Jesus. Palm Sunday Donuts. And an Opportunity to Steward.

Don't Quit: Finding Strength When Life Gets Tough

Have you ever wanted to give up? Maybe it's a work project, or a personal goal, or a relationship. We've all had some experience like that. This past Sunday, Sean Cronin helped us reflect on this challenge through the example of Jesus foretold in Isaiah 50. Sean gave a number of examples of perseverance in every-day life: from a 68-year-old woman in South Korea trying to get a driver’s license after 950 tries; or John Stephen Akhwari, the Olympic marathon runner who finished the race two hours after the winner, despite being injured. These stories highlight perseverance. The struggle for us, is how do we become people who can persevere through difficult situations?

Finding Your Strength

When we look at Jesus through the prophecy of Isaiah 50, we encounter that perseverance isn't a superhuman power. Rather, it's about relying on the strength and power of God to carry you through difficult situations:

• Admitting you can't do it without Him

• Listening to His words of encouragement

• Remembering your true identity in Him

• Trusting in Him who is greater than yourself

Jesus himself showed us this path. Jesus faced the most challenging moment of his life - the crucifixion - by relying on the strength of his Heavenly Father to carry him through it. So, what are you tempted to quit on right now? Whatever it is, remember: You're not alone. You're loved. And sometimes, the breakthrough is just one more step away as you rely on God.

Three Questions to Reflect On:

1. What challenge are you currently facing that makes you want to give up?

2. How can you remind yourself of your worth in Christ beyond your achievements?

3. What brother or sister in Christ can you reach out to for support in your current struggle?

This Sunday, we’ll reflect on Isaiah 51:1-16. I hope you'll join us as we continue reflecting on the Suffering Servant passages from the book of Isaiah and the hope they offer to our lives today.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who gave their time to serve, bless, and help create the environment of Merge Madness yesterday! In addition to enjoying volleyball and other games, 6th–12th graders were encouraged to look to Jesus in the storms of life. Thank you for making this opportunity possible for them!

Learn to Serve like Jesus

To help our church meet with Jesus, share openly with Him, and follow His way, our leadership has prepared a prayer guide on Isaiah’s Suffering Servant. Designed for the weeks before Easter, it fosters a daily rhythm of Scripture, prayer, and transformation as we spend time with Jesus. Use it throughout March and April, asking the Lord to deepen your life in Him and lead others to His abundant life.

Catch up on this week’s guide.

Pick up next week’s guide (March 24-29) on the Info Page table this Sunday.

Palm Sunday Donuts

From April 6–12, use your resources to bless someone who’s often overlooked, whether with donuts or another thoughtful gesture. On April 13, we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday and how Jesus has taken notice of us by bringing our favorite donuts to share before and after the 10am gathering. Let’s make His love visible!

An Opportunity to Steward God’s Blessing to Us

Although we've only had a taste of warm weather this past week, summer is quickly approaching, and with it comes the important need to maintain the church lawn. The CCC trustees are seeking members who are willing to serve by mowing the lawn this year. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the upkeep of our church while also experiencing the joy of serving. Mowing requires an approximate once-a-month commitment from April to October. Your help would make a big difference! If interested, connect with Dan Corbett, Jim Ebersole, or Jordan Byrd.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: God Hasn’t Forgotten You. Merge Madness. Meeting Consistently with Jesus. Serve and Celebrate. And Caring for What God’s Entrusted to Us.

Why God Hasn’t Forgotten You

When we feel forgotten or forsaken by God, Isaiah 49:14-26 reminds us of His unwavering faithfulness. Just as a mother cannot forget her child, God assures His people that He is more mindful than a mother with her child — so much so that He has engraved them on the palms of His hands. Though God’s people doubted His presence during their exile, God was working a greater restoration beyond what they could see. Through Jesus’ suffering, we witness the ultimate expression of God’s commitment to rescue and restore us, not just from temporary struggles but from sin and death itself. When life tempts us to focus only on our immediate pain or narrow hopes, God invites us to lift our eyes and see His greater vision of restoration in Christ.

How is the Lord calling you to respond to His word in Isaiah 49:14-26 this week?

1. In what areas of your life have you felt forgotten by God, and how does Isaiah 49 challenge that perception

2. How does Jesus’ suffering reshape your understanding of God’s presence and restoration in your struggles

3. What is one practical step you can take this week to lift your eyes beyond your immediate challenges and trust in God’s greater vision for your life?

This Sunday, Sean Cronin will help us reflect on Isaiah 50:1-11. I hope you'll join us as we continue reflecting on the Suffering Servant passages from the book of Isaiah and the hope they offer to our lives today.

Merge Madness

MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ, on Saturday, March 22nd. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun (volleyball and other activities)!

We would love for you to help foster this fun, safe, and Jesus-filled environment by serving in various roles needed to host this event. Opportunities include assisting with food, setup, cleanup, music, media, welcoming guests, and more.

There are still a number of areas of this event that would benefit from your service and help. To get involved, message Mitch Knight.

Thank you for your willingness to serve the younger generation and help guide them to abundant life in Jesus!

Are You Consistently Meeting with Jesus?

To help our church meet with Jesus, share openly with Him, and follow His way, our leadership has prepared a prayer guide on Isaiah’s Suffering Servant. Designed for the weeks before Easter, it fosters a daily rhythm of Scripture, prayer, and transformation as we spend time with Jesus. Use it throughout March and April, asking the Lord to deepen your life in Him and lead others to His abundant life.

Catch up on this week’s guide.

Pick up next week’s guide (March 24-29) on the Info Page table this Sunday.

Serve and Celebrate

Get Some Fresh Air While Helping to Meet a Need…

Although we've only had a taste of warm weather this past week, summer is quickly approaching, and with it comes the important need to maintain the church lawn. The CCC trustees are seeking members who are willing to serve by mowing the lawn this year. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the upkeep of our church while also experiencing the joy of serving. Mowing requires an approximate once-a-month commitment from April to October. Your help would make a big difference! If interested, connect with Dan Corbett, Jim Ebersole, or Jordan Byrd.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: Hope Amidst Despair. Helping Young People through the Storm of Life. A Daily Tool. Get to Know Someone Better This Sunday. And Help Meet a Need This Summer.

With God, There’s always a Way forward

Many things can push us toward hopelessness—losing a job, the death of a loved one, unrelenting sickness, overwhelming financial struggles, selfishness on full display in public life, constant criticism from coworkers, being excluded by teammates and coaches, or never feeling like you truly belong anywhere.

God’s people in the time of the prophet Isaiah felt the same despair. Their homeland was first divided in two, then ruled by a succession of kings, and ultimately, they were exiled to foreign lands under foreign rulers. What hope was there for their future?

Isaiah’s prophecy poetically highlights the hope they had to cling to—the same hope we have today through Jesus, that, with God, there is always a way forward.

How is the Lord calling you to respond to His good news of hope?
1️⃣ God – What does this hope tell you about God’s character?

2️⃣ Yourself or Others – What does this hope tell you about how to trust God?

3️⃣ Step of Obedience – What step of obedience toward God does this hope spur you to take today (this week)?

This Sunday, we’ll reflect on Isaiah 49:14-26. I hope you'll join us as we continue reflecting on the Suffering Servant passages from the book of Isaiah and the hope they offer to our lives today.

Merge Madness

MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ, on Saturday, March 22nd. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun (volleyball and other activities)!

We would love for you to help foster this fun, safe, and Jesus-filled environment by serving in various roles needed to host this event. Opportunities include assisting with food, setup, cleanup, music, media, welcoming guests, and more. To get involved, message Mitch Knight directly or sign up on the sheet in the lobby during this Sunday’s worship gathering. Thank you for your willingness to serve the younger generation and help guide them to abundant life in Jesus!

A Tool to Shape You toward God’s Abundant Life…

To help equip our church family to meet consistently with Jesus, share vulnerably with Him, and invest sacrificially in His way, our leadership has compiled a prayer guide on Isaiah’s Suffering Servant passages. This guide is meant to shape a daily habit of allowing God’s Word to disrupt our lives—moving us from sin to the way of Jesus. Designed for the weeks leading up to Easter, it offers a simple yet faithful rhythm of prayer. Our hope is that it will form us into uncommon people—those who intentionally sit with God’s Word, wrestle with sin, and let His truth shape us to serve and sacrifice like Jesus. We invite you to use this guide throughout March and April, asking God to do a mighty work in you—deepening your life in Him and helping you guide others into His abundant life.

Find a copy of the prayer guide for next week (March 17-22) next to the Info Page as you enter and leave the worship gathering this Sunday.

Linger after this Sunday

This Sunday, March 16th, following the 10am worship gathering, there’ll be a linger-after with some light food available. Feel free to hang around, catch up with someone, or get to know someone further. You are welcome to contribute any additional food if you feel inclined. Please contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

Get Some Fresh Air While Helping to Meet a Need…

Although we've only had a taste of warm weather this past week, summer is quickly approaching, and with it comes the important need to maintain the church lawn. The CCC trustees are seeking members who are willing to serve by mowing the lawn this year. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the upkeep of our church while also experiencing the joy of serving. Mowing requires an approximate once-a-month commitment from April to October. Your help would make a big difference! If interested, connect with Dan Corbett, Jim Ebersole, or Jordan Byrd.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: God’s not Done. Help Young People Encounter Jesus. A Spiritual Tool for You to Use. And, an Opportunity to Connect with Others.

If You’re not Dead, God’s not Done

When it seems like you have nothing left to live for, God’s vision is bigger. The Israelites in Babylonian captivity had a limited perspective and couldn’t see what else God had in store for them. As far as they could tell, their future was one of exile in a foreign land. Their life in the Promised Land was over. But God wasn’t finished yet—He was actively fulfilling His promise to restore them to His abundant life. And just as He wasn’t finished with His people then, He’s not finished with your life now. As long as you have breath in your body, God has a meaningful purpose for you in His Kingdom.

How is the Lord calling you to respond to this good news of hope?
1️⃣ God – How does God having a meaningful purpose for your life (at any age) impact how you relate to Him?

2️⃣ Yourself or Others – How does God having a meaningful purpose for all human life (at any age) impact how you live your life or how you view the lives of others?

3️⃣ Step of Obedience – With the life you still have left to live, how has God enabled you to invest, right now, in guiding all people to the abundant life of Jesus?

This Sunday, Mitch Knight will guide us in further reflecting on Isaiah 49:7-13. I hope you'll join us as we continue reflecting on the Suffering Servant passages from the book of Isaiah and the hope they offer to our lives today.

Merge Madness

MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ, on Saturday, March 22nd. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun (volleyball and other activities)!

We would love for you to help foster this fun, safe, and Jesus-filled environment by serving in various roles needed to host this event. Opportunities include assisting with food, setup, cleanup, music, media, welcoming guests, and more. To get involved, message Mitch Knight directly or sign up on the sheet in the lobby during this Sunday’s worship gathering. Thank you for your willingness to serve the younger generation and help guide them to abundant life in Jesus!

A Tool to Help You Share Vulnerably with Jesus…

To help equip our church family to meet consistently with Jesus, share vulnerably with Him, and invest sacrificially in His way, our leadership has compiled a prayer guide on Isaiah’s Suffering Servant passages. This guide is meant to shape a daily habit of allowing God’s Word to disrupt our lives—moving us from sin to the way of Jesus. Designed for the weeks leading up to Easter, it offers a simple yet faithful rhythm of prayer. Our hope is that it will form us into uncommon people—those who intentionally sit with God’s Word, wrestle with sin, and let His truth shape us to serve and sacrifice like Jesus. We invite you to use this guide throughout March and April, asking God to do a mighty work in you—deepening your life in Him and helping you guide others into His abundant life.

Find a copy of the prayer guide for next week (March 10-15) next to the Info Page as you enter and leave the worship gathering this Sunday.

Catch up Or Get to Know Someone Further

On Sunday, March 16th, following the 10am worship gathering, there’ll be a linger-after with some light food available. Feel free to hang around, catch up with someone, or get to know someone further. You are welcome to contribute any additional food if you feel inclined. Please contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: Are You Ready to Rejoice? Praise God!!! Pick up a Prayer Guide. And an Upcoming Fellowship Opportunity.

Readying to Rejoice When Jesus Renews the World

Many people approach life like an unprepared student facing a big test—hoping to scrape by but missing the joy of true readiness. In 2 Peter 3:14-18, we are reminded that holiness—living like Jesus—isn't just an obligation but the key to being fully prepared for God’s renewal of the world. Rather than seeing holiness as a burden, Scripture calls us to view it as training for the life to come, shaping us to anticipate Christ’s return with joy rather than mere relief.

How is God’s Spirit calling you to respond?
1️⃣ Invest Sacrificially – Are you confidently investing in a life that reflects Jesus, or are you just hoping to get by?
2️⃣ Share Vulnerably – If your focus has drifted from holiness, confess (share vulnerably) and turn back to God and His way and realign your life with His future.
3️⃣ Meet Consistently – Daily meeting with Jesus to know and walk in His ways so that you can rejoice when He renews all things.

This Sunday, Sean Cronin will guide us in focusing on Jesus' death and resurrection as we approach Good Friday and Easter. I hope you'll join us as we begin reflecting on the Suffering Servant passages from the book of Isaiah and the impact of Jesus' sacrificial service—not only for you and me but for all who receive it.

Praise God!!!

Image: Patti Black on Unsplash

By God’s provision and through your sacrificial generosity, the February Mortgage Paydown Program (MPP) $4,000 matching challenge has been FAR EXCEEDED!!! As He often does, God has provided far beyond what was needed to reach this milestone. Overall, the Family Life Center (CCC addition) still has just under $200,000 remaining in debt. Beyond the February matching challenge, the MPP program is available as an ongoing avenue to contribute directly to the principal of the mortgage, above and beyond your regular giving to the church and your Faith Promise giving toward our mission partners. You can continue giving to the principal of the mortgage by marking "MPP" on any additional gifts (online or in the offering box). Paying off this debt sooner will create greater opportunities for the CCC building to be a place of hospitality—allowing our church family to host and bless the surrounding community for the purposes of God’s Kingdom.

Pick up a Prayer Guide This Sunday!

To help equip our church family to meet consistently with Jesus, share vulnerably with Him, and invest sacrificially in His way, our leadership has compiled a prayer guide on Isaiah’s Suffering Servant passages. This guide is meant to shape a daily habit of allowing God’s Word to disrupt our lives—moving us from sin to the way of Jesus. Designed for the weeks leading up to Easter, it offers a simple yet faithful rhythm of prayer. Our hope is that it will form us into uncommon people—those who intentionally sit with God’s Word, wrestle with sin, and let His truth shape us to serve and sacrifice like Jesus. We invite you to use this guide throughout March and April, asking God to do a mighty work in you—deepening your life in Him and helping you guide others into His abundant life.

Find a copy of the prayer guide for next week (March 3-8) next to the Info Page as you enter and leave the worship gathering this Sunday.

Catch up Or Get to Know Someone Further

On March 16th following the 10am worship gathering, there’ll be a linger-after with some light food available. Feel free to hang around, catch up with someone, or get to know someone further. You are welcome to contribute any additional food if you feel inclined. Please contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: Are you ready? You can still join! Did you know? A coming resource.

God is Readying to Set the World Right—Are You Ready?

Life often feels like relentless chaos, tempting us to believe nothing will ever change. But 2 Peter 3:8-13 reminds us that God is readying to set the world right. Just as a skilled athlete anticipates the perfect moment to move, God is not passive—He is patiently waiting for the maximum number of people to respond to His offer of life through Jesus. When the time is right, His action will be swift and decisive, refining the world like fire, burning away what is not connected to Him, and establishing a new reality where righteousness reigns. Our response? We must wait in trust and hasten His coming by living in alignment with His future.

How Can We Act on This?

1. Live with Readiness – Align your life with God’s future by allowing His Spirit to grow you in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control, even when the world says these things don’t matter.

2. Invest with Purpose – Use your W.O.R.T.H. (Words, Occupation, Resources, Time, Habits) to prepare yourself and others for God’s coming renewal.

3. Share the Hope – Speak and live in a way that points others to the truth that God is at work, and His plan is not chaos, but restoration.

God is readying to set the world right. Are you readying for His future?

This Sunday, we’ll conclude our journey in reflection of God’s word in 2 Peter. I hope 2 Peter has helped you prepare to live like Jesus for what comes next.

You can still join in prayer this week!

Did you know?

CCC benefits from the clothing donation shed behind the church building—another opportunity to thank the Lord for providing for His body, its witness, and a space to gather in our community.

A Resource to Help You Journey to Resurrection Sunday

In March, we’ll be offering a prayer guide to help you know Jesus more deeply as we prepare to celebrate His life, death, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. Keep an eye out for this resource so you can get your own copy. We look forward to how God will shape and mold us as we pray and reflect more deeply on His life and example.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: Which Story Are You Living in? How to Pray through Part of Isaiah. Ways to Meet with the Body of Christ. It Takes How Many Touchpoints for Someone to Visit a Church?!

This Chaos Won’t Last—God Will Intervene

Life often feels like an endless cycle of chaos. Problems keep coming. Injustice keeps happening. It can feel like nothing will ever change. But 2 Peter 3:1-7 reminds us: this era won’t last.

Just as God has intervened in history before, He is active now and will bring ultimate restoration in the future. His word spoke creation into existence, His word sustained His people through history, and His word promises that He will set things right again.

So how do we live with hope instead of despair?

✅ View life through God’s story, not just the chaos. What voices shape your outlook—news, social media, or God’s word? Align your perspective with His truth.

✅ Meet consistently with Jesus. Spend time in Scripture, prayer, and community. Let His promises shape your daily decisions.

✅ Remind others of God’s intervention. Who in your life needs encouragement? Share how God has worked before and will work again.

Don’t settle for a worldview of hopelessness. Keep your eyes on the God who has, is, and will intervene. Through faith in Jesus, we can trust this era of chaos won’t last. God will intervene and bring change at last.

Who in your life needs this reminder today? Share this truth and live in faith!

This Sunday, we’ll continue through God’s word in 2 Peter, reflecting on what it invites us into as we prepare to deal with whatever comes next.

A Resource to Help You Journey to Resurrection Sunday

In March, we’ll be offering a prayer guide to help you know Jesus more deeply as we prepare to celebrate His life, death, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. Keep an eye out for this resource so you can get your own copy. We look forward to how God will shape and mold us as we pray and reflect more deeply on His life and example.

Meet, Share, and Invest with the Body of Christ:

• Guided Prayer, Wednesdays, 8:28am-9:15am, CCC Bldg. or ClarenceCC.org (connect)

• Men’s Work Group, Wednesdays, 9am-11am, CCC Bldg.

• Ladies Bible Study, 1st & 3rd Thurs., 10:30am, CCC Bldg.

• Ladies Flourish Group, 2nd & 4th Tues., 6:30pm-8:30pm, CCC Bldg.

• Ladies Table Talk & Coffee, monthly, next: Feb. 15, 9:30am, Byrd home.

• Men’s Huddle, Sundays, 8:30am-9:40am, CCC Bldg.

Source

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

In This Edition: Who are you following? Thank you! A fellowship Opportunity. And an upcoming prayer resource.

Someone Worth Following

This past Sunday, Mitch Knight guided us in reflecting on 2 Peter 2:10-22, considering the difference between truth and falsehood—truth-tellers and false teachers. 2 Peter challenges us to recognize that Jesus is the only truth-teller worth following.

Here are three ways to reflect further and respond to the leading of God’s Spirit:

• Who has the most influence on your life?

• How can you guard yourself against becoming a false teacher?

• Who are three people in your life you can invest in for God’s kingdom?

This Sunday, we’ll continue through God’s word in 2 Peter, reflecting on what it invites us into as we prepare for whatever comes next.

Thank You!

Thank you for helping us pack over 70,000 meals this past weekend. These meals will offer hope and physical nourishment to people in Haiti in Jesus’ name.

We hope you were blessed by helping with the pack. As Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” (Acts 20:35). We hope you’ll participate in the next opportunity we have to host this event!

Thank You!!!

Linger-after this Sunday

On February 9th, following the 10am worship gathering, there’ll be a linger-after with some light food available. Feel free to hang around, catch up with someone, or get to know someone new. You are welcome to contribute any additional food if you feel inclined. Please contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

A Resource to Help You Journey to Resurrection Sunday

In March, we’ll be offering a prayer guide to help you know Jesus more deeply as we prepare to celebrate His life, death, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. Keep an eye out for this resource so you can get your own copy. We look forward to how God will shape and mold us as we pray and reflect more deeply on His life and example.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

Confidence in God. Food Pack Details. Upcoming Linger-After. Men’s Huddle

Confidence in the God Who Rights Wrongs

Every time I visit Niagara Falls, I’m struck by the endless flow of water—constant, powerful, unstoppable. It has flowed for centuries, and we can be confident it will continue. But what about when life feels uncertain? Where do we place our confidence when truth seems distorted and wrongs seem unchecked?

The believers Peter wrote to in 2 Peter 2 faced similar struggles. False teachers promoted greed, arrogance, and distorted desires as the “good life,” challenging the truth revealed in Jesus. In our world today, competing voices still attempt to redefine what is right. We’re tempted to place our confidence in ourselves, others, or human systems to fix the mess. Yet, Peter reminds us that God has always righted wrongs, is doing so now, and will ultimately set everything right.

God has a proven track record. He dealt with rebellious angels, the corruption of Noah’s time, and the sin of Sodom. He never ignored evil then, and He isn’t ignoring it now. Even when correction seems delayed, it is not absent—God is actively working to address falsehood and injustice.

So, how should we respond? Be confident in Jesus. Trust that God is handling what we cannot. Instead of fighting to control or fix everything, we can be faithful to His truth and let Him do the heavy lifting.

Reflection:

• Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength (or the strength of someone else) instead of God’s ability to deal with falsehood and injustice?

• How can you embody an uncommon presence through confidence in God’s truth and ability this week?

• Are you willing to surrender areas of doubt and trust that He is at work to right what’s wrong?

Just as we trust that Niagara Falls will keep flowing, we can trust that God is actively righting wrongs. God has righted, is righting, and will right all wrongs.

This Sunday Mitch Knight will continue to help us prepare for an eternal, abundant life with Jesus by guiding us to reflect through 2 Peter 2:10-22.

Join us at CCC to help pack 70,000 GAP meals for emergency and relief efforts worldwide in partnership with IDES.org. There’s a role for all ages to contribute! Volunteer to pack meals for a few hours on Saturday, February 1 (starting at 9 a.m.), and/or Sunday, February 2 (worship gathering at 10 a.m., packing begins at 11 a.m.).

Details for the food pack on Sunday:
Light snacks, along with water and other drinks, will be available between worship and the food packing. Anyone who would like to contribute additional food items is welcome to do so to help provide a greater variety of snacks. Please note that consuming food and drinks (other than water) should be avoided in the gym during the packing process.

Who could you invite to the Ides Food pack this weekend?

February 9th Linger-After

On February 9th, following the 10am worship gathering, there will be a linger-after with some light food available. Feel free to hang around, catch up with someone, or get to know someone new. You are welcome to contribute any additional foods, if you feel inclined. Please contact Valerie Hubert with any questions.

New Opportunity for Guys

Sean Cronin is starting a Men’s Huddle for the purpose of encouraging each other in their walk with Jesus. The group will meet Sundays from 8:30am-9:40am in the church library. All men are welcome to participate. The first gathering will be this Sunday, January 26th. Connect with Sean for any further questions.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

What Authority Does God’s Word Have in Your Life? Join Us to Pack 70,000 Meals. New Opportunity for Guys. Status of Faith Promise.

What Authority Does God’s Word have in your life?

When we face hardship it is typical to wonder where God is in the midst of the pain. Where do we find confidence to trust God in the midst of our darkness? We can find it in God's word. In the message above, Sean unpacks 2 Peter 1:12-21 which helps us see how we can be confident in what God's doing, but reminding ourselves of what he's done.

Actions Steps:

• When will you meet with Jesus this week by reading scripture?

• What scripture verse will you memorize this week to remind yourself that God's in control of a troubling situation in your life?

• Who will you invite to the Ides Food pack this week as you seek to reflect Christ's light in this world?

This Sunday we’ll continue to prepare for an eternal, abundant life with Jesus by reflecting on 2 Peter 2:1-10.

Join us at CCC to help pack 70,000 GAP meals for emergency and relief efforts worldwide in partnership with IDES.org. There’s a role for all ages to contribute! Volunteer to pack meals for a few hours on Saturday, February 1 (starting at 9 a.m.), and/or Sunday, February 2 (worship gathering at 10 a.m., packing begins at 11 a.m.).

New Opportunity for Guys

Sean Cronin is starting a Men’s Huddle for the purpose of encouraging each other in their walk with Jesus. The group will meet Sundays from 8:30am-9:40am in the church library. All men are welcome to participate. The first gathering will be this Sunday, January 26th. Connect with Sean for any further questions.

Clarification on Faith Promise giving status

Below is the update that we have communicated to our mission partners:

We deeply value our partnership with you in guiding people toward abundant life in Jesus. As you know, the support we provide comes from the monthly offerings of our congregation, which are given in response to faith promise commitments.

In recent years, we’ve faced challenges in receiving written faith promises, which has made it harder to accurately project the support we can send each month. Despite this, God has continued to stir hearts to give generously, enabling us to meet our budgeted support in the past. Praise God for His provision!

We are currently facing a challenging situation. While the faith promises we’ve received give us a rough estimate of support, the total amount of written commitments is lower than what we’ve been budgeting to send. Historically, giving has often exceeded the written promises, and we remain hopeful that this trend will continue. However, given the lower number of promise forms, we believe it’s prudent to consider the possibility that actual giving may not reach the budgeted level. In light of this possibility, we want to make you aware that we may need to reduce our monthly support by 25%. For now, we plan on continuing to send the most recent amount of support. We will communicate if an adjustment becomes necessary. We want to be transparent so that you can plan proactively should this adjustment be made.

We share this news with heavy hearts but with hope in God’s provision that this adjustment will not be necessary. We continue to rely on God to work through His people to provide faithful and additional gifts throughout the year. Many have continued to give generously, even without formal commitments, and we remain confident in the Lord’s faithfulness.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness and dedication to God’s mission. We trust in the God of abundance to meet every need. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry and guide all people to abundant life in Jesus!

Clarence Church of Christ Leadership Team

Thank you for your faithful and sacrificial giving!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

Live a Heavenly Life Today; Join Us to Pack Meals; Get Updated on Faith Promise…

Preparing for What’s Next: A Heavenly Life Now

Life is often like driving across Colorado—vast stretches of wheat fields where the mountains, though promised, seem nowhere in sight. In 2 Peter 1:5-11, Peter encourages us to take the long view of life. Through Jesus, we can see beyond the "flat fields" of our current reality—moments of discouragement, deception, or self-indulgence—and set our sights on the majestic peaks of a transformed, heavenly life. Peter doesn’t just offer hope for the future but invites us to actively pursue the virtues that reflect God’s abundant life: goodness, wisdom, perseverance, and love. This isn’t about striving alone—it’s about partnering with Jesus, who has already paved the way. Like power steering, Jesus provides the strength and direction, but it’s up to us to take the wheel and follow His lead.

So, how do we start living this heavenly life today? Begin by identifying areas where your actions could align more with Jesus’ example. Practice patience with a difficult coworker, exercise self-control in daily habits, or show selfless love to a friend in need. These aren’t just moral checkboxes—they’re evidence of a life transformed by Jesus. Every effort we make to live in this way prepares us for eternity and reflects God’s will on earth as in heaven. The journey might feel long, but the mountains of God’s promises are ahead. Through Jesus, you can start living a heavenly life now—one choice, one step, one act of faith at a time.

This Sunday

Sean Cronin will help us to prepare for an eternal, abundant life with Jesus by reflecting on 2 Peter 1:12-21.

Join us at CCC to help pack 70,000 GAP meals for emergency and relief efforts worldwide in partnership with IDES.org. There’s a role for all ages to contribute! Volunteer to pack meals for a few hours on Saturday, February 1 (starting at 9 a.m.), and/or Sunday, February 2 (worship gathering at 10 a.m., packing begins at 11 a.m.).

Clarification on Faith Promise giving status

Below is the update that we have communicated to our mission partners:

We deeply value our partnership with you in guiding people toward abundant life in Jesus. As you know, the support we provide comes from the monthly offerings of our congregation, which are given in response to faith promise commitments.

In recent years, we’ve faced challenges in receiving written faith promises, which has made it harder to accurately project the support we can send each month. Despite this, God has continued to stir hearts to give generously, enabling us to meet our budgeted support in the past. Praise God for His provision!

We are currently facing a challenging situation. While the faith promises we’ve received give us a rough estimate of support, the total amount of written commitments is lower than what we’ve been budgeting to send. Historically, giving has often exceeded the written promises, and we remain hopeful that this trend will continue. However, given the lower number of promise forms, we believe it’s prudent to consider the possibility that actual giving may not reach the budgeted level. In light of this possibility, we want to make you aware that we may need to reduce our monthly support by 25%. For now, we plan on continuing to send the most recent amount of support. We will communicate if an adjustment becomes necessary. We want to be transparent so that you can plan proactively should this adjustment be made.

We share this news with heavy hearts but with hope in God’s provision that this adjustment will not be necessary. We continue to rely on God to work through His people to provide faithful and additional gifts throughout the year. Many have continued to give generously, even without formal commitments, and we remain confident in the Lord’s faithfulness.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness and dedication to God’s mission. We trust in the God of abundance to meet every need. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry and guide all people to abundant life in Jesus!

Clarence Church of Christ Leadership Team

Thank you for your faithful and sacrificial giving!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

Stick with Jesus

Finding Fulfillment in a World of Empty Promises

In a world filled with endless pursuits and promises of fulfillment, it’s easy to get caught up in the chase for meaning and purpose. We strive for success, relationships, enlightenment, or the next big achievement, only to find ourselves asking, What’s next? Why am I still unfulfilled?

The good news is this: Jesus is all we need for an abundant and purposeful life.

Why We Drift Toward Other “Saviors”

Every day, we’re bombarded with temptations to seek fulfillment elsewhere.

• Material aspirations: "If I can just get that promotion, build wealth, or enjoy the perfect relationship, I’ll be happy."

• Intellectual aspirations: "Maybe a new ideology, self-discovery, or deeper knowledge will finally bring meaning."

Yet, even when we achieve these goals, the satisfaction fades. Sports fans understand this well—after the thrill of a long-awaited championship victory, the excitement is fleeting, and it doesn’t offer deep, lasting purpose.

The Truth About Fulfillment

In contrast, Jesus is a Savior whose fulfillment never fades. He is worth clinging to for the meaningful purpose we all long for. 2 Peter 1:1-4 reminds us that Jesus has already given us everything we need for a full, abundant, and meaningful life.

The early followers of Jesus faced similar struggles. Competing philosophies, like Gnosticism, promised enlightenment and freedom from moral constraints. But these alternatives ultimately left people unfulfilled, just as the pursuits of our modern world often do.

Peter’s response? Stick with Jesus. He testifies that, even at the end of his life, no one and nothing has satisfied him like Jesus.

What Does It Mean to “Stick With Jesus”?

Peter’s testimony isn’t just a spiritual theory; it’s a practical guide for life. Here’s how we can stick with Jesus and live abundantly:

1. Meet with Jesus Consistently

• Spend time in God’s Word daily. Reflect on passages like 2 Peter 1:1-4, which remind us of the truth about Jesus.

• Develop a rhythm of prayer—talking to and listening to Jesus as you navigate life’s challenges and joys.

2. Share Vulnerably from Jesus

• Look for ways to weave your experiences with Jesus into your conversations. Share how He’s brought meaning to your work, relationships, and personal struggles.

• Be honest about how Jesus continues to shape your decisions and worldview.

3. Invest Sacrificially for Jesus

• Use your time, talents, and resources to serve His mission. Whether through the church body or personal acts of kindness, let your life reflect the abundant life Jesus offers.

• Remember that life isn’t about accumulating treasures for yourself but about pointing others to Jesus, the true source of fulfillment.

The Promise of Abundant Life

Peter reminds us that the life Jesus offers isn’t just a good life—it’s abundant, eternal, and unshakable. When we unite our lives with Jesus, we no longer need to search for the next "savior." Jesus is the fulfillment of every longing, and His promises extend into eternity.

A Call to Action

Ask yourself:

• Am I meeting consistently with Jesus?

• Am I sharing vulnerably from Him?

• Am I investing sacrificially in His mission?

The world will continue to offer fleeting “saviors.” But only Jesus can truly satisfy. Stick with Jesus. He’s all you need—for today, tomorrow, and forever.

This Sunday

We’ll continue preparing for an eternal, abundant life with Jesus by reflecting on 2 Peter 1:5-11.

Join us at CCC to help pack 70,000 GAP meals for emergency and relief efforts worldwide in partnership with IDES.org. There’s a role for all ages to contribute! Volunteer to pack meals for a few hours on Saturday, February 1 (starting at 9 a.m.), and/or Sunday, February 2 (worship gathering at 10 a.m., packing begins at 11 a.m.).

Let us know you’re participating.

Share and invite others.

Join in prayer tomorrow at 8:28am or anytime after...

Join for the simple and faithful practice of seeking the Lord in prayer, live from 8:28 AM to 9:15 AM, or on-demand any time afterward: https://youtu.be/VtibNj_mfNs

At least consider setting aside around 8.5 minutes for prayer during your day. You’re invited to seek our Heavenly Father for suggested needs and guidance: https://youtu.be/VtibNj_mfNs

Check here for the weekly posted link.

1 Kings 8:28 (NIV), "Give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer your servant is praying in your presence today."

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

Jordan Byrd

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