Have you considered it today? Something for which you can be grateful. Have you taken a moment to acknowledge those blessings in your life? Even amid the darkness, in the midst of depressing moments, or when feeling mentally overwhelmed or paralyzed, what remains for you to be thankful for? Friends, clothing, shelter, entertainment, access to clean water, high-speed internet, proximity to natural resources, family—what fills you with gratitude?
I'm grateful that this past Sunday you contributed to our quest to determine who makes the best donuts in WNY! I appreciate the opportunity to sample donuts from a bakery I've never visited. Moreover, I'm thankful for the numerous interactions these donuts facilitated, providing a chance to engage with those who have yet to embrace a life in Jesus. I am eager to see how God will utilize these moments to draw individuals closer to discovering life in His eternal presence.
As Sean Cronin eloquently tied together from the life of David in Psalm 4 and 2 Samuel 16 this past Sunday, joy—the very essence we seek in life—is the fruit of gratitude. Joy is the fruit of gratitude. Experiencing peace and joy emanates not from managing your feelings but from managing your focus. Is your focus centered on God? When it is, finding reasons to be grateful becomes more natural. Let’s strive to be people who cultivate joy and peace, and share these blessings with others, as we fix our gaze on God's provision and His faithful care over our lives.
Below you will find other CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ over the coming weeks.
See you Sunday if not before then!
Join us in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus!!! This Sunday, March 31st, at 10 am. We’ll have a fun place prepared for you to capture a family picture when you arrive or when you leave.
I encourage you to welcome any family members or friends who may be visiting at the door, so they have someone they trust to greet them and help them navigate the worship service. Additionally, consider how you might follow up with them afterward, whether it's inviting them to join you for lunch or a cup of coffee this Sunday or later in the week.
I also encourage you to consider how you can follow-up with them after (for lunch or a cup of coffee), whether this Sunday or later in the week - to see how God might be leading and guiding them toward a step of faith (e.g., asking further questions about Jesus, coming back to church, or baptism).
I hope you’ll join in celebrating the hope that is at the center of our faith in Jesus — his conquering death, so that we can experience the abundant life of God into eternity.
On April 7th, we will begin a series of messages reflecting on 1 Corinthians 1-9, focusing on following God's Spirit to become the sanctified (holy) and united (wholly) body of Christ. My prayer is that God’s Spirit would help us translate his directions to the Corinthian church of the first century in a way that we can apply that wisdom that we to our own participation with and within Christ’s church. My prayer is that God’s Spirit would help us understand His instructions to the first-century, Corinthian church, so that we can apply that wisdom to our own experience as Christ’s church today.
Thank you!!! Thank you to every person who had a hand in being present and serving to make the Merge Madness 6-12th grade student event a possibility this past weekend! Thank you for being the extension of God’s presence in the lives of young people — to help them ground themselves in the timeless love and faithfulness of the God revealed in Jesus!
CCC mission partners in Mexico (Hector and Joy Rodriguez)
You won’t want to miss this… This Sunday, during our Easter worship gathering, we are excited to share an update about the English institute that Hector and Joy have been diligently working to help establish and get up and running — to foster greater opportunity to share the hope of Christ in Mexico. I hope you can join for worship at 10 am this Sunday, March 31st, to hear the update and enjoy some fun surprises that accompany it!
There will be an estate sale in Clarence, this Friday and Saturday (March 29-30), at the house of our late friend and brother, Jon Rothenmeyer, where Jon's car will also be included in the sale. Following the sale, the house will be put on the market. While you might be able to support the sale, your prayers for Jon’s family and friends are also appreciated, as they have been spending a lot of time going through Jon’s house and handling his estate.
The Chosen group will not be meeting on Easter Sunday. It is scheduled to resume on April 7th, with the second half of episode 2 or season 4. Anyone is welcome to jump in and join this casual group experience.