May 1, 2024 - Without God, ______ happens

Have you ever pondered the nature of a hole? It’s not just a gap in fabric or a void in space; it represents the absence of something, like the missing threads in a sock. In essence, a hole is a real indicator that something is amiss.

But there are other kinds of holes in our lives, in which we invest our time and energy. We delve into people, things, and ideas that shape our routines, thoughts, and even our identities.

Yet, according to 1 Corinthians 3, these paths can be deceptive. They can divert our allegiance from where it should be: with God. Pursuing these other paths tears at our connection to the life of God, leaving us with a void – an absence of God’s presence in our lives.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians addresses this division and the consequences of misplaced allegiance. Giving precedence to worldly wisdom and power leads to emptiness (a void of true substance). Without God at the center, we find ourselves pursuing nothing of significance.

However, there’s hope. The life of God, revealed in Jesus, offers the substance and purpose we long for. Following the path of the crucified Jesus realigns our priorities and fills the void left by other pursuits.

In essence, 1 Corinthians 3 reminds us that without God, nothing happens. It’s only by centering our lives on the life of Jesus that we find true meaning and substance.

Below you will find other CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

This Sunday, April 28th, we'll be reflecting on 1 Corinthians 4. I pray God will show us how we need to further align with the life of Jesus and his mission to for all people to find abundant life in him.

Thank you for praying for the CCC staff (Mitch, Sean, and Jordan) as they attended the Renew Gathering in Indianapolis, Indiana, over the past two days. Your prayers mean a lot. Please continue praying, asking God to help us digest the insights gained and strive to grow in our leadership and service to CCC and the Kingdom of God in WNY.

April 24, 2024 - Who can understand God?

Who can understand God? In today's age, there's a prevalent misconception that understanding the way of God comes naturally. However, In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul reveals that God's wisdom is not readily apparent; it's a mystery veiled to those who lack the guidance of God's Spirit. Sin blinds us, separating us from God's truth and preventing us from comprehending His ways. Yet, there's hope. Despite its mysterious nature, God's wisdom is accessible to us through His Spirit. This passage reassures us that we don't have to navigate life's complexities alone. With the presence of God's Spirit, we gain insight into His wisdom, enabling us to live according to His truth.

So, what's the next step? It's embracing the role of God's Spirit in our lives. Rather than relying on our understanding alone, we must cultivate a relationship with God's Spirit by following Jesus and obeying his Word and adapting his rhythms of life (like: worship, prayer, praise, service, generosity, etc.). As we allow God's Spirit to work within us, our eyes are opened to His wisdom, guiding us in making choices aligned with His will. Let's lean into the worldview of 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, trusting God's Spirit to illuminate His wisdom within us, leading us into a life rooted in the truth and love of Jesus.

With this in mind, we can choose humility, recognizing our privilege to have God's Spirit with us. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, we're urged to engage others with compassion, understanding that we too were once lacking in spiritual insight without God's Spirit. From this empathy, we seek to extend God's Spirit to others. Our mission is to lead others to grasp this wisdom by surrendering to Jesus and experiencing abundant life. Moreover, we have the opportunity to respond to this privilege with constant praise. As the song we sang this past Sunday says, "As long as I'm breathing... I've got a reason to praise the Lord, oh my soul!" 👇

Below you will find other CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ and God’s mission.

See you Sunday if not before then!

Jordan Byrd

This Sunday, April 28th, we'll be reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3. I pray you’ll be open to God’s Spirit directing and shaping your life where it needs to intersect further with Jesus’ abundant way of life.

A follow-up reflection on items that didn’t quite make the sermon this past Sunday. Think of it as a mid-week Bible study.

One advantage of our congregation's diversity is the opportunity for different age groups to witness each other's worship and journey with Jesus. This unfolded spontaneously last Sunday during the music team's rehearsal before the service. Children wandered into the auditorium and were eventually invited to join the music team in singing and using tambourines and egg shakers for the 'Praise' song that we later sang during worship. You can catch a glimpse of this heartwarming moment in the video above.

 

Mission partner in Egypt: Safaa and Mona F.

Safaa turns 73 this year. Please pray for the following CAS needs as the 50 year ministry legacy of Safaa continues and passes on to the next generation of leaders and recipients.

1. Pray for physical stamina

2. Continued training of new leaders

3. Expansion of the ministry, planting of hundreds of new churches, goal of $1,000,000 for the CAS budget

this year.

 

Mission partner in Alleyland: Don T.

A recent conference aimed to strengthen disciples in the Alley church, attracting attendees from multiple continents. More than 200 copies of Alley New Testaments and discipleship booklets were distributed. Networking for future projects was a significant benefit. There is increasing support for creating Bible commentaries to accompany the new translation of the Alley New Testament. This long-term project requires teamwork. Your prayers and support are appreciated as we serve our Lord.

 

In light of the message from this past Sunday, you might also find this insight from Athanasius, a third century (post-Scripture) father of the early church, “We only really see and understand spiritual things from the inside, as we participate in them.” Read more on this insight from this post by Ben Sternke.

 

Finally, here is a simple guide to use in fostering spiritual conversation with an unbeliever (this guide can also work well as a guide for personal prayer). Jeff Vanderstelt explains…

April 17, 2024 - Why don’t people get it?

“Why don’t people get it?”, “Why would someone do that?”, “How could someone think that way?”. In many conversations, these questions can capture the spirit of our confusion. We live in a broken and fallen world where it’s easy to make the wrong choice, live in darkness, and run from the light of truth. Why is this the case?

First, how do you view people who disagree with you? How do you view those who are making wrong choices or those who are pursuing evil? More importantly, how do you treat them? Paul offers some very helpful advice to Timothy when he writes the following:

In order to convince others that Jesus is the way, truth, and life, we first need to instruct them gently. The inspiration to do so comes from an understanding that those outside of Christ are deceived, as they have fallen under the devil’s trap.

Not only are they deceived into a false worldview and way of life, but they are lost because they do not have a shepherd. Jesus, in recognizing this, had compassion on the people he served, taught, and healed (Matt 9:36). How much larger would God’s kingdom be if we all lived like Him? This week, I challenge you to be humble, gentle, and compassionate!

——-

Below are some updates and highlights from the various ministries in our church. I’m looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday!

Be blessed,

Mitch Knight
Clarence Church of Christ

Adult Ministry

Paul has much advice to give to the church in Corinth, and that advice has many applications for us today in Clarence. What is the standard for doing life with God, or even with God’s people? Our series “Holy Wholly” on 1 Corinthians 1-9 dives into to Paul’s words to find the answers to those questions!

Youth Ministry

Mitch Knight and the CCC Youth Group at “Get Air” in Cheektowaga, New York. Photo taken by Joseph Ludwick.

The CCC Youth Group is a place where every student belongs. To help foster that vision, and to help our students help their friends find Jesus, we’ve started monthly “One” events (sometimes called “One Night” or “One Day”). The idea is to encourage students to bring “One” friend to the “One” true God. On April 5th, 2024, we had a group of students attend our latest “One Day” at Get Air in Cheektowaga, New York. We had many laughs, and we enjoyed a great deal of fellowship. Our prayer is that our invited guests learn about the love of Christ for each one of them!

Sunday from 6:30pm-8:30pm, students meet at our church for Youth Group. It is a great opportunity to have some fun and learn about Jesus. We’ve just finished our discussion on the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we are now talking about Jesus’ life and ministry.

Jesus claims in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Over the next few months, I will be guiding our kids through selections of the various gospels highlighting Jesus' ministry. Hopefully, they will see that Jesus shows us the way to live for God, the truth of His good news, and the life that we can experience when we walk with Him in faith!

Kids Ministry

YouTube.com/@cccimpactkids

New resource for families. Recently the Little Impact (PreK-1st*) and Big Impact (1st*-5th) programming got a refresh. You can see what the new experience is like by clicking the image above. Families are encouraged to subscribe to the channel, as we hope the CCC Impact Kids Youtube channel allows parents and kids to revisit and guide kids in further conversation and thought about the activities, songs, stories, and lessons between Sundays.

 

Benediction and Prayer

Please read the following and offer your heart and your words to our Heavenly Father:

Lord, you alone are God. In a world where we are tempted to pursue avenues that we know are not healthy, we confess that we sometimes make that wrong choice. But, Your name is Holy among us, for You have washed away the stain of our sin for all eternity by exhausting its power on the cross through Jesus Himself.

Today, in recognition of Your forgiveness, may You help us to live lives worthy of the calling that we have received. We submit our thoughts, words, and actions to You this day, that we might both take steps further into the narrow gate and invite those around us to do the same.

To Him who is able to do more than we can possibly ask or imagine, to whom is the power, glory, authority, and dominion;

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go in peace, and know that God goes with you!

April 3, 2024

Does human life matter? Death is an unavoidable reality that casts its shadow over every aspect of human existence. From sickness to violence, from scarcity to existential doubts, the fear of death looms over us all. In Acts 18, the Apostle Paul grapples with this fear while facing threats and rejection for his faith.

In Corinth, Paul confronts a community paralyzed by the fear of death, unable to accept Jesus as the solution. Despite facing persecution and abandonment, Paul receives a divine reassurance: he need not fear because Jesus, who conquered death, is with him.

This encounter offers a profound message: Jesus, in his resurrection, validates the value of human life beyond death. Paul's confidence stems from the belief that his life matters eternally because of Jesus' victory over death.

This assurance extends to all: because Jesus rose, our lives hold significance beyond the grave. Suffering and death do not define our existence; rather, they are pathways to a life united with the resurrected Jesus.

In a world overshadowed by fear and uncertainty, the message of Acts 18 remains relevant: our lives matter beyond death because Jesus rose. Let this truth anchor your confidence and dispel the fear of mortality.

Catch the full message from this past Sunday: Because Jesus rose, be confident your life matters.

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!

Jordan Byrd

This Sunday: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

This Sunday, April 7th, we begin a new series of messages reflecting in 1 Corinthians, focusing on following God's Spirit to become the sanctified (holy) and united (wholly) body of Christ. May God prepare us to hear his voice and respond in obedience, as we reflect on the wisdom he revealed to the Corinthian church, through the Apostle Paul, many years ago.

Merge One day: From Jesus, we learn the value of every life and the mission to seek out lost individuals. This is the essence of the "One" activities of the CCC Merge youth group, which invites 6-12th graders to introduce a friend to experience a community of students and caring adults striving to follow Jesus. Bring one to One. The next "One" day is this Friday, April 5th, at Get Air in Cheektowaga, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Regular attendees are asked to bring $20 for expenses. Expensenses will be covered for any friends who join. Contact Mitch Knight for further information.

Image: BenMoses M on Unsplash

 

New!!!! This past Sunday, the Little (PreK-1st*) and Big (1st*-5th) Impact programming got a refresh. Thanks to Mitch Knight’s planning and content curation, we are able to utilize a different curriculum that offers new interactive components for kids as they engage in the Bible stories and lessons presented. You can see what they are like by watching the videos below. Families are encouraged to subscribe to the channel, as we hope the CCC Impact Kids Youtube channel allows parents and kids to revisit and guide kids in further conversation and thought about the activities, songs, stories, and lessons between Sundays.

 
 

An outreach of CCC mission partners in Mexico (Hector and Joy Rodriguez)

That was fun!!! This past Sunday, following our Easter worship gathering, we got to indulge in CHURROS!!! - as we shared in the exciting news about the classes and story time that have been started and running through the English institute in Pachuca, Mexico, which Hector and Joy Rodriguez have been diligently getting established. These classes allow Hector and Joy — to foster opportunities to share the hope of Christ to those coming to learn and practice English. Please continue to pray for them to have opportunities to openly share the hope of Christ we hold with English students and participants.

 

The Chosen group resumes this Sunday, April 7th, with the second half of episode 2 of season 4. Anyone is welcome to jump in and join this casual group experience.

March 27, 2024

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!

Jordan Byrd

 

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.

If you know someone who is considering joining us for worship, feel free to share this link with them. It offers a simple welcome and overview of what to expect when they arrive, as well as more about CCC.

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.

March 20, 2024

Ohhh… I like those! Hopefully that is a reaction you can have to one of the donuts you try this coming Sunday (March 24th), as we see who makes the best donuts in WNY! More here…

You can participate by bringing 6-12 donuts from your favorite bakery to share with others. After the worship gathering, the leftover donuts will be available for you to take and share with a friend or family member. Our aim is for these donuts to help you build a relationship with your friend or family member and spark conversation that may lead to sharing about your journey of following Jesus, ultimately guiding them toward encountering Jesus themselves. Additionally, we'll provide you with an invitation to help you invite your friend or family member to join us in celebrating the hope of Easter on March 31st, as we focus on the hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus. I look forward to enjoying donuts with you this Sunday! Seek God's guidance on how to use this opportunity to invite others to experience what you've found in Christ.

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!

Jordan Byrd

When life pauses, what do you do? Those are the moments when life temporarily halts from receiving terrible medical news, losing your job, flunking a big test, getting a bill you can't afford, having a special person break up with you, or receiving devastating news.

In such pauses of life, what do you do? How do you respond? How do you resume living? Do you worry? Do you overanalyze? Do you self-medicate? Do you isolate yourself? Do you internalize it? Do you lash out at others? Or do you respond some other way?

When life pauses, you have a choice to turn inward or to something else. Psalm 3 declares how God is the greater, infinite, all-powerful, all-wise, all-good "something" else to turn to. In Psalm 3, David's life was paused; and in that pause, he prayed to God. Through Psalm 3, God's Word invites you to do the same: Pray when life pauses.

This Sunday, we will conclude the series of messages on Living in Darkness. This Sunday Sean Cronin help us reflect on Psalm 4. May God’s Spirit guide us through our reflection of Psalm 4, and show us the steps of obedient faith we can take toward his abundant life for us.

Amaury Gutierrez on Unsplash

March Prayer Guide

I hope you've had the opportunity to use the prayer guide to help you meditate on Psalms 1, 2, and 3 between Sunday gatherings. If you haven't, the CCC leadership team has prepared a weekly prayer guide to complement the sermons from our Living in Darkness message series. The prayer guide is available in both physical and digital formats. Please remember to pick up the last installment of the prayer guide, covering Psalm 4, or save/bookmark a copy for reference next week, to reflect on our need for life in God, as we approach the celebration of resurrection life in Jesus on March 31st, Easter Sunday.

MERGE Madness is this weekend, Friday (March 2nd) and Saturday (March 23rd).
It’s a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun! This event is tailored for students to encounter the timelessness of God in a fun environment.

If you’ve been interesting in helping, but haven’t responded in any particular way yet, please reach out to Mitchell Knight to find ways to be involved.

 

CCC mission partners in Egypt and surrounding area (Safaa and Mona F.)

A recent update from Safaa F. highlighted the invaluable role of spreading the Word of God through books in the ministry of CAS. The workers of this ministry express profound gratitude for the opportunity to produce and share these books, which convey the precious love of God. They are extremely appreciative of the resources provided by our faith promise mission partners who’ve joined in making this endeavor possible. Here is a sample of what has been produced:

  • Complete Arabic Bible commentary (edited and translated, 71 Vols., 23,000 pages).

  • Apologetics encyclopedia (3 Vols., 2,200 pages).

  • Booklets on contemporary issues/problems (in progress).

  • Educational curriculums for Sunday school and kid’s activities.

March 13, 2024

In a world full of chaos, it's easy to feel this: lost and overwhelmed. But even in the midst of turmoil, there's hope. Reflecting on Psalm 2, we see that those who oppose God's order are met with His calm response. Just like a skilled wrestler facing an eager challenger, God's supremacy is clear.

Understanding God's response isn't easy. Some see it as a natural consequence of sin, while others view it as purposeful. Regardless, God's actions are always just and wise. In a chaotic world, Psalm 2 reminds us that opposition to God's rule is futile…

So where do we find security in this chaos? Not in distractions or earthly powers, but in surrendering to the God revealed in Jesus. Whether you're new to faith or seeking to deepen it, know that true security is found in trusting Him. Let's trust in God's love, grace, and power, finding peace amidst life's chaos.

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!

Jordan Byrd

Sunday, March 10th - Psalm 2

This Sunday, we will continue the series of messages on Living in Darkness, living as a follower of Jesus in a world of darkness – a result of humanity’s separation from God. This Sunday we will look at Psalm 2. May God guide us through our reflection of Psalm 2 to realize our desperate need to be connected to Him. May God’s Spirit and the example of Jesus inspire us to take steps of obedience to experience the fullness of life in God’s family and kingdom.

Amaury Gutierrez on Unsplash

March Prayer Guide

To assist you in meditating on Psalm 1 day and night this week, the CCC leadership team has provided a weekly prayer guide to accompany the sermon from this past Sunday. The prayer guide is accessible in both physical and digital formats. Be sure to pick up or save/bookmark a copy for reference each week of March (until Easter Sunday).

MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun! This event is tailored for students to encounter the timelessness of God in a fun environment.

Would you consider giving of your time and service to help make this event happen over the days of March 22nd-23rd? Check here for ways that you can participate.

For further ways to be involved, contact Mitchell Knight.

 

New International Spiritual Pilgrimage - The CCC mission partners participating in this time away from the mission field for encouragement and renewal are: Hector and Joy-Cronin Rodriguez (Mexico) and Douglas and Maria Klotzbach (Alleyland).

Read more about this time of renewal and encouragement for New International missionaries.

Join in prayer for this time of encouragement and renewal, between March 20-April 28, through this prayer guide.

 

Pick up an updated CCC directory this Sunday from the resource table outside of the auditorium.

March 6, 2024

How do you find delight in words written thousands of years ago? This past Sunday, we were challenged from Psalm 1 to avoid giving into the way of darkness by following God’s way of light. And the author of Psalm 1 writes that we can stay on God’s path by delighting in God through his word that he has revealed to us in Scripture and most fully in the life of Jesus. And to delight in God, we have to meditate on God’s word. Watch/listen to this story to get a mental image of what it’s like to meditate on God’s word…

Meditating on God’s word goes against the instant-paced, 21st century world that we’re shaped to live into each and every day. Meditating on God’s word is not just about downloading more information into our minds. Meditating on God’s word is about savoring it; it’s about sitting with the beauty of God’s life and character, and reflecting how that shapes our interaction with God as loving creator and us as his beloved creation.

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!

Jordan Byrd

Sunday, March 10th - Psalm 3

This Sunday, we will continue the series of messages on Living in Darkness, living as a follower of Jesus in a world of darkness. This Sunday we will look at Psalm 3, and how the Israelite king, David dealt with the darkness during a difficult time in his. May God guide us as we reflect on Psalm 3, helping us realize our need to be close to Him. Let God's Spirit and Jesus' example inspire us to make choices that bring a full and meaningful life in God's family and kingdom.

Amaury Gutierrez on Unsplash

Prayer Guide for March 11-16

To assist you in meditating on Psalm 2 this week, the CCC leadership team has provided a weekly prayer guide to accompany the sermon from this past Sunday. The prayer guide is accessible in both physical and digital formats Be sure to pick up or save/bookmark a copy for to pray and reflect on Psalm 2 this week..

MERGE Madness is a youth event for 6-12th grade students at the Clarence Church of Christ. Kids will have the fantastic opportunity to stand alongside other students from our sisterhood of churches in worship, praise, and fun! This event is tailored for students to encounter the timelessness of God in a fun environment.

Would you consider giving a few hours (or more) of your time to help make this event happen over the days of March 22nd-23rd? Check here for ways that you can participate.

For further ways to be involved, contact Mitchell Knight.

February 28, 2024

Have you figured it out yet? You're “roof.” What is the barrier that is keeping you from seeking Jesus more profoundly? Mitch Knight proclaimed the good news of Jesus to us this past Sunday, emphasizing that Jesus is calling. What's holding you back from answering His call? Jesus may be reaching out to you in various ways. Perhaps He is prompting you to notice that the person who usually sits in front of you during worship hasn't been there in a couple of weeks, and He may be urging you to check in with them. He might be calling you to initiate a conversation or extend an invitation to dinner to that friendly person you know, who doesn't know Jesus but isn't currently in a relationship with Him. Or, it may be your own insecurities overshadowing the hope that Jesus is offering your life. Alternatively, it could be debt or relational brokenness that seems too big to overcome or be healed. Whatever your obstacle may be, I encourage you to take the step of faith to seek Jesus and the healing and fullness of life that He wants to bring beyond your current situation or trial. Mitch highlighted this holistic healing that Jesus came to bring in this snippet from last Sunday, focusing on the healing of the paralytic...

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!

Jordan Byrd

Sunday, March 3rd - Psalm 1

This Sunday, we will explore the first four Psalms in the book of Psalms. Despite constant encouragement to believe in societal progress, it's hard to ignore the brokenness surrounding us. Living as a follower of Jesus in this world often feels like navigating in darkness – a result of our separation from God.

Throughout this message series, you will reflect on Psalms 1-4, considering the impact of others' sin on your life and vice versa. In essence, we experience separation from ourselves, others, and creation because we, along with the rest of the world, have separated from God.

This Sunday, may God guide us to realize our desperate need to be connected to Him. May God’s Spirit and the example of Jesus inspire steps of obedience, bringing us closer to God.

To assist in processing the steps of obedience that God’s Word may be guiding you to take, the CCC leadership team is providing a weekly prayer guide. Accessible in both physical and digital formats every Sunday starting March 3rd, be sure to pick up or save/bookmark a copy for reference throughout the week.

Everything around us is changing so fast that it can be hard to keep up. Our jobs, relationships, and life circumstances are constantly changing. However, God is our rock throughout time because ‘he is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ God remains unchanged in a changing world. His love and faithfulness to us are Timeless!

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

We would love to have you here on March 22nd-23rd!

CCC members have a terrific opportunity to serve and make this an awesome event for students to encounter the timelessness of God in a fun environment. To help meet these needs, contact Mitchell Knight.

Below is a snapshot of the numbers of God’s word that were distributed through CAS in 2023, allowing people with little to no access to God’s word to encounter the Jesus within, who is the embodiment of God’s word. Your support of Safaa and Mona through CAS participates in ministry like this.

120 Bibles of big size letters for elderly people and graduates from literacy classes.

1809 Regular size Bibles for individuals and churches.

299 Big size pictorial colored Bibles for kids.

450 Individual big size pictorial stories of the Bibles.

3347 Big size New Testaments.

9101 Parts of the Old Testament and New Testament for adults.

100 Small-size machines, called “Listen to the Bible” for the blind and illiterate.

February 21, 2024

We humans all desire to be pursued, to be wanted in one way or another. We long to be part of something important and meaningful. However, frequently, we find ourselves on the wrong side of that desire—where we aren't pursued by a significant other, selected for a job, or given a chance for our participation to matter.

At times, if we're honest, we may feel as though God treats us the same way: that God doesn't love us, want us, or include us. When we succumb to this temptation, we can end up distancing ourselves from God and the abundant life He has for us. The good news is that the word of God — through the lens of the life of Jesus — reveals God differently.

Below, you'll find the two parts of a visual that I shared this past Sunday, illustrating how God is different — how God pursues us, and how he calls us to pursue others to be disciples of Jesus. Take a look…

Below are some practical ways that you can respond to God’s pursuit of you; and your pursuit of others to be disciples of Jesus…


Ways to encounter God's pursuit of you through His Word at CCC:

- Sunday gatherings

- Kids/youth gatherings

- Weekly/monthly groups: Men's group, Flourish, Ladies Bible study, The Chosen Group

- CCC Connection and social media posts

Other ways to encounter God's pursuit of you through His Word:

- Establishing a regular rhythm of meditation on God's Word

- Developing a regular rhythm of listening to God in prayer

- Reading about those a step ahead of us in the faith to spark our imagination of how God might be pursuing us

- Being with those a step ahead of us in the faith, seeking their presence and guidance

- Listening to worship music to hear the testimony of how God is pursuing you

How are you pursuing others for Jesus, following His example of pursuing you? Who are you actively pursuing for Jesus? Are there individuals in your life currently turned away and disconnected from God, or those who are behind you in following Jesus?

One biblical example of this pursuit is seen in the relationship between Paul and Timothy and the churches they served: God pursued Paul > Paul pursued Timothy > Timothy pursued the people of the church in Ephesus.

Who are those a few steps behind you in following Jesus, whom you can actively pursue to help them mature in their faith?

Ways to pursue others for Jesus through CCC:

- Engage with guests during Sunday gatherings

- Volunteer for kids/youth gatherings

- Reach out to guests or those a step behind you in the faith during weekly/monthly groups: Men's group, Flourish, Ladies Bible study, The Chosen Group

- Share CCC Connection or social media posts with those a step behind you in the faith

- Join the Prayer Team to pursue the needs and concerns of others for Jesus

- Contribute to the Mission's team to initiate resources and missionary presence for those disconnected from Jesus

- Participate in the Finance team to initiate resources for those a step behind you in the faith through the church

- Consider being a ministry leader to actively serve the church

Other ways to pursue others for Jesus:

- Pursue your spouse for Jesus

- Pursue your kids, family, boss, teacher, co-workers, classmates, and people of peace for Jesus

- Pursue unreached people with whom you have a relationship for Jesus

- Pursue "Unclean," "untouchable," and "undesirable" people in your life for Jesus

Pursue others for Jesus like Jesus pursues you.

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!

Jordan Byrd

Read and begin reflecting on Luke 5:17-32 before the sermon on Sunday

This Sunday we will conclude the series of messages from the Gospel of Luke, focusing on reframing/refocusing on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as the standard for our own lives. This Sunday, Mitchell Knight will be helping us reflect on our orientation to Jesus as healer and restorer of life. May God guide us in taking steps of obedience toward becoming more like Jesus this Sunday.

Merge Madness 2024, March 22nd-23rd.

Everything around us is changing so fast that it can be hard to keep up. Our jobs, relationships, and life circumstances are constantly changing. However, God is our rock throughout time because ‘he is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ God remains unchanged in a changing world. His love and faithfulness to us are Timeless!

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

We would love to have you here on March 22nd-23rd!

CCC members have a terrific opportunity to serve and make this an awesome event for students to encounter the timelessness of God in a fun environment. To help meet these needs, contact Mitchell Knight.

During the first four Sundays of March, the sermons will center around Psalms 1-4, prompting reflection on the influence of sin and its extensive effects on our lives. Because of sin (humanity’s separation from God), we find ourselves living in darkness. To complement this series, a prayer guide is being offered to facilitate a deeper engagement with these psalms beyond the Sunday sermons. The guide will be released weekly, with both physical and digital copies accessible each Sunday, starting March 3rd.

What does being “baptized” mean?
(maybe more than you think)…

To baptize means to immerse into, so as to take on the nature or identity of the immersion. For example, in those days [the first century] you would baptize a piece of fabric in red dye, and the fabric would become red. One would then say that the fabric had been baptized in red and therefore into red. It had taken on the very substance of what it was baptized into. This concept of baptism was representative of a new identity. To be baptized in (and into) the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a visible picture of a new reality. Your new baptismal identity is a child of God the Father, born again by the Spirit; a servant of King Jesus and an extension of his servant-like rule and reign on the earth; and a sent one, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the world of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. A disciple of Jesus is a changed person with an entirely new nature and identity, which leads to an entirely new way of living.

Jeff Vanderstelt, from the free book, One-Eighty: A Return to Disciple-Making, get a free copy of the book here: https://exponential.org/product/one-eighty-book/

February 14, 2024

(section added on 2-14-24, 3:19pm)

Jesus can handle you saying something immature, selfish, or shallow. This past Sunday, Sean Cronin proclaimed the good news that God has our best in mind. God is a good Father (perhaps you think of the song with a similar title), as Luke 11:11-13 describes,

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

God is a good Father who wants to hear our wants, no matter how ridiculous they might be. We get a glimpse of this from the life of Jesus in Mark 10:35-38,

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

When James and John came to Jesus, they presented their request, and Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus wanted to hear their desires. However, he also recognized, through the lens of the will of his Heavenly Father, that their request pertained to the kingdom of James and John, and not the kingdom of God.

Jesus eventually said "no" to their selfish, shallow request for earthly power, choosing instead to say "yes" to granting them the opportunity to have power in God's kingdom as his witnesses. Give your honest wants to God, but know that He is wise enough to see past our desires and provide what we truly need for the abundant life that he desires for us.

As referenced on Sunday, our wants often intersect with our finances and resources. While our requests to God can easily lean towards our personal and earthly desires (e.g., more money, a better job, improved housing, a newer car, the latest clothes, etc.), God may answer our requests with a "no" to say "yes" to something beyond ourselves.

God calls us to trust Him with our needs, just like the birds of the air. But God also calls us to become like Jesus – to desire what He desired, shaping our wants according to Jesus. And what Jesus wanted was to live out the will and heart of God, to love through self-sacrifice and service, and to be generous at the cost of His own desires. How might God be saying “no” to your wants, to say “yes” to his Kingdom? How might He be guiding you to be generous with your income and resources to allow your generosity to fund faithful ministry in and through the church? How might God be re-directing your wants and desires to meet the needs of those around you?

While God wants our honesty in prayer (it can be argued that this is what God commends Job for at the end of the book of Job – that he was honest with God while Job’s friends were not), He is so good that He won't give us anything less than the best. The best God has for us is His life, the kingdom of God.

James 5:16 reminds us not just to pray alone but also to "pray for one another." Below are several opportunities to come together to pray for one another. Almost every CCC group that meets throughout the week/month includes an aspect of prayer, even the children’s and youth gatherings. If you are not connected to such a group, I encourage you to connect to one and take a step toward being in community with others to pray for others, and for others to pray for you.

Alternatively, invite someone further ahead of you in following Jesus and someone further behind you in following Jesus to join you in prayer (over coffee, a video call, or a text thread). In doing so, God can use the example of the person ahead of you in following Jesus to help shape what you want from God – the more abundant things. Simultaneously, God can use your example for the person further behind you in following Jesus to be shaped in what they want from God – the more abundant things. This is how prayer and being disciples of Jesus and making disciples happen: each of us being with Jesus, to learn from Jesus how to be like Jesus.

If you would like the church body and/or the leadership of the church to pray for your current situation, please look to the bottom right corner of your screen, where it says, “Next Steps.” There you can submit a prayer request and also ask for further follow-up if desired. I hope you will take a step closer to the heart of God this week in how you pray, who you gather with, or how you seek God in how you can serve the church and those God places in your path.

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!

 

Jordan Byrd

Read and begin reflecting on Luke 5:1-16 before the sermon on Sunday

This Sunday we will continue the series of messages focused on reframing/refocusing on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as the standard for our own lives. We will be looking at the example of Jesus calling his first disciples. We’ll also be looking at the type of life that Jesus calls these disciples and a leper toward in his interaction with them. May God guide us in taking steps of obedience toward becoming more like Jesus this Sunday. May we be receptive to the depth of the good news that Jesus has to offer our lives.

R.&R. D. (CCC Mission partners in Alleyland)

While we can celebrate the adoption of a new Alley sister. R. & R. have shared how this new sister’s journey has been difficult in Alleyland. Please pr*y for this new sister to remained fixed on The Way of Light and not give way to the thief of darkness.

Quote to reflect on…

"Eternal life is not just life after death. Eternal life is a whole new kind of living made possible now by the very life of God in you." (Jeff Vanderstelt, from the free book: https://exponential.org/product/one-eighty-book/)

I shared the following a few weeks ago during this sermon, but still think the amount of digital data that is estimated to be created each day by the year 2025 is astounding: 181 zetabytes!!! I didn’t even know what a zetabyte was until I read this data. Hopefully it’s as interesting to you as it is to me.

The Chosen Group (jump in anytime):

Watch and catch-up on the overall story told throughout seasons 1-3 of the Bible-based show, The Chosen. The viewing of these episodes will lead up to the spring release of the season 4 episodes of the show. The group meets in the CCC youth room from 8:30am-9:45am. Contact Dave and Deb Farley to connect further.

Merge Youth Group:

Meets this weekend. For 6th-12th grade-aged kids. Sunday nights, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Meets in CCC youth room. Games and Bible lesson: continuing to look at the fruits of the Spirit. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

Impact Kids:

"Little Impact" (PreK-1st) or "Big Impact" (1st-5th), parental preference for Grade 1. Kids participate in games, lessons, crafts, and reflection. They join parents for initial worship songs, then meet with class leaders during prayer time in the lobby. Parents pick up kids in classrooms after worship. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

Ladies Bible Study:

Meets at CCC on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 10:30am-11:30am. Contact Linda Cronin for more information.

Flourish Ladies:

Meets at CCC on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Currently discussing Justin Whitmel Earley’s book, Made for People. Contact Bobbie Ludwick, Valerie Hubert or Renee Paul for more information.

Guys Work Group:

Meets from 9am-11am at CCC. Coffee, treats, conversation, and a little upkeep work around the church building/property. Contact Dan Corbett for more information.

A CCC hosted event for 6th-12th grade-aged kids (local and regional), March 22-23. Be on the lookout for the opportunity to sign-up and participate as a kid or help as an adult. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

February 7, 2024

"What did you do? Why did you do that? Over the past weeks, we’ve been reframing the standard—refocusing on Jesus as the standard for life, ministry, and mission. One of the action points we’ve been invited to take is to live and say that Jesus is your 'why.' Another action point was to accept an invitation to participate in God’s provision. The IDES food pack this past weekend (February 3&4) afforded you an opportunity to live like Jesus and partner in God’s provision for others—giving your money to fund emergency relief meals, rearranging your schedule to spend 2-3 hours packing meals for others, forgoing Sunday lunch to provide food for those without access, and focusing on others at the expense of your preferences and priorities. The hope of the church leaders is that the food pack was an opportunity for you to take a step in living like Jesus, an opportunity to invite a non-Jesus follower to see what Jesus-following people value, an opportunity to partner in what God is doing to provide for the needs of those around the world, and an opportunity to explain Jesus as the 'why' behind the time and effort you spent at a table with 9 other people in the CCC gym for 2-3 hours, packing food that isn’t for your benefit. The church's leadership rejoices in the accomplishment of packing over 65,000 GAP meals (over 20,000 more meals than the 40,000 that we originally planned). We celebrate that God provided funding for the food pack in a short amount of time. We rejoice that tens of thousands of meals will benefit needy people around the world. We rejoice that each of us who participated had the opportunity to become more like Jesus and be ready to share that Jesus is the reason behind what we did.

We hope to participate in another IDES food pack in the future. Please be in prayer for funding, participation, and clarity on how we can further emulate Jesus and partner in God’s provision for the needs of the world through hosting and participating in another IDES food pack. Thank you for making it possible this year and helping to make it possible again in the future!

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!

 

Jordan Byrd

Read and begin reflecting on Luke 4:31-44 before the sermon on Sunday

This Sunday, February 11th, we will continue the series of messages focused on reframing/refocusing on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as the standard for our own lives. On this Sunday, Sean Cronin will help us reflect on what and how we pray to God for our needs and wants. May God guide us in taking a step of obedience toward Him. May we be receptive to the depth of the good news that Jesus has to offer our lives.

As followers of Jesus, we are part of the church (the body, family, community) of Christ. Our church has various ways to connect beyond Sunday morning worship in the auditorium. There are opportunities for all ages to engage and grow in their likeness to Jesus. If you haven't yet connected beyond Sunday worship, I encourage you to consider joining one of these groups. You could also ask 1-2 CCC friends if they would be willing to start meeting weekly to connect, pray, and reflect on God's word with you — all aimed at helping you become more like Jesus in community with others.

The Chosen Group (Starts this Sunday, Feb. 11, 8:30am):

Watch and catch-up on the overall story told throughout seasons 1-3 of the Bible-based show, The Chosen. This will lead up to the release of the episodes from the forthcoming, season 4 of the show. Starting THIS Sunday, February 11th, 8:30am (before 10am worship). Meets in CCC youth room. Feel free to jump in any time. Contact Dave and Deb Farley to connect further.

Merge Youth Group:

For 6th-12th grade-aged kids. Sunday nights, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Meets in CCC youth room. Games and Bible lesson: continuing to look at the fruits of the Spirit. Not meeting this Sunday, February 11th because of time spent at the Southern Tier Church of Christ youth retreat. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

Impact Kids:

For PreK-5th grade-aged kids. Sunday mornings. Meets in the auditorium for music. Split into PreK-1st* (Little Impact) and 1st*-5th (Big Impact) grade-aged groups at Prayer Time. Parents pick-up kids at the end of the worship service. Kids participate in a game, lesson, and craft or reflective activity during each gathering. Contact Mitch Knight for more information. (*parental preference)

Ladies Bible Study:

Meets at CCC on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 10:30am-11:30am. Contact Linda Cronin for more information.

Flourish Ladies:

Meets at CCC on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Currently discussing Justin Whitmel Earley’s book, Made for People. Contact Bobbie Ludwick, Valerie Hubert or Renee Paul for more information.

Guys Work Group:

Meets from 9am-11am at CCC. Coffee, treats, conversation, and a little upkeep work around the church building/property. Contact Dan Corbett for more information.

A CCC hosted event for 6th-12th grade-aged kids (local and regional), March 22-23. Be on the lookout for the opportunity to sign-up and participate as a kid or help as an adult. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

R.&R. D. (CCC Mission partners in Alleyland)

Yay!!! Celebrate the swimming party of a new sister in Chr*st! Pray for perseverance in faithfulness to the L*rd as this sister’s allegiance will be tested in the mostly non-Chr*stian, Alleyland culture.

This is an article that ran across this week. AI is an technology that is invading all areas of life: from business to entertainment to grocery shopping. While there is a helpful side to AI, there is also a dark side. This article highlights how followers of Jesus — those connected to The Way, The Truth, and The Life — have the best perspective to help navigate the benefits and dangers of AI. More specifically, the article highlights how theology is needed to navigate AI, as AI isn’t a person, with a soul. Rather, AI needs a person, with a soul, to direct it. Will AI be directed toward The Way, The Truth, and The Life of God revealed in Jesus or the false way, false truth, and false life of sin and evil?

January 31, 2024

How can you boost the chances of your unbelieving friends and family visiting our church? In a recent Renew webinar, Thom Rainer, a statistician and research resource for U.S. churches, highlighted three effective action steps:

  1. Extend a personal invitation to your friend.

  2. Commit to meeting them at the door and sitting together.

  3. Plan to take them out to lunch after the worship service.

Surprisingly, the most challenging part is often mustering the courage for the initial invitation. The subsequent steps are relatively straightforward. The key isn't having a rehearsed gospel presentation or being an expert on God and the Bible; it's about inviting your friend to join in your routine activities. This isn't just a casual social media invite; it's intentional and communal, promising to accompany your friend from the parking lot, to a seat, and back out of the worship space. It's a hospitable invitation, including plans to spend time together over a meal, discussing life and addressing any questions that may arise.

This approach isn't limited to Sundays—it can also serve as a blueprint for inviting someone to participate in the IDES food pack event this weekend. It goes beyond sharing information on social media to becoming a deliberate, personal experience with someone whom you already have a relationship. It's an intentional invitation for them to join an unfamiliar church-oriented activity, not just to complete the packing of 60,000 meals, but to spend meaningful time together.

Consider identifying people of peace among your friends and family—those open to Jesus, and not antagonistic to Jesus. Invite them to join you in worship and the IDES food pack this weekend, creating intentional experiences that go beyond a simple invitation.

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!

 

Jordan Byrd

It’s this weekend!!!

This year’s foodpack through IDES is this Saturday, February 3rd — 9am-noon, and Sunday, February 4th — Worship: 10am, Food Pack: 11:00am-2:30pm.

The materials will be arriving on Friday, February 3rd. If you’re free and able to help meet at CCC to unload the trucks and setup tables and equipment in the gym for about an hour, that would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

CCC members: please message Jordan if you’re able to help.

The food packing process will happen at ten stations. Each station involves at least ten people. Would you consider being a table leader for one of these ten stations? All this role involves is receiving some further instruction from the IDES food pack coordinator, and being a point-person for your packing station to help relay any needs or questions to the IDES food pack coordinator. You can sign-up to be a table leader via the information linked here.

This event is a great opportunity to invite your family or friends to join you in being a blessing — to be the hands and feet of Jesus — to people in need around the world. You can invite and encourage people to participate via the information linked here.

As followers of Jesus, we are part of the church (the body, family, community) of Christ. Our church has various ways to connect beyond Sunday morning worship in the auditorium. There are opportunities for all ages to engage and grow in their likeness to Jesus. If you haven't yet connected beyond Sunday worship, I encourage you to consider joining one of these groups. You could also ask 1-2 CCC friends if they would be willing to start meeting weekly to connect, pray, and reflect on God's word with you — all aimed at helping you become more like Jesus in community with others.

The Chosen Group:

Watch and discuss the episodes from season 4 of the Bible-based show, The Chosen. Starting Sunday, February 11th, 8:30am (before 10am worship). Meets in CCC youth room. Feel free to jump in any time. Contact Dave Farley to connect further.

Merge Youth Group:

For 6th-12th grade-aged kids. Sunday nights, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Meets in CCC youth room. Games and Bible lesson: continuing to look at the fruits of the Spirit. The next gathering is this Sunday, February 4th. Also check out this other opportunity: A youth retreat at the Southern Tier Church of Christ in Elmyra, February 9-11. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

Impact Kids:

For PreK-5th grade-aged kids. Sunday mornings. Meets in the auditorium for music. Split into PreK-1st* (Little Impact) and 1st*-5th (Big Impact) grade-aged groups at Prayer Time. Parents pick-up kids at the end of the worship service. Kids participate in a game, lesson, and craft or reflective activity during each gathering. Contact Mitch Knight for more information. (*parental preference)

Ladies Bible Study:

Meets at CCC on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 10:30am-11:30am. Contact Linda Cronin for more information.

Flourish Ladies:

Meets at CCC on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Currently discussing Justin Whitmel Earley’s book, Made for People. Contact Bobbie Ludwick, Valerie Hubert or Renee Paul for more information.

Guys Work Group:

Meets from 9am-11am at CCC. Coffee, treats, conversation, and a little upkeep work around the church building/property. Contact Dan Corbett for more information.

A CCC hosted event for 6th-12th grade-aged kids (local and regional), March 22-23. Be on the lookout for the opportunity to sign-up and participate as a kid or help as an adult. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.

On March 21st, Mike Bowers is being recognized as a Lifetime Achiever of the Year by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce. See more information here about access to tickets to join in the Gala.

January 24, 2024

How can you make a difference in the face of the world's challenges? We often feel overwhelmed by the multitude of issues such as natural disasters, war, and poverty. Despite having the desire to help, it's difficult to know where to start. Pastor Andy Stanley suggests a practical principle: "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone." See the fuller context of this Biblical principle in the video linked at the bottom of this post. While we can't tackle all global needs, we can focus on addressing one opportunity at a time, as encouraged by the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:10.

On February 3rd and 4th, there's an opportunity to put this principle into action. The Clarence Church of Christ is hosting an IDES food pack event to provide meals for those affected by natural disasters, war, and poverty worldwide. Although we can't solve all the world's problems, we can make a significant impact by packing 60,000 GAP meals. These meals, sent by IDES, not only offer material support but also aim to connect people with the spiritual nourishment of Jesus.

You are invited to contribute your time and effort on February 3rd (9 am - 12 pm) and/or February 4th (10 am - 2:30 pm, including a worship service from 10 am - 11 am). Seize this opportunity to make a difference for thousands in need, recognizing that your actions can positively impact lives around the world.

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!

 

Jordan Byrd

Read and begin reflecting on Luke 4:1-13 before the sermon on Sunday

This Sunday, January 28th, we will continue the series of messages focused on reframing/refocusing on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as the standard for our own lives. On this Sunday, we will reflect on the good news that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim to our broken world, including our own broken lives. May God guide us in taking a step of obedience toward Him. May we be receptive to the depth of the good news that Jesus brings to the brokenness that sin has caused.

Table leaders still needed for both Saturday and Sunday (sign up below)

This year’s foodpack through IDES will happen: Saturday, February 3rd — 9am-noon; and Sunday, February 4th — Worship: 10am, Food Pack: 11:00am-2:30pm.

The food packing process will happen at ten stations. Each station involves at least ten people. Would you consider being a table leader for one of these ten stations? All this role involves is receiving some further instruction from the IDES food pack coordinator, and being a point-person for your packing station to help relay any needs or questions to the IDES food pack coordinator. You can sign-up to be a table leader via the information linked here.

This event is a great opportunity to invite your family or friends to join you in being a blessing — to be the hands and feet of Jesus — to people in need around the world. You can invite and encourage people to participate via the information linked here.

Merge Youth Group this Sunday, January 28st, will be from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Games and Bible lesson: continuing to look at the fruits of the Spirit. A youth retreat at the Southern Tier Church of Christ in Elmyra is also coming in February. Message Mitch Knight with any questions.

Meets at CCC on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm. On January 24th, the group is starting a new discussion on Justin Whitmel Earley’s book, Made for People. Contact Bobbie Ludwick, Valerie Hubert or Renee Paul for more information.

CCC Mission Partners in Alleyland: R. & R. D.

Add your “amen” to pr*y for bodily rest and fatigue for R & R as they also persevere in the spiritual battle to see the f*mily of G*d established among the Alley people — to have an ongoing witness of the hope of life in Chr*st there.

9am-11am at CCC. Coffee, treats, conversation, and a little upkeep work around the church building/property. For Wednesday, January 31st, help pick-up and transport tables being borrowed from Eastern Hills church for the IDES food pack. Contact Dan Corbett for more details.

CCC Mission Partner in Egypt: Safaa and Mona F. with Christian Arabic Services

Add your “amen” to the following prayer request for the ministry of CAS:

CAS has taken action to provide physical aid to 6,000,000 (Six million) refugees fled from N. and S. Sudan. Pray for CAS-partnered evangelists who are doing their best to help people also encounter the eternal aid of our heavenly Father, through our Savior, Jesus.

“Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.” - Andy Stanley

January 17, 2024

Making a decision like this is never easy. Determining the severity of the weather required to cancel a church activity while keeping the best interests of all involved in mind is a tough call. This was the dilemma faced by nearly every church in Western New York this past weekend. Although driving bans and being instructed on what to do are never enjoyable situations, the implementation of a driving ban across Erie County ended up making the decision for us.

I hope you found time this past weekend to engage with the condensed worship service that was made available to help you ground yourself in Christ, similar to our usual in-person Sunday morning gatherings. A few individuals took advantage of the connecting Zoom gathering that was set up following the worship stream, and I believe it was an encouraging experience for those who participated.

I'm grateful for the quick, creative, and intentional response by the church leadership to present and make available an engaging digital worship experience with limited preparation time. While it is not ideal, it serves as a temporary reflective practice that can sustain us until we can meet in-person again.

Moments like these may serve as reminders of our current daily situation— that we do not yet see Jesus face-to-face. However, one day we will. While our communion with Jesus is limited on this side of eternity and not ideal, God still meets with us here. Our daily moments of communing with God feed our anticipation of the day when we will encounter Jesus face-to-face for eternity in never-ending communion with God.

I hope this Sunday we are able to re-gather as is our normal practice (and the example set before us by the early church, like what we encounter in the book of Acts in the Bible).

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!

 

Jordan Byrd

Read and begin reflecting on Luke 4:1-13 before the sermon on Sunday

We will continue in reframing/refocusing on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as the standard for our own lives. This Sunday, we will reflect on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. May God guide us in taking a step of obedience toward Him. May we learn from Jesus how to confront the temptation to sin.

IDES.org Food Pack, February 3&4

This year’s foodpack through IDES will happen: Saturday, February 3rd — 9am-noon; and Sunday, February 4th — Worship: 10am, Food Pack: 11:00am-2:30pm.

The food packing process will happen at ten stations. Each station involves at least ten people. Would you consider being a table leader for one of these ten stations? All this role involves is receiving some further instruction from the IDES food pack coordinator, and being a point-person for your packing station to help relay any needs or questions to the IDES food pack coordinator. You can sign-up to be a table leader via the information linked here.

This event is a great opportunity to invite your family or friends to join you in being a blessing — to be the hands and feet of Jesus — to people in need around the world. You can invite and encourage people to participate via the information linked here.

Due to the Bills’ playoff game time, Merge Youth Group this Sunday, January 21st, will be from 4pm-6pm.

Games and Bible lesson: continuing to look at the fruits of the Spirit. A youth retreat at the Southern Tier Church of Christ in Elmyra is also coming in February. Message Mitch Knight with any questions.

Meets at CCC on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm. On January 24th, the group is starting a new discussion on Justin Whitmel Earley’s book, Made for People. Contact Bobbie Ludwick, Valerie Hubert or Renee Paul for more information.

Meets at CCC on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 10:30am-11:30am. Contact Linda Cronin for more information.

CCC Mission Partner in Egypt: Safaa and Mona F. with Christian Arabic Services

Add your “amen” to the following PRAYER POINTS from the most recent CAS update:

1. Most souls saved in our history

2. Most money raised in our history. Goal for CAS this year is $600,000

3. Most churches planted in our history

PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS!

In this episode of the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, David Kinnaman, President of Barna Research, highlights a 27 percent increase in Bible sales in the United States. Despite the perception of an increasingly dark world, statistics like this indicate that people are still actively seeking out God's good news in His Word. Speaking of Bible sales, which format do you typically use these days: a physical Bible or a digital app? Share your thoughts below in the comment section at the bottom of this post. The surge in sales is surprising, especially considering the ready availability of free Bible apps. An interesting fact, to say the least.

Winter Weather Update for Sunday, January 14, 2024

Updated: 1-13-24, 10:24pm

With a travel ban in effect throughout Erie County from 9 pm on Saturday, January 13th, and not scheduled for re-evaluation until Sunday morning, January 14th, we will not be holding in-person worship activities in the morning and the Merge youth group in the evening on Sunday, January 14th.

Instead, we will provide a condensed, guided worship experience featuring Scripture reading, prayer, sermon, and communion meditation. This will be accessible through the CCC website homepage or CCC YouTube channel tomorrow morning, January 14th, at 10 am. To fully participate, please prepare by having communion elements (any form of bread/cracker and grape/other juice or a similar drink) available during the worship service, allowing you to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Following the worship service stream, a Zoom gathering will be facilitated for those interested in briefly connecting and checking in with each other. You can log onto the Zoom gathering at 11am here.

I encourage you to make wise choices and lean into the church body if it can be of any assistance with a need that you might have over this weather-filled weekend.


Jordan Byrd

Parents of PreK-5th:

"Grace and peace to you all!

Even though tomorrow's in-person gathering is cancelled, I think it would be great to get your kids involved by watching the Big and Little Impact videos with them. You can play each of them from the following links:

Big Impact - https://youtu.be/A1J-It3dhHU (Please start from 30 seconds in)

Main idea - Sharing what you have

Little Impact - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmc6UPodOC4 (Please start from 30 seconds in)

Main Idea - Jesus teaches us important things

I hope you'll join us for online worship tomorrow. Focus on Jesus, not the storm!

Be blessed,

Mitchell Knight

January 10, 2024

7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;

I will testify against you, Israel:

I am God, your God.

8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices

or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9 I have no need of a bull from your stall

or of goats from your pens,

10 for every animal of the forest is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know every bird in the mountains,

and the insects in the fields are mine.

12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,

for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15 and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalm 50:7-15 (NIV)


A week ago, we did not know where the thousands of dollars still needed for the IDES food pack on February 3&4 would come from. We say that we trust God to provide. But it can be easier to say that than to actually believe that it will happen. I am excited to share that God has provided over and above what was still needed for the IDES food pack! Like the psalmist of Psalm 50 states: God does not need anything from us. The world is His, and everything in it. He doesn’t need us, but He does invite us to participate in what He does. God has indeed incorporated many people’s generosity into His work of blessing others. He has exceeded what we thought might be near impossible. God has provided for the IDES food pack to happen, and more – with leftovers that can be seed money for another food pack down the road. In the gospels, when Jesus’ disciples didn’t catch fish all night, Jesus didn’t just provide exactly what they needed. He provided more. While it can be tempting to doubt God’s provision, we have a record of God showing up for what we need, and sometimes with more than what we need. May God give us wisdom to steward this gift well and be a blessing to hungry and needy people around the world through the ministry of IDES. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

Below you will find other CCC updates and resources.

See you Sunday if not before then!

 

Jordan Byrd

Read and begin reflecting on Luke 3:21-38 before the sermon on Sunday

We will continue in reframing/refocusing on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus as the standard for our own lives. Specifically, we will listen for the good news that God has for us to hear and the step of obedience that He has for us to take as we reflect on the baptism and Lucan version of the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3.

IDES.org Food Pack, February 3&4

This year’s foodpack through IDES will happen: Saturday, February 3rd — 9am-noon; and Sunday, February 4th — Worship: 10am, Food Pack: 11:00am-2:30pm.

This event is a great opportunity to invite your family or friends to join you in being a blessing — to be the hands and feet of Jesus — to people in need around the world. You can invite and encourage people to participate via the information linked here.

The food packing process will happen at ten stations. Each station involves at least ten people. Would you consider being a table leader for one of these ten stations? All this role involves is receiving some further instruction from the IDES food pack coordinator, and being a point-person for your packing station to help relay any needs or questions to the IDES food pack coordinator. You can sign-up to be a table leader via the information linked here.

Merge Youth Group on Sunday, January 7th (6:30pm-7:30pm)

Games. Continue looking at the fruits of the Spirit. Come Sunday night to fellowship, learn, and connect with other students and caring adults! A youth retreat at the Southern Tier Church of Christ in Elmyra is also coming in February. Message Mitch Knight with any questions.

I found this podcast episode intriguing. The conversation in the podcast focuses on how insights from neuroscience can inform how we best connect with God, or have awareness of what hinders our connection with God. One of the takeaways from the episode is how routinely offering gratitude is one of the best spiritual habits we can have to help connect and keep us connected to God amidst the messiness and brokenness of life. Watch or listen and engage the fuller conversation.

A significant upgrade took place in the church building this week, with the installation of a new screen and projector. The extreme generosity of those who have passed on before us played a crucial role in making this upgrade a reality. We're grateful for their relationship with God, which inspired them to be generous in leaving a lasting legacy. May we steward this upgraded resource well, using it to remind and proclaim the good news of Jesus week in and week out.

January 4, 2024

(Updated at 4:07pm on 1/4/24)

Happy new year! I hope you’ve had an enjoyable past couple of weeks celebrating the birth of our Savior, spending quality time with family and friends, and thinking about what God may have for you in the year 2024. It’s no secret that this new year brings changes to the Clarence Church of Christ. We’ve been blessed to have Mike Bowers ministering with the Clarence Church of Christ for many years, and we look forward to what God still has left for him and Deb to do in this next stage of “retirement” life. Please continue to pray for Mike’s health as he recovers from surgery. The following update is from Deb, “Mike is doing well. Not much to report. Surgery went as scheduled. At the moment continued prayers for healing are appreciated. Thankful for Roswell Hospital, Dr.’s and nurses who are such experts in their field… and a God that takes care of all of our needs and more.”

This week also marks the beginning of myself, Mitch Knight, and Sean Cronin settling into new and adjusted staff roles. It will involve a time of transition for sure. But we look forward to seeing how God continues to lead and guide the church to the purpose he has for us at this time and in this area of the world. As needed, you can message me, Mitch, or Sean. As well, we plan to have presence in the church offices during the week at the following times: Monday: 9am-noon; Tuesday: 9am-3pm; Wednesday: 9am-3pm; Friday: 9am-3pm. If needed outside of those times (or if one of us is out of the office), an appointment can be setup with any of us well.

Below you will find a variety of updates on activities that are coming up, and/or updates with ministry partners.

See you Sunday if not before then!

 

Jordan Byrd

Sermon series starting Sunday, January 7th

In the film industry, reframing is changing the camera angle to bring focus to part of a scene. Starting Sunday, January 7th, CCC messages will be on the theme of Reframing the Standard: focusing on Jesus as the standard for life, ministry, and mission (from the beginning chapters of the gospel of Luke). I look forward to worshipping and learning from the life of Jesus with you this Sunday.

IDES.org Food Pack, February 3&4

This year’s foodpack through IDES will happen: Saturday, February 3rd — 9am-noon; and Sunday, February 4th — Worship: 10am, Food Pack: 11:00am-2:30pm.

Ten thousand dollars is still needed to make the food pack happen. If you are able to donate, or know of others in the community who would be interested in partnering in this opportunity, donations can be given in the offering basket or at give2ccc.org. We are trusting for God to provide!

Sign-up or invite others to sign-up or to find more information.

Merge Youth Group on Sunday, January 7th (5:30pm-7:30pm)

Games. Read New Year’s predictions made for 2023 and write predictions for 2024. Begin looking at the fruits of the Spirit, focusing on the love of God to start. Many other activities in the works for the coming months. Come fellowship, learn, and connect with other students and caring adults! Message Mitch Knight with any questions.

Don T. (CCC mission partner in Kenya and Alleyland)

An Alley evangelist that COMENSERV supports recently shared with Don how six Alley people were baptized in 2023. This is huge in the Alley context and worthing of our gratitude and praise for what God is doing among the Alley people.

Safaa and Mona F. (CCC mission partners in Egypt)

Many of you will remember that Mike, Deb and the team that recently went from CCC to visit the ministry happening in Egypt through CAS — took communion trays for the churches to use. The following update from CAS demonstrates how those resources are being used to help churches keep Jesus as their only focus from week to week.

Christian Arabic taught hundreds of churches throughout the year of the importance of the Lord’s supper. We often provide the trays so they can start weekly observance.

R&R D. (CCC mission partners in Alleyland)

Please celebrate with and lift up in prayer, R&R and their fellow believers, as they support a recent convert to the family of Christ. Pray for them to have wisdom and discernment to help new believers be the body of Christ in a difficult place. Also pray for R&R as they continue to discern what Alley ministry looks like as they transition off the field and pass the torch to other leaders.

Hector and Joy Rodriguez (CCC mission partners in Mexico)

We’re grateful that KC and Linda Cronin were able to safely travel down to Mexico this past week, to spend time with Hector, Joy, and their kids. Pray that their visit will be an encouragement, and that the brief visit can be spent in quality time. Pray for KC and Linda’s safe return as well. Also, pray for the road to be smoothed for Hector and Joy to make the arrangements that are needed for the English learning institute to come to life — where connection and relationships can be made to point people toward fullness of life in Jesus.