In This Edition: 1) Are You Missing God? 2) Youth Discipleship 3) Discipleship Kick-Starter 4) Survey Results 5) Out of Town

Are You Missing God for the god You’re Looking for beyond Jesus?

Sometimes we’re so focused on our own thoughts or the concerns of the world that we miss what’s right in front of us. The same is true in our relationship with God. In Matthew 8:28–9:8, we see that we don’t have to guess who God is—Jesus shows us clearly. He’s not hiding. He’s not a puzzle. He is the flesh-and-blood revelation of God’s heart, power, and truth.

In two powerful stories—one involving demon-possessed men and the other a paralyzed man—each set of characters encounter the presence of Jesus. And Jesus’ presence always demands a response. The demons acknowledge who Jesus is but don’t surrender. The religious experts recognize His authority but reject it. The townspeople witness freedom yet still ask Him to leave. And yet, the paralyzed man’s friends trust Him—and their faith opens the door to healing and forgiveness.

The message is clear: Jesus is the clearest picture we’ll ever get of God. But will we see Him for who He truly is—or miss Him because He doesn’t fit the version of god we were hoping for?

Reflection Questions:

  1. Shift your search for God: Are you looking for a god beyond Jesus? What would it look like today to let Jesus reshape your picture of God?

  2. Consent to Jesus’ authority: Are you clinging to a version of God who fits your comforts instead of the God who calls you higher? Where do you need to re-surrender?

  3. Stand in faith for others: Who in your life is struggling to see God clearly? How can your faith help carry them closer to Jesus?

This Sunday, Sean Cronin will reflect further from the life of Jesus in Matthew 9:9-17. I hope you’ll join us!

Equip: Youth - A New Experience for 6-12th Grade Students on Sunday Mornings!

Students in grades 6–12 have a new opportunity! Each Sunday, when all the kids are dismissed during the worship service, students are invited to meet in the church library for a discipleship group just for them. An adult leader will help guide the time, but we’re trusting the Holy Spirit to be the ultimate teacher—and the Bible will be our main focus. We’re excited for this new experience and hope it helps our students step more fully into the abundant life Jesus offers.


Thank You for Taking the Survey!

You're welcome to view the results of the anonymous survey. Here are a few highlights that stood out to the church leadership:

  • A clear connection between the frequency of engaging in God’s Word and prayer.

  • A strong number of respondents sacrificially investing their time, abilities, and resources in God’s Kingdom.

  • A high number of respondents regularly and vulnerably sharing with others, either one-on-one or in community.

  • A celebration-worthy number of respondents actively sharing their faith with others.

Discipleship Kick-Starter

You’re invited to a 4-week experience to help you build spiritual habits, connect with others, and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers. Whether you're new to faith or looking to grow, join us as we kick-start our journeys of following Jesus together. It’s happening June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th after the 10am worship gathering, in the youth room.

Join for one or all—each session has value, but all will offer the most benefit.

Please indicate your interest and/or your need for childcare.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

In This Edition: 1) Following Jesus 2) New Youth Opportunity 3) Survey 4) Discipleship Kick-Starter 5) Thank You Lord!

Are You Willing to Follow Jesus?

This past Sunday, Sean helped us reflect on the disciples’ experience with Jesus as He revealed the challenging path of helping all people encounter God's abundant life. Sometimes it means going to unfamiliar places. Other times, it requires giving up something to prioritize others. It may also involve recognizing your emptiness and relying solely on God's power to show up. Two potential disciples of Jesus struggled to accept the demands of following Him. The twelve were likely still uncertain but willing to follow wherever Jesus led. As they continued their journey, they gained firsthand experience of who Jesus is. When they found themselves in a storm beyond their control—revealing their fear, insecurity, and helplessness—they cried out, and Jesus heard them. The Lord in flesh responded and calmed the storm. In amazement, the disciples asked, "Who is this guy?" (paraphrased).

Are you in a storm right now? Who are you crying out to? Perhaps you're waiting for the "perfect" moment to start living for Jesus. What is more important than God's life? If you're in need of help, are you holding it in, or crying out for Jesus to show up?

Reflection Questions:

  1. What storm are you facing that you need to invite Jesus into? Don’t wait for a convenient time—cry out now. He hears you.

  2. Where have you delayed obedience, waiting for comfort or control? Jesus doesn’t call us to follow when it’s easy. He calls us to follow Him now.

  3. Who can you open up to about your storm this week? Healing begins when we’re honest—with God and with each other.

This Sunday, we’ll continue reflecting on the life of Jesus from Matthew 8:28–9:8. I hope you’ll join us!

Equip: Youth - A New Experience for 6-12th Grade Students on Sunday Mornings!

Starting this Sunday (May 18), students in grades 6–12 have a new opportunity! When all the kids are dismissed during worship, students are invited to meet in the church library for a discipleship group just for them. An adult leader will help guide the time, but we’re trusting the Holy Spirit to be the ultimate teacher—and the Bible will be our main focus. We’re excited for this new experience and hope it helps our students step more fully into the abundant life Jesus offers.


Would You Anonymously Answer 6 Simple Questions?

The survey results will provide the leadership with a snapshot of the church's health in our mission to guide all people to abundant life in Jesus, and help us to better lead, guide, and equip the church toward that aim. Thanks for your participation!

* Paper surveys will also be available this Sunday

Discipleship Kick-Starter

You’re invited to a 4-week experience to help you build spiritual habits, connect with others, and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers. Whether you're new to faith or looking to grow, join us as we kick-start our journeys of following Jesus together. It’s happening June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th (corrected dates, 5-16-25) after the 10am worship gathering, in the youth room.

Join for one or all—each session has value, but all will offer the most benefit.

Please indicate your interest and/or your need for childcare.


Thank you Lord for providing!

Your generosity enabled us to collectively give $1,325 to support our mission partners and advance HEAL’s Community Resource Center project, helping it become a vital new resource that will greatly impact the lives of Buffalo’s West Side.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

In This Edition: 1) Don’t Settle, Expect! 2) Mother’s Day 3) Discipleship Check-Up 4) Prepare for Camp!

Don’t Settle for a Lesser Jesus

In the sermon this past Sunday, we reflected on Matthew 8:1–17 and several deeply personal healing encounters that a handful of people had with Jesus. We meet a man with leprosy, a Roman centurion pleading for his servant, Peter’s fever-stricken mother-in-law, and a group of demon-possessed individuals. Each story reveals the heart of Jesus — and the kind of faith that responds to Him not just as teacher or healer, but as Lord over all. It's a faith that doesn’t settle for partial answers but expects the full picture — in word, in action, and in presence — of what Jesus can do.

What ties these moments together? Great faith.

Not faith in ourselves.
Not faith limited by what seems realistic.
But a great faith that hears Jesus, trusts Jesus, and boldly acts on what He says is possible.

These aren’t just stories of healing — they are embodied revelations of who Jesus is: the fulfillment of God’s promises, the Word made flesh. In these moments, Jesus doesn’t simply speak about God’s love — He touches the untouchable, honors the outsider, lifts the weary, and commands the forces of darkness. He reveals God’s heart not only through His words, but through His hands, His presence, and His compassion in motion.

Jesus is God’s heart embodied in action — and He invites us to respond with a faith that doesn’t settle.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Where are you tempted to settle for less than what Jesus says is possible?
    Are there areas in your life where you’ve stopped expecting God to show up in powerful ways? What would it look like to stretch your imagination and trust in Jesus’ authority?

  2. Who in these stories do you identify with the most — the leper, the centurion, or Peter’s mother-in-law? Why?
    Reflect on how their experiences with Jesus might parallel your own journey. What does their faith — and Jesus’ response — teach you about how to approach Him?

  3. How can you practice “expecting the full picture” from Jesus this week?
    Consider one situation you’re facing right now. Instead of asking for a partial fix or a quick answer, ask Jesus to do what He desires — and trust that His response will show you more of who God really is.

This Sunday, Sean Cronin will lead us in reflecting on Matthew 8:18–27. I hope you’ll join us!

Mother’s Day

This Sunday, we’ll help you honor the mothers in your life with a special take-home gift. Available at the end of the worship gathering.


Discipleship Checkup (6 Quick Questions)*

The survey results will provide the leadership with a snapshot of the church's health in our mission to guide all people to abundant life in Jesus, and help us to better lead, guide, and equip the church toward that aim. Thanks for your participation!

* Paper surveys will be available this Sunday

Get Ready for the Mountainview Christian Camp Season

Give your kids the chance to get away this summer and experience God’s presence, along with a lot of fun. Camp weeks: First Chance (K-5th), Junior (4-6th), Jr. High (6-8th), Sr. High (9-12th), Mountain Do (7-12th). More info and register for camp.

Mountainview’s Season Opening Weekend | May 9–11

Mountainview Christian Camp invites you to be part of a brand-new Season Opening Weekend—a time to bring the camp community together and help prepare the grounds for the exciting season ahead.

Friday, May 9 – Arrival & Fellowship
The camp will be open for adult and family overnight accommodations. There are no scheduled activities on this day—it’s simply an opportunity for those traveling from a distance to arrive early, settle in, enjoy the camp environment, and connect informally with others.

Saturday, May 10 – Work Day
Starting at 9:00 AM, volunteers will help get the camp ready for the summer season. Projects are available for all skill levels and physical abilities, including:

  • Cleaning and painting

  • Light carpentry and upkeep tasks

  • Wood stacking

  • Prayer walking

Meals will be provided, and time will be set aside for fellowship and recreation.

Sunday, May 11 – Online Worship Service
At 5:00 PM, a pre-recorded worship service will stream on YouTube and Facebook. Modeled after a typical Mountainview gathering, the service will include:

  • Worship music familiar to camp

  • A message from the Mountainview stage

  • Testimonies and updates on this year’s programs

How to Support the Weekend

  • Pray – for the volunteers, the work being done, and the upcoming season

  • Serve – individuals with trade skills or a heart for prayer are invited to help with on-site projects

  • Attend – your presence makes a difference

Mountainview Christian Camp relies on the support of its community to fulfill its mission. This weekend offers a meaningful and practical way to get involved and help launch the season well.

3511 Reed Rd
Dansville, NY 14437

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

In This Edition: 1) God’s Abundant Gift. 2) Upcoming Sermon Series. 3) Summer Camp. 4) Walk for Life. 5) Encouraged & Challenged.

Let Go of the Grind And Grab Hold of God’s Gift

Isaiah 55 offers a timely and powerful invitation: to stop exhausting ourselves in pursuit of a satisfying life apart from God, and instead receive the free and abundant life He offers. Isaiah 55 contrasts the wearisome grind of chasing fulfillment on our own terms (in our current reality, that may be through: fitting in, success, escape, or identity) with the lasting joy and peace found in God’s covenant love. Just as God called the exiles of Israel to forsake their fruitless pursuits and return to Him, He calls us today to receive the life found in Jesus—the living Word, the embodiment of abundant life. God’s gift is not a temporary fix but an everlasting promise rooted in His faithfulness, capable of transforming brokenness into beauty and emptiness into fullness.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What does this tell you about God?
    How does Isaiah 55 reveal God's generous heart and His desire to satisfy our deepest longings—not through obligation or performance, but through His gracious and everlasting gift of life?

  2. What does this tell you about yourself?
    Where do you recognize yourself in the grind—the restless chasing after identity, belonging, or success—and how does that reveal our tendency to look for fulfillment apart from the One who truly satisfies?

  3. Where is God’s Spirit prompting obedience in your life?
    What specific pursuit or pressure might God be asking you to release today so you can fully receive and walk in the abundant life He’s offering you through Jesus? What’s one step of trust or surrender He’s inviting you to take?

This Sunday, we’ll be diving into a new portion of Scripture, reflecting on various experiences from Jesus’ life that we encounter in the gospel of Matthew. More about that below…

Says Who?! (Upcoming Message Series, May 4th)

We’re all familiar with the tension between wanting control over everything and feeling like we’re at the mercy of someone else’s authority. But what about Jesus’ authority? The Gospel of Matthew reveals that Jesus’ authority is not only real, but worth trusting. Join us as we reflect on what it means to place our trust in His healing and life-giving authority.

Get Ready for the Mountainview Christian Camp Season

Give your kids the chance to get away this summer and experience God’s presence, along with a lot of fun. Camp weeks: First Chance (K-5th), Junior (4-6th), Jr. High (6-8th), Sr. High (9-12th), Mountain Do (7-12th). More info and register for camp.

Mountainview’s Season Opening Weekend | May 9–11

Mountainview Christian Camp invites you to be part of a brand-new Season Opening Weekend—a time to bring the camp community together and help prepare the grounds for the exciting season ahead.

Friday, May 9 – Arrival & Fellowship
The camp will be open for adult and family overnight accommodations. There are no scheduled activities on this day—it’s simply an opportunity for those traveling from a distance to arrive early, settle in, enjoy the camp environment, and connect informally with others.

Saturday, May 10 – Work Day
Starting at 9:00 AM, volunteers will help get the camp ready for the summer season. Projects are available for all skill levels and physical abilities, including:

  • Cleaning and painting

  • Light carpentry and upkeep tasks

  • Wood stacking

  • Prayer walking

Meals will be provided, and time will be set aside for fellowship and recreation.

Sunday, May 11 – Online Worship Service
At 5:00 PM, a pre-recorded worship service will stream on YouTube and Facebook. Modeled after a typical Mountainview gathering, the service will include:

  • Worship music familiar to camp

  • A message from the Mountainview stage

  • Testimonies and updates on this year’s programs

How to Support the Weekend

  • Pray – for the volunteers, the work being done, and the upcoming season

  • Serve – individuals with trade skills or a heart for prayer are invited to help with on-site projects

  • Attend – your presence makes a difference

Mountainview Christian Camp relies on the support of its community to fulfill its mission. This weekend offers a meaningful and practical way to get involved and help launch the season well.

3511 Reed Rd
Dansville, NY 14437

Walk for Life

CompassCare champions the dignity of unborn and newborn life and mothers in unexpected pregnancies. You're welcome to support their work through prayer, donations, or raising awareness by joining a local Walk for Life, hosted by Northgate Church on Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Clarence Town Park. Learn more.

Encouraged and Challenged

Sean Cronin and I returned from the Renew Gathering on Wednesday, encouraged by time with fellow ministry leaders who, like us, are navigating the challenges of today’s world. We had the opportunity to reflect on how to help guide Jesus’ church into the future by investing in the next generation of God’s people.

We also heard from global voices like Ajai Lall from India—some of you may be familiar with his difficult situation through updates in our prayer emails. In the midst of that mess, the Lalls continue to testify that Jesus is King and the only hope forward.

It was a blessing to connect with our mission partners in Mexico, Hector and Joy Rodriguez, and their two daughters, as they visited supporting churches in the U.S. and joined us at the Renew Gathering (with the help of mama Linda). They send along their heartfelt thanks for CCC’s ongoing support of their work and witness in Mexico. Thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity in supporting this part of God’s mission.

We’re grateful for the church’s investment in us, making it possible to attend and be both encouraged and challenged in our work of leading and equipping our local church. Thank you for your continued prayers as the elders and staff strive to help us become the church Jesus is calling us to be in this time and beyond.

Sean will also represent us this weekend at the Future Church conference, held locally at The Chapel at Crosspoint. Please pray he gains helpful insights to share with our leadership and church family.

Mitch Knight will be visiting extended family this weekend. Please reach out to myself, Sean, or an elder while he is away, if anything comes up related to his regular responsibilities. Thanks!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

In This Edition: 1) From Rubble to Glory. 2) An Opportunity to Bless. 3) Camp Season Is Coming. 4) Walk for Life. 5) Upcoming Message Series. 6) Thanks!

From Rubble to Glory

Life can often feel like it’s falling apart. When anxiety, depression, or personal struggles overwhelm us, it's easy to feel like everything is in ruins. This sense of brokenness isn’t new. The people of Israel, in the time of Isaiah, also found themselves in a similar state. Their city was in rubble, their faith shaken, and their identity fractured. In the midst of their despair, God delivered a powerful message of hope: With the Lord, your rubble will rise to glory.

Isaiah 54 offers a message of hope for anyone feeling like their life is in ruins. God promises that, just as He transformed Sarah’s barrenness into life and beauty, He can take the brokenness in our lives and create something new and glorious. The exiles in Isaiah 54 were reminded that their future was not defined by their past failures or their current suffering. The same is true for us today.

When life feels like rubble, we may be tempted to fix things ourselves, but God’s Word reminds us that only with Him can true transformation happen. He promises not just a temporary fix, but a complete renewal—a life full of glory, hope, and purpose. Jesus, through His resurrection, is the ultimate embodiment of this promise: a life that rises from the rubble to glory.

The latest update from our Alley mission partners in Arizona shared a similar image of how our lives and work for the Lord are transformed—from rough rock to polished glory—when we’re with Jesus.

Consider the following:

  1. What areas of your life currently feel like rubble? Is it a relationship, a dream, or your own sense of identity? How can you bring those pieces to God and trust Him to transform them?

  2. Are you relying on your own strength to fix the brokenness in your life? Or are you trusting in God's ability to bring lasting change and new life?

  3. How does the resurrection of Jesus give you hope for your own transformation? What does it look like to live with the hope that, with the Lord, your life can rise from rubble to glory?

God invites us to join in the celebration of His power to raise us to new life. With the Lord, our rubble does not define us—it becomes the foundation for something even more glorious.

This Sunday, we’ll be reflecting on Isaiah 55, our final Isaiah passage for the current sermon series. I hope you'll join us as we continue to strive to live out of the hope we have because Jesus was risen from the grave!

An Opportunity to Bless Our Community

This Sunday, we’ll be taking a special offering to support HEAL’s Community Resource Center—a vital new ministry on Buffalo’s West Side, led by our mission partners who minister and reside there.

HEAL is working to renovate an old McDonald’s building into a resource center that will serve individuals and families with practical help, encouragement, and hope. Through food distribution, job resources, and connections to care, this center will be a hub of compassion in action.

HEAL is currently raising the final $54,000 needed to move this vision forward. We invite you to prayerfully consider how you might give.

You can contribute during our church gathering this Sunday with a special offering (write “Special Offering – Heal Int’l” in the memo line), or donate online anytime this week by selecting the same designation.

Thank you for your generosity,
Elders and Staff

Get Ready for the Mountainview Christian Camp Season

Give your kids the chance to get away this summer and experience God’s presence, along with a lot of fun. Camp weeks: First Chance (K-5th), Junior (4-6th), Jr. High (6-8th), Sr. High (9-12th), Mountain Do (7-12th). More info and register for camp.

First Mountainview Christian Camp Work Day | Saturday, April 26th

Mountainview’s Season Opening Weekend | May 9–11

Mountainview Christian Camp invites you to be part of a brand-new Season Opening Weekend—a time to bring the camp community together and help prepare the grounds for the exciting season ahead.

Friday, May 9 – Arrival & Fellowship
The camp will be open for adult and family overnight accommodations. There are no scheduled activities on this day—it’s simply an opportunity for those traveling from a distance to arrive early, settle in, enjoy the camp environment, and connect informally with others.

Saturday, May 10 – Work Day
Starting at 9:00 AM, volunteers will help get the camp ready for the summer season. Projects are available for all skill levels and physical abilities, including:

  • Cleaning and painting

  • Light carpentry and upkeep tasks

  • Wood stacking

  • Prayer walking

Meals will be provided, and time will be set aside for fellowship and recreation.

Sunday, May 11 – Online Worship Service
At 5:00 PM, a pre-recorded worship service will stream on YouTube and Facebook. Modeled after a typical Mountainview gathering, the service will include:

  • Worship music familiar to camp

  • A message from the Mountainview stage

  • Testimonies and updates on this year’s programs

How to Support the Weekend

  • Pray – for the volunteers, the work being done, and the upcoming season

  • Serve – individuals with trade skills or a heart for prayer are invited to help with on-site projects

  • Attend – your presence makes a difference

Mountainview Christian Camp relies on the support of its community to fulfill its mission. This weekend offers a meaningful and practical way to get involved and help launch the season well.

3511 Reed Rd
Dansville, NY 14437

Walk for Life

CompassCare champions the dignity of unborn and newborn life and mothers in unexpected pregnancies. You're welcome to support their work through prayer, donations, or raising awareness by joining a local Walk for Life, hosted by Northgate Church on Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Clarence Town Park. Learn more.

Says Who?! (Upcoming Message Series, May 4th)

We’re all familiar with the tension between wanting control over everything and feeling like we’re at the mercy of someone else’s authority. But what about Jesus’ authority? The Gospel of Matthew reveals that Jesus’ authority is not only real, but worth trusting. Join us as we reflect on what it means to place our trust in His healing and life-giving authority.



Jordan and Sean will be out of town from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, attending and participating in a continuing education opportunity at the Renew Gathering in the Indianapolis area. Sean will also be presenting at the event. They’ll have the chance to hear from keynote speakers, engage in workshop discussions, and connect with other ministers and ministry innovators. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to learn, grow, and be refreshed through this time. If any direct needs arise while Jordan and Sean are away, please contact Mitch Knight or one of the elders.

The following weekend, May 2–4, Sean will also have the chance to represent our church at the Future Church Conference, hosted locally at The Chapel at CrossPoint, gleaning insights and ideas to bring back to our ministry team here.

We’re deeply grateful for the support of the elders and congregation in making opportunities like these possible.

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

In This Edition: Staying Connected to the Lord. Blessing Another with Your Time. Isaiah Prayer Guide. Easter Sunday. New Message Series.

Staying Connected to the Lord

Life has a way of piling up. Rejection, weariness, and loneliness can leave us feeling like we’re barely holding it together. And in those moments, we often try to manage the weight on our own. But Isaiah 52 and 53 give us a different picture—a servant who faced suffering while staying completely connected to the Lord. The servant’s connection to the Lord led Him through suffering and into new life.

The same invitation is open to us. Jesus came not just to sympathize with our struggles, but to draw us into a life that’s united with God. When we stay close to Him, hope doesn’t just visit—it lives in us. Whether you’ve never taken that step of faith or you’ve simply drifted, the Lord is always ready to welcome you back. Staying connected to Him is where real hope, purpose, and healing begin.

Reflect and Act:

  1. Have you united your life to the Lord through faith in Jesus? If not, what’s holding you back from taking the plunge, literally in baptism?

  2. In what ways are you trying to carry life’s burdens on your own instead of staying connected to God and leaning on his ability to help you through it?

  3. What simple rhythms can help you walk closely with the Lord this week—through prayer, Scripture, worship, or community? How are you connected — or helping others to stay connected — to the Lord?

This Sunday, we’ll reflect on Isaiah 54. I hope you'll join us as we celebrate the hope we have because Jesus was risen from the grave!

Who Are You Blessing with Your Time This Week?

Consider how you can sacrificially bless someone with your time this week—whether by hosting a meal, visiting, checking-in with someone over a phone call, helping with a routine chore at home, assisting an elderly person, babysitting, inviting someone to Easter Sunday worship, or hosting an egg hunt for kids in your neighborhood.

Readying Ourselves for Resurrection Sunday

To help our church meet with Jesus, share openly with Him, and follow His way, our leadership has prepared a prayer guide to help us reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope that we gain in the wake of it.

Catch up on this week’s guide.

Easter Sunday, April 20th

Celebrate the hope we have from God’s power resurrecting Jesus to new life, Sunday, April 20, 10am (including kids programming)! Invite a friend or family member to join us.


Says Who?! (Upcoming Message Series, May 4th)

We’re all familiar with the tension between wanting control over everything and feeling like we’re at the mercy of someone else’s authority. But what about Jesus’ authority? The Gospel of Matthew reveals that Jesus’ authority is not only real, but worth trusting. Join us as we reflect on what it means to place our trust in His healing and life-giving authority.


Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

In This Edition: Confidently Led to Peace. Blessing the Unseen. The Sacrifice That Leads to Hope. Easter Sunday. and a Free Event.

Confidently Led to Peace

When we face challenging situations—financial stress, relationship struggles, work confusion, or identity questions—we often try to solve everything on our own. Just like the ancient exiles in Isaiah 51-52, we search frantically for peace and restoration through our own efforts or through unreliable sources. But God's message remains powerful today: His presence confidently leads to peace. Instead of anxiously trying to map your own route to restoration, God invites you to recognize that He's already working—rolling up His sleeves, going before you, and protecting you from behind. The path to genuine peace isn't found in our frantic efforts but in trusting God's confident leadership. Turn to Him rather than attempting to handle life's heaviest burdens alone. As He declares in Isaiah, God has the ability to deliver you from whatever captivity you experience and guide you to the peace you truly desire.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What situation in your life feels like a burden too heavy for you to lift on your own?

  2. How might you be trying to create peace through your own efforts rather than turning to God's guidance?

  3. What would it look like for you to "follow God's confident voice" in your current circumstances this week?

This Sunday, we’ll reflect on Isaiah 52:13-53:12. 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.


Who Are You Blessing with Your Resources This Week?

This week, bless someone who’s often overlooked (co-worker, neighbor, public worker, etc.), whether with donuts or another thoughtful gesture. This Sunday April 13th, we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday and how Jesus has taken notice of us. Bring your 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!

The Sacrifice That Leads to Hope

To help our church meet with Jesus, share openly with Him, and follow His way, our leadership has prepared a prayer guide to help us reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope that we gain in the wake of it.

Catch up on this week’s guide.

Pick up the last week of the prayer guide (April 14-19) on the Info Page table this Sunday.

Easter Sunday, April 20th

Celebrate the hope we have from God’s power resurrecting Jesus to new life, Sunday, April 20, 10am (including kids programming)! Invite a friend or family member to join us.


Grab a friend and come toss some bags!

Continue to trust that God is present and active.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.