Connection - Chesterfield Communitychesterfieldcommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/...Yet we gaze in the mirror one morning to find that tattered old blanket draped over our shoulder

2019’s Homestretch

As we come down the homestretch of another year, we find the distance from Thanksgiving to Christmas is indeed a sprint. Shopping, parties, food, family, and church all vie for a piece of the calendar pie. And none of this is necessarily wrong or bad. It’s just life in a land that flows with milk and money (or was that honey?)

Seems to me, in the rush, one of the things lost is a sense of lingering gratitude. Think about it. We sharpen our focus on being thankful at Thanksgiving then quickly to turn the page to the mad dash for Christmas.

What was so important just days ago is all but a distant memory. Where did thankfulness go? This year, I can’t shake it. My mind is filled with lingering gratitude. Here’s what I mean:

CCC family -- I am so thankful for you! I am thankful for the year we’ve had. I’m thankful for the building project and it’s accompanying “It’s Time” campaign. I’m thankful for your faithfulness AND generosity!

I’m thankful for all the heads, hearts, and hands that serve at CCC. From Wednesday night meals to teaching children to welcoming our guests to staff to our worship team to the tech guys that run equipment to our deacons and elders to small group leaders to disciplers to disciplee’s to those who clean and maintain our facilities to those who park on the street to those who count the offerings to those who keep the books to those who so faithfully greet others to those leading ministries to those who decorate for Christmas to those who pray and pray and pray!

My heart is full. I am grateful for a church that isn’t like so many other “ordinary” churches where leadership is often questioned, decisions are quickly second-guessed, and unwritten codes guide a behavior that seems to produce a plastic version of Christianity rather than a tangible infleshment of Christ.

I am grateful for a church where genuine encouragement is not only seen but felt; authenticity is greatly valued; and vulnerability is risked!

I am grateful for a church that loves and loves and loves. And when it seems it cannot do more, it pursues the God of love even more.

I am grateful for a church that will rejoice when good happens to others and mourn when others experience sorrow. A church that will worship together, commune together, cry

together, and have fun together. A church that is open to outsiders yet protective of the insiders.

I am grateful for a church that values God’s word, the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ!

CCC family -- I hope you realize -- none of this is even remotely possible by mere human hands or willpower. These things can only be done if Jesus Christ is loved, followed, praised, glorified and active in and through His bride!

Several months ago I started reading (on weekends) the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon.) I have attempted to read it from an allegorical perspective. I have tried to see Jesus as the groom and the church as His bride. This isn’t an easy task as Solomon’s love for his wife, the Shulammite, is described often in very physical details.

However, time and again, I have been amazed by an illumination that Jesus, our Groom, is captivated with His bride, the church!

In a recent time with the Lord, I realized that Christ’s love for us isn’t a blind love. He can indeed see our many imperfections yet the depth of His love for us sees the good, the beauty, and the potential.

He has rescued us from ourselves and is in the process of purifying us for Himself.

As I sprint down the homestretch of 2019, I thank God for you, church, and even more importantly I am grateful to Jesus Christ for loving us unconditionally and sanctifying us - setting us apart - unreservedly!

Read carefully Paul’s words to the church at Ephesus:

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (NLT)

Grateful In and For Him,pastor randy

314-469-3255 www.chesterfieldcommunity.org December 4, 2019

ConnectionConnection

Notes from Pastor Jeff

In my sermon last Sunday, I referenced a blog post “Just Drop

The Blanket” by my friend, Jason Soroski. I’d encourage you to visit Crossswalk.com and read it for yourself. Here is a link to the blog post: https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/just-drop-the-blanket-the-moment-you-never-noticed-in-a-charlie-brown-christmas.html

While that is a fascinating read, Jason went on to write a follow-up post and continued the analysis of what Linus did after he quoted Luke 2 and how it brought the television show to a truly special conclusion. I’ve included this second blog post from Jason below. I pray this Advent Christmas you will continue to drop the blanket and experience the hope, the promise and the forgiveness that is found in Jesus.

Blessings,Pastor Jeff

A few days ago, I wrote down some thoughts about a beautiful moment that has been hidden in plain sight for 50 years in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

As a pastor, I am thrilled at the encouragement it has given, and as a former literature teacher, I am thrilled that it has started a firestorm of film analysis! Many of you have pointed out that at the end of the scene, Linus picks the blanket back up, and have openly wondered why.

After the epic, blanket-dropping recitation of Scripture given by Linus in response to Charlie Brown’s quest for meaning, he picks the blanket back up.

Isn’t that anti-climactic?

Why would Linus pick that old security back up after so boldly proclaiming an end to fear? Why does he leave the stage with that security blanket still in his hand?

We first must realize that we all carry that same blanket.

Just like Linus, we may stand tall in a moment of faith and conviction, a moment when Scripture hidden in our heart comes to life, and all else is flung aside as we experience and proclaim the true freedom and security that only Jesus can give.

But at some point, out of habit, we reach down and pick that thing right back up. Faith, while powerful, is also delicate.

Linus clearly knows the truth, and clearly proclaims the truth. The knowledge is there and the wisdom is there and the passion is there. So why does he pick it back up?

I think the answer is strikingly clear. It is because we all do the same thing.

We know. We feel. We proclaim.

Yet we gaze in the mirror one morning to find that tattered old blanket draped over our shoulder yet again. And we realize that we have become so used to it being there that we hardly even noticed it.

But that is not where this blanket story ends.

The show ends with the Peanuts gang not just singing, but clearly and unquestionably singing in worship. Even the musical style at this point is different from anything else heard previously.

The obvious song choice here could have been “O Christmas Tree,” the notes of which have already been playing gently in the background.

But the focus is no longer the tree. The focus has become bigger than the tree. The focus is Jesus.

With this new focus, the kids instead slide effortlessly into “Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the Newborn King,” and what we are now witnessing is essentially an impromptu worship service.

But before any of this happens, Linus parts with that blanket yet again, and lays it down for good at the base of that beautiful Christmas tree, just as we should strive to not just lay our blanket down just anywhere, but leave it forever behind us at the foot of that cross, for our own good and the good of others.

Linus and friends have moved from speaking truth and hearing truth into a deeper place of worship, where they finally respond to that truth, much like those shepherds who were instructed to “fear not” so very long ago.

It is here at the end of the show that Linus lays that blanket down yet again, and this time? He doesn’t look back.

Young Adults led by Rod & Deena Cousins Meets on Sunday afternoons, 12:30 PM

at the Cousins’ home • No childcare available Their current study is Life Changing Prayer by Jim Cymbala.

In this video-based Bible study, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, unlocks the truths he has learned about prayer that transformed his church from a struggling inner-city congregation to a thriving community of believers who pray with passion, focus, and faith.

He reveals how prayer can likewise transform your life and your church when you “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 14:1), certain in the knowledge that will meet with you, answer your requests, and extend his mercy to you. It is at the throne of grace that you will also receive power to confront your problems without anxiety, and where the Holy Spirit will gradually shape you into a person who impacts others for Christ.

Prayer is the force that binds believers together, and when God’s people unite and call on his name, powerful things happen in our world.

Important Note: Please call to check where they are meeting. They may be serving or enjoying fellowship at an alternative location.

Got questions?Rod: 314.458.5767; [email protected]; Deena: 314.323.7788; [email protected];

Ladies Facebook Page

Ladies, are you on facebook and attend CCC regularly? Consider joining our Women’s Ministry Facebook

Group page. This page is “private”. Here you will find encouragement and updates on events happening within our Women’s Ministry. Once we get your request, allow us a day or two to get you added. https://www.facebook.

com/groups/cccgals/

If you have any questions, please speak with Cyndi Steward or Lisa DeBerry or e-mail at [email protected]

Church Discovery ClassDo you want more information about

Chesterfield Community Church?

Want to better understand our purpose and approach to ministry?

Interested in becoming a member?

Then join us for the next Church Discovery Class

Sunday, December 8th from 12:15-2:30 pm(lunch provided)

If interested, contact the church office at [email protected]/314.469.3255

Thank you... CCC Church Family, Thank you for the prayers, encrouagement & beautiful flower arrangement you sent for my brother’s funeral. We are truely blessed to have such a wonderful church family!

Because of Christ, Steph & Marshall Winslow

The Pulse Ministry One Day Class - New Date! Saturday, February 29th -

If you are interested in learning more about improving your mental health and emotional well-being, this

one day class is for you. We’ll talk about identifying feelings, setting boundaries, and

encouraging new pathways in your brain.Led by Deena Cousins and Susan Balassi.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Mission Gate Angels

If you are participating in the Mission Gate Angel Tree, please retrun all wrapped gifts by Next Sunday, Dec. 15.

Please attach the red or green tag to the package when you

return it to CCC.

Questions? Contact Paula Bechthold at 636-519-5222

F.L.A.M.E. Registration!

CCC’s annual marriage retreat to the Lake of the Ozarks will be held the weekend of Valentine’s day,

February 15th-16th.

Hotel InformationHotel room cost: $97 a night +tax

Please make your hotel reservations directly with Old Kinderhook before January 12th by calling 888.346.4949

Old Kinderhook is located at 678 Kinderhook Dr. Camdenton, MO 65020

Registration & CostPlease return the completed registration form & conference fee.

New! - This year the team is asking that all couples please submit a wedding photo of themselves.

** If you have any questions, contact the church office at [email protected]/314.469.3255

Early Registration Discount!

If paid before 12/31/2019 Conference only $65

If paid after 1/1/2020 Conference only $75

Detach and return to the office with your conference fee. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Names: _____________________________________________

Wedding Date: ____/_______/_______

Home Phone: (______)______-__________

Cell Phone: (______)______-_____________

(______)______-_____________

E-mail: _______________________________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________________

Missions Update

We’ve received an update from Josh & Jennifer Story. To read about their ministry in Durango, Colorado use this link. http://chesterfieldcommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SKM_C55819111415380.pdf

Or pick up a copy in the foyer on Sunday.

Join us for Christmas Eve Services 4 and 5:30 pm

Childcare provided for 4 years old and under, during 4 pm service only.

Preschool Christmas Party & Breakfast Next Sunday, December 15th from 9 - 10:30 am

Please RSVP TODAY to Evelyn Fenter at the Preschool desk or via email at [email protected]

Join us for a morning of fun songs, games and activities for families of children birth - kindergarten.

From 9-9:30 am - Family breakfast Note: At 9:30 am - older siblings attend their Sunday School classes after breakfast.

We have been updating and refreshing our nursery and preschool area.

Thanks to David Lee and Chloe Aguilar for all their hard work painting!