November 2011

I welcome November . . . it’s the month that reminds me to again foster an attitude of gratitude in my life. Trying to maintain this attitude is important because I know it is God’s will for my life to be grateful. And how do I know this? Because He said so:

Recently, I came across this great advice on ways to count your blessings and felt compelled this month to share it with you:

Easy Ways to Count Your Blessings You may have heard the phrase, "count your blessings" before, but how often do you actually do it? Do you pause to feel grateful when something good happens? How about when you need an emotional boost?

Counting your blessings is one sure way to develop a constant mind-set of gratitude, which can turn a mundane life into a miraculous life.

You may have tried keeping a "gratitude journal" by recording the things you are grateful for each evening before bed, and that is one effective method, but there are other ways of focusing on gratitude if that didn't work well for you.

Below are three more simple ways to count your blessings every day:

1) Journal your blessings all through the day. Rather than saving your gratitude journal activities for bed-time only, why not make them an ongoing activity all day long? Keep a small notebook and pencil in your pocket and write a quick note every time something positive happens.

Your entries don't have to take up a lot of time. For example, you could write things like, "A clerk offered to assist me at the hardware store" or "The traffic was light today" or "I got a free bagel with my coffee this morning." Little things matter! The more you focus on them, the more you'll begin to feel grateful about the bigger things too.

2) Just like you can journal your positive experiences, you can make it your mission to find something positive about difficult situations. Using the same little notebook, every time you encounter a challenge or seemingly negative situation, find one positive thing you can say about it and write it down.

For example, if your boss seems to be in a bad mood, you could write, "My boss doesn't determine my emotional state; I do. I choose to feel happy and grateful for this freedom." Or if you encounter obstacles while working on a project or goal, you could write, "I relish the opportunity to put more effort into this project because it will contribute to a better end result."

3) Finally, you could literally count your blessings. Rather than recording the specifics, simply make a mark in your notebook every time you experience something to feel grateful about. At the end of the day, glance over your page of marks. How many are there? Make a note of the number and then try to beat it each day afterwards. There are literally thousands of possible things to be grateful about in the course of a single day; you just have to be willing to see them.

The more time you spend emphasizing your blessings, the more you'll find yourself feeling genuinely grateful for every day of your life.

The Gratitude Attitude

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

Women’s

Ministry

2

Club Basic &

A.L.I.E.N.

Forces

2

Children’s

Ministry

3

Care Team 3

Afghan

Ministry Group

3

Socialable

Seniors

3

HM High

School

4

Men’s Ministry 4

A P L A C E T O B E L I E V E

B E L O N G , A N D B E C O M E

Christ Community Church Community Communiqué

But giving thanks

is a sacrifice that

truly honors me.

If you keep to

my path, I will

reveal to you the

salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

Christian

brothers, keep

your minds

thinking about

whatever is true,

whatever is

respected,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever can be

loved, and

whatever is well

thought of.

If there is anything

good and worth

giving thanks for,

think about

these things. Philippians 4:8

November 2011

Pastor Doug Scholten

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

So, my little notebook is ready to receive my listing of November blessings. How about you? Want to join me in fostering an attitude of gratitude this month? Lets start now: I count you as one of the blessings of my life.

P A G E 2

Club B.A.S.I.C. & A.L.I.E.N. Forces

Women’s Ministry We are not so different from Solomon. Just as God blessed Solomon, He gives each one of us an abundance of love, bless-ings and promises. Solo-mon knew the way of God to be truth, yet he strayed from Him by be-ing caught up in the pride of “his” successes as well as being influenced by the different ways and temptations of the world. Whose influence are you following? This month’s study of 1 Kings Chapters 11 and

12 is a story of Solomon’s falling away from God’s commandments, and a Father’s correcting love, mercy and faithfulness to his promises. Make sure to mark the day!

The days are getting shorter and there’s a little cold nip in the air. The holiday season will soon be upon us! And we want to be the first on your Christmas social calendar. December 1st - Our annual Women’s Christmas party.

Soul’d Out When: Friday, November 4th

Time: 5:30 - 9pm For: Club B.A.S.I.C . & A.L.I.E.N. Forces Theme: “Thank God It’s Friday”

The evening starts with dinner in the Fellowship Cen-ter. Fun continues in the Barracks where we’ll play awe-some games, work on outreach projects, munch out, and chat about what we’re thankful for.

Combined Laser Tag Night When: Tuesday, November 22nd

Time: 4:30 - 9pm For: Club B.A.S.I.C . & A.L.I.E.N. Forces

(5th thru 8th Grade) Cost: $15.00 prepaid, $20 at the door

Meet at church where we’ll drive to Laser Quest in Fullerton to play 3 outrageously fun games of Laser Tag. After Laser Tag, we’ll head back to the church to have piz-za and hang out in The Barracks until 9pm. Space is lim-ited, so make sure you sign up soon!!

Bondsball Night When: Tuesday, November 29th

Time: 6:00 - 9pm For: A.L.I.E.N. Forces & H.M.

(7th - 12th grade) It all happens in the Fellowship Center. First, an epic Bondsball Tournament!!! (The intensity of dodgeball and the awesomeness of James Bond). After, pizza dinner !!!

November Circle Meetings

Church Meetings (Room A-1)

Nov 3 - Charity 7:00 pm Nov 15 - New Life 7:00 pm

Home Meetings

Nov 3 - Faith 10:00 am Nov 3 - Petra 7:00 pm Nov 3 - Hope 7:00 pm Nov 7 - Serenity 7:00 pm Nov 14 - Light 7:00 pm

Mommy & Me

Nov 16 @ 12:15pm “B” Bldg. Purple door

Circle Study Leaders Meeting

November 1st

7:00 pm @ Jackie Koob’s home

Executive Board Meeting

Nov 24@ 6:30 pm In the Fellowship Center.

But the people of

God will sing a

song of joy, like

the songs at the

holy festivals.

You will be filled

with joy, as when

a flutist leads a

group of

pilgrims to

Jerusalem, the

mountain of the

Lord— to the

Rock of Israel.

Isaiah 30:29

Cindy Taunton

Sue French WHAT'S UP:

All events: Invite Your Friends!!! Club B.A.S.I.C. = 5th & 6th grade A.L.I.E.N. Forces =

7th & 8th grade

WHAT'S NEXT:

Soul'd Out Friday, December 2nd from

5:30 - 9pm for all in 5th thru 8th grade in The Barracks. We’re calling it "Crazy Crea-tive Christmas Crafting.” We start with din-ner in the Fellowship Center, then head out to The Barracks to do some crazy creative Christmas crafting, play Christmas games, eat Christmas snacks, and have a contest for the 'Craziest Christmas Hat' and the 'Craziest Christmas Shirt!!!

A.L.I.E.N. Forces Christmas Party - Tuesday, Dec. 13th from 6 - 8pm in The Barracks.

Club B.A.S.I.C. Christmas Party - Wednesday, December 14th from 6:30 - 8pm in The Barracks.

Christmas Caroling - Tuesday, December 20th for all youth. Christmas caroling in the neighborhoods around Church. Watch for more details coming soon!!

Children’s Ministry Kidz Klub -”Mission Possible

(MP) Kids” will be on Nov 9th. We will continue making craft projects for our boutique on Sun-day Dec. 11. Proceeds go to Heif-ers International. (An organization that offers gifts of livestock, seeds, or training to families struggling with hunger and poverty in third world countries.)

No Kidz Klub on Wednesday, the 23rd during Thanksgiving week. Come to the worship service in the Sanctuary @ 7pm.

Sunday Classes - Remember to bring an offering to class each Sun-day. Our offerings support Sarah from Rwanda with school uni-forms, school supplies, and other family needs. Please pray for Sa-rah and her family.

Parents Night Out! - Parents,

this is not a night to catch up on laundry. Rather, this is your op-portunity to have some time away from the kids to do something good for yourselves. So, while your kids are enjoying a fun-filled evening, you can choose whatever you want to do without your little one’s needs calling. Spend time out or just stay home enjoying the stillness of your home. When: Friday, November 4th

Where: Navy door Time: 5:30 - 9pm Cost: $5 per child

(dinner included

along with fun fall crafts and activities.)

we would gladly accept it. One of the ladies in our group crocheted a baby afghan which was given to a baby boy who was recently born into our church family. Obviously, our work is bene-ficial, but our fellowship together is the best, and all are welcome to join us.

We meet the 2nd Satur-day morning of the month. Next meeting: Nov.12th Time: 10am. Location: Fellowship Center We are very appreciative for all the yarn we received from someone in our church family. If you have any yarn to donate to our ministry,

The Care Team meets on Tuesday evening, November 1, in Room A1 at 7 PM. There are people on the Care Ministry Team who are available to provide you with a ride to a doctor's appointment, if needed. They are also willing to sit with you when you cannot be left alone for a short peri-od of time. Call the church office if we can be of help to you or call CCC's Care Ministry Coor-dinator, Audrene Schmidt at 714-526-7505.

Sociable Seniors

Local, Inexpensive, Fall Date Ideas: Food seems to be central for a date night/day, but

fine dining isn’t necessary to spend time together. Chal-lenge yourselves to be creative with $20. Fulfilling the

challenge can be just as fun. Try one of these:

Eat at your favorite fast food and take in a round of bowling together.

Keep a “change pot” to collect loose change and plan a “change date.” Roll your change to-gether and use your rolls to make your purchases.

Pick up Subway and head to a park with a duck pond. (Take along scrap bread.)

Take the 1 or 2 mile walk through the woods at El Dorado nature center, then visit the pooches across the parking lot at the shelter. Stop on the way home for a $1 yogurt at Costco on Lincoln.

Get a pizza and a movie, but the rule is you can’t feed yourself. You get it, right?

Stroll Clark Regional Park ($5 entrance). Hike the easy east side hill to take in the view which extends to Downtown Long Beach and San Pedro on a clear day. Happy hour afterwards?

Ride bikes or walk to your nearest Jamba Juice. Take along the questions from Pastor Doug’s sermon from the previous week to discuss.

Parent’s Night Out is the 1st Friday of each month (same time as Soul’d Out). Please RSVP to Miss Cindy (to ensure adequate teen help).

Afghan Ministry Group

The cooler weather is telling us that fall is really here, and we want to acknowledge that. So, join us for a Fall Celebration as we enjoy a variety of fall desserts and hear from an expert quilter who has won many awards at both the LA and OC fairs. Even non-quilters will surely enjoy her designs and variety of colors in her work. For those who feel “crafty,” we’ll assemble an easy ta-

ble favor for your Thanksgiving table. Supplies will be pro-vided. Our program will also consist of a devotional of thankfulness given by Pastor Doug to prepare us for the up-coming Thanksgiving holiday. If your last name begins with the letter A-F, please bring a fall dessert of your choice to share. Beverages will be provided.

Date:

Thursday,

November 17

Where:

Church FC

Time:

1pm

Homebound

Person for

November:

Anna Scott 11614 E. 183rd St. Artesia, 90701

Cindy Offringa

Audrene Schmidt

P A G E 3

Care Team Ministry

Every Tuesday night! Don’t forget to come out on Tuesday nights for HM. Grow in your relationship with God and others. Great time! Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

6:00 pm Orange door6:00 pm Orange door6:00 pm Orange door

2nd and 4th Sundays! “Connect” And that’s what we do. A small group experience just for high schoolers. 10:15 Meet in West Garden room in the Sanctuary. We’ll head to the high school room after worship. November 13th and 27th

Bondsball. . . has returned for the night of November 29th from 6-9pm. Join all junior high and high school students for a night of James-Bond-style dodge ball... and free pizza!

When: Tuesday, November 29 Time: 6 - 9:00pm For: 7th - 12th grade.

Hey, invite your friends too!

As always, if you have any questions, please contact

Kevin Woolums at: [email protected]

Christ Community Church 6575 Crescent Ave.

Buena Park, CA 90620

(714) 229-6940

Believe, Belong, Become

HIGH SCHOOL

Community Men’s Small Groups Sunday 9:00 am, room A3, Being God’s Man… By Pursuing Friendships

Thursday 7:00 pm, room A1, Being God’s Man…By Understanding a Woman’s Heart.

Men’s studies are open to every man over

the age of 17. Each session is a different

topic so you can jump in at any time.

For Information contact: Ray French, Men’s Ministry

714/553-5295

[email protected]

John Offringa, Men’s Small Groups

562/500-5185

[email protected]

New!

WWW.cccbp.org

“Stronger Together” Kevin Woolums