Church guide

In his epistle to the Jewish Christian’s scattered in the dispersion James begins with a call to “Consider it great joy when we face various trials…” This imperative rings as true today as it did nearly two thousand years ago when James penned his letter. Often what we fail to understand in the historical context of James’ letter is that the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were under great persecution from their Jewish brethren. So great was the threat of from the followers of Judaism that many Jewish Christians fled Jerusalem and traveled else where in the Roman Empire. This is what James refers to as the Dispersion. Thus, when he writes to his fellow Jewish Christian’s and tells them to consider it great joy, he is reminding them that these kinds of life events have a purpose even if we cannot see it. Bringing our attention to modern day we see that not much has changed. We have brothers and sisters around the world who face persecution daily for their faith. In our own nation we witness the church being blatantly and belligerently attacked in the name of tolerance. And thus, even in our day and age James’ command to his brothers and sisters in Christ echoes to life. “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4 CSB). When we encounter these various trials in life, we are to consider them “a great joy” because they help us to produce endurance. The Greek word here is better translated “long suffering” referencing the ability to withstand even after prolonged difficulty. This is not to say there will not be pain, or that the difficulty will be pleasant. There is a great misunderstanding in the Biblical definition of joy. It is not all smiles and happiness. Remember the writer of Hebrews says of Jesus, “For the joy that lay before Him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 CSB). These times of trial and testing are not to destroy but to strengthen. No matter what you may be going through understand that we are commanded to consider it a great joy because it can lead us to grow in our faith and reliance on Jesus Christ. Even in the darkest storm there is Light. Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Join us tomorrow evening for Bible Study at the Burton's home. We will begin a 13 week study of the Book of the Hebrews. If you have questions please contact Rob.

Congrats to Mr. And Mrs. Isaac Berry. Praying God's blessing on your marriage.

Easter Sunday April 21st Fellowship breakfast at 9:30 Church service starts at 10:30

Special thanks to everyone who came out for the first cleaning day. We were able to accomplish a lot!

Reminder that our Spring Cleaning day for Cedar Grove is today starting at 10 a.m. Lunch is provided.

Reminder there WILL be a potluck dinner and Leadership meeting after worship tomorrow.

As we prepare for the next round of winter storms we will be postponing our monthly leadership meeting and fellowship dinner until next week, March 10th. We will continue to keep a vigilant eye on the incoming weather and keep everyone updated on the status of our regular services for tomorrow, March 3rd.

Today we were over joyed to have Alan and Jenny Wan from Good News Publishing with us. Alan shared that GNPI was $800 away from the goal to be able to produce Christ centered media in the Turkish language. Must say a very proud preacher watched the congregation give a love offering today of nearly $620 toward this cause. To God be the glory! Continue to answer the call CGCC.

Join us tomorrow morning as we welcome Alan and Jenny fro Good News Productions International. They will tell us about the work they are doing for the Kingdom. Please exercise caution as Old Stage is a muddy mess.

The Super Bowl Party at Rob and Emylie's has been cancelled. If you have questions please reach out to Rob.

Midweek check-in. During the Adult Sunday School everyone was challenged this week to take time and examine Scripture to see what it says about who is going to Heaven and who is going to Hell. Here are some additional passages to consider. 1 John 1 and 2; John 3, 5; Revelation 21; John 14; Hebrews 10; Acts 2 and 4; Romans 3 and 6. NOTICE this is not all the verses. This is just a small starting point to help you prepare.

It's cold outside but the church is warm. There are plenty of parking spots available despite the snow in the north and south lots. Also feel free to park in the circle drive. The spots next to the church however are unavailable at this time. See you this morning.

Sad facts-Comforting words This is so true there is no perfect Christian Church is hard. Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement. Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body. Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world. Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t. Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service. Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families. Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service. Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child. Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics. Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader. Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man. Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love. Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate. Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes. Church is hard for the sinners. Church is hard for me. It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress. However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives. But, here is the beauty of church— Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation. Church is a body. Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints. Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love. Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace. Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors. Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration. Church is a lesson in faith and trust. Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope. Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories. Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come. So even on the hard days at church— The days when I am at odds with a friend, When I’ve fought with my husband because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away. I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there. A copy & paste status that I think is so true and needs to be said. Church is a body, a family, a place to love God and love others through

Crazy youth group taking place at Rob and Emylie's. Please no tags.

Tonight C.H.R.I.S.T.I.A.N (Youth Group) is meeting at Rob and Emylie's house. We are working on memorizing the Books of the Bible, studying the Book of Exodus, and of course playing games.