http://communitychristian.org/ministries http://communitychristian.org/ministries/kids/p/2916 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/kids/p/2916 Our series in elementary Uptown and Club 45 for May is called,“Great Expectations—will you win Trust?” It plays out like this: God has proven He can be trusted. When we trust Him and we respond to Him with our abilities, then we are responsible. And when we are responsible, we live a good story and a great life. We are a light to others. They will see our good works and glorify God because of how they see Him at work in us.And when you are responsible with a little, the Bible says you will be given more: more opportunities, more relationships, more ways that you can use what God has given you to reflect His character to the world around you. Our monthly memory verse says it this way, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,” (Luke 16:10, NIV).It’s important to remember that we can’t do any of this on our own. But God isn’t asking us to! God is the One who’s proven He’s responsible and trustworthy since the very beginning. Our responsibility is really a reflection of God and His character showing up in us. We can be responsible because of God’s power at work in us to help us respond to Him with everything we have—our ability, our stuff, our words, our time and our actions. Imagine how the world might change if we lived out these “great expectations” and became even more trustworthy people!For a quick video preview of what your child will be learning in May, click here. Wed, 16 May 2012 08:22:23 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2914 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2914 Last week, I came across one of the more entertaining YouTube videos I've seen in awhile (which is saying something, in an age when people upload everything from singing dogs to senior-citizen dance-offs). In this particular clip, three-year old Jeffrey -- strapped snugly into his car seat, blue Keds sticking straight out in front of him -- struggles to balance his body's obvious need for sleep with his taste buds' overwhelming desire for a double-dip rocky road ice cream cone. The amusing part is that the competition is basically a draw: Jeffrey's eyes remain solidly shut, but his hand stubbornly refuses to surrender the prize. He takes a lick, then his head lolls to one side as the hand drops into his lap. Seconds tick out while Mom suppresses an off-camera snicker. Then some invisible cranial command jerks Jeffrey's head upright again and -- with his eyes still firmly closed -- the hand wanders upward, and he takes another lick before his head drops back onto his shoulder. This epic battle continues for nearly six full minutes, as Jeffrey continually switches from brief moments of near-total slumber to taking ... just ... one ... more ... taste. In the end, an oblivious Jeffrey has managed to get rocky road on his forehead, on his chin, up his nose, in his hair, down his bib overalls, and all over the car seat. But somewhere in the midst of all that, some of the ice cream has also meandered its way into his mouth. Mission accomplished! Someone please inform Jeffrey after his nap. Childhood is a time when a lot of life's struggles range from innocent and cute to humorous, even hysterical. But as we wade out into the deeper, darker waters of adolescence and adulthood, we often find that the struggles multiply -- and that many can cause not only stresses and strains, but visible scars. Yet the majority of these battles boil down to a basic conflict between what we want, what we think we need, and what may truly serve us best in the long run. Most of the trouble sets in with this last part, because our human perceptions seem built for the short view. We want to know how things will work out. We seek a clear prognosis. We crave resolution, and if we can't have that, we at least want some short-term reassurance that we're traveling down the right trail. In all our humanness, though, "right" might feel like the path of least resistance, the point of diminished pain, or the material possessions we've worked so hard to achieve. Walking in faith means surrendering this vantage point. It means clinging to something beyond our own control and understanding. To many of us, it may feel like throwing up our hands. And in fact, that's exactly what it is. It's releasing our grip on the need to manage an outcome. It's embracing the reality that life is messy and unfair and unpredictable; that the ride, at certain points, is going to get very bumpy indeed; that it might jostle and jab and jolt us until we feel like we've fallen apart. It's choosing to sit still with our pain and discomfort and sorrow and grief, recognizing that they may hold something meaningful for us (and for others we touch) at points all along the way. A much more challenging proposition, certainly. And it demands, in many ways, a great deal more courage and strength. But that notion of strength can be counter-intuitive, can't it? Because, just like Jeffrey, we reach moments where we just need to rest our tired eyes, relax our weary minds, release that conscious hunger for a clear-cut, complete resolution. When we think of strength in this way -- expressing our fears, admitting our frailties, allowing the support of an empathetic, caring community -- we put ourselves in a position to soak up the salvation that flows back to us, and through us. We just need to let go, and let it in. We just need to trust that our hands, and our hearts, will somehow, instinctively, help guide the way. And will that rocky road still give us a run for our money? Probably so. But in the end, God's love sweetens the journey. Wed, 16 May 2012 05:31:41 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/kids/p/2910 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/kids/p/2910 Attention Kids' City Parents!  Although we are moving into summer we will be moving your kids up to their next "zone" on June 2nd/3rd.  Children entering 1st Grade in the fall will move to Uptown. Children entering 4th Grade in the fall will move to Club 45.  Make sure to talk to your Kids' City Director if you have any questions! Tue, 15 May 2012 14:29:35 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2909 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2909 Celebrate the Journey kicks off its Summer Term this Tuesday, May 15 with Kim Hammond!  Join us at 7pm at the Yellow Box theater for a large group time of awesome worship and to hear Kim Hammond share about the power of sharing stories.  Then stay for one of our 7 small groups that meet right after in the lower level of the Yellow Box at 7:45 and go until 9pm.  No pre-registration is required.  Anyone can join any group at any time.Click here to see our Summer Brochure for a list of groups and more information.Childcare and an elementary kids program is available.  No sign up is necessary.  Contact Jen Murphy at jenmurphy@communitychristian.org with any questions. Mon, 14 May 2012 08:04:08 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2909 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2909 Celebrate the Journey kicks off its Summer Term this Tuesday, May 15 with Kim Hammond!  Join us at 7pm at the Yellow Box theater for a large group time of awesome worship and to hear Kim Hammond share about the power of sharing stories.  Then stay for one of our 7 small groups that meet right after in the lower level of the Yellow Box at 7:45 and go until 9pm.  No pre-registration is required.  Anyone can join any group at any time.Click here to see our Summer Brochure for a list of groups and more information.Childcare and an elementary kids program is available.  No sign up is necessary.  Contact Jen Murphy at jenmurphy@communitychristian.org with any questions. Mon, 14 May 2012 07:57:15 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2899 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2899 On Friday mornings, June 1st - July 20th, from 9:00 - 11:00 am, we will host a leadership circle for a small group of East Aurora moms. We are looking for volunteers to play games, do arts & crafts, and play with their children while we meet. Children welcome! Contact Kirsten Strand for more information at kirstenstrand@communitychristian.org. Wed, 09 May 2012 10:02:06 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2898 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2898 From June 4th - 29th, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., our partner, First Presbyterian Church, in East Aurora is hosting a Kids Summer Day Camp. Lots of volunteer opportunities to help with BIBLE LESSONS, ARTS & CRAFTS, RECREATION, READING, SWIMMING, FIELD TRIPS and MORE. For more information, contact Brenda Bustamante at 630-844-0050 or bbustamante@firstpresaurora.org A limited number of paid counselor positions are also available for high school and college students age 18 and over. contact Brenda Bustamante at 630-844-0050 or bbustamante@firstpresaurora.org Wed, 09 May 2012 09:50:49 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2897 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/community412/p/2897 We will host a Vacation Bible School at the East Aurora Campus from 6:00 - 8:15 pm on Monday, July 16th - Friday, July 20th for elementary age children. Volunteers needed to help with crafts and activities, snacks, leading small groups, etc. A great opportunity do with your kids! For more information or to volunteer, contact Josie Schopen at josieschopen@communitychristian.org. Wed, 09 May 2012 09:48:26 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/students/p/2890 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/students/p/2890 In association with the new series Biggest Loser, Student Community proudly presents The Humble Games.http://youtu.be/CF23W3pJ_NM Tue, 08 May 2012 19:12:31 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/students/p/2882 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/students/p/2882 Registration for Junior High Camp 2012 is LIVE and OPEN. Click here to visit the site. We are so excited to see the amazing things God will do in/through the lives of students because of this 5-day camp!Got Questions? Contact Bret Koontz - Student Community Director Tue, 08 May 2012 07:27:02 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2867 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2867 Continue to grow and stay connected this summer!  Join us at Celebrate the Journey for our Summer Term on Tuesdays at the Yellow Box Theater. We begin at 7pm with a large group time of awesome worship and sharing.  Small group breakouts begin right after the large group time around 7:45pm and end at 9pm.  We have 7 great groups this summer.  No sign up is necessary.  Anyone can join any group at any time.Info on our small groups and Celebrate the Journey is in our Summer Brochure hereChildcare and an elementary kids program is provided.  No pre-registration is required.  Contact Jen Murphy jenmurphy@communitychristian.org with any questions. Fri, 04 May 2012 06:53:17 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2867 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/cthej/p/2867 Continue to grow and stay connected this summer!  Join us at Celebrate the Journey for our Summer Term on Tuesdays at the Yellow Box Theater. We begin at 7pm with a large group time of awesome worship and sharing.  Small group breakouts begin right after the large group time around 7:45pm and end at 9pm.  We have 7 great groups this summer.  No sign up is necessary.  Anyone can join any group at any time.Info on our small groups and Celebrate the Journey is in our Summer Brochure hereChildcare and an elementary kids program is provided.  No pre-registration is required.  Contact Jen Murphy jenmurphy@communitychristian.org with any questions. Fri, 04 May 2012 06:43:50 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/glc/p/2861 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/glc/p/2861 This month at the GLC, we will be featuring a variety of iced teas, lattes and mochas. Have a favorite hot drink? Try it iced today! Wed, 02 May 2012 15:02:21 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/kids/p/2853 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/kids/p/2853 Hello parents! This May we have a great series for our Jumpstreet preschoolers and Kindergartners about doing what is right! In Kids' City we love to introduce preschoolers to God’s story and helps them build a spiritual foundation on His truth. Each week, you will find an engaging, interactive and relevant telling of one of the stories found in the Bible as well as introductory and wrap up sketches connecting that story to a preschooler’s world. Many of our campuses use a short video like the one here to reinforce the story and application. If you've heard your children talk about Owlie or Zach, you'll want to check this out. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:45:37 -0700 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/arts/p/2837 http://communitychristian.org/ministries/arts/p/2837 This Saturday night, from 7:30pm-9pm in the Yellow Box Theater, CSI: YB presents, "Laughs for Piper" - a Comedy Sketch Improv show to benefit team member, Paul O'Connor's niece, Piper. See her story below...On November 3rd, 2011, Piper Faith Zohner was born. Piper was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart is grossly underdeveloped, or in Piper's case, not there at all. At just five days old, Piper had her first surgery and came through like a rockstar. She seemed to be doing very well and making progress quickly. By mid-November she began having some decreased cardiac output and started a slow decline. On January 3rd Piper came through her valve repair and the surgeons were able to take her leak from severe down to mild. Shortly before 12pm on 2/28 Piper's new heart was placed in her chest, and shortly after 12am on 2/29, Piper's new heart began to beat. Now, with the selfless donation from a family we have never met, we are able to start Piper's long road to recovery and will be able to finally bring our baby girl home. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:22:26 -0700