| Sunday's Service - April 5, 2020 | Join us this Sunday for Worship - 10:30am Spend Sunday morning online with us as Pastor Mike delivers his sermon. Use the Facebook link Connecting Life and let's learn together from Pastor Mike's message, at 10:30am. Remember that while we are apart, we can still pray and Worship as a church family. | Well, folks, with the extension of the stay at home order and the continued need to practice social distancing to keep our families and communities safe, we know we won't be able to meet together in person this month. All of our planned services and activities have been cancelled. On the bright side, most of the pastors/speakers/musicians have already responded that they are willing to reschedule when better days arrive! Common Ground is very grateful to all of them! Also, we are pleased to know that we can continue to Worship together online under the leadership of Pastor Mike Hileman from Connecting Life Church. Hop on Facebook at 10:30am on Sunday mornings, go to the Connecting Life page, and join the live stream to hear Mike's message. We remain very grateful to Pastor Mike and his congregation at this difficult time. We urge you to stay in touch with your church family. We are still here, communicating & sharing info, taking care of the church, paying bills, and being part of Common Ground Church Community. Goodness Grows is still on site, planting and growing for the upcoming season. While we cannot gather, work still goes on. May we all continue to hold each other close in prayer. Reach out at anytime here on Facebook, on our Instagram page, on our website's contact/prayer request page, by email, by phone (messages get sent to email to be heard), or contact Jen L. by cell/text. CGCC is always here for you. | Our in-person Bible studies are currently paused. The ladies have been keeping in touch by email but have not abandoned the idea of another Google Duo meeting. Do you have any favorite verses, an uplifting devotion, or a prayer request? Please send them in and share with your church family! Below is one example of comforting words shared by a church family member. | Uplifting Thoughts to Ponder Sent in by Jen Shannon, after listening to Alistair Begg preach a sermon on Gentleness:
"Gentleness is an outflow of the love of God. It is a submission to God and a consideration of others." This is certainly a timely Fruit of the Spirit on which to concentrate, as we are all spending a great deal of time under pressure while following the stay at home orders. What better time to focus on the gift of gentleness and the consideration of others? | Stay in Touch One of the easiest ways to stay in touch right now is through social media. If you don't have an account, now may be the perfect time to sign up for Facebook and Instagram. We post at CGCC on Facebook and CGCC on Instagram frequently. We would love to be able to connect more with you through these online platforms. They are excellent at helping us to share thoughts and stick together through this difficult time. Beyond social media, using the website, email, text, and "snail" mail are also great options! An updated list of mailing addresses went out this week by email, if you are looking to reach out while staying in. | Missing Our Garden/Sprout/Nursery Kids! While we are apart, try some Bible learning at home. This week's featured lesson from Ministry-To-Children focuses on the fact that Jesus came to save people who were needy and hurting. Head on over to that lesson right here: Palm Sunday | The Youth Group remains in touch through texting. This week, they had the task of creating a note, card, or picture for three very special ladies who have been in our prayers. The youth then texted these images to Jen, who printed and mailed them to the recipients. Despite being home-bound, our youth continue to shine the light of Jesus. Youth Group participants will soon be receiving their next challenge from their youth leader. Tell them to be on the lookout. We know they are up to meeting any task they are given! Philippians 4:13 ~ I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Prayer Who are you praying for today? Whenever you have a prayer request, please don't hesitate to send it in! We are all still here to pray with and for you. | Missing Our Church Kids Not getting to see our people is one of the toughest parts of following the safety precautions. CGCC wanted our youngest church members to know they are in our hearts and prayers. With the current trend of "bear hunting" going on in the world, we thought reaching out with bears (and Bible verses) might bring a smile and brighten their day. Thanks to the kids and parents for the wonderful pictures and for sending us the reports of happiness the bears brought! | Check out Lyddie Pratt's picture and look for the purple word. She wanted her bear's name to be known, so she typed his name, "Patch," on the photo Adam took. Thanks, Lyddie! If you are wondering, yes, Adam painted Lyddie's name on her wall with his fancy artistic skills. | April Worship Pastor Mike Hileman ~ at 10:30am online via Facebook Live: Connecting Life Note from Mike: "I'm working on leading through a time of communion & also a Good Friday Message. I'll let you know all the details as we get them figured out!" | www.goodnessgrows4all.org Our Mission Statement: To cultivate personal, social, and community growth through gardening, education, and opportunity for people of all abilities. ~~~ | Rachel is Still Tending the Plants! Limited shares in our Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA) are still available. We thank those folks who have already subscribed! April 30 is the last day to get the Early Bird price on a Weekly Share. The final payment deadline to subscribe is May 29. If you have questions, want to learn more, or want to subscribe, we'd love to talk to you about it! Please spread the word to your friends and family that GG will still be continuing this program. | | OUTREACH and MISSION OPPORTUNITIES | Coat & Clothing & More Giveaway ~ October 10 Keep saving all your clothing and outerwear items for our fall giveaway. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers that we will accept donations all year! Hanging out at home provides a tremendous opportunity to sort out all the items you no longer need/use!!! Clothes for all ages and sizes needed, along with coats, bags, purses, shoes, housewares, books, stuffed animals, toys...whatever clean and useable items you think might help someone in need. Bags and boxes for people to carry their "new" items home with them are also needed! Drop items off under the front awning by the glass doors facing the road or stash them away until we meet again!. | Below is a link to the OSU Extension website, giving mask making information, including:
A list of Best Practices for making masks
A pattern for a face mask that can be printed and used
Instructions for the pattern
The Mask Making drop-off locations
Click here: Fabric Mask Info | For I was hungry and you gave me food;
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink;
I was a stranger and you took me in;
I was naked and you clothed me;
I was sick and you visited me.
I was in prison and you came to me. .....When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,
you were doing it to me. Matthew 25: 35-36, 40 ~ What can YOU do? | | LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS/EVENTS | If you know of any interesting news or events,
please let us know, so that we can pass it on to others! | While we should not be attending events and gathering in groups, communities are banding together in so many ways! Check out the ideas below that can get you and your family working on a project at home and then out of the house as you walk or drive to spot what others have done. Isn't it wonderful when people take the time to care for others and strive to brighten up their days??? | Goin' on a Bear Hunt? Have you been on a bear hunt? Have a bear in your window or yard? Are you hanging hearts, displaying eggs, creating chalk masterpieces, or doing something else? We'd love to see and share some pics! Let us know how you are spreading love and cheer into the world! | Start a Daily Gratitude Practice A bit of gratitude goes a long way, particularly in times of stress. Start a daily gratitude practice as individuals or as a family. In the words of Psalm 9:1, "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Ideas for practicing daily gratitude:
Start a journal. Grab a composition book, a diary, or a stack of paper. Set aside time for daily writing and/or drawing, on your own or with the family. Do daily gratitude at dinner. Take turns going around the table and say one thing you’re grateful for. Can be big (health, safety) or small (sleeping late), no wrong answers here! | CELEBRATE! TODAY - Abby McMaster
TODAY - World Autism Awareness Day
April 3 - Jennie Passmore
April 5 - Abbie Passmore
April 5 - Palm Sunday
April 7 - World Health Day
April 8 - Passover
April 8 - Jen Lynch
April - National Garden Month If we don't have your special days, please let us know! | ON THE CG CALENDAR April 1-8, 2020 . . . As it is for everyone right now, our schedule looks strange as we follow the "Stay at Home" order for however long it is required. But, rest assured, CGCC staff and leadership are still here. We still must bring in the mail, pay the bills, plan for the future, and reach out to others while GG keeps on working for the growing season...the work continues, both on W. South Range Rd. and as we work from home. We are available if you need us and we cannot wait to gather with you in person! Sunday, 10:30am - Online Worship ~ Hope to see you there on Facebook Live! | Seeking to reflect the unconditional love of God,
our mission is to help people connect -
to God, to one another,
and to God's purpose for the world. | Come grow with us! Common Ground Church Community
2310 West South Range Road
North Lima, Ohio 44452 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For more information, call 330-549-9408 or contact us by email at commonground.secretary@gmail.com. | |
