Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Service Join us
Saturday, December 24 for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 3:30pm
&
Sunday, December 25 for Christmas Day Worship at 11am. | For Christmas Eve, the featured Scripture is: Luke 2:8-11
for Pastor Mike's message: The Announcement. ~~~ On Christmas Day, the featured Scripture is: Luke 2:8-14
for Pastor Mike's message: The Person of the Announcement. | Invite your friends & family to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! Due to the holiday, we will forgo Fellowship Time before Worship and
Collide Children's Ministry participants will remain in the services. | Livestream at: CLC Website
Recorded service posted to: CGCC Facebook & CLC Facebook Come Grow With Us! | Advent Candle Lighting ~ Christ Candle Scripture Reading & Prayer: The Hileman Family | Worshiping Together Spend Sunday mornings with us ~ in-person or online at 11:00am.
Let's grow together through Worship, Praise, and Prayer, in the Sanctuary and online. Please send your prayer requests in for our Joys & Concerns email that goes out on
Monday morning! The CGCC website has a Contact/Prayer Request page, you can
email Jen Lynch directly, or use commonground.secretary@gmail.com. | | Bible Studies & Ministries | Sunday Morning Bible Study ~ 9:30am
Not meeting on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
One Heartbeat Away by Mark Cahill will resume in January. Ladies Morning Bible Study ~ Fridays, 9am
We will resume on January 6, 2023, with a new book. | Wednesday Morning Prayer Group ~ 10am
Meetings will resume January 4, 2023.
At the Jackson's and on Zoom
Personal Meeting ID: 6936117456 / Password: prayer | LifeGroups ▪ Young Adult LifeGroup: Sundays, 6pm ~ Will not meet on Christmas Day.
▪ Tuesday LifeGroup: Tuesdays, 10am ~ Next meeting on January 10, 2023 at the Carrier's.
▪ Bartholomew LifeGroup: Fridays, 6:30pm ~ Regular meetings will resume January 6, 2023. | | CGCC/CLC Children's Ministry | Collide Sunday ~ Children will remain in Worship this week.
* Nursery Care (Newborn-3 in Nursery)
* Collide Kids Jr. (Ages 3-6 in Sprouts Room)
* Collide Kids Church (Grades 1-4 in Activity Room) | Church Family Christmas Cards Have you checked your file folder at the front desk for Christmas cards?
(If you don't see a Family File Folder with your name, that means we need your contact info. Please let us know you are missing, send in your info, and we will gladly fix the box right up! Thanks!) | Prayer For whom are you praying today?
How can we pray for you? We are here to pray with and for you, anytime! Prayer needs sent by early Monday morning will be included in the weekly Joys & Concerns email. We are also glad to send out prayer requests and praise reports anytime throughout the week! Joys & Concerns Info: The services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day will not include our normal time of Joys & Concerns. If you have any prayers or praises you would like shared via email with the congregation, please don't hesitate to send those into the church secretary and they will be sent out as soon as possible! Normal Joys & concerns will resume with the January 8, 2023 service. | Encouragement Thank you to Marcia Kreps for sharing and Darla Smith for
writing these weekly bits of encouragement. "Can you believe in less than two weeks we are into the new year? Time is certainly zooming by. Don’t let anything go undone. Repair relationships, forgive, love more, and let’s not always need the last word. I think that is good advice even if it is for and from me. I pray this year has been good to you in every way. Even if life may not have always been fair." "That leads me right into my WORD for the week, “FAITHFUL.” I said this on Sunday while leading worship. I was reminded that our pastor had said God is always “faithful” to us but are we always “faithful” to Him? Let that one sink in. I know I have. Also reminds me of something one of my second dads, Earl Swain, taught me years ago. If we are “faithful” in a little, God will bless us with so much more. But the key is to be “faithful.” In all we do – even on our jobs, with our family, with our church – be “faithful.” Also be a “faithful” friend to someone. Someone they can always come to with anything. Be “faithful” in your words – if you say something – mean it or do it. For example – if you say you are going to pray – make sure you are "faithful” and pray. Or better yet – pray with someone right then. Don’t wait. Be that light of love that never goes out. Let being “faithful” guide your way. Holy Spirit, I pray right now to remind us if we start to stumble to be “faithful." Like my picture reads – life is not always fair – but – God is always “faithful." Let’s use our heavenly example and be “faithful” in all we do. Have a blessed Christmas to you all!" "So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching." ~ Hebrews 10:22-25 (MSG) | 2022 Year-End Contributions The Finance Committee reminds you that, to be included in 2022, contributions need to be
received or postmarked by December 31. Please make checks out to the organization that
you are donating to - Common Ground Church Community, Connecting Life Church,
Goodness Grows, Rock Kidz Uganda, or Heroes & Halos.
Thank you for your generous support throughout the year! | Church Directory 2023 It's that time of year again - Directory Update Time! If you have had any changes in your family since we last published...welcomed a baby, got married, moved, changed phone numbers,
or anything else, please grab a Family Information Form from the round table and let us know what's new. If you have never filled one of these forms out for us, please take the time to do
so soon. 2022 directories are available at the front desk so you can check and see if you need
to change anything, if you need to be listed, or if you would like to be removed. Please
turn the form in to the front desk, leave it in the basket located by the cards, or email commonground.secretary@gmail.com by January 8, 2023. Thank you for your help! | December Worship ~ Online & In-Person Pastor Mike Hileman ~ Sundays at 11:00am
We're excited to welcome you to Worship, in church and online! ~~~ | Catalyst Men's Ministry is launching Courageous Men's Night beginning January 14 from 6-7:30pm. We will gather at Common Ground Church Community every 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month. Men are invited for a night of fellowship, worship, Bible study, guest speakers, discussion, and prayer as we seek to strengthen, encourage, grow, and challenge one another in the faith. We will also be looking into other areas Catalyst Men can serve the body of Christ and our community and world for the Glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully consider coming and bringing others with you. Bring your Bible! If you do not have one, please see Pastor Mike and we will make sure you get one. For more information, or if you would like the opportunity to serve in some way, please contact Jason Parry at 330-921-5744. Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. ~~~ | January 15th ~ We will welcome in our...
New Members: Jason Parry, Pam Veiock, and Ben St. John
and
Jr. Members: Tori Griffith, Ava D'Andrea, and Alivia D'Andrea | www.goodnessgrows4all.org Our Mission Statement: To cultivate personal, social, and community growth through gardening, education, and opportunity for people of all abilities. ~~~ |  We hope you enjoyed our Christmas gift! | Last week finished up with some deep cleaning in the library and then Christmas fun with gingerbread houses & gingerbread people. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Monday began with setting up for the upcoming church services as well as helping Pam with some H&H stuff. Then we ventured out to Salem for another shopping trip. We will be having our Christmas party so we had to gather supplies for our holiday feast! On Tuesday, Dustin's Aunt Bonnie came in to do some Christmas baking with us. Thanks, Bonnie, we appreciate you! After that, we headed outside to enjoy the calm before the winter weather that's headed our way. Wednesday and Thursday were all about Christmastime as we decorated our cookies, did crafts, and had our Christmas party. Friends joined us for our Christmas meal. We enjoyed a taco bar and desserts, gifts, and games. Of course we also had to fit in a bit of cleaning to make sure all is ship-shape for the Christmas services. Now, with the coming winter weather, GG has decided to be closed tomorrow to keep everyone safe and warm. We will be back to our normal schedule on January 3, 2023. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Christmas shopping with GG - Jungle Jam, Juicy Jam, apple butter, t-shirts, catnip toys, and CSA subscriptions. Christmas gifts that give back to the community! | Jungle Jam & Juicy Jam Available at Reach for the STARS in Salem, in Columbiana at both Harbel's Market
and the Chamber of Commerce, and here at GG. Jungle Jam: - $7 - Blueberry Jalapeno, Cranberry Jalapeno,
Hot, Cherry Habanero, Pineapple Habanero,
Peach Habanero, Dragon Juicy Jam: - $7 - Cranberry Orange We also have:
Organic Catnip Toys ~ handmade here, with our catnip, cost - $4
Handmade Wine Cork Cat Toys ~ designed by our clients, cost - $1
Apple Butter ~ $5 & $10 jars
GG T-Shirt ~ $15 assorted sizes
CSA 2023 ~ Info on website. | | OUTREACH and MISSION OPPORTUNITIES | Goodness Grows The non-profit ministry of CGCC, Goodness Grows
is always busy on our property. GG works with students
and adults with disabilities, providing vocational habilitation
training in a fun, hands-on way. The GG crew maintains
the grounds and cleans the building. | Did you know...you can shop from the comfort of your own home & still support GG...and it costs you absolutely nothing?!?! Whenever you shop through Amazon, you can earn money for our 501(c)3 non-profit, using their AmazonSmile program (smile.amazon.com). This foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you'll be prompted to select an organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you shop. After that, all eligible purchases you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation. So, to put it simply, go to AmazonSmile when shopping online, choose Goodness Grows as your charity, and that's it!
Every penny really does make a huge difference. Thanks from all of us at GG!!! | Rock Kidz Uganda, Inc. To Advocate, Advise, Advance the ministries
of Divine Soccer in Masaka, Uganda for the benefit
of the children of the community. Sponsorships and donations can be made to:
Rock Kidz Uganda, Inc.
1814 E. 3rd St., Salem, OH 44460
or via Pay Pal at rockkidzuganda@gmail.com. Learn more at: Rock Kidz Uganda and on: www.rockkidzuganda.org. Please keep the people of Masaka in your prayers. We currently sponsor 68 children but we still have five children who need sponsors.
Sponsorship is just $30/month via PayPal, check, or through our website and helps cover the
cost of education and more. Please consider being a part of this powerful ministry!
Meet our children HERE. | Coat & Clothing (& More!) Giveaway Watch for our October 2023 date to come. We accept donations of clean, useful items all year.
We would also appreciate any shopping bags as well as any boxes that you can save. ~~~ | Heroes & Halos Thank you for all your help with the Christmas Dinner and
Angel Tree Distribution! Learn more about Heroes & Halos on their Facebook page and stay up to date on what they are doing in the community. H&H is a non-profit organization that reaches out to the community and provides Awareness, Education, Assistance, and Outreach Programs regarding Individuals with Special Needs and Disabilities and their families. | 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! ~~~ | Last Minute Shopping at Harbel's Friday, 6-8pm
Calling all kids ages 5-100. Join us at the museum for a fun night of games, stories, and chocolates.
Parent's take advantage of your "almost" last christmas shopping opportunity (shop local), enjoy a brew or a bite while the children delight in hand-dipped pretzels, trains, the story of industry, and hands on exploration of the museum, safely and supervised.
We are so fortunate that sometimes, when the sun goes down, if we open our doors and listen well, we can hear "The Polar Express" from Harbel's Barn!!! | Nature’s A-Glow at Beech Creek Friday & Monday through Thursday, 5-9pm
11929 Beech St NE, Alliance
Over 350,000 lights to explore!
Admission: $12 / Members: $6 / Ages 0-2: Free
The gleaming glow of Christmas lights takes our beautiful botanical garden and turns it into the winter wonderland of your dreams. For more information and to order tickets, check out their website. | Beaver Creek Christmas Eve Hike Saturday, 12pm
12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool
Pull on your favorite Christmas sweater or Santa hat, and join the staff of Beaver Creek State Park and the Calcutta Fire Department for a Christmas Eve Hike! The Calcutta Fire Department will be graciously providing hot cocoa and will have a truck there for hikers to check out. Meet at the main parking lot by Gaston's Mill. Dress in layers and wear appropriate footwear. Hiking sticks and drinking water are encouraged. We will continue collecting items for local food banks. If you're able, bring a non-perishable food item for donation | | Seasonal Fun at the Salem Public Library | Let's Puzzle Together, Salem!
Monday, December 26, All Day
Everyone is invited to work on the library's community puzzle located in the Reading Room starting on December 26. Place 2 pieces or 200 pieces! If you'd like, sign your name on the sheet to let us know you enjoyed this community puzzle. This is a drop-in style program, so no registration is required for this free opportunity. We can't wait to see the completed puzzle! Registration Now Open for the Noon Year's Eve Party
Event on Saturday, December 31, 2022, 11:30am-12:30pm
Kids ages 2-7 are invited to ring in the New Year a little ahead of schedule in case you can't stay up until midnight! We'll have music, games, activities, snacks, and lots of fun counting down until NOON when there will be a balloon drop! Please register for this free program beginning two weeks ahead of time. Space is limited, so register HERE today. | December 24 - Christmas Eve
December 25 - Christmas
December 25 - Nathan Shannon
December 27 - Fred Kenngott
December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month *If we don't have your special days, please let us know!!!* Email the secretary at commonground.secretary@gmail.com. | ON OUR CALENDAR December 22-28, 2022 . . .
Today, 8:30am-2:30pm - GG at Work
Today, 6:30pm - Praise Team
Friday - GG & Office Closed Due to Weather
Saturday, 3:30pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Sunday, 11am - Christmas Day Worship
December 26-January 2 - GG Closed, Church Office Not on Set Schedule | 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
Connecting Life Church
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. | |
