Announcement from Pastor Mike Brothers and Sisters of CGCC & CLC, On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine addressed the State of Ohio regarding where we are with the Coronavirus. In this address, Governor DeWine called for Ohio citizens to once again take every precaution to stop the spread of this virus that is increasing at a rapid rate. His address caused the leadership of CLC & CGCC to honestly evaluate what steps we should take to properly respond to the call to help protect one another, our families, our neighborhoods, and our communities from this virus. I want to share my genuine thanks to the CGCC Session and the CLC Elders for their honest, loving, and gracious dialogue. There were many different thoughts, strategies, and opinions that were shared, including wise words from Collin Snyder! His perspective makes me so proud of him as a young man. Jill Snyder said it best, “In this situation, everyone is right.” None of us want to stop our large group public worship, even for a short season, but the majority of the leadership believes it is appropriate to do the following: Use the Online Worship platform ONLY, for at least two weeks. During these two weeks, the Elders & Session will evaluate the direction the State of Ohio and CDC points us in, with the hope that we can reconvene public worship sooner rather than later. We will also take this time to reconstruct the sanctuary seating to ensure that everyone can be at a comfortable distance. We will also be looking at possible alternatives, such as outdoor worship. Please know, we are NOT shutting down small group ministries. Groups 10 or less are still welcome to join. However, we strongly advise that masks be worn, and that LifeGroups & Bible Studies practice 6 feet social distancing. We are aware that there are many different opinions and thoughts regarding the virus, the government, and decisions leaders make. Let us maintain our unity and love for one another as Paul called the church in Rome to. Romans 12:10-12 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. We ask that each of us carry the banner of Jesus in our speech, actions, and service. We look forward to worshiping together online Sunday morning at 11:00am on Facebook Live. Blessings to you all! In Christ’s service, Pastor Mike, CLC Elders & CGCC Session | Sunday's Service - July 19, 2020 | The featured scripture verse is: Romans 12:9-12 for Mike's message: One Another Part 5 - Honor One Another. Join us this Sunday ~ Online ~ for Worship - 11:00am | Worshiping Together Online Spend Sunday morning with us online. Use the Facebook link Connecting Life and let's grow together! We can continue to join together in Worship and Praise and Prayer. Please send your prayer requests in for our Joys & Concerns email that will go out on Monday morning! The CGCC website has a Contact/Prayer Request page or you can email Jen Lynch directly or use commonground.secretary@gmail.com. We would love to see and pray for the prayer needs of everyone from Common Ground and Connecting Life as well as anyone else in need of the power of prayer! | Bible Studies Sunday Morning Bible Study Studying the Book of Psalms. Class will not meet this Sunday. Ladies Bible Study He is Enough: Living in the Fullness of Jesus (A Study in Colossians) by Asheritah Ciuciu Next meeting scheduled for Friday, July 31 at 9am. | Wednesday Morning Prayer Group ~ Online 9am, participate via Zoom for this time of sharing and prayer. | LifeGroup Meeting Meeting Friday, 7pm at Common Ground. | Large Print Devotionals Our Daily Bread, in large print format, is now available in the Great Room. If you need one, let us know and we can get a copy to you. You are also welcome to stop by during the week between 9am-2pm to pick one up. | Chalk the...Patio! Thanks to all who were able to participate! It didn't quite work out like we planned, but we still had a fantastic evening together. We will definitely do this again...hopefully without the rain! This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24 | Children's Ministry Collide Kids Wednesday's Weekly Video: Good Neighbors Care, Share, and They're Always There This lesson is all about all about being a good neighbor. As it says in Luke 10:27: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" and, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Danielle gives good discussion starters in these lessons, like this week's question - How many neighbors do you have? We'd love to hear your answers! Feel free to let us know by email or on Facebook. Big thanks to Danielle Taylor and Pastor Mike for all their work on this weekly online way to connect and grow! Follow this link for a short and encouraging video message from Pastor Mike about Collide Kids: Bible Memory Verse. | Youth Group YG Events Scheduled so Far (Weather & COVID Permitting) ~ * August 14: Bonfire at Vignon's, 6-8pm * August 19: Service Day with GG, 9am-12pm Youth Group is open to kids in 5th through 12th grade. Rising 5th graders are invited to join in with these currently scheduled events. | Youth Group Service Day with GG | A great big thank you to all our youth who were able to participate. You all did a fantastic job! Thank you to Miss Rachel and the whole GG crew. We got a lot accomplished and we had fun while doing it! As our youth all agreed, service days are important because we should all help when we can, just as Jesus calls us to do. Now we are looking forward to working with Goodness Grows again next month. So then, as we have opportunity let us do good to everyone... Galatians 6:10 | Prayer For whom are you praying today? How can we pray for you? Whenever you have a prayer request, please don't hesitate to send it in! We are here to pray with and for you. Please take a minute to send in your prayer needs by early Monday mornings for inclusion in the weekly Joys & Concerns email. We are also glad to send out prayer requests and praise reports anytime throughout the week! | Encouragement Thank you to Marcia for sharing and Darla for writing these weekly words of encouragement. May we all seek to spend some quiet time, listening for the still, small voice of God. "I pray this finds you all doing spectacular! And if you aren't doing spectacular, I pray God changes that. The weeks sure seem like they are flying by along with Summer. We could use a little rain Lord. Each week I am so thankful that God gives me a word to share with all of you." "This week's word is WHISPER. My mind was reeling with this word. Were you ever in a situation when someone leaned over and whispered to someone else (while looking at you) and you are thinking - hmmm they must be talking about me? It got your attention, didn't it? Then I thought about when the Holy Spirit tries to whisper in our hearts, just what God wants us to hear, yet we are too busy with everything going on around us that we may miss the whisper. If we are still enough, we won't miss it. We all have so much to learn from the Holy Spirit. Let's ask Him to quiet us enough to hear what He wants to teach us. Let's listen when the Holy Spirit speaks softly in His gentle "WHISPER". Hush our souls so that we will hear your whisper. Don't miss out!" ~ Darla Smith 1 Kings 19:11-12 The Message Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.” A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. | July Worship ~ Online Pastor Mike Hileman ~ Sundays at 11:00am Join us online via Facebook Live: Connecting Life We will continue to be guided by the health and safety guidelines set forth by the governor and the health department. | Rock Kidz Uganda, Inc. Presentation ~ Online Sunday Worship, July 26 at 11am Worship with us and learn what is happening in Uganda with Divine Soccer Ministry and the lives being changed. Marilee & David Bodendorfer will share all about their experiences with this ministry, including opportunities for possible mission trips. | Men's Ministry Gathering We'll let you know the new date for this Bonfire & Bible Study as soon as we get it scheduled. Keep your camp chair and bug spray at the ready! | www.goodnessgrows4all.org Our Mission Statement: To cultivate personal, social, and community growth through gardening, education, and opportunity for people of all abilities. ~~~ | News of the Week We had some beautiful weather this week, making outside work much more pleasant. (Though we did have some angry bees who didn't seem to enjoy the sunshine and pleasant temperatures like we did!) This gave us plenty of time to get some weeding done and to work with the Youth Group on the butterfly garden project. Instead of a butterfly shape, the garden has been redone in the shape of a cross. Take a stroll and check it out one of these days! We will continue to work on this by replanting some more pollinator-attracting plants. Big thanks go to Mike Ashby for all his help with this garden redo! This week also brought some of our favorite people to visit. On Tuesday, Trevor stooped by and everyone was thrilled to spend some time visiting with, as Shawn says, "Farmer Trevor." We love it when past GG employees come back! We are also looking forward to spending time with Sue Weaver tomorrow, as we finally get to enjoy our first GG cookout of the season! | GG Newsletter Check out our newest monthly newsletter right here: July 2020. | Jam For Sale Goodness Grows Jungle Jam and Juicy Jam available at Reach for the STARS online. Here is the link to their website: Shop Local. They even provide curbside pickup in Salem to encourage social distancing. We are also glad to arrange a jam pick up here at Goodness Grows. | OUTREACH and MISSION OPPORTUNITIES | Weeders Always Welcome! You are invited to spend some time enjoying the beauty of God's creation right here on our property. Take time to appreciate His handiwork while pulling some weeds in the flower beds! | 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! 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 stop by if there are cars in the parking lot. Goodness Grows is here M-F from 9-2. | 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! | Virtual Arts Week This year, watch local artists perform live from the comfort of your home! Virtual Arts Week runs from July 13-17, 2020, to be aired live daily at noon and at 7:30 pm. These presentations will highlight local talent in action and help promote the Medina County Arts Council mission to Advocate for, Support, and Nurture the Arts in Medina County. Log onto the Medina County Arts Council Facebook page to enjoy this free event. Virtual Arts Week is made possible with a grant from Medina County Community Fund. | Summer Movies at Firestone Farms in Columbiana | Movies will be shown at 1pm and 7pm on Fridays. This week is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (PG-13). Free Family-friendly movies on the big screen! Lots of seating in the Courtyard, or bring your own lawn chair or blanket! There will be a different movie every week, with a mix of old and new releases, rated G, PG, or PG-13. Stay tuned to the Movie Night Event Page on Facebook for movie titles as they get scheduled. (Movies may be cancelled or changed at any time due to weather or movie studio changes. Children must be supervised at all times.) COVID-19 Safety Note: "We are very excited to bring you family-friendly movies in our Courtyard; and the health and safety of our guests is of the highest importance to us. In our effort to meet safety, sanitation, and social distancing requirements set by the State of Ohio, we have created “sections” in our Courtyard. Each “section” will hold 4-6 seats (provided by us sanitized, or you can bring your own) with room between for social distancing protocol. Sections are available on a first-come first-serve basis. For us to continue with our summer schedule, we need your help and support. Please follow social distancing guidelines. Masks are appreciated, but not required. If you are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home." MOVIE NIGHTS MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO ONGOING COVID-19 HEALTH CONCERNS AND RESTRICTIONS. | Bite Size History Online Hosted by McKinley Memorial Library Bite-Size History: Women’s Suffrage Edition Friday, July 17, 3 p.m. 2020 marks the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Visit the library’s Facebook page or YouTube channel to watch a short video presentation about the women’s suffrage movement and its connection to abolitionism. Optional discussion to follow. Bite-Size History: McKinley Edition Wednesday, July 22, 10 a.m. Visit the library’s Facebook page or YouTube channel to watch a short video presentation about the 11 family members who lived with William McKinley in his childhood home. Optional discussion to follow. | Mahoning County Library Virtual Friday Game Night | Can you beat your fellow community members at Scategories? Boggle? Emoji Book Titles? Join the fun to find out every Friday night at 7pm on the Library Facebook Page | Fundraiser for CC Humane Society Saturday, 9am-8pm At the Supplement Station, 1139 E Pidgeon Road in Salem. Fundraiser for Columbiana County Humane Society this Saturday, July 18. Live music in the pavilion from 5pm-7pm from Jeannie Arnoto, former volunteer with the Columbiana County Humane Society and first place winner of 2015 Salem's Got Talent and the 2018 Johnny Appleseed Festival Talent Show. Accepting cash donations for the humane society and a percentage of sales from the store and cafe will also go to the humane society. Due to the current state of the pandemic and the possibility of cancellations, you may want to check to be sure the event is still taking place before leaving home: Fundraiser. | Eloise Reads Eloise Presented by the Western Allegheny Community Library Facebook Live | Butterfly Festival Canceled From their Facebook page: "It is with a very heavy heart and much prayer that this event is cancelled due to the virus. I only had the Jericho Project Confirmed and only 3 helpers. With the Pandemic, I did not feel that it would be viable at this time to proceed. I may have a Butterfly Release in September, but will be posting butterfly information and pictures and keep everyone updated." | CELEBRATE! July 19 - Candice McDonald July 19 - Rich & Kim Cole July 19 - National Ice Cream Day July 20 - National Moon Day July 21 - Lindy Tehua July 22 - Nicolette Vignon If we don't have your special days, please let us know! | ON OUR CALENDAR July 16-22, 2020 . . . Weekdays, 9am-2pm - GG at Work Today, 4-7pm - CSA Pick-up Today, 6pm - Praise Team Practice Friday, 11:30am - GG Cookout Friday, 7pm - LifeGroup Sunday, 11am - Online Worship Wednesday, 9am - Prayer Group Online Wednesday, afternoon - Collide Kids Online | 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. | |