| Sunday's Service - November 22, 2020 | We welcome back Rev. Dr. David Hill to lead us in Worship this week.
He and his wife, Deborah, have served both denominational and interdenominational
churches in several states. David received his BA from West Virginia Wesleyan College
and his MDiv and DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He strives to
“stick to the teaching and application of God’s Love and His Word for our lives.” David will incorporate many Scriptures in his message: Give Thanks In and To. Join us Sunday ~ In-Person & Online ~ Worship at 11am Connecting Life Church Facebook Page Come Grow With Us! | Worshiping Together Spend Sunday morning with us ~ online or in-person at 11:00am.
Use the Facebook link Connecting Life and let's grow together! We can continue to join
together in Worship and Praise and Prayer, whether in the Sanctuary or on Facebook. 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, you can
email Jen Lynch directly, or use commonground.secretary@gmail.com. | Catalyst Men's Ministry ~ Turkey Jive Drive Distribution Day This Saturday! Packing the bags for distribution at 12pm.
Deliveries will be made between 1-5pm.
Pick-up at Common Ground between 1-3pm. Feel free to email James with questions or volunteer offers: crawford.james23@yahoo.com | | Bible Studies & Ministries | We will be following the health and safety directives during small group meetings and events as well as Worship. Masks and social distancing are required anytime you are in our building, as we try our best to stay healthy together. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! | Sunday Morning Bible Study
9:30am, upstairs in the Activity Room ~ Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Ladies Bible Study
Friday, at 9am in the Activity Room ~ Who Do You Say That I AM? by Becky Harling | Wednesday Morning Prayer Group
10am, participate via Zoom ~ Personal Meeting ID: 6936117456, Password: prayer | LifeGroups
Designed to help adults grow as Christ followers:
* Taylor LifeGroup: Sundays, 6pm at the Crawford/Taylor house
* Weimer LifeGroup: Tuesdays, 10am on Zoom - Next meeting November 24th. | Thankful Thoughts Help us fill the foyer window with all the things for which you are grateful. Next time you are here, take a moment to add your thoughts to a seasonal shape and tape it up. Not coming to church in person? Please email us your thankful thoughts and we will gladly put them in the display for you. So many reasons to give thanks! | Giving Thanks at Home Are you looking for ways to keep your family's hearts full of gratitude this year? These free Thanksgiving printables may help you to do just that! Even in this very difficult year, there is always something for which to be thankful. This download has scavenger hunts, puzzles, gratitude cards, and more. We will have copies of the scavenger hunts available in the foyer on our Thankful Thoughts table. Stop by, hang your thankful thought in the window, and take home a scavenger hunt to help everyone focus on the many blessings God gives us all! Click here to get your own download link: Thanksgiving Printables. | Children's Ministry Collide Kids is on a break this week. Check back next week for a new lesson. | Kids in 5th-12th Grade
Youth Group will not be meeting during the rest of November. At the end of the month, we will evaluate and decide if we can meet in December. This break in our gathering will not impede our Christmas Project. Meeting or not meeting, the collection must go on! | Youth Group Christmas Project 2020 We appreciate all the donations that have started coming in! | 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 Darla Smith for writing and Marcia Kreps for sharing Darla's uplifting words with us. "God is so good, His mercies are new every morning. No matter what we are going through, God is right there with us every step of the way. Rest in Him today. My Word for this week is “ENCOUNTER.” God gave me this a few days back. In the past two weeks, my precious Aunt Sandi and dear brother in law Dennis have both had their heavenly “encounter” with Jesus! Although this is a sad time for us here on earth – oh what a glorious day for them. “Encounter” - to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly. We “encounter” things every day. What matters is how we act or react to that “encounter.” God lets us “encounter” things in our everyday life. We need to react or act with kindness, peace, gentleness, understanding and, most importantly, love. Use your “encounters” to lift someone’s spirit. To lend a helping hand. To speak a kind word. To hug a little longer. To listen with care and concern instead of getting in a hurry. Let us look forward to our “encounters” every day to reach out to someone that God put directly in our path. Let us not miss the opportunity to shine God’s love with every “encounter.” One day we will all have that heavenly “encounter” but until then – let’s make our earthly “encounters” count. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG) | Vacation Time for Pastor Mike Pastor Mike will be using vacation time through November 23. In case of emergency, please contact an Elder ~ James Wittenauer, Rich Cole, or James Crawford. If there is a physical need (Food, Clothes, Financial Assistance) please contact Deacon Chair David Bodendorfer. | November Worship ~ Online & In-Person Pastor Mike Hileman ~ Sundays at 11:00am
Join us at church or 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, so we require masks to be worn in our building.
We're excited to welcome you to Worship, in church and online! ~~~ | Connecting Life Church Membership Meeting Friday, December 4, 7pm via Zoom
We will be voting on the 2021 Budget. The 2021 Budget Proposal will be emailed to you
prior to the meeting to review. It is important for all members to attend if possible. | 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 This week has been an interesting mix of weather, sunny one day and snowy the next. This doesn't keep the work from getting done here at GG though! Our crew has been busy with jam making, outside work that included hauling gravel, cleaning, and more. We also found time for appreciating nature during walks in the woods and while taking care of our GG pets. Next week will be a short week for us. Goodness Grows will be off Thursday and Friday to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving! | Check out this moth's GG newsletter below. | GG Candle Fundraiser If you or your friends/family would like to purchase from this fundraiser, please let us know or order on the GG table in the Great Room. Orders and payment (cash or checks made out to Goodness Grows) due no later than the morning of Monday, November 30. We will then place the order and have the candles here 10-12 days later, in time for Christmas. Thank you for your support of GG and for trying this new way of raising money with us! | Jungle Jam & Juicy Jam Goodness Grows Jungle Jam and Juicy Jam available at Reach for the STARS online: 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 GG. | | OUTREACH and MISSION OPPORTUNITIES | Turkey Jive Drive: Part Deux The big day is almost here!! Thank you for your generous donations! We will continue accepting donated items all week. On Saturday, November 21, the men will gather at church by 12pm to pack and prepare the bags for distribution. Deliveries will be made between 1-5pm. Pick-up will be available at Common Ground between 1-3pm. If you would like to join in the packing and delivering, or if you have any questions, please contact James Crawford. All help will be appreciated as we strive to help those in need in our community! | Goodness Grows The non-profit ministry of Common Ground Church Community, Goodness Grows is always busy on our property. GG works with students and adults with disabilities, providing vocational habilitation training in a fun and hands-on way. The GG crew also maintains the grounds and cleans the church building. There are many ways to support GG, including:
* Online Shopping ~ Just use Amazon Smile - choose Goodness Grows as your charity of choice.
* Volunteering ~ Give of your time and get back lots of love & smiles!
* Donating Items ~ We are always in need of items like basic jam making supplies such as regular 8oz. canning jars, lids, sugar, and white vinegar.
* Purchasing Our Products ~ Proceeds from jam & crafts go right back to our programs.
* Charitable Giving ~ As a small non-profit, Goodness Grows depends upon generous supporters who give monetary support. A contribution to Goodness Grows is tax-deductible, to the extent allowed by law. Your donations help us to continue our mission of working with people of all abilities. | Rock Kidz Uganda, Inc. Their mission is to Advocate, Advise, Advance the ministries
of Divine Soccer in Masaka, Uganda for the benefit of the
children of the community. Sponsorships 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 on Facebook at: Rock Kidz Uganda.
Check out their new website: www.rockkidzuganda.org. | Coat & Clothing & More Giveaway ~ 2021! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers that we collect items year-round...clothes for all ages and sizes, along with coats, hats, bags, purses, shoes, housewares, books, school supplies, stuffed animals, puzzles, toys... anything clean and useful! We have a donation barrel and storage space ready to go. | 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! ~~~ | Fall 2020 Stambaugh Concert A perfect way to enjoy the arts, snug at home:
Stambaugh Youth Concert Band. Enjoy this annual tradition with your family, on YouTube this year. Check out our own Miss Audrey Shannon in the front row! | Joy of Christmas Light Show The Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau’s drive-through display opens Nov. 19 at Harvey S. Firestone Park, 338 E. Park Ave. More information on the festivities Here. | Columbiana Christmas "Parade" Friday, November 20, 6-7pm
Many things have changed this year, including holiday parades. Columbiana figured out a way to continue a beloved local tradition, pandemic style! Read more here: Drive-Thru Christmas Spectacular The Christmas Spectacular starts at 6 p.m. this Friday at the Sparkle Market in Columbiana. Cars will gather there to drive the parade route and enjoy all the festive displays, while folks remain safely social distanced in their cars. | 2020 Virtual Holiday Tree Festival Join online November 20-21 for this year's Holiday Tree Festival as the annual holiday tradition, presented by the Volunteers of Akron Children's Hospital, goes virtual. There will be trees, wreaths, holiday gifts, and special auction items available - all sure to get you in the Christmas spirit! Enjoy the festivities while staying cozy at home, right HERE. | Light Up Night in Central Square Youngstown Friday, November 20, 6pm
Downtown Youngstown Square
Youngstown CityScape’s Sparkle Youngstown 2020 arrives offering a bright sense of place. This year we will be socially distant. Our celebration may look different, but it will be special! We will light the tree in Central Square and illuminate West Federal on Friday, November 20th, before Thanksgiving, so there’s more time to enjoy the display. Additionally, there will be windows and storefronts decorated throughout Youngstown, throughout the winter on display.
Downtown restaurants are open, so stop in or call ahead and order carry-out or pick up a gift card when you come to see the holiday lights. We are forgoing parades and bands in keeping with State guidelines, but downtown needs your support more than ever. | Christmas Tree Photos At Wilcox Christmas Tree Farm
Sunday, November 22, starting at 8am
Hosted by MAD Photography MAD Photography is none other than Madeleine Cassidy, Former CGCC kid! She is having a second (& final day) for Christmas Tree Photos! Pet friendly place with gorgeous scenery.
$60 for 15 minutes - Unlimited people & outfits - Unlimited digital photo gallery - All printing rights
Contact Maddie here if you are interested: Photos | Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley 2nd Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest in partnership with Hartford Orchards happening Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the Mission! Will you please bake a pie and enter? Please get involved to support Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley! Entry Form due to Mission by noon on 11/23/20. More info HERE. | CELEBRATE! November 19 - Daniel & Meagan Tehua
November 19 - Natasha Bachelder
November 21 - National Stuffing Day
November 23 - National Adoption Day
November 23 - Marcia Kreps
November 24 - Nancy Snyder
November 25 - Dustin Snyder
November is National Novel Writing Month. If we don't have your special days, please let us know! | ON OUR CALENDAR November 19-25, 2020 . . .
Weekdays, 9am-2pm - GG at Work
Thursday, 6:30pm - Praise Band
Friday, 9am - Ladies Bible Study
Saturday - Turkey Jive Drive: Part Deux
Sunday, 9:30am - Sunday Morning Class
Sunday, 11am - In-Person & Online Worship
Sunday, 6pm - Taylor LifeGroup
Monday, 6pm - Session
Tuesday, 10am - Weimer LifeGroup
Wednesday, 10am - Prayer Group via Zoom
Wednesday, 12pm - Collide Kids Online
Wednesday, 6:30pm - GG CPR/First Aid | 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. | |
