THE PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE

   WXML Christian Radio 90.1 FM is collecting peanut butter jars again this year for Lifeline, to help the under-nourished and malnourished children of Haiti.  Allene North, our Sunday school Superintendent, has issued a challenge to all of our preschool and elementary classes to see which class can bring in the most.  The contest will run through the month of March and the winning class will be treated to a pizza party.  Adults without children that age are welcome and encouraged to help them out as well.

WORLD VISION BLANKETS

   Among other things, the children who attend this year's Vacation Bible School in July will be finishing out the edgework on some blankets they'll be sending to World Vision, to help some needy children of the world.  The number of blankets they'll be sending will depend on advance contributions and the big glass bottle in the foyer has been placed there for that purpose.  In her children's message last Sunday, Kate Seville also challenged the Sunday school department to bring in funds for that.  Since each class decides where their offerings go, parents may want to ask their children's teachers where their offerings will be going.

 

THE BETH MOORE SERIES

   Twenty women have signed up for the Beth Moore video series that Janice Karcher will be leading here on Monday nights, and the workbooks have been ordered.  The series is called, "To Live Is Christ: The Life and Ministry of Paul" and it's a study of the book of Acts and his epistles.  The first of ten weekly sessions will be held in room 21 on Monday, March 15^th at 7 p.m.  If you didn't get signed up and want to come, or if you did and now know that you can't, please let us know right away.  We can still order more books but the price may be a little higher.

"THE MEASURE OF A MAN"

   The men's fellowship that meets at McDonalds at 8 a.m. on the first Saturday morning of each month will be starting a brand new series on the 6^th of March.  The book they'll be using is called "The Measure of a Man" by Gene A. Getz.  Those who attend these sessions will be encouraged about what they can be in Christ, as fathers, husbands and mentors to other men.  The chapters of Getz's book cover twenty biblical guidelines that are drawn from Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus.  The books will be ordered after the course introduction on the 6^th and they'll be $10 each.  Those who attend will be encouraged to purchase a copy but that won't be required.

A WEDDING INVITATION

   Kimberly Elizabeth Baker and John R. (Sam) Newman will be married here on Saturday, March 13^th at 3:30 p.m. and we've all been invited to attend.  A reception will be held at the Elk's Lodge Ballroom on Wyandot Ave., immediately after the ceremony.  If you are planning to attend, please respond on or before February 28^th by calling 419-209-0111 or by email at sknewman@att.net.  Either way, please let them know how many will be with you when you come.  The invitation has been posted.

THE COMMUNITY GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

   The Upper Sandusky Area Ministerial Association will be holding their annual Good Friday Service here at Community Christian Center on Friday, April 2^nd from noon to 1 p.m.  Mary Curtis, Chaplain at Fairhaven, will be bringing us a message on the stations of the cross and Becky Blocksom will be singing "Via Delarosa" as a bridge between the Old Testament prophecy and the New Testament fulfillment of His Passion.

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

   Our celebration of the Lord's great resurrection from the dead on Sunday, April 4^th will begin with a breakfast buffet, with a mixture of hot and cold items, from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  The morning service will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a wonderful praise procession, communion will be served by the elders up front and Pastor Bill's message will focus on forgiveness.  For the sake of that opening procession, the flow of that communion service and the conclusion of Pastor Bill's message, the center aisle will remain till Resurrection Sunday has come and gone.

SOME POSITIVE RESULTS

   In response to the earthquake's devastation, Haiti's leaders encouraged its citizens to seek the face of God through prayer and fasting on February 12^th, 13^th and 14^th.  As a result, many have come to know the Lord.  Pastor Herve Pierre (leader of Mission Possible in Haiti) invited the area Haitians to join him for prayer at a local marketplace in Montrouis.  596 of the 16,000 who attended that gathering accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  Please pray for their spiritual growth and for a greater expansion of His kingdom there in Haiti.

WOMEN OF FAITH

   The ladies of Trinity Evangelical U.M.C. have extended an invitation to the women of C.C.C. to join them on a road trip to the upcoming Women of Faith Conference at Columbus.  That conference will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 30^th and May 1^st.  The trip itself will include round trip transportation via Bliss Charter Bus, Friday lunch and evening meal, Saturday breakfast and lunch, lodging at the Wingate Inn and admission to the conference.  The registration details have been posted.

QUALITY CHILD CARE

   The YWCA Child Care Resource & Referral (YWCA CCR & R) is a program of the YWCA of Greater Toledo, which is a local non-profit organization.  The YWCA CCR & R helps families find quality child care and provides child care providers with educational resources.  This free service is available to families and individuals of all incomes in Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putman, Van Wert and Wyandot counties.  The details have been posted along with tear-off strips for your convenience.

FINAL NOTES AND REMINDERS

1. Daylight Savings Time starts next Sunday, March 14^th at 2 a.m.  Don't forget to spring forward before retiring on Saturday night.

2. Our personal V.B.S. website for "Egypt: Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace" can be seen at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/hl/cccus_egypt.

3. Our contributions to Bethel through the Baby Bottle Boomerang came to $395.38.

4. At least 9 members of our 3^rd & 4^th Grade Sunday school class are planning to be water baptized at the close of next week's service.

5. Keith & Mindy Boes will be presenting their daughter to the Lord in dedication this morning.

6. A midweek service called "The Well" has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 7^th.