Serving Opportunity: Biking for Blessings

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38

God loves to see a generous giver.

Followers of Jesus know God has given us great riches in Christ and His Gospel. After all He has given us, we rejoice at the chance to give in His Name.

Sometimes we give financially, sometimes in serving.

There is an opportunity coming up for believers to serve, and encourage others to support God’s Kingdom work financially.

Blessings of Summit and Portage County is hosting a bike event on May 7^th. Riders are encouraged to participate and collect pledges. According to Jeanette Abell, Discipleship Coordinator for Blessings, the Hike/Bike event is the biggest source of income for Blessings every year. The proceeds allow Blessings to help teen moms finish their high school educations by providing financial assistance for child care.

Photo source: Facebook page of Blessings of Summit and Portage Counties, Inc.

So, how can you serve?

You can help raise funds for Blessings by being part of the event. For information about the Blessings event, go to: http://tinyurl.com/gwhuvt2 .

The Annual Blessings Hike/Bike Charity Event takes place Saturday, May 7th, 2016, at 10:00 AM. The place? The Stow Munroe Falls High School Parking Lot. The Hike/Bike begins and ends behind the school, on the Metro Parks Hike/Bike Trail. Choose your distance - 3, 6 or 8 miles! Choose your mode - walk, run or bike! 

To register for the fundraiser, call (330) 678.9019.

For more information on Blessings, go to: http://www.graceinkent.org/blessings/ .

Or, you can contact Randy Fasnacht, CCC Local Outreach Coordinator for Blessings  at   rfasnacht@gmail.com 

Haven of Rest 73rd Anniversary Banquet: Mending Wounds, Healing Hearts

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Matthew 4:23, NIV

Jesus’ presence and proclamation bring healing.

Jesus’ Gospel includes forgiveness from God and restoration of health in body, mind and spirit.

Jesus’ followers are to be His agents of healing.

A key example of this is the work done by Haven of Rest in the Akron area.

Haven of Rest volunteers have helped serve 300,647 meals for the homeless in the last year.

Christians have great opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus by praying, giving and going through Haven.  On April 29th, there is a specific event to learn more about Haven of Rest, and chances to support its ministries to the homeless in Northeast Ohio.

Haven of Rest’s 73^rd Anniversary Banquet includes Christ Community Chapel’s own Dr. Jim Colledge as speaker.

Jim will speak on Mending Wounds and Healing Hearts on Friday, April 29^th, at Haven of Rest. His message, part of the program scheduled for 7:30 PM, will be preceded by dinner at 6:30 PM at the Akron mission’s dining room. It will be an evening filled with celebration, remembrance and fellowship.

For more information please contact Lynne Taylor at  Haven of Rest by phone 330-535-1563 or email her at ltaylor@havenofrest.org.


Haven of Rest is a Christ Community Chapel Local Outreach ministry partner. For further information on Local Outreach serving opportunities, please contact Barbara Ammirati at: barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com .

Know the Story: First Glance Open House could be an eye-opener!

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…

From Ephesians 1:18-20

God invites us to open the eyes of our spiritual hearts.

In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has used His power to ignite eternal hope in Christians.

God also invites us to open our eyes to spiritual needs of others.

It is possible to for believers to be completely unaware of those in need who may be only a short distance from where we live. Perhaps you sense a call to open the eyes of your heart in compassion toward the less fortunate.

For example, the First Glance youth center ministers to the relational, spiritual and mentoring needs of young people in the Kenmore area of Akron, Ohio.  First Glance serves as a bridge between the unchurched, at-risk youth of Kenmore and the church. Through caring, loving and genuine relationships, First Glance staff and volunteers aim to show young people the love of God and hope He offers.

Sounds interesting. What should I do?

You can prayerfully consider attending the First Glance open house this Sunday, April 10^th at 12 PM to learn more about opportunities pray, give and go in support of the Kenmore youth center. The center is located at 943 Kenmore Boulevard, Akron, Ohio.

For more information, please contact:

Barbara Ammirati of Christ Community Chapel’s Local Outreach Team, at: barb.ammirati@gmail.com .

Or, visit First Glance’s website at: http://www.firstglance.org/ministry .