Urban Vision's Christmas Store ~ can you help?

 

 As members of Christ Community Chapel, we are called to know Christ, grow in Him, and serve in His name. If you feel called this Christmas to be the hands and feet of Jesus, please prayerfully consider volunteering at Local Outreach ministry partner Urban Vision this December. There are also opportunities to donate gifts to benefit our neighbors in need served by Urban Vision.

The Urban Vision Christmas Store is December 17^th. This event is designed for rewarding Urban Vision kids who have earned U.V. Credits by participating in programs, getting good grades and demonstrating excellent behavior. The kids can spend their Credits to purchase gifts from the Christmas Store.

The preparation of the Christmas Store requires help from volunteers, starting on Wednesday, December 14^th (6 to 9 PM), when items will be pulled from storage, tables will be set up, and donated items will be sorted. Volunteers are also needed on Thursday, December 15^th from 4 to 9 PM, and on Saturday, December 17^th, from 7:15 AM to 1:00 PM. In addition to setup volunteers, help is also needed for Shopper Guides, Store Clerks, Gift Wrappers and Clean-up Helpers.

For details on volunteer opportunities and the latest “wish list” related to the Christmas Store, please go to:

http://www.urbanvisionministry.org/christmas_store0.aspx

"And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Rahab Ministries Scarlet Cord Event: A Fundraiser that raised our spirits!

 On November 11th, CCC Local Outreach partner Rahab Ministries launched its third annual benefit concert.  This year a large crowd of attendees was blessed by the lively, upbeat urban music of Praise-Apella, a popular Cleveland based Christian musical group.  

As before, the Scarlet Cord event featured a silent auction as well as beautiful and delicious desserts, all items being donated by local businesses and individuals.  Several Christ Community Chapel members were among the donors of desserts and auctioned items.

  

And also as before, attendees witnessed first hand women whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel and helped by Rahab Ministries. Their testimonies were given not in speeches, but by posters that each held up.  The first side of the  poster was the woman’s self-description prior to meeting Christ, and the other side described the woman’s new life in Christ. Here are some examples of these brief, but powerful visual testimonies.  These transformed women agree with the Apostle Paul, who proclaimed, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God to save….”  And God’s saving power was very evident in the joyous celebration of their new lives at the event.

Rahab Ministries is a street outreach to Akron women who are trapped in a lifestyle of prostitution, addiction and other criminal activities. Volunteers meet these captive women on the streets and in prisons, extending the love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus to them, and assuring them they do not have to continue in bondage.  There are ongoing opportunities for CCC members to help Rahab Ministries.  To learn more about what you can do to help, please contact CCC Local Outreach Coordinators Michael and Barbara Ammirati.

michael.ammirati@ccchapel.com

barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com

To learn more about Rahab Ministries, please see their website: www.rahab-ministries.org/

"And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Sharing the Blessings of Thanksgiving...

Beginning today and going through Sunday, November 20, members of Christ Community Chapel are taking part in our annual Thanksgiving Basket ministry.  Folks were lined up by the dozens to sign up and take a plastic tub home to fill with everything required to make a nice Thanksgiving meal for a family-in-need.

A list of items with which to fill the tub is provided, so every family receives the same thing.  Several hundred tubs were signed out today, and the hope to is to bless upward to 500 families in our area this Thanksgiving.

If you or your group is interested in helping this year, come to the Justice & Mercy kiosk before, between, or after services Nov. 13 or Nov. 20 to receive your tub and instructions.

Filled tubs are to be brought to the church on Monday, November 21 between the hours of 3-6 pm, when they will be loaded into vehicles for delivery to families.  If you have any questions, please contact Scot or Judi Dalton at 330-650-0109.

Thanks to everyone who is helping in any way to brighten the Thanksgiving holiday for families in our area who need a helping hand this year!

 "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." II Corinthians 9:7

Love Never Fails...

On the weekend of October 22-23, a great outpouring of love was witnessed at Christ Community Chapel as members donated their gifts at the baby shower for Pregnancy Solutions and Services (PSS).  The shower was organized by a CCC community group and the response by the entire church was simply breath-taking!

New infant clothing, diapers, wipes, formula, crib bedding and other necessary baby items were collected for PSS and loaded into the new Mobile Ultrasound Unit that was purchased through donations to the CCC Bike Challenge that was held this past summer.

CCC members lined up to take a tour of the Mobile Unit, which was dedicated to be used for saving lives and for the glory of God.

Heartfelt thanks to the community group who sponsored this shower, and to all who had a part in it's success.  Your gifts of love will make an eternal difference in the lives of mothers-in-need who will choose life.

"And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Baby Shower for Pregnancy Solutions and Services~You are cordially invited to attend!

A CCC Community Group has stepped up in a big way to serve a local outreach ministry!  During service times on the weekend of October 22-23, they are hosting a church-wide BABY SHOWER to benefit our ministry partner, Pregnancy Solutions and Services.  PSS is based in Akron, OH, and helps  mothers-in-need. Plan to join in on the fun and fellowship either before or after the service you will be attending that weekend.  Please consider purchasing a gift from this list below and bring it with you to the shower:

*Size 3 disposable diapers

*Similac Advance (12.4 oz-blue label)

*baby wipes

*crib bedding

*size newborn ~ 2T everyday clothing

We will also be celebrating the successful Bike Challenge fundraiser which enabled the purchase of a new Mobile Ultra Sound RV Unit, which will be at the Hudson Campus both days and available for touring.  Wayne Morgret, Executive Director of PSS, with be there to greet you and answer your questions! 

"And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8

Urban Vision's Nehemiah Campaign

CCC Local Outreach ministry partner Urban Vision is like Nehemiah, the Old Testament man of God who was moved to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Jewish people were taken into captivity. However, Urban Vision has mostly focused on rebuilding the spiritual lives and academic hopes of at risk youth and their families in North Akron, one life at time, for God’s glory. At the same time, Urban Vision’s ministries of mercy and justice are based in a physical building at 749 Blaine Avenue in Akron.

To ensure its stewardship of both the building and its outreach to neighbors in need, Urban Vision has launched its Nehemiah Campaign to raise $541,866 by December 31, 2011. The funds will be used to (1) ensure much needed repairs are made to the building, and (2) support additional staff needed to meet the needs of the local community. The building’s outside masonry needs to be repaired, so water does not enter and eventually cause the walls to collapse. The building also needs new exterior doors and repairs or replacement of leaky windows. All of this will enable this vital ministry to continue serving the growing needs of North Akron families via great programs such as Set on Success, which helps young people improve their academic results and gain a vision for a brighter future. All programs ensure the youth understand that Urban Vision is extending Christ’s love to them, as Urban Vision provides an alternative to joining gangs and other high risk activities.

Would you or your group prayerfully consider how you might support the Nehemiah Campaign? Urban Vision is also in need of hands-on volunteers to be the hands and feet of Christ in North Akron. For more information, please…

Visit Urban Vision’s website at:  http://www.urbanvisionministry.org/nehemiah_campaign0.aspx

Or contact:

The Christ Community Chapel Local Outreach coordinators: michael.ammirati@ccchapel.com or barbara.ammirati@ccchapel.com.

"And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Crazy Love Bible Study still has a few openings...

CCC Women's Bible studies will once again include the Crazy Love Bible Study this fall on Thursday mornings.  Because of the nature of this study, space is limited.  However, there still are several openings available.  If you are interested in not only a study, but a hands on experience with some of our local ministry partners, then this is the place for you to be.

Register by filling out THIS FORM at the church website, or contact Esther Morse (330.603.6463)  But HURRY!!!  Classes started last week!