Hello!
As we start out the week, there are a few individuals in the C3 community that need prayer.
-Our friend Iris was involved in an auto accident last week and has whiplash, as well as re-injuring a shoulder. Please pray for God's healing.
-Our friend Shaun has had a back injury flair-up, and has been in a lot of discomfort. Again, please pray for permanent healing.
-Our friend Natalie shipped out last week for basic training. Please pray for her time at basic, and for strength and boldness as she seeks out Christ and begins this new chapter in her life.
-School starts this week here- please join us in praying for all these kiddos who are also beginning a new chapter!
Thanks so much for continuing on as a prayer partner with Convergence!
In Him We Live,
Jeff
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Aug. 20th
Hi everybody!
Over the last several weeks, C3 has been discussing what it means to live in community- with God, and with each other. You may be asking yourself, "why talk about it, when you should be doing it?" The best answer I can give, is to simply say that both are happening. Certainly each time we meet together, we are building community. But a church is so much more than the sum of its corporate gatherings; some of my favorite parts of being a community happen as you simply live life together.
I'm talking about the everyday stuff that brings people together: going to someones home; a trip to the park; seeing a ball game; sharing a meal; playing music together (there's a lot of musician's in our group). But it's also the everyday stuff that we don't always think about: running an errand for someone else; watching someones kids; helping with a home or car repair; just being there. Sometimes the best way community is built is by serving.
So why not just "live it? Why "talk" about it too?" Primarily because our society has slowly been redefining what community is and as a result, we too often end up settling for something that encourages "proximity," but not necessarily involvement. In other words, we have lots of opportunities to be around people, but not so many opportunities to actually share life. That may seem safer- to keep us insulated and minimize risk- but ultimately, real community involves a level of closeness, and that means risk. I doubt anyone ever wants hurt or pain. But without the risk, we can never really find healing; friendship; love. Without risk, we aren't living; we're just existing.
So, we talk about community at C3 because we want it to be real and tangible- an authentic expression of our life together. And we want it to flow out of us so that people will not merely "feel welcome" when they visit; wherever we are, we want our very lives to be the welcome .
Will you join us in praying for that this week? It's a prayer for all of us who follow Christ!
In Him We Live,
Jeff
Over the last several weeks, C3 has been discussing what it means to live in community- with God, and with each other. You may be asking yourself, "why talk about it, when you should be doing it?" The best answer I can give, is to simply say that both are happening. Certainly each time we meet together, we are building community. But a church is so much more than the sum of its corporate gatherings; some of my favorite parts of being a community happen as you simply live life together.
I'm talking about the everyday stuff that brings people together: going to someones home; a trip to the park; seeing a ball game; sharing a meal; playing music together (there's a lot of musician's in our group). But it's also the everyday stuff that we don't always think about: running an errand for someone else; watching someones kids; helping with a home or car repair; just being there. Sometimes the best way community is built is by serving.
So why not just "live it? Why "talk" about it too?" Primarily because our society has slowly been redefining what community is and as a result, we too often end up settling for something that encourages "proximity," but not necessarily involvement. In other words, we have lots of opportunities to be around people, but not so many opportunities to actually share life. That may seem safer- to keep us insulated and minimize risk- but ultimately, real community involves a level of closeness, and that means risk. I doubt anyone ever wants hurt or pain. But without the risk, we can never really find healing; friendship; love. Without risk, we aren't living; we're just existing.
So, we talk about community at C3 because we want it to be real and tangible- an authentic expression of our life together. And we want it to flow out of us so that people will not merely "feel welcome" when they visit; wherever we are, we want our very lives to be the welcome .
Will you join us in praying for that this week? It's a prayer for all of us who follow Christ!
In Him We Live,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
August 13th
I am updating today to give special attention to some specific prayer needs within the C3 core team. Here they are:
-Susie asked that we pray for her sister-in-law Chris, and her brother Don. Chris was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatments.
-Please also pray for our friend Natalie, who has made the decision to go into the Army. She leaves for Basic Training soon.
-Finally, please pray for the family of Thuy. Thuy lost her life in the tragic bus accident in Dallas last week. She was a co-worker of our friend Teeya.
Each of these people represents so much more than the immediate needs that are presented here. Some need peace; some direction; some are still exploring who Jesus really is.
Jeff
-Susie asked that we pray for her sister-in-law Chris, and her brother Don. Chris was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatments.
-Please also pray for our friend Natalie, who has made the decision to go into the Army. She leaves for Basic Training soon.
-Finally, please pray for the family of Thuy. Thuy lost her life in the tragic bus accident in Dallas last week. She was a co-worker of our friend Teeya.
Each of these people represents so much more than the immediate needs that are presented here. Some need peace; some direction; some are still exploring who Jesus really is.
Thank you for being a prayer partner for C3. Let's all remember that our God will do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine(Ephesians 3:20)." He is amazing, and He is faithful!
Jeff
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
August 12th
C3 enjoyed another great weekend together- thanks so much for praying and being an extension of our community!
We are continuing to lay the groundwork for our launch in January through the development of our core team. We have been discussing what it really means for our church to love God, live in community, and serve the world. Currently, we're examining the "live in community" side of things, and have been talking about what it means to have an "abiding" connection with the one true God; how we belong to Him, how that belonging changes our identity, and how it all affects how we approach the connection we have with one another.
I hope you'll pray this week specifically about the formation of community at C3. This prayer is not only for those who are a part of the core team right now. It is also for everyone with whom we have contact, and for those we don't even know- yet. Our prayer is that Convergence Christian Church will become a group and a place of belonging for anyone who questions whether God would want them; for anyone who has felt as if they were "slipping through the cracks" of life. For anyone. Period.
In Him We Live,
Jeff
We are continuing to lay the groundwork for our launch in January through the development of our core team. We have been discussing what it really means for our church to love God, live in community, and serve the world. Currently, we're examining the "live in community" side of things, and have been talking about what it means to have an "abiding" connection with the one true God; how we belong to Him, how that belonging changes our identity, and how it all affects how we approach the connection we have with one another.
I hope you'll pray this week specifically about the formation of community at C3. This prayer is not only for those who are a part of the core team right now. It is also for everyone with whom we have contact, and for those we don't even know- yet. Our prayer is that Convergence Christian Church will become a group and a place of belonging for anyone who questions whether God would want them; for anyone who has felt as if they were "slipping through the cracks" of life. For anyone. Period.
In Him We Live,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August 6th
Halllooo prayer partners!
Thank you so much for praying for Convergence. We had a great weekend, and the glory all goes to our incredible God! Both the meetings were well attended, and we were able to begin an organized time specifically (and separate) for kids during the morning gathering. Everyone seemed to enjoy this new format, and we again have a little room to grow! I hope you'll join us this week in thanking God for answering our prayers in such an incredible way.
Please pray this week for everyone (adults and kids) who together form C3's "core group." Pray that we will grow as Christ followers, and as a community.
I'd also like to ask you to pray for me and my role as a leader at C3. My heart's desire is to honor Christ; to follow Him and yield to His will as He begins to form this brand new church.
Finally, as we look to the future, please pray with us for the following:
-An additional staff person
-A larger venue for Sunday gatherings
-The finances to meet those needs
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Ephesians 3:20-21
In Him We Live,
Jeff
Thank you so much for praying for Convergence. We had a great weekend, and the glory all goes to our incredible God! Both the meetings were well attended, and we were able to begin an organized time specifically (and separate) for kids during the morning gathering. Everyone seemed to enjoy this new format, and we again have a little room to grow! I hope you'll join us this week in thanking God for answering our prayers in such an incredible way.
Please pray this week for everyone (adults and kids) who together form C3's "core group." Pray that we will grow as Christ followers, and as a community.
I'd also like to ask you to pray for me and my role as a leader at C3. My heart's desire is to honor Christ; to follow Him and yield to His will as He begins to form this brand new church.
Finally, as we look to the future, please pray with us for the following:
-An additional staff person
-A larger venue for Sunday gatherings
-The finances to meet those needs
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Ephesians 3:20-21
In Him We Live,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
