sunday january 1st, 2006

we will meet at oak hall at 10am

no classes until 15th January

In Jesus all God's promises are YES!

We have a lot of purposes, a lot of goals—some of them noble. Desperate to save ourselves and our kids from everything but the wrath of God, we fail to realize that, however watered down, these are all nothing but law rather than promise. Eventually, we will become burned out on good advice. What we need is good news. (from an article by mike horton, "the promise-driven life")

10 questions to ask at a Christmas meal or gathering

Good conversation kindling:

What's the best thing that's happened to you since last Christmas?
What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
What's the most meaningful Christmas gift you've ever received?
What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you've ever given?
What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

The rest are here.

trying to call the church office?

our daily operations are now at the Parker Road CHURCH HOUSE... our temporary contact info is:

phone:
352.505.6087
352.505.6089

fax: 352.505.6092

HUGE thanks to Chris McClendon for helping us get set up

interesting only to my fellow u2 fans

:: View topic - How To Dismantle An Idolized Bono - (respond here)

Christmas Eve Readings

I'm looking for someone (any age) to read these passages Saturday at the Christmas eve service at 6pm
Micah 5:2
Isaiah 8:22-9:7

let me know if you might be interested in doing one.... robp AT christcommunitychurch DOT com

Buy a child on the street for $25

I just read an interview with Dr. Kent Copeland, an American physician working with church planters in Poipet, Cambodia, about the challenges of ministry in such a place.

Poipet has been called the "Wild West" of Cambodia. What's the city like?
It's full of vices like prostitution, drugs, and gambling. Most disturbing is the child sex industry. A person can literally buy a child on the street for $25 and take them across the border into Thailand.

Made me think of Christmas and the darkness that exists around the world (and around my n'hood, city, and heart) that needs to be penetrated by the light of the world. One of my favorite Christmas hymn lines is in JOY TO THE WORLD.
He comes to make His blessings known... FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND! Thy Kingdom Come, Lord Jesus.

There is no joy but in this boy...

If you will have joy, bend yourself down to this place. There you will find that boy given for you who is your Creator lying in a manger. I will stay with that boy as he sucks, is washed, and dies.... There is no joy but in this boy. Take him away and you face the Majesty which terrifies... --Martin Luther

thought provoking 5 minutes on good morning america

Ken & pattie thompson are members of CCC who moved here this summer. Recently pattie's son ethan was in a faith & university segment on good morning america

i just watched it here
and had these thoughts:
1.) They studied the U.of Georgia... of course children have trouble believing in God there... they get waxed by UF every Fall!
2.) I do think there is some correlation between being challenged to "doubt" your faith while living at home
3.) The only answer i've ever found (personally & pastorally) to the struggle to seek joy by abusing alcohol, sexuality, etc is that Christianity is a religion of joy, freedom and power... that old sermon "The Expulsive Power of a New Affection" is so key here... John Piper & CS Lewis helped alot here

Isaiah 9 online

Many of you have mentioned the hope God gave you Sunday through our time under Isaiah 8:22-9:7
the sermon audio is available online under the date 12-18-05
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Downloads

No ordinary shepherds

I learned that these weren’t just ordinary shepherds. The flocks pasturing near Bethlehem were destined for temple sacrifices. Shepherds tending the temple flocks were experts in determining the suitability of a lamb for sacrifice. They knew how to spot imperfections. Nothing was more appropriate than to summon these shepherds to be the first witnesses of the perfect Lamb who would lay down His life for the sins of the world. --carolyn curtis james

Same message, different words

grazing Christmas thoughts on the internet this morning and saw a brief article from a woman i deeply respect... turns out the message isaiah brought us sunday morning is picked up by her as well:

"We mute the Christmas message when we sugarcoat the raw misery of it all. There’s purpose behind the details, right down to the “No Vacancy” sign at the inn. "
Carolyn James, Caught in the Christmas Rush

Forever Man

"The incarnation was a historical and unrepeatable event with permanent consequences. Reigning at God's right hand today is the man Christ Jesus, still human as well as divine, though now his humanity has been glorified. Having assumed our human nature, he has never discarded it, and he never will."
John Stott, Authentic Christianity

Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Meals for New Mothers

Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Meals Ministry

Quite a day...

Yesterday was quite exciting with:
~ the service being interrupted with news that someone's car engine was flaming in the parking lot
~ the oak hall stage flooded from saturday's downpour
~ the chance for many of us to meet the Marshall's new baby for the 1st time, Jesse Elizabeth

'twas good to be together for all that

sunday 10am worship only; no 9am classes

this may be "old hat" to many

.... but my family sure enjoyed this hot cocoa recipe when andrew & i made it this rainy saturday HERSHEY'S Kitchens: Recipes: Hot Cocoa: "ngredients:

* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
* Dash salt
* 1/3 cup hot water
* 4 cups (1 qt.) milk
* 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Miniature marshmallows or sweetened whipped cream(optional)

Directions:
1. Stir together sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk; stirring constantly, heat to serving temperature. Do Not Boil.

2 Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with rotary beater or whisk until foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Five 8-oz. servings. "

A Prayer

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;
let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death,
Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty,
Thy glory in my valley.

more Puritan Prayers

Sunday, 10am worship... no 9am classes

Isaiah 9

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: Isaiah 9:1-7

God's Answer is a Child

God's answer to everything that has ever terrorized us is a child. --Ray Ortlund, commenting on Isaiah 9

turkey bowl pic is up and looking good

Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Men's Ministries

church house now hosting

our daily operations... our temporary contact info is:

phone:
352.505.6087
352.505.6089

fax: 352.505.6092

HUGE thanks to Chris McClendon for helping us get set up

gift idea

if you have grade school age boys or girls to shop for>>> consider the series
"boys who>>>"
and "girls who>>>"
Westminster Bookstore - Ten Boys Who Made a Difference

Tim Tebow to Florida... interesting

my friend david wayne writes: "the reason I am especially excited is that Tim is a fine Christian young man. He was on ESPNews announcing his decision today and the first person he thanked was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And I am especially excited because Tim's dad was my youth minister when I first came to Christ. "

entire article here:

Loving the AIDS Infected in Africa

For two years, Mission to the World (MTW) has been reaching one person at a time in the slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. MTW missionaries, volunteers, and Ethiopian coworkers have gone into these slums and found people afflicted by AIDS and cared for them, held their hands, washed them, shared their suffering, and helped them get the care and medicines they needed.
MTW: full article

Christmas...

... says Madeleine L'Engle, "should be a time of awed silence."

The Bible's Purpose...

"The Bible's purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible's purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome... religion is 'if you obey, then you will be accepted'. But the Gospel is, 'if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey'. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference." --Tim Keller

Sunday at Oak Hall when Christ Community Gathers

9am classes
10am worship; the children will help us to worship the Incarnate Word with a gift-presentation they've been working on

Sermon on Acts 17:11,12
1. receiving the word
2. examining the word
3. experiencing the word

CLUB 45 meets at the church house, 4:30pm

Hechos 17

if you were looking for Acts 17 in Spanish...Hechos_17.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)

Narnia Last Night

Preliminary observations:
On the event of us gathering... wonderful to see so many children exposed to so many central gospel truths. you probably know that cs lewis didn't mean LWW to be a point by point parallel of the biblical gospel. Lewis has written that he meant it to be a kind of "pre-evangelism" thing that would create grooves of wonder and hope in children's minds so that when they hear the biblical gospel and historical Jesus announcement-- they would say/think, "Oh my, there really is a conquering Lion who is worthy of my allegiance."
I think that part definately came thru in film.

Also, you need to know that through the generosity of our elders, 20 children from the Florida Baptist Children's Home were able to view the film with us. May they grow up knowing the security of being loved and cared for by the ultimate King. And that His followers shall reign with Him forever. There are no "orphans" in the Kingdom of God... only royal sons & daughters.
--i'll post more reflections on the film later--

Narnia Thursday Night

6:45 at Butler Plaza (corner Archer & 34th)

See you there... if you already have a ticket!

Alan Charles Means

Born today at 2:56 pm
7 lbs, 12 oz

Adam & Ashley hope to bring him home tomorrow. In 2 weeks you'll have opportunity to provide a meal for them and Wendy McGovern will be coordinating that.

What is Advent?

Advent is a time of waiting, hoping, and getting in touch with our need for a Savior. It's a season of preparation for Christmas, much as Lent is a season of preparation for Easter.

In Advent we look back to the experience of Israelites as they yearned for God to forgive their sin and restore their nation. We put ourselves in their shoes as they hoped for the coming of the Messiah. Thus we ready our hearts to celebrate the good news of Christmas.

Yet Advent is also a time to look forward to the second coming of Christ. Though defeating sin and death through His cross and resurrection, Christ hasn't yet finished His work of renewing creation and restoring the kingdom of God. Thus we continue to experience the brokenness of this world, in violence, disease, natural disasters, and other forms of human suffering. In Advent we yearn for God's completion of the salvation begun in Christ. --Mark Roberts

Means Baby On the Way

Please be in prayer for Adam & Ashley Means as they are in the hospital and the baby boy is on the way!

Like the days of Oakland Raider dominance...

the narnia tickets are GONE!

I love my iPod... but needed to be aware of this...

This is from the president of the National Association of Evangelicals (which basically is an organization of Bible-believing churches of hundreds of denominations)
"We are all continually amazed at the newest and greatest electronic devices that come out on the market. One of the latest innovations is wireless handheld devices with video capabilities. Many of our young people are eagerly awaiting their opportunity to own one of these phones, PDAs or iPods.

What you may not know is that all the pornography on the Internet may be available on these devices without effective monitoring or filtering options. Our already sexualized culture is about to be inundated with yet another avenue for corrupting the innocent and ensnaring our children to the bonds of pornography.

We need to do something. The technology itself is wonderful but until the appropriate safeguards can be implemented we need to educate and inform evangelicals of the dangers to which they may be unknowingly exposing their young people.

The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families (NCPCF) and the Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP) are working hard on this issue. You can read their joint letter Pornography on Wireless Devices on the NAE website. You can get more information about what is happening at www.nationalcoalition.org or by calling Jack Samad, NCPCF Vice-President for Internet Safety, at 513-521-6227."

CS Lewis on what he was trying to do in LWW

In a 1961 letter to a young girl named Anne, Lewis wrote:
“I think you will probably see that there is a deeper meaning behind it. The whole Narnian story is about Christ. That is to say, I asked myself ‘Supposing that there really was a world like Narnia and supposing it had (like our world) gone wrong and supposing Christ wanted to go into that world and save it (as He did ours) what might have happened?’ The stories are my answers. Since Narnia is a world of Talking Beasts, I thought He would become a Talking Beast there, as He became a man here. I pictured Him becoming a lion there because (a) the lion is supposed to be the king of beasts; (b) Christ is called ‘The Lion of Judah’ in the Bible; (c) I’d been having strange dreams about lions when I began writing the work."

Read more here

Our private showing of movie is Thursday at 6:45, couple tix remaining, call 379.4949 ext 14

John Piper wasn't the 1st to realize this...

"God is the most happy being in the universe--because
He is the most holy. And the happiness of His
people is just in proportion as they resemble
Him in righteousness and true holiness. " --Cornelius Tyree, 1800's

full text:

looking for an ESPNU favor

(Warning: Shameless personal plug): i need something recorded friday nite so that i can show it saturday nite... let me know if you get ESPNU

John Calvin on the Incarnation & Our Redemption

"It was also imperative that He who was to become our Redeemer be true God and true man. It was His task to swallow up death. Who but the Life could do this? It was His task to conquer sin. Who but very Righteousness could do this? It was His task to rout the powers of world and air. Who but a power higher than world and air could do this? Now where does life or righteousness, or lordship and authority of heaven lie but with God alone? Therefore our most merciful God, when He willed that we should be redeemed, made Himself our Redeemer in the Person of His only-begotten Son." --John Calvin, Institutes 2:12:2

Narnia Tickets!!

We have 11 tickets left for "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe"!
Call Lizette Crosson at the Church Office (379.4949) to reserve yours!

Visit the church website for details on the movie:
www.christcommunitychurch.com

most won't want this

My final point yesterday in the lecture on how Lion/Witch/Wardrobe has helped me was that it helps give me a vision of God renewing all things, not only saving sinners out of world going to hell in a hand-basket. Well, here's more on that for those who want it a "God promises us a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). Some people leap to the conclusion that God will simply throw the present creation onto the scrap heap, so to speak, and start over again from scatch. But this cannot be right. We ourselves are part of this present creation. And if we trust in Christ, we know that we will not end up on the scrap heap!"
Reversing the Fall and Setting Creation Free:

Christmas Information

Saturday December 24th at 6:00pm: Christmas Eve Service in Oak Hall theater
more Christmas Information

Incarnation thoughts by Octavius Winslow

How could a holy God advance towards me, or I draw near to Him? But He takes my nature that He may descend to me, and He gives me His nature that I may ascend to Him. He stoops, because I could not rise! Oh mystery of grace, wisdom, and love! Shall I doubt it? I go to the manger of Bethlehem, and gaze upon the infant Savior.
read the rest here

The Greatest Drama by Dorothy Sayers

We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified him "meek and mild," and recommended him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.
The Greatest Drama by Dorothy Sayers

Sunday at Oak Hall when Christ Community Gathers

9am classes for children and for adults i'll do a lecture called, "How The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe has helped me know, enjoy, and follow Jesus Christ."

more: preliminary notes here

10am worship
--no children's church
--Lord's Supper will be shared
ALSO, would you bust it to be in the theater at 10am this sunday?


Sunday Night: Women's Christmas event at the home of Paige French--6:00pm
See the church website for more details.

Christmas Information

Saturday December 24th at 6:00pm: Christmas Eve Service in Oak Hall theater

This is our weekly worship gathering. There will be no worship service on Sunday December 25th.

Body Wars

Culture tells our daughters they're fat, ugly, and unlovable. Here are 5 ways to defeat those lies and make your child feel as beautiful as she is.
Body Wars - Parenting

Narnia is Near

-- "In The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe what's the only explicit reference to a Bible?

--Who's the first Narnian to call Lucy a 'Daughter of Eve'?"

these are just 2 questions from a fun narnia quiz at:
Dick Staub: Staublog - Narnia is Near:

Across the Lands

You're the Word of God the Father
From before the world began
Every star and every planet
Has been fashioned from your hand

All creation holds together
By power of your voice
Let the skies declare your glory
Let the land and seas rejoice

You're the author of creation
And the Lord of every man
and your call of love rings out
across the lands
--Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

sunday

9am classes for children and for adults i'll do a lecture called, "How The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe has helped me know, enjoy, and follow Jesus Christ."

10am worship
--no children's church
--Lord's Supper will be shared

Sunday Night: Women's Christmas event at the home of Paige French--6:00pm
See the church website for more details.

reading cs Lewis

what with the upcoming release of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, CS Lewis is hot right now. If you have never read LWW... I won't beg again here. But you are really denying yourself a treat if you haven't read any Lewis. It is simply fun learning. One suggestion is below. I'm sure you could google "weight of glory" and read it online...
"Begin with The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses. Here you will be introduced to themes that pervade Lewis’s works: “Joy,” heaven, Christian ethics, approaches to education, the background of two world wars, the meaning of myth, the importance of imagination, personal holiness, and the Body of Christ, all within the space of the less than 200 pages in most editions. Read Lewis’s famous lay-sermon, “The Weight of Glory” first. Alan Jacobs correctly maintains that “The thought expressed in those sentences is everywhere woven into the fabric of Lewis’s work.” Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life, Lewis’s spiritual autobiography, is another good place to start. One caution: Lewis sometimes uses abstract literary references with which first-time readers may be unfamiliar. Don’t let that stop you. The book is still well worth the effort. Obviously, any introduction to Lewis is incomplete without reading Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and the Chronicles of Narnia. If you want to read what Lewis considered his best works, read Perelandra and Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold. If you are a first-timer and choose to tackle these books, be sure to have Clyde Kilby’s, The Christian World of C.S. Lewis and Images of Salvation in the Fiction of C.S. Lewis close at hand. Kilby’s introductions to these books are invaluable."
Reformation 21 � December Article Mercer:

Children's Activities Today

Club 45 is working on the set for the children's program, 2:30-5:30 at Stankunas home.
All children meeting at church house at 6pm for Christmas Program rehearsal, 6-8pm.

OK, we're addicted

For a year and a half Kim and i were unexposed to the tv show "Lost". Now, after a chance sighting of an episode 2 weeks ago... we're hooked. I was just sent out to the video store to get Season One, Disc 2. Great show.

Thanks for all who expressed concern about my health. I am feeling much better.

Turkey Bowl was huge success and fun was had by all. Old guys won.

Finally, huge thanks to PATTIE THOMPSON, who stepped up big time to coordinate Monday's CLUB 45 activity at Stankunas' home, 2:30-5:30.

Sunday

NO 9am children's classes
10am worship
11:30 Turkey Bowl (Flag Football game for the guys)

Sunday is the beginning of Advent. Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, "the coming of the Saviour") is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, or Christmas.

Youth Group Progressive Dinner

 
 

spiderman 2, has anyone heard this?

today i came across a list of 50 significant spiritual films and this quote caught me way off guard the evangelical outpost: The Lists:
50 Spiritually Significant Films: "Spider-Man 2 (2004) (Oddly enough, this film presents a the comic-book superhero as the best allegorical representation of Christ since Aslan.)"

Lunatics, Knowing God, and Worship

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word "darkness" on the walls of his cell. But God wills our good, and our good is to love Him (with that responsive love proper to creatures) and to love Him we must know Him: and if we know Him, we shall in fact fall on our faces. —C. S. Lewis

turkey bowl III is day after FSU game, 11:30am

nuff said

Youth need Help... updated

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!

Calling all CCC folk!! The youth group is having a Progressive
dinner and we need your help!!

Who: Anyone willing to cook and open up their home!
What: Progressive dinnner. WE, the youth group, travel around and
eat dinner in four different courses at four different houses. One
house will provide appetizers, another house will provide side dishes,
another house will provide the main dish, and finally we'll stop at
our last house for dessert!
When: Sunday, November 20th from 6:30 - 8:30
Where: 4 different homes
Why: Because we like to eat yummy food!!!!

Appetizers: THIS SPOT NEEDS TO BE FILLED. It can be any kind of
finger foods that teenagers enjoy. Enough to feed 15 - 17 people.

Side Dishes: THIS SPOT NEEDS TO BE FILLED. It can be any kind of
thanksgiving style side dishes. Enough to feed 15 - 17 people.

Main Dish: HORNER FAMILY

Desserts: PENDLEY FAMILY.

If you are interested, contact Erik Folgate at erik.folgate@gmail.com
or 352-378-7608 and leave a message. Thanks!

Few Know

at 11am i'll be meeting with the women's study to look together at the bible's teaching that the free grace given us in Christ motivates/inspires greater holiness than does our own "elbow grease"... thought someone might benefit from this richard lovelace quote i found while preparing:
Few know enough to start each day with a thoroughgoing stand upon Martin Luther's platform: YOU ARE ACCEPTED BY GOD, looking outward in faith and claiming the wholly alien righteousness of Christ as the only ground for acceptance, relaxing in that quality of trust which will produce increasing sanctification as faith is active in love and gratitude. (emphasis mine)

I am Totally His

I am His by purchase and I am His by conquest; I am His by donation and I am His by election; I am His by covenant and I am His by marriage; I am wholly His; I am peculiarly His; I am universally His; I am eternally His. Once I was a slave but now I am a son; once I was dead but now I am alive; once I was darkness but now I am light in the Lord; once I was a child of wrath, an heir of hell, but now I am an heir of heaven; once I was Satan's bond-servant but now I am God's freeman; once I was under the spirit of bondage but now I am under the Spirit of adoption that seals up to me the remission of my sins, the justification of my person and the salvation of my soul. --THOMAS BROOKS

bookstores

Amazon is great, of course. But here are a couple of others:
monergism books
heart and mind books

narnia deadline today

please remember that today is the last day of Christ Community's 1st dibs on the december 8th movie tickets
all the info is at our website

call 379-4949 to reserve yours

Club 45 & Youth Stuff

Club 45 (for 4th & 5th graders) at church house Sunday 4:30 til 6

Youth Group at 7pm at church house.

Youth Group looking for 4 people to volunteer their home for a progressive dinner on Sunday November 20th.

Putting A Whole In Your Head: Suicide, The Voices, And Wounded Warriors

a realistic and hope-giving meditation from a guy who went to clemson & covenant w/ Steve Lammers
"The voices loudly proclaim that 'you suck', 'you're alone', 'it can't get better', 'nobody cares,' 'you won't be missed,' 'dying is better than living,' 'life sucks, I suck, everybody sucks,' 'I'm a mistake,' 'nobody loves you,' 'you're such a loser.'"
Anthony Bradley: Putting A Whole In Your Head: Suicide, The Voices, And Wounded Warriors:

9:00am- Sunday School Classes for all ages
10:00am- Worship Service (children's church will be dismissed prior to sermon)
4:30pm– Club45 @ the church house*
7:00pm- Youth Group @ the church house*

text notes on Acts 16:
1. when God captures your heart, your resources are with it (lydia's house)
2. lydia is on her way to being the multi-tasking proverbs 31 woman... which is SOO different from the stereotypical "conservative/traditional" view of women
3. loads of stuff on guidance of the Holy Spirit, First, we learn that God may guide us for a long time sending us only “no’s”
without any “yes’s” at all.
Second, guidance is never passively received--it always entails wrestling with
the evidence and using your mind and making a choice.
Third, guidance is corporate.
Fourth, guidance is gradual.
more here
4. "Lord, I thank you that i was not born a woman, a slave, or a Gentile." that was the morning prayer Paul had been taught growing up... boy, must his paradigms must have beens in pieces after his time in philippi!
5. lydia household baptized, phil jailer household baptized... doesn't say infants involved... but servants were almost surely there... certainly seems to at least leave open the possibility of the presbyterian understanding of "who" gets baptized
6. If you have people in your life that you think are not the "type to become a follower of Jesus" then you have forgotten the very power that reached your heart
7. Paul & mates SING in the night prison...men sing for 2 reasons (i can think of): 1.) they are drunk on alcohol, a sports team victory, or the grace of God 2.) they are in a rock band I can't think of other times men sing.
8. you gotta be flexible evangelistically
a.) lydia needed a bible study, reasoning
b.) slave girl needed direct assault on her heart, power encounter
c.) phil.jailer needed to see Xn character (they sang in night AND resisted fleeing jail post earthquake) and to be served in a personal crisis by Christians
So, Memorized gospel presentations can be useful and but perish the thought that my (or your) contact with every non-Xn should look similar

Club 45 Sunday 4:30pm

Calling all boys and girls of 4th and 5th
grades! Sunday, from 4:30-6:00pm,
we will have games and small group Bible
studies @ the church house!
Visit our website for more information or directions.
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Welcome to Christ Community Church Online

New Churches across N. America

Mission to North America (one group that started Christ Community) is assisting local presbyteries (the other group that started Christ Community) in placing church planters in the following cities:

Davis, California
Thousand Oaks, California

Smyrna, Delaware

East Naples, Florida

Dayton/Virginia City, Nevada
Henderson, Nevada

Cleveland (Westlake), Ohio

Hillsboro, Oregon

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Bellingham, Washington

Toronto (Mississauga), Ontario, Canada

Thank you Jesus

cool weather and starbucks has broken out the Christmas decorations... sweet

Resources for Ministering to Youth

Adolescence can be a difficult and trying time in the life of a young person. Today's culture pulls them in many different directions and offers them a variety of idols that promise health, wealth, and happiness but lead only to spiritual darkness. Covenant Seminary's Online Resources offers a variety of downloadable resources to help the Church minister effectively to youth. Find out more by searching the key word "youth" at:

i can't wait to see...

I want to see the part when Peter goes to the Professor to tell him about Lucy making up tales, and the professor talks him through to the logical conclusion that since Lucy is not a liar or a lunatic, then she must be telling truth about Narnia. How surprising for Peter...

--Kelly MacGregor

I can't wait to see the part when they meet the beavers (goes back to a family joke back home)

--Lizette Crosson

women's event Tomorrow 6pm

great opportunity to connect; strongly recommended; details at church website
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Women's Ministries

The Joy of Reading Great Works

Why should we make time to read great books? What should we read? How should we read most effectively?
good stuff here

Business for the Glory of God

The UF Prayer Walk went right by the business school... we were praying for things that are mentioned in this book review of a new 93 page book that looks very promising. Good Christmas gift for $10.

excerpt:...when people ask how their lives can glorify God, they are rarely told, "Go into business." Students, when they ask, "How can I serve God with my life," don't often hear the answer, "Go into business." This little book claims just this, that "many aspects of business activity are morally good in themselves, and that in themselves they bring glory to God - though they also have great potential for misuse and wrongdoing."

clarification on Narnia

This week Christ Community has first dibs on the tickets to the December 8th showing. Next week we will open up the tickets so that the larger community can purchase from us. So make your decisions and act by calling the church office 379-4949. Tell your friends in other churches na nanny boo boo--- I mean, hang on 'til next week.

here's the info

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Religious & Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers

this is link to a review of a new book on teenagers. (amazing that one of our worship leaders had time to write this book!) The Religious & Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
1) A God exists who created and orders the world and watches over human life on earth.
2) God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.
3) The central goal of life is to be happy ands to feel good about oneself.
4) God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.
5) Good people go to heaven when they die.

Prayer Walk #1

Rick Kingsley and I met at the Christian Study Center and
prayer walked for an hour. We prayed for campus ministries as we walked by (Baptist College Ministries, Study Center, RUF and Presbyterian Student Center) then headed across University Ave into campus.
We prayed at the Business School, Student Union, Journalism & Communications building, Turlington... and then of course, The Swamp.
We prayed for people to know the hope of Christ and the love of God, for the various departments to be used to train people who would use their business and communication degrees to serve people, not use them. Example: develop business in 3rd world countries, communications specialists who speak for the oppressed, etc
OVerall, it was very helpful to me. Easier to pray for an hour when your walking than kneeling.
Next Monday 9am we're meeting downtown. If schedule allows, join us. Details later.

(Is TODAY the day that Richard Horner, Steve Lammers , or my wife reads this blog?)

Sydney Schaef's email

many of you remember sydney, an undergrad at UF who has helped lead worship and hi school girls bible study... she's studying in Tanzania this semester and her recent email is worth readingsydney's email

Prayer Walk Monday 9am

read all about it

Sunday at Oak Hall when Christ Community Gathers

Individual renewal is indissolubly connected to the renewal of the whole church. We cannot attain the fullness of the Spirit without being turned inside out, so that our central focus is no longer our own growth, but the glory of God and the growth of Christ's kingdom. --Richard Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life

sunday 9am classes for all ages
10am worship gathering with celebration of Lord's Supper/eucharist/communion

In thinking through Acts 15, which we will dwell upon Sunday, it strikes me that there are at least these two marks of a healthy church:
1. There are enough people coming to faith in Christ who don't look-like & act-like the insiders that the leaders have to make some rulings about the congregation's life together
2. The leaders are zealous to both stand for the gospel of grace and protect the conscience of ALL followers of Jesus

May God pour out His Spirit to make those 2 things true of Christ Community.

SAVE THE DATE, december 8

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
We have reserved the Royal Park Theatre for a special viewing of
Narnia’s The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. This will be a fun,
Christmas church event for the whole family to enjoy!
December 8th, 2005
6:45pm @ Royal Park Theatre
$9.00/person
Due to limited seating the tickets will be
sold on a first come, first serve basis.
Call the church office to order tickets and make reservations: 379.4949

Parent's Night Out

Parent's Night Out is THIS Friday (November 4th), from 5:30-9:00pm!

RUF students are offering FREE babysitting at Faith Presbyterian Church (5916 NW 39th Ave.) This is to give you an opportunity to spend time together, go out for dinner, or do some Christmas shopping! Please RSVP to the church office (379.4949) as soon as possible if you are planning to bring your children. Our RUF students need to know how many children will be coming and what their ages are, in order to plan for this event.

Men's B'fast Tomorrow at Church House 6:30am

6:30 til 7:15 at church house; on parker road...1.5 miles south of newberry road

Legalism in a Decaying Culture

Legalism in a Decaying Culture

Parenting by Grace, not Legalism

Parenting by Grace

Prayer Walk

Next Monday Rick Kingsley and I will go on a prayer walk from 9am til 9:45. We'll begin and end at the Christian Study Center. Feel free to join us. What is a prayer walk? I'll post more later, but it is pretty much what it sounds like.

Waco pastor electrocuted while peforming baptism

Please pray for the widow and 3 young children who lost their husband and father...
HoustonChronicle.com - Waco pastor electrocuted while peforming baptism

Friday Morning Men's B'fast at the Church House

6:30-7:15
full breakfast
purpose is for men to be together
a brief devotional will be given

Kaitlyn Joy Gallagher info

Born Wednesday at 12:30pm
She weighs 7lbs 1oz. and is 20 1/2 in. long

Thanks for all the prayers for the safe delivery!
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - News and Events

Kaitlyn Joy Gallagher was born this week! More later...

MOVE YOUR clocks

Before retiring this evening, move them BACK.
Example: going to bed and clock says 10:30... move it to 9:30

Items for Prayer --updated

Jen Phegley is at North Florida Hospital. Stabilized, but fighting a 103 fever.

Josiah Hamilton is at Ohio State getting a heart cath this afternoon. His parents, Greg & Denise, are with him.
UPDATE: Josiah's heart cath went great and while they were "in there" they realized that his stint needed repair and so they did that too. They hope to come back to Gainesville this weekend!

Josiah Hamilton to Ohio

5 year old Josiah's heart cath will take place Friday in Ohio. See below for full story.

Human Sex Trafficking

i saw an ad but didn't see the mini-series on LIFETIME
this tragedy is true and ongoing... here is one group fighting by faith for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done in this areaInternational Justice Mission

Just for fun

The Stankunas invite you to their home this Sunday afternoon, 3:00-6:00pm for fun activities, including a pumpkin carving contest! Everyone is welcome. "We'll provide the dogs, chips, maybe smores if its cool outside. Not very well planned. We just thought it would be fun."

Bring your own:
Pumkin(s)
Carving Tools
Apples
Drinks

Call Sharon Stankunas for more info and directions: #332-9258

Josiah Hamilton

Greg and Denise Hamilton live in Bronson and have been a part of our church since this summer. They are now involved with the youth group along with Erik and Lindzee Folgate. Greg is a teacher in the Bronson school department, and Denise is a substitute teacher in the Bronson school district. Recently, their youngest son, Josiah, has been in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Shands Hospital undergoing tests. Josiah is 5 years old and the youngest of their 4 children (Joshua, Zachary, and Deonna), and has had many serious heart problems since birth.

Our most recent update is that we are still waiting to hear from the doctors about catherization being done in Ohio or here, but this decision will take place sometime today, and he and Denise could be on their way to Ohio by tomorrow.

Ways to help:
We are figuring out how we can get food and meals to the family, so we will keep you posted.
For today, Josiah is on the 10th floor at Shands, and visitors are welcome.


Greg asks that you Pray like this:
That it be a successful heart catherization Friday in Gainesville or at Ohio State (where the docs who did his bypass surgeries 4 years ago are now)


Their Home Address:
423 Paradise Lane
Bronson, FL 32621

Josiah Hamilton, still waiting

Sadly, Josiah's IV's dried up and they had to "put him under" to insert a pic (sp?) line. Still waiting to hear from docs about catherization being done in Ohio or here.

INFANT BAPTISM: How My Mind Has Changed

Last Sunday we baptized an infant. This Sunday we'll baptize an adult.
We usually don't have to explain to people why we baptize adults. We do have to explain why we baptize the children of believers. Recently the elders decided that we wouldn't do a "full-fledged explanation" every time we baptized a child, we'd just celebrate God's goodness.
But, we still do try to help those who don't "see" this in Scripture understand where we get it from. thus this link...
This is a letter from a man to his daughter.INFANT BAPTISM: How My Mind Has Changed: "I want to let you know what biblical evidence changed my mind from holding a “believers’ baptism” position to the conviction that both those who are converted as adults and the infants and children of believers should be baptized."

What do you think of this definition/profile?

this from JI Packer:
I profile evangelicalism in terms of six belief-and-behavior principles, thus:

1. Enthroning Holy Scripture, the written word of God, as the supreme authority and decisive guide on all matters of faith and practice;

2. Focusing on the glory, majesty, kingdom, and love of Jesus Christ, the God-man who died as a sacrifice for our sins and who rose, reigns, and will return to judge mankind, perfect the church, and renew the cosmos;

3. Acknowledging the lordship of the Holy Spirit in the entire life of grace, which is the life of salvation expressed in worship, work, and witness;

4. Insisting on the necessity of conversion (not of a particular conversion experience, but of a discernibly converted condition, regenerate, repentant, and rejoicing);

5. Prioritizing evangelism and church extension as a life-project at all times and under all circumstances; and

6. Cultivating Christian fellowship, on the basis that the church of God is essentially a living community of believers who must help each other to grow in Christ.
--JI Packer

Rosa Parks, Ninevah, etc

1. Rosa Parks Has Died: If you don't know how huge she was in influence... read a little about her. A couple of summers ago i listened to MLK's speech shortly after the incident (he was a young Montgomery preacher then) and was blown away by her bravery and what an unlikely hero she was. 13abc.com

2. also, heard on NPR this morning that Ninevah was the swing vote in the Iraqi elections. Interesting.

Josiah Hamilton

Greg Hamilton just called me with an update:
Josiah will have to have a heart catherization. The decision is in the doctors hands as to whether it is done at Shands or in Ohio.

Greg asks that you Pray like this:
1. That it be a successful heart cath
Friday in Gainesville
or at Ohio State (where the docs who did his bypass surgeries 4 years ago are now)
2. That Josiah's IV's not dry up as they await the cath

Never Surrender

“Let us never surrender our judgments or our consciences to be at the disposal and opinions of others, and to be subjected to the sentences and determinations of men…"
--Samuel Bolton, 1645

(Weird side note. When you saw the words "never surrender"... anyone else think of an 80's song from Corey Hart?)

Not Joshua, but JOSIAH Hamilton

I mentioned Sunday morning that 5 year old Josiah is in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Shands Hospital. I've just returned from visiting him (he beat me in Chutes & Ladders) and his attitude is great. Pray for them as tomorrow the docs will decide what is best from here. For now we don't have a good hold on how you might serve them. Probably some meals will help later this week.

UPDATE: The Hamilton's are meeting with the doctors soon to decide next steps.

One to 2 week opportunities with Mission to the World

anticipating that some will want to know about these as they are thrust out by the Lord of the Harvest
Welcome to MTW.org

Pornified, a helpful BRIEF book review of a helpful new book

Challies Dot Com: Pornified: How Pornography is Transforming Our Lives, Our Relationships, and Our Families

Want to help with Ada Perry saturday morning?

click here for info

Sunday at Christ Community

9am Classes for all ages
age segmented up to 8th grade
high school and up in media center
10am worship
this is our 2nd sunday on Matthew 9 and our last sunday on the emotions of Christ. we haven't exhausted the biblical teaching on them, but i feel compelled to take us back to the book of Acts on Sunday October 30
BAPTISM: this sunday we'll baptize a baby and then on the 30th we'll baptize a new convert

in a sermon On Matthew 9 charles spurgeon said:
"Surely, brethren and sisters, if you love him, and wish to be like him, you cannot look on this
congregation without pity. You cannot go out into the streets of London
and stand in the high roads among the surging masses for half an hour
without saying, "Whither away these souls? Which road are they
travelling? Will they all meet in heaven?" What! live ye in London, move
ye about in this great metropolis, and do ye never have the heartache, never
feel your soul ready to burst with pity? Then shame upon you! Ask yourself
whether ye have the spirit of Christ at all."

Desire Street Boys, Football, Life

For the boys of Desire Street, a chance to play football in New Orleans is heavy with hope and grief. "As painful as it was, we wanted them to see that there's really no New Orleans to go back to" | by Jamie Dean
here is the entire article:
more

The beings whom Jesus sought out,...

and drew around Him, were . . . .
the burdened,
the bowed down,
the disconsolate,
the poor,
the friendless,
the helpless,
the ignorant,
the weary.

He loved to lavish upon such the fullness of His
benevolent heart, and to exert upon such the skill
of His wonder working power.

--octavius winslow

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

you have probably heard that there is a full-length feature film coming out in early december from Disney... the first reviews seem that the movie will be faithful to CS Lewis' book. One previewer, Gene Edward Veith, reflects that this film may do much more to get out the message of the gospel than Mel Gibson's Passion did... How so? Read onBetter than "the Passion"?

This looks helpful

Theopedia if you don't own (or have handy) your 1000 page encyclopedia of Christianity... i searched a few terms and thought the references it brought up were quite faithful to what the Bible teaches

This weekend

There will be some work done to make Ada Perry's home (near Oak Hall) more suitable to her medical condition.
Ripping out carpet, putting down linoleum or tile... if you are interested in being of help... contact Larry Eubanks.317-1928

This from 2 of our UF students

This Thursday is a highly anticipated abortion debate between Vox:
Voices of Planned Parenthood and the Prolife Alliance. It will be Thursday, October 20, in FLINT 50 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Jenny Tovey is organizing the debate and Sheri Valera will be one of the debating participants - both regularly attend Christ Community. Following the debate in Flint 11 will be a Pro-Life Alliance meeting.

monday evening at Christian Study Center

St. Augustine: Catholic or Protestant Saint?
Fr. Ron Kuykendall of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
8:00 pm 10/17/2005 at the Christian study center

Whose Life is a Wreck?

and what has been your emotional response to them and their decisions/situation?

"In Matthew 9 Christ looks at the ignorant multitudes and He responds not with derision but with love and compassion. As He looks at these people who were in rebellion against God and their lives are a wreck, He looks upon them not with disdain but with love, and longing to see them restored to God." --Ligon Duncan

His heart broke

He felt great pity
He felt compassion
He had compassion...

The Compassion of Jesus is our focus this week... found in Matthew 9. What would it look like for us to be a church that is a part of the BODY OF CHRIST to display the heart of Christ to Gainesville?

He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help.

Read matthew 9:35-38

action shot from Club 45 (monthly group for 4th & 5th grade) Sunday night at the church house 

Women's Progressive Baby Shower

is Friday nite

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

The UF chapter is seeking to raise funds to attend a Leadership Conference this Winter. If you would like to sponsor a scholarship-or just want more info, contact Kacy McGrady or Ryan Stringfellow
ctown AT ufl DOT edu

napolean dy-no-mite

yes yes... i'm about 2 years late... but i'm really enjoying "napolean dynamite talk" with my 10 year old right now

The First Move

"You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you," said the Lion.

--The Silver Chair

Ada Perry Update

Ada Perry was moved to University Place, a rehabilitation facility, wednesday night.
The moved was prompted by AGH due to a lack of beds and Medicare and Medicaid limitations.

University Place is located at 4000 SW 20th Ave which is closer to Tower Road. Her room number is 100. The phone number for a direct line into her room is: 377-1981 ext. 1001

Visiting hours are all day.

A favor

Does anyone have a Lion King (the original!) dvd i might borrow? robp AT christcommunitychurch.com

Porn

This is a week that many are trying to draw attention to:
a.) The huge problem that pornography is in our culture and in the Church
b.) The transforming power of the gospel to help the believer fight for sexual wholeness

Here is just one article ... i'll post more later, and some of my thoughts

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

more:

Yuppie Words

bob dylan in an interview with rolling stone, circa 1991 said:
These are yuppie words, happiness and unhappiness. It's not happiness or unhappiness, it's either blessed or unblessed.

which is so interesting to me this week b/c Jesus, in discussing joy, says, "Blessed are the eyes that see..."

Broken Masterpieces: Switchfoot - Happy Is A Yuppie Word

Some sentences require time...

here is one:
"The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love." -Henry Scougal in Amazon.com: Books: The Life of God in the Soul of Man

sometimes i get emails...

... that are such good questions i feel many more need to know the answer:
Here are 2 such:

1.) Ada Perry is in room 6346a of shands ALACHUA GENERAL HOSPITAL (AGH)
the phone there is 372-4321

2.) Tim & Kathy Keller lectured for 70 minutes and then answered questions for another hour... on the topic CULTIVATING A HEALTHY MARRIAGE. Should be a required download/listen for every married couple, engaged couple, single wanting to be a supportive friend to married people, etc
The lecture was given on 4-1-2005 and i'll try to include the link. If it doesn't "work"... just navigate thru redeemer.com until you find it in the sermons section and shell out the $5

today

Please be in prayer for Ada. The dear black sister who comes to worship in the motorized wheelchair. She's been hospitalized for weeks and needs our love and prayer.

Women's bible study today at 10:45am. Pray for God's Spirit to move there.

To make a wretch His treasure

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
more

Identification without loss of identity

JESUS SENDS US into the world, as the Father sent him into the world. In other words our mission is to be modeled on his. Indeed all authentic mission is incarnational mission. It demands identification without loss of identity. It means entering other people's worlds as he entered ours, though without compromising our Christian convictions, values, or standards.
--John Stott, The Contemporary Christian

The bible is NOT given primarily to guide your conduct

Early in my Christian life I heard someone say, "The Bible was not given to increase your knowledge but to guide your conduct." Later I came to realize that this statement was simplistic at best and erroneous at worst.Read more

What is your only comfort in life and death?

That I am not my own,[1] but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,[2] to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[3] He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.[5] He also preserves me in such a way[6] that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;[7] indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.[8] Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life[9] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him

The h'berg catechism is so amazing

Deep down...

Every thoughtful mind has discovered the fact that down deep in His innermost soul Jesus carried an inexhaustible treasury of refined and heavenly joy.read whole thing

Intro to Christ Community tonite

All 3 sessions in one night, at Lammers' home, from 7pm-10pm
designed for students but anyone welcome

The Joy of Jesus

He came as a conqueror with the gladness of the imminent victory in His heart; for the joy set before Him He was able to endure the cross, despising shame (Hebrews 12:2).

 

He exulted in the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21) as He contemplated the ways of God in bringing many sons to glory.  The word (exulted) is a strong one and conveys the idea of exuberant gladness, a gladness which fills the heart.  –BB Warfield

October 7th if you want to catch a ride and go with

some friends in a sister church in ocala are heading to katrina relief in gulfport mississippi... and they have room for 2 more... the trip is friday thru sunday Oct 7-9
contact church office (379-4949)to get the contact info for Good Shepherd Presbyterian church

Which is it?

Listening to too much U2? Thinking about Jesus' anger in Mark 3 and how it led him to pursue what we might call social justice? Struggling to apply that in just ONE personal relationship? Reading the Old Testament? Hurricanes? Not sure, but it made me really want to listen to these lectures. Consider beating me to the punch.
the Call for the North American Evangelical Church to Engage Global Justice
Part 5 in Schaeffer Lectures - Where Is God? Justice in an Unjust World
Gary Haugen
Download Audio

Intro to Christ Community Seminar

all 3 sessions in one night... Friday at the Lammers home from 7-10pm... details on christcommunitychurch.com

Katrina Trip for Cookers

for those of you who don't have the spiritual gift or calling of
DEBRIS REMOVAL... here's a trip for those who can cook:
From Pinewood Presbyterian in Middleburg/Orange Park:
One of our ladies is putting together a team to leave on Sunday or Monday of next week (Oct.2-3) to cook for the people from the PCA who are coming to Biloxi. This is an important need as the ones working now are about burned out. We will supply food, and other items for this, as well as transportation. We need 3 more ladies to go with the three that are committed. They would minister in this way for one week. They would also help pass out food to needy people who come when they are not busy. Please think of any of your ladies with a pioneering spirit who would consider this. There will an increase in teams and people in the next two weeks (50-60) who need to be fed in Biloxi according to Ben Harris, our presbytery coordinator and Biloxi coordinator.

Breakfasts and lunches are lighter and supper meal a regular meal so this is not overwhelming.

Please have any lady interested contact Nancy Gerlach: 352-406-0339. --end of note

Rob again: Let's assume the women going are intimidated by male chefs and that is the reason for the female only invitation.

As we prepare to gather sunday at 10am, a prayer:

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Life Chain

to promote the protection of unborn children... will be held on Sunday October 2nd from 2:00-3:00pm organized by Women's Resource Center and Pro-Life alliance of UF... more info from 377-4947

Katrina Relief Trip POSTPONED

After conferring with people on the Miss. Gulf Coast, seeing the weather forecast, etc... we are postponing the trip. The new date is October 21-23. Pray for God's mercy on the people of the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. For those of you who all of a sudden have wide-open schedules, you might consider Jason Macgregor's invitation to spend some time Friday night in prayer, at the church house on Parker Road. Contact Jason at 372-5204

Katrina relief trip IN JEOPARDY.. stay tuned & flexible

Hurricane RITA
next RITA report to come out at noon

no katrina relief trip updates at this time

stay tuned...

coffee & conversation... tonite for women 7pm

that's it, hang... no agenda... come on overRand at debbie staples' home909 SW 83rd Ter
Gainesville, FL 32607-4955
332-5625

Katrina Trip Details

UPDATEDTrip Details...as we know them now... check back couple times a day as things are obviously fluid

Where:
Staying at
Hospitality Inn Pensacola
4910 Mobile Highway
Pensacola, FL, US
(850) 453-3333 (800) 321-0052
Directions:


Working at
Approximately here:
What we are doing?
Working in Ocean Springs, one of the area hit hardest. They have electricity.

What we need?
12-20 Tarps that are 20feet x12feet
30-50- 1x2 8 foot wood strips
Racks
5 boxes of contractor size bags
Dolly (don't buy one, if we have one good)
Saws-chain saw, portable saw, hand saws
Extention cords (100 feet)

Many heart wrenching photos and list of supplies

Time Table:
September 23, 2005
100-Meet at Chick-Fil-A on Archer Road
Arrive at Hotel 8:00 pm
September 24, 2005
5:00 AM- Wake-up, shower, breakfast at McDonalds/Hotel.
6:00 AM- On the Road
8:30 AM- Arrive to Work
12:00 PM- Box Lunch on Site
5:00PM-Dinner
9:00 PM- Depart Worksite
11:30 PM- Arrive at Hotel
September 25, 2005
8:00 AM- Wake-up, shower, breakfast at McDonalds/Hotel
9:00 AM- Prayer and Worship on Site
10:00 AM- Depart for Gainesville
5:00 PM- Arrive in Gainesville

Cost Approximates (Difference will be refunded):
$60 Gas
$60 Hotel
$20 Food (2 Box Lunches, Pizza, Snacks)
You will be responsible for breakfasts, and meals on road

We are taking all the costs and dividing them equally among team members.
For simplicity, drivers are to pay for the gas as we go. Drivers save all gas receipts because if you pay more than your share of the total costs we will reimburse you. Non-drivers should bring a check for $140 made out to Christ Community Church (give to Jason MacGregor). If we are under budget we will refund the difference to you next week. If we run over budget, then we will ask for additional donations. We will issue tax receipts for all your trip costs.


What to Bring?—Space is limited so pack light

-Bug Spray (highest possible quality)
-Sunscreen
- Shoes, Jeans, work clothes, work gloves
- Health insurance information
- Allergy Medication,
- Prescription Medication
- oil, gas containers, building supplies,
- tire repair kits
-Small tools to work outside
-Cell phone with chargers
-$40 in cash for emergencies
-Coolers
-Personal hygiene products


What not to Bring?
-Flip-Flops, open-toed shoes
-jewelry

Church will bring
-limited medical supplies (band aids, aspirin, hydro-cordozone,
-Gatorade
-Snacks during day
-Some tools

How can others help?
-Praying
-Preparing box lunches
-Donation

Cars

1. Frank Stankunas and Jason MacGregor and Ken Horner (Scout Team)
2. Kevin Phegley (359-8494), Layne Prebor (373-6361), and Rob Pendley
3. Dana Hicks (727-415-2126)-Lucy Moore (klmoore@ufl.edu (610) 246-0510), Brittany Nuggent (bgator21@ufl.edu), Ali Payne (aol3185@ufl.edu (215) 837-2968), and Cassie Crocker (vern84@hotmail.com, 850-556-9284)
4. Mr. Leonard Stankunas, Kyra Stankunas-Sullivan, Jennifer Perez (352-377-4141 x2113 or 337-6692), Angie Skeens (angie597@ufl.edu) and Courtney Huenink (court30@ufl.edu).

Driver is italicized&BOLD

Questions
Contact Jason MacGregor at 352-372-5204

More tuesday 10:45am women's bible study action 

Pat Blews & Nancy Spikes at Tuesday women's 10:45am study 

Katrina Trip... we gotta know

For those of you considering the katrina trip this weekend... we need to know if you are in or not. scroll down to larger post below for contact info------thanks

The Father's Kiss

gospel of Luke chapter 15 and verse 20: While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Spurgeon had 7 points in a sermon on this verse! The kiss displays:
1. Much love
2. Much forgiveness
3. full restoration
4. exceeding joy
5. overflowing comfort
6. strong assurance
7. intimate communion with his beloved son

tonite at christian study center

MONDAY September 19, 8:00pm:
***The Confessions of St. Augustine***
Dr. Charles Mathewes, Associate Professor of Religion, UVA
Meeting in the classroom of the Christian Study Center near UF

this week

tuesday: women's bible study 10:45am
wednesday: Coffee & Conversation for women 7pm
thursday: intro to christ community, session one (of 3) 7:00-8:15
...plus community groups et al... see website for info

Katrina Trip Friday

We are all set to depart Friday and return Sunday. All types of work needs to be done. Most vehicles will leave Friday at 1pm. The details of our stay and work are being ironed out now. We are planning to make sure that all who need to be back before 9pm sunday are back. Make sure we know that this is your situation as we plan. To help with planning or to let us know you are interested, contact jemacgregor AT hotmail DOT com

Before going you'll need, at least:
1. Personal insurance
2. Updated tetanus shot & Hepatitus shot
3. Replaced yourself and your commitments (example: Rob was supposed to preach, he recruited another preacher--and a good one at that!)
4. Readiness to be flexible 5. Check this site for updates this week

There will be future trips. If this doesn't work out for you because you made prior commitments to serve somewhere or just can't make it... you'll get another opportunity!

Report from East Orlando

Y'day we prayed for the launch of this new congregation. Here's a report from them:
The public worship ministry of Christ Kingdom Church began tonight with a boom! What a great night of praise and thanksgiving. God brought together all the details. We had about 200 adults/children in attendance. Although many were well-wishers from University Presbyterian Church, many more were guests who had responded to the advertising or been invited by people on our launch team. Hopefully, we’ll have some pictures up on our web page soon to help you share in the experience.

Please join us in praising God for his goodness tonight and please ask Him to bless this new church with an overflowing power from His Holy Spirit. I am so thankful too for the incredible launch team that He assembled for this too. Everyone worked as a great team this weekend. Pray that we will be diligent in following up with the guests too.

Thanks for your incredible partnership with us. Please continue to pray!

sunday

9am Classes for all ages
adult class--THE COMPASSION OF JESUS--begins in media center/library

10am worship
>there is NO children's church this week
>We'll send Ray Treadwell off to serve overseas; and continue looking at "Jesus' Anger & Ours" aka The upside of anger... beautifully angry... etc

after worship, lots happening:
1. Very important meeting for all those in children's ministry
2. Details meeting for sept 23-25 Katrina trip (come to row 1 for mtg)
3. something else?

7pm at church house.... Youth Group!

backpacks for gulf coast children

Sunday, September 18th, we are preparing backpack to deliver to the children of the Gulfport Mississippi area. After church, the children in the church or college students or adults will have the opportunity to 'stuff the bags' with goodies

What is the church is providing?
1. Backpack/bag
2. Gator Toy
3. The Lion, the Witch, and Wardrobe Book
4. Some minor other items that I can get donated

We are asking for donations to help cover the cost. $20-25

What the families need to bring?
1. School Supplies
2. Toys
3. Candies
4. Children's Book

Does it need to be new?
No, but it should still be useable. We don't won't any toy that will break the first day. Candy must be new and unused;) .

Can I donate something for all the bags?
Yes, if you want to donate goods to be stuffed. Please bring them to the 'sound room' on Sunday. Please try to think compact. The bags are not very large and the children will still need to carry them during several moves potentially.

What if more than 25 kids want to make bags?
Praise God then we will use temporary bags then purchase more.

pray for frank stankunas as he gives his testimony...

to the fca at bronson hi school early wednesday morning

**UPDATE** God was with Frank as he did a great job testifying to the grace and power of a pursuing Savior.

Made for Anger

As human beings made and remade in the image of a holy God, we are hardwired with the capacity for anger at wrong, as an expression of love both for God and for those harmed by wrong. --david powlison

katrina trip 23-25

this trip is coming together! there will be an info meeting immediately after the service sunday ***If you are scheduled to be in the children's training meeting--GO!--you can get the info later****,
we'll meet in the front 2 rows of the theater; also, we really need an administrative type who is planning to go on the trip to step up NOW to help us plan this thing so that it is as effective as possible
call office now to volunteer for that 379-4949 or email
robp AT christcommunitychurch DOT com

ruf & crusade retreats are that weekend. go on the retreat if that was your plan, there will be another Miss. coast trip soon

ccc group had great trip to Miss. coast

Just got off phone with Nathan Currier. Nathan and about 7 other people from Christ Community headed up to Miss. coast last week. You'll hear from them very soon. This video is on the Mission to North America Disaster Relief site

Fall Women's Study STARTS tuesday

10:45am at stankunas' house
y'all come, all women welcome
PERSON OF JESUS study

map to stankunas houseMap of 2310 Sw 110th Ter Gainesville, FL by MapQuest they live right next to big and beautiful QUEEN OF PEACE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

A Little Summin' Summin'

i wrote this for my fellow u2 fans, as i reflect on Anger of JesusWar & Peace: beautifully angry thoughts

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus!
(Octavius Winslow, "My Times in God's Hand")

Oh! the unutterable blessings that flow
from a vital union with the Lord Jesus!

All of your cares are His cares.
All of your sorrows are His sorrows.
All of your needs are His supply.
All of your sicknesses are His cure.

Believer, nothing can....
separate you from the love of Jesus,
nor sever you from His care,
nor exclude you from His sympathy,
nor banish you from His heaven of eternal blessedness!

Fly to Jesus in the confidence of a loving Friend.
Reveal to Him your secret sorrow.
Confess to Him your hidden sin.
Acknowledge your backsliding to Him.

Tell Him your needs, your sufferings, your fears.
Tell Him how chilled your affections to Him are.
Tell Him how reserved is your obedience.
Tell Him how imperfect is your service.
Tell Him how you long to . . .
love Him more ardently;
follow Him more closely;
serve Him more devotedly;
and to be more wholly His.

how many things that you read 3 years ago do you remember today?

this article is one of mine:War & Peace: justice & our children: "our children are not our cause; they are given to us to train for the great causes of mercy and justice in a prejudiced, pain-filled, and perishing world"

Next 2 Sundays, "Jesus' Anger & Yours"

putting some great stuff i'm finding on anger here

trailer at Oak Hall saturday and sunday

this is good info for you to pass on to non-ccc folk, they can drop things off at Oak Hall anytime saturday.

sunday

++Remember there will be a 30 foot trailer bound for Miss. coast... scroll way down to find list of what to bring

9am
<> class on the importance of the mind (for all non-parent adult types)
<> open house / orientation for grades 8 and below and their parents

10:00
worship in theater
children's church

11:30ish
<> at church house: reception for parents of grades 6-12... at church house, to meet youth leaders

4:30-6:00 Club 45 (monthly bible study & fellowship group for grades 4 & 5)at CHURCH HOUSE
7:00-8:30 Youth Group, at CHURCH HOUSE

pray for these, also... raiderfan congratulates pats on their victory, even without "tuck rule" this time!

30 foot trailer we need to fill

I'll have much more info on how things are going with our work on the Miss. gulf coast---check here tomorrow. til then, remember that bill larson will have a trailer at church on sunday....non ccc-folk might be able to contribute by dropping off on saturday, i'll let you know here Friday

this list came From Pascagoula, Miss thru nicole mytyk: Children who now have no homes to speak of, do not have any of the things available to occupy their minds. No only are they scared and terrified by all the hurricane damaged, and they have nothing to help take the stress off their minds. Items to help them like: coloring books, crayons, small toys, games, even some bicycles would be greatly appreciated. Personal hygiene items for both men and women are definitely very need. baby diapers, pull ups, baby bottles, body/baby wipes, baby shampoo, and everyone needs sunscreen. Sleeping bags, peroxide, ammonia, soap, multi-pack matches, small battery radios and extra batteries, zip lock bags, gallon size, plastic utensils, plastic cups, plates, Neosporin, polysporin, band aids, hand sanitizers, tooth paste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, and many other items. Many people have asked for Bibles and children’s bibles, and bible story books.

planned trips

right now here are the planned trips involving ccc people
departing tomorrow: 3 carloads of students, led by our own Nathan Currier (to Miss.coast)
departing next week: bill larson and that 30 foot trailer
Sept 23-25 Frank Stankunas leading a "Get-r-Done" trip (to miss. coast)
November 11-14 sheri valera coordinating

This little boy visited the relief site we're helping on the Mississippi Gulf coast. Isn't it great to think of that tangible love of Christ? Making the day of some little guy who probably lost everything... 

McGovern's New Baby...

was born last night at 9:47pm. “Patrick Mitchell McGovern” weighed 6lbs., 11oz., and was 19in long. He was born in Tampa and they hope to take him home, at the latest, Friday!

Anger

The next 2 sundays we will look at the anger of Jesus. It begs these 2 questions, at least:
1.) When were you last angry? Briefly describe the circumstances.
2.) What makes you angry?

I've turned the comments ON because i want to hear you

housing opportunities

there is a website helping to connect people displaced by the hurricane with families that could spare a room while repairs are being done. There may be Tulane students looking to transfer to UF....

http://openyourhome.com/

you can also register your home at http://www.pca-mna.org/

note from group leaving Thursday

nathan currier is leading a team going Thursday afternoon thru Sunday night
Please let the church know that we are going if anyone wants to join us, to contact me via email ( ncurrier AT gmail.com) , specifically they asked for non-perishable food items and ice. Also will need water and money for gas. I'm willing to pay for gas and supplies and hopefully split the cost with whoever is going. --more later

Relief workers and supplies at First Presbyterian of Biloxi, Mississippi. This effort is being coordinated by North Florida Presbytery's Disaster Relief Team, one of the 3 places Christ Community is sending financial support. 

Phegley baby born 11:50 SUnday nite!

i don't know how to spell her name... alyssa? alissa? 9lb 5oz
20 inches

Fall Women's Study STARTS tuesday

10:45am at stankunas' house
y'all come, all women welcome
kim pendley introducing PERSON OF JESUS study

Sunday at Oak Hall when Christ Community Gathers

alot going on...
9am Prayer Meeting focused on Katrina follow-up (see below for details)
EVERYONE is welcome in the media center/library...
10am Lord's Supper service, kickoff of new series Being Changed by Seeing Jesus Anew, or something like that.


9am in media center:

9:00-9:10 summary of information on our Katrina response

9:10-9:40 prayer

So it is more of a prayer meeting that will contain some information, rather than an information meeting that will have a prayer at the end.

2 Corinthians 3:18

--Kistemaker commenting on "we are being transformed"...
The verb is in the present tense and passive in voice, which means that transformation is a process with an implied agent doing this work in us.

The Greek verb is metamorphousthai (to be transformed)

made me think of CS Lewis' words in Mere Xnity:
Did you ever think, when you were a child, what fun it would be if your toys could come to life? Well suppose you could really have brought them to life.
Imagine turning a tin soldier into a real little man. It would involve turning the tin into flesh. And suppose the tin soldier did not like it. He is not interested in flesh; all he sees is that the tin is being spoilt. He thinks you are killing him. He will do everything he can to prevent you He
will not be made into a man if he can help it.

For you are no longer thinking simply about right and wrong; you are trying to catch the good infection from a Person. It is more like painting a portrait than like obeying a set of rules. And the odd thing is that while in one way it is much harder than keeping rules, in another way it is far easier.

The real Son of God is at your side. He is beginning to turn you into the same kind of thing as Himself. He is beginning, so to speak, to 'inject' His kind of life and thought, His Zoe, into you; beginning to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin.

also...Kistemaker:
We know that Jesus, who changes our lives, is the wellspring of our transformed inner being. This change occurs through the working of the Holy Spirit (see v. 17). “Our whole transformation is the work of the Lord in and by and through the Spirit.” RCH Lenski

Hurricane Katrina — A typical House — The Remains

This is the kind of cleanup help people will need.

New Website where you can sign up

to house a displaced person or a family, you can choose a family who is a part of one of our sister PCA churches, if you wishPCA Relief -- Hurricane Katrina Disaster Response

A Marathon, not a Sprint

That’s what World Vision said about Tsunami relief - it would be long-term. We need to think the same way about New Orleans.

Urban Onramps:

Prayer Requests from Desire Street in New Orleans

Pray for the safe relocation of our staff and the children and families we serve. Pray families that have been separated will be reunited and find their loved ones alive and in good health.
Pray that the looting and violence in New Orleans will come under control and that those still in our community and city will be evacuated quickly and safely.
Pray for our senior staff as they make critical decisions about how best to serve our community, a community now spread across many states.
Pray we are able to find a location to restart Desire Street Academy as a boarding school. This is one of our highest priorities as we move forward beyond immediate recovery.
Pray that the love of Christ will shine through our ministry and that God would bring true hope during this time of great despair.

while jogging y'day...

... this: song came on my Ipod and i wondered if it might be on the lips of those suffering along gulf coast

"You speak of signs and wonders
But I need something other
I would believe if I was able
But I’m waiting on the crumbs from your table

Where you live should not decide
Whether you live or whether you die
Three to a bed
Sister Ann, she said
Dignity passes by"

an example of The Connected Church at Work

Hurricane Katrina Disaster Response Summit Meeting - byFaith Online

Katrina Friday Morning Misc.

several things today
1. YOU CAN BRING STUFF SUNDAY
There is a group leaving after church sunday to spend Sunday thru Thursday doing debris removal and necessity distribution in Biloxi, Mississippi. Please bring
~non-perishable food items that don't require can opener
~hygiene necessities (diapers too!)
~lightweight clothing, it is hot (doesn't have to be new, can be used)
(I need someone to volunteer to help coordinate the stuff that comes in and getting it to the people leaving... robp AT christcommunitychurch DOT com

2. Update on needs of our church in uptown New Orleans, i was involved in RUF at Miss.State with pastor's wife (fyi this is also the congregation that Danny Wuerffel? was involved with)
Please pray for the rescue of several people from Jeffrey’s congregation who are apparently “trapped” in flooded areas/buildings and unable to leave: Paul Verret, a female nurse, and an elderly man.

Please pray for the restoration of law and order in New Orleans since this is a serious obstacle to the rescue workers continuing their search.

Please pray for Jeffrey’s family who are moving to Memphis temporarily: his three children (Lucy, Jeffrey, and Bedon) are seeking to enroll in Memphis area schools and have their interviews tomorrow. Jeffrey and Cathy are especially concerned that their children can be re-settled quickly with a minimum amount of difficulty; they earnestly seek prayer for their children during this time.

Please pray for wisdom for Jeffrey and Cathy as they seek to care for each other, their children and the Redeemer-New Orleans congregation.

3. From the Desire Street webpage:

Latest Information
Thank you for your prayers during this very difficult time. We hope to update our site as often as possible in the coming months to keep you posted on our staff and the children and families of Desire and the surrounding communities.

Our staff members are almost all accounted for and are living with friends and family from California to Florida, but most remain between Houston and Atlanta. Many staff evacuated with youth from the community and will serve as surrogate families for the time being. We are working hard to locate everyone and provide them with resources.

We are establishing a hub of operations in the Atlanta area and are working to relocate as many children and families as possible. Churches and individuals have offered many resources, from housing and supplies to funds and ready workers. We are very grateful and hope to corral these resources to impact the families we are called to serve.

As you know, it will be quite some time before we can get back into the city of New Orleans to start any type of recovery process. In the short term, we are working with World Relief, an agency that has access to the city. In the long term, we look forward to linking arms with the body of Christ as we work to rebuild our community.

Our greatest immediate needs are for prayers and funding. We are determined to keep as many of our staff members as possible, so operational support is critical. Job descriptions will certainly change, but our calling to minister to the children and families of Desire remains the same.

5. This is from a guy like us, member of pca church in gulfport--(i think we were in the same church as children--believe it or not!) The reality is beginning to set in for us. Holly has been amazingly strong but tonight while working on some FEMA documentation she began to break down. I am still numb/cold. But I am beginning to come to grips with the fact that we may be financially kaput. We have been cared for in so many ways by so many people. Our hearts are warmed and comforted by the outpouring of support. But we are afraid. The coming months will become a great test of faith and endurance.

Again, I cannot begin to thank all of you who are finding ways to help us. The show of love and kindness and compassion is truly remarkable. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. -Batch Batchelder

Sure some of the relief money will wind up going to those who have wrongly looted and seem 'demanding' on TV. But i believe 95% of your $$ and donations is going to people like Batch and his family.


--more to come, Rob

"We're All Homeless" -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Shares in its City's Suffering

brief story here

New info

Bill Larson, has a large, enclosed trailer (~30ft.) that he is wanting to fill up with supplies for the relief effort for New Orleans.
they are taking donations to fill this trailer up.

-light weight clothing

-non-perishable food

-necessities
The trailer will be at our service at Oak Hall on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11. If you need to make arrangements to drop things off before then... call bill.

Bill Larson: 352-213-5040(cell) 352-378-5025(work)

katrina relief update

Dear Friends,

We have all watched with horror the various tragedies of the past week. People are suffering and need help. The elders sent money to the relief effort from our mercy fund earlier this week. We’re also receiving donations today that we’ll direct towards New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. For now, it appears that the best way we can help them in the long run is to fund ministry in their midst until the community’s rebuild - which could be years. We’ll let you know as things grow clearer. For now, Christ Community are represented in the area by people helping stage relief efforts from Jackson and Biloxi. It appears that you will be able to physically go and help anytime you want in the next weeks and months. We will seek to organize at least a couple of trips in the coming month.


Your best method of staying updated is www.robpendley.blogspot.com and christcommunitychurch.com



God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

--William Cowper, 1731-1800

Our Mississippi Family is Fine

Friends, many of you have kindly inquired about the recent destruction in mississippi. Kim's family and mine are safe in their homes. No power but plenty of thanksgiving. Thanks for caring.

The overwhelming pictures and news of this storm can tempt us to forget the personal nature of it for thousands of people. So, I put this together from emails i've received:

Jeffrey Lancaster, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, and his family have lost everything they own. His words, however, were inspiring:

"Pray for us, these are very bizarre times. My life has wildly changed, but my God has not – I’m thankful for our rock."

Mo Leverett, also a PCA minister and friend of many in Christ Community, heads up one of the most effective inner city ministries in America, “Desire Street Ministries”, named after the Desire Street housing project. It is located in Ward 9, which is completely under water and one of the hardest hit areas. Mo and his family are safe, but like Jeffrey, they have likely lost everything they own, and the ministry of Desire Street will have lost everything it owns as well.

Reports are that many Desire Street families are at Twin Lakes Camp outside of Jackson Mississippi. They are there as guests of 1st Presbyterian Church of Jackson.

Katrina and Christ Community

The elders have begun discussions about how we will respond as a congregation to this great tragedy.

For certain we'll be partnering with Faith Presbyterian and perhaps Seven Rivers Presbyterian to send physical relief help, when that time arrives.

Visit here daily for updates.

From Our Mission to North America Disaster Relief Department

MNA - Working Together To Transform North America: "Hurricane Katrina – August 30, 2005 Update

As we continue to follow the news from New Orleans, reports tell us of increasing flooding and loss of life continues to grow. Accordingly, we are realizing the need to respond at a level unlike any previous natural disasters in recent history in North America.

Within the next few days, Mission to North America will gather a group of PCA key leaders from Louisiana and Mississippi to make plans for relief efforts. Mission to the World has also graciously offered to seek involvement from those who normally assist with disaster response overseas.

We seek your active involvement:

Prayer: For those whose family and friends have died in the storms. For those who are left without homes to return to. For all who will have to rebuild their lives and their homes and recover from their losses. For God’s leading to us, as we look for the best ways to serve and to testify of God’s mercy and grace in these difficult times.



Volunteers: Ron and Judy Haynes will coordinate PCA volunteer efforts. Over time, all types of skills and time commitments will be welcome. Please register on the MNA web site, or send an email to rhaynes@pcanet.org, or call them at 636 299 1424.



Financial Donations: we anticipate great financial needs, both for the expenses of relief operations and for direct assistance to PCA families. Please prayerfully consider making a generous financial contribution. Checks should be made to MNA, designated for Hurricane Relief. You may also donate by credit card on the MNA web site, or by sending your credit card donation information in writing to MNA.



Donations of food, clothes, etc: for now, make these kinds of donations to other organizations who are making appeals for them in your area. If we later seek specific types of donations, we will let you know. "