Join us for FALL 2017 SEP OCT - NOV Revival Services Friday, Sep 29 @ 6:30 pm Saturday, Sep 30 @ 6:30 pm Sunday, Oct 1 @ 10:00 am *childcare will be provided during all services Dr. G. Dennis McGuire Dr. G. Dennis McGuire has served the Church of God as pastor, evangelist, state bishop, Assistant International Director and International Director of Evangelism and Home Missions (now called USA Missions), as a member of the International Executive Committee and in the highest position of Church of God leadership, the office of General Overseer (Presiding Bishop).
On Sunday, October 15 th we will be collecting new shoes that will help people in need in our community. On Barefoot Sunday wear (or carry in) a new pair of shoes, and leave them at the altar. Go home barefoot, and consider, if only for a few minutes, the reality that billions of others around the world face every day. The collected shoes will then be passed on to our neighbors at through a local closthes closet. Please make sure these are new practical use shoes. All sizes and styles are needed, but please no high heel shoes. If you would like to donate additional shoes they are always welcome! Your donated shoes will be given out locally to those in need and are greatly appreciated! The Smoky Mountain Children s Home is collecting Campbell soup labels and Box Tops for Education to raise money for a new van and other purchases that are needed. Please make sure that your Box Tops have not expired, the home will receive 10 cents for each box top and please make sure to include the full label from your Campbell soups, not just a portion of it. You may drop these into the envelope provided on the information wall as you enter the church. Contact Bridgett Merhan with any questions at bmerhan@lccog.com There will be no weeknight services on Wed Nov 22 nd or Fri Nov 24th in observation of Thanksgiving. LCCOG s Prayer Ministry meets every Monday night at 7 pm. On the third Monday of each month we have a Community Prayer meeting and focus on praying for our community. We invite you to join us, and invite members of your community to attend as well. Join us on these prayer nights: Sep 4,11,18,25 Oct 2,9,16,23,30 Nov 6,13,20,27 Let s pray for our community together! Men & Women s Bible Study Join us on Wednesday nights Worship 6:30 Bible Study 7:00 8:00 Childcare is provided. 2
Giving Thanks, Convocation, Confession, Forgiveness, Remembering, and Relaxing Autumn was an important time of year for Israel. From the end of harvest season to the middle of autumn, there were five important events. Immediately after the harvest they would hold the Feast of First Fruits. This was a time of giving thanks to God for His provision. Seven weeks later, they held the Feast of Weeks. This was a holy convocation. In other words they gathered all the people to renew their covenant with God. Next they held the Feast of Trumpets. This was a time of rest and remembering what God has done in the distant and recent past. The important Day of Atonement follows this. On this day, all of the people would confess and receive forgiveness for their sins and the sins of the nation of Israel. Immediately following this we have the Feast of Booths. This was a solemn rest and convocation when the Israelites would remember how they lived in booths or tents when God delivered them from Egypt. Here we are, thousands of years later, about to enter our fall season. Most of us think about the beginning of school, the changing temperatures, and the falling of leaves. We start to think about our plans for Thanksgiving or other holidays. There is one very curious thing that many Christians do when the summer turns to fall, some Christians think about attending church again or at least more regularly. This should not have to happen, but that is beside the point. The point is we practice many of the same things the early Israelites did so many years ago. Yes, we do so in a very different way, but just think about what we do during this time of year. We give thanks. We gather together in school or church again. We spend some time thinking about God, what He has done, and what we should be doing. If we would add the confession and forgiveness of sins to all of our fall events, we would have it all covered. This fall season will be a time of consecration, revival, revitalization, and even a little rebuilding of our churches paid and volunteer staff. There is a lot of work to do, but there is one very important thing we must remember. We need to relax. Relaxing was part of Israel s worship and celebration. We all need to include relaxation as part of our worship. Here are 10 steps to relaxing as worship: 1. Don t cut church activities out of your life in order to create time for other activities and rest. Cut something else. 2. Refuse to join the secular rat race. Most of our busy schedules never produce the relaxation, fun, or outcomes it promises. It is what we call a fool s errand. 3. Cut down on time wasters like TV, Facebook, videogames, etc. 4. Get right with God. Submit to Him and live holy lives. 5. Pray regularly. 6. Read the Bible 7. Be generous to the church, the poor, and to those who suffer disasters. 8. Build friendships in and out of church. 9. Relax with family and friends. Too much alone time is the enemy of relaxation. 10. Drastically reduce the amount of news, politics, and debate; ruining each day of your life. This sounds like a lot of work. Trust me suspension of work does not relax you. It will eventually add to your stress. Live the way you are supposed to. Do what needs to be done. And, spend time with God, family, and friends. As you do this, your soul will be at peace and you will have the time and attitude needed to relax. God bless you during this wonderful time of year, Pastor Brian Shepard 3
Yard Sale Saturday September 23 rd 8 am 1pm All funds from this Yard Sale will go towards any Youth events for the remainder of the year. Please consider donating any of your unwanted items that are still in good, useable condition. *clothing *linens *kitchenware * toys *household items *décor *shoes *accessories *books/movies *electronics Donations will be accepted at the church on Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am 3:00 pm. Volunteers are needed on Thursday and Friday for pre- sale prep and Saturday morning during the Yard Sale. Volunteers for Saturday are needed from 7:00 am 2:00 pm. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer please contact Pastor Josh at jgangl@lccog.com. MOVIES! GAMES! FOOD! MUSIC! The WORD! All Youth are invited to crash at the church on November 10 th for a YOUTH LOCK IN! Join us from 9:00 pm Friday, Nov 10 until 8:00 am Saturday, Nov 11. More information about this event will be shared during Youth Group on Friday nights closer to the event. Youth LOCK - IN 4
Did we miss your birthday or anniversary? Do we have your information wrong? Do you want to receive a copy of this newsletter in your email inbox? Please let us know!! If your birthday or anniversary is not listed in the newsletter and you would like it to be, please fill out a Database Information Sheet. The information sheets are located in the Church foyer or you can send your information to: newsletter@lccog.com Opt In - If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail, please send a request to newsletter@lccog.com. Or send a note to the church office at: P. O. Box 670 California, MD 20619 to receive a copy by mail. Opt Out - If you have received this newsletter by mistake and would like to be removed, please send an e-mail or card to the addresses listed above. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! SEPTEMBER 2 Gracie Cervantes 7 Max Cervantes 18 Maria Weber 20 Emmanuel Merhan 21 Richard Bakaye 21 Tori Richards 22 Tyrone Fenwick 25 Kenneth Russell 26 Lily Richards 27 Amber Shepard 29 Marilyn Barnes OCTOBER 1 Lauren Cooney 3 Robert Penn 4 Robert Harris 12 Christy Kelly 15 Angie Hall 15 Chastity King 16 Aracelis Toores 16 Linda Ward 18 Geneva Melvin 18 Gabriel Merhan 18 Makayla Ward 21 Tyler Fenwick 21 Deschaun McWhorter 21 Emily Weimert 22 Diana Apancio 26 Cherea Adams 27 Nia McWhorter 28 Amaya McWhorter NOVEMBER 3 Joshua Long 5 Avigail Weimert 11 John Trejo, III 13 Samantha Newman 16 Josephine Bakaye HAPPY ANNIVESARY! SEPTEMBER Joe & Jennie Jewell 5 Robert & Angelia Harris 16 Robert & Melanie Horner 29 Deschaun & Nia McWhorter OCTOBER 12 Richard & Lula Davis 17 Robert & Rita Penn NOVEMBER 3 Mike & Jean Duke 3 John Trejo, Sr. & Mary Trejo 3 Jeffrey & Emily Weimert 6 James & Netty Ford 8 Richard & Josephine Bakaye 16 David & Charleen Laigle 17 David & Lynn Payne 5
Weekly Happenings Sunday Schedule: Sunday School: Worship & Children s Church: Monday: Corporate Prayer: 9:00 am Tuesday: Praise & Worship Practice: 6:00 pm 10:00 am Wednesday: Family Ministry Night: Friday: 7:00 pm Youth & Young Adults 6:30 pm Visit us on the web! lccog.com Life Community Church of God Mailing address: PO Box 670 California, MD 20619 Physical A ddress: 22512 Chancellors Run Road Great Mills, MD 20634 Phone: 301.862.3831 churchoffice@lccog.com 6:30 pm