See You Sunday!

Sermon “ A Walk to Remember”

Happy Thursday, Dear Church!

I hope you are having a wonderful week and that you have given yourself some slack when it comes to your doubts, skepticism, and wonder. Say this with me … “God is with me in my doubt, loves me in my skepticism and rejoices at my wonder.” (Did you really do it? If not, do it now.). I often wonder why the story we looked at on Sunday is one of my favorites. I think the thing that takes it over the edge for me is that I completely see Thomas in myself. It is the insecurity around my own theology that keeps me digging in, looking for more truth and looking for Christ’s presence in my daily life. We often call scripture, “The Living Word,” and indeed when I am in my searching mode, it can be a challenge to get me to stop. Some call it a “rabbit hole,” and sometimes I am known to chase a few, but most of the time, the Spirit leads me to a place where I can truly sense God’s presence and pleasure in me. So—keep on asking all the questions you need. I don’t have all the answers, but I will search out possibilities for your questions.

Ms. Kristie got us ready for Sunday’s focus last week. We are, as they say, on the road again. This time, it is the Road to Emmaus with two non-descript followers of Jesus encountering him in his resurrected state on their journey. You will hear more about this journey, but again, like “Intelligent Thomas—Believing Thomas” we can easily find ourselves in the story. I hope you will be in worship this week. Think about this … all of us are on the road to Emmaus. Come Sunday and hear more.

I know many of you have already had some major travels this spring, and as summer draw nears, more of you will join the travel club. I pray your adventures bring you more life. AND—please come back to us in one piece. Be safe, wherever you journey. Make good decisions and don’t be foolish. (I sound like a strict father). Don’t’ travel in fear, but be aware all the time—and remember, God is on your journey with you. Until Sunday, stay safe and healthy. I love being your pastor.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

Peace on Earth

I was thinking about songs for upcoming weeks today and listening to some versions of “Let There be Peace on Earth” which I know is a beloved hymn by many in our congregation and movement. As I was listening this gospel version caught my attention and I thought I’d share it with you this week. Jesus said in the upper room before his death and resurrection “my peace I leave with you.” And after the resurrection he greeted the disciples by saying “Peace be with you.” We could all use a peace in our lives and our world and we are also called to be that peace through our lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjfgQjuInTo&list=RDSjfgQjuInTo&start_radio=1

Community Clean-Up!

Attention fellow nature lovers and stewards of Creation! We will have a clean-up event following service on April 19 in honor of Earth Day.

If you are interested, please let Ryan Kelton know. Though gloves and other supplies are available, feel free to bring your own.

Prayer Requests and Donations using your computer or smartphone!

Last fall we encouraged everyone to create an account with Church Connect at ccpucc.churchtrac.com/sign-in. Many of you did, but haven’t used it. Some of us installed the Connect app on our phones, but had trouble with the log-in. Good news, we have fixed that issue. I find the phone app to be an easy way to make recurring tithes and one- time gifts to various restricted offerings straight from my bank account!

What is Church Connect? It is a portal for members and donors to give, view their giving history and submit prayer requests online.

The advantages of signing up with Church Connect are that you will be able to view your giving records anytime, and can set up recurring payments and one-time payments with a credit card or directly from your bank account. In addition to your tithes and offering, it will be simple to designate what other gifts are for, such as mission offering, Guatemala, Jesus Birthday, etc. Plus, if you want to add a note, just click on the plus sign next to the giving category and add your note. You can also make prayer requests through the same link.

Just go to ccpucc.churchtrac.com/sign-in, select Create an account. Enter your email address, click on verify that you are human, then continue. Next you will be asked to enter your first and last name and phone number. Then you will need to set up a password. This assures that only you and the office, can view your giving history. At this point, Vicki or I will need to approve your access.

If you will be initiating donations from your phone, you may want to install the Church Connect app on your smart phone. This app will take you directly to the Community Church of Poway Church Connect page. Here is the QR Code to install the phone app:

Once you have set up your account, if you would like to move your current automatic payments, which are through Stripe for credit cards and Vanco for ACH, please email Vicki for assistance at office1@ccpucc.org. Vicki will be able to stop your old automatic payments so that you can set up the new payment method.

To modify recurring payments in Church Connect, first log into your Online Giving page (ccpucc.churchtrac.com/sign-in, entering your login in and password then select giving), then click on the cogwheel icon to the right of “choose a Payment Source”. A window will appear from the right allowing you to view or cancel an existing recurring donation. Then you can setup a new recurring donation.

Linda England

Greetings from the Outreach Ministry

It’s time to put our basket of hope back in service for God’s most vulnerable. This month we will be supporting the Alabaster Jar Project. This nonprofit supports women survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. You might ask, “Does this happen here?” The answer is YES! Human trafficking is San Diego’s second largest underground economy, after drug trafficking, an estimated $810 million in annual revenue.

The mission of the Alabaster Jar Project is to provide long-term housing and comprehensive support for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, empowering them to move from crisis toward healing, stability and successful return into their communities.

The project is comprised of 3 programs, Grace House, which is a long-term residential program; a Resource Center, which is a drop-in center that provides clothing toiletries and other needs; and Peer Support Groups.

For our basket of hope, we want to provide the items needed to create comfort baskets that are handed out to new residents of Grace House, bringing them comfort and helping them feel settled and cared for. New items requested for these baskets include:

· Small blanket

· Reed diffusers (no candles or plug-ins please)

· Slippers or shower shoes

· Coloring books or activity books

· Small snacks

· Tea

· Reusable water bottle bottles

· Notebooks or journals

· Fuzzy socks

· Basic toiletries (full size, body wash or hair care items for all different hair types)

· Small comfort item such as a stuffed animal or stress ball

Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to help this amazing organization. Thank you again for all your amazing support for all of our Outreach projects!!! You are truly God‘s hands and feet!

Blessings,

The Outreach Ministry

Books & More

On Tuesday, April 21 st, Books and More will start reading “The Rosie Project” written by Graeme Simsion. This is an entertaining and amusing, feel-good story of love, personal relationships and self-discovery as the reader navigates the choppy waters of adult relationships that’s filled with humor and plenty of heart. The Rosie Project is a delightful reminder that all of us, no matter how we’re wired, just want to fit in.

Everyone is welcome to join this wonderful group of ladies every Tuesday in the Fireside Room at 10 a.m.

Thank you for checking out our BUZZ! Here is what you were waiting for! If you have a favorite quote or any tips to make the BUZZ even better, please send emails to julie@ccpucc.org :)

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