Hello Church,

Christians around the world worship and throughout all the different expressions of the church we share in a common ritual - communion. We speak in different languages, we use different elements, we hear different liturgies - yet even with all these differences the heart of the matter remains the same - communion is celebrated. A meal that remembers the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is shared. A meal that proclaims the new covenant of grace is celebrated. A meal that nourishes us and encourages us to be a living part of the body of Christ is partaken. 

Although there is much in scripture about unity of believers and becoming one in Christ over the centuries there have been many divisions among Christians. Oneness seems to always elude us. Christians have had disagreements on theology and how to practice our faith. Christians have argued about interpretations of scripture and what makes a Christian. Christians have listened to false claims about superiority among certain believers. The promise of unity is still there but living into that promise is difficult.

World Communion Sunday is one practice that brings us closer to experiencing that oneness. This practice began in the 1930s among Presbyterians and in the 40s began to spread to other denominations. This is a Sunday when churches acknowledge our connection and fellowship not only with Christians in our own local church, our own denomination, our own country, or our own language but we acknowledge and give thanks for all Christians around the world and the variety of ways the Spirit is present to us and connects us to one another. It is a day to celebrate the diversity of Christians and to recognize Christ’s love that binds us to one another. In one article about the history of World Communion Sunday, Ken Kovacs shared that the initiators “dreamed of bringing churches together in a service of Christian unity to lift up the global Church and to remember that by virtue of our baptism, we are connected to a worldwide community. One congregation is connected to every other congregation, united in ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (Ephesians 4:5).”

This coming Sunday is World Communion Sunday. As we celebrate communion, we will recognize that we share this meal not only with those present but with Christians around the world and through the meal we are united and equal in Christ. 

So, join me on Sunday and let us give thanks for the world-wide church and let us dream of a church that is one. 

Peace be with you,

Pastor Judith

Welcome to the Church Staff, Andrea!

We are excited to announce that Andrea Wickman will be our next Elementary/Middle School Youth Leader. Andrea has been volunteering here since the summer of 2022, and we're thrilled to have her join our staff. Andrea’s goal is that kids will experience a space where they feel loved, valued, and encouraged to grow in their faith. She'll be jumping into midweek programming early in October and her first Sunday with us will be October 12. We'll have a Meet & Greet coffee hour between services that Sunday where you can meet Andrea and help welcome her to CCC.

Special Offering: Reconciliation Ministry

Sunday, October 5

On October 5, we will join with other congregations across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Reconciliation Ministry special offering. This offering is not just a donation, it is a declaration that we stand with God's reconciling mission, confident that the same love that raised Jesus from the dead can raise up a new creation among us. Funds generated by this special emphasis are used throughout the year to provide education, programming, and service through grants to:

• General Ministries working across the whole church to move beyond brokenness
• Congregations, camps, and conferences that receive a grant from their region that are actively developing and implementing programs that dismantle racism and build beloved community

Special offering envelopes will be available in your bulletin on Sunday, October 5, or you can give online and use the note section to designate your gift to "Reconciliation Ministry Offering". Thank you for being an ambassador of reconciliation through your generosity!

Christmas Choir Rehearsals

Tuesday, October 7 | 6:30pm

We are starting rehearsals for a Christmas Cantata, “Emmanuel: Celebrating Heaven’s Child”, to be shared during worship on December 21. All are welcome to join the choir, regardless of skill or experience level! Join us in the choir room (in the back of the Sanctuary) for our first rehearsal on October 7. Contact Ron Hurd for more information (rchurd@aol.com).

Elder & Deacon Meeting

Sunday, October 12 | Noon

Elders and Deacons, please join us following the chapel service on Sunday October 12th for a brief orientation. We will review our roles and responsibilities, go over Sunday mornings again, and also share some ways we can strengthen our connection and support of one another. We will meet in Centennial Hall and there will be some snacks and refreshments. If you are unable to come let your chair know so they can send you a few items. Thank you for serving!

Days for Girls

Saturday, October 11 | 1:00-4:00pm

September's Days for Girls workshop here at Cascade Christian Church had 14 volunteers in attendance and shipped 820 kit components to headquarters. Thank you church for allowing us the space to create menstrual kits that make a difference in young lives!

Want to be part of this meaningful missions work? Join us for October's workshop in Centennial Hall as we make more kit components for women and girls in need all over the world. No experience is necessary, we will show you step by step! If you have them, bring a sewing machine or serger with dark purple thread. Contact Diane Phelps (dianephelps2010@gmail.com | 616.481.6909) for more information.

Trunk-or-Treat

Sunday, October 26 | 2:00-4:00pm

Save the date and start planning your costumes for our annual Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday, October 26! We invite everyone to bring their vehicle to the church to pass out candy to our community. Click the button below to sign up so we know how many cars to expect!

Through October, we will also be collecting candy donations to ensure every car has enough, so bring in a bag or two and put them in the marked bins in the church entryways or office!

Women's Ministry Painting Party

Tuesday, October 28 | 4:30pm

Unleash your inner artist and enjoy a fun evening of fellowship and creativity at the women's ministry painting party. The cost will be $20-25 per person (depending on how many sign up) and will include all painting supplies as well as some finger sandwiches and drinks. No talent or experience is necessary, there will be an instructor to guide you in creating a beautiful work of art! Sign up in the church entryways or office.

Regional Assembly: "All This Comes From God"

October 3-4

A joint Regional Assembly of the Illinois-Wisconsin Region and Michigan Region will be held October 3-4 in Tinley Park, IL. The theme is "All This Comes from God" and Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will be the preacher and keynote speaker. There will be worship, workshops, fellowship, and a business meeting including a historic vote to officially merge the Illinois-Wisconsin and Michigan regions to become the Living Waters Region. Click here to read more about the event. If you'd like to watch the livestream of the worship services, you can visit the region's YouTube channel. Friday night's service will begin at 7:30pm and Saturday morning's will begin at approximately 11:45am, following the business session.

Celebrating Our Covenant of Calling with Pastor Judith

Interim Regional Minister Rick Hamilton joined us for our Unity Service on Sunday, September 14 to lead us in a Covenant of Calling with Pastor Judith. During the liturgy, Judith covenanted to serve Cascade Christian Church in all faithfulness for the glory of God, and the congregation committed to uphold her with our prayers, to share her joys and sorrows, to attend to her preaching and teaching of God’s word, to welcome her pastoral care, and honor her leadership. We rejoice in this new covenant we share and look forward to what the next chapter holds for Cascade Christian Church.

Operation Santa Claus

Sleigh Bells are ringing already! It seems early, but we are "up and running" for Christmas 2025! We’ve been helping families for many, many years at the holidays and we always need your help. Last year we brought gifts and food to 65 families and 182 children. It was a VERY busy year!

Volunteer: If you want to be a caller (call a family, shop for them, and deliver to them), email us at osc@cascadechristian.com. If you would like to wrap, call Mimi Cole at (616) 890-8391 or email her (colemimi@ymail.com). Wrapping and food pick up will take place on December 18.

Give: We spend money before we have it which is always a bit scary! If you are considering a monetary donation it helps to receive them early! THANK YOU! You can click here to give, or give by check to Cascade Christian Church with "Operation Santa Claus" in the memo line.

Thank you for helping us help the kids and their families!

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Wednesdays | 6:30pm

Join us every Wednesday at 6:30pm in Room 208 for a Bible Study led by Pastor Judith. For this Bible study we look at the scripture that will be shared in worship the coming Sunday. This is a way for you to hear the scripture multiple times, to receive more background than can be offered on Sundays, and for us to reflect together on the scripture. Gain tools to study scripture on your own, encouragement to ask questions, and a sense of the different ways to interpret the text and apply it to our lives. We hope to deepen our knowledge of scripture and our relationship with Christ and one another.

Phishing/Scam Email Warning

Please be aware of scam emails impersonating church or regional staff. These messages may ask for money, gift cards, or personal information and may appear convincing at first glance. No church employee or regional staff will ever ask for donations or favors via personal email or text message. If you receive a suspicious message, do not respond or click on any links. Instead, contact the church office directly to verify its authenticity.

A huge thanks to the many people who made the church picnic possible – planning, decorating, cleaning up the grounds, preparing food, setting up or cleaning up, and more. It was a wonderful day of unity and celebration, and your time and work to make it happen are so appreciated!

Other Upcoming Events

• SOUL WARMERS: Mondays, October 6 & 20, 6:30-8:30pm; October 13 & 27, 2:00-4:00pm | Knitting, crocheting, and fellowship in Room 112. Beginner and experienced knitters are welcome!
• SOUP & SANDWICH LUNCH: Thursday, October 16, Noon | Join us for lunch and fellowship in Centennial Hall. There is a $5 suggested donation for those who are able.
• DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Saturday, October 18, 9:00am | Join us in the Coffee House for a time of meaningful discussion.
• GAME NIGHT: Friday, October 24, 7:00-9:00pm | Bring a drink and a snack to share and meet in the Chapel Basement. Contact Debbie Jones with any questions.
• VETERANS GROUP: Wednesday, October 29, 10:00am | Veterans are invited for fellowship together in the Coffee House on the last Wednesday of each month.
• BOARD MEETING: Thursday, October 30, 6:00pm | All are welcome to attend, join us in person in Centennial Hall or contact the church office for the Zoom link.

Thank you, Search/Transition Committee!

Thanks once again to the Search Committee for all the work they put into finding Pastor Judith and getting her and Seth here! The committee has graciously agreed to also meet with Judith regularly over the next six months to provide feedback, answer questions, and make sure she is properly supported. If you have any feedback you would like shared, please let one of the committee members know. They are Ron Osgood, Katrina Rootes, John Conway, Roxy Partak-Boone, Kathryn Den Houter, Carol Tiemeyer, and Mel Bauman.

CCC Signs On With the Unstuck Group

In July, with Pastor Judith’s blessing, the CCC Board voted unanimously to enlist the services of The Unstuck Group (theunstuckgroup.com).

Unstuck’s church network is extensive and partnering with them enhances our resources tremendously. We will have access to the methods and ideas other successful churches are using to grow God’s kingdom. Unstuck works with various denominations and focuses on helping churches identify what their congregations’ priorities are and how to best fulfill their mission. They are not coming to tell us what to do or who to be. They’re coming to help us clarify where God has called us to go and how we’re going to get there.

While our engagement doesn’t begin until January, when Chad Hunt from Unstuck will visit our campus to meet with our planning team, we have already been working to make sure we maximize this opportunity. Please join us in praying for this process, for the team at Unstuck, and our entire church as we work towards moving together into the next season of CCC’s ministry. More news to come! 

Parents' Night Out

Saturday, October 18 | 5:30-8:30pm

Parents, let us handle care for kids from birth through 5th grade while you have an evening to yourselves. Kids will have a blast with games, food, and a movie! Click the button below to register by Friday 10/17 at noon.

Kids Club

Wednesdays | 5:00-6:00pm

Starting this month, Kids Club is moving to Wednesday afternoons at 5pm. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join us as we have fun and learn about God together. We will have a Bible lesson every week along with games and a craft!

Schwallier's Outing

Sunday, October 12 | 12:00pm

Middle and High School students are invited as we head to Schwallier’s Apple Orchard after Sunday School on October 12. Bring money for souvenirs, the apple cannon ($5 for 10 apples), and the corn maze ($10) if you would like to participate. We’ll leave at noon and return back around 3pm.

Trunk-or-Treat

Sunday, October 26

Join us after Sunday School at 12pm-4pm on Sunday, October 26th to decorate the church van and pass out candy for Trunk or Treat! We hope to see you there -- dress up like your favorite Star Wars character!

Bonfire

Saturday, November 1 | 5:00-8:00pm

Join us for a bonfire with yard games and s'mores at Andrea's house (2987 Cooks Creek Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

The youth hosted another successful hot dog sale at the Cascade Heritage Festival on September 20. Thank you to all who donated and volunteered to support our youth group!

Weekly Gatherings

Wednesdays | 6:30-8:00pm

Wednesday Night Youth Group starts with a Bible study followed by games, food, and fun together. We hope to see you there each Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm.

Sundays | 10:45am

Every Sunday from 10:45am-12:00pm we have Sunday School in the High School Youth Room. We hope you'll join us!

• Carolyn Burgess will be having a cardioversion procedure Wednesday, October 8.
• Paul Block has been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.
• Ruth Gehl is recovering at home after being hospitalized with a pneumonia.
• Ron Osgood’s brother, Roger, is recovering in a rehab facility after being hospitalized in late September.
• Neil Topliffe has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• The Wyszczelski family asks for prayer for an unspoken need.
• Ben & Katrina Cripps's son, Samuel, had his second surgery October 1 to repair a hand injury and their daughter, Eva, had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy September 25.
• Scott & Amy Robertson are asking prayers for Tyler Thompson (son of their friends Brian & Shelly Thompson), for healing following a kidney transplant surgery.
• Carol Tiemeyer's friend who had cancer surgery this week had a successful procedure and will not need further treatment.
• Continued prayers of sympathy to those who have lost loved ones this month, including the families of Nancy Voltz and Kenneth Pechumer.
• We also continue to pray for those battling cancer, including: Mike O’Brien, Irv Newberg, Chris Soyka, Sharon Sleeman, Wendy Johnston, Bill Nielsen
• We rejoice with Pat Carew in her recommitment of faith on Sunday, September 28 during the 11:00 service.
• We give thanks for the many hands who helped in the Unity Service & Picnic and at the Cascade Heritage Festival last month.

If you have a prayer concern or joy you'd like added to the list, please contact the church office.

Those in Care Centers:

• Joanne Crawford (Mission Point)
• Don & Margie Duiven (Sunrise)
• Angie Gilder (Raybrook)
• Fay Johnson (Sentinel Pointe)
• Barb Bryant (Sentinel Pointe)
• Doris McNeeley (Green Acres, Ionia)
• Bonnie Merritt (Holland Home, Raybrook)
• Barbara Peters (Sunrise)
• Dorothy Rieger (StoryPoint, Rockford)
• Shirley Ross (StoryPoint, Forest Hills)
• Doug Miller (Beacon Hill)

Jane Aronson - October 2

Jeff Clapp - October 2

Jia Solberg - October 2

Charles Bacle - October 5

Aaron McGillicuddy - October 6

Brandon Armour - October 9

Jack Herpolsheimer - October 9

Gabe Herpolsheimer - October 9

Laura Wood - October 10

Lucas Pummill - October 12

Sebastian Daughty - October 13

Jonathan Slagh - October 14

Chris Noordyke - October 16

Judith Thomas - October 16

Rebekah Condon - October 19

Bonnie Merritt - October 21

Roger Cripe - October 22

Yun-Fei Wang - October 23

Vicki Soyka - October 25

Peyton Hubble - October 27

Jordyn Solber - October 29

Nick Pummill - October 30

Contact the church office to add your birthday to the monthly list!