Sunday Morning Bible Studies
9:30 am

CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

There are multiple ways by which we can praise God, and in October, the adults will be studying some of the Psalms to identify different focuses of our praise. Children’s and youth classes are held at the same time. Enjoy a donut, sip some coffee, and dig into the Word with our Sunday morning study and discussion groups! Free study guides provided. Children and youth will study the Bible, led by Tyler and Gracie, as adults are led by Craig.

Wednesday Evening ​Bible Studies
​7:00 pm

NEHEMIAH: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR A NEW BEGINNING
 
In October this Bible study and discussion group continues a study of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a man who was sensitive to the times he lived in, he saw the brokenness that needed attention, and then he acted as a faithful man of God to make a difference around him by recognizing that with God it’s never to late for a new beginning. Preschool-5th grade students meet simultaneously from 7-8pm. Renew your commitment to studying and applying God’s Word to for your life this Fall.

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Alive! Jr & Sr High Youth Group

Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm at the Church

The ALIVE youth group meets weekly to encourage each other in their lives and faith, to study God’s Word, enjoy monthly fun activities, and to do service projects together. Through a mix of questions, discussion, and Bible study, students gain practical understanding about the Christian faith and why Jesus makes a difference in our life. Students are reading through and discussing Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We are making disciples who make disciples.

Life-Group and Potluck

At the Church
5 Sunday evenings: Oct 10, 24; Nov7, 14; Dec 5
5:30-7:00pm
 
This 5-week life group will discuss a study guide titled, “Out of the Cave” by Chris Hodges, as well as watch his video that explores the story of the prophet Elijah which reveals how everyone is susceptible to depression. Even when we're walking closely with God, we can still stumble and get lost in the wilderness of tangled emotions. But Elijah’s story reveals that we don't have to stay there! We serve a God who meets us in the darkness. This life group will not be a time of grumbling and complaining, but a place to find refreshment and encouragement as participants share with one another, and find inspiration from God’s Word. Study guides are $10. Sign-up sheet is on the entryway bulletin board.

Thanksgiving & Christmas Ministry Planning Meeting

Sunday, October 10
After Worship
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Come join the group as they make plans for the Thanksgiving dinner and program (Nov 21), and for the Sunday before Christmas and Christmas Eve services (Dec 19 and 24). Your creativity and participation will help the church to have a meaningful time of worship and community involvement during the holiday season as we seek to inspire people to draw closer to our Lord and to become involved through generous and compassionate service to others. Please join us in the kitchen area on Oct 10.

Youth Service Project

Thursday, October 14 at 3:30-4:30 pm
At Basic Needs Center, Downtown St. Johns
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The youth group will be helping the Basic Needs Center with a project so that BNC can better assist meeting the community’s needs with food and clothing. This will take the place of the regular youth group meeting at the church that day. Youth will meet at the church and go to the BNC together.

CCC Movie Night - Fly Away Home

Friday, October 15 at 6:30 pm
At the Church
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Mark your calendars now for movie night in October. Bring something to snack on that you can share with the group, and let’s watch a movie together. Who will you bring to join you? Fly Away Home dramatizes the actual experiences of Bill Lishman who, in 1986, started training Canada geese to follow his ultralight aircraft, and succeeded in leading their migration in 1993 through his program "Operation Migration." The film is also based on the experience of Dr. William J.L. Sladen, a British-born zoologist and adventurer, who aided Lishman with the migration. In the movie, when 16 abandoned goose eggs are found in the wild, the movie’s main character Amy, must figure out how to teach the geese to migrate, or their wings will be pinioned to render them flightless.

Work Day at Eunice's Home

Sunday, October 17 at 3:00 pm
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Let’s help out Eunice with some fall yardwork. Bring your yard tools (trimmer, gloves, hoe, shovel, saws, etc.), or borrow tools that are on hand. Let’s encourage our dear sister in the Lord by pulling together to make a positive difference. If it ends up raining, the event will be canceled.

Secret Sisters

Tuesday, October 19 at 6:30 pm
At the Church

This women’s group gathers to build friendships and to celebrate the special moments of each other’s lives. See Carol Clifford or Mary Geirland for more details. All women, young or mature, are welcome to join in.

Band of Brothers

Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00 pm
At the Wheel Inn

The men’s group exists to encourage men in their life and in their walk with the Lord. Join with other men for insight on how to tune into, turn up, and follow God’s voice as you seek his guidance in big and small decisions. Men will discuss lifegoals and the book Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (chapter 1), by Andy Stanley (cost $12), as well as pray together and encourage each other. All men, young or old, are invited to join in.

Leading Worship at Hazel Findlay Manor

Sunday, October 24 at 3:00 pm
(Meet in the lobby at 2:45 pm)

Join us as we show the love of Christ to the residents of the Manor by leading in a half-hour worship service which includes singing, praying, preaching, and fellowship. All are invited to participate, and you can even help out by reading a passage of Scripture or saying a prayer. Eydie Schroeder will be joining us to play piano.

Trunk-R-Treat

October 31, 6:30-8pm
Church Parking Lot

The church will host Trunk-R-Treat this year, and have the building open to the public for warming up or for cookies and coffee/hot chocolate. This is an important and entertaining time of showing love to our community as they are out gathering goodies on this fun night. We need lots of decorated vehicles in the parking lot giving away candy and interacting with all the trick-or-treaters. There is a sign-up sheet located on the entryway bulletin board for those who will decorate a vehicle and pass out candy (have enough candy for 300 people). And we are accepting donations of cookies for those who come inside the entryway to warm up. There is a collection box in the entryway if you can help donate candy and/or cookies to pass out at the event. Thank you for your help in serving our community well.

Missions Rock! Sunday - October 31

Let’s show our support for the work of our missions with your generosity and commitment to these special ministries. The children of the church will help collect this special offering. Thank you for making a difference to His House Campus Ministry, Rock Lake Christian Assembly, and Great Lakes Christian College…and all of the people they influence for the cause of Christ.
 
Great Lakes Christian College (www.glcc.edu): It is “Restoration Appreciation Week” at GLCC in their chapel service Oct 19 and 22 at 11am. Dan Cameron and Jim Estep will share messages that address how the founding thinkers of our churches of the Restoration Movement thought about creeds, and how to maintain Scriptural adherence while being culturally relevant. Also, in a thank you letter for our church’s support of the work of the college, one student who received scholarship money said: “This gift will surely help an emerging senior and soon to be newly-wed like myself. This school means a lot to me, and I am excited to be able to partake in another year.” Your donation helped make it possible for her to continue in her education.
 
Rock Lake Christian Assembly (www.rlca.org): Want to do more than donate money to the camp’s ministry? There are plenty of volunteer opportunities if you would like to lend a hand to help the camp. Following are some of the projects with which you could help: Bell Cottage: power wash and stain the deck; Lodges: tighten log bolts; Lodges: upgrade to LED lighting; Wilderness: build benches; Kimberling Hall: drywall (mud & final sanding); Kimberling Hall: power wash & stain fire escape; Welcome Center: upgrade to LED lighting; New Property: install fencing; Campfire: build benches; Warrior Course: power wash & stain; rebuild picnic tables; cut slabwood; split & stack firewood; stain picnic tables; sew quilts for cottages; make bags for cornhole boards. Contact RLCA to let them know you want to help by calling 989-268-5377.
 
His House Christian Fellowship (www.hhcf.org): On the outside, it looks like college students are headed for greatness, preparing themselves for a wonderful life. They are hoping for a good job, a good home, and a good family. But the truth is that they are struggling with depression and anxiety, addiction to porn and alcohol, and they don’t know how to do anything except feed their cravings. This is not a condemnation, but a plea to help students at a pivotal point   in their lives. This year’s freshman class on campus doubled in size from last year, and your generosity makes it possible for 31 campus ministers to share the Gospel and build a healthy community with students on 12 college campuses in Michigan. Thank you for your financial gifts and for your prayers.