First CRC Monthly
- NOVEMBER ISSUE -
Our Mission: To Glorify God by making More and Better Disciples
Looking Forward
Greetings family and friends of First CRC!
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the cards, letters, phone calls, texts, and other kind words you have shared over this "Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month." THANK YOU!
Pastor Lambert and I often remark to one another the joy it is to serve alongside you:
Pastor Lambert says, "This is the healthiest congregation I have ever served!"
I tell him, "Same with me!" [OK, so it might mean a little more coming from him...]
If you haven't done so already, please join me in expressing joy and gratitude for our staff! They are such an amazing group of people who care so deeply for this church! Nancy, Tim, Sarah, Lael, Amy, and Heather, thank you for what you do day-in and day-out! [P.S. We also just celebrated Nancy's 32-year work-a-versary!]
I am also grateful for the encouragement and prayer you have given my family as we are wrestling with our visa and immigration process. It is a real struggle knowing that the process is entirely out of our hands, but we trust that God is sovereign and we will rest in that! There are no updates, but we will continue to keep you informed.
Your kindness in this season is yet another signature of God's loving kindness.
In Christ,
Pastor Justin
P.S. We have a lot to look forward to in the month of November, so let's jump right in!
SUNDAY MORNINGS THIS MONTH
This Sunday, November 4th, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion. This sacrament confirms in us God's abiding love and faithfulness. Not only that, but Communion is also a meas of grace that unites us with one another. That is why we do it together, corporately, and not simply in homes. Christ's death and resurrection is what reconciles us to God, not only, but also to one another!
We will also witness my daughter (Kate's) baptism this Sunday.
Also, on Sunday we have a few very exciting developments in the life of this church:
- The start of our new DWELL curriculum and, subsequently, the addition of 1st and 2nd graders to our Children's Worship program,
- The start of our "In-House New City Catechism" Initiative, AND
- The start of a new process where we will invite children to come to the front for a children's blessing before they are dismissed for Children's Worship.
Let's take a closer look at these...
Introducing...
DWELL - Our New Children's Worship Curriculum!
DWELL is a curriculum that has been developed by our denomination's (Christian Reformed Church of North America) "Faith Alive" branch. DWELL awakens kids’ imaginations to the ongoing story of God that starts in the pages of Scripture and continues in our lives today. Children, kids, and their leaders grow in faith as they explore each story and retell it together. With DWELL, kids do more than hear a story. They experience it!
What's unique about DWELL:
- It's written from a Reformed, God-centered perspective,
- The story symbols and program appeal to different learning styles,
- The curriculum works hard to keep parents in the 'driver's seat' with beautiful take-home pieces for children to be able to continue learning and discussing with their parents.
Our Children's Worship program will have two age-based classrooms:
- Ages 3 through Pre-Kindergarten, and
- K - 2nd grade
If you get a chance, go upstairs after the service and see what Sarah and her team has done to transform both of our Children's Worship spaces! Her team has been working so hard to plan a new curriculum, renovate new spaces, train new leaders, and integrate a new K-2 environment. This was a HUGE project, so please join me in thanking Sarah and her team for all they have done and all that they do!
INTRODUCING...
NEW CITY CATECHISM - Our New "In-House" Parent-Led Catechism Learning Initiative
This Sunday marks the start of our New City Catechism ministry. All parents with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 6th grade are invited to take part in our new venture together! Be sure to download the app (search “New City Catechism APP”) on your phone, tablet or other electronic device.
THIS WEEK, November 4-10, we are starting with Question and Answer 1 –
“What is our only Comfort in Life and in Death?”
Interested in learning more? Go to:
INTRODUCING...
CHILDREN'S BLESSING - New Dismissal Process
Starting this Sunday, all children will be invited to the front before they are dismissed for Children's Worship. Parents, if you wouldn't mind, consider telling your children ahead of time what to expect. Here is what it will look like on Sunday:
1. Just before Kate's baptism, all children between ages 3 to 2nd grade will be invited to have a 'front-row seat' to Kate's baptism.
2. After the baptism I will teach the kids the new parting blessing:
- I, along with the entire congregation, will bless our children by saying, "THE LORD BE WITH YOU!"
- The children will be invited to respond by saying, '"...AND ALSO WITH YOU!"
3. After the blessing, all children will be dismissed down the center aisle where their Children's Worship teachers will be waiting for them in the back of the sanctuary to escort them to their classrooms.
That's what's going on this Sunday! Lots to look forward to!
IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH
Here are a few others dates to take note of on your calendar:
- TONIGHT! - Community Movie Night [Show up early if you want a good seat. We are expecting quite a few people!]
- November 22 - Thanksgiving Day Service at 10:00 am
- November 30 - Community Worship Night
- December 7-8 - Parenting Conference [RSVP event. Spaces is limited. Click HERE to register]
- Be sure to keep an eye out for more events in the bulletins to come.
LIFE GROUPS UPDATE
Fall Life Groups are well underway and the final number of participants is 152! This is by far the largest number of participants we have ever had. Thank you so much for choosing to taking part!
Remember to use the hashtag #CRCLifeGroups on social media to share with family and friends the difference your Life Group is making in your life and in our community.
Have questions?
Contact Heather Thomas - Executive Director of Ministries
559.582.4423
CAPITAL PROJECT
Very soon you will be getting more information regarding an "All Congregational Meeting" that we are planning for next month. At this meeting we will identify:
- The reasons WHY a Capital Project is necessary,
- Ideas we have explored to-date on how to address our issues,
- The Design, Build proposal we have received,
- The COST of the project, and
- Possible Next Steps on the process moving forward.
Stay tuned for more info soon.
About Us
Email: hanfordcrc@comcast.net
Website: hanfordcrc.org
Location: 2175 Leoni Drive, Hanford, CA, United States
Phone: (559) 582-4423
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HanfordCRC/