By Greta Smith, Administrative Assistant, Community Life
Responding to the prompting of my heart to take a trip down “Memory Lane” one recent Sunday, I decided to gas up the car and head a few hours east to the part of Ohio where I was born and lived until the age of 8. I felt the Lord nudging me to attend the morning service at the church where I first met Jesus. That little country church, as well as my Quaker great-grandmother, had sprinkled the seedlings of new life in my very young, tender heart with all the classic children’s Bible stories.
What a bittersweet reunion it was. A true gift to sit with my early childhood Sunday School teacher who is now 92, “linking generations”. Her son, who had been in my class, was the white-haired man who greeted me at the door. Another Sunday School classmate walked in right behind me. A few of the ladies I remembered as young moms now needed assistance to their seats.
The great news is: Over these many years, the church building has undergone several construction additions to accommodate the 200 people who gather there (and the church is debt-free). Solid teaching, straight through the Bible, verse by verse, however long it takes. In a tiny community that is quite literally just a crossroads, 200 people show up every Sunday to hear the Word of God taught. Praise the Lord!
The sad news is: What then? No group studies? No community involvement? No…..? Whatever happened to the Women’s Ministry?! I had a deep sense that this congregation had been born and raised to be “church go-ers”, so they attend church like their parents and grandparents before them, check it off the “Things To Do” list, and go on about their lives. “Flat-lined”.
I wanted to cry out to them, “But wait, folks! There’s more! How’s your quiet time?! Are you in the Word through study and prayer during the week?! Are you in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ?! Are you ‘on-mission’ within this or neighboring communities?”
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”
Hebrews 10: 24-25 (ESV)
At CVC, we’re all about inviting people to New Life in Christ. There are so many opportunities to get connected in a LifeGroup where you can learn, grow, and “do life” together. You can attend large group teaching/small group discussion studies or “special interest” groups that focus on specific life issues. You can help feed the homeless in Cleveland or travel internationally to share the Gospel in less-fortunate countries.
To get started, be sure to look into our Fall LifeGroups online or pick up a copy of our Fall Trimester LifeGroup booklet at Group Connect on Sunday 14th in the foyer. Summer sabbaticals are winding down, and we’re ready to jump into Fall with fresh opportunities to reconnect.
Are you “flat-lined”? Or are you ready to embrace your “New Life” in Christ and enjoy the greatest adventure ever?
