CHRISTMAS 2016
A MESSAGE OF HOPE
FROM PAUL KOBYLARZ, GP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

America just recently commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I recently watched a documentary and was humbled and moved by countless stories of heroic valor. 

During World War 2, the US Army was forced to retreat from the Philippines. Many soldiers were left behind and became prisoners of the Japanese. Some of these POWs were not acknowledged by their nations, and were left alone to face the brutal tortures of their adversary. Some marched over 70 miles, on a journey known as the Bataan Death March, fully aware that those who were too slow or weak would be bayoneted, or die of dysentery or dehydration. By early 1945, 513 men were still alive, but they were giving up hope. The US Army was on its way back, but the POW's had heard the frightening news that prisoners were being executed as the Japanese retreated from the advancing U.S. Army. Their wavering hope was however met by one of the most magnificent rescues of wartime history, when 120 US Army soldiers and 200 Filipino guerrillas out battled 8000 Japanese soldiers to rescue the POW's. Alvie Robbins was one of the rescuers. He describes how he found a prisoner muttering in a darkened corner of his barracks, tears coursing down his face. "I thought we'd been forgotten," the prisoner said. "No, you're not forgotten," Robbins said softly. "You're heroes. We've come for you." What a powerful message of hope!

Have you ever felt that God has forgotten you, or your situation? Christmas is a beautiful and true story of hope, that God hasn't abandoned us in the middle of our storms or challenges. Just the opposite...He came to us as Jesus, to rescue us from them. Jesus has been through everything we could ever go through, without falling. He knows how we feel, and can relate to us because while He was man, he was also God. His life was committed to healing, forgiving, renewing, and restoring us.
 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin."  (Hebrews 4:15 ). Even more importantly, He was committed to our salvation, that is, our spending eternity with Him. 

There is no emotion more powerful in our lives than hope and nothing more devastating than losing it! Hope allows us to go through the incredible challenges of life because we believe that a better day is awaiting us and that redemption is coming. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:15) 
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
@COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GREENWOOD

You're invited! Bring friends and family for a special Christmas Eve Service!

Saturday, December 24 at 4:00pm or 6:00pm
Children's programming Birth-Fifth Grade
Middle and High School attend service with family 

WELCOME BRIAN YOUNG
A WORD FROM OUR NEW YOUTH SPORTS DIRECTOR

I first want to tell you how excited I am to be the new Youth Sports Director for CCG  at The Gathering Place. This personal and professional step is a long time in coming for me. My family and I moved to Greenwood 5½ years ago after a Missions stint in Mexico as Christian educators. I accepted a position from my previous employer, Pearson Education, and settled into the Greenwood area with my wife, Joy, and three awesome kids David, Edan, and Joelle (currently 13, 12, and 10).
 
After returning from missions, I knew God had a vision, but he left me at Pearson a while to spend some time building that in me. I recently left Pearson in August as the Regional Vice President of Sales. During my time there, he helped me understand how to lead and manage people and strategically build vision for a team. Read more

FITNESS NEWS
NEW TOT SPOT PRICING

Community Church of Greenwood's intent for The Gathering Place has always been to provide a low cost, high quality facility, affordable for members and guests. Our low rates for memberships and leagues have consistently reflected this. After re-evaluating our programs and the costs associated, we've concluded that in order to continue offering affordable prices, various programs need to be adjusted. Our Fitness Flex Plus Plan is one of those programs.  Therefore, as of  January 1st, we will no longer offer the Fitness Flex Plus plan. Moving forward, Childcare pricing at the Tot Spot will be as follows...
- $3 per child, up to two children
- $2 for the third child
- $1 for the fourth child (and each additional child)

A WOMAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART
WOMEN'S WINTER BIBLE STUDY AT THE GP

Join us for a 9-week study by Elizabeth George, starting January 10. Weekly study groups will meet at The GP with several times to choose from: Tuesday mornings (9:30-11am), Tuesday evenings (7-8:30pm) and Wednesday mornings (11:30am-1pm). 

Experience real peace and joy as you follow God in every area of your life, and become the woman of excellence God designed you to be. With excitement and from personal experience, Elizabeth George shares practical, biblical insights on how you can pursue God's priorities. To register go to: ccgonline.org/womensstudy

For information about this study, please contact Nicole at ngroeper@ccgonline.org

NEW YEAR'S MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT
20% OFF NEW ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS IN JANUARY

Invite your friends and family to join The Gathering Place! All new memberships purchased in January will receive a 20% discount. Working out is more fun when you get together with friends. For more info about annual membership options, click here.


GROUP SPORTS AND FITNESS CLASSES

Fitness Programs:  Les Mills, SilverSneakers, Zumba, Cycling, and The Totally Fit Life System
Youth Leagues:  Flag Football, Volleyball, T-ball, Soccer, Karate, Basketball
Ongoing Adult Leagues:  Rec & Competitive Soccer, Flag Football, Rec & Competitive Volleyball, Semi-competitive Flag Football

MORE INFORMATION AT THEGPONLINE.ORG