A Community of Growing Disciples, Growing Disciples    
OCTOBER 2017 
Dear Friends,

Linda and I have finished a month back from our wonderful sabbatical break and have deeply enjoyed being with the great people of the CPC family. Breaks are fun and bring renewal and fresh energy. But coming home is always great and it has truly been that for us. The CPC family is precious to us and it has been a tremendous blessing sitting again with the family as we seek to grow together in our journey with Jesus.
 
There are many great things happening this month. Be sure to read the summaries here and, for more details, click the links. We hope you will join us for all you can and hope you will invite someone else to join our church family.
 
God bless!
-Pastor Mark
CPC Family,
October is Pastor Appreciation month.  We are looking for ways to tell Pastor Mark, Pastor Bruce, and Pastor Wayne how much they are appreciated by the church family.  On October 8th, there will be a brief thank you during the 1st and 2nd service with a table on the patio between services with refreshments. We will have note cards available on October 1st in the Narthex, and throughout the month, for you to write a note of appreciation, thanks, encouragement, or a personal note on how they have supported your walk with Christ for each pastor.  Bruce suggested we write a card to Mark last April as he left on his sabbatical and keep it until October.  This Pastor Appreciation time is what he was referring too.  There will be a container for each pastor on the patio October 8th and in the Narthex the other Sundays for you to deliver your card when you have completed it, or you can send it to them in the mail.  You may prefer to use your own stationary, or cards!   Please feel free.  We encourage you to think of ways to honor our pastors throughout the month of October for their dedication and work.  The personal touch you give will be the best expression of love and support for our pastoral team.
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Sincerely,
  The CPC Personnel Team
GIVING STATUS UPDATE:
Finance Team believes you would want to know that we are coming off a particularly low summer for giving.  Three months into the new fiscal year (started July 1) we are $50,535 (16.9%) behind in budgeted giving needed to support CPC ministries and staff expenses.  If you have fallen behind in your tithe, would you be able to catch up?  We ask that all would prayerfully consider additional giving to help us catch up.   
July 1  Through September 28-                  
General Fund Planned budget:              $300,000
Actual Giving:                                       $249,465
Shortfall:                                              $50,535
STUMINFALL
Student Ministries is experiencing exciting changes this Fall!  Starting September 6 th , there will be programs specifically for Middle School and High School!  All students are invited to be present on the CPC campus on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm.  Large Group Middle School will meet in the Carpenter Shop on the 1 st  and 3 rd  Wednesdays of the month while High School will be meeting as co-ed small groups (with 2-3 leaders per group) around CPC's campus.  Then the 2 nd  and 4 th  Wednesdays, High School Large Group will meet in the Carpenter Shop while gender specific small groups & leaders will meet around CPC's campus!  We are excited about this shift and look forward to growing students and tailoring Wednesday nights to meet the needs of these specific age groups!  
If you have any questions, please contact Tami.
Improve Your Healthy Marriage: 
Looking for ways to improve your healthy marriage? 
Join a 5-week Marriage Workshop which includes practical tools, information, and encouragement. It is led by Doug and Sandy Moe (Sandra Moe is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist). 
The Workshop begins Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30 pm in 
room #206, and continues through Wednesday, November 15 th
Cost is $35 per couple. Registration deadline is Tuesday, October  10.  Click here for more information regarding the workshop, childcare, and to register If you have any questions, please feel free to  email  Doug & Sandy Moe.
GRIEFSHARE
This program features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one.  The 13-week DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed.  GriefShare meetings will be held on Friday mornings, October 20th through February 9, 2018, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Fireside Room.  Cost: $20 includes your workbook (scholarships available).  
Brochures are available in the sanctuary narthex.  
For additional information or to register, contact Sheree Fitzgerald at 805-509-7582 or by  email.
TRUNKORTREAT 
Trunk or Treat:  Tuesday, October 31st 5:30-7:30.  
Sign-ups will begin October 1st- make sure to pick up your yard sign in the sanctuary (and invite your friends)!  We are in need of candy, please consider donating to this annual favorite! You can drop off your candy donations in the orange bucket in the Narthex!
HEALTH

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Do you know someone who is in an abusive relationship?  Do you know how to minister to someone who is in an abusive relationship?  Do you ever wonder why someone would stay in an abusive relationship? Click  here to read more.

Tai Chi Classes Returning by Popular Demand!
Tai Chi for better balance will be offered again by Ventura County Area Agency on Aging to Seniors 60 and older.  It will meet in the Carpenter Shop every Monday and Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:00 beginning 1/8/2018.  The course will continue until 4/4/2018.  There is a limit of 20 so first come, first served.  Sign up via e-mail to: nurse@cpcventura.org or Call Jane Exell at the Church office (805-648-2737 Ext.311)
Mission:  Going - Here. Near. Far.
 
MISSIONPRAYERHere (Mission within our own CPC community):  Prayer is the central movement and offering of our life in community as God's People.  Did you know there is an open gathering for prayer over CPC every Wednesday at noon in the Shalom Prayer Room? All are welcome to join.  Nearly every month there is also a gathering to hear updates on our mission partners and pray for them.  If you would like to be included when these happen please contact Ted Hole at tholecpcelder@aol.com.  And on Friday, Oct. 6 at 1pm there is a gathering to pray for our country in the Fireside Room. 
  Another great way to "Go.Here!" is our annual
"Trunk or Treat" on Oct. 31 in our parking lot.  This is a great opportunity to invite the wider community into a little bit of our life together. 
 
Near (Mission in and around Ventura):
One of our long time partnerships in Ventura has been with
Young Life whose mission is:  "Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow in their faith". Ventura   Young Life is  directed by Dave Afman who supports a great team of volunteer leaders who are reaching out to High School and Middle School students in our local schools, building relationships, and introducing them to Jesus.  This month YL has their annual fundraising banquet on Oct. 7.  If you would be interested in attending and learning more about YL please contact Pastor Bruce.

TEAM UP AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Did you know that one third of the population at The City Center Transitional Living are domestic violence survivors.
 
During Domestic Violence Awareness month this October, The City Center is hosting our third annual Team Up Against Domestic Violence awareness event at River Community Church on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 6 to 8pm.  The evening will feature a panel of the residents of The City Center who will share their experiences in battling Domestic Violence and their ways of overcoming in order to provide a better life for their self and their children.
This is a powerful evening filled with music and stories of hope and restoration...all made possible in our city because of the courage of our residents and the support and guidance they receive at The City Center.  Each guest will also be given an opportunity to be part of the solution to protect children and families.
  For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.
 
 
Far (Going into all the world) : 
Dana, Briana, Gabriel & Brandi

New Horizons Foundation-Viata, Romania - This Summer we had the privilege of having the Bates Family join us in worship .  Brandi has shared some updates on their return to Lupeni which you can read here.
 
 
 



 
CLEAN International One of  our own families -  the Baker's (Wally, Heather, Alivia, & Brodie)  have started a non-profit organization to help provide clean water to communities that don't have it.  They have a way of meeting immediate needs for water filters and purification tablets in communities hit by the recent hurricane and earthquake disasters.  CLEAN International is partnering with Direct Relief to send thousands of filters and purification tablets. Gallon size filters are $20 each and personal filters are $15. Will you consider donating to those in need? Donations can be made to CLEAN International, PO Box 401, Ventura CA 93002 or online at  www.cleaninternational.org  or by texting WATER to 41444 today.  Shipments of supplies are being sent weekly.  


Classes are underway - 
but you can still step in!




Sunday Morning LIFE
9:00 am
  • The Letter to the Galatians - Rocky & Susan Ludes, Teachers. Fellowship Hall 2.
 10:30 am
  • The Gospel of Mark - Dianna Perero, Teacher. Fellowship Hall 2
  • The Legacy of Martin Luther - Brook & Sue Sturtevant, Teachers.
6:00 pm
College+  Melissa Thow leads this group for those college aged or a few years past. Meeting in the Barnard House from 6-8pm.

FOR MORE INFO ON SUNDAY LIFE CLASSES, CLICK   HERE!

Midweek LIFE
Tuesday LIFE Source - 9-11:15 am - This fall our Tuesday morning women's study is on the life of Gideon with video teaching from Priscilla Shirer and small group discussion. You can learn more here.
 
Wednesday Evening LIFE - 6:30-8pm, Fellowship Hall - (Childcare is available)
Galatians - Teacher: Pastor Mark. A class on the preaching passages.  More info  here.
 
Wednesday Evening LifeSource for Women: 
"Discerning the Voice of God," Fireside Room
Facilitator: Jean Stiles. A study and discussion using teaching from Priscilla Shirer.  More info here.   
 
Thursday LIFE -Words Tell the Story! 
11:30-1ish. Fellowship Hall - New for this fall - a mid-day class taught by Pastor Bruce.

FOR MORE INFO ON MIDWEEK LIFE CLASSES,
CLICK HERE!
 

Community Groups (Gathering:small)
The primary small group way we are a "Gathering" community happens through Community Groups.  It's our hope that everyone in the congregation would be a part of gathering.small.community through one of these groups - and there are a growing number of possibilities.  If you are interested in knowing more about Community Groups please email us.
Upcoming Events
Connect to CPC
CPC Calendar
Sunday Services
9:00 am WORSHIP
in the Sanctuary
10:00 am FELLOWSHIP

on the Patio

10:30 am WORSHIP
in the Sanctuary

Spanish Service
12:00 Noon
(Spanish Language Worship Service) in Fellowship Hall. 
Sunday School is also available during this time:
Fellowship Hall 2 
(6-9 year olds)
Fireside Room
(10-12 year olds).
Stay Connected
with CPC
Right Now Media
We are excited to offer rightnow Media to you! It's essentially the "Netflix of Video Bible Studies" because you will have instant access to over ten thousand great videos for kids, youth, parents, married couples and more. Click here to sign up!