Around the COG - December 3, 2020

Good morning, COG Family!

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving last week. Though 2020 has given us a multitude of challenges, we still have so much for which to be thankful.

Let's take a moment to stop -- right now -- and tell God "thank you" for all of our blessings.

"I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

and I will glorify your name forever."

Psalm 86:12

Amen!

Please see below for opportunities to get connected, help local families, and bless children and missionaries around the globe.

Be salt and light,

Pastor Chris

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you, COG family, for your generosity and faithfulness during these difficult times! Here are our giving numbers for the last tw0 weeks:

Week of November 24th, 2020

Giving: $4,473.00

Weekly Budget: $10,121.44

Year to Date Giving: $434,923.30

Year to Date Budget: $475,707.68

Week of December 1st, 2020

Giving: $10,916.14

Weekly Budget: $10,121.44

Year to Date Giving: $445,839.44

Year to Date Budget: $485,829.12

Below are the ways that you can contribute your tithes and offerings to the church.

Write a check to the church. You can either mail it in to the church or stop by the church and put it in the slot of our mailbox located by the doors of the North Building (4343 S. Flanders St. Centennial, CO 80015).
Bill Pay through your banking institution.
COG website - online giving.

Year End Giving

In order for your contributions to be included with your 2020 giving statement, it is necessary for all in-person contributions be made no later than December 28th. Our last physical deposit will be made on December 29th.

All online giving must be completed by December 29th because there is a two-day delay between online giving and it being deposited in Community of Grace’s bank account.

Your donation must be in our bank account by December 31, 2020 in order for them to be included with your 2020 Giving Statement. If you have questions, please email Rhonda Mott.

Website Designer

The COG staff is looking for someone who has the talent and time to help overhaul our COG website. If you think this is you, email Pastor Chris so we can connect and coordinate a time to talk about our current website and our vision.

Elder Update

The Elders, staff, and people of Community of Grace want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Roger Chandler, Jerry Glass and Kyle Kane who are rotating off as elders this month. These men have tirelessly and faithfully served COG. Thank you, Roger, Jerry and Kyle, for giving your best and always giving God the glory! COG is a better church because of your leadership and service.

We also want to welcome Ben Durkee as he begins his service. We cannot wait to see what God will do through Ben in the days and months ahead.

The church will have an opportunity to honor, thank, and pray for these four men on December 13 during our worship services.

Thank you for your prayerful submission of elder nominations. While many of these men determined that taking on the role of elder is not where God is leading them at this time, we are confident that God has provided the leadership that Community of Grace needs as we move into 2021.

COG Elders for 2021 are as follows: Joel Bundick, Bob Cale, Ben Durkee, Kevin Fisher, Tom King, Andrew Reeves, Steve Veteto, and Tom Wager. Pray for these men to lead humbly and faithfully as we enter into 2021. To God be the glory!

Steve Veteto

Elder Chairman

Upcoming Events

Communion

We will observe the Lord's Supper on December 20th.

If you will be watching online, feel free to come to the COG office to pick up sealed communion elements. Email Anita to coordinate.

Proposed 2021 Budget

The elders have the proposed 2021 budget for your review. Members of Community of Grace will have the opportunity to vote on the budget on December 13th after each service.

If you have questions about the budget, you can reach out to Andrew Reeves or Steve Veteto. If you will not be present to vote, you can send Andrew or Steve your vote via email.

2021 Proposed Budget

Operation Christmas Child

Thank you for filling boxes that will be shared with kids around the globe as they learn about Jesus, the greatest Gift of all. We collected 198 filled boxes this year. Well done, COG family!

COG is still in need of volunteers to help at the distribution center on Dec 4th from 6-10pm. There are spots for 40 people and Covid-19 rules will be followed. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. If you have questions or want to sign up for a volunteer spot, email Mitty. You can also learn more about Operation Christmas Child by going to their website.

Lottie Moon Missions Offering

Lottie Moon was a Southern Baptist Missionary to China in 1885-1912. She was instrumental in the creation of the Women's Missionary Union, which has over a million members today. This offering, taken every Christmas season, is named in honor of Lottie Moon, with 100% of donations going to help missionaries all over the world.

This year, Community of Grace's giving goal is $7,500.00. I know that we can do this, church.

Watch these videos to see what kind of impact our donations have globally. You can also click here to read even more information on Lottie Moon.

If you are writing a check, please specify in the memo line it is for Lottie Moon.

Pastor Joel

COG Community Toy Drive

We know that 2020 has been hard on our community and we are going to help make Christmas a little brighter. We are asking Community of Grace and our community to donate new unwrapped toys, games, and clothes for children ages 6 months thru 16 years old. We would also like to provide wrapping paper and or Christmas bags as well if possible.

We are collecting gifts from December 6th - 20th at the Community of Grace office.

We will hand out gifts to those in need on December 22nd and 23rd from 9:00 am - 12 pm and 4 pm - 7 pm.

We have flyers printed for you to take and give to your neighbors in the foyer. Please email Anita to coordinate dropping off gifts (or bring them with you to Sunday service), to volunteer to help, or if you have other questions.

Child Evangelism Fellowship

Good News Club meetups will be every third Thursday through January at COG from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. This group is for elementary-aged children. The next meeting is December 17th from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm.

Masks are required during the Good News Club get-togethers at COG. You can register online or download the registration form. If you have questions or want to be a helper/leader, you can email Kathleen Chandler or call her at 720-621-3602.

Christmas Eve Services

We will have two Christmas Eve services on December 24th. We are asking you to click here to reserve your spots for either the 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm service. We will also stream the 5:00 pm service for those who choose to watch from home.

Blessings,

Community of Grace Staff

Celebrations

The Olin and Park Hills

Thanksgiving Meals

On Thanksgiving, many of you brought food, helped package meals, and transported meals to the Olin and Park Hills Assisted Living home. A total of 160 meals were prepared and delivered to those who would not have otherwise been able to enjoy a special Thanksgiving meal.

Though extraordinary steps had to be taken to accomplish the goal of making and delivering these meal, it was a huge success.

Thank you to Missy for organizing the event and to everyone who helped make it happen!

Pastor Chris