CGS Weekly: March 7, 2021 |
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Our in-person worship service will be at 10:30am in the sanctuary this Sunday, March 7. If you have not already signed up to attend the in-person worship service, you may do so here. Don't forget to bring your mask. We will be having Communion this Sunday. Please click here for details on how Communion elements will be distributed.
For those of you who will be worshipping virtually, the livestream will be available here at 10:30am. If you're unable to tune in live, you may access a recording of the service at the same link after the conclusion of the live service.
We are also singing a new worship song, "Love Constraining to Obedience," this week. You can check it out here if you would like to learn it ahead of time.
In an effort to limit handouts as much as possible, we will not be distributing a printed bulletin at the in-person service on Sunday. You may access the digital bulletin for this week's service here.
We will be providing special materials in packets for your kids during the service. Please bring along your favorite coloring utensils (crayons, washable markers, pencils) to use.
As a reminder, you may give to CGS online here. (If you have questions, you may reference this online giving tutorial here.) You may also mail a check to the church (3741 Garrett Rd, Durham, NC 27707) if you prefer.
This week's Sermon Discussion Guide will be sent to community group leaders on Sunday, and posted here on Monday.
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A Special Video Message from Mark Whipple |
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In case you missed it (or want to watch again), check out this video that Pastor Mark Whipple put together with Nate McKeel and other CGS-ers highlighting one way that he internalized Pastor Chuck’s call to “house to house” ministry. While not a traditional instructional video, we hope you’ll pick up both some pitfalls to avoid and some best practices to adopt. Enjoy!
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A Texas-Sized Thank You to CGS |
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Sherry Lanier (MNA Disaster Response Facilitator) has written to express deep gratitude towards CGS for our support of sister churches in the greater Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Many communities have been devastated by the recent severe winter storms across Texas, and severe damage persists. But because of steps taken by our Board of Deacons, CGS has been able to contribute $10,000 in acute relief that was applied directly to emergency repairs of churches and homes in those storm-battered regions. Yet those monies which the Deacons distributed were available only because of your steady, faithful, “routine" giving to the General Fund. Thank you CGS for such tangible expressions of compassion towards a hurting world!
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Special Communion Service March 10 |
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This Wednesday, March 10, we are having a short Word and Prayer Communion Service in the sanctuary from 7:00–7:30pm. If you are not able to come to the in-person service this Sunday or you would like an opportunity to come midweek, this is for you. Sign-ups are required for this service, and will be available via the CGS website on Monday, March 8.
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March Meal at Durham Rescue Mission |
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On March 21, CGS is responsible for providing lunch at the Durham Rescue Mission men’s campus. We fed around 300 last month, so your continued help is greatly appreciated. If you would like to help with this month’s meal, please sign up here. Dropping off dishes in the main kitchen the morning of the meal between 9:30-10:45am remains the same. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry.
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Healthcare Workers Appreciation Lunch |
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CGS is teaming up with Triangle Christian Medical & Dental Fellowship, Chapel Hill Bible Church, and Christ the King Church to offer another free lunch for healthcare workers and their families on Saturday, March 13 from 11:30am-1:30pm. This is a drive-thru event. Come to Chapel Hill Bible Church, drive up, get your lunch, then go eat wherever you choose. Pastors will also be available to pray with you for a few minutes if you would like. Please sign up here by March 10 for a free lunch for yourself and members of your immediate family.
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CGS Nursery Cleaning Opportunity |
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The CGS Nursery is currently looking for 2-4 individuals who would be interested in an hourly position to help us clean 2-3 nursery rooms on a weekly rotating basis starting at the end of March. Training will be provided, as well as all necessary cleaning materials. On average this would take 1-2 hours max per week, and could be completed any time Wednesday through Saturday. If you or someone you know would be interested, please reach out to RiLee Robeson or the church office for more information.
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Meals for the Balevic Family |
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If you would like to support the Balevic family while they grieve the recent loss of Mandy’s dad, you may send a restaurant gift card to [email protected]. Due to food allergies, we are doing this in lieu of a Meal Train. Some of the Balevic’s favorite restaurants include: Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Moe's, Domino's, and Bojangles.
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MTW Compassion Fund Offering Update |
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Thanks to your generosity, we raised $7,395 for the MTW Compassion Fund during our recent alms offering.
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We are about to launch a new ministry called FAM at CGS. What is that? It stands for “Family Advocacy Ministry.” This ministry is designed to provide structural support to families in health crisis, single parents, and foster families. Mark your calendars for a special outreach event via Zoom on Wednesday, March 24 at 8:00pm, where you can find out how to get connected. Contact Rachel Betts for more information.
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Practical Help Addressing Food Insecurity |
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One way you and your family may like to serve others facing food insecurity is to volunteer as a “Gleaner.” The Society of St. Andrews recruits persons (usually on fairly short notice) to join them in “gleaning” local farms. These farmers have concluded their harvesting and invite persons through the Society to come and glean what is left in the fields. The Society of St. Andrews then takes this food to local food pantries for distribution. If you are interested in gleaning, contact Kat Salyers. She will email you when opportunities become available. They usually contact potential gleaners a day or two before the gleaning happens. You are not committed to gleaning any particular time, but will simply be informed when opportunities arise. COVID safety regulations require all gleaners to wear a mask to the gleaning.
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Meal Train for New CGS Parents |
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Join us in loving CGS parents of newborns as they navigate these tiring days. Whether it’s doubling up on a meal you’re already making, or sending over a gift card, a little bit goes a long way in those early months and is always appreciated! Click on the links below for our current list of families with newborn meal trains open:
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Children's Sunday School This Weekend |
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Children are invited to join us for Zoom Sunday School this Sunday, March 7. Preschool lesson is at 9:00am, and Elementary lesson is at 9:20am. You may access both lessons on Zoom via this link.
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Youth Group is on spring break this week. There is NO High School Youth Group on March 7, and NO Middle School Youth Group on March 10.
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Women's Monday Night Zoom Bible Study |
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All CGS women are invited to join a Zoom Bible Study on the book of Jeremiah each Monday night from 8:00-9:00pm. Please click here to access the Zoom meeting. The passcode is 053333.
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Friday Morning Men's Virtual Bible Study |
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Our Friday morning Men's Bible Study is meeting virtually via Zoom each Friday from 7:00-8:00am. If anyone who is not currently involved with the Men's Bible Study wants more information, they can email Joseph Scanlon or Norman Acker.
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Global Outreach Spotlight |
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Meet: Steve & Jan Hobson
Familiar faces at CGS, Steve and Jan Hobson have served with Cru for over 20 years as instructors at the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL) in Manila, Philippines. IGSL is home to students from over 20 countries, who return to places spanning the 10/40 window to reach Muslims, Hindus, Chinese, and Buddhists for Christ. IGSL also provides local outreach, with leadership training for military, police, and firemen.
Pray: Praise for new housing arrangements and completion of the moving process. Praise for increased year end donations that are providing funds for a “new” used car. Praise that the work with the Leadership department has provided good results. Pray for Steve as he needs extra energy, wisdom, and stamina in these next days and weeks to catch up on his own work. His new course, “Leading Organizational Change,” is an especially challenging one tying together several previous courses for the MA in Organizational Leadership degree. His students include emerging leaders from the church, medical field, and military.
Connect: Subscribe to their newsletters and brief prayer updates here.
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CENTER FOR CHRISTIANITY & SCHOLARSHIP
The Center for Christianity and Scholarship (CCS) is hiring. We work with students and faculty at Duke University to engage the world with Christian understanding. We seek an Office and House Manager (OHM) to oversee the administrative and hospitality functions of CCS. The OHM maintains office systems, tracks finances, manages ministry partner databases, and oversees house staff, programs, use, and volunteers. Suitable candidates are organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and a welcoming presence. View additional job description details here. For more information, please contact Executive Director Edward Dixon.
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CGS SCHEDULE CHANGES
As a reminder, you may view ongoing CGS schedule changes here. In case you missed any previous church-wide emails with COVID-19 updates, you may view them all here.
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FOLLOW CGS ON INSTAGRAM
Don't forget to follow CGS on Instagram via @CGSDurham. We would love for you to share your Sunday worship photos with us so we can re-share with our church family. You may either DM your photos or post on your Instagram story and tag us!
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SERVE YOUR CGS NEIGHBORS
Head to our website to learn more about how you can serve your CGS neighbors through physical needs like grocery shopping for the medically vulnerable, or through lifting up your church family in prayer.
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CGS WORSHIP PLAYLIST
Thanks to Matt McClure, we now have a CGS worship playlist featuring over eight hours of music. You can access the playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
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COMMUNITY GROUPS
If you would like to join a Community Group, email us and we will help you get plugged in!
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