Isaiah 41:10

Let's jot this verse down on a piece of paper, a notecard, or a sticky note and put it someplace we will see it every day. Let's recite it and thank God for being with us always.

If you ever want to pray with someone, talk about what's going on, or need a word of encouragement, the entire staff at COG is available. You can reach out via email (bottom of this newsletter), see us after service on Sundays, or stop in during the week. The elders can be reached by phone as well. Their contact information is on our website and on the back of our weekly bulletin.

Week of January 9, 2022

If you have questions, email Kathleen Chandler.

In case you missed the announcement, roof work has begun on both of our buildings. This work should be completed in the next couple of weeks. Though work will pause during the weekends, please be careful around the buildings. The construction team will do a thorough cleanup at the end of each day, but nails can sometimes get missed.

We will be observing the Lord's supper on January 30th. If you will be watching online and would like elements, we have them at COG in small, sealed containers. Email Anita to coordinate a pickup day and time.

Boost resumes on January 26th at 6:30 pm. We hope you will join us as we gather to pray, grow, and fellowship together.

We are asking you to bring your favorite sweet or savory bread to share for fellowship time afterward.

Love baskets are a fun way to be part of the Nicaragua mission team. This annual fundraiser helps us minister with the gospel and with medical care to thousands of people on every trip. Each year we see God’s love move in a powerful way and hundreds come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

“Baskets” don’t have to be baskets… you can use bowls, boxes, buckets, plates, platters, etc.

Just a few ideas: Luxury bath basket, tool bucket “basket”, dinner and a movie for two basket, chocolate lovers' basket, pet lovers' basket/bowl, mommy’s baby bag, music lovers' basket, gourmet gift basket, salsa lovers' basket, a camping/picnic basket, pasta lovers' basket, BBQ basket, crafts-that-you-make basket. Be creative!

Your love basket will be a part of a silent auction that will conclude on Sunday, February 13th shortly after the end of service, with all proceeds going to the Nicaragua mission trip.

There's no need to sign up. Just bring baskets as soon as you can! Baskets need to be on display for bidding by February 7th. Tables will be set up in the North Building.

If you cannot make it to COG on a Sunday, feel free to come in during the week to check out the baskets and put a bid in. If you want to financially support the mission team without buying a basket, you can write a check and put "Nicaragua Team Support" on the memo line.

If you have questions about the baskets, email Amy Eichenseer. If you have questions about the mission trip to Nicaragua in 2022, email Joyce Baker.

Thank you from the Nicaragua Mission Team

The CBDR team is on-site doing multiple tasks in the location of the Marshall Fire. If you would like to provide on-site help or get more details, email Bob and Judy Cale. If you would like to provide financial help to the team, click here to donate.

It's time for our 3rd annual Hearth Health Step Challenge. This challenge will begin on Monday, January 31, and ends on February 27. We'll have teams of three people this year to change it up a bit. The top team and top stepper were hard to beat in 2021. Let's see how many steps we can get this year and get Fit2Serve in the process. Sign up at the Get Connected table. For more details, you can contact Carol Bryan at 303-522-2293.

Science and religion are often portrayed as complete opposites. Yet it is obvious that the natural world “declares the glory of God” (see Ps 19 and Ps 148). Come investigate the scientific evidence for God as the creator of the universe using the book and video series God’s Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace.

This 8-week series starts Sunday, January 23rd. The class will meet from 8:45 am to 9:45 am in the South Building Room 7. There is no cost. Email Tom King for more details and sign up at the Get Connected table in back of the sanctuary.

You can sign up for the breakfast at the Get Connected table in the back of the sanctuary or email Dane Campbell so we can plan food and drinks accordingly.

The men's ministry will also be sending out regular emails on upcoming events. If you would like to be added to that distribution list, you can email Pastor Chris.

The Hope for Nicaragua team has started to collect needed items for their upcoming mission trip in August. Every year, they collect new or gently used items that are handed out to families while on mission. The list of items below can be brought to Community of Grace and placed in the collection bins in the foyer. The collection of items will go until March 30th.

Men's shirts - S/M

Men's jeans/pants - 30-34 inch waist

Men's caps

Women's clothing - S/M/L

Boys' and girls' clothing - All sizes

Baby bottles and cloth diapers

Baby clothing

Flip flops and shoes - all sizes

Toys and stuffed animals for children two years and older

If you have any questions or want more information on joining the Nicaragua mission team, you can email Joyce Baker.

If you have been attending COG for a while and want to learn more about what it means to be a member, your opportunity is on January 23rd right after service in Pastor Joel's office. Childcare will be provided if needed. Sign up at the Get Connected table in the back of the sanctuary.

The Women's Ministry Thursday evening Bible study meets every other Thursday, and our next meeting is on January 20th at 6:30 pm. We will be learning about Rebecca, Isaac's wife. Please email Anita for the Zoom link.

Men, do you need a place to be encouraged and challenged? Join Pastor Joel for a time of looking into God's Word and applying it to your life. We meet from 6:00 to 7:00 am on Tuesday mornings. Email Pastor Joel if you have questions. We are meeting in person in the North Building.