Connecting our church and community to become change agents for Jesus.
Good morning, COG family!

Last week I noticed that the lawn at COG was looking kind of pitiful. I asked Ken Hammond to help me take a look at the watering cycles that had been set up by our contractor. We found that some of the cycles had never been turned on. We took some time to reprogram the two control units and got everything back online.

Within a few days, the grass was looking much better. It was easy to see that the grass needed a good soaking of water on a regular basis to thrive during these very hot days.

What about us? We need a good dose of God's Word on a regular basis to soak our souls. If we give the time, God's Word will penetrate deeply to rejuvenate us, strengthen us, and give us life. When we are well watered, we have what we need to sustain the heat of hard times. Fortunately for us, we do not need someone to reprogram our control units. We just need to intentionally spend time with God.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8

Be salt and light,

Pastor Chris
Tithes and Offerings
Thank you, COG family, for your generosity! Here are our giving numbers for the last two weeks:

Week of July 4, 2021
Giving: $8,907.97
Weekly Budget: $10,296.31
Year to Date Giving: $262,358.19
Year to Date Budget: $278,000.37


Week of July 11, 2021
Giving: $13,061.00
Weekly Budget: $10,296.31
Year to Date Giving: $275,419.19
Year to Date Budget: $288,296.68

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 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.
Pray First Resources
As we continue to commit to Pray First, we want to provide resources to help us grow in our prayer walk. Tom King from the Vision Team has done a great job of gathering resources, and we will provide them on a regular basis.

These are July's resources:
Newcomers' Social
Are you new-ish to Community of Grace? If so, the staff would like to get to know you better and give you the opportunity to get to know us a bit better as well. We will have a newcomers' social on July 25th at 6 pm at Joel and Catherine's place. You can get directions and sign up at the Get Connected area or by emailing Anita.
Upcoming Events
Boost
Our July Boost gathering will be on July 28th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. We hope you will join us as we gather to pray, grow, and fellowship together.

In June, we reviewed Psalm 103, discussed faith, and shared prayer requests. It was a very powerful time of gathering and reflection.

We are asking you to bring a fruit-based dessert to share for fellowship afterward. COG will provide coffee, water, plates, and eating utensils.
Communion
We will be observing the Lord's supper on July 18th. 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.
Drama Ministry
Fiddler On The Roof
Looking for a fun way to celebrate the end of summer? Then join us as we sing and dance to this great musical. The COG Drama Team will present Fiddler on the Roof Friday and Saturday, August 13th and 14th at 6:oo pm. Snacks will be served.
Baptism Sunday
Potluck Dinner
We will have Baptism Sunday on August 22 at 5:30 pm.

What is being baptized all about? Being baptized is an outward expression of an inward commitment to Jesus. If you have given your life to Jesus at some point in your life and have not been baptized since that decision, it is a great way to express your commitment to Jesus. You can sign up for the baptism at the Get Connected table in the sanctuary. If you have questions email Pastor Joel.

Right after the baptism, we will have a cookout and enjoy fellowship with each other. We will have grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. COG will also provide the plates, utensils, condiments, water, and lemonade.

Please bring a side dish or dessert depending on your last name. If you last name begins with A-M, bring a side dish. If you last name begins with O-Z, bring a dessert. Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs. We will have tables set up to use as needed.
Women's Ministry
Ladies' Fellowship is visiting Stanley Marketplace on Saturday, July 31st. Join us at 1:30 pm for a late lunch at the Denver Biscuit Company. Afterward, we'll peruse the multiple shops and boutiques. Bring your young daughters to visit the free Parade of Playhouses on display, too. Sign up at the Get Connected table in the back of the sanctuary. 
Fit2Serve
Biggest Loser Challenge
Join the Biggest Loser Challenge starting on Sunday, August 1. For 13 weeks we will weigh in weekly, challenging one another to lose weight, tone up, and work toward having a body that is Fit2Serve God.

There are two ways to participate. One is FREE and the other involves a $20 buy-in. Both ways will give you lots of camaraderie, new friendships, challenging yourself, learning opportunities, and fun. Sign up at the Get Connected table in the back of the sanctuary. Call or Text Carol Bryan at 303-522-2293 for more details.
New Women's Bible Study
What would happen if every follower of Jesus took the Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:36-40) literally? Find out during the next Friday morning Women's Bible study:  The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon. 

This 6-week study begins Friday, July 23rd. The cost for the book is $9.75 on Amazon. Sign up at the Get Connected table in the back of the church auditorium. 

This study will be in person and via Zoom at 9:30 AM. Contact Judy at 303-378-1904 or email Judy Cale for more information.  
Men's Friday Morning Bible Study
A study of the minor prophets just began! You can still join us as we use the Navigators' LifeChange Bible study Minor Prophets 1.  This study highlights several of the lesser-known Old Testament books with an emphasis on applying God's Word to your daily life. This group meets at 6 am on Friday mornings in the COG North Building. Contact Karl Been for more information at 720.284.4750.
Men's Bible Study
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 will meet from 6:00 to 7:00 on Tuesday mornings. Email Pastor Joel if you have questions. Join via Zoom here.
Community of Grace
Sunday Prayer Time
Join in for corporate prayer time every Sunday morning from 8:00 - 8:30 am via Zoom. The link and login are the same every week.
Meeting ID: 598 261 804
Passcode: 053343

If you have questions, email Kathleen Chandler.
Celebrations
Women's Ministry Walk
Last Saturday, Ladies' Fellowship went on a leisurely early morning walk around Quincy Reservoir. We enjoyed conversations with each other, viewing the flowers and wildlife, and waving to Pastor Joel as he was fishing. Afterward, we spent time together visiting and enjoying coffee at the Endless Grind Coffee shop. It was a fun morning!