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June/July 2008 NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY Back in February, when 12 of us traveled to Camp Christian for a PCCC Leadership Retreat, we spent the weekend remembering and re-visioning. Retreats are often a chance to renew spiritually, which this one did, but it also has given us some clarity about our direction. How do I know that for sure? In going through a summary of this retreat which I prepared for the PCCC Board in the spring, I am seeing this vision lived out. The vision begins with some of the words people used to describe us here at PCCC: “we accept everyone,” “communion is important,” “we are led by the Holy Spirit,” “we read and interpret the Bible.” These core values are influencing what we do in our ministries here at PCCC. For example: · Since that retreat (and before) we have continued to welcome visitors and guests each Sunday. Many people who are part of our church continue to remark on the warmth and fellowship they feel in our church. This is one of our strengths. And eight people have joined since then! But it’s more than just a “warm and friendly” church. Our church is one where people feel genuinely cared for and accepted. The new small group for divorced singles is an example. · Our weekly sharing at the Lord’s Table is a profound sign of acceptance in a world too often torn by disagreements. As our Disciples 21st century vision statement asserts: “We are disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.” · The Holy Spirit is alive and well at PCCC, thanks be to God, and thanks be to all of you who are listening to its call on your lives. · The commitment to Bible study in our church is nothing short of amazing. I am blessed to be part of a church that takes being formed by the Bible so seriously that people are willing to commit to 34 week Bible studies, attend Sunday School regularly, teach our children and youth, and read the Bible. · Prayer is powerfully undergirding everything that we do. I cannot emphasize this enough. There is so much power in the prayers of this church (2 small groups each week, plus all the other private prayer going on in your lives). One of the words that emerged at the retreat was “Thrive.” We clearly stated and claimed that we want to thrive so that we can serve the community with life-giving ministries. Go ahead, read the rest of this newsletter - about VBS-in-a-Box, the Divorce Support Group, camps for children, worship this summer, the NCM food drive, the camping retreat, summer Sunday School, and more. I think we’re thriving, don’t you? Peace ><> P.S. You can pick up an updated copy of the retreat report in the narthex after June 8. THANKS FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
REPORT FROM THE PCCC BOARD Dear Friends, at the May 31 meeting of the PCCC Board, the Nominating Committee presented the list of people who have accepted positions on the 2008-2009 Board. Every position has been filled. Isn’t that wonderful? You all will have the opportunity to vote your approval for this new Board at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 8. Please plan to be there if you are in town that Sunday. Another important date to remember is Sunday, June 22. Right after worship, we will have lunch and a ministry fair for you to link up with and become a member of one (or more) of the many ministries that are offered here at PCCC. You will also be giving support and encouragement to the new folks who accepted the call to chair those ministries. It’s going to be a fun time, too. There are wonderful things happening at PCCC – plan to be a part of it. God Bless you all. --Cathy Miller, Board Chair
A “Rainforest Adventure” Vacation Bible School is about to begin, as Peachtree Corners Christian Church goes on the road to Norcross Cooperative Ministry with VBS. Bethanne Faulconer is organizing this unique adventure, and all children ages 4-12 are invited to come along as we share God’s love with our NCM neighbors. We will meet at NCM the following dates and times: June 2, 4, 9, 11 from 10 a.m. till noon, and June 3 and 10, from 6-8 p.m. Please contact Bethanne Faulconer at fauljba@bellsouth.net for more information. Watch the PCCC website for photo updates. NCM FOOD DRIVE AT PCCC By the time you read this, the fliers will have already been delivered to a nearby neighborhood asking for food contributions to Norcross Cooperative Ministry. All we need to do is pick up the bags of food so that we can help stock the shelves at Norcross Cooperative Ministry this month. Meet at the church on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. and we will get our assigned routes. Summer is a critical time of year for food needs at the Co-op, as many children no longer have access to school breakfasts and lunches. This is a great family service project; please come and help! CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JUNE 8 AFTER WORSHIP - PLEASE BE THERE! WORSHIP FOR JUNE AND JULY What are you doing this summer? As you make plans for the summer, you are also invited to plan to be with us on Sundays as often as you can as we explore Jesus’ teachings from the Gospel of Matthew. These teachings can be challenging, but they are also invitational and reassuring, and promise to shape us as disciples of Jesus Christ. Come join us on the journey! *June 1 –
Matthew 7:21-29, Psalm 46 CHOIR NOTES Although PCCC will continue to enjoy a variety of music throughout the summer as part of worship, the choir will take a break from Wednesday rehearsals beginning in June. Choir practice resumes on Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The choir will continue to meet on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. sharp. During July and August, we also will enjoy our favorite hymns as we “call out a hymn” during our opening worship. CHILDREN’S CHURCH Children’s Church, a special program for younger children ages 2 through 2nd grade, will continue to meet during the summer, immediately following the children’s message. Older children are invited to remain in worship with their parents. During Children’s Church, the children will explore Bible stories through hands-on activities, and will also enjoy outdoor play. Children’s music will resume in August. Thanks to Will & Kristi Perdue, Ginny Bozzone, Stephanie Platto, Megan Powell, and Melissa Sanchez for their dedication to teaching our children in this program. DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP The new small group for divorced singles that has formed has announced their study and their summer meeting schedule. The group meets on Sunday evenings form 6-7:30 p.m. on June 1, 15, 29, July 13, 27, August 10, and 24. The study they have selected is the book The Art of Forgiving: When You Need to Forgive and Don’t Know How, by Lewis Smedes. This group is being co-led by Louri Kearns and Jim Mathis. If you or someone you know is interested, contact Louri at lkearns@2-10.com. The group begins with a shared meal (potluck), and will include prayer, shared concerns, and discussion. Childcare is provided. CAMPING RETREAT
PCCC PRAYER GROUPS The two PCCC prayer groups will continue to meet each week through the summer on Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. at Northern Star Coffeehouse in Norcross, or Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Contact Rod Dahl for more information about the Tuesday a.m. group; contact Joe Austin for information about the Wednesday p.m. group. UPDATED CALENDAR There is a brand-new, state-of-the-art, easy-to-update church calendar on our website, thanks to Buddy Ray, which features every wonderful thing that is happening at PCCC. Check it out at www.peachtreecornerscc.org and link to “calendar.” If you are receiving a print version of this newsletter, a copy is included. Print copies also are available in the narthex, and will be posted on the office bulletin board. PCCC BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 6/10 – Padricks’ 2nd; 6/11 – Chris Conrey; 6/15 – Calvins’ 23rd; 6/16 – Buddy Ray; 6/17 – Burchfields’ 7th; 6/21 – Braswells’ 56th; 6/26 – Cathy Miller; 6/29 – Carter Moss. We do not have our birthday and anniversary records up to date. If you are missing from this list or the information is incorrect, will you please call 770 447-5475 and leave a message with the information? THANKS! This month’s issue of DisciplesNotes is a combined issue for June and July. For the August issue, the deadline to submit news articles is July 27, 2008.
Peachtree Corners Christian Church
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Mark your
calendar for June 22 now, because you won’t want to miss our “Thanks for
Stepping Up to the Plate” day as we celebrate and give thanks for all our
ministries. During worship we will hear from our lay leaders who will share
with us about many of our PCCC ministries such as Education, Worship, and
Outreach. Following worship, everyone is invited to enjoy a special thank-you
lunch in appreciation for all the ways everyone has “stepped up to the plate”
during the past service year. You can also learn more about ways you can plug
into our ministries at the displays that will be set up in the narthex. All
are invited to enjoy food, fun, and fellowship during this special event.
The first ever PCCC Camping Adventure will be held at Unicoi
State Park Friday, June 27-Sunday June 29. There will be time to hike, relax,
tube, and enjoy the great outdoors with other members of our church family.
Jamie & Buddy Ray and Jenny Miller are working to organize this so that we will
have opportunities for shared meal times, worship, and other activities.
Contact Jamie Ray at 