CPC Life: Summer 2023

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR

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WORDS FROM THOSE WHO SERVE

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Aakash Chandarana

Serving through music and the power of the Holy Spirit in worship

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Sam's Story

How centering simplicity in faith helped create strong bonds as a middle school small group leader

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Q&A with the Porter Family

Encountering God's love and compassion through serving together as a family

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ON THE COVER

This issue's cover features Zach Richards at CPC 's front entrance. Zach is a part of our Kids Team as a Summer Associate.

CPC LIFE IS A PUBLICATION OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (CPC)

Email Subscriptions: To receive a link to the online version, contact: communications@cpcedina.org

WE WELCOME YOUR LETTERS AND COMMENTS! Please email communications@cpcedina.org

© Christ Presbyterian Church 2023

Ifeel grateful and blessed to have so many dedicated and passionate individuals who volunteer their time and energy to serve our church and be a part of spreading the Gospel. Each week, I am amazed by the selflessness and commitment of those who do things like lead our worship, teach our children, and care for the needs of our community.

There have been many who have just recently stepped up to volunteer in new ways, and I have been particularly excited by their enthusiasm and care. It is truly inspiring to see their eagerness to serve and their willingness to go above and beyond to make a positive impact. Their passion and energy have brought new life to our community, and it is a joy to serve alongside them.

Words cannot express how much I appreciate each and every person who gives their time and talents to serve at CPC. Your generosity and kindness have helped so many and have created a welcoming and supportive environment for all who enter our doors. Without your selfless dedication and commitment to Jesus and the Gospel, our church would not be the thriving and vibrant community that it is today.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who serve at our church and spread the love and message of Jesus and the Gospel. You are a gift and a blessing to us all.

Crowder serves as Senior Pastor

Petey

Much love, Petey

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

Aakash Chandarana

Aakash Chandarana has been attending CPC for 13 years with his wife, Kricket, and children, Zoe and Aiden. He serves as a musician, playing bass and helping lead worship during the contemporary service on Sundays.

What have you learned in your time serving at CPC?

I would say there are some microlearnings that have come along—more tactical in nature. I think I’ve become a better musician. I have learned a lot about what it means to practice the craft of musicianship. But I think more at a macro level, especially over the course of the last year, big learnings have been what it really means to lead worship: moving away from a performance-based mentality to more of a mission-based mentality, serving the congregation and helping them express what they are feeling in their relationship with God through worship. Being present with people as they worship has taken me deeper in my faith; I have received far more in serving our congregation than I feel like I give.

What are some surprising encounters or realizations you've had while serving on the contemporary worship team?

Well, I love to speak in stories. The first story, the most recent one is when you, Ben, gave me a book by the Blackaby brothers, titled Moving People on to God’s Agenda. I didn’t expect to learn and discuss leadership outside the walls of worship or church as a part of playing music. The book was an incredible catalyst for me in terms of how to bring my faith into my job, how to show up for the people I lead every day with God first, and to do it in a way that was really respectful of whatever background people have.

Unexpected item number two has been the development of really meaningful relationships. About four years ago I had a fairly rough job transition. One of the ways we manage through transitions is leaning on God and our relationships. Outside of my family, I only had a few close friends that I could share what was going on. I feel very fortunate for the people that God put in my life at that time. Fast forward to today and now I look around at our weekly rehearsals, and it feels like a form of family. We pray together, we share tough things, we’re close to one another. I really feel like God has expanded the people around me for both of our sake—we need each other.

How has serving has impacted or changed you?

I would say it’s feeling the Holy Spirit moving powerfully on Sundays, especially on the days when I don’t serve. To be able to recognize the beauty of participating in worship and to feel the voices of our congregation lift up together to praise God—that has really changed me from a person who rarely sang to someone who looks forward to those moments when I get to sing. And when I am leading, it’s a gift to be able to see the congregation worship—I wish others could see how God is moving. I see it when a mom and a daughter hold each other and sing together or when someone feels safe enough to express joy, cry, or raise up their hands to receive Him. Those moments have really impacted me.

How would you encourage or challenge others in our congregation to serve?

When I first started serving on the worship team, I would not have called myself a musician by any standard. I was somebody who grabbed the bass from time to time, played it, but didn’t really know what to do with it. And God used it as an invitation. He was inviting me into a relationship with Him and realizing that it needed to start someplace, He used the bass.

God knows why and how He intends on using you. I think the only thing you have to bring is a willingness to listen and a willingness to adhere to what it is He may want from you. And I think any of us are capable of that. You know, we're capable of prayer, listening to God's word, and hearing that inkling that might be in the back of our heads say “you should do that”. And even something that may start off feeling like you're doing it for yourself, you come to realize that as you are following God's direction for you more and more, it really starts to transition into wanting to do it more for Him.

All of us probably feel it at some point, as we're sitting in church, the thought crosses our mind, “I should maybe give some time as a greeter, maybe I should give some time as an usher. Or maybe I should give some time helping out with kids, or give, or go on a mission trip.”

I really think you don't need to have anything more than just a willingness to listen. And then trust that wherever that's

bringing you is where you're supposed to be. We're all capable of following God’s direction.

We're all very capable of getting out maps and finding our way to a destination, but we so much prefer punching it into a GPS and being told where to go. We all prefer a guide. God I think wants to work in our lives that way as it pertains to serving. I think He's talking to us and saying, take a right turn here. And then once we do, He's going to give us the next set of directions. So hopefully that encourages people to take a step forward and serve and be a part of our community and the vibrancy that is really showing right now.

How have you seen Jesus in the midst of your serving?

My journey to faith has been more recent. Over the course of the last four years my faith has kind of caught on like a rocket ship. I no longer need the validation that can come from playing music or being in front of the congregation. What I see is all the beauty of God working through our congregation and how He's showing up every single week. And then I get to bring that to work, Monday through Friday to others, nurturing and caring for people around me…it’s an opportunity and an invitation from God to love people.

I feel like what we're doing in the walls of our church, moving more towards the Gospel and moving more towards the Word of God, removes a lot of unnecessary distractions and refines everything back to the focus on what God has done for us, what Jesus did for us, and what the Holy Spirit can do for us.

Interview by Ben Lodahl, CPC’s Director of Contemporary Worship

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Going Deeper

Resources to help you dive into Psalm 23

THE BOOK OF COMMON COURAGE (PRAYER AND POEMS TO FIND STRENGTH IN SMALL MOMENTS)

In this 18-part teaching series, bestselling author and speaker, Max Lucado invites you to journey through the 23rd Psalm and unpack the burdens you were never meant to carry. Worry. Disappointment. Fear. Guilt. Grief. How can you enjoy the road ahead if you're lugging around all this stuff? God wants to help you get rid of the excess baggage. It's time to start traveling light!

This video series is available to you, free of charge, on RightNow Media. FOR FREE ACCESS TO RIGHTNOW MEDIA CONTACT GROUPS@CPCEDINA.ORG

THE LORD IS THEIR SHEPHERD: PRAYING PSALM 23 FOR YOUR CHILDREN

BETSY DUFFEY & LAURIE MYERS

FOUND: PSALM 23 (JESUSSTORYBOOKBIBLE) ALLY LLOYD-JONES (AUTHOR)

JAGO (ILLUSTRATOR)

K. J. RAMSEY

A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT PSALM 23 W. PHILLIP KELLER

TRAVELING LIGHT • MAX LUCADO

Emily Hamilton PASTOR OF MISSIONS

Emily leads the Missions team as they seek to equip CPCers for mission in all spheres of life, stewards CPC’s financial missions’ resources for kingdom impact, and helps cultivate mutually transformative partnerships for our congregation.

Missions Fun Facts

• 15 domestic partners; 14 global partners serving in more than 12 countries

• 7 people serving on the CPC Local Team; 6 on the CPC Global Team; 6 on the Missions Advisory Team

• CPCers have helped 4 families resettle from Arrive Ministries

• 6 cultural immersion experiences

• We’ve hosted 5 global partners to visit CPC over the last 12 months

Van Chounlamountry

MISSIONS

Van cultivates relationships and domestic mission partners and provides opportunities for CPCers to learn and serve alongside them.

Engagement Opportunities

• Join us for Serving Saturday, July 15!

• Our domestic partner Arrive Ministries has a big need for more Good Neighbor Teams. GNTs are groups of 4-10 people who commit to walk alongside a newly resettled family for 12 months, building friendship and helping with practical needs.

• Consider joining our CPC Local or Global team to help build relationships with our partners.

Email missions@cpcedina.org for more information.

Karen helps CPCers connect and serve with CPC 's global partners, creates and leads trips with them, and shares with the congregation the amazing things CPC 's global partners are doing.

Ways to pray for Missions at CPC

Pray that God continues to open the eyes of our CPC community to embrace serving, not just as a checkbox, but as a way of life that brings joy both to us and the world.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF

Karen Rulifson ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS

CPC Missions Team

Serving has changed my heart through consistently evaluating how my worship and attitudes reflect Christ and point others back to God. As a vocalist, as a mom, as a friend to others inside and outside of our CPC community, I am constantly challenged to [try] to align my daily decisions and behaviors

with Jesus’. Nothing has been harder or more rewarding.

What first came to mind for me when I thought about how I have seen God moving in the midst of serving at CPC was that I am being "served" more than being the "server”! How blessed I am at seeing every smile and twinkle in every eye just by saying "Good morning" to all the lovely people coming through the doors of CPC.

My heart and soul feel the Holy Spirit from the babies to the 90+ year old people coming to CPC to worship our Lord and Savior!

Susan Hoganson, First Impressions Volunteer

Throughout the year serving with a Commitment Class small group, I have seen how the young men in my small group have grown in their faith and began taking their own faith seriously.

Jake Olson, High School Ministry Volunteer

In their own words

Quotes from CPCers Who Serve

I love serving on the Memorial Committee. It’s a time when people are sad and really need help. It’s such a privilege to be there for them. It gives me so much joy to be of service to them.

I love being able to see that the kids are building a relationship with Jesus and the church as a whole. I know that I am helping them get to know Jesus and that is really cool!

Judy Pertl, Memorial Reception Volunteer

Mara Teske, Contemporary Worship Volunteer

Marit Peterson, Nursery Volunteer

FEBRUARY 12

Peter David King, parents are David and Emily King.

Cassian Jerome Denn, parents are Emily and Jackson Denn.

Harriet “Hattie” Grace and Juniper “Junie” Faye Eul, parents are Chelsea and Eric Eul.

Leo Bennett Anderson, parents are Stacy and Luke Anderson.

MARCH 19

Kaylee Nicole Hoeg, parents are Brenna and Scott Hoeg.

Wednesday Beylana Reis, parents are Amber and Trevor Reis.

Cora Ann and Caleb Robert Spiegler, parents are Monica and Chris Spiegler.

APRIL 30

Carter Henry Seifert, parents are Keri and Peter Seifert.

Alexander Charles White, parents are Carrie and Keith White.

Mason West, parents are Julie and Mike West.

Aidan Nygren, parents are Kimberly and Dave Nygren.

Madeline “Maddie” Hill, parents are Anne and Chris Hill.

Liam Hunter Gottsch, parents are Kate and Rob Gottsch.

Althea & Eva Barrows, parents are Julie and Anthony Barrows.

Sophia Kerslake, parent is Holly Haines.

MAY 6

Cameron John Dee, parents are Shannon and Matt Dee.

MAY 13

Owen Thomas and William James Miller, parents are Andrea and Adam Miller.

MAY 14

Cameron Brian and Charlotte Nancy Pillsbury, parents are Laura and Matt Pillsbury.

Annika Kate Gerstner, parents are Katie and Brandon Gerstner.

John Henry Dovolis, parents are Becca and Andrew Dovolis.

Kate Virginia Leach, parents are Trista and Tom Leach.

Milly Grace Coonley, parents are Callie and Phil Coonley.

MARRIAGES

Greta Long and Sam O’Brien were married on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

DEATHS

David Wells passed away on February 11 at the age of 50. He is survived by his sister Julie Swoap.

Ralph Jarvis passed away on February 12 at the age of 89. He is survived by his son Tim (Lynn).

Don Landwehr passed away on February 21 at the age of 74. He is survived by his sister Clare (Blane) Anderson. Clare serves on staff at CPC.

Doris Gosselin passed away on February 26 at the age of 96. She is survived by her daughter Mary (Ronald) Leaf.

Beverly “Bev” Meyer passed away on March 1 at the age of 91.

Kay Helmken passed away on March 5 at the age of 55. She is survived by her son Peter and daughters Claire and Caroline.

Lorraine Miedema passed away on March 5 at the age of 92. She is survived by her daughter Luann (Andy) Wyatt and grandchildren Claire Wyatt, Joe Wyatt, and Maggie (David) Bussey.

Phyllis Stanchfield passed away on March 11 at the age of 90. She is survived by her sons Steve (Jill) Kraft and David (Janelle) Brechon, and grandchildren McKenzie, Madison, and Chloe Kraft, and Anna Brechon.

Harold “Harry” Baker passed away on March 16 at the age of 87.

Leigh Paulson passed away on March 17 at the age of 97. He is survived by his daughter Sue (Roy) Earl and grandchildren Rachel and Rebecca Earl.

Robert “Bob” Hamilton passed away on March 29 at the age of 78.

V. George Nagobads, M.D., passed away on March 31 at the age of 101. He is survived by his daughter Sylvia (Joe) Lawver and granddaughter Gigi (Will) Rehnberg.

Patricia Snyder passed away on April 12 at the age of 90. She is survived by daughter Donna (Tom) Talley.

Robert Froemming passed away on April 19 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife Jane, son David (Kathie), and grandchildren Alex, Katie, and Megan.

Eula Carroll passed away on April 19 at the age of 87. She is survived by her daughter Becki (Peter Stene) Carroll.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Ellefson Morrow passed away on April 20 at the age of 92.

Jerry A. Sherman passed away on April 24 at the age of 69. He is survived by his daughters Lisa and Amy.

SPECIAL STAFF ANNIVERSARIES

Erica Ferris, Associate Director of High School, celebrates 5 years.

Emily Hamilton, Pastor of Missions, celebrates 5 years.

Marisa Rockford, HR & Operations Associate, celebrates 5 years.

“Witnessing Jesus through the eyes of my small group reminds me of the fundamental simplicity of our faith’s foundation.”

Story written by Sam Steensland

Leading my group of middle school girls over the past few years has profoundly impacted my life. What began as a fun way to become more involved in the CPC community has transformed into a journey filled with cherished relationships and unforgettable experiences. Being with this group of approximately 10 girls has provided me with a space to teach, learn, and grow alongside them.

One of the aspects I truly treasure about these girls is their outlook on Jesus and the simplicity of their faith. As we naturally mature, our relationship with faith and God often becomes more intricate. However, witnessing Jesus through the

eyes of my small group reminds me of the fundamental simplicity of our faith’s foundation. At the end of the day, Jesus desires a personal relationship with each of us and to walk alongside us. These girls served as a weekly reminder of this truth throughout the past two years.

Additionally, I have had the privilege of being their camp counselor, sharing joyous days with them last summer and preparing to do so again this coming summer. Leading this group of girls has been an incredible honor, and the lessons and memories they have gifted me will forever hold a special place in my heart.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

1. Final night at Rockslide

2. Group selfie on the bus to Rockslide

3. SIX8 Family Dinner

4. Pie in the face!

Q&A with The Porter Family Story and

Interview by Amy Hanson

How did you get connected with Alpha?

GENNA: We went through the Alpha course and led a session at the church Justin and I went to when we were first married. Last fall, we were asked to serve at the CPC Alpha course, and we said we would if we could do it as a family. As parents of young kids and tweens, when there’s an activity every night, we didn’t want Alpha to feel like one more thing on our plate. After starting, Alpha quickly became our kids’ favorite night of the week!

What did you do as volunteers?

JUDE (9): Usually we would help get the food ready, which was really fun. When we arrived at CPC, we would pray and then greet people.

GIA (11): It was about making people feel welcome.

GENNA: The team at CPC is so great making people feel welcome, so we were just continuing that by serving and making people feel comfortable to then have open hearts to learn about Jesus; some for the first time, and others who already had deep faiths.

GIA: And we received so much out of it, too.

JUSTIN: We would leave shortly after the Alpha videos ended,

then we’d talk about the lessons on the car ride home with the kids, so they could explore and process what it means to be a Christian and how to share that with others.

GENNA: As much as we were serving and having that heart, our kids in turn were mentored by the other volunteers, who poured into them. That’s so important for kids to have adult mentors in their life. They’d pray for our kids in our prayer circle, especially if they’d had a hard day. It was something Gia and Jude never wanted to miss.

JUDE: Like on my birthday, we had to miss Alpha and we were all so sad. But it was also cool because the Alpha team sent us a video with a happy birthday message.

What was something unexpected?

GIA: They would make such good food!

JUDE: The food! And I learned more about talking to parents and older adults. There were cool people there that shared their stories, and I met people from our church community.

What were your takeaways?

JUDE: I learned that Jesus is always there. He’s always with you.

THE PORTER FAMILY

Justin & Genna and their kids Gia and Jude, served as a family with Alpha. Alpha is a 9-week experience that teaches the basics of the Christian faith through video and small group conversations.

GIA: Sometimes I’d have a rough day at school, and then I’d go to Alpha and it would make me feel happy again.

JUSTIN: By getting involved in our church community through Alpha, we really experienced God’s love and compassion through the people it brought together. It forced us to hit pause during our week and go serve other people. And the amount we received from Alpha turned out to be so much more than we expected. It really filled our buckets!

GENNA: We’re so glad we said yes as a family. It felt so positive and like a breather in our week. We also learned more about the power of prayer. We would pray beforehand, and both kids, on their own volition, would pray in a group. That can be intimidating, even for adults. They just did it on their own, asking if there was something they could pray for.

How has serving impacted your faith?

JUSTIN: As Christians, we are called to bring others to faith, and I think it can be challenging because it’s almost one of those taboo topics. Being part of an environment where we could have conversations about our purpose in this world and how Jesus’ dying on the cross gives us eternal life was pretty amazing. It’s one thing to go to church and listen to the sermon, but it’s another thing to jump in and serve others.

GENNA: I think it was a reminder to keep watering our kids’ faith. As Christians we’re supposed to be spreading the word, and at Alpha, it creates that space for our kids to grow in their faith. It also allowed our kids to see that we still have questions and we don’t know everything either, even after being a Christian for so long.

JUSTIN: We’re all on different journeys in our faith and what we believe, but as long as it’s centered in Christ, that’s the key. Then you can figure out the rest of the details. We also saw how critical it is to have mentors for the kids outside of Genna and myself. I think we really experienced a taste of that and know there’s more of that to come as we continue to raise our kids.

GENNA: Because of their hearts and that environment, the staff and volunteers took that on so naturally. It’s a great feeling to know your kids have other adults they could go to with a hard topic and are looking out for them.

What encouragement would you offer to other families?

GENNA: We realized the importance of taking time as a family to give back, especially when our kids are young. I would encourage anyone listening to stretch yourself and say yes to those opportunities. Even if you don’t think you have the time, I would say to make the time and prioritize this because it is so important.

JUDE: Just do it. Sometimes we’d even have sports, and we’d be like, “Can we please miss it for Alpha?” So definitely do it!

GIA: I would just tell them to do it, too. It sounds like another thing on your plate, but really you’ll look forward to doing it!

It’s one thing to go to church and listen to the sermon, but it’s another thing to jump in and serve others.

Worship With Us!

SUNDAYS

9:00AM • Traditional Worship

10:00AM • Community@10

11:00AM • Contemporary Worship

IN PERSON & ONLINE AT CPCEDINA.ORG/WORSHIP

Summer Community

SUNDAYS, JULY 9-30 • 10:00-10:50AM

WESTVIEW • CHILDCARE PROVIDED

Meet and connect with other CPCers in a discussion-oriented study led by our pastors. Each week is a stand-alone topic from Skye Jethani’s book What If Jesus Was Serious About the Church?

It is not necessary to read the book to attend, and we look forward to having you join us as your summer schedule allows.