Spice January 2014 by College Heights

January 2014

Ready For the New Year?

College Heights Christian Church

It’s January, the start of a new year and time to dust off the treadmills we use as clothes hangers, analyze our bad habits, and make those New Year’s resolutions. And here’s how those resolutions usually work: we make ’em and we break ‘em! In fact, studies suggest that fewer than 12 percent of us keep our New Year’s resolutions. Yet we’ve been making them for thousands of years. It’s true! Records suggest that as far back as 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians were making (and undoubtedly breaking) New Year’s resolutions. Why have we been making resolutions for so long? It’s our human nature to constantly evaluate and want to change things. We ask “What’s wrong with me?” and then we vow to give up our favorite coffee shop in the morning and head for the gym. But history has a way of repeating itself, and soon our steering wheel is inching its way back toward luscious mocha, whipped cream, forgo-the-skinny land. After 4,000 years with an 88 percent failure rate, it’s obvious that resolutions are long overdue for retirement. This new year, say goodbye once and for all to the old way, and let a new way begin. Because a better way of looking at things has come. The Message translation of 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 makes it plain that we don’t have to ask “what’s wrong with me?” or evaluate ourselves (or others) the same way anymore: “…We don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at Him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life flourishes!” Time to get rid of the old mirrors and start looking at a new reflection! Our human way of evaluating ourselves just doesn’t work. It really is what’s on the inside, not the outside that counts.

Women In

Ministry THE WORD This is what the Lord says… “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. —Isaiah 43:18-19

THINK ABOUT IT My New Year’s Revelation List: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Stop looking to the same old resolutions to change your life this new year, and look instead for the new change—the inside-out change—that is your new life. Not in what you do but who you truly are. Rather than a list of resolutions, make a list of revelations! And celebrate the true joy of a happy new year!

JANUARY 2014

Are You Ready to Stretch & Grow in Your Faith? Do you feel that you are well-grounded in your faith, have a good comprehension of the Bible, and have a heart that genuinely loves and serves the Lord? But do you also feel that you want to be challenged, motivated and to go deeper in your walk with the Lord? The Christian Education Department of College Heights has recently come across a program that we believe will benefit the congregation and help us to ‘become more passionate disciples of Jesus Christ who are radically changing the world.’ This program is called Thoroughly Equipped: Developing Co-Laborers (or “DC” for short) and was written by Southeast Christian Church, and has been used by a number of churches. In our own church, a small group of men led by Dick Crabill, started this study last semester and say very good things about it. This is a self-guided program that focuses on three aspects: Scripture Memorization, Bible Reading, and Bible Study. It requires 4-5 hours of homework per week and then a small group meets together once a week for discussion. We are excited to begin a Women’s DC group at College Heights this month. Tentatively, we plan to meet on Wednesday nights beginning January 15, but the needs of the individuals involved will be considered. The entire course consists of four sections over a 21-month period, however, we are initially only asking for a commitment for the first 10 weeks. Even though this will be very challenging for me personally, I am very excited because I anticipate the spiritual fruit it can produce. I don’t know where you may be in your faith walk, but if you feel you are at an intersection where you are ready to stretch and grow in your faith, then I pray you will join me and a small group of ladies. Together we can provide the fellowship and accountability that can be the iron-sharpening-iron factor we need to spur one another on as we allow the Lord to teach us through His Word. Please visit www.thoroughlyequipped.org for more info. If you are interested or would like to discuss this, please email me at tlieb@chcchurch.org or call me at the church office 624-6915 x321. ~ Trena Lieb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are You Ready To Serve? Looking for a way to minister to others that’s a small time commitment with a big kingdom impact? God's Resort Ministry is in need of 15 more women to pray with the female residents. It is a once a month commitment of 30 minutes. You, along with two other volunteers, will be praying with and encouraging the resident to a closer walk with Jesus. Days and times are flexible to accommodate your schedule. All volunteers and residents involved will receive training and support. Our next informational meeting/training session will be Sunday February 2nd at 4pm at the Community Center, th 15 & Pearl. For more information, contact Donna Clemens at (417) 860-2916 or donnajclemens@hotmail.com.

Are You Ready To Eat?

Let’s Do Lunch…

Suzanne’s Natural Foods 3106 S Connecticut, Joplin All ladies welcome, join us

January 16

11:30 to 1:00 (come and go as your time allows) Salad Bar, Soup, Sandwiches, Smoothies, Juices, etc.

JANUARY 2014

Are You Ready to Study? New Bible Studies Beginning Soon

 Daytime Studies  Tuesday Mornings 9:00-11:00 STUDY TO BE DETERMINED Beginning February 4 Cean Gardner 649-0150 & Kara Arnce 626-0813 1225 W Fountain Rd, Joplin

Thursday Mornings 9:00-10:30 I CORINTHIANS through I THESSALONIANS Beginning January 9 Karen Wallis 626-9296 & Lois Evans 782-1248 105 Friendship Circle, Joplin

Thursday Afternoon 1:30-3:00 POWER OF A PRAYING WOMAN Study by Stormie Omartian Beginning January 16 Corky Nelson 649-5114 Parkwood Senior Apartments 1200 N Rangeline, Joplin

 Evening Studies  Wednesday Evenings 6:45-8:15

Wednesday Evenings 7:00-8:15

(For Single Moms ~ “Together We Stand”) SURVEY OF THE BIBLE Beginning January 15 Angela Grantham 626-7035 & Julie Gariss 624-9506 College Heights Christian Church Classes for children available Meal is provided

30 DAYS TO BECOMING A WOMAN OF PRAYER Study by Stormie Omartian Beginning January 15 Joanie Evans 402-680-4493 College Heights Christian Church Classes for children available

Wednesday Evenings 7:00-8:15 THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED: Developing Co-Laborers” Beginning January 15 Trena Lieb 624-6915 x321 College Heights Christian Church Classes for children available

Wednesday Evenings 7:00-8:15 BELOVED DISCIPLE Study by Beth Moore Beginning January 15 Kris Johnson 624-6915 x321 College Heights Christian Church Classes for children available

February 7 ~ 7:00PM Mark your calendars now!! CHCC will be hosting a Four-State Women's Rally Friday evening, February 7

Daughters of the King There will be praise & worship, fellowship, fun, and a message from Julie Gariss All churches in the 4-state area are encouraged and invited to come and enjoy an evening of fellowship, praise & inspiration.

Have you ever said the word ENOUGH! We have said it in frustration, exhaustion & in joy. But God says it with a quiet voice, whispering in your ear… “I am enough. I am more than enough for your every need.” And besides that, He says to you “Because I AM – you, my child – are enough.”

Annual Women’s Getaway Guest speaker, Julie St. Clair

February 28 – March 2 at Cave Springs – Quapaw OK 3 Registration Options: Option 1: 1 night, 3 meals - $40 Option 2: 2 nights, 4 meals - $60 Option 3: Saturday only, 2 meals $28