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It's a bit sobering to step back and evaluate the things that we do on a repeated basis. Sure, there are many things like breathing and tying our shoes that go about unnoticed and are not that consequential (unless you end up tying your shoes together). But repeated actions, even small ones, can have big consequences for us - either good ones or bad ones. A constant drip of water onto a rock can, over time, reshape the rock. The repeated lifting of a weight will build up a person's muscles. Although we may think that wearing away a rock or getting into shape is a monstrous undertaking, we need not be discouraged from taking steps in the direction we're aiming for. It's often the small things that no one sees that result in the big things everyone wants. This Sunday, January 29th, we'll be concluding our sermon series, "Small Things, Big Difference", as we consider our habits. Habits get established by repeating something on a consistent basis. And good habits will lead to good results. What small habits, or disciplines, is God nudging you to begin establishing in your life in 2017. Pastor Jeff in Louisville for Covenant Pastors Conference This coming week I will be joining hundreds of my colleagues in ministry at the annual Midwinter Conference. This year it will take place in Louisville, KY, and feature speakers Bill Hybels, Greg Jao, Larry Acosta, and many more. The conference is an opportunity to connect with other Covenant pastors, to share interests and ideas, to encourage and be encouraged, to reflect and be inspired, and to laugh and have fun. It's something I look forward to each year and helps to restore, re-energize, and reaffirm God's call on my life. Thank you for budgeting in order to enable me to participate in this important experience. If you're interested, you can watch the live stream of the main sessions on the Covenant's website at: midwinter.covchurch.org. Special Guest On Sunday, February 5th, I'm pleased to welcome one of my heroes to our worship service: my dad, Bud Palmberg! Bud is a retired Covenant pastor who's served churches in AL, IL, WA, and Lucerne, Switzerland. In fact, he was Pastor Gregg and Cathy's pastor prior to Gregg entering the ministry!
You'll probably notice some family resemblance, but my dad likes to point out that he has more hair than I do! I hope you'll be able to join us! There's a saying that I like: A smart person knows what to say. The problem is that words have the power to build up or tear down. Too often we simply become focused on our own opinions and "right" to express them. But that's a really self-centered way to live in a world filled with other people who can either be built up or torn down by the words we speak.
And it's not simply other people who are impacted by the words we speak. We are too! We can build up or tear down ourselves through our own words. This Sunday, January 22, we'll be continuing our series "Small Things, Big Difference" as we consider our words. What does God's Word have to say about our words? I hope you'll be able to join us. Resources For YouEvery second of every minute of every hour of every day thoughts come into your head. Some of them are good ("I should help that person"), some are bad ("I can't stand listening to her"), and some are neutral ("Did I remember to buy milk?"). We really can't control how these thoughts flit into our brains. But we can control what happens once they've entered! This Sunday, January 15, we'll be continuing our sermon series "Small Things, Big Differences" as we consider our thoughts. They may seem insignificant, but they are small things that can set the course for our lives. Let's make a choice which can lead to a wonderful, abundant life in 2017!  Do you have a phone or other electronic device? Do you have access to the Bible on it?
Put a free Bible on your phone, tablet, and computer. YouVersion is a simple, ad-free Bible that brings God's Word into your daily life. Simply go to https://www.youversion.com/ to learn more and download it. Or you can go to the App Store on your device to download it. Once you've downloaded YouVersion, you can find lots of reading plans with lots of Bible translations. Some are built around a theme, some take you through the entire Bible, some are geared toward kids. Check them out and make God's Word a part of your 2017. In the movie "City Slickers", the trail boss, Curly, tells Mitch that the secret to life is "just one thing"... and you have to figure out what that one thing is for yourself. As we begin a new year, it's natural to reflect on our current lives and how we'd like to change. However, the changes we'd like to make often seem so big that we get overwhelmed and decide, "I guess I'm just going to have to get used to the way things are..." Begining this Sunday, January 8th, we're starting a new sermon series we're calling "Small Things, Big Difference". In fact, one word could very well change the trajectory of your coming year! I know that God desires the best for his children, so let's do the small things that will put us in the place where we can experience all that he has for us! Good Samaritan Fund OfferingOur benevolence fund is the means by which we are able to financially help people within our church and community in a practical and important way. Each year we're able to distribute thousand of dollars to help with food, shelter, vehicle repairs and more.
This Sunday we will have a special collection to replenish this designated fund. Please consider making a donation in the basket which will be set out during our post-worship fellowship time. You can either contribute cash or check (made payable to "CCC" and designated to benevolence). Of course, you can also contribute through the mail or your bank account direct deposit. If you need assistance or more information, contact the church office. |
Pastor JeffThoughts about living as a Jesus follower and life at Community Covenant Church Archives
December 2020
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