How to lace up your shoes...

Legendary UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden famously began each season with an unusual lesson: how to put on your shoes and socks. He instructed these scholarship athletes, most of whom had been playing basketball since they were little kids, that the foundational way they took care of their feet was important to every other part of playing the game. He emphasized that they needed to take care that their socks had no wrinkles that might cause blisters and that their shoes were laced up tightly so that their feet did not slide around inside of them.

It may seem silly to go back to such basic concepts after years of playing the game, but making certain that everyone is on the same page has many benefits. The same can be said for a church congregation and that's what we will be doing as we focus on Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus.

This Sunday, August 6th, we begin a series working our way through Ephesians. It's a rich book that explains the nature and purpose of the church as the body of Christ. I believe that it will be a valuable refresher and realignment as we approach our 30th year as Community Covenant Church. I hope to see you this week and throughout series.

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Crisis Fund Offering

This Sunday we'll have a basket collecting donations which will then be used to help those within our congregation and community who find themselves in financial need. You can make a check out to "CCC" and place it or cash into the basket following the worship service or drop it off/mail it to the church with a designation that it should be applied to the Crisis Fund. Thank you for enabling us to share the love of Jesus in a practical way.

New Marriage-Focused Small Group to Begin

Tami and I will be hosting a marriage-small group at our home on Friday evenings. If you've been thinking that your marriage could use a boost, join us for a 10 week Bible study titled, "10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage."  The study will encourage our commitment to more intentional communication, intimacy, conflict-resolution, and most importantly our spiritual life together.

Recognizing that sharing your most vulnerable relationship with others might be a scary thing, please know that we all have our own issues; this will be a safe place with confidentiality and no judgement.  

We'll begin on Friday, August 11th at 7:00 in our home (the green mobile home next to the church.)  Since it's summer we know you may not be available every week, but don't let that stand in your way from joining us as you are able!  Pray with your spouse and see if this is something that God is nudging you to do. The book is available from Amazon.

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