Unless the Lord...

Psalm 127:1–2 (CSB)

¹Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. 

²In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food— yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.

Unless the Lord.

It's a phrase that does describe and I hope continues to describe even more my heart position towards life. As Christ Community rallied around people and serving and "business" and food and celebration this weekend, that phrase just echoed in my heart and mind. Unless the Lord.. He's built and watched over and given us so much at Christ Community. I'm so grateful he's invited us to join Him in going out to make disciples.

Let me try and hit the highlights!

Student Unplugged Retreat

Christ Community was bartering for extra spots at this weekend's Unplugged retreat! It was encouraging to hear stories of student leadership, a desire for even more time detached from devices, and students sharing their stories as they grow in their faith. 

Love Shelbyville Day

All the typical highlights were there - meaningful ministry projects, people connecting to ministries they weren't familiar with, friends coming along to serve.. But there were 2 things that really stood out to me yesterday. One was watching the most unlikely of relationships blossoming as a blanket was made and the other was the number of people hungry to learn how to share their faith. Real deal, outsider mentality and trust in the Lord! 

Annual Dinner Meeting

What a great turnout! What great food! What a great encouragement to see so many of us leaning in and engaging with being the church.

We celebrated some growth that wouldn't have happened unless the Lord... we talked through some growing pains, we approved a budget, and we shared 5 commitments we can all make as we move into 2026.

In case you missed it, grab a copy of The Outsider at church, and check out this digital copy of the financial report that includes the 5 commitments.

Spiritual Health Surveys

This time of year, we also encourage everyone to take our annual spiritual health survey. It's a tool that not only helps you take an honest look in the mirror at your spiritual health and growth, but also helps us as leaders grasp our strengths and growing edges as a church spiritually. 

You can fill out the survey online or pick up a copy at the Connect desk in the month of December.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Every year in December we participate in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Each Sunday between now and December 21 we'll introduce you to partners who benefit from this offering that supports international missionaries. Community Kids will participate (stay tuned for more from them!), and everything given on Sunday, December 21 will go towards the offering as well. Finally, there will be CCC gear for sale in the lobby with 100% of the proceeds going to the offering. Our goal this year is $15,000!

God Sent

That's the theme of our Christmas sermon series! God is in the business of sending people to bring hope, and joy, and faith, and love - has been for a long time! All of those and more came in the person of Jesus. This Christmas, we not only want to be reminded of that, but we also want to ask how God might be sending us to extend the hope and joy and love of Christ to our friends and family. Whose story might change this Christmas if you'd allow God to send you?? This next month is a great opportunity to invite your friends. Christmas opens the door for even those furthest from Christ to say yes to an invitation to consider faith in Jesus. Time to GO, CCC!