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LIFT High the Cross
Celebration Sunday To Obtain a copy of the LIFT Video, contact the Church Office
October 17, 2004 Dear Members and Friends, Memories of this past Olympiad are still vivid in my mind. As you know, one of the last events to take place is the running of the marathon, 26.2 miles long. Those who compete are veterans of other races. Yet, even with that experience and months of grueling training, every one of them will at some point "hit the wall," that moment when he or she must decide whether to drop out or press on. The race is won by those who endure. We are similarly in a marathon, more spiritual than physical. For us, it is the race of our life! If one capital campaign on top of another is not like "hitting the wall," I don’t know what is. I do know that we must press on at this time and finish the course before us. There are many, many people looking to us and counting on us to do so. We will finish strong if, as the Apostle Paul says, we keep our eyes "fixed on Jesus!" Our Awareness Couriers are delivering packets of information to your home this afternoon. Our hope is that you will take the time to read the information and view the DVD as you begin preparing to make your commitment to support Living In Faith Together. This information tells the story of what God is doing in the life of our church and has been developed for us entirely by fellow members and staff. Additionally, we have enclosed a Prayer Journal in the packet. Please begin your own journey of prayer as together we take the next step of faith God has for us. Obviously, we are trying to raise funds to reduce the amount of our debt service. However, we will measure the success of this campaign not by how much we raise, but by whether this campaign is pleasing to God. Please do not rely on information alone. Allow God to be part of your decision to give in this campaign. Whatever else you do, do not omit prayer. I want you to know that I do not consider this to be a financial campaign as much as it is a spiritual campaign. If we are spiritually committed to what God is trying to do through us, I believe the financial part will take care of itself. With deep gratitude for all
you have done and for the privilege of being your pastor, I am
Dear Friends, Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, "Tell all the world adore His sacred Name." Do you peek through the trees each Sunday to see who will be the first one to see the cross high above our Sanctuary? It will soon be winter, and the cross over our Sanctuary will be dancing higher in the trees. How fortunate we are to enjoy and to share the fruits of our labor. How fortunate we are to count and to share the many blessings we have received from God. Let us open our hearts and our minds in prayer as we focus on the financial needs of our congregation. The Living in Faith Together, "LIFT," capital campaign has started and will culminate with a Celebration of Praise on Sunday, November 14, 2004 when we will LIFT our gifts to God in hopes of completing the financial funding of the Sanctuary. In the coming weeks leading up to Celebration Sunday, consider the following thoughts in your daily devotions and prayers. Imagine: Imagine the first time you sat in this Holy place, found your joy and shared the word of God. Imagine the wonderful friends you have made at CCPC. Imagine the children in their classrooms and how much this Church home means to them. Imagine the Christian fellowship and love we have all experienced. Re-kindle: Re-kindle our Love for you, Lord. In our new faith journey, help us learn more about you and your will for our lives. And with this new knowledge and spiritual growth, help us grow closer to you. For if we draw closer to you, Lord, we have not labored in vain. Reach out: Have us reach out to new friends and neighbors, Lord. Hold our hands along the way. Remind us again of the awesome plan and mission you have for Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church: To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. Understanding: Pray for peace and understanding. Pray for our Pastoral Staff and Educational Leaders to guide us and teach us to be strong Christian Stewards every day of the week. Sacrifice: Give us courage to take bold steps in your name, Father. Help us to understand sacrificial giving with an over and above gift. Help us know what it means to give up something we value in praise of the greatest gift you have already given to us, through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Healing: Pray for healing. Pray that each member and friend of CCPC has the opportunity to let go of any concerns regarding the construction and building process. Let us focus on you, Lord, and your will for this Church to continue its mission. Create in us a clean heart. Pray for unity and perseverance for our Church during LIFT. The Church and its Session have informed us that our efforts to reduce the mortgage and its related monthly mortgage payments will relieve the financial pressures in other critical areas including mission and outreach. We are so excited about taking the next step of faith as a Church family through Living in Faith Together. We look forward to being with you on Celebration Sunday as we offer our gifts to the Lord. Ann and Carey Keane Download a pdf version of the 24-day Prayer Jounal Why another capital campaign? Remaining faithful to our call To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC) is taking the next step of faith in becoming the church to which God has called us. With the end of the G.I.F.T. campaign's three-year commitment and with the realization of remaining financial obligations, it is the right time to continue this step of faith, allowing CCPC more opportunities to focus outward for future ministry and mission. How are we doing this? The Session and the Steering Committee have chosen the title of the campaign: L.I.F.T. - Living in Faith Together. Our own gilded cross sitting majestically above our new home provides a reminder to all of us that we are here to "lift" our gifts to God in order that He may use them to His glory. 1. First, we are going to LOOK into the Word of the Lord. From Kick-off Sunday on October 17 through Celebration Sunday on November 14, worship and education classes will be focusing on Stewardship: Giving Daily in Christian Life. 2. Second, we will LISTEN for His call. The Prayer Team will be providing a devotional guide for you to look at God’s Word and to pray for His guidance, individually and corporately. 3. Third, we will LIFT honor and praise to God as we make our new two-year L.I.F.T. commitments on Celebration Sunday, November 14. CCPC has once again contracted the expert leadership of the Genesis Group to consult us during this over and above campaign. One of the themes is from II Samuel 24:24, where King David cites, "I will not offer as a sacrifice to the Lord my God that which costs me nothing." Each member is asked to make a commitment in faith with a joyful heart to the glory of God. Why is it the right time? In January 2005, CCPC will complete
the transaction to establish the permanent mortgage for 3901 North
Star Road. It has been recommended by the Session of CCPC and
the Finance As many of you will remember in the congregational briefings leading us to 3901 North Star Road, the Sanctuary was not part of the original focus of the architectural design team. Following Celebration Sunday in May 2001, the Master Design including the Sanctuary, Atrium and Tennent Hall was approved by Session and reported to the congregation. Remember how pleased we were to have the Sanctuary and fellowship areas in the final building detail? What is my part in all of this? First and foremost, make prayer your priority. Pray by yourself and with others. Pray that God will continue to use the community of CCPC to impact others. Pray that the L.I.F.T. campaign will provide spiritual growth in your life and will be consistent with God’s will for the life of this church. Pray for boldness. Ask yourself, “What does it mean to give sacrificially an over and above gift?” “What does it mean to give up something of value to receive something of greater value?” When asked to participate this Fall, step forward and take part. Have faith that when you make your gift, God will provide. Together we will all experience God’s limitless grace as we take the next step of faith to L.I.F.T. our gifts to the Lord! The L.I.F.T. Executive Committee:
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