Here is a brief outline of the events for the week

Monday – Preparing care packages and cards for our soldiers overseas.

Tuesday – Bringing cold drinks and snacks to the children and teens at our local Skate Park, just a way for our children to bring a blessing to their friends.

Wednesday – Movie Day!  We’ll be going to see the Veggies Tales: Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, it will be a fun way to tie into the lesson’s we’re learning each morning during our rally time.

Thursday- Church Playground Beautifying day!  We’ll plant flowers, pull weeds, and paint a fence with a personal touch from each child!

Friday – CCN’s Annual Backpack Giveaway, the children will have the opportunity to serve another children from our immediate community in a tangible way by giving them a backpack full of school supplies.  We’ll have a game together as well as a treat of ice cream sundaes.

A woman who’d recently lost her job, medical insurance and was afraid received encouragment and hope. A bunch of cab drivers–yeah totally, we had like 8 cabs come through the car wash line–were helped by having someone to share their fears about the lack of fares in a bad economy. Someone else told me, “It’s just really nice to know there are still good people in the world.” And a woman said, “I really felt the presence of the the Lord when I cam here.”

It was a blast, we honored Christ, we got to hang out together and we got to bless others.  One guy pulled out his wallet to get some cash. We told him to put it away, this is a gift from God to him today–”deal with it.”  I’m praying a lot of people are having to deal with the idea that Christians can love without any strings attached.

It was an amazing time. I’m hooked–when can we do it again?

THIS SATURDAY, 9-12 No Donations Accepted Car Wash!

Imagine selfless love made visible. Imagine a car wash that wasn’t really a car wash.  Imagine the shock to those who are told, “We absolutely will not accept any donations.”  Imagine the power of a team of people reaching the community in a simple act of love (like a car wash) with absolutely no strings attached.  Maybe it would open the door to believing in the ridiculously extravagant love of God for us in Jesus Christ.

More details to come…

Imagine a line of cars down the street and around the corner waiting to be washed. The drivers are drinking ice cold water provided by the volunteers who have come to serve–just to serve. While the car is being washed another (host) volunteer is chatting with the waiting driver. In the course of the conversation it comes up that the car’s owner–an older woman with a noticeable limp–hasn’t been able to mow her lawn.
The host volunteer discreetly makes a couple phone calls and before her car is finished the injured woman learns that a team of volunteers will be at her house later in the day to mow her lawn. With tears in her eyes she asks to make a donation. It is politely refused. “This is something we wanted to do to serve our community. We wanted you to know that Jesus loves you; that you matter to God.”
Driving away in her newly cleaned car she feels something that she thought she’d never feel again. Hope.
At the end of the day the volunteers share a meal and talk about all the lives they’ve touched. There’s is excitement, joy and a profound gratitude that they got to serve like Jesus–washing cars was kinda like washing feet. Selfless love made visible.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries

Myanmar Aid – We give praise that Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) is working with local Nazarenes to give assistance to victims of Cyclone Nargis . Please continue to pray for the people of Myanmar and for NCM personnel as they work to bring hope and comfort to the hurting.

Transformation of Asia-Pacific Youth and Children – Pray for the Holy Spirit’s transforming power in the youth and children of the Asia-Pacific Region. Pray that they stand firm and embrace Christ while surrounded by pressure to conform to worldly life.

The Center of Hope – The Center of Hope in Bhekulwandle, South Africa, focuses on helping those suffering from extreme poverty and AIDS. Pray for the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries staff who administer this center and for each person who walks through its doors.

CIS Church Development – Please pray for church development and ways to minister to people living in former communist nations. Pray they will be effective in what ever way the Lord leads, so more churches are established and more people come to the Lord.