INTERNATIONAL

We support a number of international ministries, especially biblical and reformed church planting movements. We long to see mature churches established, with well-equipped leaders among every people group. We week to accomplish this through education, encouragement, support and sending members of our own church and denomination to other countries. Apart from those we support directly, we also support our denomination’s Mission to the World.

NATIONAL

We support many initiatives that seek to bring the Gospel to our own nation. Every Christian is called to be a “light to the world” and so we see our local community as the first place for each member to begin the work to which the Lord has called us. We encourage many ministries that seek to share the love of Christ with those around them. Apart from those we support directly, we also support our denomination’s Mission to North America.

COLLEGIATE

ChristChurch is situated in the heart of the city and is surrounded by educational institutions. We are very committed to college ministries having a long-standing partnership between us and local Campus Crusade for Christ leadership. We also support RUF, and Intervarsity and we have leaders from all these and other student organizations worshipping with us.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, and the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James  1:27

The deacons oversee Mercy Ministries. They administer the funds, and they oversee and assist with special needs. We give time, financial aid and other resources to many different ministry opportunities.

OUR MISSION

To see University students become Christ-centered laborers.

OUR HEART

Many of our church’s members and leaders experienced profound life change during their defining college years and we know that Atlanta’s college students today will become the country’s leaders tomorrow. That’s why ChristChurch partners with Campus Crusade for Christ, Reformed University Fellowship, and InterVarsity leaders in offering students in Atlanta great opportunities to see what it means to follow Jesus Christ while they are in college.

LEARNING AND QUESTIONING

If you are wanting to learn more about the Christian faith, then our college leaders are on hand to help. If you are struggling with how to be a Christian in what is, at times, an antagonistic environment, they can help and point you to others in your college or dorm At ChristChurch we deliberately foster a ‘questioning environment’. For Christians and non-Christians alike, this is a safe place in which to ask faith related questions without being ‘put down’. If you are wanting to be stretched in your faith then Sunday School classes and other occasional courses are available.

DIVERSITY

Many students worship with us at ChristChurch each year. The diversity among those who come is exciting and encouraging for us all.

• Students join us from Atlanta, from Georgia, and from around the United States, but also from several countries around the world.
• Some students are undergraduates and some are involved in postgraduate research of world importance.
• Some worship in a Presbyterian church “back home” and others worship in a variety of different denominations.
• Many students are involved in different Christian ministries at their universities (Campus Crusade, Reformed University Fellowship, Inter-Varsity and others), but all will find a welcome home at ChristChurch for worship and fellowship.

BRINGING FRIENDS

Many college friends may never have been near a church. Here they will be assured of a welcome, so do invite others. Remember Sundays @ 7 would be a good service to which to bring friends. For those who want to go further, please come with them to one of the regular Christianity Explored course, which run for 8 weeks most terms.

In prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit, we seek to help women cultivate a Biblical worldview which…

• Integrates our faith into all areas of life
• Challenges us to understand and embrace our unique God-given design and purpose as women in today’s culture
• Fosters commitment to authentic life-on-life relationships, especially between older and younger women
• Compels us to serve our church body and reach out to our community

…through a vital and transforming relationship with Christ and for His glory.

Weekly study & Discipleship Opportunities

• Wednesday AM & PM Study/Discipleship Groups:  9:30 – 11:30 am; 7:00* – 9:00 pm (Education Bldg.) (*PM Study alternates with churchwide prayer during 1^st hour)

Topic:  A Study of the Gospels from the Disciples’ Perspective (part 2).  An investigative study of the disciples’ growing relationship with Jesus, with the goal of personal transformation.  (Includes a schedule to read all 4 gospels + optional Bible study guide: $5)
Discipleship Groups meet during the 2nd hour for discussion, prayer, and deepening of cross-generational relationships

• Wednesday AM Inductive Study:  9:30 – 11:30 am (Education Bldg.) – led by Shawn Gutteridge

Topic:  Knowing God’s Covenant.  God enters into a binding agreement with His people and always keeps His promises. Trusting Him as a covenant partner frees us from the bondage of worry and anxiety. This study will transform the way you read the Scriptures!  (Precept workbook: $25)
Prayer Groups meet during last half hour

(For the AM studies, Contact Sermerlyn Wallace in advance (spw87@aol.com) if you will need childcare.)

2010 “Points of Connection” forums

Saturday mornings (9:30 am – noon):   January 30 /  March 20 / May 1
Make plans now to join us in the Education Bldg. Blue Room for informal panel discussions in Q&A format in which various ChristChurch women will share their experiences in addressing specific life issues in the context of their faith journeys.

• January 30:  Mothers & Daughters
• March 20:  Counterfeit Gods
• May 1:  Relationships with Men

Whether you are currently dealing with the topic at hand, have been through similar experiences, or may face similar issues in the future, these informal Forums are opportunities for women of all ages and life stages to hear, ask questions, learn from each other, and be encouraged in dealing with the challenges life brings.  And just as importantly, through these times together we can make ourselves available for the relationship connections God may want to build among us.

What’s your idea?

If you like getting women together for activities such as hikes, movie nights, etc. (or your own ideas!), pick a date, a time, and a plan, then contact anyone on the Women’s Leadership Team (see below) and we’ll help you get the word out!   Whether it’s as simple as coming up with a time/place for a hike or bike ride, or a more planned activity like a gardening or crafts workshop, you can be a catalyst for fun ways to develop relationships with other women at ChristChurch!  Or if you’re interested in starting or being part of a team to plan these types of activities, contact Jane Carter, women’s ministries coordinator (see below).

Ongoing service opportunities

Contact the coordinator below if you would like to be part of a resource pool for providing a meal or meals as these needs arise.  When there is a need, the coordinator will contact the women on the resource pool list, with suggested dates that meals would be needed, and if possible you would simply sign up for one or more dates.

• New Moms’ Meals – Coordinators: Terri Davidson (e-mail: tdavidson@wcfamily.net) and Melissa Bottoms (e-mail: mcbott@comcast.net)

• Special Needs Meals** (hospitalization, death in family, surgery or illness recovery, other times of significant stress or handicap, etc.) – Coordinators:  Marcie Tuten (e-mail: marcie.tuten@gmail.com) and Katie Baldwin (e-mail:  cemac16@gmail.com)

**If you have a Special Need, please let us know by contacting Elise at the church office (404-605-0505) or Marcie Tuten or Katie Baldwin (above) so that the Body of Christ can serve you during this time**

Women’s e-prayer list

If you would like to receive a weekly e-prayer list that is sent out only to women in the church, contact Tonya Hightower (tonya.hightower@gmail.com) to be added to the distribution list.  Also contact Tracey if you have a prayer request you would like other women to pray with you about.

Women’s leadership team

• Erin Lewis, Coordinator – 404-808-0812; erinlglewis@aol.com
• Beth Reames – 404-252-8850; beth@ebreames.com
• Helen Stewart – 404-309-9822; helen.vos@gmail.com
• Kristina Crockett – 404-431-7780; kw_crockett@yahoo.com
• Mary Margaret Lee – 404-660-8182; lee.mary.margaret@gmail.com
• Melissa Dickinson – 727-744-2085; melissaadickinson@gmail.com
• Sharon Gardner – 404-240-5686; sharon111@bellsouth.net

To provide a community for young adults, married or single, that encourages involvement in the larger body of ChristChurch, while at the same time striving for:

(a) deeper fellowship;

(b) spiritual growth, both individually and corporately;

(c) service to each other and to our surrounding community; and

(d) ways to demonstrate the love of Christ to a broken and hurting world.

Means

(1)  Hanging Out: The young adults ministry tries to have at least one big event each month. In the past we’ve done things such as cookouts, progressive tailgate parties, movie nights, holiday parties, and other similar events. We also have regular luncheons together after morning church service. We encourage you to make an effort to attend these events, as they provide a great opportunity to meet others and to just enjoy spending time together.

(2)   Fellowship: We believe that fellowship means more than just hanging out and having fun, it is inviting the Holy Spirit to commune with us and growing closer to the Lord together. Currently ChristChurch has several great opportunities to do this as a church body, through Sunday morning services, Sunday night services, Wednesday night prayer, and home groups. We urge you to become involved in those areas, and starting February 26th we will be introducing a monthly Friday Worship Night.

(3)   Ministry: There is a movement within the college and young adults groups toward ministry to the homeless in Atlanta. We know from Isaiah 58 and various other parts of Scripture that God has a heart for the poor and the hungry. As we seek to conform our hearts to His own, we want to desire the things He desires. We have a group currently meeting to discuss how we can become involved with existing ministries in the area and perhaps craft a niche of our own. If God has put a burden on your heart for a ministry such as this, please email Nagib Hermes at nagibhermes@mac.com and Jeff Shaw at jshaw@hw-law.com.

(4)    Training: We are in the midst of discussing a program that will help college students transition into the workplace and those who are working view their labors as God’s calling. This will likely involve, in part, an element of teaching and a mentorship program through which young professionals can be paired with a church member who is experienced in the same field. These mentors can share the struggles they faced, discuss how God has developed their ministry in the secular workplace, and pray for and with their mentees. Again, we will share more information with you on this as the details are developed. If you are interested in helping with this area of ministry, contact Becca Gartrell at Rebecca.Gartrell@uscm.org.

Upcoming Events

May 7, 2010 – Eric Peters in Concert; 7 pm, ChristChurch Sanctuary (admission is free!)

May 15, 2010 – Starlight Drive-in Movies; Meet at the church at 6:30 pm to carpool

May 16, 2010 – Young Adults Luncheon; Following the 11:00 service; Paul & Sharon Gardner’s home

June 12, 2010 – Picnic & Laser Show @ Stone Mountain; carpool from the church

June 26 – Low Country Boil @ Dan & Laura Richard’s home

July 11, 2010 – Young Adults Luncheon; Following the 11:00 service; Location TBD

” ‘But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight,’ says the LORD.” – Jeremiah 9:24

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY, email Anna Eubanks at anna.w.eubanks@gmail.com or Jeff Shaw at jshaw@hw-law.com.

Children’s Church and Sunday School provide opportunities for bringing Biblical truths and their applications to children’s lives.

Vacation Bible School 2010 , “Water Works Park,” will be held on June 21-25.

All kids age 4 – rising 6th graders* are invited to join us for this fun week of Bible-filled teaching. Get ready for a splash-tacular VBS filled with fun “attractions” to visit every day! Children will have fun diving into this year’s water-based Bible Stories as they “ride the wave” of God’s love.

Sign up now to reserve your child’s “ticket” for a fun-filled week of VBS that they won’t want to miss! To sign up, please visit the table in the foyer on Sunday mornings, email ccpvbs@yahoo.com, or call the church office at (404) 605-0505. Admission is free!

For more information, please contact Brandee Bratcher at brandeebratcher@yahoo.com.

*Nursery and classes for ages newborn to 3 years old are available for children of VBS volunteers.

The Arts Ministry is designed to encourage not only artists but also those simply interested in the arts to discover God’s creative image through the variety of artistic media He has given us. By sponsoring various activities and events, the Arts Ministry seeks to cultivate in those both inside and outside of the church an increased comprehension of the arts as an expression of God’s transcendent grace and beauty.

GENEMA GALLERY

In keeping with our mission, Genema Gallery, located in the Christ Church foyer, displays quarterly exhibits of local artists’ works.

“From photography, to oils, to watercolors, to mixed media, and focusing on a variety of topics, these exhibits have become a mainstay of the Arts Ministry, both to the artist and to those who come through our doors.”

Each year, the Arts Ministry also sponsors a juried exhibition of paintings, photographs and other media centered upon a chosen theme. The exhibition hangs during the summer months and incorporates a topic covered by the summer sermon series at Christ Church. In the Summer of 2001, the art exhibition and sermon series were centered on the theme of Paradox. Local gallery owners and partners at Atlanta’s High Museum are involved in the final selection of pieces submitted by artists from both the surrounding community and other states.

Other activities include occasional gallery walks and special exhibits, and we have also been known to delve into a book study on a relevant topic.

Buckhead – Castlewood
John & Anne Buchanan: annebuchanan@bellsouth.net

Buckhead – Spring Lake
Christy Cella: samples78@aol.com

Collier Hills
David & Charity Roe: theroeclan@gmail.com

Decatur/N. Druid Hills
Bob & Catherine Elder: roelder@gmail.com

Mableton
Dan & Laura Richard: dan.f.richard@gmail.com

Marietta
Chris & Mikki Mardis: cmardis@gmail.com

Midtown/Home Park
Emily Winck: emilywinck@gmail.com

Northridge/Dunwoody
Bill & Betsy Long: bettsmom@aol.com

N. Atlanta/Riverside Dr.
Rencher & Shawn Gutteridge: shawngutteridge@comcast.net

Peachtree Hills
Gary & Heather Kirby: bgkirby@yahoo.com

Sandy Springs
Pete & Paulette Jackson: petej@ccpnet.org

Smyrna
Wendy Moeller: wendy.moeller@uscm.org

Tucker/N. Druid Hills
Steve & Kathy Roos: sroos101@gmail.com

“I have loved the fellowship at ChristChurch and am excited about its outward looking vision. I cannot wait to become more involved in the ministry of ChristChurch in Atlanta!”

Apply the Gospel to our lives

As we remind one another of God’s grace, we help each other to open our lives to his transforming power.  We are told in scripture to: “encourage, serve, rejoice, weep with, correct, instruct, sing to, build up, accept and love one another.” As we live out these commands, our groups naturally become vital environments for pastoral care.

Exercise our gifts

Spiritual gifts, including a vision for ministry and service, are discovered and developed in the context of these groups.

Reach out

We seek to ensure that our home groups are places to which we can invite all our friends. Often those with no faith will be more than willing to come to a small and informal group before they would think of coming to church. Each group holds regular events of various sorts to which it is especially easy to invite friends.

If you are interested in joining or hosting a home group, or would just like more information, contact Pete Jackson at 404-605-0505, or email admin@ccpnet.org.