INSIDE…2017 Bible Reading Plan 6Calendar 8Children 5

Financial Update 7Rise & Thrive Update 2Youth Connection 5

CONNECTION COMMUNITY CHURCH100 W. Green St.Middletown, DE 19709JustShowUp.Churchconnect@connectioncc.org

THE CONNECTORJULY 2017

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH JESUS AND THE NEW LIFE HE OFFERS

THE GOOD BOOKJoin us for our “Summer Sizzler” study happening Wednesday evenings for 4 weeks starting July 12 at 7pm. We will be focusing on a great study entitled “The Good Book” and our own Mike Osman will be our facilitator. Register in the Lobby today to be part of this great series! Childcare is provided.

Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm beginning July 12

PEACH FESTIVAL 🍑

Middletown

Saturday, Aug. 19SHARE GOD’S LOVE IN A PRACTICAL WAY AS WE REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY!

Come join us for fun in the sun as Connection Community Church celebrates its 17th year participating in the Middletown Peach Festival. We will have the following activities and amenities:• Kids’ Crafts • DJ and Music• Giant Inflatable Obstacle Courses and Bounces • Rest Station• Popcorn • Snow cones, and water• Bird Show and puppetry • .Games and much more!!This is a great way to share God's love in a practical way with the community, but we can only make this a success with your help. Sign up in the lobby today to serve in our biggest outreach of the year! Join the volunteer army (we need 150) to work at the various stations throughout the day.

it’s time to start collecting water bottleswe need 125 cases of water to hand out!

AT A GLANCE…SUMMER MUSIC CAMPJULY 24 - AUG. 4[PAGE 2]

WILLOW CREEKLEADERSHIP SUMMITAUG. 10-11[PAGE 2]

STOMPMALARIA 5KSEPT. 30[PAGE 2]

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 2 of 8

SUMMER MUSICAL CAMP AT CONNECTIONJuly 24-August 4 from 9am-3pm

Performances on August 4 at 1pm and 7pmA fun musical production for students to learn many aspects of theater and music, all while exploring Biblical truths and principles, culminating in a live performance for family and friends throughout our community to enjoy! Our show this year is Spend Awhile on the Nile. From acting, dancing, singing, costuming, set design and even technical skills, campers will help straighten out the “oh, so confused” cruise director, Mr. Cruise, and his shipboard staff in the re-telling of classic Bible stories.

Cost is $100 (includes script, shirt, rehearsal music). Grab a registration form from the Lobby or register online at JustShowUp.church/musiccamp. Contact the church office if you have any questions.

Have you experienced any miracles in your life lately? Connection sure has! Our list (yes, we keep a list; it’s a good reminder of how faithful and loving our God is) keeps growing each month.

This month’s amazing miracle is one of our biggest yet. Can you believe we are talking million-dollar miracles?

Remember how our initial appraisal in May came in way, way too low to meet the requirement that the loan-to-value ratio not exceed 80%? Well, the second appraisal that the bank requested and paid for came in at $5.6 million. This means our loan for $3.8 million can be fully funded.

As our finance director put it: “Just add this to your list of miracles and another intervention by God to build His Kingdom.”

The list of miracles around this project is getting long! (You can read about them at justshowup.church/new-building/)

This month we’ll keep praying and waiting, knowing God will amaze us many more times as we build our new worship center. We’re currently hoping to get approvals from DelDOT and New Castle County and then we can look to our groundbreaking.

- Deb Hartwick - Building Team Leader

WILLOW CREEK LEADERSHIP SUMMIT | AUGUST 10-11We will be attending this year at Willowdale Chapel in Kennett Square, PA. The cost is $179. Pick up a registration envelope in the Lobby, include your check and registration information, and drop it back off in the offering bag. For more information, visit willowcreek.com/summit

JustShowUp.church/musiccamp

Our Stomp Malaria 5K is coming up fast! Help make a difference around the world as we raise money to stop the spread of deadly malaria by purchasing mosquito nets. Registration is just $30 before Sept. 10. Register today by picking up a form in the lobby or visit JustShowUp.Church/5K.MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Friendly’s Fundraiser to support this mission on Aug. 2-9, 5-8pm.

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 3 of 8

SYMPATHY TOCorey and Matt White on the sudden death of Corey’s brother, Cody, on June 20.

CONGRATULATIONS TOAmanda Johnston and James Long who were married in Lynchburg, Virginia on June 17.Cassandra Sheets and Kenny Hoagland who were married at MOT Senior Center on Sunday, June 25.

SINGLE PARENT FAMILY RETREAT | JULY 14-16 AT CAMP PECOMETHSingle parents have a chance to experience camp together with their kids--and apart! This retreat will provide parents with spiritual support, much-needed encouragement, and a time to relax. The kids will be busy with great camp activities, geared especially for them. From July 14-16 Camp Pecometh is offering programming that provides encouragement and support for single parents, as well as fun camp activities for their kids. Scholarships are available. For much more info and to register, call 410-556-6900 or visit online at pecometh.org/single-parent-family.

FRIENDS & FAMILY CAMP | JULY 28-30 AT CAMP PECOMETHThen, later that month, it's Friends & Family Camp from July 28-30, where everyone can experience the fun of camp, no matter if you're young--or young-at-heart. For more info and to register, call 410-556-6900 or visit online at pecometh.org/friends-and-family-camp

CAM

P PE

COM

ETH

Starting on Thursday, Sept. 7, join us for this 13-week Divorce Support Group and find help, discover hope, and experience healing. Contact church office at connect@connectioncc.org or 302-378-7692.

THURSDAYS, SEPT. 7 – DEC. 7 FROM 7-8:30PM

WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE SUNDAY, JULY 23 AT 7PM Join us for worship, a message, and prayer as we invite God to move among us. Our speaker this month will be Stefanie Griffin.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING One Sunday each month, free blood pressure screening is offered after the 8:30 and 9:45am services. The next screening will be held on July 30.

FOOD MINISTRY UPDATEWelcome to the Food Ministry’s first update entitled, Loaves and Fishes!  My name is Randy Overbey. With Mike Osman recently stepping down as Food Ministry Team Lead, I was pleased to accept this new responsibility.One of the things I would like to do each month, here in the Connector, is talk about all the blessings Connection is able to share with our community.  Did you know the Food Ministry volunteers work daily to bag the donated food we receive so it’s ready for distribution on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between the hours of 10 am and noon? We normally feed about 30 families each day from the food supplied by Wawa and KFC, locally donated bread and pastries, and food given by our Connenction church family, which includes cans of soup (our goal is 220 cans per week), peanut butter, tuna, and mac & cheese. In order to donate, just bring these items in on Sunday morning and place them in the red wagon in the lobby. Next month, I'll highlight the various businesses who donate their surplus food to us so we can share it with our community.Please call me with any questions or interest in volunteering.  Randy Overbey | randyo9@verizon.net | (302) 838-2712 (Home)

OCC PAINT NIGHT THURSDAY, JULY 13 AT 6 :30PM Enjoy a relaxing and fun night with friends creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Your paint, canvas, instruction and other materials will be provided along with non-alcoholic drinks and light refreshments. The cost is $25 and proceeds benefit Central Delmar Operation Christmas Child. The location is at Michael's Craft Store (next to Walmart Shopping Center) Middletown, Delaware. Call Pat Berlen 443-480-2789 to reserve your spot.

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 4 of 8

REPORT FROM PENINSULA-DELAWARE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The 233rd Peninsula-Delaware Conference was held on May 22-24, 2017 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. The theme of the conference this year was, “Down to the River to Pray.” CCC was represented by Andria & Sheldon Smith, Dave Rosenblatt, Sue Wiggins (alternate) and Pastors Kari, Alan, and Lori.

The session was opened with a time of Worship and Communion. Bishop Peggy A. Johnson shared a message entitled PURPLE based on the Book of Acts.

During the business portion on Monday, Pastor Alan made a presentation on receiving funds from the Congregational Development Corporation (CDC). Connection Community Church received a grant for freezers that support our ongoing food ministry. In addition, we received funds for a Director of Youth Ministry. The funding provides three quarter salary for the first year and is reduced over the next several years until the position is fully funded by Connection. Finally, funding was received for equipment to stream the Sunday Worship Services in the near future. CCC is grateful to God and the Conference for this support.

Pastor Alan was also recognized by the Conference for 20 years of Service as a Pastor.

The teaching session was given by Dr. Terry Tekyl. His message focused on the, “Watermarks of a Healthy Prayer Life.”

We gathered on Tuesday for a full day of conferencing, where resolutions were discussed and voted on. The evening concluded with the Ordination and Commissioning Service. Bishop Gregory Palmer preached an engaging message entitled, “There is a River.”

On Wednesday, all remaining business was concluded and the Conference was adjourned. A touching Service of Remembrance followed where Clergy colleagues and/or their spouses who have passed on to glory were remembered. Many of their families were present. Rev. Dr. Sung Ho Bae shared a message, “Live Well with a Thorn in the Flesh”.

The 234th Annual Conference will be held May 31 - June 2, 2018.

Respectfully Submitted by Andria Smith, Lay Representative

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDIt’s Christmas in July here at Connection Community Church! July 2 is our official kick-off for Operation Christmas Child. There are lots of exciting things planned with a very special visit from a special shoe box recipient. You won’t want to miss this moving experience!For those who aren’t familiar with Operation Christmas Child, it is the largest evangelical children’s outreach in the world. Since its inception in 1993 it has shipped 11 million shoeboxes to children all over the world. There are more than 500,000 volunteers working in 100 different countries to reach children in desperate situations to give them the hope of a new life with Jesus Christ.

There will also be workshops throughout the year, teaching fun and inexpensive ways to help fill your shoeboxes. Yes, crafts too!Please visit our Christmas Tree in the lobby and remove either an envelope, or a mini shoe box. There will be volunteers there to help get you started. Help us make this year the best year ever! For more information contact Pat Berlen at 443-480-2789.

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 5 of 8

Nursery: Jaime Bangston, Sharon Maerten, Amanda SmithPreschool: Kyle Mueller, Amy Novosel, Jan Wilder

252 Garage: Tim Wilkins Children's Ministry Director: Kathy Reed

JR. HIGH YOUTH GROUP2nd & 4th Sunday of the month from noon-2pm (lunch provided)

JR. & SR. HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOLEvery Sunday at 11am

SR. HIGH YOUTH GROUPSundays from 6-8pm

Thank you to EVERYONE that made thisyear’s VBS our best one yet!

Connection Church is sending thirteen Sr. High Youth, along with three adult mentors, into mission to McDowell County, West Virginia from Sunday, July 9 through Friday, July 14. Their focus will be on home repair in this Appalachian community as they share the love of God in a very practical way. Please keep all 16 in prayer both before and during this adventure.

Youth: Sierra Bellemare, Briana Daily, Marco Daily, Taylor Luck, Tyler Luck, Emily Novosel, Matthew Novosel, Gabriel Otinsky, Hannah Pickering, Karlyn Schuler, Olivia Sloan, Anna Wilkins, Mitchell Wiseman.

Adults: Alan Jones, Amy Pickering, Bill Trench.

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 6 of 8

1. Set aside time every day to listen to the God’s voice as you read, reflect, and engage with God’s word.

2. Pray and ask the God to highlight some portion of your scripture reading for that day. This will be the verse that "jumps off"

the page for you.

3. Read from both the Old and New Testament. Use the churchwide Bible in a year reading plan found in YouVersion Bible

app called, Life Journal Reading Plan (see other side for this month’s readings) or pick another one.

4. In your journal follow the SOAP method (below) and write a few sentences on each of the following:

SCRIPTUREThis will be the one verse that was "highlighted" for

you as you read.

SOBSERVATIONJot down what you

observe about this verse within its biblical context.

OAPPLICATION

Write down any "take-homes" or personal

applications. Where does this verse touch your life?

APRAYER

Close your time with a prayer asking God to

make this learning come alive in your life.

P

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It's also a useful tool to use later to reflect on and review

some of the "gems" that you have received. Without writing these down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons!

Note: The above material was adapted from Pastor Jorge Acevedo at Grace Church in Fort Myers, FL and Pastor Wayne Cordeiro from New

Hope Christian Fellowship in Hawaii.

Spending time reading and reflecting on God’s word is one of the top things we can do to grow closer to God no matter where we are in our journey with God. Here are four simple steps:

To read through the Bible in a year using the Life Journal Reading plan on January 1 (available on YouVersion Bible App). The plan

has daily reading in both the Old and New Testaments each day. Use the Bible reading and Reflection tips on the other side.

The YouVersion bible app is available at bible.com to read in your browser or you can download it on your mobile device at the

App Store or Google Play store. It is absolutely free.

If you are not currently in the habit of reading and reading through the Bible in a year is overwhelming, then pick one chapter a day

from the below readings.

July Readings1. Isaiah 1-3; Titus 32. Isaiah 4-5; Pslams 115-116; Jude3. Isaiah 6-7; 2 Chronicles 26-27; Philemon 4. 2 Kings

15-16; Hosea 1; 1 Hebrews 15. Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 26. Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 37. Hosea 10-12; Psalms 73; Hebrews 48. Hosea 13-14; Psalms 100-102; Hebrews 5 9,

Micah 1-4; Hebrews 610. Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

11. Isaiah 8-10; Hebrews 812. Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 913. Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 1014. Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 1115. Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 1216. Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 1317. Isaiah 29-31; James 118. Isaiah 32-35; James 219. 2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28;

Psalms 46; James 3

21. 2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 522. Isaiah 36-27; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 123. 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2 24, Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 325. Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4.26. Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5.27. Isaiah 50-52; Psalms 92; 2 Pet 128. Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 229. Isaiah 57-59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 330. Isaiah 60-62; John 131. Isaiah 63-64; Psalms 107; John 2

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 7 of 8

FINANCE TEAM UPDATEKEY FINANCIAL RESULTS AS OF MAY 31, 2017

HELP US FEED THOSE IN NEED IN THE MOT AREA!Bring some cans of soup every Sunday and drop it in the bin in the lobby for our Food Ministry. EVERY CAN HELPS! Our current need is 220 cans per week. We can use peanut butter, tuna, and mac & cheese as well.

THE CONNECTOR - JULY 2017 PAGE 8 of 8

JULY 2017

Access our online calendar anytime on our website atJustShowUp.church/whats-happening/#calendar

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: MON. - THURS. 9AM-1PM , FRIDAY 9AM-12:30PM 302.378.7692 // JUSTSHOWUP.CHURCH // CONNECT@CONNECTIONCC.ORG

Young Adult Group Meetings Mondays at 7pm at

Bill Trench Home: 222 Horseshoe Dr., Middletown