20
Feb '21
Scripture Focus: Philippians
20
Feb '21
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to
his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
did not consider equality with God something to be used to
his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:5-11)
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DR 2021 Mission Update
The 2021 Dominican team regrets to announce that they will be Postponing their trip due to the many Covid-19 restrictions. As of now, we will stop the collection of items that were on the donation list. Many plans are already in place for this trip so we will update the congregation when God calls us to proceed. Your previous donated items are awaiting the trip also!
Please know that fundraising efforts that are still happening here at CABC will be sent directly to the Dominican. The need is great there and they are forming teams of their own to carry out our donations. We are blessed to have such a wonderful family in the Dominican.
Thank you all for continuing to hold this mission field in your hearts and prayers.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me via phone or text at 717-825-8941.
Blessings,
Jeanette Kessler
Dominican Trip Coordinator
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19
Feb '21
No Small Parts
19
Feb '21
by Laura Courtney
There are many technical components, programs and wires that make our “regular” (as in now it’s a regular thing but wasn’t before Covid) livestreaming services possible each week. There are the big and obvious parts like the camera, computer and soundboard, and then the equally needed-but-less-visibly-obvious-to-the-average-passerby parts like the computer programs and connecting wires to make Big And Expensive Tech Equipment #1 talk to Big And Expensive Tech Equipment #2 and #3. But even smaller and more in depth than that, there are all the specific settings and preferences within each program or machine that have to be set just right in order for it all to work. So even if all the big, fancy equipment is on, plugged in, and technically working, if one tiny, seemingly mundane setting in the program isn’t set just right… well… it just ain’t going to work.
The Body of Christ is just the same. There are the obvious parts: the pastors, missionaries, and Christian education teachers who are more “seen” in the Body. They are the obvious ambassadors of Christ as their job is, generally speaking, about the Church. But we all are ambassadors for Christ, no matter our job. Whether you work in the warehouse of a factory, the kitchen of a restaurant, or are a stay-at-home mom (guess which one I am?!), you are an ambassador of Christ to those around you. I heard someone say once that you are the greatest example of Christ that someone will ever know. Wow. That’s kind of a big concept (and a little bit of pressure). Even if I only am “working” with those living in my house, how I act as a Christian and how I live out my life as a follower of Christ is going to impact their lives and their decisions as additional followers of Christ.
I invite you to read 1 Corinthians 12 today. This is a commonly known section of scripture that describes the Body of Christ as being like the human body. There are many different parts – some big, some small and some that are seemingly unseen – but each plays a vital role in the body and no part is unneeded (except maybe that darn appendix). And much like my tech equipment illustration above, if one seemingly small part isn’t connected right, then the more obvious parts are not going to work right somewhere down the road.
So if you have days when you feel like you are just a “small” part in the Body, I assure you that it doesn’t mean your job and connection isn’t just as important to the health of the Body as a whole. I may not be the big and noticeable HD camera that is filming His message, but I sure am one of the parts that helps get the live feed through the TV.
“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
(I Corinthians 12:18-19, 27)
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18
Feb '21
Victory in Jesus!
18
Feb '21
by Mrs. Lucille Kennedy
Greetings from a charter member of C.A.B.C.!
During this season of life that we call Lent (Springtime), our hearts and thoughts turn to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from death and the tomb. These forty days, for many, have become a period of time for fasting and prayer as we remember what Jesus has done for us when He died to redeem us from our sins. Our Sovereign God (the all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, all-the-time God) would not leave His Son, Jesus, in the tomb, and so with thankful hearts we rejoice as we celebrate His resurrection at Easter time.
Jesus taught many things to many people while he was here. He gave us a new commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He taught us how to pray, how to live, and how to die (Matthew 5, 6, 7). He also said He would come back again and He gave us signs to be aware of His coming (Matthew 24, 25). Jesus also said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19).
So then, knowing that we have such a wonderful Savior and Lord, we can be assured that as we go through each troubling event in our lives, He will walk with us through each rough valley and carry us through every dark storm. Then He has promised one day to come again as King of Kings and take us to be with Him for Eternity! How can we not be rejoicing that Jesus lives?
He lives, TODAY!
Our Father, may our hearts rejoice, our minds remember,
and our lives respond to your abiding care, NOW!
In the loving, living name of Jesus,
and our lives respond to your abiding care, NOW!
In the loving, living name of Jesus,
Amen
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17
Feb '21
Our Mission
17
Feb '21
by Pastor Todd Witmer
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1, 2)
The list of ways the COVID pandemic has impacted our lives in 2020 is longer than most of us want to consider. One unexpected benefit, however, has been the development of new, creative ways to share the events of CABC. A recent project is producing a virtual “Getting to Know CABC” class. We started with interviews of people who were involved at the beginning. Thus far we have videos of conversations with Lucille Kennedy and Pastor Bob and Janet Coddington, who participated in the initial home Bible study group. Pastors Ralph Eib, David Dunn, and Bob Coddington were recorded on a Zoom gathering as well. All of these interactions are being edited and we are working to make them available for everyone.
Through the process of this project, I have been able to view the video from Mrs. Kennedy and the above scripture passage came to mind. The writer of Hebrews 12 is referring to the great cloud of Old Testament characters just described in chapter 11. I am reminded that each of us, as followers of Christ, will see additional faces in that group. We stand on the shoulders of faithful servants who preceded us. Many of us had praying parents and grandparents. People we may never know committed time, money, and rooms in their homes to bring the message of Jesus to their neighbors. The ministry of CABC was born out of just such a group. Who are the faces you see in that great cloud? Have you thanked God for their presence in your life and the role they played in pointing you to Him? In this Lenten season is there someone you want to thank?
At the end of the conversation with Mrs. Kennedy, I asked her to share any advice for those attending CABC today from those beginning years. Her words, “Keep your mind on the purpose,” echo with the words from Hebrews 12 above, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Regardless of the circumstances that challenge our plans (and there were many described by those early CABC pioneers), a clear purpose will keep us moving in His direction. As Mrs. Kennedy shared, “We were there to bring people to Jesus.”
We continue that mission today.
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A Letter from Pastor Todd
Dear CABC Family,
As we begin 2021, Lori and I find ourselves on the edge of a new chapter of life. We have been vividly reminded of the precious, fleeting nature of life in the past few years, walking with our parents through end of life and welcoming grandchildren at the very same time.
In order to take some time to spend with our children and grandchildren, I will be retiring from my position as your Senior Pastor as Lori finishes her school year. Sunday, June 6, 2021 will be my last Sunday as “Pastor Todd”.
This has been a very tough decision. I have been in this position for nearly 14 years, and Lori and I have called CABC home for 25 years. It has been a privilege to serve with you all – seeking to proclaim and live out the message of Christ’s Good News to our community.
A fellow servant,
Todd Witmer
Pastor Todd announced his retirement on Sunday, February 7. He gives a few more words of explanation and description within this video if you would like to watch and listen.
We as CABC leadership are grateful for both Pastor Todd and Lori and all their service, dedication, and love given to this church body and the Body of Christ as a whole. We are excited for them as they start this new chapter of their life together and wish them, and their growing family, God’s great blessings!
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