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Sunday, September 25

  9:00 Contemporary Worship

10:00 Annual Meeting of the Congregation (link to annual report below)

10:45 Traditional Worship

Scripture  Luke 15:11-13, 17-24 NIV

Sermon   The Art of Forgiving: How Do I Begin (and how long is the journey)?

We continue our survey of The Art of Forgiving (see below for details). Last Sunday we talked about common misperceptions of forgiveness that may keep us from forgiving. This week we’ll talk about the stages of forgiveness, and how to begin the journey. You can access last Sunday’s sermon at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9rJul859NE  See below for details, and for weekly follow-up discussions.

To worship online live every Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 or recorded: go to www.Christ-Pres.Church
and click Watch Worship, then click the service you would like to attend.

Coffee service is available after both Sunday services, thanks to our baristas- more are welcome!

Sermon Series: The Art of Forgiving addresses the challenging topic of how to forgive when you have been wronged and don’t know where to start. Based on Lewis Smedes’ book of the same name, sermons will address:

September 18 What Forgiveness Is (and what it isn’t)

September 25 How Do I Begin (and how long is the journey)

October 2 When It Gets Hard (it’s always hard; that’s why we need it)

Forgiveness is the only remedy for a past that cannot be changed (Smedes).

Greg Bostrom will lead follow-up sessions on Wednesdays, September 28 and October 5:

11:00 a.m. in person in the lobby

  6:00 p.m. on Zoom (click link below) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89310615027?pwd=WXJ1Q1Bab0krZjFGWDFPTDNubnVvdz09

Individual conversations are also welcome!

Beach Night Sunday, September 25, 5 p.m. All ages & stages welcome at South Ponto Beach, just north of the parking lot. Bring your own beverage, blanket or lawn chairs. Fixings to make your own “Frito Chili Pie” provided!

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation is this Sunday, September 25, 10:00 a.m. We’ll review the 2021-2022 program and financials, elect four members of the church officer nominating committee and act on terms of call for the pastors.

Church Nursery open every Sunday, with care during worship including a special program for toddlers. We’re delighted to welcome our new Nursery Program Coordinator, CPC’s Carina Moser! Carina is a high school senior with experience in childcare and teaching young children. She’ll work with family ministry director Cathy Love to build a great program!

The choir invites singers new and “old” to rehearsals on Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. No tryouts, every voice is welcome!

Children and Youth
In person Sunday School 
Sunday School meets in Sunday School Room 1, Education Building ! Join us for Bible stories, arts and crafts, science demos, games, music and more! If you are new to our Sunday School program, please register here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/2404834  Contact Cathy Love for more info and any questions: cathyl@cpclacosta.org

   9:30-10:15: PreK-5^th grade, after the children’s message

11:00-11:45: PreK-5^th grade, after the children’s message

The first Sunday of every month is Communion Sunday, when kids stay with their families in worship.
 
In-person Youth Gatherings
Middle School Youth (6th-8th grade) 

Wednesdays in the Youth Room, 5:00—6:30 p.m. for the BEST night of the week for games, friends and so much FUN.

High School Youth

High School meets in-person, Sundays in the youth room, noon—1:30 p.m.. Join us for fun, fellowship (snacks) and friends!

Sunday, October 10
  9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship
10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship
Scripture  Matthew 5:1-7
Sermon  Blessed are the Merciful
The fourth in our fall sermon series on the Beatitudes, about the unexpected grace that arises in severe and challenging circumstances. Elsewhere in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells his challengers, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (quoting Hosea 9:9). What does it mean to be merciful?
A worship bulletin will be emailed before the service.

To worship online live every Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 or recorded: go to www.Christ-Pres.Church
and click Watch Worship, then click the service you would like to attend.

Blessing of the Animals in the tradition of St. Francis, this Sunday, October 10, noon. Bring your pets to this brief outdoor service for a personal blessing!

In-person Coffee Hour 10-10:45 a.m. So glad to be at your service! Now seeking volunteer baristas to serve after 10:45 worship. If interested in serving once a month (or as a substitute) text Cynthia at (847) 977-0802. A donation box supports this amenity. Thank you!

Online Coffee Hour on Zoom 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. See This Week for log in information

The Beatitudes, our fall sermon series based on the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5:1-10), in which Jesus names the unexpected grace that arises in severe and challenging circumstances. 
September 12   Blessed are the poor in spirit
September 19   Blessed are those who mourn  
September 26   Blessed are the meek  
October 3          Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness
October 10        Blessed are the merciful
October 17        Blessed are the pure in heart  
October 24        Blessed are the peacemakers  
October 31        Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake

Children and Youth
In person Sunday School Join us outdoors for Bible stories, arts and crafts, science demos, games, music and more! If you are new to our Sunday School program, please register here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/2404834  Details: Cathy Love cathyl@cpclacosta.org
9:30-10:15: PreK-2^nd and 3^rd-5^th grade, in the Education building courtyard and pop-up canopy (after the children’s message)
11-11:45: PreK-5^th grade, in the Education building courtyard (after the children’s message)
The first Sunday of every month is Communion Sunday, when kids stay with their families in worship.

In-person Youth Gatherings
Middle School Youth (6th-8th grade) In person very Wednesday, 5:00—6:30 p.m. Join us for the best night of the week for games, friends and fun. We’ll be outside so bring a sweatshirt.

High School Youth meet in person at 5:00 p.m. usually on the first and third Sundays. Next on October 17. Join us for fun, fellowship and friends!

Sunday, September 12 
  9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship
10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship
Scripture  Matthew 5:1-3
Sermon  Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
We begin our fall sermon series on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10), in which Jesus names the unexpected grace that arises in severe and challenging circumstances, beginning with blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. These words speak to the soul on any Sunday, and especially this one. 
A remembrance of September 11 twenty years later will conclude the service.
 
Beach Cookout this Sunday, September 12, 5:00 p.m. All church gathering at South Ponto Beach (look for the balloons north of the parking lot. Hot dogs, chips & s’mores provided; bring your own beverage, blanket and lawn chair.
 
In-person Coffee Hour 10 – 10:45 a.m. So glad to be at your service! Now seeking volunteer baristas to serve after 10:45 worship. If interested in serving once a month (or as a substitute) text Cynthia at (847) 977-0802. A donation box supports this amenity. Thank you!
 
Online Coffee Hour on Zoom 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. See This Week for Zoom information
     
Children and Youth
In person Sunday School Join us outdoors for Bible stories, arts and crafts, science demos, games, music and more! If you are new to our Sunday School program, please register here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/2404834  Details: Cathy Love cathyl@cpclacosta.org
9:30-10:15: PreK-2^nd and 3^rd-5^th grade, in the Education building courtyard and pop-up canopy (after the children’s message)
11-11:45: PreK-5^th grade, in the Education building courtyard (after the children’s message)
The first Sunday of every month is Communion Sunday, when kids stay with their families in worship.
 
In-person Youth Gatherings
Middle School Youth (rising 6th-8th grade)   In person very Wednesday, 5:00—6:30 p.m. Join us for the best night of the week for games, friends and so so so much FUN. We’ll be outside so bring a sweatshirt. This will be the summer of celebration—all the things we missed last year.
 
High School Youth
High School meets in person at a new, earlier time: 5:00 p.m. usually on the first and third Sundays of the month. Next on September 19. Join us for fun, fellowship and friends!

Online Worship this Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. with recorded services available afterwards. Worship is 45 minutes long. Why not tune in at your usual time and worship together while apart!

The first Easter took place at a frightening time in a dangerous world. In this Easter season that is not all that different than the first, we will continue to listen with urgency for the message of hope.
Scripture  Acts 17:22-31                           
Sermon  Notes on an Unknown God
In the Easter season the church often reads from the story of the early church in the Acts of the Apostles. Here Paul is in Athens, and in the midst of that marketplace of ideas and religions (and in the marketplace of the city), Paul finds a compelling way to speak of the Christian God. Today’s marketplace offers similar varieties of expression – and similar opportunities for God’s Spirit to speak to the restless human spirit.
A worship bulletin will be emailed before the service.

Coffee Hour between services 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Bring your own coffee and see your friends at a special Zoom gathering. Use your computer or TV screen if you can because it will be easier to see one another. Individual conversations may be difficult, but we can at least see each other, and we’ll give everyone the chance to say a few words. Click the link in This Week to join.

Children’s Time on Zoom
Age seven and under, 10:00 – 10:40 a.m.
A great storyboard story: The Good Shepherd, and songs
Age eight and up, 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.
The Good Shepherd and guessing games and games
See parent email for details on Zoom ormailto:CathyL@cpclacosta.org

To join online worship:
To watch live:

1. Go to www.Christ-Pres.Church
2. Click Visit Our YouTube Channel
3. Click “Streaming” or “Live” (sometimes there is a delay, so you may need to refresh your browser until it appears).

To watch recorded services:

1. Go to www.Christ-Pres.Church
2. Click Visit Our YouTube Channel
3. The most recent services/sermons are listed first.

Worship: Sunday, January 19
9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School for preschool – 5th
Grade school children will be brought to the patio at 10:15 a.m.
10:10 a.m. Adult Education (adult ed room)
10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship
(11:15 children’s program, preschool – 5th)

Scripture Psalm 40:1-11
Sermon New Song

Sunday Adult Education discussing parables of Jesus, beginning with Luke 15:11-32 “the waiting father.” 10:10-10:45 a.m. in the adult education room. Phil Sider mailto:jpwsider@hotmail.com

Worship: Sunday, December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent
   9:00 a.m.  A Celebration of Christmas Worship (identical services)
   9:30 a.m.  Sunday School for preschool – 5^th (except the 1^st Sunday)
                        Grade school children will be brought to the patio at 10:15 a.m.
10:10 a.m.   Adult Education (adult ed room) resumes Sunday, January
10:45 a.m.   A Celebration of Christmas Worship (identical services)
                     (11:15 children’s program, preschool – 5^th)
 
Poinsettia Sunday
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, our sanctuary will be adorned with poinsettias given in honor or memory of loved ones. We will begin singing Christmas carols, and hear about the gift of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in Dickens A Christmas Carol. Identical services this Sunday.
Lighting of the Advent Candles  
Honoring Jill Maurice for Ten Years of Service at CPC The great celebration of Jill’s ministry at CPC takes place on Sunday, February 9 before she leaves with her family for Atlanta… but this Sunday we honor her for ten years of faithful service to the children and youth of CPC.
 
Scripture  1 Timothy 6:17-19   
Sermon   A Christmas Carol – Revisited: The Gift of Christmas Yet to Come
Charles Dicken’s classic Christmas story of Ebenezer Scrooge is our Advent sermon theme. Each Sunday we’ll focus on the gift offered by one of the four spirits that visited Scrooge on the fateful Christmas Eve when his future was in the balance. This week we remember the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come – and how Scrooge’s Christmas journey ends!
 
Sunday Adult Education: resumes Sunday, January 5, to discuss parables of Jesus, beginning with Luke 15:11-32, 10:10-10:45 a.m. in the adult education room.
 

Christmas Eve at CPC
Tuesday, December 24   
   Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight, our gifted CPC musicians, and the most beautiful story of all. The sermon story is A Christmas Carol – Revisited. Child care is available for infants and toddlers at the 5:00 p.m. service.

Worship: Sunday, December 15, Third Sunday of Advent

   9:00 a.m.  A Celebration of Christmas Worship (identical services)

   9:30 a.m.  Sunday School for preschool – 5^th (except the 1^st Sunday)

                        Grade school children will be brought to the patio at 10:15 a.m.

10:10 a.m.   Adult Education (adult ed room)

10:45 a.m.   A Celebration of Christmas Worship (identical services)

                     (11:15 children’s program, preschool – 5^th)

A Celebration of Christmas Worship

The mysteries of Christmas – of Emmanuel, God with us – are often more powerfully sung than spoken! This Sunday our praise team, choir, band, and guest musicians (strings and horns) celebrate the joy of the season with their annual musical celebration!  Identical services this Sunday.

Lighting of the Advent Candles  

Scripture   Luke 2:1-5

Sermon   A Christmas Carol – Revisited: The Gift of Christmas Present

Charles Dicken’s classic Christmas story of Ebenezer Scrooge is our Advent sermon theme. Each Sunday we’ll focus on the gift offered by one of the four spirits that visited Scrooge on the fateful Christmas Eve when his future was in the balance. This week we remember the Ghost of Christmas Present – let’s see

Sunday Adult Education: 10:10-10:45 am in the adult education room. Discussions track the Advent sermon series “A Christmas Carol – Revisited.”

The Christmas Angel Tree: there are still a few angels on the tree! Choose one, make your purchase and return it with the ornament attached by Monday, December 16 for distribution before Christmas. Your gifts for needy families at La Mirada School will make Christmas happen!

All Church Christmas Party, 5:00 p.m.—6:30 p.m.

It’s not just for kids – all ages and stages will delight in our Christmas gathering! Carols, games, our Girls Ensemble, The Worst Christmas Ever (Kathy Bostrom’s new children’s book; signed copies available to benefit our refugee family), and the annual Christmas Children’s Play. Advent-ure crafts for all ages follow the program. Bring a healthy snack or dessert to share.

Second Sunday of Eastertide, April 28
   9:00 a.m.  Contemporary Worship, Nicole Hudson singing  
   9:30 a.m.  Sunday School for preschool – 5^th (except the 1^st Sunday of the month)
                        Grade school children will be brought to the patio at 10:15 a.m.
10:10 a.m.   Adult Education(adult ed room) The Way: Walking with Jesus
10:45 a.m.   Traditional Worship, Nicole Hudson singing
                     (11:15 children’s program, preschool – 5^th)

This is In the Garden Sunday when we sing the favorite hymn of many that tells the story of Mary meeting Jesus in the garden on Easter morning.  Did you know Easter is not only a day, it’s a church season (like Lent)? We’ll be celebrating resurrection for the next seven Sundays until Pentecost on June 9.

Scripture:  John 20:15-16; Luke 24:13-15, 30-31; John 21:4
Sermon:   In the Garden, On the Road, At the Table…
Easter is a season as well as a day, and on the second Sunday of Eastertide, we will think about the places Jesus met the disciples after his resurrection. The truth is, they are rather ordinary places, and the stories are told in more of a whisper than a shout. Why is that, and what does that mean for people of faith today?

CPC joins Presbyterians everywhere to receive the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering this Sunday (and for the next three Sundays). The One Great Hour supports disaster victims, self-development projects, and hunger programs in the USA and around the world.

Sunday, March 17
   9:00 a.m.  Contemporary Worship
   9:30 a.m.  Sunday School for preschool – 5^th (except the 1^st Sunday of the month)
                        Grade school children will be brought to the patio at 10:15 a.m.
10:10 a.m.   Adult Education – resumes March 17 (adult ed room) The Way: Walking with Jesus
10:45 a.m.   Traditional Worship (11:15 children’s program, preschool – 5^th)

Scripture:  Genesis 11:31 – 12:2, 15:1-7
Sermon:    On the Road to Alleluia: Steps Along the Way    Step Out… in Faith
Where is God on our life journey? This Sunday we’ll discover anew why it’s important to read the Bible carefully, for often there is more than meets the eye – including a remarkable insight on this question!