In case you haven't been to the CAC in a while, here are some things that have happened there in the last couple of months:
-Hanover Public Schools hosted their elementary students Art Show...about 1000 pieces of art were on display.
-Faith-CL hosted 20 middle schoolers for our first "youth night" with food, fun and games.
-Mini-churches
-Free Community Lunch hosted by mini-churches on the last Saturday of the month.
-Men's Bible study and prayer time on Thursday mornings at 6am.
-Monday's the Faith Family Market is open as well as bus service to local grocery stores.
-179 people gathered for worship on Memorial Day weekend
-Home school group meets at CAC on Wednesdays
Upcoming:
-Insight Design Conference on June 9 from 6-9PM. Check it out HERE!
-Cedar Lake Town Council is using the space to host a meeting about town improvement initiatives on June 15.
-MOPS will start in the CAC in the fall.
-Interpretive Dance class will be held this summer.
-A second Youth Night will be at CAC on June 22!
Let me know if I am missing anything!
Last night we kicked off our first ever attempt of a youth gathering in Cedar Lake. If the amount of nachos, ice cream, brownies, slushies, and pop consumed in two hours is any indication of success, we did quite well! We played Minute to Win It games, ping pong, foosball, air hockey and video games. It was exciting to hang out, make connections and get to know the students. They should invent an energy drink called "Middle Schooler"!
We challenged every student to bring a friend with them next month for our June gathering on June 22. I'm pumped to see where this monster goes!
We're inviting middle schoolers to come to the CAC for food and fun. Join us and invite your friends!
Guest Blogger: Holly Ham
This week started out like most others. It was Wednesday and I was plugging along with the normal routine of my family. Put on the coffee, get breakfast going, and out the door to drop my four year old off for his last full day of preschool this year. With the preschooler happily left to play with his friends and learn from his wise teachers, I headed home with my two year old. Quite content to sit back and sip some coffee and spend some one-on-one time with the youngest. Things were just "business as usual".
I should've known better.
It seems to be the pattern in my life that just when things get comfortable things are about to turn around and get a little shaky. Our next roller coaster ride came in the form of a phone call from the bank. The nice lady on the other line informed me she was calling to verify some unusual purchases from our checking account. This would include two very large amounts spent at a pharmacy in Canada. When I informed her that no, we did not order any drugs from Canada, she calmly informed me that while that was unfortunate, there were now "policies" that had to be followed.
This would now inconvenience me in the following ways: I need to call and file a police report with my local PD, I need to drive to my local bank branch and fill out some forms, and oh, by the way, the purchases were so large that now your account is overdrawn and will not be back above the red line until their investigation is complete. Immediately this would dictate my mood for the entire day.
I was grumpy, feeling sorry for myself, and aggravated. But as the day wore on I began to hear what I can only say was God speaking to me. It went a little something like this. Why are you letting this situation have so much control over you? Don't you know I will take care of you? I love you and you do not need to be afraid. I am bigger than this. And as I sat and reflected on this a little more I began to calm down. In my state of panic I failed to recognize that, although this is scary and annoying, I am blessed beyond measure. My cabinets are comfortably stocked with food. I have clean water to drink!! So many people in this world pray EVERYDAY for their DAILY bread!! And even if my refrigerator was bare I am surrounded by friends and family that would jump in and provide meals and some cash if need be!
I will leave you with these verses that God also brought to mind. I highlighted them in my Bible awhile back and it's a Message Paraphrase.
"When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way. " Lamentations 3:25-33
Check out the art show at the CAC from 2-5pm on Saturday! Around 1000 elementary students from Hanover schools have contributed to the display.
I recently attended a memorial service of someone I had never met. The service took place in a retirement community. My best guess is that 90% of the people in attendance were 70 years old or older. As various people from the retirement community stepped up to a microphone to share memories of their friend, I was fascinated to hear their perspective on life and friendship and death. I was struck by the perspective that many of them had on life. As they see the dusk of their lives on earth approaching, it was apparent that they approach life differently. Their focus has shifted to an eternal home. They are less concerned with how they are perceived by others. They are unashamed of their faith and are willing to speak truth boldly. Words of encouragement come easily to them. Their hearts beat for their families and those who may be drifting from the faith. They are more dependent on others and God.
It was a blessing to be with them. I was reminded again of how much I rely on my own energy, intellect and ability to get through this life. I was again challenged to shift my focus from myself and put in on the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Near the end of the service, a man named Louis shared an elaborate story regarding the development of his friendship with John, the man whose life was being celebrated. Louis shared about potting soil, the garden committee, the challenges of being a good neighbor and the hope that Christians have beyond this life. John is in heaven. Louis will be there soon. We ALL could be there soon. Perhaps it's time to change our perspective.
I am the campus pastor at Faith Church's Cedar Lake Campus. One awesome wife and four fun kids.
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