e-zine for December 22, 2006
Wishing You a Christmas Full of Love and Meaning

“There is no ideal Christmas; only the Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.” ~Bill McKibben

Best Wishes from Christ Community Church

The holidays are such a poignantly emotional life experience. For so many of us the holidays are a combination of wonderful joys and intense heartaches. This can be seen in people all around the world, as we battle expectations, demands, and those huge to-do lists. The intensity of it all can be overwhelming at times.

As progressives we have the unique responsibility of interpreting the Christmas Story on our own terms; questioning the literal reading of the Bible that we will hear in many Christmas pageants and in the words sung in the traditional Christmas carols, and all the while reinventing ourselves as we explore and find new ways of being.

This year may we transcend and include Christmas in more expansive ways. May we transcend the traditional Christmas understanings that limit our lives and no longer give us comfort, be it religious or material comfort. And may we also remember to embody and include the spirit of awakening, joy, love, and generosity that is the heart of Christmas.

From those of us at Christ Community Church, we want to wish you all a Christmas of unexpected joys, and a deep connection to all of life. You are not alone on this journey, and we hope this ezine will inspire you this holiday season.

Love,
The C3/CCC Team

This Sermon sure was a Clapper!

Following our Sunday morning gatherings we have a time together called "Sermon Talk-Back." The preacher from the morning then fields questions, discussion, and debate about the morning's sermon. This is a really amazing time for our community. It was during one of these sessions that a new term was defined. Someone said that sermon sure was a "clapper" meaning that it was so good it deserved applause.

Well Ian's sermon on Sunday was just that - a clapper.

Check out this sermon if you are interested in looking at the book of Revelation from a new perspective. How do the insights of Carl Jung line up with this apocalyptic book?

Do not miss this sermon if you are looking for ways pain leads to growth and transformation. Take a look at the strength and courage with which you have approached pain in your life, how world events have transformed us collectively, and how the transformation of this community has lead to new growth.

Trust me this sermon is one not to miss!

Read the sermon text here

Must Read Story: How One Man Turned Pain to Joy

Sometimes, a hug is all that we need.

Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whos sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.

How it all started:

"I'd been living in London when my world turned upside down and I'd had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one to welcome me back, no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown.

Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me.

So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides.

And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me. The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling.

Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time."

Please check out the website below and watch the video, you will be surprised at just how touching a few strangers embracing can really be. This just might awakening you to new ideas as to what really is the true meaning of Christmas.

watch free hugs video here

Christmas Eve Gatherings at C3/CCC

Sunday, December 24
Please note:
There will only be ONE morning gathering this morning at 9:30 a.m.

This Christmas Eve morning, Ian Lawton will continue our series on Revelation. This wonderful Advent gathering will also featuring the Sanctuary Choir and some wonderful Christmas Carols.

Christmas Eve family gathering -- 7:00 p.m.
Join our family-friendly service featuring the drama “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” This service will be a fun, family celebration with lively music, and lots of participation. This service will be a great experience for families to look beyond all the commercial trappings of Christmas to the birth of hope in every person. Invite your friends and family for a wonderful spirited family gathering.

Christmas Eve service of carols -- 9:00 p.m.
Join us for a nostalgic Christmas Eve gathering featuring inspirational music from our Sanctuary Choir, classic Christmas carols, celebration of the Eucharist, and traditional and contemporary Christmas readings. This gathering will bring the warmth and comfort of Christmas while inspiring you to experience joy and possibility in whole new ways.

Download this Sunday's Fourth Advent Liturgy and Christmas Eve Bulletins

Check out the bulletins for our fourth Advent gathering and our Christmas Eve Carols service.

This Sunday's 9:30 a.m. gathering will include the final part in Ian's sermon series on Revelation, and music from the Sanctuary Choir. This week we also light the fourth Advent candle, the candle of love.

The lighting of the candles of Vision, Justice, Wisdom, and Love.

One: Today we light the fourth Advent candle, the Love candle. This candle represents the earth’s life-giving force and the divine love that lights up creation We honor our ability to nurture, to heal, and to lend strength with a comforting and supportive hand. In a violent and uncertain world, we remind ourselves that love is always stronger than death.

All: We light this candle to honor the spirit of love in us all.

If you are looking for a new way to experience Christmas you may wish to check out our Christmas Eve Carols service. We have paired traditional Christmas readings with contemporary and mystic readings to create a space for a transformational Christmas experience.

Download these great bulletins

Did You Miss Bishop Spong's trip to Western Michigan?

If you are looking for a new way to experience Christmas you will not want this incredible DVD set as Bishop Spong uncovers the magic beneath the myths of the traditional Christmas story.

Christmas can be a time of great confusion for many Christians. Just as children inevitably question if Santa Claus could really travel around the whole world in one night on a sleigh led by flying reindeer; similarly our adult intellect questions how a baby could be born from a virgin, if God guides us using stars, and whether heavenly angels bring messages to us.

In "The Magic of Myth" Bishop Spong leads us to see how just as children move beyond the literal story of Santa Claus to a view of Santa as a personification of the spirit of joy and giving; similarly in looking beyond the literal Christmas story we are opened to new and expanding views of Jesus.

This incredible 4-disc DVD set includes:

Lecture 1: "Separating Myth from Reality" + Q & A
Lecture 2: "A Progressive Perspective on Christmas" + Q & A
Sunday Sermon: "The Four Shady Ladies" + Q & A
PLUS: An exclusive casual conversation with Bishop Spong

Order your "Magic of Myth" DVD package for just $40!

You Can Help Sustain the Evolution of Progressive Christianity

Christ Community Church is an independent church supported solely by members and friends of the community.

C3/CCC is a unique community offering a message of progressive Christianity to those who seek an alternative to church as usual.

Your donation will help this evolving community continue to be an active voice for progressive Christianity in our world today.

It is very simple to donate to C3/Christ Community Church, through the Network For Good.

The Network For Good is a secure and safe online donations collection center for non-profit organizations. Please consider giving today!

Thank you, we couldn't do this work without you!

Donate to Christ Community Church now

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