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Home » Archives » November 2010 » Thanksgiving Celebration for the Community
[Previous Entry: "Don't Forget the First Thumb"] [Next Entry: "Free Bird"] 11/29/2010: "Thanksgiving Celebration for the Community"
Pastor Jack is fond of saying “If it does not include food, it is not ministry!” Celebrate Recovery and the Local Out-Team expanded on his thoughts a little and decided to invite the communities served by the Local Out-Team to a special Thanksgiving Celebration, Celebrate Recovery style. And what a celebration it was!
 Beginning a few weeks ahead of time members of the Local Out-Team and Celebrate Recovery began canvassing communities served by the Local Out-Team handing out circulars and personally inviting all they could speak with. Even some of the children got involved!The event was announced to the congregation and the Celebrate Recovery groups who all pitched in and provided food for the event. The night of the event guests from the selected communities were provided not just a meal, but a Thanksgiving feast and all of the fixings and trimmings! The tables were beautifully adorned with seasonal centerpieces (created by Community Christian School students). We even had a few last minute guests that we were not initially expecting. It seems that the Dutchtown High School football team was to play on Thanksgiving day. Having to miss their Thanksgiving meals, they decided to join us for ours. After the meal many of the guests attended a special Celebrate Recovery celebration service. The music was outstanding, followed by cardboard testimonies and Tony Jones providing an powerful message. At the end of the service those in attendance were invited to nail that issue which was preventing them from doing God's will to a cross, leaving it with Christ to handle. Most of the congregation participated. For me, the thrill of the night was watching those who I had personally invited to the celebration make their way down the isles and nailing their issues to the crosses. You see, the Local Out-Team serves these communities. We know the people and many of their issues. To see them taking positive steps to overcome them was almost overpowering. While this was only a single first step, all great journeys begin with that first step. Most will fall to the wayside, never truly trusting Christ with their lives. A few will continue their progress, some taking hesitant baby steps while others make more sure progress. But there may be that one.. that single person.. who as the result of that night takes giant leaps and not only get their lives under control but provides a positive example that others will follow. That is our prayers. The volunteers participating in the planning and execution of the celebration are too numerous to mention and there is no way we could ever name all of those providing food. Just know that if you are one of those who assisted in any way you are just as responsible for the salvations that occurred as the message that was given, for without you none of them would have been possible. Thank you! What happened to all of the leftovers? Much was given away to the guests as they were leaving. The rest was used to feed the homeless in downtown Atlanta and some was distributed in a local ommunity. Major Sponsors for this event includes:
Copyright 2009-2010, Community Bible Church
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