CCY CONNECT JULY 2022 EDITION

In Genesis 4:9, we see an interesting interaction between Cain and God. Cain, because of jealousy, kills his brother Abel and is confronted by the Lord. God asks him, “Where is your brother Abel?” God already knew what Cain had done; however, he was giving Cain the opportunity to acknowledge his obligation for his brother. Cain responds flippantly, “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Instead of taking responsibility for his brother, Cain overstates his accountability for the purpose of denying it, and this results in God placing a curse on Cain. What Cain failed to grasp was the implication to his own question…yes, he was responsible for his brother and vice versa. God has always desired that family care for family.

Jesus takes this a step further and, as he so often did, turned upside down previous concepts expanding the theology of family. In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus is talking to a crowd when his mother and brothers arrive wanting to talk to him. Instead of leaving the crowd, he responds, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was not denying his earthly family in this moment, rather, he was demonstrating a much greater awareness of the heavenly family of God. John further expands this truth when he says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13).

So, what implication does this have for us here today? For those of us who have received Christ and believed in his name, we are family! We have an obligation and responsibility to each other that may come in the form of a kind word, a listening ear, financial, or one of the most important—prayer. We are to look out for each other…not as a keeper, but as siblings of God. At CCY, we believe we are more than a group of people that gather occasionally. We are family. We love each other and seek to care for each other because Jesus told us that the defining characteristic of a spiritual family is love for one another, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

It is so easy to talk about sharing God’s love with others in our community but it’s not always easy to get out as a group and do it, especially when we only meet for a couple of hours a week. That is why this year at Day Camp our 1st-5th graders will get the opportunity to get out in our community and serve others. Last year we visited the two local pharmacies, the fire station, and the police department. We delivered cookies and just let them know that we appreciate all they do to keep Yukon safe and keep us healthy.

This year we will do some similar things. We will serve our church family, our community, and our country.

I encourage you to read Mark 12:28-31 with your children as we prepare for this amazing week. As you do here are a few questions you can discuss as a family:

1. Why do you think Jesus said these two commandments were the greatest ones of all?
2. Who all might be your neighbor? (Not just the people that live next door)
3. How does this passage say to treat other people?
4. What are some ways you show love to yourself?
5. As a family what can we do to show God’s love in our church? In our community?

“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

Exciting things are happening at Christ’s Church of Yukon! Whether you’ve been to a CCY Sunday morning service once or 1000 times, you’ve likely heard someone mention our passion for Community. This summer, CCY is feeling God’s pull to reach Yukon and surrounding areas in new and innovative ways. While I can’t promise everything will flow smoothly or that we’ll feel comfortable and confident, I am certain that God is actively working through CCY!

At some point in your life, you will likely be called upon to share your faith. How did that statement make you feel? Excited…nervous…scared…ill-prepared? My friend, you are not alone! This is why we started a Wednesday evening class entitled, “How to share your faith”. Over the course of 6 weeks, we are gathering to learn, discuss, and prepare for sharing the hope we have in Christ. To be honest, I thought 10 to 15 might attend. I can’t tell you how excited I was when 27 people from CCY showed up to claim this opportunity. Just imagine what the Lord might do with this group’s desire to tell others about him!

In June, CCY’s Youth program offered a “Teen Growth Conference” with a focus on “adulting” skills, serving in the community, and fellowship. What a success! Youth from our community, along with some of CCY’s youth spent 3 days together sharing and experiencing the Christian community. Please be praying for those who don’t know Christ or have a church family. We are working to stay in contact with them and several have expressed a desire to return to CCY for church camp. Speaking of camps, in July we will host Kid’s Day Camp and take a group to Camp Wow. If you haven’t signed up, it’s not too late!

Tori and Melissa have been hard at work arranging and planning to kick off “Parent’s Day Out @ CCY” in the Fall. Registration opened June 1st and several families from our community have already signed up! If you have a 2-4 year old, or know someone who does, be sure to get signed up quickly to snag one of the few remaining spots!

There are many more opportunities are in front of us as a church family and I am already of thinking about our missions trip next summer! We want to be God’s people shining our light for Christ and pointing people to Him! I am reminded that God can use you and I – right here – right now – if you and I are willing. God can do more than we can ask or imagine!

Thanks for your partnership in sharing the Good News.