WELCOME!!!

35th Annual Women's World - Manhattan Christian College

2012-01-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

Once again a group of CPCC women will be traveling to Manhattan for the 35th Annual Women's World provided by Manhattan Christian College!!!

The Women's Ministry of CPCC will not be organizing anything formally. However, if you are planning on attending and would like to know if anyone else from the church will be attending please let the church office know and we will be sure to get you connected with these ladies if you would like!!!

For information about Thelma Wells the keynote speaker, seminar descriptions, scholarship offerings, cost and lodging information please go to www.mccks.edu

Appleseeds 2012

2012-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

Appleseeds is held the last Sunday of the month directly following the conclusion of Sunday service, until 3pm. These are the meeting dates for the rest of the school year: January 29th, February 26th, March 25th and April 29th. There will be no meeting in May.

We welcome Hope Meyers and Kathy Lutz to our list of mentors!!!

During the January and February meeting times we will finish up with the last two lessons of "Soul Serfer". February and March the girls will be putting a performance together that they are wanting to present to their "Moms" in April at a special gathering!!! (More to come in a future blog about this special event!!)

The following dates are what was determined for the summer schedule and will be held on Monday afternoons from 2-4pm in the CPCC Fellowship Hall: June 11th, 18th, and 25th. We will take July 2nd off and then resume our schedule for three more weeks in July. Those dates will be July 9th, 16th and 23rd.

In the summer we invite those girls that have just graduated from 5th grade and are going into 6th grade to attend. Likewise, those girls just having graduated from 8th grade and will be going into 9th grade in fall are welcome to continue to come throughout the summer.

Young ladies do not have to be members of CPCC in order to attend.

Please call Laura DelToro if you have any questions: 969-6912.

Appleseeds Thankgiving Dinner - This Sunday, November 20th

2011-11-15T16:18:00.000-08:00

Hey Appleseeds!!! This Sunday, November 20th your mentors have organized a Thanksgiving Dinner after church from 12:30 to 3pm. The meat, drinks, potatoes and gravy will be provided. We are asking that each family that has a young lady attending bring a side dish to contribute to our meal. Please let Laura or Deaune know what you are bringing so we don't end up with 5 sides of sweat potatoes!!! Looking forward to seeing you there!!!

Couple Of Things About The Retreat

2011-10-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

There is an organizational meeting this Wednesday, October 12th from 4-5:30pm in the church parlor. Those of you that are actually in charge of a session, or have some active part in the Retreat, need to please attend this meeting. If you are unable to do so it is understandable, just be sure to either e-mail, text, or call Laura to give her an update on progress in your area/s.

The next thing is, there are some that have not turned their money ($60) into Cyndie. Please make sure this is done, as well as your form for the Retreat filled out, by Monday, October 16th; to avoid Cyndie having to spend time making phone calls.

Thanks to all! As of yesterday, we are just 4 weeks away!!!

Deadline For Fall Women's Retreat Quickly Approaching

2011-09-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

The deadline for registering for the Fall Women's Retreat "Intentional Living - Relax, Believe, Encourage, Challenge" is quickly approaching. Cost for this event is $60. (For more information please scroll down to the article that was written previously and gives more detail.) Please be sure to have your registration into Cyndie by Monday, October 3rd if you are wanting to attend this event. As of this posting there are still 8 reservations available. You won't want to miss this time spent in God's Word, making new friends, and just time spent being encouraged!! Please call Cyndie Rexer at 286-0661 to make a reservation.

October 1st - Women's Cooperative Cooking Time

2011-09-10T15:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 1st we will be having a Cooperative Cooking time. Come see the newly remodeled CPCC Kitchen!!! From 10am to 2pm we will be meeting in the newly remodeled CPCC Kitchen to do some cooperative cooking of 3 different entrees for you to take home and eat right away, or put in your freezer for future meals!! The cost is $30 per person. The entrees we will be preparing are: Enchilada Casserole, Wild Rice and Chicken, and Chicken & Noodles. Yum!!!! Ruthy and Sherry will be there to help us learn how to make noodles from scratch. Can't wait!!! Please call Laura 969-6912 to reserve your spot. Sherry and Laura will be purchasing your food, and take home pans in advance, so we will need to know if you are coming by Sunday, September 25th, so we can be sure to have enough for you!!

Hello Appleseeds and their Families!!!

2011-08-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here we are once again embarking on a new school year!!! This will be our third school year for hosting Appleseeds. This year we graduated three young ladies on up to senior high Youth activities and were also blessed by girls attending Appleseeds for their very first time ever!!! It is a great time for all involved!!!

Please note that our activities during the school year are for those young ladies that are actually in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. However, attendance is not limited to those that just attend CPCC, please be sure and invite your friends too!!!

This year we are changing things up a bit! We will be meeting from 12:30 to 3pm, at Central Park in the fellowship hall. At each of our meeting times we will prepare and share a meal together at the beginning of our time together, then we will have an hour for Bible study, and end our time together with a craft.

Here is our schedule: August 28th, September 25th, October 30th (these dates are the 4th Sunday of the month). Our meeting date for November is the 20th (please note this is not the 4th Sunday of the month - we are changing this meeting date due to Thanksgiving weekend falling on the 4th Sunday of the month). Our meeting date for December is changing too. We will meet on December 11th, this is the date of the CPCC Women's Christmas Tea. We would like all of the Appleseeds and their mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, sisters, aunts, etc. to attend this event together.

In August we are planning on cooking waffles for lunch. If families would like to donate toppings like cherries, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, whipping cream, syrup and butter it would be greatly appreciated! The batter, waffle irons, juice, milk and bacon will be provided for the rest of the meal. Please let Laura know what you are planning on bringing.

Also for August, we will be watching the movie "Soul Surfer". It is all right if you have already seen this, some of us have too, and think it is definitely worth viewing two or three more times!!! Those of you that haven't seen the movie, I did want the families to know that the movie is rated PG due to the shark attack scene. However, I will say that it is very brief, and you almost don't even realize what just happened except they are rushing Brittany Hamilton to the hospital. We will have a devotional immediately following the movie that will address some of the topics in the movie.

In the months following August, we are planning on going through the Bible study that goes along with the movie. The topics we will be discussing are Searching for Something Bigger: gain a greater perspective by understanding Gods plans and purpose; Trusting God in the Impact Zone: learn how to keep your faith strong when life gets tough; Getting Back in the Water: be inspired to persevere in the midst of life's challenges; and Catching the Ride of Your Life: embrace God's plan for you. We would encourage the girls to have watched the film prior to attending the following months studies, but it is not necessary to follow along with these studies.

In September our craft project will be making candles. We ask that the clothing your daughter wears that day be ones that it would be okay to get wax on, if it would happen to accidentally. The girls will be making a candle to take home for themselves and they will also be helping to make a total of 60 more as give-aways for the women that will be attending the Women's Retreat in November!! October and November crafts we will be working on a faux stained glass project.

If you have any questions or would like to help in any way by donating supplies for food in the coming months, please contact any of the mentors involved with this ministry: Deaune Maddock, Heather Martens, Laura DelToro, Andrea O'Byrn and Amanda DelToro.

Blessings to you all, and we are looking forward to the coming 2011-12 Appleseeds times together!!!

Early Bird Registration for 2011 Fall Women's Retreat

2011-07-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 24th and 31st the Women's Ministry Team will be having Early Bird Registration for the 2011 Fall Women's Retreat. A table will be set up in the foyer before and after church for early registration. Cost for the Retreat is $60 per person, which includes: two meals (breakfast at the Cottage House and lunch at the Retreat), comfortable lodging and fun and refreshing activities. Please make checks payable to Central Park Christian Church, and be sure to indicate in the memo portion of your check that this is for the Intentional Living Retreat.

If your paid registration is into the church office by July 31st, your name will be put into a drawing for a FREE meal valued at $20 to be used at the Hays House on Friday evening!

The 2011 Women's Retreat will be held in Council Grove, Kansas on November 4th & 5th,

Our theme: Living The Intentional Life - Relax, Believe, Encourage, Challenge!

As women we wear many different hats in a twenty-four hour day, which means we often find ourselves just plain stressed out because we are over-scheduled with activities and obligations. We flip the calendar for the next week or the next month and can't believe what "good" things we have gotten ourselves into. Before we know it, we've allowed this over-scheduling to be the first fruits of our lives. This habit of over-scheduling means we are being rushed through out day. Being rushed causes stress, irritability and the inability to be gracious. Unfortunately, this is the reality of the modern day world, isn't it? We look at our friends and family members doing the same things we're doing, so it must be what we are "suppose to be doing". For the most part we are mindlessly unaware of how governed we are by our activities and obligations, no matter how "good" they may appear.

However, a call to stillness, to quietness, and to silence is making its way back into modern life. This is why the Women's Ministry Leadership Team invites you to experience what it means to embrace "Intentional Living" at this year's retreat. Friends, if you are ready to make choices that will help you realize your true potentional and to become the person God created you to be, then join us on Friday, November 4th, through Saturday, November 5th in Council Grove, Kansas for our annual Central Park Christian Church Women's Retreat.

We'll being with dinner at the Hays House in Council Grove, Kansas at 5pm on the evening of Friday, November 4th and will finish by 3:30pm on the afternoon of Saturday, November 5th. If you choose not to dine with us on Friday evening, Session 1 of "Intentional Living - Relax, Believe, Encourage, Challenge" will start at 7:15pm. Our retreat will be held at Council Grove Christian Church (106 East Main Street), and our sleeping arrangements will be just a few blocks down the road at The Cottage House Bed and Breakfast (25 North Neosho). The cost is only $60 per person! This covers two meals, fun and refreshing activities, and comfortable lodging.

Please note: dinner at the Hays House is on your own, the cost for this meal is not included in the cost of the retreat. However, Early Bird sign-up for the retreat is going to be held Sunday, July 24th and Sunday, July 31st before and after church in the foyer. If your paid registration is into the church office by July 31st, your name will be put into a drawing for a FREE meal valued at $20 to be used at the Hays House on Friday evening! (Please make checks payable to Central Park Christian Church, and be sure to indicate in the memo portion of your check that this is for the Intentional Living Retreat).

On the back of the registration form, you will find a selection of workshops that will be offered at the retreat. When you register, please indicate which two workshops (one each session) you plan to attend. Call Cyndie Rexer at 286-0661 for more information, or stop by our table in the church foyer Sunday, July 24th or July 31st to learn more and to register!

We hope you'll join us and take time to experience some of these teachings. It is our prayer that they will help you create a habit filled daily experience of "Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness..." Matthew 6:33. You'll also be able to relax, make new friends, and worship God. Please join us!

Warmly,

Central Park Christian Church Women's Ministry Planning Team

2011 Summer Appleseeds

2011-07-14T07:14:00.001-07:00

What a great time we have had so far with the summer Appleseeds program!!! There has been an average of at least 10 young ladies in attendance at each of our meetings. Overall there have been a total of 25 young ladies that have attended at some point in time throughout the summer!!! Thanks all you parents, grandparents, and friends that have helped in transporting these girls to this event.

The first 3 weeks our Bible study consisted of finishing up the book we had been using throughout the school year. Then we took a break for Independence Day - The 4th of July. Last week our new mentor Andrea led us in an engaging lesson on what worship means and some examples of what it looks like today, and in God's Word.

After the Appleseeds have Bible study, they and their mentors have been working on two different sewing projects that has totally consumed their summer!!! The first is a hobo bag/purse. We decided it was called a hobo bag because it is a hodge-podge of different colors of material. Although, the girls have loved being able to somewhat design what their bag/purse was going to look like with the different colors of material and different colors of thread. These girls are actually learning some steps of using a pattern to cut out their bags, and some of the fundamentals of sewing on a sewing machine! Since we have only had two sewing machines going at once after our Bible time, it has been slow going, but the girls have been very patient waiting their turn at using the machines. We have also given girls the opportunity to come to the church or a home 5 afternoons this summer for many of them to finish up their projects.

While they have been working two at a time in sewing on the machines, the girls have also been learning how to embroider.

They were given the opportunity to choose from different iron- on patterns, then used the iron to iron their embroidery pattern on already prepared t-towel material, learned the importance of having an embroidery hoop to stretch their material as they are sewing, and are learning different embroidery stiches.

It has been great fun!!! So sad that it is almost coming to a close for the summer. We have two more meetings. PLEASE NOTE: July 18th we are meeting at the Lesser's (3930 NW Brickyard Rd.) to swim from 2-4pm. Drinks will be provided for this event, however if the young ladies would like to bring a snack to share they are more than welcomed to!!!

Our last meeting date for the summer will be Monday, July 25th and this last meeting will be back at Heather's. We know some of the Jr. High girls will be off to Jr. High Camp and we will be praying for your time there. However, those that are still here, come on over to Heather's for one last summer meeting!!!

This fall we plan to continue the Appleseed program, and will continue to meet on the last Sunday of the month from 4-6pm at Heather's. The program during the school year is for young ladies that are actually in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Please call Laura (969-6912) or Heather (246-2583) if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you this fall!!!

Annual DelToro 4th of July Blast!!!

2011-06-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

This event will take place on Sunday, July 3rd starting at 5pm. All are welcomed to attend our annual get together. We will provide the meat and table service. You provide a side dish, and dessert to share. We will meet at the Hoyt City Park in Hoyt, Kansas under the 4H Pavillion around 5pm. Dinner will be served around 6pm. Please bring your lawnchairs, drinks for your family, blankets, bug spray, frizbie, football, basketball, yard games, cards, etc. Each year the Hoyt Fire Department and the City of Hoyt put on a great fireworks display!!! We would like to invite our church family to attend and let you know you may open it up to your friends as well!!! In the past, this has always been such a great time of fun and fellowship, looking forward to seeing you there!!!

(We would like to have somewhat of a count of how many will be

attending so as to purchase enough meat. If you could be so kind as to give

us a call 969-6912 or email us at deltorold@yahoo.com , that would be great.

However, if you decide to come at the last minute, please do,

we wouldn't want the lack of an RSVP to stop you from

coming and enjoying a great time of fun and fellowship!!!)

Water Aerobics at Kay's

2011-06-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Once again ladies Kay Laurie is opening her swimming pool up for Women's Water Aerobics, FREE of charge!!! Classes will begin on June 14th and will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4-5pm. However, starting on June 28th, there are two times to choose from on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, either: 4-5pm or
5:30-6:30pm. All classes are one hour in length. No equipment is needed. Although, you will want to bring a towel and sunscreen. Location is: 2625 SW Gainsboro Rd. This location is 3 blocks East of 27th and Urish. For more information please call Kay Laurie at 272-1385 or 224-9133.

NEW!!! - Thursday Summer Women's Bible Study

2011-05-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

On Thursday afternoons this summer starting on June 9th and June 16th, there will be a summer Bible study series that will be available at two different locations (and possibly three), and one starting a week after the other. This study will run for eight weeks.

These Bible studies will both start at 12:30pm and go until 3pm. The format will be one in which a lite meal is shared together, following a cooking demonstrating. This is a great time of fellowship for the ladies in attendance!! After lunch, and starting around 1:45pm, the ladies will get into God's Word through their time of Bible study.

The Bible study that was choosen for this summer study was written by Kelly Minter and is titled "No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern-Day Idols". Here is what the editor has to say about the study, "Looking for a relational yet deep approach to Bible study? Ready to merge Scripture with "real life"? Are you longing for something that will feed your soul and your body?

Welcome to the Living Room Series. Join Kelly, Carrie, Lauri, Anadara and Alli - five fun, smart, deep, thinking women on a journey that makes room for God by confronting the modern-day idols that clutter and claim our hearts. You're sure to enjoy this conversational approach to Bible study, where you will share a meal and lives.

#1 Location is at Kim Keen's (1605 NW 50th) - Starting Thursday, June 9th from 12:30-3pm and running until Thursday, July 28th. Cost for the study is $15.

#2 Location is at Vicki Lesser's (3930 NW Brickyard Rd.) - Starting Thursday, June 16th from 12:30-3pm and running until Thursday, August 4th. Cost for the study is $15.

The Tuesday study "God Sightings" will continue meeting at Cyndie Rexer's throughout the summer (4721 NW Leedy Rd.), from 6:30-8pm. You are not too late to start this study, either.

The Wednesday night group that meets in the Parlor at Central Park from 6:30-8pm, has finished up their study on Zechariah, and are planning on starting to read some different stories from the Bible. This study will be looking at different short stories from the New Testament and the Old Testament. Contact Barb Grey to find out more about this study.

The Women's Ministry team is looking forward to sharing God's Word and fellowship with you this summer!!! Please call the church office (234-5963) and let them know which study you are interested in attending, or fill out the sign-up slip and place in the offering tray on Sunday!!!

Summer Appleseeds

2011-05-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

This program was taken from Betty Huizenga's Apples of Gold study and was adapted for young ladies going into 6th grade through just having completed 8th grade. This group will be meeting on Monday afternoons from 2-4pm this summer starting June 6th and running through July 25th. (NO MEETING MONDAY, JULY 4th.) All meetings will be held at Heather Marten's House (400 Aspen), unless otherwise noted.

An Appleseeds meeting consists in the Young ladies and their mentors (Andrea, Deaune, Heather, Laura, Liz and Miranda) learning from God's Word, making a craft, and sharing a snack together each time they get together.

The Appleseeds and their mentors are currently using a book written by Jen Rawson titled "Living As a Young Woman of God".

Call Heather (246-2583) or Laura (785-969-6912) for more information or if you need a ride.

CPCC Prayer Shawl Ministry Donations

2011-05-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

You may not knit or crochet, but, you may have a desire to support the Prayer Shawl Ministry. There are 20 ladies (of all ages) who faithfully come together in fellowship every 3 weeks to knit or crochet prayer shawls that will be given away to someone going through illness, suffering the loss of a loved one, or rejoicing in a new baby or blessing the celebration of a wedding.

Since the first Prayer Shawl meeting in June 2010, the Prayer Shawl Ministry hands have made and given 45 shawls to: new babies, children and adults fighting cancer, an 11 year old child who had a heart transplant, victims of stroke, those that have lost a loved one, and family members of those who are in hospice, as well as those who are suffering from an extended illness. Each Prayer Shawl is blessed by all the hands that made it before it is given. They are never to be bought or sold. Then, when the recipient is finished with the Prayer Shawl, it is to be given away to someone else who is in need of comfort.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry would appreciate either monetary donations to purchase yarn or you may help in purchasing yarn for them. The approximate cost per shawl is $13 to $17. It takes 3 skeins of yarn for each shawl, and only Home Spun yarns are used.

If you would like to contribute monetarily, you may put it in the offering plate and mark it "Prayer Shawl" or if you wish to purchase yarn, just bring it to the church office.

Thank you in advance for your contributions.

Current Bible Studies Available

2011-04-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

There is a Bible study that you are able to participate in 3 nights or 1 day of the week!!! Won't you just pick one?!?!?! Check out what they are learning about in the following Bible studies:

Monday evenings from 7-9pm at Laura DelToro's (100 K-214 Hwy, Hoyt, KS). They will be wrapping up their study of Daniel in the next couple of weeks, and will then start a new study titled Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. This study will last just 5 short weeks (May 2 thru May 31). Their last meeting in May will be a Tuesday night meeting.

Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8pm at Cyndie Rexer's (4721 NW Leedy Rd.) God Sightings: Learning to Experience God Every Day. This study will continue throughout the summer months.

"It starts here with grappling questions that provide a focus too often missing in a daily Bible reading plan - looking past the pages to God himself. Inside are reflection questions, space to record God Sightings, and eye-opening insights for each of the year's 52 weeks as you read through the Bible in a year."

Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8pm at the church in the Parlor. This group will be starting a study on a specific book of the Bible soon.

Thursday afternoons from 12:30-3pm at Kim Keen's (1605 NW 50th Street) Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. The start time for this group includes sharing of a particular cook of the weeks recipe and food demonstration, followed by a lite lunch of the food that was demonstrated. During the last half of their time together is their Bible study time.

"What is Jesus Worth to you? It's eash for American Christians to forgethow Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW

WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU? In Radical, author David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple - then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus. Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment - a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring."

GOGO - - Gettin' Our Groove On...."In the Kitchen" with Chef Alli

2011-02-22T14:14:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, April 2nd from Noon until 3pm come join us for.....

GOGO

Gettin' Our Groove On...."In the Kitchen"

With Chef Alli

God's Cookbook says there is to be intimacy in our marriages.

Join Chef Alli as she shares her insight on what it takes to

spice up your love life via the kitchen,

using the five senses

to arouse and foster your husband's deep desire for you.

Chef Alli will also show you how to utilize her favorite kitchen tools

and techniques as she prepares one of her favorite recipes,

Spicy BBQ Shrimp.

Learn how you can entice and engage your husband,

just by putting a little sizzle in your saute pan!

Join Chef Alli in the GOGO Kitchen as she shares her experiences

and ideas on how to protect and serve your

most precious blessing,

your husband.

This event is for women that are currently married, have been married, of marrying age, or are engaged to be married within the next year (Note: Please, mature content, not intended for your teenage daughters that are not currently engaged to be married).

Please come share an afternoon with us at CPCC. We will start with a lite lunch of chicken tetrazzini, garlic bread, salad and dessert. There is no cost for this event, however, please do invite a married friend or engaged friend to attend with you!

Allison Winter (Chef Alli) has a wonderful testimony that she would like to share about protecting and serving our husbands.

We ask that you do make a reservation so we can plan how much food we need to prepare for this event. You may make your reservation by filling out the form you will find in the bulletin starting Sunday, March 6th and drop in the offering tray, or call the church office at 234-5963. Questions: call Laura at 785-969-6912 or email at deltorold@yahoo.com .

Take the Siesta Challenge!!!

2011-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

Ladies and girls of all ages!!!! There are some involved with the Women's Ministry, and now some Appleseeds that are taking the Siesta Challenge!!! No, this isn't something in which we see how many naps we can get in for one day. Rather, it is a Scripture memory challenge!!!

We will be memorizing 24 Scripture verses in one year. A little hard you say. That would only be 2 Scripture verses per month!!!

Some ideas have been to maybe memorize Psalm 139, which has a total of 24 verses. If you choose this way of memorizing, you would have a whole chapter of the Bible memorized when you are finished in December of 2011!!! Or, you may just want to take 24 different Scripture verses and memorize those, picking verses that speak to you and your season of life now.

Why would we want to do something like this? The point is to hide God's Word in your heart, and to transform your minds to the minds of Christ!!! In doing so, this is a way to start becoming INTENTIONAL in your walk with the Lord. What great preparation for our Fall Retreat!!!

Oh! Did I happen to mention there is also a little reward at the end?!?!? How about a trip to Houston, to a FREE Beth Moore conference!!! The conference is to be held Friday and Saturday, January 20th and 21st of 2012.(The conference would be free for us to attend if you indeed accomplish memorizing 24 verses, but our travel expenses and lodging would not be free. We would be involved in some fundraising opportunities throughout 2011 in order to help off-set some of the cost for those earning their way into the conference with their memory verses.)

Besides memorizing 2 Scripture verses a month, you will also need to go to Beth Moore's blog site: http://blog.lproof.org/ in order to register your Scripture verses. You will need to do this two times during the month, the 1st and the 15th. Beth will post a message on those days and you will need to go down to the bottom of that days post, click on leave a message. You will then post your name, city/state, and then type the Scripture you are memorizing plus the chapter and verse, as well as version of the Bible you are memorizing it from.

So it would look like this: Sally Smith Clifford, Texas "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6 NIV

Beth's challenge is that you at least memorize and register 21 out of 24 Scriptures on her blog site. By doing this and then bringing your 3X5 Siesta Memory Verse Spiral in January 2012 to the conference, this is your FREE ticket into the conference!!!

What a great bonding experience for mom's and daughter's to be hiding God's Word in their hearts together!!! Challenging each other and helping one another toward a common goal!!!

If you want to get caught up, you will need to go to Beth's January 1st and 15th posts and leave a message on that day of what your memory verse is. If not, just start now on February 1st and 15th. That will still give you 22 out of 24 memory verses that will keep you within making the challenge. You may also want to go back to one of her "Older Entries" in which she has the Memory Verse Instructions, this would be on December 26th, 2010. She also has a video that explains some more information on her January 13th, 2011 blog entry that you can watch.

And Bonus!!! By going back and reading these entries you will find out what Siesta! is all about as well.

Looking forward to taking the challenge right along with you!!!

Parenting Luncheon & Workshop for Moms

2011-01-31T07:34:00.000-08:00

Workshop & Lunch

for Moms

Moms of all ages

Central Park Christian Church

Fellowship Hall

Saturday, February 5, 2011

From Noon to 2pm

Lunch is FREE

Moms and your daughters we really want you to come and attend the parenting workshop hosted by Mary Flin of CPCC. Just a few of the discussion topics will be about faith and young adult children, perspectives of moms who work and have parented through difficulties,

stay-at-home moms of little children, break-out groups and a time for sharing, questions, and concerns about parenting and much, much more.

Moms and your daughters, COME! This will be a great time of fellowship and getting acquainted with other moms.

Children who are able to sit quietly are welcome to come. Should you need child care, please let us know so that we can make arrangements if necessary.

We would appreciate knowing if you're coming;

it will help us plan for food and set up to:

Mary Flin at 785-741-2989, maryflin@hotmail.com

or the church office: 234-5963.

(But, last minute really is fine too!)

February 18th is our next Women's Movie Night!!!!

2011-01-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hey ladies!!!! Mark your calendars for Friday, February 18th starting at 6pm for our next Women's Fellowship/Movie Night!!!!

The movie we will be watching is a remake of the 1950s version of "Father of the Bride" starring Steve Martin. This is a great comedy!!! Movie will start promptly at 6:55pm.

You will also want to be sure to bring your comfy lawnchair, pillow, blanket, and be sure to wear casual clothing. Make sure to invite and bring a friend along with you!!!

Just for fun, if you would like, those of you that are married or have been married, bring your wedding album to share with others. You might even want to share a testimony of how you and your hubby met, or how he "popped" the question!!! You can do this either in typed or written form and put it with your album, or we will have time while we are eating if you would like to share in-person!!!

We will be serving sandwiches, chips with dip, veggies and fruit with dip, white wedding cake, and wedding punch!!!! Popcorn will be served during the movie.

NEW Bible Study - Thursday Afternoons!!!

2010-12-04T08:04:00.000-08:00

The Thursday afternoon Bible study that meets at Kim Keen's (1605 NW 50th) will be taking a break in December, but will resume January 13th, meeting time is from 12:30 to 3pm.

This study is also being made available at Laura DelToro's (100 K-214 Hwy - Hoyt, KS) on Monday evenings from 7-9pm.

This is a Beth Moore study Daniel: Lives of Integrity Words of Prophecy. This is a faith-building study of prophecy, in which attendees will develop skills to help them shine for Christ in our modern culture. Just as the prophet Daniel faced unbelievable pressures - to compromise his faith, to live in a hostile culture, and confront temptations and threats - today's believers face many of the same trials. Examine the life of Daniel in an extremely contemporary way. Then explore the fascinating prophecies from the time of Daniel through the second coming of Christ. Five daily studies and 1 video per week, show you how individuals can live with integrity in today's self-absorbed society.

Women's Tuesday and Wednesday Evening Bible Studies Continue

2010-12-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

The Tuesday evening Bible study at Cindy Rexer's (4721 NW Leedy Rd), will be taking a break (Dec. 7th, 14th, &21st), but will resume Tuesday, December 28th. Their meeting time is from 6:30-8pm. Their study is called: Rendezvous Bible Study: Joy Ride Philippians.

The Beth Moore study: Breaking Free is held on Wednesday evenings at the church (in the parlor), from 6:30-8pm, and will continue through December and beyond.

Christmas Tea...A Winter Wonderland

2010-11-23T04:26:00.000-08:00

Gods blessings are all around us that He has so
lovingly touched with care,
As we marvel at the wonders of nature that
sparkle in the crisp winter air.
The season reminds us of the birth of God's son,
Who sacrified his life for each and everyone.
Come and celebrate this joyous time of the year,
At the Womens Christmas Tea with friends so dear.

When: December 12th
Where: Central Park Christian Church Fellowship Hall
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Ladies Christmas Tea

2010-11-13T13:41:00.000-08:00

The Ladies Christmas Tea is scheduled for Sunday, December 12th from 4-6pm held in the CPCC Fellowship Hall. There will be more information posted about this soon!!!

Monday, November 1st - Work Day to prepare for the Sweet Life Cafe

2010-10-22T14:05:00.001-07:00

On Monday, November 1st from 10am until 2pm. There will be a group of ladies working on getting different things ready for the Sweet Life Cafe Women's Retreat, in the church kitchen/fellowship hall. This is a come and go type work day. If you can give an hour or four hours of your time, it is greatly needed and will be appreciated!!!

Most of the things that will need to be done are very simple and won't take several people getting together that much time and effort. Mostly, you will gain some great fellowship!!!

Here are a list of the items that we will be working on:

Cut apart pancake recipe tags, laminate, and punch hole in corner of tag
Cut ribbon to tie around towels/packages of pancake mix
Put pancake mix ingredients in large baggies for transport
Stamp 60 index cards with decorative fall stamp
Cut apart Sweet Talk conversation cards
Put program/schedule inside each Prayer Journal
Prepare silverware for lunch on Saturday - roll silverware inside napkins
Make 2 sugar free pumpkin cheesecakes (9X13)
Make 2 regular pumpkin cheesecakes (9X13)
Make 2 Applecakes (9X13)
Place porridge recipe ingredients in ziploc bags

Location Change for November 14th Appleseeds Meeting

2010-10-22T13:57:00.001-07:00

The location for the November 14th Appleseeds Meeting has change to Heather's house (400 Aspen), instead of staying at the church.

We will still eat pizza, so be sure to bring your $3, and we will still be tie-dying pillowcases.

Refer to the article below this one for more info.

October, November and December Appleseeds Meeting Info

2010-10-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

Appleseeds and Parents,
We have a busy next few months planned for the Appleseed meetings, but it is sure to be a lot of fun!!!
Our next meeting will be on Sunday, October 17th and OUR MEETING TIME HAS CHANGED. We will meet from 5-7pm. That is because some of the mentors will be participating in the Breast Cancer Walk that will be taking place starting at the Capitol building at 2pm that afternoon. We would love for your Appleseed to join us if they would like. They will need to either bring a sack lunch with them that day, or money to stop and get lunch. We will then participate in the 5K walk, followed by heading over to Heather's for our Appleseeds meeting. Please let Laura or Heather know if your daughter is going to join us for the walk. Note: Parents, you are welcome to join us too!
Our November meeting is going to be held on Sunday, November 14th at the church. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service until 3pm. If everyone could bring $3 to help pay for pizza for lunch, that would be great! We will be having our Appleseeds meeting at the church because we will be tie-dying pillowcases!!! The Appleseed girls decided at our September meeting, to come together with Chelsea Neumann and make some pillowcases for the foster children that are associated with TFI of Topeka. These pillowcases will be given to approximately 150 Shawnee and Jackson County foster children as part of their Christmas present from TFI, Appleseeds, and a couple of our Women's Bible study groups. This is a great project!!! We will not only need the Appleseeds GIRLPOWER!!!, but we will need to have at least 100 pillowcases donated for this project. Chelsea and some of her friends have already taken care of the first 50 when they got together in September. It would be great if each Appleseed could bring 4 pillowcases, one to make for themselves and then 3 to make for a TFI child. The Appleseeds will also be writing a personal note to go with each pillowcase (these will be provided). Note: We will need some parents to volunteer to take some of the pillowcases home to allow to set for 24 hours, then wash out, then dry, to bring back to the church on that following Wednesday the 17th.
Our December meeting will be held on Sunday, December 12th from 4-6pm, at the church. We are asking that all Appleseeds and their moms, and a special someone (grandma, aunt, great-grandma, little sister, etc.) come and attend the Women's Tea that will be held at that time. It is sure to be a great time of fun and fellowship!!! Please let Laura or Heather know how many from your family will be attending.
Looking forward to a great 3 months of activities!!!
Your Mentors,
Amanda, Deaune, Heather, Liz and Laura
(any questions at all please give one of us a call.)

October Women's Fellowship

2010-09-26T12:36:00.001-07:00

October Women's Fellowship will be held on Monday, October 18th from 6:30-8pm at the church, in the Fellowship Hall. We are calling it Exercise and Outreach!!

Trish and Laura will share with us their personal experiences with learning Pilates and how it has improved their flexibility and endurance for their cardio workouts. Come in comfortable loose fitting clothing for the evening and join us for a relaxing time.

Laura says, "No really do come, because I hate to exercise and I hate to sweat, but I really enjoy Pilates!! Pilates can help with those every day aches and pains that some of you, and me, live with every day. Instead of taking an arthritis pain reliever every day, my pain reliever is Pilates!!"

After a little exercise, we will do a little outreach. We will be making foaming soap bottles - one to take home for yourself and one to give away to the Topeka Rescue Mission guests.

Please come and join us!

Livin' The Sweet Life Shirts

2010-09-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

Shirts will be available to purchase for the Sweet Life Cafe Fall Women's Retreat this Sunday, September 26th, and again on Sunday, October 3rd; before and after church.

These are the types of shirts that will be available and the prices:

T-shirt in small, medium and large is $10, add $2 for 2XL and $3 for 3XL

Long Sleeve T-shirt in small, medium and large is $15, add $2 for 2XL and $3 for 3XL

Sweatshirt in small, medium and large is $20, add $2 for 2XL and $3 for 3XL

The shirts are kiwi green and have the following logo on them:

It says, "Livin' the sweet life savoring time with God" in brown lettering, and then in ivory colored lettering it has Psalm 119:103 which says, "How sweet are Your words to my taste...sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

The shirts will also be made available for those not attending the Retreat. Proceeds from those shirts will be put into the Women's Ministry budget for future scholarship needs.

Retreat Training Meeting Set

2010-09-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Those of you that are in leadership of the Fall Retreat to the Sweet Life Cafe, please note that we will be having a Training meeting on Wednesday, October 6th from 2:45 - 4:15 at Heather Marten's (400 Aspen).

Leadership would involve anyone from a greeter, session leader, foods/beverage person, registration coordinator, decorations coordinator, to those wanting to help pick up after the event.

However, if you are unable to attend this meeting, we will also hold one the following evening (Thursday, October 7th) from 7-8:30pm at Gambino's Pizza at Hunters Ridge at 46th Street.

Please contact Laura DelToro (785-986-6983) or deltorold@yahoo.com if you haven't already been placed into a leadership/support position and would like to. Also please be sure and contact Laura if you are in a leadership/support position and neither of these dates work for you.

We will also have a work day for helping get the last minute items, and food ready for the Retreat on Monday, November 1st from 10am until 2pm. If you are not in a leadership position, and maybe you aren't even attending the Retreat but you would still like to help out with the Retreat in this way, please join us that morning!!

Thank you all so much for your willingness to serve.
"It was He who gave some to...prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4:11-12

Sharing a Little Space with the Men's Ministry

2010-09-11T16:03:00.000-07:00

This morning, Saturday, September 11th at 6:00 a.m. a group of 22 guys (from church and then some) met at Banner Lake in Holton Kansas, to spend a good protion of their Saturday enjoying some food, fun, fellowship and fishing!!!

A total of 44 catfish were caught!!! They ranged from 1lbs to over 20lbs. Devin Falley caught the biggest fish at around 22lbs!!! While Tyler Lutz and William DelToro caught the most fish!!! They caught a total of 18 fish!!!

Approximately 100lbs. of meat was taken off of the fish that were filleted!!! All total, it took an hour and a half for 22 guys to clean all the fish!!!

All the fisherman donated their fish at the end of the day for the Concert In The Park fish fry that will take place on Saturday, September 25th, starting at 2pm!!!

September Women's Fellowship - Sneak Peek of The Sweet Life Cafe

2010-09-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!!! You won't want to miss the Monday, September 20th Women's Fellowship Night!!! Come take a Sneak Peek of what the Fall Retreat (November 5th and 6th) has to offer at the Sweet Life Cafe.

On the night of September 20th, you will be able to get a glimpse of what it will be like to savor time in worship through music, a devotion, a game, food, fellowship, prayer, and a community service project!!!

We will meet from 6:30-8pm in the Fellowship Hall.

DEADLINE FOR MONEY TO BE TURNED IN FOR THE RETREAT WILL BE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH.

We are going to try and have the shirts available this evening too. Please pre-order your shirt by Wednesday, September 15th. Call Laura DelToro 785-986-6983 or email her at deltorold@yahoo.com.

Appleseeds Field Trip - Potwin Pottery

2010-09-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 29th was a great time of fun, food and fellowship for 13 of the Appleseeds and 4 of their sponsors!!! We gathered in the church fellowship hall directly after service, then carpooled to Potwin Pottery where the girls made these wonderful plates!!! Take a look!!!

As you can see we had a theme. Our study for the past year has been on Friendship, and we are the Appleseeds, and the plates were made in 2010.

Although, isn't it neat to see the individual creativity that each of the 13 girls had?!?!? Just as our Heavenly Father had with each one of His creation in making each of us unique!!!

In between drawing on our plates and painting our plates we had sandwiches from Subway, tortilla chips and pretzels, waterbottles just plain or with a little Raspberry Lemonade either sugar free or not, and Key Lime cookies and apples slices with carmel for dessert.

Thanks so much to the parents that helped to carpool, and came a little earlier than what we had anticipated to pick your daughter up from our field trip!!!

Appleseeds Bible Study for the 2010-11 School Year

2010-08-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, August 29th will be our Field Trip to Potwin Pottery. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall immediately following church. We are asking that parents please help with carpooling the girls to Potwin Pottery, if you can. Cost for this activity is $20 and checks may be written to Potwin Pottery. Scholarships are available, talk with Laura or Heather. We will have subsandwiches available for the girls to eat while we are at Potwin Pottery. The girls will need to be picked up by 5pm at Potwin Pottery (3937 SW Gage Center Dr.). Note: We WILL NOT be returning to the church.

Appleseeds is held the last Sunday of the month from 4-6pm. This ministry is a Bible study for girls that are in 6-8th grades. At an Appleseeds meeting you will: study the Word of God, be part of a small-group that is committed to praying for one another, make a craft, and eat a yummy snack!!!

Our September 26th meeting we will be at Heather's NEW house, yes I said NEW and bigger!!!!Address is 400 NE Aspen (please call Heather for directions 286-2583).

We will be starting a new study that will take us through the end of the school year titled: "Living As A Young Woman of God", this study is written directly for middleschool girls.

If you have any questions feel free to call Laura or Heather.

Wednesday Night Fall Bible Study - Breaking Free by Beth Moore

2010-08-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

Starting Wednesday, September 8th from 6:30-8:30pm, there will be a Beth Moore Bible study titled "Breaking Free". This women's Bible study will be held at the church in the Parlor behind the sanctuary. Please call the church office to sign up (234-5963), this will assure that we order enough study books. However, if you decide the night of September 8th this study is for you, please don't hesitate to come and join us!! (Child care is provided upon reservation, please call the church office to let them know so arrangements can be made.)

The study, "Breaking Free", leads you through a study of the Scriptures to discover the transforming power of freedom in Jesus Christ. Themes for this study come from Isaiah, a book about the captivity of God's children, the faithfulness of God, and the road to freedom.
This in-depth women's Bible study draws parallels between the captive Israelites of the Old Testament and New Testament believers in Jesus as the Promised Messiah. Beth looks at the Book of Isaiah through the lives of the kings who ruled during the prophet's ministry. These kings exemplify many of the obstacles to freedom with which we must deal. Using Scripture to help identify spiritual strongholds in your life, no matter how big or small, Beth explains that anything that hinders us from the benefits of knowing God is bondage.

Join Beth Moore on a Bible journey unlike any other. God intends for you to know and believe Him, glorify Him, experience His peace, and enjoy His presence. Breaking Free is Beth's life message that she wants to share with you. Taped live at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, this study includes testimonies of how women like you have found freedom and have been delivered from personal captivity.

August Women's Ministry Planning Mtg.

2010-08-09T09:18:00.001-07:00

The August Women's Ministry Planning Meeting has been canceled. Please be sure to attend our September meeting which will be Wednesday, September 15th from 6-8pm. Location of meeting will be announced as we get closer to that date.

Remember Women's Fellowship Night, which is a movie night!!! This is being held Friday, August 20th from 6-9pm. Please refer to the post written earlier on the blog for more information.

Thursday Afternoon Bible Study at Kim's

2010-07-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

This fall our Thursday afternoon Bible study at Kim Keen's will undergo a bit of a format change. This study will still begin at 12:30pm and end by 3pm. However, there won't be a meal served prior to the study time. Instead, dessert will be served during a half-time break that will be taken during a Beth Moore DVD study titled "Here and Now...There and Then" A Lecture Series on Revelation.
This study is an 11 week study that will begin on Thursday, September 9th, and conclude by Thursday, November 18th.

This lecture series is based on the Book of Revelation. Beth Moore says in the introduction of the listening guide and weekly assignment booklet, that she is "neither an expert nor a scholar on the Book of Revelation. I am a fellow seeker who finds great exhilaration in the study of God's Word. My love is research. In these 11 sessions, I've attempted to seek the wisdom and knowledge of God-seeking, God-fearing scholars through multiple commentaries and perspectives and, in doing so, I've attempted to translate some of their interpretations into laymen's terms and applications".

Beth challenges those that embark on a Bible study to "not just approach the Word with the stubborn intent of reaffirming what we already believe. Or relearning only what we already know. Let's be willing to also learn something brand new...or perhaps arrive at the conclusion that not everyone who interprets Scripture differently is heretical".

Beth concludes with this: "My worst nightmare is that I'd diligently study the Scriptures but somehow manage to keep them in my head and never let them get to my heart. The sign of a true disciple of Jesus Christ is that the study of Scripture enlarges the love of God in his or her heart. If God seems to get smaller and our hearts colder in our Bible study, something is grossly amiss. Thankfully, God is merciful to us in our pursuits and more than willing to revive our waning, wandering hearts. With a fresh wave of humility and inadequacy, I make this small offering. Its hopeful purpose is to increase worship, anticipation, and yes, fear of God in willing hearts and to light a fire in our spirits to study Revelation in greater depth".

This is not a typical Beth Moore study, the core of the study is watching the DVD lecture each week. Although, there is a "Weekly Assignment" booklet in which there are brief assignments to help the student keep up with the reading of the 22 chapters of the Book of Revelation, as well as to help broaden a small measure of understanding of this Book.

Revelation 1:3 promises a blessing from the very opening of this Book, and particularly if you "take to heart what is written in it".

Look for the sign-up insert in the August 8th bulletin, or call the church office to sign-up. Our prayer is that you would prayerfully consider attending this study, and even bring a friend!!!

Women's Fellowship Night for August

2010-07-27T10:49:00.001-07:00

If you missed the July Women's Fellowship at Potwin Pottery, you will not want to miss our August Women's Fellowship night. We will be watching the movie "When In Rome". This is a great comedy, sure to make you laugh!!!

We will gather around 6pm on Friday, August 20th to share in some good Italian cuisine!!
Followed by the movie starting promptly at 7:01 pm.

Admission is a bottle of pop. Please be sure to bring your lawn chair, comfy pillow or blankey. We will be watching the movie in the Fellowship Hall. Popcorn will be served during the movie!!

Any questions or if you would like to help plan, decorate or prepare food for this event, please contact Laura or Heather.

Appleseeds Bible Memory Verses

2010-07-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

Last year and this, we have challenged the young ladies that are attending the Monday afternoon Appleseeds Bible study to hide God's Word in their hearts.

Last year we challenged these girls to memorize Psalm 139. Many did accomplish this, but then there were new girls that attended this year, and those that did not memorize Psalm 139 last year that wanted to. So, we kept that option available, as well as adding Psalm 121 as a challenge.

Accomplishing this task did not go unnoticed. When one of the girls committed one of these Scriptures to memory and then recited it from their memory to one of the mentors, they received a Willow Tree figurine.
For Psalm 139 they received the figurine "Wisdom",

and for Psalm 121 they received the figurine "Friendship".

Below are some pictures of the girls receiving their figurines. There are some that are still working on these memory verses and we will make these figurines available throughout the coming school year for their accomplishment.

However girls, don't ever stop remembering these Scriptures. If you could memorize these, think of all the other ones you could commit to memory and hide in your heart!!! God's Word says, "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

The mentors of Appleseeds pray that you keep on shinning for Jesus!!!

Appleseeds Final Meeting for the Summer 2010

2010-07-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

We have had a blast with the fairly consistant 16-18 young ladies that have come to our Appleseed meetings, on Mondays this summer!!! Thank you so much parents, grandparents and friends for bringing your daughter or others, and also taking them home. You have been a blessing to many!!!

Our last and final meeting for Summer 2010 was held at Bill and Vicki Lesser's house (Amanda's Grandpa and Grandma!!! Thanks so much Grandma and Grandpa!!!). We had a celebration picnic to start off our time together, with hotdogs on the grill, watermelon, baked beans, chips and lemonaid!!! Later we had more lemonaid and cookies that Grandma Vicki made!!! Swimming makes you huuuungggrrryyy!!!

There was lots of swimming, screaming, splashing, laughing, eating, and reapplying sunscreen at the prompting of mentors/moms. There were 17 girls that attended, what fun they all had!!!

Karsen and Delaney gave a devotion about Jesus and Peter walking on water. They attempted to walk on the water in the pool, but not so much!!! Great devo girls!!!

It will be sad to see these Monday times disappear for a while, but we are soooo looking forward to the school year and getting together once a month again!!!

We will meet on the last Sunday of the month from 4-6pm @ Heather's (unless otherwise noted here on the blog, or in the church newsletter or bulletin).

Our meeting in August will indeed be Sunday, August 29th, but we will meet in the fellowship hall right after church. Then we will carpool to Potwin Pottery where we will be crafty from

1pm until 5pm. Drop off point is the church, pick up point is Potwin Pottery (3937 Gage Center Dr.). We will have sandwiches, chips, and a drink for the girls while they are being crafty!!

Cost for this event is $20 per person. Please talk with Laura or Heather if a scholarship for this event is needed, they are available.

We have not picked out the new Bible study material as yet for the September and beyond meetings, but will let you know as we get closer.

If you are interested in being a mentor during the school year for Appleseeds, please let Laura or Heather know.

Sweet Life Cafe Retreat Early Bird Registration

2010-07-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

*******Sunday, August 8th, look for the registration table for the Sweet Life Cafe Retreat which is going to be held Friday and Saturday, November 5th & 6th, in Council Grove, Kansas!!!

Hello Girlfriends!
We all love going out for a warm cup of coffee or tea with friends. And, most of us long to extend those short visits and take time to slow down and really enjoy time together.
That's exactly what we'll do at Sweet Life Cafe. Join us at this retreat, where we'll savor time with God and friends. Together we'll experience meaningful Bible studies, flavor-filled activities, and scrumptiously delicious fun!
We'll begin with dinner at the Hays House in Council Grove, Kansas at 5pm on the evening of Friday, November 5th, 2010 and will finish by 3:30pm on the afternoon of Saturday, November 6th. If you would choose not to dine with us on Friday evening, Session 1 of Our Sweet Life Cafe Retreat will start at 7pm. The Sweet Life Cafe Retreat will be held at Council Grove Christian Church (106 East Main Street), and our sleeping arrangements will be just a few blocks down the road at The Cottage House Bed and Breakfast (25 North Neosho). The cost is only $50 per person! This covers two meals, fun and refreshing activities, and comfortable lodging.
Please note: dinner at the Hays House is on your own and the cost for this is not included in the cost of the Retreat. However, Early Bird sign-up for the Retreat is going to be held Sunday, August 8th before and after church in the foyer. If your paid registration is into the church office by this date, your name will be put into a drawing for a FREE meal, valued at $20 to be used at the Hays House on that Friday evening! (Please make checks payable to Central Park Christian Church, and be sure to indicate in the memo portion of your check that this is for the Sweet Life Cafe Retreat).
Call Cyndie Rexer at 286-0661 for more information, or stop by our table at the church Sunday, August 8th to learn more and register!
Take time to relax, to make new friends, to worship God, and to savor your relationship with Jesus. We hope you'll join us at Sweet Life Cafe!
Blessings,
Central Park Christian Church Women's Ministry Planning Team
& The Sweet Life Cafe Retreat Planning Team

July and August Women's Fellowship Night Opportunities

2010-07-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 15th from 6:30-9pm.

Women's Fellowship will be at Potwin Pottery located in Gage Shopping Center (3937 SW Gage Center Dr.).

Studio Fee is $6, (this covers the cost of the paint, tools, and firing of your piece), and the price of a piece of pottery to paint ranges from $2-$15. Potwin Pottery has a large selection of items: plates, mugs, flower pots, tiles, boxes, etc. They have over 100 items to choose from!!! Check out their website to find out more: http://www.potwinpottery.com/howitworks.htm

Not feeling very creative?!?!? They even have stencils, stamps and idea books that can be used to help you create that special piece of bisque just for you, or to pass on to someone else!!!

Snacks and drinks will be provided at this event.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looks like another movie night is in the works for August!!! Stayed tuned for a future blog and for more info in the August newsletter!!!

What Have The Appleseeds Been Up To?

2010-06-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Appleseeds Ministry for 6th-8th grade girls is going very well!! There are five mentors: Heather Matens, Deaune Maddock, Liz Murray, Amanda DelToro and Laura DelToro. There has been at least a total of 25 young ladies that has shown up for Bible study during the month of June!!! The weekly average is about 18!!! So awesome to see these young ladies love of Jesus and for one another.

The lesson each week is taken from author Kathy Widenhouse's book The Christian Girl's Guide to Frienship! We are finishing up the book we had started during the school year. So far the lessons we have gone over are: Best Buds, One of the Girls, Friendship 9-1-1, and Working It Out. We still have 3 more weeks of lessons: Be Friends With You, F.O.O.K.s (Friends Of Other Kinds), and Your A.B.F.F. (Absolute Best Friend Forever), but we have four more weeks of meeting together. Our last week will be a celebration time which will involve swimming!!!

Our weekly format looks something like this: as girls arrive we have a meet and greet time, followed by our lesson, then craft and snack.

Some of the crafts we have made, or will make: CD case photo frame, beaded bookmark, friendship bracelet, dry erase board, lip gloss, thank you cards, keepsake can, and a scrapbook type name frame.

(Note: Just a reminder Mom's we need 15oz. fruit cans that are 4" across and approximately

4 1/2" tall - even pie filling cans will work for this. We will need these by July 12th. Then we also need picture frames that are anywhere from 11-14" long by 5 1/2 to 7" wide. We will need these for July 19th. Thanks!!!)

The girls are also working deligently on Scripture memory verses/chapters: Psalm 139 and 121.

I will have pictures next week of those that have accomplished this so far and their memory makers.

Here are some pictures of a recent Appleseed meeting:

AOG Bible Studies About Half Over

2010-06-30T09:12:00.001-07:00

Hard to believe this, but this Thursday will mark the half-way point of our summer Apples of Gold Bible studies. Many of the new Apples have commented about the format of a study such as this.

One Apple said, "I have never been to a Bible study like this before. What a great way to get into God's Word and to encourage fellowship!"

"Loving the different foods we are getting to try!" replied another.

One of the Mentor's said, "It is such a joy to watch the Apples being pampered and how they respond to that, and to see them open up and share even their first week in attendance!"

"I don't know which I like more leading a lesson, cooking, being a greeter, or cleaning up. I really enjoy serving in this type of ministry!" commented another Mentor.

Here are a few pictures from a recent Thursday study:

If you have pictures from your Thursday study you would like to share, please send them to deltorold@yahoo.com and I will be sure to get them posted. As well as any other Women's Ministry happenings like: Prayer Shaw Ministry, Water Aerobics, Women's Fellowship

Night, etc.

June Women's Fellowship

2010-06-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

Muscles in 90 days with the P90X!

Lost 21 lbs. in 13 days on the Hollywood Cookie Diet!

Purchase this car today $1,000 off the asking price, and you get:

dual DVD player, 6 disk CD changer, rear air, heated front seats and much more!

Ladies,

are you tired of the world

coming at you with the latest fads,

and then giving into these ideas

because "everyone is jumping on the wagon"?

Come join us Tuesday, June 22nd

starting at 6:30pm

at Planet Sub!!!

(by Target on Wanamaker -

We might even just stay until they close the place up!!!)

Come to eat, or just come for the fellowship!

There will be some sharing of some

practical ways in which we can get

"Back to the Basics"

in caring for ourselves

and for our loved ones.

Opportunities To Serve Within the Women's Ministry at CPCC

2010-05-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

Lead/Facilitate a Bible study

Host a Bible study in your home

Be a Cooking Mentor on Thursday or

Saturday afternoons

Attend the monthly Women's Ministry

Planning Team Meetings

(Held the 2nd Wednesday of the month

from 6-8pm at the church)

Please Note: June's meeting date is the 30th

Host or Organize a monthly

Women's Fellowship Night

(Held anytime during the 3rd week of the month)

Be a Sunday Morning Greeter

(Call Pat Seidel 232-5476

for more information about this ministry)

Help Organize the Fall Retreat (Nov 5 & 6, 2010)

Organize the Ladies Christmas Tea

NEW! Prayer Shawl Ministry

2010-05-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

Ladies: Do you ever send a card or a gift when someone is ill? Here is a unique opportunity to ge together with other CPCC ladies who enjoy knitting or crocheting to create Prayer Shawls for those who are ill, or have been hospitalized. But, the best part is......the shawls are prayed over for the person who is to receive it every time you come together. And, everytime one has been completed prayers are lifted up for that person before it is sent. What a blessing, not only for the person receiving it, but for you as you create it. Each time you pick up your needles, you will automatically think of the person who is to receive it, pray for them and just think about them and how much they will enjoy the shawl and the blessings God will bestow on them.

We will come together only once a month. The first meeting will be Tuesday, June 14th from

7-9pm and meeting at the church. After our first time together, you will be able to work on your shawl during the month before coming together again July 12th, Aug 16, Sept 13, Oct 18,

Nov 15, and Dec 13.

There is a book that accompany's this ministry "Knitting into the Mystery", but is not required to be purchased for your participation in this ministry. Neither is actually knowing how to knit or how to crochet. This is another way that Titus 2:3-5 is being demonstrated within the Women's Ministry of CPCC.

We would love to have you join us! Call the church office (234-5963) to sign up, or for more information.

Fall Women's Retreat to the: Sweet Life Cafe

2010-05-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

has been set!!! Go to the following link and watch the promo videos:

http://sweetlife.group.com/page.aspx?pageid=5

God Hides in Plain Sight

2010-05-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Two Wednesdays ago, I was asked to lead the devotion at our Thursday Bible study. We had just completed a study on Exodus that was called "One In A Million" by Pricilla Shirer. During this study, we read in Exodus how God led His people out of Egypt by sending the ten plagues, manifesting His prescence in bringing about those plagues. God also led the people of Israel through the desert wanderings by manifesting His prescence in the night by a pillar of fire, and by day by a pillar of cloud. He also manifested Himself to Moses in the burning bush, as well as transforming Moses' physical apperance after receiving the Ten Commandments for the second time. There were many other ways in which God manifested His presence during the 40 years of wandering (ie:mana/quail, water from a rock, thunder/lightening, smoke, a trumpet blast, etc.), however, the ones I spoke of first are the ones I have chose to concentrate this discussion around.

My devotion thought, on that Thursday, was taken from a book "God Hides in Plain Sight" by Dean Nelson. I have spoke about "Godincidences" a few times in the past on my own blog http://deltorofamilysonflower.blogspot.com/(ie: He Speaks To Me post on 10/6/09 and Another God Incident 2/10/10). Nelson says that "Godincidences" is God's way of saying, "Welcome! I got here before you. I've been expecting you." This is also God's way of saying, "Are you paying attention? Do you see me all around you? Can you see me at work?"

Nelson says that God sends us signals through events or through each other. And, we often miss these signals because we aren't tuned in to looking for Him or His activity in everyday life. However, God continuously and throughout our day, uses His "Godincidences" to point us to Himself.

People generally expect to see evidence of His presence in the "Big Stuff" - the Gee Whiz! events. Although, Jesus has told us in His Word that we can see God at work in the little things, like a mustard plant. The reality is that it is in the "small stuff", the knee or ankle level stuff that is spreading like a weed, or like yeast spreading through the bread dough; it's in the everydayness, using everday elements we should see God manifest His presence. However, it is up to us whether we see these everyday God events. Instead of looking up, we should be looking around or down.

If we really had our eyes open, we would see that all moments are "key" moments where God is concerned. There is no event so commonplace that God isn't present within it, always hidden, always leaving room for us to recognize Him.

God is always in the business of constantly confronting us with His grace. Grace that pursues, proceeds, invades, and initiates. Grace bends us toward God. When we're paying attention, we see that grace is breaking into our everyday moments, making them different - sacred - drawing us into the presence of God. It's not about us getting ahold of the sacred. It's about the sacred getting ahold of us.

This next passage is taken directly from Dean Nelson's book "God Hides in Plain Sight": "When I started thinking this way (it was a slow dawning, not a moment in time), I began consciously asking God, 'Okay, what are you telling me - what's the lesson here?' throughout each day. It was as if everything had a point and it was up to me to get my Burning Bush decoder ring and figure out the specific hidden message God had for me. I don't do that anymore. I just look for signs of his presence, because I know they are there. He doesn't hide. I am just blind. I don't look for "the point" of it all - just the Presence. The hand on my shoulder. I had understood the concept of grace being "pardon" and "unwarranted favor," but there is another dimension to it. Grace is the experience of God's love. All I have to do is see it and accept it. Anne Lamott said, "Maybe this is what grace is, the unseen sounds that make you look up." The poet Rilke said, "If your daily ground seems unrewarding, don't put the blame on it; blame yourself for not being able to evoke the riches that are to be found in it."

Many years ago I played on my college's baseball team. We weren't particularly good, and to put my own talent in context, I was not a starter. To be on a lousy team, and to still begin each game on the bench, did not do much for my self-esteem. To quell the boredom of watching our miserable team get shellacked each game, I took interest in our opponents' third base coaches. It was a practice I picked up while sitting on the bench in high school and Little League earlier in my unremarkable athletic life. When the other team was at bat, the third base coach would go through a series of gyrations to secretly communicate to the batter or base runner. Or, in our college games, the base runners. I knew from my own years of playing basebll that a hand to the belt, then to the bill of the cap, might mean "bunt." A hand to the other hand or face (skin to skin), might be a signal for the runner on first to steal a base. But since everyone knows some of these universal signs, each team has its own "activating" signal, which says, "This time I mean it - all those other times were to throw off the opposition." Since I had time on my hands, I would try to figure these signals out. Once I broke the code, I would tell our players, and we could adjust for the coming bunt, steal or other play. It's highly unethical to do this, according to some players and coaches. But mine were grateful. Challenging circumstances create new ethical standards. Think Enron. We needed every advantage we could get. One team was not difficult to figure out at all. The third base coach gave signs only when he wanted the players to do something. For instance, if his team had a runner on first base, the coach would yell across the diamond, "Hey Tony!" and then grab his elbow. Tony (and the rest of us) now knew that the coach wanted him to steal second. Somehow the concept of disguising the signals was lost on this coach. I think it was the one team we could beat.

I think we treat the continuous ways God breaks into our lives the same way we look at baseball team signals. They are hidden, secret, and only for the insiders, like the clergy, or those with a lot of time on their hands, like the infirmed or elderly. Prayer "warriors" they are called. And sometimes the signals are given strictly to throw some people off course because they don't know which signal is the "activator." It is as if God is there, but he is hiding until we can figure out the signals he's sending.

Philip Yancey tells of natives on the southern tip of Argentina ignoring the explorer Magellan's great ships as they passed by because they were different from anything they had seen before and assumed they were an apparition. "They lacked the experience, even the imagination, to decode evidence passing right before their eyes."

Similarly, John describes Jesus as being in the world without the world recognizing him (John 1:10). But instead of trying to decode God's signals, a better approach would be to simply see him where he always is: all around us. We could be fixing our eyes on the unseen, as opposed to the seen, as the apostle Paul instructs us to do.

Eugene Peterson describes the process this way: "We happen upon, we notice, we reach out and touch things and ideas, people and events, and among these the Holy Scriptures themselves, that were there all along but that our ego-swollen souls or our sin-blurred eyes quite simply overlooked - sometimes for years and years and years. And then we do notice: we sight life, we realize God and hear his word, we grab the sleeve or a friend and demand, 'Look! Listen!'"

I began wondering if there were ways I could pay attention to this presence more intentionally in my life. I am well aware of the spiritual disciplines, and have underlined almost every word in Richard Foster's book "Celebration of Discipline". But practicing the disciplines is a little different from what I was wanting. I didn't want to tune things out. I wanted to tune things in and see them differently. What I hungered for was better vision so I could see God and his activity throughout my day. I believed that his grace and love and presence were all around me, but I wasn't seeing them. I wasn't living with that knowledge at my center. I wanted the blinders off. I wanted to catch the subtleties of God's activity."

Today, in 2010, we can still experience the manifest presence of God, just like the Israelites did in their wilderness wanderings. God was all around the Israelites like He is all around us today. God was with the Israelites 1000s of years ago, and God is still with us today. Faith is knowing that God is. These "Godincidences" are around us all the time, but experiencing them requires spending time looking and listening for them.

Here are a few questions I am starting to ask myself:

Am I looking for signs of God's presence in my everydayness?
Okay, what are you saying to me God through revealing yourself to me?
What's the lesson I need to hear and learn?
Am I taking the blinders off in order to catch the subleties of God's activity?
Do I feel God's hand on my shoulder guiding me?
Am I allowing myself to experience the grace of God's love?

And pray:

God, I pray for sensitivity. Please open my heart to see where you are at work in my life. I pray for wisdom. I pray for insight and discernment so that I can grow from those teachable moments. I pray for courage. Give me strength and confidence to engage in spiritual converstations with others - that might seem uncomfortable. I pray that I might be quick to listen and slow to speak. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I pray that you will take every opportunity to see "Godincidences" around you and through you. I pray that you will take the time to share these with your family and close friends, and even your church. Blessings to you all, Laura.

Appleseeds

2010-05-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

This program was taken from Betty Huizenga's Apples of Gold study and was adapted for young ladies in grades 6 through 8. This group will be meeting on Monday afternoons from 2-4pm this summer, starting June 7th and running through July 26th.

All meetings are held at Heather Martens' House (1115 Sunset Ln), unless otherwise noted.

An Appleseeds meeting consists in the young ladies and their mentors (Amanda, Linda, Deaune, Liz, Heather and Laura) learning from God's Word, making a fun craft, and eating some great snacks each time they get together.

The mentors are currently using a book written by Kathy Widenhouse called The Christian Girl's Guide to Friendship!

Call Heather (246-2583) or Laura (785-986-6983) for more information or if you need a ride.

May Women's Fellowship

2010-05-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

May Women's Fellowship was held on Thursday the 20th, starting at 6:30pm. Even though it was raining, and we were suppose to play Mini-golf and ride the Go-Karts, we didn't let that rain us out!!!

We played a game of bowling and then proceeded to the Classic Bean for some coffe and dessert!!

Great time of fellowship! It's in these times that we really get to know one another as friends, instead of just being a face in the crowd on Sundays!!

Hope to see you in JUNE at PLANET SUB!!

We will meet at 6:30 for dinner together.

Look for more about this event in the bulletin, and in a future blog.

I John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus,

his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Current Women's Bible Studies

2010-05-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Bible Studies that are currently available are:

Esther by Beth Moore

Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm @ church and meeting in the parlor upstairs.

This study will continue to meet through the summer months. There is childcare available by reservation - call the church office @ 234-5963.

Apples of Gold by Betty Huizenga:

Thursday afternoons from 12:30 - 3pm @ Kim Keen's (1605 NW 50th).
This study is currently taking a break for the month of May.
However, this group will start meeting again on Thursday, June 10th.

Starting June 10th second location for this study meeting 12:30 - 3pm:
Vicki Lesser's (3930 NW Brickyard Rd.)

Contact Laura if you are needing information about childcare, or to get signed up for one of these studies (785-986-6983).