Updates on Mission at Compton Heights Christian Church
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Let There Be Babies!
Easter is all about the Resur- rection of Jesus Christ, about new begin- nings, about trans- form- ation, about new life. Today's Easter cele- bration at Compton began with a pancake breakfast and continued through a joyous worship service. Adding to the joy was the presence of all four babies born in the past 9 months in our congregation. This is the first time all of the babies have been present on the same day. Hooray!
Above, Owin with his mom Carol at coffee hour after church.
Elizabeth cuddled with her mom Jenn after breakfast. Yes, we took a picture of Jenn and Elizabeth together, but somebody moved. Next time, Jenn.
Sarah and Peter enjoyed coffee hour, too. Peter had spent a lot of time being held by other people, including pastor Jacque. Somebody moved in that one, too. Sorry, Jacque.
Our youngest baby Annabelle had to have a drastic wardrobe change today before we could take pictures, so here's one of her with mom DebE from last week.
Yes, all of the fathers were present and on duty today, too...they just weren't holding the babies when the camera was out. But here's to Matt, Josh, Bryan and David--caring fathers who took their turns holding their children in the service, feeding and changing them as well. Having these four young families is a true blessing for Compton. Elizabeth's grandma was visiting from Ohio today, and she noted how welcome the babies are--no one gets upset when they fuss a little bit in church, they aren't kept behind a glassed in sound-proof wall, etc. Actually baby sounds are joyful music to our ears!
We wish everyone a Blessed Easter that lasts all year through. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed.
Our new sign includes a mosaic from pottery and glass donated by members. Julia Krovicka, an artist who is a Friend of Compton, created our new sign. To visit our church web site, just click on the photo.
Compton Cares has made our building more accessible and welcoming for ministry by renovating the Grand Boulevard entrance to the sanctuary, and adding accessible restrooms and a functional kitchenette on the main floor. Construction started Aug. 29, 2007 and was completed in early May 2008. We celebrated and dedicated the new facilities on June 14, 2008.
Loans for construction did accrue interest, driving up the total cost. A campaign for renewed pledges and new gifts in order to retire the remaining debt of approximately $31,500 (at 3%) concluded in December 2009, with enough in pledges to retire that debt by Oct. 31, 2012. However, as of December 1, 2011, we have enough contributions on hand to retire this debt either by the end of this year or in the first month of 2012! Thanks be to God for this blessing!
Fund Raising
Our goal has been to retire our remaining debt on the Compton Cares project by Oct. 31, 2012, when the 3% loan rate expires. To hasten this process, we have held various fund raisers that everyone could take part in, regardless of their financial situation. Here are totals from these fundraisers to date:
GoodSearch/GoodShop $627.00 eScrip $450.78 (eScrip now benefits the CHCC budget) Change Bank $964.54 Aluminum cans and scrap $595.72+ Gypsy Caravan 2008: $1,133.00 Gypsy Caravan 2009: $969.00 Bazaar 2009: $1,362.65 Bazaar 2010 $1,748.10 Mini-Bazaar 2011 $102.00 Bridgeton Fund Grant: $6,500.00
GoodSearch , an Internet search engine, donates part of its ad revenue to the charity of your choice. Clicking the link in the list below will take you directly to the page for Compton Heights. This site also includes GoodShop, easy to use without registration. New businesses are added to GoodShop weekly so check to see if your favorites are there, or e-mail the GoodSearch folks and they will add one for you! Please check to make sure that Compton Heights Christian Church St. Louis is in the Who do You GoodSearch For? window! Thank you and please keep searching and shopping!
eScrip earns from 1% to 5% and more of purchases. Schnucks Markets is a St. Louis area participant, as is Macy's. Enrollment cards are available at church or at Schnuck's grocery stores. Simply give your eScrip card to the checker to scan every time you buy groceries! All income from eScrip now goes into the church operating budget!
A Change Bank brought in a significant contribution to Compton Cares for 4 years. In 2011 we redirected the change bank into a challenge to help fund a mission trip to India by 4 of our members.
Cans (aluminum only) can be deposited in a large container in the hall opposite the choir room. Please bring them rinsed. When we get 100 pounds collected, the price we receive doubles. At least $600 has been raised for Compton Cares. After the loan is paid off, the can collection will continue, and a new recipient for it will be indicated.
1 comment:
Yes, Pastor Jacque was very happy to get to do lots of baby holding today! It was a great day overall!
Happy Easter and thanks Judi for the baby-a-rama photo display!
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