Get Involved

It is an easy imperative to give, but not always an easy one to apply. For some, the goal of Christ-likeness is so overwhelming that is paralyzes them. Others, however, realize the greater the task, the more urgent the time. We cannot afford to wait for a more convenient time to begin our journey. The process will take a lifetime and we have no time to waste. Opportunities at Community include the following:

• Community Groups — Brings small groups together to foster spiritual growth.
• Men's Ministries — Strengthens men to lead lives in the pursuit of Christ.
• Women's Ministries — Pursues the likeness of Christ by bearing with one another in love.
• Children's Ministries — Reaches children for Christ through hands-on learning and loving relationships.
• Student Ministries — Integrates young people within the body of Christ by encouraging responsibility.
• Membership Class — Offers a unique opportunity to learn more about Community.
• Outreach Projects — Reaches out to those in need.
• Recovery & Support Groups — Provides help to those that have been through a difficult life situation.

Current, Upcoming Events & Needs

Announcements

Habitat Work Day — For the Van Buren Campus will be held Saturday, October 17. You can sign up on the worship tab or on the sign up sheet at the information table.

College Worship Night — For any college students or anyone that is college age, we are having a night of worship this Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 pm. We are meeting at 4500 Kinkead Ave. in Fort Smith.

Fall Community Night — Sunday October 25 from 4:00 pm until dark.  We will be “outback” the Fort Smith Campus having fall fun for everyone. We will have pony rides, bounce arounds, petting zoo, lots of food and live music.  Bring your lawn chair and bring your friends for a good ‘ol time “outback.”

Marriage Retreat — Mark your calendar now for a marriage retreat led by Ed and Shara Saucier on Friday, October 30. Watch upcoming bulletins for more details.

Community Bible Prayer List — If you would like to receive our weekly prayer list by e-mail, please e-mail kerry@communitychurch.com, or check PRAYER LIST on the worship tab and include your name and e-mail address. Please be aware that prayer requests that are written on the worship tab will be included on the prayer list unless you let us know on the tab that you wish for it to remain private.

Children's Ministry at Community

Work One, Worship One — This fall is the perfect time to get plugged in at Community. We offer two worship services so you don’t ever have to miss worship (that’s why we say “Work One, Worship One”). The Children’s Ministry has opportunities available for full-time, part-time, and substitute volunteers in many different capacities. You do not have to be a member of Community to volunteer, just a regular attendee (Note: background checks are performed on all Children’s Ministry volunteers). For more information, e-mail matt@communitychurch.com or call Matt at the church office.

Community Kids & 56 Skate Night  — This Wednesday, September 30th Community Kids will be at Crystal Palace from 5:45—8:00 pm.  Parents MUST sign their child in and out at the door.  Cost is $5 and includes skates, drink and a piece of pizza.  Roller blades and any other food are available at an extra cost.

The Influence — Sixth graders, this small group is just for you. We'll meet the second Sunday of every month, beginning Sunday, September 13, immediately following the second service in the Student Venue on the Fort Smith campus. Each time we meet, we'll have lunch, and do a service project together. For more information, email matt@communitychurch.com.

Children’s Ministry Blog — Parents, volunteers and kids, check out the Children’s Ministry blog at http://www.transformedlives.typepad.com/communitykids. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date on Children’s Ministry (birth-6th grade) events. Be sure to check back each day for updates.

Student Ministry at Community

You Own the Weekend — Tonight is the start of our “You Own the Weekend” series. Each week this month we’ll focus on a school represented in our student ministry. This evening we will celebrate Ramsey Night with our usual music, teaching, and videos, along with other fun surprises. Even if you don’t go to Ramsey, still come out and support all of the Converge students who attend there. If you live in the Van Buren area and need a ride, a carpool will be leaving from the Van Buren campus at 5:30 p.m., and will return at around 7:30 p.m.

Converge Weekend Worship October 4th — will be at the Van Buren Campus. We will provide transportation from the Fort Smith Campus and will be leaving at 5:30 pm. This means that our small groups for that evening only will start at 4:15 pm.

Student Life Camp Early Bird Sign Up Extended — We have decided to extend our early bird Summer camp special for a few more weeks. You can still sign up for summer camp in Orange Beach, Alabama. The early bird cost is $345 for a week of camp, beachside lodging, food, and transportation. After the end of this extended Early Bird special, the cost will go up to $375 for each student. Don’t miss out on camp 2010.

Converge Small Groups — are up and running on both campuses. You can always join a group by showing up prior to our meeting times. We will find you a great group and leader to be with.

Van Buren Small Groups—Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m.

Fort Smith Small Groups—Sunday nights at 5:00 p.m.

Converge Texting — Remember you can always sign up for our free text message alerts for student ministry announcements and reminders. Just check CONVERGE TEXT on the worship tab and include your name, cell phone number, and cell phone carrier on the worship tab. Parents and students are encouraged to sign up for this program.

Student Ministry Blog — To find out what’s going on in the Student Ministry (7th-12th grade), go to http://convergestudents.typepad.com/.

Adult Ministry at Community

Men's Fraternity III — Join us on Wednesdays this Fall for Men’s Fraternity III, a study that provides men with an encouraging process that teaches them how to live lives of authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ and directed by the Word of God. The group, led by Ed Saucier, meets on Wednesdays in the Student Venue on the Fort Smith campus. Lunch is catered by T.G.I. Fridays and is served at 11:50 a.m. ($5 per person), class begins 12:10 p.m., and we wrap up at 12:40 p.m. To sign up, check MEN’S FRATERNITY on the worship tab and include your name and contact information.

Explorer's Men's Bible Study — Community Bible will host this interdenominational study for men on Monday nights this fall, beginning September 14, at 7 p.m., in the Student Building on the Fort Smith campus. The study takes participants through Hebrews and First Peter, two books often described as "some of the richest teaching in the New Testament." For more information about the study, e-mail mark@communitychurch.com, or visit the Explorer Bible Study Web site at explorerbiblestudy.org.

“I Am” Fall Women’s Retreat Balances Due — The balance of $55 for the retreat is due and may be dropped in the offering basket (be sure to make a note on the check that it’s for the retreat). The retreat will be on Friday, October 2 - Saturday, October 3. Registration is 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the beautiful Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center in Fayetteville. Those that have signed up should have received an email regarding what to expect from the retreat, but if you would like a hard copy then you can pick one up from the information desk in the foyer at the Fort Smith campus or from the Women’s ministry table in the foyer of the Van Buren campus.

PAPA Prayer Women’s Bible Study — Like millions of Christians, Dr. Larry Crabb has always considered his prayer life a weakness: dull, crisis-driven and mostly lifeless. But something new happened when he began practicing the four steps of what he calls the PAPA prayer - a relational, conversational approach to talking with and enjoying God. Each step of this revolutionary method promotes the thought that “prayer is getting more of God rather than getting more from God.” As Crabb shares his own journey and education in the mysteries of prayer, you’ll see yourself and God in a very different light, altering the way you talk and listen to Him. This eight-week study, facilitated by Becca Whitson, will begin on Thursday, October 1, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Space is limited and there are only a few spots remaining. To sign up, please e-mail Becca at whitson1219@cox.net.

Bible Study for Women Raising Daughters — If you are raising a daughter, you won’t want to miss the study “Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter” by Vicki Courtney. The study is for moms of daughters from the cradle to college. This six-session group experience will help you discover God’s take on critical issues. Vicki covers the hot-button issues you’re sure to face and gives you tools to navigate the land mines with confidence. We’ll offer a morning and evening study on Wednesdays, beginning October 14, in the Learning Center on the Fort Smith campus. The morning study, facilitated by Michelle Kincannon, will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and the evening study, facilitated by Susan Kincannon, will be from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. To sign up, check RAISING DAUGHTERS AM or RAISING DAUGHTERS PM on the worship tab and include your name and contact information.

Opportunities to Serve Our Community

Pray for Palmer — Visit prayforpalmer.com and pray for 14-year-old Palmer Richardson as she undergoes treatment for Leukemia.

Electronic Contributions — For your convenience, you now have the ability to give your tithe and/or building fund contribution electronically. You can choose to have withdrawals made weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly. The necessary form may be picked up in the main hall or downloaded from our website at www.communitychurch.com. If you have questions, contact Michelle or Susan in the church office at 452-9201.

Prayer Pagers — If you or someone you know is going through a particularly rough time and could use the blessing of knowing someone is praying for you, come by the church office and check out a prayer pager. We will post your pager number in the bulletin and on the website each week. Anyone who is praying for you should call the number so you will be "beeped" when you are lifted up in prayer.

Need more information? — Call the church office at 452-9201. You can also check out Community's calendar of events and current volunteer opportunities online.