Most who read this know that our little congregation helps out in an inner city neighborhood. One of the men we work with lives in a home he inherited from his father. He has been marginally employed for years and his house has slowly fallen into disrepair. He has volunteered his trade skills in helping others in the neighborhood, so when we heard that his toilet bowl was broken, and had been for a long time, we bought one and gave it to him.
It cost about $60. Then for a couple of days my friend didn't show up for work projects. It was like he disappeared.
What he was doing was fixing the bathroom, cleaning up his house and for the first time in years, my friend hosted Thanksgiving at his house for his sister and family. They brought the food - he provided the place.
Having a pretty much busted toilet was something he could tolerate, but he was ashamed to have his family over.
Ever notice how one little thing after another can add up and can become overwhelming? Sometimes receiving a little blessing ignites hope - and a little hope shines brightly in a darkened world.
In this case, a little blessing turned into Thanksgiving.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Children's Ministry This Week
On Sabbath, November 21 we will be conducting our monthly children's ministry at Ana's House (The Lord's Pantry), 303 N. Elder Street, Indianapolis, IN. Setup is at 1:00 PM and the kids will be there from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
In September we had 26 children attend and last month we had 39 kids come. We're going through the days of creation and it is a lot of fun to see young minds beginning to learn about the loving Father in Heaven and Jesus His Son. Many of these children have had no experience with the Bible.
Call or email if you need more information!
Guy Swenson
guy@cg-cm.org
317-707-5026
In September we had 26 children attend and last month we had 39 kids come. We're going through the days of creation and it is a lot of fun to see young minds beginning to learn about the loving Father in Heaven and Jesus His Son. Many of these children have had no experience with the Bible.
Call or email if you need more information!
Guy Swenson
guy@cg-cm.org
317-707-5026
Friday, October 30, 2009
We have had a busy week and are looking forward to the Sabbath. From the beginning, God intended for His people to focus both on work and take time to rest. We participate in the Sabbath when we cease from our labors - and take time to enjoy our family, our friends and share time together focusing on God our Father and Jesus Christ.
We will be meeting at the MTC office location at 2:30 PM on October 31. This week we're exploring the experience of doing good for others - and having them kick you in the teeth. It is a challenging experience about which the Apostle Peter had something to say.
Guy Swenson
317-707-5026 or guy@cg-cm.org
Friday, October 23, 2009
Traveling Sabbath
This Sabbath, October 24, members of our congregation are visiting sister churches and those of other denominations. No Common Ground services will be held in Indianapolis this week.
Over the next several weeks will be preparing for our next "Kids Camp" outreach, scheduled on 11/19. Last time we had 39 kids from the westside neighborhood. If you are looking for a ministry opportunity with children, contact Keri Seelig at keris@7words.com or 317-707-5026.
Guy Swenson
Over the next several weeks will be preparing for our next "Kids Camp" outreach, scheduled on 11/19. Last time we had 39 kids from the westside neighborhood. If you are looking for a ministry opportunity with children, contact Keri Seelig at keris@7words.com or 317-707-5026.
Guy Swenson
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Mission to Children in Indianapolis
We've returned from our annual church festival celebrating the prospect of the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and the time pictured in Ezekiel 37 of all people who never knew of Jesus being resurrected and given the opportunity to become a servant of God.
This Sabbath, October 17th, our local congregation will have its meeting at the Lord's Pantry at Anna's House in Indianapolis. We will be working with neighborhood children with our "First Outreach" program. We really enjoy spending time with these fine young people.
We've also been in touch with Lemuel Vega, who has a remarkable prison ministry. Through a pastoral friend with the Seventh Day Adventists, I was invited to work with Lemuel at the Plainfield, IN correctional facility this summer. We preached to about 1,000 offendors over a period of three days. Remembering prisoners and helping them to find the way to become free in Christ is something that Jesus preached. Lemuel has a need for financial support and participation in his meetings with prisoners. Contact me if you have an interest in Lemuel's ministry.
For more information, contact me at 317-707-5026 or guy@cg-cm.org
Guy Swenson
This Sabbath, October 17th, our local congregation will have its meeting at the Lord's Pantry at Anna's House in Indianapolis. We will be working with neighborhood children with our "First Outreach" program. We really enjoy spending time with these fine young people.
We've also been in touch with Lemuel Vega, who has a remarkable prison ministry. Through a pastoral friend with the Seventh Day Adventists, I was invited to work with Lemuel at the Plainfield, IN correctional facility this summer. We preached to about 1,000 offendors over a period of three days. Remembering prisoners and helping them to find the way to become free in Christ is something that Jesus preached. Lemuel has a need for financial support and participation in his meetings with prisoners. Contact me if you have an interest in Lemuel's ministry.
For more information, contact me at 317-707-5026 or guy@cg-cm.org
Guy Swenson
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
We are into the fall festival season. Our local group will enjoy our Sabbath study, songs and snacks at 2:30 PM on September 26th at the MTC office, 7545 Rockville Road. We celebrate the Day of Atonement on Monday, September 28th. Services will be held at the same location at 2:30 PM.
Why observe the Holy Days? Jesus, the apostles and the New Testament Church of God observed these days as reminders of God's plan of offering salvation to the entire world and bringing lasting peace to the nations. For Christians, each Holy Day has a special meaning, beginning with the Passover depicting Jesus as the Lamb of God. With the exception of Pentecost, institutional Christianity has lost the meaning of these days and the blessing we receive by observing them.
What has replaced the Holy Days that God revealed and Jesus observed? Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, days venerating saints and even Halloween have become the center of "Christian" holy day/holiday observances. In doing so, they have eclipsed some of the hope, meaning and values that Jesus wants to share with His disciples.
Jesus and the New Testament apostles used the Holy Days to give hope and direction to the disciples. You are invited to join us in celebrating that same hope!
Guy Swenson
Why observe the Holy Days? Jesus, the apostles and the New Testament Church of God observed these days as reminders of God's plan of offering salvation to the entire world and bringing lasting peace to the nations. For Christians, each Holy Day has a special meaning, beginning with the Passover depicting Jesus as the Lamb of God. With the exception of Pentecost, institutional Christianity has lost the meaning of these days and the blessing we receive by observing them.
What has replaced the Holy Days that God revealed and Jesus observed? Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, days venerating saints and even Halloween have become the center of "Christian" holy day/holiday observances. In doing so, they have eclipsed some of the hope, meaning and values that Jesus wants to share with His disciples.
Jesus and the New Testament apostles used the Holy Days to give hope and direction to the disciples. You are invited to join us in celebrating that same hope!
Guy Swenson
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Reaching Kids in Our Community
Our children's outreach on September 12 went remarkably well. About 30 children and parents from the community came. The sign posted at Anna's House was "Camp Outreach Is Back!" In our 2009 Camp Outreach we added "First Outreach" for the children of families who came to work and the neighborhood children. 
Most of the neighborhood children don't know the basic Bible stories and values. We are investing one Sabbath afternoon a month with them. Julie Malloy from the Lord's Pantry at Anna's House has been enormously supportive. Reaching a new generation with the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope of the Kingdom of God is important to us as a congregation.
Julie told us that kids were showing up at 9 AM asking if it was time for Camp Outreach.
Our next outreach is October 17 at 2:30 PM. Some pictures follow.
We are now entering the fall Holy Day season. Many Christians have never experienced the joy Jesus and the apostles shared on the Holy Days. These annual festivals mark major milestones in God's plan of salvation. Beginning with Jesus as our Passover we are reminded each year of our Father in Heaven's grace extended to us personally and ultimately how God will bring eternal life to all those who will submit to Him. The next Holy Day is the Feast of Trumpets on September 19th. Our congregation will be joining a sister church in Cincinnati for services.
If you want to contact Common Ground Christian Ministries, call 317-707-5026 or email Guy Swenson at guy@cg-cm.org.
Most of the neighborhood children don't know the basic Bible stories and values. We are investing one Sabbath afternoon a month with them. Julie Malloy from the Lord's Pantry at Anna's House has been enormously supportive. Reaching a new generation with the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope of the Kingdom of God is important to us as a congregation.
Julie told us that kids were showing up at 9 AM asking if it was time for Camp Outreach.
Our next outreach is October 17 at 2:30 PM. Some pictures follow.
We are now entering the fall Holy Day season. Many Christians have never experienced the joy Jesus and the apostles shared on the Holy Days. These annual festivals mark major milestones in God's plan of salvation. Beginning with Jesus as our Passover we are reminded each year of our Father in Heaven's grace extended to us personally and ultimately how God will bring eternal life to all those who will submit to Him. The next Holy Day is the Feast of Trumpets on September 19th. Our congregation will be joining a sister church in Cincinnati for services.
If you want to contact Common Ground Christian Ministries, call 317-707-5026 or email Guy Swenson at guy@cg-cm.org.
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