Giving Thanks for our Women’s Ministry

3900 East Stanford Drive • Paradise Valley, AZ 85253602-955-6370 • camelbackbible.com

Blessings

Read: Proverbs 31:20-21, Psalm 107:1

I have had the privilege of being part of the community of women at Camelback Bible Church for the last 4 years. For the last 2 years I have led the planning efforts for our annual women’s retreat and have been extremely blessed by that process. I am thankful for the women who have faithfully served with me in that planning to create a restful, encouraging time for the women of our church. I am also thankful for the time at the retreat to get to know women on a deeper level and to learn from them as we walk through life together.I am also thankful for the group of women who serve to coordinate and plan the women’s monthly GIFT meeting. Hearing from a wide variety of women on issues that deeply matter to them has been a true blessing and encouragement. It is also a great time to meet and talk with women who attend second service (since I attend the first service). We need each other so much as women and I am thankful God has provided such a wonderful group of women at Camelback Bible Church.” Lindsay Vogel

Day2

Pray: Thank you, God, for faithful women at Camelback Bible Church, who seek opportunities to grow closer to you while investing time to encourage and teach other women. Please show me how I, too, can serve and encourage the women in their pursuit of Christ.

Giving Thanks for our Children’s and Student’s Ministries

Read: Deuteronomy 6:7, Psalm 100:4

Serving in children’s ministry is, no doubt, labor, but it is most certainly a labor for the ‘…building up the body of Christ’ (Eph. 4:12b). Maria and I have served in various children’s ministries at CBC, from children’s church to Wednesday night Logos kids club to VBC. Like many people, we are often over-extended with daily responsibilities surrounding parenthood and life in general, and the thought of adding even one more duty to our schedules has at times seemed ridiculous; yes, even a duty to the body of Christ. This might easily have served as an excuse to neglect our service to the body. Yet, we have seen, and now thankfully our children are seeing, that serving in children’s ministry is the hands and feet of Christ at work. We have realized that we are blessed and thankful to have a front-row view of and participation in our and many other children’s beginning encounters with a living God, and Lord-willing, a personal relationship with Him. And, believe it or not, once we are in the church doors, we actually have fun too. There is no greater joy than hearing God’s praise and truths come from the mouths of babes. Through sharing Jesus with the children, we have even found a deeper appreciation for God’s truths for our own lives. Though we are often reminded, it should not surprise us that God’s ways are boundless and serving Him in any capacity is something to be desired.” John and Maria Kizzire

Day1

Pray: Thank you, God, for the gift of children and the opportunity to watch the hearts of a new generation grow to love You. Please show me how I can teach our children about Your love and grace, and how I can show them by example what it means to know You.

Thanking God

for His Abundant

“ ““Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” 1 Chronicles 29:9-14, ESV

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, ESV

“

“Stewardship Fall handout final.indd 1 10/23/14 6:22 PM

Giving Thanks for our Men’s Ministry

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Psalm 30:12

The ministry of other men in my life has been vital to me over the years, providing encouragement, challenge, accountability, friendships and opportunities to both minister and be ministered to. We are commanded and reminded throughout scripture that no man is an island, to bear one another’s burdens, to let iron sharpen iron, to respect and submit to those older than us and to encourage those that are younger. While these exhortations extend beyond gender, fellowship in the context of “men only” is critical and provides opportunities to discuss and share things that would not otherwise surface in a mixed environment.Two specific ways that I’ve been blessed by the men’s ministry come to mind: men’s retreat and small group discipleship. The men’s retreat has been an annual highlight for the past 5-6 years, to escape the heat of the valley (yes, even in October!), to sit under concentrated teaching from an “elder” and to have that concentrated fellowship with other guys. Each year I’ve met men that I wouldn’t have otherwise met and been blessed by their continued friendship in the years since. The small group discipleship has provided three friendships that I would probably otherwise not have and a wonderful time and environment to chew on God’s word, contemplate His love and challenge each other in our various roles as men.Let me encourage you, men, to seek out other men to meet with, to share with, to be honest and real with, to learn more of God’s love and plan for you!” Mark Phillips

Day3

Pray: Thank you, God, for faithful men at Camelback Bible Church, who understand that all wisdom and strength come from you. Please show me how I can help serve and encourage the men as they lead our church and our families in our mission to reflect the glory of God.

Giving Thanks for our Senior Adult Ministry

Read: Hebrews 10:23-24, Isaiah 12:4-5

Several years ago a group of CBC members felt God’s call to form a group for senior members in the church (those over 55 years of age). We especially enjoyed the planning of events, Saturday morning breakfasts, occasional lunches, and our annual committee retreat in the mountains. Lunches were held usually on the 5th Sunday of the month when no other activities interfered and they where opened to anyone interested (at no charge to the attendees) and with no restriction to age. For me, God especially helped me understand the workings and decisions made at the church when at our Saturday morning monthly breakfasts we had as our special guests the pastors and staff, one at a time, to bring us their testimony and inspirations from the Holy Spirit. It helped me feel a part of the church family and gave purpose to my later-in life daily adventures. I look forward to participating when the S.A.I.N.T.S. Alive ministry is relaunched soon.” Saundra Cook

Day4

Pray: Thank you, God, for a ministry of elders, who lead Camelback Bible Church by example in demonstrating what it looks like to live a life of service. Please show me how I can lift up the elders at our church, to serve alongside them and to learn from the wisdom God has given to them.

Giving Thanks for our Music Ministry

Read: Psalm 95:2-3, Colossians 3:15-17

As a choir member I know that twice a week my soul will be refreshed through the unique miracle of music. When the text, the notes and our voices combine to become worship, I am overwhelmed with His presence. Worshipful singing transcends this world and miraculously transports us closer to Heaven where (I hope) we will be singing always and forever. I am thankful for the privilege of contributing in a small way to something that God might find beautiful. I am thankful that the text and the music are on the tip of my tongue throughout the week. I am thankful that through this ministry I hold a thread to church and family history. I am thankful for many extraordinary experiences with talented musicians who are committed to worshipping Jesus Christ. Last but not least, I am thankful for being welcomed into a loving community and for the people who have allowed us into their lives.” Matt Denison

Day5

Pray: Thank you, God, for the gift of music, that we can worship you and express our thanksgiving to you creatively through song. Please show me how I can honor You with my own music – singing and instrumental – as well as participating with and supporting other musicians at Camelback Bible Church.

Giving Thanks for Upward and Outward

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:9-14

When we first came to Camelback, we were so blessed by the welcoming atmosphere. The Hospitality Center made it easy for us to get connected with the church community.” David and Winnie Klumpenhower

When we think about our impressions of the Hospitality Center, the new and beautifully decorated space adjoining the entrance to the sanctuary, the first thought that comes to mind is ‘living room’. Yes, it’s like a living room to us, where we gather with our family to talk and catch up and check in with each other. It’s a great place for welcoming visitors and for communicating all that is going on. On Sunday mornings especially, it has been gratifying to see such an electric side of the congregation – a liveliness that may have always been then, but when the Hospitality Center opened, the people stayed, the noise level rose, and we knew this was going to be a good thing. A blessing to all of us.” Judy and Peder Pedersen

Day6

Pray: Father, we praise you for being our Great Provider. Everything we have comes from you and you faithfully provide everything we need. We are grateful for the privilege of serving and ministering to one another. In doing so, we draw closer to you and are able to extend the love of Christ to all people. We give joyful thanks for the abundant blessings we have received through your gracious love. We look forward to your showing us new ways to respond by sharing these blessings with others at Camelback Bible Church through the heartfelt donations of our time, talent and treasures.

Prayer for Stewardship

Day7

Pray: Thank you, God, for the family home You have provided for Camelback Bible Church, through the vision of its church leaders and generous giving of its members. Please show me how I can continue to give, in order that our church home will be able to fulfill the needs of our ministries.

“““

““

Stewardship Fall handout final.indd 2 10/23/14 6:22 PM