Joy To The World
Psalm 98 & Luke 2:8-15

How is the song “Joy To The World” meaningful to Christmas?

“Joy to the World” is one of America’s most loved and recognized Christmas carols. It may be shocking for many people to discover that this song was not originally a carol, nor does it have any lyrics that allude to the Biblical narrative of Christmas other than “The Lord is come.” Yet this is a treasured hymn of the Christmas season that serves as a pillow of comfort in a world that pillages our joy.

This sermon will take us to the Old Testament passage that inspired the song and see how it ties into the good news of Joy we find in Jesus during Christmas. It will challenge us to see how our poor attitudes and inability to see joy in the mundane lead us to miss the wonder of divine joy here on earth. It will motivate us to experience joy by journeying through Psalm 98 and Luke 2:8-15.

Hello Englewood Family:

This may sound controversial, but the Christmas story is not just about Jesus – it is also about His earthly mother, Mary. This Sunday, December 13th, we will be looking at the “Songs of Mary” in order to get a Biblical perspective on her role in the human drama of the incarnation of Christ.

The Advent candle of this week will remind us that Jesus is our JOY!

Come half an hour before service or stay half an hour after to experience community with others around the sounds of carols in the Narthex.

Please pray for the process I will be initiating in putting together a Worship Arts Team for Englewood. If you are interested in volunteering in this area of ministry please let me know. I am hoping that we can hire a part time Worship Coordinator before the end of the year.

Please stop by our 5+5 Giving Tree in the foyer to learn more about our CCC 5+5 Missionaries. Take an ornament to find out more about their ministry and how you can contact them directly for more information or to contribute to their mission.

Remember that our Christmas Eve Services will be on Thursday, December 24th. The English service at 4:00pm and Bilingual service at 6:00pm. Come early and join us for Carols and Apple Cider in the Canyon Café.


Bilingual Corner:


The “Taste of Bilingual” Potluck will be at 12:45pm at Summit Hall. Please bring a favorite dish to share with others and join us for a time of fun and fellowship. Holiday Pictures will be taken at that time too, in case you missed your family shot.

Vivan los Broncos de Denver!

Hello Dear Englewood Family:


Englewood Staff Updates

We are slowly growing our Englewood Team with gifted individuals in both volunteer and paid positions, in order that we may best shepherd the congregation. I am delighted to announce that Pastor Gary Brown will be serving as our Pastor of Sunday Morning Volunteers and Wednesday Night Home Teams. We welcome back Dalyce Young to the CCC staff as my Executive Assistant. We also are excited to have Terrilynn Towns, a Seminary Intern, serve with Elsie Bautista in our Children’s Ministry for both Englewood and Bilingual. In addition, we are thankful to have Susan McWhite serving as the Production Coordinator for both the Englewood and Bilingual services. And finally, Jeanne Myers has been serving since October as a Youth Intern, helping to teach Junior High students and also with administrative duties.

Cookie Exchange Sunday:

Please remember that this coming Sunday, Dec. 6th, we continue to celebrate the Advent Season with our Cookie Exchange. Bring some cookies to share with others. We will also be celebrating Communion and remembering what Jesus did for us on the Cross.

We will continue with our teaching series, “Songs of Christmas” by learning about the historical and theological significance of “O Holy Night.”

If you have a friend you would like to bring along to church, please feel free to invite them.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Sincerely,

Hugo Venegas

O Holy Night

O Holy Night

Luke 2:1-18

What makes the holy night of Christ’s birth such a divine night?

The author of the Christmas Hymn “O Holy Night,” read the story of the birth of Christ in Luke chapter 2 and imagined being there. This evoked such an emotional response in the author’s heart that he penned the carol – highlighting four major theological distinctions.

This sermon will look at the historical background of the hymn and explore four theological distinctives about the birth of Christ.

O Holy Night

Noche Sagrada

Luke 2:1-18

Lucas 2:1-18

What makes the holy night of Christ’s birth such a divine night?

¿Qué hace que la noche sagrada del nacimiento de Cristo sea una noche tan divina?

The author of the Christmas Hymn “O Holy Night,” read the story of the birth of Christ in Luke chapter 2 and imagined being there. This evoked such an emotional response in the author’s heart that he penned the carol – highlighting four major theological distinctions.

El escritor del himno navideño “Noche Sagrada” leyó la historia del nacimiento de Cristo en Lucas capítulo 2 y imaginó como si estuviera allí .  Eso provocó una reacción tan emocional en el corazón del escritor que él escribió el himno – destacando cuatro distinciones teológicas grandes. 

This sermon will look at the historical background of the hymn and explore four theological distinctives about the birth of Christ.

Este sermón mirará a los antecedentes históricos del himno y explorará cuatro distintivos teológicos acerca del nacimiento de Cristo.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Matthew 1:18-24

What does “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” teach us about Christmas?

It communicates the prophetical Old Testament views of the Messiah as fulfilled in the New Testament by the birth of Christ.

This sermon will explore four views of the Messiah that gives compelling theological reasons to motivate Christians to celebrate Advent and Christmas.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Oh Ven, Oh Ven Emanuel

Matthew 1:18-24

Mateo 1:18-24

What does “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” teach us about Christmas?

Qué es lo que nos enseña el himno “Oh Ven, Oh Ven Emanuel” sobre la Navidad?

It communicates the prophetical Old Testament views of the Messiah as fulfilled in the New Testament by the birth of Christ.

Nos enseña sobre las perspectivas del Antiguo Testamento acerca de las profecías del Mesías cumplidas en el Nuevo Testamento por medio del nacimiento de Cristo.

This sermon will explore four views of the Messiah that gives compelling theological reasons to motivate Christians to celebrate Advent and Christmas.

Este sermón explora cuatro perspectivas de quien es el Mesías y presenta razones teológicas contundentes que motiva a los Cristianos a celebrar el advenimiento y nacimiento de Cristo.

Englewood Community News 11.18.09

Hello Englewood Family:

I am delighted to begin this journey of being the people of God and doing the works of Jesus together as Base Camp Englewood. Since this is my first official day on the job as your Sr. Pastor, I would like to take some time to give you some critical announcements on what I plan to do in the next few months and how I intend to improve our communication with you as a congregation. Thus, I ask you to bear with me on the extensive nature of the Englewood Community News I need to share with you today.  Hugo Venegas

1. Community Chronicle: Let us know you are here and how we can pray for you this week. If you are a brand new visitor, check the first time visitor box and write down any questions regarding your ministry needs.

2. Consolidating Staff: I am in the process of assessing strengths and spiritual gifts of our current staff, in order to give them fresh ministry assignments that will address key areas of felt need within our Englewood campus. I want to develop a team that can best serve the congregation and intentionally position us to accomplish our mission of connecting people to Christ, community and calling.

3. Improving our Englewood Communication: I want to spend a great deal of time and effort in making sure that we create systems of clear communication with you as a congregation. These are the communication means I will be implementing.

• Emails: reach me at hvenegas@coloradocommunity.org

• Wiki Wiki Updates: Quick periodic updates from me on key things happening in the life of the church. (i.e. What is going on with our facilities, financial reports, special events, etc.)

• Hugo’s Blog: I will post information regarding crucial matters in the life and ministry of Base Camp Englewood.

• Feedback Cards: Periodically, I will be handing out “feedback cards” to the congregation to get a feel for opinions and preferences regarding key decisions that we need to make. It is my preference to seek out as much information as possible before making a decision. (i.e. If we had to move the service time in the future, what option would best work for you. 9:00am            9:30am           11:00am         Other _________

• After Services: I will be available for you for brief chats, or to have prayer together.

• If you mail me letters, in order to share the things that you are excited about or your concerns, please do me a personal favor and sign your name. If you give me your contact information, I can respond to you.

• Quick Hellos: Hit me up on Facebook.

• Urgent prayer requests during the week. If you run into an emergency or crisis situation that requires immediate prayer, please email us your requests on to eprayer@coloradocommunity.org

• Connect Dinners: Beginning in January, I will have two Wednesdays a month where we will have sign ups so that 12 to 15 of you can join me for a light dinner where we can get to know each other better, and also give you the opportunity to share your concerns, frustrations, dreams and aspirations for our Englewood Base Camp.

4.   Parents of Middle Schoolers: Holly and I have middle school daughters, and we live the challenges you face. I would love to have a meeting with you in the near future in order to hear your desires for the kind of middle school ministry that can help your children grow spiritually and develop healthy friendships with their peers. Please state in the Community Chronicle that you are a middle school parent and provide us your contact information: phone, email and address.

5. CCC Structure & Facilities: Paragraph Update pending on approval of Board. The members of the Board of Directors have been spending a significant amount of time evaluating CCC as a Mission and seeking ways to adjust our structural functions in order to improve organizational and communication effectiveness. I will be attending the Board meetings, and will personally commit to representing your critical concerns pertinent to Board level matters. I will also be informing you of important discussions and decisions taking place. Furthermore, the Board is currently exploring several alternatives for maximizing the use of our Englewood facilities by including other tenants to share the building and its operating costs. We will keep you informed as things progress in the weeks and months ahead.

6. Celebrating Christmas at Englewood: In the bulletin, you will find details for the activities your staff has been planning for meaningfully celebrating Christmas together and building a strong sense of community at Englewood.

·         Multi-campus Thanksgiving Eve Service: Next Wednesday, November 25^th at Englewood, 7:00pm – Childcare 0-5

·         November 29^th, Family Picture Sunday in the Lobby.

·         December 6^th, Cookie Exchange Sunday in Summit Hall.

·         December 13^th, Christmas Carol Sunday, Family Picture day, Taste of Bilingual Potluck.

·         December 20^th, Hot chocolate, Apple Cider Sunday, Canyon Café.

·         December 24^th, Christmas Eve Service at 4pm, Bilingual Service at 6pm in the Summit Hall. Seating will be arranged in a similar manner like the Aurora, Upper Room.

7. Child Dedication Class: Tomorrow the 23^rd from 6pm to 7pm in Summit Hall West.