Join us at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave.

Charlottetown, PE Sunday mornings 10:00 am - 12:00 PM

February
Are You Living in Fake Freedom?
by Mike Foster During our recent family trip to the zoo, it wasnt the Galapagos turtles that captured my attention. It was the multi-million dollar cage the zoo was building for them. A sleek sign highlighted features of the coming tortoise exhibit: a stateof-the-art barn with heated floors, specially selected cactus and an interactive area for visitors. The project would take months to complete at a price tag of $1.2 million. This upgraded, fancy exhibit was quite an impressive project to say the least. Yet, one thing struck me. This one glaring truth: NO MATTER HOW NICE THIS EXHIBIT WAS GOING TO BE FOR THE TURTLES IT WAS STILL A CAGE. Dont get me wrong. Its going to be a nice exhibit. Guests will probably love it. The turtles may feel like theyve scored a penthouse suite. But the fact remains, even if the tortoises trek through enough exotic plants, they will eventually run into both a wall and a reality check. Despite appearances, they havent been freed. Theyre just being confined behind fancier bars. The turtles scenario prompted me to reflect on my own life. I too have sunk energy and resources into upgrading my cage. Ive slightly improved my social or financial condition. Ive worked to ensure things that represent me - my appearance, job title, the way I carried myself pleased others, outdid those around me, or at least kept me even with the next guy. Along the way, I imagined I was moving closer to contentment. But a few steps in, Id slam into reality: I hadnt found freedom at all. Id just increased the personal pressure to perform, to achieve, and to be accepted. Id dressed up my insecurities and imprisoned myself behind fancier bars. I resigned myself to fake freedom. This might be happening in your life too. THE APPEARANCE OF FREEDOM IS OFTEN DRESSED UP AS AN UPGRADED VERSION OF CAPTIVITY. We make improvements, but were still trapped. If anything, our improvements often make our journey harder. We end continued on page 2

COMMUNION WEEK!

2014

Serving this Sunday

WORSHIP TEAM
John McDonald

SPEAKER

Tom Zawacki

CHILDRENS MINISTRY

Lydia & Team Banks

CLEAN UP TEAM E
Greg & Debbie Mackinnon, Errol & Shelagh Campbell, Garfield MacDonald, Anthony McAndrew, and Lisa Taylor

Charlottetown Community Church

Part of the Vineyard Network in Canada P.O. Box 1081 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7M4 Pastor Tom Zawacki (902) 892-5001

communitychurch@pei.aibn.com www.charlottetowncommunitychurch.com

Are You Living in Fake Freedom?

continued from page 1 up with more to prove and more image to manage. We probably also find ourselves less willing to ask for help. In some ways, the turtles actually one-up me. After all, tortoises are captured and forced into confinement. Humans, on the other hand, tend to voluntarily imprison ourselves. From pills, clothes, cars, and income brackets to egos, offices, and abusive relationships, we manipulate things to gratify ourselves. We chase the new to numb the pain of repeatedly slamming into cage walls. We fill our life with distractions, both positive and negative, to avoid dealing with how trapped we really are. But here is the good news. You dont have to upgrade your cage anymore. You dont have to pretend that youre free when youre really not. You and I can take personal responsibility to stop having the appearance of freedom and pursue reckless, dangerous and life-giving liberation if we want to. When Larry King asked Jerry Seinfeld about his life he responded, I am in no place that I dont want to be. And thats true of us too. Today we can finally plot our escape route to freedom. Those turtles can have their upgrades; you dont have to any longer. (You can read more by Mike at www.storylineblog.com)

* CLEANUP TEAM NOTICE OFFERING NOTICE * * ONLINE DONATIONS

CHURCH NEWS

Please note that all chairs are now stacked on dollies and stored in the furnace room. If donating cash please use envelopes This allows us the ability to provide you with an accurate giving record at years end. Go to www.charlottetown communitychurch.com At the top of the page click the word Donate (next to Newsletter) Secure donations via PayPal Can donate with or without a PayPal account

Church website is now updated with all activities. If you would like to get something in the newsletter (prayer request, announcement, etc.), please email it to communitychurch@ pei.aibn.com by Wednesday of each week.

CHURCH FINANCES

Four Week Average: $1,317.71 Four Week Average Needed: $2,000.00 Lets keep praying for God to supply all we need!

CHURCH GROUPS
There is lots going on, be free, go where the life is, family first.

PRAYER REQUESTS
The prayer list is refreshed at the start of each month. All
existing requests will be removed. If you would like your request returned to the list or new requests added, please indicate on the Facebook page, or contact Tom Zawacki.

SO YOU DONT WANT TO GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE BOOK CLUB 7:00 PM at Zawackis - Beginning February 5th
Books are available at Maritime Christian Bookstore $12.99

NIGHT OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER First Friday of the Month 7:00 PM at Zawackis
Beginning February 7th

Bernice Gallant Gordie G.

For good health and white blood cell counts to return to normal. Freedom from worry. For quick healing from back surgery and relief from pain.

WOMENS GROUP Wednesdays 7:00.

At Linda MacFarlanes house. THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD BOOK CLUB

Greg MacKinnons sister, Joanne

Mondays 7:00.

For healing of esophageal cancer, relief of pain and worry. Support and encouragement for her and her family.

At Donna Wigmores House

THURSDAY NIGHT QUESTIONS GROUP Thursdays 7:00.

Lori Knox-Nelsons father and family

Healing, support and encouragement through his fight with cancer.

This group is currently full due to space capacity. If you are interested in hosting and/or leading a new Questions group, please contact Tom Zawacki.

The CNOY walk raises money for Harvest House PEI- a street level ministry in Charlottetown & Summerside that reaches out to people trying to overcome addictions & unhealthy lifestyles. This year, Harvest House will be opening a residential addictions recovery program and needs some $$$. The goal for the walk is to raise $50 000 to help this program. To make this goal of $50 000, Harvest House PEI needs your help- MORE TEAMS!! Like our facebook page Coldest Night of the Year- Harvest House PEI or follow our progress on twitter https://twitter.com/PEIHarvestHouse (@PEIharvesthouse ) Share the page with your friends and retweet our updates to spread the word about this fantastic and family friendly fundraiser!

COMMUNITY CHURCH RETREAT

MARCH 7-8, 2014 AT BELCOURT LODGE FRIDAY NIGHT TO SATURDAY AFTERNOON Theme: The Only Thing That Counts Guest Speaker: Andrew Bryce
Cost: $90 Per PersonIncludes Lodging and 3 Meals Space is Limited: 44 People Max $45 Per Person Non Refundable Deposit to reserve a spot Final date to register: Sunday, February 23rd See Shelagh in Hallway to Sign Up

COMMUNITY CHURCH
Lisa Taylor will be creating and collecting handmade winter scarves, hats and mittens from various knitting/ crocheting groups and individuals. These are going to be donated to people in need during these winter months. Solomons Porch ministry has agreed to assist in distributing these items.

SUNDAY MARCH 9, 2014 AT STRATFORD GYM 3:00-5:00 P.M.

For more information, contact Teressa Peters.

If you happen to knit or crochet and would like to be a part of this by contributing, please contact Lisa or Tom Zawacki. The first collection will be February 23.

GET INVOLVED AT CCC!

OUR ELDERS TEAM
The elders are: Wayne & Natalie Simmons, Errol & Shelagh Campbell, Greg & Debbie MacKinnon, Garfield & Brenda MacDonald and Tom & Nadine Zawacki. Please feel free to contact us anytime with your thoughts, questions or ideas.

COMMUNION

We do communion on the first Sunday of each month. We are looking for volunteers to offer a meditation and lead us through that part of the service. Please see Tom if interested to be added to a schedule.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Positions we are often looking to have help with are: SOUND & MEDIA, WORSHIP TEAMS, CLEANUP TEAMS, CHILDRENS MINISTRY, OFFERING & ANNOUNCEMENTS

FACEBOOK

Joining the Charlottetown Community Church Facebook group is the fastest way to get up to the minute news, prayer requests and get in on discussions.