Come As You Are ... This Friday Night ... Really.

Five years ago (May 1, 2009)  we hosted our first CommonGround event.  Doesn't seem possible does it?   

We've seen God do UNBELIEVABLE things during the last NINETEEN events.    Remember...

• when God unleashed a spirit of generosity on CGgirls and you donated 1,120 Christmas gifts for 14 girls in foster care?


• when God provided an offering that supernaturally paid off all of our start-up costs?
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• when God nudged CGgirls to donate enough camp items for Royal Kids Camp to cover years of camps?
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• when God directed CGgirls to fill a church van (literally!)  with donated blankets and socks to help homeless men stay warm?
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• when God asked CGgirls to lay down our preconceived notions about women far from God who dance in strip clubs to collect items to fill gift bags for them?
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• when God knew CGgirls would meet the immediate need of a family whose Mom was diagnosed with cancer by collecting $2,000 in gift cards in two weeks?
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• when God knew a women who miscarried her baby two days before would come to a CG event (not knowing  our guest speaker would be a woman who delivered a still-born baby) and a time of intense healing began within her.
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• when God asked us to start a 60 day prayer challenge called Brave Girl Boots and 150 of you committed to doing it.  Drawing closer to God in the process.
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• and so, so, so much more.

Because of God's kindness and grace we're celebrating our TWENTIETH event this Friday night.  There will be live worship,  Heather Costa will be sharing her story,  we'll be collecting items (see below) for homeless Veterans,  20 prizes and a fantastic after party with women from 30 Detroit Metro Area churches.

Come As You Are.   It'll be a night you won't forget.  

We'll leave you with the same thing we wrote five years ago before our first event.

"The vision of commonground is one that we can’t claim as our own.  We feel very strongly that we are following His direction.   Jesus.  Period.  By Him, For Him, With Him.   Great efforts to serve our communities really don’t mean much if they aren't done for the Lord.   Only what is done for the Lord will last.  "

Ask God to prepare your heart for CommonGround.   If you are coming just for the music, the message, the prizes, the afterparty...you might miss Him.   Ask Him to prepare your heart.
He is extending the invitation.  We're just planning the party.

Giirrrlll, are you coming?

(Photo Credit: Lisa Hildebrandt) 

May 2, 2014 Outreach Spotlight

We are announcing the outreach focus for our May 2, 2014 event!   

Really, really excited about this!   One in seven homeless people have served in the military. We are going to do our part to help. CGgirls is setting a goal of 1,020 snack kits to fill that evening. Invite, Invite, and Invite some more! We're also in need for someone to donate  1, 020 gallon size ziplock bags for that evening. If you have any contacts that would be able to help with this, let us know!

Care & Compassion: Cancer, who plans for it?

Wow!

Once again,  we find ourselves shouting T H A N K Y O U , CGgirl! 

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?"
1 Thessalonians 3:9

You were an abundant, over-the-top, way cool,  unbelievable blessing to Margie Kelly & her family.

When the word got out about this Care & Compassion opportunity,  we knew CGgirls would be generous but we were blown away by the tidal wave of generosity that came in for Margie Kelly.
Margie (wife and mom) has been recently diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.    As she would say, "The fight is on!"

Just a few moments ago,  Mike Kelly came up to me, hugged me hard and said with tears in his eyes, "THANK YOU!  We made a whole date out of going through the box! "

What I love so much about the ministry that happens through the hearts and hands of CGgirls is this:  Most of you don't personally know Margie.   Most of you will never meet her this side of heaven.

But you loved anyway.      You sacrificially loved anyway.
Because God loves.  

I exam.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2: 3-5


 

When I read the scripture above, one woman pops into my mind.   My beautiful 81 yr old friend, Diane Hassenrik.   Meet Diane: 

 

Don't let those baby blues fool you.   She has earned her nickname "Sassy Hassy."

I am so honored to have her in my inner circle of friends who speak into my life.   She truly is a Titus 2 woman.   With her life experience and heart for God  she has alot of wisdom to share.   Diane has graced my life with heaps of truth and speaks boldly into my life.   I don't know about you, but I need bold sometimes or if I'm being honest most times.

I know when I share what's going on in my life with Diane, her answer will always point me to Christ.    And even though I know it will sting a bit,  I keep going back to the well to drink because I know it's there that I will always be pointed to Christ.

Recently,  while sharing with Diane about a situation in my life -- I paused in hopes to get a little compassion, a little...you know... "awww...I'm sorry!"    I knew when she said, "You know what I'm hearing?"   I was in trouble.

"I'm hearing a whole lot of "I" and not alot of "God" from you."     Boom!  Ouch.

She was right.   In a world that serves us opportunity after opportunity to make life all about ourselves, we need to do an "I" check from time-to-time.    And  I was over do  for an "I" exam.

How about you?

• Do you find yourself complaining because life isn't going your way?


• Have you made your happiness  the sole goal of your life?  Instead of asking God what He may want from your life.  Walking in God's plan will ultimately lead to abundant joy.  (Which trumps happiness )


• Do your conversations have alot of  --  "I don't like,  I am not,  I think,  I want,  I, I , I , I, I ??????

He must become greater; I must become less."  John 3:30  (NIV)

July CG event: Worship Leader Announced

CGgirl, Summer is in full swing.   We hope you are enjoying the sunshine and your hair is winning the battle against the humidity.  :)

We have some really great news... Liz Webb will be our worship leader for the next CG Event,  Friday, July 26th at 7pm!

Liz may look familiar to you ... she is a part of our CG Worship Band and has been singing for the majority of her life.

" I've been married for 6 1/2 years to Patrick. Mom of 3 mini CG girls Emma, Ellie and Clara. I have been attending Connection Church (and Tri-City) for nearly 24 years. I have serving on our worship team for 14 years!"

Need a worship night?  Yes.   Want to gather with women from 30 different area churches?  Yes.

Want to Take God's love from the pews to the pavement by bringing: Lip Gloss, Stickers, Composition Notebook, Flip-Flops, and Dove Bar Soap?  Yes, we're going to bless 146 girls currently at Vista Maria!

Let's gather together at 7pm on Friday, July 26th - - Join us!

The Voice

CGgirl,

What voice are you listening to today?

Do you need to be reminded today?

From our hearts to yours...

Merry Christmas...

CG Girls are generous.

Yes.  Yes, you are!

In the last 24 hrs alone,  CG Girls donated to Project Crazy Love:

•  Bunch (and by bunch I mean a WHOLE LOT!) of wrapping paper, boxes and scotch tape!


•  Lipgloss, Kohls, Target, and McDonald's gift cards!


•  Money!

I just opened a note with a Target gift card in it from a dear CG Girl whose husband is out of work,  they are living with her parents and they just had a baby!    Is that not one of the most tender reflections of  God's love through giving that you've seen in a while?  We are blown away by God's provision for these young women in foster care.   God is stirring us up!

He IS everything He has promised...

Celebrating the goodness of God today.

As these words from the song Waiting Here for You come through my speakers...

"You are everything you've promised.  Your faithfulness is true.  We're desperate for your presence all we need is you.  Waiting here for you."

I'm reminded over and over again how much my cup runs over with His blessing and goodness.  (Psalm 23:5)

Girls, He is our great reward.   What is God doing in your life today?   Lets encourage each other with a short sentence or two in the comments section.

How is God running your cup over today?  Is He cheer leading you on to break free of a sin in your life?   Holding your hand as you walk out a dark season?   Is He the God who knows you and has reminded you of that?

Oh, I can't wait for you to hear this song.... :)

CG pregame.

Hi.  It's me again...and yes, I have coffee.  ;)

We're in CG pregame mode and let me tell you ... its never any different.   We are filled with an anxiousness of expectation of what God might choose to do in and through CG girls tomorrow night.

And please don't ever doubt this:  we all have a keen awareness of the responsibility God has entrusted us with -- I can honestly tell you...this doesn't leave my mind...like ever.

The CG worship team practiced the other night and I was able to snap some pics -- they are ready! As I tap this keyboard a CG girl is setting up the candles in the auditorium.  In about 3 hrs men will be coming to move chairs and we'll begin transforming the after party room for you.  Tomorrow morning,  CG girls will be gathering to finish set up and get everything "just so"...

Do you feel prepared for?  I hope so.

Our hearts purpose is to serve God through serving you.   We hope it shows.

See you tomorrow night?  7pm?  Hmmmm ?

[slideshow]

Worship Leader Announced for CG Jan 28, 2011!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!   Or not.  :)  Ever feel the need to take whiffs of  suntan lotion as you watch the snow fall?  I'm just NOT ready!  How about you?

We have some exciting news...two parts actually.  Our CG worship leader, Christa Alberts is making a worship CD!  We are so proud of her and we'll be making it available at CG events starting in the spring.   It is highly likely that Christa will be out of town recording her CD in January.   Christa and I put our heads and hearts together and are pleased to announce the worship leader for our CG event on January 28, 2011... Brittany Ball.

Brittany Ball, 26, is the wife of Bryan Ball, the Director of Student Ministries at Connection Church.  Born and raised in Macomb County, Michigan, Brittany and Bryan, along with their puppy Porkchop, moved to Canton in the summer of 2010.  Brittany is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is currently employed as an elementary teacher in Macomb County for Romeo Community Schools.
 Brittany has been leading worship with her husband for the past four years.  She has been singing in church since she was three years old.  Brittany's main influences include Kari Jobe, Christy Nockels, and Hillsong United.  She hopes that God speaks to you through the songs chosen for that night the way that He speaks to her through them.

  (You can check out Brittany singing the National Anthem here!)

CG event: Friday, April 16th!

 It's hard to believe that the next CG is here in just six days!   This is when the coffee starts perkin'!   Our teams have been working so hard at bringing all of this together.  We're so excited! 

 To bring you up to speed:

Christa Alberts is back! With the CG Band in tow,  Christa will be leading us in worship that evening.   To find out more about Christa... read here.  You can follow Christa on twitter, too!  

Our outreach focus is PROJECT LITTLE LAMB !  We are collecting diapers, wipes and formula for the AAA Pregnancy Resource Center in Livonia, MI.   Showing the Love of God by meeting needs right as they happen.  Very exciting to be involved with such a great ministry to women with unexpected pregnancies.

We're celebrating spring by painting our toes pink and wearing flip flops or sandals that night!  

As always we pray that God would be honored by this event and people would know Him through the hands and feet of commonground girls. 

See you Friday at 7pm!!

Editors Note:  I forgot to mention...we'll be serving Starbucks coffee that night!  Also...we're giving away:  1 Shelly Bag w/ two shells; 1 30 minute massage and two movie passes from Emagine!     Grab a girlfriend and come on out!!

What a Night!

Once again, we were humbled by God moving in the hearts of women last night at CommonGround.   Christa Alberts and the CG worship team did an outstanding job of leading us in worship to our God.   Thank you Christa and team for sharing your gifts with us as you gave them back to God.

Approx 130-140 women attending from 19 different churches donated  12 bins of personal items for women involved with First Step.    The effects of their generosity will be felt by many, many women and families for months to come.

We feel nudged to do it again....so please mark your calendar and join us on Friday, January 15th @ 7pm as we gather again on our commonground.    Lets spend the next few months seeking and growing in the fact that our Father loves us,  He has work for us...

“He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”   Ephesians 2:10  (msg)

Remember...don't miss it!  Refuse to let fear or ambivalence stop you from serving God.

(photo credit: Jen Karolak)

Dear God ...

Dear God....

We've done everything we know to do for this awesome experience you've asked us to enjoy with you called commonground. 

We hope You are pleased.

We hope women are encouraged to draw closer to you and step out in bold creativity to serve your son Jesus.

Only a few more hours, God.   It's kinda not fair that you already know how it went. :)

Did you like it?

--  Alene, Jen, Katy, Nan & Tami 

pink tees, prayer and God

Girls,  commonground will be here in 12 days.  Can you believe just 12 days!!!   Yikes!  I mean...YOWZA!!!  :)

Here are a few updates for you....

T-Shirts 
Its been so cool to see so many of you get on board with buying CG t-shirts!   Today it was like CG central - lots of calls on the tees and drop-ins to purchase the shirts.   They are in production and we will have all sizes availablefor sale on Sunday at 9am at the WM's counter.  Also this Sunday is the day we wear our pink and wear it proud!! :) 

Prayer
So many of you have asked how you can help before the event and what we need is PRAYER.   Honestly,  we have no idea what we are doing...we're taking each day as it comes and God has been so faithful to us.   The single greatest need we have "pre-event" is prayer.  

• Please pray for Amy Voss, as she prepares the worship portion of the evening. 


• Pray for women who will be at CG -- their hearts focus that their conversations would be sprinkled with creativity and courage.  


• Pray for God's continued direction and spirit of servanthood to be at the core of our leadership team.  (These girls are rockin' right along side me:   Nancy Barra, Alene Hoffman, Jen Karolak and Katy Reitz)

God
The vision of commonground is one that we can't claim as our own.  We feel very strongly that we are following His direction.   Jesus.  Period.  By Him, For Him.   Great efforts to serve our communities really don't mean much if they aren't done for the Lord.   Only what is done for the Lord will last.  

How is God preparing you for commonground?