CCY Connect february EDITION 2026

So, we’re a few weeks past Christmas. Remember saying, “Jesus is the reason? And our New Year’s celebrations and the making of our New Year’s Resolutions!!! I’m not going to ask how many of you made resolutions because then I’d have to ask how many have you kept!!! But I will ask this…did you make any resolutions that included church? I don’t need to see hands, but did you make a resolution like: I’m going to start going to church, I’m going to church more often, I’m going to get more involved in church…maybe go to Sunday School too, or maybe a small group? How about some of the other activities that maybe I could help with? I think we would all agree that it’s important to “be involved”.

But let me ask this…what “Church” are you talking about? When I was growing up, my family went to First Methodist Church, a church in downtown Oklahoma City at 4th and North Robinson. That was what I “believed” was a Church. But maybe that view wasn’t completely accurate. In Matthew 16:15-18, Jesus says to Peter, “Who do you say I am? And Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In verse 18, Jesus says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The word Jesus was using that we translate as “church” was the Greek word Ekklesia (Latin is ecclesia). Jesus uses this word Ekklesia only twice in the New Testament (Matthew 16:18, Matthew 18:17). The word comes from “ek’-means “out of” and “kaleo’-‘to call out’. Today, we might translate the word to mean those who are called out to follow Jesus….not the thousands of church buildings in the world, but those who are called out to be part of those groups, and communities, and congregations.

In those days, Hades meant the “power of death”. That adds even more meaning to “The Church”. Jesus says he will build his church, and the power of Hades will not overcome it. This means I belong to his church and I belong to Him. I learned that idea from a Shepherd in this congregation who is now retired but still attends here. The simple idea that I was part of a congregation assembled in this building and a member of a much larger group, “the Ekklesia.” That one word completely changed my outlook of the Church. Maybe the conclusion is that I belong to this group, who are members of a much larger group, and we all belong to Jesus. We’re not individuals, but members of Jesus’ church. If you need a reason to feel good about this time of year, look around. We’re together for a reason….Jesus is the reason. P.S. Just a note…I really do like the congregation at CCY, with which I’m now going to church! 

Happy February CCY! I’m Melissa Wrona, the director of our CCY Parents’ Day Out program. PDO, as we call it for short, is a two-day-a- week, faith-based, non-profit childcare ministry. We exist to help CCY build a strong community. We believe in planting seeds of faith, cultivating love, and growing the future. We know having great communities starts with strong families! Though PDO is a childcare program, our hope is to minister to the whole family unit. Not limited to moms and dads, but grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles as well. Any and all who pass through our doors are greeted with the love and compassion that CCY is known for.  From the dawn of creation, we see God’s unique design for the family unit. Man is created and woman created for the helpmate of man; they are joined together, and from their union come the blessing of children. In Genesis 1:28 (ESV), God issues his first command to man, “be fruitful and multiply,” and with this, we see the creation of the family unit. As quick as three chapters into Genesis, the serpent, or Satan as he will later be known, is introduced as he sets out to destroy what God had made. Quick work he makes of it as he tricks the woman, thus their banishment from the Garden of Eden, and from God's divine plan that we live in perfection. Oh, but Satan isn’t finished, in the very next chapte,r we read the story of Cain and Abel. Jealousy and rage takes over— Abel is killed by his brother Cain, the serpent is always busy.  Fast-forward to today and guess what? That crafty serpent is still busy, and likes nothing better than tearing apart families. His nefarious plans include attacking our marriages, preying after our children, isolating us from one another, keeping us busy, distracted, and chasing after things of this world. All of which can crush our families and leave them in the ruins of Satan’s perverse pleasure.  With this knowledge, PDO wants to be a weapon in the fight against the attack of the enemy! We want to help families, be there as they traverse through the multitude of issues life can throw at them. Pray alongside them, teach their babies about Jesus, and what He did for us on the cross! Show the moms, the dads, the grandparents, and everyone in between Christ’s love. Be the smile they see at the door. Stop and talk with them, get to know them, be their friend. Invite them to join us on Sundays and Wednesdays and when they do let them know how very glad we are that they are here. I ask you, our church, to join in on the fight for family. No matter where you are in life, whether you have young children, grown children, grandchildren, no children. Family matters, very much so to God. So we must help protect them in any and all ways. I will continue to write this year on more specific ways we can support strong families. I hope you will follow along and look for ways God may be calling you to help in this fight.  Joy and Peace,  Melissa Wrona 

Some of the most important people in my faith story were adults who simply showed up. As a teenager, people like Clay, my Discipleship Group leader, and others met me right where I was. Like Jesus, they simply talked with me, prayed with me and for me, listened without rushing, and loved me just as I was. No fixing. No pressure. Just presence. And those relationships shaped my faith in ways I still carry today. That’s the heart behind CCY Kids Connect, a new mentorship initiative we’re launching in children’s ministry this year. CCY Kids Connect is all about intentional relationships. We’re pairing some of our 1st–5th grade students with caring adults from our church who are willing to spend a little time getting to know them and reminding them they matter. This isn’t a program designed to correct behavior or teach lessons—it’s simply about building a meaningful relationship. Here’s what that connection looks like in real life. Mentors will spend about 15–20 minutes with one to three kids, one Sunday every four to six weeks, during the service. You won’t miss all of church, just a short portion. That time might look like playing a board game or card game, chatting, laughing, and offering encouragement. There’s no prep work, no teaching, and no pressure. Just being present. Mentors aren’t expected to discipline, counsel, or solve big problems. They don’t need special training or perfect words. What matters most is being a consistent, safe adult who listens, asks questions, and helps kids feel seen and valued.  At the end of the day all kid’s want to feel like they matter.  It will give all CCY children an opportunity to build relationships with their church family, and let’s be honest sometimes it’s nice to have someone talk to that isn’t mom or dad.  Why does this matter so much? Because our kids simply need someone who knows their name, looks forward to seeing them, and listens without rushing. Healthy, caring relationships with trusted adults can shape a child’s faith, confidence, and sense of belonging for years to come. Many of us know firsthand how life-changing one caring adult can be.  For me, it kept me going to church even when my family stopped going, I had adults who cared enough to ask where I was and say “you can sit with us”.  As I became an adult those relationships didn’t just disappear, a few of those people have been part of every single big event in my life, and to me that says something, and I want that for every single child that walks through the doors at CCY! We also want everyone to feel supported and safe. All mentors will complete background checks, meet with kids only in approved spaces, and receive clear guidelines and ongoing support. No one will ever be left wondering what to do or feeling like they’re on their own. If you feel a little nudge to be part of CCY Kids Connect, we’d love to invite you in. Simply sign up using the link below, and we’ll follow up with details, scheduling, and next steps. Mentors will be matched thoughtfully and prayerfully.

Jesus performed many miracles that are recounted in the gospels, but this particular miracle mirrors the struggle of our community today. Five thousand desperate and faithful people followed Jesus and His apostles into the remote town of Bethsaida, and Jesus welcomed them, even in His time of mourning, for He and His apostles had just buried John the Baptist after his execution. Despite His grief, Jesus spoke with them, healed them, and taught them of the Lord’s many blessings all afternoon.  When night was upon them, the apostles asked Jesus to send them away to the nearby villages so they may eat. Jesus replied to the apostles, “You give them something to eat.” (Luke 9:13 NIV). The apostles protested, knowing they did not have enough to feed five thousand with the five loaves of bread and two small fish that they had collected from the crowd. Nor did they have enough money to buy food for everyone. Still, Jesus instructed His apostles to have the people gather and sit before Him, so they did as Jesus had asked them. Through different accounts of the gospels, all four of them consistently say that the first thing Jesus did was look to His Father in heaven and ask for the food to be blessed. Then the miracle happened: Jesus broke the bread, and five thousand people were fed, with enough food leftover for their journey home.  Today, on average, eighteen million people nationwide live in homes where access to food is not consistent, and Oklahoma ranks above average in this regard. These numbers do not include the thousands of people who experience homelessness in our country and in our own community. It can feel hopeless to know just how many people go to bed hungry, to know we don’t have enough to help them all, and this isn’t some far-off issue we can just throw a prayer at. Faith requires action. And I know none of us are Jesus; we can’t take five loaves and two fish and turn them into enough food to feed thousands… or can we?  Even Jesus didn’t act alone. He looked to God for guidance and blessing, then broke the bread. He didn’t act without faith, and He didn’t allow His faith to stall action; He used it. We can do the same; by allowing God to guide us, we can put faith into action so people in our community won’t have to go to bed hungry. That’s not to say we can do everything—we can’t fill a God-sized hole—but we can do something.  In our church, we have a little ministry that we call the blessing box. For now, the box is a small metal one that hardly stays shut, attached to the east side of the main building, next to the office doors. Soon, thanks to the gracious help of Bill Denison and Steve Wilkining, we will have a more secure, hand-built wooden box, much bigger than the one we have now, and with a more secure door closure!  Previously, many people have tried to maintain this ministry, but it is difficult to keep it stocked alone because the need is so great. If we can’t literally multiply food like Jesus did, how can we be enough? The truth is we can’t—not alone anyway—but just like the boy in the story being “enough” means giving all that you can with faith that the Lord will make it plentiful. When everybody gives what they can in good faith, Jesus will once again multiply scarcity into surplus.  If everybody gave five dollars’ worth of food just one time, that would amount to one thousand dollars in food, based on last week's two-hundred-person attendance. To further put that in perspective, one thousand dollars could purchase 795 individual premade tuna and cracker packs from Dollar Tree. That could feed 113 people one meal a day for a week, or 37 people three times a day for a week. Now imagine if everyone committed to donating five dollars’ worth of food every other week. Imagine if someone was able to give ten, twenty, or fifty dollars; that changes things significantly. This is what it looks like to put faith in God to turn five loaves, two fish, and a prayer into enough food to feed five thousand people.  I want to challenge each of you to give what you can, as often as you can, in faith that God may once again turn scarcity into surplus.  Need suggestions on what to give? Some things that go quickly are: Ready-made proteins (nuts, canned fish, canned chicken, protein shakes, Vienna sausage, Spam, protein bars, etc.) Reusable water bottles Fruit juices, sports drinks, and water flavoring packets Wet wipes/body cleansing wipes Snack foods (pudding cups, cookies, snack crackers, fruit cups, instant ramen, etc.) Toiletries (toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, combs, lotion, etc.) Vaseline Feminine products (sanitary pads, etc.)  Things that tend to sit longer or not get taken: Canned foods that require a can opener Dried goods like pasta, rice, and lentils Baby food/formula Foods that require appliances for prep 

We are excited to announce the launch of our Secret Sister Program here at CCY! This unique and heartwarming program is designed to foster deeper connections, offer spiritual support, and create an environment of encouragement within our church's community of women. Secret Sister is not about big gifts or elaborate surprises. It is about kindness, Scripture, prayer, and thoughtful encouragement during a specific season of life.

What Is Secret Sister?

When you sign up, you will be paired with another woman at church. For the season, you will be her “Secret Sister,” encouraging her in small, intentional ways while keeping your identity a secret until our reveal event. Encouragement might look like:

• Praying for her regularly
• Sending a Scripture or short note
• Writing a card
• A kind text message
• A small act of kindness

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” — Hebrews 10:24

Gifts are completely optional. Non-monetary encouragement is wonderful and encouraged.

Program Details:

• Kickoff: February - Sign up by February 15th, 2026
• Reveal Event: Luau Reveal Party on June 20th
• Frequency: Encourage your sister at least every other week
• Who Can Join: All women of CCY
• Focus: Encouragement, prayer, and cross-generational connection

Important Guidelines

To make this meaningful and fair for everyone, participants agree to:

• Commit for the full season
• Encourage at least every other week
• Keep their identity secret until the reveal
• Focus on prayer and encouragement, not counseling or financial help

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

If a serious need comes up or you have concerns, you can always reach out to the office at 405-354-0245 for support.

How to Join

Sign-ups are now open! You can join by: • Filling out the online form linked below. • Signing up on the paper form in the lobby under the staircase Sign-ups will close on February 15th, so don’t wait! Even small acts of encouragement can make a big difference.

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” — Proverbs 12:25

We hope you’ll join us in being the hands and feet of Jesus to one another.

As our Guatemala Missions Team from Christ's Church of Yukon prepares for their trip this June, we are in full fundraising mode — and our church family has some fun ways to get involved!

Alright church family, it’s time to loosen your belt notches and sharpen your taste buds! On Wednesday, February 4th, we’re hosting our Annual Chili Cook-Off & Dessert Auction from 6:00 to 7:30 PM right here in the South Building gym. This is your chance to eat chili, judge chili, and feel very important while doing it. A donation gets you 5 tasting tickets at the door so you can vote for your favorite chili, and yes, bragging rights are absolutely on the line. If you make chili and your family already thinks it’s the best, this is your moment. Anyone can enter! Just bring a crockpot full of chili and a fun chili name. Yes, there will be chili… but let’s be honest — the real competition starts at the dessert auction table. After you taste and vote for your favorite chili, you’ll get the chance to bid on homemade desserts in our silent auction. Cakes, cookies, pies, bars - basically all the things you tell yourself you’ll just “have one bite” of and then mysteriously take home the whole tray. Quick reminder: There will be no regular Wednesday night classes that evening, so bring the whole family. Kids are welcome, and tasting tickets are only for those sampling chili. All proceeds go to support our Guatemala Mission Team, helping send our team to serve this summer. Come hungry, come happy, and come prepared to defend your chili opinions.

🌸 Spring Flower Sale for Guatemala Missions 🌸

Bring beauty to your yard and help send our team to serve in Guatemala!

🌼 What You Get

✔ 18 plants per flat ✔ 4" pots ✔ Strong, healthy nursery-grown plants ✔ Perfect for flower beds, porch pots, and borders

💐 Price

$28 per flat

💳 Payment Options

We accept: ✔ Cash ✔ Check (made out to CCY — designate “Spring Flowers”) ✔ Credit Card (please note a 4% processing fee applies to card payments)

📦 How It Works

• Sold by the flat only • Pre-payment required to secure your order • Pickup at Christ's Church of Yukon • Delivery expected early April (weather dependent) All sales are final.

📅 Order Deadline

March 15

🌷 Important Notes

• Flower photos are examples — exact varieties may vary • Many color options available • Want a solid-color flat instead of a mix? We may be able to special order it — just ask! • Not enough space for a full flat? Split one with a friend!

🌺 Plant Selections

Angelonia (Mix) Begonias (Red or Pink) Coleus (Mix) Geraniums (Red or Pink) Impatiens (Mix) Dusty Miller (Silver) Marigolds (Yellow or Orange) Petunias – Waterfall Mix Periwinkles / Vinca (Mix) SunPatiens (Mix)

Thank you for always showing up with such generous hearts. Whether you cook, bake, taste, bid, or plant - you are part of the mission.