CCY Connect January EDITION 2025

There is an expression that says, “start off on the right foot”. It basically means you and I need to start things in a good way to have early and lasting success. I know I have been many times in the middle of December thinking of what my New Years resolutions might look like, only to find that a few weeks later, I am back where I started.

What if you and I could decide now - we want to experience some different results by doing some things differently. Last year, as a church family, we encouraged those that didn’t already have a Bible reading plan, to read through the New Testament in a year in 2024 by reading one chapter a day. Literally it could be done by reading Monday through Friday with Saturday with the family and Sunday with the church family. I did this to have something realistic and doable that people wouldn’t feel deflated if they fell behind in their reading.

So…. What … will … you do differently in 2025? I want to encourage you to find a Bible reading plan that will work for you. On Sunday, January 5th I will share a message from Psalm 1. Psalm 1 describes this person, this ONE, who truly is “Blessed” by God. And that ONE person does – ONE thing they do…. They “Delight” in God’s Word. I am thankful we are a church family that believes and teaches from the Bible – God’s very Word to us. So please, pause to breathe, and contemplate making some changes in the new year. May reading God’s Word be primary in your walk with Jesus; May you be in church fellowship with God and God’s people regularly; May you and I take moments with family and friends – to perhaps serve more often. May you and I receive every day God gives us – a gift from our Father who loves us.

I am praying 2025 is one of the best years for us as a church family here at Christ’s Church of Yukon!

In Christ’s love –

For many years, our family struggled to find a church home. Our oldest son, diagnosed with Autism at age 3, faced significant challenges with sensory processing, communication, and emotional regulation. Despite our love for God and desire to be part of a church community, the barriers we encountered were overwhelming. Our lives revolved around three things: therapies, school, and home. When we tried to attend church, we were often met with stares, comments, and a lack of empathy. It wasn’t just hurtful to my husband and me, but also to our other children. Each time they asked if we could go to church, and I had to tell them no because it was too hard for their brother, it broke my heart.

Since moving to Oklahoma, God has been placing it on my heart to start a special needs ministry at our church. I made every excuse imaginable not to follow this call. Even though I have spent the last seven years in education and the past 15 raising a child with special needs, I told myself I wasn’t qualified to start this ministry. I worried it would require too much time, effort, and volunteers.

A few weeks ago, Pastor Clay’s sermon on using the spiritual gifts God gave us deeply convicted me. Sitting in church, I realized that while my husband and I teach our children to live in obedience to God, I was doing the opposite. As soon as the sermon ended, I walked over to Pastor Clay and told him I wanted to set up a meeting about starting a special needs ministry at our church.

The Need

I know there are families in our community who would benefit from a special needs ministry. Consider these powerful statistics:

• 1 in 3 families is affected by a disability.
• 90% of these families do not attend church.
• 80% of these families experience divorce.

These numbers reveal an incredible opportunity for us as a church body. Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to share the gospel with everyone. By opening our hearts and doors to individuals with special needs and their families, we fulfill our mission to be the hands and feet of Christ, ensuring everyone has a place at His table.

The Vision and Mission

Our website states: “CCY is all about real people living real lives with real hope. No matter who you are, we believe you have a purpose in the Kingdom of God.”

This belief extends to individuals with special needs and their families, who often face unique challenges that can make it difficult to participate fully in church life. By creating a ministry tailored to their needs, we can provide much-needed support, encouragement, and respite, helping them to understand their purpose in His kingdom.

Vision: To create an inclusive and welcoming community where individuals with special needs and their families experience God’s unconditional love, grow in their faith, and fully participate in the life and ministry of the church.

Mission: Our mission is to reflect Christ’s love by welcoming, valuing, and supporting individuals with special needs and their families. By incorporating them into every aspect of church life—worship, education, service, and fellowship—we demonstrate that every person is a beloved child of God.

Join Us

The path to starting this ministry may not always be easy, but I trust that God will equip me for the work He has called me to do. By stepping out in faith, I hope to make a difference in the lives of individuals who often feel unseen. In the end, my goal is simple: to live a life of obedience and to bring glory to His name. When I stand before God, my deepest hope is to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

If you feel called to be part of this ministry—whether through volunteering, praying, or offering support—please reach out. Together, we can create a church community that reflects God’s love for everyone.

Contact Information: Maritza Kizzar Email: mkizzar@gmail.com Phone: 623-707-5733

As we step into a new year, we often consider resolutions to improve ourselves. But what if we focused on something greater, our relationship with God and how we reflect His love to others?

One of my favorite teachings from the Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 6, where Jesus speaks about true righteousness. This passage teaches us about our relationship with God and others, while also offering a warning. The key word here is “hypocrite”- a term that, in Greek, refers to an actor wearing a mask. A hypocrite uses religion to cover up sin and seek personal gain. Jesus, however, calls us to a deeper, authentic righteousness that comes from within. As the apostle John reminds us:

"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." – 1 John 4:4

In Matthew 6:3b-4, Jesus challenges us with these words: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Here’s a thought: instead of making resolutions that may set us up for failure, let’s resolve to embrace this challenge from Jesus. Do something good for someone else, something known only to you and God. When we serve others selflessly, without seeking recognition, we honor Him and grow spiritually. At the same time, the recipient of our kindness is blessed, and they might even be inspired to imitate this quiet generosity. Imagine the ripple effect of such acts in our world today.

As Paul encouraged the early church:

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1

This year, let’s aim to reflect the love of Christ through secret acts of kindness. Together, we can make this a year of quiet but powerful transformation, one humble act at a time.

Dear Christian Friends and Supporters,

Our God is faithful to us and to all mankind, year after year, just as He promised to Noah:

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Genesis 8:22, NIV).

As the year 2024 comes to an end and we approach 2025, let us thank God for His watchful care throughout 2024 and pray for His continued guidance and blessings in the coming year.

Burma Evangelistic Update

In addition to ongoing evangelism efforts, the evangelists Konglang Jonah, Abur Joseph, and Bathine Aung have been conducting Bible seminars frequently. The Burmese people continue to show great interest in learning about Jesus Christ. As a result of a Bible seminar held on December 21-22 at the Hlegu church, five young people made decisions for Christ and were baptized. Praise the Lord for His continued work in bringing more Burmese people into His church!

As the Burmese military junta maintains its grip on power, the innocent citizens suffer in ways beyond description. Burma's economy has deteriorated to levels beyond recovery, resulting in overwhelming poverty and hunger. To help alleviate this, we distribute rice periodically to Christian members in the Yangon area as best we can.

In both Burma and Thailand, December is the ideal time for evangelistic outreach. Christians in these areas have been actively sharing the Gospel in surrounding communities. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. While I have been busy with activities in Chiang Mai, Boonporn has led villagers and women from the community to share the Gospel in different villages as part of our Christmas outreach. Attached below are photos from the Christmas evangelistic rallies held in the slums of Yangon and the Karen villages in northern Thailand.

On December 20-22, we held the Rvwang Cultural House dedication services, where I was honored to be one of the main speakers. Government officers from the Doi Suket district were also in attendance. Additionally, I was invited to preach during the Chiang Mai Christian Church Christmas celebration, which I gratefully accepted. I thank God for the privilege of proclaiming His Word to so many people.

Thank you for your faithful support and prayers. As we step into the new year, may God bless you richly and grant you His peace in Jesus throughout 2025.

Together in serving our Lord,

Jerry and Boonporn

WEEKLY EVENTS

• Men's Breakfast - Tuesdays at 7:30 am - CCY North building. All men are welcome! Bring your own breakfast and join in the fellowship. Led by John Miller.

• Women's Morning Bible Study - Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the Celebrity room at CCY.
• Family Meal - Join us for a family meal on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm in the South Building. Donations are welcomed but not required.
• Women's Evening Bible Study - Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in person, in the Celebrity Room, led by Jennifer Parrett and Melissa Wrona.
• Bible Study led by Matt Smith - 6:30 pm on Wednesday evenings in the Conference Room.
• Senior Saints Small Group - 6:30 pm on Wednesday evenings in the Library. The Bible says in Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ" (NIV). Mostly retired age, but not limited to this.
• Youth Ignite - 6:30 pm in the South Building Warehouse. Ignite! is our Wednesday night gathering that takes place during the school year for grades 6-12.
• Royal Warriors - 6:30 pm on Wednesdays. Royal Warriors at CCY is a fast-paced, action-packed, Bible-based children's program for 1st through 5th graders.
• NEW! Personal Finance Class - 6:30 pm in Sonshine Station, led by Darren Garrett and Donna Denison, starting on January 8th, 2024. Over 14 weeks, they will guide you through Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover, discussing both biblical and practical approaches to managing the resources God has entrusted to us. Spaces are limited, so please sign up at www.ccyok.com/finance to participate. We hope to see you there!

• Men's Lunch - The men of CCY meet for lunch at 11:30 am for food and fellowship. Different locations each week. Locations are posted in the mid-week email, Facebook, or call the office at 405-354-0245.

Adult Classes - 9:30 am on Sunday

• Adult Sunday School - Celebrity Room at 9:30 am. Starting the book of Exodus on January 12th, 2024, looking closely at the life of Moses - led by John Miller.
• "Testimony of God" - South Building Warehouse at 9:30 am led by Ryan Porter. Also offers a Zoom online option. Join the Facebook group at CCY Porter Sunday Class.
• "The Christian Life" - In the Library AT 9:30 am led by Clay and Jennifer Parrett.

Youth Classes - 9:30 am on Sunday

On Sunday mornings, students have teenager-focused Bible studies during Sunday School led by CCY Student Ministry leaders. Meet in the South Building.

Children's Classes - 9:30 am

• Nursery for 0-2 years - led by trained CCY volunteers. If your child is an infant up to 2 years old, they will love the Nursery! It's a nurturing place where caring adults show Jesus' love to children in a safe, secure, and fun environment. Parents will feel comfortable trusting their little ones in the nursery. Room 102 (Sonshine Station)
• Truth Blazers for 3 years through 5th graders - Truth Blazers is a hands-on in-depth, FUN, Bible study for kids 3 years through 5 grade in Kid's Castle.

Children's Classes - 10:30 am

• Bible Barn for 3-5-year-olds - Your child will LOVE this room with the GIANT BARN in it! Here, God's Word comes alive through storytelling, upbeat music, and interactive games/crafts. In this encouraging environment, your child will have fun, play, make friends and learn more about who Jesus is.
• Power Zone for 1-5th graders - PowerZone is a high-energy worship service for kids grades 1st-5th. Kids are welcome to worship in song, dance, prayer, offering, and communion. Scripture is taught in-game, in crafts, and in team-building form. PowerZone is definitely the Zone where we power up God's Word!

Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 am

We welcome you to join us for an hour - fifteen-minute service that includes contemporary and traditional Christian music, relevant preaching from the Bible, communion for all believers, and prayer. Sunday service is in-person and online.