The Profundity of Saying Nothing
Somewhere around 2001-02, I was in the throes of higher education, taking classes that were expanding my mind about the nature and character of God to the point of exhaustion. I had read book after book, written paper after paper and my vocabulary had increased in syllables by drastic proportions. I was riding a fine line between growing in my faith and being idolatrous to my own self proclaimed, newfound intellect.

One afternoon I had gone for a walk around the rim of Aliso Canyon with my journal in hand and some thought provoking book. I found a good scenic place to perch so I could let my loaded super spiritual pen fly. I began to write words of truth about who God is and tried to weave in big words, which I had learned in my class on soteriology.

Here is the kicker. Instead of feeling like I was achieving higher plains of understanding and acquiring new depths of spiritual fulfillment, I was feeling empty, shallow, distant and fake. I wasn’t trying to know God, I was trying to prove to God how much I knew, big difference. So I stopped.

I kept my eyes open and surveyed the beautiful landscape and said out loud “God, I can regurgitate a lot of stuff that I have tried to pack into my brain about who you are, your faithfulness, and your promises, but I am not going to do that, I want to hear you speak, so I am not going to say anything.” For the next 45-60 minutes (honestly I don’t even know how long it was), I just sat, with my eyes open, listening.

God never spoke to me, but I heard him. He never physically revealed himself, but I saw him. There was no new milestone of achievement, but I loved him more. There was no author that could have penned exactly what happened in those moments. It was sacred silence. Simply a creation standing in awe of its creator.

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2

Find some time this week to just sit in silence before God. Just you and Him. No books, journals or commentaries, just listen.

-Bobby

Lifestages
Our Sympathy:
Tony and Sue Pilz for the death of Tony’s sister-in-law, Sharelyne Pilz, on September 23, 2009.

Paul and Judy Baird, and their children Greg and Brian for the death of Paul’s father, William Baird, on September 29, 2009.

Contratulations to:
Congratulations to Dean Powers and Celena Tabbert, married on September 26, 2009.

Congratulations to:
Beau and Becky Bristol for the birth of their son, Marshall Garsow, on September 22, 2009.

finish to START
If you would like to join us on the journey, please contact:
Ellery Beich: 265-3154
Penny Beich: 217-5033
Tony Alexander: 716-1017
Jennifer Alexander: 246-1852

If you have stories to share of how your life has been impacted by knowing Christ, please mail them to stories@gbcommunitychurch.com. These stories will be shared in various in-house media venues both on our website and possibly through video.

Shepherds Walk
Sundays, October 18 and November 13
4:30-6:00pm
Room 206
A Gathering for Community leaders. A meal will be served, please RSVP to Cindy M., 593-3471.

Out with the old...
eCommunity is nearing the end of its run. In fact, we expect that October 22 will be our last issue. Why, you say? Well, this weekend you’ll hear about Unifyer - a new communication tool accessible from the internet only for Community attendees. By signing in you’ll be able to create a personal profile and join groups of particular interest to you – receiving updates only on information you want from the church! You can create groups, subscribe to newsfeeds, and invite other Community attendees to be your friend. Unifyer is easy to understand and simple to operate.

We look forward to getting you connected through Unifyer!

Building Operations
Parking Lot Repair
Saturday, October 10
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
East and West Parking Lots
If you would like to help fill cracks in the church parking lot please come join us. We are also in need of some equipment. If you have a large air compressor for blowing the dirt out of the cracks, we need you and your equipment. If you have something for pouring the tar into the cracks, we need you and your equipment. If you know someone who might have this equipment or be able to help, we need their help.

Many hands make light work!

Contact: Patrick Jelen or 593-3490.

Cleaning House
There are many items in the back hallway that we are no longer keeping - artificial flowers, costumes, Christmas decorations, DT props, etc…  Some may have sentimental value to you so please check it out and take what you like. The rest will be donated to area churches and school drama departments.

Serve Team
Kingdom Come Food Drive
October 1 – 31
Lobby
Kingdom Come Food Pantry is in dire need of food. Please consider donating non-perishable food items, onions and potatoes. Along with food, they are in need of used winter coats, hats and gloves, adult sizes 2x and larger are in specific demand. Drop boxes are in the vestibules.

Contact: Leta Jacquet

Aerobethon for Africa
This Sunday, October 11, Community is partnering with Western Racquet & Fitness Club on a fund-raising effort to support Vapor Sports Ministries. Vapor establishes centers for humanitarian aid and sustainable life change in third-world environments. Check out their ministry at www.vaporsports.org.

Gather some sponsors and you’ll have use of Western’s entire facility! To learn more, click here. All monies collected will go directly to Vapor. 

You can pick up a brochure at the Special Events Center this weekend after the services.

This is your chance to directly impact the poor of Africa without having to make the trip!

Ecumenical Partnership for Housing
Great News! Green Bay Community Church is now partnering with several other churches in the Green Bay area. Ecumenical Partnership for housing (EPH) is a not for profit organization of churches working together to help provide transitional housing to homeless families. Click here for more information and to find out how you can get involved or contact Leta Jacquet, 920-593-3479.

Arts
Music Team Needs
The Music Team leads worship at weekend services and special events. We are a ministry with the purpose of serving God and the community by using and sharing the musical gifts God has given us. We’re also a pretty close-knit small group of sorts. We spend time together practicing and working on music, but we also spend time building relationships with God and one another.

There are openings for all vocal ranges and any instruments. Soprano? Come and out and sing. Guitar player? Come on out and strum and/or wail. You play the washboard? Well, come out anyway, we may be able to find a spot for you.

The actual audition is a two-part process that involves playing or singing some music that you will receive ahead of time, and a brief interview to get to know you better.

For more information and to receive an audition form, please contact Jeff Whitney, or 593-3472.

Tech Team Needs
GBCC Technical Arts Team is always looking for more people to serve. The GBCC Tech Team provides tech support for the weekend services, like audio, video, lighting etc, as well as support for church-wide ministry events. No experience required! If you are interested in serving on the GBCC Tech Team, please contact Danny Lueck, 593-3483.

JOY CPR Class
October 17, 2009
9:30-11:30am
Room 206
Joy is offering an informational CPR seminar featuring Jill Noffsinger, CPR/FA instructor, who will provide a presentation on Hands-Only-CPR using our AED available in the church. Jill will also show how to relieve choking caused by an obstructed airway. The seminar is free of charge and open to all who would like to attend. Sign up is required after weekend services or call Marge Katzenmaier, 434-9152.

Outdoor Connection
Pheasant Hunt
October 17
9:00am and again at 1:00pm
Wolf River Game Farm
Pheasant Hunt - Come join the OC for a day in the field. We will be getting together at 9:00am and again at 1:00 pm October 17 at Wolf River Game Farm to test our skills as well as our dog’s skills. There will be food and drink for us between hunts as we sit around and share our stories. This will be a great opportunity for a beginner or one of the more experienced OC members. If you need a gun to use or if you are interested in joining us, please contact Jeremy or Mark and we will add you to the list.

Contact: Jeremy Kopke, 920-544-5455 or Mark Ashley.

Life Groups
When two shepherds meet in the wilderness while laying watch over their sheep, they naturally connect on things they have in common - sharing all of what they’ve learned about guiding, feeding, and nurturing their flocks in order to keep them growing and thriving.  Their sheep know their voices and come when their shepherd calls.  For those of you in Life Groups and Small Groups outside of the walls of this church, you are shepherds in your group - fulfilling needs, growing each other, and knowing each other at a heart level.  We want to know who you are so we can encourage you, pray for you, and offer support.  Please email us at shepherds@gbcommunitychurch.com and let us know about your group and how often you meet. 

Singles
Singles Christmas Party
Saturday. December 12
6:00-11:30pm
Youth Center

Contact: Cindy M.

Interest Group
If you’re single and would like to connect with other singles, we have a number of great events for you to enjoy from motorcycling, to concerts, dances, dinners, Packers games and more.  Just click here to go to the calendar and type Singles in the category. 

KidsQuest
KidsQuest Schedule
Click here for the KidsQuest 2009/2010 schedule.

KidsQuest Wednesday Night Connect Fact Sheet
Click here for a Wednesday Night Connect fact sheet. It was developed to address some frequently asked questions. This is a new endeavor, a work in process, so your feedback is important! I look forward to hearing from you whether you have more questions or want to share a WNC story.

Family Night Live
KidsQuest Family Night Live (an expanded version of what was formerly known as Family Tree House) is a monthly high-energy, interactive service that features drama sketches, music, and teaching that is engaging for the whole family. Mark your calendars and check it out. You and your kids will love it!

KidsQuest FNL Facts:
* Everyone is welcome!
* No childcare offered on FNL nights
* No adult classes on FNL nights
* Bring a pillow or blanket to sit on
* Bring a snack to share during the family social time immediately following FNL.
* A limited supply of FamilyTime Virtue Packs will be available to purchase.


Wednesday Night Connect Meals
Wednesdays, October 14 - April 28
5:00-6:15pm
West Lobby
Wednesday Night Connect Meal Reminder
Don't forget that a meal is served prior to WNC each week. You can either sign up on paper each week for the following week, or you can contact Cindy M., 593-3471 by noon on Monday prior to the Wednesday meal. Tables are set up in the West Lobby. Donations are appreciated and will keep the program alive!

PLEASE NOTE: The meal is available starting at 5:00 and ends at 6:15. However, kids may not go to their rooms (K-12) before 6:15pm. Parents, please stay with your kids until that time.

Contact: Cindy Vandermause or 593-3489.

Student Ministries
Student Ministry Calendars
Calendars for what’s happening in Student Ministries in the fall have been mailed to homes. But just in case you didn't get one, please click here to print off the calendar for your refrigerator and never miss a beat with Student Ministries!


Microwave
We are pretty sure that the microwave in the East Kitchen (attached to the Youth Center) is possibly older than the youth pastor, and it’s on the fritz. Do you have one you would be willing to donate? We are looking for one in good working order that is a decent size (preferably not a small dorm-sized one). Thanks!


Serve Night
Middle School: Oct 28, Nov 25
High School: Nov 4, Dec 2
6:30-8:30pm
Our first off-campus Serve Night for Middle School students will be Wednesday, October 28. The high schooler’s first off-campus night will be Wednesday, November 4. In order to participate, students will need to fill out and return a release form/permission slip. Forms will be mailed home soon – parents, please take the time to fill them out and return them. Thanks!

The Nines – Freshman-only Retreat
Due to several conflicts, the Nines retreat was cancelled. (Originally scheduled for Oct 2-3). However, we feel that it can still be great, and we look forward to rescheduling it. Watch for details in the coming eCommunity updates!

Junior/Senior Retreat – “The Bridge”
If you are a student in grade 11 or 12, please join us for an amazing weekend called “The Bridge” We will be encountering God, facing our past, and learning what it will mean to cross the bridge into the future.  Watch for more information to come.

Who: Students in grade 11 or 12
Where: GBCC
When: November 20-22 (starting late Friday night to early Sunday morning)
Cost: $25 – that’s an amazing deal!

Registration deadline is November 11.  It is very important that students turn in their stuff on time (or early!!).  The quality of your retreat experience may depend on it…

Click here for a registration form.

Middle School Fall Retreat – “Jumpstart”
Jumpstart is a weekend retreat here at GBCC. It is inexpensive, fun, and a great way to connect with old friends or make new ones. We will laugh, play, learn, and experience some really cool stuff together. Don’t miss it middle schoolers!

Who: Students in grades 6-8
Where: GBCC
When: October 23-24 (9:30pm Friday–10:00pm Saturday)
What: A life-changing weekend
Cost: $35

Click here for a registration form.

Wednesday Night Connect
Please click here for updated information.

Contact Brian Martin, 593-3484.

Serving
Serve once in a while or on a regular basis. Check out GBCC's Serving Opportunities more>> 

Critical Serving Opportunites
Adult Tech Shepherd (mentor) (new)
Stockery/Grocery (new)
Elementary Facilitator
Elementary Small Group Leader
Nursery Helper
One-On-One Buddy
Greeters
Crown Life Group Leader
Higher Grounds
Church Cleaners
Bankruptcy Professional
Funeral Assistant

Contact: Leta Jacquet, 593-3479.

Group Life
One of the greatest longings of the human heart is to belong: to know others and be known by others; it's the way God intended us to live.

Group Life provides opportunities for individuals to experience a sense of belonging, to grow together on our spiritual journeys, and to serve others.

While each type of group (Interest, Care, Discovery, Life, and Serving) provides a different opportunity to connect, all are designed around our vision of attracting people to Christ and building community.

No matter where you choose to plug in, there is a place for you in Group Life.

Group Life Events and Activities
Click here for the Connect Book Fall 09 or Click here to go to the GBCC Master Calendar, select a category in the drop down list, a month, then click "go" for a list of the events and activities scheduled.

Database
Please help us keep our database information accurate by notifying us when you change your phone number, email address, mailing address, family status/members, etc.  Contact Tracy, 593-3475 or click here.

Weekend Services
Sunday: 8:15am, 10:00am, and 6:00pm