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PART 1 | the paradox of freedom [feb. 7-8]
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PART 2 | through the door [feb. 14-15]
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PART 3 | life on the outside [feb. 21-22]
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PART 4 | the subtle cell [feb. 28-mar. 1]
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PART 5 | the good citizen [mar. 7-8]
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PART 6 | brotherhood of thieves [mar. 14-15]
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[download as a .PDF document]

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chestnut ridge church

OUR MISSION, STRATEGY & CORE VALUES

The mission of CRC is to lead people into a growing relationship with God and others.
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OUR STRATEGY

We will do this primarily by creating settings where people are encouraged and equipped to pursue three vital relationships:

• intimacy with God
• community with insiders (believers)
• influence with outsiders

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OUR CORE VALUES:

1. Biblical authority
God has spoken to us through the Bible, and we recognize it as the final authority over our lives.  We believe that God’s truth is timeless, and that it applies to us today.  We do not allow culturally accepted mores to supersede God’s Word.  We seek God’s heart through what He has written in the Bible, and as we get to know God better we get to know His Word.  We also believe that as we submit ourselves to God’s Word, we will experience maximum freedom, not bondage.

2. intimacy with God
God desires an intimate relationship with each one of us.  Therefore our goal is to help people fall in love with God.  We love Him because He first loved us!  We want to focus on intimacy with Him rather than on adherence to rules or rote religious observances.  A relationship with God requires time, effort and openness.

3. authentic community
Spiritual growth, care, a sense of belonging and accountability occur best with relationally-connected believers.  People grow best within community.  Therefore, we will focus on small groups where people can experience open, authentic and spiritually-meaningful relationships.

4. relevant environments
Every setting should be designed to effectively connect with its target audience.  Both the audience and the culture have to be considered as we attempt to “build bridges” and “turn on lights” for people.  We cannot assume that what worked yesterday will work today.   Our methods and mediums of communication must be relevant.  We must ask questions such as: Who is our target audience?  What does the audience need?  And, what is the best way to communicate with the audience?

5. relational evangelism
God’s message of forgiveness through Christ is most effectively conveyed within the context of personal relationships. As we build relationships with others, we will earn the right to speak spiritual truth into their lives.  The church will partner with its members to reach their family and friends for Christ.

6. strategic service
We believe that God has a specific calling for Chestnut Ridge Church. In order to maximize our impact, we believe we have to be strategic in how we use the financial and volunteer resources God has provided to us.  Therefore, we will challenge people to join with us in using their spiritual gifts to help carry out the strategy of the church.

7. intentional apprenticing
We are responsible to pass along to others the knowledge, skills and opportunities that have been entrusted to us.  Therefore, we would like each person who serves to be apprenticing someone else who could do what they are doing.  The intentional apprenticing core value suggests that people think not only in terms of multiplication, but replacing yourself.
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The Passion is a musical drama that tells the story of the life, death and resurrection  of Jesus Christ.  It is the largest event held annually at Chestnut Ridge Church, and requires volunteers in many areas to help make it happen.

We currently are in need of help in the following areas described below.  If you are interested in serving, please complete the form below.

• Stage Crew (2-weeks during Passion performance). Assists the stage manager with set changes, helps the actors be in place for each scene.  Must be willing to serve without being seen, and wear all black (shirt, pants and shoes) for the performances.  Must be 16 years or older.
• Cast Make-Up (Week of Passion, 4-7pm). Prepare and apply cast member makeup prior to performances.
• Feed the Cast (Flexible evenings during Passion week). Help prepare food, setup dining area, serve the cast, cleaning up, or picking up supplies.
• Food Donations. Provide food, monetary donation, or Wal-Mart gift card to help purchase the food and supplies we need to feed the cast.
• Costumes (As-needed basis, from your home.  Must have 1-year garment sewing experience). Help sew costumes for cast members.  Primarily from home, and as-needed, leading up to and during The Passion.
• Ushers and Greeters (Minimal time commitment during Passion). Warmly welcome attendees from our community at The Passion.  Help seat attendees in the auditorium.
• Orchestra (High time commitment). All music is played live during The Passion.  The orchestra requires a high commitment level and a lot of practice, but is a critical component to The Passion.
• Parking (Minimal time commitment). Assist with orderly flow of traffic through the parking lot before performances, and direct vehicles to available parking spaces.
• Set Construction/Tear-Down. Assist with construction of the set.  These volunteers also help set up and tear down the set, and remove auditorium seating for the orchestra pit.
• Concessions (Passion week, flexible nights). Sell concessions in the lobby during The Passion.

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WHO:
All men.

WHAT:
A full breakfast, powerful service, and a chance to get connected with other men from CRC.  There is no charge to attend manUP.

WHEN:
Saturday, January 31, 8:15-10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Chestnut Ridge Church lobby and auditorium

PROMO VIDEO [jan. 24-25]:

OTHER PROMO VIDEOS:
[jan. 17-18]
[jan. 10-11]

Frequently Asked Questions

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HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR GROUPLINK?
If you would like to take the next step toward attending groupLINK and joining a community group, we have provided an online signup form here.  Also, in the weeks prior to a groupLINK event, a kiosk will be set up in the lobby to help answer questions and assist with registration.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROUPLINK AND A COMMUNITY GROUP?
You go to groupLINK, a two-hour event, to join a community group.  Community groups are small groups of people that meet weekly in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer.

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WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE IT TO GROUPLINK?
If you cannot make it to the upcoming groupLINK, we encourage you to plan to attend the next scheduled groupLINK event.  The dates for groupLINK are regularly posted on our website and in the weekly bulletin.

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IS CHILDCARE PROVIDED AT GROUPLINK?
For Sunday afternoon groupLINK events, we are currently providing childcare. For weeknight events, childcare is not provided, but we do reimburse (at a predetermined rate) for babysitters needed in order to attend a groupLINK event.  Childcare reimbursement forms are provided at groupLINK.

[back to the groupLINK page]

Health clubs, IRA plans, diets, eHarmony; it seems like a good bit of our lives is invested in figuring out how this year can be better than the last.

Jesus tells the story of a man who was a forward thinker; planning ahead he discerned that he needed to invest in a new storage facility for his crops. And while that is not a bad idea, he missed what was really important, his spiritual future. He was not planning to move ahead spiritually.

In the next several weeks we will be looking at what it takes, where we can spend time so that we can continue to move forward in our spiritual life. Intimacy with God, community with others and a mind toward those who are far from God all contribute to a life that is in forward motion.

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PART 1 | Intimacy with God [jan. 10-11]
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PART 2 | Community with Others [jan. 17-18]
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PART 3 | Influence Your World [jan. 24-25]
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PART 4 | Help Make It Happen [jan. 31-feb. 1]
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Program Notes    MP3 (Pt. 1) MP3 (Pt. 2)

Next groupLINK event is coming up on September 19th!

groupLINK is a two-hour event where you will meet and connect with others in your same stage of life to start a community group.

Community groups are small groups of people who meet weekly in someone’s home for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer.  These groups are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity.

Still have questions?
Check here for some answers to some frequently asked questions.

Ready for your next step?
If you’re ready to find a community group, please pre-register by filling out the short form below, and someone will contact you with specific details when they are available.

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startingPOINT
Our next startingPOINT groups will be forming in the fall.  startingPOINT groups meet Sunday mornings during one of the services for ten weeks.  If you’d like more information, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

What is Starting Point?
A conversational environment where people can explore faith and experience community.

An ideal setting for people with questions about faith as well as those who want to learn about the Bible and Christianity.

A non-threatening small group where your opinions and beliefs and be valued.

Who is it for?
People who are reconnecting with God after being away from church for a while.

People who are not sure about God or the Bible and want a safe place to discuss spiritual issues.

People who have recently started a relationship with God.

When, where and how?
New groups begin every few months and meet for ten weeks on Sunday mornings at the church.

There is a nominal fee for materials, including a conversation guide and media kit.

For more information, please attend a reception/orientation immediately after a Sunday morning service August 29, September 5 or 12th in the conference room (just off the lobby).