CURRENT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

YOUTH LOCK-IN, FAST and YOUTH SUNDAY for WEEK OF COMPASSION

The weekend of February 18th and 19th will be a night of fun and preparation for our ICC youth. The weekend will begin at noon on Saturday February 18th and conclude with the youth presenting the worship service on Sunday morning. This will be the second time our youth will be doing the Sunday service for our church family. Please plan on being here for this very special service. For more information contact our Youth Ministers Lanette Gilbert.

2012 ICC PLANNING WORKSHOP

WHEN: Saturday, February 28th

TIME: from 8:00 am – Noon

WHERE: Island Christina Church

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:  ELDERS (both active and inactive), DIACONATE, WORSHIP LEADERS and COMMITTEE MEMBERS

We will begin with a pancake breakfast (prepared by Chef Fritz) and immediately follow with the workshop. Please mark your calendars as it is very important that all attend. Planning and training session will be used to put a sound plan for our church for the coming 2012 year. Let's keep growing and continue to be "The Church That Chooses to be ALIVE.... Not Just Survive!!"

ICC WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS

The Island Christian Church is again blessed and pleased to introduce our two newest church members. Betty Bowman and Artie Spoon professed to Jesus Christ being their Lord and Savior and asked to become members of the ICC. Betty Bowman is the wife of ICC member Butch Bowman. The ICC family welcome Betty and Artie.

2012 STARTS WITH NEW ICC MEMBERS

The new year of 2012 has gotten off to an amazing start for the ICC. FOUR, that's right, count them.... four new members joined our church during worship service on January 5th. The Parson family (pictured above: Amber, Elissabeth, Amber, Valerie and Dave) have been joining us for Sunday services and have also become very involved in the musical part of the church. Amber and Elissabeth are also active members in the church youth group. Our congregation has truly been blessed and we welcome the Parson's to our amazing church family!

ICC YOUTH GROUP CONTINUES TO GROW!!

I must share with all of you,  the gift our Island Christian Church family received from an angel. Literally. A substantial gift of cash designated specifically for our new, active youth group. It was delivered with love following our Christmas Eve service and I was blessed to be able to announce it this morning during our Christmas morning worship. It is enough to cover our youth's fees for Mid-winter youth retreat in February ..... I'm so excited I could burst. 3 youth immediately grabbed up registration blanks....all I can say is.... God hears and answers prayer in the most amazing and timely ways. GOD IS GOOD!

God Bless...... Pastor Judy

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The Fourth Sunday of advent was celebrated with the ICC version of "A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols."  The prelude was preformed by Emily Toland and Mikel Mayer. To begin the service, the first verse of "Once In Royal David's City" was preformed by Andrew Bennett. Following the worship service,  the annual "Zany Christmas Party and Gift Exchange" took place. Fellowship, fun and pizza were the order of the day. Church family and friends each took a turn at selecting a gift or selecting a gift that had already been picked by someone. The gifts ranged from delicious to beautiful to outrageous!! A big "THANK-YOU" to Kim Byard for organizing this wonderful party.

Christmas Special Offering

The Christmas Offering supports Regional Ministries. In 33 regions across the U.S. and Canada, ministers are nurtured and congregations are provided opportunities for work and worship. your offering will go to support our West Virginia Region - an offering from which we all benefit directly. You may make your offering on December 17, December 24 and Christmas Eve Service.

Advent Prayerscapes 2011

 (Good News of Great Joy!)

Advent Prayerscapes 2011 is Presented by the Order of the Ministry, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia. Daily prayers are given by ministers from all over the region. The complete printed booklet is available at the ICC at the back table. A full printed version can be downloaded and printed by clicking here. If you would like to follow the daily Prayerscapes devotional click here. Our own Pastor Judy's prayer is Friday, December 16th and is based on Romans 16:25-27. for more information about Prayerscapes contact David Chafin, Assistant Regional Minister.

POINSETTIA SIGN-UP

Sunday, December 10th is the last day to order Poinsettias. The cost will be $11.00 each. Please use a plain white envelope on the back table of the church, mark it "Poinsettia" with your name on it and place it in the offering plate. All Poinsettias will be displayed on Sunday December 18th and Christmas Eve service.

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH SERVICE PROJECT

The Outreach Christmas Project is in progress NOW!! Food Basket, Giant Christmas Card & Donations, and the annual Mittens Tree!! Flyers on on the table at the back of the church. Let's make this Christmas a very special one for those less fortunate. The mitten tree can be decorated with children's mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. Any questions or for more information contact Susie Toland!

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH PROJECT RESULTS

The ICC Family members responded for our Thanksgiving Food Basket. It was overflowing with canned goods, baked goods, soups, noodles and a whole array of other foods and nutritional items. All items were boxed up and take to the House of the Carpenter for distribution during Thanksgiving. A big "THANK-YOU" to all who helped make Thanskgiving a delicious holoday this year!

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH PROJECT

The Outreach Committee is currently collecting food for Thanksgiving and Christmas givings. We are asking that our church family and any others who would like to help, bring something each week to add to this needy blessing so others that may be blessed with a good holiday meal. If you have any questions or need more information see Susie Toland or any Outreach Committee Member.

VIP SUNDAY 2011

Over 70 ICC members, family and friends attended VIP Sunday 2011!! Our special guests for this year were Assistant Regional Minister David Chafin and his wife Rev. Jaye L. Chafin. Rev. Jayne provided the sermon for the morning worship prior to the VIP  luncheon. Great food and great fellowship filled the church. Below are pictures from the event. We send a big Thank-You to David and Jayne as well as all of the ICC family that made this year's VIP Sunday another big success!

 CLICK A PICTURE TO ENLARGE

A special "Thank You" goes out to Mark Mayer and Kyle Gilbert. Mark filled in as pastor this past Sunday while Pastor Judy is on vacation. Kyle filled in to provide the piano music. We have a wonderful congregation that will always be there to help out when needed!

PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

From Pastor Judy:

I want to thank the ICC congregation for their kind words, gifts, and most of all the love as they recognized me in observance of Pastor Appreciation month. Also thanks to my family for the great time we had (especially my 4 awesome grandchildren). Boo At the Zoo is something I'll remember forever. It was an all round great weekend. I am blessed beyond measure.

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  2011 ICC TAILGATE PARTY

It was another fun and partying time at the 2011 ICC Tailgate Party. Food, drinks, snacks, games and fellowship was the order of business. Chef Bennett and Chef Ron were on the grill doing up the great hotdogs for the tailgaters who brought covered dishes to the delight of everyone's taste buds! Defending Champion John Gilbert was de-throned this year in table football by Amber Parsons!!! All sports and all favorite sports teams were represented by the ICC family and a few new rivalries as well! Enjoy the slideshow below of the festivities!

NEW YOUTH GROUP GROWS

The new ICC Youth Group is growing. The group is meeting on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Lanette Gilbert, ICC Youth Minister, Josh Rogers and Mikel Mayer have been instrumental in re-vitalizing the Youth Group activities. A new web page will be dedicated to the Youth Group and you can access on the "Click to Go To:" menu on the left! for more information regarding youth activities contact Lanette.

MEN'S RETREAT HUGE SUCCESS

The 2011 West Virginia Disciples Men's Retreat was an amazing success. Over 50 men attended this years retreat at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley WV, First time 0ver 50 attendees!! To add to the success was the beautiful weather God provided for the weekend. Warm weather with warm sun!! The theme for the retreat was "When did I become my dad?" with the keynote speaker of Rev. Dr. Darwin Collins, Vice President for the Christian Church Foundation for the Great Lakes Zone. The ICC was well represented by Fritz Bennett, Mark Mayer, Mikel Mayer and Roy Edge. The weekend was filled with music prayer, fellowship and time to reflect. All four are already making plans to attend Men's Retreat 2012!

L to R: Roy Edge, Fritz Bennett, Mark Mayer & Mikel Mayer

"CATECHISM FOR DISCIPLES"

The first of a two week study on what it means to be a member of the Disciples of Christ. Wednesday, October 12th and Wednesday, October 19th, 6:30 pm at the Island Christian Church. The discussion will be based on a study that Rev. Thaddaeus Allen, our Regional Minister, prepared for the Chi-Rho youth. For many it will be a refresher course and for others it will be a new experience. For all it will be useful and needful information. 

During the second Wednesday session, we will be having "A Round Table Discussion With The Regional Office." we will have as our guests Rev. Thaddaeus Allen our Regional Minister, and David Chaffin, our Deputy Regional Director. We are opening this up and inviting the other churches in the District that we may experience the broader fellowship outside the congregation.

Mark your calendar and plan on attending!!

CHILD CARE WILL BE AVAILABLE!!

OCTOBER OUTREACH PROGRAM

The ICC Outreach committee is currently collecting blankets for those needing the blessing and comfort of warmth. See the pamphlet that has been prepared by our Outreach Chair Susan Toland. If you have any questions see Susan or one of the Outreach Committee members.

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YOUTH GROUP NIGHT OUT!!

Sunday evening, September 18th was the first get-together for the new ICC youth group. Lanette Gilbert, Josh Rogers and Mikel Mayer have graciously offered to head the new group. The group is open to all ICC youth from 8th grade through high school senior. Their friends are also invited to attend. The first meeting was the meeting of the girls. Three young ladies  joined Lanette and Josh Sunday evening. More youth meetings will be soon be schedule, so please get the word out to anyone you feel would like to join. For more information see Lanette, Josh or Mikel.

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2011 DISCIPLES WOMEN'S RETREAT 

September 9-11, 2011, Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley WV..... They gathered from far and near though the Region. The 2011 Disciples Women's Retreat was underway. From the ICC.... Cathy Bowman, Sally Horn, Deb Edge, Kori Edge, Emily Mayer, Susan Toland, Kim Byard, Debbie Deaton, Shirley Pickering, Judy Bennett and Karen Donathan were in attendance. This year the ICC women were assigned the Saturday Morning Worship. The following was raised to support Disciples Ministries: $800.80 for World Hunger, $2,142.17 from Blessing Boxes; and $883.03 for Istanbul Interparish Migrant Program in Turkey. The Key-note speaker was Donna Webster, speaking on "The Word from Turkey."

LIGHT A CANDLE FOR CHILDREN

The Light a Candle for Children - Prayer Vigil begins Sunday, September 11, and ends on Children's Sabbaths Weekend, October 14 to 16, 2011. 

The Light a Candle for Children - Prayer Vigil is designed to help congregations focus on the needs of children and spiritually prepare for the annual observance of Children's Sabbaths.

ICC family member Tim Graves was instrumental in the Meditation Prayer Vigil booklet and blog site "Light A Candle For Children."

Sign-up sheets for time slots and candles are available at the back of the church. 

Click here: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for more information from the Disciples website.

THE A CAPPELLA PROJECT 

On Sunday, September 4th, there was be some very special music during our service. The A Cappella Project, an acappella group from the First Christian Church of Moundsville. They provided the music for the prelude, congressional response at the end of services and also gave a special music performance during services. We want to say "Thank You" to Kyle Gilbert for inviting the group to the ICC to perform. They will definitely have return engagements!

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September 4, 2011

2011 WEST VIRGINIA MEN'S RETREAT

Pastor Judy and the ICC members are very pleased to announce that our church will be represented by 4 of our men at the West Virginia Men's Retreat. The gathering is scheduled for October 7th thru 9th at Cedar Lakes in Ripley WV. Fritz Bennett, Mark Mayer, Mikel Mayer and Roy Edge will be making the trek down state for the wonderful fellowship. All will be looking forward to their wonderful reports.

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September 1, 2011