Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas Eve Service

Crooked Creek Baptist will be offering a Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. The Christmas story will be read, lots of special music, and the choir from Grace Tabernacle (A church of refugees from the Congo) will also be singing in the service. The service will conclude with the the candlelight sharing of Silent Night. 
Crooked Creek Baptist is located at 5540 N Michigan Rd, just a little south of Kessler on Michigan.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Decorating the Church

On Sunday, November 23, immediately following worship we will be decorating the church building for the Christmas season!  Volunteers are welcome to join us to set up the large Christmas tree and other decorations all over the building.  We anticipate this process will take between 2-3 hours with enough helpers!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Invitation


Friends,

I write this as we are about to begin the month of my favorite phrase, NOVEMBERSHIP!  Please, bear with me.

Many years ago I left my home church because of frustration over the church as an institution over the church as a vehicle for service.  I was disenfranchised by the people whom I perceived as those who thought church attendance was only meant to be a blessing for themselves instead of this and a call to become a blessing to others.  I returned to church life, and eventually became a pastor because I came to believe the only way to change this truth was to become involved in the solution.  In my years of service, I have come to discover that not everyone has been institutionalized by the church- there remain devoted servants of God.  Even though my perception has changed, I still believe this is a problem the “Church” faces.  I have had so many misguided conversations about what the church needs to do to survive and not enough conversations about what God would have our local church do.

In my time as pastor of Crooked Creek Baptist (6 years and counting) I believe that we have begun to address this important issue.  Our ministry to hungry people in our community through Manna meals, our partnership with 2 separate communities worshiping in our building (Congolese refugees and a Hispanic community), our support and work in local and international missions is revealing a community of believers dedicated to making a difference by living the gospel message to declare the love of God in word AND deed. 

And I long to share this community with you.  I believe that you will be blessed by any association you have with us.  I believe that we have much to offer you and your family and I also believe that YOU have gifts and skills which will increase the diverse set of interests, services, and ministries we can offer.  It is why I am inviting you to join us for this special month of Novembership!  We will be talking about this call to serve, about the Presence of God in our lives, and worship as a response to this Presence. 

Now, I know for some of you I might be asking you to drive a distance.  Crooked Creek Baptist worships on Michigan Rd, just south of Kessler Blvd every Sunday at 10:45 a.m.  But I believe that the experience of worship, the power of our community, and the practiced love of God will be more valuable than the time and gasoline consumed to join us.  I also know that some of you might have an affiliation with another church- and I need to be clear that this letter is not an effort to derail your commitment to that community.

But if you, like myself, have become frustrated by the church as an institution and are seeking an opportunity to talk/think/ and practice faith as service and ministry then I invite you to come and check out the ministries of Crooked Creek Baptist.  If you have not been attending a church recently then I invite you to try it out again or for the first time.  I truly believe that we have a chance to completely transform the lives of so many people and you can help us in this process.  Not only will we be able to impact the lives of so many people in need but we will also ourselves be changed as we serve.

Friends, this is not just a letter to encourage you to come to church for this month where I use (and abuse) the phrase Novembership…  This is what I believe is the highest calling we have as human beings.  I hope you will consider what more you can be in your life by serving this Loving God.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom Bartley

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Kids At Play


Dear Parents and Kids involved in “Kids at Play”,

Kids at Play is a program that is designed to be more than just Nerf Wars and playing with Legos.  It is also an opportunity to teach our children about the responsibility of living in a nation as great as our own.  We will be focusing on some different mission and service projects during the course of our time together (a future date of October 26 is reserved for rolling white cross bandages!) and our first project will involve assembling boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  A link to this can be found here:




We would like to pack AT LEAST 4 shoeboxes this year (note:  we will make as many boxes as we have supplies to fill!)!  One for a boy and girl for age groups 5-9 and 10-14.  We would like to pack these boxes on Sunday, October 19 and would like to ask for your help with this.  We would like to fill these boxes with toys, gifts, toothbrushes,  and other simple hygiene products (toothbrush and toothpaste, travel shampoo, etc…)  Please note that we are asked NOT to include any food items (no candy either) in these boxes. 

We would like to ask the kids to go shopping for a few items to donate for each gender and age group.  If you would like to fill a box on your own please let us know and we can help you with this process.  We have already had a church member agree to cover the cost of shipping of these Operation Christmas Child boxes! 

Thanks for considering this project and for your help with “Kids At Play”.  We believe the children joining us are learning about so much more than just playing.  This would not be possible without YOU!

If you have any questions feel free to contact me either by phone (317-670-4313) or email (tbartley@ymail.com)

Thanks,

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Free Breakfast Saturday, September 20

This Saturday morning from 9:30-11 a.m. Crooked Creek Baptist will be offering a free hot breakfast in Fellowship Hall. There will also be a small food pantry that anyone is welcome to visit. Around the church we call this program Manna. We offer it because we believe that God calls us to serve the needs of our community and many in our local community struggle to provide enough food for their families.

But its only a symptom indicative of a greater need. Please join with us in thinking about ways we can tackle the causes of such need instead of just the need.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Church Picnic

You are invited to join the members and friends of Crooked Creek Baptist this Sunday, September 7 for their annual church picnic and cookout.  Great food, fellowship, and live entertainment will be offered.  The picnic will start immediately following the 10:45 worship service.  If you plan to join us for worship we encourage you to come in your favorite "picnic" attire!  The choir from Grace Tabernacle will be sharing with us in our service and the Indy Adult Show Choir will offer us live music at the picnic!

Hope to see you then!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Kids at Play cooks/meal facilitators needed...


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Kids at Play

Crooked Creek Baptist is pleased to announce a new fall programming event for kids that will be meeting on Sunday evenings from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. 

Kids at Play: will be an evening of games (Nerftastic Adventures will continue as part of this), Bible study, mission projects and education, and other projects.  Dinner will be provided each week for kids (and their families that remain) for a suggested donation of $4.  The dates for these gatherings are:


September 14, 21, 28
October 19, 26
Nov 2, 9 16
 
On Sunday, November 23 in our regular worship service the children will be taking part in worship, sharing the results of their work and education, as well as other gifts and skills developed as part of these meetings (Example:  We will be working on a choral piece for this Sunday)!
 
There is no need to register for these events and all children old enough to be in school from 1st grade up are welcome.  For more information please contact Tom Bartley either by phone, 317-251-7804, or electronically at tbartley@ymail.com
 

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Wilderness Escape VBS July 7-10 9-12 noon

Crooked Creek Baptist is pleased to announce its Vacation Bible School program offered on July 7-10 from 9 am to 12 noon!  This VBS program will focus on the story of Moses and the Israelites escape from Egypt and travels through the Wilderness as God leads them towards the Promised Land.

Children from ages 4 through 6th grade are welcome to attend!  You can pre-register by calling the church office at 317-251-7804 or by showing up in person on Monday, July 7 at 9:00 a.m.  Our VBS will feature activities such as games, music, crafts, snacks, and stories and promises to be both educational AND entertaining!

Our special mission project for this week will be:


VBS Homeless Kits:

This year for the Crooked Creek Baptist Wilderness Escape Vacation Bible School, we will be making sock kits to share with the homeless.  On the last day of Vacation Bible School, children will have a chance to assemble these kits!  But this can only happen with the right supplies.  To assemble these kits we are looking to collect a variety of items that will all fit into one sock.  Children and families are invited to help us by bringing in these items where we will check them off each day until our goal is reached.  Here are the suggested items we can use in these sock kits.

ALL of these items should be travel sized to insure they will fit into a sock:

1.       40 bottles of shampoo

2.       40 sticks of deodorants (for men and women)

3.       40 bottles of hand sanitizer

4.       40 tubes of sunscreen

5.       40 packs of wet wipes/cleansing towels

6.       40 tubes of lip balm (Chapstick, etc..)

7.       40 packages of tissues (Kleenex)

8.       40 bottles of lotion

9.       40 bottles of mouthwash

10.   40 packs of toothbrush/toothpaste (Either separate or packaged together)

11.   80 granola bars (please nothing more than chocolate chips- think about what chocolate does in a hot car)

12.   80 small boxes of raisins

13.   40 individual packs of fruit (applesause, etc…)

14.   40 packs of chewing gum

 

Donations can be brought to the front of the sanctuary each day and children will have a chance to mark off on our poster the items they have brought in to donate.

Please note:  after these kits are assembled on Thursday, July 10 you will have an option of taking a Homeless Sock Kit with you.  The idea for these kits is to share them with the homeless people that are so often begging on street corners or in medians alongside the road.  We advise you to use caution in sharing this kit and ALWAYS make sure it is an adult who hands the sock kit out of the window.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Visiting IM Missionaries

You are invited to join us for lunch this Thursday, July 3 at 12 noon, to meet American Baptist International Missionaries Carlos Bonilla and Mayra Giovanetti who are currently serving in Nicaragua. 
 
 
Their family will be here to share about the exciting ministry opportunities taking place in Nicaragua and the work of American Baptists to help share and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
We anticipate their formal presentation to begin around 12:30- so if you are unable to join us for lunch you may still hear from this the Bonilla-Giovanetti family at this time.  Lunch will be a baked potato bar from McAlisters and will cost around $5-6 per person. It is important that you let us know if you plan to join us this Thursday for lunch by Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. so that we may plan accordingly.  We hope you will be able to join us for this very personal time with this Missionary Family!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Upcoming Sermon Series: VOLATILE!

Coming in August:  topics and discussion about topics that are often avoided in the life of the church due to their polarizing nature. 

What would you consider to be such topics?  There are still times to make suggestions.  Our plan is to carefully and respectfully respond to some of the great challenges that are facing our contemporary society and how the church can help:
First:  to have a voice in the discussion and
Second:  to work for peace and reconciliation among our differences so that we can
Third:  present an honest and effective witness to God's ministry in the world

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Manna Saturday

This Saturday, May 17 Crooked Creek Baptist will be offering a free community breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m.  On the menu this month are scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns.  We hope you will join us for this meal and fore the fellowship that takes place around these tables.  In addition to the meal a small food pantry will be available to visitors.  The stated goal of Manna is to provide enough food to feed a hungry family for a day.

This ministry is one that could easily include you.  All you need is a willingness to sit, eat, and visit!  hope to see you this Saturday!

Monday, April 14, 2014

The Black Church and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative Training Seminar

You are invited to a special seminar, "The Black Church and HIV:  The Social Justice Imperative" on Thursday, April 24 from 9am to 1 pm at Light of the World Christian Church.  This seminar is to educate and raise awareness about HIV in today's society and is sponsored by Marion County Health Department and the NAACP.  It is offered to equip church leaders to speak accurately and effectively on a topic very important to our community.

Pastor Tom will be attending this event and if you would like to join him please let him know ASAP.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Holy Week Schedule

Crooked Creek Baptist has released its schedule for Holy Week 2014

Thursday, April 17 7:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday Service

This service will focus on the passion of Christ as shared through the gospel of Luke!  Music, meditation, and a special time of remembering will all be a part of this service.

Friday, April 18 12 noon
Community Good Friday Service

This service will last under an hour for those on their lunch break and will feature music and meditations from several local pastors. 

Saturday, April 19 9:30-11 a.m. 
Manna

Members of Crooked Creek Baptist will be sharing a free community breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m.

Saturday, April 19 5-8 p.m.

The members of Grace Tabernacle invite Crooked Creek Baptist (and other communities as well) to join them for an evening of worship, music, testimony, and dinner.  Several African refugees will share their stories of overcoming hate and discrimination in their home nation to arrive in the United States.  One special speaker, Ms. Rose Mapendo is an internationally known advocate for peace and reconciliation.  The service will also feature music from a combined choir from several different African nations.  Following worship meal, featuring several special African dishes, will be served.

Sunday, April 20 9:00 a.m.

A special breakfast for Crooked Creek Baptist and Grace Tabernacle will be offered from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.  Crooked Creek Baptist will be offering biscuits and gravy while Grace Tabernacle will also offer a few select dishes from their culture)s)

Sunday April 20 10:00 a.m.

Resurrection Worship service:  This worship service will feature a shared service with members from the African Conference sharing music, prayer, and messages together!  You are invited to a special service of blessing where we will celebrate the response to the crucifixion: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Life After Pain African Conference

On Saturday, April 19 at 5:00 p.m. you are invited to Crooked Creek Baptist Church for a conference sponsored by Grace Tabernacle Church.  This conference will focus on the life and development of African refugees now living in the United States and the new hope that they have discovered in this country. 

During this time several refugees will share stories of their life and survival.  One of those speakers, Ms. Rose Mapendo will share about her life experiences leaving the Congo to come to the United States.  A brief outline of her story can be found here:

http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/32287-pushing-the-elephant-rose-mapendo

Following this worship service and time of testimony Grace Tabernacle will be offering a special community meal.  There is no cost set for this event.

We hope you will plan to join us for this event as it will be a wonderful testimony to the power of hope in Christ and how this power can change the world.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Reasons to be at worship on March 9

Several members have spoken of their excitement to be back in worship (and of the hope that our severe snow/cold weather is at an end for this season) and we wanted to share some extra reasons you might want to join us fore worship this Sunday.

1.  The debut of new Lenten banners at the front of the sanctuary.  They are a beautiful addition to our worship!

2.  Grace Tabernacle Choir- will be joining with us and share some music to open our service!  Their pastor will also share a poem that he has written in the service.

3.  Crooked Creek Baptist's own chancel choir will be singing as well!

This will be a very musical service as we also share in communion, hear a message based on Mark 9, and worship our Loving God!

Hope to see you here this Sunday!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Lenten Bible Study Series

Beginning on Wednesday evening, March 12 Crooked Creek Baptist will be offering a special Bible study series focused on the passion narrative found in the gospel of Luke.  This series will run for 5 continuous weeks and meet at the church from 7:30-8:30 p.m.  Participants are asked to bring their Bible and something to write with as handouts will be available each week.

For questions, please contact Tom Bartley at tbartley@ymail.com or at 317.251.7804

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Crooked Creek Baptist hosts African Conference

You are invited to join the members of Grace Tabernacle, a Congolese church using CCBC's building for an evening of testimony, worship, and authentic Congolese dining on Saturday, April 19 beginning at 5:00 p.m.  The evening will feature a series of testimonies from African refugees detailing their struggle to escape violence and discrimination as God has led them to this new world of the United States.  The service will also feature music from a combined choir of several different African churches singing in a variety of languages.

The testimony will be in English and is part of this community's outreach to the people of the nation they now call home!  Following the service we will adjourn downstairs to our Fellowship Hall where an authentic Congolese meal will be served!

For more information or to let us know you plan to join us, feel free to call the church office at 317-251-7804 or contact Pastor Emmanuel Musinga of Grace Tabernacle directly at graceministry6@gmail.com

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Church is open

Thanks for our snow removal contractor, Crooked Creek Baptist has a snow cleared lot for the Sunday 2/2/14 service.  There are some slicks spots in areas in the lot and on the sidewalks so please use caution as you join us for worship!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Church Closed Due To Severe Weather

Crooked Creek Baptist Church services are cancelled, and the office will be closed, Sunday, January 5th, and Monday, January 6th, 2014, due to the severe weather forecasts for these days. Please stay safe and warm!