Today 10:00am Virtual Meet-and-Greet via

YouTube Chat Box10:15am Virtual Worship Service via

YouTube11:15am Virtual Lobby via Zoom4:00pm MS Pod with Travis Moore

Upcoming Events Jan 11 Women’s Bible Study

(Zoom)Jan 12 Guys’ Group (Zoom)Jan 13 Hungry / Thirsty Group

(Zoom)Jan 13 High School Pod Jan 14 TO Life Group (Zoom)Jan 17 Start of Resilience Class

(Zoom)Feb 2 Start of First Fruits Small

Group (Zoom)Feb 20 Baby Shower Sarah Jane

Norris (Drive-Through)

Birthdays This WeekKathy Cocke 1/11Carrie Wall 1/11Char Hurley 1/12Tami Willamson 1/12 Allie Moore 1/13Dot Holden 1/14Bonnie Rockey 1/14

January 10, 2021

Welcome!Thank you for joining us for

virtual worship. We pray you will encounter God as we worship

together.

Gratitude as a Way of SeeingBy Andy Wall

Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day,” speaks appropriate words for us in this season of making resolutions and fresh commitments. Her poem is also germane to any of us who might get lulled into a state of sleepwalking by life’s predictable rhythms, who can live day after day without a sense of wonder, absent of awe, and failing to be fascinated by a single thing.

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean—

theonewhohasflungherselfoutofthegrass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Nowshesnapsherwingsopen,andfloatsaway.

I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

howtobeidleandblessed,howtostrollthroughthefields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

With your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver reminds me of what a gift life is, full of simple wonders, and that we may either thoughtfully redeem our days or mindlessly fritter them away. Jesus warned his friends that it is possible to gain the whole world yet lose one’s soul. So tell me, as we enter into a year full of promise and possibility, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

This week’s article was written before the events of Wednesday, January 6. While we understand that feelings of shock, sadness, and unrest are more prevalent now than the sentiments expressed in this poem, we do feel that this will be a good reminder for us to choose to see with eyes of gratitude as we go through this new year.

What’s Happening at ConejoWalking Together In Hope

Sermon number two in our series on “Walking Together in Hope” will invite us to more fully embrace our communal calling to keep our promises to the Lord and to one another as a Christian family. Scripture is, after all, one long story of the interplay between promises kept and promises broken. God is always the promise-keeper and we humans are, as often as not, the promise-breakers. God serves as a model of fidelity to his covenant promises to his people.

When it comes to the practices that sustain healthy communities, the practices of promise-making and promise-keeping are vital. In the Lord’s Supper, we see each week God’s deep commitment to making and keeping his promises and we are inspired in the making and keeping of our own. As God’s people, we are called to reflect God’s qualities of fidelity, trustworthiness, perseverance, and love. The degree to which our “yes” means “yes” and our “no” means “no” is the degree to which our church family will experience vitality.

Hard Pressed but Not Crushed: A Class on Resilience in Challenging TimesThis LONG season of the pandemic has brought many challenges to the world. Our Conejo community has certainly not been exempt. How can our faith, our church family, and our practices sustain us? Throughout history, God’s people have endured many trials, remained faithful, and allowed their faith to provide an anchor. How can we do that? This very practical class will include some instruction and some discussion as we encourage each other in resilience. Led by Conejo’s own Connie Horton, the class will begin via Zoom on Sunday, January 17, at 4pm. Look for the link in our weekly communiqué with Sunday’s worship links.

Worship Participant Thank You and RequestA huge thank you to everyone who helped with the pre-recorded memory work, readings, communion thoughts, and prayers throughout 2020. We are all so eager to see one another again! It is a joy each week to see members of our church family sharing words from God, words about God’s work, and words of praise and petition to God. We know it takes extra time and technology to prepare and prerecord these segments, so please accept our heartfelt thanks for sharing your time and heart with our church family.

As we start 2021, we want to make sure that we are not overlooking any willing worship participants as we prepare weekly.SeveralofyouhavealreadyfilledouttheGoogleformwhichwase-mailedtoyoufrom“ChurchOffice”onThursday,January 7. If you have not already done so, please take a fewminutestoclickonthisbluelinkandfilloutour2021 Abbreviated “Let Me Serve” Google form. Thank you!

Guevara Family Moving Day / January 15Jorge, Maribel, and Matthew are long-time members of our congregation. They are in the process of relocating to Colorado. On Friday, January 15, they will be loading their moving truck. If any of you have time that day to drop by and assist them, your help would be very much appreciated. Their address is: 2011 Los Feliz Dr. #2, Thousand Oaks 91362.

Service Outreach Opportunities There are many opportunities to help and encourage others in the neighborhood and nearby community. Please click the links below or see the Service Opportunities spotlight item on the homepage of the CVCC website for details about how to participate in the following ongoing or upcoming community outreachefforts.

Helping Hands Food Distribution

The Conejo members who are participating in this outreach encourageyoutojointheeffort.Morehelpersareneededwithhelpinghands@bethemunah.org (Food Share) on Wednesday’s from 11am to 2pm. Please contact Lou.

Conejo Elementary Tutoring Program

There is much that is unknown as we move toward the spring semester. Please give some thought to participating in Zoom remote-tutoring for the students at Conejo Elementary School in early 2021. Please contact Rob West either through phone (805) 990-9063 or email robbie1138@gmail.com if you are interested in participating as a remote tutor for some of the neighborhood children.

Current Small Groups at ConejoSeveral of our small groups gather via Zoom to share in life, to study the Word, to check in with each other, and to encourage and pray for one another. Those not meeting virtually meet in an outdoor and/or socially distanced setting.

Virtual Resilience Class on Sundays with Connie at 4pmMS Pod on Sundays with Travis at 4pm Virtual Monday Night Women’s Bible Study at 7pmVirtual Tuesday Night Guys’ Group at 7pmHS Pod on Wednesdays with Travis at 6pm Virtual Hungry/Thirsty Group on Wednesdays at 6:45pmVirtual TO Thursday Night Group with Fosters at TO parks at 7pm

Youth Group Pods The youth group is meeting weekly in “pods.” We are prayerful that this format will better meet our needs for building relationships. Pods are small groups that meet outdoors, keeping in accordance with state safety protocols and our youth group wellness policy. Please help our middle school and high school students stay connected by attending a pod.

For the next four weeks, each pod will be going through a series called “Soul Searching.” This series is designed to dive into questions such as:

• What is a soul? • Why is my soul important? • How do I take care of my soul? • How does my soul impact people around me?

Middle School Pod – Sunday Nights from 4:00-5:30pm Location – 12904 Sleepy Wind St., Moorpark, CA 93021

High School Pod – Wednesday Nights from 6:00-7:30pm Location – Conejo Valley Church Backyard (2525 E. Hillcrest Dr.)

“Over It” Devotional ThoughtThe power of forgiveness changes not only others, but also ourselves... Everyone has their own ideas about what love is. Whether we got it from the movies, our parents, or even our own experiences, we all have our own understanding of love. But one thing is for sure: love almost always goes alongside giving. When you truly love someone, giving to them is easy. As a matter of fact, you want to give them your best! You don’t want toseetheminneedorstruggling,soyoushareorevensacrificeto give them whatever you can to help. That’s real love, and it’s exactly the way Jesus loves us. It’s how He wants us to love each other, too. What does giving look like for you? Decide what you have to give others - time, possessions, encouragement - and make a point to give it away to show love to others this week.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16

Scripture MemoryMay the God of hope

fillyouwithalljoyandpeace

as you trust in him,

sothatyoumayoverflowwithhope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

Valentine Outreach OpportunityWe are excited to be making valentines for senior citizens in our community again this year. Since the valentines cannot be delivered in person, Kellie Van Atta has provided us with the names/addresses of various care facilities in our area so we can mail valentines directly to the facility. Next week, I will mail out valentine-making supplies and addressed and stamped envelopes to families with children. Each family will create their valentines and then mail them.

High School + Middle School

Children’s Ministry

Attendance+ Giving

January 3 Giving $24,533

Weekly Giving Average $24,533

Weekly Giving Budget $12,812

Be the Blessing Giving (To Date) $1,572,958

Property Settlement $225,000

PRAISESPREGNANCY: Sarah Jane Norris (March), Erin Opdahl (April) RECOVERING FROM COVID-19:Darlene Fielder (mother of Tammy Ditmore) Betty and Miranda Brawner Fernando and Rinah Quintanilla (parents of Guillermo and Kate [Guevara] Quintanilla)Blake, Sami, Song Nicholas, and Tiqua Lovett (family of Rene Heard)

THOSE GRIEVINGMary Jo Hardman and family – loss of husband, Stu HardmanJoy Rhoades – loss of sister, Lani ShearnMike Rivas – loss of niece, Iesha Moreno Guy Patenaude – loss of aunt, Chris De La RosaMaribel Guevara – loss of nephew, Julian HernandezMatt Joyner – loss of grandfather, Steve EcksteinTim Horton – loss of brother-in-law, John LammAndy Caldwell – loss of mother, Margie CaldwellBob Falletta – loss of mother, Ida FallettaKathy Cocke – loss of brother, Alan BurgnerKay Falletta – loss of sister, Mary McQuillanRick Marrs – loss of mother, Vivian MarrsJack Williamson – loss of mother, Melva Williamson

Erin Opdahl – loss of infant daughter, Maelyn; loss of husband, Silas Darlene Rivas – loss of father, Harry Hodges

FIGHTING CANCERJoella Michael – recovering from liver surgery related to mucosal melanoma; immunotherapyMarilyn Aurand – neuro-endocrine cancer; has completed radiation; chemotherapy treatments upcoming Carlos Hernandez (uncle of Maribel Guevara) – diagnosed with inoperable cancer Steve Hallman (brother-in-law of Larry McNutt) – having difficultywithtreatmentforraremelanoma in lungs Nan Fox (aunt of Matt Joyner) – undergoing chemotherapy Shera Miner (mother of Rachel Miner) – aggressive cancerBarbara Sanders (mother of Ed Sanders) – colon cancerDeb Schultz (neighbor of Christina Eng) – stage IV breast cancer; undergoing chemoTed McAllister (former member) – chemo following successful stem cell transplantLucinda Hodges (sister-in-law of Darlene Rivas) – multiple myeloma and cardiac amyloidosis Kurt Krebs (friend of Ed and Sheryl Sanders) – multiple myelomaMarlene Michaels (friend of Lisa Scott) – stage IV cancerJustice Howard (cousin of

Yashica Budde) – thyroid cancer

VARIOUS CONCERNSKathy Cocke – receiving home hospice carePat Tudor – working with team of doctors regarding stem cell transplantAl Odenath (father of Nick Odenath) – dehydrated and confused by isolation due to COVID-19Roger Dillion (father of Jacqueline Dillion-Wiens) – sufferedrecentstrokeTom Dunsworth (brother of former member, Jackie Murrie) – hospitalized with pneumonia and congestive heart failureResearchers, doctors, nurses, and patients battling COVID-19Abel, Michelle, Laurel [age 2], and Julia Nicholas [age 7 weeks] (nephew of Rene Heard and his young family) – COVID-19Martha Condley (daughter of Janie Condley) – lupusSara Hodges (mother of Darlene Rivas) – navigating serious health issuesLinemen and firefighters as they work to serve the community during extreme conditions Teachers, students, parents, and administrators during this unusual academic yearHealing, peace, and justice in our nation and communitiesRoscoe Marrs (father of Rick Marrs) – grieving loss of wife Marilyn Aurand – spinal stenosisMary Zollman (friend of Lisa

Scott) – multiple sclerosisAshlyn Thomas – continued health issues; pray for answers and successful treatments Harriet Nutter (mother of Daphne Green) – depression and lonelinessBetty Brown – pain relief, healing, and regaining of strengthCarol McNutt – neuropathyCaleb Rodriguez (son of Marcus and Julia) – ongoing seizures

MISSION EFFORTSRaul & Betty Alvarado – missioneffortsinPanamaTom Bonner – mission work in Albania Julie Broyles – Bible English Study Center in CambodiaRyan Campbell – mission work in PhilippinesCharles & Darlene Coulston – mission work in KenyaMegan Randolph – teaching in Thailand David & Danna Willis – mission work in Samoa

MILITARY SERVICETyler Scott – stationed in HI with the Navy Michael Warford – stationed in FL with the Navy Derek Willis (Tim Willis’ nephew) – serving in PA in the Army

Devote yourself to prayer being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2Prayer Corner

January 3 Attendance

Online Viewing 120

CHURCH2525 E. Hillcrest DriveThousand Oaks, CA 91362

CONEJO VALLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST(805)371-1381Office|(805)371-1384Faxwww.conejochurch.org

OFFICE31225 La Baya Drive #214Westlake Village, CA 91362

Elders: Greg Brawner, Michael Ditmore, Chris Stivers, Tim Willis – elders@conejochurch.org

Rene Heard Worship & Media Manager(818) 665-8598 cellreneheard@sbcglobal.net

Kathia KingOffice Manager(805)371-1381officeoffice@conejochurch.org

Travis MooreYouth & Family Minister(520) 591-8246 celltravis.moore926@gmail.com

Andy WallPreaching Minister(805) 331-0187 cellandy@conejochurch.org

Penny WhiteChildren’s Minister(818) 857-6213 cellpennymwhite502@gmail.com

Jack WilliamsonOutreach Minister(805) 331-0183 celljack@conejochurch.org