21 Days of Prayer and Fasting…”Expect the Unexpected”
January 2-22, 2011
2011 is here, and a new year signifies the beginning of a new season in our lives. On the morning of January 2, citylife church will enter 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting as we respond to the words from Acts 3:19: “Therefore repent and return...in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Please consider joining us in this time of individual and corporate prayer and consecration unto the Lord as we “Expect the Unexpected” and His GREAT GRACE covers our lives!

Please Note: During the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting the sanctuary of citylife church will be open during the lunch hour. If you would like to slip away from your day and join in corporate prayer with other believers you can do so Monday-Friday from noon - 1:00 pm during these 21 days.

New Weekly Corporate Prayer Opportunity
Wednesdays, Beginning January 5, 6:30 pm, Chapel A
If you would like to gather with other believers in corporate prayer to see true revival come to our city, then make a point to join our Care Ministry department on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in Chapel A. This time of prayer will be launched during our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting and will continue into the new year. Chapel A will be open before 6:30 pm for anyone who would like to enjoy personal time with God.

citylife Singles “First Friday”
Friday, January 7, 7:00 pm, Chapel A
The citylife Singles Ministry invites you to Experience the Connection at our “First Friday” event on January 7, 2011. This quarterly event provides an opportunity to connect with your current friends and make new ones too! The citylife Singles’ Leadership Team will be introduced at the January “First Friday,” and we’ll also announce the upcoming events and activities for the next three months. Desserts will be served, and child care will be provided.

Winter Jam 2011
Saturday, January 15, 4:30 pm
The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest annual tour, is coming back to the St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday, January 15, and the students of the Garage are planning to attend. We will leave citylife church at 4:30 pm. The cost for this event is $10 plus extra money for food at the venue. The Winter Jam 2011 Tour Spectacular will be hosted by GRAMMY-nominated NewSong, and will also feature Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Kutless, Francesca Battistelli, RED, KJ-52 and guest speaker Tony Nolan. Make plans now to join us for a fun night downtown worshipping our God. For more information please email Pastor EJ at ejmirelez@citylifechurch.cc

Chili Cook-Off Missions Fundraiser
Wednesday, January 26, 7:00 pm
citylife has some of the best chefs in the city. This cook-off will not only provide us with great food, it will also provide the opportunity to help someone go to the Philippines later this year. If you enter a pot of chili, there are no entry fees, and you eat free! Tickets will go on sale on Sunday, January 9. Prizes will be given for the “Best Tasting” chili, and “Best Presentation” (this includes decoration of your booth). If you would like to be involved in the cook-off, contact Pastor Molly in the Missions Department at 813.933.3991, ext. 227.

Sweetlife Women’s Event
Thursday, January 27, 6:30 pm
Ladies, mark your calendars for January 27, at 6:30 pm! You are invited to our first Sweetlife event for 2011 at the home of Cathy Zanghi! More information will be available soon!

Angel Food Ministries
Saturday, January 29, 10:30 am
This ministry provides the general public with an opportunity to purchase quality food at a very low cost, and there are absolutely no restrictions on who qualifies! Visit www.angelfoodministries.com to view the menu for January. Food orders can be placed online or at the church by Sunday, January 23, and all food boxes should be picked up at citylife church on Saturday, January 29 from 10:30-11:30 am. All food orders must be paid for in advance either by check, cash, money order or EBT cards. For additional information call Mike and Teresa Cox at 813.973.4131.

Covenant/Membership Class
Sunday, January 30, 9:00 am, Chapel A
If you are interested in partnering with us in ministry as a covenant member of citylife church, please plan to attend this membership class. Following the class on Sunday, January 30, during the 10:30 am Worship Service Pastor Tony will receive into membership those who desire to join citylife church.

“You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you.”
(Leviticus 26:7-9, NKJV)

Wednesday Night Church
Would you like a fresh encounter with God in the middle of your week? Make a point to join us for church every Wednesday night to experience intimate worship and a powerful message.

citylife TV
Don’t forget you can now watch citylife services in 30-minute programs on the Christian Television Network (CTN) every Sunday morning at 7:00 am and every Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm. Our media ministry is partnering with CTN in this endeavor to expand the kingdom of God literally around the world. God is truly leading us into a new season of ministry here at citylife church!

This Month in the Promise Land

Each Sunday in the Promise Land everything we do centers around one of three Basic Truths: God Made Me, God Loves Me, and Jesus Wants to be My Friend Forever. We believe that if preschool children can learn these three Basic Truths by the time they enter Kindergarten they will have a solid foundation upon which they can develop their relationships with Jesus during their elementary years.
Furthermore, each month this Basic Truth is emphasized with what we call a Bottom Line, a key concept which is constantly repeated so that the children firmly grasp the idea.
The Basic Truth that our nursery and preschool kids will be learning during Sundays in January is “God Made Me” and the Bottom Line is “I am special to God.”

This Month in the Tree House

Each Sunday in the Tree House everything we do centers around three Basic Truths: I Can Trust God No Matter What, I Should Treat Others the Way I Want to be Treated, and I Need to Make the Wise Choice. These Basic Truths are based on the description of Jesus when he was 12 years old, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). We believe that if elementary children can learn these three Basic Truths by the time they’re 12 years old they will have a solid foundation upon which they can continue to develop their relationships with Jesus during their middle school years.
The three Basic Truths are emphasized each month with a different “Big Idea.” These Big Ideas (or virtues) are commonly accepted standards of behavior that parents generally like to see in their kids. Not surprisingly, each one of these Big Ideas finds its foundation in God’s Word.
The Big Idea that elementary kids will be learning during Sundays in January is “Determination: Deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started.”

Family Resource Downloads

Here at citylife we think you'll agree that your kids could benefit from the lessons they'll learn each week in our Preschool and Elementary environments. Please remember though that what happens at home is more important than what happens at church! That's why when you pick up your kids, both parents and children will be given resources that will enable you to build on these important life lessons right in your own home!
- Small Talk Cards (Promise Land) and Refrigerator Door Cards (Tree House) are for parents, and they serve two purposes: first, they'll give you a clear understanding of what your child learned with us, and secondly they'll offer activity ideas or discussion starters for continuing age-appropriate and meaningful conversations at home. The information on Small Talk Cards is relevant all month long. Refrigerator Door Cards are updated every week with new information and relevant questions to discuss in the car during your ride home from church.
- God Time Cards are for Tree House kids. These provide fun and simple devotional activities to encourage children to make personal time with God a regular part of their week.
- Monthly Songs are for families, and they're only available online. You'll discover that these original songs directly deal with each month's teaching emphasis. In January, the Promise Land song is called "No Matter What" and the Tree House song is "Finish What I Start."
Please know that each of these FREE resources can be downloaded directly from the "Family Resource Downloads" page at our website.

Looking to Get Involved?
There’s never been a better time to check out what God is doing in the Promise Land and Tree House environments within our citylife Kids Department. We’ve recently made significant changes to these ministry areas, and we’re looking for people who are willing to volunteer for a month at a time on Sunday mornings or at your convenience during the week. To learn more about what we’re doing and the various opportunities to serve contact Pastor Andy at 813.933.3991, ext 226 or at amayer@citylifechurch.cc.

citylife café
The citylife café is not only an excellent spot to connect with friends, but it’s also a convenient place to find a variety of items on sale each week. Whether you’re looking to purchase a CD of one of Pastor Tony’s sermons, a copy of Pastor Kaci’s album, “You Are God,” or you’re wanting to join the rest of your church family in buying a citylife coffee mug or t-shirt, the café is the place to go.

In addition we sell Starbuck’s Coffee along with a variety of other drinks and pastries, and the proceeds from these sales will directly benefit the missionaries we support each month.

Pastor Tom Sterbens’ newest album, Mercy Speaks, is now available in the citylife café. CDs are $15 and DVDs are $20. By purchasing Mercy Speaks, your generous gift will help move a family from an impoverished community in Cambodia to a place of shelter in a stable concrete home on their own piece of land.

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Transitions Connection Group
Beginning Sunday, January 9, 9:00 am, Room 202
Your transition to the New Year! “Transitions” is a program led by Jen George that focuses on a healthy lifestyle change for our body to be in line with Scripture. Jen will review current habits, provide personalized weekly coaching, and offer continued monitoring of meal plans along with a lifestyle journal. The cost for the program is $100.00. To register, please contact Jen George at jengdiet@verizon.net.

21st Century Connection Point
Sunday Mornings, 9:00 am, Council Room
Frank Fralick and Molly Cox invite you to this exciting study and lively discussion on the Book of John. The Theme is “Knowing God by Believing in Jesus Christ”. The writer John tells us that we can have an abundant life in Jesus Christ and how we can achieve this tremendous goal in our lives.

Contemporary Forerunner
Sundays, 9:00 am, Friendship Room
If you are 60 plus years of age and enjoy great Bible studies, you are invited to join this group for a lively discussion every Sunday morning. Occasionally they will sing the old hymns of the church and share what God is doing in their daily lives.

“Getting to Know God”
Wednesday Mornings, 10:30 am, Chapel A
You are invited to join Pastor Priscilla Romero and Phyllis Graves every Wednesday morning at 10:30 am, for a time of intercessory Prayer and Bible Study. Our desire is to encourage those who attend to have a more intimate relationship with the Father.

Young Hispanic Adult Connection Point
Sundays, 9:00 am, Room 208
This class is a methodical study of the Bible led by Lillian Baez. You will see the progressive revelation of God’s will, how it has been manifested over the centuries, and how it affects your life today. This class will be taught in English.

Victorious Living Connection Point
Sundays, 9:00 am ,Chapel A
The “Victorious Living” Connection Group is studying the weapons of our warfare in a new series titled “Are You Armed for Battle?” Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are victors not victims, and through Christ, we have the authority over all the power of the enemy. Please join us as we study the scriptures and discover which weapons are available and how to use them to walk in victory on a daily basis.

Life-Related Learning Connection Point
Sundays, 9:00 am, Fellowship Hall
This multi-generational Connection Point meets every Sunday morning at 9 am for prayer and to enjoy a topical Bible study. They are currently studying “Teachings on Community,” which covers topics such as witnessing, being compassionate, and connecting with the community. This group also visits shut-ins throughout the week. To learn more about this group contact Leerone Benjamin at 813.264.0967 after 5:00 pm.

Charter School of Excellence
The Charter School of Excellence, serving grades K-6, is located in the citylife church Family Life Center. This school has a strict approach to behavior and discipline and emphasizes the qualities of respect and character in their classes. With state of the art equipment and caring teachers, children have the opportunity to learn in a private school atmosphere without the large tuition fees. For additional information call the School Leader, Charles Malatesta at 813.931.5100.