Each semester I like to come up with a theme verse for the semester. Our theme verses for this semester are I Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." I really think that this says a lot about what we want to be all about in CCF. First, we need to be joyful and excited to be Christians. Those around us should notice that something is different about us. Next, we need to be a group that is based on prayer. We believe strongly in the importance of prayer, and if we are going to be truly effective then we need to spend time talking to God. Finally, we need to be thankful to God at all times. Even when we are having a bad week, we don’t want to look for ways to blame God. We want to look for ways that we can be thankful to him because we have so much to be thankful for.

Last Spring's 'End of the Year' Murder Mystery Party.

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      We have a lot of things planned this year in CCF from community service projects, to missions trips, to small group Bible studies, to prayer meetings, to the "Hawkeye Huddle", to fun activities, to retreats. We hope that you will be a part of many of these areas, but most of all, we hope that you will grow closer to God and be willing to put your faith into practice. If you aren’t a Christian, we hope that you will make that important and life changing decision to follow Christ.

By Dave Christy
      How do you summarize a lifetime in a few words? What do you say to people to tell them what you’ve experienced, to show them that they are not alone? How do you say something like that in a few words? How do you say it in a lot? I’ve been a Christian all my life. My parents said I was when I was little, I said I was when I began to grow up. And now I say I am while I am out living on my own. The difference is now I believe I am. I wouldn’t have thought it possible a few years ago, but the growth I’ve experienced with God, the relationship I have with Christ now, I could not have imagined a few years ago, even though I have always called myself "Christian". It’s amazing how much God can change us, and we’re never too close or too far from Him that He can’t work through us.

By Nick Ansley
      After a rough inaugural season, the CCF squad is poised to make its return to the intramural scene. The intramural season kicks off with the softball league beginning on Monday, September 21. CCF is looking to rebound after losing in the first round via the mercy rule after only 4 innings in last year’s tournament. CCF will be led in the field by the crafty old veteran Dan Toney, who returns to the mound after being roughed up for 17 runs last year. Toney should get more defensive help as Phil Keller will not be allowed to play 3rd base after his error-filled performance last year.
      Offensively the team should be improved. Jill Prater, the MVP of last

year’s game, returns looking to do more damage. The line-up will be bolstered additionally by Leisl Ludington, who has been killing the ball in recent batting cage practices. Despite this, weak points still persist in the CCF batting order. "We’re pretty worried about (Nick) Ansley," said Team Manager Cason Wacker, "Judging by his recent trips to the batting cage, we’d be better off having an automatic out then sending him to the plate."
      If you would be interested in helping the CCF softball team in its quest for intramural glory, please talk to Cason Wacker. Official brackets should be released shortly, and again, see Cason for the complete details.

This retreat is a great time to get away from school, have a lot of fun, grow closer to God, and get to know each other better- espically for those of you who are new to the group. I guarantee that you will feel like you’re really a part of CCF after this weekend. So be brave, and say, "Yes, I’ll go!"