1580 N Claremont Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711  ·   (909) 625-4455  ·         Give

Granite Creek Community Church
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Home Safe

There was a day back in elementary school that I got in trouble. Hard to imagine, I know. Well, this was not one of those troubles that included a call to my parents or a trip to the Principal's Office. No, this was a trouble that was waiting for me after school. Now I can't remember why my schoolmate was upset at me, but he made sure that he got his older brothers to come after me as well. I remember walking out of school and seeing the group of them waiting on the corner. Luckily for me, they did not see me yet. I dodged, dipped, ducked, and dodged again, but was noticed almost immediately. So I just had to run. I ran so fast it felt like I did not even have legs anymore. I could feel them getting closer and closer, I did not want to look back. Right when I thought they were going to grab me, I reached my yard and I was safe! What saved me from the beating on that day? The invisible force field that was my house. I looked back and saw the kids just standing there unable to get me because of the sacred childhood rules of MY BASE.

The home protects us all from many threats like bugs, heat, cold, and angry elementary kids. My parents did their best to make a home that truly felt safe. Sure my home was not perfect and there were some intense and heated moments, but for the most part, it was safe. Looking back at my home, my favorite part was not my room where my parents allowed one of my first freedoms in decorating or the living room where we got entertained for hours.

No, my favorite part of my house was the bench swing that was right outside the front window. On this bench was where life happened. It was a place for laughing, crying, discipline, and working out arguments. Horrible moments of when I learned my Grandma had passed, to joyful moments like when I told my dad that I found the girl I wanted to marry. The bench was more than a bench; it was a safe place to talk. On the bench my parents created a place that I felt safe and comfortable to talk about anything, and for them to ask me anything.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah is in some trouble and in the need of being in a safe place. I love how God handles Elijah’s moment of crisis. Elijah has given up and fell into a deep depression and now wants to die. God provides him with rest and simple food, to help what the body needed. Next God gave Elijah a safe place to stay in the Mountain of Horeb. There God met with Elijah and instead of trying to fix his problem right away, He let Elijah talk, vent, and experience all the emotions that came with his situation. God was then able to speak into Elijah's life. In the mountain, Elijah was able to find sanctuary from his enemies, express his problems freely, and hear the intimate whisper of God.

For me, one of my biggest fears is that I won't have successful communication with my kids. I fear that they will go through life and feel like they are alone and have no safe place to rest and talk out their problems. How can I make a sanctuary for my kids? How do I get my swing bench?

  1. I think number one is knowing that my kids are always watching. How I react to their good and bad behavior will impact their openness to do good rather than just make sure they don’t get caught.
  2. Also I need to watch my off-the-cuff remarks about other situations. If my kids find themselves in a similar situation, and they think they already know how Dad feels, that could stop them from talking to me.
  3. And lastly trusting God to fix them and not me. That's the hard one. We do want to be the savior of our kids, but we will never do as good a job as God will. I feel that kids will feel safer with a hug and a listening ear, rather than a quick fix answer.

So families, I encourage you all to join me in finding that sanctuary / swing bench for your family. That place where your kids can come and catch their breath. Where that invisible force field stops the worries of the world even just for a short time to figure stuff out.

By Pastor Michael Jones


Pastor Michael Jones
Family Pastor
909 625-4455 

    Pastor Michael Jones

    Family Pastor
    909 625-4455 |

    Family Pastor Michael Jones

    Pastor Michael served as the Youth Pastor at Granite Creek for over twenty years, and is stepping into the new full-time role of Family Pastor! He has great vision for what God can do in and through our Granite Creek families and can't wait to see what God does next.

    Michael's interests includes movies, football, and comics. He has worked with Special Needs Children and families, and has coached sports. Pastor Michael holds a B.A. in Psychology and Human Development from Vanguard University.

    [email protected]

    Families

    Granite Creek Families seeks to help create strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids, and healthy leaders.


    Sunday, 1/17 at 6:30 PM
    Church Under the Stars 6:30 pm
    Tuesday, 1/19 at 6:30 AM
    Tuesday Morning Prayer
    Tuesday, 1/19 at 6:55 PM
    Women's Bible Study via ZOOM
    Wednesday, 1/20 at 6:30 PM
    101 Class - Intro to Granite Creek online part 1
    Friday, 1/22 at 9:30 AM
    Women's Friday Morning Study
    Saturday, 1/23 at 7:30 AM
    Men's Bible Study
    Saturday, 1/23 at 9:00 AM
    KidCare Food Bank Distribution
    Sunday, 1/24 at 9:00 AM
    Sunday Patio & Drive-In Worship Service

    Church Under the Stars 6:30 pm

    Sunday, January 17, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

    Bring your own chairs or blankets, dress for cool weather, wear a mask. Please RSVP to save your spot!

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    Tuesday Morning Prayer

    Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 AM - 7:00 AM

    Click here to view on Google Calendar.

    Add to My Calendar

    Women's Bible Study via ZOOM

    Tuesday, January 19, 6:55 PM - 8:45 PM

    Do you ever feel like the happy ending of your story is a million miles away? Then you know how the Jewish people felt when they returned to their wrecked land after exile and began rebuilding the temple. They were distracted, discouraged, and ready to throw in the towel. But the prophet Haggai reminded them they could find courage in the God who had never left them. Sometimes the landscapes of our lives feel wrecked, with our hope and purpose in shambles. We too get distracted and discouraged. However, God’s presence and promises give us courage to press on and trust Him with our story. In this 7-session study on the Book of Haggai, learn to walk confidently in your calling, stay motivated despite opposition, and courageously invest your life in God’s purposes, trusting Him for results you may never see in this lifetime. Order book on Lifeway.com or Amazon.com Zoom ID#: 915-6939-8913 PW: romans828 Contact Women’s Ministry Leader, Judi Power with Questions at [email protected]

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    101 Class - Intro to Granite Creek online part 1

    Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

    Get to know us! Discover what Granite Creek offers to help you get to where you’re going, who we are, and how you can get equipped and connected. Part 1 of 2. Join Zoom Meeting
    https://granitecreek.zoom.us/j/96337197030


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    Women's Friday Morning Study

    Friday, January 22, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

    Do It Afraid, By Joyce Meyers

    Is fear holding you back? With God's help, you can step into the wonderful plans He has for you. Find out how to do all that's in your heart ... learn to do it afraid.


    Book cost $30. Sorry, no child care available.



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    Men's Bible Study

    Saturday, January 23, 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

    Leader Marc V.

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    KidCare Food Bank Distribution

    Saturday, January 23, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    To receive food, arrive and check in by 9:00 am, and bring ID for Riverside or San Bernardino County. Must by 17 years or older to receive food.

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    Sunday Patio & Drive-In Worship Service

    Sunday, January 24, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

    Sit on our patio, socially distanced or in your car. Please RSVP at https://granitecreek.churchcenter.com/registrations

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    Granite Creek Community Church | 1580 N Claremont Blvd Claremont, CA 91711 | (909) 625-4455

    SUNDAY - 9AM - ONLINE 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM


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    Service Times

    Sundays

    • 9 AM - Drive-In Church in cars
    • 11 AM Online Facebook Only
    • 6:30 PM - Church on the Green outdoors

    Location

    Granite Creek Community Church
    1580 N Claremont Blvd
    Claremont, CA 91711

    Contact Us
    (909) 625-4455

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    Current Service Times | COVID-19 Response

    SUNDAY WORSHIP - Choose from three options:

    9:00 AM Patio & Drive-In Church (outdoor seating available)


    11:00 AM Live-Streaming Online

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    2:00 PM Patio & Drive-In Church (outdoor seating available)

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    Welcome Children Youth College Family / Adult

    Granite Creek Community Church (GCCC) is a Spirit-filled church in the college town of Claremont, CA where it's all about relationship, not religion. Come celebrate with us Sunday mornings at 9:00 am & 11:00 am and at Sunday Night 6:30 - 7:30 pm.

    In addition to three Sunday Services, we offer classes, small groups, training, youth opportunities, college groups, and various seasonal events throughout the year.

    Get to Know Us

    At Granite Creek, kids are a priority. One of our values is to see kids grow up to become everything God created them to be as they develop a personal faith and relationship with Christ in a safe and loving environment. We partner with parents to provide experiences that will meet their child's mental, emotional and spiritual needs, so that their children will become fully devoted followers of Christ.

    More About Children's Programs

    GCY is a ministry designed for 7th through 12th graders, to help students engage in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, to experience God in a true and relevant way, while in a relational, safe, and relaxed environment. To show every student that God loves them and has an amazing plan for their lives. We know youth have real struggles, and it is our desire that each student know our team is genuinely there to listen, pray and care for them.

    Granite Creek Youth

    FIDELIS is the college and young adult group at Granite Creek Community Church! We're excited to encourage leadership for the next generation! Statistics show that we are losing a generation in the church (18-30 year olds) and at FIDELIS we aim to strengthen and support this generation as they define their faith walk and work through issues unique to them.

    We are people-driven church, not program driven. Ministries exist to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological needs of people. But, they also provide opportunities for members to grow in maturity in Christ through giving to others. GCCC ministries provide opportunities for you to serve others and actively pursue fulfilling God's purposes for your life.

    Thank you for joining us in what God is doing at Granite Creek Community Church!

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