Written by: Susan A. Lumb, CR Training Leader in Celebrate Recovery on October 29, 2010

Celebrating One Year of Recovery!

By Mary Ann Mannen
Ministry Leader

We are thrilled to announce the one year anniversary celebration of Celebrate Recovery at Northland. Please join us on Friday, November 5 as we gather to enjoy food, fellowship and worship, and hear testimonies of God’s amazing healing and grace.

In this past year we have had the joy and privilege of witnessing Christ continue to change lives, soften hearts, heal wounds and set people free from bondage!  We have enjoyed teachings from special guests including pastors Kevin Urichko and John Tardonia. Michelle and Rob Alexander blessed us with an amazing evening of music and testimonies. Other members of Northland’s worship team, Lori Holton, Sharon Diacheysn and Rae Cheri Huston, led us in an evening of beautiful praise and worship along with our very own wonderful worship band — Broken. On Good Friday we shared a very special time of contemplation and then literally nailed our lists of struggles and burdens to a large wooded cross. Our large group time ended with the sharing of communion. Other highlights have included numerous life changing testimonies of healing, redemption, and restoration.

Many believe recovery is only for drug addicts and alcoholics. Celebrate Recovery believes we are all in need of repentance and recovery because we have all sinned and have all been sinned against. We use various things in our attempt to escape from, or mask our pain, disappointment, anger, frustration or boredom. Since we live in a sinful world and have all been hurt, and hurt others, this pain causes us to create self protective strategies with the hope of preventing future pain. These strategies become hang-ups and habits which then cause us to continue making the same destructive choices. It is critical that we stop these destructive behaviors that are wrecking our lives and many times those around us, but in order to permanently stop we must get to the root of what drives us to our addictions. Otherwise as soon as life becomes difficult again we will go back to our habit or exchange it for a new one.

Through the use of the eight recovery principles (based on The Sermon on the Mount), 12 steps with scripture references, and Celebrate Recovery curriculum, these harmful self protective strategies are uncovered. As we begin to accept God’s grace and healing, we begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy, and most importantly, a stronger relationship with God and others.

Because we were created for relationship, the more authentic the relationship, the more connected we’ll feel. To be seen and understood, appreciated and loved for who we are is our greatest desire, because loving and being loved unconditionally is loving as God loves us.

Celebrate Recovery provides a safe and welcoming place to begin and continue this healing process.  No matter what you struggle with, whether your problem is chemical, emotional, spiritual, sexual or relational, we have a place for you.

If you are interested in learning to live more authentically while working on your own “hurts, hang-ups, and habits,” join us for Celebrate Recovery at Northland every Friday evening in the Children’s Worship Wing.

Child care is provided for children through age 12. While parents are exploring topics that bring healing and wholeness, kids discover the same truths in age-appropriate ways! Each week’s two-hour Celebration Station includes worship, interactive experiences, discussion topics, small group time, learning centers and free play.

We meet every Friday night, 52 weeks a year!

6 p.m.  Dinner ($2 per person. Kids eat free!)

7 p.m.  Large group meeting beginning with praise and worship led by
          our worship band and followed by teaching or testimony.

8 p.m.  Small groups (gender and recovery specific)

9 p.m.  Solid Rock Cafe (Stay for free coffee and dessert. Provides opportunity
          for fellowship as well as finding accountability partner or sponsor.)

Recovery Groups include the following (additional groups being added as needed):
•Newcomers 101 ( a one time orientation class)
•Men’s Addictions
•Women’s Addictions
•Men’s Co-Dependency
•Women’s Co-Dependency
•Men’s Sexual Addiction
•Co-Dependent Women in Relationship with a Sexually Addicted Man
•Women’s Love and Relationship Addiction
•Women’s Emotional, Physical and Sexual Abuse

For additional information, contact Laurie Jean Harrington (407-927-4393 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Mary Ann Mannen (407-913-4777 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) )