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Circle of Friends Book Club
March 29, 2012 By
Dinner Time!
March 29, 2012 By
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An Invitation from Pastor Bill
March 29, 2012 By
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Celebrate Easter
March 29, 2012 By
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Frustrated about Forgiveness
February 29, 2012 By
By Pastor Bill Gaube
Many of us seem to have a hard time accepting God’s forgiveness. That is in spite of verses like 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
So what is our problem? I rediscovered the answer in an old classic book called “Practicing the Presence of God.” It is about Brother Lawrence, a humble 17th century kitchen worker, who radiated God’s presence.
He gave this testimony. “At one point in my life I asked how can I serve and be devoted to God, yet feel condemned and lack joy in God?” Then he saw that he kept placing his sins between himself and God, even though God still continued to bestow liberty and joy.
That is so like God; He sees us as forgiven even if we can’t accept His forgiveness and forgive ourselves. It takes humility to admit we can’t earn forgiveness.
Brother Lawrence said the closer we live to God, the more dependent we are on His divine grace. Our responsibility is to acknowledge our inability and rest on God’s grace. Then without anxiety, we can expect His pardon through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Brother Lawrence testified how that looks. He gave each day and task to the Lord, asking to show God’s grace in his life. Then regularly he would review how he had done. If he had done well, he rejoiced in God’s faithfulness. If He had failed, he begged for God’s forgiveness. He accepted God’s forgiveness, rejoicing in God’s grace and love. He learned by his failures how better to follow God. Then, without being discouraged, He gave himself no further uneasiness about it.
WOW! What a model. Let us ask God’s help not only to ask for forgiveness, but also humbly take it and learn to go on in God’s love and strength.
Friends
February 29, 2012 By
By Pastor Mike Mitchum
In my sermon a few weeks ago I told a story about Marv and Dottie. They were friends with my mother and father back in the sixties. My dad and Marv met each other when they volunteered to lead my Cub Scout pack. I remember they laughed a lot when they were together. Little did I know then that Marv and Dottie would change my life.
They were an ordinary suburban couple. Dottie raised the kids while Marv brought home the paycheck. They were just like my parents, with one notable exception. They went to church.
My dad was a well liked. It seemed that everyone in town knew him. When we were out and about I would almost always hear someone call out, “Hey Mitch!” I was proud to be with him. I remember my mom would often joke, “The only place we could go where you wouldn’t know someone is church!” She was probably right. We never went to church. I didn’t know a thing about churches or religion. My dad probably figured “the walls would fall down,” if he set foot in church. He would have been much more comfortable at a bar or a bowling alley.
Marv knew this about my dad, but it didn’t stop him from inviting us to go to church with them. There was a special program there for Christmas. Marv talked it up, and issued the invitation. I don’t know why my dad agreed to go. Maybe it was the fact that since Marv went to church and was his friend, my mom could never say again, “The only place we could go where you wouldn’t know someone is church!”
Whatever the reason, we went. My mom, dad, sister, brothers and I all showed up. We liked it. The Christmas program was a drama. I was mesmerized and I wanted to go to the youth group they talked about.
My mom and dad must have talked about going back. I wish now I could have heard that conversation. It must have been significant because we returned. We went back again and again. In fact, we, who had a routine that did not include church on Sundays, went every week.
We all became Christians. Our family was changed for the better because of our relationship with Jesus. Faith became a vital part of our lives from that point on.
As I write this, I feel the gratitude in my heart for Marv and Dottie. Because they invited the Mitchum family to church, our lives were changed forever.
On Easter Sunday, we will be having a breakfast before both services. I will be performing a first person drama during the service. I’ve planned this because I know there are people out there (our friends and neighbors) who are open to coming to church on Easter. I want to present the story of Easter in a way that might capture the imagination of someone who does not attend church. I have planned it so that some others might have their lives changed for the better.
I am writing this to you so that you might consider doing what Marv and Dottie did. They invited some friends to church. Please prayerfully consider inviting someone for Easter Sunday morning. It will give us all the opportunity to see lives changed for the better.
Youth Missions Trip
February 29, 2012 By
By Youth Pastor Bryce Cooley
This summer is an exciting time for CNC’s high school ministry. For the first time in close to 10 years, we are going on a Mexico Mission Trip along with Church of the Foothills (Cameron Park, CA) and Rancho Murietta Community Church (Rancho Murrietta, CA). Where in Mexico you ask? July 7- 15 we will be going to Ensenda, located two hours south of San Diego, near the Pacific Ocean. This is the other churches’ seventh annual trip to Ensenda and we are glad to join the work of missionaries Juan and Karrie Ambrocio.
While there, our students will have the opportunity to assist with three styles of ministry: Construction Projects, Breakfast Ministry, and Sports Outreach. We are looking for people who are willing to get dirty and serve in the name of Jesus. Each participate must have a growing relationship with Christ in order to minister to others. We are so excited about this opportunity!
The entire trip, food, transportation and ministry will cost $450. Though not insurmountable, this expense will be in addition to Summer Camp at $350 and will be a challenge for our students.
Here is our plan: Starting in March, our students will be coached through the writing of a support letter and instructed on how to raise funds apart from the youth group. I have the utmost confidence in our students ability to raise this without taking a financial hit from our congregation. The normal youth fundraisers will remain for the students going to Summer Camp. Please be praying for all the plans to come together between the three churches.
This is going to be an adventure and will challenge our students to trust in Jesus in ways they never have before. God asks His youth, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And they have responded “Here (are we). Send (us)!” Please pray for our youth as they pursue Christ in missions.
Egg Hunt
February 28, 2012 By
By Danielle Hatler, 11:00 Service Nursery Coordinator
We will be having our annual Easter Egg Hunt; more information to come. We are asking for pre-filled Easter Eggs. Starting March 8, there will be a basket / box in Rudat Hall for you to drop off the eggs. If you have any questions, email me at cdhatler@att.net. The deadline for the eggs is April 1. Thank you in advance for your help. The children look forward to this special day.
PEP activities for February
January 31, 2012 By
By Pastor Bill Gaube
BREAKFAST CLUB, every Thursday at 10:00 AM
The every Thursday format gives greater opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel & Folsom Blvd. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.
PEP MEETS THE MISSIONARIES, Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 AM
This is part of our Missions Weekend. You will have an opportunity to not only hear Rev. John LeTexier from the Alliance Arab field, but also to question and interact with him. We will meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel & Folsom Blvd. Order what you like. We’d love to have ALL those 55+ join us
POTLUCK DINNER, Sunday February 26
We will meet in Rudat Hall, across the foyer from the Sanctuary following the 11:00 Service. The menu will be soups, stews, salads and breads. So think of your favorites in these categories and share one of them with us. These are always fun times of fellowship and encouragement. All those 55+ are invited! Bobbie Robbins is our hostess.
PEP GOES TO THE THEATRE , Sunday, March 4 at 2:00 PM
* The play will be presented by the El Dorado Musical Theatre. We have enjoyed polished performances before.
* We are going to see 42nd Street, a classic light hearted Broadway Musical. It is full of tunes like “Lullaby of Broadway” and “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
* It will be given at the beautiful new 3 Stages Performing Arts Center at Folsom Lake Community College.
* Tickets are $23 and will be on sale Sundays in Rudat Hall. Tickets are limited at this price.
All those 55+ are cordially invited to join us.
Can You Domesticate God?
January 31, 2012 By
By Pastor Bill Gaube
I have a nasty habit of trying to domesticate God. It’s hard to keep him on a leash so he will not get into certain parts of my life. I certainly do have to put a muzzle on him lest he say something embarrassing. He is terrible to walk with because he often wants to go different ways than I do. And teaching him tricks is so hard because he seems more interested in training me.
Let’s face it: God is hard to understand. He created the earth and threw the stars into space. He set in motion laws of the universe we still are trying to figure out. His power is beyond our comprehension and his justice is so pure that we fall before it. We start to boast and explain ourselves and he reveals he knows our inner hearts already.
Maybe we should just bow before this one who explodes with power, wisdom, righteousness and justice. How? By hearing his heart of love. He revealed his love in his son Jesus. Be captured by the truth that “God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.” Hear Jesus’ heart of love when he cried over Jerusalem saying how oft he would have gathered them as a hen gathers her chicks … but they would not.
True, we can’t fully understand God, but we can know him because he invites us through the cross of his son Jesus Christ. Be humbled that the great God who molded the earth and flung the stars in space, says to you “Come unto me … and I will give you rest.” His great grace, mercy and love motivates him to forgive us. Then Jesus said I will give you life and life more abundant.
