Archive for August, 2011

Hello church,

Our desire is that no church member turns up MIA… for Sunday school! The adult Bible classes and the children’s classes are a vital part to the spiritual growth of our church, and this “teaching arm” of our ministry will encourage and teach you in God’s Word every week. With Kickoff Sunday just around the corner, we want to encourage you to be in your place. Not only do we invite you to join us for our Kickoff services, we want to invite you to make Sunday school a part of your lives.

“I’m tired. The kids need their rest. It’s not what I’m used to.” These and other worn-out excuses have been used for centuries! You might think it’s “radical” and “excessive” to be asked to come to Sunday school, Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night church; but God doesn’t think so! “Forsake not the assembling” He says.

“Well, I assemble… Once a week! Any more than that is… radical.” It’s certainly not as radical as God desires. In fact, not only are Christians supposed to “not forsake the assembling,” but the intensity and frequency ought to INCREASE in these latter days: “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

You’re invited to be a part of our Sunday school hour as we have multiple adult Bible classes and age-appropriate lessons for all ages of children. Join us on KICKOFF SUNDAY, August 28 at 10:00 am. Everyone in attendance will receive a free Chick-Fil-A coupon just for showing up. Don’t be MIA for Sunday school.

- Pastor Rench

I’m writing this note ahead of time, but I can pretty much guess that right now I’m wishing I were there in class with you.

Every time we go on vacation we always make it a point to never miss church. This time, when we were planning, we almost couldn’t find a church, and finally spotted one about an hour away! It certainly won’t be like home with our “family” though.

Do you think that’s too far to drive to church? A couple thoughts on that…

1. Maybe someone from the Teens of Faith should go start a church in Central California some day.
2. Maybe a lot of people would say, “Nah. Let’s just skip church tonight. It’s too far!”

I hope you don’t take such a low view of church as if it can be skipped any time you feel like it. Make church a priority in your life. NEVER miss it, unless you’re deathly ill.

You want my opinion? No, Bro. Ryan. You’re not even here… you shouldn’t be allowed to share your opinion. Well you don’t have to read on if you don’t want…

My opinion is that too many people come up with too many LAME excuses for missing church! Sick? Come on! Tired? Please! Didn’t feel like it? Now you’re being wicked!

If you ever study the military or watch shows on what some of those guys go through the get into their special forces, it sure is amazing what a proper mindset about what they’re doing will push them to do. Those guys absolutely kill themselves for the things they believe in. Would you do that?

“I’m sick. I’m tired.” What you’re saying is, “God doesn’t matter to me near as much as some patch on the sleeve of the Rangers, SEALS, or Air Rescue Team matters to them.”

I LOVE that our military men are proud of what they do. Are you that committed?

Choose to be.

Man! Now I want to come home and preach that! We love and miss you. Do right until we return. (Oh yeah, and after that, too!)

-Bro. Ryan

PASTOR’S WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – TODAY

Wish him a happy anniversary and thank him for his good work.

MIXED ENSEMBLE & YA CHOIR – SUNDAY NIGHT

These will begin again after the evening service.  This would be a great time to join, if you haven’t already done that.  It would be wonderful to see more teens involved in the music ministry!

BEACH BASH – Next Friday, August 19

We will leave the church for Oceanside at 4:00 pm and return to the church by 10:00 pm.  The cost is $3 per person.  We will have hot dogs, smores, beach games, a short challenge, and LOTS of fun! Sign up TODAY if you plan to go.

SATURATION SATURDAY – Saturday, August 27

Please meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45 am.

TEEN GIRLS POOL PARTY – Saturday, August 27

This will be from 12:00-4:00 pm at the Cepedas’ house.  Please bring a side or dessert and a 2-liter.  The meat and buns will be provided by Mrs. Cepeda. Please sign up soon if you plan to go.

We miss you, children!

Be good to Uncle Bruce this morning as he’s preaching what God’s laid on his heart. Remember what the note said last Wednesday? Well do that (see the table for the “leftovers” if you weren’t here Wednesday.)

I really believe God can use the Teens of Faith to bring revival. If you carry on what God did in your heart at camp, you can’t help but spread that fire. Remember last week, though? Jehu started great, but he

1)      didn’t give up sin, and

2)      disregarded God’s law.

Don’t let that be you. Stay close to God. Have a passionate hunger to learn from God’s Word. When I was a freshman or sophomore and really started “getting it” spiritually, I bought books, I read devotionals on my own, I asked questions… basically, I’m saying this: Don’t be the type of person that always NEEDS encouragement. Drive yourself. Let God be so real to you that you can’t get enough. And do that on your own.

Grow yourself to the point of encouraging others rather than always needing encouragement. God wants to do something with you, and he will if you let Him.

With school starting this week, let God shine through your life, so that you can be salt and light. Pray for us… we’re praying for you!

-Bro. Ryan

MIXED ENSEMBLE & YA CHOIR – Next Sunday, Aug. 14

These will begin again after the evening service.  This would be a great time to join, if you haven’t already done that.  It would be wonderful to see more teens involved in the music ministry!

BEACH BASH – Friday, August 19

We will leave the church for Oceanside at 4:00 pm and return to the church by 10:00 pm.  The cost is $3 per person.  We will have hot dogs, smores, beach games, a short challenge, and LOTS of fun! Sign up soon if you plan to go.

TEEN GIRLS POOL PARTY – Saturday, August 27

This will be from 12:00-4:00 pm at the Cepedas’ house.  Please bring a side or dessert and a 2-liter.  The meat and buns will be provided by Mrs. Cepeda. Please sign up.

MEMORIZE! Be constantly reviewing your verses so you can quote the whole chapter at once at the end!

What’s your plan so far?

What did you do last Sunday that was different from the Sunday before? I was looking for a little more visible change, but you might not realize what ZEAL looks like!

During the…

• Preaching – maintain eye contact. Look excited. Look up! Listen. Say “Amen!” Get right up close to the preaching. Read the text ahead of time. DON’T TALK with your friends. Don’t distract guy/girl friends by sitting too close or “accidently” touching. Keep a pure and concentrated mind always.
• Singing – sing! Concentrate on the words. Let the words finally mean something to you; don’t just sing them. Open your mouths! Don’t “drift off” and look at the light bulbs again… they’re not THAT interesting! Oh yeah and… SING LOUDLY!
• Fellowship time – greet people. Shake everyone’s hand. Search for guests in the main service (there are always new teens in the back.) Talk to people. Encourage people. Invite them to activities. Discourage bad speech or bad attitudes. Talk to people that you don’t know.

Like I’ve said before, you can say all you want that you’re “on fire” and things are different, but it’s all a lie until it’s seen. All we have to go on is what you do, not what you say.

Last Sunday’s service was awesome! I loved being called your youth pastor, and we got a lot of really exciting comments from people who are seeing God work in your lives. I’m not saying at ALL that you are all liars and there was no change last Sunday! I’m just going to always be the voice that pushes you to always “step it up.”

With all God’s done for you, you’ll never make it up, but you can try! Do right. Love God. Love others.

-Bro. Ryan

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

If you can read his writing, Pastor has a stack of hand-written sermon outlines that he needs typed. Please let me know if you can do some or all of those for him.

MIXED ENSEMBLE & YA CHOIR – Sunday, Aug. 14

These will begin again after the evening service.  This would be a great time to join, if you haven’t already done that.  It would be wonderful to see more teens involved in the music ministry!

BEACH BASH – Friday, August 19

We will leave the church for Oceanside at 4:00 pm and return to the church by 10:00 pm.  The cost is $3 per person.  We will have hot dogs, shshscchchshhmores (is that how you spell it?), beach games, a short challenge, and LOTS of fun!  Sign up soon if you plan to go.

MEMORIZE AND GIVE – always.

See the booklets on the table if you’re wondering what we’re talking about.

Some of you went to camp with an open slate, allowing God to do whatever He wanted with you, and you’ve come back full. What an incredible time camp is every year, but it seems like God really did something special this time.

Bro. Samms’ preaching was phenomenal, and the decisions that were made were sometimes… intense! That’s all good, but “it’s not the decisions you MAKE, it’s the decisions you KEEP that make the difference.” “Spiritual decisions + spiritual DISCIPLINE = spiritual growth.” You want your decisions to last? Couple them with the daily disciplines of godly choices! That’s it!

This morning’s message will be on that very subject, and I hope that today is a HUGE kick-start to one more year of serving God. NOW is when the battle starts, and I pray you radically follow God in everything you do.

I’d LOVE for all of you to give testimonies tonight. Please come prepared to share what God did in your hearts! We love you,

-Bro. Ryan

CARDBOARD SPRINT CUP – TODAY

Be ready to cheer on our boys as they fly our X-Wing after the morning service.

CAMP TESTIMONIES – TONIGHT

Please meet here at 5:30 pm to go over the song all of the Jr. & Sr. High Campers will sing.  Anyone who wants to give a testimony about camp will be allowed to do so in tonight’s service.

FINAL AFTERGLOW – TONIGHT

This will be at Pastor’s house.  We will have fellowship, fun, root beer floats and a short challenge from Pastor. Have your parent’s pick you up AT PASTOR’S HOUSE about 1 hr. after the PM service.

MIXED ENSEMBLE & YA CHOIR PRACTICES – Sunday, Aug. 14

These will begin again after the evening service.  This would be a great time to join, if you haven’t already done that.  It would be wonderful to see more teens involved in the music ministry!

MEMORIZE! Be constantly reviewing your verses so you can quote the whole chapter at once at the end!

Do you have your dollar?

Have you been memorizing Romans 8?

Have you been praying for camp?

Did you read your Bible last week?

Is your relationship with your parents right?

Did you pack for camp yet?!

Whew! There’s a LOT to remember these days! If you answered “No” to any of those, you’re a terrible person!!

Just kidding.  While we want you to be involved and active Christians, please understand it’s all for a good purpose. Really, God won’t ask more than He’ll equip you for, and we SO badly want to see you succeed as spiritually-minded and others-focused Christian young people.

I hope you see in you more than we see in you.

Did you get that? I hope your dreams for your own future are filled with as many spiritual blessings as I can dream up for you! Every time I think of your futures, I think of your choices right now. Please let God work on you this week. Grow, grow, grow. Love, love, love God and His Word. We love you and want to help that in your lives any way that we can. Do right. Love God. Love others.

-Bro. Ryan

CAMP MONEY DUE

INFLATABLE SUNDAY – Today

NO AFTERGLOW – Tonight

IRONWOOD SUMMER CAMP – Monday-Saturday

Arrive at the church between 7:45-8:00 am. We will leave at 8:30 am.  We will return to church around 12:30 pm on Saturday.

CARDBOARD SPRINT CUP – Next Sunday, July 31

If you have something Star Wars, you can bring it to wear next Sunday after the morning service, or you could put on your TOF t-shirts after the morning service.

CAMP TESTIMONIES – Next Sunday, July 31

Please meet here at 5:30 pm to go over the song all of the Jr. & Sr. High Campers will sing.  Please see Bro. Ryan if you want to give a testimony in the evening service.

FINAL AFTERGLOW – Next Sunday, July 31

This will be at Pastor’s house.  We will have fellowship, fun, root beer floats and a short challenge from Pastor. Have your parents pick you up AT PASTOR’S HOUSE about 1 hr. after the PM service.

MEMORIZE! Be constantly reviewing your verses so you can quote the whole chapter at once at the end!

Every time you come to class I hope you’re reminded about spiritual things… but what does it take to remind you about spiritual things at home?

I hope you’re not wasting your time this summer. It’s a biblical principle to “redeem the time” while you have it, and I pray that you spend your time on more than video games, sleep and fun. Service, growth, learning… those are things that help you in life, while fun only satisfies you a little.

Hey, I’m certainly not hating on fun… I’ve been in my parents’ pool a lot lately, and swimming isn’t necessarily spiritually enriching and mentally challenging! J But I’ve also spent a LOT of time thinking about and praying for you, preparing for camp spiritually, and just generally… growing. I want to CONSTANTLY be growing better in everything I do, from my little computer jobs to the big task of keeping my relationship with the Lord sweet.

How do you use your time? Serve. Grow. Love people. I can’t wait till next week!

-Bro. Ryan

CAMP MONEY DUE

INFLATABLE SUNDAY – Sunday

NO AFTERGLOW – Sunday

IRONWOOD SUMMER CAMP – Monday-Saturday

Arrive at the church between 7:45-8:00 am. We will leave at 8:30 am.  We will return to church around 12:30 pm on Saturday.

CARDBOARD SPRINT CUP – Next Sunday, July 31

If you have something Star Wars, you can bring it to wear next Sunday after the morning service, or you could put on your TOF t-shirts after the morning service.

CAMP TESTIMONIES – Next Sunday, July 31

Please meet here at 5:30 pm to go over the song all of the Jr. & Sr. High Campers will sing.  Please see Bro. Ryan if you want to give a testimony in the evening service.

FINAL AFTERGLOW – Next Sunday, July 31

This will be at Pastor’s house.  We will have fellowship, fun, root beer floats and a short challenge from Pastor. Have your parents pick you up AT PASTOR’S HOUSE about 1 hr. after the PM service.

MEMORIZE! Be constantly reviewing your verses so you can quote the whole chapter at once at the end!

A week from tomorrow! That’s when we leave for the most important trip of the year. We’ll get to hear a little bit about that from “Mr. Garret” this morning!

Imagine going to camp without a bunch of junk in your life! Some years you go, you fight God for three days before He finally gets through. Let the Holy Spirit control your walk. I REALLY mean that! If you can live right with His Spirit, as we’re learning in Romans 8, your whole life will be different.

Some of you have never been saved. That’s the first step. Others of you might not have been baptized… like we learned on Wednesday, if you want to “get right with God,” then take the first step of obedience and get baptized.

For those of you who’ve been saved and baptized, grow. As God’s disciple, grow.

You grow by being faithful, by serving (in small things like rearranging chairs on Wednesdays and not watching others do it, for example!), by learning to read your Bible, and by loving others. Do right! We love you.

-Bro. Ryan

CAMP MONEY DUE – TODAY

AFTERGLOW – Tonight – Andrade’s house

A bus will take you to the Andrade’s house and will bring you BACK TO THE CHURCH about 1 hr. 15 min. after the close of the service.  Have you parents pick you up AT THE CHURCH.

SATURATION SATURDAY – This Saturday, July 23, 9:45 am

INFLATABLE SUNDAY – Next Sunday, July 24

IRONWOOD SUMMER CAMP – Next Monday-Saturday, July 25-30

SIGNUP TABLE – See the table every class for LOTS of info. Pictures, announcements, signups, GIVE, GOD’S WORD, etc.

MEMORIZE! Be constantly reviewing your verses so you can quote the whole chapter at once at the end!