Community connections ”At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God- fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” - Acts 10:1-2 A Word from the Pastor MARCH 2017 NEWSLETTER | COMMUNITY PRESBTYERIAN CHURCH In this issue Dear Friends, Draw the Circle opens day 1 with these words: “Five words tell me everything I need to know about Cornelius: He prayed to God regularly.” Actually, he was also generous and devout – two extremely important things, as well, but the author’s point stands: “If you pray to God regularly, irregular things will happen on a regular basis.” Think about it, there’s Cornelius praying day by day, regularly, consistently, and nothing happens for a long me, then suddenly, one day he has a vision that changes his whole life – and the life of his whole household! Not only that, but the direcon of Peter’s ministry – a man that Cornelius hadn’t even yet met – would be radically changed…all…because…of…regular…prayer. The challenge is before us: Would you pick up Draw the Circle by Mark Baerson and pray regularly for 40 days in order to see a change in your life? To see what God can do? Would you pray – regularly – and write down what God shows you/prompts you? Would you gather in a small group with others in order to share what God is showing you and hear what God is showing them? Would you support your brothers and sisters in this way? Would you let them support you? If you will…if you’ll take up the challenge…you will see amazing things happen! What’s more…amazing things will happen in our church. It’s not a study, it’s an experience. It’s not a few quesons with easy answers and then we go back to our usual roune, it’s a challenge. 40 days to experience God and prayer in a new way. 40 days to see what God can do. I can’t wait to see what these days are like! May we let irregular and wondrous things happen! Pastor Mark A Word from Pastor Mark Youth News Children & Families Special Thank You Dorcas Fellowship Non-Librarians Wanted Draw the Circle Daylight Savings Ash Wednesday Ending 68 Hours of Hunger Job Postings El Nino Update PEP News March Calendar Celebrations 9:30-10:35 a.m. Worship 9:45-10:35 a.m. KidZone & Clubhouse ******* Childcare is provided for smaller children 3yrs. and under throughout the morning.
Transcript
Community connections
”At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” - Acts 10:1-2
A Word from the Pastor
MARCH 2017 NEWSLETTER | COMMUNITY PRESBTYERIAN CHURCH
In this issue
Dear Friends, Draw the Circle opens day 1 with these words: “Five words tell me everything I need to know about Cornelius: He prayed to God regularly.” Actually, he was also generous and devout – two extremely important things, as well, but the author’s point stands: “If you pray to God regularly, irregular things will happen on a regular basis.” Think about it, there’s Cornelius praying day by day, regularly, consistently, and nothing happens for a long time, then suddenly, one day he has a vision that changes his whole life – and the life of his whole household! Not only that, but the direction of Peter’s ministry – a man that Cornelius hadn’t even yet met – would be radically changed…all…because…of…regular…prayer. The challenge is before us: Would you pick up Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson and pray regularly for 40 days in order to see a change in your life? To see what God can do? Would you pray – regularly – and write down what God shows you/prompts you? Would you gather in a small group with others in order to share what God is showing you and hear what God is showing them? Would you support your brothers and sisters in this way? Would you let them support you? If you will…if you’ll take up the challenge…you will see amazing things happen! What’s more…amazing things will happen in our church. It’s not a study, it’s an experience. It’s not a few questions with easy answers and then we go back to our usual routine, it’s a challenge. 40 days to experience God and prayer in a new way. 40 days to see what God can do. I can’t wait to see what these days are like! May we let irregular and wondrous things happen!
Goodbye February and hello March! The rains have been persistent, the Glory Hole is flowing, Calvin James has arrived, and it is shaping up to be a vibrant spring full of life and flourishing. Likewise, we at CPC strive to be obedient to God’s will and make bold moves in our faith. Subsequently, His spirit flows into our hearts, His love overflows into our lives, and His blessings rain down into our church. I hope and pray that you feel this and I hope you share this vision:
The future of Community Presbyterian is bright and full of God’s Glory! Each week throughout the month of February, we’ve shared this verse from scripture with our children:
“How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:18
Think of that moment when Christ’s love became real for you…when you transitioned from knowing about the love of Christ to experiencing it. How wide and long and high and deep did that love feel? We may not have exact dimensions but I hope we can all agree that it is enormous. And when I say God’s love is enormous, I mean the entire Universe can’t contain it. Certainly, the human heart cannot contain it which is why it overflows into our lives and those around us! This is why our work with children is so critical! Kids will come to see and know God by seeing Him work in and through us. What a tremendous opportunity and blessing we all have in helping children come to experience God’s love.
Pray our children come to experience the immeasurable depths of God’s love!
As we move into March, our elementary kids are sticking with the theme of love. However, we will transition from focusing on the size of Christ’s love to focusing on how to love like Christ. Isn’t that the challenge? If we could only all learn to love like Christ, this world would be a different place! Work with children is spiritually uplifting because in their innocence and willingness to trust, they often seem to display a better understanding of Christ’s love then most adults. Our work with kids is not only about the growth and nurturing of children. We grow ourselves as we work with kids because as we love, sacrifice and invest our time in and for children, we continue to shape and mold our own hearts, minds, and lives into the image of Christ. We all be-come better Christians when there are lots of kids around!
Spend time with children and your love for Christ and others will grow deeper!
Throughout March, middle school kids will be learning all about forgiveness. Forgiveness seems like such a simple concept but in practice it can be so very difficult. Middle school kids are just entering an age where the challenges of true forgiveness are be-coming very real and they need to know that those challenges are OK and something experienced by all believers. Have you ever struggled with forgiveness? What might you share with one of our kids to help them understand how God can work in our lives and lead us towards forgiving even the worst of offenses? As always, I encourage you to get involved! Just a moment of sharing your story with a child can have an effect that stretches into eternity.
March will be another great month! Keep hoping! Keep praying! Keep working! Run the race and keep the faith and God will do glorious things here at Community Presbyterian! You are all great and I thank you for all that you do!
Debbie Basham gets in character with kids at our February Date Night.
NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
A
Special
Thank
You
Nina Erwin would like to thank everyone for their thoughts
and prayers and especially the Deacons who arranged meals
for her while she was recovering from heart issues.
Looking For Non-Librarian Types
We are looking to clean up, clean out, and put
the church library in order. But, we are needing
a couple hands who would be willing to box up
unneeded books for that to happen. Are you a
book lover? A book hater? Retired? Low on
time or have plenty of time? Haven’t
volunteered for anything in a while? You
absolutely qualify! With a few of us in just an
hour or so at a time we can get a lot
accomplished. Would you be willing to take
part? Please let Becki in the church office know
when you’d be able to stop in and we’ll set you
up. Thanks!
Dorcas Circle is planning a fun fellowship
time for our meeting March 15, 2017. We
will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Fuso's
Restaurant for soup and salad and then at
1:00 p.m. we are going to the Vacaville
Museum to view the Buck Family
Exhibit. Cost is $15.00 per person.
Please join us for this fun event.
Dorcas Fellowship
Forty Days of Prayer Is Coming!
Draw the Circle is a 40 Day Prayer
Challenge beginning March 6th. Will you
be the one to take 40 days to make a
difference in your prayer life, in your
relationships, in your church? Could
you devote 15 minutes a day to let God
prepare you for a miracle? An answer
to prayer? A new passion for Him?
Would you meet with a small group of
others weekly to share what God is
doing and to pray together? Who will
answer the call? Sign ups and book
purchases are available following the
service on Sunday. Small Groups are as
follows:
Sunday
11 a.m.
Mar. 12 Mar. 19 Mar. 26 Apr. 2 Apr. 9
Monday
Night
Women
7 PM
Mar. 13 Mar. 20 Mar. 27 Apr. 3 Apr. 10
Thursday
10 a.m.
Mar. 16 Mar. 23 Mar. 30 Apr. 6 Apr. 13
Thursday
7:00pm at
Sarah Van
Buskirk’s
Mar. 16 Mar. 23 Mar. 30 Apr. 6 Apr. 13
March 12th
The El Nino Vacaville Sheltering Program was a huge success, thanks to you! All of you stepped forward and got involved. You helped set up tables and then decorated them. You volunteered to serve meals and to visit with our guests. You provided enough food to supply between 16-18 guests with a home cooked meal, and a breakfast/lunch in a bag for the next morning as our guests departed. Whatever was needed, you provided. A number of our new friends thanked us for the home cooked meals and the friendly atmosphere. You are a compassionate congregation giving friendship, comfort and love when needed. You are the servants God calls us to be. You were a part of something wonderful and because of your generosity, big hearts and a willingness to reach out, this event was well received. Again, thank you and God bless each of you. El Nino Sheltering Committee
Job Postings: Our church is recruiting for the following two positions:
Audio/Visual Substitute to manage the Audio/Visual booth ministry when the Audio Visual Supervisor is not available. You would prepare (type in) the video slides for the song lyrics for the Sunday service. You would be responsible for troubleshooting all audio or visual problems as well as serving as a technician who would integrate videos, music and presentations into the Presentation Software . A working knowledge of media production, computers and current technology is needed in this position.
Nursery Care Provider Substitute that would be available when regular Nursery staff is not available. You will be responsible for nurturing, caring and playing with the children in the nursery during our Sunday morning worship and small group classes immediately following worship.
If you are interest in either of these positions, please contact Carole Kinslow at (707) 514-7537 or the church office at (707) 448-5055.
EL NINO SHELTERING PROGRAM
End 68 Hours of Hunger The End 68 Hours of Hunger program is a Church ministry under the Mission Committee. It is one of our neighborhood outreach programs at Hemlock Elementary School. We are seeking people who can help pass out bags of food to needy children at the School. The commitment would be only once a month on Fridays from 2:15-3:15. If you are interested, please contact Lynne Powell at 707-486-7506 call/text.
Ash Wednesday Worship
March 1 at 7:00 in the Sanctuary
PEP Registration Preschool Registration for 2017-18 school year and 2017 summer school for Community Presbyterian Church mem-bers is February 28 and March 1. You may also register for summer classes at this time. Priority registration for the MWF a.m. class is Tuesday, March 7 for returning students and their siblings. Open Registration for all others is Wednesday, March 8, 2016 Please contact the preschool office, 448-1626, to obtain specific registration information prior to February 28.
Fundraiser at Mary's Pizza Shack Wednesday, March 22 - All Day
Please bring this flyer with you to Mary's Pizza Shack, 505 Davis Street. PEP will receive 20% of your purchase when you present the flyer with your order.
March 3: Mary Tekautz March 6: Gail McNally March 7: Vince LaNovara, Erica Lull March 10: Kara Krulick March 13: Helen Marie Cleveland March 15: Janet Walker, Billi Kavanagh March 18: Katie Sanchez, Ken Matzinger March 19: Chuck Rogers March 22: Wendy Lynd March 23: Michael Wiese, Cynnomih Tarlesson March 25: Don Brown March 30: J.D. Moran
ANNIVERSARIES March 2: George & Sandy Fulton March 8: Dick Nielson & Peggy Moran-Nielson March 10: Don & Betty Brown March 14: Jim & Pat Morris
