1.  Starting Point:  A new Starting Point class will begin March 2 at 10am!  This is a great way to get to know our church better, get some time with the pastoral team, and (if you want) begin the process of becoming a church member.  All the information is online and you can apply Get online to learn more and find the curriculum we will be going through.  Register today!!

2.  Youth Mentorships:  We are rolling out a new program for Junior and Senior High students!
Short term, directed, one-on-one study with a qualified older brother or sister.  This is a great way for young people in the church to begin to spread their wings a bit and build purposeful relationships with older Christians in the church.  Not a substitute for parents but rather an aid.  All the information is available online and you can apply for a mentorship today! 

3.  Prayer Request:  Please be praying for Pastor Eric this week as he has been invited to speak to a college fellowship at UCI this Wednesday night. Crossroads Campus Ministries.  He will be talking about the topic, “Saved by Grace”.  This is a great opportunity to share what we believe.

Listen again to the last of David Christensen's series on Jude.

This year we're challenging our members and regular attenders to attend a church service every week in 2014. You can read more about the 52 SUNDAYS challenge here. This article is part of a series of articles about 52 SUNDAYS.

What if I have young children?

The only thing harder than getting kids to church on time is sitting next to them after you arrive. Yikes! I had no idea.

What parent has not seriously questioned whether or not it was worth attending church with their infant/toddler/terrorist? Of course I'm joking about the terrorist part, but really...try standing in the lobby with a fussy baby. Try chasing your toddler up the middle isle or juggling your Bible and sermon notes while leading an impromptu arts and crafts class in the pew beside you. It was amazing how fast my kids could burn through every scrap of paper within a 3-pew blast radius.

Busy bodies.

Is it worth attending church if you are going to spend most of the service distracted by childcare? It's definitely going to be harder than staying home. No kidding. But is it worth it? If you're struggling with this question you're not alone. It was even covered by the Huffington Post this week.

Smartphones vs Crayons.

Seasons come and go and it won't be long before your infant is one of the preteens running amuck in the courtyard (I'll leave that for another post). I'm sympathetic. Yours is an intense season, but don't forget that it's not dissimilar to all the other seasons. Just ask the parent of a High School student...they'd trade you smartphones for crayons any day. There will always be distractions.

It's worth the extra effort.

My message to parents of young children is to press through and make the effort. It's worth it. Even when it doesn't feel like it in the moment. Here's a few reasons why.

1. You're a part of our community and we miss you when you're gone.
2. Your children are part of our community and we love them too.
3. God's a big God. He can bless you even when you're not "fully engaged."
4. Your children are learning even when they are squirming.
5. It's not all about you. Give God your Sunday mornings. He understands parenting.

1.  Please be praying for our Pastor Eric this week as he and his family are enjoying some family time!

2.  A new small group in Old Towne Orange is forming and will begin March 19th.  We are looking for volunteers to join.  Get your name on the roster by February 26th.  

3.  Starting Point begins March 2nd!  Want more information about our church and what we believe?  Get online for more information and to register.

Listen again as David preaches from Jude.

This year we're challenging our members and regular attenders to attend a church service every week in 2014. You can read more about the 52 SUNDAYS challenge here. This article is part of a series of articles about 52 SUNDAYS.

What if I feel unworthy?

You've had a bad week. You feel ashamed. And the last thing you want to do is go to church because it would be hypocritical. It'd be better to stay at home and hide.

That's not true.

Which part is untrue? The unworthiness or the hiding? My answer is both. If you are a Christian then you are "worthy." And the hiding part? That has never worked.

"the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”" (Genesis 3:8-9 ESV)

When would it be appropriate to stay home because you've not lived as you should? Never.

The gospel says come.

We gather on Sundays to confess that no one is worthy. No one can claim access to God on their own. No one can say "Look at me. I belong here. I earned this." Quite the contrary, we sing amazing grace, I once was lost, and show me Christ!

Sundays aren't about faking a smile and pretending to be good people. You're right...you're not worthy. At least not on your own. You've been invited because God has said "Follow me" not "You are worthy."

You'd be a hypocrite to say otherwise.

Sundays are for saints who need to be reminded that they are still saints. People who need to hear again and again of God's great love, patience, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness.

Sundays are for saints who are fighting sin. People struggling with daily temptations, large and small. People who often feel defeated, discouraged, and weary.

Sundays are proof of God's power.

Don't believe the lie that you are unworthy. Jesus was made to be sin that you might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). You have been adopted. You have been ransomed. You have been reconciled. You have been brought near. Your presence in the house of God confounds the wise and shames the strong by design!

Our God is mighty to save.

This Sunday David Christensen (Church Intern) continues a 3 week sermon series through the Book of Jude.

"I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed..."

We're closing in on the end of our sermon series through the Book of Revelation. It's been about a year and plans are to finish by mid-March. Hopefully you've found it encouraging. We'd appreciate any testimonies, short or long. Email the church office.

One thing you might not have noticed during the series was the intentional absence (until recently) of any discussion regarding the various schools of interpretation. Revelation is a difficult book. People disagree about it...even when there is so much more that we can all agree on. The final products can appear quite varied.

Below is a simple chart representing the way our pastoral team reads Revelation. You don't need to agree with it to be a member or regular attender. This isn't how the topic appears in our Statement of Faith. We've intentionally preached Revelation in a manner that would edify the most, regardless of a person's perspective. This is just another aid as you listen to the last two chapters of the book. As everything begins to "click."

Use it along with the keys to Revelation and Resources on the Millennium.

This year we're challenging our members and regular attenders to attend a church service every week in 2014. You can read more about the 52 SUNDAYS challenge here. This article is part of a series of articles about 52 SUNDAYS.

What if I don't sing?

Most of us stopped singing after 1st grade. We nailed it with "Old MacDonald" and the alphabet and then retired. Never to perform again...except at sporting events, Coca Cola commercials, and church.

You're not alone when you say you don't sing. Even the author of Blue Like Jazz recently admitted he doesn't attend church because he doesn't like to sing.

Peer pressure.

It's hard to go to church and not sing...at least not in our church. Why? Because not only do we sing a lot, we do it in such a way as to highlight the voice of the congregation. This means you can't hide. The lights aren't going to be dimmed down low and the guitars turned up high. We want to hear one another. That's the point. We're not only singing for God, we're singing for one another.

So although no one is going to force you to sing, I'm sympathetic. It's going to feel like "everybody's doing it." It's going to feel like peer pressure. And I'm aware that some will choose to arrive after the singing portion of the service or not to come at all.

Who asks you to sing?

Here's where I'm going with this. We can talk about "Why we sing?", but I don't think that's the issue. We know how singing works. It brings us together, stirs our affections, helps put words in our mouths. The bigger question is: Who gets to tell God "no"?

He instructs us to sing (Col. 3:16), writes songs for us to sing (Psalms), and in Hebrews 2 we even learn that Jesus Himself is our worship leader!

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

You might not like singing, but evidently God still does. He hasn't changed his mind. Singing isn't passé, effeminate, or unnecessary. The Scriptures say the quite the opposite. He is commanding your performance.

If you're a Christian, you sing.

We would love an opportunity to get to know you better! Join us this Sunday, 02-09-14, immediately following the service, for a guest reception at a home in Old Towne Orange. 

Lunch is on us, all you have to do is show up. It's a come-and-go as you please format and kids are welcome. Members of the church and a pastor will be there to greet you.

Come to the service Sunday for more info. We'll see you then!