May 22, 2008

Dear Friends,

This weekend we remember. We remember the over 1.2 million men and women who have given their lives for our freedom throughout history. Each person made the ultimate sacrifice so you and I can sit on our sofas and watch TV, go to the beach with our families and experience the freedom to worship as we desire.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

This Monday, as we celebrate Memorial Day, let us remember these men and women as friends. Though we may not know their names or faces, we certainly know their sacrifice and the freedom afforded us by their death.

Those men and women who have died fought again flesh and blood to keep us from becoming slaves to tyrants. They fixed bayonets, loaded canon, manned torpedoes, walked through jungles, crawled on beaches, jumped from airplanes, stood shoulder-to-shoulder in pitched battle and took the best the enemy had to offer. They fell so might stand. We must not and cannot forget.

Remembrance is more than the act of a good citizen. It is Godly. Many times the Bible tells us, “God remembered.” Jesus also tells his followers to remember. (Luke 22:19) For those who are Christ-followers, remembrance is a common undertaking. Each week we remember Jesus, the one who died so we could know the freedom God created all men and women to know in a relationship with Him.

Through Jesus' death, burial and resurrection we are able to overcome the tyrannies of this world that would choose to make us slaves… the many habits, hurts and hang-ups we face in our lives each day. And while these realities of life should not be easily overlooked, they are already overcome by Christ and by those who find themselves in Christ by God's grace.

Just as remembering the brave and honorable sacrifice the men and women who have served and died in for the freedom of the United States and others in the world, so remember Jesus' sacrifice reminds us of the freedom we have to live as Jesus lived, to love and Jesus loved and leave behind what Jesus left… a legacy of freedom.

For Him,

Matt Berry

This week's memory verse:
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

COMING SOON...

- CURRENTLY: Men's Softball Sign-Ups

- June 1: Baptisms & Potluck after Service

- June 4: Mid-Week Gathering, 7:00 p.m.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

• Prayer Ministry Team: Praying for weekly prayer requests, the church, prayer ministry after services, praying for services before and during services. (Barbara Guerra)

• Hospitality Team: Creating a fun and inviting environment for people to connect before and after services in the Connection Cafe. (Terrie Rose)

• Kids World Team (Children's Ministry): Create a safe and fun environment where children (0-5th grade) can learn to love God and love others. This includes teachers, nursery workers, curriculum helpers, planners, etc. (Jackie Berry)

• Facilities Team: This team is responsible for helping to create a safe, welcoming, organized environment for Sunday services. This includes opening up the gym, setting up drapes, chairs, sound, plants, tables, signs, etc. (Bill Rose)

• Music Team: This team is responsible for worship through music by creating an environment where people can worship and experience God through music. This includes instrumentalists and vocalists. The audio/visual team works together with the music team.

• Audio/Visual Team: This team helps create a welcoming and comfortable environment in which people can worship God and learn. This includes setting up and running sound board and "PowerPoint" on Sunday mornings.

• Life Group Team: Life Group Shepherds, Apprentices and Hosts. Shepherds are group leaders. Apprentices are those who are assisting Shepherds and will eventually become Shepherds. Hosts are those who open their homes so Life Groups may meet there. (Matt Berry)

• Youth Ministry Team: Right now, meeting with other interested people to brainstorm ideas and plan next steps towards building the team and ministry to youth. (Bill Rose)

• Administration Team: This team administrates and coordinates the office and has a wide range of service. It will include data entry (Monday mornings), communications (answering phones/e-mails), production of materials (design, print, copy), scheduling, filing, etc. (We are looking for a leader.)

• Finance Team: This includes a bookkeeper, check-signer, and those who count money and make deposits. We still need a couple people who can help count money and make deposits in order to complete our process. (Talk with Matt Berry)

• Technology Team: This team helps us make sure all of our "technology" is up to speed, up to date and operational. This includes equipment used on Sunday mornings as well as office equipment.

If you have any questions about any of these ministry opportunities, please contact the church office at (209) 640-2326.

LIFE GROUPS

Life Group information & group sign-ups will be available on Sunday. If you have any questions about Life Groups, please contact the church office at (209) 640-2326.

We have three Life Groups meeting on three different days each week.

Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm @ Sirbuly Home
Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm @ Riddle Home
Saturdays, 6:30-8:00 pm @ Tsey's Home

Sign-Ups Sunday at the Connection Table!

KIDS WORLD

Kids World is our ministry to Children and their families. Kids World serves children birth through 5th grade on Sunday mornings and also plans fun events for the whole family.

We desire to serve children and their families. If there is a way we can serve you, let us know. If you want to help serve kids and their families by volunteering in Kids World, contact Jackie.