I can not think of a more fitting day to be baptized than independence day! In this post we have included some verses about the subject of baptism so that you can more fully understand the importance of this act. Please understand that the act of baptism does not provide salvation. It is only through Christ’s death and resurrection that we are reconciled to God and receive forgiveness for sin. Although baptism does not provide salvation we acknowledge it’s importance as an act that Christ has commanded believers to take part in Mat. 28:19. Please take some time to read through the scriptural data and try to more fully understand this act of joining with Christ!

Matthew 28:19
“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Romans 6:3-4
“3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we to might walk in newness of life.”

Galatians 3:27
“27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Colossians 2:12
“12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

1 Peter 3:21
“21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Acts 2:37-38, 41

Acts 8:36-38

Acts 9:17-19a

Acts 10:45-48

Dead Sea Scrolls

When: June 13th at 10am
Join us at 9am to hear a special study on them.

Where: Meet in the Youth Room
We will Carpool to Azuza Pacific University at 10am

Cost: $8 for all students including college, $12 for Adults.
Please bring your own money for lunch ($6-$7) or souvenirs.

**Don’t forget to Sign up in the youth room or on Facebook under C3y Ministries**

Azusa Pacific University invites you to share in the history of our most sacred Scriptures through a one-of-a-kind exhibition in the heart of Southern California.

Through a collection of remarkable biblical artifacts, including fragments of the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls and rare Bibles, Treasures of the Bible: The Dead Sea Scrolls and Beyond celebrates the story of how the Word of God has reached the faithful and the proven accuracy of the Bible’s translation over thousands of years.

Check out http://www.apu.edu/deadseascrolls/ for more info.

Join us Saturday, June 12th as we serve breakfast to the down and out.  We will be meeting at  Covenant Community Church at 6:30 a.m. and then heading over to the Santa Ana Civic Center.  For a map follow this link.  We will be finished around 9 a.m.

If you are available we can use help in food prep the night before.  Meet at the church on Friday, June 5th at 4:30 p.m.  We will be finished with the prep around 7:30 p.m.  I hope you can stay after we are finished with the food prep for a special time of worship and Bible study.  Hope to see you there!

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

Theme: “First Aid For the Soul”
Leave – Friday, May 14th @ 3:30 p.m.
Return – Sunday, May 16th @ 6:00 p.m.
Cost – $50 ( Includes 2 meals out, 5 meals in camp, transportation, Park Fees, and Journal)

This is one of the most anticipated retreats of the year!

          C3y is heading to Joshua Tree National Park for the weekend of May 14th through the 16th. During the day we will be hiking, exploring, bouldering, and those who want to will have a chance to learn how to rappel and rock climb!  Every morning and evening we will be diving deep into the word of God and seeking Him. The theme is “First Aid For The Soul” and we’ll be exploring how to recover from a wounded, broken, or damaged soul. Don’t forget to sign up!

What to Bring…
Dress for Warm Days, Cool Nights, Sweatshirt/ jacket,  hat (optional) action shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots), sleeping bag, pillow (optional), tent (optional), toiletries (no showers), Sun Block, canteen or hydration pack (optional), Bible, and Pen.  Don’t to bring a flashlight.

What not to Bring…
Ipods, Mp3 players, Video Games, or other Contraband items!

Don’t forget to sign up in the youth room or on facebook.

Facebook Sign up

If you couldn’t make it to 3 Days and 3 Nights this year, we have posted up the journal. So that you too, can take part in the studies we did together.  Click the read more button to see our Morning and Evening Devotionals.

3 Days & 3 Nights “A Firm Foundation”

Welcome
I am so glad you have decided to join us for 3 Days and 3 Nights in Orange, CA.  I don’t know why exactly you have decided to take part and maybe you don’t either(especially if you have never attended before). It does seem a little bit weird to give up 3 days of your precious spring break to work hard for people you’ve never met and learn about Jesus.  I can only imagine what your friends expressions will be when you tell them what you did for spring break.  One thing I can tell you is you will make a difference!

Success some times is hard for us to measure because we don’t know how to measure it.  People measure success by so many different ways: social status, money, toys, love, etc. I suggest to you that learning about Jesus Christ and devoting yourself to things that He puts value on, namely people, could be one of the greatest investments of your life. My prayer for you is that as you take part over the next 3 nights and 3 days you will meet with God and He will change your life.

Wednesday Night – The Solid Foundation

“So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”   (Isaiah 28:16 NIV)

The tower was originally built in 1173 to be a beautiful bell tower to complement the Cathedral and show off the power of Pisa after successful military campaigns.  It was built in three stages over the course of 177 years due to wars. The tower started sinking in 1178 after building the third floor.  The problem was a foundation to thin to bear the weight and laid in weak unstable soil. In order to compensate later architects built floors that were higher on one side than the other.  To their regret, rather than fixing the problem it caused the tower to lean the other way. So much for the power and strength of Pisa.
In 1964 a multi-national task force of engineers, mathematicians, and architects was assembled to figure out a way to save the tower from toppling over.  The Italians asked the task force not to completely straighten the tower due to the lean promoting the tourism industry in Pisa.  Millions of dollars have been invested from the international community into correcting the towers course with destruction.

Now architects feel the tower should be safe for another 300 years.  Unfortunately for me I was in Pisa in January 2001 and they re-opened the tower in December of 2001.  Missed it by twelve months.

Anyone who has built something will tell you that without a firm foundation the building won’t stand. The importance of strong foundations are not limited just to construction projects but are an essential part of our lives. Think about it, if you didn’t have the foundation of 2+2=4 you would not be able to understand 8-2x=4. Every action we take in life is the product of that individuals foundation.  When you get in trouble, is your first response to formulate a lie or speak the truth? How important are other people to you?  Do you think human life has value? Is an unborn baby a life? What does it mean to respect and honor your parents? Is sex outside of a marriage covenant right or wrong?  All of these answers come from the foundation of your life or as we call it your worldview.  The problem is many people build their foundations like the Pisans. Eventually there will be a toppling effect.

Study Questions:

1. In your own words what do you think the foundations of Christianity are? This is not a trick question so don’t stress just write what you think.

2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1- 8.  What does Paul say the foundations of Christianity are?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-22.  How important is the resurrection of Christ?

4. If Jesus Christ has indeed raised from the dead where does that leave you? Does it challenge the way you are currently living life?  Why or why not?

5. Take a moment and talk with God

Thursday Morning -Playing Jenga with Life – Matthew 7:24-27

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

(Colossians 2:8 NIV)

Good Morning!  Last night we played a giant game of Jenga and hopefully all have survived injury free.  Recently I was playing Jenga with friends at a birthday party.  Not only was it fun to all scream Jenga with big smiles on our faces when the tower finally toppled but it also got me thinking about Christian faith.  When you think about the way Jenga works you realize that it is impossible for the tower not to fall. Every time someone takes their turn they are removing vital parts of the tower’s foundation. Once the block is removed all that’s left is air. So essentially the game is about how far can you weaken a foundation before the structure crashes down.

I see that many Christians play Jenga with their lives even though they know the truth and have a solid foundation built in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of fortifying their lives with the truths found in the word of God they compromise and start to destroy their foundation.  When God tells us something is wrong or sinful and we choose not to believe it, we are replacing the truth for a lie.  Taking away a solid building block and replacing it with air. If we continue to live this way eventually there is nothing left except a thin and hollow life.

I don’t know what shape your life is in right now, but I want you to know that God gives us the opportunity to be re-built.  Or as the scripture puts it “born again”.  The amazing thing is it doesn’t matter how much baggage, wreckage, or sin you may have in your life. I know most of us are familiar with John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What we are not as familiar with is John 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

This morning’s devotion is all about Jesus teaching on foundations.  Take some tiime and talk to God, ask Him to give you understanding as you read.

Read Matthew 7:24-8:1
1.Which house are you currently living in? Why?
2. Why were the crowds amazed at His teaching?
Read Matthew 8:2-3.
1. What do you and this leper have in common?
2. What do these to passages tell us about who Jesus is?
3. How important is truth to you?
4. Take some time and talk with God

Thursday Night - Loving God pt 1 – Dying

“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.””

(Romans 8:13–15 NIV)

Growing up in the church all my life I became well versed in the language of Christianese.  I understood terms like “fall away”, “sin”, “born again”, “trinity”, etc. I knew how to look up Bible verses.  I sang Sunday school songs and recited memory verses.  I was pretty much like everyone else in the church.  There was one thing I didn’t have or totally understand that others in the church did.  It was a relationship with Jesus. I am sure that some of you reading this journal entry can completely identify with where I was.  The next two journal entries are all about what it means to have a relationship with God.

Let me start by laying down a definition for the term relationship. The dictionary would define relationship as the way in which two or more people are connected. Webster does a good job with defining the word but leaves us wanting more. Their are bad relationships and good relationships in life.  There are relationships that are completely self serving. A self serving relationship is one that as long as personal needs are met the relationship will continue. A better word for this type of relationship is parasite. Sadly many relationships are parasitic and completely based upon selfish motivation. If your relationship with God is based on your terms you will end up empty and dissatisfied.

Our goal is to have a good relationship with God. I suggest to you that the best way to have a good relationship is to learn from the one who is perfect. God not only tells us in His word what good relationships are but also sets the example for us. As Christians all of our relationships should flow from our relationship with God.  As we grow in the Lord it teaches us how to have healthy relationships with others. This morning we are going to look at three aspects of a good relationship submission, selflessness, and sacrifice.
Read Romans 8:5-8:8.
1. What does this passage say about having a relationship with God?

2. Read James 4:7-10. What do you think it means to be double-minded?

3. Are you double-minded?

4. What promise comes with our submission?

5.Read Luke 9:23-26. What does this passage say about having a relationship with Christ?

6. How hard is for you to submit to Christ?  What areas of your life do you struggle with submission?

7.Do you want to have a strong and good relationship with God?  Why or why not?

8.Take some time and talk with God

Friday Morning - Loving God pt 2 – Born Again

“and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”-Colossians 3:10 NIV

I am sure for most of you reading Shakespeare is not your ideal way to spend a Friday morning. I know when I was in high school (when grunge was king) I hated reading Romeo and Juliet.  If you feel the same way as I did your distaste probably has more to do with your teacher or your affection for learning than it does with Shakespeare. Terrible endings aside I want to give you an opportunity to rethink the famous balcony scene and use it as an inspiring illustration of our relationship with Christ.

Romeo coming forth:
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.

Think about this first scene.  Romeo wishing that Juliet will come out onto her balcony so that he can gaze upon her.  He calls her the sun compared to Rosaline (the moon) the girl he is supposed to marry. When we come into a relationship with Christ he should be our focus. All other relationships pale in comparison like the contrast of the sun and moon. He alone should be the object of our faith and our ultimate goal for life.

Juliet speaks:
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Juliet expressing her love for Romeo realizes that as long as she is called a Capulet and he a Montague the relationship is impossible. It reminds me of the same problem that we share in as our sin nature separates us from God’s perfect and holy nature.

Juliet speaks:

Romeo, doff thy name;
And for thy name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.

Juliet begs Romeo to doff or take off his name so the two can have their relationship. If you recall the Jewish priest Nicodemus came to Jesus secretly at night asking about salvation. Jesus responded with, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:5–7 NIV. For this relationship to work we must doth our sin nature and be born again in Christ.

Romeo speaks:I take thee at thy word.Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptiz’d;Henceforth I never will be Romeo

Romeo declares he believes what Juliet is saying to be true. He accepts her invitation and confesses his love and devotion to her and is no longer known as Romeo. He recognizes that he does not have the power to change himself and that is why he says, “Call me, but love and I will be new baptized”. If Juliet calls him he will be able to change. We must recognize that on our own we have no power over our sin nature rather it is through Christ death and resurrection that we can be born again.

1. Read Matthew 22:37. What instruction does this passage give us about having a relationship with God?
2.Read Psalm 119:1-8. What instruction does this passage give us about having a relationship with God?
3. Read Romans 12:2. What instruction does this passage give us about having a relationship with God?
4. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What instruction does this passage give us about having a relationship with God?

Friday Night- The Easter Week Story

Tonight is going to be a little different than what we’ve been doing for journal times. The goal is to journey with Christ through the events of the Easter week.  Obviously we can not travel back in time and actually witness the events, but God has given us the Gospel narratives and amazing imaginations.  As you travel tonight take your time and don’t rush.  Give yourself time to understand what you are reading and imagine what it was like.

Monday, 10th of Nissan (March 30th) A.D. 30

Read Matthew 21:1-17
1. In your own words describe what you think that day was like.

2. If you would have been there what do you think the most memorable moment would have been for you?  Why?

After you are finished reading please head to the Fellowship Hall

Thursday, 14th of Nisan (April 2nd) A.D. 30
Read Luke 22:1-6 and Mark 14:12-31
After you have finished communion find a place where you are completely alone.

Friday, 15th of Nisan (April 3rd) A.D. 30
Read Mark 14:32-50
Try to pray for 15 minutes.  Just talk to God.
After you have finished praying head to the Church front lawn

Friday, 15th of Nisan (April 3rd) A.D. 30th
Read John 18:29-19:37
750 years before the crucifixion Isaiah the prophet wrote “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Is there sin in your life that you have been struggling with and need forgiveness. Take some time and ask God for forgiveness. Recognize that Christ has died for you, nail it to the cross.

Head back to the Fire circle when you are finished

Sunday, 17th of Nisan (April 5th) A.D. 30

Read Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:26-28
1. When the disciples first heard the news of Jesus resurrection they did not believe.  Peter ran to the empty tomb and found strips of linen from the burial cloth where they had laid the body. Take a piece of linen and write down what hinders you from believing the truth of the Gospel.

Saturday Morning –  Jesus sets the Standard

“he greatest among you will be your servant.For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”- Matthew 23:11–12

Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called “House of Dying,” where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. “How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?” he asked. Mother Teresa replied, “My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful.”

Much of the time it can seem like our work is done in vein or is meaningless.  But I will tell you whether Mother Teresa felt she was being successful or not it mattered to the sick and dying. It mattered to her Lord Jesus Christ. When we labor for Christ no matter how menial the task may seem we must not forget that God will use it for something great.

Read John 13:4-17

1. What was Jesus teaching the disciples by washing their feet?
2. Why do you think He chose to wash feet?
3. Do you think it is important for Christians to serve others? Why or why not?
4. What does this say about tasks that we feel are insignificant?

To check out more Pictures from 3Days and 3Nights Click the blue link below

3 Days & 3 Nights 2010 photos

I want to thank you, your staff and all the youth who spent the day at Forest Home last week.  Each time I go into the former bookstore soon to be game room I am thankful for the many hands that accomplished so much.

I was in yesterday afternoon removing the last two sections of slat board on the north wall and noticed that all that you had removed was sorted and stacked in an orderly manner.  You have blessed me and Forest Home, thank you.

Ken Mortensen
Director of Projects

Forest Home Mill Creek Canyon
40,000 Valley of the Falls Dr.
Forest Falls, CA 92339
www.foresthome.org

Camping in the Courtyard, Bible Studies around a fire pit, Hard work and service during the day, Memory verses at meal times, and a whole lot of fun!  That’s right, 3 Days and 3 Nights is back.  This is one of the coolest and most rewarding event we do all year.  We will be serving people in our community, working with Second Harvest Food Bank, Forest Home, helping the handicap at Ability First, and much more!  At night we’ll be going deep into the word of God and the Easter week. I hope you can join us and I promise you will grow in your faith as we love God and love others. Make sure to sign up on facebook or in the youth room.

When: March 31st @ 6pm  through  April 3rd @ 4pm
Where: Check in will be by the Youth office.
Cost:   $50

Click the “more” button for your packing list

Packing list…

Sleeping Bag / extra blanket (it may be cold)
Pillow
Airmat (optional)
Toiletries  (hair brush, toothbrush, **Deodorent** etc.)
Work Clothes for 3 days
Sunblock
Closed toe shoes
Clothes for cold nights
Flashlight
Bible
2 pens
Permission slips for The event and for Second Harvest Click here to print
The shower will be open, if you would like to use it bring a towel

***If you have any questions please give us a call at (714) 538-klat ***