Trunk and Treat

I hope that you are enjoying our journey through 40 Days of Community. I am hearing some good things from you. God has been very good to us as a church and it is good to focus on the church and our unified fellowship. I know that God will continue to work in us over the next 30 days.

This Friday we have a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our community through our Trunk and Treat event. The idea is to create a safe trick or treat environment with a few extra bells and whistles. Our Rockstars leadership team has done a good job of planning and promoting the event. Invitations are being passed out at two local elementary schools. There is still plenty of opportunities to serve. If you would like to bring a car or if you can help in any other way please contact Amy at amersh55@yahoo.com. And please come by and bring your kids and bring a neighbor family along too.

And finally…most of you know that Mr. Trubey passed away last Monday. He will be remembered at a Memorial Service here at Venice Church on Sunday November 16^th at 2:30 PM. Please plan to join us to remember this wonderful man.

A Strange Call

A funny thing happened to me.

I got an interesting call in the church office yesterday. The gal on the other line politely introduced herself and indentified herself as an employee of a California winery. I thought that it was odd to get a call from a winery, but it was your typical sales call with this twist.

She said that my name and number came to her by referral. I said, “That is interesting considering that I don’t drink wine and in fact I have only tasted it a couple of times in my life and didn’t care for it.” She said, “Really? You never drink wine.” I said, “Really I don’t.” She said, “Well, why in the world would somebody give me your name if you are not a wine enthusiast?” I said, “I have no idea unless they either one, do not know me very well, or two, they thought it would be a nice gag. Maybe they thought it would be funny.”

She apologized quite profusely and I said, “No problem. I am sure that one of my friends thought they were being funny. Anyway…have a nice day.” She wished me the same.

I found the entire episode to be quite strange, but extremely humorous.

So, my question today is…which one of you put the winery up to calling your teetotaler pastor? It’s okay. You can admit it and come clean. I won’t be mad. I forgive you. Your sins have already been forgiven…even this one! Your slate is wiped clean. And…we can enjoy a good laugh together.

Upcoming Events:

October 25^th – Ladies Community Service Project

October 31^st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry

November 8^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)

November 15^th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity

December 14^th – Guest Speaker: Rev. Bob Henson

December 24^th – Christmas Eve Service

If you ain't got God...

It seems that I am reminded each day that apart from God (pardon my poor English) we got nothing. If God is not Almighty, all-knowing, ever present, and filled with immense love for us…we got nothing.

I love what the Psalmist says in the 46^th psalm. It is like he is describing life in Southern California. The beauty of this place we call home is found so much in where the mountains meet the sea and when the place is not rocking and rolling or on fire we revel in the fact that we live in paradise. Okay, it’s not Kauai, but for the mainland it is pretty nice. Despite the fact that we live in paradise and in spite of the fact that we breathe smog and smoke apart from God we got nothing. It doesn’t matter if you live in Santa Monica, Kauai, or Arkansas if you ain't got God you ain’t got nothing.

Look at what God is all about. He is a refuge. He is our strength. He is our help in times of trouble. If we ain’t got God we ain’t go nothing.

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

Please pray for Mr. & Mrs. Trubey. Mr. Trubey is not doing well. It appears as though God will call him home very soon. Mr. & Mrs. Trubey have been married over 60 years. Mrs. Trubey is doing pretty well all things considered. If you get a chance, give her a call or write her a note to let her know that they are in your prayers.

Upcoming Events:

October 19^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Sunday following the service)

October 19^th – 40 Days of Community

October 25^th – Ladies Community Service

October 31^st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry

November 8^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)

November 15^th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity

40 Days of Community Begins October 19th

Beginning one week from Sunday on October 19^th we will begin a new series called 40 Days of Community. Here is brief synopsis of the campaign from Rick Warren author of The Purpose Driven Life.

We were never meant to live out God’s purposes in solitude.
40 Days of Community will help move your congregation toward spiritual maturity and a meaningful life on earth, revealing how God uses other people for your good and growth.

From the beginning, God’s plan has been that you will fulfill his purposes in community with other people – people in your church family, in your small group, and in the world around you. The bible says we were formed for fellowship, and it’s only in community that we learn life’s most important lesson – how to love.

Take the next step in growing a life of purpose and meaning and join together for this 40-day spiritual journey. Lives will be touched, people will begin a relationship with Christ, practical needs will be met, the church will become known more for the love it shows, and we will see a spiritual awakening that is desperately needed in our culture.

Rick Warren

A spiritual growth campaign experience is always maximized by participation in a small group. If you are not in a small group, would you consider giving one a try during this campaign? I believe that you will find our small groups to be very enjoyable and extremely encouraging. Here is a list of the small group opportunities and when they meet.

Tom Nichols – Berean Senior Small Group, Sunday Morning at the church.
Contact them at nichols10@verizon.net

Wayne Copes – Monday Night in the Coffe Bar at church.
Contact him at f0neman@yahoo.com

Amy Henson & Thea White – Monday Night (women only) in the church office.
Contact them at amersh55@yahoo.com OR exercisegal1@yahoo.com

Ruben Morales - Monday nights @ 8:00 p.m. at the Church.
This group is for young adults.

Contact Ruben at 310-903-1502 or rsmtwtfsm@msn.com

Denise Jensen – Tuesday Morning (women only)

We meet at the home of Denise Jensen from 8:30am - 10:30am.
Contact her at bjensen623@verizon.net

Brad & Denise Jensen – Tuesday Night at various homes.
Contact them at Bjensen623@verizon.net

Craig Henson - Wednesday evenings (Men’s Group) @ 7:00 PM in the church office.

Contact Craig Henson at pastorcraig@venicechurch.com

Randy Kirk – Thursday Night at the church.
Contact him at Quixote77@sbcglobal.com

If I can help you find a group that fits you well, please contact me.

Upcoming Events:

October 19^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Sunday following the service)

October 19^th – 40 Days of Community

October 25^th – Ladies Community Service

October 31^st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry

November 8^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)

November 15^th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity

God Owns It All

It is October 1^st and that means a couple of things. The holidays are just around the corner and the general election is about 30 days away. Personally, I can’t wait for the campaigning to be over. Let me encourage you to pray and seek God and then vote. It is a wonderful, God-given privilege to live in America and participate in our process.

And…in spite of all the financial doom and gloom and the best efforts of our Congress and economic gurus I still find rest and comfort in Almighty God who never changes and never wavers. He owns it all. We are simply given management of it for a short time. God doesn’t need our stuff. We can call on him in difficult times.

Psalm 50:7-15

7 "O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."

And now…here’s Amy.

Hey Guys,

We really need to get cranking on Trunk or Treat. We have eight confirmed cars for the event. We still need 12 more. If you are willing to decorate your trunk and help pass out candy please respond to this email. There will be a grand prize for the best decorated trunk. We need everybody to help by donating candy. If you could just pick up a bag of candy every time that you go in the grocery store and then bring them and drop them off in the coffee bar it will be a big help. Please help us make our first go of Trunk or Treat a big success in our community. Invitations will be available in the next week or so. Thanks for all of your help.

Upcoming Events:

October 4^th – CLASS 101: Discovering Membership

October 12^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Sunday following the service)

October 19^th – 40 Days of Community

October 25^th – Ladies Community Service

October 31^st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry

November 8^th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)

November 15^th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity