Your Big Chance

Baptism is the first thing that God asks us to do after we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. If you have accepted Christ and you have not been baptized you have an opportunity to take this important step in your walk with Christ. We are going to baptize on Sunday September 18th at the end of the morning service. If you have not been baptized yet that is your day.

What I want you to understand more than anything is that baptism does not save you, forgive you, wash away your sins, or get you into heaven. Only putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection does that. But…baptism is your next step after salvation. It is your coming out party. It tells everybody, your friends, your family, and the world that you are a Christ follower. When you stand in the water it is a picture of Christ on the cross. When you go under the water that represents His burial. When you come up out of the water it shows that Christ has risen from the dead. Baptism is a statement of your faith.

I look forward to this exciting time on September 18th. I know that God will be glorified.

There are a couple of events that are coming up that I must remind you of.
This Saturday is the last Seek N Surf for this summer. They meet at Manhattan Beach Pier on Saturday at 7:30 AM. For more information go here https://www.facebook.com/seeknsurf.

Men, there is still time and opportunity to join us for our Men’s Road Trip to Lake Powell. You can sign up and pay on Sunday. See Brad Jensen for more information. Bradjensen7@sbcglobal.net.

This Sunday we continue with The Summer of Love when we talk about speaking the truth in love. I can’t wait to see you then.


Upcoming Events:
August 27th – Seek N Surf
August 31st – September 4th – Men’s Ministry Road Trip
September 4th – Guest Speaker – Pastor Bob Henson
September 9th & 10th – Women of Faith Conference
September 18th – Baptism
October 1st – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family

You Were Created For Community

Good Morning! I hope that your day and your week are going well.

Summer is winding down. School is getting ready to start. And…Venice Church is preparing to start up our adult small groups. Most of our groups have been off for the summer and it is just about time to get them revved up again.
I have a challenge for you today. I am challenging each and every one of you to begin praying about being involved in a Small Group Bible study at Venice Church. I am not asking you to make a commitment to a group today. I am asking you to begin praying about being involved in a small group.

It looks a little bit different for each one of us. Some of you have been involved in a group so begin praying for your group as you prepare to head back. Some of you have never been in a group so pray that God would show you the value of small groups and would lead you to the right group for you. Some of you used to be in a group and you need to get back in a group. And…some of you have been involved in groups for a long time and you need to ask God if it is time for you to lead a group. We need more groups with more people in them so that we can grow into the people and the church that God has called us to be. We cannot reach our full potential without real, genuine, God-honoring community with other believers.
For the next month or so you are going to hear a lot about small groups. You are going to be invited to join a small group. You need a group. There is a group that needs you. Start praying.

Ladies, the Women of Faith Conference is full! All of the tickets are accounted for. Thanks for signing up and paying I know you will have a great time.

Men, there is still time and opportunity to join us for our Men’s Road Trip to Lake Powell. You can sign up and pay on Sunday. See Brad Jensen for more information. Bradjensen7@sbcglobal.net.

This Sunday we continue with The Summer of Love when we talk about Love Is Forgiving. I look forward to seeing you then.


Upcoming Events:
August 31st – September 4th – Men’s Ministry Road Trip
September 4th – Guest Speaker – Pastor Bob Henson
September 9th & 10th – Women of Faith Conference
September 18th – Baptism
October 1st – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family

Prayer & Praise Workshop

Amy and I are glad to be home. We enjoyed our time away and now we are enjoying the freshness of the sea breeze. There is nothing like it!

All of us have a wonderful opportunity on Saturday. Our prayer ministry is sponsoring a Prayer & Praise Retreat. This is a great time to come away for a bit to pray and worship together. The event runs from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The cool thing is that you can come for the entire time or you may come and go. I encourage you to make some time to join us on Saturday. For more information go here…https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250465721645721.

This Sunday we continue with The Summer of Love when we talk about Love Is Patient. We will share in Communion as well. I look forward to seeing you then.


Upcoming Events:
August 13th – Prayer & Praise Workshop
August 31st – September 4th – Men’s Ministry Road Trip
September 4th – Guest Speaker – Pastor Bob Henson
September 9th & 10th – Women of Faith Conference

Wanna Get Away?

One of the things that I love about the technology of today is that I can be mentored without ever leaving my desk. I have only met Rick Warren on one occasion, yet he mentors me monthly through his blog and daily through Twitter.

I learned this from Rick years ago and it is something that I try to employ in my life. I share these truths today because this is what Amy and I are doing next week. We leave Saturday for some rest and relaxation in Palm Springs. We will miss being at Venice, but sometimes you just have to get away and I know that you will enjoy hearing from others and not hearing from me for a change!
http://blog.pastors.com/blogs/pcom/the-jesus-model-of-ministry-relaxation/

I am praying for your week. You guys will have a great time on Sunday when Richie talks about Love Is Respectful. I will see you next week.


Upcoming Events:
August 7th – Richie Henson Speaking
August 13th – Prayer & Praise Workshop
August 31st – September 4th – Men’s Ministry Road Trip
September 4th – Guest Speaker – Pastor Bob Henson
September 9th & 10th – Women of Faith Conference