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Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

I am having a very nice week and I am enjoying the rain today. I am looking forward to this Sunday at Venice Church. You probably noticed that we rolled out new gift bags and handouts on Sunday. I hope you enjoyed the new look and…you can look forward to a brand new, redesigned website that is set to launch any day.

This Sunday begin a new series called The Seven Deadly Sins. Church leaders back in the dark ages lined out these seven sins (pride, anger, envy, slothfulness, lust, gluttony, and greed) as the most deadly to our relationships and our lives. The truth is that all sin is deadly. Our sin breaks up our community with God and others. These seven in particular will really mess you up with God and others. Join us this Sunday when we talk about pride. Invite somebody to be with you.

And…right after the service the 2011-2012 season of Men’s Ministry gets rolling with a taco truck, games, and a bunch of other good stuff. Men, make your plans to hang around for all the fun this Sunday.

Check us out online at: venicechurch.com
Listen to messages online or search Venice Church podcast on iTunes.
Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Upcoming Events:
October 9th – Message Series: The Seven Deadly Sins
October 9th – Men’s Ministry Meeting
October 23rd – Richie Henson Speaking
October 30th – Trunk or Treat

A Big Event

Fall is here…September is just about gone and that means that Halloween is right around the corner. Every year at Halloween we do our best to serve our community by providing a fun and safe alternative to Trick or Treat. We call it Trunk or Treat. You are all invited to participate. There are three ways that you can participate leading up to event and then during the event.
1. You can donate candy. Just bring Halloween candy with you when you come to church on Sunday and put it in the bucket in the coffee bar.
2. You can decorate the trunk of your car and allow kids to trick or treat out of your trunk.
3. You can bring your family and friends and neighbors and enjoy all of the Trunk or Treat fun!
It all happens on Sunday evening October 30th from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. It is a great time. Start making your plans to join us for this wonderful event sponsored by our Rockstars Childrens’ Ministry.

Rockstars parents don’t forget about the Back to School Rockstars BBQ this Sunday following the service. Get more info here.
http://venicechurchrockstars.blogspot.com/

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Upcoming Events:
October 1st – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
October 2nd - Communion
October 2nd – Rockstars’ Back to School Family BBQ
October 9th – Message Series: The Seven Deadly Sins
October 9th – Men’s Ministry Meeting
October 23rd – Richie Henson Speaking
October 30th – Trunk or Treat

This Sunday is what amounts to Venice Church Carmegeddon! It is the L.A. Triathlon and Venice Blvd. will be closed. Getting to church will be a challenge if you live south of Venice Blvd., but it can be done. For more information about closures go here. http://www.latriathlon.com/traffic_and_parking/

You may not have noticed unless you have a child in the ministry or you work in the ministry, but our Rockstars Children’s Ministry is on the rise. God has blessed us with more families and more children and this important ministry is really beginning to take off. I encourage you to check out Richie’s weekly Rockstars blog.
http://venicechurchrockstars.blogspot.com/
If you have children in the ministry make plans to be at the Back to School BBQ on Sunday October 2nd. Details are available at the blog.

And…please pray for Becky Crespo and her family. Her brother was killed in a work accident yesterday. We praise God that Dwayne knew the Lord, however this family needs our prayers and encouragement during this difficult time of loss.

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55, @venicerockstars
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Upcoming Events:
October 1st – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
October 2nd – Rockstars’ Back to School Family BBQ
October 9th – Message Series: The Seven Deadly Sins
October 9th – Men’s Ministry Meeting
October 23rd – Richie Henson Speaking
October 30th – Trunk or Treat

It Is What It Is

If you are new to the blog…welcome to Touching Base. Touching Base is my attempt to stay connected to the members and attendees of Venice Church during the week. I try to let you know a bit about what is going on in my world and what is going on at Venice Church. I hope that you enjoy reading each week.

I am excited about how many of you told us that you are going back to your group, looking for a new group, or wanting in to a Venice Church small group. Small groups are the heart and soul of Venice Church. A vital weekly connection to other Christ followers is essential to our growth as individuals and to our growth as a church. If you were not here Sunday and would like more information about our small groups hit me at info@venicechurch.com. And…you are going to hear more about small groups as we talk about What It Means to Follow Jesus over the next three weeks.

I know that it is still a week and a half away but I need to remind you about what amounts to Venice Church Carmegeddon! Sunday September 25th is the L.A. Triathlon. Venice Blvd. will be closed. Getting to church will be a challenge if you live south of Venice, but it can be done. For more information about closures go here. http://www.latriathlon.com/traffic_and_parking/

Follow us on Twitter: @venicechurchla, @pastorcraig55
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Venice-Church/165528453498230

Upcoming Events:
September 18th – Baptism
September 25th – L.A. Triathlon (Venice Blvd. closed.)
October 1st – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
October 2nd – Rockstars’ Party
October 9th – Message Series: The Seven Deadly Sins

Pray For Brad

Do you have somebody in your life that is just an absolute rock? I mean, no matter what happens they are rock solid and steady and faithful and strong.
My friend Brad Jensen is that guy!

Brad needs our prayers today.
Within the last 24 hours Brad has lost his step-mom and his dad.
Please pray for Brad and his entire family.
It is going to be a tough couple of days and probably weeks.
If you know Brad, you know that his faith in Jesus Christ will not waver, nonetheless, he needs our prayers and support and love and encouragement.

Be that guy and that gal for Brad.

Road Trip Report

The Men’s Ministry Road Trip to Lake Powell was unbelievable! The place, the speaker, and the men were such an awesome blessing. We learned, we grew, and we got to know each other in amazing ways. Every portion of the trip, from the drive up to the drive back, was outstanding. Special thanks to Denise Jensen for preparing our fantastic menu and shopping for us. Thanks to Daniel Nehrig for running the kitchen. The food was wonderful. Thanks to Pastor Paul Blue of Family Fellowship of Greeneville, Texas for giving us his time and bringing us the Word. And finally…thank you Brad Jensen for sharing your vision, love for men, time, talent and toys with us. You bless the men of Venice Church in such a wonderful way! I am glad to be home, but I am already looking forward to next year’s trip.

This Sunday is a special day. It is the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Most of us will never forget where we were on that day and what that day was like. I know I won’t. I know that there is a lot of stuff in media this week to remind us of that tragic day, however I would like to share this testimony with you. I have told you about iamsecond.com before, but Brian Birdwell’s testimony of God’s providence will blow you away. Check it out here http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/brian-birdwell/.

And…this Sunday we begin talking about What It Means to Follow Jesus. I look forward to seeing you then.

Upcoming Events:
September 9th & 10th – Women of Faith Conference
September 18th – Baptism
September 25th – L.A. Triathlon (Venice Blvd. closed.)
October 1st – CLASS 101: Connecting With God’s Family
October 2nd – Rockstars’ Party