Christmas Traditions |
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It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home
more traditions
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Annual Meeting |
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3:30 - 8:30
3:45 Afternoon Seminars 4:45 Free Dinner 6:00 Main Session
*Vote on Constitutional & Articles Changes Our board is recommending these changes. Any questions, call our office at 909-944-5900.
*Vote on New Board Members
*Guest Speaker Our New Church Planting Director (to be announced next month!!)
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2012 Best Selling Christian Books | |
1. Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idleman
2. Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence - Devotions for Every Day of the Year by Sarah Young
3. The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America's Future by Jonathan Cahn
4. Know Your Bible: All 66 Books Explained and Applied by Paul Kent
5. How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer John Wesley
more from Christian Books.com
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Top 2012 Movies so far... | |
1 Marvel's The Avengers
2 The Dark Knight Rises
3 The Hunger Games
4 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
5 Skyfall 6. Amazing Spider-Man 7. Brave 8. Ted 9. Madagascar 3 10. The Lorax
more info
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CB Southern California N e w s l e t t e r |
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10) We could use some good news. In the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, CT, we will celebrate Christmas knowing that this will be a very tough time for those who lost a child or loved one in this national horror. It is hard to grasp for reasons why. It's hard to understand, and without God's intervention, impossible to stop. Unfortunately, this act of violence and senseless killing has happened before. Even during the time of Jesus. King Herod went and ordered the killing of all babies under the age of two in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. Not only did they have a crazy king, but they were occupied by a foreign army, the Romans, heavily taxed and not represented at all. Mary and Joseph obeyed God, yet because of their faith, they were probably ostracized, experiencing a scandal that made their life uncomfortable, and needed to flee their country's violence for a time. "In this world, you will have trouble" Jesus said. So where is the Good News? Jesus finished that statement by saying, "but take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) The cause of all this bad news is sin and the only way out of this mess is through Jesus. The angel told Joseph, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matt 1:20-21) Through him we can find peace, comfort, wisdom, strength and hope in this life. Through him we know we will eventually be free from this ugly disease called sin and experience a glorious life, in heaven, free from sin and pain. Earth gives a taste of both, evil and good. The Good News is that 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. The Good News is, if you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (John 3:16; Romans 10:9)
The Good News is that Jesus is the way to peace, harmony, love, comfort, and encouragement--and all that is good. We need to pass this on to many who so desperately need to hear it. Merry Christmas, Jim Smith Executive Director CB Southern California |
Chaplain Christmas
One of the songs we sing a lot during the Christmas season is "Go Tell It On The Mountains!" We are to tell the story of Jesus over the hills and everywhere. Our CBAmerica chaplains are scattered all over the US and around the world. As they go into the world they are spreading the good news about Jesus.
One of our navy Chaplains is stationed on a remote island out in the Pacific Ocean far away from home and family. Several Saturdays ago the office phone rang and when I answered it, the excited voice of a chaplain on the other end was rejoicing as he quickly shared with me the news of a sailor who entered his office that morning just to chat and left with a new relationship with Jesus Christ. I love phone calls like that. There was much rejoicing in heaven that morning as a young sailor invited Christ into his life.
God is using our chaplains to encourage people. Many have been prayed with and have received Christ and become part of the family of God. Don't forget to pray for our chaplains. Many are away from home this Christmas season or have to work so can't spend time with their families. Pray for their safety and for their families.
If you want to know more about CBAmerica Chaplaincy please contact Al Russell by phone 218-776-2813 or by e-mail chapruss@cbamerica.org. Our ranks keep growing as the Lord sends gifted, called chaplains to our ministry.
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Leadership Couples' Retreat
Start the new year with a refreshing getaway at Saddleback Church's beautiful retreat center in San Juan Capistrano. Sessions will be: Vision and Team Building - by David Chrzan, Saddleback's Chief of Staff The Importance of Prayer - by Saddleback Retreat Center's Jamin Goggin
Ministry and Marriage - with Jim and Vicki Smith A look into the Lives of our Spouses - by Jim Smith Cost is a phenomenol $180 per couple to the first 10 couples. Afterwards, it is still only $250 per couple. Cost includes 4 meals and 2 nights at the historic Rancho Capistrano Retreat Center. Call our office at 909-944-5900 or register online. Sign up quickly to get the early bird special.
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Unleashed 1-Day Conference San Jose
A group of churches in the San Jose area have been holding a one-day conference in January for the last few years. This year, they have gone big and have moved to a new location. Check out this youtube video on how they creatively invited Rick Warren to their conference.
Unleashed 2013 sold out in record time, so to open it up to more pastors, church workers, and lay leaders, they had to move to a new location. Bethel Church of San Jose, a Next Generation (CB Northern Cal) church, has opened their doors, allowing them to fit 300 additional people. Join in the conversation January 17, 2013 as Unleashed Network hosts the Unleashed 2013 Conference. This gathering for faith leaders is hosted by one of our member churches, Westgate Church in San Jose. This year Unleashed is having Rick Warren, Frances Chan and Jon Tyson who will inspire and challenge those attending for greater impact in their churches. Bring your entire team. This will sell out quickly with this line up of outstanding speakers. Check this link for more information.
The conference ticket price is $60 until January 8th (if tickets are still available). So hurry and save your team a seat! Purchase Tickets Now!
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CB Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
As the new year nears, relief efforts continue for some of our CB churches on the east coast. Many churches have directly sent money to hurting churches. CB Southern California recently sent $1,000 to the CB Recovery House of Worship for their recovery efforts in New York City. Close to $25K has been sent to CBAmerica to assist work projects and to help purchase supplies for relief and recovery efforts. Continued prayer is still needed for many. Work projects are still in need of help, and if you or volunteers in your group are "skilled," your help will especially be needed as people begin to re-build. If you have any questions, know of any specific needs or have a specific skill that you can offer, please contact the CB Mission Mid-Atlantic office at (856) 881-8990 or the CB Mission Northeast at (518) 935-4619.
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CB Global Meetings in Manila
Last month, Jim and Vicki Smith, along with Pat Phinney from CB North Central, were part of the delegation from the USA at these meetings. Other USA representatives came from the San Francisco area. Jim had the opportunity to represent the 350 churches in Central America that desired membership into the CBGlobal network of national organizations. With a unanimous vote, CB Central America was accepted as the newest partner in CBGlobal. Other nations such as Italy, Bangladesh and India are also considering joining CBGlobal, which reaffirmed their vision to "strengthen other national organizations." With CB Southern California now in the same network, we are working on partnering with churches in SoCal to sponsor a pastor in Central America for $50 a month--an amount that would be enough for a pastor to continue working full-time in the church. Call CBSC office for more information. You can check out more pictures from Manila on the facebook page "CBglobal Conferences."
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CBAP Relief after Typhoon Pablo
The CBGlobal partner, CBA Philippines (CBAP), is working to help many recover from the recent devastating super typhoon Pablo which hit the southern islands on December 4 with winds of 130 mph. Over 900 people died, along with the destruction of many churches and homes. Recently CB Southern California sent $1,500 to help with the recovery work. General Director of CBAP, Noel Pantoja, wrote on the CBAP facebook page, "Through united efforts of His people and many prayers, CBAP community of churches will send relief until March 2013; will reconstruct 9 worship buildings and pastoral homes; rehab 300 homes destroyed by Typhoon Pablo. Our churches will be empowered to help 1,000 families in their respective communities. We are also studying the possibility of helping relocate families to safer areas. Thank you for your partnership." If you would like to send funds to help our CBAP churches' recovery work, please donate here: http://www.cbasc.com/donations.htm.
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Mustard Seed Conference
This is a conference especially designed for the smaller church of less than 200. It will be at South Shores Church in Dana Point on Monday and Tuesday, February 4-5. Transformation Ministries has graciously opened this conference to CB churches. The guest speaker is Dana Aaker who has pastored Centerpoint Church in Colton, CA for 27 years. He led the church through a difficult division leaving only 89 members with a pastor who had heart and vision. Dane will address the loneliness and exhaustion a solo pastor experiences, the challenges of raising up ministry volunteers and building a dedicated staff. He'll highlight his faith that directed him to 1) keep the ministry structure simple, maximizing its impact, and 2) bring music and message together for a dynamic worship service. For the past 20 years, Centerpoint Church has experienced steady conversion growth and has become a multi-ethnic, multi-generational congregation. Today, the congregation of 1,400 meets in 6 worship services in a church built in 1926 that seats 350. To register or for more information, please call the CB office at 909.944.5900, email us at cbministries@cbasc.com or click here.
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Visit in Guam
Vicki and I had a chance to visit our CB church in Guam on December 2 while traveling back from the CBGlobal meetings. The church is always a tremendous host and Pastor Greg Atkinson offered to take me to the "Wild Pig Hunting Derby." I passed on the opportunity, but did join Pastor Greg and son Levi on a hike up to one of the highest points on Guam. Bayview Church is doing well, with a congregation of about 250. We also met his daughter, Amy, who ran in the 2012 Olympics in London. My first-time pictures with an Olympian. Pretty cool. Pastor Greg hired an associate pastor, Kevin, who served here in SoCal at West LA. They look forward to reaching the island population and the military personnel on the island.
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Christian Talk Show Host Dies
On Monday, December 17, local LA Christian Radio station KKLA announced on their website the following sad announcement: "As many of you are aware, Frank Pastore was in a motorcycle accident Monday night, 11/19. [Wife] Gina Pastore informed us that in the early afternoon of Monday, December 17, Frank passed away." Frank played major league baseball with the Reds and Twins in the 1980's.
After baseball, Pastore studied business, philosophy, religion and politics at various universities and became a born-again Christian. He became host of The Frank Pastore Show on KKLA nine years ago and turned it into one of the largest Christian talk shows in the country. He was 55. read more |
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We will announce our new church planting director next month. He will be letting his church know that he is moving first. He is scheduled to speak at our Annual Meeting in March and then joining us full-time in June.
Sincerely,
Jim Smith CB Southern California
909-944-5900
cbministries@cbasc.com
www.cbasc.com |
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