February 25, 2015

Pastoral Candidate Returning to Fair Oaks

Pastor Tom Olson will be joining us again on Wednesday, March 11th, for a follow-up opportunity to answer questions and share his thoughts. If you missed the chance to meet him when he was here in January, or have additional questions, please make plans to attend.

We will meet at 6:45 p.m. in the Adult Learning Center (ALC) for a time of questions, fellowship and dessert. We are asking everyone to bring a dessert to share, and to have your dessert ready-to-serve (already cut, sliced or out of the box). Fair Oaks will provide coffee, tea and water.

We look forward to the time together.

Current Sermon Series

"Hate Well"
Sunday, March 1st
Seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Yet it is an essential part of great character, as both what we hate and how we hate have everything to do with success in life and love. Join us next week as we continue our message series with a look at how the proper kind of hate can actually reflect the heart of God.

In This Issue

Meeting With Returning Pastoral Candidate

Sermon Series

Global Outreach Team

Men's Community

Children's Ministries

Senior Adult Fellowship

Youth Ministries

Prayer Meeting

Social Media Connections

CSB & GEMS

2015 MS Walk

Contact Information

Quick Links

www.fairoaks.org

Social Media Links

Global Outreach Team by Dick Buckingham

Next GOT meeting: Monday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm, ALC Room 124

Global Outreach Fair Dates March 22nd to 29th - "Engage the Unreached!"

Our theme for this year is "Engage the Unreached!" A people group is considered "Unreached" when less than 2% of its population is evangelical Christian. An "Unreached" people group is considered "Unengaged" when no evangelical church planting strategy is underway. Most mission organizations agree that engaging the world's unreached people groups is a priority. Yet many organizations continue to deploy personnel among people groups that are no longer unreached or among people groups that are already engaged by other evangelical organizations, yet remain unreached. Engaging the Unreached often involves praying, researching and partnering strategically to start a new church planting movement as led by the Holy Spirit. Several of our supported teams, including our speaker on March 22nd are active among unreached peoples and are thus part of the efforts to "Engage the Unreached."

Reminder: GOT will not be taking a special offerings for our Global Outreach Fair project this year. Instead, your support to the overall general budget will fund this year's project. The project is to fund a culturally appropriate video for an unreached people group that is the focus of one of our supported ministries.

Fair Oaks Members Going...

Ariel Arajuo is currently in the Philippines on a short term trip through the Biola nursing program. She is applying her training in nursing in a community health setting. She expects to be doing in-home health assessments, teaching health education classes and working with a local organization to plan and implement a community health program. Pray for effective outreach to show the love of Christ as they go out. She graduates this spring and is applying for nursing jobs in California - top target UCSF Children's hospital!

Missionary Updates:

Bruce & Deborah Warren - Unreached Peoples Living in Northern England

Bruce and Deborah will be with us sometime this spring to share their perspectives from working to help churches engage Muslim peoples.

From their latest blog - "The average Muslim living in our cities is horrified at the level of terror and violence. Whether ISIL and Boko Haram are true to the heart of Islam is hotly debated among Muslims, many believing they tarnish the name of Allah for their evil, much like we would look at the 'Christian' Lord's Resistance Army in southern Sudan." Deborah coaches, resources, and visits 15+ Mahabba groups in the north of England who meet regularly to pray for Muslims, and to support each other in their gospel outreach efforts. Bruce is helping to lead two of those groups who meet weekly to pray. God has been building a sense of community and mutual support as we together ask God to change the entire spiritual environment around Muslims seeking Jesus."

Prayer items as they plan and prepare for "home assignment" here in the U.S.:

For "here": a temporary home for our cat, Starbuck; someone to live in our home (and pay rent) - or we move out of our house and put everything in storage; care of our car, how to divvy up some of our work to others here; and getting Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency).
For "over there": how to arrange this so that we stay healthy physically and emotionally during such a rigorous trip of thousands of miles of driving, sleeping in various beds, having hundreds of conversations, teaching a lot, and getting to meet up with so many people, sometimes having 2-3 meetings and/or teachings per day, and accommodation/transportation needs while stateside

James and Laura R. Update - Unreached Peoples Living in Asia

They are having a cold winter in their area, but had a nice break with a conference in a warmer climate. Laura writes: "I felt the Lord used the theme of endurance to speak deeply to me. Over and over I heard our friends say that the meetings felt "heavy" due to the various realities our leadership addressed. Strange that though I should agree, I also began to feel hope thaw out a heart that had been frostbitten with grief. Right now it seems bad news, conflict, and sorrow of all kinds surrounds us, but for the first time in months I feel like we can face these things without despair. At times the effort, the sacrifice, and the pain of this life we've chosen doesn't seem worth it. The work is so hard and slow! Yet James and I feel encouraged as we are reminded that though "it" isn't worth it, HE is. And HE is enough for us. HE is all we need. HE is all we want. May HE be glorified in our lives and in this place."

People of FOC, this is a strong reminder of our need to uphold them in prayer as this work is front-line battle and their message above describes the realities of the important remaining work to the "unreached."

Barry and Ronah Francolino - In Romania to Unreached

They have relocated back to Romania and are starting out in a pioneering effort to reach an unreached Muslim people group. They attended a conference with others in similar efforts and commented that it was the first-time they concentrated on peace making in conjunction with reaching Muslims. Pray for them to find "persons of peace" and to show and have genuine love for these people!

Upcoming/In progress Events:

Habitat For Humanity / Martinez site - If interested, contact Dave Rosenberg, 925.825.4023

International Christian Fellowship - Welcoming DVC International Students - Join them every Friday, 6:00 p.m., at Hope Center, 2275 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill.

Perspectives Class - Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church from 1/11/15 - 5/17/15, 6:00pm to 9:00pm on Sunday's

Global Outreach Fair - March 22-29, 2015

Men's Community

The Men's Community meets at 8:45 a.m. each Sunday morning in WC Rm. 213, above the church offices. We have a great time of fellowship and a look into God's plan for us as men. We are currently going through Dennis Rainey's workbook "Stepping UP, A Call To Courageous Manhood," which has proven to be a terrific study. Come join us!

Upcoming events:

--Converge PacWest Men's Retreat: The retreat, "Making kingdom Impact," is scheduled for March 6th through 8th at Mt. Hermon. For more information contact Eric Vale at ericvale_ea@yahoo.com or 510.928.0036.

--River Cats Minor League Baseball Game: We will be heading to Sacramento to catch a game sometime in April or May. GO CATS!

--We are also planning a medium-length day hike in the near future. We will be hiking to watershed property located south of Lafayette in the hills. We will be hiking with a guide because the general public cannot legally enter this area. This should be BIG fun.

--Men's poker night has been temporarily postponed. Stay tuned for future Poker Night announcements.

May God Bless You All As You Walk This World For Him,

Chris Halvorson

Children's Ministries by Jamie Snyder

Remember and Celebrate! This past Sunday, the 1st-3rd graders paused and looked back at what they discovered about God during the past several weeks in THE BIG GOD Story. We enjoyed a feast together, and thanked God for all the ways he provides for us. I hope we all take time to remember the awesomeness of our God, and celebrate Him! We also had fun playing our favorite game "Zonk". This game is so much fun that the kids were left wanting more; good thing we play this again soon J

Mocha Club had fun making up their own review questions so they can remember all they have learned about Jesus over the past few weeks.

Children's Ministries is having a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon for all Teachers/Volunteers this Sunday, March 1st, following the service, at 11:45-1:30 in the Fireside room. Our theme is "Fellowship and Fun." Also, we will discuss our Easter plans for the children's department, future vision moving forward, and the upcoming teacher training event (BASS) scheduled for March 5th-7th. Please RSVP by this Thursday, Feb 26th to Children's Ministries.

Speaking of appreciation, we would like to say another "BIG Thank You" to all the wonderful Teachers/Volunteers who help us in the nursery/pre-school department:

Ruth Vale, Barbara Roth, Carol Grieb, Stacey Green, Angel Davis, Cari Fustukjian, Stephanie Moran, Sandy Jones, Marcia Henry, Lynde Boltz, Anareth Luemba, Luisa Tembo, Bethany Berry, Corey Delanoy, Evelyn Owens, Nathaniel Araujo, Geneva Turner, Alta Jonson, Ivy Turner, Lynn Buckingham, Kristy Nass, Elisa Vale, Sue Lucas, Chrissy Turner, Sarah Turner, and Briel Araujo. (I hope I haven't forgotten anyone!). Thanks so much for your gift of time, love, and commitment to our Fair Oaks Children! God bless!

In Christ,

Jamie Snyder

Director of Children's Ministries

j.snyder@fairoaks.org

Senior Adult Fellowship by Johnnye Ellison

There is just one more week of the "LOVE" month and we are celebrating our friendships for one another with a gourmet salad lunch and a laugh fest with "

I Love Lucy!" It is so wonderful being part of a loving fellowship.

Next week we will begin March with another lesson from David Jeremiah in which he tells us about "The Shield of Faith." These DVD's are so instructive and direct us to ways in which we can improve our walk with Christ.

The second week of the windy month we will celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Jack Connery and his banjo will come to bring the joy of the Irish to our group. Be sure to wear green or you may get pinched. The third Thursday is an opportunity to sing your favorite hymns as Nancy Sweet joins us and we have our monthly hymn sing. Things are happening at SAF so come and be part of the fun.

Every meeting we enjoy Bible study, art, card making, exercise and warm camaraderie. Visitors are welcome.

February 2015

Feb. 26th Art Class 9:30 - 11:30

Card Making 9:30 - 11:15

Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00

DVD: I Love Lucy 11:45 - 12:15

"Lucy's Last Birthday"

Devotions / Salad Buffet Lunch 12:30

Calendar of Events for March 2015

Mar. 5th Art Instruction 9:30 - 11:30

Card Making 9:30 - 11:15

Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00

DVD: David Jeremiah 11:45 - 12:30

"The Shield of Faith"

Devotions / Lunch 12:30

Mar. 12th Art Instruction 9:30 - 11:30

Card Making 9:30 - 11:15

Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00

St. Patrick's Day Celebration 11:45 - 12:15

w/ Jack Convery - Banjo soloist

Devotions / Lunch 12:30

Mar. 19th Art Class 9:30 - 11:30

Card Making 9:30 - 11:15

Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00

Hymn Sing 11:45 - 12:15

Devotions / Lunch 12:30

Mar. 26th Art Class 9:30 - 11:30

Card Making 9:30 - 11:15

Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00

Missionary Guest Speaker 11:45 - 12:15

Devotions / Salad Buffet Lunch 12:30

Exercise classes are also offered every Thursday morning

Youth Ministries by Trent Minor

The CREW

--Meets every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Fair Oaks.

--ISI Small Group meets every Sunday, 12:00-1:30 p.m. in Rm. 209. Lunch
provided.

Catalyst *NEW DAY & TIME*

--We are now meeting at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. While the parents are at
the main service, Catalyst will be doing its own service, Jr. High style!

--ISI Small Group meets every Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Rm. 208.

If you have any questions feel free to call Fair Oaks at 925.687.4810 and ask for Trent.

Trent Minor

Youth Pastor

Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting

large praying hands "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

As a community of faith, we come together every Wednesday evening to lift up our church in prayer. This long-standing meeting is open to all, and takes place in the Library (ALC Rm. 120). To submit a prayer request, please contact the church office at 925.687.4810 or write your request on a Communication Card during Sunday service.

Social Media Connections

We're now on Instagram!

You can also follow us on:

Facebook (www.facebook.com/fairoaks.org)

and Twitter (fairoaks_org).

CSB & GEMS by Bob Nass

BATTALION had a great weekend outing last weekend serving at Mount Hermon and kayaking the Elkhorn Slough. Two men and nine young men attended. Battalion is finishing up a series of meetings learning about construction, with both Dave Rosenberg and Chris Halvorson teaching. The next event for Battalion will be attending the R3 (Iron Sharpens Iron) Men's Equipping Conference in San Ramon on Saturday, March 14th.

STOCKADE has had their snow trip postponed until March 20th - 22nd, when they will be sharing a cabin with the Stockade from NorthCreek Church. Pray for snow!

That same weekend, March 21st - 22nd, GEMS will be heading to the Svensson's farm in Rocklin for an outing. Fun is guaranteed.

GEMS girls are 1st - 8th graders. STOCKADE boys are 2nd - 5th grade, and BATTALION young men 6th - 12th grade. Both GEMS and CSB are open to all youth, with no requirement that they attend Fair Oaks Church. All groups meet at 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening. Invite neighbors and friends to check us out.

Victorians

IT'S TIME TO REGISTER!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Heather Park Farm, Walnut Creek

Although it's just under two months away,

Put it on your calendar NOW so you don't miss out!

Last year, there were 126 Victorians - - -

Let's see how many more we can recruit this year.

Whether you can actually be in Walnut Creek to walk with us,

Or just want to support us "virtually", WE NEED YOU!

Got questions? We can find the answers: (925) 330-1838