2006 CICF MEN'S MINISTRY RETREAT

Last Saturday and Sunday, the men of CICF had their "Men's Ministry Retreat" at Victorville. It was a great time of refreshing, eating, singing, bonding, and most importantly - Spiritual Growth.

Our guest speaker, Pastor Danny, gave us an incredible and memorable lesson about "Priorities" that was based on the first chapter of the book of Haggai. All of us returned to Corona determined and committed to be the men that God has called us to be.

My personal thanks to all the men who took time-out from their busy schedules to help out and attend this event. Praise the Lord!

EASTER 2006

Here are some pictures from our Easter Sunday worship service last week. It was a great time celebrating our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and inspiring to see several people responding to the altar call to make committments/recommittments to the Lord. Glory to God!!!

Hallelujah! He Is Risen!

FUN FRIDAY

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MONDAY MOTIVATION

"If we expect great things from God, then we must attempt great things for God."
William Carey

EASTER BREAK

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while because the kids are on Easter Break and so it's been "family time" - and family always comes first!

Here are some pictures of our Skiing trip yesterday at Mountain High. We had soooo much fun!

See you on the slopes!

FUN FRIDAY...

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HOW WE CONDUCT CHURCH AT CICF

Sometime back in 1999 a well meaning Christian couple visited our church, and after worship service the woman approached me and said, “Pastor Ed, why doesn’t your church sing this hymn (she mentions the title) after the offering like all other churches do?” After hearing that, it was a reminder for me of how some people put repetitive traditions and ritualistic ceremonies with so much value – that it removes their “focus” of why they’re at Church in the first place.

Although I do believe there are well-meaning traditions, if used excessively to a point wherein people “just can’t live without it” and become fixated on those "other things", then it can dangerously remove our focus on Jesus and become an “idol” in and of itself. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith...”

The Pharisees always “missed the point” of God’s Word and put tradition before the “application” of God's Word. Because of this Jesus said to them in Matthew 15:6, “…You nullify the Word of God for the sake of your tradition?” In the same context, Jesus also said to the Pharisees in Mark 7:8, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men”

The Bible says in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

At CICF, we try to do without ritualistic ceremonies and repetitive tradition so that Jesus would be the main focus on everyone’s mind – because the Kingdom of God is not about rituals, it’s not about a certain hymn or song, it’s not about the color of the carpet, the church bulletin, or the order of worship – but it’s about JESUS.

Since the start of our church, my deep conviction has always been to conduct the order of our church worship services in such a way, that when a visitor/guest leaves those church doors they’d be able to honestly say to themselves four things:

1. “I was blessed as I worshipped and praised God.”
2. “God spoke to me through the sermon.”
3. “I felt Christ’s love in that church.”
4. “Jesus was glorified today.”

Please visit us and see for yourself how we conduct church! I’ll be looking forward to meeting you! Click here for directions.

"INTEGRITY"

Two weeks ago, our Church Care Groups completed the Bible study series entitled "Parables." It was a great study as we learned about the different Parables that Jesus used to make His teachings about the Kingdom of God clear and understandable.

This coming Friday/Saturday (depending on your care group), we'll be starting a new series entitled "Integrity." As believers, our "Christian Integrity" powerfully reflects that we are truly indeed disciples of Christ.

Since the start of our care groups, we've had many people grow in the Word, in Fellowship, and in the likeness of Christ. Thanks everyone for your committment to your care groups and for striving to make our care groups even better.

DENNIS AND LULU

Last Saturday I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of Dennis Rogenski and Lulu Claveria. Although it was “A Rainy Day in Southern California,” everything went well! Praise the Lord! (click on picture for a larger image)

Dennis will be taking Lulu back to his home in New Hampshire (sounds like a far away place to me), but I know Dennis and Lulu will be very happy together. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

God bless you both Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Lulu Rogenski.

JUST A LITTLE FUN...

Bro. Bill Gray sent this very interesting fact:

This coming Wednesday,
at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning:
the time and date will be: 01:02:03 04/05/06

CHURCH PLANTING

When we planted our Church back in May of 1997, I really wasn’t fully aware of what I was getting into. All I knew was that God called me and my wife Cory to start this church along with the Cancino and the Lacanienta family – and so by faith - that’s what we set out to do.

Well 9 years later, looking back at all the struggles, victories, mistakes, and challenges, I can honestly say that it was an incredible joy to have been part of a team that helped birth our church. The Lord was truly faithful as He guided us along every step of the way, and we (the founding and core members) all grew in faith because of what Jesus did in “birthing” His Church.

Because of my experience in starting our church, the SWBC asked me to help “coach” other pastors as they go through the struggles and joys of starting their own churches.

It is for this reason why I was in Rancho Bernardo last week to attend the Church-Planting Coach Recertification class, so that I would be better equipped to help coach other pastors as they plant a new church. I’m also part of the SWBC Missions Committee that helps in finding the “right seeds” to plant the church.

Currently I am coaching Pastor Ali Aguarino – a really wonderful Pastor who with his wife Yvonne, is starting a new Filipino-American Church in the City of Huntington Beach. The name of their church is “Lighthouse Christian Fellowship,” and their “Mother Church” is the Filipino-American Church of Irvine headed by my friend Pastor Vince Arnaldo.

You can help me as well in helping Pastor Ali and his wife Yvonne start their new church by simply “Praying” for them. Please pray that they would have wisdom, patience, and perseverance as they serve Christ in Huntington Beach.

If you believe God is calling you to help out with this new church plant in any way, please contact Pastor Ali by emailing him at: aaguarino@yahoo.com