Love God | Love People: The God Who Loves You

The 10 Commandments are 10 simple and concrete statements that could transform the planet. There is nothing ambiguous about them. Consider this: if everyone practiced the 10 commandments there would be justice, everlasting peace, freedom, unity, dignity, integrity, prosperity, and love. If there is a even the slightest possibility that this is true we should study and reflect deeply upon them.

Today's Message

A code of conduct does not mean you are a prude or legalistic. One’s code of conduct is birthed and sustained out of the wealth or poverty of our relationships. The more we are loved and love the more vulnerable and bound we are to honor the friends who love us and whom we love.

Exodus 19.16-20.2

16   So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. 20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 “Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 Then the LORD said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break forth upon them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

20:1   Then God spoke all these words, saying,

2   “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

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Marriage Works is a group for married couples of all ages and seasons.  It meets every other Friday at 7:00 pm in the Carmel Valley home of George & Olga Kenney. This fall’s meeting dates are Oct 5, 19, Nov 2, 16, 30, Dec 14.

Group gatherings begin with dessert and fellowship, are followed by a fun ice-breaker, a short teaching, a private time for each couple to discuss some topical questions and share their thoughts about the teaching with each other, and conclude with a group prayer time.  

This fall the Marriage Works group will explore the series:  You and Me Forever… Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis and Lisa Chen.  

To sign up, please stop by the Welcome Table or contact group leaders George & Olga Kenney by clicking here

We want everyone who walks through our doors to grow in their relationship with God and others. But SPIRITUAL GROWTH ALONE IS NOT JUST DIFFICULT...IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! Stop by the table to sign up!

If you are interested in singing in a group setting and like gospel music come join our choir. We are going to be singing in a December Christmas concert and will be starting rehearsals soon. Email pastor Khalid at Khalid@faithsandiego.org if you are interested or for more info OR stop by the Sign Up Table.

Love God | Love People: The Ten Commandments

The 10 Commandments are 10 simple and concrete statements that could transform the planet. There is nothing ambiguous about them. Consider this: if everyone practiced the 10 commandments there would be justice, everlasting peace, freedom, unity, dignity, integrity, prosperity, and love. If there is a even the slightest possibility that this is true we should study and reflect deeply upon them.

Today's Message

Deuteronomy 4.8-14; 5.1-6

“Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

Deut. 4:9   “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. 10 “Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ 11 “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the very heart of the heavens: darkness, cloud and thick gloom. 12 “Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form — only a voice. 13 “So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. 14 “The LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might perform them in the land where you are going over to possess it.

Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them:

 “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I am speaking today in your hearing, that you may learn them and observe them carefully. 2 “The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 “The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, with all those of us alive here today. 4 “The LORD spoke to you face to face at the mountain from the midst of the fire, 5 while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said,

Deut. 5:6   ‘I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

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Pray for Me Campaign: Everyone Needs A Champion

Today we are introducing the Pray for Me Campaign.  The campaign has three aims:

• Help the emerging generation see and savor the greatness of God through the prays of God’s people.

  1. Help adult believers be empowered as Prayer Champions who intentionally pray for and invest in the next generation.

     1. Create a vast web of multi-generational relationships established by prayer, in which one generation would share the greatness of God with another.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Campfire Stories: The Shocking Tale of the Shocking Tale

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

The story of the Friend at Midnight is the shocking tale of a shocking tale... for here we learn something never before taught about prayer... It is as liberating as it is outrageous...

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 11.1-13

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”

2     And He said to them, “When you pray, say: 
    ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. 
    Your kingdom come.
3     ‘Give us each day our daily bread.
4     ‘And forgive us our sins, 
    For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. 
    And lead us not into temptation.’”

Luke 11.5   Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Luke 11.9   “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Click here for this morning's sermon notes.

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ONLINE GIVING:

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INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

We want everyone who walks through our doors to grow in their relationship with God and others. But SPIRITUAL GROWTH ALONE IS NOT JUST DIFFICULT...IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! Stop by the table to sign up!

If you are interested in singing in a group setting and like gospel music come join our choir. We are going to be singing in a December Christmas concert and will be starting rehearsals soon. Email pastor Khalid at Khalid@faithsandiego.org if you are interested or for more info OR stop by the Sign Up Table.

Are you in Middle School or High School? Do you wish summer didn't have to end? Then come join us at Faith Community Church on Sunday, August 26th from 2pm to 6pm as we end the summer the best way possible--with games, fun and friends! For more info, contact Ryan Silvia at ryan@faithsandiego.org

TO SEE EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING CLICK HERE!

Campfire Stories: The Invasion

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Leaven encourages us that the movement of the Kingdom of Heaven often starts small - even unseen - and surprises us in how it comforts and provides in excessive ways. 

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 13:31-35

31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:“I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Are you in Middle School or High School? Do you wish summer didn't have to end? Then come join us at Faith Community Church on Sunday, August 26th from 2pm to 6pm as we end the summer the best way possible--with games, fun and friends! For more info, contact Ryan Silvia at ryan@faithsandiego.org

Campfire Stories: The First and The Last

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers gives a response to the disciple Peter's question, 'We've given up everything to follow you, what will we get?' We learn in Jesus' response that if you’re going to stay encouraged in the field of the Kingdom, you need to remember that it all functions on the land owners generosity and not on what we deserve. 

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 20:1-16

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went.Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

ONLINE GIVING:

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INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Join us at Faith Community for Science Camp, Aug. 20-23,  9am-1pm. This camp is for kids entering 2nd-6th grades. We will explore biblical themes around God’s creation each day. This year's science theme is Ecology.  Each day the children will witness demonstrations, participate in hands-on experiments, create take-home projects, play games and enjoy lunch together. This camp will also include 2 off-campus field trips. This camp is limited to 25 students so early registration is recommended to reserve a place in the lab. The cost for the camp is $60.00.

Register here

Campfire Stories: The Shocking Tale of the Righteous Sinner

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

Shocking is the warning that today's follower of Jesus could be tomorrow's hostile critic completely out of touch with God's love for sinning people. OMG! What if it is already happening?!

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 18.9-14

Luke 18:9   And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Today's Sermon Notes

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Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Learn more about Gary Barnes and World Changers International 

Thursday, August 9, 5-8 PM

If you're interested in making a decision to be baptized, please let us know here and some one from our pastoral team will reach out to you soon.  

We will gather at La Jolla Shores for a BBQ and will do baptisms after.  Please bring your own meat for the grill.  

Grill will start at 5:30pm, baptisms will begin after our BBQ, will be approximately 6:45pm.  

Join us at Faith Community for Science Camp, Aug. 20-23,  9am-1pm. This camp is for kids entering 2nd-6th grades. We will explore biblical themes around God’s creation each day. This year's science theme is Ecology.  Each day the children will witness demonstrations, participate in hands-on experiments, create take-home projects, play games and enjoy lunch together. This camp will also include 2 off-campus field trips. This camp is limited to 25 students so early registration is recommended to reserve a place in the lab. The cost for the camp is $60.00.

Register here

Campfire Stories: The Shocking Tale of the Lost Leaders

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

Jesus faced constant criticism concerning who He chose to spend time with. He was called "friend of sinners" by religious leaders who considered themselves the "sin police" of their day. They were sure Jesus was out of touch with God's standards of righteousness. Jesus was sure they were out of touch with God's love and grace. To try and shock them into recognition Jesus told 3 stories...

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 15.1-32

Luke 15.1   Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 15.3   So He told them this parable, saying, 4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 “When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15.8   “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 “When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ 10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15.11   And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Luke 15.25   “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Today's Sermon Notes

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Campfire Stories: The Cold-Hearted Servant

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

What story can Jesus create to shock His listeners that there is a new order and a new law... a law of mercy NOT score-keeping. The rule of God is like a King who has limitless mercy and an unlimited demand that his servants do too.

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 18.21-35

Matt. 18:21   Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Matt. 18:23   “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 “When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 “But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 “So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 “And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 “So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 “But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31 “So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 “Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35 “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

Today's Sermon Notes

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Campfire Stories: The Reckoning

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

Today we will look at The Parable of the Reckoning.  It's the shocking tale  of 3 slaves, 3 fortunes, and 2 shockingly different fates. It is a tale told at the expense of the religious conservative. Just maybe they can be "shocked back to life" as they hear this...

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 25.14-30

14   “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. 18 But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19   “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. 20 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’

21   “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

22   “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.’

23   “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24   “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. 25 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’

26   “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. 27 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. 28 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away. 30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Today's Sermon Notes

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ONLINE GIVING:

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Campfire Stories: The Treasure

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

Today we will look at the parable of the hidden treasure.  It's the story of man that discovers a priceless treasure in a field and in his excitement sells everything to purchase the field and embrace the treasure as his own. This isn’t a story about purchasing in the sense that we’ve got enough chips to cash in to get the Kingdom.  This is a recognition that what I have in my hands may keep me from embracing the Kingdom.  It’s the biblical theme of serving two masters.  There is nothing that can have more supremacy or priority in our lives. 

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 13.44

44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

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ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Campfire Stories: shocking tales Jesus told

The stories Jesus told were shocking, insulting, provocative, challenging, disrupting, unsettling, and frightening. They were anything but sweet, comforting, simple, and trite. In these short stories we  experience the creative genius of Jesus as he crafts stories and examples intended to provoke a reaction... and let me warn you, "indifference", is not an option!

TODAY'S MESSAGE

Today we will look at the parable that introduces all parables: The Strange Tale of the Sower from Matthew 13.1-9; 18-23. Beware how you listen to it as your life depends on it...

CLICK HERE for this morning's sermon notes.

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 13.1-9; 18-23

On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 6 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them: 8 and others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

18   “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most assuredly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Click here for additional sermon resources.

Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus

TODAY'S MESSAGE

From June 18-22 was Kids Day Camp at Faith.  This Sunday we celebrated what God did amongst our kids and reflected on the theme of the week.  No matter where we find ourselves, Jesus is able to rescue.  

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Spiritual Fathers - We All Need One

TODAY'S MESSAGE

The Bible is filled with mentors. The apostle Paul writes to his spiritual son in the faith (1 and 2 Timothy). But what does it take to be a spiritual father? This week Ryan Silvia, our youth director, reflects on what it takes to be a spiritual father and the incredible impact it makes on lives...

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1.1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. 2 To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Our middle school and high school students are headed to Camp at Cedar Crest in the San Bernadino mountains! At our summer camps, youth have the opportunity to disconnect from the distractions of daily life at home and make new connections. They get to connect with leaders, each other and most importantly -- with Jesus Christ.

Camp is July 20-24 and the cost is $220.  

Click here to register

Acts Together - Our Mission | Our Hope for Our City

TODAY'S MESSAGE

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

Most Christians have a desire to be like the early Church. We romanticize their unity, the miracles, the preaching, the explosive growth, and the lavish generosity of the first Christians. It is easy to think that the church grew because of charismatic leaders endowed with unique abilities of leadership and wonder-inspiring power. The truth is far less flashy. The Christian movement because it was the organic endeavor of a people on mission together. We have that same opportunity today...

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Acts 8.1-12

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

4   Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.

9   Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

Click here for this morning's notes.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for additional resources.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Kids Day Camp is June 18-22 from 9am-12pm everyday... AND WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM. SIGN UP HERE

Kids 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to join.  Each day the kids will enjoy great music, play team-building games, enjoy some tasty treats, take part in fun Bible learning that they can see, hear, touch, and even taste, and create amazing crafts.

For more information, stop by the table in the Courtyard and visit with  Pastor Deb. deb@faithsandiego.org 858.565.4808 ext. 204.  Parents register your kids here.

Our middle school and high school students are headed to Camp at Cedar Crest in the San Bernadino mountains! At our summer camps, youth have the opportunity to disconnect from the distractions of daily life at home and make new connections. They get to connect with leaders, each other and most importantly -- with Jesus Christ.

Camp is July 20-24 and the cost is $220.  

Click here to register

Graduate Information

We want to celebrate our grads on Promotion Sunday.  If you know of someone who has graduated from 8th grade, high school, college or graduate school, please let us know here

Acts Together - Our Opposition | Our Opportunity (Part 2)

TODAY'S MESSAGE

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

Most Christians have a desire to be like the early Church. We romanticize their unity, the miracles, the preaching, the explosive growth, and the lavish generosity of the first Christians. If only... Yet conspicuously absent from our yearning is the harsh reality of the opposition and persecution they faced. Yet in 22 of 28 chapters in the Book of Acts we find references to the opposition those first Christians faced. Why were they persecuted if they were know for their love, service, sacrifice, and generosity? 

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Acts 4.1-22

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 

5  The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

     “ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
        which has become the cornerstone.’ 

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” 

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

Click here for this morning's notes.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for additional resources.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Kids Day Camp is June 18-22 from 9am-12pm everyday... AND WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM. SIGN UP HERE

Kids 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to join.  Each day the kids will enjoy great music, play team-building games, enjoy some tasty treats, take part in fun Bible learning that they can see, hear, touch, and even taste, and create amazing crafts.

For more information, stop by the table in the Courtyard and visit with  Pastor Deb. deb@faithsandiego.org 858.565.4808 ext. 204.  Parents register your kids here.

Graduate Information

We want to celebrate our grads on Promotion Sunday.  If you know of someone who has graduated from 8th grade, high school, college or graduate school, please let us know here

Acts Together - Opposition (Family Sunday)

TODAY'S MESSAGE

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

In 22 of 28 chapters in the Book of Acts we find references to the opposition the first Christians faced. In the face of their persecution, how did they continue to act in love, service, sacrifice, and generosity? 

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Acts 4.23-31

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry?
    Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
    the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
    and against his Messiah.’
27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for additional resources.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Kids Day Camp is June 18-22 from 9am-12pm everyday... AND WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM. SIGN UP HERE

Kids 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to join.  Each day the kids will enjoy great music, play team-building games, enjoy some tasty treats, take part in fun Bible learning that they can see, hear, touch, and even taste, and create amazing crafts.

For more information, contact Pastor Deb. deb@faithsandiego.org 858.565.4808 ext. 204.  Parents register your kids here.

Graduate Information

We want to celebrate our grads on Promotion Sunday.  If you know of someone who has graduated from 8th grade, high school, college or graduate school, please let us know here

DOING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ALONE IS NOT JUST DIFFICULT...

... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

We are designed for community. Therefore, it would be wise to learn how to live and grow in friendship and community. LifeGroups are small groups (usually 8-14) that intentionally do life together. LifeGroups discover spiritual growth, learn, face challenges, and have fun together by creating an environment where relationships can flourish. LifeGroups meet weekly and most follow the weekly Resource Guide. Our goal is for Lifegroups to grow in their trust in God and one another so that meaningful community can develop.

You can join a LifeGroup any time. You can stop by the Welcome Table on a Sunday morning to sign up or you can click here if you are interested in signing up for a group.

Acts Together - Our Opposition

TODAY'S MESSAGE

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

Most Christians have a desire to be like the early Church. We romanticize their unity, the miracles, the preaching, the explosive growth, and the lavish generosity of the first Christians. If only... Yet conspicuously absent from our yearning is the harsh reality of the opposition and persecution they faced. Yet in 22 of 28 chapters in the Book of Acts we find references to the opposition those first Christians faced. Why were they persecuted if they were know for their love, service, sacrifice, and generosity? 

CLICK HERE for this mornings sermon notes

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Acts 4.1-22

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 

5  The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

     “ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
        which has become the cornerstone.’ 

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” 

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for additional resources.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

Kids Day Camp is June 18-22 from 9am-12pm everyday... AND WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM. SIGN UP HERE

Kids 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to join.  Each day the kids will enjoy great music, play team-building games, enjoy some tasty treats, take part in fun Bible learning that they can see, hear, touch, and even taste, and create amazing crafts.

For more information, contact Pastor Deb. deb@faithsandiego.org 858.565.4808 ext. 204.  Parents register your kids here.

We are setting aside a night to worship and pray together as a community.  Join us TONIGHt at 5pm in the Worship Center.

DOING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ALONE IS NOT JUST DIFFICULT...

... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

We are designed for community. Therefore, it would be wise to learn how to live and grow in friendship and community. LifeGroups are small groups (usually 8-14) that intentionally do life together. LifeGroups discover spiritual growth, learn, face challenges, and have fun together by creating an environment where relationships can flourish. LifeGroups meet weekly and most follow the weekly Resource Guide. Our goal is for Lifegroups to grow in their trust in God and one another so that meaningful community can develop.

You can join a LifeGroup any time. You can stop by the Welcome Table on a Sunday morning to sign up or you can click here if you are interested in signing up for a group.

Acts Together - Carried By People | Raised By Jesus

TODAY'S MESSAGE

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

The lame beggar that sits at the edge of the Temple is a beautiful picture of our own story.  A story of how Jesus changed everything.  Our only being able to get so far... stuck in our own limitations. We sit on the edge of where we would love to be.  And we thank God that Jesus raises us up and in doing so we walk in a new life.  As Peter tells the crowd, we turn to the Jesus so that we receive the refreshment that comes from the presence of the Lord.  

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

Acts 3

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for additional resources.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

Acts Together - Generation R

TODAY'S MESSAGE

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

We live in the digital age. Physical communities have given way to online ones. So what makes the church unique? Why should a person get up on a Sunday, get ready, drive to a location and gather in person with others? What's the point when you can hear great sermons online and listen to all your favorite worship songs on your phone? In this teaching series, we'll explore and discover the irreplaceable, life-giving, transformative power of the church when we return to our roots and live on mission together. 

People endlessly study the generations of our country-- G.I. Generation, the Silent Generation, Boomers, Busters, Gen X, Gen Y (Millennials), and now Generation Z. In depth observations and conclusions populate the research with very little agreement. In fact, there is little agreement on when each generation starts and ends! That is not the case with Generation R-- the oldest and greatest generation ever. We know when they began, who they are, and what their essential traits are...

CLICK HERE for this mornings notes.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

Acts 2.40-47

And with many other words Peter solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for additional resources.

INFO | OPPORTUNITIES

Stop by the Welcome Table to receive your free gift, pick a charity, and to find out more information. 

STOP BY THE MOPS TABLE... We have a great opportunity for you to support the moms at MOPS + MomsNext and have a chance to win prizes!

The moms at MOPS + MomsNext have put together 6 amazing baskets for our raffle fundraiser. Don't miss your chance to donate and win! 

Or you can get your tickets here.

Kids Day Camp is June 18-22 from 9am-12pm everyday... AND WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM. SIGN UP HERE

Kids 4 years old through 6th grade are invited to join.  Each day the kids will enjoy great music, play team-building games, enjoy some tasty treats, take part in fun Bible learning that they can see, hear, touch, and even taste, and create amazing crafts.

For more information, contact Pastor Deb. deb@faithsandiego.org 858.565.4808 ext. 204.  Parents register your kids here.

Join Andrew and Nicole Henneforth as we continue to help them launch Park Church Poway. They are sponsoring a Worship with Park Church on May 6th from 4-6pm at the Poway Historic Chapel. 13501 Community Road, Poway. 

Guest leaders Khalid McKinley & Ryan Hall

Please email info@parkchurchsd.org to rsvp for childcare. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are setting aside a night to worship and pray together as a community.  Join us on Sunday May 20th at 5pm in the Worship Center.

DOING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ALONE IS NOT JUST DIFFICULT...

... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

We are designed for community. Therefore, it would be wise to learn how to live and grow in friendship and community. LifeGroups are small groups (usually 8-14) that intentionally do life together. LifeGroups discover spiritual growth, learn, face challenges, and have fun together by creating an environment where relationships can flourish. LifeGroups meet weekly and most follow the weekly Resource Guide. Our goal is for Lifegroups to grow in their trust in God and one another so that meaningful community can develop.

You can join a LifeGroup any time. You can stop by the Welcome Table on a Sunday morning to sign up or you can click here if you are interested in signing up for a group.