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Wednesday, October 10, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
Are you all excited to be wearing sweaters again? The cooler weather is indeed a nice change for everyone, I assume. Drive safe out there in the first rain; remember the roads will be slick after the first rain of the season which is supposed to come tonight. That is what my dad told me every time it rained and what I told my boys and hey, since you are my family, I now tell you.
Weekend Message
This weekend will be a very special one as we talk about the impact God desires our church to have in the community and the world. My sermon is called “Is There Love in the Offering.” Pastor Trevor Christmas will be preaching in the Sunday night service. If you read 2nd Timothy 4:6-8, Romans 12:1-2, 2nd Corinthians 8:7-9, and 1 Kings 17:8-16 you will be ready for this weekend.
Wednesday Night at The Grove
Tonight at “Wednesday Night at the Grove” we will be studying 1 Corinthians 7 which is a very challenging passage. Make Wednesday nights a priority for your family and you might want to try out the HUB as a family outing as well. Carol and I ate there last Wednesday and it was great.
Christian Studies at The Grove
We will also have folks from CBU here tonight at 5:45 p.m. to talk with anyone who wants to pursue a college degree in Christian Studies at The Grove. They will be here tonight and next Wednesday from 5:45-6:30 p.m. to answer any of your questions (you will be done before the Bible Studies begin). They will also be here the next Sunday, October 14, from 10:15-10:40 a.m. (again, you will be out in time for the service). This is a great opportunity for you to pursue your Bible degree at a great price, convenient location (Grove) and you will go through this 18-month program with other people from The Grove. Come and ask questions and see if this is something for you. Click on these links for more information about the program and the classes: CBU Bible Degree Program Announcement and Course List.
Trunk n Treat Fall Festival
Our spectacular Trunk n Treat, Fall Festival, is almost here and your candy donations are still needed. For the next two weekends we will have cars parked in the breezeway entrances to take your donations of individually wrapped candies to give out to the children on Friday, October 26. This event allows us to reach out to our community by providing a safe and fun environment for children. Many will come to The Grove for the very first time. We will have agencies from all over the city participating with us to make this year’s Trunk n Treat the best event yet. We still need nearly 1,000 pounds of candy to pass out, so please continue to bring your candy donations and feed the trunks this weekend. For more information about Trunk n Treat, please call 951-571-9090 Ext. 2425 or check it out on the web.
Apologetics Class
The Apologetics class is meeting in the Chapel at 10:45 a.m. each Sunday through November 11. This week Sam Welbaum will be speaking on “Why Will So Many People Go to Hell If God Is Loving and Merciful?” Join this class as they study and learn together.
Voter Registration
If you have not registered to vote in the November 6 national election you still have time to register this weekend. We will have non-partisan voter registration tables set up in the breezeways with people available to assist you after each service. I encourage you to be praying for our country and the upcoming election and hope you will participate by voting.
Grove Website
Remember on our Grove website you can check out job opportunities (Click Here), the Hub menus (Click Here), the Read Through the Bible blog (Click Here), or post and pray for requests listed on our Prayer Wall (Click Here).
Looking forward to seeing you all here this weekend,

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
This weekend we continue on our Road Trip through Romans and find ourselves in chapter two. If you will read ahead you will be ready for the sermon I am calling, “To Judge or Not to Judge, That Is The Question.” Pastor Daniel Bishop will be speaking at Sunday Night at The Grove which has really been growing and meeting needs each and every week. We look forward to seeing you tonight for Wednesday Night at The Grove and this weekend as well. Before tonight, make sure to read 1 Corinthians 5 though 6:11 for the Men’s and Women’s Bible Study.
CBU WILL BE HERE TONIGHT
We will have folks from CBU here tonight at 5:45 p.m. to talk with anyone who wants to pursue a college degree in Christian Studies at The Grove. They will be here tonight and the next two Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m. to answer any of your questions (you will be done before the Bible Studies begin). They will also be here the next two Sundays, October 7 and 15, from 10:15-10:40 a.m. (again, you will be out in time for the service). This is a great opportunity for you to pursue your Bible degree at a great price, convenient location (Grove) and you will go through this 18-month program with other people from The Grove. Come and ask questions and see if this is something for you. Click on these links for more information about the program and the classes: CBU Bible Degree Program Announcement and Course List.
HATB
Hands Across the Border is now going to Chile! This multi-faceted trip is February 20-26, 2013. For more information contact Outreach Ministries at Ext. 2020.
APOLOGETICS
Apologetics, Defending the Faith, is a six-week class helping train you to defend your faith and live out the command in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. This series will cover topics that are important for Christians right now such as abortion, homosexuality and gay marriage, reasons for believing the resurrection, and in the truth of the Scriptures. A time of Q&A will follow each teaching so that you can get personal answers to the questions on your own heart. To sign up or for more information please contact Katie Rowntree at Ext. 2133 or
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.
Saturday Night Singles
Calling all singles for a night of fun and fellowship! On Saturday, October 6, at 7 p.m. we are having a country-western dance party plus a BBQ in the Chapel. This night will be filled with country music and entertainment with a purpose as we learn to square dance and line dance. Come dressed in your country best as we will crown the best new square dancers. Bring a friend and you both get to eat for free. The BBQ is only $3. If you have any questions call Andy Gibeault at Ext. 2260 or email him at
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. We can’t wait to see you there!
SENIOR ADULTS
Part of our mission as the Legacy Senior Adult Ministry is to improve the quality of life through spiritual growth, education, and advocacy for senior adults in our church and community. Finding solutions for the changing circumstances of older adults (65+) is the purpose of our "Senior Round Table Seminars." Our first meeting will take place Wednesday, October 10, at 10 a.m. in D-3. This first seminar is titled, "Understanding Medicare; Major Changes to Come." This seminar is for those currently covered or anticipating coverage in the future. To register for this or future seminars contact John Bowers at Ext. 2235 or
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.
WE STILL NEED CANDY!
It is that time of year again; time to invite our community to our annual Fall Festival, Trunk n Treat. The Grove is currently taking candy donations for our trunks to pass out to children on Friday, October 26. We are accepting candy donations in the bin located outside of the Children’s building. Candy needs to be individually wrapped. We hope to collect 1,000 pounds of candy for this huge event.
GROVE WEBSITE
Remember on our Grove website you can check out job opportunities (Click Here), the Hub menus (Click Here), the Read Through the Bible blog (Click Here), or post and pray for requests listed on our Prayer Wall (Click Here).
See you all tonight and this weekend,

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Thursday, September 27, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
This Weekend’s Message
I am calling this weekend’s message “The Dark Night Of Sin” and the text I am asking you to read is Romans 1:18-32. This is a portion of scripture that should cause us all to stop and see how deeply God hates sin. It also will show how the gospel can change even those caught in the darkest places of sin. If there is a “heavy” portion of scripture in Romans this is one of them and I ask you to take a little extra time not only reading it but reflecting and praying on this portion of scripture. Pastor Matt Furby will be preaching on the same portion of scripture at Sunday Night at The Grove.
We Are in Candy Crisis - ALERT-ALERT!
It is that time of year again. Time to invite our community to our annual Fall Festival, Trunk n Treat. The Grove is currently taking candy donations for our trunks to pass out to children on Friday, October 26. We are accepting candy donations in the bin located outside of the Children’s building. Candy needs to be individually wrapped. You can also “Feed the Trunk” this weekend, September 29/30, at our first all-church Feed the Trunk candy drop off weekend as we strive to collect 1,000 pounds of candy to hand out to the thousands of children who visit our church that night. We will have cars parked at both entrances to the church with trunks open ready to take your candy donations! For more information please call 571-9090 Ext. 2425. If you would like to be a part of this extraordinary night, please contact Pastor Kerry at
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or 571-9090 Ext. 2185. We want to encourage everyone to participate by dropping off bags of individually wrapped candies in a trunk for this year’s Trunk n Treat Fall Festival.
Do You Want a Bible Degree from Cal Baptist University?
I have been working with CBU for some time to make it possible for you to get a Bible degree from CBU at a great cost with classes taught here at The Grove. Click on the following links (http://www.thegrove.cc/f1/tomsweekly/MondayNightatTheGrove.pdf, http://www.thegrove.cc/f1/tomsweekly/MondayNightatTheGrove#2.pdf) to see how The Grove and my friends at Cross Word Church (and my friend Bishop Lacey Sykes) are teaming up with us to bring you a great selection of Bible classes you can complete in 18-20 months. Two classes will be held Mondays from 6-8 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. and begin in four weeks! If you already have a college degree you can now get a second degree in Bible. If you have your AA degree from a junior college this will get you a BA in Bible. If you have no college education you only need to take two pre-requisites and you can join this group and pursue this degree. We will have CBU here on campus several times in the next few weeks to answer any questions you may have or you can call now from the attachments in this email to get all the details. They are offering a Grove scholarship for these classes and many will be eligible for further financial assistance. I have wanted to bring this to you for a long time. This is a way so many of you can grow deeper in God’s Word and be even more prepared to share and defend the Gospel. I hope you are excited about this.
Foundations in Personal Finance
33% of college students graduate with more than $10,000 of credit card debt. 60% of freshman students max out a credit card in their first year of college. Source: Sallie Mae
Foundations in Personal Finance is a class developed especially for young adults. This class will teach budgeting techniques, how to stay out of credit card trouble, and how to deal with student loans. This class is open to high school students and above. Come find out how to reduce stress in your life and how to have hope with your finances. This class will meet for five weeks on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. beginning October 7. The cost of the class is $25. To sign up just email
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.
How Can We Say Thank You Enough?
We love our Grove volunteers and want to say thank you this weekend for all you do. As you leave this weekend we are going to have big yummy warm cookies right out of the HUB ovens waiting for you as a way to say “THANKS” for all you do all year for the Lord and for the Grove. Without you we are nothing so we want you to know that and a how can you say it better than with a warm cookie. You are the best and we love you.
See you this weekend.
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
New Series
This weekend we start a new series in the book of Romans which we are calling “Road Trip.” If you will read Romans 1:1-17 you will be ready for this weekend.
We Need Some Old Things
We were not able to get an old station wagon for our stage for this series but still would like to get an older car and a gas pump as part of the backdrop for this series. If you have an older car (1980 or older) or if you have a gas pump we would love to see if we can borrow them for the series. If you do, please let me or Adam know as soon as possible. You never know unless you ask and Grove people have a lot of things so we are asking.
Becky White – Hall of Famer
Our own Becky White who was an eight-time All American in basketball and volleyball at Biola University will be inducted into their Hall of Fame this Saturday night. I will send you a picture of her receiving her award in next week’s email. Carol and I will be attending the ceremony which is at 7 p.m. on the campus of Biola. Because of that I will be preaching in my suit this Saturday night so Carol and I can leave the minute the service is over to get there on time. If you guys want to wear a suit that night to make me feel “not so all alone” feel free to do so! This is a great honor and we look forward to sharing that moment with her.
New Marriage Class Is Here
Starting this week at 9 a.m. in D-4, Ron and Carol Chitwood with Kenny and Mary Hughes will begin teaching a 12-week Love and Respect Marriage Class. It is open to all couples and the book cost is $10. If your marriage is struggling or if it is doing just fine, come and be a part of this dynamic class and leave with a greater marriage. No signups are required, just show up this Sunday morning.
Wednesday Nights at The Grove
Wednesday nights at The Grove has become a monster night for us. We have something for everyone and I encourage you to make this a high priority in your week. The men and women are studying 1 Corinthians and the first study was fantastic. Make sure to be here and bring a friend, I know you will be blessed.
Foundations in Personal Finance:
Did you know 70% of college students believe their colleges need to increase financial literacy; 84% of college students report that they have at least one credit card and 68% of those students don’t have the resources to pay their balances; and the average student loan debt has surpassed $20,000 for an undergraduate degree? Foundations in Personal Finance talks about these statistics and how students can avoid financial heartache. Dave Ramsey and his team will cover a number of topics: Savings, Budgets, Debt, College and Student Essentials, and Family, Friends and Philanthropy. Foundations in Personal Finance is designed for the younger generation but there is not an age limit and this class is open to everyone. This session runs for five weeks from October 7-November 4 every Sunday night from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in room C-200. To sign up, send an email to
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.
Hope to see you all here this weekend as we begin the new series in Romans.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
Family Night Begins Tomorrow
I know this email is a day early but I want to make sure you are making plans to attend Family Night this year which begins tomorrow! This year the men and women will be studying 1 Corinthians which I know will be fantastic. I have finished my doctorate program which was on Wednesday nights for the past two years so I can now join the men on Wednesdays and I am very excited to do that. We need to be together and Wednesday nights has something for everyone (young and old) so let’s all make it a high priority, if possible. Family Night runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the Hub open for dinner at 5 p.m. Men meet in the Chapel, Women in the Worship Center, High School in C-100, Jr. High in C-200, Children 1st through 6th Grade (Adventure Club) in the B building, and Preschool in the A building. Please go online to register your elementary age child at http://www.123contactform.com/form-307474/Adventure-Club-Registration and email Mary McInteer to register your preschooler at
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. If some of you women prefer a morning study, the morning Women’s Bible Study will begin this Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Worship Center as well. We hope you’ll join us for a great year of fellowship and study.
Thanks to Pastor Mike
I want to say thanks to Pastor Mike Barnes for the great job he did last weekend when we were on vacation. It is always good when Mike preaches and men, you can hear him every Wednesday night if you come to Family Night – which begins tomorrow. Did I mention that already?
Weekend Message
We conclude the Freedom series this weekend with my message called, “The Art of Judging.” If you will read Galatians 6 you will be ready for the message this weekend. Pastor Trevor will be speaking on Galatians 6 in the Sunday Night Service as well.
End of Summer and Giving
Hope you all had a great three-day weekend and we can all be back in church after summer vacations and time away to be refreshed.
One note of concern. After having pretty good giving months in June and July (good for the summer), August was a very poor month. I know there are a lot of things to give to today and money is tight but will you continue to put God first in giving. God is always faithful as we put Him first and trust Him with our finances. You are the most generous and giving church I know, I just want you to know where we are right now. Thank you in advance for your continued faithfulness.
Saturday Night Singles
We are calling all singles for a night of fun and fellowship; entertainment with a purpose. On Saturday, September 8, at 7 p.m. we are having a night of games, worship, a dessert bar, and a big surprise. Our theme for the night is “Love, Sex, and Dating.” Come join us for a night of fun-filled activities while we start the discussion of what it means to have a Biblical Christian dating relationship. This event is free to everyone and a prize will be given to all who bring a friend (and the new friend gets a prize, too!). Grab some dinner and then join us at 7 p.m. in the Chapel. If you have any questions call Andy Gibeault at 571-9090 Ext. 2260 or email him at
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. We can’t wait to see you there.
See you tomorrow night and this weekend,
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Thursday, August 23, 2012 |
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To The Grove Family,
Beginning the weekend of September 1 and 2, our Children’s Department will be implementing a new electronic check-in system that will provide a fast and safe system for our children. This new check-in system will require that all families have an electronic scan card to check in your child(ren). If you haven’t already signed up for a Grove scan card, it is not too late. Just stop by either the A or B building this weekend and sign up. The scan cards are free and keychain sized. This new feature will add security to our system and provide an even deeper level of safety for our children. Requested scan cards will be available for pick up the following weekend in the south lobby, or you can stop by the church office during the week. We also have available for all families our new Check-In policy that you can pick and review. There we will explain how the new system works and the security features. This new system will not affect your child’s classroom assignment. For more information please call our children’s department hotline at 951-571-9090 Ext. 2425.
Don’t forget this coming weekend, August 25 and 26, we will be celebrating “Everybody Can Do Something” ministry faire. This will be your chance to get involved in a whole host of ministry opportunities here at The Grove. One of our core values, Teamwork – we are better together, will be on display in our courtyard after every service. Come and see all the opportunities the church has to offer for you to get involved in serving God and His people. Volunteers are the backbone of all our ministries here. The Grove simply cannot function without you. No matter what your giftedness, The Grove needs you! Stop by the courtyard this weekend and meet all the different ministries that The Grove has to learn how you can become part of our team. The message this weekend will inspire you to action as we explore what God has to say about His people and the church.
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Monday, August 20, 2012 |
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My friends,
I have a request I am hoping someone at The Grove can take care of for me. The second week of September we are starting our new series on the weekend from Romans called “Road Trip.” We are going to take the book of Romans and travel through six different cities. The first four weeks we will be in the “city of sin.” The next three weeks we will travel to the “city of promise” and so on; I think you get the idea. We are planning on handing out “maps” each weekend as our bulletins and doing a lot of different things around the theme of “Road Trip.”
What we really need is a 1960’s, 70’s, or 80’s station wagon! Yes, I said station wagon. We want to shoot a video using the station wagon for each “city” we enter which means six videos to set up each different section of the series. We would also like to have the station wagon on stage for the weekend services. I know that is a lot to ask. But this is what I also know: if there is a need I can count on someone from The Grove or someone The Grove knows to fill that need. That is what I always call, “The Grove being The Grove.”
Now you know what we are up to and what we need. Can anyone help us out? We promise to take good care of your station wagon! By the way, this is going to be a really good series.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
I am loving the cool snap we are having today; I might need to put on my sweater. This has been quite a couple weeks, hasn’t it? Even a warm weather lover like me thinks it was a bit hot and muggy the last few weeks but I think good news is just around the corner. It is called September and October!
Weekend Message
I am very excited to be sharing this week from Galatians 5 a message I am calling, “Feed the Right Dog.” If you will make sure to read chapter 5 before coming, as well as Romans 7, you will be ready for the message. Pastor Daniel Bishop will be sharing from the same passage in the Sunday Night Service. Galatians 5 deals with a bit of theology which was so heavy in the first four chapters but this chapter is mainly application. The apostle Paul wants the believers to understand what true freedom is and that is what we will focus on this weekend. I have three questions for you for a free soda or coffee so study hard and get a free drink on The Grove.
Part-Time Job Opportunity
If you are looking for a part-time job in the fall, we need some loving childcare workers to watch our MOPS little ones on Tuesday mornings. It is a paid position and if you are interested or would like more information, contact Lori Fowler at 205-0742.
Godspell
Our highly anticipated summer musical dinner theatre starts this weekend! Here are the exact dates: August 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25. Many of you may remember that when Godspell originally debuted, our country was in the midst of turbulent times. The Vietnam War was coming to an unsettling close and there was a great deal of uncertainty in the air. This musical presented Jesus and His teachings to an entirely new generation. Well, we have updated the 70's soundtrack a bit and our talented cast and live band will be presenting a modern version of this classic rock musical based on the Gospel according to Matthew. Tickets are only $20 and include a delicious dinner, dessert, and the show. That's cheaper than a night out at the movies! Invite a friend and purchase your tickets today at www.itcmusicals.com or in the Celebrative Arts office this weekend.
Saturday Night Singles
On Saturday, September 8, from 7-9 p.m., Saturday Night Singles will be discussing the topic, “Love, Sex, and Dating.” Join them in the Chapel for an evening of fun-filled activities as they start the discussion on what it means to have a Biblical Christian dating relationship. This night will just begin their look into this topic. For more information, contact Pastor Andy Gibeault at
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or Ext. 2260.
Thank You
Before I close I want to thank you all for the incredible response to our son Dan and his group from Redding. They were blown away by your kindness, encouragement, praise, and generosity. They just could not stop talking about how good it was to be here at The Grove. I just said, “Yes, that is The Grove being The Grove.” I love you all for doing that and being The Grove wherever you go and to all you meet. You are the best!
Grove Website
Remember on our Grove website you can check out job opportunities (Click Here), the Hub menus (Click Here), the Read Through the Bible blog (Click Here), or post and pray for requests listed on our Prayer Wall (Click Here).
See you all this weekend in the cool worship center here at The Grove.
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
Weekend Services
I am very excited about this weekend. Our son Dan will be preaching from Ephesians 1 on a message he is calling “Nothing Is Wasted.” I know what he is going to be speaking about and I can promise you if you need hope and encouragement then you will not want to miss this weekend. Taking my dad-hat off and speaking as a fellow pastor, Dan is a great speaker and you will be blessed by the message – I promise. For those who are new to The Grove, Dan was on our staff for five years before joining the Stirring staff in Redding, CA. He is bringing down eight of his friends who do worship and art with him at churches in Redding. They will be leading worship this weekend and this group is very talented.
Concert
On Sunday night at 7 p.m. after Sunday Night at The Grove, Dan’s group is going to throw a concert with music, art, and film. We will be having art displayed from several people from The Grove as well. They are trying to share a platform for “creatives” and you will see and experience that throughout the concert. Dan will be singing along with the two worship leaders you will hear leading worship this weekend. The concert is free and will be fun for all. If you want to get a taste of what will be happening in the concert take a look at this video clip.
Godspell
Our highly anticipated summer musical dinner-theatre starts next weekend! Here are the exact dates: August 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25. Many of you may remember that when Godspell originally debuted, our country was in the midst of turbulent times. The Vietnam War was coming to an unsettling close and there was a great deal of uncertainty in the air. This musical presented Jesus and His teachings to an entirely new generation. Well, we have updated the 70's soundtrack a bit and our talented cast and live band will be presenting a modern version of this classic rock musical based on the Gospel according to Matthew. Tickets are only $20 and include a delicious dinner, dessert, and the show. That's cheaper than a night out at the movies! Invite a friend and purchase your tickets today at www.itcmusicals.com or in the Celebrative Arts office this weekend.
Missionary Car
In the next few months we are going to host six of our missionary families as they come off the field for an extended period of time. We have worn out our old missionary car and are hoping someone at The Grove would like to donate a car to The Grove that could be used by our missionaries while they are here. If that is a possibility please get in contact with Pastor Bob Ellis or Pastor Joe Hobbs and let them know. It is a real need right now so we are praying that somehow this can happen.
See you all this weekend – did I say my kid was going to be speaking?
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Thursday, August 2, 2012 |
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Dear Grove Family,
Weekend Message
We continue to march through Galatians and I am very excited with the way so many of you have dug deep into this study. I will continue to ask that we all study the chapter in such detail that we can share its meaning with others. This week we will look at Galatians 4 for a message I am calling, “What are your intentions?”
Exciting News
Ten more people accepted or re-dedicated their lives to Christ last weekend which brings the total to over 40 for the month. God is doing great and exciting things among us. Take time today to thank God for those new lives that will spend eternity with us and pray for their first few months of following Christ that they will get started well on this glorious life-journey of following after Christ.
Singles Sports Night
Calling all singles for a night of fun and fellowship! This is entertainment with a purpose. This Saturday, August 4, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel, we are having a night of games, ice cream, and the Ultimate Fan Contest. Our theme for the night is “Sports Night.” Come wearing your favorite team jersey or favorite team colors…and bring a friend! This event is free to everyone. If you have any questions contact Andy Gibeault at
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or 951-571-9090 Ext. 2260.
Global Leadership Summit
When you and I get better at what we do, everyone benefits. We grow closer to Christ; our community and region are served more effectively, and the darkness in this broken world gets pushed back a little further in the name and power of Jesus Christ. That’s why I’m hoping you and other leaders from your sphere of influence will join me on Thursday, August 9, and Friday, August 10, for the Global Leadership Summit. We are a host site for this event and therefore we receive special discounted rates. Typically, this conference costs $269 for an individual to attend but with our discounted rate we can offer this conference at a cost of $105 for an individual. Just go to our web site at www.thegrove.cc and click on the banner ad for the Global Leadership Summit. Remember to use the priority code 2012Global to get our discounted rate. I look forward to seeing you at the Summit next week.
Electronic Check-in System
A NEW electronic check-in system is coming September 1-2 for all families who have children who attend the children’s programs. Bar code scanning will be used and it will make checking in so easy. To receive your free scan card please register with any nursery or children’s staff member at any weekend service. Get your scan card today! For more information please call Ext. 2425 or go to www.thegrove.cc.
See you all this weekend. I have a great story of “The Grove being The Grove” to tell you.
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012 |
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To My Grove Family,
Summer flies by and much continues to happen at The Grove. This morning we prayed with two teams leaving on mission trips, one to Uganda and one to Croatia. Please continue to pray for them and for the high school camp that is going on this week as well. It is a whirlwind of excitement here as so many are stepping, some for the very first time, onto foreign soil to serve their God they love so much and to love all people the way He does. That should make all of us proud because as they go we go as well. Please pray for them!
Weekend Message
We continue our series from Galatians called “Freedom” and this week I ask that you read chapter two in preparation for the service. Pastor Matt will be preaching at Sunday Night at The Grove and I will be speaking in the other services. This week I pray we will all have a better grasp of Justification, Righteousness, the Law, Faith, Trust, and some of the real reasons Jews and Gentiles had difficulty eating together. If you read Romans 3:23-26, Philippians 3:1-11, and Titus 3:4-8 you will be ready. See you there.
Services
You know what would be cool for this weekend? If everyone who goes to the Grove came on the same weekend. As we track those who come to The Grove it appears that many come about two times a month. I pray that The Grove as a whole can make a new commitment and dedication to coming each weekend and live out Hebrews 10:24. I know many are busy but God is worth our effort and something wonderful happens when The Grove all comes together for celebration. That is my prayer for us.
Singles Sports Night
Calling all singles for a night of fun and fellowship! This is entertainment with a purpose. On Saturday, August 4, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel, we are having a night of games, ice cream, worship, and the Ultimate Sports Fan Contest. The theme is “Sports Night.” Come wearing your favorite team jersey or favorite team colors…and bring a friend! This event is free. If you have any questions contact Andy Gibeault at
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or Ext. 2260. We can’t wait to see you there.
Movie Night
Don’t forget The Grove movie night on July 26. It is also free. We are showing Tangled at 5 p.m. and The Ultimate Gift at 7:15 p.m. This will be a great night to invite some of your friends.
Part-Time Job
Finally, if you are looking for a part-time job in the fall, we need some loving childcare workers to watch our MOPS little ones on Tuesday mornings. It is a paid position and if you are interested or would like more information, contact Lori Fowler at 205-0742.
See you all this weekend.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012 |
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To my Grove family,
Okay, this week may be a little warm even for those of us who like it hot but just think of all the great weather we have had this year. I am sure it will cool down a little next week and the good news is when you come to church this week the air conditioning will be working! You will also notice when you arrive this week we have put a new slurry coat over the parking lot. This is an expensive endeavor but something we can’t put off and let get ahead of us. It looks beautiful and is something we do to maintain “excellence” in all we do for the Lord. It is His house and we want to keep it beautiful for Him.
Volunteers Needed at Redlands Alliance Church
Here is a reminder of the request for workers on July 21 for the Redlands Alliance Church. We need about 30 people to work that day, to help this church we are partnering with, to get on their feet and start growing. This is a new type of ministry we are going to be doing at The Grove…coming alongside struggling and plateaued churches to help them grow and get back on their feet again. We are not going to be planting a bunch of “Grove” churches all over the city and country but rather coming alongside those who can flourish with a “little help” from us. We will just rejoice with them with what God is doing in their midst and not call them a Grove daughter church but let them be who God intended them to be and smile that we played a small part in that change. There are certain criteria we look for in these churches and Redlands is one of those churches. Aaron Foor who was on staff with us for five years is the new senior pastor and the future is bright for them with a little help from us. I hope to do this soon with a church in Perris as well. Here was the request for workers on July 21 from a few weeks ago. Please let me know if you can help.
Work Day at Redlands Alliance Church
On July 21 we are going to have a big work day at the Redlands Alliance Church. I asked Pastor Aaron what they needed and he needs about 10 strong people to do some demolition on the inside walls (present Sunday School classes) and another 20 or so people for the outside where they are taking out all the landscaping they presently have, and also will be cleaning up and throwing away some “treasures” that have been at the church for years and now need to go. Several things are important here. They need a couple of licensed plumbers and electricians to help do some work to save money on the total cost of the improvements. I have the blueprints in my office if you’d like to see what they have going on with the remodel. I would love to hear from you if you can make it on Saturday, July 21. Please get in touch with me and let me know. This is a church we plan to partner with for years and make sure they not only get off to a good start but continue to grow. There might be even some of you who would like to help them out in different ways with your talents in the future. It is all about the “Kingdom” so we want to come along this church and with God’s help do our part to allow them to be all God desires them to be. Let me know if you can go on July 21, it will most likely be from 8 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. Aaron will provide all the food and drinks.
Billy Graham Phone Center Volunteers
Another ministry in which we are looking for volunteers is at the Riverside Billy Graham Phone Center on Saturdays, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Learn to talk to and help people commit their lives to God. Contact Simone at 529-9474 or www.billygrahamphones.com for more details.
Free Grove Movie Night
We are having another FREE Grove Movie Night on Thursday, July 26. It will be a double feature. The movie Tangled will start at 5 p.m. followed by The Ultimate Gift at 7:15 p.m. The Hub will be offering a dinner special between the showings. Of course there will be plenty of free popcorn again. Plan now to invite your neighbors and friends and come enjoy a fun night.
Weekend Message
This week we begin a new series in the book of Galatians and my message for this weekend which will cover chapter one is called “Plus = Nothing”. As we go through the next weeks in the book of Galatians and then several months from the book of Romans you will need to dig a little deeper as you study before coming to service. I want us to dig deep in to theology of scripture and it will require some study before the service to make it most effective. I know you will do it as you are a church who loves God’s Word and the study of scripture. Dig into chapter one and let’s grow together spiritually this summer.
High School Summer Camp
The staff just got a little taste of the video they are making for the high school summer camp which is July 15-20. Oh my, will that camp be good! No high schooler should miss summer camp 2012 because it will be the very best ever.
See you all this weekend in the nice air conditioning of The Grove.
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