Epic Sports Accomplishments

This has been a week of two epic accomplishments in the world of sports. Wednesday, the U.S. soccer game against Algeria had about 15 minutes remaining when it was time for our staff to gather for our weekly staff chapel. We decided to cram in to the boardroom and watch the conclusion of the game. When the U.S. team scored the only goal of the game with two minutes remaining, there was quite a roar in the room. They now advance to the round of 16 teams left in the tournament.

Then, at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the longest match in history was played between American John Isner and Nicolas Mahut from France. The match was played over three days because of darkness setting in the first two days. It lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes and the deciding fifth set was won by a score of 70 games to 68. In the fifth set, a player has to win by two games and there is no tiebreaker provision. The two players won their service games one after the other until finally Isner broke Mahut’s serve in the 138th game of the set. It has been a historic week in sports.

I love sports but even these remarkable achievements are not as important as what we will be doing on Sunday. There is nothing like worshiping God because of His amazing love and mercy toward us. We will be sharing Holy Communion together, providing study Bibles for believers in third world countries through our donations of $10 per Bible, and learning about our purpose in our community. Life is packed with purpose when we pursue God’s best for our lives.

Here is our memory verse for Sunday: Matthew 5:16 . . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Pastor Rick

Purpose at Home

I am writing today from Munich, Germany, where we are concluding our trip with 100 travelers to Israel and Oberammergau for the Passion Play. It has been a wonderful experience and we are now looking forward to getting home to see everyone. Our flight leaves at 4:00 p.m. in Munich and arrives at 7:00 p.m. in San Francisco. We pick up nine hours on the way back. Feels a little bit like time travel. Can’t wait for Sunday!

“Purpose at Home” is our focus for Father’s Day. When we think clearly about the opportunities we have to represent Jesus to our family members we can really make a difference for them. It’s going to be a great day of worship and encouragement! Life really can be packed with purpose.

Since we last saw our grandson, Judah, two weeks ago, he has started clapping, sitting up on his own from a laying down position, and his first tooth is breaking through. What a trip! A lot can happen in two weeks.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

We are going to have an awesome weekend!!

Pastor Rick

Packed with Purpose

I am communicating with you from the lobby of our hotel in Jerusalem, Israel, having just returned from a day of walking the Via Del A Rosa, praying at the Temple square, visiting the house of Caiphus where Jesus was held as a prisoner overnight during his trial, having communion in the Garden Tomb, and praying at the Wailing Wall. Not a bad day!! I am also multi-tasking as I listen to Jason’s message from last Sunday. What a great start to a month “Packed with Purpose.”

This Sunday we will focus on missions with our Global Purpose and hear the testimony of a good friend of my family, David Wigington. David lost his arm in a tragic accident with a meat grinder at 16 years of age. He has learned incredible life lessons through this significant trial. It will be another fulfilling day at CCC.

Even though we are having an incredible time on our spiritual pilgrimage in Israel, my heart is still home in Sacramento. I love what God is doing in our lives as we pursue His plan for our present and future. You are an important person in our family of believers! I’m looking forward to seeing you on Father’s Day after returning from our trip.

John 9:4-5 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Shalom,

Pastor Rick

Personal Purpose

Our theme for June is “Packed with Purpose.” It is going to be a great month beginning with this Sunday’s kick-off regarding our “Personal Purpose.” I’ll be in Israel and Jason Harper will be sharing a study from the Scriptures inspiring us toward God’s best for our lives. It is going to be a great day and an important foundation for the month!

I would like to encourage you to start thinking about one of our annual missions
projects . . . the Fire Bible. The Fire Bible is the name for the international language editions of the Full Life Study Bible, one of the few Pentecostal study Bibles in existence. Often referred to as a one-book Pentecostal library, this study Bible contains 77 theme articles, a concordance, 45 maps and charts, introductions to each book of the Bible, and Pentecostal study notes. It is often the only study resource pastors have in many countries of the world. It is impossible to calculate the value of such a resource.

Our goal is to count the number of Bibles we own and consider contributing $10 per Bible toward the translation and printing of the Fire Bible. This year’s project is the Korean language. We will be receiving a special offering for this incredible mission’s project on Sunday, June 25. It will be the capstone to our month of learning how we are packed with purpose.

Jeremiah 33:2-3 This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

Pastor Rick