Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Impact Thursday September 30th

This Thursday we will be starting our study of James with James 1. I am pleased to announce that our long time friend Laura Long will be leading the discussion this Thursday. Please read the chapter and bring your Bible's.

We'll meet at 7:00 PM: 700 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park (around the back of 700 Ace Hardware).



Blessings,
Christian

Schedule:
•September 30th - Begin Bible Study - James 1

•October 7th - James 2

•October 14th - James 3

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Impact Thursday September 23rd

Impact will continue this Thursday, September 23rd by discussing Bible study tips. We'll meet at 7:00 PM: 700 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park (around the back of 700 Ace Hardware).

  • September 23rd - Bible Study Tips
  • September 30th - Begin Bible Study - James 1
  • October 7th - James 2


Events at a Glance

You are strongly encouraged to host an event. If you would like to host an event like lead a hike or hold a pie-eating contest, simply fill out the form on our blog:
http://www.impactevents.blogspot.com/
then click "Request Form" under "Request Event or Announcement"

  • Homeless Outreach, Saturday September 25th (evening)
  • Monday Night Hikes - Last Hike of the Year! Monday September 27th
  • Impact Prayer Night, Friday Oct 1, 7-9pm
  • Fleet Week Hike to Sausilito - Saturday, October 9th
Events
Last Monday Night Hike - September 27th

Where? Rancho San Antonio

When? 5:30 PM

Questions? Contact Alisa:

Homeless Outreach, Saturday September 25th (evening)

You are invited to participate in the next homeless outreach in San Francisco. We will meet at the commuter lot at the intersection of Page Mill Road and 280 at 4:30 pm and together travel up to Haight Street in San Francisco.

For this outreach we'll participate in an outdoor worship event and give out pizza and socks. If you'd like to donate new socks or a sleeping bag that would be great!

We will drive as a group to Haight Street in San Francisco.

Questions: Call Grant Kim 650-520-0879 or email grant@freedominchrist.name


Impact Prayer Night, Friday Oct 1, 7-9pm

Each month we will gather and pray for different needs. This month we willpray for our new year at Impact, the James study and for our serviceprojects.

Although the group will be meeting monthly, our goal is to be in prayerthroughout the month. At the end of the evening we will try to make asummary list so that we can all pray regularly. We believe that prayer empowers all other ministries!

In October we will be meeting at JoAnna Quan's house. We will try to rotate our location and would love for you to be the host! There will be some light snacks available for those coming directly from work.

2233 Samaritan Drive, San Jose, 95126
JoAnna 408-775-5774 Cell

Fleet Week Hike - October 9th
You and your friends are invited to join us for a difficult but fantastic hike from Powell street to Sausalito Saturday, October 9th. We'll hike right in the midst of Fleet Week: the Blue Angels and the like will be flying over head the whole way.

More Details: http://impactevents.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Impact Thursday September 26th

Hello Impacters!

Impact will continue this Thursday, September 16th by looking into ways we hear from the Lord. We'll meet at 7:00 PM: 700 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park (around the back of 700 Ace Hardware). We'll also have Alfred Jude and Nancy Epling share about their experiences at Signs of Hope Camp, and Janet Somes will share about her move to help plant a church.

Small Group Signups
This is the last week for small group signups! You are encouraged to join a small group because participating in a small group increases your sense of belonging to a community and allows you to grow with a few consistent brothers and sisters on your journey to better know the Lord. You may sign up for a small group right now by sending Christl Kirchner an email:

christlclear@gmail.com

Calendar:
  • September 16th - Sharing; Ways to hear from the Lord
  • September 23rd - TBA
I want to share a way that has worked for me in hearing from the Lord. My pastor a couple years ago (Scott Simmerok from Church on the Hill) asked us these questions:
What is the Lord doing with you in the word lately, what is He teaching you? What is it you're doing to grow your faith?

I drew a blank because I wasn't really in the word. I was reading once a week right before Impact started, more focused on how I could look good and answer the questions than I was really feasting on the spiritual milk that is God's word.

Scott really believes that the life we experience with Jesus is proportional to the amount of time and emphasis we put in His word. He compared reading the Bible to a meal, referring to scriptures like Hebrews 5:11 and 1 Peter 2:1-3. He continued by telling us that God will speak to us through His word, but we have to read it. The Bible is a gift to you. It is your meal, a meal that will feed your soul daily. He continued to compare scripture to a meal: When you eat lunch, you feed yourself by going out and getting food. If you're not being fed spiritually, some of the places you can go to find food is to your Church, to your brothers and sisters and to the Bible.

How do you read God's word?

There are many methods and systems to study God's word. Scott proposed the S.O.A.P.S method, which is identical to the method we used to use at Impact. I usually read in small portions, like a chapter or less.

1. Start with Prayer - invite Jesus to be with you

2. Review your previous 24 hours - What are you thinking about? Use a notebook/Journal to write down some of the things that are coming to your mind - even your distractions, so you can ultimately focus on being with the Lord.

3. Use the S.O.A.P.S = Scripture, Observations, Applications, Prayer, Sharing
  • Scripture - write down a few things that stood out to you
  • Observations - (don't use words like I, me or my), write down what the writer was trying to say or what you see in the text.
  • Application - Write down how this scripture applies to your life. You could write "I should..." but this is where God's word becomes transformative. Try writing "I will..."
  • Prayer - (A.C.T.S adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication)
  • Sharing - This is where Impact comes in really handy! If you have a table group that is deeply committed to doing a method such as this, you will have the opportunity to share your answer to the question above: What is the Lord doing with you in the word lately?
for references, click here
Scott Simmerock, Church on the Hill, Services 10/12/08 and 3/1/09

Blessings,
Christian
Events
You are strongly encouraged to host an event and make announcements! If you would like to host an event like lead a hike or hold a pie-eating contest, simply fill out the form on our blog:
http://www.impactevents.blogspot.com/
then click "Request Form" under "Request Event or Announcement"
  • Monday Night Hikes - Next Hike September 27th
  • Fleet Week Hike to Sausalito - Saturday, October 9th
    Details coming soon
Announcements:
From Tim Walters:

As most of you have probably heard, my mom passed away suddenly last Wednesday night. The overflowing love and support that I have been receiving from everyone has been so comforting during this time. Please let everyone know my heartfelt appreciation for each and everyone who has showered us with prayers and thoughtful words of sympathy. I'm so blessed to have such a Community through Impact. I miss everyone and hope they can all come to the memorial service to celebrate with me my mom's life. She was an incredible woman who has touched so many lives in a unique and special way. I'm so blessed to have been her son and have her as my mom.

Below is family's home address and information on the memorial service that you can pass onto the Impact Family or post to the blog:

Memorial Service for Audreanna Walters:
Date: Friday September 17, 2010 at 7:00pm
Location: Bridges Community Church (fka First Baptist Church of Los Altos)
625 Magdalena Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94024

Walters Family
10141 Parlett Place
Cupertino, CA 95014

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Impact Starts September 9th

Impact will be starting up again this Thursday, September 9th. We'll meet in our normal place at 7:00 PM: 700 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park (around the back of 700 Ace Hardware).

September 9th we'll have a potluck (see below for what to bring) and continue sign-ups for new small groups. We'll also have worship and sharing from Alfred Jude, Nancy Epling and Sara McMinn who would like to share about how the Lord has been working with and through their lives.

You may sign up for a small group right now by sending Christl Kirchner an email:
christlclear@gmail.com

I am sad to report that our dear friend Tim Walters' mom passed away last week. Please keep him in your prayers. There will be a memorial service Friday September 17th at 7:00 PM. I've included Tim's touching letter to the Impact Leadership Team with the details of the memorial service below.


Potluck Schedule (no worries if you are not able to bring an item, please come and have dinner with us)
Potluck Last Name:

A - F Drinks
G - M main or side dish
N - Q fruit or dessert
R - Z Veggies or Salad


Schedule at a Glance

September 9th - Potluck & Worship

September 16th - God is Speaking to You, How Do You Hear Him?

September 23rd - Begin Bible Study - James 1

Announcements:
From Tim Walters:

As most of you have probably heard, my mom passed away suddenly last Wednesday night. The overflowing love and support that I have been receiving from everyone has been so comforting during this time. Please let everyone know my heartfelt appreciation for each and everyone who has showered us with prayers and thoughtful words of sympathy. I'm so blessed to have such a Community through Impact. I miss everyone and hope they can all come to the memorial service to celebrate with me my mom's life. She was an incredible woman who has touched so many lives in a unique and special way. I'm so blessed to have been her son and have her as my mom.

Below is family's home address and information on the memorial service that you can pass onto the Impact Family or post to the blog:

Memorial Service for Audreanna Walters:
Date: Friday September 17, 2010 at 7:00pm
Location: Bridges Community Church (fka First Baptist Church of Los Altos)
625 Magdalena Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94024

Walters Family
10141 Parlett Place
Cupertino, CA 95014