Impact is on Summer Break - Check out the Summer Bible Study!

Impact is now on Summer Break! But if you're interested in a Summer Bible Study, read on!

You are invited to a summer Bible Study! Franz from Open Tables is hosting an event for those who are missing Impact already! Anyone is welcome! We will meet at the same time, 7pm, but on a different channel at the Los Altos Boardwalk. Come for dinner and fellowship!

When? 7:00 PM This Thursday! - June 20th

Where? Los Altos Boardwalk

4940 El Camino Real

Los Altos, CA 94022

Questions? Contact Franz:

mtbikerunner-friends@yahoo.com

Join us for our next Series Starting Thursday May 9th: Window into Philippians - by Jeff Finger

Jeff Finger, the worship leader of the MPPC Cafe will lead our next study at Impact! You can join us any time during this next series, we look forward to studying with you!

Window into Philippians

- by Jeff Finger

The city of Philippi was in north eastern Greece. (It was named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.) The church in Philippi was founded by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey, recorded in Acts 16:1-40. (Philippi as the first city to be evangelized in Europe.) Latter while in prison (possibly in Rome), Paul writes to the folks in Philippi and discusses his imprisonment, discord in the church, false teachers and other matters. (http://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-background-and-outline-philippians … they even have a map! - Scottie Sharp)

Series: May 9th - May 30th!

May 9th - Chapter 1 (18b-26)

May 16th - Chapter 2

May 23 - Impact room is unavailable - Gospel: "Les Miserables" will take place at the Impact Location, you are welcome to join! Catch Chapter 3 at Cafe, Sunday, May 26th!

May 30th - Chapter 4

Seder Meal Holy Week - March 28th

On March 28th - Impact will not meet due to the Family Seder Meal Holy week service at Cafe. We are all
invited to join them at 7:00 PM!

Sign up is required:

To sign up, email Jeff Finger directly at jfinger@mppc.org

Also, a Maundy service will also be held at Main Campus and Mountain View at 7:00 PM.

Dr. Eckman Returns to Impact, February 21st!

Dear Impacters!

I am very excited to announce that Dr. Eckman will return for another talk at Impact Thursday February 21st. He will be speaking on the following topic:

"Clothing Makes the Person" What does it mean to be "In Christ"?

Impact Starts Thursday January 17th!

Hello Impacters! I'm excited to announce that Impact will be back in full swing Thursday January 17th, 2013!

We have an exciting new year planned! Guest Speaker Neil Mammen will return to speak on the following topics starting January 24th. Here is a look at our first few weeks:

January 17th - Welcome Back Potluck!

January 24th - Neil Mammen -

Title: How can God exist when there is so much evil in the world?

The first barrier people have to Christianity is this one. What do you tell someone who just lost their child? Why doesn't God do something about evil? Is God unable to stop evil meaning He’s not powerful? Or is He unwilling to stop evil meaning He’s not good? How do you give them a compassionate yet truthful answer?

January 31st - Neil Mammen -

Title: Does Truth Exist? What is Truth?

How can you witness God’s truth to someone if they don’t believe Truth exists?

So is truth relative and personal? Or absolute and objective? Americans have been influenced by the New Age and Hindu religions and often believe: There is no truth? What is a self refuting statement? How do you respond to people who say that’s we are arrogant to think that we know the truth and everyone else is wrong. Learn to have fun answering objections that leave many speechless.

February 7 - Neil Mammen -

Title: How to morally run a red light!

Is there an Objective Morality? If there is no objective morality, why was Hitler wrong? If there is an objective morality why do you get to decide what it is and not Hitler?

Info: Often when witnessing you’ll be asked: “Who's to say what is wrong or right? Isn’t it just a preference of society?” How do you respond to that? Is right and wrong culturally determined and a preference of society?  Is there a difference between Mother Theresa and Hitler? And can we legislate morality? Do laws change hearts? How do you win arguments about this?

February 14th - 


February 21th  - Impact will meet at the same place, the same time! Small Groups Dinner Postponed! (Sorry!)

Impact Christmas Party in San Jose - December 20th

You and your friends are invited to Impact's Christmas Party! 

We'll have soup, bread, hot chocolate and Christmas caroling! We'll also be looking at Christmas lights and watch the famous Charlie Brown Christmas special!

Time: Thursday 12/20 any time after 6:30 pm

Where: Christian's house: 
1134 Glenn Ave. 
San Jose CA 95125
(408) 416-1802

Bring? A warm coat for looking at the lights. Do not bring food, dinner is provided. 

Healthy Relationships with Each Other

Join Impact for our next series: "Healthy Relationships with Each Other", taught by guest speaker Dr. David Eckman. In this series we will look at how God's example of a loving relationship with us can help form healthy relationships with each other.

Series Dates: November 8th - December 13th 2012

Thursday Nights 7-9PM

“David Eckman, Ph.D., has been a pastor for 16 years followed by 7 years as a Dean and Vice-President for Western Seminary in San Jose and Portland. He holds an M.Div., M.Th., and Ph.D. He has studied at Oxford University in England working on his doctorate, and received his Ph.D. in Old Testament and Hebrew from Golden Gate Seminary. He is presently part-time faculty for Western Seminary and full-time with Becoming What God Intended Ministries. He is an author of numerous books and an international speaker and educator He has authored Becoming Who God Intended, Knowing the Heart of the Father and Sex, Food, and God.”

Thursday Night Study, Nov. 1

Thursday Night Study - John 17

Please read John 17, you may use the questions below to prepare for the study this Thursday. 

Introduction

1.  What going away gift have you received or given that still warms your heart or brings a smile?

2. What is the best reason you have heard for not believing in Jesus as Savior?

Study

1. What event is it now "time" for (v. 1;  12:23-24)?

2. What does it mean to "glorify" someone (v. 4 – 5, 10, 22, 24)? How is Jesus is deity emphasized here?

3. Who is the focal point of Jesus' prayer in verses 6-19? Why? If you had to file a report to the Father of Jesus' activities, how would you verify verses 6-8?

4. What is Jesus' concern in verses 11 and 15?  What does he mean by "the name you gave me" (see 8:58; Ex 3:14)? What do the events surrounding the original revelation of this name show about its power to save (Ex 3:7-10)?

5. What does he mean by his request in verse 17? What is its purpose?

6. Who is the focus of Jesus's prayer in verses 20 through 26? Toward what end? What kind of unity exists between God and Jesus that we should copy?

7. What does Jesus'  ultimate desire (v. 24) reveal about his love for us?

8. How do verses 25 - 26 some of the major concerns of Jesus in chapter 13 – 16?

Personal

1. This week, whom have you glorified by the way you lived? How so? 

2. What two phrases sum up your goal for the past year? 

3.How are your prayers for others like and unlike Jesus' prayer? Do your prayers reflect the short-term urgent, or the long-term important needs that people have? What can you apply to your prayer skills from this chapter?

4. How does the fact that Jesus existed before the world began affect the way you live?

5. How important to you is unity with other believers? With whom do you share this unity? How can you experience more unity?

"Serendipity Bible for Groups" third edition c. 1998 pp. 1506-1507; Zondervan Publishing House

Healthy Relationships for Singles, a new Launch group hosted by Impact

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 700 Santa Cruz Ave. behind Ace Hardware, Menlo Park, CA


Start Date: 9/27/2012 (6 sessions)

This six-week series will look at how we communicate with God and what that reveals to us about ourselves – particularly in how we build (or don’t) healthy relationships with others. We will do this through a series of teachings from guest speaker Dr. David Eckman and small group discussions. Dr. Eckman’s acclaimed book “Becoming Who God Intended” is the basis for the series (more on Dr. Eckman, below). Our gatherings will include time for connecting, discussion, and for prayer.



“David Eckman, Ph.D., has been a pastor for 16 years followed by 7 years as a Dean and Vice-President for Western Seminary in San Jose and Portland. He holds an M.Div., M.Th., and Ph.D. He has studied at Oxford University in England working on his doctorate, and received his Ph.D. in Old Testament and Hebrew from Golden Gate Seminary. He is presently part-time faculty for Western Seminary and full-time with Becoming What God Intended Ministries. He is an author of numerous books and an international speaker and educator He has authored Becoming Who God Intended, Knowing the Heart of the Father and Sex, Food, and God.”



• Becoming What God Intended: A New Picture for Your Past, A Healthy Way of Managing Your Emotions, A Fresh Perspective on Relationships (on Amazon.com and http://www.whatgodintended.org)

• Becoming What God Intended Ministries: http://www.whatgodintended.org



Series Topics and Schedule

- 9/27 –Start of Impact and Healthy Relationships Launch group series with guest speaker, Dr. David Eckman



- Part I – Communicating with a Good Father, the One in Heaven , Dr. Eckman: 9/27, 10/4, 10/11



- Part II – Bible teaching and study based on Part I, large and small group fellowship: 10/18, 10/25, 11/1



- Part III – – Communicating with One Another: From Miscommunication to Healthy Communication, Dr. Eckman: 11/8, 11/15,11/29



- Impact as usual - Great lessons, study, and fellowship: 12/6 onwards –

Please note WellSpring is open to both men and women.  For more information you may also contact Lori Ronning at lori_ronning@yahoo.com or contact WellSpring directly.

Dear Impacters,

If you are looking for an opportunity to go deeper with God, Wellspring has opportunites for the Fall. Please see information below or call the WellSpring Office at 650 328 8966 or info@wellspringca.org

Lori Ronning from Impact also has information and experience with WellSpring. She can be contacted at lori ronning@yahoo.com

Dear friends of WellSpring, The difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God is huge—and it is the difference many of us long to enter into more fully. Yet we might also wonder how one actually goes about knowing God in this way. Jesus himself answered the question by saying, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19) We now have two opportunities for you to deepen your intimacy with God by spending time with Jesus in the gospels, opening yourself to actually encountering Jesus through what have come to be called the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. (My own experience three years ago of spending 30 weeks in the Exercises deepened my intimacy with God in ways that continue to this day!) The first is a 9 week small group experience at WellSpring in Menlo Park. The second is in partnership with the Comtemplative Center of Silicon Valley in offering the full Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. I highly recommend both the Exercises and the leaders (Patty Martin/Janet Perez and Liz Lawhead/Melinda Kaewert ) who have been involved with WellSpring over the past several years. Following is a full description of what to expect and how to participate. Summer Blessings, Patti 1. AT WELLSPRING IN MENLO PARK: Introduction to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Join us as we walk through an nine-week journey encountering the deep love of God as uniquely expressed in the life of Jesus.  This nine-week study is also known as the preparation study or the introduction for the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, a 30-week study of the life of Jesus. This small group experience will introduce the participants to Ignatian practices such as contemplative Scripture reading, praying the Examen, and solitude. Each participant will be asked to attend the group each week, to receive individual spiritual direction from one of the leaders (at least twice), and to set aside time each day to pray with the weekly “exercises” or prayer practices. WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: 7:00 – 9:00 pm from October 3  – December 5 (skipping Thanksgiving week) Leaders:  Patty Martin and Janet Perez. Where: The Wellspring Center 1142 Crane Street, Menlo Park, CA Study material: Journey with Jesus, by Larry Warner Cost: $225 includes 9 group meetings and 2-3 individual spiritual direction sessions. To register by September 15, 2012 or to get more information call or e-mail the WellSpring Office at 650 328 8966 or info@wellspringca.org

 

John 21

1.) What is another name for the Sea of Tiberius and why do you think they
were there?

2.) Why do you think the disciples did not immediately recognize Jesus?

3.) What is the significance of this miracle catch of fish? Is this just
part of the historical narrative or is there a reason why the author John
chose to include this story.

4.) In verse 15, what do you think ³these² refers to? Why do you think
Jesus asks Peter three times, ³do you love me?² Is this a rebuke or an
affirmation? What does this interaction say about the relationship between
Jesus and Peter?

5.) What is it that Jesus wants Peter to do? i.e. What is the larger
change in life that Jesus is asking of Peter. Are you willing to make
these changes in your life-why or why not?

7.) Why do you think Peter asked Jesus about John? What is Jesus response
and what does it mean in the larger sense for us today?

8.) What do you think is the/a main theme of the book of John? What is
your favorite verse or story from the Gospel of John?

9.) Ask the group your own question from this week or from any story from
the Gospel of John.

10.) What have you learned about Jesus from this study of the Gospel of
John that has blessed you?

John 21

1.) What is another name for the Sea of Tiberius and why do you think they
were there?

2.) Why do you think the disciples did not immediately recognize Jesus?

3.) What is the significance of this miracle catch of fish? Is this just
part of the historical narrative or is there a reason why the author John
chose to include this story.

4.) In verse 15, what do you think ³these² refers to? Why do you think
Jesus asks Peter three times, ³do you love me?² Is this a rebuke or an
affirmation? What does this interaction say about the relationship between
Jesus and Peter?

5.) What is it that Jesus wants Peter to do? i.e. What is the larger
change in life that Jesus is asking of Peter. Are you willing to make
these changes in your life-why or why not?

7.) Why do you think Peter asked Jesus about John? What is Jesus response
and what does it mean in the larger sense for us today?

8.) What do you think is the/a main theme of the book of John? What is
your favorite verse or story from the Gospel of John?

9.) Ask the group your own question from this week or from any story from
the Gospel of John.

10.) What have you learned about Jesus from this study of the Gospel of
John that has blessed you?

John 8

Verses 1 - 11

1. Cite at least one lesson relating to the story of the woman caught in adultery. What could you do differently in your life to put that lesson into practice?

Verses 12 – 20; also skim I John 1-2

2. What do we have to do to walk in darkness? What do we have to do to walk in the light? How has Jesus been the light of your life?

Verses 21 – 30

3. Compare John 8:24 with Exodus 3:14, Deut. 32:39, Isaiah 43:10, John 8:58. Who does Jesus claim to be? Who do you say He is? Why?

4. Verse 24 contains the primary reason for Jesus’ conversation with the religious leaders. How would you explain the significance of this verse to someone?

5. What might change in your personal, family, business, or church life if you had Jesus’ attitude in verse 28? In verse 29?

Verses 31 – 59

6. From verse 32, how do you define truth? How do you define freedom?

7. What condition does Jesus place on freedom and truth? Have you been set free by the truth of Jesus Christ in some particular thing? What freedom are you asking God to give you today?

8. Jesus’ opponents also claim to have both Abraham and God as their father. According to Jesus, how does their conduct contradict their claim (vv. 39-47)?

9. Why is our conduct the truest test of our beliefs?

New Year's Eve PARTY!

While the old year passes and the new year beckons, join me and other single Christians on New Year's Eve for a festive night of dining and dancing. The last time I threw this party more than 100 people attended and we all had a fabulous time!

The who, what, when, where, why and how about the party are as follows...

Who? You...dressed to impress!!! { Ladies typically wear dresses, either short or long. Men most often wear slacks with a jacket, suits or tuxedos. }

What? A Very Merry New Year's Eve Party

When? Saturday, December 31st - 7:30pm till 1:00am { Dinner will be served at 8:00pm }

Where? MPPC's Open Door Church, 1667 Miramonte Ave in Mountain View { Located at the corner of Cuesta Dr. & Miramonte Ave. }

Why? Because every year should be greeted with a joyful heart and celebration!

How? Soberly. There will be NO ALCOHOL at this event and we ask that you do not bring any with you.

SEATING FOR DINNER IS LIMITED so register ASAP!!!

Pricing is as follows...

$30 for dinner and dancing { pre-registration required by end of day Dec.27th }

$15 for dancing only after 9:30pm { with pre-registration by end of day Dec. 27th }

$20 for dancing only after 9:30pm { when paying at the door }

Refunds are not available...but if you cannot attend you may transfer your reservation to someone else.

*****TO REGISTER to go : http://tinyurl.com/7qf6rh6 for DINNER & DANCING

OR go to href="http://tinyurl.com/8yehvje for DANCING ONLY

Contact Lisa Carlson at mppc-impact-events@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

John 6:22-71

1) Why were the people that ate the loaves and fish searching for Jesus? What was Christ’s answer?

2) In verses 25-27 what two-fold command did Jesus give to the people?

3) Considering that “food” which satisfies hunger for spiritual things, give examples of “food that spoils” and “food that endures to eternal life.”

4) What kind of sign did the people want Jesus to give them when they connected Moses with Him? How do people approach Jesus or God the Father in the same way today? (6:30-33)

5) When Jesus gives you material gifts, what is your response—immediate and long-term? Share an example where you received a material gift and were able to recognize its spiritual counterpart.

6) Verses 28-29 talk about work. The people wanted Jesus to give them a list of works. What is the difference between these “works” and the one work Jesus described? (See Romans 10:1-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:17-20). If you are employed today, why do you work?

7) What do the promises in each of the following verses mean to you personally? John 6:35. John 6:37-38

8) How can you be certain you are one of those whom God the Father has given to Jesus? What promises are offered in verses 35-37?

9) What did Jesus say about fulfillment of life and personality in John 35-40? In what specific ways is Jesus satisfying your need for security and fulfillment?

10) What do you learn about Christ in John 6:46 and John 14:6-12, and how does it encourage you?

11) Jesus spoke to these people as the Passover feast drew near (6:3). Skim through Exodus 12. What verses show that God used the blood of the Passover lamb as a symbol? How did the blood protect people from God’s judgment?

12) According to Exodus 12, for what purpose was the flesh of the lamb used? How does this symbolize Jesus’ promises to believers in John 6:52-59?

13) Why did many disciples leave Jesus after the events in this chapter? (6:60-71) Have you ever found similar teaching offensive to you? If so, why?

14) Why was what Christ taught so hard to accept then and now?

John 6:1-21

John 6:1-21

You may also want to read

Matthew 14:13-36
Mark 6:30-44

Luke 9:10-17

Jesus feeding the five thousand is one of the events that's found in all 3 synoptic gospels as well as John. In the synoptics, Andrew is not identified. In Mark, Jesus asks the followers to go and look for bread, but that command is not listed in the other books. Thus, there are 4 different accounts of this event. Does it matter that we have more than one record of this event? Why?

Who do you think constitutes the five thousand? Are these followers? Seekers? Rivals? What might be some of the reasons they have come to hear from Jesus? What verses support this?

Assume you are Philip. You have seen Jesus do amazing acts. What would be your answer to the question, 'Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" Why do you think Philip answers the way he does?

Philip's answer is worldly (or at least financial.) 'It would take a small fortune to feed them.' (NLT) Could Jesus have followed the apostles advice and created a basket of money and 'sent the crowds away to neighboring towns.' Why or Why not?

According to John 6:8, what resources are found? Who found them? What does he do with them once discovered?

Jesus has everyone sit down. Would you sit? Why? What would you expect to happen? (Remember, this is a 'remote' place, it's getting dark, and you may not have food or water.)

In verse 14, we learn the crowds believe Jesus to be the 'prophet we have been expecting.' (NLT) What were the people expecting? What was the political climate of the time? Do we have expectations today? Is there a time line for these expectations?

In Matthew 14:22 we learn Jesus 'constrained' (NIV) or 'made' (NLT) the disciples enter the boat and go before him to the other side. Why would they resist? According to verse 15, what was the attitude of the crowds?

In Mathew 8 the disciples find themselves on a boat with Jesus asleep during a storm. Here in John, the disciples find themselves in a storm but Jesus does not appear to be with them; in fact he sent them away. What might they have said to one another about their situation? What would you have said?

When they see Jesus his response is 'I am here, don't be afraid.' Why should the proximity of Jesus reduce fear? What does Jesus' words mean to you personally?

What does the word miracle mean to you? How would you explain the above narratives to a young child? To a close friend? To a non-Christian? To a loved one in crisis?

John 5

1. Why do think Jesus asked the invalid man if he wanted to get well in the Gospel of John Chapter 5, verse 6?

2. In John 5:14 Jesus says, “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” What do you think the man was doing?

3. According to Jewish law, what was the prescribed punishment for doing work on the Sabbath? Exodus 31:12-15. Why do you think the Sabbath law is so strict? What is it actually about?

4. List 2 things from the Gospel of John Chapter 5, verses 17-27 that God the Father has given the Son or authorized the Son to do.

5. Read Matthew 12:1-14. Why do you think Jesus healed on the Sabbath?

6. Do you think that we should observe the Sabbath today? If so, how? What do you do on the Sabbath?

John 4

1.) Reread verse 36 in chapter 3, is there a connection between this verse and the content of chapter 4?

2.) Why did Jesus have to go to Samaria?

3.) Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink, is this a rhetorical question or is he really thirsty?

4.) Do you think the Samaritan woman knew she was talking to the Messiah that was prophesied before Jesus announced who he really was to her?

5.) Jews did not associate with Samaritans because of a deep dislike for them, but Jesus went out of his way to talk to this woman, who is it in you life that you should be associating more with and don't? What do we learn about the nature of Christ in his interactions with the Woman at the well?

6.) Jesus tells the woman at the well that if she drinks of the water he is offering, she will never thirst again, do you find that you are never thirsty? How is your walk with God in this respect? What are the things in life that keep you needing to go back to the well and accept the eternal water that Christ has to offer?

7.) What do you think Jesus means in verse 23 when he says worshippers will worship in "spirit and truth?"

8.) It is clear from the encounters Jesus is having with people in John, that each message is personal to the individual. What is Jesus saying to you through this chapter?

How to Become a Stephen Minister

Here is a link to the "How to Become a Stephen Minister" event that was discussed at Impact: Click Here!

Monday, Novemeber 7th at the Menlo Park Campus Library