By Pastor Mike Mitchum

In October, Robin and I will be hosting the “Pastor’s Class” in our home. It is designed for people who are making CNC their home church and would like to know more about our ministries, beliefs and future plans. I will share my vision for the Church. The class is always a highlight for Robin and me. We enjoy getting to know new friends and sharing the story of CNC.

It all begins on Wednesday, October 6th. We will meet on five consecutive Wednesday nights. Here’s what one who attends can look forward to:

• Arrive at 6pm for dinner. Robin and I provide dinner so you don’t have to bother!
• Meet some who have been in the Church for a time and others that are brand new to the family!
• At 6:45pm we will sit and discuss the topic for the night. These include: My vision for CNC, the history of CNC, what we believe, discovering your spiritual gift, and how we support our missionaries.
• Over the course of the class, you will meet each staff person at the Church. They will explain what they do to minister to the congregation.

I hope, if you have not attended this class before that you will consider signing up in the lobby on Sunday mornings in September. We limit the class to fifteen attenders, but if more sign up we will just plan another class! Please come, Robin and I are looking forward to getting to know you better!

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Our son loves his swimming pool, especially this summer when his city, Mesa, Arizona was the hottest place in the nation. The clear blue water is refreshing. Yet when he moved in, the pool was an uninviting murky green color. He found out that he needed a new filter system.

Sometimes when our lives and thinking get murky, we need new filters. Here are two that will help no matter what age we are.

Filter 1: PRAYER Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

The key is to let go of our concerns and present them to God. And don’t forget to season with thanksgiving. This forces us to remember God’s faithfulness and all he has done for us. Lord, help us remember, if it is big enough to make us anxious, it is big enough to pray about.

Filter 2: SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Where do you let your mind dwell? Would the filter of this verse catch those thoughts or let them through? My problem is I don’t stop and realize where I’m letting my thoughts dwell. Lord, help us “bring every thought” under the control of your word.

So when your life is getting murky and stagnant, check that the filters of Prayer and God’s Word are in place.

PEP CLUB ACTIVITIES FOR SEPTEMBER

Breakfast Club every Thursday at 10:00 AM

The every Thursday format gives opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Waffle Shop on the corner Zinfandel and Folsom Blvd. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Sunday, September 12 at 2:OO PM, “Room Service”

This is a classic screwball comedy presented by Chatauqa Playhouse. We have always enjoyed their presentations given in a small intimate theatre. They are in their 34th year of giving quality productions. Tickets are $16 for seniors. Pastor Bill has purchased 15 tickets and if you’d like one, give your money to him or Reva Bryson.

Sunday, September 26 Chicken BBQ by Bob Robbins

We’ll have a potluck for side dishes and dessert to complete the dinner. These are always very popular dinners and you will not want to miss the wonderful food and great chance for fellowship. Bobbie and Bob Robbins are hosting us.

by Pastor Jeff Davies

We’ve all got ‘em. I have them. You have them. Those pesky little (or not so little) areas in our lives that seem to frustrate us so greatly. Often we chalk it up to another’s fault. Left to ourselves we’ve had a perfectly glorious day. Then that family member or that co-worker does or says just the right thing to set us off. Of course as we mature we get better at not having a major meltdown on the spot. Does that mean we are better off, or just more skilled at hiding?

I have come to a conclusion based largely on my own life but also observed in others. These “hot-button” areas are great indicators, not of how bad someone else is, but of where we are. They are tell-tale signs of areas in which we need to grow. If we are truly healthy in an area, we should have grace toward others in that area. A guy content in who he is doesn’t have to jump to defend an infringement of his character. A lack of patience toward others or uncontrolled anger indicates a deficiency in us, regardless of the circumstances that sparked a particular incident.

I am not saying we should never be frustrated. Wrongs are done in this world, and they are offensive in their nature. We should be mad about injustices and seek to right them. But perhaps we should ask ourselves if someone else is being hurt by the situation. Is there truly something wrong in what is going on, or do I simply not like it? Left to ourselves we often get a distorted view of life, particularly in areas that involve us. What might a level-headed observer conclude?

So where does that leave us when we are set off in the course of our day? Here’s a wild idea: instead of beating ourselves up with guilt and shame about how we’re horrible Christians who can’t seem to handle our mess, why not thank God? Recognize we often do act like silly little kids toward God and thank him for his faithfulness toward us. We can even thank him for the reminder of our need to live our lives in the power of his.

Rather than letting that person ruin our whole afternoon, why not recognize the moment as an opportunity to grow in maturity. It’s a moment to take a step toward our destiny, the noble and radiant Bride of Christ being revealed in us all.

By Sandra Cowell : thecowellclan@gmail.com; (916) 671-5535

Do you want to learn how to love your husband at a new level and meet his deepest needs? The book Becoming A Godly Wife by Gil and Dana Stieglitz, is about exploring all of this… and more!

This book will challenge you, convict you, inspire you, and give you tools to repair and strengthen your marriage. Most importantly, the exercises in this book will empower you as a woman, in faith, to follow the LORD’s guidelines for marriage.

There is so much strength in following His will for us and I am excited to learn about becoming a R.A.D.I.C.A.L. wife with you.

• 8 Week Study Starts: Sunday, Nov 14, 2010
• Ends: Sunday, January 23, 2011
• Time: 9:30 – 10:40 a.m.
• Place: CNC
• Book: Becoming A Godly Wife by Gil and Dana Stieglitz
• Cost: $16.00.
• Leaders: Sandra Cowell and Susan Wright
• Sign up: September 5 in Rudat Hall

Who doesn’t want a better marriage?

November 19-21

See Andy and Christy Rovenstine or Pastor Jeff for more details.

By Pamela Finney, 642-2339

Most of us are quite familiar with 1 Corinthians 13. We even have some of the verses memorized, have a sign or sticker with something about love on our walls or bumpers. But for many of us the verses in this chapter may have become not much more than just a placard in our lives.

When was the last time you sat and read through I Corinthians 13? I mean really read it, absorbed it, prayed earnestly that the words would be manifested in your thoughts and actions?

Well, that is just what we hope to accomplish through a study of Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Love: We Were Made for Relationships.

If you want to be refreshed, truly learn to make this chapter, and many other verses on Godly love, come to life in your daily walk and in all of your relationships, then you should join us starting October 10 during the second service (11 a.m.) for this six-week intense study of how we can experience and share God’s love in our relationships with family, loved ones, coworkers, friends, neighbors, and even the “hard to love” people in our lives (we all have them!).

There is a workbook for the class (cost $12.00). We will watch a video presentation from Rick Warren each week, go through the workbook, discuss the topics and questions, and spend time in prayer and fellowship, all facilitated by Pamela Finney. This will be a great opportunity for you to learn how to put Christ-like love into action in your life, to become “doers of the Word” (James 1:22)!!

Editor’s Note: Sign-ups for all small groups will start September 5 in Rudat Hall. The small group brochure will be available then too.

Saturday, December 11

CNC Christmas Celebration sponsored by Children’s Ministry

Mark you calendars now for an evening of fun, games, music, food, family, and friends!

By Debora Sharpless

It’s that time again for another round of small groups.

• What is going to be offered this time?
• Who is going to teach the group?
• When are the groups going to be?
• Do I really want to make the time to take another class this time around?

These are the first questions that come to mind when I hear of small groups. But lately I have begun to add another question to this list. Who might I run into at the next class?

We have been in Rancho Cordova for almost two years due to a company transfer. As the anniversary approaches, I find myself reflecting on the drastic changes our life took. We knew no one when we moved here and had to start over with a new church. We started with a visit to CNC and never left. I started attending classes, the first being Pastor Mike’s “New Comers Class.” Or is it called Pastor’s Class?

As I’ve continued to attend small groups, I am developing friendships that might have not happened otherwise. I am not only richly blessed from the teachings and prayers, but also deeply touched by the new friendships that have developed. Nothing can bring a smile to the face faster then to walk into the room and see friends I already know attending also.

As I reflect on the last two years I smile to think of the new friends I’ve made through these classes. Why attend another small group? With today’s fast paced life, it’s great to share a few hours a week with friends in a Bible Study.

So the new question to add to your list is which friend might you run into at a small group that you would not see otherwise?

Editor’s Note: Pastor Mike’s Pastor’s Class introduced Debora to what the church believes and to a group of people who have become her friends. As a result of meeting ladies in the Pastor’s Class, Debora organized a Christmas gift wrapping party during the Holidays and offered her home as a host home for the 40 Days of Purpose small group. Debora is now seeing what youth ministry opportunities God has in mind for her.