UNEXPECTED Poem from this Past Weekend

Many have asked for the poem I read this past weekend...here it is!

The Most Unexpected People God Will Come for This Christmas
By Kimberley Suchta

For the hopeless.
For the hurting.
For the ones trying to hold it all together… He is coming.

For the outcasts.
For the misunderstood.
For the ones who have no Christmas party to attend… He is coming.

For the ones with no voice.
For the ones who are searching for someone to love.
For the ones whose marriages are falling apart… He is coming.

For those who feel like heaven is out of reach.
For those fighting to forgive after being betrayed.
For those learning to trust again… He is coming.

For the tired mom whose Christmas tree isn’t up yet and who has yet to light an advent candle.
For the woman whose arms ache for her child.
For the man struggling with his porn addiction… He is coming.

For the soul hiding inside of those thirty extra pounds.
For the single widow standing in a crowd of couples.
For those sinking in their depression… He is coming.

For those so numb they can’t feel his love.
For those swimming in anxiety.
For those who’s life knows no peace or goodwill… He is coming.

For the man sitting in prison for murder.
For the girl who carelessly gives herself away.
For those who have no frankincense or myrrh, but just filthy rags to offer… He is coming.

For those running to the outstretched arms of the Father for the first time.
For those running to the outstretched arms of the Father for the millionth time.
For those masking their sorrow with a smile… He is coming.

For the teenager counting her Instagram followers.
For the awkward middle school kid who just doesn’t fit in.
For those searching for the understanding eyes of a friend… He is coming.

For those battling the fear of the unknown.
For the refugee boy laying lifeless on a beach attempting to reach freedom.
And for his father who grieves… He is coming.

For the frightened man finding comfort in the weapon he carries.
For those who have been left by the people they thought would never leave.
For those doubting God’s goodness… He is coming.

For those who are the most difficult to love.
For those who are fighting to love again.
For those who despite all of this…keep believing anyway… 

                                                                       He is coming.

Exciting Staff News!

Exodus 13:21 (NIV)
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

God still speaks and moves in our lives. The only question is will we listen and follow?

In the Old Testament, God led his people from a place of slavery to a place of freedom. Individual lives and entire families - in a moment and for generations - were CHANGED as a result of their obedience to God’s call. The Lord led Israel by reminding them to stay focused on him and when he moved, then they should move as well.

I am thankful God still speaks. God still stirs. God still moves people in response to His call and His plan and, as a result, lives and generations are forever changed.

A little over a year ago as a leadership team, we felt God stirring to invest ourselves more heavily in forming community connections for one another within the Cypress family. A place to connect with others. A place to share life. A place to grow closer to Christ, but to do it shoulder to shoulder, not alone.

We found ourselves getting excited about this emphasis on group life, and then we focused our prayers on the Lord helping us to find the right person or persons to lead this initiative. After several months of praying and discerning, God has proven faithful once again.

God has been stirring two people who are new to this area of ministry, but not exactly new to Cypress.

• I am very excited to announce Kathy George is going to be heading up our GroupLife team. God had been stirring in Kathy’s heart for some time that he had something new awaiting her. Through a series of confirmations, the Lord made it abundantly clear this was the right role for Kathy and the right leader for Cypress.
  
  To read about this transition in Kathy’s own words, see her note below to the Cypress Kids families. Kathy also shares what the plan looks like moving forward with leadership regarding the Cypress Kids team…very exciting!
  
  
• Dave Kujawa, known as “Kujo” to some, will be rejoining Cypress’ ministry team. Dave was the youth pastor here for nine years, before heading to Michigan to help another church and pursue different ministry endeavors. Again, through several God ordained and orchestrated conversations, it is very clear the Lord has moved and opened doors for Dave to come join the ministry team at Cypress. Dave’s first emphasis will be to join men in the church and help us get better connected to other guys and to Christ.
  
  
• Ashley Brooks will be rounding out this team. Ashley has been a part of our GroupLife team since June. She began her time with us as a one-year resident in our Next Wave Internship/Residency program and proved to be the type of person you want on your ministry team for more than just a year.

 Be praying for our GroupLife team as we work to see God move in our midst. Pray for those who will develop for the first time and others who will be strengthening their connection with Christ and others.

The best is yet to come!
Pastor Ken


From Kathy George:
Living life with Jesus is always an adventure. We never know all the plans Jesus has for us but we know He can be trusted.

During the last few months I have had a restlessness that I have only experienced one other time in my life. That was when I left the corporate world and pursued full-time ministry. In the last few months, I have been feeling a very strong tug on my heart to once again step out of my comfort zone. I couldn’t imagine what God was up to. I won’t take you through all the details – but through many, frankly odd circumstances – God showed me the reason for my restlessness.

Our vision at Cypress is Come, Connect and Change. Over the years we have landed on different vision statements – but this one especially grabbed my heart. I was particularly drawn to the purpose of people connecting for the sake of life change. That is what this “Jesus Adventure” is all about – lives being transformed…people becoming new!   

Pastor Ken and our leadership team are excited about this new movement of God and have encouraged me to pursue this new adventure and so I am moving into the role of Group Life Director – where I will be leading adults in finding those meaningful connections within our community.

What does all this mean for Children’s ministries? God has been preparing our kids team to take the reins. During this same timeframe, God has been tugging on Angie Young’s heart to take on more in the Children’s department. Angie will be co-leading with Heidi Kelly and she will be taking on a lot of my responsibilities.  For all you Star Wars fans – I will be their Yoda. We have an amazing kid’s team!  

Most of you know by now that our oldest son, Nathan, unexpectedly passed away on November 18. He was excited for my new adventure because he knew first hand the importance of connecting with people through the instrument of small groups. He was passionate about people hearing and knowing Jesus Christ. Some might think this is a time to pull back but because of Nathan’s adventurous spirit – while this was all in the works before he left us – I feel more certain now than ever about taking on this new adventure. 

Thank you so much for allowing me the privilege of serving you and your families for the past 19 years. I am looking forward to continuing walking this spiritual adventure with you. 

Miss Kathy

How can one person possibly make a difference in this world?

We’ve been talking a lot in recent months about the threefold nature of why we exist as a church. We’ve even gone to the lengths of boiling down our purpose into three easy to remember words: COME ~ CONNECT ~ CHANGE.

We want to live in such a way as to compel people to simply COME as they are to see and experience all of who God is for them.

We believe it is all about right relationships with God and others in this thing called life. So the second thing we long for is to see people CONNECT…connect in meaningful ways that draw them closer to Christ in a personal relationship and to also draw them out of isolation and into transforming friendships.

The third word in our mission is what makes it complete- CHANGE. Anything short of the experience of this means we have not completed our work…and that is to see Christ facilitate LIFE CHANGE as only He can! As our lives are changed, we long to see marriages and families change. As families experience real life change, we long to see our local schools and communities change and eventually we realize we are simply doing our small part to help change the world for Jesus…one person, one life, one conversation, one act of kindness at a time.

Christmas is without question the most likely time of the year when people who do not generally go to church are open to attend. The number one reason why they might attend…because someone they know INVITED THEM!

We have been and will continue to pray that people will be invited and feel compelled to COME to one of our Christmas services this year. We pray that when they arrive, they will CONNECT in a special way and feel welcomed, all so that one day they will respond to the greatest gift the world has ever known…the love, grace and hope of Jesus Christ. We pray that through that, their life and purpose may CHANGE in ways they never even dreamed possible.

You really do play an invaluable role in one of the greatest celebrations and miracles this Christmas season - that of a truly changed life for Christ.

Please do your part:

• Extend simple invitations
• Pray the Lord does what only He can do

Join us this weekend as we kick off the Christmas season with a service of music and celebration – A Weekend in December!

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Ken

What should I do when life doesn't make sense?

I am going to make this as short as I can…

I believe and I know the Lord has given me a message to share with our Cypress family this weekend. In the midst of painful and confusing days we are living in, the Lord is our strength and safe refuge. 

See you soon,
Pastor Ken …

P.S. This weekend we are also collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. 

Bring your gift-filled shoebox to the lobby and we will take it from there!

For more information- Shoebox Instructions

Come See & Worship
Connect with Christ & Others
Change Lives & Communities

Calling the Church to Concentrated Prayer for the George Family

Nathan George, son of Pastor Dale and Kathy George, passed away yesterday at his home in England.

We are opening the Alton Darby worship center from 6-7pm tonight. You can come and go at any time during that timeframe. Pastors and the Prayer Team will be available to pray with you or you may pray individually or as a family.

If you cannot be here tonight, please pray wherever you are, whatever time works for you.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Five things to pray for:

1. Thank God for the HOPE of heaven, where we know Nathan is with his Savior.
   
2. COMFORT for Nathan’s wife, Lauren, for his parents, Pastor Dale and Kathy George and the extended family
   
3. STRENGTH for the coming days as they travel and make decisions and gather together as a family
   
4. PROTECTION – that the Lord will protect the hearts and minds of those mourning Nathan
   
5. In the midst of this devastating loss, pray that God would be GLORIFIED and that many lives will be CHANGED because of Nathan’s life and death.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

Pastor Ken

My thoughts and reflections from the last 7 days regarding the murder of Amanda Blackburn

For those who haven’t heard, Amanda Blackburn (my niece and cousin to Dayne Gowan, worship leader at Cypress) was killed as the result of a home invasion in her Indianapolis home one week ago. As the family has been going through the stages and emotions of grieving, I wanted to put some thoughts to paper, so here is some of what I’ve been thinking in recent days:

1. I am disappointed in ignorant comments people make on social media. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but everything you post SHOULD BE TRUE. Just because you have an opinion doesn’t mean you should share it. Social media has become for many a cesspool for gossip and argumentation. Ask yourself…is what I’m about to say true, helpful and does it build people up? Have I talked to the person directly about this? Have I really prayed about this to seek the Lord’s guidance? If not, maybe I should keep my mouth shut.
   
   
   Now that I got that off my chest, let me turn the page to the other
   things I’ve been thinking about over the past 7 days…
   
   
2. Faith in Jesus is the anchor that holds even in the midst of the fiercest storm. The winds and the waves still know His name and obey Him! So when it comes time to seek refuge in the midst of the storm, choose wisely. Also, you build your foundation in times of calm, then the storms often reveal the quality of that which we’ve spent years building.
   
   
3. There is healing in loving relationships. Over the past week, my mom’s house has been like a constant revolving door of family and friends coming to “JUST BE THERE.” The ministry of presence. There is nothing to say, there is no magic verse that takes away the pain, just being there and saying, “I care” and “I’m sorry.”
   
   
4. The Hope of Heaven is something to look forward to. When we have faith in Jesus, we grieve during times of loss, but not as those who have no hope. Hope in Jesus prevails even in the face of physical death.
   
   
   One of the best pieces on hope was written by my parents’ pastor at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Indianapolis, Pastor Mike Colaw, as he reflected on this tragedy. Well worth the read.
   
   
5. Family and friends often gather for the first week or so. Most people’s lives go back to “normal” after a couple weeks. Those affected most keenly by loss will be forced to find a new “normal” which will never be what it was. It’s a long process that has certain steps that cannot be rushed or skipped. Go through the process.
   
   
6. God can be glorified even in our darkest hours. Amanda loved to refinish furniture by taking items often viewed as junk and working to redeem them into something beautiful.
   
   
7. Prayer makes a difference. You feel it, and you sense it. As the Lord brings Davey and his 15 month-old son, Weston, to your mind, lift them in prayer. They will need it in the days to come.
   
   
8. Faith and a relationship with Jesus is THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFT you will ever pass on to your children. Prioritize and live life in light of this truth.
   
   
9. We live by faith, not by sight, therefore, by faith, we choose to believe the best is still yet to come! Only God can turn tragedy into triumph. We trust Him in life and we will trust Him in death.

Come As You Are

This has been a great week for some. For others, you are going through the most challenging time of your life. No matter what, be sure to get to Cypress for a service this weekend. You will hear amazing stories of God at work in our church.

This would be the perfect weekend to invite a friend!

Come...see what God is up to…

Connect...with your church family in worshiping our great God…

Be open to the Change that happens within you as you open your heart to Christ.

See you soon!

Pastor Ken

Two Things I Want You to Know

1. This weekend is going to be another amazing weekend at Cypress! Corporate worship is biblical and a great way to start your week off right.
   
   I am excited to have the opportunity to interview Jon Erwin, one of the Erwin brothers who co-wrote, directed, and produced the film WOODLAWN.
   
   Here’s an excerpt from an article in The Washington Times:
   
   Mr. Erwin and his brother, “Woodlawn” co-director Andrew Erwin, grew up with the story of Woodlawn High School in their native Birmingham. Their father, former Alabama state Sen. Henry “Hank” Erwin, was a young evangelist in 1973 when he helped diffuse racial violence at the school that had grown so bad that the FBI was contemplating its closure.
   
   “Politics couldn’t stop it. Police couldn’t stop it. Teachers couldn’t stop it. Nothing could stop the violence,” Jon Erwin said. “The only thing that literally turned the school around, and turned around a situation of despair into a situation of hope, was an entire football team committing themselves to God and each other and saying, ‘We are going to model this thing that Jesus said 2,000 years ago — to love God and to love each other.’”
   
   Invite friends to go see the film, then bring them to Cypress this weekend to hear the fascinating behind-the-scenes story.
   
   
2. We have been celebrating the 256 people who took the NEXT STEP in their faith journey last weekend by getting baptized. It was an amazing experience to witness moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, young teens - people of all ages - declare that Jesus is their Lord and Savior!
   
   If you were among the 256 – CONGRATULATIONS! You have taken a very important step on your journey with Christ.
   
   But (and this is SO IMPORTANT!!!) - don’t stop there! Keep taking those “NEXT STEPS” toward becoming more like Christ. Just like any relationship takes an investment of time, the same can be said for our relationship with Christ. Spend time with Him!

Looking forward to a great weekend!

See ya soon,

Pastor Ken

P.S. Here are some NEXT STEPS to consider:

SquareOne – a 4 week class that covers the basics of how to walk with Christ- begins this Sunday!

Connection Event – November 8 – both campuses! Find out how to get plugged in at Cypress.

Discovery Seminar – November 16 – A quarterly seminar taught by Pastor Ken, where he will share his own faith story, the Cypress history, what Wesleyans believe and why, and where Cypress believes God is leading us in the years to come. This class is necessary for those interested in membership at Cypress.

Share Your Story! – Be sure to take a few minutes to share the story behind your baptism: When and Why did you decide to get Baptized? What did it mean to you? What has Christ been doing in your life? We LOVE to hear stories of lives being CHANGED by Christ!

Top 10- Monday Reflections from this Past Weekend- 256 Baptisms!

Someone asked me in the days leading up to our “Open Baptism” what was I expecting. I answered them that I honestly had no idea what to expect; I just knew we were following a clear God prompting that had come to the surface rather quickly (just two weeks prior). I felt we had to be obedient to do what I sensed God leading us to do. I felt we needed to be prepared as best we could be and whatever the result ended up being, it would be fine, because the result is always up to God.

I woke up about 3am this morning reflecting on this past weekend and praying. So, what are my thoughts today? Let me bullet point a few in no particular order.

1. WOW…God never ceases to amaze!
2. This past weekend was incredible, but the NEXT STEP is so important! I don’t want last weekend to turn into a memory of a God moment. I want last weekend to become a catalyst of a God Movement in personal lives and our church.
3. I am so proud of the staff team at Cypress Church. It’s one thing to get an idea, it’s often another thing to actually pull it off.
4. We spent time this morning, as a staff, praying for the 256 people that were baptized. Praying the enemy will not sweep in and snatch away the seed and moment from this past weekend. If you would join us in praying, that would be great.
5. Never underestimate what God is up to or capable of. I saw some people baptized this past weekend that, if I had to place a bet, I would have said no way…and it’s almost like God said YES WAY!
6. Don’t forget a new session of Square One kicks off this coming weekend (10/25). It’s a great next step for those newer to their faith journey or those looking for a refresher course on how to get started taking those next steps.
7. See #1 again…no, seriously!
8. I don’t know for sure what the “great cloud of witnesses” really looks like, but I wonder if family and friends were cheering on from heaven (Hebrews 12).
9. It takes a certain level of courage to walk down front and get baptized. It requires a different level of courage to walk the life God desires.
10. Thank You, Jesus, for everything!

The excitement is building for this...

I have been looking forward to this weekend with great anticipation. We are doing something I have never done, nor have I ever been an eye witness to…Open Baptism. To be honest, it excites and concerns me all at the same time.

Why it concerns me…

- I like to plan ahead and know what to expect

- I want to be sure people understand what they are doing and why

- I have no idea what is really about to happen

Why it excites me…

- Because I have no idea what is really about to happen

- Because we are following God’s lead and prompting on this

- Because we are teaching God’s truth and then giving people an opportunity to respond…like, right nowJ

- Because I believe we will be eye witnesses to miracles and the celebration of life change like never before!

Come ready to connect, to worship, to encourage, to respond…to celebrate CHANGED LIVES for Christ!

I’m praying and believing this will be one that we all remember for a long time.

See you this weekend,
Pastor Ken

Do you ask yourself- why should I pray?

This weekend I’m talking about prayer. Prayer can often be confusing and anxiety-filled because we wonder if we are “doing it right” and “what it should feel like”.

I’ve been thinking about two questions in particular:

1. If God knows everything…WHY SHOULD I PRAY?
2. Does anything actually happen, or change, as a result of prayer?

I am so looking forward to this weekend!

See ya soon,
Pastor Ken

My suggested reading list from my “interesting conversation” blog post yesterday…

A couple people have asked what books I recommended for our “reluctant atheist” to read. I will share the books I suggested but, as always, the content of the books should match the questions or the personal quest you are on. For example, I’m not sure this would be the suggested reading list for someone struggling in a particular relationship, issues of forgiveness, etc.

Here is the list:

The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip Yancey
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Happy reading and be sure to look for those “God orchestrated” appointments today that you had no idea would happen…but God had it planned before time even began.

Have a great rest of your week,
Pastor Ken

I just had the most interesting conversation...

I briefly met a guy a month or so ago who asked if we could sit down and talk sometime. My responsibilities as Senior Pastor do not allow a great deal of time for me to meet individually with people but, as we talked, I sensed the Holy Spirit’s gentle whisper saying, “Make time for this guy.” Today was the first time both of our schedules lined up.

My new friend described himself as a “reluctant atheist” who has been faithfully attending Cypress for the past two years. He said during these past two years he has missed maybe four weekends but caught up online the very next week (funny side note- this shows again how “powerful” my preaching is that this guy has not missed a week in two years and still considers himself an atheistJ). We had a great conversation about his spiritual journey and questions that are arising in his mind. I recommended a couple of books he may enjoy reading as he continues down his spiritual path of discovery and I told him we will meet again in a month or two after he rolls through the reading list I provided.

As he left my office, I was reminded again…it’s ALL ABOUT THE HARVEST!

P.S. He also thanked me for letting him off the hook on tithing since he doesn’t believe yet, but he did want me to know he brought in a backpack! I told him that was awesome and we are so thankful he is here and a part of what’s happening.

P.S.S. I leave you with this…SMILE EXTRA BIG this weekend when you come to church…you just might rub shoulders with or end up sitting next to “our reluctant atheist” who is searching for answers and truth to the biggest questions of life- God may use you to plant a seedJ

My family loves to go to...

This is the time of year my family loves to go to the farmers’ market. Okay, truth be known, my boys and I love for Serena to go and bring home good stuff to eatJ This weekend we are talking about THE HARVEST. I have learned so much in my preparation for this weekend’s teaching. Get ready to talk about and ENJOY the HARVEST seasons of life!

See ya soon,

Pastor Ken

THREE things I'm asking of you...

I will keep this short. As I’ve been praying, I believe this weekend’s message could be the most important message I’ve given all summer. I’ve seen things in Scripture that I haven’t noticed before and I believe the Lord has given me a message to pass on.

Here is what I’m asking of you:
1. Pray between now and this weekend for the services
2. Be sure to come for worship
3. Bring a friend you think could use some encouragement

See you soon,
Pastor Ken

Two things that are guaranteed in life...

While watching the first GOP debate last night (I must be getting oldJ), I was reminded of something I heard years earlier…there are only two guarantees in life- Death & Taxes! When it comes to politics, I tend to agree. These are two things we can count on regardless of who the next President of the United States is. We will be paying taxes until the day we die. But, what if there were some guarantees for the living of life beyond politics? God reveals in scripture several promises and life principles which are always true. It is truth that can become a foundation to build your life on that will never give way.

A Seed of Love vs. a Seed of Hate
A Seed of Encouragement vs. a Seed of Discouragement
A Seed planted, taking root, will produce certain fruit…I promise!

This weekend we dive into what the Bible has to say about planting good seeds in our life and the lives of those around us.

See you this weekend,

Pastor Ken

FIVE things you need to know this summer!

As we hit the halfway point for summer, I hope you have had the opportunity to make some great memories with family and friends. If you haven’t, you still have a little time before the fall routine kicks into high gear.

Today as I sit here in my quiet time of reflection and prayer, I am encouraged by the many men and women who are a part of Cypress. It is through individuals like yourself that we are able to influence a healthier and brighter future for our kids, families, and communities around central Ohio. Therefore, if you would like to see what great things are coming, I invite you to keep reading and join us!

1. We continue to celebrate changed lives for Christ through baptism. June and July have been huge celebration months for us as we hear the stories of life change through Christ! If you have a story that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear it (please email us at cypress@cypresschurch.tv).
   
2. Sometimes summer can “throw off” our regular schedule. When you travel out of town for kid’s sports, family reunions, vacations, etc…stay connected to the church by watching online. Nothing can replace the connection of being with people and singing God’s praise with others, but in a busy world, this is a great option to stay connected.
   
3. If there is a way we could pray for you or your family, we would love the opportunity to do that as a staff and prayer team. You can reach us at cypressprayer@cypresschurch.tv.
   
4. There is a fresh wave rising for the next season of life and ministry. The staff and leaders at Cypress believe we are approaching our best and most fruitful days of ministry yet and want you to be informed and invite you to be a part of it. Be praying with us and preparing yourself for whatever it is God may desire and long to do in your life and family in the coming year. We will be rolling out the plan and next steps in September…stay tuned!
   
5. Our vision is to impact this generation for Christ while preparing the next generation of leaders to serve His church. Our church is ONE family that meets in multiple locations. Currently there are two sites (Alton Darby & Dublin campuses), and we are already making preparations for the third campus in the coming year.

Even though we have had six years of record-setting attendance and finance, we believe we are just scratching the surface of experiencing our full potential for what it means to be a church that changes lives, families, communities and the world!

Those of you who live in Dublin, or in the surrounding area, you will be receiving a follow up note from Pastor Drew, our Dublin Campus Pastor, and a personal contact to let you know about the exciting things happening in and through our Dublin Campus. I heard one person recently say Dublin provides their family all of the personal care of a medium size church with all of the opportunities of a church of 4,000+.

I just wanted to reach out and remind you we love you and are honored to do life together with you. These are exciting days and I believe for our church and for you and your family, we are just getting started…the best is yet to come.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and see ya soon,
Pastor Ken

P.S. I asked a good friend of mine to share his personal story of God's faithfulness through one of life’s greatest storms that he had ever been through. Anyone needing hope and encouragement, be sure to bring them with you this upcoming weekend!

At the Movies ... Despicable Me- don't miss this weekend!

This weekend, we are wrapping up our At the Movies series with the family-friendly movie, Despicable Me. We will also be showing Despicable Me at our Family Campout on Saturday night (6/27) on the Alton Darby Campus. Come and camp out or, if you’re like me, come eat a hotdog, enjoy the movie, and then go home to sleep in your own bedJ

See you soon,

Pastor Ken

P.S. If you didn’t have a perfect parent, or you aren’t a perfect parent yourself, this will be a great weekend to join us.

P.S.S. This should include all of us…so, see ya this weekendJ

Let's prepare to defeat our Giant!

Join us this weekend as we kick off our At the Movie series with Avengers: Age of Ultron. A story of earth’s mightiest heroes coming together to defeat a virtually impossible enemy. Sometimes in life we feel like we are fighting an impossible enemy too. What is your enemy…a mistake, your past, depression, debt, the future? Don’t miss this weekend as we prepare to defeat our Giant!

See you soon, Pastor Ken

Cypress pays tribute...

Memorial Day is often thought of as the beginning of summer. It is celebrated with parades, cookouts, and the opening of local swimming pools but it was intended for so much more. The last Monday in May is actually a time to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy all this and more. Freedom doesn't come free. Cypress pays tribute to our Fallen Heroes this weekend. Don’t miss a very special service as we wrap up our “Thank You” series.

A friendly reminder to the Alton Darby campus Saturday attenders: this weekend begins our summer schedule of just one service time on Saturday night: 6pm.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Pastor Ken

Five thoughts I would pass on to Graduates...

This weekend we celebrate our GRADUATES! Congratulations to them and for the many (moms, dads, family members, friends) who I’m sure have helped along the journeyJ

This year, our family has a high school graduate- our son Jackson. All of the emotions I have heard others speak of in recent years, we are now living. As I've reflected on this significant milestone in the lives of all of our graduates, there are five words of encouragement and instruction I’d like to pass on. If I could only pass on FIVE THOUGHTS to Jackson and knew he would listen and follow them…this weekend I am sharing what I would say.

Come ready to celebrate and possibly each of us may have the opportunity to “graduate” to a new level of living.

See ya soon,

Pastor Ken

Celebrating Mother's Day weekend...in a special way

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day in a special way like we never have before. Moms are one of God’s greatest gifts to this world. Sometimes they are linked by bloodlines, yet many times we are linked by a love that is stronger than our own DNA! Although every mom is different, there are some common traits that unite them all. 

Come be encouraged…

Come laugh…

Come as we worship Christ and celebrate all the Moms this weekend!

See you soon,

Pastor Ken

Taking New Territory...

In 2012, the economy was “on the cliff”… yet the film industry still generated over 10.8 billion dollars that year. Why? In part because people love stories! We connect with great stories and are often times inspired by them.

This weekend I am sharing one of the greatest stories of all time. How one man inspired and empowered a handful of followers to change the world through a new creation called “The Church.” We are still writing this story today.

For Cypress, last year was a great chapter and we will revisit some of the highlights, but the next chapter is shaping up to be the most exciting one yet! This is the weekend we get to look back and celebrate where we've been and what God has done. We will also look ahead at where God is leading us in this next year. We are breaking new ground and taking new territory!

See ya this weekend,

Pastor Ken

What would Jesus say to Bill Cosby?

America has different opinions on this. Many wonder…Guilty or Innocent?
Is he the victim, or did he victimize others?

In the court of law, we are innocent until proven guilty. However, in the court of public opinion, judgements are often concluded long before a judge’s gavel drops.

The bigger question is this…could it all have been avoided? And, if so, how?

The Bible says there is one thing more valuable than all the gold in the world (by the way, through 2011 that’s a value of 8.2 trillion dollars). This weekend, we will explore that one thing as it relates to Bill Cosby, the Bible, and us.

See you soon,
Pastor Ken

A silent struggle...but there is hope

If you saw someone walking around with a bone sticking out of their leg, it would be alarming. If in conversation they said, “I’m not going to go get this looked at, I think I can just tough it out,” it would be (I’m not even sure I have the right word for it) confusing and sad.

Many people suffer silently with depression. Many families struggle with the complexity of having been affected by suicide. This weekend we are continuing our series, What Would Jesus Say To by looking at Robin Williams and families affected by suicide. Suicide and depression are two very challenging topics to address, but it’s a fact of life in today’s society.

The Bible provides hope, healing and a path to journey in life.

PLEASE BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM A TALK LIKE THIS!! It could help save their life and their family’s future.

Praying for you,
Pastor Ken

What Would Jesus Say to...President Obama or ISIS

Let me ask you a question.  Have you ever “wrestled” with scripture?  This past week, I feel as if I have been wrestling with the truth and principles of scripture as related to my topic I am addressing this weekend.

• I have been challenged.
• I have seen some things (attitudes) deep within me that need to be addressed.
• I have found answers to some questions that I've had for years.

The tomb is still empty and Jesus is still reigning on high!

I hope you can make the celebration this weekend at a campus and service near you!

Pastor Ken

It's finally here ... EASTER WEEK!

I've written this note several times, struggling to find the right words for this weekend.  Here is what I ended up with:

Ø  For believers and followers of Christ…

         this is our reason for hope - COME CELEBRATE

Ø  For those struggling and not sure yet what to believe…

    this is your opportunity - COME INVESTIGATE

Ø  For those who've never heard the story in a way that connects with them…

    this could be their day and their moment to hear and respond - GO INVITE

Easter changes everything…today, tomorrow and forever!

See you soon,

Pastor Ken … Praying #EasteratCypress

ALTON DARBY service times:

Friday, April 3- 7:00pm

Saturday, April 4- 3:30, 5:00 & 6:30pm

Sunday, April 5- 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am & 1:00pm

DUBLIN service times:

Sunday, April 5- 9:30 & 11:00am

When life seems overwhelming...exploring the answers this weekend

Have you ever had a sleepless night? Jesus did!

When it seems:

our emotions are on the verge of overwhelming us…

the path before us is too difficult and steep to climb…

there is no escape…

all of the promises made to us have been broken…

all our friends have abandoned us…

not only friends, but God himself, has abandoned us…

…what do we do?

Don’t miss worship service this weekend as we explore answers to these questions and more.

Pastor Ken

A changed life so incredible- it's almost beyond belief...

This weekend I will be sharing the story of a changed life that is so incredible, it’s almost beyond belief. If this story line was submitted to Hollywood, they would reject it because it’s so far out there nobody would believe it’s true…BUT IT IS! It’s a story that involves being an accessory to Murder and being on a mission to wipe Christians from the face of the earth…ONLY to become one himself. And not only to become one, but to become one of the greatest leaders the church has ever known! And there is one, a relatively unknown man, who helped to make it all possible.

The power of ONE…

ONE really does matter…

See ya this weekend,

Pastor Ken

ONE- this is what it's all about!

What is the ONE Campaign...



This weekend…practical steps and life-relatable steps that we can all take to be the ONE God uses to Make a Difference and to Reach the Next ONE.

How do we move from commitment to follow through…

See you soon, Pastor Ken

Could this be the ONE...

In 1800 – 

Thomas Jefferson was elected President by ONE vote in the House of Representatives after a tie in the Electoral College.

In 1846 –
President Polk's request for a Declaration of War against Mexico passed by ONE vote.

Too often we believe the lie…

          I’m just one person…what difference could I actually make?
          It’s just one weekend to miss worship…I don’t know that it really matters.
          It’s just one step in the wrong direction…it’s not like I’d actually do it.
          It’s just one…

#1Matters

Could this be the ONE worship service God has prepared for you to speak to your life from the beginning of time? You and Your ONE Matter.

See you this weekend, Pastor Ken

An incredible story of faithfulness and blessing...

My name is ______________ and I have been attending Cypress for nearly six years now.

I used to give $20 to $50 here and there when the offering plate came around, but have been "religiously" tithing on a consistent basis for nearly two of those years.

Last year around March, opportunities presented themselves to me and my base salary more than doubled. Honestly, I didn't think much of it aside from the fact that it was my solely personal accomplishments that got me to that point. I failed to give the Lord nearly enough credit for the achievement, but it was not until yesterday that I really put the two together.

I have continued to tithe because I truly believe that everything is His and to honor Him with 10%+ with every dime that comes my way is not asking much at all. Yesterday I received a phone call based on an interview I had on Wednesday for a dream promotion. I was offered the position, and once again, my base salary was doubled!

This time, I will not be as selfish.

All of the glory goes to Him!

God is good!


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If you’d like to watch Pastor Ken's messages online Click Here

To learn more about Online Giving and Text giving Click Here
To submit a prayer request, send an email to ~ cypressprayer@cypresschurch.tv

What is the ONE thing that truly matters?

When you strip away the busyness and the layers of life, there really is only ONE thing that truly matters…

If you call Cypress home, do whatever you can to be here every weekend this next month. It really is a matter of life and death…possibly for you, a friend of yours, a family member of yours, or possibly a complete stranger to you but someone else’s son or daughter.

I believe this weekend at Cypress will be the most impactful weekend of worship we've ever experienced in all the years I've been here!

everyONEmatters,

Pastor Ken

YOU ASKED...check out some of the questions being covered this weekend!

This weekend we are wrapping up our current series, YOU ASKED FOR IT. We’ll be discussing topics like these:

- Can a Christian drink alcohol and go to “R” rated movies?

- If an ax murderer “gives his life” to Jesus right before the electric chair, does he go to heaven?

- Does the Bible mention dinosaurs?

- How old is the earth and does it matter?

- It’s so cold…do you think H--- has frozen over? (kidding- I just made that one upJ)

I hope you will make weekend worship a priority. I always look forward to celebrating communion, singing together of God’s greatness and grace, and stretching ourselves to become more and do more according to His design.

Love ya and hope to see you soon,

Pastor Ken

See what YOU ASKED FOR this weekend...

If Week 1 of this series, YOU ASKED FOR IT, was the most important talk I've ever given (Methodist, Muslim and Mormon…what’s the difference?), and Week 2 was the most anticipated talk I've ever given (The Grey Areas of Sexuality)…then this week may be the most useful and practical (Why do bad things happen in this world and how do I get through them?).

How do I reconcile a loving God with a painful world?

Why is it that some people shut down in the midst of pain while others “make it through” and, at times, seem to be stronger as a result?

This would be a great weekend to bring a friend!

You are not alone and there is HOPE! 

See you soon, Pastor Ken

I believe this may be a new record...

The Grey Areas of Sexuality…

I believe we may have set a new record.  I've been receiving emails and phone calls BEFORE I even preach this weekend’s message.  And, they do not even know I will be talking about the LGBT community, pornography, erotica and heterosexual sins.  I shared with someone recently I think this will be an equal opportunity offensive message for everyone (or at least hard to hear).

Remember this from Scripture…

o   God is not anti-sex (His Idea)

o   God created and loves all people

o   God clearly lays out how "to live” and "not to live” your life

o   God clearly explains how to interact with others who may not believe the same thing you do…

This should be interesting…and remember…You Asked For ItJ

Pastor Ken

Don't miss...one of the most important sermons...

This weekend, we kick off our new series, You Asked For It. I literally received hundreds of great questions from many of you...thank you! This weekend, I will be tackling the questions that revolve around different religions and why are there so many different denominations.

Do all religions worship the same God?

How do you know if one religion is better compared to another?

How should we act toward those who don't believe what we believe?

Don't we all go to heaven anyway?

I believe this weekend could be one of the most important sermons I've ever taught. I feel that strongly about it.

Hope you can make it for week one~ Methodist, Muslim, Mormon…what’s the difference?
Pastor Ken

Y2K to Today

Last weekend, a couple thousand of us raised our hands to say we would slow down and read Proverbs 3:1-15 each day for the next week. The stories I’ve been hearing this week are amazing! Great job!! God is always faithful to his word.

This weekend we wrap up our series, Decades…looking back to learn from our past in order to live more effectively as we move into the future. Here are two things I will be talking about:

• Sinkholes, not Potholes…if you missed last weekend, this is really funny but you probably don’t know why. Sorry, it’s one of those “had to be there” moments. Catch up before this weekend and find out what you missed- click here.
• The origin of the famous “selfie” photograph…before the “duckface” or the “faux surprise face.”

Hope to see you this weekend,
Pastor Ken

P.S. If you don’t mind, could you also chant “BEAT DARBY” around 7:30pm tonight? I don’t think Bradley HS has ever beaten Darby HS in football or basketball (at least not in the four years my son has attended). Tonight is a big night! Yes, I know, God doesn’t care…but the Murphy family doesJ

Does this sound like your life?

Have you or someone you know, ever felt like you were RUSHING THROUGH LIFE and, at times, life was happening to you rather than you living it? If so, this weekend might have some answers for you.

Bring a friend and see what God might have in store…

See ya soon,
Pastor Ken

Did someone say parachute pants and boom boxes?

Some things change, while others never do…

I lived through the 80’s…(add your own memories here… oh what a decade it wasJ) but I had never studied that time until preparing for this weekend. When you look beyond the parachute pants, skinny ties (oh wait, those are coming back in styleJ), and the boom box, these were fascinating times with a timeless message for us today.

So grab your Commodore 64…take some notes and get ready to laugh, grow and be inspired.

It’s going to be “totally tubular” this weekend at Cypress,

Pastor Ken

What Decade Describes You?

I love the fact that Ohio State won last night and the Big Ten had a great day! There were times in the midst of those games though where it really could have gone either way. Can you imagine cheering, celebrating, and clapping FOR ONE WHO NEVER loses...NEVER! This, in part, is our opportunity to worship Christ, the VICTOR, the KING, the ONE WHO REIGNS FOREVER.

We are kicking off our Decades series, by looking at the 60's & 70's...fascinating times for sure! I believe many of the issues we struggle with today found their origin in these two decades. Let's learn from them so we aren't contributing to the challenges future decades will have to wrestle with.

See you soon,
Pastor Ken