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