If you missed my big announcement last weekend...

How do you close the door of regret...find out @ Cypress this weekend!

There are many things we ALL have in common…among them are REGRETS and struggles over how to deal with or reconcile these tough parts of life.  This weekend, we will take a look at what the Bible has to say about regrets and proven steps to help us CLOSE THE DOORS OF REGRET in our life.  If you are looking for God wisdom on how to manage and improve the quality of life you live….YOU WILL LOVE THIS WEEKEND!  This would be a GREAT WEEKEND TO INVITE FRIENDS.

Also, there is a HUGE announcement that will positively affect the future of CWC.  Be sure to be here and hear it firsthand! 

And finally, I’ve heard there will be a “3 Foot Candy Bar” in Children’s Ministry this weekend…I may just have to find time to go over and “check” on things.

I’m really looking forward to this weekend!

Pastor Ken

If you missed the Doors promo, click the link below:

Doors...

http://player.vimeo.com/video/39900682?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=a60000&autoplay=1

Easter 2012 ... Five things I want to share

Easter 2012 recap … “there’s no place like home”

1.     A HUGE THANK YOU to the hundreds of volunteers who made seven services possible last week/weekend…equaling countless hours of service to honor Christ and to touch lives.  At one service, a Children’s Ministry volunteer cared for the daughter of a woman I invited; the mom loved the service and I’ve heard her daughter loved Kids’ Church.  A personal thank you to that volunteer!

2.     To all who extended invitations to friends…Thank you!

3.     To all who “shifted” your normal service time to make room for others…Thank you!  We had the largest Easter attendance ever at Cypress - 6,784!!  Everyone had a place to park and a place to sit at all services.  Praise God!

4.     To all who made a significant decision for Christ…CONGRATULATIONS!!  We are proud of you!  Here are a sampling of conversations and emails I’ve received lately:

-        My boyfriend raised his hand to accept Christ today!

-        My mother-in-law raised her hand to follow Christ today!

-        I invited my co-worker and her boyfriend…they both came and accepted Christ today!

-        That service spoke to me in a special way…I’m back on the right path!

-        That was the first time I’ve been to church in a long time and the first time I have ever been excited to GO BACK!  See you next week!

                 

5.     Remember, we measure success by lives changed for Christ, not by record attendance.  However, with record attendance, there are more ears and hearts to hear and experience the life-changing message of Christ.  The next big weekend will be NEXT WEEKEND!  Let’s join together to see how many we can get to come back as we launch our new series, Doors…Closing the Door of Regret.

With heartfelt thanks,

Pastor Ken

Cypress...you still have time...

You still have time to INVITE a friend to Easter service at Cypress!  Invite and change someone's life forever!

Six services left:
    Tonight @ 7:00pm
    Saturday @ 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00pm
    & Sunday @ 9:30 & 11:15am

Have a great Easter weekend!
Pastor Ken

See what's happening @ Cypress this weekend...you don't want to miss!

This weekend marks the much anticipated return of our favorite game show host, Alec Tribek, from the all-time hit, BUZZ IN...as he guest host this week’s show, IS IT FAKE OR IS IT REAL!  Subject matter of this game show should be appropriate for all ages, but we do have an amazing Children’s Ministry each and every weekend.

We are also looking at the final bend in "THE ROAD" as Christ heads toward the cross. 

Hypocrites…got a love them, or do you? 

See ya this weekend as we dive in…Final Hours.

Pastor Ken

Peyton taking a line drive...has many takeaways

Many of you know our youngest son, Peyton, took a line drive to his nose and cheekbone that required surgery yesterday.  I thought I would share a few of my thoughts and reflections over the past several days; obviously, these are not in order: 

1. The power of social media amazes me.

I sent a message, via Twitter and Facebook, of what happened, and over the last three days, close to over 100 people have responded to pictures and updates.  If over 100 people responded, it makes me wonder how many other people have viewed and prayed but simply never commented. 

Takeaway = never underestimate the power of what you / we / I put out on social media.  People are reading.

Takeaway = I believe personal evangelism / invitations to church work best within the context of a relationship, but I will throw out opportunities and invitations to the “masses” via social media…scattering seed.

2. Never take family for granted. 

I love my wife and my kids.  I love hanging out with them.  We get along really well (most of the time).  BUT, when people I love suffer, not only do I suffer with them, it reminds me to take advantage of every minute…a simple car ride to practice to talk about something significant rather than tuning into my favorite “oldies” station.  I don’t think anyone means to take family and friends for granted, but when health is threatened, we do see things in a new light.

Takeaway = be disciplined to invest in people (especially family) more than stuff.

3. Perspective changes a lot…Christ changes everything.

Just about the time it’s easy to start feeling “sorry” for oneself, if I choose to think of others who are in far tougher situations than I…and if I choose to think about how God has been / is / and promises to be…gracious, all sufficient and faithful in the future unto me and my family, it really does change how I view the current situation.

Takeaway = I don’t want to just count my blessings when life is a struggle; I’d love to develop the pattern all the time.

Takeaway = I don’t want to be “thinking of and praying for” others who are in tough times only when I am, just to encourage myself…I want to develop a better pattern of care for others all the time.

4. Pain gets our attention quicker than prosperity.

I don’t like pain so I try to avoid it when possible.  I do realize though, some pain is needed for growth to occur and sometimes pain is needed for healing to occur.

Takeaway = when in pain, I will ask, “Am I causing this…what might the Lord be trying to teach me in the midst of it…even when he isn’t the author of it?”

5. Often times, physical wounds will heal faster than other kinds…relational, mental, etc…

Healing the nose is one phase...fielding our first ground ball when some we return to baseball will be another "Big Day."

Takeaway = life really is ONE DAY AT A TIME.

6. I’d rather suffer than see my kids suffer.

As we approach Easter, I can only imagine what God the Father experienced as HIS SON went through all that he did…for me ~ for you ~ and for a ton of our friends…Let’s get the word out.

Hope to see ya this weekend at Cypress,

Pastor Ken

An invitation for you...

This year, I would like to extend a personal invitation to attend one of our seven identical Easter services called, The Road…There’s No Place Like Home.  Whether you are heading out of town or staying home Easter weekend, we have designed a schedule that will allow you to be a part of our Easter celebration!  The services times are:

Thursday, April 5 ~ 7:00pm

Friday, April 6 ~ 7:00pm

Saturday, April 7 ~ 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00pm

Sunday, April 8 ~ 9:30 & 11:15am

I’m asking you to do two things at Easter this year…(1) attend one of the seven identical services with your family, and (2) bring someone with you.  Easter is the time when people are most likely to accept an invitation to church; your invitation could change someone’s eternity.  We have invite cards at the Connect area, located just outside the café.

There are exciting events planned for the kids and a great mixture of elements intended to connect with the hearts and minds of all, as we celebrate the Hope of Easter.  There really is “no place like home”… when home is as it should be.

If we may serve you in any way, please let us know by going to the “Connect” area in the lobby.

Have a wonderful Easter,

Pastor Ken

PS. I’m really looking forward to our three-week series beginning the weekend after Easter:      

            DOORS … How do you close the “door of regret…”

                                    How do you open the “door of opportunity…”

                                            How do you walk through the “door of greatness…”