Cypress Church Serves Southland

*East side, West side, all around the town…* Cypress Church volunteers have been busy serving all over the Southland this summer. On July 4th about 50 members of the congregation assisted with operating the Fun Zone at the Fireworks Extravaganza held in Los Alamitos at the Joint Forces Training Base. In addition they distributed free bottled water to hundreds for community residents.

During June the Cypress Church Knights of the Holy Grill served meals at an appreciation luncheon for Jordan High School teachers in Long Beach. They also grilled burgers and tri tip at the Garden Park School Carnival in Garden Grove.

On July 17th the Knights served meals at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Anaheim. On July 23rd they travelled to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside and joined members of Knott Avenue Christian Church of Anaheim to serve meals to more than 1,500 Marines returning from Afghanistan at an event organized by the Patriots Ministry.

*One of our primary objectives is to follow Jesus* teachings,* said Outreach Director Bob Koehler. *He showed us the importance of serving others and caring for people who are hungry and thirsty. We want to live out God’s unique call for us here in Southern California.*

During the recent Cypress Community Festival Cypress, volunteers from Cypress Church assisted vendors with finding their spots and helped staff the information booth. The church also distributed more than 900 free bottles of water to thirsty Festival guests as well as free family activity guides. The Cypress Church Band played music for the community on Saturday July 24th at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress.

The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Community Bible studies, Sunday school for kids and worship services are held at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. Information is available on line at http://www.cypresschurch.net by phone at (714) 952-3001.

Photo Caption: Cypress Church members Nancy Day and Janet Balben were part of a group of 40 volunteers that served at the Cypress Community Festival on Saturday July 24th at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net

Local Churches Team Up to Serve Children in Ecuador

Even in the midst of the greatest recession our country has seen in over 70 years, local residents from the Cypress area are still finding the compassion and means to help out those far less fortunate. This summer, members of Cypress Church have teamed up with organizations in Ecuador, India and New Orleans to help bring the message of love and hope to children who could easily feel they are forgotten, but who are finding out they are not.

In late June, members of Cypress Church and Calvary Church in Santa Ana teamed up with others from Canada, Colombia, Argentina and Ecuador to spend time with the children of Zancudo, an Ecuadorian village of 400 people. While there, the group of 90 used English, Spanish and sign language to communicate to the children the message of Christ's love. Over 100 high school age students from Zancudo and neighboring villages came to five-day Bible camps, while a separate camp was held for the younger children of Zancudo. At the same time, some of the 90 volunteers traveled to two other villages teaching the same lessons.

The camps are the realized dreams of two men from Zancudo who started the ministry of the camps. It is through the help of people who have traveled from not only outside the village but from outside the country that the men hope to become established as missionaries in their own home towns.

Excessive heat, thunder storms and bathing in a river used for waste and garbage were just some of the challenges the group faced, but they were inconveniences willingly accepted. One of the group's leaders, Susan Peterson says: “It is a life-changing experience for all who are blessed to go and participate.”

Upon arriving in Zancudo (after a plane ride and seven-hour bus trip), Peterson and the rest of her group canoed for three hours through the jungle to their destination. As their canoes traveled along the rivers of South America, they passed wood huts with thatched roofs that were immersed in a variety of green plants. With people waving at them, Peterson says she was thinking in amazement, “I get to do this!”

While the main objective was teaching the children about God's love through songs, crafts and games, essentials such as a hot meals were also offered to the children. Over 300 breakfasts, lunches and dinners were prepared by team members every day. In addition, a small number of volunteers carried water from the river to the camp where it was filtered for safer drinking. “After dinner and hand-washing all the dishes, our North American group would usually walk up the muddy hill to the block-cement building where we stayed, debriefed about our day and slept soundly on our sleeping pads covered by mosquito nets,” Peterson says.

As the week progressed, the group found themselves making friends in some unexpected places, in ways they could not have planned. For Peterson, a highlight of the trip was making a connection with a villager who was washing, scrubbing and beating her family's clothes with a wooden paddle in the river. With her limited Spanish, Peterson was able to ask the woman about her children and life in the village while the woman was able to ask a few questions of her own.

“She asked if I liked bananas,” says Peterson, who answered positively. “She carried up a basket of her clothing and came back with a tray of bananas. She, who had so very little, shared some of her very best freshly-picked bananas. That act really touched my heart.”

Along with her husband, Lance, Peterson states that she definitely plans on returning to Ecuador next year, which will be her 5th and Cypress Church's 6th year of working with Adventure Missions, a branch of an organization called Youth World. Though she says she doesn't know what the group will be doing, whether it will involve working with children again or carting lumber to help build a new church in the village, she knows the work they will be doing will be just as meaningful.

"Each year has brought a new experience and a different place in the jungle to visit and work in,” says Peterson. “Yet we are also able to see most of the same people each year, creating some precious, eternal relationships.”

In addition to the Ecuador trip, Cypress Church has planned two other journeys this summer, attempting to carry their message to children around the world. Earlier this month, a separate group left for India and hosted a day camp for a group of orphans from Jane's House, a non-profit organization that cares for children whose parents have either died or abandoned them. And this past Saturday a group of teens, along with their pastor and chaperones, left for New Orleans where they will present a similar type of Vacation Bible School for the children of New Orleans, most of whom are still struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The team from Cypress Church that went to Ecuador is planning to share their experiences with the public on Sunday, August 22 at 7:00 p.m. The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. The public is welcome at Sunday services and Bible studies that are held at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. as well as many other activities throughout each week. Information about the church is available at (714) 952-3001 or online at www.cypresschurch.net. The public may also interact with the Cypress Church community on Facebook, Twitter and Livestream.

Photo Caption: A group of North American volunteers spending time playing jump rope with children from the Ecuadorian village of Zancudo.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net/

Cypress Church Spartans Squeak By Bulldogs

The Cypress Church Spartans squeaked by their rivals, the Bulldogs, 18 to 15 in Men’s Softball League play on Wednesday July 14th. The game was held at Arnold Cypress Park. Spartans fan Susan VanderWal commented: “It was a back and forth, see-saw kind of game. Team effort by the Spartans was the key to our win but it was a real nail biter.”

The game was part of a Cypress Recreation & Community Services Department sponsored softball league. Men’s games are played on Wednesday evenings and coed teams play on Sunday evenings. Information about league play is available at (714) 229 6780.

Cypress Church sponsors activities for all ages. Team Cypress Church Cycling has rides on Saturdays and Wednesdays. There is a “pick up” basketball game in the church gym at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and also at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Teens can learn how to surf at Bolsa Chica Beach on Thursdays starting at 10:00 a.m. Vacation Bible School for kids begins on July 26th.

The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Sunday Bible study and worship services are at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Information about activities is available at (714) 952-3001 or on the internet at: www.cypresschurch.net.

Photo Caption: Cypress Church Spartans team member Steven Brooks is happy about the team’s recent 18 to 15 win over the Bulldogs.

Photo Caption: Cypress Church Spartans Ryan Holleman and Brian Bujarski get set to take the field in Men’s Softball League play at Arnold Cypress Park.

Click HERE for information on the Cypress Church Men's Ministry.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net/ - Cypress Church on Facebook

*Choose the Life* Classes Begin August 1st at Cypress Church

Cypress Church is offering a series of classes entitled *Choose The Life.* This 10 week Bible study course, written by Bill Hull and Paul Mascarella, is being used in many churches throughout the world. The classes and activities challenge traditional thinking about what it means to be a follower of Christ.

The community is invited to join Bible teacher and author Paul Mascarella as he leads this interactive seminar. The classes are held on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at Cypress Church located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. The course is designed to rebuild the concept of the Christian Gospel from the disciple upwards.

Paul Mascarella has served in local church ministry for more than twenty-five years as an Associate Pastor, Minister of Music, and Worship Director while holding an executive management position at a daily newspaper in Los Angeles. He is currently an Instructor at the Londen Institute Graduate School of Ministry. He holds degrees as Bachelor of Philosophy, Master of Theological Studies and is the author of six books.

The *Choose The Life* journey is a clear and well marked path to spiritual transformation. It asks what is wrong with the Gospel as it is taught in contemporary Western Culture and then suggests some changes in the way it is communicated by the Church. Each participant is called to rethink what it means to be follower of Jesus. The $20 fee for the class includes the book *Choose the Life: Exploring a Faith That Embraces Discipleship* as well as a study guide and all additional course materials

Cypress Church has Bible studies available almost every day of the week. Some are held at the church campus and others in homes throughout the community. Sunday worship services are at 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Watch Bible teaching from Cypress Church on the internet at: www.Livestream.com/CypressChurch. Information about *Choose The Life* and other church activities is available at (714) 952-3001 or email: paulmascarella@att.net

Photo Caption: Author and Bible teacher Paul Mascarella is leading *Choose The Life* classes on Sunday mornings at Cypress Church.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net

Making God Known Bible Study at Cypress Church:

Cypress Church will be offering a special six week Bible study series called *Making God Known.* The classes will be held each Wednesday starting on July 28th and will continue until September 1st. The evening will begin with a potluck supper followed by interactive teaching sessions. There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend any of the classes.

The classes will cover 1st Century Principles for reaching the 21st Century including the *Who, Where & Why* of evangelism, how to *cross over* or bridge the gap with the iGeneration and the practical effects of salvation. There will be discussions about how each person can prepare to share their own personal "God story" with others in a loving and conversational manner and how to deal with common questions and concerns that might come up during a discussion about Christianity.

*Everyone worships something or someone,* stated Outreach Director Bob Koehler. *All of us are born with an emptiness that can only be filled when we are in a loving relationship with our Creator and these classes will help participants learn how to share the truth about God’s love with others who may express an interest.*

The classes will be held at the Cypress Church campus located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Information is available at (714) 952-3001. Sunday Bible studies and worship services are at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. The public may connect with Cypress Church on Facebook or visit the website located at: http://www.cypresschurch.net

Photo Caption: Cypress Church will offer a new Bible teaching series called *Making God Known* on Wednesday evenings beginning on July 28th at 6:30 p.m. The classes will be taught by Outreach Director Bob Koehler.Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net - Email: info@cypresschurch.net

Summer Fun Night for Ladies at Cypress Church

On Friday August 6th Cypress Church will be sponsoring a *Summer Fun Night* for ladies of all ages. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Cypress Church Gym located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View.

There will be lots of time for fun and fellowship, floor games and table games. The menu for the evening will be a summer Super Salad Supper and a build your own Ice Cream Sundae Bar for a cost of just $2.

Ladies from high school age and up are encouraged to bring their best girl friends and join in the fun. Cypress Church has many activities for all ages. There are Bible studies and family beach days as well as M.O.M.S Group picnics and pool parties.

Information about family friendly activities in the north Orange County area is available at (714) 952-3001. Sunday Bible study and worship services are at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to visit Cypress Church online at http://www.cypresschurch.net.

Photo Caption: Ladies of all ages will enjoy games and meet new friends at the *Summer Fun Night* to be held on Friday, August 6th at Cypress Church.

Click HERE to go to the Facebook event page.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - www.cypresschurch.net

There IS a Cure for the Summertime Blues at Cypress Church

With summer jobs for teens harder and harder to come by, many parents are desperate for activities to keep those teens busy. Video games are rarely socially stimulating and hanging out at the mall can cost too much. Cypress Church is offering an alternative where teens from junior high and high school can make lasting relationships and parents can rest easy knowing they are keeping busy in a safe and stimulating environment. All summer long, planned activities are open to local youth.

For starters, every Thursday is *Beach Day* at Bolsa Chica State Beach (Warner Ave entrance, near Tower #28). There, teens will find other kids having fun in the sun, sand and surf. They may recognize someone from school or may meet someone who, like them, is looking for a way to get involved in a group activity. There are adults to supervise and facilitate volleyball and touch football games, make sure everyone is staying safe, and usually one or two adult chaperones who can give basic surf lessons. The group meets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday each week (except July 29).

The fun doesn’t end at the beach. An outing to Magic Mountain is planned for Monday, July12. Six Flags offers 16 of some of the best roller coasters in the world. Admission is $40 and additional monies will be needed for food but the transportation is free.

Some other planned events include:

* Pool Party – Tuesday, July 27 at a private residence in La Palma.

* Week-long camp at Hume Lake – August 8 thru 14. Nestled in beautiful Kings Canyon, Hume Lake is considered a “can’t miss” annual trip. From boating to hiking to stargazing, Hume Lake offers an exciting summer camp experience.

* Battle of the Ages – Saturday, August 22. In a multi-sport day that will pit teens against adults, participants will compete in events like softball, dodge ball, Wii and trivia.

* End of Summer Bonfire – Tuesday, August 31. All good things must come to an end and summer is no exception. Teens will have one last chance to hang out with the friends they made during the summer and reflect on great times they shared.

While teens are given special attention during the summer months, Cypress Church is also offering a chance for younger children and their parents to take part in planned activities. For elementary aged children, a highlight of the summer will be a week-long Vacation Bible School. With a *High Seas Expedition* theme, VBS will run Monday through Friday beginning July 26 during the morning hours. At VBS, kids join a *crew* of five elementary-age children. Each crew has an adult or teenage Crew Leader. Crews rotate through seven stations each day and the daily Bible message is reinforced at each station throughout High Seas Expedition in creative ways.

Younger siblings of all ages can take part in the same beach days at Bolsa Chica as the teens. It is also a chance for moms to get to know each other while their children take part in building sand castles and digging for sand crabs.

Other weekly activities for moms and young children include pool parties, park days and outings such as the Santa Ana Zoo. Moms and kids meet very Wednesday midday to participate and to welcome new guests interested in building relationships and sharing the joys and frustrations of motherhood… and having fun while doing so.

Cypress Church is located at 6143 Ball Road (just east of Valley View) in Cypress. For more information regarding events planned for teens, contact Student Ministries Pastor Danny Kugelberg at danny@cypresschurch.net. For planned children’s events like Vacation Bible School, contact the Children’s Pastor Mike Haugland at mikehaugland@cypresschurch.net or by calling (714) 952-3001. Moms interested in finding out more about planned events for them and their young children contact Lori Fieger at ldfieger@yahoo.com. The public is welcome at Sunday services and Bible studies that are held at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. as well as many other activities throughout each week.

Photo Caption: Teens, children and their moms in and around the Cypress area are invited every Thursday to Bolsa Chica State Beach for fun in the sun, sand and surf. In photo, L to R, are Kevin Sticht, Danny Kugelberg (Pastor of Student Ministries), Jim Ferm, Mike Haugland (Pastor of Children’s Ministries), AJ Hanania, Sean Loon, and Josh Tiffany.

Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - http://www.cypresschurch.net/