Author Susan Peterson to Share Thoughts on “Weathering Life” at Cypress Staycation

How are you weathering the storms of life? Have you ever wondered if you are settling for less than this life has to offer? Do you feel a longing for more? Would you like to discover how to lead an overflowing and abundant life and find out who you can trust to provide you with safe passage in any weather? These are the questions that will be addressed on “Staycation” weekend at Cypress Church.

Cypress Church will sponsor “Cypress Staycation” on Friday and Saturday, March 15th and 16th, at the church main campus located at 6143 Ball Rd just east of Valley View. The theme for this year’s event is “Weathering Life.” The weekend is planned for ladies high school age and up to connect with current friends, make new friends and also to connect with God.

This year marks the 4th annual “Staycation” - an event designed to feel like a women's retreat in your own backyard. It has the perks of a women's Bible conference but the convenience of staying close to home and getting plenty great teaching, fun, and refreshment, all at an affordable cost.

This exciting activity will begin on Friday night March 15th with check-in at 5:45 p.m. and a kickoff time of 6:45 p.m. After the evening program there will bonfires and chat time outdoors on the patio. “Staycation: Weathering Life” team member Suzanne McElderry explained: “Our goal is to provide lots of chances to interact with each other and to decompress from our hectic and stressful lives through much-needed girl time, singing, reflection and inspiration from God's Word."

The fun will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning March 16th with a light breakfast in the “Staycation” Cafe. During the morning there will be times of worship and Bible teaching and also opportunities to meet up with friends and make new ones. Activities will include singing, praying and engaging in God's word together with keynote speaker and author Susan Peterson on the topic of “Weathering Life.”

After lunch there will be free time activities like painting, baking, and exercise classes and then the final teaching session. “Staycation” will conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Those who attend will be able to leave fully filled and refreshed both spiritually and physically.

“Weathering Life” committee member Lori Fieger commented: “We are looking forward to a wonderful weekend with women of all ages and from all stages of life. There will be fun, laughter, listening ears and caring hearts at this event.”

The cost for this two day event is $25 which includes a light breakfast and delicious lunch on Saturday. Reservations may be made by calling the Cypress Church office at (714) 952-3001 or email: info@cypresschurch.net. Reservations will be accepted until March 11th. Information on Susan Peterson’s book “Fun and Educational Places to go With Kids and Adults in Southern California” is available at www.funplaces.com.

The public is invited to connect with Cypress Church on Facebook and Twitter. Sunday worship is at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The church website is located at www.cypresschurch.net.

Photo Caption: Family guidebook author Susan Peterson will explain how Jesus can be our anchor in any storm during the “Weathering Life” Staycation on March 15 and 16 at Cypress Church.

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

Cypress Church Events Calendar

We invite you and your family to join us for worship, Bible study, community service and fellowship:

For full access to our calendar in a separate browser window please: CLICK HERE





For full access to our calendar in a separate browser window please: CLICK HERE

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

Did you use “S.O.A.P.” this morning?

Did you use “S.O.A.P.” this morning? Your response is probably a resounding “Yes!” And you are probably a little offended that anyone would even ask that question.

But, from a Christian perspective, everyone starts out needing to use “S.O.A.P.” The prophet Isaiah said in the Bible: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags..." But later Jesus told his followers: “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” God’s Word has a cleansing property for all of us.

A big part of being a Christian is becoming familiar with the Bible, God’s Word, and then taking action based on what you learn. At Cypress Church we suggest the “S.O.A.P.” method of studying Scripture. “S.O.A.P” is an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Action and Prayer. This concept for Bible study was pioneered by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu Hawaii. Here is how you can use the "S.O.A.P" method as you read and study your Bible:

First: Find a quiet time and space to study God's Word, preferably at the same time each day. Many people find that reading scripture in the morning helps get their day off to a great start with a proper focus. Before you open "The Book," pray that God will speak to you and help you understand what you are reading.

Next, read the scripture passage (the "S" step). Don’t just skim through it, but really think about what it means. Imagine what the people involved were experiencing. Write down a verse or two that really stood out to you in your journal.

The next step is to complete the “O” by writing down observations about the scripture you just read. What is happening in the passage? What verse or concept sucks with you? How do the verses you are studying fit in with the context of the rest of the Bible? You may want to write your own summary of the passage, but more importantly, think about what God has to say to you through this part of His Word.

Now it is time to complete the “A” by writing down how this Bible passage applies to you right now, in your daily life. Just reading the Bible and believing it is true will not change your life unless you take God's Word and make a specific application to you, right now, today. Maybe God has challenged you about a specific attitude or action. Decide what you will do to follow through with what you have learned.

Finally, complete the “P” through prayer. Talk to God about what He has just led you to discover. If you are unsure, ask Him to give you insight. It may help to write out your prayer. This is a personal message from you to God, so don’t worry about getting the perfect words down. Just make it honest and heartfelt. Remember that God always listens, and already knows your needs. He just wants to hear from you.

As you use the "S.O.A.P." method, you are inviting God's Holy Spirit to interact with you and empower you to move forward in a direction that is pleasing to God. “S.O.A.P.” is a vital element in living the Christian life and the objective is for God’s Word to move us into action. From January 13 through February 23, 2013 Cypress Church is focusing on spiritual growth through service during their “Love Like Jesus” campaign.

The "Love Like Jesus" campaign at Cypress Church is all about service. In the words of Pastor Mike McKay: “It's great to preach about it, pray about it, read about it, but there is something missing in all this - actually doing it!”

Everyone is welcome at Cypress Church for Sunday worship and Bible study at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The main campus is located at 6143 Ball Road in Cypress, CA just east of Valley View. For information on how you can participate in "Love Like Jesus" with the rest of the Cypress Church family you may contact our staff at (714) 952-3001.

Photo Caption: Pastor Mike McKay of Cypress Church says the “Love Like Jesus” campaign will: “…be a wonderful time of encouragement, challenge, learning, and practicing loving like Jesus.”

To download the "Love Like Jesus" Devotional Guide please click HERE

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

Cypress Church Resolves to “Love Like Jesus”

It’s that time again! What time is that? Well, each year in January it is traditional to make a New Year’s Resolution. This year Cypress Church has resolved to “Love Like Jesus."

Exactly what does it mean to “Love Like Jesus?” In His own words, Jesus said that He… “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." His love expressed itself in service.

“Love Like Jesus” at Cypress Church is a six week focus on spiritual growth through service. The congregation will focus on being people of loving action. People who serve their families, church, community and also the world.

The campaign begins on Sunday, January 13th. Each week on Sunday there will be a special Bible based message on the topic of Jesus and how to love as he did. These five messages are titled: Loved by Jesus, Love Your Family, Love Your Church, Love Your Community, and Love Your World.

The sixth and final Sunday of the campaign, February 17th, the church will have a brief gathering in the morning and then the congregation will go out and serve in the community during the afternoon. (Editor note: Regular worship services on Sunday, February 17, 2013 - Community Service Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, 2013).

Everyone in the cities of Cypress, Buena Park and the surrounding area is invited to participate in this time of learning, growth and service. In addition to the Sunday Bible study messages there will be opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors in Community Life Groups that meet in homes in local neighborhoods. The church has also created a special devotional guide to help each individual discover more every day about service during the months of January and February. The devotional guide is drawn primarily from the Bible Book of Mark.

The goal of this special six week focus period is to encourage a life style change where individuals actively seek opportunities to serve others around them. This could happen in homes, families, schools, community groups, the workplace or just about anywhere people find themselves.

Cypress Church Senior Pastor Mike McKay hopes that everyone who participates in the campaign will truly experience the love that Jesus has for them, join with others in the Cypress Church family, and then “…let that love flow out to others as we serve them.”

More information about Cypress Church and the “Love Like Jesus” spiritual growth campaign is available by calling the church office at (714) 952-3001. Sunday services are held at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the main campus located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View in Cypress. The church website may be found at www.cypresschurch.net.

Photo Caption #1 (top): Pastor Mike McKay invites community residents to join the “Love Like Jesus” spiritual growth campaign starting in January at Cypress Church.

Photo Caption #2: Community relations coordinators George and Lynn Pardon are looking for volunteers to join them in serving local cities during the “Love Like Jesus” campaign at Cypress Church.

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