Aug 14th Pause with the Pastor and Announcements
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
Pause with the Pastor
Dear family and friends,
Solomon writes in Proverbs (24:16), “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”
Few things discourage us more than failure. We fail in many ways and when we do, we disappoint others and ourselves and we might even be tempted to think that somehow we’ve disqualified ourselves from being useful to God.
A book that was so helpful for me to read is, Failure: The Back Door to Success by Erwin Lutzer. In this book he reminds us that God is able to use even our failures and weaknesses to develop us to be more Christlike. Lutzer puts it like this: “Often the doorway to success is entered through the hallway of failure.”
We all identify with the Apostle Peter. He confidently told Jesus that even if everyone else abandoned Him, he never would. But only hours later, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus.
Imagine how Peter must have felt when the rooster crowed and he realized exactly what he’d done. His failure was public and very painful; but Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter.
After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Three times Jesus asked him, “Do you love me?” and then commissioned him to “Feed my sheep” in John 21:15-17. Peter’s failure became part of God’s process of replacing his self-confidence with humility and dependence on Christ alone.
This theme—of failure exposing our pride and opening us more deeply to God’s grace—is central to Lutzer’s handling of failure.
Have you thought at any point recently: “I should have known better.” “I shouldn’t have said that.” “I shouldn’t have done that.” “I had my opportunity and I blew it.”
We can take heart from David’s words in Psalm 37:23, 24, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
God doesn’t promise that His people won’t stumble. He does promise that when we do, He will hold us.
Sometimes our greatest spiritual growth begins when our confidence in ourselves is depleted and we begin to recognize just how desperately we need the grace and strength of God.
Failure doesn’t need to be the final chapter of your story. In fact, Lutzer’s thesis is really that the Bible is a book of failures that God turned into His successes.
So, we confess what needs to be confessed, and we make right what we can, all the while learning what God wants to teach us and then we get back up and keep following Jesus.
Your failure may describe something you did, but in Christ, and as we’ll see Sunday, because of the cross, that failure doesn’t have to define who we are. The same Jesus who restored Peter is still in the business of restoring people today.
In preparation for this Sunday morningplease read Luke 23:26-34.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
EMMANUEL WOMEN
‘Gathered in Worship’
August 1, 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall
Kendra Robinson unpacks Ephesians 5:18-19 as we consider how the spiritual discipline of corporate worship can grow a more resilient faith. Rounding out the evening are a time of worship, dinner, and a bonfire with s’mores. Sign up Sunday on the patio or by clicking this link.
GUYS BREAKFAST
Saturday, August 8th, 8AM in the Fellowship Hall. *PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE*: moving to the second Saturday this month instead of the first Saturday.* Come join us for great food and fellowship. Please bring your favorite breakfast food to share. Dan Cassels will be teaching on pride and humility. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Uyboco at 619-770-0348.
DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL MATURITY (DISCIPLESHIP CLASS)
Sunday, August 9 at 2PM in The Upper Room. If you have not yet taken this class, please plan on joining Pastor Kenny and Pastor Aaron. Contact one of them to let them know you’re coming or if you have any questions, or just show up. Our goal is for every member to take all four classes we offer; every class will help you grow your relationship with God.
PRIMETIMERS LUNCHEON
Wednesday, August 12, 12 PM in the Fellowship Hall • $5 per person (Seniors 55+)
Along with a great lunch and fellowship, we will have a panel discussion from Olive Crest Strong Families Ministry. We will have family hosts as panelists and Ani Skovmand from Olive Crest explaining what the ministry is about and how CEBC is involved in the ministry. Attendees are asked to bring a $25 gift card to Walmart, Target or Amazon to support this important ministry. Please sign up on the back of a Welcome Card.
AWANA CLUBS REGISTRATION
If you have children between the age of 2 and 5th grace, we would love for them to join us on Wednesday nights from 6-8PM, starting September 2. AWANA encourages kids to know, love, and serve Jesus through Scripture memory, biblical teaching, games, and activities. You can register through our website, or contact Susan Robinson (SusanAnnRobinson@gmail.com) if you have any questions or need more information.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
AWANA SMALL GROUP LEADERS
Do you have a heart for the next generation of the church? We are looking for leaders who love Jesus to disciple children on Wednesday nights. This is a great opportunity to invest in children’s spiritual growth, build meaningful community with other leaders, and share your faith through structured mentorship, Bible verse memorization, and fun activities. We will hold a leader training meeting for all new and returning leaders on Sunday, August 23rd from 2-4 PM in the Harbor. We invite you to join us! Contact Susan Robinson for more information.
MEN’S STAND-UP STEAK NIGHT IS ON
Meat. Fire. Brothers. Laughs. Thick-cut steaks. Sizzling strips. Cooked over real flames. Served with zero apologies and a side of music. Plus rare, wholesome standup that hits just as hard. Laugh like it hurts with a comic who’ll roast everything but the meat. Then Pastor Aaron will wrap it full send for God’s Glory and drop the mic. This isn’t dinner. It’s a declaration of war on boredom. Grab your seat. Bring your unplugged friends. Saturday, August 29. 6-9PM. Fellowship Hall. $12 (Pastors/Missionaries eat free). Sign up on the patio on Sunday or on our website.
RE | ENGAGE
A new semester of Re|Engage starts this September on Wednesday evenings. Every marriage has room for improvement; Re|Engage gives you a safe place to work on your relationship together, regardless of whether your marriage needs saving, or you just want to take it from good to great. Plus, you will make new friends. Check out reengage.org for more about this ministry. You can sign up on the patio starting this Sunday after each service, or on the church event signup page.
COMMUNITY CARE MINISTRY
BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK FILLING
For the month of July we will be gathering supplies to fill 75 backpacks for YoungLives, Lindsay School and 37 ECB School, alternative schools in City Heights & Logan Heights who serve homeless, foster children, and previous victims of DV and human trafficking.
Link to list of needed items:Click Here
Link to Amazon Wish List: Click Here
Please join us Sunday August 2nd directly after Second Service for a pizza lunch and fill backpacks in the Fellowship Hall.
BAPTISM AND MEMBERSHIP
all other Announcements
RIDE HOME – We have a senior (85) who lives just up the street from the church (on Clairemont Drive and Hartford) – about halfway to where Starbucks is – and can walk to church (downhill) but would love a ride after the second service. Would you be willing to give her a ride home? If you’re available, call, text, or talk to Pastor Kenny.
HOME WITH THE LORD – Member Marion Higby went to be with the Lord in the last days. She joins her husband Ron. There will be a private family service at Miramar in September.
CLAIREMONT EMMANUEL SERVICE PROJECT – Saturday, October 10 at Generate Hope. GenerateHope is a safe place for survivors of sex trafficking to heal and find restoration in long-term housing and trauma-informed therapy, education. See Bob Thomas (on vacation), 619-203-8604 or Aaron Passmore.
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Get Ready to Laugh! Young Life San Diego Central is hosting their 2nd Annual Comedy Night! Young Life is a Christian organization that reaches out to Christian and non-Christian teenagers alike, providing relational discipleship, spiritual mentorship, and a welcoming community that creates opportunities to share the Christian faith while building meaningful friendships during formative years. We are thrilled to announce our headliner, Mark Christopher Lawrence—a 2-time Emmy Award nominee best known as "Big Mike" on NBC's Chuck and for his hit Dry Bar Comedy special!
Event Details:
Date: August 29th
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Communion Church (6555 Balboa Ave Ste 204, San Diego)
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HOLY LAND TRIP? Given the current situation, any trip would be in a couple years from now, or later, but not earlier. In the past, former member, Eric Johnson has organized trips “In the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul” (to Turkey, Greece and Rome), to Israel, and a “Protestant Historical Tour of Germany and either England or Scotland.” Take the survey only if you’re interested in one or more of these trips. The survey link is found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PS2RBZX. The survey is ten questions long and the only one you have to answer is the first – your name. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Kenny.
ROOM AVAILABLE – If you are looking for a room to rent ($1250 a month) in Pacific Beach (near La Jolla) contact Pastor Kenny.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT: SAVE THE DATE - October 10th is our annual Clairemont Emmanuel service project. We will be returning to Generate Hope, https://generatehope.org/, a Christian organization that rescues women from vulnerable situations. For more information contact Bob Thomas 619-203-8604.
CLAIREMONT EMMANUEL VETERANS GROUP – If you are you a vet of any branch of military service, contact Timothy Hulbert at timothy_hulbert@yahoo.com, or 858-754-7946 to find out more. We would love for you to join us.
INTERESTED IN SERVING IN KIDS MINISTRY? – We have many opportunities to join on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. We’d love to have you join us in our partnership with parents to disciple this next generation! Get involved by contacting Susan Robinson at 619-985-5188 or at SusanAnnRobinson@gmail.com. (AWANA - Wednesday nights from 5:45-8:15pm / EMMANUEL KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL – Sunday mornings from 10:05am-12:05pm in the Ark or the Harbor. / SPECIAL NEEDS BUDDIES - Sunday or Wednesday nights.)
INTERESTED IN JOINING A SMALL GROUP? – Would you like to start or join a small group? Participants decide the frequency and scope of their gatherings. Small groups meet together for fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. These groups are an integral part of our church community. Most meet regularly in the home of a group member. It may include dinner from time-to-time. If you haven’t found a group in your area, please let us know! Call or text Pastor Aaron if you’re interested. (If you’re interested in a women’s group, contact Lois Taylor at the church office.)
NEED PRAYER? – Community outreach prayer tent opportunity. For the past months on Monday evenings from 6-8PM in the middle parking lot, you may have seen a blue easy-up with “Need prayer?” signs and a couple of Clairemont Emmanuel people there to pray, talk to people, and hand out Bibles and other information. If you’re interested in finding out more, stop by on a Monday evening or call/text Dan Cassels at 619-972-5976.
CARE FOR CLAIREMONT – Is a group of guys willing to help do some safe, light, ‘muscle jobs’ for seniors that could take around an hour or so to do. If you are in need of some help around your home, contact Pastor Kenny.
SEE SOMEONE YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE AT CHURCH? – Please don’t assume that someone else will greet them. Will YOU go up and introduce yourself to them and welcome them this Sunday to Clairemont Emmanuel!!
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
2026 Class Schedule
· All classes are held in The Upper Room from 2-5PM
· Text Pastor Kenny (619-508-3785) if you’re interested in reserving a spot for any of these classes.
· Our goal is that every member takes each one of the classes.
July 19 Membership
Aug 9 Discipleship
Sept 13 Membership
Oct 11 Ministry
Nov 8 Membership
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
INTERESTED IN SERVING IN KIDS MINISTRY? – We have many opportunities to join on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. We’d love to have you join us in our partnership with parents to disciple this next generation! Get involved by contacting Susan Robinson at 619-985-5188 or at SusanAnnRobinson@gmail.com.
SOUND BOOTH – Those who control the video, sound, and lights, are looking for more volunteers for Sunday mornings. If you have any technical skills or desire to learn, talk to Pastor Zach or Stephen Carpenter in the sound booth and let them know you’d like to join the team.
WELCOME TABLE VOLUNTEERS – Have a heart to welcome our church on Sunday mornings? We invite you to serve here! The welcome table is a place to welcome all guests, to be a warm space for newcomers (and the regulars) to be seen and known, to connect them with our community, get their questions answered, to share about our church history and culture, and to get resources. Please contact Sunshine McCroskey for more details at speechsunshine@gmail.com. (Church membership required.)
AV MINISTRY – Men and women! If you are looking for a ministry and (especially if you have a background in technology / sound, but even if you don’t), contact Pastor Zach (858-322-2105), or one of the guys in the sound booth and let them know you’d like to join the team.
SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY – Children’s Ministry is exploring the idea of starting a Special Needs Team to better support individuals and families in our church community who have children with special needs. No experience is necessary—we’re simply looking to see who might be interested in learning more. This is not a commitment, just a chance to express curiosity or willingness to be involved in the future. If you’d like to be part of the conversation, please contact Nikki Uyboco at nikknacks1@gmail.com.
GREETING AND USHERING – If you are interested in greeting and ushering, talk to Joe Dameron on Sunday morning or to Timothy Hulbert (first service) or Justin Hoech (second service).
CLAIREMONT EMMANUEL VETERANS GROUP – If you are you a vet of any branch of military service, contact Gary Anderson at crazygrandpa5x@yahoo.com, or 858-769-6911 to find out more. We would love for you to join us. Stop by the table on the patio to learn more.
LIVING WATERS/MEMBER CARE – Living Waters ministry would like to love on our CEBC members in times of need (surgery, illness, cancer treatments, death of loved one) as well as celebrations of life (wedding, birth, new home, etc.). If you know of a CEBC member that deserves some love please submit a prayer card addressed to Living Waters with member name and address and reason for care and our Living Waters team will make sure a card will be sent to them.
MINISTRY TABLES – If you are a leader of one of our many ministries and would like a table on the patio, contact the office (619-276-1922) to schedule a Sunday! Plan to be at your table after both services.
ELDER CARE – Someone in the community, Pam, is looking for two people to help her twice a week in the afternoons with cleaning and organizing, etc. If you are interested in possibly helping out, contact Brooke Dumitru at 951-553-6578.
VIOLIN LESSONS – If you or someone you know is interested in violin lessons at any level, contact Isaac Siebelink at 734-730-2277.
JOB NEEDED – We have a guy who’s a part of our Young Adult group who is looking for a job in software engineering but in the meantime is looking for any source of income. If you know of a job right now, contact Pastor Kenny for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES