March 6th Pause with the Pastor and Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX

Pause with the Pastor

Highlighted Announcements

NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES

JOB OPENINGS

ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLASS SCHEDULE

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

Pause with the Pastor

Tim Keller writes in his book, “Prayer,”

“In this the second half of my adult life, I discovered prayer. I had to. In the fall of 1999, I taught a Bible study course on the Psalms. It became clear to me that I was barely scratching the surface of what the Bible commanded and promised regarding prayer. Then came the dark weeks in New York after 9/11, when our whole city sank into a kind of corporate clinical depression, even as it rallied. For my family the shadow was intensified as my wife, Kathy, struggled with the effects of Crohn's disease. Finally, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. At one point during all this, my wife urged me to do something with her we had never been able to muster the self-discipline to do regularly. She asked me to pray with her every night. Every night. She used an illustration that crystallized her feelings very well. As we remember it, she said something like this:

‘Imagine you were diagnosed with such a lethal condition that the doctor told you that you would die within hours unless you took a particular medicine—a pill every night before going to sleep. Imagine that you were told that you could never miss it or you would die. Would you forget? Would you not get around to it some nights? No—it would be so crucial that you wouldn't forget, you would never miss. Well, if we don't pray together to God, we're not going to make it because of all we are facing. I'm certainly not. We have to pray, we can't let it just slip our minds.’”

However, no matter how regular and consistent our prayer life is, sometimes, God can seem silent. When that happens, what are we to do?

Every believer eventually walks through seasons when prayers ‘feel’ unanswered. The need is urgent but the waiting stretches longer than expected and even though silence isn’t absence, it can be unsettling.

God’s delays are never careless or meaningless. When answers seem slow, it does not mean God is inattentive. It means He is working on a timeline bigger than ours. Remember that!

Sometimes His answer is yes (but not yet), or no (because something better is coming), or grow (because the blessing requires maturity), or trust (because dependence deepens our faith).

When we wait our motives are clarified and our faith is refined. Often, when we look back, we see that what felt like delay was preparation.

If God answered every prayer instantly, we might never learn perseverance. If every request were granted exactly as asked, we might mistake our will for His wisdom.
But the Lord is good — not just powerful. He acts at the right time.

If you are in a season of silence, do not interpret it as rejection. Stay near to God and keep trusting. Continue bringing your heart before Him.

The measure of faith is not how quickly we receive answers — it’s whether we keep trusting while we wait. And the God who calls us to pray is the same God who promises never to leave us.

So, how is it going for you to set aside some time each day to talk to God in prayer? Keep working at it. It’s a battle worth fighting.

In preparation for this Sunday morning, read Luke 18:15-17

ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX

PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS |

ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS

GUYS BREAKFAST
Saturday, March 7th, 8AM in Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite breakfast food to share and enjoy great fellowship with us! Bridging from last month’s Men’s Breakfast, our very own Bill Davis will be speaking on “Things that Hinder our Abiding in Christ”.

EMMANUEL WOMEN
Resilient Faith Pop-Up on Bible Study with Cathy Mandigo and Lois Taylor is March 7, from 9:30-10:30AM in The Upper Room We’ll be at our ministry table this week and next after both services to continue registration for this class.

PRIMETIMERS LUNCHEON
Wednesday, March 11th will be learning about YoungLives, a sector with Young Life ministries specifically for teen parents. Chelsea Montgomery, Associate Director, will be sharing about the ministry here in San Diego and how Clairemont Emmanuel has had an impact. We ask you to please bring a donation of diapers or wipes to the event. Please only larger sizes in diapers (4, 5, 6 and pull ups 2T, 3T, 4T). In addition, you will enjoy an incredible catered lunch and a great time of music and fellowship.

MEN’S RETREAT 2026
‘Building Connections’ March 13-15, Rough Acres Ranch – The weekend will challenge and inspire you in your faith and is exclusive to CEBC men. Enjoy a time of reflection, rest, recreation, and great food—don’t miss this opportunity for growth and connection with other men in your church family! Sign up on the church website. Contact Mike Uyboco for details 619-770-0348.

Registration Link

COMMUNITY CARE MINISTRY
on March 20th 6-8pm in Fellowship Hall we will be having a Young Life CAMP fundraiser to raise funds for kids going to Christian camp for a week in the summer. We will have representatives from: Young Life (SD Central) / YoungLives (teen moms-South Bay) / Capernaum (children with disabilities-SD South Bay)

Registration Link

MEMBERSHIP CLASS
The next Clairemont Emmanuel Membership class will be Sunday, March 22 also in The Upper Room from 2-5PM.

ALL CHURCH MARRIAGE EVENT
One night only March 27, 6-8 PM in The Upper Room. What to expect? Special guest speakers, tasty light refreshments, activities & prizes. Sign up at the patio tables between services starting March 15th. This is a FREE event hosted by the Re|Engage ministry team.

Registration Link

TIJUANA HOUSE BUILD WITH RADIUS SERVE
On April 25 Clairemont Emmanuel will be taking a day trip to build a house in partnership with Radius Serve. The cost is $85 per person and a passport is required. If you are interested in going or would like to donate to the cost of a house or provide scholarships, please contact Matt (matt.a.farr@gmail.com, 858-750-0709) or Maria Farr (maria.o.farr@gmail.com, 619-599-5693) or stop by the table on the patio Sunday.

ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX

BAPTISM AND MEMBERSHIP

ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX

PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS |

ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

all other Announcements

PROPOSED 2026-2027 BUDGET – These are available on the entryway table. Please familiarize yourself with the budget. Budget questions will be addressed at the budget meeting Sunday, March 8th in The Upper Room at 12:00pm, with the Overseers. Our Member Day of Voting will be Sunday, March 29th after each service.

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.

GIDEONS INTERNATIONAL are Christian men called to win others for Jesus as they strengthen one another, spread the Gospel, and share God’s Word in unique areas. Contact Neal Gibsen at 858-246-6166.

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.)

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 have 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!!