July 24th Pause with the Pastor and Announcements
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
Pause with the Pastor
Dear family and friends,
In the fall of 2000, Pastor Ed Dobson was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), a degenerative disease with no known cause or cure. In 2012 Dobson shared his struggle to give thanks while living with an incurable condition. He writes:
“There are many things for which I am not grateful. I can no longer button the buttons on my shirt. I can no longer put on a heavy jacket. I can no longer raise my right hand above my head. I can no longer write. I can no longer eat with my right ha I eat with my left hand, and now even that is becoming a challenge. And overtime all of these challenges will get worse and worse. So what in the world do I have to be grateful for?”
There are moments in the life of every believer when the goodness of God seems difficult to reconcile with the circumstances we face. A doctor’s diagnosis can change everything. A job disappears. A spouse dies. We read this in Psalm 100:5, “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” At the same time, our hearts quietly whisper, “If God is good, why is this happening?” That’s often a question that comes from honesty, not weakness.
The Bible never asks us to pretend that suffering isn’t painful; it does invite us to trust God’s character even when we don’t understand His ways.
Scripture defines God’s goodness by His unchanging character. Yes, God does good things, but goodness is who He is. “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
When you’re tempted to question God’s goodness, then just look at the cross. When Jesus was on the cross, it looked as if God’s plan had completely failed. But what looked like an absolute tragedy became history’s greatest victory.
Romans 8:32 reminds us that “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
Once and for all, the cross answers the question, “Is God good?” If God was willing to give His own Son for our salvation, then we can trust Him even when we cannot trace His hand.
Faith isn't believing that everything will work out exactly the way we want. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is.
Psalm 100:5 also says that God’s “unfailing love continues forever.” That is God’s covenant love that never gives up and never walks away. It’s a love that rests on His faithful character, not ours.
And the promise ends with this: “His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Every generation faces unique fears: maybe war or economic uncertainty. But every generation discovers that same truth: that God has never let His people down. Never!
At the time he wrote, Ed Dobson said he had so much to be thankful for: “Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning. Lord, thank you that I can turn over in my bed and that I can still get out of bed. Lord, thank you that I can walk to the bathroom, brush my teeth, and eat my breakfast. And the list goes on. I have learned in my journey with ALS to focus on what I can do, not on what I can’t do. I have learned to be grateful for all the small things in my life and for many things I can still do.”
God is good. Thank Him for His goodness.
In preparation for this Sunday morning please read Luke 22:63-71.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
PAUSE WITH THE PASTOR | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | ALL OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASS SCHEDULE | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
BAYSIDE BBQ AT MISSION BAY
Wednesdays at 6pm. July 29**last one of the summer**. We ask that you bring a side dish to share. If your last name starts with:
A-J: Salad (potato / pasta / green / fruit / etc.)
K-T: Fried Chicken / Baked Beans / Mac & Cheese / etc.
U-Z: Desserts. Store-bought sides are welcome!
(Second parking lot south of Superbloom Cafe in the Gazebo at Playa 2 *Restrooms will be closed*)
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 ups begin sunday on the patio.
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.
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
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