Jan 9th Devotional and Announcements
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
Dear family and friends,
I love having so many young families at Clairemont Emmanuel! When we first arrived in San Diego and started ministry at the church, our eldest was eight years old and our youngest was four months old. We raised them at CEBC. Now they’ve all graduated from college, are into their careers, are married, involved in their local church, and have blessed us with six grandchildren.
Author Robert Samuelson wrote this: “Along with the budget deficit, we have a family deficit in America. We’ve learned that what good families provide cannot easily be gotten elsewhere. For the nation, this is the deficit that matters most.”
We need to do everything we can to support our families. I know you pray for your own family. Will you find a family with children still at home who are a part of Clairemont Emmanuel and commit to pray for them by name. Get to know the parents but also get to know their children and ask them how you can pray for them.
There were so many helpful books we read on raising children but by far, the most impactful was a book we read called “How to Really Love Your Child” by Dr. Ross Campbell. He’s the former Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
The book explains that what most deeply shapes a child is not techniques or rules but consistently expressed, unconditional love that fills the child’s “emotional tank” through eye contact, physical touch, focused attention, and loving discipline. The books core message is that when children genuinely feel loved and secure, they are far more likely to develop emotional health, cooperate with discipline, and grow into stable adults.
Campbell argues that every child is constantly asking, “Do you love me?” mostly through behavior rather than words, and the answer parents give through daily interactions becomes the most important factor in that child’s life.
In addition to eye contact and focused attention, physical touch (hugs, a hand on the shoulder, a part on the back, etc.) is one of the primary ways children experience love. He encourages parents not to let busyness, awkwardness, or cultural reserve keep them from frequent, tender touch, noting that some children especially “hear” love through physical closeness. He says for example, to not “break” the hug with the child – to let the child do that – since as long as they’re holding on, they’re filling up their emotional tank. Cambell says that “only if the emotional tank is full can a child be expected to be at his or her best or do his or her best.”
Campbell has other books that deal with specific issues, like “How to Really Love Your Teen,” “How to Really Love Your Adult Child,” “How to Really Love Your Angry Child” and “How to Really Love Your Grandchild.” I warmly recommend them all to you.
Grace and peace to you in the year ahead. In preparation for this Sunday’s sermon please read Luke 15:11-32. We’ve called this series the Gospel of Certainty and the parable of the Prodigal Son shows us the confidence we can have in a God who is always pursuing us.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KENNY | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
GUYS BREAKFAST – Saturday, January 10, 8 AM in the Fellowship Hall Come join us for great food and fellowship. Our very own Mike Uyboco will be speaking on 2026’s theme: abiding in Christ. *Please note for this month: For the second month in a row, breakfast is catered, no potluck, just come and enjoy! We are meeting on the 2nd Saturday of the month.* If you have any questions, please contact Mike Uyboco at 619-770-0348.
COMMUNITY CARE YEAR IN REVIEW LUNCH – Sunday, January 11 at 12PM in the Fellowship Hall – Enjoy a pizza lunch and hear from a panel of partners from the community. RSVP at jeaniepresley@gmail.com (619-997-2079). Stop at the table on the patio today.
MEMBERSHIP CLASS – If you would like to be a part of the Clairemont Emmanuel family or are interested in learning more about the church, please join us on Sunday, January 11 at 2PM in The Upper Room! If you have any questions, contact Pastor Kenny or Pastor Aaron or just show up!
PRIMETIMERS LUNCHEON – Wednesday, January 14, 12 PM in the Fellowship Hall • $5 per person Seniors (55+), please join us to hear from Jim Taylor. He’ll share about his 46-day journey backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail last summer, and how the Lord met him there. In addition, you will enjoy an incredible catered lunch and a great time of music and fellowship. Please sign up on the back of a Welcome Card.
STEAKS & STORIES DINNER FOR EMMANUEL WOMEN! – Join us for a relaxed evening of great food and meaningful connection! We’ll share a few brief ministry updates, but the heart of the night will be powerful testimonies from Bea, Diane, and Ari. Come build relationships, be encouraged, and be strengthened for all the ways God has ordered your own life steps. DETAILS : Friday January 16, 6:00PM in the Fellowship Hall. $10/person - sign-ups begin tomorrow at our ministry table, or online.
PRIMETIMERS LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATER!! – Come join us for a fun time as we head to the theater on Wednesday, February 4th and see the Horton Foote’s American Classic, “The Trip to Bountiful.” Cost of the ticket is $30. We will be leaving on a charter bus for the Wednesday matinee from the parking lot at 1:00PM. Sign up this Sunday between services at the Primetimer’s table. If you previously signed up come to the table and make your payment. Please contact Paul Champlin at 619-209-1237 if you have any questions.
JOSHUA TREE CAMPING TRIP – The Men’s Ministry Team is planning a camping trip for dads and sons / daughters the weekend of February 21-22. We’ll be tent camping, hiking, and rock climbing. For more information contact John Kirk at 858-531-3695.
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.
RE|ENGAGE – Coming in January, a new semester of Re|Engage. We will meet on Tuesday 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. Sign-ups at https://clairemontemmanuel.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3313125 (Please note: we will not be meeting during the planned Israel trip.)
“Re|Engage is a great way to connect with your spouse and other members of church regardless of where your marriage or spiritual walk is. If you have a great marriage, you will only make it stronger while also helping others along the way. It won’t be wasted time.” -The Phillips
MISSIONS BOOK CLUB – Come join us for the missions book club! Meetings are on the first Friday of each month. If you are interested, you can reach out to Danielle Huffman (435-531-2943) or Maria Farr (619-599-5693).
PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT – If you know someone who is sick, homebound, or feeling lonely, take a moment to pray for them—and maybe give them a call! Many of our church family have already been uplifted by your kindness. This week, would you choose one person—perhaps someone you haven’t seen in a while—and reach out with a phone call or a simple note to remind them that they are loved and prayed for?
OUR MEAL MINISTRY TEAM – could use a few more volunteers! If you’d like to help provide healthy, delicious meals to those recovering from surgery, recuperating from an illness, or welcoming a new baby, contact Tara Fitzpatrick: cebcmealministry@gmail.com or (619) 992-3213 to be part of 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.)
COMMUNITY CARE REQUEST – We have been mentoring a teen mom who will be 18 in a few weeks. She and her 3-year-old son have been sleeping on the kitchen floor of her grandparents’ house due to space issues. She is working part-time and is on track to graduate high school in June. She has received an apartment and can move in starting today! She is in need of household items (pots/pans, couch, kitchen chairs, cleaning supplies, etc). Please contact Jeanie Presley at 619-997-2079 or jeanie.presley@gmail.com if you can help! This is her Amazon wish list:
5TH SUNDAY PRAYER MEETING – for our missionaries started last Sunday. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, March 29 immediately following the second service in the sanctuary on the west side of the church. Please join us for a time of intercession for our Clairemont Emmanuel missionaries. All are welcome.
AFTER-SERVICE PRAYER – We will continue to invite people to come forward for prayer at the end of the service. Please know that this is an invitation for you to come forward and pray about anything that God has put on your heart. Of course to know the Lord, or to make spiritual decisions, but also to pray for anything personal you’d like prayer for. You might have a special prayer request for family, friends, work, etc. Maybe it’s on your heart to come and pray for our pastors, missionaries, staff, youth, children, or one of our other ministries, etc. Our team is available to pray with you about anything God puts on your heart. Please come and join us.
LOVE AND CARE CLOSET – is in need of gently used or new girl clothing sizes 6 months to 5T. Our recent Friendsgiving event for ‘YoungLives’ was a huge blessing but wiped out our supplies. Thank you for supporting this ministry!
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.)
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.)
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.
CLAIREMONT EMMANUEL VETERANS GROUP – If you are a vet of any branch of military service, contact Gary Anderson at 858-769-6911 or crazygrandpa5x@yahoo.com to find out more. We would love for you to join us.
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).
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.)
AWANA – Spaces will be limited based on our volunteer ratios. More volunteers are needed! Weekly Awana volunteers will receive an additional discount for their kids. Contact Susan Robinson (SusanAnnRobinson@gmail.com) or Buzz Buser if you are interested in serving Wednesday nights from 5:45-8:15pm. We’d love to have you join the Awana Team!
PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT – If you’re aware of people who are sick, stuck at home or just lonely, please pray for them and give them a call! Many of these folks have been contacted by you and been so encouraged! Will you pick someone from our church family to especially pray for this week, maybe someone you haven’t seen in a while, and call them or drop them a note to let them know you love them and are praying for them.
‘GUY’ CONNECTIONS – Men, pick one of these groups and join in!
Cycle Club Russ Vande Vegte 619-990-9643
Tues Bible study Paul Champlin - 619-209-1237
Thurs Book Club Paul Champlin - 619-209-1237
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Byron Harold 619-890-4393
Inductive Bible study Dr David Wu 619-913-3021
Bay Hill Meet-Up Thursday 5 pm, Bill Davis 619-977-3116
Rock Climbing Jonah Dumitru 858-232-2258
Pickle Ball Dan Cassels 619-972-5976 (1st & 3rd weeks are co-ed)
Book Club Bruce Payne 858-220-4865 Time and location, TBD
Gideon’s International Neal Gibsen 619-884-6822
Golfing John Kirk 858-531-3695
Hiking John Kirk 858-531-3695, TBD
Surf Club Mike Uyboco 619-770-0348, TBD
Spartan Club Charles Yin 619-581-0073, TBD
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!!
PRAY FOR OUR SERVICE MEMBERS DEPLOYED or ON ASSIGNMENT – We have several of our young men who are currently deployed. PLEASE PRAY especially for Matthew Fahnestock (Navy), Bryant Dougherty (Navy), Clayton Reppert (Navy), and Lake Williams (Coast Guard), Kerry Hicks (Navy). Please text Pastor Kenny and let him know of any other members or regular attenders who are deployed or away temporarily and please pray for them.
CONNECTION CARDS – are located at the Welcome Table on the patio or in the acrylic containers on the wall in the back of the sanctuary. Please take one and fill it out if you’d like a call from a pastor, if you have a prayer request, or if you’d like to be added to our email list, etc. Once filled out, put the cards in one of the white boxes on the back wall in the sanctuary. You can also sign up and share a prayer request on-line at clairemontemmanuel.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KENNY | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
BAPTISM AND MEMBERSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KENNY | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
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).
EMBRACE GRACE CO-LEADER NEEDED – You can be that someone to help lead women to hope, love and a future. Help reach scared and overwhelmed moms-to-be; Surround them with supportive community; Remind them they’re not alone and most importantly, point them to Christ Jesus, our Way-Maker. Will you say YES to co-leading? Contact Nancy Wiseman for more information at 770-630-8540 or nancylwiseman@gmail.com
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.
SILENT VOICES – Although they do not currently have a table on the patio, we have the opportunity to help restock the Silent Voices pantry with baby supplies (diapers, blankets, baby wipes, personal hygiene items, clothing, etc.). Silent Voices is a Christian pro-life pregnancy center founded by member Sharon Pearce, that provides life-affirming alternatives to abortion, and support to mothers and babies in our community who need help. If you have any questions about the ministry outreach, please contact Sharon Pearce (619-851-5336) or Paul Champlin (619-209-1237).
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KENNY | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
2024 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.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KENNY | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
Housing/JOB OPENINGS/For Sale
JEANIE PRESLEY – was laid off from work (as was her entire department) and is looking for a Product Manager, Project Manager, Scrum Master, Quality Assurance or Business Resiliency role. Please contact her at jeanie.presley@gmail.com or 619-997-2079 with any leads.
PART-TIME ACCOUNTS PAYABLE JOB – Radius International is looking for someone to work about 20-25 a week in our accounts payable. Their primary job would be donation processing and communication with donors when cards expire etc. They would also be working with our sales fulfilment (mostly customer service communication) with our missionary.com sales of books and videos. If you are interested in this job, contact Carl Miller, VP of Finance, Radius, at carl.m@radiusinternational.org.
JOB SEARCH PRAYER – Pray for a number of our folks looking for jobs in management, sales, engineering, and counseling.
ANNOUNCEMENT INDEX
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KENNY | HIGHLIGHTED ANNOUNCEMENTS | NEW MEMBER TESTIMONIES | JOB OPENINGS | MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES | CLASS SCHEDULE | HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES