Hello,

Chow and Fellowship

Immediately following worship we’ll have our monthly lunch/brunch (10:50 or so). We usually have a boat load of people at our July and August lunches, so join in on the fun and bring folks with you. We’re using the caterer whose food many of you enjoyed last time. She’s making pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, etc. Please contribute $3.00 per individual and $10.00 per family to help ACPC offset the costs.

Sign-Up for Fall Growth Groups Begin

Voluntary sign-ups begin on Sunday for our new church-wide Growth Groups that will begin meeting in homes in late September. The purpose of these groups will be to grow together in grace through fellowship, prayer, and the interactive study of God's Word. These will not be lecture-oriented classes. Though we will learn and be spiritually enriched, it’s safe to say that all the groups will have a blast meeting together. (Some of the groups might decide to do some “extra-curricular” activities here and there.) At our lunch we will have a table with three clip boards for our initial three groups. As I announced after worship in June, you are free to sign-up for whatever group works best for you. Though these are not strictly life-stage oriented groups, we are taking those factors into consideration as we form these. However, it may be that while one group is composed of those who are closer to your “peer range,” another group might meet on a night that works better for you. Each group will devise its own self-sustained approach to child care when and where applicable. Here are some of the details about the groups that we have formed thus far: Please take my less-than-perfect descriptions with a big grain of salt.

• 55+ Somethings. (We’re targeting those who usually fit into the “empty nester” phase of life. Maybe we should call this The Progressive Group). Will meet at the house of JC and Debbie Cobo in Aliso Viejo on Thursday evenings. Led by Duncan Merritt and others.
• Young Adults. (I’m in the group so the term “young” is pretty flexible and relative. Singles and young married, as well as college-age and post-college age folks are encouraged to join with us). Will meet at the home of Ashlee and Cody Hamilton in Mission Viejo on either Tuesday or Sunday evenings (TBD). Led by me and others.
• Everyone Else. (Generally speaking, we’re hoping to attract folks in the mid-30s to mid-50 year range, many of whom have adolescents at home). Will meet at the home of Kent and Jennifer Schmidt in Mission Viejo on Sunday evenings. Led by Jeff Barney and others.

While we strongly encourage you to consider committing to one of these groups, you’ll be free to try them out. Please sign-up only if you’re going to make a concerted effort to be involved. We need to get a fairly realistic read on our numbers. We may need to form a new group or two if our numbers are overwhelming – a great problem to have.

Please pray for me, your Session and our church as we head into this new area of ministry. The Lord has been giving me a growing desire to lead this congregation into deeper-rooted relationships (koinonia) with him and with each other. As I said in my all-church announcement, we’re researching what has worked and what hasn’t worked for churches that utilize church-wide groups in homes. I have spoken with a number of pastors and lay leaders about this type of ministry. One church in San Diego has 80% of its membership actively involved in such groups. Let’s dream big and ask the Lord to do far more than we can ask or imagine. Thanks for your support and enthusiasm.

In Christ,

Tom