EP*C

The end of the summer  is always bittersweet. The fall season is coming and life is gearing up again.

The end of August also signals a big chance within EPIC. We’re going to be rolling out details in the next few weeks, but big plans are ahead! Young people change history, and we’re intent on doing just that!

For now, book in August 27th at Port Dalhousie for our ‘Battle at the Beach’. Whether or not you play volleyball, it’s gonna be an awesome time together.

Plus, Sam Santarella will be out selling his new CD called ‘Cain was Abel’. Sam is raising money for Heme Aqui, a ministry in Ecuador that provides physical and spiritual nourishment for children. For more info, head to the website.

See you there!

Darrin Patrick & Matt Carter Exponential 2010 from Exponential on Vimeo.

One of the best things about summer is time with friends, whether it’s heading to the drive-in, hitting the beach or just relaxing. Summer is also a great time to make great friendships.

Some of us have a great group of friends and life is awesome, but it’s not the same for everyone. As part of the ‘Summer: Use It or Lose It’ series, one of the best things you can do this summer is connect with people you know don’t know that well.

Having a BBQ? Invite your close friends, plus someone you’ve never hung out with before. Headed for sushi? Grab someone you’ve only just met and introduce them to your mates. Hanging out with someone new is always worth it.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. – Jesus

Perspective is a powerful thing.

Persecution in India: Francis’ Response from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

For most people, it’s the best season of the year. The scorching sun, beaches, BBQs, hikes, swimming, ice-cream…and the list goes on…

The great thing about summer is that so much can be done with the longer and warmer days. The not-so-great thing about summer is that you can fill your days with stuff that doesn’t really matter, and before you know it, the leaves are falling and you’ve wasted your summer.

Resolve to not waste your summer. Here are some useful tips:

1. Do you have a plan for what you want to do this summer? Are you just taking it as it comes or making the most of your time?

I like to lay out some goals, especially spiritually, mentally and relationally. For example, I can plan to read or listen to a few books of the Bible, learn more about leadership and set a goal to spend more time with my family.

2. How will you make sure this happens?

I find that if I don’t write it down, it doesn’t get done. For example, if I don’t sit down and decide what books I want to read about leadership, I won’t read about leadership. It’s great to have a plan or goals, but you need to make sure they happen. How will you make sure you do the things you want to do this summer?

In the coming weeks I’ll be passing through some great resource that you can use to make the most of your summer.

R.O.O.

Persistent Prayer from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

Loving God and Loving People are often talked about, but sometimes hard to define. Here’s a great message on this topic by Francis Chan.

Francis Chan “Love God Love People” from Unite All To Christ on Vimeo.

As a church and as a young adult community, we’re committed to making a lasting difference in our city. One of the ways we do this is by planting satellite sites that are able to reach out to different areas around St. Catharines.

Our downtown site recently started leasing a property right in the heart of the city. Throughout April the whole church will be volunteering to do some much needed renovation to the building. Join us by lending a helping hand to clean, paint, dry wall…whatever you can do will make a massive difference.

For more information on how to help, email natalievanderwier@centralcc.ca.

I haven’t yet read ‘Dug Down Deep’ (the new Josh Harris book), but I’ve heard some good things. Here’s a short video about it.

DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.