Cypress Church Resolves to “Love Like Jesus”
It’s that time again! What time is that? Well, each year in January it is traditional to make a New Year’s Resolution. This year Cypress Church has resolved to “Love Like Jesus.”
Exactly what does it mean to “Love Like Jesus?” In His own words, Jesus said that He… “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” His love expressed itself in service.
“Love Like Jesus” at Cypress Church is a six week focus on spiritual growth through service. The congregation will focus on being people of loving action. People who serve their families, church, community and also the world.
The campaign begins on Sunday, January 13th. Each week on Sunday there will be a special Bible based message on the topic of Jesus and how to love as he did. These five messages are titled: Loved by Jesus, Love Your Family, Love Your Church, Love Your Community, and Love Your World.
The sixth and final Sunday of the campaign, February 17th, the church will have a brief gathering in the morning and then the congregation will go out and serve in the community during the afternoon.
Everyone in the cities of Cypress, Buena Park and the surrounding area is invited to participate in this time of learning, growth and service. In addition to the Sunday Bible study messages there will be opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors in Community Life Groups that meet in homes in local neighborhoods. The church has also created a special devotional guide to help each individual discover more every day about service during the months of January and February. The devotional guide is drawn primarily from the Bible Book of Mark.
The goal of this special six week focus period is to encourage a life style change where individuals actively seek opportunities to serve others around them. This could happen in homes, families, schools, community groups, the workplace or just about anywhere people find themselves.
Cypress Church Senior Pastor Mike McKay hopes that everyone who participates in the campaign will truly experience the love that Jesus has for them, join with others in the Cypress Church family, and then “…let that love flow out to others as we serve them.”
More information about Cypress Church and the “Love Like Jesus” spiritual growth campaign is available by calling the church office at (714) 952-3001. Sunday services are held at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the main campus located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View in Cypress. The church website may be found at http://www.cypresschurch.net.
Photo Caption #1 (top): Pastor Mike McKay invites community residents to join the “Love Like Jesus” spiritual growth campaign starting in January at Cypress Church.
Photo Caption #2: Community relations coordinators George and Lynn Pardon are looking for volunteers to join them in serving local cities during the “Love Like Jesus” campaign at Cypress Church.
Cypress Church Celebrates Christmas Through Service
The Holiday Season is a time for giving and showing love for others. Cypress Church volunteers have been very active throughout the year in the community and are continuing to give and serve others during Christmas time.
Each year the church helps out at the Cypress Senior Center during the annual Holiday Celebration. Hundreds of community residents receive food, gifts and entertainment at this event which is sponsored by the Cypress Department of Recreation and Community Services.
Cypress Church also feeds homeless in the Los Angeles area at Christmas and Thanksgiving. They partner with Faith In Christ Ministries to bring help to many people who have little hope.
Volunteer coordinators, George and Lynn Pardon, arrange for teams to assist local cities during the July Fourth celebration, help with the yearly cleanup at the Cypress Nature Park and guide residents through the employment search process at the Cypress Job Fair.
The church welcome everyone at their Sunday services which are held at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. The Cypress Church main campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Information about volunteering in the community is available by calling (714) 952-3001. The Cypress Church website is located at: http://www.cypresschurch.net
Photo Caption #1 (top): Cypress Church volunteers Beverly Hayworth, Lynn Pardon, Mary Beth Walker and Susan VanderWal Faber served meals to seniors at the Cypress Senior Center during the annual Holiday Celebration.
Photo Caption #2: Instrumentalist Jeff Sisil plays saxophone, clarinet and flute with the Cypress Church Worship Team during Christmas Eve services and Sunday worship.
Photo Caption #3: Cypress Church Knights of the Holy Grill Larry Lexus, Dave Austin and Vern Helbig serve food to the homeless during the Holiday Season each year.
Photo Caption #4: Volunteers of all ages from Cypress Church help the City of Cypress with their annual Nature Park clean-up.
Photo Caption #5: Cypress Church collected food donations to assist the “We Care” agency of Los Alamitos in feeding the needy in Orange County.
Student Ministries Hold First Yule Ball at Cypress Church
Students from High Schools and Junior High Schools in the Cypress area held their first ever “Yule Ball” at Cypress Church this year. The event was complete with a “white elephant” gift exchange and a display of awkward family photos. Some students wore fancy dress-up attire and others came dressed in their favorite “ugly” sweater.
The event was organized by a committee of students under the leadership of Pastor Stan Markowski. It marked the culmination of an exciting year of service, fun, fellowship and growth.
The Cypress Church Student Ministries meet weekly on Tuesday evenings and also hold many special events. All Jr. High and High School students are welcome to join in the fun. Service activities include helping feed homeless area residents in partnership with the Cypress Church Knights of the Holy Grill.
The Church also sponsors camping trips to Hume Lake in the Sierras, dodge ball tournaments, scavenger hunts and much more. Students study the Bible and learn about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Information about Cypress Student Ministries is available on Facebook or call (714) 952-3001. The Cypress Church website is located at: http://www.cyprresschurch.net/
Photo Caption #1 (top): Students from local area High Schools and Jr. Highs held their 1st annual Yule Ball at Cypress Church complete with an ugly sweater contest and white elephant gift exchange.
Photo Caption #2: The 1st Annual Cypress Student Ministries Yule Ball was held during December at Cypress Church. The students meet regularly on Tuesday evenings throughout the year and are involved in community service, Bible study, camping trips and many other exciting activities.
Celebrate the True Meaning of the Holidays on Christmas Eve at Cypress Church
Lights, trees, caroling, cookies, hot chocolate, parties and TV specials – we all have our favorite holiday traditions without which Christmas would not be the same. While we love these traditions, sometimes they can obscure what Christmas is all about. Break through all of that holiday clutter and achieve a meaningful Christmas this year!
The community is invited to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas on December 24th at Cypress Church. The Worship Team will be hosting an inspiring evening full of traditional Christmas carols as well as contemporary worship music.
There will be three candlelight Christmas Eve services at 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 24, 2012. For many, experiencing a meaningful Christmas is hard because of its commercialization. Shopping sprees and the much-anticipated holiday gift exchange that is intertwined with Christmas have overshadowed the birth of Jesus.
Pastor Mike McKay of Cypress Church explains that there is much more to the holiday season. “Christmas…” he says, is a time to “…gain a greater understanding of who Jesus is, what is significant about Him, and what knowing Him in a personal way can allow us to reach – hope, peace, joy, and love.”
Cypress Church Worship Leader Nathan Baldwin has a great evening in store for the community. He will be joined by Worship Team members Laurie Fieger, Jeff Sisil, Suzanne McElderry, Garrick Fieger and a host of vocalists and musicians to share the true meaning of the season.
Join the Cypress Church family on Christmas Eve for a time of lighting candles, singing hymns and Christmas carols and a message from God’s Word. The Worship Team hopes that sharing this special evening together will be part of your family’s tradition this Christmas season.
Cypress Church is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View Street. Childcare for children from nursery school thru kindergarten will be available at the 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services. The Church holds weekly worship and Bible study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Their main campus is located close to Buena Park, Garden Grove, Anaheim and all of northern Orange County. Information is available at (714) 952-3001 or visit the church online at: http://www.cypresschurch.net.
Photo Caption #1 (top of page): Pianist and vocalist Suzanne McElderry will be part of the Cypress Church Worship Team for Christmas Eve services at 4:30, 6:00, and 7:30 p.m. on December 24th.
Photo Caption #2: Cypress Church invites the community to discover more about the true meaning of the holiday season with vocalist Laurie Fieger, instrumentalist Jeff Sisil and a host of other musicians on Christmas Eve.
Photo Caption #3: Nathan Baldwin, Pastor of Worship Arts at Cypress Church (far right), has a great evening of Christmas music in store for the community on Monday, December 24.
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Worship Leader Nathan Baldwin Welcomed By Cypress Church
The Holiday season is a time for giving thanks and the Cypress Church family is very thankful that Nathan Baldwin has come on board as their new Pastor of Worship Arts. Nathan was officially welcomed by the congregation on November 25th when he led Sunday worship for the first time at Cypress.
Nathan joins the Cypress Church leadership team along with his wife Kim and their daughters Alison and Emily. As a worship leader, song writer, studio musician and church consultant, Nathan has more than ten years experience in full-time ministry. He has led worship for camps and conferences with the praise/worship band “The Bronco Project” as well as with his new band “Grace Exchange.”
Baldwin has college level training at both Hope International University. He has previously served in ministry positions at High Desert Church in Victorville, Oasis Church in Redlands and Olive Drive Church in Bakersfield
“December Hymns – EP” is Nathan Baldwin’s latest album and it is available on iTunes. When asked what he would name his autobiography Nathan replied: “Grace can change anyone!”
Jesus is “the reason for the season” and Cypress Church invites the entire community to join them for Christmas Eve services on Monday, December 24, 2012 at 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Cypress Church main campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View Street. Information is available by phone at (714) 952-3001 or online at www.cypresschurch.net/. Cypress Church serves the cities of Cypress, Buena Park, Los Alamitos, Anaheim, Seal Beach, La Palma and the surrounding area. Sunday services are held at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Photo Caption #1: Nathan Baldwin has recently been selected as the new Pastor of Worship Arts for Cypress Church.
Photo Caption #2: Pastor Mike McKay of Cypress Church (far left) welcomed Worship Leader Nathan Baldwin and his family on Sunday November 25th.
Photo Caption #3: Pastor of Worship Arts Nathan Baldwin led the congregation in singing “Our God is Greater” at Cypress Church.
For more information about Nathan Baldwin’s album “December Hymns – EP” visit this iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/december-hymns-ep/id576447784
Cypress Church Volunteers Build Home for Needy Family
Early this summer a team of volunteers from Cypress Church travelled on a six day mission trip to serve disadvantaged residents in the Ensenada, Mexico area. There were ten Orange County residents in the group from three different families. The mission trip was led by Dan Punkay and Justin McElderry. Other participants included Lori, Andrew and Natalie Punkay; Suzanne, Eliana, Vivian and Cael McElderry; and Tom Frank. All age groups from elementary school to adults were represented.
This is the sixth year that volunteers from Cypress Church have partnered with YUGO Ministries to assist the community of Lomas Bonitas. This neighborhood is located in the mountains on the edge of Ensenada.
The community of Lomas Bonitas is unique in that the residents are immigrants from southern Mexico. There is no running water or natural gas service. The local wage is about $6.00 for a full day of labor. The roads are dirt and in very poor condition. While the parents are working, local pastors Juan and Karina Ambrocio provide programs for the children in town.
Most families do not own homes, but live in one room structures provided for them by the local church, “Centro Cristiano Jehova Jire,” and Yugo Ministries. This year the Cypress Church team partnered with a family of three who were in need, helping them build a small home, complete with a full roof. The family’s previous home was particle board with a tarp over the top. In addition to building, the volunteers also assisted with a neighborhood feeding center for children.
Andrew Punkay gave the Wednesday evening sermon in Spanish at “Centro Cristiano Jehova Jire.” When asked to describe the focus of this trip, Cypress Church Associate Pastor Takeshi Takazawa stated: “This ministry effort is specially designed for volunteers to work together as a family unit to serve people in need and develop relationships.”
Yugo Ministries has been taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Mexico since 1964. They train and host youth, adult and family teams from the U.S. and Canada to work in cross-cultural evangelistic, construction, and mercy ministry efforts.
Cypress Church partners with missions organizations around the globe to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ to the world with actions as well as words. This summer other teams from the Cypress area have traveled to Ecuador, India and New Orleans to assist needy individuals and families.
Information about global mission opportunities is available at (714) 952-3001 or email: info@cypresschurch.net. The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Worship services are held on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Bible studies and activities for all ages are available. The church website is located at: http://www.cypresschurch.net/
Photo Caption #1: Families from Cypress Church working alongside their counterparts in Lomas Bonitas, Mexico to build a new home.
Photo Caption #2: Ten Orange County residents ranging from grade school age to adults assisted local residents and YUGO Ministries in Mexico this summer.
Photo Caption #3: A needy family in Mexico has moved from a living under a tarp to a new home as a result of volunteers from Cypress Church serving others in the Name of Jesus.
City of Cypress Announces 2012 5K and 10K Run/Walk Winners
The 31st Annual Cypress 5K and 10K Run/Walk was held on Saturday, July 28th and attracted 1734 participants from 16 states, 262 more than last year. The weather was perfect and the flat and fast course attracted many talented runners.
The City would like to thank the numerous volunteers who, year after year, help to make this an amazing event. Special thanks also goes out to our sponsors, who helped make the Run a great success!
Media Sponsor: JACK FM; News Enterprise & Event News
Principal Sponsor: Bandai Foundation; Runner’s High
Gold: American Rentals; Golden Spoon; Manhattan Beachwear; Mitsubishi Motors; Southland Credit Union; Yamaha Motor Corporation
Silver: Crystal Geyser Water; Dr. Jeff Roth from Healthcare Partners – Race Doctor; Residence Inn Cypress/Los Alamitos
Bronze: Value Options
We would also like to congratulate this year’s winners:
We would also like to congratulate this year’s winners:
5K Race – Men
Place – Athlete Name – Finish Time
1 Sean Brosnan – 14:43
2 Juan Valencia, South Gate – 16:16
3 Juan Morales, Huntington Beach – 16:19
5K Race – Women
Place – Athlete Name – Finish Time
12 Ashlee Powers, Newport Beach – 17:36
23 Whitney Tawney, Long Beach – 18:22
27 Kendall Bruton, Long Beach – 18:30
10K Race – Men
Place – Athlete Name – Finish Time
1 Tonny Okello, Culver City – 29:32
2 Christian Hesch, North Hollywood – 29:39
3 Jordan Chipangama, Flagstaff, AZ – 29:44
10K Race – Women
Place – Athlete Name – Finish Time
11 Mary Akor, Hawthorne – 33:55
12 Natasha Labeaud, San Diego – 34:06
16 Tanya Zeferjahn, San Clemente – 35:09
For more race results please go to: http://www.cypressrec.com
For more information, please call Cypress Recreation & Community Services at
(714) 229-6780.
The above information was released by Jenni Worsham of the City of Cypress, Recreation and Community Services Department.
Information about the Cypress Community Festival is available at: http://www.cypressfestival.com/
Photo credit: Create and Capture Photography: http://www.createandcapturephotography.com/
Photo Caption #1: The winning Cypress 10K men’s runner for 2012 was Tonny Okello of Culver City.
Photo Caption #2: The Cypress 10K women’s winner for 2012 was Mary Akor of Hawthorne.
Photo Caption #3: The 2012 men’s winner of the Cypress 5K race was Sean Brosnan.
Photo Caption #4: Ashlee Powers of Newport Beach won the 31st annual women’s Cypress 5K race.
Top Honors at Cypress Festival go to Free Fat Chili and a Model T Fire Truck
Make the Chili and they will come – They came! Hundreds and hundreds of chili tastin’ folks arrived at the 32nd Cypress Community Festival held Saturday, July 28th at Oak Knoll Park.
It was a typical California sunny day and the temps were hot at the chili cookoff event. Starting at 12 noon, Taster’s choice ballots were sold for $4 that included a pencil, ballot, plastic spoon, and a taster’s choice judge ribbon and button.
According to Brian Sunley, chili cookoff Chair, over 1,500 taster’s choice ballots were sold. And there were 30 chili-making cooks registered and 11 salsa makers entered that made up this year’ s cookoff.
Around 4:30 p.m. the chili cookoff awards presentation started with the taster’s choice 1st prize going to Free Fat Chili. The 2nd prize went to C&C Chili. Third prize was given to Uncle Ron’s. The best chili by an attorney went to Ernie Nishii.
The best decorated booth award was presented to Blazin’ Bail Bonds and they also won for the best chili by a rookie. The best chili by a high school booster was given to Cypress High School Football. The best chili made for the fun of it award was given to the Class of ’81. And the best salsa award went to Krazy Kelly.
Many people also enjoyed checking out the numerous classic cars and vehicles that made up the 17th Annual Car Show. Close to 100 vehicles were featured and admired. The Best of Show award was won by Carl Laski, owner of a 1917 Model T Fire Truck. And the Sponsor’s Choice award was given to Pat Sulferino, owner of a 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe. Complete Festival information is available at: http://www.cypressfestival.com.
Photo Caption (Top) #1: Free Fat Chili was awarded the “Tasters Choice” at the 2012 Cypress Community Festival
Photo Caption #2: Best of Show award in the 2012 Cypress Car Show was won by Carl Laski’s 1917 Model T Fire Truck.
Photo Caption #3: A 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe owned by Pat Sulferino received the Sponsor’s Choice award at the Cypress Festival Car Show on Saturday July 28.
Abbey Road Beatles Tribute on August 4 in Cypress
On Saturday, August 4 Abbey Road – A Tribute to the Beatles will be performing in Cypress! With their tight harmonies, flawless note for note renditions of Beatles hits, custom–tailored costumes, vintage instruments, Liverpudlian dialect and precise attention to every detail, Abbey Road has honed their show to become one of the most musically and visually satisfying Beatle tribute acts in the world. Abbey Road recreates the magic, music, wit and charm of the Beatles, including the Fab Four’s cheeky personalities, familiar onstage banter and patter between songs.
The Cypress Concerts on the Green begin at 6:00pm and are free to all in attendance and are held at the Cypress Civic Center Green at 5275 Orange Avenue, two blocks west of Valley View Street.
Free parking is available at the Civic Center parking lot. Handicapped parking is provided behind the Cypress Branch Library near the concert site. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, picnic blankets and other outdoor accessories to help enjoy music under a canopy of shade trees. Please do not set up any chairs or blankets before Friday at 2:00pm.
Refreshments are available from local community service organizations for a small charge. Patrons are reminded that no alcoholic beverages are allowed on City property. For more information contact the Cypress Recreation and Community Service at (714) 229-6780.
Bicycle Maintenance and Training Ride on August 4th
Time to bring the old bike out of the garage, dust it off, and fill up those tires. Team Cypress Church invites you to join them for a bicycle maintenance and training ride on Saturday, August 4, 2012 starting at 11:00 a.m.
Our team of seasoned bicycle riders will be set up in the Cypress Church parking lot to help you air up your tires, lube your chain, and also take care of some minor bike maintenance to help you get pedaling again.
After everyone has their bikes ready to roll, the team plans a short training ride. Please note that all riders must wear a helmet regardless of age.
Team Cypress Church has many activities of interest to area cyclists. If you are on Facebook you may join the Team Cypress Church Cycling Ministry group at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/341205513054/
For additional information about our Bicycle Maintenance and Training Ride you may contact Gerald Torres at (714) 329-8588 or email: 1bikeking@gmail.com.
The Cypress Church main campus is located at 6143 Ball Rd. in Cypress, CA 90630. Sunday services are at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Church information is available at (714) 952-3001 or visit the website at: http://www.cypresschurch.net/
