The local church community came together Saturday, Sept. 8 to offer residents of the area a day of family unity and entertainment in Austin Park. “Fun in the Son” boasted a variety of activities for the entire family while providing a means of connection with local ministries and self-improvement programs.
Six churches and other organizations joined in the celebration of Jesus Christ on Saturday. Community outreach efforts were extended to those seeking spiritual guidance, self-improvement and personal healing.
A great effort was extended to the youngsters of the area with First Assembly of God”s youth group, Xtreme Impact, inviting the participation of new members. Youth was further represented with the appearance and performance of “Chasing Truth,” a group of young rock ?n” rollers from Gilroy who delivered the message of God through their metal music.
With respect to a growing community, church leaders said they were excited to have an opportunity to bolster the change that is being witnessed in the area. “We are becoming a new city and the churches in Clearlake are excited about that,” said Pastor Richard Bean of the Clearlake Church of the Nazarene. “The city is changing with all the new development that is happening right now. I believe that God wants to do things new in people”s lives as well. New things can happen in people”s hearts and in their lives.”
This year Adventist Health Redbud Community Hospital joined the outreach effort. Facility Chaplain Lorena Bowers and other hospital representatives were on hand to deliver valuable health care information to the public including an introduction to the “Five Wishes” booklet. The program is a way for patients and their families to plan ahead and to cope with serious illness. The pamphlet addresses the following five concerns: who the patient wants to make health care decisions when he/she is unable to; preferred medical treatment; comfort expectations; how the patient wishes people to treat them; and what the patient wants his/her loved ones to know. Adventist Health also sponsored a raffle of two new spiritual CDs and provided nutritious snacks for visitors to its booth.
The Christian Motorcyclists Association was again represented and provided information on its ministry as well as motorcycle safety. “The patch we wear on our clothes identifies us as a group of men and women who like to ride motorcycles, but we ride them with a purpose in mind,” the association”s information handout states. “We put the words ?Riding For The Son” around our name to show that we have found a reason to live and ride.” For more information about the Christian Motorcyclists Association call (870) 389-6196 to find your nearest local chapter.
“Our local chapter is called ?Soul Searchers for Jesus.” Our meetings are at 8:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at the Lucerne Senior Center. All motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to join us to share in our like interest and to learn more about building a relationship with Christ. We even invite tricyclists and we will buy you breakfast with your first visit,” said Brad Wight, chapter vice president and coordinator of the event.
A raffle opportunity for a new Harley Davidson motorcycle that is currently underway, sponsored by Northshore Christian Fellowship Youth Group, coincided with the event. The raffle has been extended from its Aug. 5 commencement date in order to sell the required minimum of 1,500 tickets to hold the raffle. Tickets, priced at $50 apiece, can be obtained by calling 275-2828.
Celebrate Recovery, which reportedly opened its third location in Lake County the evening prior to the event, extended itself to the community. Representatives of the organization encouraged self-improvement and recovery by educating the public on available resources. A Celebrate Recovery program is offered every Tuesday night at Clearlake Nazarene Church (994-4008 or 928-1078); and every Friday night at Hidden Valley Community Church (987-3510) and Lucerne Community Church (274-8326 or 350-2255).
Personal, private and confidential prayer for physical, emotional and spiritual healing was offered on-site by local Healing Room representatives. The Candle radio station also joined the event and sponsored a drawing to see the “Newsboys” and Matthew West at Joyfest to be held at Great America theme park.
Throughout the event members of First Assembly of God”s Xtreme Impact youth group showed their enthusiasm for the event by introducing their program to youngsters of the community. Xtreme Impact meets every Thursday night at the church located at the corner of 40th and Snook avenues in Clearlake. Fellowship is enjoyed from 7 to 8 p.m. with a barbecue prior to the meeting at 6 p.m.
Xtreme Impact is a place to come for food, friends, worship and to hear God”s word. The youngsters, up to age 20, engage themselves in fund-raising activities, out-reach and praise and enjoy togetherness by taking field trips to such exciting places as ice rinks, snowy slopes and theme parks.
A special heavy-metal treat rounded out the day with “Chasing Truth” taking the stage. The five-piece group, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years, rocked and shredded, banging out tunes of faith and religion. The boys, hailing from Gilroy, shared their faith in the Lord with other youngsters and encouraged a life free of drugs, alcohol and abuse. More on the group is available at myspace.com/chasingtruthmusic.
Event coordinators said they were very pleased with this year”s turnout and look forward to offering the event again next year. Anyone interested in setting up a booth or sponsoring the next event in any way, may contact Brad Wight at 994-2069.
Coordinators would like to extend special thanks to Lake County Fire Protection District for filling their baptismal; Clear Lake Waste Solutions, formerly Timberline Disposal, for their contributions to the event; Clearlake Wal-Mart for its generous donation of prizes; and the Clearlake Public Works crew for giving them a “great place” to hold the event.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
