Midterm Week news

Wondering what's happening in these parts other than midterms? Let me tell you:

Some people are still recovering from the past weekend's snow trip. We got plenty of pictures from the trip and even a snazzy video too. You can check out our extended coverage of the snow trip and get filled in.

There's GTS this Friday, as usual: Gospels, Course 101 and 101x, Survival Kit 1, and more. We'll meet all together at First Pres., 7pm, in the Gym, and then split into our classes from there. For those of you in Church 101 and SK1, make sure you do your homework!

After GTS, there's GLive practice! Not that much longer before we're on stage. We're scheduled for 3 performances on Saturday, 4/4. Anyway, time to get serious. Ongoing GLive signups are online.. It'll help the different skit directors plan for roles and make sure you have a speaking part, get on stage, and don't get missed.

These days, everyone's stressed. To combat all that stress, we're going studying this Saturday, 2/28. We're heading to another college campus, utilizing their marvelous library, and grab a delicious dinner (to reward ourselves) at the end of the day before coming back to Berkeley. If you want to get some studying done, then this Saturday's the time to do it. Join us. Let your smallgroup leader know.

The Snow Trip You Should Have Been At

We met Saturday morning and headed up to the Sierras. A brief stop at McDonald's for breakfast and before we knew it, we were in a winter wonderland of fresh snow. It was fantastic. We played 3-way capture the flag, pitting the Koinonia upperclassmen vs. All Berkeley freshmen vs. USF/SFSU. We poured red Kool-aid on the ground to mark boundaries, and then people started blowing through enemy lines trying to capture flags while avoiding would-be tacklers.

Then we went up the sled run, bringing up inner tubes and our swashbuckling adventure spirit, then plummeting down the slopes. The sled run was lined with friends and staff holding out snowballs and other cold wondrous gifts for the trip down. There's a lot more pictures online at our Flickr site as usual, and John from H.5 uploaded another set of pictures online too.

And because you want to see it again, here's the video that was made after our awesome day in the snow. Make sure you're there next time!


Snow Trip 2009 from kevan on Vimeo.

All college freshmen and Koinonia upperclassmen went up to Sierra Lodge to see some snow. While there, we ran into the students from SFSU and USF, and we quickly got to know each other pretty well, throwing each other into the snow and playing capture the flag. Between the snow fights, the sled runs, and the good food, we had a great time. We were a little sore, but it was awesome.

DT Questions for this week: Luke 10

Since our servers have been down (for Gracepoint Fellowship Church), our access to this week's Devotion questions have also been down. Never fear, however, here they are (courtesy Pastor Jonathan's weblog):

Monday, February 23
Luke 10:1-8
• Why does Jesus send the disciples ahead of him? (Cf. Luke 3:4-6)
• Jesus saw this world as a harvest field. Some people view the world as a place to make one’s mark; others, as a place full of dangers and threats; others, as simply the context for their personal agendas. What is my view of the world? Contrast this to how Jesus views this world.
• How does this challenge my view of what I should be doing with my life?

Tuesday, February 24
Luke 10:1-8
• Why does Jesus tell them to ask God to send out workers into his harvest field?
• What does Jesus’ statement, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves”, say about the nature of kingdom work?
• What is ironic about Jesus telling them to not take anything right after telling them that he is sending them out like lambs among wolves?
• What should be the attitude of the disciples about basic necessities of life?
• How were the disciples going to be provided for?

Wednesday, February 25
Luke 10:9-16
• Why were the disciples told to treat those who do not welcome them so harshly?
• What is the relationship between the miracles performed in these cities (Korazin, Bethsaida) and their responsibility on the day of judgment? What warning does this have for me?
• What does it mean when he says “the kingdom of God is near”? Am I living my life in view of this fact?
• How does v.16 elevate my responsibility as a Christian? Do I understand my role in the lives of unbelievers?

Thursday, February 26
Luke 10:17-21
• Contrast the source of joy described in v.17 and in v.20. What lesson is there here about the key to having lasting joy?
• What are “these things” that are hidden from the wise and learned?
• Contrast the attitudes of the “wise and learned” to that of the “little children.” In what ways am I like the “wise and learned?”
• How is blessing defined in this passage? Do I see that I possess the greatest blessing in life?

Friday, February 27
Luke 10:30-37
• What underlying attitude of the heart is behind the response of the priest and the Levite when they saw the half-dead man?
• What rationalizations might they have given for their avoidance?
• What is significant about the fact that it was the Samaritan and not the priest or the Levite who ended up helping this man in need?
• According to this parable, what is Jesus’ answer to the question “Who is my neighbor”?

Saturday, February 28
Luke 10:30-37
• List what the robbers did to the man and analogize it to what sin does to people.
• List what the Samaritan man did for the dying man and analogize it to what Jesus does for people.
• In what ways was Jesus like this Good Samaritan for me?
• In what ways is the “inn” a fitting picture of the church?

Sunday, March 1
Luke 10:38-40
• How might have Martha felt about herself and about Mary as she was busy with “all the preparations”?
• What is the irony of Martha’s question to Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care?”
• Would she have felt this way towards Jesus if Mary were not in the scene?
• When do I have this kind of Martha-like mentality?

Luke 10:41
• What does Martha’s bitterness reveal about her priorities?
• What can we learn about the difference between Martha’s and Jesus’ evaluation of Mary’s priorities?
• What is the “one thing” Jesus is referring to?
• What are the “many things” in my life that distract me from focusing on my relationship with God?

Snow Trips, GTS, and GLive practice!

Here's the news for this week:

Snow trip this Saturday! For the freshmen, it's an All-Freshmen Snow Trip to Sierra Lodge across all of Koinonia, Kairos, and a2f. Sign up online. You'll be out all day, from 8 am to 8 pm.

The upperclassmen, not to be outdone, are going on a snow trip of our own. It'll just be Koinonia, sophomores through seniors, and we'll hit the slopes at Soda Springs, home of killer sled runs and lots of fresh snow to give your friend a mid-semester present. Sign up online so we can figure out rides and food.

Our GTS (Gracepoint Training School) starts tomorrow, Friday (2/20) at 7 pm, First Pres. We'll be all together across the different fellowship groups for announcements and a time of music and praise. Then we'll split up into the different classes: Course 101, SK1, Church 101, the Gospels, and more. If you haven't signed up, don't worry: just come and we'll figure it out when you get there. But if you're taking Course 101 (or 101x), you have homework due tomorrow!

Oh, and before GTS, H.1 and H.8 will eat dinner together at Chang Luong at 5:30 pm. If you can make it, come join us.

After GTS, there's GLive practice! Oh my gosh, only 6 weeks to go! Anyway, we'll be introducing the different skits tomorrow, and start practice... can you believe it? There's been scores of people working on the scripts, and I know of a group of brothers who drove down from our Davis Waypoint Church to be here all week to help write GLive scripts. One difference this year is we're asking you if you'd like to participate, please sign up online for GLive. It'll help the different skit directors plan for roles and make sure you have a speaking part and get on stage.

That's pretty much it for now... and here's a video from this past weekend's Valentine's Day of Compassion visit to Hilton House, Oakland. Thought it'd be nice to see for those of you who missed it. If any of you who went with us want to comment on your experience, please do!


H.1 Valentine's Day of Compassion 2009 from kevan on Vimeo.

It's a Gracepoint tradition that on Valentine's Day, we buck the societal trend that celebrates Love with flowers, roses, and romance. We believe love is a lot more than that, and so our homegroup joined with many others to spread out across the Bay Area to spend Valentine's Day with those who could use our company, love, and presence to be with them on this day.

Snow Trip & Valentine's Day Wrap-up

Upcoming Saturday (2/21), it's AWESOME day. Yes, it's a different sort of name, I know, but just wanted to share that with you. Why is it Awesome day? It's because we're having an all-Freshman Snow Trip! Romp around in the snow, get your friends, practice your aim and see how fast (and accurate) you can throw a snowball at moving targets (AKA other freshmen). Plus the sledding and snowman building. It's Awesome day. Sign up online now! And you can start prepping by doing your work and setting aside all day Saturday, from early morning to late at night, and getting your snow gear in order. The freshmen will head up to the Sierras where it's been snowing all week and have the first (of many) fun bonding times as a class. Don't forget to sign up to reserve a spot in a car and some food!

The rest of us (meaning the sophomores and juniors) are headed for a day trip to Stinson Beach, where we'll barbecue, walk along the coastline, frisbee, football, and enjoy some time away from Berkeley. Sign up online for our Stinson Beach trip so we can plan for food and rides.

In other news, this past weekend was really great. We had a chance to celebrate Valentine's Day together as a group with the rest of our church. We decided to break the cultural norm of the Hallmark'd over-commercialized roses, teddy bears, and chocolates holiday. That's not love! Love is God's love, and we sought to express it by going to convalescent homes and shelters throughout the Bay Area on this day when "Love" is celebrated. Love isn't mere romance, it's more than that.

So homegroup 1 went to Hilton House in downtown Oakland and spent time with the 16 residents there. While there, we sang a couple songs for them (Amazing Love, Your Love is Deep, and Zephaniah 3:17). Eddie gave a message sharing what God's love is really about, and even used a couple glasses of water and red food coloring to bring his point home. We finished out our time by singing some more, and working on a gift we had prepared for each of the residents: a picture frame with the words from Zephaniah 3:17,

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.

It was stirring for all of us to be there, and I think most of us would agree that we received more than we gave. It was a chance to hear their stories, spend time with them, and give them the dignity of being God's sons and daughters. There's plenty of pictures online, so make sure you check it out on the Flickr site.

After we left Hilton House, we went to Oakland Chinatown, ate some yummy dimsum, and then went to a plaza to grab boba and other sweets and pastries. Later in the evening, the girls had their Valentine's party, and the guys ate some In-N-Out and then made a ruckus at the local gym playing volleyball and basketball.

In the News....

It's the third week already! Here's a couple highlights of things that are happening!

* Dr. Craig Hazen, Professor of Comparative Religions and Apologetics from Biola, is joining us this Friday, 2/6 @ 7pm, 155 Dwinelle to discuss Christianity in a World of Religions.

* There's also an all day training session on Saturday w/ Dr. Hazen. If you're interested, you can sign up online. Cost is $10, and it'll go 10am to 4pm @ Willard Middle School Auditorium.

* This semester, there'll be Friday night Courses in lieu of big group bible study, including Course 101, Survival Kit 1, Church 101, the Gospels, and more. Sign up online by 2/8. There's also plenty of information about what classes are offered, a description of each, and a list of prerequisites and requirements. Take a look.

* GLive practices are going to start soon! Watch out.

* Gracepoint's Sunday Service schedule has changed! We start Prayer Meeting at 10:00am, and Worship Service starts at 11:15am. Dorm pickups are only available for Foothill, Stern, and Bowles from 9:20-9:40am. There'll be lunch after service each week.

* Allen's posted some good info about our Valentine's Day of Compassion activity, which is coming up soon. Check it out and sign up!

* Pictures from Winter Retreat are also online...

Valentine's Day of Compassion

A wonderful annual tradition started a few years ago when our sisters decided that they would no longer conform to the pattern of this world by buying in to the romantic views perpetuated by Valentine's Day. Instead, they turned an ordinarily lonely day into a Day of Compassion by visiting homeless shelters and convalescent homes throughout the Bay Area, spreading God's love and sharing His compassion with others in need.

This year on Valentine's day (Sat., Feb. 14), we're planning to visit the Center for Elders Independence in downtown Oakland in the morning/early afternoon, and here's a chance for you to get involved! We hope to do similar things as we've done in the past, such as singing, giving a short message, doing arts and crafts, and simply spending time talking to the elderly. You never know what kind of impact young college students can have in the lives of those who may be ignored or forgotten on this day.

Here's a video of what it looked like a few years ago, and here is some sharing from people who have participated in the past.

Please sign up to let us know if you would like to participate in this year's Valentine's Day of Compassion!