Kairos Christian Fellowship (Gracepoint – Berkeley)

FRIDAY 2/26

CLASS BIBLE STUDY
Starting 7:00PM @ Various Locations in Alameda w/ dinner

We will be meeting by smaller groups this week in Alameda for dinner & bible study. Here’s a list of where everyone is going. Your staff will contact you about rides.

Freshmen Bible Study – Northloop
Sophomore Bible Study – John Lee’s House
Junior & Senior Bible Study – Steve Kim’s House

SUNDAY 2/28

SUNDAY SERVICE / MARK INDUCTIVE
10:00AM @ Willard

Just a reminder that Sunday Service now starts at 10AM (So if you have trouble waking up, let a friend know ^_^).

Mark inductive worksheets can be found here:

Download the Inductive Bible Study Training Guide.

Download the Inductive Bible Study Packet for February 22-28, 2010.

On Wednesday, February 18, our church sent Andy, Amy and Timmy off to serve at our church in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

The Multi-purpose room was filled with people who had been a part of their lives since they first came to our church—leaders, peers, students they reached out to. First, Kairos students showed our gratitude to them with a song and dance “We will be missing you”. Then, we watched a video from the current kairos students where everyone shared one word that characterized Andy and Amy. The students described Amy as gentle, caring, loyal and welcoming. The students gave Andy very high remarks as well, such as “psh” and handsome, which we all know is very true.

After the heart-warming video, some of Andy and Amy’s peers and leaders shared some words about them. Andy’s two peers—Jacob, who is our very own Kairos staff, and Ming, from our Davis church, shared funny stories about undergrad times, when Andy was the ringleader of his peers and they rubbed lives against each other. From the sharings, I saw how God had been molding Andy into the passionate, loving older brother we know. Like the Gardener who prunes his vines in John 15, God had been shaping Andy through the failures and the struggles, and the fruit is evident when we look at the lives he’s touched in Kairos and other ministries. It gives me great hope for what God will do in my life as well if I obey Him. Andy’s past leader, Pastor Will, shared also that Andy’s transformation to be the godly man he is today was truly the amazing work of God. After that, Amy’s peers, Helen and Jenny talked about how they are challenged by Amy’s obedience that led her to overcome her shyness to reach out to others and her unrelenting dependence on God’s Word.

At the end of the farewell, Andy and Amy thanked God for all the people in their lives and for God’s mercy to use them. They both shared that all they did was simply committing to obey, and it was God who did the rest of the work.The farewell was short and bittersweet. Because their flight was at midnight, most of the people said goodbyes at North Loop. Some of us went to the airport to send them off.

I had the privilege of being under Andy and Amy’s care since my freshman year. When I first met them, they were immediately warm and welcoming, which was so shocking for me as a clueless freshman. Since then, they have poured out their heart to me and the other students and staff in Kairos. Kairos has changed and grown a lot since the time I came and it is truly God at work. Even though I really wish they can stay here with us forever, I know God has great plans for them in Taiwan as He calls them to bless the students over there. So as they are serving half way across the globe, I want to rise up and live with more conviction and zeal like they did here. We’ll miss you Andy, Amy and Timmy!

the MPR at northloop was packed!

tearful goodbyes..

timmy saying bye to baby ryan

Andy and Amy with Kairos reps at the airport

Amy with the sister staff

Andy with some kairos brothers

This past Sunday, Kairos got together to live out the kind of truelove we heard about during our Friday night Bible study at Salem Lutheran Home in Oakland.

After a few days of intense prep, we headed off to Salem, where we put on a program that incorporated a song-and-dance number, a mini orchestra, a jazzed-up version of “Amazing Grace,” the heart skit, a message from senior Kevin Tan, a few small gifts, and—my favorite part—mingling and sharing God’s love with all the elderly residents. After we finished up the program on the first floor, some of us headed up to the special needs floor. We gladly did the whole thing all over again, and I was so touched to see some of our underclassmen stepping up and giving their all to show their care for the wheelchaired residents. By this time, I was pretty tired from rolling, bumping, and dragging my cello around but when we got to the third floor, we were met with such liveliness and joy that I couldn’t help but lose myself in excitement and anticipation once again.

While introducing our rendition of “Amazing Grace” by Jadon Lavik, Jeanne asked if they knew the song. One woman responded with such a resounding “Yes” that she began singing on the spot before we had even gotten started! That was just one example of the warm welcoming we received, and we were all sad to have to leave. Little did most of us know at the time that all those residents on the third floor suffered from dementia. PTL that we happened to go at a time when they were so lucid, engaged, and receptive of us!

After the time at Salem, Kairos gathered all together at North Loop for a fusion Korean-Chinese New Year celebration! We shared our stories from the Salem visit and ate yummy Korean dumpling soup before plunging into a few rounds of guys vs. girls basketball shoot-out. We won’t go into detail about who won, but I will say that since the sisters so clearly DOMINATED the brothers last time, we graciously decided to relent this time. =] While some of the brothers continued playing basketball, the rest of us spread out a massive board for the traditional Korean game of Yutnori. The night was spent throwing the sticks into the air, screaming and cheering a LOT, laughing at the brothers’ bad luck, and bonding in pure fun and fellowship. It was definitely a memorable weekend, and I’m so thankful to God for giving us such a concrete way to show the love that He has put into each of our hearts. I personally experienced tiptoeing out of my comfort zone with a lot of fear, only to find that God’s faithfulness and entrustment were waiting for me on the other side. Praise God for showing us love the way it was meant to be!

Abe and Richard talking to elderly

dance practice before the visit

Caleb getting ready to show his compassion!

skit–Romantic love doesn’t fill the cross-shaped void of our heart

orchestra performing “without love we have nothing”

Kevin giving his short message

Izzy in action!

giving gifts!

FRIDAY 2/19

SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Starting 7:00PM @ Various Locations in Alameda

We will be meeting by smaller groups this week in Alameda for dinner & bible study. Here’s a list of where everyone is going. Your staff will contact you about rides.

frosh boys: andy’s house
frosh girls: jackie’s house
soph girls: michelle’s house
soph boys: john’s house
jr & sr boys: rick’s house
jr & sr girls: eunice’s house

Also, for those of you who weren’t able to make it, last night, we sent Andy, Amy & lil’ Timmy to the airport to say farewell as they move to Hsinchu to lead our Taiwan church. We’re going to miss them so much. Please continue to keep them and the Taiwan team in your prayers.

Last Saturday, February 2, Kairos and a2f headed up to Sierra Lodge for the highly anticipated Snow Trip! The day started at 8:30am where we all loaded up into vans at Anna Head parking lot to head off. I think that some of us can agree that some of the best times during events with our church are in the car bonding with peers and having extended time to chat with leaders during the ride up.

When we arrived at the lodge, we were welcomed by swirling snowflakes and several feet of soft snow. It looked like a winter wonderland with snow falling down and covering the Lodge, Barn, and trees. Better yet, it was perfect conditions for a gigantic snowball fight! And thus the battle started as the underclassmen situated themselves on one side of the field, while the upperclassmen camped out on the other. Unfortunately for the upperclassmen, some of the junior and senior brothers decided to be weak-willed and allowed the girls to be the front line of the attack as the underclassmen and their staff barraged the girls with their snow balls. As the battle raged on, some brothers even turned on their class sisters and the freshmen brothers launched a full-on attack on the other side.

Later on, brothers went off to play a hearty game of tackle football in the snow, while others went speed sledding down the gigantic sled run, built snowmen, tackled their leaders or peers in the snow, or continued with the snow ball fighting. Overall, it was an extremely exciting and fun time where we were all able to let our guard down and enjoy the time that we had together. For some students it was even their first time in the snow!

Finally, after we were all played out and hungry, we headed into the barn for a scrumptious meal of meatball sandwiches, cup noodles, and hot chocolate! Some students headed out for a little more last minute fun in the snow, while others cleaned before heading back into our vans for a satisfied ride back (with brownies to go) and dinner out with our peers.

If you missed out on the fun this time, don’t be too sad. We’ll let you in on the fun next time!

it’s snowing!

the sophomores

speed demon

women of kairos

the brothers’ football game in the snow!

A2F and Kairos frosh

juniors!

Hope everyone’s having a good week! I heard that the snow trip was a lot of fun. I hope we have another one soon. ^_^ Here’s what’s coming up this week.

FRIDAY 2/12

VALENTINE’S DAY OF COMPASSION WORKDAY
2:00 – 6:00PM @ YWCA

We have a lot of work to do to prepare for our Valentine’s Day of Compassion (see bottom for more info on this), so please sign up for available hours and stop by the Y on Bancroft when you have an hour free this Friday, for a rockin time of preparing for our visits!

Regarding Instruments: If you have an instrument you can carry around (cello, violin, flute, harmonica=), etc..), you will have a chance to bring it with you, roam around Salem Lutheran playing for residents wherever they are, while talking to them and engaging them, so practice any solo pieces you know! We will travel in pairs, so you can have a friend carry your stand and sheet music if you’d like. You will also have an opportunity to play for the families at FESCO as well.

Regarding other talents: If you have some other talent that might be useful, can you let Jeanne know? (ex: you can drop caricatures of people, make balloon animals, do magic tricks, etc…)

Sign up for workday hours
Sign up your musical instrument

LARGE GROUP BIBLE STUDY
7:30PM @ 112 Wurster

This week we’ll be meeting for large group bible study at 112 Wurster where we’ll continue learning about different Heroes of Faith.

Afterwards we’re going to do some work for our Valentine’s Day of Compassion, like practicing songs & making gifts!

SATURDAY 2/13 – POSTPONED

ANDY, AMY & TIMMY’S FAREWELL
We’ll be moving it to Wed 2/17 7:30PM @ Northloop

Hopefully you’ve all heard by now, but Andy, Amy & Timmy will be leaving this upcoming week to help with Gracepoint, Hsinchu, Taiwan. This will be our last weekend with them so we’re going to have a farewell party to send them off with our love and prayers.

Let your staff know if you are planning to come and need a ride.

SUNDAY 2/14

NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE
10:00AM (This Weekend) Sunday Service starting w/ Prayer Meeting
10:00AM (Starting 2/21) Gracepoint Training School
11:30AM Sunday Service

Foothill/Stern/Bowls/CKC Dorm Rides – 9:10-9:20AM
Unit 1/2/3 Walkgroups – 9:10-9:20AM

Starting this Sunday, we’re going to have having Gracepoint Training School! This is your chance to take great classes like Course 101, Course 101x, Survival Kit, Genesis Bible Study, Church 101, and Course 201. If you don’t really know which class you should take, feel free to ask your staff.

$20 for all courses, except for Genesis Bible Study. (Cost is for materials and breakfast.)

Breakfast will be served from 9:30AM – 10:00AM. (So come early. If you know you have trouble waking up, ask your friend to give you a wake-up call. ^_^)

More about these classes and their requirements on the sign up page!

VALENTINE’S DAY OF COMPASSION
2:00 – 5:30PM @ Salem Lutheran Home (a home for the elderly) & the FESCO shelter (Family Emergency Shelter Coalition)

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35)

A few years ago, some sisters in our church through it would be a good idea to use Valentine’s Day, a day normally focused on romantic love, as a day to show others God’s love. This year Kairos will be going to two locations to show the people of Salem Lutheran Home & the FESCO Shelter a picture of God’s love.

This past  winter retreat was awesome!  We loaded up the vans and drove through the beautiful curvy hills of Santa Cruz to Mount Hermon on Friday, Jan. 22.  We got just in time for our first incredible meal there—gravied turkey, chicken tenders, and salad.  After Nelson’s unbelievable impersonation of a monkey during the ice-breaker session, we started session 1 with some awesome praise—helping us to settle our hearts and focus before the message.

Pastor Ed gave a really incredible message on the “almost guys,” Saul and Samson who missed God’s calling.  Saul began an upright man appointed by God to be king over Israel, but fell as he refused to own up to the  sin in his life.  Sampson too fell because he was so addicted to his bodily desires that he was powerless to his sin.  The message was really convicting for everyone at the end as Pastor Ed asked each of us to write a letter to ourselves as if we were Saul or Sampson.

Day two began bright and early with some incredible breakfast and testimonies.  Andy and Amy shared honestly about some of their personal struggles and how God was faithful throughout their journey.  What really struck me about their sharing was how God used some of the most difficult struggles in their lives to change them and bless others.  And only by God’s grace could they serve and be sent out today as they are.   Following the testimonies, Pastor Ed gave a message on the rich young ruler, who is unable to forfeit his idols and Pilate, who is enslaved by his fear as he balanced the screams of the crowds with Jesus truth.

After a time of fellowship over sports, snacks, and nap , we heard more inspiring testimonies from some of the church directors and leads—Daniel and Sarah Kim, Lem and Karen, Steve Kim, Sharon, and Suzanne.  The last session pastor Ed gave a message on faithfulness based on the life of Abraham. Pastor Ed said God can use us in powerful ways if we choose to be faithful in making concrete vows and abandoning our irrational emotions.  That night ended with a special time of praise and prayer in which 33 brothers and sisters surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time or made significant re-dedication decisions.

On the last day, we talked about God’s vision for the church in Acts 2 and how debilitating fears can be.  I think my favorite time was our 10 year vision casting.  It made me really excited to cast a vision for myself that is so grand that only by God’s grace and provision could it be possible!  We finished up that retreat with a Q/A session and headed home.  Praise God for the many salvation, lordship, and rededication decisions made! I was blown away by how loving and faithful God is and what He can show us if we choose to be wholly devoted to hearing from Him and worshiping him together as one body.  Praise be to God!

Mt. Hermon

awesome kung fu moves!

seniors!

junior class!

sophomores!

the freshman class…

now the older and wiser…staff!