Baby Update Well, the time has come! Tomorrow morning at 6:15 AM we will begin the process of having our baby. If you could pray for us as we trust God with this new little life we would appreciate it. I will update the blog as I know more…hope to include some pictures of her within the next day. Check back tomorrow for updates. I am so thankful to have a strong network of people praying for us and supporting us through this new birth. God bless – Pastor Jake and Vanessa  ¶ 9:13 PM 0 Comments

  Pray for E-News as it gets Ready to Enter Homes

Hi Everyone,

Most of you are aware that I started working for Jake as his assistant December 1^st. One of the areas that Jake has asked me to pull together is Communications. I just wanted to let you know what’s happening.

1) E-News will launch the second week of January and will be updated twice a month. The second and fourth week of each month. The E-News will be a newsletter with updates on ministries from the following people Tim Skillman, Matt Matzke, Jeremy Johnson, Jasen Ashdown and Jake Larson.

2) Arcade Web page is being worked on to bring it up-to-date. If you have additions/changes you need to get them to me by Friday mornings. The changes are posted on Mondays.

3) A new banner for the corner with Arcade Church and web address is being made to temporary replace the sign that had to come down to do the construction on the front of Marconi.

4) The bulletin is constantly being looked at for ways to improve communication.

5) Any design project you need please allow 3-4 weeks.

6) New Communication cards are being designed and should be out by the end of January.

7) Lifegroups will be launching new groups on January 13^th. New shepherds will be trained in January.

8) Lifelearning Electives will be launching new classes January 13^th.

9) A video is being prepared to show January 6^th to the congregation with all of the December outreaches in it. It will be a blessing to all.

10) A new Sermon Series begins January 13^th. It is called HeartSupport and the topics will be Depression, Addiction, Self-injury, Suicide and Eating Disorders. There will be a new Story Booth in the lobby for people to share their story on video or email. It will be really cool. We will have resources on the topics for people.

11) January 24^th is the stirring.

12) World Help and Children of the World Choir will be here on February 10^th for both morning services.

13) Easter will be our trimester outreach and we are in the planning stages. It will be awesome!

Please contact me if you have questions.

Blessings,

Sandi D’Amico

Lead Pastor Assistant

Arcade Church

3927 Marconi Ave

Sacramento, CA 95821

Arcadechurchonline.com

  ¶ 10:50 PM 0 Comments

  Prayer Summits: A Goal for Every Congregation THIS ARTICLE WAS FOUND BY: Diane Jurach

RESOURCE - Prayer Summits: A Goal for Every Association & Congregation

Prayer Summits are taking place across North America!

Pastors from the same associaiton. Church leaders meeting to seek the Lord.
Not your typical round-the-cirle, down-the-list prayer meeting.




IBSA Prayer Ministries Consultant, Phil Miglioratti can help you design and is available to facilitate a Prayer Summit for the leaders of your associaiton and/or congregation. Contact Phil @ phil@nppn.org or call 847-344-7837

The information below will help you better understand the unique dynamic of a Prayer Summit and how it can gratly benefit your ministry!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


•Visit: http://www.projectpray.org/summits.html

•What is Summit-Style Prayer?
Click on http://www.nppn.org/Articles/Article052.htm

•Some history of the movement from
http://www.prayersummits.net

Several components came together to spark the first Prayer Summit, which took place in Salem, Oregon, in February of 1989.

First, Dr. Joe Aldrich had, on several occasions, taken the leadership team of Mariners Church away for a period of time simply to pray together. No file folders with business to accomplish, just doing business with God. He knew the leaders would naturally reproduce themselves. If they were spiritually mature, the church would be spiritually mature. READ MORE  ¶ 10:42 PM 0 Comments

  Please Pray these Verses & Illustrations into our Congregation

Let's Multiple the Ministry - Illustrations of Christian Living

Matthew 4:10 (English Standard Version)

10Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone,^(A) Satan! For^(B) it is written,

^(C) "'You shall worship the Lord your God
and^(D) him only shall you serve.'"

Cross references:

1. Matthew 4:10 : 1 Chr 21:1
2. Matthew 4:10 : Matthew 4:4, 7
3. Matthew 4:10 : Deut 6:13
4. Matthew 4:10 : 1 Sam 7:3
   

Acts 6:3-4 (English Standard Version)

3^(A) Therefore, brothers,^[a] pick out from among you seven men^(B) of good repute,^(C) full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4But^(D) we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Footnotes:

1. Acts 6:3 Or brothers and sisters

Cross references:

1. Acts 6:3 : Deut 1:13
2. Acts 6:3 : 1 Tim 3:7
3. Acts 6:3 : Acts 6:5; Acts 7:55; 11:24; Luke 1:15; 4:1
4. Acts 6:4 : Acts 1:14
   

Matthew 6:33 (English Standard Version)

33But^(A) seek first^(B) the kingdom of God and his righteousness,^(C) and all these things will be added to you.

Cross references:

1. Matthew 6:33 : Matthew 5:6, 20
2. Matthew 6:33 : Matthew 6:10
3. Matthew 6:33 : 1 Kgs 3:11-14; Mark 10:29, 30; 1 Tim 4:8; 1 Pet 3:9
   
   

Matthew 22:35-39 (English Standard Version)

35^(A) And one of them,^(B) a lawyer, asked him a question^(C) to test him. 36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37And he said to him, ^(D) "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And^(E) a second is like it:^(F) You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Cross references:

1. Matthew 22:35 : Luke 10:25-28
2. Matthew 22:35 : Luke 7:30
3. Matthew 22:35 : Matthew 22:18
4. Matthew 22:37 : Luke 10:27; Deut 6:5
5. Matthew 22:39 : 1 John 4:21
6. Matthew 22:39 : Lev 19:18; Matthew 19:19
   
   

Matthew 28:18-20 (English Standard Version)

18And Jesus came and said to them, ^(A) "All authority^(B) in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19^(C) Go therefore and^(D) make disciples of^(E) all nations,^(F) baptizing them^(G) in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them^(H) to observe all that^(I) I have commanded you. And behold,^(J) I am with you always, to^(K) the end of the age."

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 28:19 Or into

Cross references:

1. Matthew 28:18 : Matthew 11:27; Dan 7:13, 14; John 3:35; 13:3; 17:2; Acts 2:36; Rom 14:9; 1 Cor 15:27; Eph 1:10, 20-22; Phil 2:9, 10; Col 2:10; Heb 1:2; 2:8; 1 Pet 3:22; Matthew 9:6; John 5:27
2. Matthew 28:18 : Matthew 6:10; Luke 2:14
3. Matthew 28:19 : Mark 16:15, 16
4. Matthew 28:19 : Matthew 13:52
5. Matthew 28:19 : Luke 24:47; Matthew 24:14; Mark 11:17; Rom 1:5
6. Matthew 28:19 : Acts 8:16
7. Matthew 28:19 : 2 Cor 13:14
8. Matthew 28:20 : John 14:15
9. Matthew 28:20 : Acts 1:2
10. Matthew 28:20 : Matthew 1:23; 18:20; John 12:26; 14:3; 17:24; Acts 18:10
11. Matthew 28:20 : Matthew 13:39

Acts 1:8 (English Standard Version)

8But you will receive^(A) power^(B) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and^(C) you will be^(D) my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and^(E) Samaria, and^(F) to the end of the earth."

Cross references:

1. Acts 1:8 : Acts 4:33; Luke 24:49; 1 Thess 1:5; Acts 10:38; Luke 4:14
2. Acts 1:8 : Acts 1:5
3. Acts 1:8 : Acts 1:22; Luke 24:48
4. Acts 1:8 : Isa 43:12
5. Acts 1:8 : Acts 8:1, 14; Matt 10:5
6. Acts 1:8 : Acts 13:47; Mark 16:15; Col 1:23
   

Finish Life Well

  ¶ 1:03 AM 0 Comments

  Damascus Coffeehouse- now the Arab American Learning Center - looking for prayer support! Pastor Raed (Joel Awabdeh's brother) is looking for a prayer team from Arcade Church to come and pray at there location. They have encountered growing spiritual warfare issues. They need the prayer support of other local churches in the area.

It was called the old Damascus Coffeehouse ( see MAP )- now the Arab American Learning Center. Please come this - Wednesday 7-9:00 pm, - 1433 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825, (916) 485-6665, (866) 457-8202  ¶ 11:35 AM 0 Comments

  Recommended by: Elder Lee - pray for Laborers Life Coaching Training Re-Launches at Western Seminary Sacramento this Winter - Do you know someone looking for training ?

Good day to you!

We at Western Seminary are grateful to have had you join us in our coach training courses. Whether you’ve taken just one course or many courses, it has been a privilege to introduce you to the concept and the practice of coaching. We pray that God uses your newfound skills in wonderful and powerful ways.

I have a question for you though: Do you know someone who is interested in Coach Training with Christian perspective and application?

I write to you because Western Seminary will be offering the foundational coaching course MCS500 – Coaching for Change again this winter 2008 semester (Feb. 1,2 and Mar. 14, 15 ). While the name is new, the course simply combines courses you’ve most likely taken already: MCS501 - Building Blocks for Powerful Coaching and MCS 503 – Change Transition and Transformation. This course is the prerequisite launching pad that prepares students to take further courses in the coaching program, whether for graduate credit, or simply certification as a professional coach. As these courses are in high demand, enrollment is taking place now and class will begin in February 2008.

I would humbly ask that you might forward the attached coaching Adobe PDF brochure to any friends, family or pastors who might be interested in this type of training for the work and ministry they do.

We appreciate your help as we introduce prepare the next generation of students for ministry through coaching. Have a wonderful holiday season!

P.J. Oswald

Western Seminary Sacramento

Director of Student Development and Enrollment Management
916.488.3720 x4
pjoswald@westernseminary.edu

2924 Becerra Way Sacramento , CA 95821
916.488.3720
800.250.7030
www.westernseminary.edu


CHRISTIAN LIFE COACHING -- WHAT IS IT?

http://www.christiancoaches.com/

http://www.pccca.org/

http://www.thechristiancoach.com/

http://www.christian-living.com/

http://www.bizymoms.com/ideas/chriscoach.html/

  ¶ 9:10 PM 0 Comments

  Exercising Spiritual Authority

In the 1980s, I began to research the history of the city in which we live. It soon became clear to me the nature of the spiritual darkness we were facing. My heart burned in prayer for Houston, America's fourth largest city. With the tenacity of a bulldog I sought the Lord, intent on finding out what territorial spirits held our city in their grip. Daily I begged the Lord for insight.

One winter morning during prayer, I felt the Lord speak to me about my city's spiritual condition. I sensed that He was telling me the names of the demonic princes that are the "puppet masters" assigned to carry out Satan's bidding. They rule in the affairs of men through wicked and deceived leaders.

Arrogantly (although I didn't realize it at the time), I began to bark at the principalities that hindered our city. From my prayer closet I zealously attacked them in fervent warfare.

"In the name of Jesus, you spirit of _______, I command you to get out of Houston. We don't want you here. I stand against your every scheme to steal, kill and destroy."

After several weeks of ranting and raving against these workers of darkness, their counterattack came against me like a nuclear blast. I came within 10 hours of dying from peritonitis of the spleen and liver. That's not all. Eddie and I had six major surgeries in 14 months, and three of them weren't covered by insurance. Our savings were depleted and we were on the brink of losing our home. With a growing family, a new baby, and a young church that had just lost its first pastor, I was in a terrible place. To the demons' delight, the church was struggling, our family was struggling, and I was struggling.

"And it came to pass," found 446 times in the Bible, is one of my favorite portions of Scripture! Thankfully, painful times do pass, and eventually the dust settled around us. I had believed that all of this persecution from the powers of darkness had come because I was such a godly person. Boy, was I wrong!

One morning, I was praying about all that we had experienced. The Lord spoke so clearly to my heart that I can almost hear the echo of His voice to this day. He said to me, "Alice, I told you the names of the spirits over Houston, but you never asked Me what you were to do with the revelation." I could hardly believe it! Now I know--diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean assignment! Knowing what is wrong, and being told to correct it, are two completely different issues.

Has Christ given us authority to deal with the enemy? Absolutely, He has! But the authority given to us is ambassadorial, not carte blanche. We are not called to be spiritual Rambos--an army of one. We are called to be disciplined warriors who explicitly follow the orders of our Commander-in-Chief and the Lord of Hosts--the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord's timing and assignment to the battle are critical. To engage the enemy without His direction is presumptuous at best. With the best of intentions, but with arrogance and pride, I found myself fighting for my life in a battle I had picked on my own. I repented to the Lord and then to Eddie. It was a costly lesson but one I will never forget.

My preacher husband often says, "We have two teachers in life: mentors and mistakes. We choose whether we will learn from our mistakes or from our mentors." I trust I am your mentor today. Please take this issue to heart and learn from this bulldog!

  ¶ 9:07 PM 0 Comments

  Knowing and Living the American Vision is the Answer Peter Marshall spoke Sunday to the Master's - Adult Bible Fellowship. What an exciting time as he describe the true vision of why the United States States exists in the purpose of God. We are to be a visible example of what the Kingdom of God is to look like. We are made up of Men and women from every tribe, tongue and nation on earth.

Said Rev. Marshall: "This nation was founded by God with a special calling. The people who first came here knew that they were being led here by the Lord Jesus Christ, to found a nation where men, women, and children were to live in obedience to Him. . . .This was truly to be one nation under God." To make his point, he quoted from Columbus' then-unpublished spiritual journal and from the sermons and diaries of the Pilgrims and Puritans."

Obviously, the Church is not impacting our society as it should. We have lost America's moral and spiritual foundations. The Bible says: "If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?" Good question! What indeed are we going to do?

I have two answers to that question. First, we must recover the original American vision, because the basic problem is that we have lost our identity as a nation - we no longer know who we are or why we're here. Modern Americans are appallingly ignorant of the fact that the spiritual foundations of this nation were laid by people who had a deep commitment to Christ and to one another. They were led here by the vision of a new society based on God's Word, which would be an example to the rest of the world.

Why does it matter that we recover this vision? The Bible's answer is: "Without a vision the people perish." It is thus vitally important that we learn the truth about our Christian heritage, and the Christian faith and vision of our forefathers. Simply put, if we don't know who we are supposed to be, we don't know how to fix things!

Second, the other essential step for our survival is for American Christians to put 2 Chronicles 7:14 into practice, because I believe this is the only way revival can come. That verse says:

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

We desperately need the Third Great Awakening - a spiritual revival of nation-changing proportions. It has happened twice before in our history. How can it happen again? This scripture clearly teaches that the burden of the country's restoration is placed on the Church--"my people"! Revival has to begin with pastors and local churches.

When God's people begin to seriously live out His call to repentance in 2 Chronicles 7:14, I believe that we will discover three main areas of "wicked ways" that we must repent of. If we deal with these, God promises that He will heal our land.

Notice that there seems to be a natural progression from #1 to #3, which makes up God's plan for revival and restoration (see Acts, Chapter 2).

Initially, we Christians need to repent for our shallow superficial "churchianity"-- our "feel good" resistance to facing our own sinfulness and relying daily on the cleansing power of Jesus to change our hearts. Modern American churches seem to focus on everything except the main point of the Christian life - daily seeking to abide in Jesus, and to be cleansed from sin and self.

Next, we Christians must repent for our lack of honest, confessional, and caring relationships with each other in our fellowships and churches. The New Testament calls for us to confess our sins to each other (James 5:16) and "wash each other's feet" (John 13:14-15), the way the Early Church did. But most bodies of believers are not living with each other in these ways, for if we were, the Church would be impacting our society with the restoration of Biblical values as the Early Church impacted theirs. Sadly, the Church is not often being the Church!

Finally, we Christians must repent for decades of non-involvement in the society around us. Because American Christians have lost the Biblical vision of the Church reforming society, most of us are still in a defensive posture toward the world around us, whereas Jesus calls us to take the offensive. He tells us to go into all the world with the Good News of the Gospel. We must recover the zeal of our evangelical forefathers, who in the 19th century began new ministries to every social problem in the nation! When Christians begin to build together a new life focused on Jesus as Savior and Lord, they experience an explosion of outreach and ministry and mission from their midst. The New Testament teaches that ministry comes out of a shared life in Christ!

Is there hope for America? Yes! Turning things around doesn't require every citizen's response. God promised Abraham long ago that He would spare Sodom on behalf of ten righteous people, a tiny remnant. But our national healing will not automatically happen just because we pray for it. If we American Christians truly respond to God's call, we may yet see the nation-wide revival that will restore America. But the hour is late, and we must respond quickly.

  ¶ 8:01 PM 0 Comments

  Review: The Golden Compass - Embracing and glorifying child sacrifice Published on 2 December 2007 in Family / Marriage
Source: Doug Britton Books - Family & Marriage

Excellent Review by Doug Britton, author, teacher, speaker
http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/

If you think it's a good idea to sacrifice (in other words,
to kill) a boy in an effort to destroy God, then you will
love the Golden Compass (the first in a series of three
popular books) that has recently been made into a movie.

I like science fiction, and I've read a lot of it. A few
years ago I read the Golden Compass. At first I was
impressed by the vivid writing and creative story line. As
I read, though, I began to sense that something was wrong
with the book.

However, I was completely unprepared for the ending in
which one of the major characters imprisoned and then
killed a boy as part of a plan to challenge and eventually
kill God.

It was the most horrifying example of child abuse I have
ever read in literature, yet the killer was portrayed as a
heroic person trying to destroy God. What at first seemed
to be a creative and compelling story line descended into
well-written evil in which child-murder is portrayed as a
way to gain spiritual power, and God is portrayed as a
horrible being.

The producers of the soon-to-be-released movie version of
the Golden Compass have removed some of the most evil parts
of the book. They say, however, that if enough people pay
to watch the movie they will make two followup movies that
are more "true" to the books.

Consider carefully the message you would be giving to the
producers by paying money to watch this movie. Consider too
whether or not this is the type of message to which you
want to expose yourself and your children.

Please feel free to forward this email.

Doug Britton
Sacramento, CA
doug@dougbrittonbooks.com
http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/  ¶ 7:52 PM 0 Comments