Branch Babysitting...Fun With Kids!

When: Sat Dec 19th, 6:30p
Where: ACC Taylor Hall

Enjoy being with kids, playing with kids, or being a kid? Then come have fun with the kiddos and Cornerstoners this Saturday! Cornerstone will be providing babysitting service for the Branch families so that the parents can have a night off without the kids. An Evite has been sent out and if you have not received it and would like to please contact acc.cornerstone@gmail.com.

Note from Pastor Art's Family

Dear all,

As we enter and embrace this Christmas season, we are in awe of how much God loves us and the blessings he has poured out upon us all. We are truly grateful for being a part of the Cornerstone community and the many ways you have cared for our family. We are anticipating greater things from God this upcoming year as he continues to challenge us who he is in our lives as we live him out to others. May this Christmas season be filled with our worship to him as we continue to give more and love all. Let us all celebrate the unraveling of the Advent season.

Love,

Pastor Art, Lucy and Roan

Christmas Cantata

When: Sat Dec 12th, 7:00p
Where: ACC Taylor Hall

This Saturday ACC will be holding our annual church-wide Christmas Cantata, a musical celebration of Christ's birth. Feel free to invite your friends and family.
**Please stay afterwards to help us serve the church by helping with clean up after the program. Meet up with Justin after refreshments if you can stay to help**

Transforming Difficult Relationships - CANCELLED

Due to the impending inclement weather, we've decided to cancel Cornerstone this week. Please join us next week at the Christmas Cantata. :)

Yum! Thanksgiving Potluck

When: Fri Nov 20th, 7:30p
Where:

It's time for our annual Cornerstone Thanksgiving potluck! Come join us for lots of yummy food along with some time of sharing. An Evite has been sent out and if you have not received it and would like to be put on please contact acc.cornerstone@gmail.com. Invite your friends to join us as well as we feast!

Heyhow'sitgoing?good: Coworker Outreach

When: Fri Nov 13th, 7:30p
Where: ACC Carey (upstairs)

- Hey, how's it going?
- Good.
Are your days at work littered with empty exchanges like this? God calls us to live out our faith at work to draw closer those that do not yet know Him, but how do you get beyond the superficial with your relationships at work? Our guest speaker Auntie Susan Wong from the Branch fellowship will be sharing her personal testimony about how she approaches her workplace as her personal mission field for Christ.

This Saturday...Help Out at the Capital Area Food Bank

When: Sat Nov 7th, 1-4pm (12:15 @ John Sung to carpool & load donations)

Where: Capital Area Food Bank of Texas (8201 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78745)

This Saturday we will be serving the city of Austin by sorting food at CAFB. Sorting donations gives you a "behind-the-scenes" look at how donations from the community get to hungry Central Texans. We will be inspecting, cleaning, sorting, boxing and making donations ready for distribution to CAFB's partner agencies and their clients.

We will also be partnering with Mercy Ministry to deliver donations collected from the ACC food drive to CAFB. Meet at John Sung at 12:15 p.m. to pack up all the items and bring them down to the Food Bank together. If you will not be helping to deliver the food, meet us directly at the Food Bank.

You will need to wear closed-toe shoes at the Food Bank. Flip flops and sandals are not permitted in the warehouse. Please review the safety rules and guidelines at http://cafbtx.convio.net/vol-rules.

Let's us know if you you're interested in coming and you haven't received an evite. See y'all Saturday!

TGIF!

When: Fri Oct 30th, 7:30pm

Where: ACC Carey (upstairs)

It's time for some fall fun! Join us this Friday for fun and games (and prizes!) Oh My!

Word of God Speak (+Dinner)

When: Fri Oct 23rd, 7:30pm (dinner at 6p)

Where: ACC Carey (upstairs)

What is your calling? How do we know what we're doing is in God's plan? One way to know is to be in His Word to find direction and guidance for our lives. Come this Friday as we explore ways we can spend 1 on 1 time with God through different devotional styles.

Let's have dinner before Cornerstone! Join us at 6pm at Disneyland Schlotzsky's (Parmer & I35). Come by if you're free :)

Missionary Speakers: The Cravens

When: Fri Oct 16th, 7:30pm

Where: ACC John Sung

October is Missions Month at ACC! It is a time when we focus on the different ministries we support both locally and abroad.

In Matthew 28, Jesus calls us to "Go and Make Disciples of all Nations." This Friday we're privileged to have the Cravens family come back to Austin and share the experiences and challenges God has lead them through in Asia. Maybe we can learn from their experiences and be more productive in our work right here at home.

Join us for Meet and Eat

When: Fri Oct 9th, 7:00pm

Where: Rudy's BBQ @11570 Research Blvd

Join us this Friday for some good ol' BBQ and fellowship at Rudy's!

BYOB -- bring your own buddies. don't worry, if you forget, plenty of buddies will be provided for you ;)

Let us(acc.cornerstone@gmail.com) know if you haven't received the evite so we know that you're coming.

ACC Missions Conference

When: Sat Oct 3rd, 4:00pm

Where: ACC Morrison Bldg, upstairs

October is Missions Month at ACC and this week we will have the opportunity to hear from Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tsai, the speakers at ACC's Missions Conference. Over in China Mr. Tsai has been using a psychological counseling center that he set up to serve the church and reach out to society. We won't be having our regular Cornerstone event this week to encourage you to attend.

Recap: Leadership: Living to Serve -- Pastor Art

Characteristics of a Servant

Sensitivity: the ability to see

• beyond our own need
• beyond others' obvious needs
• beyond the "presenting problem"
• beyond what is to what will be needed

Willingness: the desire to act

• a heart of compassion
• a reflex to be generous
• a choice to make it a priority

Ability: the resources to give

• time, availability
• money, things
• skills, education, training
• healing, God's power
• insight, wisdom
• love, care compassion

Mark 10: Why be a servant?

The economy of God

• Others needs are met, We are blessed, God is glorified WHEN We serve in his name with his resources

Implications of Mark 10:

• The decision about leadership is not essentially a decision about taking on a role with a certain job description and time commitments. It is a decision to take on a lifestyle, with certain priorities, convictions, and attitudes.

What Keeps Us From Serving?

Selfishness

• We don't care enough about people.
• We don't spend time praying for them or thinking about them.
• We haven't served them enough to build trust with them.
• We haven't gotten to know them.

Fear

• We don't believe that God's words and promises to us apply to others and we fear that he may let them down.
• We fear being wrong, or being thought to be wrong.
• We fear our lives being examined

Leadership: Living to Serve -- Pastor Art

When: Fri Sept 25th, 7:30pm
Where: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

Why should leadership be tied to servanthood? And why should servanthood be extravagant? In God's kingdom a person of influence is a leader who serves. We want to become leaders who serve in God's name with his resources in order that other's needs are met and God is glorified. What will it take for us to live not to be served, but to serve, and to give our lives as a ransom for many?

Clean Up for the Kids -- Mission Possible's Camp Nikos

When: Sat Sept 19th, 9am-3pm* (with lunch break together!)
Where:
Pole Cat Hollow (look for the sign with the skunk on it)
10505 Dessau Rd.
Austin, TX 78754

Mission Possible is an organization that ministers to urban communities through spiritual, social, and economic programs. Their upcoming Camp Nikos fall retreat (Sept 25-27) is an opportunity for inner-city youth (ages 6-12) from East Austin to focus on God's love for them and learn about healthy relationships.

Let's serve together to help get Pole Cat Hollow in tip-top shape for the campers! Mission Possible needs skilled and unskilled labor to do all sorts of outdoor work and camp facilities set-up.

Please bring:
-work gloves if you have them
-close toed shoes (no sandals!)
-water bottle
-sunscreen/hat

(Please email acc.cornerstone@gmail.com to let us know you are coming)

* We understand this is a large chunk of time. Please feel free to help out as long as you can.

Praise and Worship Night

When: Fri Sept 11th, 7:30pm

Where: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

In 1 Timothy 2:1, 3, Paul says, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone... This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Paul believed in the power of prayer so much that in verse 8 - he even writes,"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing". Songs of worship are our very own prayers and words of praise and adoration to our God. Please come join us for this time of prayer and worship.

ACC Ministry Fair

When: Sun Sept 13th, 11am

Where: ACC John Sung Bldg

Don’t miss this chance to learn about the different ministry opportunities here at ACC! We can help you use your gifts and talents to grow the body of Christ. Representatives from our various ministry areas will be available to answer questions and share their experiences.

Team of Miracles Movie Event

When: Sun Sept 13th, 1 pm (Mandarin), 1:30 pm (Cantonese)

Where: ACC

We’ll be joining with the Chinese congregations for the showing of the inspirational movie “Team of Miracle: We Will Rock You”. There will be a 1:00pm showing in Mandarin and a 1:30pm showing in Cantonese, and both showings will be subtitled in English.

This is a wonderful way to outreach to both our Chinese-speaking and English-speaking friends and family!

Recap: Vision Kickoff

Past

-Started in 1989 with 5 members

-First known as Career Group

-Mainly consisted of graduated ut seniors

-Activities: socials, game night, crabbing, Sunday potlucks, baseball game, Career retreat

-Cornerstone got its name as a lot of fellowship were using rock/stone names

Present

-Main group is close to christ

-People are more commited to coming

-Community/relationships have improved

-Very comfortable, still cliquish, all of the same people

-Surface level relationships though broken over time

-Desire for more prayer/sharing

Future (the environment)

-Safe place for spiritual conversation and growth

-Want each other to grow in Christ, willing to be vulnerable

-Place to build Godly friends

-Challenged to live out our lives for Christ

-Safe place to apply Christ's teachings and then encouraged to bring this to others

-People feel loved

What is a Cornerstone?

-A foundation stone

-First stone set

-Other stones set in reference to the cornerstone

What is the Cornerstone?

-Ephesians 2:19-20 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Vision: From the Cornerstone: to build and grow together upon the foundation of Christ

"From the Cornerstone"

-Colossians 1:17 - "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

-Christ is the Cornerstone of our faith

-Focus on growing closer to God, glorifying Him, and become Christ-like

-Be purposeful and intentional in things we do

"Laying the foundation of Christ"

-A building is as strong as its foundation

-1 Corinthians 3:23 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

-A life that will last for eternity is built on Him

-What are you building your life on?

-Are you encouraging others to lay the foundation of their lives on Christ?

"Growing upon the foundation of Christ"

-2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

-John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."

-What does God want to change or improve in you? Is He challenging you to demonstrate more of the fruit of the spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23)

Laying and Growing Together

-John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

-Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

-We're all like living stones in that we need to work together similar to how we each have roles within Cornerstone.

Vision Kick-Off!

When: Fri Sept 4th, 7:30pm

Where: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

What is Cornerstone? What does Cornerstone mean to you? Are we just a social outlet that meets every week or are we something more?

This Friday we'll be taking a look at where Cornerstone has been over the years, where we are now, and how we can continue to build Cornerstone into the future, as we share about our theme for this year. Let's join as a community and embark on this journey together!

Cornerstone Social: Board Game Blowout!

When: Fri Aug 28th, 7:30pm

Where: ACC Carey Bldg, downstairs

Anyone up for Cranium? Nertz? Trivial Pursuit? Come play with us this Friday downstairs in Carey. Bring your favorite board games, card games, and friends! Snacks will be provided.

Summer Sharing: What did you do this summer?

When: Fri Aug 21st, 7:30pm

Where: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

So what have you been up to?

Did you go on a trip this summer? Did you make a new friend? Did you start a new hobby? or picked up an old one? Did God teach you something? Did He show you something unexpected? Did you start a different stage in life? Did you hit a home run? Did you hit 5? Did something happen that you will never forget?

Let's take some time as a community to share (very informally) about what's been going on in each of our lives and be encouraged by each other's stories.

Also, don't forget about the survey!

Please take some time to share your opinions with us by Friday, August 21st, 2009.

2009 Cornerstone Survey

[ACC Cornerstone] Showing This Friday...Faith Like Potatoes

When: Fri Aug 14th, 7:30 - 10:00pm (movie beings at 7:35pm)

Where: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

Here's the thing about potatoes. You plant them, and cover them with dirt, then pray like mad for rain. With most crops, you can see what you're going to eat—the fruit of your labors, so to speak. But potatoes incubate in the ground, silent and mostly unseen, while you hope for harvest. Only a farmer-turned-evangelist would know how apt a metaphor potatoes are for a life of faith in Christ Jesus.

Join us as we watch this movie based on the true story of a South African farmer and discuss its metaphor of potatoes compared to our own lives. Movie snacks will be provided!

Recap: New Faces, New Phases

Last Friday, we met the new Cornerstone core team and learned some interesting facts about them. If you weren't able to join us, make sure to ask Wender about raw whale bacon. Later in the evening, Uncle Leo, from the Master Planning Committee, shared with us about the three new building phases to expand ACC.

Please pray together with the church for:

- God's guidance on the Building Plan and next steps

- Congregation common vision and unity as well as involvement

- Building Fund re-start of initial goal of $500K

SURVEY TIME!

Please take some time to share your opinions with us by Friday, August 21st, 2009.

2009 Cornerstone Survey

New Faces, New Phases

When: Fri Aug 7th, 7:30pm

Where: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

Come this Friday to meet the new faces on the Cornerstone core team! And maybe learn a little something you never knew about us and each other as we play a few games.

We will also have the privilege of having Uncle Leo Yeung of the Master Planning Committee come share with us about the next phases in ACC's building expansion. God has really blessed us with a growing church, so what does that mean for the ACC community? for Cornerstone?

A Divine Longing (for the Cornerstone Community)

This past Friday, Pastor Walton spoke about what is a healthy, God-centered community and lead us in a discussion about God’s purpose for Cornerstone.

Reflection: How important are relationships really? How important are they to Christians? How important are they to God?

God Really Loves Relationships
God shows us the importance of relationships to Him in several different ways:

• In His Word: the Bible is story after story of people’s relationships with each other and with God
• In His action: God sent Jesus down to earth so that we can have a restored relationship with Him
• In His Being: God as the Holy Trinity (God, Son, and the Holy Spirit) shows that even before there were any people, there was already a community. In fact, our desire for relationships reflects that very community

What is a Healthy Community?
God uses imperfect people to build His community. If you are here (in Cornerstone), then God has a gift in you that He wants used in this community.

God calls every community to:
1. Love One Another
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:34-35

In Cornerstone, we have the opportunity to show outsiders looking in about God’s love. Through faith we know that our hearts are in good hands (God’s hands), and this knowledge releases us to take risks to love other people. In this society, there is so much stress about “taking care of #1,” but we don’t need to worry about that because God will always be there to take care of us. In fact, God calls us to love lavishly, to give our hearts away like Christ did:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

2. Come Together in Complete Unity
May they be brought to completely unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. – John 17:23

What is the purpose that God has called us (Cornerstone) to do? Once we are able to identify this, then we can have the beginnings of unity.

Elements of a community that comes together in unity:

• Are we praying for each other and for our purpose together? If our purpose is not covered in prayer, then it just becomes a human effort.
• What do we talk about when we are together? Do we share about what God is doing in our lives?

The Spiritual Ecosystem
Consists of: Mission, God’s Presence, God’s Word, Spiritual Relationships. These are the larger purposes.

Vehicles: Worship Service, Special Events, Retreats, Discovery Groups, Small Groups, Fellowships, Mission Events, Discipleship. Each one has a different focus to ultimately achieve the larger purposes.

Cornerstone has a role in this spiritual ecosystem.

Women's Tapestry Event - "In His Hands"

We are excited to invite you to a special Tapestry Women's Ministry morning "In His Hands" with Rachel Raborn-Norris of Joy Pottery. In Jeremiah 18.6, God says to his people, “Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.”

Come and explore this beautiful metaphor with other women as we observe the work of a potter firsthand and listen to her story. Rachel Norris will share her faith story while creating pottery on her wheel in this unique presentation on August 8th, 11am - 1:30 pm at the Austin Chinese Church John Sung building. Please join us as we explore the rich meaning of the potter and the clay and gain new insight into the hand of God at work in your own life. Please also feel free to invite other women as guests!

To register for the event, RSVP at tapestry.acc@gmail.com. We will be providing lunch ($5 per person), so please indicate in the message if you are allergic to any food items. We will also be having a special drawing for one of Rachel Norris's pottery pieces at the end of the presentation, so you don't want to miss out! If you have any questions or concerns, please use the tapestry email address and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

- ACC Women's Tapestry Team

"God's Longing for Community" with Pastor Walton

WHEN: Fri July 31st, 7:30pm
WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

Community is something we all naturally intuitively long for.

It may look a little different from person to person, but it is wired into the core of what it means to be human. Being made in the image of God means that we also reflect God's own natural longing for relationship. And God has a blueprint for what that means, especially for those who call Him Father. How can we fulfill God's dream for our relationships here at ACC practically?

Let's find out...

Community Building - Iron Chef

WHEN: Sat July 25th, 3-6pm

WHERE: meet at the Freescale Pavilion

Love watching Iron Chef? Always wanted a chance to slay Bobby Flay or take down Morimoto in the Chairman's kitchen stadium? This Saturday, Cornerstone will host its first Iron Chef Competition! Okay, so these celebrity chefs won't be making an appearance, but YOU have the opportunity to join/compete with fellow Cornerstoners and showcase your cooking skills! Meet at the Freescale Pavilion at 3pm sharp to split into teams. Teams will shop for groceries (a donation of approx $5 will be requested) and cook at nearby houses and return to the Pavilions for judging.

If you find yourself asking:

- What's the secret ingredient?

- Will I get samples of the food?

- Are you sure Mario Batali won't be there?

*Then join us and discover the answers yourself this Saturday! Grab a friend, come on out, and find out whose cooking cuisine will reign supreme!

Community Outreach: Stretching In & Out

Closing up this year's vision of "Inside & Out: To build a Christ-centered community who intentionally loves inside and outside", this week's community outreach activity is two-fold... read on!

Inward Community
WHEN: Sat July 18th, 10am-12pm
WHERE: Meet at the Barnes & Noble (Arboretum)
On Saturday we will be working together to help the Red Cross promote their Youth Leadership Development Retreat that encourages youth (8th grade through college) to learn, express their creative ideas, and engage one another in a fostering environment. We will be forming teams to post flyers in different Austin neighborhoods; this will be a good opportunity to get to know one another while we serve the community. Breakfast will be provided so please let us know by Friday noon if you are coming!

Outward Community
WHEN: Anytime between now and Fri July 31st
WHERE: You pick!
We're challenging you to deliberately get to know someone outside our Cornerstone (and even ACC) community that you usually don't interact with. We want you to initiate an activity with them where you can get to know them on a level deeper, and maybe even bring up spiritual topics. You can meet up for a 1:1 at a coffee house, talk over yardwork, eat a meal together, or take a stroll off Town Lake (ie, watching a movie/TV doesn't count!).

We ask you to commit by pledging on our second Evite. On July 31st, when we talk about community, we hope you'll share your experiences with us!

Bowling!

WHEN: Fri July 10th, 7:30 pm

WHERE: Highland Lanes, 8909 Burnet Rd

Join us at our social event on Friday, and don't forget the important part of inviting your friends! Let us know in our Evite if you can come (and feel free to forward it on) so we can reserve the appropriate number of lanes for some friendly competition! Even if you don't feel like bowling, we'd still like for you to join us and hang out!

Happy Fourth of July!

We will not be meeting for Cornerstone this week. Have a fun and safe weekend! We'll see you next week... or this Sunday for Lunch Service! (read on!)

Chinese Food and Pizza!

What do these two things have in common? ACC lunch! In the month of July, Cornerstone has the privilege and responsibility to serve lunch at ACC. We need 14 people each week to set up the food, serve lunch, sell pizza, and help clean up from 12:00 until about 1:15pm. If you can help out on any week, sign up on our spreadsheet. Please consider helping out if you are available!

Joint Cornerstone/Quest/Youth Event - Photoscavenger Hunt

WHEN: Sat June 27th, 10:30am

WHERE: ACC John Sung Bldg

So you think you know ACC?

Do you know where the church library is? How many windows are there in the Carey Building? Come join us, Quest, and Youth on a photoscavenger hunt around ACC. Learn things you never knew about ACC while getting to know the other fellowship groups. Lunch will be provided while we view all the pictures, poses, and photographic masterpieces from each team!

Outreach - Capital Area Food Bank

WHEN: Sat June 20th, 8:50am-12:00pm (8:20am to carpool)

WHERE: Capital Area Food Bank (8201 S Congress Ave, Austin); Bear Rock Cafe to carpool (4005 W Parmer Ln, Austin)

We will be serving the city of Austin by sorting food down at the Capital Area Food Bank from 9am-12pm. We will be providing savory breakfast foods for those of you who can come help!  Please wear closed-toe shoes (it is a dress code requirement).

If you would like to carpool down together, meet at the Bear Rock Cafe parking lot by 8:20am. If you will be driving on your own, meet at the food bank by 8:50am.  An Evite will be sent out shortly - let us know if you didn't receive it; we hope to see you there!

Promiseland Children's Sunday School Teachers Wanted

Children are very important to us at ACC.

We are recruiting teachers for the new term, Jun – Nov 2009, for Children’s Sunday School. As you may know, we ask for a 6 month commitment as this is the best way to build a relationship with the children and to establish a safe and secure learning environment for them to see and feel God’s love. There are 2 time sessions for serving, 9:00–10:45am and 10:45-12:25pm. We understand that during the summer months, it may be difficult to commit for such a period of time. So even if you can serve for one month at a time, we would love to hear from you. We are especially in need in the 2 year old classes.

Please prayerfully consider and reply to me if you can help as soon as possible. Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Thanks for considering to serve the youngest members of our church.

God Bless You,

Sibyl Lee

ACC Children’s Deacon

Bags of Grace

WHEN: Sat June 13th, 1pm

WHERE: ACC John Sung Bldg

We're going to hold our Bags of Grace event, involving all the different English fellowships this Saturday. We'll be packing bags of food and supplies for the homeless. We'll also be selling the bags for $2 each the following Sundays so you can give them out while you're around town to someone who could use this practical gift of grace.

"Finances" with Steve Luong

WHEN: Fri June 5th, 7:30pm

WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

In the world we live in, everything involves money. We use money for necessities (food, housing, transportation, and savings) as well as indulgences (hobbies, luxury items, and vacations). As Christians, we are often faced with many dilemmas as to how we should wisely use the money that God blesses us with. Should we buy a nice car or give the extra money to the poor? How much money should we keep for ourselves and how much to give to others? This week, Steve Luong from Branch will share with us some guidelines as how we can have a healthy perspective on this complicated topic.

So You Think You Can (Ballroom) Dance?

Our youth will be celebrating the graduation of the high school seniors Sunday, June 7th.  And as part of their theme, “Masquerade Ball”, they were hoping to have someone come in and teach them how to ballroom dance :).  If any of you have any experience with ballroom dancing and would be interested in teaching our youth how to dance on Saturday, please let Marilyn know!

Tapestry Summer Kick-off: Swapfest

WHEN: Sat June 6th, 1-4pm

WHERE: ACC John Sung Bldg

Tapestry, ACC's women's ministry, is having a clothing swapfest to get to know women across life stages, celebrate the spirit of repurposing items, and raise money for our summer missions teams. 

Bring clothes and accessories you no longer wear and find treasures among others' items for just 50 cents each!  The first 5 items you bring will earn you a credit towards another item. For those not interested in the Swapfest, we're also having time for fellowship and making gospel bracelets for the Bolivia team.  If you have any questions, contact Sharon Tam.  If you can't make it but want to donate, we would love to take any items off your hands!

Ice Cream Party with Games!

WHEN: Fri June 5th, 7:30pm

WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg (upstairs)

This Friday night, join us for some FUN games with your fellow Cornerstoners!  We're kicking off the summer with some cool and refreshing ice cream and toppings, and topping that off with some ice cream themed games.  Try and top THAT!  It'll be a laughter-filled night, so invite your friends!  And if we can get your taste buds watering... we'll have different flavors of ice cream, yummy toppings, banana splits, and root beer floats!

"Never Too Far" Production (with Dance, Poetry, Music)

WHEN: Sat, May 30th, 7-9pm

WHERE: Red River Church (45th St & Red River)

You are invited to a musical production, with familiar faces including Wei Liew and Nelson Chau!  Wei's dance ministry team will be perfoming several pieces, and she personally invites all of you to come support this dream of hers.  This is a great event to bring all your friends, especially those who used to be close to God, or are on their way to knowing Jesus.  Not to mention, there's free admission!  If you have any questions, please contact Wei.

Community Outreach - Landscaping at Project Transitions

WHEN: Sat, May 30th, 9:30-12:00

WHERE: See Evite

Get out your shovel and gardening gloves!  We’ll be helping out with the landscaping at Doug’s House, a residential five-bedroom residential hospice for people in the final stages of AIDS. Part of Project Transitions, it is the only HIV/AIDS hospice facility in Central Texas.  By helping out with landscaping, we can help save Project Transitions money, and at the same time, show our support for the local AIDS community.  If you’re interested in finding out more about Doug’s House, check out http://projecttransitions.org/dh.shtml.

An Evite has been sent out for it... let us know if you have any questions or didn't receive it.  

Memorial Day Weekend BBQ Party

WHEN: Sat May 23rd, 11am
WHERE: Freescale Pavilion, 7700 W Parmer Ln (take a right once you enter from Parmer at Tamayo; the Pavilion will be on your right)

Andy's small group is hosting a BBQ party! Bring yourself, a big appetite, and a friend or two to come eat and have fun. We'll also have other activities (such as basketball, volleyball, games...etc.). If you have your own equipment, please bring it.

An Evite has been sent out so please let us know if you haven't received it yet. RSVP by Wednesday, May 20th, so they know how much food to purchase. They will be taking a donation ($5 per person) to cover the cost of food.

Youth Retreat Counselors Needed

We need youth retreat counselors this summer!  The retreat is at Camp Buckner from Thursday July 30th afternoon to Sunday August 2 noon.  We understand that you may have problems with their work schedules given the dates but you can still be a counselor--just come in on the Friday evening if you can't miss work.

So what does a youth retreat counselor do?  Counselor responsibilities include: love the teens, be godly role models to them, listen to them and hear them, get to know them, have fun with them, pray for them, have one-on-one times with them, participate in main sessions and organized activities, help enforce camp rules, defeat campers in camper/counselor challenges, etc. :)

You don't need to have extensive experience working with youth--just a willing heart.  We'll train you and show you the ropes.

If you're interested in being a youth retreat counselor, or have more questions, please let Josh Chen (ACC Youth Director) know.  Deadline to sign up: June 7th.

Visiting Buckner Villas Retirement Home

WHEN: Sunday May 17th, 9:30am

WHERE: Meet at ACC

Buckner Villas is a retirement home near ACC that we visited a few weeks ago.  On the morning of May 17th, we will be paying them another visit from 10-11am to sing to and chat with the elderly folks there.  We're looking for 10 of you guys to meet up at 9:30am at ACC and head over to Buckner Villas together. 

Please contact Marilyn if you're interested! 

"Grieving" - Panel of Speakers

WHEN: Friday May 15th, 7:30pm

WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg (upstairs)

None of us can escape from disappointments and tragedies in life.  One of the biggest disappointments we experience is the loss of a friend's or loved one’s life.  It is during this difficult time that we often struggle to understand the meaning of life and how to properly grieve.   How do we deal with our emotions and where does God fit in this whole picture?  In the midst of the tragedy, how can God heal our wounds?  How can we draw strength from Christ and just as importantly, how can we use this opportunity comfort others in sadness and to be salt and light for the world?

“Healing is not the resolution of our past; it is the use of our past to draw us into deeper relationship with God and his purposes for our lives.”  -Dan B. Allender, “The Healing Path”

Join us for our special panel of speakers, who will share their experiences.

"Fireproof" Movie Night & Baby-sitting - RSVP online

WHEN: Sat May 9, 6:00–8:30pm with an optional dinner beforehand from 5-6:00pm.

WHERE: ACC Taylor Hall

RSVP online if you have not done so already and plan to come.

    * Thank you to all those who have already signed up online!  That will really help us prepare for this event.

    * If you are interested in coming, it’s not too late, just sign-up online.  You can pay for your ticket by donating to ACC for the English Outreach Ministry.

    * If you have invited guests, please sign-up for them or ask them to.  Be praying for them this week, that they will be able to attend and have open hearts. Follow-up with them to make sure they know the details of when and where.  We will have a welcome table and serve dinner outside of Taylor Hall. Childcare and the movie will both be in the Taylor building.

    * For Cornerstoners who are coming to help with childcare, please make sure Edward knows you are coming to help so he has a headcount of available people-power.  If you would like to eat with us, please RSVP online.

Arrive early:

    * Please try to show up on time or early so that you can help our visitors feel welcomed.

    * From 5-6pm, we will serve dinner and whether you are eating or not, please come early and get to know people you don’t normally talk to.

    * The Austin Fire department will try to send a firetruck and firefighters to ACC from 5-6pm, so there will be some fun things and a good photo-op for kids.

    * If you are coming only for the movie, please arrive by 6pm so that we can get started and end on time.

Help with the event:

    * If you are not bringing a guest, please consider attending the movie and helping with the event.  If you would like to help, email Richard.

Prayer:

    * Even if you cannot come, you can help by praying before, during, and after this event.  

ACC Electronics Garage Sale

Our church is having an Electronics Garage Sale to raise money for our East Asia and Thailand short-term mission teams. There are two ways you can support them:

Come to the Electronics Garage Sale!
When: May 2 (Sat), 7am-2pm
Where: ACC Morrison Hall

And for that to happen, we need stuff to sell--Bring donations of laptops, software, cameras, A/V equipment, gaming equipment, cell phones, etc! Collection times are as the following...
When: May 1 (Fri) 7-8pm AND May 2 (Sat) 7-9am
Where: ACC Morrison Hall

If you have any questions, contact Adam Wong.

Potluck and Games!

WHEN: Fri May 1st, 7:00pm
WHERE: Johnson's place; 2413 Avenue N, 78727

Come join us for a night of food, fun, and fellowship - hosted by Moses' life group. An Evite was sent out earlier this week so let us know if you haven't received it yet. Sign up and let us know if you're bringing a side dish, dessert, or drinks--the meat will be provided for, but you are more than welcome to bring a meat dish if you'd like.

The Chopstick Challenge

What would you do to save a life?

In 277 BC during the Warring states period of China, a royal descendant and poet-scholar Chu Yuan became prime minister but was removed from his position because he objected to the use of force and violence.  Banished to the countryside and grieving that he could no longer save his country from the turbulent times, Chu Yuan threw himself into the Milo River of Hunan Province.

Hearing of Chu’s action, villagers gathered their boats and rushed into the river to save him.  Alas, they were too late, but their solidarity and cooperation lives on today in the tradition celebrated by Dragon Boat Festivals held around the world.

What will you do to save a life?  Will you rush into action before it’s too late? 

Help us reach out to the lost in Austin by joining us this Saturday April 25 at the 11th annual Austin Dragon Boat Festival.  We’ll be conducting a fun Chopstick Challenge and trying to glorify God by promoting the Gospel.  Volunteer with us from 10:00am-3:00pm at Festival Beach on Town Lake.  Contact Richard to sign up and for more details.  No experience, just faith required.

Outreach Event at Buckner Villas Retirement Home

WHEN: Sat April 25th, 9:30-11am
WHERE: 11110 Tom Adams Dr, Austin 78753

Buckner Villas is a retirement home near ACC. This Saturday we'll be spending morning free time with their residents--playing cards, dominos, or just chatting. We'll also be offering manicures for the elderly ladies there (so girls, please sign up and bring your supplies!). The volunteer coordinator has requested that no more than 10 people come, so please RSVP quickly to our Evite (or let us know if you didn't receive one).

Visiting Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) Professor

WHEN: Fri April 17th, 7:30-8:30pm
WHERE: ACC John Sung Bldg

Professor Robert Chisholm, of the Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, will be visiting ACC this weekend and giving a series of talks on the Books of Amos and Micah. Prof. Chisholm is a renowned scholar on the Major and Minor Prophets books and authored a number of books on the Prophets. He also served as the senior Old Testament editor of the New English Translation (NET) Bible.

See attachment for a detailed schedule for this weekend, April 17-19 (Fri-Sun). (Note, lunch is included on Saturday!)

First Base Tutoring (Background Check Information)

f you would like to volunteer for First Base Tutoring and still need to get your background check done, you can do it online!  **Make sure to complete at least 3-4 days BEFORE tutoring, as it takes 2 business days for your background check to be completed.

 - Go to their website

 - Click on "General Volunteering - 08/09 - Rodriguez Elementary" -> "Click Here For Details" -> "Sign Up" -> "New Volunteering Sign Up" -> "Ok" to authorize a background check

 - Fill out the forms (be sure to fill out the "School Preferences" and "Volunteer Preferences" field by clicking on "Open")

 - Click "Save and Exit"

After about 2 business days, if approved, you should get an email.

Good Friday Service

WHEN: Fri April 10th, 7:30pm

WHERE: ACC John Sung Bldg

Join us and the English congregation for "Portraits of the Passion" at 7:30pm in ACC's John Sung Bldg as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. Please arrive on time.

In this week leading up to Easter Sunday, we encourage you to contemplate what Jesus' sacrifice means to you. Personally.  Christ came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matt 20:28).  The death of the Son of Man was a ransom--a payment made to set you and me free from the deadly power of sin.  Our debt to God was infinite, and takes an eternity in hell to pay it off.  And when Jesus came, he overcame evil by doing what had to be done first--paying the debt--not by persuading people not to sin or to talk them out of sinning.  Only after Jesus paid our debt that we could not pay ourselves, can we enjoy being free and be declared righteous by faith. Knowing this, what does that mean to you? How is that reflected in your life?  (source: John Piper)

Easter service will be this Sunday, at 9:30am in the ACC Taylor gym.  What friends of yours can benefit from hearing about the amazing gift of life that Jesus Christ enables us to have?  As people are more willing to enter a church on Easter day, we challenge you to step out in faith and invite them!

Event with ACCCF

WHEN: Fri March 27th, 7:00pm

WHERE: UT campus, NOA 1.126 (See picture for parking information)

Most ACCCF (Austin Chinese Campus Christian Fellowship) members go to the Mandarin fellowship at ACC.  Even though many of us go to the same church, but we rarely get to hang out with each other.  This Friday, we have the rare opportunity to join fellowship with them.  Let us come together for worship and listen to the talk about cross-cultural missions. 

Our speakers will be Craig Bennett and Tommy Broyles, two adminstrative law judges from Austin.  Dinner is provided (FREE!!!!) and will be served at 7:00pm.  Make sure not to be late! We will also have an ice-breaker game and after the talk, we'll have a chance to get into small groups for discussion!!!  

Please take this opportunity to reach outside of our regular boundary and please bring a friend!!  

Reaching East Asia... from Texas

The OMF (organization founded by James Hudson Taylor, whose vision is to see church-planting movements in each of East Asia's unreached people groups) local Texas team is looking for new volunteers. Have you considered that reaching East Asia's people can happen right here and now?

They are looking for people with a passion to reach East Asia. Perhaps you can't go overseas right now, maybe you have a heart for missions and don't know where to start. BridgeAsia, the OMF volunteer ministry, offers many opportunities to use your gifts, passions and talents to serve in missions. We have positions for prayer, mentors, advocates and event coordinators. They'd even be able to mentor you along in your missions journey if you aren't sure yet.

They have a vision to see a team of volunteers right here making a global difference through these positions.

You can be the someone to make a difference today. E-mail them if you are interested or visit their website to read stories about their volunteers as well as learn more about the roles in which to serve. It only takes a few hours a month to make an eternal impact among the unreached!

If you have any questions, please contact Beth Forshee, the volunteer coordinator for mobilization.

Movie Night

WHEN: Fri March 27th, 7:30pm

WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

Join us this Friday as we watch "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," which takes a look at the debate over evolution--“Wasn’t this all settled years ago?” The answer to that question is equally troubling: “Yes…and no.” The movie challenges Darwin’s 150-year-old theory of life’s origins with new scientific evidence that has recently emerged--DNA, microbiology, The Big Bang, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and the human genome. Each of these discoveries has, in one way or another, led a growing number of scientists to reconsider the simple view espoused by Darwin that life is a random, purposeless, chance occurrence. The universe, and life itself, is turning out to be far more complex and mysterious than Darwin could possibly have imagined.

We'll be watching the movie on the big screen in the upstairs room of Carey--accompanied by popcorn (made fresh on the spot with a popcorn maker!), candy, and drinks--followed by discussion on the movie. This is a great opportunity for you and your friends who may have lingering questions about creation and evolution. We challenge you to invite your friends!

ACC English Retreat

WHEN: Fri-Sun, March 20-22

Cornerstone will be combining our weekly event with the English retreat this weekend.  We're glad to see so many Cornerstoner have signed up to join us at Camp Buckner! We'll be back at the Carey Bldg next week with movie night.

"And They Will Become One Flesh" (Gen 2:24)

WHEN: Fri March 13th, 7:30pm

WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, Downstairs

Leslie and Flora Keng will be sharing with us, through their friendship of 13 years and marriage of 7.5 years, about various aspect of a relationship which include dating, long-distance relationships, life decisions, love languages, marriage, and God's faithfulness through it all. 

Appreciation Party for Pastor Walton's family

WHEN: Fri March 6th, 7:30pm
WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

Come join us this Friday, when we're hosting an appreciation party for the Yuen family for their many years of service at ACC. It'll be a great time to mingle with everyone and share your experiences that you've had with them. We'll have snacks, desserts, and drinks... so see you there!

First Base Tutoring... from a player's perspective

The First Base tutoring program was set up by the youth in response to the needs unprivileged elementary school students in south Austin. Janie, a Cornerstoner, went for the first time this past January and shares how God not only used her to help a 5th grader, but also used this opportunity to encourage her! Thanks for sharing with us, Janie!

When I showed up for February's First Base tutoring, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had no idea how many students were coming, how many other fellow volunteers would be helping out, or how to even approach a tutoring situation. I don't have a lot of personal experience working with children, so I was feeling a significant amount of anxiety: How am I going to communicate with the students? Will we be able to connect? Will we have anything to talk about? Will they even like me??

It was a huge encouragement to see about 50 other volunteers show up that morning from all different lifestages in the English Congregation, and I think that was the first of many ways God showed how thoroughly his faithfulness can work that day. I personally had a lot of fun partnering up with one fifth grade student on some really difficult reading tasks because we took several breaks (mostly for my sake), where we had opportunities to talk about her interests and goals for the future. My student was very excited to tell me about how she wants to be a doctor and work with very young children, and it was very cool to be able to encourage her about her future and her interests. We also talked about the scary transition to middle school and her family before I realized we still had some more reading inferences to finish.

Since graduating from college, I've realized that personal leisure time shrinks in alarming ways, and it becomes harder and harder to be intentional with what is left of that time when it makes a lot more sense to use it for my own benefit or enjoyment. I'm grateful for the opportunity to go tutor because I was reminded of how investing in the Kingdom is worth the personal sacrafice it sometimes takes. Several of the students were asking if we came from Ms. Wong's church, and even though we may not have been in the best situation to talk explicitly about Jesus and his Gospel, it was so cool to see fellow congregation members show Christ's love and a little of who he is to the students who came for tutoring. I hope that people continue to pray for or help out with the tutoring program at the school, and that God will use this opportunity to continue drawing the students and their families to him.

Skit Night - hosted by Moses' life group

WHEN: Fri, Feb 27th, 7:15pm (note the earlier time!)
WHERE: ACC Taylor Gym

Have you ever wanted to be an actor? Got acting skills and want to show them off? Even if you don't, come out this Friday as Cornerstone combines with Wildfire for a skit night! All other groups (Lighthouse, Covenant, and Branch) are also invited to attend. Feel free to invite your friends to this event. Prizes will be awarded!

Meet in the Taylor Gym at 7:15pm so you can be assigned to a team as we will need to begin promptly at 7:30. There will be a short game show to start the evening that you won't want to miss!

Soccer Missions

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:18a

How would you like to join a Christian soccer team made up of men from all over the world and tour through a foreign land? This soccer team is dedicated to the immediate Evangelization of southeast Asia, specifically Thailand!

Sattha soccer is a ministry created by missionaries from Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). We exist to glorify God by the urgent evangeliztion of East Asia's millions.It all started about 11 years ago with the idea of using soccer (a sport that most Thai boys and men play daily) as a tool to help local missionaries and church leaders to reach out and strengthen their witness to their communities. It took a while to figure out how this ministry could be most effective and it was decided that bringing in a team of non-Thai men to play against local teams in rural areas where they would never have the opportunity to play against foreigners. The first two week tour was about 9 years ago. The team was made up mostly of missionary kids from a school called Faith Academy. Thus, it was decided that the team name would be the Thai word for Faith..."Sattha".

For the last eight years, God has faithfully provided men to join this team for a two-three week tour each summer. Our long term vision is to help local Thai churches to develop a soccer ministry, team, and possibly a league. This ministry is not intended to play against national teams; but to provide a quality level of soccer against teams that may never have the opportunity to play against a team of foreigners or more importanly hear the gospel.

What we do:
- Yes, we play a lot of soccer! We typically play between 15-20 games in a tour.
- We play games against different universities, high schools, government agencies and detention centers. At each game, the Gospel is presented to the teams as well as the spectators.
- We go into schools and teach conversational English as well as participate in a program where the Gospel is shared.
- This is a great opportunity to build relationships with the Thai people and demonstrate our desire to see them come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
- Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8
Date: July 1st - 22nd, 2009
Cost: $350 (US) plus the cost of getting to Thailand. This will cover your meals (Thai food), lodging, uniforms and transportation.
Other short-term opportunities from US in Asia for those that don't play soccer
Questions: Contact Alice Chao

Singleness

WHEN: Fri Feb 20th
WHERE: ACC Carey Bldg, upstairs

How we understand singleness may not be how God understands it. While society can place undue burden and stress upon an individual who is not married, God desires all people to live out his purpose on earth, whether we are single or not. Let us discover what God's Word teaches when it comes to being single and a Christ-follower.

This Friday, we have a visiting pastor, Arthur Hsu, who is excited to share with us about Singleness. We'll bring some snacks and drinks!

Shop-Off Results

Thanks to all those who came to the Saturday Shop-Off on Jan 31st, which benefitted our Austin area teachers and also an investment in the next generation. Nita shares with us what happened with all those school supplies...

We had about 60+ people (including the kiddos) come out for the shop off. We spent $900.48, plus lots of book donations. So far, the feedback has been very positive for those who went and weren't a part of the planning. I helped Jenny drop all the supplies off, it took both of our trunks to get it to the school. The teachers were thrilled! Thank you all, for the administrative help, prayers, and most of all, for the compassion! I'm excited to see more events where we can come together as a team, and as a church to distribute the mercy and grace so lavishly bestowed unto us!

Victory Over Temptation

WHEN: Fri Feb 13, 7:30pm
WHERE: Carey Building downstairs

Temptations are a normal part of the Christian life. The good news is that God has provided ways to help us have victory over them. We will look at some of the truth and lies of temptation. Our speakers will share how God has equipped us to have victory over sexual temptation. During this time, we will be addressing some of the good questions submitted earlier, part of which will be in separate men and women sessions.

We have the privilege of hearing from some of our own ACC members, Roger and Ilan Huang, speak on "Victory Over Temptation." They are a married couple who have served at ACC for many years, currently serving on the Prayer Team and recently led the ACC English Concert of Prayer. Roger has taught Discovery Group classes, including one similar to the topic that will be discussed, and Ilan has been a part of the ACC women's ministry, Tapestry. They have four beautiful children--Bethany, Hannah, Joshua, and baby Elizabeth.

Game Night with the Tsuei's

WHEN: Friday, February 6th, 7:30pm ~ when PG and Tina decide to kick us out (hope they are not reading this.)
WHERE: Pastor Gaylord & Tina's house (map)

Are you a big time board gamer? Are you feeling lonely because you have no one to play with? Are you looking for someone to beat down on your favorite board game? Well, bring your competitive but most importantly loving spirit to Tsuei's house this Friday.

All jokes aside, just come and enjoy the fellowship. Feel free to bring your own board games to play!

Praise and Worship + School Supply Shop Off

WHEN: Friday, January 30th, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
WHERE: ACC Carey Building (direction and map)

Have you been challenged by the current financial crisis or worried about the tight job market? Even in tough times, we are really quite blessed in the United States. To help put that into perspective, Pastor Enzo Saavedra from Bolivia will be visiting to share about some of the challenges that young adults in his country face. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America, and it is experiencing some troubling political changes. Learn how God is working in Bolivia, and how God can use us (even in a recession) to truly be a blessing to people desperately in need.

Annie's life group will also be leading us in a night of praise and worship!

WHEN: Saturday, January 31th, 2pm
WHERE: ACC John Sung Building (direction and map)

Thanks to Jenny and Shelby for sharing about the tremendous need for manpower and resources at their school. Let's join together as a congregation to help these teachers and students start the new year off right by providing them with their needed school supplies!

We will meet at the John Sung Building at 2:00pm before splitting into groups and heading out to buy items on the teachers' wish lists.(Please note: We'll be taking monetary donations on Saturday to help with the cost of purchasing school supplies, so please come prepared.)

P.S. If you are not able to attend the event but would still like to help, we'll have school supply lists available on Sunday outside of Taylor Hall so that you can donate items instead of time. For more info, contact Edwin Woo at edwingwoo@yahoo.com or Nita Teng at nitayateng@gmail.com.

Capital Area Food Bank

WHEN: Saturday, January 24th, 9:00am- 12:00pm
WHERE: 8201 South Congress, between William Cannon Drive and Slaughter Lane (map)

We will be serving the city of Austin by sorting food down at the Capital Area Food Bank. Please wear closed-toe shoes (dress code requirement). If you would like to carpool down together, meet at ACC by 8:15am in the Carey building parking lot. If you will be driving on your own, meet at the food bank by 8:50am.We will come back north after we finish and have lunch together in Chinatown at Braker. Restaurant is TBD. EVITE to follow

Taste Taiwan... in Texas

WHEN: Sun, Jan 25th, 6:30pm

WHERE: Austin Taiwanese Presbyterian Church (5300 Duval Rd, Austin)

It's a boots 'n boba kinda night!  Free on Sunday, Jan 25th?  Of course you are!  Come taste Taiwan at Austin Taiwanese Presbyterian Church at 6:30pm.  Snacks are provided!

Why is a seemilngly "open" country so resistant to the Good News of Jesus?  What are the real needs of Taiwan? Come out and hear the answers to these and other questions through a fun & interactive time! (Also guaranteed to be challenging and enlightening.)  Speakers include Irene Nicholson & Katherine Tang, who are part of OMF--a ministry that serves throughout East Asia in evangelism and discipleship, church planting, tentmaking, student ministry, English teaching and mobilizing and equipping Asian churches for world missions.

Where did the socks go?

609 pairs were raised during the sock auction in December... Janie dropped off the socks the week after the auction; here's her awesome experience!

since we raised so many socks (hooray! God is so good!) mission possible was able to use the socks for two of their major christmas time events that week. the day i dropped off the socks, they were going to pass out ~200 free sleeping bags to people who received vouchers during a church under the bridge service or received them from people who went to the service. 3 groups of about 20 volunteers from a few local churches came in shifts to help pass out the bags + our socks! there was also a large donation of beanies, so mission possible reps were really excited to be able to offer people from the streets warm sleeping bags and accessories this christmas. apparently, a lot of the people who attended church under the bridge gave vouchers to their friends, who rode the buses with them to receive their bags.the rest of the socks were saved for a special christmas eve celebration/bible study that they held that week. usually, the center invites people on the streets to attend a bible study on tuesday and sleep at the center for the night, but they decided to move that week to christmas eve so that people would have somewhere to spend christmas morning at. they were expecting a little over 300 people to show up for the bible study/christmas night stay, so it turned out we raised the PERFECT amount of socks for their christmas activities that week! pretty exciting!

it was cool because i got to talk to some of the volunteers (including people who used to live on the streets) while waiting for the socks to be...whatever it was they needed done to them...and got to hear some really interesting stories. and it was really encouraging to see so many people coming during their holiday break to help pass out sleeping bags to people. the person coordinating the even was saying how this was a huge change from having only 2-3 people organizing this event last year.

CTI Concert

Wed, Jan 14
Dinner: 6pm @ Rudy's (183 & Duval)
Concert: 7:30pm @ ACC John Sung

CTI (Carpenter's Tools International), a music ministry that sends teams to locations around the world to work with established ministries, will be in Austin to hold a concert for us this Wednesday!  Stanley Tso, our worship intern last year, is part of the team that sings, does dramas with a clear gospel message, and give testimonies.  One aspect of their vision is to share the hope of Christ with those who don't know him.  We highly encourage you to invite your friends to this special event!

Since the team will only be here for one day, what better way to introduce them to Texas than with good ol' Rudy's? Please join us for dinner at Rudy's (183 and Duval) before the concert at 6pm.

Be the One to Save a Life

Jodie is a loving 34-year old mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. She's married to Alex, and together, they raise their 2 children--Tyler (5) and Elizabeth (1). She enjoys, baking, singingin, learning to play the guitar, and being with family and friends. Jodie is an active member of her local church.

In Nov 2008, Jodie's life was changed when she was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA). Her body can no longer produce any red or white blood cells or platelets necessary to clot her blood, provide oxygen to her body, or fight common infections. A marrow/stem cell transplant is needed for her recover completely.

You can help. Help save the life of Jodie, or someone like her, who is searching for a donor. Register to be a potential marrow/stem cell donor by filling out a form and swabbing your cheek. If you are selected as a potential match for a patient, additional testing will be asked of you. Doctors will plan to collect stem cells either from your marrow OR will plan to do a procedure to collect stem cells from your circulating blood.

There is a severe shortage of people from diverse backgrounds--including Asian and Pacific Islanders. Jodie is of Taiwanese descent and will most likely find a donor of Asian descent. YOU could be a match for her or someone else like her. There is normally a $52 cost for donor tissue typing, but because of the critical need for more ethnic minorities, this cost is completely covered by a grant for everyone of Asian/Pacific Islander descent.

ACC is having a bone marrow testing drive this Sunday at ACC from 11am to 1pm. Please stay after the English service to register and help save a life.