At our former church location on Mirador Drive, we were blessed, through the generosity of many, with wonderful worship music accompanied by a pipe organ. Before re-locating to our new campus, we were able to sell the organ to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairhope, Alabama.  They plan to bless the instrument during a “Church Music Sunday” on September 25.  Now the organ will bless a second congregation.

Our Choir Director and Organist, Katie Walda, sent the following note to them on behalf of the Centerpointe family:

On behalf of Centerpointe Presbyterian Church (formerly Pleasanton Presbyterian Church), I want to send you our Blessings on your Church Music Sunday, September 25.   Music is such a vital part of worship.  It draws people in, fills up their souls, and sends them out feeling refreshed by the Holy Spirit.  In a congregation that cherishes organ music, having a good instrument only enhances their worship.

For many years, our congregation was blessed to have a beautiful pipe organ, and organists that were able to make it sing.  As our congregation moved on, and left our old building, we realized that we would not be able to take the instrument with us.  Now you have it, and I know for certain that your congregation will also enjoy many years of wonderful music from the instrument!  It will be a wonderful asset to hymn singing, concerts, choir anthems, and I’m sure many other musical events!

May God bless you, your choir members, the instrument, and the members and staff of Trinity Presbyterian.  You are in our prayers this weekend.

Hallelujah!
Praise God in His holy temple;
Praise Him in the firmaments of His power.
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him for His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with the blast of the ram’s horn;
Praise Him with lyre and harp.
Praise Him with timbrel and Dance;
Praise Him with strings and pipe.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
Praise Him with loud-clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord.
Hallelujah!

May God Bless You!

Sincerely,

Katie Walda
Organist/Choir Director
Centerpointe Presbyterian Church

And here is Ben De Van’s reply following their dedication:

Thank you very, very much Katie for sending this beautiful message to us!  I read it to the choir before the organ dedication service on Sunday evening.  It was also quoted in that service.  Your warm greetings, good wishes, and blessings are very much appreciated.

We had a wonderful day on Sunday, both morning and evening.  If you will share your postal address with me, I will send you some bulletins and music by snail mail.
What a blessing that organ is!!!

God bless you in your ministry of music.

Ben

It’s that time of year where the leaves start to fall off the trees, the pumpkins are turning orange, candy corn is in the stores and we register for the Spring 2012 Women’s retreat.  Wait!  We need to register for a retreat that takes place next April now???

Yes!! The Spring Women’s retreat at Redwood Christian Park in the Santa Cruz mountains is such a popular and meaningful retreat that registration begins in October.  Save your spot now with a $50 deposit and guarantee your choice of accomodations.

This year’s speaker will be Judy Hampton, a popular speaker  best known for her entertaining speaking style and communication skills.  She has been featured on Focus on the Family radio broadcasts as well as being part of the Billy Graham Association broadcasts.  She has also collaborated with teachers such as Max Lucado, Chip Ingram and John Ortberg as part of the “Doing Life Together” series created by Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Group.

Judy will be talking to us this spring about experiencing radical contentment in a crowded heart.  We will be looking at the Apostle Paul who was a guy who rejoiced, who was free from worry, who knew a surpassing explicable peace; a man who learned to be content.  She will shows us how contentment begins with a new heart that can only come from Jesus.

The retreat dates are April 27-29, 2012.  There are three levels of accomodations available at three different pricing structures:

Deluxe rooms (sleep 2-4 guests) are hotel-style rooms with a combination of queen, twin and bunk style beds - $190/person

Select rooms (sleep 2 guests) are smaller hotel-style rooms with either a double bed/twin or 2 twin beds - $170/person

Cabins (sleep4-8 guests) have bunk style beds.  Bedding & towels not provided - $150/person

Preregistration will begin at Centerpointe on Sunday, September 25 and run through Wednesday, October 12.  A registration form and deposit of $50 is required to save your spot.  Please see the sign up table on the patio or contact Heidi Maher for more info or check out Redwood Christian Park’s website at www.redwoodchristianpark.org

We hope that you and your friends will join us for this wonderful retreat experience.

In May, the Elders and staff completed the review of our Open Doors 9:00 a.m. worship service plan. Click on one of the links below to download the report. Feel free to contact any elder, Worship Director Brian Marriott, Pastor Mike Barris or any other member of our ministry staff team if you have further questions.

Thank you for your interest.

Executive Summary - Open Doors Worship Review

Full Report - Open Doors Worship Review

Elder Monthly Update

August, 2011

Dear Centerpointe Family,

We thank God for our family of faith and celebrate your involvement in this fellowship.  Thank you for your continuous prayers as God moves in our congregation in new and greater ways.  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as your Elders.  This update is being provided to let you know about the focus of our ministry work and leadership decisions.

Our Prayers

August Action Items

Ministry Work in Progress

Adult Formation plans to continue Soul Food classes and add to them social activity groups, reformed three to four times a year, as well as forming social activity groups that will last 8-10 weeks to help with drawing people in.

Pastor Mike is working on building connection within the church. Children will continue to be included in first service, and children from third grade up will be included in worship at second service once as month from October through December.

The Fall Kick-off, including Annual Reports, gratitude and appreciation for service last year, and vision for next year, will be on September 11, 2011. The Kick-off will include two services of worship followed by a box lunch social.

Presbyterian Women received a gift from Cathy Nugent’s estate to be used at their discretion.

Looking Forward

Twelve years ago, Centerpointe’s session called the congregation to a season of prayer to discern God’s will for the next 100 years of our congregation.  That season of prayer birthed the Walking by Faith capital campaign and the move to the current site after we stepped out and followed God’s nudge without knowing where we were going.  After three years at Centerpointe, the session is again calling us to 90 days of focused prayer asking how God wants us to move forward.

Rain Gamble gave the first update to the session regarding his research for the future vision of Centerpointe. One of the key issues facing any projects in Pleasanton is the city of Pleasanton’s imminent focus on the East Side Plan, due to begin at the beginning of 2012. The east side plan could play a role in Centerpointe’s expansion plans.

Please continue to pray for God’s vision for Centerpointe as the Elders look to the future for Centerpointe

Dean Freeman

For the Elders serving on Session at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church