Vineyard Roof Project Complete!

It's the Christmas season and I know this because people are coming together to share in projects big and small. On the weekends of Dec. 5th and 12th we had such a gathering. A neighboring church called Vineyard needed help putting on a new roof. The call went out and people from different ages and backgrounds came together to help. Working hard and learning much. I was blessed to be a part of people coming together.

Vineyard Roof Project

A new project will be happening the first couple of weekends in December. Check back for more details or contact Sam Huckaby.

Where: 460 N Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA‎
Contact: Sam Huckaby 925-819-6501
When:
1st Weekend -
Friday 12/5/08 starting at 12:00pm - Until Dark
Saturday 12/6/08 starting at 7:00am - Until completion or dark

2nd Weekend -
Friday 12/12/08 starting at 12:00pm - Until Dark
Saturday 12/13/08 starting at 7:00am - Until completion or dark

Kim House Project

There is a need for volunteers to help with drywall taping, texturing and painting inside a house in Livermore beginning Monday, November 3rd.

This will be an ongoing project, so please sign up for whatever you can help with over the next few months. Dates will be determined upon people's schedules and will be coordinated by Travis Eppler.

Serve people.

Where: 614 Lido Dr.Livermore Ca 94550
When: 11/3/08 Starting at 10:30am
Contact: Travis Eppler 925-321-3398

Teen Esteem: Fall Soirée

The LoveWorks team is going to help Teen Esteem group with their Fall Soirée event. This is an event that will need volunteers to help with jobs as, greeter, serving, valet, etc. Contact Candace Anderson or mailto:%20loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us

Teen Esteem Fall Soirée:
Come and enjoy an evening of appetizers and wine at a French Chateau while mingling with local professionals and community leaders. This is an opportunity to get to know some of the people who work with your children and understand today's teen culture. Teen Esteem is making this evening possible for you to make a connection with marriage and family therapists, school administrators, counselors and local law enforcement. They will be on hand to answer questions you may have regarding your pre-teen and young adult.

When: Saturday Oct. 18, 6pm
Where: 9 Country Oak Lane, Alamo
Contact: Candace Anderson

Russell Family Construction Project

There is a LoveWorks opportunity coming up Saturday, September 20th. Please contact Sam if you can help or need more information.

Rick Russell and Family Construction Project (Patch, paint, etc...)
Where: 2177 Las Positas Courts Suite A
Livermore, CA
When: Saturday September 20, 2008
7:00am till 3:00pm
Contact: Sam Huckaby 925-819-6501

Serve the City Center

Serve the City Center is a new opportunity where you can serve our local community and love on God's people. There are always new opportunities arising for this community center, so check back often or contact Renee Travers. Below are some key times and events that are coming up:

Mondays 9am - 11:30am
Showers, clean clothes and light breakfast available for the homeless.

Community BBQ
Mondays 4:30-6:30pm, August 25th - September 29th
Opportunities to serve include worship/music, face painting, food distribution and interacting with attendees.
Volunteers can sign-up for a shift 4-5:30pm and 5:30-7:00pm or stay for the entire event.

Location:
Vineyard Church
460 North Livermore St.
Livermore, Ca 94550

Contact:
Renee Travers
925.447.3465 ex. 5426
reneet@cornerstoneweb.org

Moving Missy

Loveworks has an opportunity coming up soon to help Missy move! If you would like to help out, please contact Phil at the information listed below.

When: Saturday August 30, 2008 7:00am
Where: 3913 Alma Ct, Pleasanton, 94588
Contact: Phil Opperman - 925-202-1875

Will You Let God Use You?

I arrived slightly after 9 am on Saturday, as I witnessed the set up by just four men to start a project which would take not only until after 6 pm, but until the next day, from 7am to about 2pm with only a lunch break. Most all cut outs and measurements were ready to go! I was exhausted before the end of the day, as the men kept pushing on to come to a reasonable place to break away from the job for the night. “Amazing”, I thought, as God’s energy, strength, compassion, integrity, wisdom, and solidness poured out of them!

It was amazing as their passion to help provide needs to others carried them through the heat and hard work needed to accomplish a task, that otherwise would not have happened had they not just “shown up”. Ammmmmazing! The mission these men possess to begin and complete a task completely and wholeheartedly on their Day Off, could only come from and be motivated by God – they were driven with purpose and Holy Spirit lead.

It was terrific as four other people came and joined in the projects – some painted, others weeded, trimmed bushes and tall trees overflowing onto the sidewalks and streets, bagged trimmings, and piled large branches. Even someone from a previous home blessed by this ministry, appeared and possessed strong desires followed with action to work with joy, and eagerness to help and find projects to do, as well as meet new people in order to Be A Part of This LOVE in ACTION.

I was in awe many times at the leadership, the provision of materials such as wood, tools, skill, wonderful food, and much needed water, but the truth is that it was all organized and thought through from the heart.
The leadership displayed remarkable directives that not only concentrated on the task but met other volunteers right where they were at, and they consciously guided and taught others how to do things in steps, including showing a 10 year old boy some basic skills in building. Thank you and hats off! I was so blessed as I witnessed all of this!Talk about a Good Thing.

Not only was Samantha blown away by the tangible blessing happening right in front of her eyes, but her Dad, the neighbors, her daughter, her younger sister living with her, and her boyfriend experienced what Jesus is all about with skin on.
I was thoroughly blessed to be a part of this powerful mission, right here in Livermore , CA – the unification of the body of Christ and the power of what it not only can do, but did, and does do. I realize that God is well known for showing up with a small group of people and doing Excellent things, but what would He do if more hands appeared, and “were just available”, for what He would do?

This is a testimony of LOVE that really does WORK.Wow!His love is so Great and I just melt in His presence at His people showing faith as they allow Him to do it in them and through them, as they Work for His glory.

I dare you to see and experience “how LOVE WORKS” and join this team as they travel to homes we don’t even know, and Love Love Love in Action!They just show up, make themselves available, and allow God to use them. Will you let go and let God use you?

About Loveworks

A few weeks ago, several of the Loveworks team spoke to Sanctuary about what Loveworks is, what we've been doing and how to get involved.

Click here to listen to the audio:
Loveworks at Sanctuary

(to download the file: right-click and "save-as")

Sonoma Outreach

Loveworks has an opportunity coming up at the end of August where we will be traveling to Sonoma Race Track for two days to camp out and to serve those who attend the races. We will leave Saturday August 23rd at 1:00pm and return to Cornerstone around 6:00pm Sunday.

We will have a Service and BBQ on Saturday night and usher people attending the race on Sunday. This will be a great way to serve and love a variety of people.

Details
Time: August 23, 2008 at 1:00pm (Return to the church at 6:00pm ish on Sunday)
Where: Meeting at Cornerstone, Carpool to the Sonoma Race Track
What to bring: Tent
Contact: Catie Hootman (925.381.4607) or Sam Huckaby

Pancakes and Pedals

The SOLD Project's Rachel Goble recently spoke to Fuel, Cornerstone's college age ministry, and left a lasting impression on the hearts of passionate twenty-somethings. Images and stories of young girls driven by poverty into the bondage of prostitution resonated with the group and stirred up an unrest among them. People wanted to know what could be done to bring justice.

Rachel advised those who felt moved to investigate how they might utilize their passions and talents to serve God's kingdom rather than just their own. She told of the need for lawyers and doctors, but aside from the obvious, encouraged the artistic to design a t-shirt for SOLD or the hairdressers to cut hair to raise money. Going with Rachel's outside-the-box thinking, a group of friends from Fuel decided that they could even give their fun eternal purpose.

With a few small last minute tweaks, their weekend leisure activities became proactive. A pancake breakfast and bike ride through the city became a fundraiser. By opening their plans up to more people and asking everyone to bring five dollars they were able to raise money for the SOLD project.

They met at a home in San Ramon for pancakes and fellowship, then hopped on their bikes to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. Getting off at Embarcadero, they rode across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and took the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.

There are plans in the making to continue the breakfasts and bike rides so look for announcements towards the end of August. Next time, with more supplies and notice, the participants will decorate t-shirts and bikes to raise awareness for SOLD as they ride.

- Leah Reagan

City Adultz

The last couple of times City Kidz made its way into Oakland and San Francisco, I couldn't help but notice the impact it has on the adults in those areas and I got to thinking about how we're not just making a difference in the lives of these little kids, but we're shining bright in the midst of often dark and difficult communities.

You can see it in the adults who stop and peer through the gates or the 50 year old doing the motions to "Jesus is the Rock." It's also obvious in the way parents watch from their porches or the curb as their kids' faces light up during the candy toss.

Matthew 5:14-16 is a familiar passage:

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

When we minister to the kids or we minister to the homeless or we help a family build their home or paint their hallway, the neighbors and friends and parents and world are watching.

- Ryan

Samantha's House Project

Some of the Loveworks team had a chance to meet with Samantha to determine exactly how we can help out. The team that goes will be building a storage shed and then tearing down a covered area at her home.

Below are the details on who to contact and when/where to show up. This is a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community!

Date/Time: Saturday, August 2nd @ 9am
Place: Meet at Starbucks/Dairy Queen parking lot on corner of Portola and North Livermore.
Contact Person - Rachael Dailey Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us

Upcoming Loveworks Opportunities

We have 2 Loveworks opportunities that are coming up soon! See the information below and contact Loveworks to see how you can get involved.

Sharon's Condo Project
Date/Time: Saturday, July 26 @ 9am
Place: Meet at her neighbor Stephanie's house. Address: 1540 Portola Ave, Livermore
We will be painting walls, restaining cabinets, trimming hedges etc...
Contact Person: Rachael Dailey Email: Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us

Samantha's House Project
Date/Time: Saturday, August 2nd @ 9am
Place: Meet at Starbucks/Dairy Queen parking lot on corner of Portola and North Livermore.
Look for details on the work that will be involved here on the blog or at Sanctuary on Sunday evenings.
Contact Person - Rachael Dailey Loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us

Do you know of a need? Email Loveworks and let us know how we can help you love one another.

You Never Know...

I love the story about the man who sees a boy throwing starfish back into the ocean after they had washed up on the shore after a storm. As the story goes, the man asks the boy why he is bothering to throw the starfish back into the water since there were hundreds of starfish on the shore and there was no way to save them all. The boy turns and throws another starfish into the water and tells the man that he made a difference to that one.

Going for a few hours, twice a month into the worst parts of downtown San Francisco where there are countless homeless, sick and broken people with the expectation of making a difference may seem unrealistic. How can giving someone a hot meal and pair of socks hold them over for two weeks until you see them again? How can you expect one short conversation to change their lives? It is completely unrealistic to expect these things if you are trying to do it without love.

I was walking by a woman a few weeks ago while out at Night Strike. We had just started our evening and were starting to walk to the area of the tenderloin where we were going to minister. As we approached a corner I noticed a woman who had just crossed the street and passed the rest of the team. I asked her if she would like some food, something I had done hundreds of times before and she turned to me and looked almost shocked. She graciously accepted the food and juice. I asked her if there was something she needed prayer for. (We try to pray for every person we can while doing Night Strike.) She looked at me and started crying instantly. She told us that she was going home to kill herself that night but that running into us gave her hope to keep going to tomorrow. We prayed for her and encouraged her, then continued on down the street. While we can't reach every person in need on the streets of the city, we made a difference in her life by showing the love of Jesus.

When you go out on Night Strike you are offering to serve and pray for people that are ignored or forgotten. More than a hot meal and clean socks, they need someone to show them love by taking the time to listen to them and pray for them. Though I have seen people healed and broken to tears while in the tenderloin, most of the time we never know the difference we have made. We just need to be obedient in showing love and Jesus will do the rest.

- Catie Hootman

The Nearness of Man and God

I recently helped with a ministry called City Kidz where we drive a big truck into the heart of some underprivileged neighborhoods and put on a 2-hour VBS (essentially) for whatever kids want to come.

One thing that struck me in particular is the desire these kids have for some sort of physical contact. I’m not talking about an intimate contact that is sexual (in any way), but instead a touch that I think God uses in mighty and magnificent ways. It’s something those of us with families and friends take for granted. We get the hug after church or the handshake from an acquaintance. Guys wrestle after bible study (for whatever reason) and spouses share an arm or hand while sitting at church or walking down the street. Since we are created in the image of God, I firmly believe He created us with a need for some type of physical connection to demonstrate God’s comfort, love and nearness.

These kids don’t always have that. They may have a mom that is a single parent and is always gone working or exhausted from the work. They may not have a father figure in their life or may have one that is distant and reserved.

Two examples from City Kidz illustrated this need to me particularly (and I see it all around me with everyone else who goes). While listening to the bible story one afternoon, a boy about 9 or 10 sat near me. Both of us were sitting Indian-style but his bare left knee was resting on top of my bare right knee (we both were wearing shorts because it was pretty hot outside). My first reaction if that were a peer of mine would have been to quickly distance myself. It would have been “weird” or “uncomfortable” somehow. I expected this boy to feel the same way. But instead, he just left his leg there. In fact, the more I observed the situation, he was sitting very close to me with plenty of space around both of us. Maybe he doesn’t experience any physical affirmation or warmth at his home. I have no idea. But just the nearness of another person was comforting to him. He felt connected.

The second example is that of a 2 year old who we will call Harry. Again, I don’t know the details of his situation, but this kid was ready to wrestle! He was ready to climb, scratch, jump and flip all over anyone he could get his hands on. I have the fingernail marks in my neck to prove it (ouch!). But I think that whoever he was climbing on gave him a sense of not feeling alone. He was able to interact and engage another person and experience, on some level, a little bit of the oneness God intends to have with us.

I feel there’s a need to meet people in this way when they need it. I don’t think it’s something that should be taken lightly or performed flippantly, but I do think it’s something we often take for granted. I don’t think it should happen with the opposite sex and I don’t think it should happen in private. But I think we should look beyond handing out food or money and telling people we’ll pray for them and demonstrate the love of Christ with a hug or a handshake or a wrestling match. When you hug your first homeless person you’ll know exactly what I mean. To God be the glory.

The Point of Love

Why do we make such a concerted effort to go out and love people that don’t always experience grace and love? If Jesus is our example, then the answer to that should be to point them to God.

When we love widows and the fatherless and the homeless and the afflicted, we should love them the most by pointing them to Jesus Christ. In Scripture we see Jesus performing miracles and healing people and serving those around Him, but ultimately for the purpose of showing them who God is. HE is!

The next time we help someone repair their home or we bring them a meal or we play games with their kids, we should point them to Jesus. Explain why you care. Explain what He has done in your life. Explain the gospel! The last thing we want is a community of people who experience all kinds of love but have no idea why. The point of loving people is to point them to Jesus. To leave them without the most precious news of the gospel is not to love them… it’s selling them short.

One last note… our love for others should not be conditionally based upon their acceptance of the gospel. However, our love for others should be driven by our desire to see them become disciples of Christ so that they may experience the joy of Him who saves.

City Kidz Experience

One woman in our community shares her experience serving with City Kids:

When I first heard about City Kidz, the heart behind this ministry kept tugging at my own heart. As this ministry seemed to so closely align with my passions in serving, it was something that I could not ignore. 

Upon showing up that first Saturday in June, I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew that there would be a big, blue truck that somehow turned into a stage; I knew that we would be going into two of the “worst” neighborhoods in San Francisco: Hunter’s Point and Alemany; I knew that we would be putting on a Vacation Bible School type program for the kids in these neighborhoods. However, I did not know of the incredible ways that the Lord would capture my heart afresh as these children so quickly grabbed a hold of mine.

Every Saturday that I show up for City Kidz, God continues to minister to me through these children. They have such an enthusiasm to know the Lord and experience His love. As we show up, they run to us with a vibrancy that is so refreshing. “I remember you!” or “Give me a hug!” or “Will you play with me,” they each squeal. I am convinced that City Kidz has done such a valuable job in the past of loving these kids, so that when we show up (even some of us as new faces), they know that they will experience true, genuine love. For them, experiencing the love of another who loves the Lord is such a reflection of the love of their True Father. 

When I watch these kids raise their arms in praise to God our Father in worship, I am reminded of the zeal that He desires also from me when I come before Him. When I hear these kids (from the ages of 3 to 15) recite their memorized scripture verse, a renewed passion for His Word stirs within me. When I feel the touch of the small hand grabbing a hold of mine, I recall the tender touch of my Abba. When I see the joy on the face of the child that has won a plastic toy in the raffle, I realize that sometimes the greatest needs are just around the corner from my own backyard. 

Through my experience with City Kidz, God continues to impress upon my heart His love for me. These kids just want the love, affection, and touch of another. That is what the Lord provides to each of us, and we can be His vessels! And, He continues to show me that, while world missions are so vital, I do not need to travel all the way to Africa to find a poor, lonely child longing to experience the love of the One who “will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches.”

LoveWorks in Action

Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. For strengthening of their faith in the Lord and His grace
James 1: 26:27 (Message)

External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.
James 1: 27 (Amplified)

A woman in our community brought the following need to our attention.

She writes,

Debbie is a single mom of three and widowed.

Her three boys are ages 6, 12, and 13. Her oldest son has high-functioning autism and is kind, quiet, and shy. Debbie’s middle son has insulin-dependent diabetes and will be starting middle school in the fall. Her youngest son loves to ride his bike and his favorite cartoon character is Sponge Bob Squarepants.

Debbie’s faith in the Lord has carried her through her difficult times and even now as she continues to take care of her boys and cope with her back pain.

Through Debbie and her family I have learned and have been able to see how the Lord faithfully provides and sees all circumstances and situations.

Continue to keep Debbie and her three sons in prayer as they trust in the Lord’s faithfulness!

Perhaps this is something you will be challenged with in giving your time, energy and resources. Please join us as we pray over her life.

Donations
Boys clothing & Shoes
Ages 6-13,
Sizes ranging from 8 – 14/16+

Prayer for Debbie and her family:
Debbie’s back and nerve pain
The health of her sons, especially her middle son who has diabetes

Please contact us: loveworks@sanctuaryweb.us

Mason's House Project

Mason's House Project was simply amazing.

Mason's need was brought to our attention. From this, we gathered people, construction materials, and tools to get the job done. We had 25+ people show up to help repair his home and to provide a community BBQ for Mason's neighborhood.

Mason's roof was well over due to be replaced. It had gotten so bad, that it started leaking at the back of his house. This caused more damage in his back room. His ceiling and walls were completely water damaged. At best, he was able to get some tarps to hold off the rains.

By God's grace the "Roof Crew" was able to complete the roof tare off and complete the re-shingle in less than 8 hours.

The "Interior Crew" was able to complete the the hanging of the sheet rock on all four walls and the ceiling in the same amount of time. More importantly than just doing construction work we were able to shows God's love. As you can see from the picture we were being completely safe. We had our certified "Safety Manager" on site during the entire project. Thanks for watching after us TJ:) !!!

Thank you everyone who donated their time, finances and energy to serve this community!

We thank God for keeping us safe, for giving us the ability to make all of this possible, and to experience the pure joy for providing for a member of our community.

More to come!

LoveWorks Overview

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 (NLT)

We who serve with LoveWorks have a desire for us as individuals and collectively to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This blog will be another means for this community to share our stories, opportunities to glorify the Lord in what He alone is doing in our lives. We serve not for the sake of recognition, but out of obedience and response to God.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,
1 Timothy 1: 12

Join us in allowing a community to grow and be challenged to live like Jesus did and to be aware of opportunities for us to serve.

He is helping transform our lives and hearts to be more like His.

Some current opportunities are:

Night Strike - Is every 2nd and 4th Friday of every month. We meet with City Ministries International (CMI) in the Tenderloin District in the heart of San Francisco to feed, pray for, and simply hang out with the homeless.

City Kidz - Is every Saturday from June - December 2008. We meet with CMI (City Ministries International) in Dublin and car pool to San Francisco/Oakland area to help run and serve alongside the children who live in these areas.

In addition to these opportunities, we have construction projects and serving ministries that happen as need permits. So please, check back often.

We ask that you bring any and all needs.

If it is a need for someone you know, please contact us and be prepared to step out in faith and serve.

We want to support and empower you and are excited to see how God will utilize all of us as we are inspired!

Blessings,

LoveWorks Team