Sandy's Sayings

Blindsided By God

I have had the privilege of serving at Central Peninsula Church for just over 16 years as the Pastor of Student Ministries. I was first hired as the Jr. High Pastor and as our church grew, my role grew. As our church has continued to grow from one campus to three campuses up and down the San Francisco Peninsula, my role is about to change again.

I'm passionate about many things: one being students, another being an effective communicator. This year our elders shared with our staff several priorities that we as a church were going to focus on. One of those priorities was how we communicate as a church. This last year I've been brain storming with our executive pastor about communication and as he shared his vision on my white board, I made the comment that whoever is hired for this role needs to be someone who knows CPC. He agreed. A few days later, as I was thinking about our conversation, the Lord nudged my heart and said, "what about you?" At that moment in time, I felt totally blinded by God! I have never really thought about doing anything else outside of student ministry. In fact, I've always joked that I would be the 80 year old Jr. High Pastor whacking Jr. Higher's with my walker or cane.

A few weeks later, I met with our executive pastor again and we talked about me possibly becoming the Pastor of Communications. Funny thing, little did I know my name had been thrown around at and elder board meeting as well. As I moved forward with prayer, advise from trusted friends and more conversations with the elders, I really felt called to move into this role.

After serving in student ministries for over 30 years either in volunteer roles or paid positions, I'm excited for new challenges. I will always love students and I'm excited to see who God will bring to the Foster City Campus to lead our Jr. High Ministry. I think of all the students I've had the opportunity to serve through the years and am so honored that God let me be a part of their lives! If you know me well, you know I had to include a picture, so I thought I'd share the picture of my very first high school small group! I think this picture was taken in 1988 and I was all of 20 year old! I'm happy to say these ladies are still following Jesus and are moms of their own high school age, middle school age and elementary school aged kids. 

One of the many things I love about CPC and our elders is they always ask us, "Are you called to CPC?" I'm thankful that I am still called to CPC! Even though I am stepping out of student ministries, I'm excited to continue serving at a church I absolutely love, with a team of people who are a joy to serve with, and an area of the country that needs to hear the Gospel desperately. 

Heard In My Life Group

We have started a new Life Group year and I've got a new group of jr. high girls. Once a month we go and do something together as a group that always involves an element of fun and usually food. This years group of girls didn't dissappoint! We headed over to my favorite yogurt shop in San Carlos called Tutti Fruitti. No sooner had we sat down to eat our cup of deliciousness when one of girls said, "Did you know that little kids who eat their boogers have strong immune systems?" All out laughter ensued as we tried not to spay our mouthfuls of yogurt all over one another.

Love Works Is Funner Than Video Games

This was our annual Love Works Weekend. We canceled church services and encourage our body to serve the community this weekend. I think this is our third Love Works Weekend. We had a ton of projects ranging from serving the homeless, doing repair and cleaning projects with different shelters, serving schools, helping out with beautifucation projects in different cities and much more.

Last night we had our celebration service where we had the opportunity to share how God moved while we served! There were some amazing stories that were told! Although, my favorite quote from the serivce came from a little boy who shared, "Love Works is funner than video games." There were some good laughs at his comment, but what this little boy was trying to say is that he had fun being the hands and feet of Jesus! He enjoyed interacting with those in need! My hope and prayer for our kids and students is they would continue to be broken–hearted over those in need and would be spurred on to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Here is a short little video our high school pastor put together for our project!

 

The Last Time I Earned a Scouting Pin

 

I was a girl scout at one point in my life. Although I wasn't that into scouting as a kid, I did earn a few badges. I hadn't earned a scouting pin or badge since 1977, until a couple of weeks ago! I was invited to speak at one our students Eagle Scout Court of Honor. I love taking the opportunity to brag about our students! Daniel now teaches a fourth grade boys Sunday School class and serves as a Life Group Leader in our Jr. High Ministry. What caught me off–gaurd was earning a scout pin! Daniel was so sweet to honor me and two other folks with the "Mentor Pin." Thought I'd share what I had the opportunity to share at The Court of Honor! Congrats Daniel!!

 

"I first met Daniel towards the end of his 6th grade year when he and his family started attending the church I worked at. Daniel I’m so proud of you and your accomplishment of becoming an Eagle Scout. Today you join a long list of distinguished men, from presidents to businessmen to outstanding fathers who have lived the Scout Oath daily in their lives.

Daniel, you too, have been a wonderful example of the Oath. Although I could brag about you all day, I only have three minutes, so here are a few things I see in you.

Your Faith. Daniel, if there is anything that I’m most proud of is how you live out your faith as a follower of Jesus. Your compassion for your family, friends, community and the kids you serve at church amaze me. I don’t know many young men your age who care so well for others! You love God and you love others and that permeates everything you do!

Your Character. Daniel, you are a man of you word. With so few people in our world who do what they say they will do, who live out honesty and integrity, it is refreshing to find someone whose character is important to them. I pray that you will continue to be a man of character throughout your days. Our world needs more young man who not only value character but strive to live it out.

Your Loyalty. Daniel, you are so loyal to so many. I know many of your friends here in this room have been impacted through your loyal friendship! You are loyal to your family! You are a loyal friend, who is there through the good and tough times. You are loyal to the organizations you serve! You have been a loyal boy scout, but also a loyal leader at church. Week in and week out you show up on Sunday mornings to teach 4th grade boys about Jesus. Week in and week out you show up on Tuesday nights to serve Jr. High boys and model what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Your Humor. Although many people might say you are on the quiet side, your sense of humor is awesome! You know when Daniel enters the room, laughter will ensue. Not that we are laughing at you, but you will comment on a situation, or say something totally out of the blue that will get a whole crowd laughing! You’ve used humor to disarm tense situations as well as make people feel comfortable. That is a special gift.

So Daniel, on this special day we honor you, your hard work and the scouting tradition! ?

Only At A Church

 

If you don't know, weird things happen at churches all the time. For instance, one morning I went to go get in our church van to find something like key blanks sitting on the driver seat. If you put these tools together in a certain way, you could drive off with any ford van. Thankfully or new van at the time didn't drive away with a thief!

 

This mornings email from our receptionist Linda, was one for the records. The email subject: Missing Stove Knobs! The body of the email, "Seriously? Can anyone shed light on this one?" Attached was a picture of our stove, who had been robbed of all four of its knobs! So here is the official BOLO (cop term for Be On The Lookout)! "Four white knobs that lovingly turn our stove off and on so the men at Men's Fraternity can cook and eat their yummy breakfast as they deepen their relationship with God." Seriously?? Who steals knobs from a stove?