Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church

The 2008 movie “Fireproof” told the story of Caleb and Catherine Holt, and how their participation in a marriage seminar called “The Love Dare” changed their marriage and their lives. Light of the Canyon is hosting a small group study based on the film. It begins with dinner and a viewing of the film on Saturday, July 11 at 5:30 p.m. The small group study begins the following Wednesday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m. Child care is available for the movie and the small group. This is for marriages that are good and want to be great as well as marriages that are struggling and want to be good. There is something for everyone. All are welcome. Contact the church office at (714) 283-4633 to sign-up or to get further details.

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Many of us find it natural to go the God in times of difficult. We find God to be a source of comfort and hope. But, how many of us would be willing, at the top of our game, when things are going well, to walk away from our comfort zone and follow the “heavenly call of Christ?” That is what the Apostle Paul did. And he was simply following Jesus’ example. Ant that is what he calls us to do, as well.

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Follow this link to see all of the fun we had this year at Vacation Bible Camp.  Click on the photo link to see pictures, click on the songs link to hear the songs we sang, and click video to see a short video of the week.  You can download any of the pictures or songs you want so you can continue to enjoy them.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Children and Family Ministries Coordinator Minnie August at minnie@lotc.org. Come and experience the “fruits of the spirit.”

Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane that the cup of crucifixion might be taken away from him. He was afraid. Fear is a part of everyone’s life. And it seems like, every time we open the newspaper, we have another reason to be afraid. But, remember the end of Jesus’ prayer, “not my will, but you’re will be done.” Even in the midst of fear, Jesus was faithful to God. Rather than sit back, have a latte, and wait on the world to change, Jesus followed God’s will all the way to the cross. Where is God calling us to be faithful, even in the midst of our own fears?

To view a podcast (video & audio) of this sermon, follow this link.

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Today, as we begin our celebrations that will culminate in the 25th anniversary since our first worship service at Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church, it is appropriate to look back on how God has been faithful to this church. We look back, not so that we might slip into a state of blissful, nostalgic inertia. We look back so that we might better know God’s story, and our place in it. We look back at the last 25 years in order to prepare ourselves for the next 25 years.

To view a podcast (video & audio) of this sermon, follow this link.

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Have you ever heard someone say, “I had a religious experience?” What does that mean? What are they talking about? I think a religious experience is any experience that connects us more deeply to God. They happen in our everyday lives more than we are aware. When Peter asked Jesus to help him walk on water, Jesus lovingly obliged. But, the storms came, Peter got nervous, and he started to sink. That is when he had a religious experience. As he sank, he cried out to Jesus and Jesus saved him. A religious experience is only meaningful when it is connected to the source of life - Jesus Christ.

To view a podcast (video & audio) of this sermon, follow this link.

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Many people learned in history class that Abraham Lincoln uttered the famous phrase, “a house divided cannot stand.” What many people do not know is that Honest Abe was quoting Jesus of Nazareth when he spoke those immortal words. It is certainly appropriate that he quoted Jesus to express this timeless truth. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Whether that house is our nation, our community, our church, our families, and even ourselves, a house that is not united under the love of God and love of neighbor will not stand for long.

To view a podcast (video & audio) of this sermon, follow this link.

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There are 613 laws in the Old Testament, laws that deal with everything from what foods can be eaten to how families should interact with one another. One law, however, stood out among others as one of the particularly important ones. “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” This is a very good law, especially in a culture where we forget to rest, where we forget to take time to be thankful. And yet, Jesus’ disciples were picking grains of wheat on the Sabbath. It was a scandal. But, Jesus said, sometimes the law is not sufficient for one to experience the love of God. Jesus was such a scofflaw.

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We have been talking for the last few weeks about learning to live in healthy relationships.  We have talked about dealing with the  baggage from our past. We have talked about learning to recognize the dynamics of a bad relationship before they become too damaging. We have even talked about when the church has caused pain and suffering rather than being a source of hope and healing. It has been a fruitful conversation. But, there comes a time when the conversation must end and we must act. Jesus told the man at the pool of Bethesda to “stand up.” In th same way, there comes a time when we must get up, get moving, and live the life for which we were intended, remembering always that God is with us.

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