Celebrate Easter Week at Cypress Church

Community Invited to celebrate Easter Week at Cypress Church:

Easter is a special time for Christians around the globe and the Pastors and Staff at Cypress Church are planning seven worship services for the community during Easter week 2014.

Easter season celebrations at Cypress Church begin on Palm Sunday, April 13th at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with a message entitled “Challenged by the Cross.” There will be a Maundy Thursday service on April 17th at 6:30 p.m. on the topic “Connected by the Cross.” On Good Friday, April 18th there will be a special service at 7:00 p.m. with a message called: “Troubled by the Cross.”

Three worship services will be available on Easter Sunday, April 20th at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. We invite you to come prepared for some inspiring music and a message of hope, “Refreshed by the Cross.”

Pastor Mike McKay says: “The cross is an interesting symbol for though it was an instrument of execution, Christians around the world for centuries have held it as a high holy symbol of faith. It has adorned paintings, been in graven into wood, carved out of stone, pounded into armor, and crafted into jewelry, because of the powerful meaning of the cross.”

“The Cross of Christ has and can have a great impact and influence in our lives,” Mike continues. “This Easter week we will be talking about the cross of Christ as we are: Challenged by the Cross” on Palm Sunday… Connected by the Cross on Maundy Thursday… “Troubled by the Cross” on Good Friday…and Refreshed by the Cross Easter Sunday April 20.”

Throughout Easter Week Cypress Church will be following the path of a fairly unknown disciple of Jesus. This particular disciple was not a shining star or one who was revered as a big hero of the faith in The Bible. He actually kept his faith more to himself; some even called him a secret disciple.

This “secret” disciple was growing in his belief of Jesus as the Christ and was seeking to follow Jesus’ teachings and way of life, yet he did not jump right in and use his gifts of leadership, knowledge, and resources right away. He did not come forward until after he was changed by the powerful cross of Jesus.  When you visit Cypress Church this Easter Week you will “meet” this disciple and you may even be inspired by his faith.

The Cypress Church main campus is located at 6143 Ball Road in Cypress, CA just east of Valley View. More information is available by calling (714) 952-3001 or online at http://www.cypresschurch.net.

Photo Caption #1 (top): “The Cross of Christ has and can have a great impact and influence in our lives.” Pastor Mike McKay. The community is invited to celebrate Easter Week at Cypress Church.

Photo Caption #2: Cypress Church Worship Pastor Nathan Baldwin and Worship Team member Gabriel Fieger will lead the community in songs of praise during Easter Week at Cypress Church.

Self Defense Workshop for Women at Cypress Church

Self Defense Workshop for Women at Cypress Church:

Are you at risk? Is your daughter? If someone came up to you – behind, on the side of, or directly in front of you – with the intent to physically harm you, do you know how to protect yourself?

Females, in particular, are increasingly the targets of attacks and often feel defenseless, mainly because they don’t know how to defend themselves. Cypress Church is offering a “Self Defense Workshop for Women” this Saturday, April 5th from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon at 6143 Ball Road, Cypress, CA.

This “Self Defense Workshop for Women” is geared for women of all ages and stages of life - high school age and above - to learn how to assess, prevent and defend themselves in real life situations. Participants will be shown and trained in techniques including physical attacks and weapons defense. It’s better to be prepared than to wish you were!

The cost is only $10 per person for this two hour workshop. Please be dressed in clothing that allows movement and in appropriate footwear.

The instructor is T.J. Peterson. T.J. has studied Martial Arts for over 7 years and has been an instructor for the past 4. He has taken classes in weapons training and sparring, as well as rape prevention and psychology of predators in order to effectively train and teach women’s and kid’s self defense for real-world application.

T.J. is both dedicated and personable, with goals of making sure his students are well prepared, as well as making the classes enjoyable. For more information, contact T.J. at Terrell.J.Peterson@gmail.com.

Photo Caption: T.J. Peterson will be teaching a “Self Defense Workshop for Women” on Saturday, April 5, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon at Cypress Church, 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View in Cypress, CA.

Volunteers and Sponsors needed for 2014 Cypress Community Festival

Volunteers and Sponsors Needed for Cypress Festival:

The date for the 34th annual Cypress Community Festival has been set for Saturday, July 26, 2014. The public is invited to attend this annual “birthday party” for the City of Cypress. This huge event has become a tradition in the community as families, friends, and neighbors commemorate the date of incorporation of Cypress by enjoying the Festival.

The Festival is produced by a dedicated group of volunteers known as the Cypress Community Festival Association. This group of about 20 community residents meets on the third Wednesday of each month from January through September to plan and produce the celebration. Volunteer Coordinator Stacy Berry says: “Many volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year and local residents are encouraged to pitch in and assist with the tasks of obtaining Sponsors, promoting the Festival and organizing this exciting annual event.” Residents wishing to volunteer may email: info@cypressfestival.com.

The Cypress Community Festival is held at Oak Knoll park located at 5700 Orange Avenue. Festival day begins at 7 a.m. with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Then there is the annual 5K/10K run/walk which starts at 7:30 a.m. The Festival grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Craft vendors from all over the southland bring their wares to sell and display. Crafters, artisans, non-profit groups and individuals desiring booth space may email Booth Chair Wanda Slade at: vendors@cypressfestival.com.

The Cypress Chamber of Commerce produces the Festival Business Expo. Local many companies, large and small, set up booths at the Expo to share information with community residents about their products and services. Contact Ed Munson at the Cypress Chamber for details by email at: ed.munson@cypresschamber.org or you may call the Chamber office at: (714) 827-2430

The event is the largest one-day Festival in Orange County and draws about 30,000 visitors each year. Families will discover activities for all ages. There are food vendors, rides for the kids, game booths and clowns.

The annual classic car show draws a large crowd. Every year there are many participants in the hot and spicy chili cook-off and the salsa contest.

“We are looking forward to an exciting Festival again this year,” said Carol Fafara, the Festival Entertainment Chair. There will be shows throughout the day on four stages. Go Country 105 FM and their street team will be on hand and there will be many bands, artists, dancers and special shows for kids.
Past Festivals have included appearances by Snoopy from Knott’s Berry Farm, a magic show by Ronald McDonald, face-painting clowns, and a police dog demonstration by the Cypress Police Canine Unit. Local non-profit organizations have information booths to let the community know about their activities and Festival visitors are invited to cheer for their favorite youth softball teams.

The Festival is free to the public and is dependent on sponsorship support from local corporations, businesses and individuals. In 2013 Sponsors included the law offices of Aleshire & Wynder, Republic Services, Orange County Breeze, Go Country 105 FM, Orange County Neighborhood Newspapers, UnitedHealthcare, Celebrations Party Rentals; Hansen Auto Body and Paint, Southland Credit Union and more. “We’re counting on you, our loyal business owners, to help sponsor this year’s event by “Tipping the Cow” with your generous donations”, said Development Chairs Maria and Wayne Daniels. “Please contact us by email at: sponsors@cypressfestival.com”

Information about the Cypress Community Festival, Business Expo, Car Show, and the Chili and Salsa contest is available on the internet at http://www.cypressfestival.com/. The community is encouraged to follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter. Information is also available by email at: info@cypressfestival.com or by phone at (714) 886-9749.

Photo Caption #1: (top): Face-Painting clowns Dizzy Darla and Silly Susan are favorites with the kids at the annual Cypress Community Festival set for Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress, CA. Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help produce this huge annual “birthday party” for the City of Cypress.

Photo Caption #2: Country Radio Personality Ginny Harman and the Go Country 105 Street Team are scheduled to entertain the community on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at the Cypress Community Festival. Sponsors and volunteers are needed to assist with this great annual celebration held at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress, CA.

Photo Caption #3: Cypress Community Festival Sponsor Jean Koehler and Festival Association Vice-Chair Wanda Slade invite community members and businesses to join them as volunteers and sponsors to help produce the 34th Annual Festival set for Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress, CA.

Cypress Church Resolves to “Love Like Jesus”

It’s that time again! What time is that? Well, each year in January it is traditional to make a New Year’s Resolution. This year Cypress Church has resolved to “Love Like Jesus.”

Exactly what does it mean to “Love Like Jesus?”  In His own words, Jesus said that He… “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." His love expressed itself in service.

“Love Like Jesus” at Cypress Church is a six week focus on spiritual growth through service. The congregation will focus on being people of loving action. People who serve their families, church, community and also the world.

The campaign begins on Sunday, January 13th. Each week on Sunday there will be a special Bible based message on the topic of Jesus and how to love as he did. These five messages are titled: Loved by Jesus, Love Your Family, Love Your Church, Love Your Community, and Love Your World.

The sixth and final Sunday of the campaign, February 17th, the church will have a brief gathering in the morning and then the congregation will go out and serve in the community during the afternoon.

Everyone in the cities of Cypress, Buena Park and the surrounding area is invited to participate in this time of learning, growth and service. In addition to the Sunday Bible study messages there will be opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors in Community Life Groups that meet in homes in local neighborhoods. The church has also created a special devotional guide to help each individual discover more every day about service during the months of January and February. The devotional guide is drawn primarily from the Bible Book of Mark.

The goal of this special six week focus period is to encourage a life style change where individuals actively seek opportunities to serve others around them. This could happen in homes, families, schools, community groups, the workplace or just about anywhere people find themselves.

Cypress Church Senior Pastor Mike McKay hopes that everyone who participates in the campaign will truly experience the love that Jesus has for them, join with others in the Cypress Church family, and then “…let that love flow out to others as we serve them.”

More information about Cypress Church and the “Love Like Jesus” spiritual growth campaign is available by calling the church office at (714) 952-3001. Sunday services are held at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the main campus located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View in Cypress. The church website may be found at www.cypresschurch.net.

Photo Caption #1 (top): Pastor Mike McKay invites community residents to join the “Love Like Jesus” spiritual growth campaign starting in January at Cypress Church.

Photo Caption #2: Community relations coordinators George and Lynn Pardon are looking for volunteers to join them in serving local cities during the “Love Like Jesus” campaign at Cypress Church.

Cypress Church Celebrates Christmas Through Service

The Holiday Season is a time for giving and showing love for others.  Cypress Church volunteers have been very active throughout the year in the community and are continuing to give and serve others during Christmas time.

Each year the church helps out at the Cypress Senior Center during the annual Holiday Celebration. Hundreds of community residents receive food, gifts and entertainment at this event which is sponsored by the Cypress Department of Recreation and Community Services.

Cypress Church also feeds homeless in the Los Angeles area at Christmas and Thanksgiving. They partner with Faith In Christ Ministries to bring help to many people who have little hope.

Volunteer coordinators, George and Lynn Pardon, arrange for teams to assist local cities during the July Fourth celebration, help with the yearly cleanup at the Cypress Nature Park and guide residents through the employment search process at the Cypress Job Fair.

The church welcome everyone at their Sunday services which are held at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. The Cypress Church main campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. Information about volunteering in the community is available by calling (714) 952-3001.

Photo Caption #1 (top): Cypress Church volunteers Beverly Hayworth, Lynn Pardon, Mary Beth Walker and Susan VanderWal Faber served meals to seniors at the Cypress Senior Center during the annual Holiday Celebration.

Photo Caption #2: Instrumentalist Jeff Sisil plays saxophone, clarinet and flute with the Cypress Church Worship Team during Christmas Eve services and Sunday worship.

Photo Caption #3: Cypress Church Knights of the Holy Grill Larry Lexus, Dave Austin and Vern Helbig serve food to the homeless during the Holiday Season each year.

Photo Caption #4: Volunteers of all ages from Cypress Church help the City of Cypress with their annual Nature Park clean-up.

Photo Caption #5: Cypress Church collected food donations to assist the "We Care" agency of Los Alamitos in feeding the needy in Orange County.

Cypress Church Student Ministries Hold First Yule Ball

Students from High Schools and Junior High Schools in the Cypress area held their first ever “Yule Ball” at Cypress Church this year.  The event was complete with a “white elephant” gift exchange and a display of awkward family photos. Some students wore fancy dress-up attire and others came dressed in their favorite “ugly” sweater.

The event was organized by a committee of students under the leadership of Pastor Stan Markowski. It marked the culmination of an exciting year of service, fun, fellowship and growth.

The Cypress Church Student Ministries meet weekly on Tuesday evenings and also hold many special events. All Jr. High and High School students are welcome to join in the fun. Service activities include helping feed homeless area residents in partnership with the Cypress Church Knights of the Holy Grill.

The Church also sponsors camping trips to Hume Lake in the Sierras, dodge ball tournaments, scavenger hunts and much more. Students study the Bible and learn about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Information about Cypress Student Ministries is available on Facebook or call (714) 952-3001. The Cypress Church website is located at: http://www.cyprresschurch.net/

Photo Caption #1 (top): Students from local area High Schools and Jr. Highs held their 1st annual Yule Ball at Cypress Church complete with an ugly sweater contest and white elephant gift exchange.

Photo Caption #2: The 1st Annual Cypress Student Ministries Yule Ball was held during December at Cypress Church. The students meet regularly on Tuesday evenings throughout the year and are involved in community service, Bible study, camping trips and many other exciting activities.

Cypress Church Invites the Community to Christmas Eve Services

Celebrate the True Meaning of the Season on Christmas Eve at Cypress Church:

Lights, trees, caroling, cookies, hot chocolate, parties and TV specials - we all have our favorite holiday traditions without which Christmas would not be the same. While we love these traditions, sometimes they can obscure what Christmas is all about. Break through all of that holiday clutter and achieve a meaningful Christmas this year!

The community is invited to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas on December 24th at Cypress Church.  The Worship Team will be hosting an inspiring evening full of traditional Christmas carols as well as contemporary worship music.

There will be three candlelight Christmas Eve services at 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 24, 2012. For many, experiencing a meaningful Christmas is hard because of its commercialization. Shopping sprees and the much-anticipated holiday gift exchange that is intertwined with Christmas have overshadowed the birth of Jesus.

Pastor Mike McKay of Cypress Church explains that there is much more to the holiday season. “Christmas…” he says, is a time to “…gain a greater understanding of who Jesus is, what is significant about Him, and what knowing Him in a personal way can allow us to reach – hope, peace, joy, and love.”

Cypress Church Worship Leader Nathan Baldwin has a great evening in store for the community. He will be joined by Worship Team members Laurie Fieger, Jeff Sisil, Suzanne McElderry, Garrick Fieger and a host of vocalists and musicians to share the true meaning of the season.

Join the Cypress Church family on Christmas Eve for a time of lighting candles, singing hymns and Christmas carols and a message from God’s Word. The Worship Team hopes that sharing this special evening together will be part of your family’s tradition this Christmas season.

Cypress Church is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View Street. Childcare for children from nursery school thru kindergarten will be available at the 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services. The Church holds weekly worship and Bible study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Their main campus is located close to Buena Park, Garden Grove, Anaheim and all of northern Orange County. Information is available at (714) 952-3001 or visit the church online at: http://www.cypresschurch.net/

Photo Caption #1: Pianist and vocalist Suzanne McElderry will be part of the Cypress Church Worship Team for Christmas Eve services at 4:30, 6:00, and 7:30 p.m. on December 24th.

Photo Caption #2: Cypress Church invites the community to discover more about the true meaning of the holiday season with vocalist Laurie Fieger, instrumentalist Jeff Sisil and a host of other musicians on Christmas Eve.

Photo Caption #3: Nathan Baldwin, Pastor of Worship Arts at Cypress Church (far right), has a great evening of Christmas music in store for the community on Monday, December 24.