This March 11-14, we are going to Yosemite National Park for Crave's First Annual Spring Break Retreat!!  We are really excited to spend a few days in Yosemite making friends, worshiping God, and studying God's Word.  We will be staying in cabins in the shadow of Glacier Point and Half Dome as we experience God's glory together in the midst of His beautiful creation!  Whether you don't know anyone, or have been a part of the Crave community for a while, join us for an incredible time together!

PRICE:

Early Bird: $279 if you pay in full by 2/17/12.

Regular Price: $299

$20 sweatshirt

A $100 nonrefundable deposit secures your spot! 

Please e-mail Lisab@saddleback.com for details about payments!  Payments cannot be made online.

Ladies, I went to this study last night and had an amazing time.  There was incredible worship and a spoken word performance, a great lesson taught by Saddleback's director of women's ministries, Debbie Eaton, and table discussion time amongst the women of Saddleback Church.

If you're looking for a place to study 40 Days in the Word, come join the women of Saddleback Church for the next six weeks.

The study is every Monday night from 6:30-8pm in the main worship center at our Lake Forest campus.  This study is FREE and includes a great workbook and other goodies!!

Questions?  E-mail me at Lisab@saddleback.com.

Everyone needs a small group!

Crave small groups start up this week as we kick off our latest series, called "WORD."  But it's not too late to sign up!!

Small Groups are a great way to get to know people better and to help grow in your walk with Christ. Email Jim (jims@saddleback.com) or Cody (codyd@saddleback.com) to get plugged in!

A local mobile home community is in need of assistance with gardening, painting, and other misc. home projects.  This is a perfect opportunity for you and your small group to be a light in the community and to fellowship together! 

The serve opportunity is from 9am to 1pm this Saturday (the 28^th).  If you or anyone in your small group is interested, please contact Saddleback local PEACE Pastor Matt Bruce at 949-609-8277 or at mattb@saddleback.com.  

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  Col. 3:15 (NIV)  Do you know the Bible well enough to allow it to transform you?  Join us this week as we start a brand-new series called WORD.  If you desire to learn, grow, and become spiritually healthy, you don’t want to miss this series. In the weeks ahead, we will discover how to learn, love, and live the Word of God so our influence will have greater impact in our homes, schools, relationships, and community.

Jesus said, "If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!"  John 8: 31-32 (KJV)

See you at 7:15pm this Thursday in the Refinery!  Questions?  E-mail Lisab@saddleback.com.

Want to sing at Saddleback? We would love to have you join us! Come out for our vocal auditions and learn what opportunities are available!

When:  Monday, January 16, 2012 at 6:30 pm

Where: Worship Center

***Bring a 3x5" photo of yourself

***Prepare a 1-minute solo (you may sing along with an accompaniment track, piano, or bring a guitar)

If you have any questions, please e-mail Maila at:  mailaf@saddleback.com

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10. 

God made you unique, and your life is a story that he has authored.  God is the “author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)  Did you know that God uses our past experiences, spiritual experiences, and even the pain and conflict in our lives to shape our ministry and reflect his love and power to others? What story does God want to tell through your life? 

If you’re interested in sharing your story at Crave, e-mail Lisab@saddleback.com for more information.  Sharing your story is a powerful experience for you and for our community, and a great journey of reflection on how God has revealed himself to you in your life!  NOW is the time...e-mail Lisa today to get started!

Time to sign up for a Crave small group!

Crave believes in small groups for many reasons. The top 3 would probably be to 1) connect with friends and build relationships 2) understand God’s Word and learn to apply the Bible to your life 3) pray together and encourage one another. On top of that, Saddleback Church is focusing for the next 6 weeks on a study specifically on studying the Word of God.  Pastor Rick is going to teach us how to become “self feeders” of God’s Word!

You won’t want to miss out on this! Sign up at Crave on Thursday or contact Jim at jims@saddleback.com.  Get connected today!

Like, seriously though...is there anything better than a FREE donut?!

Don't miss out as the Crave Team will be giving away FREE KRISPY KREME DONUTS this Thursday morning at Saddleback College! We will be at the quad from 9am-12pm.  Hopefully this will make your first week back to school a little sweeter!

So stop by and grab one of 1200 glazed donuts that we will be handing out. (Yep...seriously.  1200.  We're not messing around!) 

Bring a friend and a cup of coffee! Mmmmmmm...donuts...

Crave's next baptisms are this week after the message on January 12th.  We provide towels, shorts, photographer, shirt, and plenty of friends to celebrate with!  If you'd like to declare your faith through baptism, come to Crave on Thursday and get DUNKED! 

Here are some reasons why getting baptized is important:

--To follow Christ’s example—“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.”  Mark 1:9.

--Because Christ commanded it—“Jesus said, ‘Go then to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you…’”  Matthew 28: 19-20.

--Because it shows you are a believer—“…many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.”  Acts 18:8.

--Because obeying Christ’s command shows you know Him—“We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.”  1 John 2:3

Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection and a symbol of your new life as a Christian.  E-mail Lisab@saddleback.com if you have any questions!!

Come enjoy Christmas Eve with us at Saddleback Fullerton, the newest venue of Saddleback Church.

Enjoy worship led by Keeley Reed (who's newly released EP is #10 on Noisetrade.com's frontpage today!) and a message from Pastor Rick Warren. We will also be sharing about the vision for the venue, which will be geared toward 18-30 year olds.

We want YOUR input and would love for YOU to be a part of it from the beginning! Christmas Eve service will be at 5pm in the Historic Ballroom in the Williams Building, corner of Harbor and Commonwealth.

If you have any questions, check out www.facebook.com/saddlebackfullerton or @SB_Fullerton on twitter.  You can also e-mail CodyD@saddleback.com for more information!