Capstone Church

Fall Dunk’d Service from Capstone on Vimeo.

During our Adopted Series we shared about an organization called Compassion that provides for children in need all over the world. The response was unbelievable as we saw 10 children adopted over the past two weeks.

Our family has had the honor of sponsoring a child [Patience in Kenya] for over three years now.  This year at Catalyst our leadership team saw what it means to a child to have a Compassion sponsor and what they can complish with a few dollars a month.  This video shows why we will continue to create a Compassion Culture at Capstone.

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

October 11th Capstone held our third Dunk’d Service.  We had 7 members of our Capstone Community of Faith go through the waters of baptism.  It was an amazing night was we worshipped through music, scripture, testimonies, evidence of transformation and obedience.  It also a special night because our sponsor church - Rocky Creek Baptist Church - joined us for this service.  Rocky Creek has supported us in so many way: prayer, volunteers, encouragement, equipment, and fiancaes.  We have an unbelieveable relationship with Rocky Creek and were honored that they would cancel their evening worship service to come join Capstone for our Dunk’d Service.

Set List:
To You Be the Glory by John Dukes and Capstone Band
Jesus Paid It All by Kristin Stanfield
In Christ Alone by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
It is Well by Todd Fields
How He Loves by John Mark McMillan
Glory to God Forever by Fee
I Will Go by Starfield

Sunday we wrapped up our Adopted Series with a time of reflection and response. For over a month we discussed the theology of adoption, God’s family, our church family and our responsibility to care for those in need. Throughout history the church has talked a lot, but hasn’t been known for its action. We not only wanted to talk and challenge, but to give opportunities for people to respond. We knew that not everyone can adopt a child or open their home as foster parents, so we thought of various ways people could respond as we wrapped up our series.

:: We had 4 families sign up to learn more about adoption or fostering
:: People picked up prayer cards to pray for orphans, those who care for them, and those praying about adoption
:: Many brochures were picked up about mentoring children whose parents are in prison.
:: Capstone will be holding a yard sale to raise money for orphans and had sign ups for people to bring items.
:: People committed to sacrifice something in their lives to provide for those in need
:: We started the day with 13 Compassion International Children up for adoption. Nine children were adopted!

We believe this series changed many people’s lives and has the opportunity to continue to impact people all over the world as Capstone continues to water the passion for Adoption. We look forward to seeing how God uses these focused weeks on His heart and love for us as adopted children and the fatherless we are called to care for.

Here is the story of the Marlars and their journey to bring home Gracee from China. She went from being abandoned in a shoe box to being adopted!

Adopted Story from Capstone on Vimeo.

Adopted: Response Set List
We Unite by Elevation Band
In Christ Along by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin
This is How We Know by Matt Redman
I Will Go by Starfield

This week at Capstone we shifted from our understanding of the theology of Adoption to our responsibility to Adopt.  Scripture is pretty clear on God’s desire for his adopted family (Christians) and those without a family.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

Jeremiah 49:11
But I will protect the orphans who remain among you.

James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”

God adopted us into his family so that we may have eternal life, and expects that we do the same for the fatherless in our community, nation, and world.  Christ didn’t give his life on a bloody cross so that we could stand on the sidelines and allow the world to continue without knowing that God Loves them - especially orphans.

Many people blame God when we look at the numbers and how many children suffer in the world:

15 million children under the age of 18 orphaned by AIDS
Every 15 seconds, another child in Africa becomes an AIDS orphan
It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide.
11 million children die from preventable diseases.
30,000 a day will die simple because they don’t have medicine, food or clean drinking water

Yet as Christ followers many of us do nothing, waiting someone to respond.  Even though God has given us (the church) our mission - care for the widow and orphan.  When we begin to live with a spirit of adoption as a community of faith we see three things happen:

We are paying forward what has been for us. (Gal 4:5-6)
We are serving Christ. (Matthew 25:31-46)
We are understand it isn’t about us (Matthew 6:33-34)

Next week will have tangible ways to RESPOND.  We will have some very special ways that Capstone can take part in caring from orphans.  You will want to make sure you are at Capstone Sunday Morning to see what you can do make sure the Gospel continues to spread even to the little children.

Set List:
Happy Day by Tim Hughes
To You Be the Glory by John Dukes (Capstone Worship Leader)
Rescue by Jared Anderson
Let Your Kingdom Reign by Elevation Band
Solution by Hillsong United