EPIC Christmas Party + Personal Message from Chris Koga

Hello everyone! Here are some photos from our EPIC Christmas Party a couple of Saturdays ago, and below you'll find a personal message from Chris Koga, enjoy!
~Sheri

Kei with food from L&L's :P

Austin as "The Grinch"!

EPIC's awkward family photos

"Dad's in jail"

"bathroom mirror, myspace"

"Charlie's Angels? + family friend"

Worship Afterwards :D

photo credit: Kristy Lee

Hey students of EPIC! It was good to see those of you who could make it out to our Christmas party last Sunday! We had a great time with Austin in his green skin-tight body suit dressed as the Grinch and Traci being her usual crazy self! I appreciate them and all the stuff they planned for us! It was definitely a fun night with the free food, good conversation, and the action-packed gift exchange, but I’ll tell you that for me, my favorite part was our time of singing Christmas songs together. There was over 40 of us packed in a living room celebrating with wonder and awe and worship that Christ had come to us, and for us, and was now with us.

You know, in the midst of all of the parties and celebrations that I attend during this busy vacation time, I like to think about a guy named Simeon who doesn’t appear in any nativity scenes or in many Christmas cards, but he’s actually a significant player in the first Christmas pageant.

In Luke 2:25 it says, “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.”

Things weren’t going real well for the nation of Israel. They hadn’t heard from God for many years and were under Roman rule. They had lost their political independence and were living in fear of the capable, crafty, and cruel King Herod, and many were wondering if the Messiah would ever come.

But verse 26 shows us that Simeon had good reason for his hope and anticipation: “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

And so what happened was that the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the temple courts at just the right time on just the right day that Joseph and Mary were bringing their infant to the Temple. When Simeon looked at the baby Jesus, now about 6 weeks old, he knew that God’s promise had been kept. Here was Immanuel, “God With Us,” to make everything right, to provide comfort by His presence, and to eliminate rejection, fear, and loneliness and to meet our greatest need in the forgiveness of sin.

Verse 28 of Luke 2 says that Simeon reached down and took Jesus out of Mary’s arms and began to praise God. As he broke out into praise, he acknowledged that God had not only fulfilled the individual promise to him, but also the promises of the prophets to send the Anointed One to comfort both Jews and Gentiles.

The presence of God with us is our celebration during this season and our joy each day in giving us cause and reason to break out in praise that God has met our deepest need in the Lord Jesus. So if you feel lonely, empty, afraid, and maxed out. If you need some comfort, some consoling, or a fresh sense of God’s presence, you can find what you’re looking for in Jesus. Have a merry Christmas EPIC family and hope to see you all at our winter retreat!

~Chris

Brads Message Respone On The Parables, The Growing and The Mustard Seed

~Its really encouraging listening and learning from Gods word through Brads message. I feel energized and refreshed to serve Him with diligence in my service to Him. There are times when I get very burnt out in my service, but by Gods strength I will press on for the sake of His Kingdom
~Praise The Lord! I truly believe in Brads massage. Jesus is truly the light of the truth and we definitely need to reflect and communicate the worth of the Gospel to people. It is so true we dont have the power to change and only God has the power we need to be faithful from the smallest level and God will do all the rest. BE FAITHFUL to our Lord and he will do wonders! Praise the Lord! - Brian
~Today I learned that I need to become just about Gods message and His word. I learned that I need to throw out the seed that the Father has given me; despite how rocky the soil (person) may be. -B Marcus Henderson
Coming back I can not help but praise God for Faithful men who badly and shamelessly preach the truth to a dying world. Praise be to God who in His perfect timing brings about growth and life in the heart of the believers and the non-believers alike. For those of you who attend regularly and are blessed with Godly staff and leaders. You have no idea how good you have it....Remain Faithful:)
~Never give up on being faithful as I serve in the little things. As Brad said, from 1Corinthians 3 all we can do is water the seed (which is small seemingly______), but God is the one who ultimately grows that small seed into something bigger than we could ever imagine.
~I needed this message. Sometimes its so easy to just not take the chance and be faithful that God will reach those who seem like they don't want to heal it. Once the seed is planted, however, God can work beyond what we can see. I need to remember to share Gods light.
~I liked the Parables of the mustard seed. Thinking that something so small can turn into something so big. It also says in the bible that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed then you be saved- such a big blessing. I learned that to be a true follower and have faith in oneself it starts from within to have ambition to thrive. I liked the way King and Messiah relation was really meaningful.
~I do follow Christianity, I love and appreciate life and what God has planned for me. Today I appreciate the message because its a reminder that Gods kingdom regardless of anything is pressing forward. God really wants us to be a part of it too. A seed was planted in us, now its time to let the Holy Spirit to grow in us and spread Gods love.