“‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery; in the very act…the law commands us that such should be stoned.  But what do you say?’…Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.  So when they continued asking Him.  He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ and again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it went out one by one.” See John 8:3-11

What did Jesus write in the loose ground which lay at His feet?  There are many theories as to what it was at Churches in San Fernando. It was certainly for those who stood ready to stone the woman and it was directly related to the words He spoke with authority to them. “He who is without sin.”

Perhaps it was His favorite word which He often used when describing the religious people of His day.  ‘Hypocrites’ He called them.  If He wrote this word on the ground, their hearts would be pricked within them for they well knew their own guilt of sin.  Some say he wrote down the sin of each man that was ready to stone the woman at Churches in San Fernando.  Jesus needed no man to tell Him because He knew what was in man’s heart.  He knew the Scribes and Pharisees were trying to trap Him into denying the Law of Moses.  Perhaps He simply turned the Law back against them.

Whatever He wrote, when He said “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” it was enough to cause them to drop their stones and walk away.  What is the moral of this story?  Let me ask you, what is your attitude toward sinners at Churches in San Fernando?  Jesus looked upon them with compassion and His desire was not to condemn them but to try and point them on the right path.  He did not turn His back on them as many did.  Jesus said that the person who is well does not need a physician.  He said that He had come to seek and to save that which was lost.  His admonishment to the woman was; “Go and sin no more.”

It is good to condemn sin, but it is never good to judge the sinner.  Jesus said that He did not come to bring judgment to the world for they would be judged by the words that He spoke. (or wrote)

Jesus was often found in the company of what many considered to be sinners.  If your desire is to witness to sinners then we need to do it like Jesus did.  First make a friend, and then make a convert at Churches in San Fernando.  The testimony of a friend is more likely to be received than one from a stranger.  We need to take care of the witness part and let God take care of the ‘conviction’ part at Churches in San Fernando.

DON’T THROW STONES!

There are several great resources for Santa Clarita Churches and Churches in Santa Clarita.  Heart of the Canyons Church provides information about the Bible and Christian Networking resources.  Also, this Santa Clarita Church provides DivorceCare for those who are going though or have gone through divorce.

You don’t have to go through it alone…

Most people will tell you that separation and divorce are the most painful and stressful experiences they’ve ever faced. It’s a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you’ve never faced before.

We want to help you on your journey toward recovery. Don’t try to go through separation or divorce alone. Link up with our DivorceCare recovery support group. It’s a place where you’ll find caring people who understand the issues you face, and it’s a place where you can build on the right foundation to help you find your footing.

DivorceCare meets weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each DivorceCare session has two distinct elements:

A Seminar with Experts
During the first 30–40 minutes of the meeting, each DivorceCare group watches a video seminar featuring top experts on divorce and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting-to-watch television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies and on-location video.

A Support Group with Focus
After viewing the video, the DivorceCare group participants spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented and what is going on in the lives of group members.

Don’t go through divorce alone, let us be there for you.

Contact:
Church Office: 661 255-7246 ext 0.

According to Erik Erikson’s stages of human development a young adult is generally a person between the ages of 20 and 40.  There are over 50 million people between the ages of 20 – 40 in the U.S. with energy, ideas, creativity, and passion.  Young adults in their early 20s are excited as the finish school and begin to hold full-time jobs and take on other responsibilities of adulthood.  We believe there is a great opportunity for Santa Clarita Churches young adult ministry. It is our vision to provide the resource necessary to unleash the potential in our churches in Santa Clarita, our lives, and our community.   It must be the priority of our  Santa Clarita Churches to empower this generation to use their talents for the benefit of others and the purposes of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resonate is a group of young adults who are passionately pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ.  We are committed to building authentic community, serving our neighbors in need, and engaging our community with God’s love.

Current Gatherings
Men meet @ Ted Grissom’s Home (28974 Sam Pl., Canyon County, CA 91387)
Thursdays- 7pm for Ping Pong, Bible Study is 8:30-10pm;  we are going through the book of James.

Women meet @ The Marckley Home (18522 Fairweather, Canyon Country, CA 91351)
Thursdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm; we will be discussing the book Captivating by John & Stasi Eldridge.

For more information on RESONATE, please visit our Santa Clarita Churches website.

UPCOMING GATHERINGS

Fellowship Night
May 16 and 23
7:00pm-9:00pm :: The Corner Office:: 21618 Golden Triangle Road
Bi-monthly meetings for fellowship and to discuss issues that young adults face as Christians.

Heart of the Canyons is one of the Churches in Santa Clarita that believes in building healthy small groups.  To make the small groups accessible  to everyone the small groups have been placed at different times through out Santa Clarita. Churches know that people need variety and we are sure that one of our small groups will meet your needs.

Click Here to Sign Up For A Small Group

REGULAR SMALL GROUPS Sunday Leader: Pastor Dave Krogstad – 10:30 AM at La Mesa — Adult Contact: 313-4676 or 255-7246, ext. #236 pastordave@heartofthecanyons.com Colossians: Become the Person God Intends You to Be Leaders: Aaron & Missy Crawford — 6 PM in Canyon Country – Young Adults Contact: 713-9244 melissrose@gmail.com Andy Stanley’s “Discovering God’s Will” Monday Leader: Mike Maurizio — 7:00 PM, at Mike Maurizio’s house in Valencia — Adults Contact: 254-8144 michael.maurizio@lausd.net The Trouble with Paris Tuesday Leader: Dave Krogstad – Senior Adults in Canyon Country Tuesday 10:15am Contact: 313-4676 or 255-7246, ext. #236 pastordave@heartofthecanyons.com John: Get to Know the Living Savior Leaders: Scott Bickle & Shawn Milligan — 7:00 PM in Canyon Country – Adult Contact: Scott – 252-34-79 or Shawn – 299-4715 scott_bickle@yahoo.com or smilligan@socal.rr.com They are doing Fire Proof Your Marriage Leaders: Scott & Julie Dillon – 7:00 Pm in Canyon Country Contact: 299-1646 Dillon654@msn.com Fireproof, the Love Dare Wednesday 9:30am Organic Christianity Meeting in Canyon Country Leader: Dee Morgan Contact: 661-424-0677 sewwhatandsuch@sbcglobal.net 9:30am: Priscilla Shirer’s He Speaks to Me Leader: Stephanie Waite swaite@socal.rr.com Church office #106 Learning to listen to the voice of God 9:30am Neil Anderson’s Victory over Darkness Leader: Linda Santana lsantana@socal.rr.com Canyon Country Having victory with God – (For Women Abuse Survivors) 6:00pm: Max Lucado’s Fearless Leader: Leslie Lee office@heartofthecanyons.com Stevenson Ranch Overcoming fear with God 7pm Beth Moore’s Breaking Free (revised) Leader: Carol Ryan carolncrew@sbcglobal.net Church office #106 Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life Thursday Leader: Ric & Deena Hebert — 7:00 PM at the Crawfords in Fair Oaks Ranch — Adults Contact: 298-2624 hebertfamily4@att.net Francis Chan’s Crazy Love Leaders: Mike & Patti Hawley — 7:00 PM in Canyon Country — Adults Contact: 298-2091, 251-0337 mhawley@adocsolution.com Prayer: A Practical and Hands-on Study Leaders: Tom & Cynci DiMauro – 7:00 PM in Canyon Country Contact: 252-9256 Tom.dimauro@itt.com or cdimauro@jettrax.com Charles Stanley’s Growing Through Adversity Leaders: Gary & Stephanie Fullerton — in Canyon Country — Adults Contact: 251-1215 s.fullerton@att.net Acts – Put Your Faith Where the Action Is Leaders: Jim & Ellen Gustin – in Saugus — Adults Contact: 296-7113 jgustin@dpw.lacounty.gov Study of the Revelation Churches Leaders: Roger & Linda Redel – in Newhall – Adults Contact: 254-3350 redels@pacbell.net Dave Ramsey’s, Financial Peace University Friday N/A Saturday N/A SPECIAL SMALL GROUPS Women Mondays at 7pm: Beth Moore’s Breaking Free (revised) Leader: Carol Ryan carolncrew@sbcglobal.net Church office #106 The Best Question Ever Mondays at 6pm: Max Lucado’s Fearless Leader: Leslie Lee office@heartofthecanyons.com Stevenson Ranch Overcoming fear with God Wednesdays at 9:30am: Priscilla Shirer’s He Speaks to Me Leader: Stephanie Waite swaite@socal.rr.com Church office #106 Learning to listen to the voice of God Wednesday 7:00pm The Book of Job Chronic Pain Support Group Meeting in Canyon Country Leader: Dee Morgan Contact: 661-424-0677 sewwhatandsuch@sbcglobal.net Saturdays at 9:30am Neil Anderson’s Victory over Darkness Leader: Linda Santana lsantana@socal.rr.com Canyon Country Having victory with God – (For Women Abuse Survivors) Men SATURDAY 6:30am – MEN’S STUDY Leader: Dan Ziegler Contact: 251-3091 dziegler@sbcglobal.net

Click Here to Sign Up For A Small Group

As Christians, we are always being challenged at one of the Churches in San Fernando in the area of our faith.  We often find ourselves praying for the Lord to increase our faith.  We are not alone in this request.  Jesus told His disciples the conditions of forgiveness in Luke 17.  They felt that their faith was insufficient (ever felt that way?).   So they asked Jesus, in Luke 17:5; “Increase our faith.”

The reply which Jesus gave is good for us today at one of Churches in San Fernando when we feel we need our faith increased.  He said in v6, even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed (the smallest of all seeds) it is sufficient to do great things.  See Matt. 17:20.

2 Cor. 5:7 says; “the just shall walk by faith.” Our Christian life is one of spiritual growth in godliness at one of Churches in San Fernando.  Paul tells us in 1 Tim. 4:7-8 that: “…exercise yourself rather to godliness for bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things.” The key word is ‘exercise.’  In order for faith to grow it must be exercised, daily at one of the Churches in San Fernando.

Our request for God to increase our faith is met by God’s command to exercise the faith we have and then our faith will grow at one of the Churches in San Fernando.  Remember to be in God’s word daily for, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17

Imagine that you were living in the time of Christ.  How would you have reacted to Him if He passed through the place where you lived or at one of the Churches in San Fernando?  Would you have wondered what all the excitement was about?  Would you have gone out to the street and watched Him go by?  Would you have left your job to go hear Him when He spoke?  Would you have stood wide-eyed and heart-filled with wonder?  Would you have wanted to get His autograph? Would you have invited him to one of the Churches in San Fernando.

Or, would you have wondered why the authorities didn’t step in before things got out of hand?  Would you have questioned His association with some of ‘those kinds of people’ at one the Churches in San Fernando?  Would you have doubted some of the stories regarding His miraculous works and the testimony of those who were healed by His word or the touch of His hand at one of the Churches in San Fernando?  Would you have greeted Him with rejoicing one day and called for His execution a few days later?  Would you have doubts about His claims of divinity when He claimed to be the Son of God who came ‘to seek and to save the lost.’

But now is not then.  Now you live in an enlightened age and those decisions are mute.  Jesus doesn’t live today at one of the Churches in San Fernando.  Or does He?  Read Revelation 1:17-18.  He is alive today and is knocking at your heart’s door!  What will your decision be?

Heart of the Canyons, a Santa Clarita church, provides a junior high youth ministry for the Santa Clarita Valley.

A lot of Churches in Santa Clarita desire to provide materials for families. Heart of the Canyons Church is one of the Santa Clarita churches that provides parenting resources.  Working with other San Fernando churches HOTC has put together a list of materials that will benefit your family.

Our desire is to provide families with useful resources.  Below are links to several articles, websites and books that we reviewed and believe you will enjoy.  We recognize you may have some faviorites and welcome your recommendations.  If you have any suggested materials that can be listed on this page, please email us at web@heartofthecanyons.com. Family Daily Devotions from Josh.org Couples, Get on the Same Parenting Page! Warriors or Wimps? Raising Bold Sons Discipling Your Child as a Single Parent Grandparents Share Secrets for Success Single Dads Raising Daughters Building Memories in Your Single-Parent Family Home Avoid Parenting Burnout The Essence of Christian Parenting Dare to be a Daniel Are You Truly Thankful For Everything? Focus on the Familiy provides timely, relevant information and advice on marriage, parenting, faith, entertainment, life challenges and social issues, all from a Christian perspective. Listen to broadcasts, read blogs, join in forums and enjoy audio and video clips on a variety of hot topics. Find practical resources for every age and stage of life.Crosswalk Read about Jesus Christ on Crosswalk.com, the leading site for Christian living resources, featuring Bible Study Tools and information and videos about the history of the Bible, Jesus, and more! Plugged-In Would you like a Christian perspective on what to see at the box office?  Plugged-In Online gives Christian perspective on what to see at the box office, which TV shows are worth your time and what music comes up clean. Big Truths for Young HeartsThis book equips, encourages and enables parents of 6 to 14 year-olds to teach their children foundational truths of the faith in an easy-to-understand guide. Shepherding a Child’s HeartMany parenting books are based on hit-or-miss theories steeped in secular thinking. Grounded in the Bible’s divine plan for parenting, this guide defines your goals as a parent and provides the Scriptural methods for accomplishing them. Instructing a Child’s Heart Picking up where Shepherding a Child’s Heart left off, this book helps parents give instruction to their children that will persuade them of God’s wisdom. Instead of focusing solely on behavior issues, the authors look at the heart of your child. Point your child toward the happiness they will find from doing things God’s way! Rock-Solid KidsThis book offers a foundation for ministering to children based on scriptural teaching and the value, love and attention Jesus gives to children. Scripture passages address such topics as priorities, working with parents, spiritual training, keeping kids safe, servanthood, communicating the gospel clearly and effectively teaching kids about their faith. Have a New Kid by Friday Anyone who has dealt with a strong-willed child knows how difficult it is to turn bad behavior around. This book shows you how to reverse negative behavior in your children . . . fast! With his signature wit and encouragement, Dr. Leman offers hope and real, practical, achievable strategies for regaining control and becoming the parent you always wanted to be. The New Dare to Discipline From the long hair and bell-bottoms of the Woodstock generation to the spiked hair and pierced ears of the MTV crowd, the challenge of helping children mature into responsible adults hasn’t changed.  This is Dobson’s wise, up-to-the-minute counsel on raising confident, self-controlled kids. Bringing Up Boys Boys are different! But with pressure to be “gender neutral,” many try to mold children into a one-size-fits-all model. Dr. Dobson explains why boys are the way they are, how to understand their emotional and physical development, and the best way to motivate them to become godly men. Age of Opportunity Are you hoping to merely survive your teenagers? With compassion, wit and wisdom, Tripp uncovers the heart issues affecting families during the often chaotic adolescent years. Gain assurance of God’s provision for parenting success and discover ways to seize the countless opportunities to deepen communication, learn, and grow with your teens.

Heart of the Canyons Church and several Santa Clarita churches are coming together for a Dream Conference.

At the Dream Conference you will learn that those earliest visions of greatness were put there by God and for God. Every man was born with a desire to be good and dangerous in his own way. And even though it may seem your early visions of greatness are long gone, have been tackled for a loss, passed by you, or fizzled out. God’s dream for you to be great and do great things never changes, is always available, and can be engaged right now in a fresh way.

The Dream Conference will empower the men in your church to recapture, expand, and fulfill God’s dream for their lives.

The conference will be held Friday April 16 from 7:00pm – 9:30pm & Saturday April 17 from 8:00am – 12:00pm