Sign up for Summer Retreat, 15 spots left.

Hey All:
August 7-9 (next weekend), Catalyst will be having its annual summer retreat. This is a great opportunity to build community and it promises to be an amazing time with the Lord.

We have designed the retreat so that you won't have to take any time off to be a part of it (it starts late Friday night) and it ends late Sunday morning.

The cost of the retreat is $100. But we don't want money to be an issue. After making an announcement to the community, several people have donated money for scholarships. So, if you need help paying or need a full scholarship that money is available.

So if you would like to come, just reply to this e-mail and we will get you signed up.

I look forward to what God will do,

Ron C.

Catalyst Update

Dear Peeps:
I hope this e-mail finds you well. I just read today's headline for the Chicago Tribune: "July with No Summer." No kidding. Where is the heat and sun? Hopefully, August has some summer in store for us. It would be nice to have just one week of heat.

Anyways, I digress :). This Thursday at Catalyst (7pm in the garage), we have "God-Stretch" leading our time of worship. They are simply one of the most amazing worship bands in the Chicago area and you won't want to miss it.

Since they will be there, we will have a longer time of worship, and then a teaching from Pastor Charlie. This week, we look at how the Holy Spirit empowers us for service. This service will be really special and interactive. We expect God to do amazing things. I hope you can make it.

And as always, please invite your friends.

Childcare is provided.

We will also be having "Aftermath" at 8:45pm in the garage. "God-Stretch" will be performing there as well, and I think it will be a blast. This is a great way to build community and have some fun. I hope you can stick around.

I will be praying,

Ron C

Catalyst Update

Hey Peeps:

Two quick announcements for this week:

1) "One Life"continues this week. I hope you can make it. The service starts at 7pm, in "the garage @ Faith Church. Childcare is provided.

2) We will be having "Catalyst Aftermath" this week (immediately after the service). Joel Norman and band will be playing and it should be a lot of fun. Aftermath starts at 8:45pm. It should be a blast.

God is doing great things and I am glad that you are a part of it. Remember to invite your friends, especially those who are disconnected from God.

I will be praying.

Catalyst Update

Hey Peeps:
I hope you are all enjoying the summer heat. I know that I am. There is a lot going on in Catalyst and I want to make sure that you are kept up-to-date.

1) This Thursday night, Pastor Bob will be teaching at "One Life." Like I said last Thursday night, I want to challenge you to bring your friends this Thursday who are disconnected, are in a hard place in life, or religiously skeptical. This Thursday is going to be amazing and I believe lives are going to be changed. (7pm, Thursday, in "the garage".)

2) We will be having a bonfire at church after Catalyst this Thursday night. So, bring a chair AND bug spray.

3) Please consider coming this Saturday to the service project. It is going to be an awesome time to serve and get a taste of what it means to be missional. You can sign up this Thursday.

See you all this Thursday night, as we continue "One Life."

Ron C.

One Thing for this One Life

Hey All:
Like I said last Thursday, Pastor Bob (Senior Pastor at Faith Church) will be speaking this Thursday night at Catalyst. I asked him to share with us why Jesus is the one thing worthy of our full devotion in this one life.

It is my hope that you and I see Jesus as he actually is. And the result of such sight? We become more devoted followers of Jesus. I think we are in the midst of something special and I hope you can make it this Thursday.

Also, please bring your friends this Thursday who are disconnected, are in a hard place in life, or religiously skeptical. If you can't think of who to bring, pray, and see who Jesus lays on your heart. Lives are going to be changed.

I will be praying.

Ron C.

"One Life" Podcasts

You can now download all the teachings from "One Life." Click here to download.

Registration for Summer Retreat is Up!

Registration is up for the summer retreat. The retreat is August 7th-9th. This year, we are going to Spring Hill. Cost is $100. Cost includes lodging, food and activities. To check Spring Hill out, click here.

To Register: click here

This is going to be an amazing weekend and is open to marrieds and unmarrieds. I encourage you to come.

Ron C.

Why Catalyst Works

Last night we started our summer mini-churches and it was amazing. 120 young adults, married and unmarried, wanting to grow in friendship, and faith. Below is a synopsis of the night's teaching. It is who we want to be and what we desire. If you have never come to Catalyst, or haven't been in a while, you should come. I think God is doing something amazing.

NIV Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Act 2:42-47 NIV)

Catalyst community commits to…
1. Teaching
a. This commitment to the apostles’ teaching, what we now have as the NT, isn’t simply the commitment to acquiring facts but committing to the direction and life that is described in the gospels and epistles.
i. Catalyst is about learning to live the book not getting degrees about the book.

2. Living Life Together
a. κοινωνίᾳ (Act 2:42 BGT).
i. involvement
ii. charitable
iii. Close mutual friendships
b. Catalyst is about creating a space for the building of these kind of friendships, not events.

3. The Common Meal
a. Matthew Henry writes, “Celebrating [the] memorial of their Master's death, as those that were not ashamed to own their relation to, and their dependence upon, Christ and him crucified.”
i. At least for the summer we will have the opportunity to eat the meal.

4. Prayer
a. We are a kingdom community centered around Jesus. Every mini-church will begin in prayer and end in praying for one another.
The result
1) Power—God’s supernatural movement among us
2) Unity—all of us going the same way for the same things.
3) Revival—we are changed and then we change those around us.


This Acts 2 community is my prayerful hope for Catalyst. I want to see God’s power move; I want us to be a a people of single focus--a people of greatness; and I desire that hundreds of young adults lives would be changed by this community and the Holy Spirit. See you all next week.

Thanks for coming

Hello all,
I wanted to send you a quick note. I am so thankful that you came and were part of our community last Thursday night. It was so great to see so many new faces and old friends as well. I hope you felt welcomed. We are excited and full of anticipation about what God will do in you and through you in the weeks ahead.

We had an amazing response to the mini-church sign up; I think the mini-churches are going to be excellent this summer. If you did not get a chance to sign up, don’t worry. You can pick a group at our next service.

Catalyst’s “One Life” continues this Thursday, 7pm, in the garage. Childcare is provided. I hope you can make it. Please bring friends who you think might really benefit from a community like Catalyst.

Lastly, if you need anything at all, feel free to contact me directly. If I can help, I will.

Ron Citlau
219-864-0300

Excitement

This morning I promoted "One Life" at the weekend services at Faith Church. The response was amazing. I am excited to see what God does this summer--in individuals, in our community, in our church, and in the world.

I hope you can make it on Thursday. And, bring a friend.

One Life

Catalyst will meet every week over the summer.

This summer, starting June 4th, Catalyst will gather every week for 10 weeks. Our service will start at 7pm, Thursday in "the garage" at Faith Church. This will give us a chance to build some friendships, go deeper in faith, and have some fun too.

My encouragement for you: commit to the 10 weeks and see what God does.

Service Schedule for the Summer

Upcoming Events

5/21/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: Philippians: Happiness in Community
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided


6/04/09 Catalyst Summer Kick-off
teaching: One Life: One Prayer
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided
(catalystsummer.com)

6/11/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Community
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

6/18/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Mission
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

6/25/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Dating, Marriage & Jesus
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

6/27/09 Catalyst Service Project
More details to come.

7/02/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: We have a story to tell
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

7/09/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: How to finish well
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

7/16/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Truth
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

7/23/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Learning to love our enemies
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

7/30/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Experience
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided

8/06/09 Catalyst Service
teaching: One Life: Radical Living
meet in The Garage
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Childcare Provided


8/7-8/9 Catalyst Summer Retreat
SpringHill Camps
Seymour, IN

Catalyst will meet every week over the summer

This summer, starting June 4th, Catalyst will gather every week for 10 weeks. Our service will start at 7pm, Thursday in "the garage" at Faith Church. This will give us a chance to build some friendships, go deeper in faith, and have some fun too. My encouragement for you: commit to the 10 weeks and see what God does.

Here is a very cool video about "One Life":

One Life

“One Life” is a 10-week, community experience where you will build your relationship with God, meet new friends, and learn how to live a life that makes a difference.

Who is “One Life” for? “One Life” is for unmarrieds (18-30) and marrieds (18-35). You can be anywhere on your spiritual journey. From doubter to devoted follower of Jesus, or in between, you will find that you are welcome.

Is there childcare? Yes.

What does a typical night look like? Each week we will meet together in “The Garage” at Faith Church for a short worship experience. Then, we will break up into “mini-churches” to discuss the night’s theme and build community. Your mini-church will be filled with people at the same stage of life and age as you are. So don’t worry or be intimidated, it may take one or two times, but you will find a place that is a perfect fit for you.

When does it start? June 4th, 7pm in “The Garage” @ Faith Church.