Today I went to a Bible Study Fellowship Luncheon at the leader's house. I actually did not want to go to this get together. I have been feeling tired. I didn't want to talk to people. I really just wanted to stay home in my house today and do nothing. However, I just knew in my heart that I should go. To be with God loving people. To build more connections in my personal Bible study group so I can be held more accountable in my study and to grow. I ended up having a great time just getting to know these ladies in person that I only see on Zoom. God continues to chase after me, prompting me to keep growing and getting deeper with Him and those around me. Praise God for His leading.

Proverbs 2:1-11: "Search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."

Hebrews 11:6: "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

Major Shoshannah

FEBRUARY

2/17 Presidents Day - Office Closure

2/17 School break for kids (2/17 - 2/21 no weekly programs )

MARCH

3/3 Officers Councils (3/3 - 3/6)

3/6 Territorial Holiness Retreat (3/6 - 3/9)

3/9 Daylight Savings

3/14 Praise and Worship Summit (3/14 - 3/16)

3/16 Lt. Colonel Ivan Wild visiting w/Majors Strickland and Potluck

3/28 Divisional Youth Retreat (DYR 3/28 - 3/30)

*Soldiership classes for youth and adults start March 6. More info in this newsletter.*

As we all know, Commissioning is coming!! Commissioning Events will be held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, June 13-15.

We are continuing with an evangelism-based theme for the weekend, following on from “Testify”. The Theme for the weekend will be “This Is My Story”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RvUEemy-MA

There are some important changes to the schedule:

· The Friday evening program will incorporate Commencement, a celebration of Long Service (officers)….recognition of Long Service (Local Officers) and more!

· During the day on Saturday the annual Encore Competition and Bible Bowl Final will take place

· The Saturday Evening program will feature the musical “This is My Story”, which is a series of stories behind some of the world’s best loved hymns.

· Sunday Morning Holiness meeting will include the Ordination and Commissioning.

· Sunday Afternoon meeting will include the appointments of the new officers.

Register at: events.usawest.org

The theme for last year’s congress, Testify, was designed to encourage each one of us to tell more people about Jesus, more often. The most effective way of sharing about Jesus is to tell your own story. Over the next 20 weeks we will be sharing with you a short “testimony” video from the leadership team of the Territory, and our cadets who will be commissioned as officers this year.

Feel free to share these with others as encouragement, and share your own story. (If you are not sure what your story is, or are searching for the answers to your spiritual questions please talk to any officer)

The third testimony of the series is: Colonel Eddie Vincent

Join us for a six week series to go over the Bible based - spiritual beliefs of The Salvation Army. Also learn what it means to be a Salvation Army soldier/church member or a Salvationist. At the end of the series, there is a an option to be enrolled as a Salvation Army junior or senior soldier.

DYR 2025 is just six weeks away, and we can’t wait to spend this amazing weekend with you and your youth! 🎉 Below, you’ll find all the key details. Please review the information carefully, and let us know if you have any questions.

General information

📅 Dates: March 28–30, 2025

📍 Location: Camp Redwood Glen

🏕 Address: 3100 Bean Creek Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

💰 Cost: $190 per delegate (Santa Clara Citadel pay $100, youth to pay $90)

👥 Age Group: 13–18

Theme: A.I. – Authentic Identity

• Renowned author and theologian Henri Nouwen defined three biggest lies about identity: “I am what I have. I am what I do. And I am what others think of me.” Through this retreat, we would like our teenagers to consider that your Creator determines your value, your worth, and what God thinks about you is the most important thing about you.
• Theme Verse: “ Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” ( Romans 12:2 NLT)

Guest Speaker: Heather Flies ( “Click Here” to learn more about her)

THQ Representatives: Lt. Colonels Ivan & Jennifer Wild

Registration Due Date: Friday, March 9th, 2025

The 2025 Holiness Retreat is open to officers and soldiers who want to be rekindled and reminded of daily holiness and Holy Love. Join Dr. Bill and Rev. Diane Ury as guest speakers as they discuss the pursuit for holiness in our lives.

Registration is now open to all officers and soldiers.

See you there!

Event Registration link to registration

Please keep informed by signing up for the Remind App. The goal is to touch base with a newsletter once a week and send communication in a secure way. Text to: 81010, Send the message: @chkhc6. Please share the info. Thank you in advance.

Sunday:

• 9:30 AM Small Groups for All Youth and Adults
• 10:30 AM Worship service
• 11:00 AM Junior Church for kids 1 - 5 grades and Nursery
• 11:45 AM Potluck & Fellowship (3rd Sunday unless scheduled otherwise)

Wednesday:

• 6:30 PM Dinner for All
• 7:15 PM Bible Study

Thursday:

• 7:00 PM Young Adult Volleyball Fellowship

Friday:

• 6:00 PM Teen Youth Group (Monthly)

Saturday:

• 8:00 AM Men's Brunch (Monthly)
• 10:00 AM Women's Fellowship (Monthly)

Email: shoshannah.ruwethin@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: siliconvalley.salvationarmy.org
Location: 3090 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408.247.4588
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSASantaClaraChurch