Koinonia Christian Campus Fellowship – UC Berkeley Club

This past week’s BBQin’ did not end with the Korean BBQ after NSWN. We had an awesome BBQ at Dana House this past Wednesday. We had juicy patties, smokin’ franks, and sizzlin’ Korean marinated beef, not to mention, a raffle, prizes, and a giant round of King Kong Shower. Don’t believe me? Check out the pictures out for yourself!

Dana House was filled with people eating and having a good time.

You can't forget the meat!

Ultimate King Kong Shower Battle!

Hope all of you who were there had a blast! Stay posted for all the activities we’ll be having next week!

This past Friday we had our final Koinonia Bible study of the school year in 2050 VLSB. We listened to an awesome message on the past week’s DT on Mark 9.

Afterwards, homegroups ER, JA, and DH all drove up to Sierra Lodge where we caught the last of the snow season. We stayed there overnight and had a great time on Saturday sledding, playing British Bulldog, Telephone, and the very epic King of the Hill. Here are some pictures from this past memorable weekend!
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Hey guys!

If you haven’t already noticed, this month has been busy, buSY, BUSY! This past weekend we started off with a night of sports at the RSF. Nothing like some good ol’ physical exercise to help work off the stress of school before finals hit. Here are some pictures from the night, where we had intense games of basketball, frisbee, and volleyball:

I guess Kevan doesn’t even break a sweat in his sweater when he plays against the students.

Defeat?

Of course, we can’t be concerned with just our physical health. We need to maintain our spiritual health as well. That’s why the highlight of this weekend was a one-day retreat with Ajith Fernando. As a missionary and YFC (Youth for Christ) worker in Sri-Lanka for over 30 years, we know that his words of wisdom and exhortation are backed by personal experience. As he walked us through 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter, we were all inspired to live lives of love, despite the pain that it may entail. But even more than that, we were challenged to live lives of joy and unity with one another, as we experience both the ups and downs of life together!

After this weekend, I feel like my definition of Koinonia – true fellowship – has become deeper and more beautiful than before. I hope these pictures bring a smile to your face like they did mine:

Don’t forget that this jam-packed month still isn’t over. This coming Saturday (4/17) renowned apologist William Lane Craig will be giving several lectures on campus. See the Koinonia Homepage for more details and don’t forget to sign up!

Last Sunday, on March 7th, we witnessed and celebrated the baptisms of 20 of our brothers and sisters! From our homegroup Connie, Mike, Gary, James, and Cindy got baptized!  Congratulations!

Here’s some pics from the day:

Connie and Emily, with Sheri running to congratulate someone else...

Cindy, thinking, "is this really a coconut?" Indeed it was, a first for baptism gifts in the genre of fruit...

Joe, James and Ray ...

Mike with his giant blue card from his friends ...

... and last but not least, Gary!

Congratulations everyone!!!

On Friday, Feb. 26th, the guys had a brothers-only bible study at Sable Pointe, and learned about the ins and outs of Christian Manhood.  It was a sweet time of fellowship and learning, and just good old bonding with the bros.

Don't worry. No one got hurt in the taking of this photo. Everyone had a good time, or at least Joe did.

I’ve been on a hymn-kick lately (evidence: the play count on my “hymns mix” playlist), and wanted to give a plug for a few albums I have (re)discovered lately.  My musical tastes range, but I always come back to hymns.  They just don’t write lyrics like they used to…

I’m recommending the three albums I have been listening to the most.

1. Ginny Owens’ latest album Say Amen: Hymns and Songs of Faith, released in October 2009.  I think her album is the most varied in terms of arrangements.  A couple of soulful, jazzy songs (“Say Amen”); gospel choir sound (“Home in Me”); some more choral and meditative (“Beautiful Savior”); and other styles I can’t quite describe.  My personal favorite hymns on this album are “Do Not Pass Me By (Prayer of Bartimaeus)” and “Be Thou My Vision.”

2. Jadon Lavik’s Roots Run Deep, released in February 2008.  Love the acoustic guitar feel.  If you’re familiar with his other work, it’s consistent in the lilting, slightly bluesy/jazz feel (“Wondrous Love” is a perfect example).  He does venture into piano arrangements, such as the lovely “I Need Thee.”  A very ‘amazing’ rendition of “Amazing Grace.”  And one of my favorites on this album is his version of “Turn Your Eyes.”

*Not on this album, but a song that’s been stuck in my head lately is “Surrender” from his 2009 album The Road Acoustic (also highly recommended).

3.  Chris Rice’s Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project, going waaaaay back to October 2007.  I love Chris Rice’s musicality, similar in ways to Ginny Owens (maybe that’s why I like them both so much?).  They have actually collaborated on various Rocketown Records projects.

A lot of variety in styles on this album as well, though the overall feeling is airy.  Maybe ethereal?  Heavenly?  Not sure if it makes sense, but maybe if you give it a listen, you’ll know what I mean.  What would a Chris Rice vocal project be without a lot of tight harmonies!  I especially like “Before the Throne of God Above” and “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.”  You might recognize the version of “Rock of Ages” since we’ve sung it at church.  And just to throw in something different, I’d like to highlight “O Freedom.”

Check out any or all of the above albums and let me know what you think!  I hope you’ll be blessed by the hymns.  I’m always looking for good hymn albums, so let me know if you have any recommendations as well.  What are you listening to these days?  Are posts like these useful at all to you?  Leave a comment!