All Church Campout | Concrete KOA

Event

Let’s head out of the city to the Concrete KOA at the base of beautiful Mt Baker. Whether you’re a city-dweller with a love of the luxuries or a hard-core hiker, there’s something for you! The campground has mini golf, basketball, lawn chess, volleyball, swimming, sauna, horseshoe pits, a playground, and fishing. The North Cascades Region offers recreational opportunities that range from easy hikes to strenuous climbs. Registration and details can be found on the All Church Campout page.

As the date gets closer, we wanted to answer a few questions about the day and invite you to join us:

I’m not sure what to expect. What will the weekend be like?

Our hope for the weekend is to enjoy each other and all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. With that, there are a variety of things to do so you can tailor your time to best fit your needs. Love to hike? Join in a planned hike on Saturday or get a group together to do your own. Camping with kiddos? Relax at the campgrounds while the kids enjoy the playground, jump pad, or hayride. Activities are still coming together, but in the meantime we’d encourage you to post your ideas on this City thread. Each night, DCC will host a campfire and provide s’mores for all. Meals will be on your own or with your “neighborhood camp” (see more below). DCC will host an optional morning devotional time on Saturday and a worship gathering on Sunday morning.

Where is the Concrete KOA?

The Concrete KOA is approx. an hour and a half north of Seattle, located at the base of Mt. Baker. From Seattle, travel north on I-5, take the Burlington exit to WA-20, and follow for approx. 23 Miles. Detailed directions here.

I’m on the fence about registering. I’m not sure because…

…I’m not sure I really love camping.
That’s okay! If sleeping on the ground isn’t your thing, get a group together in a cabin. Or bring an air mattress and enjoy the luxuries of our campsite, including a hot tub and free wifi. Or come up for the day. We’re certain you’ll enjoy your time, regardless.

…I don’t know a lot of people
As more new faces come to worship and do life with us as a church, it can be easy to feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t know people. The truth is we’re all in the same boat! This is the perfect opportunity to dive in to meet some new friends! No matter where you end up, you’ll be camping alongside tons of friendly people and we’ll have activities to guide your time together.

… I’m not part of a community.
This is slated to be our largest campout yet, so we are leveraging our communities (organized by neighborhoods) to coordinate some of the details. But if you’re not plugged into a Cornerstone Community, you won’t be left out – we’ll connect you with the neighborhood near you! We’ll cluster the tents by neighborhood in the large field (you’ll still be right next to other neighborhoods) and we’ll encourage “neighborhood camps” to coordinate meals or talk about carpooling. We’ll have some DCC-wide activities offered and your neighborhood camp may also opt to do some activities together.

…I need a ride.
We’ve got just the City thread for you! Post your need and someone will connect with you. (We are encouraging carpooling, as parking is limited)

What are my camping options?

We have two tent camping areas reserved, as well as cabins.

Tent Camping
Our main camping area will be in a large, private field, where we will group tents by neighborhood. This area has 2 portable restrooms and is approximately a 6 minute walk to the camp’s restroom/shower facility. We have an additional Family Tent Camping area located a short distance from the private field – these sites are are a bit closer to the restroom facilities and may provide a quiet bedtime option.The cost of general tent camping is $8 per person per night and the cost of family tent camping is $12 per person per night (children 18 and under are free for both). More details about tent camping can be found on the campout page.

Cabins
The 2 room cabins sleep 6 people and are located close to the restrooms (no bathroom in cabin). If you are interested in staying in a cabin, you must reserve with the KOA by July 2nd (after July 2nd, cabins will be released to the general public and are likely to get booked)! The cost for a cabin is $71 per night. Call 360-826-3554 to reserve and pay for your cabin.  Note: DCC will not be organizing groups for cabins – if you’d like to stay in a cabin, please reserve the cabin and coordinate other folks to join you! More details about cabins can be found on the campout page.

Sounds great! Where do I register?

Details and registration are here. We encourage you to register in advance via the form, then follow the link on the confirmation page to pay for your site.

I’ve registered. What’s next?

We’re so glad you’ll be joining us! We encourage you to invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers. The more the merrier – there will be plenty of s’mores to go around! Next, start coordinating with your neighborhood. If you’re part of a Cornerstone Community, connect with others who are going to talk about carpooling, gear swaps, or meal coordination. If you’re not plugged into a community, we’ll connect you with your neighborhood. Watch the City group for folks coordinating carpools, hikes, or other activities.

When should I arrive?

If you’re coming up Friday, you can arrive anytime between 1:00 – 9:00pm. If you’re arriving on Saturday, you’re welcome to come anytime during the day!

Where will I be camping?

If you’ve opted for general tent camping, we’ll be setting up camp in a large, private field a short walk (approx. 6-8 minutes) from the main restroom facilities. Because the field is a bit different than traditional tent sites, we’ll be encouraging folks to cluster with their neighborhood to make smaller “neighborhood camps.” You’ll be pointed towards your neighborhood camp when you arrive. If you’ve chosen the family camping, we have also reserved an additional tent camping area a short distance from the private field. You’ll also be directed to your campsite when you arrive and check in with DCC. If you’ve snagged a cabin, you’ll check in with the KOA office when you arrive.

What do I need to bring?

Basics include tent, water containers (no running water in the field), lantern or flashlight, sleeping bags, and food/snacks. Other packing items to keep in mind are bug spray, chairs, blankets, pillows, games, cooler, camera, sunscreen, etc. If you’re in need of gear, post on this City thread.

Note: A state-wide burn ban is now in effect! Fire pits and charcoal grills are prohibited. If you have a propane grill, please bring it!

Should I plan my own meals?

All meals will be on your own or with your neighborhood camp. We encourage you to coordinate with your camp to plan out meals in advance – it’s always fun to share a fireside meal! Also, don’t forget that DCC will be coordinating s’more time in the evenings. Note: A state-wide burn ban is now in effect! Fire pits and charcoal grills are prohibited. If you have a propane grill, please bring it!

What kinds of activities will there be?

The campground has mini golf, basketball, lawn chess, volleyball, swimming, sauna, horseshoe pits, a playground, and fishing. We are working to coordinate activities for the weekend, including games in the campground (basketball tournament, anyone?) and off-site adventures, such as a hike or bike ride. We will get you those details soon, but in the meantime would encourage you to post your ideas on this City thread.

I have more questions!

Have questions? Post them here!

New summer series starting this Sunday | Disciple: Living for Jesus

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This Sunday we will push pause on our study through the letter of James and kick-off a brief six-week summer sermon series called Disciple: Living for Jesus. Prior to his ascension, Jesus gave us a commission to “make disciples of all nations.” (Mt28:18-20) That means the mission of Jesus’ church, local and global, is to make disciples. Many of us are familiar with this. But, what is a disciple? What does it actually mean to be a disciple of Jesus? What difference should it make in our every day lives? How do we follow Jesus in a city that doesn’t? 

Over the next six weeks we will answer these questions and clear away common misconceptions about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We hope to make this very practical. We’ll begin by examining our union with Him and the new identity we receive by nature of being “in Christ”. Everything in the Christian life hinges on this union. From there, we will explore how our union with Him informs how we live together, live sent, as living sacrifices, with a living trust, within the context of a living church. It’s going to be a rich six weeks. Here’s the line-up:

06/28 In Christ: Living Union, Pastor Adam Sinnett

07/05 New People: Living Together, Deacon Edward Sumner

07/12 Missionary: Living Sent, Pastor David Parker

07/19 Servant: Living Sacrifices, Deacon Randy Lundy

07/26 Learner: Living Trust, Deacon Pierce Martin

08/02 In Context: Living Church, Pastor David Parker

I am really looking forward to seeing what Jesus has in store for us this summer, particularly through this series. My prayer is that Jesus would use this study to stir our affections for Him, invite us into deeper levels of trust in Him, and move us to align our lives around Him. Additionally, please join me in praying for these men who are already prayerfully preparing to serve you well. One of our hopes is to become a teaching hospital in order to train, develop and equip future pastors and church planters. 

Our story is one small part of His larger unfolding story and we get to participate. So come expectant, prayed-up and hungry to learn. We’ll jump back into James on Sunday, August 9th and finish up our study by summer’s end, just in time for the fall. Love you all. 

Enjoy Him, 

Pastor Adam

The Bible as a window, not a wall

Discipleship, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

At a recent Sunday gathering, we walked through James 1:18-27 on the Bible as the word of God and what it means to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving [ourselves].” We examined James’ encouragements on how to approach the Bible (put away all filthiness, receive with meekness, and recognize its central role) and how to respond to the Bible (study intently, examine personally, and apply liberally). Last week, by God’s gracious providence, Desiring God released an artistic video on the vital role of the Bible called, “God wrote a book.” It goes well with our study in James. I encourage you to watch it (below).

The Bible is God’s direct revelation to us, through the pens and personalities of human authors, about who He is, what He is like, who we are and what we need, along with His radical promises to us and glimpses of our forever-future with Him. There is no other book like this book.

But, we often only look at it, rather than look through it to the deeper realities it conveys. When we look at it we may only see ancient stories, at best, or printed letters on a page, at worse. But, when we look through it we see reality, with God as the triune blazing center of all that is. Through it he saves sinners, through it he humbles the proud, through it encourages the discouraged, through it he gives strength to the weary. In a word, through it He reveals all we need to know and grow in Him. 

Often, in my experience at least, the reason our reading of the Bible gets dry and laborious is because we’re looking at it rather than through it. Or, John Piper says, “God wrote a book…The Bible is not a wall, but a window.” That’s helpful – and true. 

Christ is all,
Pastor Adam

New Community in U District South!

Community, News

Downtown Cornerstone is a community of communities scattered throughout the city, declaring and displaying the gospel of Jesus Christ in relationship to each other and the city. These are communities of diverse, imperfect people that are committed to living out the implications of the gospel in every sphere of life. These are communities of radical grace, sacrificial service, and joy. These are communities that eat together, pray together, laugh together, and study the Bible together – in essence, share life. These are communities that build up the church by encouraging people to faith in Jesus Christ and build up the city through deeds of justice and mercy. These are communities where you can be who God created you to be, yourself. It’s our hope and prayer that everyone who calls Downtown Cornerstone home will find a community like this.

This week, we launched a new community in U District South! By God’s grace, this is the second community living life together in the University District. Marco, along with his wife Sara, will be leading this newly-formed community, so we asked him to answer a few questions about the people, vision, and prayer requests for U District South.

Q: WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IN LAUNCHING THIS NEW COMMUNITY IN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT?

The U District family was getting pretty large, so now that we’ve created two communities, I’m excited about having a more intimate discussion and the opportunity for connecting with everyone in a more meaningful fashion. Seeing God grow the U District community is great, but it does make meaningful connections a little harder.

Q: WHO WILL BE A PART OF THIS NEW COMMUNITY?

This new community is not for college students only! Although this is a challenge in our neighborhood, we think it is beneficial to have undergrads, grad students, professionals, stay-at-home moms, unemployed people, single people, married people, people with kids, etc. – so that we can help one another see the multi-faceted grace of God, and learn from one another.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR U DISTRICT SOUTH?

We will strive to be a community where we cannot deceive ourselves by merely being religious: attending gatherings on Sunday, going to community every week, discipleship groups, etc. Our hope is that we will be able to encourage one another to really live a life that is pleasing to God, in light of what He has done for us – or that we would challenge one another to bow the knee to Christ, if some of us haven’t yet. For this to happen, we need to get into each other’s lives – which can be very uncomfortable at times, but is one of the marks of a real community, as opposed to a ‘group’ that meets every week.

Q: ANY SPECIFIC WAYS WE CAN BE PRAYING?

Our prayer is that a year from now, everyone will be able to look back and say that the Lord used this community to reveal Himself and pull us closer to Him. We also want to pray that as He does bless us in any way, we would not exalt ourselves and steal his glory, but would know that ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ (Luke 17:10)

If you are not currently participating with a DCC Community and would like to be involved with U District South or another community, email .