- 2nd Saturday: Nov 12 at 8:30am-meet at the church. Everyone is invited to our last workday of the season.
- MOM’s Ministry: Tue, Nov 15 at 11am in the Great room
- Etch: Wed, Nov 16 at 6pm – Our last Etch of 2016
- Office Hours: Mon-Thu 9am – 5pm, Fri 9am – 1pm
Advent Week 3
The season of Advent is a season of waiting, designed to help us become more aware of God’s actions—past, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiah’s coming as addressed to us—people who wait for the second coming of Christ. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament promises, when death will be swallowed up and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of God’s redemptive plan.*
One of the best ways to prepare for advent is by reading God’s Word.
Click for a PDF of the Advent Christmas Readings for the entire season
Click the following days for links to the readings (in Bible Gateway):
- Sunday, Dec 11
- Monday, Dec 12
- Tuesday, Dec 13
- Wednesday, Dec 14
- Thursday, Dec 15
- Friday, Dec 16
- Saturday, Dec 17
* Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook
December 9, 2016
Christmas Blend Coffee House
Tonight| 6 to 9pm. Scared Grounds (Gathering Area). Join us for a night of live Christmas music, desserts, gourmet coffee, and hot drinks to warm your body and spirit. There will be activities for kids, including crafts and games. $5 to benefit Luke 3:11 Ministry. Bring a food item to help us reach our goal of 4 tons.
Celebrating Baptism:
Things to know this week…
- Council Vote Results: – The sale of our Lexington Rd. property to Gillman Home Center was unanimously approved.
- Text Notifications – A way to stay up to date on events, news, weather closings anything ECOB related. Text ECOB to 40650. Follow the instructions.
Mark Your Calendar…
- Feb 3 & 4: Women’s Ministry – IF:Gathering Simulcast
- Feb 11: Men’s Breakfast
Advent Week 2
The season of Advent is a season of waiting, designed to help us become more aware of God’s actions—past, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiah’s coming as addressed to us—people who wait for the second coming of Christ. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament promises, when death will be swallowed up and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of God’s redemptive plan.*
One of the best ways to prepare for advent is by reading God’s Word.
Click for a PDF of the Advent Christmas Readings for the entire season
Click the following days for links to the readings (in Bible Gateway):
- Sunday, Dec 4
- Monday, Dec 5
- Tuesday, Dec 6
- Wednesday, Dec 7
- Thursday, Dec 8
- Friday, Dec 9
- Saturday, Dec 10
* Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook
December 2, 2016
Celebrating Child Dedication:
RockHouse Youth Progressive Dinner:
Information and Registration at eatoncob.org/connect/students
Things to know this week…
- MOM’s Ministry: Sat, Dec 3 at 9:30am in Rm 101
- Called Council Vote: Sun, Dec 4 – To approve the sale of our Lexington Rd. property
Mark Your Calendar…
- Christmas Eve Service 6pm
- Christmas Day Service 11am (One Service)
- New Years Day Service 11am (One Service)
November 25, 2016
Christmas Blend Coffee House
It’s that time of year, when temperatures drop and there’s a chance for snow, and everything starts to feel like Christmas again. It’s a wonderful season to connect with others. Join us for a night of live Christmas music, desserts, gourmet coffee, and hot drinks to warm your body and spirit. There will be activities for kids, including crafts and games. Get your tickets for $5 to benefit Luke 3:11 Ministry. Bring a food item to help us reach our goal of 4 tons.
- Fri Dec 9 | 6 to 9 pm
- Sacred Grounds (Gathering Area)
- $5 tickets
Things to know this week…
- Office Closed: Fri, Nov 25
- Luke 3:11 Food Drive: Don’t forget to bring your filled bag!
- MOM’s Ministry: Sat, Dec 3 at 9:30am in Rm 101
- Called Council Vote: Sun, Dec 4 – To approve or disapprove the sale of our Lexington Rd. property
Advent Week 1
The season of Advent is a season of waiting, designed to help us become more aware of God’s actions—past, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiah’s coming as addressed to us—people who wait for the second coming of Christ. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament promises, when death will be swallowed up and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of God’s redemptive plan.*
One of the best ways to prepare for advent is by reading God’s Word. As we take a break from The Story (which we’ll resume on January 1), we encourage you to follow along with these readings each day of Advent.
Click for a PDF of the Advent Christmas Readings for the entire season
Click the following days for links to the readings (in Bible Gateway):
- Sunday, Nov 27
- Monday, Nov 28
- Tuesday, Nov 29
- Wednesday, Nov 30
- Thursday, Dec 1
- Friday, Dec 2
- Saturday, Dec 3
* Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook
Humble Thanks
On Sunday morning Pastor Josh shared a prayer fitting for Thanksgiving. Here’s the poem by Carol Penner. You might like to use it to guide your prayer as you gather for your feast on Thursday.
for all that I put in my body
every morsel, crumb, piece
every tidbit, chunk, mouthful
food in all its delight
something solid, an apple
changed, who knows how,
into the swinging of an arm
into my body bending, leaping.
the earth’s rich harvest
fodder for the body’s slow burn
for hunger, the quiet gnawing:
the blood talking to the brain
talking to the stomach,
the need for food,
the insistence of this wanting.
created to be like this,
desiring what we cannot live without
God of grocery stores and markets
God of farms and fields
God of tables and silverware
God you Great Provider
each day my body meets you
in tabletop worship.
humble thanks to a God who has food for life
for my body’s deepest hunger
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. -Psalm 107:1 (NLT)
November 18, 2016
Mission and Outreach Team News
The Mission and Outreach Team financially support a number of missionaries through our church budget. Those we donate to on a regular basis are Bev Charles through Greater Europe Mission, Steve & Natasia Rudd through YWAM, Bruce & Ching Behnken through go to Nations, Dirk & Karen Martin through Lumiere Medical, Tyler Charles through Christian Coalition, Jesse Witt through Austin Stone Institute, and Becky Karns.
Individuals Who Wish to Give to Our Missionaries
The MOT would like to thank all who donate to our missionaries. Without our support and the guiding hand of our Lord their work would not be possible. This past year has been a time of transition for the Mission and Outreach program. We are making some changes in how individual donors’ funds are being sent to our missionaries.
There are separate envelopes at the Info Center in the Gathering Area for each of our missionaries. Pick one up and send your donation in that envelope. The Missionary organizations will send you either receipts or giving statements. We are asking that you not put money in your regular church envelope or send it to the church office. These funds no longer need to run through our church accounting system.
Update on Haiti:
Several folks in our congregation have been wondering about relief efforts in Haiti following the horrendous devastation in that country. Dirk and Karen Martin and Becky Karns serve in Haiti.
Dirk and Karen Martin: The Martins were here in our area due to medical reasons and were not in Haiti when Matthew hit. They do live in the area that was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew, however, they had less damage than they expected. We praise and thank God for that. Dirk is doing well. They are back home and told us that they do not, at this time, need any extra funding. They have recommend http://seedminisitriesinHaiti.com if you would like to help those in need.
Becky Karns: Becky recommended another ministry serving in Haiti: http://agapeflights.com. As we understand from Becky, she and others are filling buckets with supplies that are being flown in by Agape Flights and taking them up into the hills where the people are in dire need of basic necessities.
As always, the most important thing you can do is PRAY. PRAY for our missionaries as they continue their service. PRAY for the people of Haiti as they face life-threatening situations. PRAY for all relief efforts that they reach those in need. PRAY that the government of Haiti will allow relief efforts to continue without roadblocks.
Steve and Natasha Rudd
Steve and Natasha, our missionaries in Macedonia were at ECOB this past Sunday. They updated us on their ministry and how God is working among the Albanian Muslims. Please continue to pray for the Rudd family as they sow the seeds of Christianity, for their safety, faithfulness and perseverance in a Muslim nation.
As always, the Team thanks all of you for your generosity and faithfulness.
Blessings,
The ECOB Missions and Outreach Team
Jerry Deaton, Brenda Geeting, Karen Mays, Cherie Reese and Doris Simmons
The Story
Before Sunday, Nov 20, be sure to read Acts 13-14; 16-20; Romans 1; 3-6; 12; 15; 1 Corinthians 1; 3; 5-6; 10; 12-13; 15-16; Galatians 1; 3; 5-6; 1 Thessalonians 1-5 and/or Chapter 29 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Things to know this week…
- A Night of Worship: Sun, Nov 20, 6-8pm for RockHouse youth 6th-12th grade
- Luke 3:11 Food Drive: Don’t forget to bring your filled bag!
- Office Closed for Thanksgiving: Thu, Nov 24 and Fri, Nov 25
Mark Your Calendar…
Christmas Eve Service 6pm
Christmas Day Service 11am (One Service)
New Years Day Service 11am (One Service)
November 11, 2016
Luke 3:11…if you have food, share it with those who are hungry
4 tons – that is our collection goal this holiday season to help feed the hungry in Preble County! This is a great opportunity to show the love and compassion of Jesus.
Items needed:
Canned protein items: Beef stew, chicken, ham, tuna; Canned vegetables: corn, creamed corn, green beans, peas; Beverages: Hot chocolate, coffee, powdered lemonade, bottled juices. Every $1 given equals 1 pound.
Pull up under the canopy on Sunday morning and one of the team members will unload your donations.
The Story
Before Sunday, Nov 13, be sure to read Acts 1-10; 12 and/or Chapter 28 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Things to know this week…
Call to Prayer on Election Day
1 Timothy 2:1-5 (NLT) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.
I know we would never say this out loud, but sometimes other things we say and the things we think about or things we post on Facebook—these things unveil a sense that our hope is not fully in God. Either we are trusting a particular candidate or we become anxious thinking about what the administration would look like of the other candidate—or both!
We have to remember that as followers of Jesus, we are not citizens of this world but of the Kingdom of God. The anxiety we feel, the longing to see God heal our land goes far beyond our own country. Our prayer is for God to redeem the entire world—all peoples, all nations, all creation. Amen?
Though we are “temporary residents and foreigners” (as Peter says in his first letter), we are called to make this an interim home of sorts. Look at this.
Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NLT) This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Of course, God was specifically speaking to the exiles through Jeremiah. But I think we can safely consider ourselves exiles, too. “Build homes and plan to stay.” So any thoughts of running off to Canada after today—we should probably get rid of those! What else? Work for peace and prosperity, and mostly, pray.
Let’s look at Paul’s counsel:
Titus 3:1-2 (NLT) Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
Ouch! This could very well be an indictment of many Christians leading into this election. We might need to take some time for confession.
Job 12:23-25 (NLT) He builds up nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them. He strips kings of understanding and leaves them wandering in a pathless wasteland. They grope in the darkness without a light. He makes them stagger like drunkards.
Let’s pray that God gives our “kings” (our leaders) wisdom. Amen?
For ways to help you pray today, I highly encourage you to check out “7 Vital Prayer Points.” And certainly, continue to pray beyond today.
