November 22, 2017
Worship Vocal Team:
Calling all singers! The Worship Arts Ministry is looking to add some voices for the Christmas season. Whether you have choir experience or just like to sing and (more than anything) want to help create an atmosphere for people to engage with God in worship, we’d love to add you to the teams for the 10:45 worship gatherings in December. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, November 28 at 6 pm. Contact Pastor Matt for more info.
The Church Office will be closed Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24 for Thanksgiving.
November 17, 2017
Celebrating New Member Sunday
We are happy to welcome Wesley & Victoria Clark, David & Cassie Dakin, Peggy Deffner, Bill & Leah Jennings, Hannah King and Chad Miley into membership.
Celebrating 2nd Saturday
It was a wonderful year of serving the Lord in our community. 22 projects were completed by 32 volunteers with 398 work hours. God has been truly glorified.
2nd Saturday will resume projects in March or April depending on the weather.
Don’t forget to pray for the children who will receive our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.
Etch will resume January 2018.
November 10, 2017
Celebrating Baptism
Celebrating what God is doing in the lives of those being baptized. Abigail Towe and Liam Wappenstein were baptized last Sunday.
Worship Vocal Team:
Calling all singers! The Worship Arts Ministry is looking to add some voices for the Christmas season. Whether you have choir experience or just like to sing and (more than anything) want to help create an atmosphere for people to engage with God in worship, we’d love to add you to the teams for the 10:45 worship gatherings in December. Rehearsals are Tuesdays at 6 pm. Contact Pastor Matt for more info.
Life@Home
Life@Home has been over a year in the making! Our staff has put in many hours to see this new resource come to fruition, and we are excited to finally offer it to the church. We know there are still many questions as to what the resource is and how it will benefit our church. My goal in this article is to help bring a little more clarity to Life@Home.
As Pastor Dan shared a few weeks ago at the launch of Life@Home, our desire at ECOB is to help each member and attender realize the life that God has laid before them. In John 10:10, we hear Jesus speak of the full and abundant life he has given his followers. That is what Life@Home is all about. Its purpose is to provide followers of Christ with tools and resources to begin or continue to foster the full life promised in John 10:10.
Each piece of Life@Home plays an intricate role giving clear, intentional and practical ways of embracing the full life Christ promised us. Below I’m going to explain in a little more detail the pieces of Life@Home, and how each of us can take full advantage of what they have to offer.
Piece 1: The 120 Day Campaigns
There are already preconceived ideas of campaigns, because often they are wrapped up in money. With building campaigns, fundraising campaigns, etc. it is simple to let our minds go there. But I challenge you to not allow that to happen. These 120 Day Campaigns, may be the most important piece of Life@Home.
These campaigns are 120 days of a commitment that we will make as a church to be intentional disciples and disciple makers. In the future, we will have campaigns that call us to 120 days of intentional prayer; to be intentional in praying with our spouse, children, small groups and ministries within the church. We will see a campaign that calls for meals@home, where we will lay out a challenge for families and individuals within the church to share meals together on a weekly basis. These are practical challenges to ECOB, intentionally focused on Sharing Life and Sharing Christ.
This coming Sunday, we will begin our first 120 day campaign as a church. We’ve appraised and assessed the last 120 days of our own lives with Christ. And now we’re going to look ahead to the next 120 days and how we, ECOB, can support each other in being disciples at home.
Piece 2: Life@Home Pointers
Separated into two categories, Family Life & Life Seasons, these resources provide quick and simple steps for different stages or seasons you may find yourself in life. Then, once the next steps are provided, each pointer also points you into the direction of other resources (books and ministries within the church) to help you in your journey. This is also a good tool to give to someone you know who may be in a spot that needs direction. These will provide them with a solid biblical foundation to point them forward.
These pointers are specifically created to help young married couples, parents, empty-nesters, and grandparents find ways to be more intentional about raising the next generation knowing who God is and inviting them into His Story.
These pointers were made for the curveballs life throws us. It could be a difficult teenager. Maybe you’re wrestling with addiction, or grieving the loss of a loved one. These pointers are here to help you start moving forward as a disciple from a Biblical perspective.
Piece 3: Recipe Cards
Recipe Cards are practical and often times fun, creative ways to begin having conversations about God in the home and beyond. These are for parents trying to begin conversations with their children and teens, husbands and wives to begin discussing who God is in their relationships, and for anyone looking for ways to intentionally bring Christ into their common vocabulary.
Piece 4: Online Resources
All the information and resources above you can find online. Click on some of the headers above and they will take you to these resources on our website. You can also find podcasts that coincide with a specific recipe card and typically relate to our current campaign.
We’re Not Done Yet…
What is great about this resource is it will continue to expand! We desire to have more discipleship tools, books to buy, and eventually a faith steps plan for parents wanting to introduce Christ to their children. We desire to add more pointers as the need arises, and the recipe cards will be changed out on a regular basis.
There is still more that can be said about Life@Home, but we will leave it here for now. I encourage you to stop by the resource center the next chance you get. God Bless,
Pastor Josh
November 3, 2017
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness
Homeless people are defined as those who do not have a permanent (regular) dwelling and are forced to find other solutions for their residence. Some temporarily live with friends or family members, some in improvised housing such as tents, cardboard boxes, simple wooden constructions or on the streets and some in shelters and other temporary residences provided by government or no-governmental organizations. Homelessness is present in Rural America. In January of 2017, there were 81 homeless people counted in Preble County during the Point in Time count.
Ways to Help!
- Food preparation: The homeless shelter has a warming kitchen only and relies on community churches, organization and individuals to prepare meals.
- Donations: All programs in Preble County that touch hunger and homelessness can benefit from donations: monetary or supplies
- Volunteer: Whether you volunteer to supervise a shift at the Cold Shelter or help out in the local food pantry, volunteers are always needed.
- Contact the H.I.T. Foundation, 937-472-0500
Celebrating Baptism
Celebrating what God is doing in the lives of those being baptized. Chad Miley, Karina Deaton and Delaney Deaton were baptized last Sunday.
October 27, 2017
Hoosiers – Saturday, October 28 at 7pm in the Great Room
Popcorn!
“Hoosiers” is a movie about a tiny Indiana high school whose basketball team makes it all the way to the state basketball finals. During this time, schools of all sizes played in the same state tournament and a David could slay a Goliath.
Celebrating Baptism
Celebrating what God is doing in the lives of those being baptized. Leah Jennings was baptized last Sunday.
Weekend to Remember: Dayton – November 10-12
Where is your marriage today? Is it drifting towards isolation or intentionally moving toward oneness? You know what “oneness” feels like — conflicts resolve quickly, adventures happen together, and sex is on point. It’s great. But great marriages don’t just happen. Greatness takes investment. And isn’t that why you walked down the aisle – because you longed for a great relationship that lasts a lifetime? Find out what over 3 million couples worldwide have experienced at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember. It’s your turn to make a great marriage happen.
- Click here for more about Weekend to Remember.
- Click here to register for Weekend to Remember in Dayton, November 10-12
- Use group code “Daytonmarriage” to receive $100 off the registration price (of $150 per person)
Movie Night
Hoosiers
Saturday, October 28 at 7pm in the Great Room
Popcorn!
“Hoosiers” is a movie about a tiny Indiana high school whose basketball team makes it all the way to the state basketball finals. During this time, schools of all sizes played in the same state tournament and a David could slay a Goliath.
October 20, 2017
Weekend To Remember: Dayton – November 10-12
Where is your marriage today? Is it drifting towards isolation or intentionally moving toward oneness? You know what “oneness” feels like — conflicts resolve quickly, adventures happen together, and sex is on point. It’s great. But great marriages don’t just happen. Greatness takes investment. And isn’t that why you walked down the aisle – because you longed for a great relationship that lasts a lifetime? Find out what over 3 million couples worldwide have experienced at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember. It’s your turn to make a great marriage happen.
- Click here for more about Weekend to Remember.
- Click here to register for Weekend to Remember in Dayton, November 10-12
- Use group code “Daytonmarriage” to receive $100 off the registration price (of $150 per person)
Celebrating Fall Festival
Celebrating Baptism
October 13, 2017
Fall Council Meeting: Sunday at 2pm
Council meetings are open to the entire congregation. Reports from: Pastoral Staff, the Elder Board and the Finance Team. Vote on the 2018 Budget, Offices to be filled, Minister License Renewals, and Code of Regulations Revisions.
Child Protection Policy Training/Recertification
Sunday, Oct 22, 9am and Thursday, Oct 26, 7pm, Conference Rm
Adults or Youth who work with children and/or youth at ECOB must attend a CPP session every two years. Questions: Lois Simmons, 456-6068 (lois.simmons8890@gmail.com) or Diana Oburn at 456-9512 (mothermedic@hotmail.com).
Baptism: Sunday, October 22 and 29
If you are interested in taking the next step in acknowledging your dependence upon Jesus Christ and His death alone for salvation by being baptized, please contact the office, 456-5507.
Saturday, October 21 in the Gathering Area: Doors open at 8am; Breakfast served at 8:30am. All men are invited for this time of Food and Fellowship.
LifeShare 