“Will you pick me up?”, the little voice asked.   It was a busy Sunday morning in a new church.  But somehow this little girl had found the number to my office and had, all by herself, called to ask for someone to pick her up.   She REALLY wanted to come to church.  Who could do it?  Everyone I could think of needed to be somewhere else.  So I jumped in my car and headed for her house.

               She was a broken little girl.  Her daddy had left when she was still young, leaving her feeling unwanted and worthless.  So eager for attention, she did a lot to try to gain people’s approval, but it only pushed her peers away.  Over and over again, she stumbled through life, from one mistake to another.  But God sent Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, preteen leaders, game leaders, and other people to speak into that little girl over the next ten years. 

               Through them, God got a hold of that life – and that life was transformed.  This little girl is now a mother of five children, married to a godly husband, AND they are about to head to the mission field of Japan.  A life that was changed…

               That’s what God calls us to do as the Body of Christ.  No one person is to do it all.  But every person who is a Christian has a role to play.  So…what role will you take in the coming year?  Will you make room in your life so that you HAVE time to serve?  Will you take a step to do something new and different, maybe even outside of your comfort zone?   Or will you let the year go by, with much of life lived, but nothing to show for the Kingdom?   What will you do to make a difference for eternity this next year? 

Miss Coleen

Some Options for Places to Serve in Children’s Ministry on Sundays, Wednesday’s or weekday’s:

Sunday’s With Children:

• Provide loving care for babies and Toddlers in the Nursery
• Lead singing in a miniature Preschool Worship Service
• Assist a teacher with a group of children
• Play with volunteer’s children while the children’s ministry volunteers are praying (10:05 – 10:25 AM Sundays)
• Lead groups of children in an active Bible game that ties back to the Bible story (training provided)
• Be a buddy for a Special Needs Child

Sunday’s Support Ministries – not with children

• Be a part of the Children’s Welcome Team (formerly “check-in”)
• Welcome NEW families at the new Children’s Welcome Center
• Prepare snack for children
• Keep our children and people safe as part of the Safety Team.

Wednesday night Options for Places to Serve

Knight’s Club (Wednesday Nights):

• Teach a group of children
• Assist with a group of children
• Provide child-care to infants – threes.
• Listen to children recite Bible verses
• Welcome children and help families get signed in at Knight’s Club
• Lead fun active games related to Bible stories (training and ideas provided)
• Coordinate the ordering and distribution of Awards and add up children’s points
• Provide a mini-Knight’s program for children ages 4-5 (resources provided)

During the Week:

• Pray for specific children’s ministry needs (weekly email)
• Clean Nursery Laundry
• Put nametags back in order by color and alphabet.
• Prepare powerpoint for the Bible Quiz Game Show (1X a month)
• Assist in setting up for the monthly Bible Quiz Game Show
• Help in children’s ministry office
• Help chaperone/drive vehicle for Preteen Events (every 4-6 weeks)
• Assist with Preteen Drama Team
• Set up for Knight’s Club Wednesday Afternoons

Contact me if you are interested in serving in any of these areas.

The Elder Board wishes to inform you that we have accepted the resignation of Matt Owens as Pastor of Worship Arts. Today (Sunday, July 29th) was Matt’s last worship service, as his last day of employment will be July 31st.

Matt has served ECoB for 9 years. We thank Matt for his contributions, and wish him and his family the very best as they seek God’s leading.

Please pray for the Owens family, as well as the leadership here at ECoB during this time of transition.

In Christ,

Kent Hamilton – President, Elder Board

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY – OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

WILLING TO PRAY? We are seeking prayer warriors to intercede for us this year as we transition and build our children’s ministry. If you believe in the value of prayer and are willing to pray faithfully, you would receive an email weekly to update you on the needs – specific prayer requests for our children’s ministry and our children. Email Miss Coleen to join the children’s ministry prayer team!

LIKE OFFICE WORK AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK? One great way to support our children’s ministry is by volunteering in the church office on a weekday. With all the new activities coming this fall, there’s an increasing amount of office work to do in support of it. See Miss Coleen for details.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY  

Love In Action: Wednesday, Aug 1 at 6:30pm, ECOB Kitchen

• Freezer meal prep for those in need: sickness, death, new birth, etc. 
• Opportunity to prep, deliver meals, write notes, pray or donate.
• Join us for our second meal prep of lasagna.

BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES ICE CREAM SOCIAL FUND RAISER

• Saturday, Aug 4, 4-7pm  Happy Corner COB, 7037 Union Rd, Clayton
• Enjoy a full menu of food and some great ice cream while supporting this vital ministry.
• Pies needed – contact Nancy Muncy, 937-478-1893. If you would like to donate pies, bring them to ECOB on Sat, Aug 4, from 12:30-1pm.

Many have told me how much they appreciated or were moved by the video we used this past Sunday, so I thought I’d post it for anyone desiring to watch it again or share it with another person.

Congregation Informational Meetings

• Sunday, July 22 at 2pm, Great Rm
• Monday, July 23 at 6pm, Great Rm

An update from the Elders regarding ECOB’s next steps with the Church of the Brethren denomination. Specifically the Elders will review the document, A Peaceful Parting, outlining specific reasons for our concerns.

Brethren Disaster Ministries Ice Cream Social Fund Raiser

• Saturday, Aug 4, 4-7pm
• Happy Corner COB, 7037 Union Rd, Clayton

Enjoy a full menu of food and some great ice cream while supporting this vital ministry.

Like to Paint?

We are hoping to theme our children’s classrooms and paint some of the walls to match each new theme. If you enjoy painting and would love helping with this project, see Miss Coleen!

Congregation Info Meetings

• Sunday, July 22 at 2pm, Great Rm
• Monday, July 23 at 6pm, Great Rm

We invite you to join the Elders as they share an update regarding ECOB’s concerns with the denomination. Specifically the Elders will review the document, A Peaceful Parting, outlining specific reasons for our concerns.

Opportunities to Serve

Work Camp in New Paris – July 20-23

Miami Valley Community Action Partnership is cosponsoring, with Group Mission Trips, a New Paris WorkCamps Weekend. Volunteers are needed to do everything from painting to delivering cookies. For more information contact MVCAP, 456-2800.

School Supply Drive

Once Around Shop is providing school supplies to students in need. Items needed:

• Poly plastic folders
• College ruled loose leaf paper
• 2” 3-ring binders
• Back packs

Please put donated items in the box at the Info Center by next Sunday.

Save the date – Sunday, September 9th at Noon

Baptism:

Christian Baptism is an important spiritual marker in the lives of believers. It is a public identification with Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:3-5) In this we declare our personal faith in Him. We also acknowledge our dependence upon Jesus Christ and His death alone for our salvation. We’d love for you to take this step of faith. If you’re interested in baptism and would like to talk more about it with a pastor, please contact the office, 456-5507.

Celebrating Summer Spiritual Spectacular

Celebrating Child Dedication

Elijah James Moreland was dedicated to the Lord by his parents Josh & Tiffany.

Jr High Movie Night – Sunday, June 24

• Students 6th-8th grade
• 7-9pm at ECOB, Rm 101
• Popcorn, candy, and a movie!
• Discussion following the movie

We’ve officially started our newest campaign! Our desire is to help you place Christ at the center of your summer and make this truly the Best Summer Ever. Buckets and Summer “Bored” Games are available at the Life@Home Resource Center.  All of our summer resources are also on our website: eatoncob.org/lifehome.

• Registration closes Monday
• Forms are available online or at the church
• For kids going into 1st Grade through 6th Grade (Classes for parents also)
• It’s not too late to serve – contact Miss Coleen
• Items we’d like to borrow:
  • Colorful beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Surfboards
  • Beach chairs
  • Sleeping bags
  • Boogie boards
  •  5 gallon buckets
  • Old blankets (to sit on the ground)
  • Tents (10X20 or 2 10X10’s)