May 5, 2017
Harkin Concert – Tonight at 7pm
Come enjoy some tunes the band is preparing for the trip to Poland and join us for some time of worship and prayer!
Impact Eaton
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ i 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Over the last 6 months I have been working with the Eaton First Church of God pastor, Jonathan Grubbs on a collective event of combined worship and service to our community. I am incredibly excited about our churches coming together to worship God and serve as the hands and feet of Christ…together on a Sunday morning. The purpose of this specific morning of worship and serving is to honor Jesus Christ and reflect Him in action by serving in our community.
Therefore, on Sunday morning, May 21, instead of meeting here at our facility, we will gather at the Eaton Performing Arts Center across the street with the congregation of the Eaton First Church of God. (No services will be held at our facility that morning.) We will gather for worship and then head out into the community for various spring clean-up projects in public spaces and private homes. For those who are unable to physically participate there will be a prayer service after the worship, to pray for our community.
While we understand that this is something different than our normal Sunday morning, and will require some sacrifice, we believe it will be worth giving up a little of our own comfort in order to love our neighbors. I encourage you to live out your faith in Jesus Christ be being a part of this great gathering. As I shared a little over a month ago in a sermon, let’s be “Salt and Light” in this way to our community.
Here’s what you need to know:
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 2017
TIME: 8:15am – Noon
- Coffee/donuts 8:15 am
- worship 9:00 am
- orientation 9:30 am
- prayer service 9:45 am – 10:15 am (for those physically unable to go to projects)
- service projects 10:00 am – Noon
LOCATION:
- worship: Eaton High School Performing Arts Center (If inclement weather, we will still gather for worship)
- prayer service: Eaton High School Performing Arts Center
- service projects: Various sites around the Eaton community
- Assignments will be given on that Sunday morning
- Participants will be responsible for transportation to each site (carpooling is encouraged)
- Each site will be staffed with a project manager and a site host to lead volunteers
COST: none
WHO:
- all ages
- families will remain together
- childcare not provided
REGISTRATION:
- Sign up (one form per person)
- Kiosk – Apr 30 & May 7
- LifeShare link at the bottom of this article
- Sign up Form (available in bulletin and at Kiosk)
- Choose how to participate (community service OR prayer service)
- Name/phone
- T-shirt size (free to participants)
T-SHIRTS
- free to anyone that signs up and participates (includes children)
WHAT TO BRING:
- Gloves; all other items TBD
- Water will be provided at project sites
WHAT TO WEAR:
- Impact Eaton t-shirt (will be handed out May 14 for those who signed up)
- Weather appropriate clothes & shoes to work in
So, let’s start signing up and making the most of this opportunity “to love God and love others”. You can sign up now by clicking here. (Make sure you sign up each person in your family.) Don’t miss out…be a part.
Looking forward to worshiping and serving with you on May 21!
Pastor Dan
Following Up on Lust…
This past Sunday, you heard a bit of my story and my struggle with pornography. If you haven’t, I encourage you to go and check it out. I also promised a blog post as a follow up with more of my story and some resources that offer some good helps.
When someone is telling about that which consumed nearly 11 years of their life, 40 minutes is not enough. And just so you know, when I’m preaching I typically try and stay within the 30-35 minutes range! Regardless, 40 minutes barely scratches the surface. And even here, I won’t be able to go into as much detail, but again, what I hope to share will help anyone reading understand that in Jesus there is hope, forgiveness, redemption, and a cleansing. More than anything, though, I hope for heart transformation.
The first time I confessed this sin was as a teenager (16, I believe) to both my father and my youth pastor after a Promise Keepers event. They both received it with grace and mercy. It didn’t stick, though.
The next time I confessed to friends in college. We even started an accountability group (I think I was a part of three accountability groups, with three different confessions throughout my four years at college). Though it was also met with grace and mercy, it didn’t work.
The most difficult time, though, was confessing to Amanda. I was so afraid of how she would react. We weren’t even engaged at the time, but were in a very serious relationship heading toward marriage. I was afraid she was going to reject me, end the relationship, and that was that. However, she forgave me and showed me mercy. Once again, though, pornography continued to cling to me.
It wasn’t until my redemption story with my Seminary Cohort that I received a new heart and “cut it off, and threw it away.”
One of the most common sound bites I hear from the men I’ve met with who are addicted to pornography is that they just can’t quit. Many have confessed their sin multiple times. Many have had different accountability partners. No matter what, though, they simply can’t stop. I know how you feel! The same has been true in my life! But don’t be discouraged! Keep confessing! Seek a heart transformation instead of just “fixing the problem.” And if you seek a heart transformation, you will receive it. If not now, then later. And here’s how I know it will happen:
God created you, and spoke you into existence. He desires for us to be restored into the person we were all created to be before sin! His desire is so strong he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to humble himself, become like a man, die on a cross, and resurrect three days later. His desire for us is so strong he, in the person of the Holy Spirit, dwells within those who believe in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. And now, within those whom he dwells, he molds, shapes and forms each of us into his original creation. A new man! A new woman! A new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)
Another reason how I know:
ECOB, your church, we care about your redemption in Jesus Christ. There is grace, and we are here to fight alongside you. We are not afraid of your sin, because we worship one who is greater than your sin. We are not afraid of your words, because we believe in the one whose words spoke the world into existence. We are praying for you, and we are ready to see you renewed. Just speak it! Confess it! (James 5:16)
But it’s not all on us. You have a role to play, and the question I’ll pose, is a similar one to that which Jesus asked in Matthew 5:29-30. What are you willing to cut off from your life and throw away to receive the forgiveness and promise of righteousness from Jesus Christ? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to see the power that resurrected Jesus from the grave, to resurrect you from the grave of lust you have been laid in?
There are resources readily available for anyone ready for a heart transformation; to cut it off and throw it away. These resources provide helps, support, and safeguards to prevent triggers that lead to viewing pornography. They’re not failproof, though! They only work if you’re ready for them to work.
Some of the content that follows are not free resources. Most are non-profit organizations that try to offer these materials at a minimal cost.
xxxchurch.com
This is where I’ve seen the most success and help in my history. Spear-headed by Craig Gross, this mission is not only to restore the Christian who is addicted to pornography, but is actually to care for actors and actresses who are steeped into the porn culture. They provide safeguards for your computer, accountability groups, online counseling, a regularly posted blog, and countless resources for fighting porn addiction.
recover.org
Just recently xxxchurch added a piece to their ministry for wives of husbands who are addicted to pornography. Their hope is to minister to women of sexual betrayal. This is a very unique resource.
Covenant Eyes
This is a website that offers many resources that set up safeguards to help prevent falling into areas on the internet where there is pornography. They are very good at supporting multiple platforms (computers, smart phones, tablets, etc.), and seek to help make parents aware of ways to support their children and create a safer place for their family to use the internet.
Fight the New Drug
This is an organization that exists to raise awareness of the harmful effects of pornography in the life of the individual. They’re main thrust is that porn effects the brain, the heart, and the world. This is a great website for information, but also a place to find support and hear stories of others (some even famous) who have chosen to “fight the new drug”.
There are countless resources available, and some that are free but require a more tech-savvy person. If you are interested in these kinds of resources, feel free to contact me for that information.
There is hope! Because there is Jesus!
With Love,
Pastor Josh
Volunteers Needed at The Bistro
Volunteers are needed for The Bistro’s soft opening this week. Help for any part of these shifts would be appreciated:
- Thursday, April 27, 10am – 3pm
- Friday, April 28, 3-8pm
- Saturday, April 29, 7am-3pm
If you are able to help, contact Myranda, 937-422-4173 or myranda@bistroateaglespoint.com
Don’t know about The Bistro? Check it out here.
Battling Heroin Through Prayer
This is the prayer that Pastor Dan led us through yesterday. It was written by a Senior Adult from Ware’s Chapel and is being prayed by churches throughout the community.
Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us grace, for loving us when we have been unlovable. Help us to look at others through your eyes of love, empathy and compassion. Help us remember when we have also needed help, support, empathy and compassion as we have all been sinners, not one of us free from sin and temptation.
Give your strength to those who are bound by the chains of addiction. Let them feel your love and understanding. Grant them freedom and healing through your grace. Protect them from their suffering, from their pain and from the grief caused by the imprisonment of addiction while they fight to become free. Let them be still and hear your voice leading them toward the life they were meant to have.
Touch each and every child born to addicted parents. Heal them and show them love and mercy. Block them from the cravings that plague their parents, help them see your Holy plan for their lives that they may break the cycle that has caused grief and despair in the lives of their families.
Hold the hand of the family members and friends watching as addiction has taken a hold of their loved one. Give them strength and wisdom as they strive to support their loved one through this battle.
Shine your mercy down on our community Lord, and take this plague from us.
We thank you for bringing awareness to us and are using us to fight this disease that is assaulting our community. Use us as your warriors against this disease, guide us as we reach out to those who are hurting and lend our support that we may serve you by serving them.
In your Holy name, Amen
April 21, 2017
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY TRAINING/RE-CERTIFICATION: Thu, April 27, 7pm and Sun, April 30, 9am, in the Conference Rm: Adults or Youth who work with children and/or youth at ECOB must attend a CPP session every two years. Questions, contact Lois Simmons, 456-6068, (lois.simmons8890@gmail.com) or Diana Oburn at 456-9512 (mothermedic@hotmail.com).
Family Life Board…is now available in the south hallway by the bulletin board. Invitations to invite the entire church to family events such as weddings, showers, graduation or anniversary open houses may be submitted to the office 4 weeks prior to your event. Watch the board for invitations for you and your family. Questions: call, 456-5507 or email Dee, dee.carver@eatoncob.org.
The Bistro @ Eagles Point: Looking for a way to make an Impact? The Bistro needs volunteers during the opening week of April 24th. Call Myranda, 937-422-4173 or visit http://signup.com/go/NybrmS
Mark Your Calendar:
- Impact Eaton – May 21
- Ellis Guthrie Golf Scramble – June 17
- Men’s Golf Retreat – July 28-30
- Family Camp – Aug 11-13
Poland Funding Met!!
Dziękuję Ci!
(Thank you in Polish.)
Thank you to everyone at ECOB who gave to knock out — in just 2 weeks!! — our funding goal for the Poland mission trip. We also want to thank the Missions and Outreach Team for their support.
Wow! We were blown away. Not only did we meet the first deadline (April 15) when we needed to submit $7,800 to the missions organization we’ve partnered with, but now we’re preparing to send the final check of $7,800, which isn’t due until May 31.
In fact, we’ve raised enough money to likely cover the cost of taking our instruments along, which figures to be roughly $100 a piece. We’re also looking to purchase some Bibles and small books to give away.
So I suppose, the team of missionary musicians needs to keep plugging away at our music and preparing to get our bags packed. Thank you for making it so that the only things we need to be concerned with are lyrics, chords, rhythms, and all the other stuff that makes music what it is.
Please continue to pray for the trip. Pray particularly for the Christians in Poland, that God will strengthen them to be light in the darkness. We look forward to encouraging the believers there.
Don’t forget: we’ve planned to share some of the music we’re working on at the concert on Friday, May 5 at 7 pm. We’ll also include worship songs and times of prayer.
April 14, 2017
Holy Week
Good Friday Worship Gathering: Friday, April 14 at 6:30pm Reflective worship focused on the crucifixion.
Holy Saturday Vigil: Saturday, April 15 at 6:30pm Gathering for meditative Scripture and prayer.
Easter Worship Celebrations: Sunday, April 16 at 8:45 am & 10:45am The pinnacle of the Lenten season, when we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death!
Update from Dirk and Karen Martin:
Dear Family and Friends,
Karen has become more involved in the 5th/6th grade classroom at Cité
Lumière Christian School since second semester began in the middle of
January. She is teaching the language arts block and planning science
lessons for seven middle-grade students while supervising an eleventh grade
student who is working mostly independently. It is a challenge to find time
for the principal’s duties, so please pray for Karen as she supports this year’s
staff and looks for teachers to fill needed positions for next school year.
We are most in need of a teacher for a combined sixth and seventh grade classroom.
Please pray that God would send the people He has chosen to work with us and share this opportunity with Christian teachers you know who might be interested.
Dirk continues to be encouraged as the school library expands.
Thanks to the help of one of the teachers and several library aids, most of the books donated by the Eaton Church of the Brethren have been processed, categorized and shelved for the use of library patrons, and a new bookcase with glass panels houses
periodic special book displays. Students are starting to do more research in the library for upcoming reports.
Dirk continues to prepare Braille Scripture materials and teach individuals who are blind, as well as their families, how to use digital Bibles and audio recorders. It is always a blessing when others are interested and become involved with learning and encouraging the relative or friend who is blind.
As we look forward to celebrating Christ’s resurrection this Sunday, we wish you a Blessed Easter.
In Christ,
Dirk and Karen
Things to know this week…
- Tuesday, April 18 @ 11am: MOM’s meet in the Gathering Area
- Wednesday, April 19 at 6pm: Etch
April 7, 2017
Holy Week
Love Feast & Communion: Thursday, April, 13 at 6:30pm Join us for our annual love feast, communion and feet washing service, along the lines of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. Childcare provided.
Good Friday Worship Gathering: Friday, April 14 at 6:30pm Reflective worship focused on the crucifixion.
Holy Saturday Vigil: Saturday, April 15 at 6:30pm Gathering for meditative Scripture and prayer.
Easter Worship Celebrations: Sunday, April 16 at 8:45 am & 10:45am The pinnacle of the Lenten season, when we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death!
Mission Team Headed to Poland
A half dozen musicians who regularly serve in the worship band at Eaton Church of the Brethren will head to Poland in late June to share the gospel in both musical form and through conversational interaction.
We will play roughly nine concerts in six days. The band, recently christened Harken (which means “to listen”), will play at outdoor festivals, clubs, a dignitary’s garden, a couple churches, at least one school (probably two), and, amazingly, a palace before the President of Poland and other notables. We’ll serve, as Paul says, those in “both the civilized world and the rest of the world … the educated and uneducated alike,” sharing with them the truth about sin and grace, death and rescue.
How You Can Get Involved
Here’s what’s needed and how you can, though you stay, serve those who are going:
- Pray for the people of Poland, for receptive minds to the Good News—that God would work even now to till the soil of their hearts, for he already knows who will be in each audience.
- Pray for the band of servant musicians, as we select and strenuously rehearse over the next couple months a few dozen songs that will promote the message of Christ.
- Follow us on LifeShare and Facebook leading up to and during the trip.
- Attend an initial concert on Friday, April 28, featuring songs Harken is working on, in addition to a time of worship and prayer. Additionally, attend a dress rehearsal (of sorts) concert sometime in mid-June before we head across the pond.
- Give financially for the team to meet its support goals:
- the first $7,800 by April 15,
- the additional $7,800 by May 30.
These are daunting amounts that caused us to briefly reconsider our participation this year, since we were late in getting onboard (early February!), but we are confident God is calling us to the field and are assured he’ll provide the means of getting us there and back.
How You Can Give
- Mail or place a check in an offering envelope, noting “Poland” on the “other” line.
- Give with debit/credit card on our website, selecting “Poland” in the TO field.
All donations are tax deductible.
6th Annual Woodbury Fishing Tournament & Meal: Saturday, May 6 @ Hueston Woods Marina
- No fishing license required
- Fish anytime; Tournament ends 4pm
- Meal served between 5 & 5:30pm
- Cost $10 (Children 12 & under free)
- Sign-up by April 30
- Contact: John Redick, 937-750-1800
LifeShare 