January 27, 2017
Mission and Outreach Update: Jesse Witt, Story Team Austin Stone
Signs of Faithfulness
As a filmmaker, I often try to measure success by how many “plays,” “likes,” “shares,” “views,” etc. that my stories get. However, what I’m learning is that God’s measure of success isn’t found in statistics and metrics, but in people’s lives.
Because of this, it’s essential to ask the question, “What is God doing through our work?” By God’s grace, I recently heard a testament of God’s faithfulness through a story that we told.
Last week, my team and I returned from a mission trip to Spain where we captured stories from missionaries serving all across the world. From the Middle East and Northern Africa to Central America and Southeast Asia, it was incredibly encouraging to hear stories of God’s faithfulness in their personal lives and ministries.
While there, a missionary couple approached me and thanked me for the work that our ministry (Story Team) is doing. Last year, we told the story of their ministry—a deaf community in a remote area of Honduras where they teach sign language and share the gospel.
I quickly turned the compliment back on them. For my team and I, it truly is an honor and privilege to get to share stories such as theirs. The wife went on to explain just why she wanted to thank and encourage me. They have been faithfully serving in Honduras for more than six years. Those first five years were incredibly difficult. They have seen fruit, but it has come at the cost of much personal suffering for them and other members of their team. While on furlough, they stopped by the church office to consult with our missions board about leaving the field.
Unbeknownst to them, we had coincidentally just finished a story that we had captured throughout their time on the field. While in the break room, we bumped into this couple and proudly showed them their story—a film called, “Signs of Love.”
What I learned next is that God used that video that day to remind them why they had been called to the field and of all the good work that has been accomplished in Jesus’s name. Our film directly motivated them to stay on the field. It is has since served as an incredible resource for their ministry in both generating awareness for prayer and sustainable financial support.
She shared with me that not only had God used one of our stories to keep them on the field, but they had originally felt compelled to go to the Nations when they saw one of our first films almost eight years ago.
As I stood there listening to her tell this story, I wept. What an amazing testament of God’s providence and faithfulness. I hope that this serves as an encouragement in your own ministry and walk with Jesus. Beyond numbers and metrics, we serve a living God who is moving radically in the hearts of His elect.
Your brother in Christ,
Jesse
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” –Psalm 46:10
Things to know this week…
- Sunday, Jan 29 is the last day to register for Men’s & Women’s Bible study
- Sunday, Jan 29 @6pm – RockHouse Youth Doer Groups
- Wed, Feb 1 @6pm: Etch
- A Night in Little Italy tickets on sale at the Youth Info Desk
Storage Building Project
Thank you to the 25+ who came out last night and helped install the insulation!
January 20, 2017
MOM’s Ministry
Tuesday, Jan 24, 11am in Rm 101 Calling all moms! Join us for relaxing time of fellowship. Moms of all life stages are invited. There is no cost and children are welcome. Questions: Bev Heindl, 533-9856.
Child Protection Policy Training/Re-certification
Thursday, Jan 26, 7pm and Sunday, Jan 29, 9am, in the Conference Rm. Anyone who works with children or youth at ECOB, must attend a CPP training every two years. Contact Lois Simmons, 456-6068 (lois.simmons8890@gmail.com) or Diana Oburn, 456-9512 (mothermedic@hotmail.com).
Things to know this week…
- Sunday, Jan 22 @6pm – RockHouse Youth Doer Groups
- Register now for Jr High Believe: Feb 17-18
- A Night in Little Italy tickets on sale at the Youth Info Desk
January 18, 2017
2016 Financial Giving Statements
To be good stewards of our resources, we are making a change this year in how we distribute ECOB’s Financial Giving Statements. If we have an email on record, giving statements will be emailed to those who have Offering Numbers. If we have no email on record, statement will be mailed. The Church Office does not keep a record of your giving unless you use the offering number assigned to you. Numbers are available through the office, 456-5507. Thank You!
Storage Building Project
On Tuesday, Jan 24 @ 5:30 pm, we will be installing insulation in the new storage building. Anyone who would like to help is welcome to come. Dinner will be provided. See Matt Deaton Sunday at the Kiosk in the Gathering Area to sign-up.
Etch is Back! Jan. 18 (6-8pm)
Etch Starts Jan. 18 (6-8pm)
It has been long enough! It is time for us to get back together and find ways to combine life, family, and ministry and apply to the way we live our lives at home on a daily basis.
As the Etch Team reflected on last year, we saw some really great things happen at Etch! We saw the 5 values of Etch (Let Go, Reimagine, Reflect, Together, Pass On) all find their ways into the evenings. We saw families talking together (some that may not have time during the week to do so), and not just simply talking, but talking about God! We saw new friendships made that crossed generations. We saw laughter, learning, selflessness, creativity, and the list goes on.
While seeing the positives of the first series of Etch, we also recognized some aspects of Etch that are needing addressed as well. From the start of Etch, we’ve known that not everything was going to work perfectly. This is a new ministry model for us. It’s a new concept for us. We realize this, like any new ministry in the church, is a work-in-progress. We have much to work on, much to adapt, and the Etch Team is committed to seeing Etch attain the potential it was created for. I’m actually praying for it to exceed those expectations, because that’s just who God is! The Exceeder-of-Expectations.
With the recognition that Etch is a work-in-progress. Here are some changes you can expect to see in the upcoming series of Etches:
- Schedule (Etch will be meeting the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month)
- Break-out times for different age groups
- Different seating arrangements (Except for Jan. 18)
- More large group interaction
- Drama
And these just scratch the surface. We always appreciate feedback (positive or negative). It helps us assess what will best work to see Etch as an effective ministry tool for each person who walks through the doors of ECOB.
Etch begins again this Wednesdays (Jan. 18) from 6-8pm. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
January 13, 2017
It’s time for the next season of Etch! Join us Wed, Jan 18 – a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. We begin with dinner, promptly at 6pm. Meal costs are by donation. For more information, go to our website, www.eatoncob.org/connect/etch.
Men’s Ministry
Men’s Breakfast: Saturday, Feb 11, 7:30 – 10am in the Gathering Area $5 Per person. Food, Fellowship and Guest Speaker, Dr. David Roadcup, Professor at Cincinnati Christian University. Men’s Ministry Team will share information about upcoming ministry events. Sign-up at the Kiosk.
Men’s Bible Study: Ephesians – Your Identity in Christ By Tony Merida. Wed evenings Feb 8, 22, Mar 8, 22, Apr 12, 26, from 6-7:30 pm (Meal provided for donation) in Rm 101. Registration and $20 due by Jan 29 for workbook/materials.
Women’s Ministry
IF:Gathering Simulcast: Friday, Feb 3, 7-10pm and Saturday, Feb 4, 10am-6pm Hosted by ECOB at Community Christian School 500 Elks Road, Richmond. Disconnect, come as you are, and gather with women to experience the Spirit of God.$30 donation includes Friday snacks, Saturday continental breakfast & snacks and cost of simulcast. Register by Jan 22 at the Kiosk or the Church Office.
Ladies Bible Study: Finding I AM by Lysa TerKeurst. Wed evenings Feb 8, 22, Mar 8, 22 and April 12, 26 from 5:45 – 7:30 pm (Meal provided for donation) in the Great Room; Wed mornings Feb 8 – Mar 15 from 9:30 – 11 am in Rm 101. Registration form and $20 due by January 29 at the Kiosk or Church Office.
Things to know this week…
- Sunday, Jan 15 @6pm – RockHouse Youth Doer Groups
- Sunday, Jan 22 – One Another Group Leaders Huddle. RSVP by Jan 15 to Rich or Karen Charles
January 6, 2017
Celebrating Luke 3:11
Because of your generous giving, 5000 pounds of food was donated to the Preble County Food Bank during the months of November and December! Thank you for showing the love of Jesus. Please continue to bring your filled bags!
Women’s Ministry:
Ladies Winter Bible Study
This 6 week study will follow Lysa TerKeurst on the streets of Israel to explore the seven I AM statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John.
Wed evenings Feb 8, 22, Mar 8, 22 and April 12, 26 from 5:45 – 7:30 pm (Meal provided for donation) in the Great Room; Wed mornings Feb 8 – Mar 15 from 9:30 – 11 am in Rm 101. Registration form and $20 due by January 29 at the Kiosk or Church Office.
IF:Gathering Simulcast
Friday, Feb 3, 7-10pm and Saturday, Feb 4, 10am-6pm at Community Christian School 500 Elks Road, Richmond
Disconnect, come as you are,and gather with women to experience the Spirit of God.$30 donation includes Friday snacks, Saturday continental breakfast & snacks and cost of simulcast. Register by Jan 22 at the Kiosk or the Church Office.
RockHouse Youth Doer Groups Kick-off
Sunday, Jan 8 from 6-8pm, Gathering Area & Great Room
James 1:22 ESV “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only…”
Doer Groups meet on Sunday evenings from 6-8pm and is for students in grades 6-12. There is a time of students worshiping and learning together, and also a time of small group breakouts. Then, each lesson series students are provided with the opportunity to DO the very words we’ve been learning.
Our approach to ministry is to give students the freedom to experience what we hear from the word of God. We hope to help each student develop an all-encompassing view of what it means to be a follower of Christ. There will be elements of fellowship, worship, prayer, service, study and challenge. We are helping develop DOERS of the WORD!
December 30, 2016
Join us Sunday, January 1 for one service at 11am.
Sermon Series Beginning January 8
In his first appearance, Jesus’ mission was to reconcile all people to God the Father. He accomplished this by dying sacrificially for our sins and resurrecting gloriously to give spiritual life to those who receive God’s free gift of grace. As a result, we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to God’s kingdom, and so we must learn how to live as citizens of heaven.
Jesus taught primarily in parables that, to many, amounted to riddles, but in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spelled out quite clearly what living in his Kingdom looks like—both for his glory and our ultimate satisfaction.
Things to know this week…
- Monday, Jan 2 – Office Hours: 10am – 2pm
- Sunday, Jan 8 – GreenHouse Kid’s Worship resumes
- Sunday, Jan 8 @6pm – RockHouse Youth Doer Groups
December 23, 2016
Storage Building Progress:
Snowy Weather Reminder
Weather Closing Information: If services need to be cancelled, we will Text you, list it on Facebook and our website, http://www.eatoncob.org, and on Television Channel 7-WHIO.
Weather Cancellation Policy: If Eaton Community Schools close, dismiss early or cancel evening due to WEATHER, ALL ECOB sponsored CHILDREN and YOUTH activities for that day and evening are cancelled. All OTHER church-related meetings, small groups, rehearsals, etc. are ALSO considered cancelled UNLESS the leader of that event communicates directly to participants that it is still on. However, before attending any event, each should judge how traveling in the current weather conditions might affect their personal safety.
Things to know this week…
- Friday, December 23 – Office Closed
- Saturday, Christmas Eve Service 6pm
- Sunday, Christmas Day Service 11am
- Monday, December 26 – Office Closed
Mark Your Calendar…
- RockHouse Youth Doer Groups: Sun, Jan 8 @6pm
- Etch Kick-off: Wed, Jan 18 @6pm
- Women’s Ministry -IF:Gathering Simulcast: Feb 3 & 4
- Men’s Breakfast: Sat, Feb 11 @8am
RockHouse: Progressive Dinner
What a great evening of conversation, food and giving! For those of you who may be unaware of what a progressive dinner is, it’s an evening where each course (of a 4 course meal) is shared at a different home. We want to thank the Roths, Lockers, and Hamiltons for opening up your homes to us this season! You each had delicious food, and made our evening and our bellies full!
After we completed our main course, we headed back to the church for dessert and gift wrapping. “Gift wrapping?,” you may ask. We were given and brought gifts for a family’s Christmas that needed wrapped, and the students all jumped in and made the packages look beautiful! Our teens understand Christmas, for some, isn’t the easiest time of year, but with Jesus Christ there is always HOPE. They were happy to play a role in providing Christ’s hope for those who needed it this holiday season.
LifeShare 