Etch Values: From the Etch Team, Part 2
We are continuing our series explaining the heart behind Etch. The best way we can describe the heart is to share our Etch Values from the voices of the Etch Ministry Team. This weeks value:
REIMAGINE the way we disciple.
Disciple making—you’ve probably heard a lot about it lately at ECOB. Jesus made it clear that, as he was preparing to depart his earthly ministry, his followers, his disciples, were to carry on the mission that he called them to—to ”go, and make disciples of all the nations”, and then “to teach them everything he commanded them.” Think about what that really means for a minute. What does this mean for us, today, here, now? His call is still in effect today, right here, right now. I ask myself a question, “So how are we doing with that?” What would you say? How do you think Jesus would answer this question? Honestly, do you really like the answer to this question? This is the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. After all, He has shown us the way, and He promised to be with us until He calls us into himself.
I really believe that most true Christ followers really want to be better disciples, and disciple makers. They just don’t know how.
One of the core values of the ETCH Ministry is Reimagine. What would it look like if this faith community took seriously the call that Jesus has extended to us? Acts Chapter 2 reveals what took place in Jerusalem just after the Day of Pentecost—an exciting time for the church. Scripture says that “people were continually devoted to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” It goes on to say “and day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with God.
This is a picture of what ETCH is attempting to capture. We will meet weekly, as a large family, for a simple meal. The fellowship that takes place over the meal, shared with our “family members” will be rich and sweet. We will pray. We will receive instruction in the scripture, and then engage in activities and conversation that we seek to apply to our lives. This is disciple making in action. We invite you to “come and see”, as Jesus did to his followers. Come, bring your family, and invite your friends to be with us on Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
-Lou Driggs (Etch Ministry Team)
September 16, 2016
One Another Groups
Now is an excellent time to join a One Another small group, in an all-church 7-week study on the life of Jesus beginning October 2! The study corresponds with “The Story” sermons and readings. Small groups meet weekly or bi-weekly through the year, many in homes. Each group uniquely combines time for fellowship, prayer, Bible study and service to others.
Curious about small groups but not ready to commit to a year in a One Another Group? We are offering a small group experience during the Jesus study starting Oct 2. They will meet at the church Sundays at 6:30 pm, and will be led by One Another Group team members.
See us at the kiosk by the fireplace to sign up for a small group, the short term group, or for more info!
The Story
Before Sunday, September 18, be sure to read Ezra 7; Nehemiah 1-2; 4; 6-8; Malachi 1-4 and/or Chapter 21 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Upcoming…
- Meeting For Etch Meals – Sept 25, after the 10:45 am worship in Room 101 for anyone interested in helping in any way with the meals on Wednesday evenings for Etch.
- Etch – Wednesday Evenings…It’s our new/old way of doing ministry… TOGETHER! Etch is inter-generational. It’s a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. We’ll begin with dinner, promptly at 6 pm. Meal costs are by donation. Click here for more information and to watch the video!
- Ladies Fall Bible Study – “Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy” by Beth Moore. Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6-7:30 pm in the Great Room (no meal provided), Wednesday mornings Oct 5-Nov 9, 9:30-11 am, Room 101, and Saturday mornings Oct 8- Nov 12, 8:30 – 10 am in the Conference Room. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook and study costs. For more info or to register, go to the Info Center. Contact Dee Carver, dee.carver@eatoncob.org, 937-456-5507.
- Men’s Fall Bible Study – “Horizontal Jesus” by Tony Evans, Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6:30-7:30 pm, in Room 101. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook and study costs. For more info or to register, go to the Info Center. Contact Bob Jones, 937-456-1386, bobandbrendajones@embarqmail.com.
- Baby/Child Dedication – Sunday, October 2. If you would like to have a child dedicated, contact the office by Wednesday, Sept 28.
- Birthright Fall Showcase – Oct 1, 9 am-5 pm, in our Great Room. Quality Crafts and Specialty Vendors sponsored by Birthright of Eaton to raise awareness and funds. Entry Fee is one small baby item. This is an opportunity to begin Christmas shopping and book parties. There will be door prizes and a lunch stand!
- Starting Point…where your journey begins – Sunday, Oct 2. A place for new attenders to learn more about ECOB. Stop by the seating area by the Fireplace immediately following either service to ask questions about the church and receive a welcome packet.
Etch Values: From the Etch Team, Part 1
This is the first of five articles on the five values of Etch. Originally, I had set out to talk about them on video, however it struck me that I don’t need to be the one sharing this information (you hear from me enough!). So I commissioned the Etch Ministry Team to each take a value and write about its purpose and further meaning. Please enjoy!
-P. Josh
LET GO of our desires
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV).
We grow by allowing God to lead us toward His desire for us as individuals, families and the body of believers. God’s longing is for us to be free in Him. The world cannot offer any version of true freedom. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burden again by a yoke of slavery”. In letting go of our desires, God replaces them with His desires for us, which will always be better than we could ever anticipate. As we work with God through confession and prayer, our focus is on Christ, His suffering, death and resurrection on our behalf. In Christ, there is an abundance of freedom. Thus, we worship God in every aspect of our lives as we “let go of our own desires”. When we serve Him with complete trust and obedience, we glorify God in every facet of our lives. There will be great blessings to us all as we allow God to lead us and we trust His guidance.
Not many people like change. It can be challenging even when the change is a positive thing. As ECOB changes and grows (because all things living do… and yes the church is living!), there will be doubt and questions. Please know brothers and sisters, our future has been prayed for. Our families have been prayed for. God is in charge of change. He is the one this leadership team and pastoral staff answer to. We have let go of our desires and replaced them with God’s desire. However, without change, growth will not take place as effectively if we don’t allow God to create disciples that surrender their will to His, and that is what Etch is about.
-Therese Betar (Etch Ministry Team)
Etch Ministry has launched!
It was a great first night of the church coming together to share in being and becoming disciples of Christ! If you missed it, come join us next Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 in the Great Room!
September 9, 2016
Mexico Mission Trip
Many of you may remember that we had several people from our church travel to Mexico this last June. Here are a few pictures to share with you. Thank you so much for your prayers, and financial support. For more information about the trip, please see Keith Pemberton and Jerry Deaton.
The Story
Before Sunday, September 11, be sure to read Esther 1-9 and/or Chapter 20 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Upcoming…
- Rockhouse – Sept 25, A Rockhouse Classic Event: Canoe Trip! Parent’s meeting and deadline is Sept 11, cost $25.
- One Another Huddle – Sunday, Sept 11, One Another Group Leaders will meet after church until 2 pm in Room 101 for our Quarterly Huddle. RSVP to Rich Charles, 513-280-2501, charlerl@miamioh.edu
- Etch – Wednesday Evenings…It’s our new/old way of doing ministry… TOGETHER! Etch is inter-generational. It’s a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. We’ll begin with dinner, promptly at 6 pm. Meal costs are by donation. Click here for more information and to watch the video!
- Financial Peace University (FPU) – This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! A video will be watched on your own each week, and you’ll come together for community and discussion. Mondays, Sept 26 through Nov 21, 6:30-7:30 pm in Room 101. Cost $93 if you register online by Sept 14 at www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1024127. Register by Sept 14 so that we can order materials. Contact Matt and Shauna Deaton, shauna.deaton@gmail.com.
- Ladies Fall Bible Study – “Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy” by Beth Moore. Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6-7:30 pm in the Great Room (no meal provided), Wednesday mornings Oct 5-Nov 9, 9:30-11 am, Room 101, and Saturday mornings Oct 8- Nov 12, 8:30 – 10 am in the Conference Room. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook and study costs. The first 20 ladies to register with payment will receive a free set of scripture memory cards. Cards can be ordered for $6. Contact Dee Carver, dee.carver@eatoncob.org, 937-456-5507.
- Men’s Fall Bible Study – “Horizontal Jesus” by Tony Evans, Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6:30-7:30 pm, in Room 101. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook and study costs. Contact Bob Jones, 937-456-1386, bobandbrendajones@embarqmail.com.
- Baby/Child Dedication – Sunday, October 2. If you would like to have a child dedicated, contact the office by Wednesday, Sept 28.
September 2, 2016
Missions and Outreach Team Update
From ECOB missionaries, Dirk and Karen Martin:
We are thankful for a safe return to Haiti for another year of ministry at Cite Lumiere Christian School (CLCS) and for people who are blind and have low vision. Please pray for us as we prepare to begin the school year at CLCS minus one classroom teacher. We are trusting God to provide the right people to work together to cover this need.
Dirk is looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues working in blindness rehabilitation and continuing production of Braille materials. There are also some blind students who are ready to begin orientation and mobility lessons.
We appreciated the warm welcome we received from the church and were glad for the opportunity to worship with you on Sundays and visit with many of you individually. If we didn’t get to see you this year, try to catch us again next summer.
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support.
In Christ,
Dirk and Karen
The Story
Before Sunday, September 4, be sure to read Ezra 1-6; Haggai 1-2; Zechariah 1; 8 and/or Chapter 19 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Upcoming…
- Church Office Closed – Monday, Sept 5, for Labor Day.
- Etch (Launching September 7th) – Etch…It’s our new/old way of doing ministry… TOGETHER! Etch is inter-generational. It’s a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. We’ll begin with dinner, promptly at 6 pm. Meal costs are by donation. Click here for more information and to watch the video!
- Just Friends – Sept 7, 11:30 am, at O’Charley’s in Richmond. Meet at 11 am to carpool from Eaton Kmart parking lot across from Bob Evans. “Just Friends” is our Widow and Widower’s group, but everyone is welcome!
- Men’s Golf Scramble – Saturday, Sept 10, at Jamaica Run Golf Course, 8781 Jamaica Rd., Germantown. New Tee Time 8 am. 18 holes and a cart for $39. This will be the last scramble of the season. Contact Steve McCloud by Sept 7, at sbcmjmccloud@gmail.com, 937-603-2958.
- Rockhouse – Sept 25, A Rockhouse Classic Event: Canoe Trip! Parent’s meeting and deadline is Sept 11, cost $25.
- One Another Huddle – Sunday, Sept 11, One Another Group Leaders will meet after church until 2 pm in Room 101 for our Quarterly Huddle. RSVP to Rich Charles, 513-280-2501, charlerl@miamioh.edu
- Financial Peace University (FPU) – This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! A video will be watched on your own each week, and you’ll come together for community and discussion. Mondays, Sept 26 through Nov 21, 6:30-7:30 pm in Room 101. Cost $93 if you register online by Sept 14 at www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1024127. Register by Sept 14 so that we can order materials. Contact Matt and Shauna Deaton, shauna.deaton@gmail.com.
- Ladies Fall Bible Study – “Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy” by Beth Moore. Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6-7:30 pm in the Great Room (no meal provided), Wednesday mornings Oct 5-Nov 9, 9:30-11 am, Room 101, and Saturday mornings Oct 8- Nov 12, 8:30 – 10 am in the Conference Room. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook and study costs. The first 20 ladies to register with payment will receive a free set of scripture memory cards. Cards can be ordered for $6. Contact Dee Carver, dee.carver@eatoncob.org, 937-456-5507.
- Men’s Fall Bible Study – “Horizontal Jesus” by Tony Evans, Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8. New time and Room is 6:30-7:30 pm, Room 101. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook and study costs. Contact Bob Jones, bobandbrendajones@embarqmail.com, 937-456-1386.
- Baby/Child Dedication – New Date is Sunday, October 2. If you would like to have a child dedicated, contact the office by Wednesday, Sept 28.
August 26, 2016
Financial Peace University
Financial Peace University (FPU) 
teaches God’s ways of handling money. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely and give generously. This class will follow the FPU Flex Format. A video will be watched on your own each week, and you’ll come together for community and discussion. Mondays, Sept 26 through Nov 21, 6:30-7:30 pm in Room 101. Cost is $93 if you register online by Sept 14 at www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1024127. Register by Sept 14 so we can order materials. Contact Matt and Shauna Deaton
The Story
Before Sunday, August 28, be sure to read Daniel 1-3; 6; Jeremiah 29-31 and/or Chapter 18 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Upcoming…
- Etch (Launching September 7th) – Etch…It’s our new/old way of doing ministry… TOGETHER! Etch is inter-generational. It’s a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. Together, we’ll share stories of how God interacts with us in our everyday lives and pass on his truths to all generations. Click here for more information and to watch the video!
- Ladies Fall Bible Study – “Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy” by Beth Moore. Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6-7:30 pm (no meal provided), and Wednesday mornings Oct 5-Nov 9, 9:30-11 am, Room 101. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook/materials.
- Men’s Fall Bible Study – “Horizontal Jesus” by Tony Evans, Tuesday evenings Oct 4-Nov 8, 6-7:30 pm, Room 6. $20 due by Sep 25 for workbook/materials.
- Men’s Golf Scramble – Saturday, September 10, at Jamaica Run Golf Course, 8781 Jamaica Rd., Germantown. Tee Time 8:30 am. 18 holes and a cart for $39. This will be the last scramble of the season. Contact Steve McCloud by Sept 7, 937-603-2958.
- Baby/Child Dedication – Sunday, September 18. If you would like to have a child dedicated, contact the office by Wednesday, September 14.
- Thank you to everyone who helped with the Senior Adult Banquet, from setting up, to serving, to cleaning up, we appreciated everyone’s help. It was a wonderful evening for our Senior Adults! Thank you! – Stan and Shirley Hicks.
- Brethren Disaster Ministries – is partnering with the Preble County Pork Festival Committee assisting with parking vehicles for the festival September 17 and 18. BDM will receive $1,500! There are many 4-4-1/2 hour shifts available to volunteer to work, each between 5:30 am and 8 pm. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact Jim Shank at jim3shank@hotmail.com or 937-533-3800.
Wednesday Night Ministry is called Etch
“Ingraining the truth of Christ in the lives of his followers.”
That is the purpose of Etch. It’s our new/old way of doing ministry… TOGETHER! Etch is intergenerational. It’s a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. Together, we’ll share stories of how God interacts with us in our everyday lives and pass on his truths to all generations.
When you arrive on Wednesday evening, there will be a meal to kick off the evening and tables for us to meet and enjoy a few moments in the week together. You will see families, friends, children, adults, and all in between. You’ll witness the body of Christ investing in each other’s lives.
The evening will be focused on experiencing discipleship. Through drama, video, music, conversation, and so much more our aim is to put the gospel in the hands of Christ’s followers and allow them to pass it on to those around them.
August 19, 2016
Greenhouse Kids Worship
Begins this coming Sunday, August 21! Have your kids ages 4 years through 5th grade ready to register at 10:30 am in the Children’s Ministry Hallway. Join us for the “Gospel Project” – seeing how Jesus plays a role in every aspect of the Bible.
The Story
Before Sunday, August 21, be sure to read 2 Kings 21;23-25; 2 Chronicles 33; 36; Jeremiah 1-2; 4-5; 13; 21 Lamentations 1-3; 5; Ezekiel 1-2; 6-7; 36-37 and/or Chapter 17 of The Story. To see all reading assignments click here. To hear previous sermons in the series, click here.
Upcoming…
- Etch (Launching September 7th) – There will be a Q&A time for anyone following both services this Sunday, August 21. Etch…It’s our new/old way of doing ministry… TOGETHER! Etch is inter-generational. It’s a time for all ages to interact with one common purpose: Discipleship. Together, we’ll share stories of how God interacts with us in our everyday lives and pass on his truths to all generations. Click here for more information and to watch the video!
- Financial Peace University (FPU) – FPU teaches God’s ways of handling money. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely and give generously. This class will follow the FPU Flex Format. A video will be watched on your own each week, and you’ll come together for community and discussion. Mondays, Sept 26 through Nov 21, 6:30-7:30 pm in Room 101. Cost is $93 if you register online by Sept 14 atwww.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1024127. Register by Sept 14 so we can order materials. Contact Matt and Shauna Deaton
- Thank You to Church Family – We want to thank all who attended the picnic, regardless of the weather. Approximately 250-275 enjoyed good food, fellowship and some fun with games and activities. A BIG THANK YOU to approximately sixty people who over the last two weeks and the day of the picnic pitched in to help set-up, serve, run games, clean up and more. We really appreciate everyone’s help to make this a great time in the life of the church!…Dean & Judy Weller.
GreenHouse Kids Worship Starts This Sunday (Aug. 21)!
For those of you who weren’t aware, GreenHouse Kids Worship kicks off this coming Sunday (August 21). So make sure to have your children ready to register at 10:30am!
If you’re curious what your children will be learning, check out this video:
LifeShare 