Ekklesia Church This Week

A NEW CHURCH FOR NEW PEOPLE IN A NEW COMMUNITY
December 29th, 2016
 

December 29th, 2016 - In This Issue:
New Teaching Series
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Served Over 1,000 Families For Christmas
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Up Coming Dates
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Prayer Needs
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House Churches You Can Join
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Severe Weather Shelter Update 
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Aaron Hanson's Blog


A Church Serving in the Community

Ekklesia This Sunday
No Gathering/ Family Day
 
January 1st
There will be no gathering on January 1st due to the holiday and travel plans of many of our members. 

New Years Eve Party
Dec. 31st
Everyone is encouraged to bring a snack plate to share, bingo prizes and a collection of your favorite games.

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New Teaching Series
January Adult Teaching Series
"Christian Stewardship" 
Devon Steele will present a series of classes in January regarding our responsibilities as believers in this world. Two of her classes will be given on January 8th and 22nd.
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Up Coming Dates

Dec. 31st Family New Years Party
Jan. 1st No Gathering
Jan. 2nd Bell/Hanson Group
Jan. 4th Kenady's Group
Jan. 5th Ehlert Group
Jan. 8th Teaching Sunday
Jan. 11th Faith Alliance Committee
Jan. 15th Service Sunday
Jan. 17th PO Homeless Committee
Jan. 28th Rachel Baby Shower
Jan. 29th Service Sunday
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Prayer Needs

Francene Criswell's friend- Adam - Brain cancer and seizures- his wife Morna is also asking for prayers
Holly and Scott Waite's friend- Diana- struggling with cancer
David McKee- Lisa Blair's brother- who has been diagnosed with an optic nerve tumor. Dave began undergoing treatment in September.
Ron Weeks- aneurysm in neck and head- recovering wonderfully! He sends his thanks for the many prayers.
Monique Parry's friend- Praise God!
Mallory had an amazing opportunity to go to New York a few weeks ago where a surgeon was able to remove 99% of the tumor! The family is elated and praising God! 
Bell's renter- Roy Eagan who has cancer, a wife and two children
Praise!- Stormy Millier arrival
Pregnant mother-  Rachel Bedford
Severe Weather Shelter location and the development of a volunteer organization
Tiny House Village for Homeless- continued need for a good piece of property to host the village
Opportunities to serve in our community and touch lives!
Ruth Ann Autumn- Anna Cartwright's mother as she recovers in St. Joseph's hospital. 

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House Churches You Can Join

Mon. 6:30pm Bell/Hanson
Wed. 6:30pm Kenady
Thurs. 6:30pm  Ehlert/Blair
Sat. 6:30pm  Youth group

For further information call: 
360-801-0012 or e-mail us at 

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Aaron Hanson's Blog 

Christian Apologetics- Theology & Philosophy
https://fortheloveofreason.wordpres
s.com/about/

Ekklesia People- Gathered and Serving
A few days before Christmas the Ekklesia family was busy connecting with each other and with serving many people in our community. We met for our annual Christmas banquet and gathering on Sunday, Dec. 18th at the "That One Place" restaurant. We shared many songs about Jesus' birth and our children read to us the story of Jesus' birth from the gospel of Luke. 
James Goodman leading Communion at Ekklesia's Christmas Gathering

The Banquet table on December 18th
Served Over 1,000 Families for Christmas  
During the week leading up to Christmas, many Ekklesia volunteers helped out at the Food Bank transferring food and thousands of toys to the National Guard Armory for their annual distribution of Christmas food baskets and Christmas presents. A total of 1,040 families received food and presents over the two day distribution. We hauled truck loads of toys to the armory, many pallets of food, milk cartons and shopping carts. We helped on Thursday and Friday distributing the food and guiding low income parents through the gymnasium filled with presents for their children. It is amazing the amount of food and toys that were given out over those two days. We were so blessed to be a part of this major ministry to the needy of Port Orchard. It really gave us a sense of what the concept of giving is all about!

Ruthe Nelson, Lori & Aleya White and Lisa Blair unload presents

Organizing thousands of presents

Lisa Blair, Bobbie Blair, Melissa Bell and Mollie Bell organizing clothes

Scott, Kanon and Brodie Waite assist a family searching for toys for their children

Severe Weather Shelter Update
Ekklesia met with the United Methodist Church, the First Lutheran Church and representatives from the SK Fire department and Department of Emergency Management on Tuesday morning for an informational meeting to finalize our plans for a Severe Weather Shelter for the Homeless in South Kitsap. We are almost ready to begin the process of training volunteers. We will be inviting church members and local service club members to join us to build our crew of volunteers. The Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu called Tim Blair Wednesday morning to hear a status report on our progress. Kitsap County Commissioner Garrido also called the same morning and is very excited about our progress. They are "fast tracking" this project and have added it to their commissioners meeting agenda for next Wednesday night. So....let's get ready to support this ministry to help the homeless and participate in the up-coming training on a Wednesday or Thursday night in three weeks. We are aiming for the 18th or the 19th but will finalize this date within a week! Praise the Lord for this opportunity to serve!
Contact: Tim Blair or the Ekklesia Church at -  360-801-0012

Donations may be made online at:  www.ekklesiakitsap.org

or mailed to:  P.O. Box 601, Burley, WA 98322

Winter Blessings          
We are blessed by so many people in our community who know that the love of God is available and ready to be shared. Thank you for supporting our work as we pour ourselves into our community and offer a willing hand of service. May the new year be a blessing to you and your family. 

Tim and Lisa Blair