Ekklesia Church This Week

A NEW CHURCH FOR NEW PEOPLE IN A NEW COMMUNITY
January 5th, 2017
 

January 5th, 2017 - In This Issue:
Family Skate Party- Saturday, Jan. 14th
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Youth Winter Retreat- 2017
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Up Coming Dates
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Prayer Needs
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New Adult Teaching Series- Christian Stewardship- Devon Steele
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Goodman's New Job 
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House Churches You Can Join
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Aaron Hanson's Blog


A Church That Serves in the Community

Ekklesia Teaching Sunday
 
January 8th
at Parkwood Club
3045 Madrona Dr. 

10:00am Coffee/Juice
10:25 Worship & Teaching time
classes for adults, youth and children

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Youth Activity Night
Saturday, Jan. 7th
6:30pm
Youth Night this Saturday evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm (ish) at the Bell's house. 
We will be having a devotional thought, singing as well as fun and games. Feel free to bring a friend and a snack to share!
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Family Skate Party
Saturday, January 14th
12:30pm
Bremerton Ice Center
All families are invited to this skating event.
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Youth Winter Retreat 2017
Ekklesia youth, a Winter Retreat will be happening out at Delano Bay on the Key Peninsula Feb. 10th-12th. Registration is $40 if submitted by Feb. 1st. Ryan and Sarah are both chaperons.

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Up Coming Dates

Jan. 7th Youth Activity Night- 6:30pm
Jan. 8th Teaching Sunday Gathering
Jan. 9th Bell/Hanson Group
Jan. 11th Faith Alliance Committee
Jan. 11th Kenady's Group
Jan. 12th Ehlert Group- start next wk
Jan. 14th Family Skating Party
Jan. 14th Goodman's moving party
Jan. 15th Service Sunday Gathering
Jan. 17th PO Homeless Committee
Jan. 19th DEM Shelter Training
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- Praise for the new location at the United Methodist Church and the need for trained volunteers
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

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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/

What is True Worship?
Could it Be Helping the Homeless?
Some might say singing the right songs or praying in the right way creates true worship before God. The Words of God are clear though, that "true worship (Romans 12:1) is when we "offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God." This time of year as the temperature has hovered below 30 degrees at night my spirit has been troubled by the comfort and warmth that so many believers take for granted. We love God and follow Jesus but find it difficult to reach out and serve those who are most in need. The homeless.... who spend nights huddled in a car, a covered porch area downtown or in a hidden encampment with a few trusted friends in thin walled tents are a group most in need and worthy of our service! We must do more and break through our own comfort zones to begin fulfilling the gospel call of Jesus to give good news to the poor, to help the oppressed and to set the captive free. This is our calling and should be one of the ministry focuses of all believers. 
Early last week I had a meeting with some local pastors, church leaders, a fire department representative and the DEM (Department of Emergency Management) coordinator of the Kitsap County Severe Weather Emergency Shelters for the homeless. There are four existing sites in Kitsap County but nothing to serve South Kitsap and the Port Orchard area. Two months ago I (Tim Blair) was tasked by Port Orchard mayor Rob Putaansuu to find a site and develop such a shelter for the Port Orchard area. We struggled to find a site that would approve of such a building use. The impact to their parishioners or clientele always seemed to be the road block for all the potential sites. But this week we found success! On Wednesday morning (1.4.17) the County Commissioners met to approve our proposal to partner with the Port Orchard United Methodist Church as the site for our Port Orchard shelter. We will now begin advertising the upcoming training for volunteers administered by the DEM (Department of Emergency Management). This training will occur on Thursday evening, January 19th from 6pm until 9pm at the United Methodist Church (UMC). All volunteers will be trained and covered by the county's insurance. We will need volunteer staff to cover three shifts. 
First Shift: Set up and early supervision- 5pm till 10pm
Second Shift: late night supervision- 10pm till 3am 
Third Shift: earlier morning supervision- 3am till 8am
The need for volunteers and participation in the training is being advertised throughout many Port Orchard Churches and service clubs. Let's join this team of fellow believers and serve the most in need in our community. Let me know if you have any questions and want to help. (Tim)
A typical shelter layout

New Adult Teaching Series
Christian Stewardship- Devon Steele
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. Devon has a degree in environmental science and biology. She has a special concern for our Christian responsibility to our world and to our human relationships. She will share two of her teachings this month. 
Goodmans' New Job
Sound View Christian Camp- Group Coordinators & Caretakers 
Two and a half years ago the Goodman family came to Ekklesia while on their own journey. They weren't connected to any church but were looking for a place to plug in and serve.  Also over the last few years James and Angela Goodman have prayed and dreamed of living and caring for a Christian Camp somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Angela actually grew up at a Christian camp that was located down in Oregon. So over the last few years they have kept a watchful eye out for a good camp location that they could move their family to and serve. Two weeks ago they received the call that the Sound View Camp out at the tip of the Key Peninsula had made the decision to hire them. They are so excited to continue working with the Ekklesia mission and also expand their mission to serving families, groups and many churches in the Puget Sound region. The camp is situated only 10 minutes beyond the Delano Bay Christian Camp that many of us have enjoyed over the years. We have partnered with the Sound View Camp on many occasions using their Ropes Course and their beach access to the sound for canoes and kayaks. We toured the camp last week and are excited about their expansive 114 acre property and many retreat facilities that we might utilize for the future. Let's support James and Angela in the coming weeks as they prepare to move their household out to the camp.
The Goodman family at the entrance to their new camp
The Goodman's will need help to load their moving van on Saturday, Jan. 14th. More information will be sent out next week.
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