A NEW CHURCH FOR NEW PEOPLE IN A NEW COMMUNITY
This Week at Ekklesia - December 17th, 2015

December 17th, 2015 - In This Issue:
Toys for Children
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Ekklesia Youth Christmas Party 
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Helpline Food & Toy Distribution 
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Up Coming Dates
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Prayer Needs
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Delivering Firewood For the Food Bank
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House Churches You Can Join

Ekklesia family sharing a meal together

Christmas Brunch This Sunday!
Christmas Brunch
 This Sunday at the Pavilion
  
Sunday, December 20th
10:00am Brunch
10:30am Celebration

701 Bay St. Port Orchard
(park behind the building in the water front parking lot)
  
The Ekklesia children will share a special play about Jesus' birth. 
Meat and beverages will be provided for the potluck brunch. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side dish to share.
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Ekklesia Family Christmas Party
Friday, Dec. 18th
6:30pm
All Ekklesians are invited to the annual Christmas White Elephant gift exchange. Everyone is invited to bring finger foods to share! Bring a gift valued at $5.00 to share in the gift exchange.
where:  Cartwright home
9956 Bowe Ln. SE, Port Orchard
when: 6:30pm

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Ekklesia Youth Christmas Party
Saturday, Dec. 19th
6:30pm- 9:00pm
The Ekklesia Youth Group and the POCOC Youth Group are having a combined Christmas Party! 
Please bring:
~ White Elephant Gift ($5 dollars or less)
~ Snack to share
~ Dress up, wear an Ugly Sweater!
where: Parry home
2788 Nevada Ave E, Port Orchard

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Up Coming Dates
Dec. 18th Family  Christmas party
Dec. 19th Youth Christmas party
Dec. 20th  Christmas Gathering
Dec. 21st & 22nd  Helpline Christmas Food & Presents Distribution
Dec. 27th Family Worship Day
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Prayer Needs
Monique Parrys- prayer for friend Mindy and daughter- Mallory
Angela Goodman- with the passing of her grandmother in Portland
Ron Weeks- wife (Pam) who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Francene and Lee Criswell's neighbor Ron- A father of four children dealing with cancer
Francene and Lee Criswell's son- who was in the hospital this week
Elizabeth Herrera- the passing of her father a few weeks ago in Arizona
Heath Wilson- dialysis difficulties
David Shaw- needs a place to live 
Conrad and Chanda Hanson-who were married a few months ago.
Seth Cartwright & Sarah Redding- up coming wedding on January 3rd!
Ekklesia House- pray for a new opportunity that has presented itself for us to build a new homeless shelter community in South Kitsap.
The Pavilion- as they consider their business options.
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House Churches You Can Join
Mon. 6:30pm Bell/Hanson
Wed. 6:30pm Kenady/Bedford
Wed. 3:30pm Ladies- Grandma Bobbie
Thurs. 6:30pm Ehlert/Blair
Sat. 8:00am Men's group TOP
Sat. 6:30pm Youth group

 

For further information call: 
360-801-0012 or e-mail us at 
Becoming Family and Community 
Everyone needs people in their life that will love them, listen to them and pick them up in time of need. This is what Ekklesia is all about. We desire to love others so that our family becomes their family. Our community surrounds them to such an extent that they are supported through all circumstances of their life. David lives on the streets of downtown Port Orchard. He comes to Ekklesia's gatherings every Sunday. He is the first to start the coffee and begin vacuuming. On most Sunday mornings he can be found waiting outside the Pavilion awaiting my early arrival. He has spent the night out in various selected locations avoiding harassment or the elements. David looks forward to the unlocking of the Pavilion doors because it is warm inside. David attends several of our midweek house churches and is always willing to volunteer whenever a service project occurs. David is part of the Ekklesia family and we love him. We are working on a permanent place for him but he truly likes his mobility and independence. David is why it is so important for churches to become part of their community, to be open and accepting of all people regardless of their circumstances. David has taught me to live frugally and in appreciation of the smallest of things. May many more Davids come into our lives as we learn to serve them and be taught by them.  

David in the upper right wrapping Christmas presents for children

Toys For Children
On Wednesday evening (December 16th) a crew of Ekklesia volunteers wrapped over 150 presents for children who will receive them at the "That One Place" restaurant on Saturday. All left over toys will be given to the Food Bank for their Food and Toys distribution on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
  
Helpline Food & Toy Distribution
Dec. 21st and 22nd
What: Helpline Food Bank's food and toy distribution to 1000 families
Need: Volunteers needed both days for any length of time
Where: 1950 SE Mile Hill Dr. Port Orchard (National Guard Armory) 

Volunteers will again be needed for both days to help with the food and presents. All adults will again be required to fill out a background check if they haven't already done so. The background check document may be picked up at the food bank or filled out on-line.  
The Goodmans at last year's Christmas Food & Presents Distribution

Delivering Fire Wood for the Food Bank
Last Saturday, a brave crew of Ekklesia workers loaded (in the rain!) around two cord of wood for the food bank. A family had donated the large amount of wood and the food bank called Ekklesia to help load it and deliver it to the food bank property. We were happy to do this service for so many who might need heat in their homes during the winter. The food bank will begin passing out the firewood as needed and when requested by needy clients. Thank you to so many volunteers who truly became soaked doing this service!
stacking the firewood at the Food Bank

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

To all our friends and supporters who follow our work, we have never been more excited about the future and know that new blessings are just days and weeks away. We know that the new year will bring many new people into our lives and into God's Kingdom! Thank you for your partnership with us during 2015 and know that 2016 will be even better!  

Tim and Lisa Blair