Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Harvest Dinner

This coming Friday evening (November 30th) will be the annual Harvest Dinner. The Alliance Women continue the tradition of putting this event on. Everyone is invited to this delicious meal where everything is provided for you.

This year's speakers are Martin & Judy Johns. They are missionaries to the Vietnamese living in Cambodia. Look forward to great information and stories about what God is doing through these missionaries and others around the world. There will be an offering taken to support the work of the Johns.

All you have to do is show up. Sign ups were taken last weekend during the services, but if you were unable to sign up then, please send an e-mail to office@easthillsalliance.org. We will let the organizers know that you are planning on attending.

Hope to see you there!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Thumbs Up at All-Church Meeting

After months of meetings, research, and discussion, and a preliminary meeting earlier in the month, we had our all-church meeting to discuss the proposed sanctuary remodel. The Sunday potluck was well attended (113 adults and kids). Adults feasted on casseroles, breads, salads, and a whole table full of desserts while kids had their own menu and activities in the youth room.

After lunch Pastor Nick brought the meeting to order and there was an overview presented by S.I.T. (Sanctuary Remodel Team) with boards and drawings showing design ideas to this point. We were also able to get a three dimensional view from cad drawings by Josh Brown. A question and answer time followed with particualr interest in the proposed glass doors and the stained glass options.

I was impressed by the wide range of projects that have been researched over the past eight months. Everything from roofing and electrical to lighting and sound have been considered. I see that this is much more complicated than a home remodel.

After discussion and understanding that the details would not be decided on for some time, Jim Hart suggested we take a vote. The vote was to decide on the scope of the project by agreeing to seek approval for a loan from Alliance Development Fund for up to $173,000. The vote was open to everyone. Of the 80 votes cast, 75 were in favor of moving ahead with the project. This seems to me to be a strong "thumbs up" for us to continue with this undertaking.

In closing Pastor Nick thanked the S.I.T. for their many hours of important work for the EHA family. I add my thanks as well. Leon, Bob, Tom, Kirk, Jean, Katrina, and Jeremy, thank you so much! You are the greatest!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

All-Church Meeting Scheduled Sunday

November 14, 2007


Dear Church Family,

Hi! Awhile back, I participated in a 10K run that included a post-race prize-giveaway as part of the event. A crowd of about 200 people had packed into a room to see who would win a variety of door-prizes and who would be awarded with ribbons for winning their age group. As I surveyed the size of the crowd and the volume of awards to be handed out, I quickly realized that this was going to be a long affair. I was tired, sweaty, and all I wanted to do was go home and shower. I very nearly left.

In the end, however, I chose to stay around. About 20 minutes into the presentation, my name was picked as the winner of a gift certificate to a local restaurant. On my way up to collect the prize, I remember thinking to myself, "I'm glad I didn't miss this!"

Some things in life are worth staying around for. Free latte samples at Starbucks, a batch of fresh baked bread at the store, a field goal attempt to win the game. Moments like these are worth the wait because of what they can add to life.

I believe with all my heart that we are approaching a moment in the life of East Hills that is worth staying around for. As you may know, we are considering significant plans to do a major remodel of our church sanctuary, foyer and balcony. The project that has been proposed is not mere surface treatment- it will transform the look of our worship center for many years to come.

On Sunday afternoon, we will hold an all-church potluck, and at this meeting, we will vote on the scope and cost of this project. If you consider East Hills to be home for you, then you need to be there to have a say in the future of our church. This is NOT a members-only meeting; this is for everyone.

I believe that this project has incredible potential to make our space more versatile, more functional, and perhaps most importantly, more welcoming to unchurched visitors who attend. First-impressions make a huge difference, and we want every visitor to quickly connect with our congregation because of the atmosphere the room creates.

I hope to see you on Sunday. You'll be glad you didn't miss it.

Blessings!

Pastor Nick

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Tom Keen's Testimony

Last Sunday, Pastor Nick baptized Tom Keen. As usual, Tom told the church a little about himself before making this show of faith in Christ, and his testimony is a powerful one.

Tom believed in God for most of his life, but his household was a spiritually confusing place, with his mother hosting both Baptist and Jehovah's Witnesses Bible studies in their home. As a teenager, he turned away from spiritual things, still believing in God, but not seeking His direction for his life.

Through his daughter, Anya, Tom came to be a part of East Hills. He gradually attended more and more regularly, then joined a Life Group. In that setting, he found Romans 10:9, 10: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Tom studied what it means to give your life to the Lord, and about 10 months ago, he accepted Christ.

"I literally felt a load lifted off my shoulders," he said. "If you haven't made that decision, it's the most important thing that can happen in your life. I know that I'm right with God."

Soon after that, Tom encountered severe physical problems. He lost the use of one leg and needed oxygen just to stand up and give his testimony. Instead of turning him away from God once, these trials have shown the value of his faith.

"God is not going to give me anything I can't live with. And if I can't live with it, I'll be with Him."

Remodeling Town Hall Meeting: Tuesday, 11/6

Be sure to pick up a hard-copy of the Headlight at this weekend's services. It contains the Sanctuary Improvement Team's recommendations for remodeling not only the sanctuary itself, but the foyer, its front stairways, and the balcony. For many of the structural improvements, such as the proposed new platform, the team has arrived at what they feel is a strong, well-thought-out proposal. Some of the finish options, such as color choices, are further from a final decision and are presented only as examples of what is possible.

The SIT is making the information available now so that we can think it over in advance of the town hall meeting at the church at 6:30 Tuesday. There will be no vote held and no decision made at that meeting, but it is an opportunity for us to offer questions, opinions, and concerns about the proposal. Pastor Nick will lead the town hall meeting, and Bob Shaw and other members of the team will be there.

The church leadership will consider the feedback from the town hall meeting before constructing an official proposal. At a full general meeting, tentatively scheduled for November 19, East Hills members and attenders will have a vote on that proposal.

This Tuesday town hall meeting is an important one. It is a chance to preview and even influence the proposal we will soon vote on. More importantly, no work can can go forward without good participation from church members. The leadership must approve any building project, and the Alliance Development Fund will loan us the money, but neither will try to remodel anything without a show of support form the congregation. My dad, Tom Hight, is on the SIT team, so I know firsthand the importance the team places on thoughtful questions and feedback of all kinds.

(See this archive page for an older Headlight entry listing some of the changes the SIT is considering.)

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Update from Nathan Pharr



Guten tag! I hope that all of you are doing well. My, how time flies when you’re having fun! I can’t believe that I have been here for over a month and almost two months already. There have been a lot of things that have taken place since I last wrote a newsletter.

Life at Liel:

Life at Liel goes by at a whirlwind pace, or so it seems. I don’t think a week has gone by that has been “slow.” Some days will go by slowly, depending on what needs to get done or how much sleep I have had or other factors, but for the most part, the weeks fly by. Soon after I wrote the last newsletter, the high school students at BFA had a “Fall Party.” The theme dealt with movies, so the students dressed up as different characters from different TV shows or movies. I had the privilege of being dressed up as a wolf from a Little Red Riding Hood spin-off movie. Sorry! No pictures! :P Soon after that, I had my first weekend off (Friday after noon until 8am, Tuesday morning). Since I did not know the area that well, I decided to explore some castles with a Resident Assistant from another dorm. We got some basic directions and managed to eventually find our way (after turning around a couple of times…and finding a palace instead of a castle). Overall, though, the weekend was very relaxing and restful, which was needed. The other weekend that I had off, I was able to go hiking in the Swiss Alps (see the picture at the top of the page). It was absolutely gorgeous up there.

Since the dorm has both middle school and high school students in it, sometimes the schedule can get crazy. It is almost as though we have to duplicate events for the students. Early in the year, the high school students had their “Fall Party.” Just recently, the middle school students had their “Fall Party” with the movie theme again. Sometimes the Korean kids have worship at the school. To do this, they have to stay in after school and eat supper with all the other Korean students. Afterwards, we have to go pick them up. Since two of the students at the dorm are involved in volleyball, we’ll have to drop them off at the school early in the morning on a Saturday if it is an “away” game. There are a million little scheduling items that need to be considered with all of the students at times. Little did I know growing up that this must have been how my parents felt!

One of the phrases that have been used frequently in the dorm by the staff is, “Middle school drama.” This could entail a couple of students getting upset because another student at the school likes one person more than the other. It could also involve students learning life lessons about what friends they can trust information with. Some students have come home crying…life isn’t always easy, but we try to give the students affection, grace, love, and discipline.

General Schedule of my week:

Mondays I have off, so I usually sleep in, then I’ll either meet up with some other RAs or I will spend time watching movies. In the evening, I’ll play basketball and volleyball with staff from BFA and Germans from the community. Tuesdays, my main job is to wash the vans we use and do some small maintenance on them. Wednesdays are staff meeting days, where we will either meet as a whole Residence Life staff or I will meet with all the other RAs. Thursdays are the dorm parents’ day off, so the other RA and I manage to do everything fairly smoothly. My main job that day is to do laundry for the 8th grade students. We have a couple of helpers who come in during the evening to help with study hours for the students, so that’s nice. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the more relaxed days. I’ve made hot breakfasts twice already and I’ve also made cookies a couple times and no one has complained yet, so I think my mom taught me well!

Something to look for in the next newsletters:

In the next few newsletters, I will be introducing the students that I work with to you. They will be writing a short paragraph about themselves and I will also include a picture of them. J

Praises
The driving test went well and I can drive students around!
I am feeling much more comfortable in my job.

Prayer requests
That I would be steadfast in feeding myself from God’s word.
Pray for growth in student’s lives (emotional, physical, spiritual).
Physical healing for a girl who got kidney stones in our dorm.
That the rest of the support monies would come in.
That God would be glorified in everything that we do.

With love,

Nathan Pharr

Contact info:
E-mail address: nathan_pharr@yahoo.com
Address: Hauptstrasse 29
Schliengen Liel 79418
Germany

Rentz Germany Update

BABY DANIEL IS BORN!
My beautiful wife Jenny gave birth to our 4th child on August 22 at 9:50am. Daniel weighed in at 10 lbs. 6½ oz. We praise the Lord that the last 3 months of constant travel did not result in any complications and that both Jenny and Daniel are doing well. Below is a picture of Erich, Emily and Thomas as they meet their brother for the first time.


TRANSITION BACK TO BERLIN
Our transition back to Berlin feels like a gift from God. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us. The move into our new apartment on the other side of Berlin has gone better than we could have hoped. We have wonderful neighbors who also have kids including one who is 7 and likes to play with Erich and Emily. Our wonderful teammates moved our belongings from storage into our apartment a couple of days before we arrived in Berlin. What a blessing! You have been the hands and feet of Christ to us. After 8 weeks we finally have phone and internet service and, praise the Lord, we were able to purchase a used van less than 12 hours before Daniel’s birth! Erich and Emily were able to begin school Aug 27th and now I am preparing to take a short refresher class in German prior to full-time ministry. The culture shock and exhaustion from moving was greatly diminished this time and renewed contact with old friends here in Berlin added to our sense of belonging. We are Home! Thank You Jesus!

CHANGING MINISTRY ROLLS
We began our service in Berlin at Berlin International Church (BIC) in 2001. After 2 ½ years there, we joined Jerry & Shelly Kragt in planting Open Door Church on the other side of Berlin. Now that we have returned, our ministry assignment is once again with the BIC. As we complete our transition to Berlin we join Steve & Karen Mack in serving at BIC. Chuck will be preaching for the first time Sept 16 but our main responsibility at this moment is to build relationships, learn the vision, visit the different ministries to better understand what God is going at and through BIC, and to prepare for formal responsibilities by the end of fall.

PRAISES AND PRAYER REQUESTS
1) We praise God for the blessings He has showered down on us during this time of transition including an apartment, a vehicle, etc. Please pray for the completion of all the details necessary in our transition to Germany (i.e. finding Dr.s, getting the kids integrated into school, our new neighborhood and church ministries, completion of language refresher course, etc)
2) We praise God for our Missionary Teammates and how they have expressed Christ’s love in tangible ways. We are so glad to be part of a team!
3) Please pray for our integration into the ministry at BIC and our partnership with Steve & Karen Mack. It always takes time for us to grasp the vision and ministries of a new assignment and at the same time to build positive personal and ministry relationships with our co-workers.
4) Please Pray for our relationships with the people at BIC as well as with German non-believers outside the church. One such friend commented to Jenny several days ago that he is thankful and even drawn to the fact that, although we are Missionaries in his country, we have not tried to “missionize” him. It is the testimony of a living and active God at work in our lives that draws him to us!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Heart to Heart on the Front Porch

After a summer off, Heart to Heart has reformed for the fall season. I have felt lately like something in my life is just missing, and after our first Thursday together I know what it is. My heart has missed Heart to Heart. Getting together with a group of women who nibble and chat comfortably together, but have a heart to seek God and get real is just the best. We have met just once and already it feels like coming home. Actually it feels like coming home to the front porch...a comfy friendly place to kick back. "Front Porch" is the title of our current series as we learn what the Bible has to say about work and rest. Each week we also have planned a special presentation on organizing, cooking, personal safety, and other practical topics. If you feel like you are just missing something, check out Heart to Heart on Thursday mornings and evenings. I hope to meet you on the front porch!

Friday, August 31, 2007

Fall Activities Planned for Women

After a summer hiatus, East Hills women’s ministries are preparing for another season. The two main areas of activities expressly for women are Alliance Women and Heart to Heart.

Alliance Women is headed by a team that includes Chris Church as President. Their schedule and plans for the coming year have been put together; the key meeting time is the second Tuesday of each month. The first meeting is Tuesday, September 11th, at Chris Church’s home at 3028 Maple in Longview. Their focus is missions and prayer with lots of fun and meaningful activities added to the mix.

The second area is Heart to Heart, which will again be meeting in a revised format on Thursday mornings and evenings beginning September 20th. This ministry is led by me and features Bible studies, times of fellowship, and this year a few surprises thrown in.

The specific plans for both of these ministries, as well as other opportunities for women, will be unveiled at a special evening event in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7:00. Called "Autumn a la Mode," it will feature presenters, handouts, prizes, free childcare, and of course pie a la mode. All women are invited to check out what is new for them this fall.

Combined Service, Barbecue, and Baptism

East Hills' next combined church service will take place on Sunday, September 9, at Kelso High. It is a 10:30 meeting bracketed by food: Chris Simmons and her hospitality team will be responsible for coffee and snacks before the service, and a barbecue is planned for afterward, with the church providing all grills, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Finally, there will be a baptism that same Sunday, although the location for this has not been set.

This is one of the few times during the year that the entire church can meet in one place. Pastor Nick is preaching, Matt Milligan leading worship, and there will also be drama and special music. The staff will be announcing information about the ministry programs for the coming year, including important news about new directions for our small groups.Childcare is available for newborn through fifth grade.

Back-to-School: Year 4

On August 19, East Hills held its fourth annual Project Back-To-School, with Lori Shero returning as the organizer. We supplied more than 60 children attending Butler Acres and Wallace schools with their backpacks and school supplies. The kids brought lists of their teachers, and our volunteers were equipped with lists of what supplies each teacher requires, so each kid could fill his new backpack with just what he needed. At the same time, but we served hot dogs to kids and their parents, washed their cars, and had a Hoppin' House for some to play on while others stocked up.

"The volunteers and donators were generous," Pastor Ann said. "The people who worked were enthusiastic, welcoming, and genuinely expressed the love of Christ to kids and their families. It was enjoyable to be a part of this event."

There were enough leftovers that we were able to make up six extra backpacks and deliver them to Barnes for needy students, and still more extra supplies will go to 25 kids at Community House.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Rentz Baby News!



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Chuck & Jenny Rentz, our former Missionaries in Residence, have given birth to their fourth child. Daniel Stephen was born August 22 at 9:50 a.m. He was 22 inches long and weighed 10 lbs. 6 oz! Jenny and the baby are both doing well. Daniel joins big brothers Erich & Thomas, and big sister Emily. Chuck wanted to express his thanks to our church family for the love offering that was taken in May. It helped them purchase a 7-passenger van, which they brought home the day before the baby was born! God is good!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Baby has arrived!


We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of Madelyn Grace Stumbo. She was born Tuesday, July 31, at 10:56 AM, weighing a whopping 8 lbs, 11 oz. She is 21" long and has a little tuft of silky hair. She joins big sister Alyssa Joy Stumbo who is 2 1/2 years old and happy to have her new playmate. Michelle is doing fine and expects to be home by Thursday. Pastor Nick appreciates your love and prayers for his family. Please call the office for updates, or watch this space. More pictures soon!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

God's Invitation: "Will you become part of the miracle?"

The following story of a miracle was shared with me by Mary Hagle. I know you will enjoy reading this and being reminded again that we are in touch with a God of miracles! ~Ann


Early in 2006, I began praying in earnest about relocating to Longview/Kelso to share housing with Susan, Emmett and Sydney Turya, my daughter and grandchildren. Susan had bought a house with room for me in it, and we had been talking about sharing housing for several years.

As I continued to pray about the move, I was asking God how He intended to use me in my new home and community. I very clearly heard that my first calling was to pour love, acceptance and forgiveness on Susan, Syd and Emm. That was an easy assignment for me! Next?

My prayers shifted as I prayed for the right place to work outside our home. I began a job search in March, asking God for a place where my experience and education would meld with my heart’s desire to let people know God loves them. I began by thinking I had to have a position in place before I moved. That didn’t materialize, and I found myself having to rely more and more on God to find a job as the weeks rolled by. I was praying that the position I would be led to would fit Richard Nelson Bolle’s statement: “a place where my heart’s desire meets the world’s greatest need”.

I prayed that doors would be closed for positions that were not the one He had chosen for me. By June I had completed at least thirty applications, knowing ONE was the right one that He would choose for me. My main activity during that time, even though I was busy filling out applications, printing resumes, going to interviews, was to pray for the Grace to keep my eye on the prize of knowing that He was going ahead of me, arranging for just the right job. It was necessary to continue to say no to fear when I continued through the months not finding a position, but trusting God to choose for me because I couldn’t know which one was best for me, but that He did.

After moving to Kelso June 1st, all through the month I continued to meet my financial obligations through the small reserve I had, paying my bills, spending my reserve, saying no to fear, and holding out for God’s job for me.

One of the places to which I applied was a small nonprofit agency where they were offering a position as a case manager. Since I had experience in that capacity at Big Sisters/Big Brothers in Seattle, I applied. The Executive Director called me, and wanted to talk about my financial management background as well.

She was away on a trip to Texas for a week after her call, so I waited for her return, still hunting and praying. When she returned, the last week in June, she asked if I would come to her home, as she was tired from her trip, and I picked up salad for us at the deli and met her there. I had felt for those two weeks, after our first conversation and her return, that I should postpone making any decisions until I talked to her.

In the middle of that two-hour conversation, she suddenly interrupted what we were discussing to explain that in 1987, as she prayed for a renewed surrender of her life to God’s will, she felt His hand at her back, pressing her forward and saying she should go back to school to learn how to manage nonprofit organizations, and begin a ministry for young mothers and fathers and their babies, ages 0-3. My heart leaped! This could be the place God had chosen for me!

You probably are familiar with Parents Place (www.parentsplacelongview.org), and the astounding statistics of need in our community. The Director, Judy Bailey, had come back to the work after retiring eight year earlier, the death of her husband, and problems in the management of the agency, and told me she was tired and ready to give up, and then I walked in the door.

After thirty years’ experience in social service, financial management and nonprofit organizations, I’m wearing a lot of hats at Parents Place. I’ve always believed that if we are open to it, God is always preparing us for His next assignment, and it is clear to me that God has prepared me for coming to Parents Place.

We are busy there, making applications for grants and foundational funding, renewing contracts with social service agencies, and making plans for the future of Parents Place. I believe God wants to perform a miracle of changing the Pathways 2020 statistics for Cowlitz County, and I’m happy to be part of that process. I believe God wants to continue to do miracles of changing lives, one at a time, through this little agency, and many others in our community.

I believe He very carefully and specifically led me there, so that is miraculous to me; first that He cares enough about me to arrange for this position, at this time, and secondly, that He so clearly wants to do miraculous things for very young parents and their babies, so that they will have the opportunity to know He loves them.

I hear God’s invitation: “Will you become part of the miracle?” I am humbled and filled with gratitude for His direction in placing me at this job, at home with my sweet family, and at this Church. It is very clear to me that He was walking ahead of me all along, preparing the way.

Mary Hagle

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Caitlyn Shaw Memorial

Caitlyn Shaw, 10, passed from earth to heaven on July 1st. Her life will be celebrated at a memorial service at Barnes Elementary School on Friday, July 13th at 7PM. Caitlyn and her family have been attenders of East Hills, and Pastor Nick will be officiating at the service. Brown's Funeral Home is hosting an online book of memories for Caitlin. You can visit the site and see some favorite pictures and leave a message for Caitlyn's family.

Friday, July 06, 2007

 
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Pirate University Graduates First Class

Our vacation Bible School, called Pirate University, is now history. We had a great week, June 25-29, with the church filled with little pirates learning about courage, following directions, teamwork, and kindness. Pastor Nick was not available for the week, but a mysterious new guy called Captain Nick Sparrow was around all week. Hmmm. There was a slight resemblance, but, no, it couldn't be that our senior pastor would really be a pirate captain, now could it? Arrrrgh.

It was great fun to be a part of this yearly event. The stage and drama set the course of excellence for the week. Here is part of an e-mail I received this week: I just wanted to say another big hootie hoot for the VBS drama team and all those who were involved with the set building for the sanctuary. I know the Wilson family did so so much and the drama and those incredible sets just really made VBS! It was fantastic!!! They were fantastic! The kids all commented that the drama and the sets were their favorite of all of VBS. How impressive and what a dedication they have!
There was also excellence behind the scenes. Our P.U. staff mornings began in Pastor Caleb's office with a prayer time. And each day waiting for us was a morning snack, beverege, verse on a scroll, and piratey treat. Thank you to Susan and Mary for your creative care.

There were about 40 volunteers who made Pirate University a success. If you were one of them I hope you have a sense of the difference you made. You answered the call and helped kids see the power and love of Jesus Christ. Behind the scenes or out front, one task or all week, you are the heartbeat of Pirate University. Thank you so much.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Great Commission Coffee Company

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Alliance - 100% Colombian Blend

Tozer - French Roast Blend

Simpson - Sunday Morning Blend

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The Look of the Improved Sanctuary

On June 11, the Sanctuary Improvement Team met and studied drawings, made by Bob Shaw, based on their own discussions and the feedback they have received from church attenders. Bob, an architect, chairs the meetings, and the other members are Tom Hight, Jeremy McAninch, Kirk Sherrell (an engineer), Katrina Mendenhall (an interior designer), Jean Imholte, and Leon Rennells (a recently retired City of Longview building inspector).

As you enter the East Hills building as shown on the drawings, you come in through glass doors. Changing the layout of the stairwells is not practical, but much can be done in the foyer to make it feel more open. The partial walls left over from previous remodeling are pared to only the structurally essential pieces. The large window in the rear wall of the sanctuary is replaced with two smaller ones, one on either side, and all the doors into the sanctuary are also glass. The coffee area is upgraded with a permanent counter, sink, and its own hot water heater.

The sanctuary is fully carpeted, and chairs replace the pews. Darker wainscoting comes up as far as the horizontal divider in the windows, then gives way to lighter paint. The ceiling fans are gone, and the lights replaced, probably with new pendant lights in a similar arrangement.

In the drawings, the platform is the same height, but extends about three feet farther out. The platform reaches all the way to the wall on the congregation's right, and to the edge of the outer doorway on the left. Instead of a lip, almost the entire raised area is surrounded by two steps, 18 inches wide in front and a foot on the sides. The steps in the very back of the stage are gone, and the projector is mounted from the ceiling. The overall effect is that the usable platform area gained is much larger than the seating area lost.

The railing on the loft is raised to bring it up to code, and the partial wall above it removed to improve air circulation. The handrails along the stairs leading to Kidville are replaced as well. The foyer carpet treatment continues up and down both sets of stairs and into the loft.

Although the full SIT has yet to weigh in, and many details of wiring, ventilation, and insulation are still uncertain, a majority of the team has seen the designs and is positive toward the look and general intent of them. After the full team has had its say, the next step is to get bids on the biggest expenses-- carpet, 255 chairs, and construction of the new platform-- and determine how much of the work we can do ourselves.

"We're very happy with the quality of comments we've gotten," Tom said. "The drawings are tracking pretty well with what people want."

Arrr... again!

Pirate University, our 2007 Vacation Bible School, will be in session next week, June 25-29, 9:00 to noon.

Each day, 60-80 children, entering kindergarten through fifth grade, will meet in the sanctuary, now transformed into a pirate ship with the help of some sails on loan from Bob Simmons. After a morning meeting with Captain Nick Sparrow as master of ceremonies and Captain Calebarbossa in charge of music and games, the kids will break up by age groups and take turns attending one of four different sites on each of the first four days. Pastor Ann helped plan the week's events and will help at one of the sites, and Lori Shero is VBS Director.

Never a small project, this year's VBS was made more difficult by the need to create all of the materials and lessons from scratch, rather than using one of the store-bought, canned curriculum sets as we have in the past.

"We did it all, all out of our creative team's heads," Lori said. "It's just going to teach them how to be good pirates."

The Wilson family is writing a serial drama for Pirate University, and they will also take the lead in performing it. About 20 people will work all five days, not counting others who helped beforehand or have smaller jobs. And many church members contributed small toys and other prizes.

"We are delighted with the volunteers we have," Ann said. "They are capable. Many are veterans of VBS in other years."

On the first four days, each age group will learn about one of the University's four piratical virtues: courage, teamwork, kindness, and following directions. The teamwork site has a salvation message, but because many of the young pirates will already know Christ, all sites will have value for Christian kids as well. On the last day, instead of breaking up, the kids will participate in a "pirate fair" together, including a treasure hunt at Rotary Park, the finale of the drama, and the handing out of the final loot.

"Pray for each of the kids that come," Lori asked. "Some of them don't know what they're going to be hearing. Pray for them to extend what they hear to their families."

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

McRae Castle Highlights Scotland Trip

Noel McRae was nice enough to share this account of his recent trip to Scotland. I know you will enjoy reading it, and maybe he and Georgia will even show you a few of their favorite pictures! ~Ann


Our Scotland Trip

Scotland was an experience that Georgia and I will treasure. We spent three weeks visiting areas that our ancestors came from or were involved with. From palaces to the McRae Castle we gained insights into what life was like centuries ago.

We planned the trip on our own. I drove the car while Georgia worked at keeping me on the "wrong" side of the road. We have vivid memories of narrow, curvy roads where we wondered if there was enough room to safely pass the on-coming vehicle.

We spent a lot of time in small more remote areas of the Scottish Highlands, hiking, and seeing small - sometimes tiny - villages.

The contrast of extreme wealth in enormous palaces to the simplicity of thatched cottages had a real impact on our perceptions of how life used to be. A highlight was to find my uncle's name on a plaque of WWI McRae heroes. This was something I had heard about for a long time. After a search at the McRae castle I found it on an outside wall.

We have lots of stories and pictures to share. We have commented that, like so many things in life, one can hear about the experiences of others, even see pictures, but until one experiences some of the sights, smells, and life, it is very difficult to feel the impact with much empathy. Seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon is nothing like standing on the edge and looking across. When we share our Scotland stories with Mike and Marilyn Perry, who have recently visited Scotland, we know they can more fully appreciate our experiences.

Georgia and I now feel like we have a little more feel for our Scottich ancestors.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Happy Feathers Day!

The final meeting of our regular Kidville season coincided with Father's Day weekend, and we took advantage of the timing. Will Dunn made birdhouse kits out of oldgrowth cedar, and our kids had a chance to build a birdhouse or bird feeder and make a Father's Day card as well. I visited the fellowship hall while the kids were hard at work. Some of the men of our church were bending over a project with a small child, helping them, encouraging and celebrating success with them! Remember the old saying, "no one stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." That was happening this past weekend. Kids and helpers even got to eat bird's-nest snacks made by Michelle Stumbo before they left. Kids walked out with bright smiles and finished projects.

Next weekend we will go to our summer Kidville schedule. Children through age 4 will be downstairs with summer staff; older kids will be upstairs in the sanctuary with their own materials and quiet projects.

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Thursday, June 14, 2007

Better than Expected

Sometimes you have an idea, and it just doesn't pan out. But once in a while it works out better than you ever expected. That is how I feel this week.

In September when we were planning Kidville for the year I knew we wanted to put together a craft day for the kids as their last class of summer. We decided to help the kids make bird houses and bird feeders and to do it on Father's Day weekend. So far, so good. Now all I needed was a bird house design, wood, skill, tools, time...

Today, sitting on the counter in my office is the better-than-expected result of God's blessing on this project for our kids. When I asked Will Dunn what he thought of the idea and if he, as a home builder, had any suggestions, little did I know what he would do.

I now have 40 hand crafted bird house kits ready for Kidville citizen's to assemble this weekend; and get this: they are beautifully and precisely made from pieces of old growth cedar! They are going to make wonderful fragrant homes for our feathered friends.

This is such an encouragement to our children's ministry. It really represents our value that we will do our very best for our kids, give our very best, even precious old growth wood! Thanks Will for taking over a project that was just an idea when you got your hands on it. You have blessed all of us...and my office smells like a forest!

Stay tuned to see pictures of little home-builders at work. We'll post them here after the weekend services.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

I'm Baaaack!

“So…what was it like?” That is the question I have been asked this morning, my first day back after a month long sabbatical. I could easily come up with a basketful of answers, because it was a time of variety and freedom. I read less than I expected to, prayed more, stayed up later and played Carcasonne and HeroScape addictively. I cleaned and reorganized, and sat – just sat – on the glider in the backyard, and spent a couple of days in silence at a monastery. I was not drawn to my computer, e-mail, or phone, and being unplugged fed my freedom. But there were times, especially on the weekends that I was acutely homesick for my church family, and I am so glad to be back in this place today. As I sit here watching a robin tugging on a worm in the back grass I know it is the little common things that are so dear. Yes, I loved being on sabbatical and thank the church leadership for investing in me in this generous way, but I do so love being back…at home.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Ultimate Freedom on the Field

By: Amy McAninch

With the aroma of hot dogs and french fries filling the air, the song of our National Anthem playing, and the laughter from giddy children, I come to realize baseball is in full swing and life seems complete. I stand in awe of how I love being here at the field, but this last week God showed me something much bigger, his ultimate freedom.

It was last Tuesday, a beautiful day, and as a lifegroup we decided to meet at Tam-o-Shanter Park after Haley and Ryan’s Tee-Ball game. As everyone came, one by one to the field, I became overjoyed that my lifegroup was wrapping up their lives with ours and seeing just a glimpse of what we do down at the ball fields. After Haley and Ryan’s game, the kids got to run off with Cherise to the park, while the rest of us found a covered picnic area and opened our bibles.

It was at that moment, while the wind was blowing cold and hard, and everyone was freezing, that I realized I was truly blessed. Not only by my amazing husband and our loving lifegroup, but by the fact that God has given us the freedom to worship him anywhere. Even though we were all freezing, the sun was shining and I could feel God’s glory on that field. I thought I felt complete on that ball field before, but now, I fully rejoice in the freedom that God has given me, on the field and off.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Rentz Family News

By Chuck Rentz:


Jenny and I want to keep our East Hills Family up to date with our status as C&MA Missionaries and have some new news to report. As many of you know, factors related to our son Erich’s epilepsy made it necessary to remain in the States for a second year of Home Assignment. Jenny and I prayed that God would make a way for us to stay in the States a second year without the need for Chuck to be on missionary tour for 6-8 weeks at a time. God answered our need and made it possible for us to join the ministry team here at East Hills Alliance. East Hills has been an answer to our prayers. God has been using the you, the people of East Hills to refresh us and remind us of God’s love and goodness. Jenny and I wanted to thank you for blessing us.

HERE IS THE LATEST NEWS:
March 29 – God answered our prayers
1) Erich and Emily were accepted into school in Berlin! Praise the Lord!
2) We received a call to ministry with Berlin International Church which we have accepted!
3) We received permission to move back to Berlin early to get set up prior to having our next baby in August.

April 11 – Erich’s latest Pediatric Neurology Appointment.
Jenny and I left the appointment very encouraged. Erich only showed one area of spiking in his brain during his most recent EEG. This was the best news we have had yet and though Erich will still need to be on anti-seizure medication we are hopeful for the future. Perhaps God will heal Erich in His time.

This news means that our last Sunday at East Hills will be June 3. We plan to leave June 4th and drive to Toledo, Ohio prior to our flight to Berlin hopefully on June 18th.

BABY #4 ON THE WAY!
For those of you who haven’t heard, Jenny and I are expecting a baby boy due August 22, 2007.

Pews, your days are numbered

Since March 12, a remodeling task force has been meeting to study ways of improving the church sanctuary and entryway. The basic ideas behind the remodel, and the membership of the group, came from Nick with input from the elder board. Kirk Sherrell, Bob Shaw, Tom Hight, Katrina Mendenhall, Jeremy McAninch, Leon Rennells, and Jean Imholte are on the task force and have been gathering suggestions and ideas from the congregation. Since my dad is the elder board representative on the group, I interviewed him today about the progress so far.

Doing nothing is a very poor option; the sanctuary carpeting is deteriorated, and the roofing, almost 30 years old, is already letting some small leaks through around the steeple. But just replacing worn-out materials does nothing to address flaws that hurt the sanctuary's usefulness.

"Over time, the church has changed," Tom said. "The demographics of our church are young families, primarily. It's not really representative of who we are. And the platform area really limits what we can do as far as performance arts for ministry support."

So far, a clear majority of the feedback favors upgrading both the functionality and appearance of the sanctuary. The single biggest issue is seating: immovable pews not only project a churchy attitude, they close off options for any use of the room besides traditional services. With a fully carpeted floor and moveable chairs, we could set up tables for a conference or clear the space for youth events. My dad visited Northlake Baptist, where they have been using chairs for five years, and got a good report: people say the chairs are more comfortable and have responded well.

Because it is likely that no walls will be moved, the biggest proposed structural changes are those aimed at the stage. This Sunday and Monday, the task force will be meeting with people involved in worship, drama, and other up-front activities, to get their recommendations. The main goal is to enlarge the platform itself and give musicians and performers more clear space to work in. Money is already budgeted to buy a stronger, higher-resolution projector and mount it from the ceiling, freeing up still more space and making the display itself more readable. The lighting leaves much to be desired, such as eliminating morning glare from the rear window, installing stage lights, and intensifying the ordinary room lights. Another item on the wish list is to wire all the light switches to one panel for better control.

Although the task force is directly concerned only with interior work, it may also recommend re-roofing before the sanctuary remodel begins. With the roof in its current condition, any insulation or other improvements on the ceiling could be damaged by leaks or the roof work itself. The team will also look at ways to improve the entryway inside and out, and possibly the front stairs.

"There are things we can do to make our church building more attractive and usable, but the building is a facility to be used for building up God's people. We're not doing this primarily for ourselves. It's more for people who have no relationship with Christ."

The task force envisions being ready to start work in early fall, but nothing major can happen without the approval of the administrative board and a vote of the congregation. This is not intended to be an obscure or secretive process, so feel free to approach any of the task force members with your concerns. If you would like to submit written comments or questions, feedback forms are still available in the back of the church. Anonymous feedback is acceptable, but please do put down your age and how long you've been attending EHA.

Arrr!

A very important Vacation Bible School meeting is going to happen this Thursday at the church from 6:30 to 7:30, and anyone with any interest in participating should be there.

The 2006 VBS will happen from 9:00 to noon on June 25-29. We hope to have 60 to 80 children there, a number that we have experience handling and that has matched well with the space and staff we have available. The outlines of what those kids will be doing for that week is already set. They will arrive to find the sanctuary transformed into the inside of a pirate ship. On the first four days, they will split up and rotate through four activity sites, but on Friday, they will stay in one group for a day of celebration. "Pirate University" is the theme; strangely, there is no Christian pirate curriculum available, so the VBS staff will create their own lessons and materials. The Wilson family will once again grace our stage with an episodic drama, and Caleb, who came up with the name, has already written most of the music. Every child will have a turn hearing the salvation message and be asked to respond by accepting Christ, but the other three sites will have their own response elements as well, rather than just imparting a lesson to passive listeners.

"[The staff] considers the week of VBS one of the most fun weeks of the year," Ann said. "'Pirate University' is easy and fun to promote and has a high interest level for girls and boys."

Tuesday's meeting is when we move from "what" and "when" to "who" and "how." Lori Shero, the director, needs leaders and helpers for the four sites, and the VBS "crew" has to work out which rooms to use and how to dress them as ships, ports, desert islands, and other appropriate locations.

"People will have an opportunity to hear an overview and help decide some of the details," Ann said. "We're looking for people who have a heart for kids, but some things need to be done outside of that week, or even on just one day."

Whether you have an interest in working with children, or would rather cook, pray, or help behind the scenes in other ways, this meeting is the place to find a role that suits your abilities. It's also an opportunity to give your input on the creative aspects.

Easter Service

Pastor Nick delivered his Easter message very efficiently at Kelso High: the count was 269 in attendance, meaning that for all of them to hear him preach in the sanctuary, they would have had to divide among three services.

"It was like a celebration just to have the whole church family together for one service," Ann said.

Nick offered this thought about his sermon: "I think I always use a different approach at my thesis than I normally do. My normal style tends to be deductive-- give the big points first, then the evidence-- but this time it was interesting to just let the story be told."

If I had to choose a day to get up and preach, Christmas and Easter would be my last two choices. I was impressed with Nick's ability to work within the confines of a seeker-oriented service on a major holiday, yet still reveal fresh ideas that hold the attention of long-time Christians.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Pulling the Plug

Four years ago, the administration board approved a compensation package that included sabbaticals for staff members. It was designed to give staff members a one-month period of discretionary time after each three years of service. After discussion with Pastor Nick, I made a request to the elder board in March to use my sabbatical leave from April 23 to May 22, and they approved it. I am so blessed to be part of a church that values the health of its staff. I am not “dropping out” because I am toasted and just can’t take it anymore; I am going away to be refilled and renewed in order to better serve. Because this has not been done before, we have had to address a lot of general questions in the process.

The sabbatical concept is rooted in Scripture and is by its very nature a time of rest and reflection. Genesis 2 and Deuteronomy 5 are key chapters that guide this process. To use this time of rest and reflection well requires quite a bit of “unplugging” as preparation. I have been working toward this for many weeks, and I find myself with mixed feelings. Part of the time I am excited to experience a sabbatical, and part of the time I feel left out of the excitement of living out the call God has gently placed on my life. Also, I am fighting the inner pressure to over-format this month with schedules, lists, and deadlines-- that would completely undermine the whole purpose.

I see this as a time of rediscovery: first a time to rediscover my God, second a time to rediscover myself, and finally a time to rediscover my ministry. It has been difficult to say no to some things that are scheduled for my sabbatical month. For instance, I will miss some important meetings that my heart wants to participate in. I will not be attending EHA weekend services during this time or meeting with our life group. It is a little scary to think about being away from my dear EHA family and co-staff members. But gradually, I am seeing a little intriguing light waiting for me on the horizon. What does God have in mind for me?

Friday, April 06, 2007

A Blessing in Difficult Times

A Blessing in Difficult Times
By Jim Cram

Some of you may know that in May of last year, my brother George died. This has certainly led to a mass of changes in my family and particularly in me. You see, George was the only one of my siblings living near my mother, who is not in very good health. George helped her with whatever needs she could not do independently. As a result, my mother has moved to Kelso and I have taken the primary responsibility to make sure her needs are met. In addition to this, my relationship with one of my sisters was severed, and the relationship with the other sister was strained. Denise’s father’s Alzheimers has gotten worse, and he is now using a walker, and I have found that I need to give them more of my time as well. Time. Stress. Responsibilities. In order to alleviate some of this, I stepped down from being an elder and have cut back on my responsibilities at church. At times, I feel left out from those meetings I used to attend – kind of like an outsider. Yet, I know that this is what I had to do. So, did God lead me to this place of life? I know He did. So, why has church responsibility taken such a back seat for right now? I ask that quite a bit, yet I know He is with us in wherever He leads us. And we can always find Him, especially in the small things.

God has shown his faithfulness to me in many ways. Shortly after my brother died, my youngest sister, Twylla, and I both realized that we needed each other, and God has opened the doors for us to have a great relationship with each other, and to even enjoy one another regularly. While my mother went through 2 hospital stays and 2 moves, my sister, Doris, came by the house to visit, somewhat cautiously. She stayed for 5 hours, and before long our differences had dissolved, and we see each other often now. God made you and me to have relationship, with Him, with family, and with neighbors. And He is the healer of relationships.

My mother realized that she needed to be near her children, so she decided to move to Longview. She had applied to get into senior housing in Kelso, but we were told that the waiting list was long, and that her income was too high to get onto a reasonable accommodation list. So she moved into another apartment which cost more but was very nice, and she felt she could afford the rent. It was not long until she realized that her money was gone before the month was. Just at that time we got a letter from Cowlitz Villa senior housing that there was an opening, and because mom was now paying higher rent she now qualified for reasonable accommodation and had moved to the top of the list for a one bedroom apartment. God is good. While we thank Him for the apartment she lived in for those first few months, it is good to see her breathe a bit easier financially. I appreciate the generosity and kindness that Chuck Bond and his staff have shown to my mother. My mother found herself having to pay rent at 2 apartments for April, since her agreement said that she had to give 20 days notice, and she was unable to do this in order to not have to pay the April rent. However, within a week, Chuck’s staff called and reported that mom’s apartment had been rented and that not only did she not have to pay April’s rent, but that she would receive a partial refund for March as well! God is truly a generous God.

There are other things that we see in the blessings in our life. God’s provision of a new car for Buell and Lorraine. An special relationship with my brother and his wife as they ventured into the world of caring for her parents. Support from our life group, and the way that Nick has continued to make me feel a part of the church leadership. I don’t know how people can make it through stress and difficulties without a supportive church family and without knowing the grace of our God. As I look back, I can only say, “Thank you, God. Thank you for the blessings you give to us.”

Friday, March 30, 2007

Programmatic Benefits of Chairs

Hello! Perhaps all of you have heard by now that we are exploring a remodel of our church sanctuary. One of the potentially contentious points in a church remodel is the discussion about removing pews in favor of more modern, padded chairs. Rather than discussing the differences in style, I want to focus for a moment on the difference in function. What possibilities are open to us if we have flexible seating? I have put together a partial list of the benefits our church would have as a result of bringing in chairs. After reading through, I'd encourage you to add some of your own at the end!

*Chairs allow for curved seating; better site lines for people towards the end of a row.

*Chairs may be placed around tables
-Discussion Groups
-Banquets
-Prayer Circles

*Chairs may be placed around longer tables, or one side of a circular table
-Conferences, seminars and workshops

*Chairs may be rearranged for worship purposes
-Worship event in center of room with chairs in circles

*Chairs may be removed from the front of the room
-Allows more room for dramas, mimes, or large wedding parties

*Chairs may be removed from the back of the room
-Providing greater space for socializing and fellowship

*Room may be completely cleared out
-Light-impact events (such as a ballet practice)
-Concerts or standing room only events
-Youth events

*Chairs will make the room more functional not only for our church family, but equally as important, it will make the room more available to our community. (Right now our sanctuary, the largest room in our building, is used around 6 to 7 hours per week.)
-Community seminars, practices, events, etc.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
*Single chairs may be removed and replaced in case of damage
*Chairs may be removed for great wheelchair accessibility
*Chairs provide greater comfort
*Chairs are more familiar seating for unchurched people. Hard-backed benches are primarily found at sporting events- where people take "bleacher seats" with them!
*Chairs are a "defined space", giving people a greater feel of personal space. This will actually allow for a greater room capacity.

What do you think?

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Heart to Heart Season Ends

This year Heart to Heart has consisted of a series of meetings and events all tied to the theme, "That Makes Sense". Each part of the series used one of the five senses as a launching point. We began back in September with meetings called "Taste and See That the Lord is Good" and there was a serious amount of chocolate involved! This series was desigend to be a good way for women to find out if Heart to Heart would be a good fit, and an easy place to invite friends.

We then did a womens' spiritual retreat called "Touching Heaven". It was in Menucha, Oregon and intentionally focused on the spiritual worlds, both dark and light. The feedback from that retreat was enthusiastic. "Best retreat ever," was noted over and over again. It was certainly a great time to get in touch with God and with each other.

In order to sharpen our listening skills we did a winter series called, "Can You Hear Me Now?" and spent time learning how God speaks to us. That was capped with a holiday seeker friendly event called "It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas". It was a blast to have several presenters, to learn a few Christmas tips, and just hang out and have fun together.

Finally we did a series called "I Can See Clearly Now" which was intended to re-energize our devotional lives. We spent a lot of each week doing personal Bible study and sharing new insights in groups discussions. There was a big enphasis on the inperative need to include God's Word in our decisions and plans.

How important is your Bible? Consider the following:

It was written over a span of 1500 years by more than 40 authors spread over three continents: kings, peasants, fishermen, criminals, poets, and statesmen. The languages they wrote in are dead or close to it but it has outlasted their limited knowledge and been translated into more than 2200 languages.

It is eternal, it begins before the creation of the universe and reaches into the far future.

It is quoted by angels and misquoted by demons. God protects and preserves it and man has manufactured more copies of it than any other book. It’s words and ideas have been incorporated into hundreds of thousands of pieces of art and literature.

It is used as a model for worldwide codes of law, serves as a shield of the preservation of liberty, guides kings, presidents, and generals, and encourages scientific thought.

Men have been martyred for believing it and waged wars to defend it. Wherever it goes women and children are elevated. It was the driving force behind the exploration of the new world and the abolition of slavery.

It's pages burn with truth,It is reliable, holy, complete, inexhaustible. It is eternal.

And it is personal. It has sustained soldiers in foxholes, nourished the starving in prison camps, been a companion to orphans and widows. It has stopped the desperate from pulling the trigger, swallowing the pills, slamming the door.

It's pages whisper, "Come near...take a closer look." A story, a verse, a word...just for me, just for you, just for today.

Seeing clearly requires us to put on our holy glasses and learn to appreciate God's holy Book.

The final event for Heart to Heart women this season will be our annual Garage Saling Extravaganza in June. This is a totally fun morning when we meet at the church, team up, get directions and garage sale lists and head out for a few hours of treasure hunting. We meet back at the church for lunch and show and tell. This year we are planning to provide childcare. Watch for date and time.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

The Rentz's past and future

C&MA International Ministries is eager to get our missionary in residence, Chuck Rentz, back into the field; he was scheduled to fly back to Berlin this August when his year with us is up. But Chuck and Jenny are now expecting their fourth child in August, so their travel plans will definitely change. They have not decided whether they will leave early, in May, or wait until November or December.

Chuck has already preached, and many of you have met him in person, but since we are restarting this blog with plenty of new content, I wanted to get a little of his background available online.

Chuck accepted Christ when he was 16 and living in Poulsbo. He felt he was "called to let my life count for the Lord;" one way he accomplished that was spending four years as an instructor at Crown College. In 1993, he heard a speaker at a C&MA missionary conference give an urgent call, inspired by the collapse of the Soviet Union: the church needed people who could begin training for overseas work immediately and enter the mission field soon. Chuck felt that God was calling him to answer, but the path to overseas ministry was a long one.

For the last 18 months of Chuck's preparation, the word was that France was his likely destination. But when he arrived for his pre-appointment interview, a step about six months away from placement, he was launched into two weeks of uncertainty. The denomination suggested Mongolia, an Indonesian island, and three African countries, but all were bad matches.

Finally, he got back on track with a placement in Berlin. In 2001, Chuck and his family went overseas and began two years of language study. His first ministry was a new church plant in the form of an initial 17-person home group, which he eventually expanded into a functioning church. He was also the field treasurer, responsible for the mission's international banking.

The C&MA wants its missionaries to spend one year in full-time U.S. ministry for every four they spend in the field. For the Rentz family, that first year back was a challenging one. Chuck and Jenny's oldest son, Erich, had been diagnosed with epilepsy their first year in Germany, and he began to have developmental issues. Meanwhile, Chuck's speaking schedule sent him around the country and often kept him away from Jenny and their children. When the year was up, they did not feel ready to return to Berlin. The family was tired, and gaining access to the proper schooling for Erich in Germany is difficult.

"We were five minutes from Jenny's church in Toledo, Ohio, and we have felt so much more care-giving and relationships and connection with people here than there," Chuck said. "Not that they're bad people, but it's another way of doing things, and [East Hills], all around, has been a blessing to us from the first week we got here."

The Pacific Northwest District put Chuck in contact with Nick Stumbo, and they and the elders felt that God was calling Chuck back to Washington. He began his year-long residence in July 2006.

"We were really unsure of what the future meant for us," he said. "Then Nick called ... we really believe that God brought us here. I think this was the year that God wants us to be refreshed."

While here, Chuck is still involved in promoting missions. He is a firm supporter of life groups, which are a main tool for connecting believers in his field work. He also emphasized that his ministry goal is to understand what God has for East Hills, to reenforce the leadership's vision rather than compete against it.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Drama in Heaven

Drama in Heaven
By Ann Hight

When God walked in to the drama room
He could hardly believe His eyes,
Half the crew was late again
and the props were all the wrong size.

Some of the actors were dozing,
Some were playing cards
And some were having an argument
About who should be the stars.

Paul was in the corner
doing rewrites on the script
“I think I’ve almost got it,”
For the fiftieth time he quipped

Moses, in the back room
was trying hard to learn his part
“I just can’t seem to say it right”
He was surely losing heart.

Spotlights leaned in the corner
And no one seemed to care
The wardrobe mistress worried
about John and that camel hair.

Peter kept on coming up
with new ideas for the set,
“Let’s build three of them”, he cried
“This is my best plan yet”

Something sure was missing
in heaven’s drama room
Without a fresh solution
God knew the play was doomed.

Suddenly a knowing smile
replaced God’s worried frown.
“Peter, drop your hammer.
Go get me Dana Brown.”

Monday, February 26, 2007

The (Heart) Beat Goes On

Heart to Heart started the final segment of its year long series, That Makes Sense, yesterday. Each part has been loosely tied to one of the five senses. This whole series has been interesting to do because there has been a big variety of teaching styles, intended audiences, and outcomes. This final one is my favorite. But I guess my favorite always just happens to be the one I am working on at the moment! With expert help from Becky Cox, we were able to put together a snappy little study guide, and our new copy machine actually folded and even stapled it for us. I think it will be a useful tool as we present interactive meetings to help re-energize our devotional life by exploring ways to connect with the Word of God.

Yesterday was the first Thursday we have met together during 2007, and it was so good to be back in the groove with these special women. After weeks of being apart, and minutes of being back together, it was evident that no ice-breaker question was really needed. We all just instantly began catching up with each other and welcoming new attendees over coffee and donut holes.

Heart to Heart meets Thursday mornings at 9:30 with childcare, and again at 6:00. Hot and cold beverages and snacks are provided. If you are a woman looking for a meaningful mid-week break, give Heart to Heart a try. Or contact me if you have questions or comments.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

"State of the Church" Talk

Hello! This is the basics of the talk I gave at our 2007 Annual Celebration. I think it will give you some unique insight into our church. Enjoy!

A Look Back:

Where have we been over the last year? In what state do we find our church?

A Grounded Church. We are finally out of transition. For the first time in several years, we had no staff farewell parties. We may be down in attendance some, but that's okay- we know who's with us. We have "arrived" in the sense that we can look around and say, "This is us!" Now let's start moving forward together.

A Generous Church- Even with lower attendance, our missions (GCF) giving is up, support of other missionaries is up, and overall giving was very strong compared to size of church. We paid off our ADF loan- over 16,000 of principle just last year! I salute all of you that were a part of this through the years!

We provided a place for Crystal Ewing, and now for Chuck and Jenny Rentz, to do ministry and to grow. We took a spur-of-the-moment type offering for Dana Brown and suddenly had several thousand dollars put together.

We have transitioned into an a new era at EHA. But the question is, what kind of church will be? Where exactly are we going?

I once heard a guest speaker tell a story about staying at Banff Park in Canada. While getting ready in the bathroom, he heard a loud thud against the sliding glass door. He stepped around the corner in time to see a bird staggering off of the balcony. Out of curiosity, the man stepped outside to see what may have caused the bird to fly into the door. As he slid the door shut, he saw reflected before him the beautiful panorama that could be seen from his balcony. The bird was flying forward, thinking it's past was it's future! It thought it's future was the same as its past- that where it had come from was where it was going.

While we honor the past, but it does not define our future. We are not destined to do the same things over and over and continue to be the same just because it's what we've always done.

So where are we flying?

A Look Forward:

Developing Community: We are together a body of believers, not a collection of customers. Staying after church is great, as many of you do, but how about coming early? Do we miss out on deeper community by sliding in 5 minutes late? We have prioritized our LifeGroups for several years, and I know some have grown weary in this system. I want to encourage you to move deeper into relationships. We are needing people to say, "I'd be willing to facilitate this- to make sure it happens." But we also need followers, saying, "I'm committed to growing in Christ with you." Six-week "series" are nice, but they do not foster lasting community. If you're saying "I'm too busy for LifeGroup" ask what you're really saying. To not be involved in community is not an option Jesus gave us. It may actually require more of our time and energy to discover true community, but it will be worth it!

High-Impact Weekend Services: We want to continue to be relevant for both believers and seekers, but always erring on the side of the seekers. That's part of why community is so important- the church service isn’t just for you. Because we're relevant to seekers, there are so levels of depth or intimacy we may not arrive at on Sunday morning! Our worship will continue to be relevant and meaningful. Our preaching will be applicable and accessible.

The leadership has begun to investigate another area, and that's to look at remodeling our Sanctuary. This space has a wonderful history of great ministry, but it is becoming an obstacle to the gospel. It is no longer keeping pace with the vitality and energy of our congregation. We also need a space that will be attractive to seekers.

Some Potential Changes:
Padded chairs: multiple seating arrangements, flexibility, comfort, and style.
Stage- expanded for better musical arrangement, drama, and mime.
Color schemes (paint) and carpet- needed to represent a modern church

Nothing has been decided or finalized yet, and nothing will be decided without your input and your decision. We've gotten some feedback from our members and the support to move forward with this project is overwhelming! If you'd like to see some proposed ideas for the changes, stop by the church office.


Externally-Focused Ministry: We will continue to plan, promote and put on events like Project Back to School (free back-packs for kids), Date Night for the community and other relevant and similar ideas. A soccer camp for kids is in the works for this summer. What else? What more? It's time to worry less about how many of us come here, and worry more about how many of us are going out there- living out the love of Jesus among our friends and neighbors.

WHY? Why put the effort into LifeGroups, and Sanctuary remodels and events that suck away our time, our energy, and our money? Why all this focus on others? What about me and my growth, we might ask? Wouldn't it be easier and better to just stay safe and happy with what we've got, to disciple the church we have? Yes, but I can't do that.

WHY? We called every single church in town this last year to ask them a question. How many people could sit in your church? We called Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Non-denominational and everything in between. We found out the amount of people that could sit in all the chairs and pews in Kelso and Longview on any given Sunday. (or Saturday, as the case may be!) And then we doubled it, because every church could have two services. And then we added several thousand just in case we had missed anyone. When we did this, we came to a grand total of roughly 30,000 people that could attend church in our city. Isn't that great? NO! Because over 47,000 people live in this city.

We can't sit idly by and say the job is done when 17,000 people don't even have a seat, let alone faith in Jesus Christ. You could fill up Kelso High School auditorium 42 times with the amount of people that couldn't even find a seat at church. And the sad reality is very few of our churches are even close to being at capacity at two services. Thousands and thousands of people right here in our community are separated from God and many of them are unaware that He even exists.

We're not here to do church. We're here to be the church. And if we are to be the church, we need everyone of you to give yourself completely to Christ. Why? Not for the benefit of East Hills, but for the benefit of those who don't yet know Jesus. Will you do that? Will you join wit us? Will you re-up for another year, better than the last? I hope you will.