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.)