Ekklesia Church News

A NEW CHURCH FOR NEW PEOPLE IN A NEW COMMUNITY
February 4th, 2016

Donate online at:  www.ekklesiakitsap.org
February 4th, 2015 - In This Issue:
Ekklesia Family Retreat in May
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Up Coming Dates
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New Calendar on Web Site
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Opportunities to Serve Everyday
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Prayer Needs
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House Churches You Can Join

Ekklesia families, people, friends on mission for Jesus
Ekklesia Teaching  Sunday
at the Pavilion
  
Sunday, February 7th
10:00am coffee & juice
10:25am worship

Adult teacher: Tim Blair
"We Need Each Other"

Youth teachers: 
Ryan Pyke & Sarah Blair

Children's teachers:
Katy Stefanoff & Lisa Blair  
Pavilion Gathering Sunday
701 Bay St. Port Orchard, WA 
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Youth Activity This Saturday Night
  
Saturday, February 6th- at 6:30
Pyke home- 
1260 1/2 Pottery Ave., 
Port Orchard

All youth are asked to bring a healthy snack.
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Ekklesia Family Retreat in May
  
May  27-29th
Ocean Shores 

more details in the coming weeks
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Up Coming Dates

Feb. 6th Youth Activity
Feb. 8th Bell/Hanson group
Feb. 10th Kenady group
Feb. 11th Ehlert group
Feb. 13th Leadership mtg
Feb. 13th Youth Activity
Feb. 14th Love Feast- gathering
Feb. 20th Ladies Night Out
Feb. 27th Rend Collective Concert
Mar. 26th  Easter Picnic
Mar. 27th  Easter program
May 27-29th Family Retreat- Ocean
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Prayer Needs
Monique Parry's friend-
prayer for friend Mindy and daughter- Mallory who was diagnosed with cancer
Ron Weeks-  wife (Pam) who continues to recover from several cancer surgeries. They feel so blessed to know of her continued recovery and God's goodness!
Francene and Lee Criswell's neighbor- Ron-A father of 4 children dealing with cancer 
Elizabeth Herrera - the passing of her father a few months ago in Arizona
Ekklesia House - pray for a new opportunity that has presented itself for us to build a new homeless shelter community in South Kitsap.
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House Churches You Can Join
Mon. 6:30pm Bell/Hanson
Wed. 6:30pm Kenady/Bedford
Wed. 4:30pm Ladies- Grandma Bobbie
Thurs. 6:30pm Ehlert/Blair
Sat. 6:30pm Youth group
 
For further information call: 
360-801-0012 or e-mail us at 
ekklesia.kitsap@gmail.com

Relationships are Important   
The purpose of the church and God's work with people is to connect with his creation so that we know we are loved and "family." Too many people avoid close relationships and shy away from a church connection because of past wounds. The true purpose of a church connection helps us know how valuable we are and why we are here on this earth. So, in reality, relationships are the core of Ekklesia's purpose and weekly rhythms. Everything we do is to connect with people and help them become a part of a family that God started. How do we connect with people?

House Churches- Ekklesia believes that people that meet together in homes grow closer together and find greater spiritual support. We presently have five groups that meet together throughout the week with more planned for the near future. Each House Church group has it's own rhythm of bible study, prayer, play together, service and recreation. 

Service Projects- Ekklesia connects with people in the community by serving them. We also grow closer as a family by working hard together. We serve the South Kitsap Food Bank, Georgia's House Women's Shelter, Coffee Oasis, That One Place fund raising efforts, and many individual needs as they arrive in South Kitsap. 

Retreats- Ekklesia holds several special retreats for our group throughout the year in order to help our families, young adults, youth, ladies group and men's group grow together.  We hold retreats at Ocean Shores, local camps and at our own Ekklesia members' homes. 

Group Hikes and Outings- Ekklesia enjoys growing together by enjoying the Pacific Northwest hiking trails, beaches and other amazing locations. Tim has begun a new rhythm of taking Ekklesia families and groups on monthly  beachcombing outings to Olympic Peninsula beaches and Kitsap beaches. 

Worship Gatherings- Ekklesia people also gather together on Sunday mornings to worship God and Jesus in song, prayer, communion, learning God's words in the Bible and in Service every other week. We worship by eating together regularly and growing as a family. We even take time on fifth Sundays to meet together in family groups or as house churches to enjoy a special day for connection.
  
Family Sunday- Trip to  Murdock Beach
Last Sunday many of our Ekklesia families met privately or in groups to independently enjoy the day and thank God for has blessings. One group drove up to Port Angeles and found the remote Murdock Beach. We prayed in the parking lot then set out to explore the amazing fossil formations and rocks on the beach. We had a great time realizing the beauty of God's creation. In a few weeks there will be another outing planned on a Saturday or Monday to "Glass Beach" up in Port Townsend.  

Part of the Ekklesia hiking group to Murdock Beach



New Calendar on Web Site
The Ekklesia web site now has an up-dated calendar reflecting the many events and Sunday rhythms for the next several months. Check it out!
New Sunday rhythms
1st & 3rd Sundays- Teaching Sundays
2nd & 4th Sundays- Service Sundays
5th Sundays- Family Sundays

Opportunities to Serve Everyday 
Ekklesia is constantly being called to assist various organizations with many needs. The Helpline Food Bank is one such organization that we are proud to say we support on a regular basis. This week we received a last minute request to help them unload a truck load of potting soil for their spring potting program. Three Ekklesia volunteers showed up at 10am on Thursday morning with shovels ready for action. After the job was done they asked for additional help next week as another load of potting soil would also be coming in. So.... if you are available to help, come on down Thursday morning, February 11th at 10am for fun digging in the dirt!  

More information will be sent out next week about the additional load of potting soil that will need to be unloaded. Good job guys!

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

Thank you
Wow... It's February already and Easter is just around the corner! We thank you for your continued support of our work here in Port Orchard. 
Tim and Lisa Blair