Ekklesia Church This Week

A NEW CHURCH FOR NEW PEOPLE IN A NEW COMMUNITY
December 15th, 2016
 

December 15th, 2016 - In This Issue:
Christmas Opportunities to Serve and Connect
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Up Coming Dates
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Prayer Needs
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House Churches You Can Join
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Aaron Hanson's Blog
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Severe Weather Shelter- Progressing


A Church Serving in the Community

Ekklesia Gathering:
Birthday Party for Jesus
 
December 18th
"That One Place"
restaurant
1386 SE Lund Ave.
10:00am- Potluck Brunch
10:45am- Worship
Everyone is encouraged to bring a breakfast dish.

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We will be having a White Elephant Gift Exchange so please bring a gender neutral gift that's been thrifted, regifted, or bought for less than $10. Please bring a snack food that's fun and festive!

When: Friday, Dec., 16th 
When: 7-9ish
Where: Cartwright House
For directions, a ride or more info, please contact Sarah Pyke.
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Up Coming Dates

Dec. 16th Youth Christmas Party
Dec. 18th Christmas Gathering
Dec. 19th Bell/Hanson Group
Dec. 21st Christmas Food Bank set-up
Dec. 22nd, 23rd Christmas Food & Presents distribution
Dec. 25th Family Sunday
Dec. 31st New Years Eve Party- Bells
Jan. 1st Family Sunday
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Prayer Needs

Francene Criswell's friend- Adam - Brain cancer and seizures- his wife Morna is also asking for prayers
Holly and Scott Waite's friend- Diana- struggling with cancer
David McKee- Lisa Blair's brother- who has been diagnosed with an optic nerve tumor. Dave began undergoing treatment in September.
Ron Weeks- aneurysm in neck and head- recovering wonderfully! He sends his thanks for the many prayers.
Monique Parry's friend- Praise God!
Mallory had an amazing opportunity to go to New York a few weeks ago where a surgeon was able to remove 99% of the tumor! The family is elated and praising God! 
Bell's renter- Roy Eagan who has cancer, a wife and two children
Praise!- Stormy Millier arrival
Pregnant mother-  Rachel Bedford
Severe Weather Shelter location and the development of a volunteer organization
Tiny House Village for Homeless- continued need for a good piece of property to host the village
Opportunities to serve in our community and touch lives!

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House Churches You Can Join

Mon. 6:30pm Bell/Hanson
Wed. 6:30pm Kenady
Thurs. 6:30pm  Ehlert/Blair
Sat. 6:30pm  Youth group

For further information call: 
360-801-0012 or e-mail us at 
ekklesia.kitsap@gmail.com

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Aaron Hanson's Blog 

Christian Apologetics- Theology & Philosophy
https://fortheloveofreason.wordpres
s.com/about/

Christmas is About Giving
Giving is the universal language of love. The sacrifice of a giving heart speaks volumes to a hurting world that is wounded by so much violence, war, ethnic strife and economic deprivation. As we give of our time, labor and money we offer a glimpse of hope to the hurting. So, as this Christmas season moves into high gear think about what God would have you do for others. Ask Him to open doors that you might love and help others. There are so many opportunities to serve that we need only to open our eyes all around our city and neighborhoods. Make it known to others and to the organizations that serve others that you are willing and available. When you do this you will be called. You will be used and appreciated. It is amazing how needful the food banks and shelter houses are for support from volunteers. You and your family can really make a difference. So get out there an serve!. May the Lord of all love who gave his only Son to our world guide us all into this ministry of love. May the Prince of Peace flow through us to give healing and a sense of God's presence in our weary and stressed communities. This the good news that will cause great joy for all our neighbors. Jesus is alive and lives in our world!
Waite family helping an older woman in need of food
Christmas Opportunities to Serve and Connect  
1. Birthday Party For Jesus- 
 Potluck Brunch- Dec. 18th 10am Brunch/ 10:45 worship
On Sunday, Dec. 18th, Ekklesia will have our annual Christmas brunch and gathering. We will gather at the "That One Place" restaurant for a Birthday For Jesus experience at 10am. We will also have a special time of worship centered on the birth of Jesus Christ involving our youth. 

2. Food Bank Set Up- Dec. 21st 8:30am-12:00 
Workers will be needed on Wednesday morning, Nov. 21st to set up the Food Bank's food supplies and the Christmas gifts in the National Guard Armory for the Christmas distribution.

3. Food Bank's Christmas Food and Gifts distribution-
    Dec. 22nd & 23rd at the Armory- 9:30am til 5:30pm
Volunteers will again be needed over these two days (Thursday and Friday) to help the food bank distribute food and presents to over a thousand families. 

Ekklesia volunteers at last year's Christmas Food & Toy Distribution 2015

Severe Weather Shelter Progressing
Ekklesia joined four other local Port Orchard churches on Thursday morning for an exciting partnership to serve the homeless. We met at the downtown United Methodist Church to tour and to discuss our proposal that the UMC host the South Kitsap Severe Weather Shelter  for the  homeless. They are very interest and only await the decision by their full board of leaders. We are presently planning on having a training session for all interested volunteers who wish to help with the shelter. A Department of Emergency Management trainer will schedule an evening meeting in a few weeks and Ekklesia volunteers will be invited to participate! Let us pray for this ministry to the homeless to begin sometime in January. Pray for volunteers and the partnership of churches that are stepping up to staff this shelter!
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

Christmas is Almost Here!          
It's a beautiful time of year to reflect on our blessings and to know with confidence why God has called us to this ministry. There are just so many amazing doors that God is opening up for us to serve the needy in our community. Every week I stand back with surprise and wonder what God is up to as He leads us into new opportunities in our community to lead and to serve. Thank you to all our friends and supporters for your words of encouragement and financial support. Our days are filled with opportunities to bless others and share the love of Jesus. Thank you for partnering with us!

Tim and Lisa Blair