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Fall Back, Mission Trip & Giving

November 3, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

Very quickly, three items which I need to communicate with you.

1. Please don’t forget this Saturday we FALL BACK ONE HOUR. That’s right, you get an extra hour of sleep. I expect with the extra hour of sleep everyone will be ready to worship the Lord on Sunday.

2. Eastside’s first mission trip of 2012 is scheduled for January 12-19 for Guatemala and Prince of Peace Home for Girls. Remember we have a goal of sending a 125 people outside of Madison County for a mission trip in 2012. The major project for this trip will be to pour a concrete driveway, however, there are MANY other projects for one to participate in. We will also be taking duffle bags of clothing for the girls at the home. If you have good quality, gentle used girls clothing/shoes then please drop them off at the church on or before January 2, 2012. Sizes needed are 5 year old to size 10. Cost: $310.00 per person plus airfare and spending money.

3. Below are mission figures from January 1, 2011 through October 14, 2011. This reflects Eastside’s commitment to missions. I am so grateful for a church that is willing to be on mission and support missions like you do. Way to go, Eastsiders! You are the best.

Campus Outreach 4,862.72
Cooperative Program 18,097.87
Deaf Church 5,435.05
Feed My Starving Children 10,677.24
God’s Outreach Food Pantry 5,429.28
Guatemala Mission Trip 9,697.80
Local Mission 23,817.52
Youth Mission 8,794.37
Prince of Peace 7,192.00
Special Love Offering 12,786.31

Total Deposits $106,790.16

See you Sunday,

Pastor Virgil

 

Don’t Forget….

November 1, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful day and a fantastic week. Here are a couple need-to-know-items for this week:

1. New Members – would you please welcome Pete and Carolyn Nooteboom to our family. Pete and Carolyn, welcome to Eastside. I am glad to have you part of the family.

2.  Feed My Starving Children Packing Event is this Saturday at The Home Store and More located on Berea Road. If you would like to be a part of this event and haven’t register for a time slot then please contact Vivian Wallace at 582-5600 or vivwallace@gmail.com

3. Please don’t forget to vote online to help Clark-Moore Middle School to potentially win a $50,000.00 grant. You can text clorox8210 to 44144 or go online to www.powerabrightfuture.com. You can vote online and via text daily.

 

4. Sunday we will continue with the sermon series, Ignite. We will be exploring our Statements of Faith. What are our core beliefs as a church family? What do we believe about God? Bible? Jesus? Eternity? Eternity Security?

5. Continue to pray for the Agee Family, Jane & Nelson Young, Shirley Grant, Patsy Grant, Bill Bradley, Beverly Burrus, those who are lost, Eastside’s search for a full-time youth pastor, Mike Curry, Johnathan & Holly Tussey, Melvin & Frankie Mills, Judy Dean, Bruce Wright, Prince of Peace Home for Girls.

I hope to see you on Sunday,

Pastor Virgil

 

IGNITE Coming Soon

October 21, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Pastor Virgil will begin a new 4 week sermon series titled “Ignite” on Sunday, October 30, 2011. This sermon series is designed to clearly explain who and what our church is. You’ll learn about our beliefs on salvation, our various statements such as vision, mission, core values, and of faith. In addition, you will learn about our church’s strategy and structure.

At the end of the sermon series, you’ll be given the opportunity to decide whether to complete the membership process by filling out and signing the membership covenant.

Eventually this sermon series will serve as Eastside’s New Member’s Class which will be a requirement for all new members.

Welcome Mike Eckler and Jared Hall

October 18, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

Eastside would like to welcome Mike, Sherri, and Kristen Eckler to Eastside. Mike is Eastside’s new worship leader. We are very excited to have the Ecklers at Eastside. You can send a Mike a note of congratulations at meckler@eastside-cc.com. Here is a little bit about the Ecklers.

After finally surrendering to Christ at age 27, I began answering the call to ministry. My beautiful wife of 20 years (Sherri) and I began teaching children, teens, and ultimately adult small groups, and along the way I began providing worship. Born in Cincinnati and raised in the Northern KY area, I am from the town of Corinth, KY. Sherri and I have a 17-year old daughter Kristen, and have lived in Richmond since 1999. Our family has been involved in missions from Richmond to Guatemala. I am so glad to answer the call to lead worship here at Eastside. I believe worship is the expression of our passionate love for our Lord and Savior. John 4:23 tells us to “worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him,” through an environment where the community is free to engage in worship “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). This is our focus, our passion, our vision for all to come and to worship the Father and the Son freely through the Holy Spirit.

Volunteer Celebration Registration Deadline is tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:30 pm). Email Vivian Wallace at vivwallace@gmail.com or contact Kristie Ashcraft at 859-624-9646. We need your reservations for dinner preparation purposes.

Eastside’s Volunteer Celebration is a CELEBRATION of all the volunteers who serve faithfully week-in and week-out. This AWESOME celebration is this Sunday at 5:00pm. The event will be at Eastside and families are encouraged to attend together. Jared Hall is going to be our guest speaker for the evening. Learn more about Jared via visiting him at www.jaredhall.com.

Have an AWESOME WEEK,

Pastor VG

 

 

Vision Sunday

October 11, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

This Sunday I will be sharing Eastside’s Vision for 2012. The message is titled, “The We, We Want To Be.”  This message will be be challenging, informative, and inspiring. In addition, we will also observe communion. In preparation for worship and the message on Sunday please read chapters 13 and 14 of Numbers.

Here are a couple announcements:

Halloween Party for the Children (birth thru 5th grade) is Wednesday, October 26th at Eastside are encouraged to dress in costume (no scary costumes) and attend the Halloween Party at 6:30 pm. Part of the activities will include the children going to each youth/adult classroom to trick-or-treat. Each small group will need to prepare for these little ones by securing candy to pass out that evening.

Volunteers Needed for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Evaluations:
Tuesday, October 18 5:30-8pm
Thursday, October 20, 5:30-8pm
Saturday, October 22, 8:30am-12pm

Help is needed with registration, uniform sizing, and basketball drills. Please contact Carla Perry at 893-4757 or cperry@eastside-cc.com

Volunteer Celebration is Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 5:00 pm at Eastside. Dinner will be served at 5:00pm with Jared Hall as our guest for the evening. You can learn more about Jared by visiting www.jaredhall.com. This celebration is designed as a family event. Please contact Vivian Wallace with your reservations or questions at vivwallace@gmail.com or at 582-5600. Please make your reservations on or before Wednesday, October 19, 2011.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we celebrate the GREATNESS of God!

Pastor Virgil

 

Quick Update

October 5, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful week. This week is tremendously busy for me. I would ask that you pray for me as the Lord brings me to your mind.

Here are a couple updates:

Join us in sponsoring a girl from Prince of Peace Home for Girls for Christmas. A suggested one- time sponsorship amount is $25. For each sponsorship you will receive a Prince of Peace ornament and a biographical sketch of the girl you are sponsoring. If you would like to sponsor a girl for Christmas or for more information please call the church office at 859-624-9646.

 

Feed My Starving Children Packing Event Update:

We only have one packing shift left our upcoming FMSC Packing Event, Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 9-11am. We still need
 15 people for set up on Friday, Nov 4th from 4-6pm. You can not register online for set-up, they will just need to contact Vivian Wallace at vivwallace@gmail.com. To register for the packing event please click here:  http://volunteer.fmsc.org/Register/mobilepack/event.aspx?event=1111-79

Worship Leader and Youth Leader Updates:

Please continue to pray for us as we work through the process with each of these positions.

Youth Leader Search Update:

1. We have had one interview.  We have another interview scheduled for next week.
2. Once we have identify a potential candidate then we will present a candidate to the youth team, staff, and elders for additional interviews.
3.  Then jointly a decision will be made to extend a call to the appropriate person.

Worship Leader Search Update:

1. We are in the process of interviewing one candidate and have another candidate to interview next week.
2. Once we have identify a potential candidate then we will present a candidate to the worship team, staff, and elders for additional interviews.
3.  Then jointly a decision will be made to extend a call to the appropriate person.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday at worship.  Remember, I love you and I am proud to be your pastor.

Blessings,

Virgil

Friday Morning Update

September 22, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Lucia, Yoselin, Lizet, Silva, Emilia, Maricruz, and Daisy with Mr. Paul Sanders

Dear E-News Friends,

I have been in Guatemala City working all week at Prince of Peace Girls Home. In fact as you read this, I will be making preparations to fly back to the States. While in Guatemala, I have had the opportunity to go with some of the girls from POP to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala to obtain their visas so they can come to visit in America later on this year. What an experience to say the least. I have also been interviewing each staff member at POP in preparation for our annual board meeting in October. It has been a busy week to say the least.

In the midst of all of this I have been preparing a message for Sunday titled, “Breaking Free….From Strongholds That Bind Us.” I would HIGHLY encourage you not to miss this message on Sunday. I will be answering one of the basic questions of the Christian faith which is…”I am saved but why do I still struggle with sin.” Come early this Sunday you will not want to miss one single moment of the worship.

I would covet your prayers for my return trip home. Also, continue to be in prayer for Jane & Nelson Young, Barbara Bradley, Angie, Todd, and Mason Lucas, Eastside’s search for a worship leader and youth leader, God’s Outreach Food Pantry, and Feed My Starving Packing Event.

I look forward to seeing each of you on Sunday. BTW, there will be a surprise on Sunday. That’s all I can at this point.

Love and Prayers,

Pastor VG

Don’t Worry About Inviting Me

September 14, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

This post is from James Emery White’s Blog: Church & Culture. Enjoy.

Don’t worry about inviting me to church this weekend.

Really. I’ve been thinking about it.

I know we’re friends, and you go to church, but I know talking about your faith makes you uncomfortable. At least, that’s the sense I get. We talk about a lot of stuff, but whenever church or God comes up, you get – I don’t know, tense. I’ve never understood why – it doesn’t weird me out as much as it does you – but I’m happy to relieve you of what is obviously something that makes you awkward.

Besides, what would I be missing?

It’s not like I’m an atheist – I’m not. I believe in God. I’m spiritual. And I want to do better; I’d like to understand the Bible, be a better parent, have a closer marriage, maybe even volunteer for something that would help others. But last time I went to church, that isn’t exactly what was offered.

Besides, we both know I’m not exactly a poster-child for Christianity. I’ve got baggage. I’ve got questions. I don’t think church is exactly the kind of place for someone like me.

And I don’t want to have to dress up.

I don’t want to be hit on for money.

I don’t like organ music.

And on top of all that, I don’t really believe in hell, so I’m not even that worried about what happens after I die. I’m sure that whatever life there is after death, it will turn out fine.

As far as my kids go, I think I want to just give them the freedom to choose whatever religion they want, if any religion at all. Church was boring for me when I had to go as a kid, so the last thing I want to do is drag them to one every week. It turned me off to church, and I’m sure it would just do the same for them. So it’s probably better if they just don’t go at all.

So don’t worry about trying to invite me to church.

It makes you awkward;
It won’t have anything to offer my life;
I couldn’t exactly come as I am;
I like wearing shorts;
I gave at the office;
I listen to Coldplay;
Hell is kind of a joke these days;
And my kids won’t like it.

Right?

But if, by chance, you think I have this all wrong, then for God’s sake,

INVITE ME!

Would you make a BIG ask and invite someone to church with you on Sunday. Worship is going to be awesome on Sunday. I am really pumped about what God is doing.

Invite Someone Now,

Pastor VG

Baptism, Praise Reports, & Prayer Requests

September 12, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

Last week was an AWESOME week for me. I was able to attend a two-day conference in Post Falls, Idaho at Real Life Ministries. I learned so much and what I learned complimented what we are doing at Eastside.

We had a great kick-off to our new church wide spiritual growth campaign – The Me I Want To Be. If you have not signed up for a small group and/or picked up your book and study guide then there is still time to join a group. See Greg Gillum or contact at ggillum@eastside-cc.com or 624-9646.

Baptism: This Sunday (Sept 18th) at 10:50 am we will have a baptism service. If you would like to be baptized then please contact Pastor Virgil at vagrant@eastside-cc.com or at 661-5373. Trey Hood and Blake Benton are scheduled to be baptized.

Praise Reports:

  • Eastside received a gift a couple weeks ago which allowed us to pay off our van which we purchased.
  • Josephine Cowan received great news from her doctor and from some tests she had this past week.
  • 11 New Small Groups are starting this week. We now have 31 adult small groups.
  • 35+ new people have made a commitment to be involved in a new small group this fall.
  • College Small Group launched yesterday with 8 in attendance.
  • Eastside’s leadership had a productive planning day for 2012 a couple weeks ago and will continue the planning session this Friday.
Prayer Requests: 
  • Eastside’s search for a new worship leader and a new youth leader.
  • Judy Dean who will have double knee replacement on Tuesday in Lexington.
  • Todd and Angie Lucas as they anticipate the birth of their son this week.
  • Christina and Chris Pennington as they anticipate the birth of their daughter this month.
  • Jane and Nelson Young
  • Melvin and Frankie Mills
  • Barbara Bradley
  • Small Groups that are launching this week and for our new small group leaders.
  • Johnathon and Holly Tussey
  • Country, President, and Men & Women serving our country around the world.
  • Prince of Peace Girls Home  and Dr. Jim and Kay Hines the executive directors of the home.
  • Students and Faculty Members in our school systems and universities.
Keep praying and loving each other,
Pastor VG

 

New Staff Positions

August 29, 2011 in Featured with 0 Comments

Dear E-News Friends,

Here are a couple quick updates:

1. Thank you for donating $1,000.00 dollars at our Mission Meal yesterday. These funds will help Maria in her pursuit of a college education.  Thanks to the Tuesday Night Men’s Small Group for putting these meals on.

2. This Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 10:50 am Dwight Ashley will be leading our worship service at Eastside. He is a dynamic worship leader who is anointed by God. Your soul will be blessed by being in attendance. I hope to see you there.

3. Mike Eckler will begin as Eastside’s Interim Worship Leader on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

4. Eastside is searching for two new staff positions: youth minister and worship leader.  Please be in pray for the church leadership as we are searching for these two separate positions. These are critical positions in the life and ministry of the church. These will be two separate positions. The youth continual growth requires we start the search for a youth minister.  If you are interested in applying or learning more about one of these positions then please contact Pastor Virgil at vagrant@eastside-cc.com

5. A BIG THANK YOU to Nelson Benton for his last 4 years of ministry at Eastside. Nelson and his family will still be active at Eastside and will probably lead a worship service or two for us in the days ahead.

Have a great week,

Love and Prayers,

Pastor Virgil

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