Archive - News and Events RSS Feed

Faith Promise Giving UPDATE!!!

June 7, 2010 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Family & Friends,

Yesterday was an awesome day at EASTSIDE!  We had a lot of families to make Faith Promise Giving Commitments. We had a generous initial offering yesterday as well. I am not for sure the exact totals since we are waiting on several more commitment cards to come in. Plus I am in Illinois all day today teaching. I will be home later this evening.

If you haven’t made your commitment then please do so as soon as possible. We would like to receive your commitment on or before Friday of this week. But we will take them whenever we can get them. You can drop your commitment card off at the church office, email Sherrie Green with your amount at church@eastside-baptist.com or feel free to email as well.

We will have a full report on Sunday.

Don’t forget to vote for our new name by visiting www.eastside-baptist.com/survey so far we have had 56 people vote.  Voting ends July 15, 2010 at Midnight.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Pastor VG

Hope for the Hurting

May 24, 2010 in News and Events, Prayers with 0 Comments

Here is my latest video announcement:

If you cannot view the above then click here.

Have a great day!

Pastor VG

A Couple Reminders

May 20, 2010 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Hey Friends,

Here are a couple reminders about some upcoming activities going on at Eastside:

1. Voting begins June 1st…more details forthcoming.

2. Upward Basketball & Cheeleading Summer Camps Registrations are going on NOW. Click here to learn more.

3. Eastside’s 12th Annual Golf Scramble is coming Wednesday, June 16th. Click here for more details.

4. Eastside’s sermons are online. Click here to listen to our archives messages.

5. Don’t forget about All In/Commitment Sunday on June 6th. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss Sunday’s message as we will continue through the book of James. Have a great weekend.

Love and Prayers,

Pastor VG

HodgePodge of Topics

May 5, 2010 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

I need to put the spotlight on several important agenda items for you:

1. This Saturday, May 8th, Eastside’s Guatemala Mission Team is having 2 huge fundraisers. We need yard sale items and for people to attend the Waffle Breakfast with all the trimmings.

2. Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Don’t forget to honor your mother, wife, and grandmother.

3. The Elder’s at Eastside has felt the prompting and leading of God to change the name of Eastside. I have written on this topic and shared my thoughts up to this Point. Click here to review the original announcement. Click on this link to see the names that I like.

Here are the “whys” for the name change:

  • Biblical Reason- Changing a name is nothing new to God and to the Word. Why were people given a new name in the Bible? God touched them and changed their hearts. The name change reflected the person’s new identity in God. Can you think of any people who experience a touch from God then had their name changed? (hint: Abram, Sari, Paul, Levi, Jacob, etc). We believe that Eastside has undergone a “heart transformation” over the last several years.
  • Salvation Reason- most people opposes labels and by going to a “community church” then we are eliminating another excuse for unchurched people so that we might win some to Jesus.  
  • Historical Reason- This is will be Eastside’s 4th name change in her history. Here are the progression of our name: Bethel Baptist Church to Eastside Bethel Baptist Church to Eastside Baptist Church. Eastside has always sought to be relevant.
  • Community Reason – Most people in Madison County sees/views us as a community church. The reason they do is because we are so involved in impacting the community.
  • DNA Reason- Eastside represents our location rather than our DNA. What name would best reflect our DNA? What name would best reflect who we are?

What are your thoughts? What questions or concerns do you have? Please contact Larry Taulbee at ltaul1@yahoo.com or chris.clark@homestoreky.com with your questions, concerns, or suggestions.

4. An AWESOME WORSHIP is being planned for this Sunday. More details forthcoming.

I love you guys. I am proud to be your pastor. Keep the faith and keep praying for one another.

Pastor VG

Staffing Questions

February 11, 2010 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Church Family & Friends,

Dan Robertson, Eastside’s Youth Minister, has resign from his position effective February 28, 2010. Click here to read his resignation letter, which was sent out earlier this week.

Many of you have been asking the question, “What is next?”  Here is the initial process as outlined by Eastside’s Elders:

1. Pray,pray, then pray some more for the days  that lie ahead.

2. The elders have formed an interim youth leadership team to provide leadership and direction for the youth department. This team (with proper communication to the staff team and elders) will make the day-to-day decisions for the youth department.

3. Members of the interim youth leadership team are: Renee Grant, Amanda Agee, Donnie Proffitt (all three of these are currently serving in the youth department as small group leaders), and Billy Edwards. Please pray for this team as they get started.

4. We are waiting on the Lord to provide us direction as to the next step we are to take.  Do we call someone part-time? Full-time? When do we make this decision, if at all? The reason we have a “wait and see” mindset is due to the fact that we believe that God can use people who are already at Eastside to build on what Dan has established and built. 

The interim youth leadership team is in agreement with the elders as it relates to taking time to reflect, to pray, and to wait on the Lord for his direction.

If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact one of the elders (Pastor Virgil, Chris Clark, or Larry Taulbee).

Hodgepodge of Information & Reminders

February 9, 2010 in News and Events, Thoughts with 0 Comments

Dear Family & Friends,

On Sunday, I challenged the church family from Isaiah 58:5-11. If you were not in attendance then I would encourage to take a moment and read these verses. These verses talk about how Christians are to feed the hungry and care for the poor. If we do what these verses instruct us to do, then there are some tremendous promises for us (pay attention to verses 10-11). Below are some reminders and very practical ways to be involved in helping the needy.

Backpack Ministry Food Items:

On Sunday, I challenged the Eastside Family to collect over 1,000 cans of soup for the Madison County Backpack Ministry. This ministry feeds over 200 kids each weekend as food is sent home with children on Friday afternoons in backpacks. We need 500 cans of Vegetable Beef and 500 cans of Ravioli.

 

Lend Warmeth, Lend a Hand Coat Drive Results:

Over 110 coats were collected by the Eastside Church Family for the homeless of Central Kentucky. We also collected numerous hats, gloves, and scarfs as well. Thank you Eastsiders for your faithfulness in giving.

Youth Minister’s Resignation Letter:

After much thought & prayer I have decided to resign as Youth Ministry Director at Eastside. Three and a half years ago I firmly believe God called me to this ministry and now I firmly believe God is calling me out of this ministry. I would resign for no other reason than God’s calling. I hope that I have fulfilled God’s purpose for my season in this ministry. I am so thankful to God and Eastside for the privilege to have been the youth ministry director. I know God has great plans for Eastside’s Youth Ministry and I look forward to see what God will do next. I would like to thank everyone for their love and support they have given me and my family. I can truly say that we have been and will continue to be blessed by of being part of the Eastside family.

We love you, Dan Robertson and Family

Mini M&M’s Collection to start back on February 28, 2010. 

Each container holds $14.00 of quarters.

Eastside is asking for everyone to bring their Mini M&M containers back to church filled with quarters on or before Sunday, April 4th.

Eastside’s Goal: 30,000 meals or $5,000.00

All the proceeds will go toward our fund to pack meals in 2010 for Feed My Starving Children Organization.

Drink Coffee. Do Good.

On Sunday, Eastside will have available 25 bags of Coffee from The Land of Thousand Hills. The coffee will be sold for $11.00 a bag which is the church’s cost for the coffee. We will be offering this on a monthly basis so we can continue to help Rwanda Coffee Bean Farmers. The coffee will be available first come, first serve at Volunteer Central Station in the Worship Center. Make checks payable to Eastside Baptist.

Midweek Thoughts

January 13, 2010 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

I’m totally amazed at how God is at work in the world. Daily I have conversations with individuals who are being obedient and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Bill Hybels has a saying that goes like this, “There is nothing like the local church when the local church is being the church.” I would agree with Bill 100%. The local church is awesome. What makes up the local church? People. When people are obedient to the promptings of God there is nothing sweeter here on earth.

I would like to encourage everyone to be in prayer for Eastside’s Elders. We are praying about a lot of different issues, situations and opportunities that are before us. We are seeking the Lord’s perspective and power as we move into the New Year. Please lift us up daily before the Lord. We want to honor HIM in all we do.

Also please be in prayer for Albert Brewer as he is on the verge of passing from this life into eternity. Albert is 91 and is in the nursing home. Richard Noel had a family member to pass away in Louisville and the funeral is Friday.

I had the secretary to run a report for me as it relates to the giving patterns here at Eastside for 2009. Here is what she gave me:

Giving Levels

$200.00 or less — 67 families
$200.00 – $499.00 — 31 families
$500.00 – $999.00 — 22 families
$1,000.00 – $1,999.00 — 22 families
$2,000.00 – $4,999.00 — 29 families
$5,000.00 -  $$9,999.00 — 12 families
$10,000.00 – $14,999.00 — 5 families
$15,000.00 or more — 7 families

I would like to thank everyone who supports the outreach ministry here at Eastside. You should be receiving your contribution statements before the end of the month.

Blessings!

Weekend Reflections

January 11, 2010 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

Amazing energy. Packed service. I feel like there is an intangible excitement about what God is doing @ Eastside right now. Hard to put my finger on it, but I love it. I feel like our worship this year has been so life-giving. That’s always the case when our focused is God and His glory. 

Friday night’s small group leadership development was excellent. We had 25 in attendance. Eddie Mosley really challenged us to reach more people for Christ through Eastside’s Small Group Ministry. I would like to thank each small group leader for attending.

While I am on the small group line of thought….I love the fact that so many conversations are happening at Eastside that surrounds the topic of small group. Many people associated with Eastside are either thinking about starting a small group; joining a small group; or rejoicing that they are involved in a small group. Eastside’s Small Group Ministry is focused on three core commitments: Belong to a safe place where I can know and be known, love and be loved;  Become more like Jesus by using my spiritual gifts, talents, and life experiences to influence others to come to Christ and to become more like Jesus thru studying His Holy Word. Finally, Bless the people at Eastside, our community, and the world.

Interesting in joining a small group? Then click here to learn more.

I would like to welcome Eastside’s newest members: Evan King and Karen Miller.

Eastside’s Prayer List:

Ralph Walton, Nelson/Jane Young, Lewis/Judy Grant, Allen Feldhaus, Sr., Ashley Poindexter, Albert Brewer, Sam Salter, James Cowan, Todd/Angie Lucas, our troops, our leaders, Lowery Family

Please pray for me as I will be traveling much of this week. Thanks.

Weekly Update

October 15, 2009 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Church Family,

1. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a great start to 40 Days of Love. We had 188 Adults in Small Group Bible Study this past week and 318 in Worship. God is doing some really awesome things. Continue to be obedient and faithful to what God tells you to do.

2. Compassion Week is quickly approaching us. Compassion Week is scheduled for October 19-23, 2009. To learn more about Compassion Week Details please click here.

3. This week I begin my 20th year as pastor of Eastside Baptist Church. Wow. I cannot believe this. I am very humble by the love, support, and prayers of this church family. I count it a privilege and honor to serve as your pastor. We have the best people in the world at Eastside. I love each one of you. A pastor friend told me the other day that only 1 pastor in 50,000 stays at the same church for 20 years. I thought I was 1 in a million but I will settle for 1 in 50,000.

4. Don’t forget to sign up to Pack Meals for Feed My Starving Children. If you or your family has not signed up to help with this project then please contact Vivian Wallace at vivwallace@gmail.com to find out what slots are still open. I know that Thursday, October 22nd is already FULL.

5. Eastside still needs to collect about $3,000.00 dollars to have the 100,000 meals paid in full as it relates to Feed My Starving Children. The total cost of the 100,000 meals are $17,000.00. If you would like to help with this final amount just let me know. By God’s Grace, He has provided $14,000.00 with no fundraising, begging, or pleading. I know God will provide the last $3,000.00.

6. Don’t miss this Sunday…I will be talking about How to Love Others with Your Words.

See you on Sunday.

Love and Grace,

Pastor VG

Update on 40 Days of Love

October 15, 2009 in News and Events with 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

Eastside is officially half way through our spiritual emphasis called 40 Days of Love. God is doing some great things with and through 40 Days of Love. Relationships are being restored; friendships renewed; and God receiving all the glory.

Here are some of the wonderful things taking place:

1. The $17,000.00 needed for the 100,000 meals for Feed My Starving Children Meals have been received. Thank you Eastside for your generosity. Praise the Lord.

2. We have averaged 193 adults in small group Bible study. Way to go, Eastside adults.

3. We have almost gotten all our volunteers for our meal packing event which is October 19-22, 2009. If you would like to help with packing the meals for starving children then please contact Vivian Wallace at vivwallace@gmail.com

4. On Sunday, October 25, 2009 Eastside will have a Celebration Sunday Event to conclude our 40 Days of Love and Compassion Week. We will observe the Lord’s Supper, worship the Lord, hear testimonies, and praise the Lord. Mark your calendar right now. I am also asking that everyone associated with Eastside to make it priority to be in attendance on the 25th of October. I want to see what it would look like for everyone to be in attendance on one day.

5. Click here for additional details about the Partial Fast during Compassion Week. You will be able to pick up your Compassion Week Cup starting this weekend.

Blessings,

Pastor VG

Page 3 of 4«1234»