Eastside is very excited to announce that on Sunday, July 8, 2012 during our Sunday Worship Service we are going to dance. Yes, you heard me correctly. We are going to dance. But here is the caveat, we are going to dance for missions. Here are more details:

Event:  “Dancing Your Shoes Off.”

Requirements to participant in dance: Purchase a new pair of shoes to be given away to Sunrise Children’s Home in Kentucky which houses over 600 children in foster care in the state of KY.

Practice Schedule: Sun June 3rd 6:30-8:30pm;  Sun June 10th 6:30-8:30pm more practice dates forthcoming

When/Where: “Dancing Your Shoes” will be held during the 10:50 am worship service on July 8th. We will conduct the dance in the back parking lot.

Get started by watching the instructional video below and/or watching the actual performance. For more information please contact Vivian Wallace vwallace@eastside-cc.com.

Love and Prayers,

Pastor VG

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Are you different or normal? I will launch a new sermon series this Sunday, May 20th titled, “Different to Make a Difference.” What’s really different about those who make up the church? Could you pick them out of a crowd? If we are saved to be “Different” so we can “Make a Difference.” What does that mean for us today? In an ever-growing mass of humanity, how will people best see Christ reflected through His church? We’ll explore what God’s Word says about a people that were so different they turned the whole world upside down. Find out how today’s church can echo and amplify the first century church to impact our world for Christ personally and powerfully.

Please welcome our NEWEST MEMBERS:

Nadine Collins (letter)
Billy (letter) & Kim (statement) Sexton
Melissa & Kenny Sandusky (letters)
Gabe (letter) & Ashley (statement) Stallsworth
Jasmine Moore (baptism)
Andrew Carroll (baptism)
Tommy Oliver (baptism)
Andrew Bailey (letter)

Love and Prayers,

Pastor VG

PS Check out Eastside’s new website at www.eastside-cc.com

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Things are changing around Eastside Community each day. We are experiencing a lot of new babies being born, new families making Eastside their home and old friends coming back to Eastside. Changes are also happening with our staff team. Below you will find a resignation letter from Brooke Taulbee.

Brooke has been a tremendous blessing to me, Eastside, and all the children in her department. We will most certainly miss having Brooke on our staff team.

As for Brooke’s replacement, Greg and I are working on several different scenarios and options. Once we get settled on a direction then we will let you know. Please be in prayer for Eastside and for Brooke.

Love and Prayers,

Pastor VG

Staff, Elders & BAT Team,

It has been my great joy and pleasure to serve as the Preschool director for the past 3 ½ years at Eastside; however, I feel that the time has come for me to step away from this position. With the birth of our third child, Tracen, I feel that I am beginning a new season in the life and ministry of our family.

After much prayer, I feel that this is God’s plan for me at this time.

Thank you so much for this great opportunity. I will forever cherish all that I have learned while on staff here and I will miss being a part of this great team. To all the faithful volunteers in Sonshine Kids: I want to thank you for being awesome leaders in your classrooms. Your hearts to serve have and will continue to bless so many families here at Eastside. You are an inspiration to me!

My last day will be Friday, May 25, 2012.

Sincerely,

Brooke Taulbee

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Here is an update on some important need-to-know-items:

1. By God’s grace, He has provided Eastside with enough donations to purchase a new digital sound board. Our goal is to have this ordered and installed by the 1st of June. This was a purchase we would have made during the sanctuary makeover but just didn’t have the funds. Thank you to those families who contributed to the $8,200.00 purchase.

2. Tuesday, the staff will start conversations surrounding the launch of a second worship service. Please be in prayer for us as we work through this process. My goal is to have the second worship service details worked out by the end of May. Stay tuned!

3. This Friday we will be having a FREE showing of the hit movie Courageous. We will be serving FREE popcorn and soft drinks. Movie starts at 7:00 pm. See you there.

BTW, we had 380 in attendance today.

Have a great week and remember that you are loved and cared for,

Pastor Virgil

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It occurred to me this past week that I have not shared with you how much I love each one of you and how much you mean to our family. I have been so busy traveling and speaking that I have not taken the time to say those three words that are so moving, “I Love You!” I want to make my love, my passion, and my prayers for Eastside Community known to the world in an E-News Announcement.

Here are a couple other items that I would like to share with you as well…

1. New Parking Lot Addition – has been installed (See picture). The grade and gravel have been installed. This is as far as we are going with the parking lot for the time being. We will need time for the parking lot to settle before we do anything like blacktop. If you would be so kind to park in this lot it would be very helpful.

2. FREE FAMILY MOVIE - Please come see the hit movie Courageous on May 4th at 7pm here at Eastside on the big screen. This is a heartwarming story of courage and fatherhood. It is a must see for the entire family. For more details please contact Vivian Wallace at vwallace@eastside-cc.com

3. Don’t miss this Sunday as we continue the sermon series Live Like You Were Dying and as we celebrate BAPTISM of Gavin Morgan. BTW, this past Sunday we had 421 people on campus.

God is at Work.

Be early on Sunday as we will kick the worship service in a very unique way on Sunday.

Much Love,

Pastor Virg

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Dear Friends,

Seems like everyone is interested in leadership these days. One of the best ways to learn from other leaders is to ask them intentional questions. Here are 22 questions to ask those who are in leadership:

1. How long have you considered yourself a leader?

2. As a young person, who was a leader you admired and why?

3. What are some books you’ve read the last 6 months in your field?

4. What are some books outside you’re field you’ve read the last 6 months?

5. How do you make your spouse feel special?

6. Is faith an important part of your leadership style?

7. Tell me about 2 mentors you’ve learned from?

8. How do you use technology?

9. Do you have pictures of your family in your office? Why?

10. Tell me about your exercise program?

11. What do you feel is the most important think in being an effective speaker?

12. What have you learned from a failure experience?

13. Do you have a best friend?

14. What are your hobbies?

15. What role does music and the arts play in your life?

16. What is the best movie you’ve seen the last 5 years for sheer enjoyment?

17. What is the best movie you’ve ever seen related to leadership?

18. If you could have dinner with any two people in the world, who would you choose?

19. How important do you feel etiquette and image are to leadership?

20. Are you a good writer?

21. How important is listening?

22. If you had one wish that God would grant for the world, what would it be?

Blessings,

Pastor VG

PS Don’t miss Sunday. It’s going to be awesome. Make sure you get there early.

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Yesterday I posted John Wooden’s Favorite Maxims from his book, Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Learnings On and Off the Court. You can review part one by clicking here. Here is the rest of John Wooden’s Favorite Maxims.

Again, let me know which one spoke to you. Which one do you like the best? Which one challenge you? I would love to hear from you.

• If we magnified blessings as mush as we magnify disappointments, we would be much happier.
• The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
• The worst thing you can do for those you love is the things they could and should do for themselves. (Abraham Lincoln)
• It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely help another without helping himself. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
• Do not permit what you cannot do to interfere with what you can do.
• Be more concerned with your character that with your reputation. Character is what you really are; reputation is merely what you are perceived to be.
• Love is the greatest of all words in our language.
• Much can be accomplished by teamwork when no one is concerned about who gets credit.
• Never make excuses. Your friends don’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.
• Never be disagreeable just because you disagree.
• Be slow to criticize and quick to commend.
• Be more concerned with what you can do for others than what others can do for you. You’ll be surprised at the results.
• The more concerned we become over the things we can’t control, the less we will do with the things we can control.
• Don’t permit fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all.
• Being average means you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top.
• The time to make friends is before you need them.
• We are many, but are we much?
• Nothing can give you greater joy than doing something for another.
• Materials things are not gifts but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
• You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for another without thought of something in return.
• Do not mistake activity for achievement.
• You can do more good by being good than any other way.
• Forget favors given; remember those received.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Treat all people with dignity and respect.
• Acquire peace of mind by making the effort to become the best of which you are capable.

Have a great day,

Pastor VG

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Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Learnings On and Off the Court is a book which I read sometime ago. At the end of this wonderful book, John Wooden summarizes for the reader his favorite maxims. So here is part one of this favorite maxims.

Which one maxim is your favorite? Which one spoke to you the most? Which one did you not agree with? Let me know what you think.

• Happiness begins where selfishness ends.
• Earn the right to be proud and confident.
•  The best way to improve the team is to improve ourselves.
• Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details.
• Discipline yourself and others won’t need to.
• Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
• I will get ready and then, perhaps, my chance will come.
• If I am through learning, I am through.
• If you do not have the time to do it right, when will you find the time to do it over?
• The smallest good deed is better than the best intention.
• The man who is afraid to risk failure seldom has to face success.
• Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
• Time spent getting even would be better spent trying to get ahead.
• It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.
• Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feeling of others before your own rights.
• There is nothing stronger than gentleness.
• You discipline those under your supervision to correct, to help, to improve-not to punish.
• Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or lasting.
• Make sure the team members know they’re working with you, not for you.
• Be most interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way.
• What is right is more important than who is right.
• You handle things. You work with people.
• As long as you try your best, you are never a failure. That is, unless you blame others.
• Tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember a story.
• Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life.
• If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.
• Although there is no progress without change, not all change is progress.

Have a wonderful day,

Pastor Virgil

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Over the last several weeks, I have read several books that illustrates the power of discipleship and disciple-making. I would highly recommend any of these books. They would make a great gift for that someone special. Better yet, purchase any of the following books, read the book, sign you name in the front of the book and the date you completed the book then pass it on to someone else to read. Ask them to sign under your name and pass the book on to the next person.

Lead…for God’s Sake! by Todd G. Gongwer is a parable for finding the heart of leadership. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. In fact, I am leading the EKU Football Coaches through this book at the moment. Thanks Coach Hood for recommending this book to me.

It’s Better To Build Boys Than Mend Men by S. Truett Cathy. Truett Cathy, found of Chick-fil-a Restaurants, writes about what he has observed and experienced in regards to investing in the youth of America. Truett is a devout Christian who has for years now taught middle school boys Sunday School class at his local church. Quick read

The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determines Personal Success by Andy Andrews is a great book. Again, another book that will open your eyes to the value of discipleship from a distance and from up close. You will not be disappointed in this book.

How to Kill 11,000,000 People: Why The Truth Matters More Than You Think. This is another book by Andy Andrews. This very short read (about 35 minutes) will force you  to think about the trajectory which America is on.

The Last Great Game: Duke vs. Kentucky And The 2.1 Seconds That Changed Basketball by Gene Wojiechowski is a book that I read because I love Kentucky Basketball. None the less there is some discipling taking place with Pitino and his coaching staff. Great book if you are a UK Fan.

Let me know what you are reading and what you have found beneficial.

Pastor Virg

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Here is an update as it relates to Eastside’s Finances. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving. Eastside is truly making a difference around the world due to your generosity.

Total Giving: $154,664.4

Undesignated Giving: $128, 883.31

Designated Giving: $25,781.10

Missions Giving: $34,687.35

Fixed Expenses: $52,000.16

Ministry Expenses: $10,631.94

Salaries: $49,681.43

Balance on Loans:

PNC – $268,075.72

Madison Bank – $820,624.81

Once again, thank you for your faithfulness. You can always give electronically via visiting www.eastside-cc.com. Click on the RED Button.

Blessings,

Pastor Virgil

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