Vacation Bible School – July 12 – 16, 2010

The Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West will host our annual VBS this year from July 12 – 16th, from 5 – 8 pm. (dinner is included) Children ages 4 – 12 yrs. will learn the important milestones of the bible through singing, activities, crafts and skits.   There is no charge to attend VBS and every child is welcome.

Each day will be a different theme from an important lesson in the bible.  We will end on Friday with a family bbq so that your children can show you what they have learned, the crafts they have made and the friends they have met. We will end the evening with the children singing songs for you.

We are asking that each child bring a white cotton shirt (t-shirt, tank top, etc…) on Tuesday.  The shirts will be tie dyed and the kids will wear them for the final day of VBS. (each child will tie dye their own shirt)

If you have any questions, please call the church office at 547-3088 or email Ammie Thomas, Children’s Ministry TEAM leader at children@ecopw.com

You can pre-register your children by contacting the church office or you can come early (4:45 pm) on Monday, June 12th and register your children then.

We look forward to seeing you at VBS!!

Community Survey

We have put together a survey for the Pueblo West / Pueblo community to determine how we can better server those in our area.  Please take a moment and help us by answering the questions we have compiled.

Begin Survey

Thank you for helping us better serve you and your family!

The Staff of the Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West

Spring Gardening

Do you play “Let’s make a deal” with God?

“I will bring burnt offerings to your house; I will offer you what I promised.  I will give you what I said I would when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13-14

At first when I read this it sounded so positive…and it is positive.  But as I continued to read it again I realized something.  The Psalmist bringing an  offering to God.  That sounds good.  Then the Psalmist says he is bringing the offering he promised to God…again, that sounds really good.  However, then the writer says, “I will give you what I said I would when I was in trouble…”  HuH?  What is that about? I suspect we all can identify with the Psalmist.  Well, all of us who have experienced trouble, anyway.  When bad things come our way, especially if they are bad things of our own making, we have a tendency to play “Let’s make a deal” with God.  God if you get me out of this… or God if you will only do this, I promise to never do that, or promise to change… I’ve been there and done that!

In the Burt Reynolds movie “The End”, there is a great scene where Burt is about to drown.  As he is looking at the shore he begins to promise God that if God lets him live he will give God 10% of everything he makes.  As he grows more tired his offering increases.  When the shore is almost in reach but he doesn’t think he will make it, he is up to 90%!  “God I will give you 90%.  I really mean it this time”, he says.  As he crawls up on the beach he loudly proclaims his thanks to God for saving him by proclaiming, “Just like I said God, I will give you 10% of everything I make!”

Sounds a little like our Psalmist, doesn’t it.  Only the Psalmist is keeping his promise…we hope.

The problem is the when I, Mr. Reynolds or the Psalmist play “Let’s make a deal” with God we do so from a false place.  God can take my life anytime.  God already owns me and all the resources.  As a follower of Jesus, everything I have or will ever have is God’s.  I have nothing to bargain with.  I have nothing to offer God that God can’t just take anytime He wants.  What I am trying to say is that there is nothing I offer to God when I am in trouble that I shouldn’t be offering to Him every day.  My life, my money, my family, my house, my car, anything I am or will ever be has already been bought and paid for by God by Jesus’ death and resurrection.   Praise God!

I should be offering up to God everything every day!  I will be trying to do a better job of that, starting this moment.  I hope you will, too.

If you are a Christian, you are a Royal Priest

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I Peter 2:9

Peter tells us, in this passage that we have been given a job title, a job, and a job description!  If you are a Christian, you are a Royal Priest. That is your job title.  You are a priest with royal ancestry.  As  one of God’s own kids you have the best linage possible.  Think about it… when you say “my father is bigger than your father” you aren’t kidding!  And that is exactly what your job is.  As a royal priest your job is to talk about the greatness of God.  That is your calling…not just mine as the pastor, but every Christian’s.  Now no employee contract would be helpful if it didn’t give at least a clue as to how to accomplish what you are hired (called) to do, would it?  You are hired to share with everyone the mighty acts of Him who called YOU out of darkness into His marvelous light!  I once asked a friend of mine who was born blind what it was like to be blind…. I know, no tact… His answer really surprised me.  He told me that he didn’t know what it was like to be blind because that was all he had to compare it to.  Many people out there don’t know they are in the dark because the darkness is all they have ever known.  Our job is to help them see that they don’t have to stay in the darkness.  They don’t have to live without seeing and knowing the marvelous works of God.  Jesus’ death and resurrection have made possible the seeing what we couldn’t see before, God’s love and grace for us.

You have been given a job, a job description, and a job title… it is time to get busy… our boss has great expectations!

Grapevine – February 2010

February 3, 2010

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The December meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order on December 15th by President Diane Preuss. Devotions were led by Pastor Bill Johnson.

Ruth Van Auken presented the Church Finance Report for consideration. Ruth will continue to do books the first four months of 2010 (through tax season), then Joyce Coffman will take over.

Margaret Diaz presented information regarding potential lease agreements for the Thrifty Threads storefront. No agreement has been reached at this point and Margaret asked for ideas and prayer.

Randy Schade continued with the presentation and explanation of a document giving an overview of timeline transition and proposals for the transition of the Pueblo West Christian Academy. The document, prepared by Joy Cress, Pastor Bill Johnson, and Randy Schade, reviewed five options for the consideration of the Board of Directors. Board members are asked to read the document for ourselves, develop a timeline, and consider the recommendations made in the document. Extended discussion with a question and answer period addressed many issues, including: the direction the board may take, fact-finding, recommendations, background on the Cowboy Church (Joy) and the need for a board meeting for further discussion of this issue before a vote in January 2010.

Joy Cress reported (in relation to the school expansion discussion) that the PWCA needs to secure a 501©3 to give her the parameters to move ahead. This would require an ID with the name of the school. Joy also reported information regarding increased daycare needs in the community due to the closing of many daycare centers.

Board members were asked to mark calendars for future Board meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00PM. A tentative time of January 5th at 7:00PM was set for the Board to further discuss the school expansion options

Haiti – Help Provide Assistance to Haiti

The Ecumenical Church of Pueblo West has joined in the need to help Haiti.  If you are able to help, we recommend that you go through The Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) link below, or you may give during our church service and we will send the money directly to PDA.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding in Haiti.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has already sent funds and is working in cooperation with our ecumenical partners on the ground to provide emergency food, water, shelter and medical supplies. Please pray for those affected and give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064. Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283, and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

Give Online Here

Grapevine – January 2010

December 30, 2009

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOVEMBER MEETING

The November meeting of the Board of Directors was opened with prayer by Diane Preuss. Tony Schwinghammer led the devotion.

Randy Schade presented the school financial report. The school is reviewing and making improvements to the process of credit card payments for tuition.

Joy Cress reported that an iron gate has been installed and will be soon be ready for use. The school will be undergoing a security and safety review by the Sheriff’s office in the near future. Joy is continuing to review future options for the school as they pertain to expansion and location.

The Thrifty Threads storefront lease was found to be unsatisfactory and will not be accepted by the church. A lease for a different property has been proposed and will be reviewed by a lawyer before future action.

Application for membership by Curtis and Roma Atkinson was reviewed.

GRAPEVINE

The deadline for the February issue of “The Grapevine” will be January 21st. If you have anything you would like published please contact Ron Dexheimer at 647-1717 or email fishermandex @msn.com. If you have an email address and wish to be notified when the newsletter is available online please provide it to Ron. The Grapevine is now online at ecopwgrapevine.blogspot.com.

REPENTANCE
The New Testament word for repentance means changing one’s mind so that one’s views, values, goals, and ways are changed and one’s whole life is lived differently. The change is radical, both inwardly and outwardly; mind and judgment, will and affections, behavior and life-style, motives and purposes, are all involved. Repenting means starting to live a new life. The call to repent was the first and fundamental summons in the preaching of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2), Jesus (Matt. 4:17), the Twelve (Mark 6:12), Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:38), Paul to the Gentiles (Acts 17:30; 26:20), and the glorified Christ to five of the seven churches in Asia (Rev. 2:5, 16, 22; 3:3, 19). It was part of Jesus’ summary of the gospel that was to be taken to the world (Luke 24:47). It corresponds to the constant summons of the Old Testament prophets to Israel to return to the God from whom they had strayed (e.g., Jer. 23:22; 25:4-5; Zech. 1:3-6). Repentance is always set forth as the path to remission of sins and restoration to God’s favor, impenitence as the road to ruin (e.g., Luke 13:1-8). Repentance is a fruit of faith, which is itself a fruit of regeneration. But in actual life, repentance is inseparable from faith, being the negative aspect (faith is the positive aspect) of turning to Christ as Lord and Savior. The idea that there can be saving faith without repentance, and that one can be justified by embracing Christ as Savior while refusing him as Lord, is a destructive delusion. True faith acknowledges Christ as what he truly is, our God-appointed king as well as our God-given priest, and true trust in him as Savior will express itself in submission to him as Lord also. To refuse this is to seek justification through an impenitent faith, which is no faith. In repentance, says the Westminster Confession, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent; so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all ways of his commandments. (XV.2) This statement highlights the fact that incomplete repentance, sometimes called “attrition” (remorse, self-reproach, and sorrow for sin generated by fear of punishment, without any wish or resolve to forsake sinning) is insufficient. True repentance is “contrition,” as modeled by David in Psalm 51, having at its heart a serious purpose of sinning no more but of living henceforth a life that will show one’s repentance to be full and real (Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20). Repenting of any vice means going in the opposite direction, to practice the virtues most directly opposed to it. This article was excerpted from Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs by J. I. Packer.

Grapevine – December 2009

December 4, 2009

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OCTOBER MEETING

The October meeting of the Board of Directors was opened with prayer by Kelly Irion. Ruth Van Auken led the devotion.

Randy Schade presented the school financial report.  The school budget will be presented at the next board meeting and will be combined with the church budget.

Joy Cress presented four options on how the school could move forward. She concluded that with any option a 501-C-3 is needed. A 501-C-3 is an IRS tax exemption. Joy pointed out the pros, cons, and points to consider for each option. Further discussion will be held on these options.

Margaret Diaz presented an update on the Thrifty Threads shop. The committee currently has enough funds to cover a six month lease, utilities and insurance. The board recommended that Margaret have a lawyer look over the lease prior to opening the shop.

As recommended by Growing Healthy Churches our mission statement needs to be changed. The current mission statement is too long. The new proposed mission statement would read: ECOPW is inviting the surrounding communities to know, grow in, serve and share Jesus Christ.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The meeting was opened at 10:52 am by Diane Preuss. Pastor Bill Johnson offered the prayer. Diane presented Matt Guy, Matt Sturtevant, Shirley Schwinghammer, Ginny Jackson, and Sharon Shaub to be voted on as members of the Nominations Committee. There were no nominations from the floor. The committee was approved by the congregation. Pastor Bill presented the revised mission statement to the congregation and it was also approved.

MISSIONS

The annual Christmas offering will be received on December 20th. This offering in designated to go to retired ministers and missionaries from the American Baptist and Presbyterian churches and to ethnic education institutions. Often retired ministers and missionaries receive an inadequate pension and are unable to cope with emergency spending. This offering aids them. In order to educate racial ethnic leaders for future work in the church, scholarship are often needed. You can be a part of this assistance. Give as you have been blesses.

GRAPEVINE

The deadline for the January 2010 issue of “The Grapevine” will be December 21st. If you have anything you would like published please contact Ron Dexheimer at 647-1717 or email fishermandex@msn.com. Copies of The Grapevine will be available in the narthex for those who do not have email addresses. If you have an email address and wish to be notified when the newsletter is available online please provide it to Ron. The Grapevine is now online at ecopwgrapevine.blogspot.com.

SHOEBOX MINISTRY

Thanks to the many who filled fifty-one boxes. Your gifts will travel worldwide and bring joy to boys and girls of all ages.

THANKS

As we near the end of another year it is again time to thank Pueblo West Cheers for their generous donation of communion wine in 2009. Please remember their generosity when planning you holiday festivities.

Grapevine – November 2009

God’s Word on Worry

To worry is human. We worry about job security. We worry about unexpected expenses. We worry when our children ride their bikes around the block for the first time. Worry is a normal and natural part of life. But too much worry can distract and paralyze-and can even lead to a sinful denial of God’s presence and grace in our lives. Scripture teaches that we find rest from inappropriate worry when we admit we can’t control the future and entrust ourselves-and our loved ones-to the God who does.
WHEN DOES WORRY BECOME SIN? Matthew 13:22 . . . The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life. Colossians 3:2 . . . Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. Our worry over the concerns of life becomes sin when it prevents the Word of God from taking root in our lives.
WHY DO I WORRY SO MUCH? HOW CAN I WORRY LESS? Psalm 55:1-5 . . . My heart is in anguish. Fear and anxiety are normal responses to threatening situations. Exodus 14:1-14 . . . Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you.” We combat worry and anxiety by remembering and trusting God’s promises.
Philippians 4:6 . . . Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. We combat worry by placing our cares in Jesus’ hands. Psalm 62:5-8 . . . He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. We find relief from fear in the promise of salvation. Matthew 6:25-34 . . . Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Our worries lose their grip on us as we focus on Kingdom priorities. PROMISE FROM GOD: 1 Peter 5:7 . . . Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SEPTEMBER MEETING

The September meeting of the Board of Directors was opened with prayer by Diane Preuss. Diane also led the devotion.

Randy Schade and Joy Cress were away attending a conference so there wasn’t a school report at this meeting.

The treasurer reported that there was giving for the year is $7,194.88 in excess of the budget. She noted that the driveway project that is currently underway will use some of this excess.

The nominating committee to nominate board members was discussed. The committee will consist of five church members. A congregational meeting to elect three new board members and the board officers will be held after the service on December 6th, 2009.

CRAFT AND BAKE SALE

The annual craft and bake sale will be held November 13 and 14, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall and Narthex. Breakfast burritos will be available for breakfast and green chili sloppers or sloppy joes will be available for lunch. Come join the fun and do your Christmas shopping.

MISSIONS

The holidays are coming and we all have the problem of knowing what to give to the person who has everything or already has too much “stuff”. There is a solution to that problem! On November 8th there will be an Alternative Giving Fair following the morning service. You can honor loved ones by selecting gifts from Church World Service or Heifer International catalogs. These gifts range from chickens to sewing supplies. The gifts start at $10.00. You receive a card to send to the person you are honoring.

On November 29th there will be an opportunity to give to those who are at the YWCA because of domestic abuse. Often these women and their children come to the Y with just the clothes on their back and have nothing else. We will be collecting donations of sweat suits and pajamas for women and children – all sizes. This is the first Sunday in Advent and what better way to introduce the season than giving to those who are in need. We are labeling this Sweat Suit Sunday and encourage everyone to wear one to church. For more information contact Ann Berndt at 547-2078.

GRAPEVINE

The deadline for the December issue of “The Grapevine” will be November 21st. If you have anything you would like published please contact Ron Dexheimer at 647-1717 or email fishermandex@msn.com. The December issue will be the last issue to be mailed. After that copies will be available in the narthex for those who do not have email addresses. If you have an email address and wish to be notified when the newsletter is available online please provide it to Ron. The Grapevine is now online at ecopwgrapevine.blogspot.com.

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