September 2013
Glorify God. Follow Christ. Transform Lives.
Fall at Eastminster • New message series: SEVEN • Meet our newest staff members • Discipleship’s new direction • and more!
The Ancient Church & Eastminster by Bob Hopper, Interim Senior Pastor About three years ago our daughter Jessie and her husband Aaron were faced with a difficult decision. As missionaries who had been expelled from Uzbekistan, they were invited to be part of two distinct church planting teams in Muslim countries and needed to prayerfully discern which one the Lord had for them. One was in a central Asia country torn by war (which they chose) and one was in Izmir, Turkey. What made the Izmir opportunity so fascinating was the historic fact that this city, in biblical times, was called Smyrna – one of the seven churches that Christ speaks to in Revelation 2-3. In 178 AD the city was devastated by a large earthquake. It was rebuilt and eventually became part of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 1076 the city was captured by the Turks. When the dust from the Crusades settled, this area became Muslim which, to this day, is the status of the nation of Turkey. Imagine, church planting efforts are now going on in a city that, in the first century, saw a vital Christian witness and church presence. Why did Christianity decline in that part of the world? Was it due to the persecution of some first century Jewish opponents, was it the harsh rule of the Romans, was it the intrusion of the Muslims, or was it something internal in the church itself? Every congregation faces challenges – from within (heresy, party strive, worship wars, etc.) and from without (secular culture or opposing religions). Some congregations perish under the pressure, some prosper, and some barely survive. What did God say to the ancient church in Smyrna? What is God saying to us at Eastminster Presbyterian Church? What is God saying to you individually? This will be the topic of our fall sermon series titled: SEVEN: Jesus’ Message for the Seven Churches in Revelation... and for Eastminster. Over the span of eight weeks your pastors will preach through three of the most challenging and encouraging chapters in all of Scripture. How exciting it is to know that the Lord is still “walking among us,” loves us, cares for us, and is working out his purposes in our life together as his people.
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I do not know if this will be the last message series I preach at Eastminster. Are you praying for your pastor search teams? I met with the Senior Pastor Search Team this week and continue to be blessed and encouraged by their faith, faithfulness and perseverance. None of us know the Lord’s timetable, but we do know that he will provide Eastminster with the pastor of his choosing in the time of his choosing. Whether it is or is not my final series here, my hope and prayer is that God uses his Word to bring great blessing, challenge and comfort to this precious congregation know as Eastminster. The Lord led Jessie and Aaron to make a wise choice. The Lord is leading your search teams to make wise choices. Let us all seek the Lord and hear his voice saying: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church(es).” (Revelation 2:11) May it be so, as we seek to GLORIFY GOD, FOLLOW CHRIST, and TRANSFORM LIVES.
seven jesus' message to the seven churches...and to eastminster
September 1 Ephesus (Love) Revelation 2:1-7 Hank Lederle
September 22 Thyatira (Holiness) Revelation 2:18-29 Bob Hopper
September 8 Smyrna (Suffering) Revelation 2:8-11 Paul Bammel
September 29 Sardis (Reality) Revelation 3:1-6 Bob Hopper
September 15 Pergamum (Truth) Revelation 2:12-17 Bob Hopper
Series Resource What Christ Thinks of the Church by John Stott
Transformation through Discipleship Director of Discipleship Ben Marquez shares on serious discipleship and more as he discusses this fall’s EDGE class.
Ben Marquez takes a lifestyle of discipleship seriously. Though he’s been in ministry for the past 10 years, discipleship for him doesn’t stop at the end of a work day. He knows true discipleship is first about a gospel-centered lifestyle and then about investing in others. Ben has seen the impact intentional living can have on families, churches and individuals, and he knows it doesn’t come without effort. “The main thing is beginning to get across the idea that a disciple cannot reproduce what he is not. Having worked with young people for 10 years, I did not sense they felt a need for Christ, and that tells me the generation before them did not display a need for Christ. One of my main goals is to give fathers confidence in the gospel, so they will have the confidence to share the gospel with their children in real and tangible ways.” Discipleship without training can be tricky. Where do we start? This fall, Ben will lead an adult EDGE class on Daring Discipleship to help everyone who calls Eastminster home to catch the vision for discipleship and living out the gospel. “To make disciples is the commission of the Church ... simple as that. To help us understand this concept, I hope this class can be interactive vs. just lecture,” shares Ben. “The key to discipleship is to keep the gospel central. That sounds familiar but people generally struggle with it in practice. What does that really mean? What does it look like in daily life? We’ll also discuss the primacy of discipleship in the home, how to leave a legacy in your children, and how to put them on mission for Christ. In the home it starts with fathers. That’s one of my greatest passions – equipping fathers to truly lead their families in a gospel-centered way. We’ll also discuss the different aspects of discipleship within community. How does it work out in the church? There is always some brokenness that needs to be addressed before true discipleship can happen in a community, so we’ll walk through some of that as well.” Ben sees great things already happening at Eastminster in the area of discipleship, and he’s also got ideas for new ministry focuses. “The Christian education on Sunday mornings seems
like it’s going great. We have a solid line up of classes and studies during that time. However it does seem that the 18-30 age range really needs to be ministered to. I’d like to begin providing something for that age bracket pretty quickly,” he shares. Ben’s hope for this fall’s class is challenging, but simple: “I hope people would examine their hearts to discover what kind of disciple they would reproduce. You can’t reproduce what you are not.”
Wednesdays: Daring Discipleship 6:30 p.m. in C-13/14 • September 11 The Disciple’s Identity Daniel 1:1-16 • September 18 Disciples Reproduce Who They Are Luke 6:39-49 • September 25 Disciples Keep the Gospel Central 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 • October 2 Disciples Confess and Repent 1 John 1:5-2:6, Luke 18:9-14 • October 9 Disciples Obey John 15:1-11 • October 16 Disciples Rely on the
Spirit to Crucify the Flesh and Produce Fruit Galatians 5 • October 23 The Primacy of Discipleship in the Home Deuteronomy 6:1-15, Proverbs 1:8-19 • October 30 Discipleship in the Home Starts with Men Genesis 17:1-14, Galatians 5:25-6:4 • November 6 Discipleship in the Church Acts 2:27-37 • November 13 Making Disciples of All Nations Matthew 28:1-20 • November 20 Discipleship: Q & A
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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Welcome Our New Staff When did you meet Jesus? I grew up in a Christian home and made a commitment to Christ as my Savior at the age of eleven. He has been my Lord ever since.
Dr. Hank Lederle Minister
Tell us a little about yourself and your family. Our family consists of my wife, Fran, and me, and our three daughters: Stephanie, Christine and Karin. (We specialized in daughters.) We were all born in South Africa and immigrated to the US in 1990. I have been a seminary teacher, college professor and pastor. I have worked in Grand Rapids, Tulsa and Sterling, Kan., and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister while a missionary in Malawi 37 years ago. Fran raised our daughters and worked mostly in churches and travel. She is currently a prayer coordinator with Guideposts. Fran loves decorating and gardening. Our eldest, Stephanie, works as an event planner and project manager for Zig Ziglar Inc. in Dallas, Texas. Christine, our middle daughter, is on staff at a Hillsong church in Cape Town, South Africa. Our youngest, Karin, is married, works as assistant to the college president at Sterling College, and is now moving to Chicago where her husband, Ben, will attend seminary and she will study public health.
Why do you have a passion for missions and ministry? From my youth I have wanted to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. I have loved teaching because I enjoy theology and being able to mentor students has been a special blessing to me. I started my career after seminary as a missionary in central Africa and have had a heart for the nations ever since. At Sterling College I developed a missions program academically as well as starting short-term missions trips and by this summer I had organized 68 trips over the eleven years. I got to travel all over the world. I have also been interested in worship theology. I believe worship leads to a missional lifestyle and that in heaven we will all be career worshipers. How did you get connected with Eastminster? I had visited Eastminster many times over the years, especially because of their support for Sterling’s missions program. I joined the EPC in 2006 and after hearing of your impending switch from Matt Jaderston and Paul Bammel, Fran and I started worshiping at Eastminster on September 23 last year. Pastor Bob’s sermons kept us coming! What are some goals or dreams you have for your ministry at Eastminster? Primarily I would like to be of service wherever needed. I would like to do some teaching in Sunday school classes on biblical and theological topics, especially in Pneumatology (the doctrine of the Holy Spirit) which has been the area of my special interest. With regard to missions I am eager to facilitate missions trips, try and raise the level of involvement in missions in the church and strengthen missionary care. What are your future plans for your career and ministry? I don’t want to retire, so when I finish my ministry at Eastminster, Fran and I would like to volunteer at seminaries and Bible schools somewhere in the majority world. What is God teaching you right now? To be flexible and patient. My goal is that my life would bring him glory and I fall far short of that.
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What’s currently on your reading list? The Holy Spirit by Anthony Thistelton, John Piper’s Let the Nations be Glad and Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes.
imitation is in alignment with our proclamation then Jesus Christ is glorified and the church grows in her affections for God and experiences great passion to see others come to know the Lord.
Ministry can be tough. What do you do to relax and have fun? Drink tea with my wife, read, do some publishing, travel abroad, mentor. I am glad that being in the city gives me access to a gym again!
What are some goals or dreams you have for your ministry at Eastminster? I want to serve Eastminster faithfully and equip God’s people to carry out the ministry. One of my greater desires is to encourage men to be faithful husbands and fathers who are confident in the promises secured for them through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord. Then to equip them to love and admonish their families to trust in these promises every day. What is God teaching you right now? TRUST! My wife has just decided to stay home full time with our children which we are both very excited for, but it does mean that we trust the Lord to some of the adjustments that come with it. What’s currently on your reading list? Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Jonathan K. Dodson, Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole by Eric Mason and To You and Your Children: Examining the Biblical Doctrine of Covenant Succession by Benjamin K. Wikner.
Ben Marquez
Director of Discipleship Tell us a little about yourself and your family. I am originally from Casa Grande, Ariz. While I wasn’t born there, I lived there from the time I was 4 until I was 20. My senior year of high school I met Ashlee who became my wife four years later on October 19, 2001. Isaiah (4) entered into our life on April 6, 2009, and then Gracie (1) on May 20, 2012.
Ministry can be tough. What do you do to relax and have fun? I like fishing in my backyard as well as riding my bicycle early in the morning!
When did you meet Jesus? Jesus found me sometime between the end of my senior year of high school and the end of my first year of college. Ashlee had invited me to her church (First Presbyterian Church of Casa Grande) where the youth pastor and a volunteer youth leader were faithful to share the gospel as well as their lives. Why do you have a passion for discipleship? Having worked with students for the past 15 years I have seen many holes in our discipleship to young people, which means that the generation that has gone before them is struggling to ground them in the joy that the gospel brings. I believe the reason we struggle to make disciples is simply because it is hard work. It involves continued repentance and dying to self in order that the ones whom we are discipling would learn through imitation. As the apostle Paul said, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” When our
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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Retreat Reflections Our high school students and leaders reflect on the impact retreats have on their lives and relationships
Bradley DiLollo Class of 2014
It never ceases to amaze me how impactful the retreats are every single time we go out to The Woods. Even after being a part of the youth group for six years, I constantly find myself developing new relationships with other people as well as developing in different aspects of my relationship with God. This summer, for example, we had a ton of freshmen on their first retreat as high schoolers, and they really helped to revitalize the youth group in a lot of ways. The energy and passion they brought was contagious and soon everyone else shared that unbridled enthusiasm that I think had somewhat faded recently. That emotion, combined with the sermons that helped stimulate my faith on a more intellectual level, provided both a springboard and a solid foundation for me when coming back to the everyday routine of school and the “real world.”
with the guys and then proceeded to have a frank and honest conversation with them. During this conversation we all shared our hurts and also shared our desires for our friendships moving forward. I learned from this time how to authentically apologize for the hurts I had caused people and how to genuinely forgive. The Holy Spirit convicted me about being intentional in my relationships on this retreat as well, so in acts of obedience the senior girls hung out, during free times, with the girls in other grades. This time taught me that we can be in God-honoring community even when we are playing games like Fish Bowl or Telephone Pictionary. God radically changed my life this summer by revealing what relationships centered around God look like and how they are extraordinarily different than any other relationship in my life.
Matt Jaderston
Director of Student Ministries “Community is a place of belonging, a place where people are earthed and find their identity.” – Jean Vanier
Stephanie Munson Class of 2014
I have been on many retreats in which I have typically learned lessons about my faith and about life that that can be put into practice when I get home, but this summer I learned lessons that were instantaneously applicable. Community was the theme of the week, which was something that had consumed my thoughts before this retreat. As a senior I wanted to be a leader to my youth group and I desired for my class as a whole to make a lasting impact on the youth group that had shaped most of us. I knew that unity between the guys and the girls in my class was an element of making an impact that was crucial, but that my class lacked. After a couple chapels, devotional times became engrossed with conversations about how to make our grade more unified. The girls spent an hour one day scouring the Bible for what God-centered relationships look like. This was a new and incredibly valuable time. It taught me how to search for the answers to my questions with God’s guidance. After examining the Bible we came up with some goals for our relationships
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My brother hates chocolate, which I find completely absurd. But I have learned over the years that you cannot force someone who does not like chocolate to like chocolate. A person must undergo a transformation of taste buds that is out of his/her control. In the same way, as a minister I cannot force community. In fact, I cannot make anyone love God. All I can do is pray, teach with passion, and live a life that reflects what I teach hoping the Spirit does a work that neither I, nor anyone else, can do. Of all the incredible things that happened on this retreat, perhaps the most beautiful was the power and tangible presence of the Holy Spirit working and transforming our community. Usually when we have these retreats, a lot of the focus is the way our students will respond to God’s call on their life after the fact. In other words, the way students will act/change when they enter into the routine of the real world. What was so powerful about
this summer’s retreat was the way we saw students respond the Spirit’s leading immediately during our week at Westminster Woods. For example, our senior class felt convicted by the separation and distance they felt between the various classes/ genders. They made an effort to invite the younger classes to participate in free time activities such as “fish bowl” (a variation of charades) and witnessed incredible fruit by seeing walls of intimidation and division collapse. There was unity that was created by reaching beyond the natural cliques that form in a youth group. Another example of the movement of the Spirit was reconciliation that happened in relationships and as a community of believers. There were past grievances and hurts that were addressed, dealt with, and restored by forgiveness and grace. None of these conversations and actions were manufactured or forced, but were seen by students being convicted by the breath of God.
Middle School Fall Retreat October 25 – 27; Westminster Woods Cost: $100. Registration deadline: October 14. Scholarship deadline: October 7.
Don’t Call It A Comeback Matthew 27:50-53 Have you ever cheered for the underdog? Can you remember when your team was down by 10 points with 10 minutes to go and then made an incredible comeback to win the game? This weekend we will look at the resurrection of Jesus and the power of Christ’s return. Jesus may have seemed like the underdog, but don’t call it a comeback because it was God’s plan all along! Join us for an awesome weekend of games, fun, worship, godly teaching and community together.
We addressed the transitions and turmoil this group has seen over the past four years. They have seen leadership come and go, programs change, and experienced difficult situations – including friends committing suicide and the loss of the beloved Randy and Suzy Storms, which was especially difficult considering Randy was our 2012 winter retreat speaker. By addressing our brokenness as a community, we were able to abide in God’s unconditional love and find true healing. Henri Nouwen said “true solitude – far from being the opposite of community life – is the place where we come to realize that we were together before we came together and that community is not a creation of human will but an obedient response to the reality of our being unity.” When God created Adam he recognized that while Adam had a relationship with him, it was not enough for Adam to be whole. God created man to be in relationship, both by having intimacy with God the Father, and by having intimacy with other human beings. He created Eve because man is better in communion. This was the heartbeat of our retreat theme, “Belong.” My hope and prayer for our high school students is that they would find a place to belong not only to God, but to one another.
High School Fall Retreat November 1 – 3; Westminster Woods Cost: $100. Registration deadline: October 14. Scholarship Deadline: October 7.
Christ Is. While retreats are full of crazy activities, night games involving panty hose and flour, shaving cream, drinking pop out of a dirty sock, and other wild and crazy things that will go unmentioned, our ultimate purpose is to see lives change by the power of the gospel. I believe we experienced this power, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us next.
Philippians 1:21 This weekend we will be reveling in the excellencies of Christ by highlighting the fact that “Christ Is” Our Savior, “Christ Is” Our Example, and “Christ Is” Our Joy. Join guest speaker Jon Brubaker as we grow and share community. Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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Building Faith, Equipping Families an interview with Mary Stephens and Brandi Tanksley, Children’s Ministries staff leaders Last winter, Eastminster Children’s Ministries developed and launched a Faith Map, a guide to the spiritual milestones we hope to help families meet as they raise godly children. To do this we’ve developed interactive events and tools that give families the skills to grow their faith individually and together. Mary and Brandi share on why this map is so key to Children’s Ministries and also a new aspect of Wednesday Night EDGE that helps support our faith milestones. What is the Faith Map? Why is it so key to Children’s Ministries? The Faith Map outlines key faith milestones a child will experience throughout his/her life at Eastminster. We recognize that parents are the primary influencers in their children’s lives, and want to come alongside parents, helping to equip them with the skills and tools necessary to give their children solid spiritual foundations. What is the goal of partnering with parents? How is a “faith at home” model different from other ministry models? The goal of partnering with parents is to help raise godly children. Past models have given the illusion that the church itself is responsible for the spiritual nourishment of children. The “faith at home” model combines church and parent efforts, creating a united front, each taking responsibility. As Reggie Joiner says, “…two combined influences make a greater impact than just two influences.” What are some successes you’ve seen from using Faith Maps? We have seen laughter, tears, and joy. We have seen parent-child bonding and church community being built between families. Emie Stehley’s story is a great example! (see right) Why is it so important to empower and equip parents to lead their children spiritually? Deuteronomy 6 says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” God calls us, as parents, to teach our
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children his Word and commandments. We want to provide our parents with the resources and guidance to do that very thing. I think most parents understand this in concept, but sometimes it can be difficult to put it into practice. What does that look like in an everyday, 21st century home? How do we keep Christ central in the midst of diaper changes, soccer games, errands, squabbles, school work and dinnertime? That’s the sort of thing we want to equip parents for – daily, Christ-focused living that impacts kids for the gospel. Wednesday Night EDGE for kids has a new curriculum this fall. Tell us a little about it and why it was chosen. Our new curriculum is called Kids’ Quest. Kids’ Quest is a catechism-based curriculum (meaning a question/answer format based on Scripture) and will help our kids gain foundational understanding for why they believe what they believe. There is a Scripture memory component as well. Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” We will do this through weekly Scripture memory verses. Why is this so great for kids? It will be great for kids because Kids’ Quest teaches simple Bible truths in an easy to understand question/answer format. Younger children are concrete thinkers and soak up information. This format will help them learn the basics of our faith. As they mature they will be able to learn to think logically about these basic truths and how they apply to their life. This initial understanding will be a foundation for the child’s faith and trust in God to grow. Why should parents want to get their kids involved in Wednesday Nights? On Wednesday nights, a fun yet intentional atmosphere is provided for kids. There will be games, skits, Scripture memory, crafts, and an opportunity for the children to get to know one another and develop friendships – all while helping build a foundation for belief in Christ. Each week the kids will take home information on what they learned that night, including an opportunity for the family to review Scripture and the truths about God together later in the week for reinforcement. What else would you like families to know? Our goal in Children’s Ministries is to partner with children and families to grow in their relationship with God and each other. Our hope is that each aspect in our ministry reflects a part of that overlying goal. We count it a privilege to serve at Eastminster so
that God will be glorified as the lives of kids and their families are transformed as they follow Christ more and more.
Wednesday Night EDGE for Kids 6:30 p.m. beginning September 11 After EDGE dinner in Fellowship Hall, our child care and classroom programs provide a safe and fun atmosphere for children to build relationships, grow in their knowledge of God, and learn how to use their faith at school and at home. This mid-week program helps families to refocus and reminds us to live as Christ followers throughout our week.
Age Group
The Stehley’s Story Eastminster’s faith milestone for 3-year-olds is Blessings. During this Faith Journey Event for kids and parents, families learn the importance and power of blessing their children with Scripture so that kids understand they have worth and are a blessing to others. The Stehley family recently completed this faith milestone and share on their experience: We have really enjoyed blessing our sons Henry (6) and Jacob (4) since the Faith Journey Event: Blessings for 3-yearolds this year. We have always tried to build our sons up and give them a lot of positive reinforcements and encouragement, but we realized after the Faith Journey Event that we didn’t necessarily incorporate specific spiritual blessings into that. After reading the book I’d Choose You to our 3-year-old, we got one for our 6 year old too. I thought Henry (6) could probably relate to many of the feelings the character Norbert had in the book. Both of our boys immensely enjoyed the book and it made such a sweet time of reading at bedtime. Their little hearts would open up and it really moved our entire family. We started telling the boys at bedtime and on their way to school, “I love you and I’d choose you.” Henry started asking for the I’d Choose You book every night and started asking at different times of the day, “Mom, why do you choose me?” It gave us such insight into their hearts and how much they really need and want specific blessings that they started asking for it every day. It also helped us to have more significant conversations about God in many areas of their lives in age appropriate ways, from what God wants from us to some harder conversations about how God made each of us just the way he wants us. It has been so sweet to see how blessing our sons has given us some of the most tender parenting moments. We even decided to give I’d Choose You to all the little children in our family Easter hunt. As it turns out, I think blessing our children everyday has also blessed us beyond measure.
Classroom
Nursery B-11 *Pre-K (4 years by 8/31/13) B-17 *Kindergarten B-17 *First through fifth grade
MS Basement
*denotes Kids’ Quest curriculum
Kids Choir 6 – 6:25 p.m.; B-10 This special musical time is for first through fifth graders as we come together and praise the Lord. Together we’ll learn worship songs as we participate in worship through our voices.
Faith Map Equipping families to raise up godly children We encourage all parents and families who call Eastminster home to take a look at our Faith Map and become familiar with the spiritual milestones for each age group. If you’d like a copy of the map, you can pick one up from the Children’s Ministries office, or download a copy at eastminster.org/faithmap. Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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Get Involved!
Serving Students
You can become a friend to an international student through Wichita ISI’s Friendship Partners program. To explore this wonderful opportunity, attend the four TRIO (TRaining for International Outreach) meetings on September 12, 19, 26 and October 3, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Riverlawn Christian Church (4243 N. Meridian Ave.) To get involved, sign up at the Eastminster Missions office or call Dick Daeschner at 681.1445.
Featuring Eastminster supported missionary Anne Adrian by Elder Kedre Mellor The beginning of 2013 found my daughter making plans to study abroad for the summer. My mother’s heart began praying for a warm welcome upon her arrival from someone in that far-away community. This July, I had the honor of meeting Anne Adrian, an Eastminster supported missionary, who extends that hand of friendship and the love of Christ to international students arriving to study in Florida.
ABOUT TRIO TRIO is a series of four classes which equip sponsors of students to build a cross-cultural relationship and lead a six-part evangelistic Bible study. This unique program is led by the Wichita staff of ISI. You will gain practical guidance for developing crosscultural relationships in which the gospel can be shared naturally. All or part of this training may be taken without obligation to sponsor a student.
Eastminster Friendship Partners: Dianne Crawford Jon and Rebecca Green Dean and Karen Jargo Ray and Kay Jones Chad and Renee Edwards Steve and Andrea MacCorkle Melanie Moore Bruce and Pam Van Bebber Bob and Judy Bingaman
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Anne grew up in Iraq, the daughter of missionaries. Her original plan was to work among Muslims in North Africa, but God brought her to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where she met her husband Kent Adrian (Wichitan and former Eastminster staff member) and instead she joined Kent in ministry in the Presbyterian Church stateside for the next 20 years. Anne became a missionary with ISI (International Students, Inc.) in 2004 while she and Kent were in Wichita “looking for God’s direction for their lives.” At that “transition point,” Anne met Dick Daeschner, Wichita City Mobilizer for ISI (and Eastminster supported missionary). “As I explored their application process online, I became very excited about their ministry and could see how God, in his tender providence, had prepared me for this type of work,” shares Anne. “I see the work of ISI as a divine opportunity and a very strategic ministry! Every year around 750,000 international students come to study in American universities. They are
far away from home, lonely, often confused by our foreign culture and wanting to practice their English with American friends – that’s an opportunity that God is just dropping in front of us. They come from almost all the countries of the world, some of them closed to traditional missionaries, so they have never had the chance to hear about Christ, or they have big misconceptions about Christians and Christianity.” “These young people are ‘the best and the brightest’ of their families and their nations, and most probably will someday exert influence in their culture or be in positions of political or social leadership. If we can give them a positive experience of the US and reach them for Christ, we will have the opportunity to influence the world! To me that sounds like an incredible opening to build bridges of friendship – yet the statistics are that 70% of them never set foot in an American home the whole time they are here,” says Anne. Anne now works with international students at Florida Southern College in Lakeland and the University of South Florida in Tampa. The Tampa ministry includes teaching an English conversation class and building relationships with the international students and their families. Lakeland is the focus of a new ministry, enlisting a network of churches and volunteers to join together in meeting the needs of these students – Anne understands the experience of being “a stranger in a strange land.” “Working with ISI has brought me a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. There are times when any ministry is discouraging and you don’t see any fruit, but working with ISI, I have experienced much personal growth in faith and have felt the wonder of God’s purpose and power at work in the world and through his people.”
Monthly Calendar – September 2013 Eastminster produces a calendar in each of our monthly publications. If you’re reading this after September, check the month’s publication for the current calendar. Or visit eastminster.org/calendar. Sunday, September 1 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Worship 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Adult Classes 9:30 a.m. Children’s & Students Classes 11 a.m. Kid’s Worship Monday, September 2 Eastminster Offices Closed Tuesday, September 3 6:15 a.m. Men’s Life 6:45 a.m. Prayer Fellowship 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 7 p.m. Piece Sewers Wednesday, September 4 6 p.m. Chancel Bell Choir Rehearsal Middle School 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 5 10 a.m. Senior Singles 6 p.m. LAFS Sunday, September 8 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Worship 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Adult Classes 9:30 a.m. Children’s & Students Classes 11 a.m. Kid’s Worship 12:30 p.m. Missionary Lunch & Update 5 p.m. Marriage Progressive Dinner 7 p.m. High School Youth Group Monday, September 9 9 a.m. For Mothers of Young Children II 6:45 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 524 7 p.m. High School D-Groups Prayer for Pastor Search Teams Tuesday, September 10 6:15 a.m. Men’s Life 6:45 a.m. Prayer Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Women in Action 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship Rehearsal Wednesday, September 11 9:30 a.m. Martha-Priscilla Circle For Mothers of Young Children 1 p.m. Rebecca-Ruth Circle 5:15 p.m. EDGE Dinner
6 p.m. Chancel Bell Choir Rehearsal Kid’s Choir Middle School 6:30 p.m. EDGE Adult Discipleship Class Eastminster 101 Kid’s Quest 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 12 9:15 a.m. Hannah Circle 9:30 a.m. Abigail Circle 10 a.m. Senior Singles 6 p.m. LAFS Sunday, September 15 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Worship 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Adult Classes 9:30 a.m. Children’s & Students Classes 11 a.m. Kid’s Worship 7 p.m. High School Youth Group Monday, September 16 9 a.m. For Mothers of Young Children II 7 p.m. High School D-Groups Tuesday, September 17 6:15 a.m. Men’s Life 6:45 a.m. Prayer Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Women in Action 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 7 p.m. Piece Sewers Session Meeting Wednesday, September 18 9:30 a.m. For Mothers of Young Children 5:15 p.m. EDGE Dinner 6 p.m. Chancel Bell Choir Rehearsal Kid’s Choir Middle School 6:30 p.m. EDGE Adult Discipleship Class Eastminster 101 Kid’s Quest 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 19 10 a.m. Senior Singles 6 p.m. LAFS 7 p.m. Twelve Women of the Bible Study
Saturday, September 21 9 a.m. Faith and Sacraments Class Sunday, September 22 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Worship 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Adult Classes 9:30 a.m. Children’s & Students Classes 11 a.m. Kid’s Worship 7 p.m. High School Youth Group Monday, September 23 9 a.m. For Mothers of Young Children II 5:30 p.m. Boy Scout Family BBQ 7 p.m. High School D-Groups Prayer for the Pastor Search Teams Tuesday, September 24 6:15 a.m. Men’s Life 6:45 a.m. Prayer Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Women in Action Noon Prayers for our Nation 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Worship Rehearsal Wednesday, September 25 9:30 a.m. For Mothers of Young Children 5:15 p.m. EDGE Dinner 6 p.m. Chancel Bell Choir Rehearsal Kid’s Choir Middle School 6:30 p.m. EDGE Adult Discipleship Class Kid’s Quest 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 26 10 a.m. Senior Singles 10:30 a.m. Missionary Care Prayer 6 p.m. LAFS Sunday, September 29 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Worship 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Adult Classes 9:30 a.m. Children’s & Students Classes 11 a.m. Kid’s Worship 7 p.m. High School Youth Group Monday, September 30 9 a.m. For Mothers of Young Children II 7 p.m. High School D-Groups
Friday, September 20 Noon Luncheon Hosted by Senior Ministries Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1958 N. Webb Road • Wichita, Kansas 67206 316.634.0337 • www.eastminster.org
Worship Services Sundays at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
The goal of Eastwind is to support the mission of Eastminster Church: Glorify God. Follow Christ. Transform Lives. Director of Communications: Courtney Browning (cbrowning@eastminster.org). Associate Director of Communications: Meg Foreman (meg@eastminster.org).
Eastminster Discovery Path
Luncheon Hosted by Senior Ministries Friday, September 20, noon; Fellowship Hall Join us for Flying in the Sky Internationally with Kay Ally. Register in Fellowship Hall on Sundays. Cost: $10 (checks only).
Faith & Sacraments Class Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. – noon; Student Center Our fourth and fifth graders are invited to bring at least one parent and learn about faith in Jesus, baptism and Communion as we discover what it means to follow Christ’s teaching in an interactive workshop.
Boy Scout Family BBQ Monday, September 23, 5:30 p.m.; Chisholm Creek Park All boys ages 11-17 and their families are welcome.
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Wednesday nights during EDGE at 6:30 p.m. • Eastminster 101: Discovery – September 11 and 18; C-12 • Eastminster 102: Spiritual Gifts – October 2 and 9; C-12 • Eastminster 103: Membership – November 6 and 13; C-12
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Up & Coming
g • safe fall fun for the whole family • Thursday, October 31 • 6 – 8 p.m. Volunteer Registration Going on Now
Trunk or Treat is a safe, fun Halloween alternative. Last year, our parking lot was packed with kids and families from across Wichita as they toured specially decorated car trunks and collected candy, treats and prizes. It is the largest outreach Eastminster puts on for the community, and a really fun way to serve Wichita families while demonstrating the gospel. There are many ways to help with Trunk or Treat. Your family, small group, Bible study or any other group is welcome to “donate” a car for the evening, and decorate your trunk with a festive theme. There will even be a prize for best Bible-themed trunk, and best alternatively themed trunk! Or help man a pre-decorated trunk, like one of our gospel stations where families will hear about the components of the gospel as told through colors (black = sin, red = Jesus’ blood, etc.). You can also serve with concessions, security, parking direction, set up, tear down, candy and prize donation and more. To get involved, pick up a volunteer packet at the church and choose your favorite way to serve. Then return the registration form to the Children’s Ministries office no later than October 20.