Volume 20 Issue 3 - March 2015

Interim PastorRev. Billy Joseph

Associate PastorRev. Bart Lester

Assistant Pastorof Student Ministries

Rev. Brian Oaks

Church AdministratorMr. Jerry Knotts

Interim Music DirectorSeongho Choi

Organist/PianistMrs. F. Baker/

Mrs. C. Carboni

Children’s Discipleship TeamSonja Hinton

Ashley DraperLynn Grace

Nursery DirectorMrs. KC White

Church SecretaryMrs. Donna Sparks

Billy Joseph

th As we come to our 36 Annual World Mission Conference 2015, let us hear an account of a

missionary from the past. Imagine going to a place where English wasn't the common business language it is today. Imagine a place where there was no Internet, Skype, cell phones or computers to keep in touch with home and supporters. Imagine going without the prospect of ever returning home. Imagine going to a place where you know no one, have no maps and don't know the language.

From The Christian Almanac by George Grant and Gregory Wilbur, p.136, we read the following account a great pioneer missionary. Hudson Taylor.

stWhen Hudson Taylor arrived at the port of Shanghai on March the 1 , 1854, he

did not speak the language, he did not know where to go, he did not know a soul, and he did not have a place to stay. Evening was just descending when he disembarked from his ship and began walking alone through the bewildering alien streets. Nevertheless, he wrote in his diary that he was exultant: •gMy feelings on stepping ashore I cannot attempt to describe. My heart felt as though it had not room and must burst its bounds, while tears of gratitude and thankfulness fell from my eyes.•h

Though he was ultimately able to find his way to a friendly mission compound in the teeming city that night, just about nothing else seemed to go his way. The days and weeks that followed were dreary and lonely. A civil war erupted just days after he arrived, and people were slaughtered before his eyes. He struggled with the language and the seemingly impenetrable cultural barriers between himself and the Chinese people he had come to serve.

Eventually though, Taylor was able to overcome every one of these difficulties and many more. He learned the language and made up his mind to adopt native dress. He went to work planting an indigenous church and English board, and founded the China Inland Mission to expand his work throughout the entire land. He never told anyone about his financial needs, trusting that the Lord would provide whatever was needed. At his death the China Inland Mission had 205 missionaries. Though Chinese Christianity grew slowly at first, and has always suffered severe persecution, the fruit of Taylor's labors is evident. Today the Chinese church is thought by some analysts to be the fastest growing in the world. Who could have ever imagined such an outcome on that day so long ago when Taylor stepped out in faith and into Shanghai?

Put yourself in this position. Imagine you are the pioneer Missionary. Then pray for the missionaries the way in which you would want someone to pray for you. Pray for our World Mission Conference 2015, as we again focus on the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Put Yourself in Hudson Taylor’s Place

Missions 2015Missions 2015

Mike and Robin McMahan

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3)

Dear Praying Friends,We are so thankful for your prayers. It is sometimes the

only way we can explain peace when there is difficulty. Good things are happening, and we think perhaps there is some spiritual warfare going on, so keep praying.

In the wee hours of the morning, Robin heard our dogs barking on the porch for the second night in a row. She got up, did not see anything, and told them to get in bed and go to sleep, which they did. When we got up to walk them this morning, we discovered that the lock on our gate had been cut and our Toyota Land Cruiser had been stolen! We were pretty shocked, though now and again there are thefts in residential properties. Why do we think this is spiritual warfare? Read on.

Just last night we were meeting with Elder Victor Nakah and his wife Nosizo, along with Gordon Woolard, an MTW missionary who is here for about three months helping the presbytery learn better how to function as such. We are meeting regularly for prayer in the hopes that a new church will be planted from the Nakah’s home. Specifically, we had been discussing transportation for university students, and how our car could carry at least six more people in addition to us. It seemed odd that the car would disappear within hours of that conversation. For the first time in fifteen years, we own two cars. Often the Honda Civic is on loan to others for the purpose of transportation, for youth group, for Reformers group, and most recently for Gordon Woolard while he is here in Zimbabwe.

Robin has been in recovery mode from malaria for about the last six weeks. Now that she is feeling better, she is planning to begin an outreach that we had been praying about for the last four months. Each morning and afternoon, hundreds of high school students pass by our corner lot. Often they throw rubbish on the ground and we were frustrated, but did not want our only interaction with them to be fussing with them about littering. We had contemplated putting a rubbish bin near the road, but people said they wouldn’t use it. We

decided that we needed a way to develop relationships with them in the hopes of becoming friends, and possibly introducing some of them to Christ. Heart change is the key to behavior change! Robin had been thinking about passing out homemade cookies to students on their way home from school, but wondered how this might work.

At the same time, we have relationships with several young ladies who are currently unemployed and trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Robin had been planning to develop a mentoring relationship with two of them and invited them over to make Valentine sugar cookies. During that afternoon she began to think that she might be able to pay these young ladies a small amount to help make cookies. Then, as part of their discipleship time, maybe they would like to pass out cookies and juice with us. Tuesday, February 24 is the day! We talked with them about both the discipleship time and the cookie making. We are hoping that having a purpose and earning a small amount of money will help all three of them look forward to the future. The car theft made us consider postponing the beginning, but instead, we choose to press on!

In the coming weeks and months, would you pray with us about these two new projects? Would you pray with us about our heart attitude toward our “enemies” who violated our space and stole our vehicle? Would you pray for us as we work with a prospective new church plant and with three young ladies who are eager to be mentored? Would you pray with us for the young (mostly boys) who will interact with us once a week as we pass out cookies and juice? Would you pray that God would give an increase in our faith and in growth for us and for those around us?

We continue to be so blessed by your ministry of faithful gifts and prayers. Please let us know how we can pray for you as well.

Blessings in Jesus, our Faithful Savior,

Mike and Robin McMahan

Zimbabwe

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CCHHIILLDDRREENN’’SS Mission Conference 2015“Courage, Faithfulness, and Repentance”

Our children’s program will be for ages 4 years to 6th grade. The nursery will be available for children ages 3 and younger.

The older children (2nd-6th grade) will view the Torchlighters animated movie about the life of Corrie ten Boom. The movie will be accompanied by discussions, games and crafts.

The younger children (ages 4-5 and K-1st) will read a story about Ms. ten Boom and have games and crafts especially tailored for their age group. A visit from “Ms. ten Boom” will occur during the week and will certainly be a wonderful time for all the children.

More information will be coming soon regarding specific times and events of the week. Please pray for the missionaries that will be in attendance and for our church as we minister to them while they are here.

As we think of the meaning of these three words, we are reminded of the importance of being courageous in telling others about Christ, faithful to our calling as Christians to live according to what God would have us do and then being repentant when we sin against God and others.

For the children this year, we have chosen to study the life of Corrie ten Boom. We will be using The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith series as our guide. Students will focus on the courage and bravery of Ms. ten Boom and her family as they protect Jews in their town from persecution, as well as her faithfulness to tell others about God even while imprisoned in a concentration camp.

Each night there will be age appropriate activities and lessons to enhance the teaching.

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In June of 2014, 13 Eastwood youth and 4 adults were led

by Youth Pastor, Brian Oaks, on an 8-day mission trip to North

Carolina. The purpose of the trip was to physically assist

existing faith-based mercy ministries in the towns of Canton and

Waynesville. In addition, we helped several struggling families

who had been referred by local churches, by providing labor for

cleaning and repairing around their homes and yards. For many

of us, this was a first-time mission trip experience. For most of

us, it was an unforgettable and life-changing experience.

Upon arrival, we found the accommodations to be

somewhat rustic and spartan: we were housed in the cabins of

an old, forgotten, in-need-of-repair YMCA camp named “Camp

Hope”, about 10 miles from Canton, NC. This was to be our

base of operations for the week. Our partner in this mission was

Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) of Knoxville,

Tennessee. Their Youth Minister, Andy Pfifer, and his family and

staff planned and organized the mission, and provided the

overall leadership. They brought about 40 people from their

church.

Each morning after breakfast, Andy met with the adult

leaders and organized work teams and assignments for the day.

Each team then loaded up in vans and cars with tools,

equipment and a packed lunch, departed the camp, and drove to

their assignment. Typically, a full day's work was performed,

and return to the camp was around 4-5 pm. After dinner each

evening, a time of praise and worship singing was led by talented

musicians. It was prayerful and contemplative. Following the

singing, we were led in large and small group studies, and

prayer. It was deep, moving and incredibly challenging.

During the course of the week, most of us were pushed out of

our normal comfort zones. We were expected to lead, express

our faith, put aside selfishness and pride, and serve with humility

and grace. We were confronted with our own sinfulness, and we

reflected on the effects of sin and sinful choices.

As we worked among the local people, we could see that

many lived day-to-day, discouraged and without hope. We saw

poverty and need up close and personal… and we saw that the

greatest need for many was to know Christ. Most of them asked

who we were and why we were there. They could hardly believe

we came all the way from Alabama to serve them. It was ironic to

tell them that we were staying at “Camp Hope”, as that was the

very thing many of them needed…hope. Our students were able

to show by their words and actions the hope we have in Christ to

these hurting, discouraged and hopeless people, and to love

them with a Christ-like love by serving in community kitchens,

food banks, clothing donation centers, and even in their own

homes and yards. Any reluctance we may have previously had

about going on a mission trip has been replaced by a desire to go

again, and serve, and share. There is something uniquely

compelling about helping and serving…about displaying the

hope we have in Christ alone…about loving others

unconditionally like Christ loved us.

By Suzie RhodesCarolina Mountain Mission 2014

EASTWOOD STUDENT MINISTRY

The

Carolina Mountain Mission 2014

PILLARS Women in the ChurchPsalm 144:12Susan Dunn, President

Fellowship Team

Thanks to our Fellowship Team,

Good food, lots of laughing and some crazy games.

“Game Night.”

Barbara Harrington, Heather Oaks and Elaine James, for creating and hosting our first

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

We invite ALL ladies to join us at 10 am each Tuesday morning in the Session room, to study God’s Word and enjoy a time of Christian fellowship. For the younger ladies, we provide a free nursery.

Bible Study can be fun as you can see by the looks on these ladies faces. It can also be a time of reflection and examination of ones own life through the application of God’s Word.

We are studying together Nancy Guthrie’s The Word of the Lord - Seeing Jesus in the Prophets. * “Nancy does an amazing job of helping us to fit the pieces of the biblical puzzle together, with Christ as the center.”

* Quote by Micheal

Horton, J Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; author, Calvin on the Christian Life.

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Student NewsSam McLure, Daniel Souers, and Brian Oaks will be co-leading a Discipleship Group for young men Junior high and high school age. The topic is: Manly Selections from

1563: Lederhosen and the Heidelberg. Meeting time is 6:30-7:30 a.m. at Chick-fil-a Promenade. Dates are: March 4th, 11th, 18th, April 1st and 8th.Girls D Groups will be meeting as well. Details to be announced.

Communion AM 5:30 pmDiaconate Meets

6pm- Session Meets

6:30 AM Missions Room- Tim Cantey-Men’s Bible Studies:7AM Session Room-

Glenn Draper

6:30 AM Missions Room- Tim Cantey

Men’s Bible Studies:7AM Session Room-

Glenn Draper

6:30 AM Missions Room- Tim Cantey

Men’s Bible Studies:7AM Session Room-

Glenn Draper

6:30 AM Missions Room- Tim Cantey

Men’s Bible Studies:7AM Session Room-

Glenn Draper

Pillars Bible Studies:10 AM at the church

6:30 PM at BonnieCatching’s home

Pillars Bible Studies:10 AM at the church

6:30 PM at Bonnie Catching’s Home

Pillars Bible Studies:10 AM at the church

6:30 PM at Bonnie Catching’s Home

Pillars Bible Studies:10 AM at the church

6:30 PM at Bonnie Catching’s Home

Eastwood World Mission Conference 2015

Mission Conference EndNo PM Service

5:30 Chik-fil-A meal

5:30 Undershepherd Groups Meet Missionaries

5:30 Int’l Soup DinnerFellowship Hall

7:30 am - Men’s Breakfast10:00 am - Ladies’ Brunch-

Rhodes Home6:00 pm- Dessert Night - FH

Faith PromiseSpring Play

6:30 p.m.at Taylor Road Baptist Church

Eastwood Christian School’s

No pillars Bible Study

Today

Goal: $117,255Given: 77,504

$ Needed: 39,751

SAVEThe Date!

VBSVBSJune 8-11

Faith Promise 2014-2015

CHOIR NOTES

46

If you enjoy singing,consider joining our

adult choir.We are in need of:

2 sopranos3 altos and3 tenors.

We practice Sunday afternoons from 4:30- 5:45.

Please help us sing praises to our God and

“Sing to him a new song.” Ps. 33:3a

MARCH Birthdays

Church-wide Rotation Schedule

Check Sunday Bulletin for the Weekly Schedule Changes

MarchMarch

Nursery MinistryKC White, Director

1. Chip Lasseter

2. Lauren Souers

3. Tammye Goehring

4. Robert Hixon

Allen McDaniel

7. Linette McMahon

KC White

9. Amy Trumbull

10. Miriam Wilson

11. April Marion

Mae Morrison White

13. Ruth Godwin

16. Delta DeHuff

Marie Plecker

18. Scott Golden

Linda McDaniel

19. Caleb Youngquist

21. Anthony Carboni

22. Lindsey Lawton

Genie Rhodes

25. Jeremy Short

26. Dorie Autrey

Thomas Claxton

Laura Grayson Hinton

27. Mac Cutchins

30. Carson Creel

31. Jacob Goehring

Kim McLain

Email and Address Changes

Linette McMahonNew Email:linettemcmahon@gmail.com

Mildred BranchNew Address:103B Dalraida Road Montgomery, AL 36109

Jason and Traci Creel4367 Stone Ridge CircleTrussville, AL 35173Jason's cell: 205.835.7350Traci's cell: 205.835.7348

BirthsCongratulations to Dennis and Emily Pritzel on the birth of their covenant child, Felix Pritzel, on Feb 9, 2015, in Montgomery, AL.

Congratulations to Ross and Joanna Hodges on the birth and adoption of their covenant child, Elias Judson Hodges, on Feb.14th in South Carolina. Proud Grandparents are Milton and Lain Hodges.

Mar 1 - AM.........................................Trumbull; M. Vaughn PM....................................Sarah & Joanna SumnerMar 8 - AM........................................................Bartley PM.................................................No PM ServiceMar 1 5 - AM................................................Cantey, Carboni

PM............................................Barbara HarringtonMar 22 - AM...........................................Catching, Chancey

PM.......................Leila Vaughn & Brenda GrourleyMar 29 - AM................................................Crewe, Cutchins

PM................................................Bonnie Catching

BaptismsThe Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Luke Rogers, covenant son of Adam and Katherine Rogers on February 15, 2015.

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New Members

Ben and Traci Youngquist1467 Meadow Glen RoadMontgomery, AL 36117Phone: 334-593-1547 (home)

Welcome

Sympathy

Love and sympathy of the congregation is extended toMarie Plecker in the death of her sister, Jessie Mae Yeldell, on February 16th in Selma, AL.

DEACONof the WEEK

Feb 23-Mar 1.............David EvansMar 2-8........................ Rob GeninMar 9-15...................Bill GoehringMar 16-22.........Robert HarringtonMar 23-29....................Bo HodgesMar 30-April 5.................Rick Joki

At 6 PM

Don’t Don’t

WONDERFULW FO LNDER U WEDNESDAYS W EEDN SDAYS

ForgetForget

Meet the Youngquists:

Ben, Traci, Joshua, Caleb

andAna

Schedule of EventsSunday 8:30 a.m. Class for Spanish Speaking Students

9:30 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship9:45 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Morning Worship Service 4:45 p.m. Choir Practice

5:00 p.m. Missions Prayer Time6:00 p.m. Evening Worship (Fellowship Hall)7:15 p.m. Sr. High and College/Singles Fellowships in Homes

Wednesday 6:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study/Tim Cantey (Missions Room)7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study (Session Room - Glenn Draper)

11:30 a.m. Fasting and Prayer in Sanctuary6:00 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Meeting

1701 East Trinity Blvd.Montgomery, Alabama 36106

Eastwood Presbyterian Church

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE MINISTRIES CALL:Church Office (Donna Sparks.................. - 272-3103Nursery Director (K.C. White)................. - 868-3292

Student Ministries (Rev. Brian Oaks)....... - 386-2388Women’s Ministries (Susan Dunn)........... - 239-9295

Children’s Discipleship Team: Sonja Hinton, Ashley Draper, and Lynn Grace............-272-3103

Eastwood Christian School Presents...........

March 12 & 136:30 p.m.

Taylor Road Baptist Church

Congregational Meeting ...Sunday, March 1st, to hear the Pulpit

Committee’s recommendation for pastor

and to vote on it.

Alabama Dance Theatre presents

"Cinderella"

If you’ve never seen an ECS School play, you are really missing out on an opportunity for supporting our school and enjoying fabulous entertainment ...

Feb. 27 at 7:30p.m., Feb. 28 at 2:30p.m., and

Mar. 1 at 2:30p.m.

Featuring another “Perry” ballerina.Performance will take place at the Davis

Theater for Performing Arts. Please call 334-241-2800 for ticket info.