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JUNE-JULY-AUGUST 2016 NEWSLETTER

SUMMER AT ELK CREEK

Spring is passing and we are moving into a beauti-

ful summer. Gardens are being planted and we are

venturing into the woods for hiking and finding

spring mushrooms.

We have a lot coming up here at Elk Creek. Super

Summer Sunday Nights, Ladies hikes with Michelle,

the Annual Family Fun & Worship Day, Kids Camp,

Middle School and High School Camps, Woodstock

and Women’s Campout.

If you have any questions or would like to know how

you can help serve in any of these special activities,

please call the church office at 634-1938.

CALENDAR

June

12 Super Summer Sunday

Night

18 Ladies Hike with Michelle

19 Father’s Day

24-26 Kids Camp

26 Annual Family Fun &

Worship

July

9 Woodstock

29-1 Middle School Camp

30 Ladies Hike with Michelle

August

1-5 High School Camp

26-27 Women’s Campout

27 Ladies Hike with Michelle

Sunday Services

Worship Service 10:30 am

The Rock Student Ministry

High School Students meet

on Mondays from 6:30-8 pm

Middle School Students

meet on Wednesdays from

6:45-8 pm

Shake the dust from your

past, and move forward in

His promises.

Kay Arthur

2016 Mission Statement

The lost will be saved…

The saved will be revived…

The sick will be healed.

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ELK CREEK WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

Sixty-Seven women and girls attend the Daughters of the King tea/luncheon on Saturday, May 21st. The vision we had was turned into reality by a talented group of women who made it come to life. The church foyer be-came an enchanted forest and the sanctuary a palace courtyard. The event was filled with beautiful praise songs performed by Ricki Drabek, strolling violin music by Joani Labrousse, delicious desserts provided by sev-eral of our own, and a wonderful devotional story written and narrated by “Princess Grace” (LaVonne Danniel-son). The story kept the “littles” attention and provided a great message for the rest of us of God’s love, mer-cy and grace, His angels watching over us even when we stray and His loving arms reaching out as we find our way back to Him. During our time together, we were able to welcome and get to know women new to our church, as well as, a chance to have longer visits with others than the brief time we have on Sunday mornings before and after worship. We thank each and every women and girl who attended. Your presence was a won-derful gift to us.

Daughters of the King … Knowing who we are in Christ.

Proverbs 31:29 “Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!”

Our heartfelt thanks to the following women who worked tirelessly in one or more areas before, during and/or after to make this event so successful:

Chair: LaVonne Danielson with Maria Ames, Sharon Burke, Leah Collard, Ricki Drabek, Mary Fain, Ann Gossi, Cathy Jasperson, Joani Labrousse, Sue Lewis, Michelle Ova, Denita Pisel, Carrie Potter, Bonnie Sherbourne, Ro-zlyn Sheridan, Faye Thompson, Jennie Tunnell, and Jamie VanMiddendorp. Cleanup was a whirlwind of wom-en doing what women naturally do, so if we missed naming you, please forgive us and know your help was so very much appreciated. That was the fastest clean up ever! We would also like to express our thankfulness to the men who helped:

Pastor Eric Ova, Austin Danielson, Associate Pastor Ryan Drabek, Roger Gossi, Don Jasperson, Grant Komp, Terry Pisel, Jason Pisel and Scott Tunnell

Our next “big” event is the Women’s Campout at Upper Payette Lake on August 26/27th. Information about the campout will be sent out late July/early August via our ministry’s email. If you are not receiv-ing our emails but would like to, please email us at elkcreekwomensministry@gmail.com.

Upcoming hikes with Michelle Ova:

Saturday, June 18

Saturday, July 30

Saturday, August 27 (at the women’s campout)

For all hikes, we’ll meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. to carpool. Hike locations vary.

May God continue to richly bless you each and every day!

Elise Bitton and Patti Komp

Co-Leaders, Elk Creek Women’s Ministry

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MISSIONS REPORT: Thank you Elk Creek Church for your continued faithfulness in supporting our missionaries around the world. Our involvement in spreading the Gospel through our mission’s effort has contin-ued to expand and our giving to Missions has increased. In April, the church Board agreed to in-crease the monthly allocation of our general offerings to missions from 7.5% to 10%. Concurrently, the monthly level of support to our missionaries was increased from $3,265 to $3,765 per month. A portion of the $500 per month increase in support was directed to an expansion of our Honduran ministry. Additionally, we began supporting the Shiloh Bible Camp, a local camp ministry managed by Jim and Becki Meek, members of our Elk Creek family. The Heart for Missions continues to be exhibited by actions taken to address the needs of the less fortunate throughout the world. Dan and Silene Snyder identified a need for chairs in a church in Haiti and began an effort to raise funds to provide the chairs. They have been selling their fresh chicken eggs and donating the money towards the effort. Mark and Lorraine Boyles, members of our congregation, are leading a team to Peru and are seeking to raise funds for supplying 50 mattresses for the Peruvian people. Elk Creek has raised nearly $1,800.00 towards this effort. Thank you, Elk Creek! The mattresses are to be provided around June 4th when Mark and Lorraine are going to Peru. Finally, Bill and Kathy Kepler shared their needs in their recent prayer letter. One of the needs presented was a need for a reliable pickup truck for transportation and Bill's work with the water ministry. The Elk Creek Board elected to participate with a couple of churches in Texas to pro-vide the truck at a cost of $24,000. Elk Creek set a target of raising $10,000 of the total. Praise the Lord, that goal was reached on Sunday, May 22, 2016. Thank you, Elk Creek! Our Mission Team is planning to sponsor a trip to Honduras during our Spring Break in 2017. The dates will be March 25 - April 1, 2017. We will have more information on the trip around mid-year. Please continue to pray for our mission effort, our missionaries, and the people they serve. Thank you for your support. Don Jasperson and the Missions Team

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Children’s Ministry is in need of

volunteers to provide snacks to

our little ones each Sunday morn-

ing. Sign-up at the information

counter.

Women’s Bible Studies

Monday @ 9:30 am at ECC.

Wednesday @ 10:00 am at

Subway with Jonie Morrison.

Thursday @ 9:30 am at Patti

Komp’s.

Thursday @ 6:30 pm at Denita

Pisel’s.

Thursday @ 9:30 am at New

Meadows Library.

Thursday @ 6:00 pm at New

Meadows Library.

Your generous donations make it

possible for ECC to support sever-

al missions and missionaries

around the world. ECC gives 10%

of the general giving toward Mis-

sions each week.

Ministry News

HEARTLAND HUNGER & RESOURCE CENTER FOOD BANK

The volunteers from Elk Creek Church have been meeting every Wednesday during

the month of May at The Heartland Hunger & Resource Center, showing strong

support and commitment to service. Everyone followed Jesus’ lead of selfless love

and service to others. The food bank is a great place to do that. So far this month,

we served 183 families or nearly 500 people from all over the region. We all had a

part to play, from supplying food donations, stocking shelves, helping people shop

for food, to packing boxes and cleaning up after a busy day. Some of us stepped

well out of our comfort zones to share words of hope and prayer for people in need

or suffering various hardships. Well done volunteers of Elk Creek Church, You know

who you are, and why you serve! If you haven’t served at the food bank yet, our

next opportunity is in November.

ADULT EDUCATION (Sunday School)

After the first week of June, there will be no classes meeting for the remainder of the month. Starting on July 12, however, there will be a new class that will last about eight weeks starting before our church services at 9:00 AM. The name of the class will be Reviewing The Gospel And How To Share It. Though we are we are called to share the Gospel with those around us and make disciples, we are often reluctant to do so because we don't know how and where to start and how to clearly define it. In this class , we will learn the following:

How to define and identify the Gospel as it runs throughout all of Scripture. How it applies not only to non-believers, but to believers as well. How and when to share the Gospel and when not to share it. The process non-believers go through in order to actually hear the Gospel. When and how the Apostles shared the Gospel in the book of Acts.

Please pray about attending this class even if you cannot make all of the session. Sharing the Gospel with those in our community and with those who travel through it is really the first step in fulfilling The Great Commission.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Hi. My name is Kelsey Hyatt. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as the new Children’s Min-istry Director at Elk Creek! In the past three years, Mary Luff has developed a wonderful program using the Answers in Genesis Sunday School curriculum. I encourage you to find the nearest child and ask them tough questions. They’ve been learning much more than just the key stories! Currently, they are diving into the ministry of Jesus. Kids are being equipped to know the Word, grow in Christ, and show God’s love to others! God is doing amazing things in and through the youth of our church! There are always opportunities for everyone to serve in this exciting area. Please let me know if you are interested in teaching, as-sisting a teacher, providing snacks, leading worship, or committing to praying for these amazing crea-tions that have been placed in our care. Let’s walk alongside them, loving God and loving others!

SMALL GROUPS Most of the current small groups at Elk Creek Church will be taking a break for the Summer season. There may be several of you that will be around most of the Summer, however, who wish to be involved in a small group during this time. There will be a sign-up out in the front foyer to see if there is enough inter-est to start new groups.

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Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies be-

fore you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then

stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked;

keep your feet from following evil.

Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT

WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS?

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STUDENTMINISTRY

The Rock High School program begins Monday, June 13th at 6:30pm here at the church! 8th graders just graduating and heading into high school are encouraged to attend! Middle School will remain on Wednesday evenings at 6:45pm.

Youth Camp:

When: Middle School - July 29th - August 1st; High School - August 1st - August 5th.

Where: Quaker Hill

How Much: $50 dollars per student

See Pastor Ryan for more details!

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