I’ll Be Missing You
As I’m preparing to be away from EBC for the summer, I was just thinking about the many things I’m going to miss out on. I have to imagine, though, that most of you will be around for most of the summer. With that in mind, I wanted to share about some things I will miss, but you have to look forward to in the coming months (and I’d sure encourage you to write these things down on your calendar, too!).
Backyard BBQ’s – June 20-22, July 11-13, August 22-24
We invite folks to sign up to host a BBQ, and then once we have our hosts all set, we invite everyone else to sign up to go to one of the BBQs. We generally encourage these to be potluck-style, where everyone who is coming brings some food to share. But it is a great way for people in the church body to get connected and enjoy a meal together, hopefully on a beautiful, sunny day! The hosts get to pick the date and time for their gathering, so it can be on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday on one or more of those weekends. I will miss the first two, but hopefully we can sneak into one of the BBQs in August! Host sign-ups will be out this weekend.
Summer Sermon Series – The Garden of God – June 28-29 through August 30-31
If you were here at EBC for Easter, you heard Pastor Toby preach a message talking about the Garden of God. He enjoyed it so much, and found so much biblical content surrounding gardens, that he decided to make it the plan for the summer. So we will be walking with God in the Garden all summer long. Sounds refreshing! I will catch the tail end of the sermon series, but I won’t be able to be present for most of it. Thankfully there is both the livestream and the Spotify podcast that will allow me to stay on track with everyone. That sermon series kicks off on the weekend of June 28-29 and will take us all the way through Labor Day weekend.
Women’s Summer Bible Study through the book of Titus – 8 Weeks Beginning in June
Ok, it turns out that I am actually not invited to this. But if you’re a woman, then you are invited to participate! They will be going through a study resource on the book of Titus. There are three ways to participate: Tuesdays from 10am-12pm at EBC, Thursdays from 10am-12pm at EBC, or you can do it on your own (there will be three optional meeting times for those working on it on their own). Get more info and sign up on the Women’s Ministry page of our website.
Bi-Lingual English/Spanish Worship Services – July 26-27
All three English worship services on the weekend of July 26-27 will be in English and also translated into Spanish. The music will be in both English and Spanish. And everyone from our Spanish congregation is invited to come join one of the three English worship services, as we continue to work toward bridging the language gap in order to bring our whole congregation of English and Spanish speakers together to worship the Lord.
VBS – Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1
VBS is one of the big events we have each year for elementary children, and it’s always so much fun. And, truth be told, it’s a bit misleading to say it’s just for elementary children, because there are generally also 100 or so teens and adults who also participate in making that week happen. Are you going to be one of those people who serves kids that week? What a cool chance for both EBC kids and others to hear and respond to the Gospel in a fun-filled, loving, high energy environment! Sign up to register or volunteer on our website.
Men’s Game Nights – Friday, July 18 and Friday, August 15
I’m also going to miss a couple game nights for EBC Men. The first one is a board game night at the home of Clint Williams on the night of Friday, July 18. It starts at 4:00pm, or whenever you can show up, and it ends when… whenever Clint says it’s time for everyone to move on out! There will also be an outdoor game night at the home of Nick Abraham on Friday, August 15. Instead of time inside, it will be an evening of games outside like cornhole, horseshoes, spike ball, maybe even volleyball. Some good ol’ outdoor active fun. And there will be a BBQ happening as a part of that night, too!
Family Camp – Friday, August 8 – Sunday, August 10
Every year EBC has a Family Camp Weekend down in Triangle Lake, Oregon. We go to a plot of land called Misty Meadows. This piece of land belongs to Pastor Toby’s parents, Greg and Ruth Beck, and they allow us to use it each year for a big huge campout. There are great chances to connect with one another, as well as good times in the Scriptures and in song. And we end the weekend with a bunch of baptisms in the river, before we all pack up and go home. This event is the one event, above all of them, my kids are most disappointed to miss this year! You can find out all the info and register here for Family Camp.
As I look at all that good stuff, I do feel a bit of a loss that I will miss all those great connection opportunities with you all this summer. I do plan to be “present” for one event all summer long, though. That is the Summer Prayer Zoom Meetings we have on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15-7:15am. Consider yourself formally invited to join the zoom prayer meetings, even if you can only participate every so often. If you want to receive the link in an email every Monday and Wednesday, just respond to this email or let me know directly and I’ll gladly add you to my list!
Ryan Donovan
PS – I will still be in around for a couple other great events:
- EBC Rock Nest Youth Mission Trip Chili Cookoff Fundraiser – Friday, June 13 from 6:00-8:00pm (stay tuned for more info coming this weekend!).
- Child Dedications – Weekend of June 14-15.