The survey process has begun

January 14, 2012

We have been trying to keep everyone updated with information about the NCD or Natural Church Development process.  We have had speakers, skits, articles in the newsletter, and will be making one more presentation at this Sunday’s All Church Meeting.  We want to make sure that everyone in the congregation knows about this exciting process of measuring and improving the health of our church.

This Sunday thirty members of the church are going to be taking a survey.  The Church Health Team picked people who were involved in the church and provided a good cross section of our membership.  They chose equally from both services.  They made sure that there were people from all age groups and activities.  These folks will be giving their opinions on how we are doing in the areas of worship, small groups, leadership, spirituality, outreach, evangelism, etc.  When we get their data back we will have a good idea of the area in our ministry that needs the most strengthening.

This NCD process has been used in more than 72,000 churches worldwide and there have been significant improvements in the churches that take the material to heart and really work on improving their “minimum factor.”  Just as you are committed to keeping yourselves healthy, we are committed to making our church as healthy as possible.

You can do me one great favor for the next few weeks and months.  I would ask that you add the NCD process, the Church Health Team members, and the individuals who are taking the survey this Sunday in your prayers.  We would like this entire process bathed in the power of prayer.

Thank you in advance.  To health!!!!   Pastor David

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Make a spiritual resolution

January 1, 2012

My New Year’s sermon gives seven tips on how to keep a New Year’s resolution and then it invites you to make a spiritual resolution.  I have included the seven steps that I gathered from various sources and then added my invitation at the end.  Please feel free to share the ideas with your friends. [...]

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Holiday service times

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A season of blessings

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HOME COMMUNION MINISTRY

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August 7, 2011
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Remembering: Reward and Punishment “It is said that when the heavenly powers gathered at their huge conference table and considered the evolution of humans on the planet Earth, they had great concerns over the erratic behavior of these particular beings. On the one hand, the courage and occasional unselfish love that humans demonstrated clearly called [...]

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Pictures of Grace – POGs

July 31, 2011
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In a recent sermon I talked about ways in which we can see God’s grace in the ordinary places of life.  One of the techniques I suggested was photographing normal things we might walk on by but finding a way to reveal their hidden beauty.  When I got done with the sermon several of you [...]

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Caring Ministry ~ HOME COMMUNION

July 29, 2011
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In the early years of the church, Christians would gather in homes to worship God and to celebrate Communion.  Vancouver First welcomes opportunities to share the Sacrament of Communion in homes, nursing facilities and hospitals with those who cannot attend public worship. Eucharistic ministers are lay members who bring communion to those who cannot attend church.  We [...]

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It’s Time to Rummage UPDATE!!!

July 27, 2011
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Thank you to the many volunteers who made the Rummage Sale a HUGE success!   The sale, sponsored by the Columbia Dance Studio and hosted by Vancouver First UMC, raised $17,995 to help cover the medical costs of Mark Bottemiller’s cancer treatments.   The many friends and family of the Bottemiller’s joined hands to support the family with this [...]

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Available Grace

July 24, 2011
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It might be easy to feel God’s presence on Sunday morning when you are surrounded by fellow worshipers and they music lifts your spirit and the spoken Word touches your heart.  But what happens by midweek?  How do you experience God’s grace throughout the week, in the middle of frustration, conflict, and turmoil? I am [...]

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It Is Time to “RUMMAGE”

July 18, 2011
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Vancouver First is ready to rummage! All proceeds go to the Mark Bottemiller Family to assist with medical expenses. Helpers are needed this week  for a variety of tasks… sorting, pricing, selling, hauling and most important SHOPPING! We need help this week ~ 9 am to 4 pm ~ Monday through Thursday ~ to help [...]

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