Senior's St. Paddys Day Luncheon

On Thursday, March 19th, over 80 Eastmont Seniors gathered together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They feasted at an extensive potato bar with salads and desserts completing the meal. The program began with a piano/clarinet duet playing Irish selections as the meal ended. The Mixed Trio followed and later the Male Quartet, ending the entertainment with an Irish Sing-A-Long. The speaker was Dr. Randy Jacobs who just returned from a month long medical mission to Uganda. His graphic slides and narration revealed the dire existence of oppressed Africans, refugees from war, starvation and exploitation. Our hearts were deeply touched as the unforgettable scenes appeared before us. This was Dr. Jacobs’ second trip to Africa sharing his skills as a Believer, physician and surgeon. He is to be emphatically commended for his selfless service joining with African Christian workers to serve several thousand patients during that month. Please remember these helpless thousands of people who need spiritual and physical deliverance.

Men's Prayer & Praise Night

Almost 40 Eastmont Men gathered for their first Power & Praise Night on February 24th. Following a light meal, we drew close to the Lord as we enjoyed spirited praise and worship led by Freddie Gateley, Dan Howie and Sean Pierce. Pastor Andy Stanley then challenged us from the video Take It to the Limit. His thought provoking ideas got us talking as we considered our own life experiences. So, what do you think ... in a go-go culture focused on performance, what are our limits? Where do we draw the line when it comes to work, finances, relationships and more? What does God's Word say about limits? Where does He draw the line and what guidance does He give in these areas? We enjoyed deep, rigorous discussion as we shared our own lives and struggles with our table mates. We concluded our evening with serious, heartfelt prayer for one another. And I think most would agree, we left our first Power & Praise Night refreshed, renewed and empowered to better serve our Lord -- His ways are so much better than our ways!

Women's Retreat 2009

“Lights, Camera, Action” – This was our slogan for the annual Eastmont Women’s Retreat held at Eagle Crest Resort the last weekend in February. Our Theme verse was Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

The slogan and theme verse went hand-in-hand as our speaker, Barbara Feil, from Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland, taught on the topic “Leading Ladies of the Bible”. The different life stories of Eve, Leah, Michal, Tamar, Deborah and Hannah touched each of us as we learned about their struggles and blessings and how God worked through each of their life stories.

Session topics were:

· IT ALL BEGAN WITH EVE - Eve
· REAL WOMEN, REAL PAIN, REAL REDEMPTION – Leah, Michal, Tamar
· WHAT WOMEN NEED – Hannah
· GOD USES WOMEN – Deborah

Each woman studied provided a significant story about how God still used her in the midst of imperfect situations. Barbara concluded with the personal application that as long as we are putting God first, continually seeking Him, He does work through all the unique situations and circumstances we face in our lives.

Our thanks to each one who helped with decorations, prizes, greeting, registration, power point, prayer team, worship team, communion, condo leader, etc. By the exercising of your gifts and talents in your gracious ways, God used you to make our 2009 retreat a memorable one.

Small Group Spotlight

It is the desire of our Small Group to find practical ways to reach out into our community, thereby applying one of Eastmont’s purpose statements “Go for Christ.” In the past we have, as a group, helped needy families locally as well as missionary families overseas.

In March we did something different. It began with grocery shopping by women in our Small Group, followed by an afternoon with both men and women preparing dinner for 60. The menu was beef stroganoff, tossed green salad, bread and brownies. The afternoon passed quickly as we chopped, browned, shredded and boiled, all the time talking and laughing together. At 5:45 p.m. we loaded the food in a van, and appeared at the Shepherd’s House, a Christian homeless shelter located on Division Street. As our Small Group provided the dinner at the shelter that night, we were reminded again that “it is more blessed to give than receive.”

This venue for serving is always open to any who desire to participate. Call or drop by the Shepherd’s House to sign up for a date. You’ll be glad you did.

Ron and Janet Molebash
Bob and Elaine Cook
Jim and Donna Roths
Ernie and Judy Renner
Lowell and Ruth Lamberton
Joan Massey
Al and Marcia Lindbergh