He is Risen!

He is Risen!

It was a glorious Easter Sunday at EVBC! Over 6,500 people gathered to celebrate that Jesus is risen - truly the central theme of our faith. As our family was singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today", I couldn't help but think, "yes, and He is risen tomorrow, too...and the next day!" Our hope is that the thrill and gravity of the resurrection will stay with you all well into the months and years ahead...for He is risen indeed!

The following Sunday was also a rich one. In our Connect_1 class, two round tables were packed with people from Mesa exploring the possibility that God would have them make EVBC their home. Most if not all have committed to joining our Connect2_Mesa course beginning this week! God is truly adding to our number daily, which is exciting.

With these blessings in mind, here are some Mesa Area reminders for you:

CONNECT2_MESA BEGINS 4/22

Beginning on this Sunday, April 22, Connect2_Mesa will be offered during the 10:30 hour in room 213. This 9-week "class" is designed to foster connection in our new Area Ministry format.

This is certainly a great opportunity for you who are new ... but also for all those from Mesa who...
a) would like to meet more Mesonians,
b) are wanting to hear more about the Area Ministries vision for EVBC, and
c )who have never been in the Connect_2 class before (which is most all of you!).
If you are scheduled to serve during the 10:30 hour, please honor that commitment ... but, if you're not, I hope you'll consider joining us.

(Just so you know, the course content is laid out in 1-week topical studies, so you can start your Connect2_Mesa participation on any Sunday...so, if you can't begin on 4/22, just jump on board on the 29th, or in May. You're welcome to begin at any time!).

RSVPs are helpful - just drop me an email (BillHartley@EVBC.org).


AREA EVENT: RED MOUNTAIN PARK on 4/28
Red Mountain Park - Eagle Ramada - 7800 E. Brown Road - 3:00 - ???

We're hoping for a great turnout for our picnic in the park on Saturday the 28th. We'll eat, play games (kids and adults), and have a great time connecting. I'll also be sharing a few thoughts about the vision for EVBC in Mesa...and we may even do some singing together! (we'll aim to do this at around 4:00, so please try to be there at that time if you can).

This will be an important time to gather as an Area prior to all of us going our separate ways during the summer months, so I do hope you and your family members can make it a point to be there.

House of Refuge Workday - 4/21

Our apologies - the House of Refuge Workday scheduled for 4/21 had to be canceled. A new date for a workday is yet to be determined, but we'll let you know as soon as we have something set.

Area Ministries at EVBC

The move toward Area Ministries at EVBC is an extremely important initiative...and will take much prayer and committed effort to bring to realization over the next several months. I look forward to sharing this vision with many of you in the days ahead, and my hope is that you will embrace the idea, and be ready to do what you can to make it happen. With so many families in the area, it's a daunting task to try to meet you all quickly - feel free to contact me if you want to hear about this vision sooner than later!

These are great days at EVBC! Thanks for sharing your gifts and energy with us as we embrace His future for our fellowship.

God's best to you all,
Bill


Bill Hartley
BillHartley@EVBC.org
480.889.3490 office
480.388.2635 cell