november 2011 eastwind

November 2011

Trust in the Lord with

all your heart and

lean not on your own

understanding; in all

your ways acknowledge

him and he will make

your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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T R U S T

2 Eastwind Newsletter

Financial Authenticityby Dave McKechnie, Interim Senior Pastor

Princeton sociologist Robert Wuthnow says mil-lions of Americans are wreaking psychological havoc because they have no clear signpost to guide them in matters of money. In his book, God and Mammon in America, he takes a shot at people like me because he says pastors have “abdicated the traditional church role of financial shepherd.” His study reveals that Americans are spiritually adrift when it comes to making decisions in the realm of personal economics.

Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth.” It really means we are to make an offering to God from the best we produce. The question for you and for me is not how much we earn, but how do we man-age what we earn?

As Interim Pastor, I am concerned that you see your financial welfare tied directly to your spiritual well-being. Two-thirds of the parables Jesus used focused on money.

“As Interim Pastor, I am con-cerned that you see your financial welfare tied directly to your spiritual well-being.”

The Session committees have diligently prepared an operating budget. This budget creates a path for our mission and ministry.

I believe God wants us to experi-ence financial authenticity. God would have us control our money rather than let our money control us. The biblical standard is to give ten percent of our income to redemptive

programs. The tithe is the biblical standard. Thirty-nine times the tithe is mentioned in the Bible.

On Sunday, November 13, you are invited to make a financial commitment in response to God’s blessing in your life. I urge you to pray about your part. What would honor Christ? What would help enhance the mission and ministry of Eastminster Presbyterian Church? Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Factor God into your economics. Linda and I take it seriously. We give out of gratitude not guilt! We hope you will do the same.

My prayers include you! God bless you!Dave

Message Series November 2011

November 6God’s IPODave McKechnie2 Kings 7:3-15

November 13Fiscal FitnessDave McKechnieMalachi 3:8-12

November 20The Science of GratitudeDave McKechnieLuke 17:11-19

November 27Prepared HopeKermit Oppriecht1 Peter 3:8-22

EastminstEr PrEsbytErian ChurCh 3

Celebration Sunday is November 13On Sunday, November 13, we’ll remember all God has blessed us with, both as a church family and as individuals.

This is a day of celebration! As we praise God for his work in our lives and church,

we’ll also pledge to give him our very best. The best of our time through relationships and service. The best of our talents by using our gifts, person-alities and training to glorify him. And

the best of our treasure by pledging our tithes and offerings to him.

We’ll acknowledge the commandment in Prov-erbs 3:9, which says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” On November 13, everyone who calls Eastminster home will have the opportunity to present the Lord with their pledge for 2012 during worship that day.

How to GivePledge cards will be available at the church in the weeks leading up to Cel-ebration Sunday, or in the pews during worship that day.

Trust is KeyBy giving of our tithes and offerings, we affirm that we trust who God is, and that we trust our church. In Malachi 3, God says to test him on his faithfulness. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the flood-gates of heaven and pour out

so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it ... Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Do we trust that God will do this for us? Do we trust that he will indeed bless us in return for giving the tithe he requires? In the weeks leading up to November 13, let’s search our hearts, spend time in prayer, then faithfully return what God has given us in an act of trust. He promises it won’t go unnoticed. Join us Celebration Sunday as we take a leap of trust together, one pledge at a time.

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T R U S TEastminster Giving 2012

Now is the time.

The earth is the Lord’s, and every-

thing in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Psalm 24:1


We live in a tough and often tangled world, and few of us have avoided its touch these days. It seems as if life’s pressures are coming at us faster than ever before,

and while we’re told that there is “nothing new under the sun,” we often find each day presenting a new challenge to ourselves, our children or our family. Coming in every shape and size, these struggles can trip us up and even lead us down a path toward frustration and discouragement. We are desperate for hope, so the words of Jesus ring loud in their clarity:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Chris Simning knows about the troubles of life and the peace of Christ.

A journey to boldnessChris grew up just outside Sacramento, Calif., and for all appear-ances, moved, acted and looked like a typical boy. Then one morning, when he was in eighth grade, he stepped out of bed and was unable to hold up his head. Stricken with an extremely rare muscle and nerve disease that changed his speech, move-ment and appearance, he wasn’t expected to live beyond high school. After four years confined to a wheelchair and unable to care for himself, Chris experienced a miraculous healing that allowed him to finish his undergraduate degree from college as well as earn a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in clinical psychology. After many summers of service in Christian camping and a career as a social worker, Chris accepted the call to a full-time speaking ministry.

“I had been speaking at church groups and camps, telling my story to others,” reflects Chris. “People started telling me they saw my passion when I spoke, and that’s when I began to under-stand the gift God had given me.” His passion for telling his story ignites him further to speak on how God brings healing to the wounded of heart even in the worst circumstances. Chris’ first-hand experience with the struggles of life compels him to seek the provision of God. His zeal for the Bible, and his humorous personality, endear him to people of every age. “It’s amaz-ing,” states Chris, “how the Lord has used my trials and pain to encourage others.”

In Chris’ own words “My story is a redemptive one. I was that kid who struggled in wondering what I had to offer the world, if anything. Physically, I am limited. Since junior high, I have dealt with a muscle and nerve disease that has been difficult to cope with and to live through. In high school, the disease became so debilitating that I was confined to a wheelchair, and during that time people had to dress, bathe and feed me.

I felt imprisoned by my immobility. I wrestled with me. I wasn’t like everybody else. I experienced common emotions that many people feel every day, but for whatever reason, I made those emotions exclusive only to me. I felt useless. I felt unlovable, ugly. I was lonely and had this underlying fear that nobody would ever be able to relate to me or my insecurities.

My sense of isolation distanced me from a world that seemed so mobile. I felt stuck. Would the world pass me by? Would I be forgotten? I worried if I would ever regain the capability to move at all. Because I looked different physically, I slipped through the cracks, either going unnoticed or because my disability looked

Boldness from BrokennessOne man’s journey to authentic spirituality

By Steve DickieMinister of Adult Discipleship


Chris Simning @ Eastminster

Spiritual Growth WeekNovember 6 – 10

We are thrilled to have world-renowned communicator Chris Simning coming to Eastminster for a series of messages on how to bring boldness out of brokenness. No reservations are required and cost is absolutely free for all sessions (except the Men’s Luncheon on Thursday). Invite your friends and family and join us for one or all of the following sessions:

Sunday, November 69:30 – 10:30 a.m. in the Gym. All adult and high school Sunday classes will meet in the Gym at 9:30 to hear Chris Simning.

Monday, November 76:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, November 86:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, November 96:30 -7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Thursday, November 1011:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall; Men’s Luncheon, Cost: $5 a person. Reservation needed. Contact Kat Anderson at 634.0337, ext. 204, or [email protected].

so awkward that people stared and made snide comments when they walked by. I allowed the reactions of others to define my confidence and determine who I was. As a result, I believed I was a freak.

I wondered about my place in society. Would I ever amount to anything? Could I ever become someone? In college, I experienced a miraculous healing in a P.E. class. I started to walk again by being involved in swimming two days a week for a couple of years. Water therapy was so rehabilitating and provided me with such strength that it eventually enabled me to walk. By moving in water and not fighting against gravity, swimming became the

tool God used to help me regain mobility. And at that point, I was accepting my life confined to a wheelchair. I thought I would never walk again. God had other plans.

I worked at Hume Lake Christian Camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California for seven consecutive summers. My time working summers at Hume Lake gave me opportunities that I could never have dreamed. For example, it was the place I started telling my story to hundreds of high school students every week. I wit-nessed how God used my life story to inspire and give hope to students who came to camp. Many of these students came to Hume broken, and through con-versations I had with them after they heard my story, I began to understand that my

life journey had purpose. My challenges not only gave meaning to me, but I realized they were also giving meaning to others.

A person never knows how he or she can be used. It often requires a painful process. But God uses our stories as a redemptive process that brings him glory. The fruit is not the sprinting to get to the next stage, but true growth is found in walking through the process even when sometimes it seems like a crawl. I am moving and I thank God for that. Let God be in your life and he will move you too. It is a lesson I am learning through the use of my own story.”

Understanding our brokennessUnderstanding that God uses our expe-riences to encourage others, Chris is mindful that God takes our hurts, wounds and troubles and turns them into opportu-nities to further his kingdom purposes. In this light, Chris has built his life and ministry around the powerful words of 1 Corinthians 1:27-29:

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

In reality, we are all broken — each and every one of us. And truth be known, we never really experience true spiritual growth until we understand this. Bro-kenness is the doorway into authentic spirituality. According to Jesus, if we really want to truly live, we must first die to ourselves. God uses the tough things of life, the things that make us feel weak and foolish, to let us feel the power of the cross in and through our lives. So what are the difficult things in your life right now, and how might God want to use them to bring boldness out of brokenness?

In reality, we are all

broken — each and

every one of us. And

truth be known, we

never really experience

true spiritual growth until

we understand this.


Beginnings with the BiblePreschoolers get their very own Bible.

Eastminster Preschool students learn about many things — writing, music, numbers, art and more. But most impor-tant of all, they learn about God’s Word.

Eastminster Preschool Director Cheryl Hennigh saw to it this fall that the Pre-school provided each student with a copy of an age-appropriate Bible. The project was made possible through a special church memorial fund gift.

“We had not given out Bibles since 1998,” says Cheryl. “This year the teaching staff felt there was a real need since so many children and their families do not attend Eastminster or have a church home.”

Now each week at Chapel, the preschool-ers learn about another story from their Bible and wear home a sticker to share with their family about the story and the page it is on. “We are hearing from lots of families how these stories and the children’s new Bibles are becoming their weekly family devotions,” Cheryl shares.

“One little 4-year-old told me he keeps his Bible in his backpack so he can ‘read’ about Jesus every day on his way to school.”

Eastminster Preschool students received The Beginner’s Bible this fall, and by all accounts the kids — and their families — love them.Photos by Barrett Morgan

Noah, age 3

Kaydance, age 3

Zoe, age 4 1⁄2 Shaun, age 4 1⁄2


Q&A with Kids

Preschool teacher Miss Angie recently asked her students about their Bibles.

Who reads your Bible with you?“My sister Reagan reads it to me on days when she doesn’t have school.”

“My Mom reads it to me when I go to bed.”

“I read it to me.”

Paige, age 4 1⁄2

Madden, age 3 Maddox, age 5


Filled with ThanksEastminster’s tradition of providing Thanksgiving meals to others in the community continues to make a difference during the holidays.

The phone calls fly back and forth. Grocers are asked for their best deal on Thanksgiving staples: mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce,

stuffing, turkeys. Pies are ordered en masse. Kat Anderson, Eastminster’s community coordinator, is on the phone alternately with food distributors and dea-cons, making plans and placing orders. Both Kat and the deacons know the work is worth it because in the end, all the planning and preparation will bless hun-

dreds in our community with a meal on Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving box project is a long-standing Eastminster tradition. One thing’s for certain: our church isn’t stingy around the holidays. Each year many of our members spend a chilly November morning packing hundreds of boxes with food, then delivering them to families in the community who need a Thanksgiving meal. And this year we raised more than $12,000 to go toward the project. “This church knows how to step in where help is needed, and we’re glad to do it,” says Interim Director of Community Deb Hilscher. “It’s amazing to watch God work in the hearts and lives of our members through this kind of service.”

Cheri Bonnell, who has been a coordinator of the proj-ect for the past three years, says she sees the hand of God at work through this ministry.“I think God is at work in our church when I see the numbers of families with children that show up and work together to pack boxes and deliver them to families that are a little less fortunate.”

Marshall Ryel, who is also helping coordinate the event, says one of the most important things people can do is pray. “We need to pray that the blessing of the bas-kets will help bring the families in need and the families delivering them closer to Christ.”

Jim Fritzemeier, who has been involved with the event for many years, says it was the Holy Spirits prodding that led him to the project. “It was one of the first whis-pers I heard from the Holy Spirit. He was inviting me to the true good life; something far better than the world offers. Even though I fail so often, my point of reference is changing to my Lord and Savior.”

A Family Affair“God and Eastminster Church are proving a great way for your family to be involved in missions and to experi-ence the need right here in our own community,” says Marshall.

The volunteers agree this is an easy way for families to serve together. “People should get involved because

Top: The Eastminster deacons prepare to fill and deliver the Thanksgiving boxes. Below: Everyone agrees the project is an easy way for families to serve together, and you’ll have fun together too! Right page: Even the littlest of helpers is welcome on food packing day, which is November 19 this year.


it is the good life. This is an opportunity to make a beautiful fam-ily memory of serving our Lord by serving our neighbors. We live in a world full of ugly, selfish acts. This is the chance to be part of a noble, unselfish act,” says Jim.

More than a Meal“Every time I deliver a Thanksgiving basket to a family in need it truly reminds me of all the blessings that God has provided for my family,” shares Marshall. “The Thanksgiving holiday is all about being thankful for what we have been given by God and there is no better way for your family to realize this then by delivering these meals to those in need.”

“The fellowship around the Thanksgiving boxes is contagious,” says Jim. “The Thanksgiving box project is a great way to follow the command of our Lord to love our neighbors. Both the fellowship and the opportunity to share attracted me to this ministry. Thanksgiving boxes are one of the great traditions of Eastminster.”

Cheri also sees God at work in her own heart through the project. “I have learned that I should not judge my neighbor; that is not my purpose. My purpose is to do what I can to make someone else’s life just a little easier or bring a smile to a child’s face. My purpose is to let Christ’s love shine through me.”

Cheri has hit at the heart of the Thanksgiving box project. Beyond packing food, beyond offering a meal, the project means presenting the love of Christ to those who may not have seen it. It means shar-ing the gospel with someone who may not have heard it before. It means hearts being opened to the saving grace of God. And that is worth more than all the turkey dinners in the world.

Thanksgiving Box Project Fast Facts

What: Packing/delivering food boxes to others in the community who need a Thanksgiving meal.

When: Saturday, November 19, 9 a.m. in the Gym

Who: Families who might benefit from a meal are recommended by local ser-

vice organizations like the Sedgwick County Department of Aging, Brotherhood Presbyterian Church Preschool and Com-munities in Schools.

How: $50 fills a box with a turkey and all the trimmings. We hope to deliver these meals to at least 150 families. It may be more because of the gener-ous offerings given toward the project this year.

You: Come help us fill and deliver boxes! This is the perfect project for the whole family. Bring your kids and demonstrate the value of serving others at this special holiday project.

Pray: Can’t attend the packing event? You can still help out by praying for our volunteers and for the families receiving the boxes. Pray that those we’re serving will see the love of Christ through us.



Between the LinesEastminster bloggers share what’s behind their ministries.

The JourneyMoving Forward Together.

Check out what ministry leaders are talking about @eastminster.org/bloggers

They preach, they teach, they serve, they inspire. Several Eastminster ministry leaders are now blogging online. We’ve created a handy web page listing all staff blogs at eastminster.org/bloggers. Just click on each blogger’s photo or link, and you’ll find their blog page.

Staffers share about their personal lives, their ministries, the people they encounter and much more!

Dave McKechnieInterim Senior PastorOur Interim Senior Pastor shares mus-ings about holidays, presents, blessings, grandchildren, summer camp, hockey, preaching, Presbyterianism and Old Town.

Matt JaderstonMiddle School MinistriesMatt’s blog is all about what’s going on in MSM, from events to message series, and what God’s up to in his life and the minis-try. Check back often for videos and more.

The JourneyMoving Forward TogetherStart here for the latest from staff, elders and leadership on how Eastminster is moving forward and growing in our time of transition.

Cheryl HennighPreschool/Kid’s Day OutCheryl just started blogging in October about Preschool, the kids and the activi-ties behind her ministry. Check it out and learn more about life with the little ones.

Mary StephensChildren’s MinistriesMary is our newest blogger! She will offer parents great hints and insights about building a godly lifestyle at home and sharing that with your children.


Senior MinistriesSenior Spotlight: Sue Sandberg

Sue Sandberg met God in a unique way through Eastminster Church. She and her late husband, Ted, were living on the west side of Wichita and attending another church in the mid-seventies. Then, Sue

was invited to attend an Eastminster Bible study by her friend Suzanne Moody. “That’s where I became a Christian,” shares Sue. “I came home and told my husband, and he just looked at me funny. He told me we were already going to church and raised our kids in church. But I told him that this was something differ-

ent.” She and her husband were baptized a few weeks later, and Sue has been walk-ing with Jesus ever since. They moved to the east side of town a few years later and officially joined Eastminster. “We walked in the first week and immediately saw around 10 couples we already knew from the oil business. It was such a God thing.”

“I don’t know what I would do without this church,” shares Sue. “This church has really stepped up and been wonderful to me, especially while my husband was sick.” When Ted passed away, Sue wasn’t sure what she would do with herself. “I was standing in the receiving line at Ted’s funeral, and my friend Joe Zollinger invited me to the senior singles Bible study right then. I started going that week, and it’s made all the difference.”

Sue isn’t just involved in the church, she’s serving too. She spends one afternoon a week volunteering at the office front desk. “My favorite thing is getting to meet people, and getting to know the staff. You don’t have the chance to do that if

you’re just a pew-sitter. You have to get involved!”

Sue says she’s been especially impacted by the community needs she sees while working at the front desk, or what are known as Christian Concerns. The recep-tionist is the first person to talk to callers who are in tough situations and need money or assistance. “The thing that has touched me most are the Christian Concerns. There is so much heartache, especially with the times and economy right now. It has made me realize what life is really like for many people. You read stories of needs in the paper, but it’s not until you receive those desperate calls that you understand what people are going through. They’re just desperate from one day to the next. It makes me think of all I have with family and friends, and I’m so thankful,” shares Sue.

It’s this kind of soft heart that makes Sue so special. Her care and enthusiasm are contagious. “I’m just happy to help!” she says with a smile.

Notes from the Chairmanby Martha Buford, Interim Chair

On Thursday, October 6, Senior Ministries hosted a wonderful trip to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to see the highly acclaimed exhibit, Passages, which is a collection of rare biblical artifacts. First we had a delicious lunch at the Museum Café and then thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. Everyone was thrilled and inspired by it and were delighted to have taken the trip. Best of all, it was great fellowship!

Our lovely Holiday Dinner will be at Crestview Country Club on Sunday, November 20. Guests will gather at 6 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:30 pm. It will be a special dinner and we hope that you will join us. Terry Glanville, the pianist who helps lead worship at the 11 a.m. service, will be our wonderful entertainment for the evening.

Senior Ministries is meeting to plan our spring events and we welcome any suggestions for an interesting speaker or for a day trip to a special destination that you have enjoyed. We also wel-come you to join our Senior committee. It is a wonderful way to get involved at Eastminster and to make new friends.

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Senior Holiday Dinner at Crestview Country ClubNovember 20, social at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30Don’t miss this very special holiday tradition for seniors! We’ll enjoy a delicious meal and fes-tive entertainment from pianist Terry Glanville. Reservations will be taken November 6 and 13 in Fellowship Hall following the 9:30 a.m. service. The cost is $25 per person, to be paid by check only.

Non Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDWichita, KS

Permit No. 1293

Worship ServicesSundays at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.;

Eastminster Presbyterian Church1958 N. Webb Road • Wichita, Kansas 67206316.634.0337 • www.eastminster.org

Family BBQ & BonfireSaturday, November 54:30 – 8:30 p.m.First Presbyterian Camp

We will gather at the camp owned by First Presbyterian Church along the Arkansas River just north of town We’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner at 6 p.m. in the beautiful old lodge and then gather around the amphitheater for a bonfire, singing, activities and s’mores!

Come early to hike the paths and explore the grounds.

Cost is only $3 per person. Register in advance by contacting Kat Anderson (634.0337, ext. 204, or [email protected]).

Directions: First Presbyterian Church Family Camp is located at 9601 W. 73rd St. North, Valley Center (approximately 1.5 miles west of Ridge Rd.).

The goal of Eastwind is to support the five Core Commitments of Eastminster Presbyterian Church: Know God, Grow in God, Connect in God, Serve God and Glorify God. Executive Director of Communications: Gail Adamo ([email protected]). Associate Director of Communications: Courtney Browning ([email protected]).

The Power of a Simple GiftDrop off your shoe box gifts by November 13.

Operation Christmas Child uses the power of a simple gift — a shoe box packed with small gifts — to impact the lives of children around the globe. Beyond the boxes themselves, these tangible expressions of God’s love open the doors for us to share the greatest gift — the gift of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Pick up a brochure today.Operation Christmas Child brochures are available at the church. The brochure includes detailed information on how to pack your box, gift ideas, what not to include and more. You can also find this information online at eastminster.org/occ.

Drop off your shoe box gift by November 13.Five years ago, Eastminster collected 341 shoe boxes, and by 2010, we donated a record-breaking 628 boxes. This year, our collection dates are November 6 and 13.

Questions? Contact Bonnie Dakan (733.5399 or 734.2313) or go online at eastminster.org/occ for special links and videos.

november 2011 eastwind

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financial welfare

church family

financial commitment

money control

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