It's Time to Close Shop...

NetWork Christian Ministries in Federal Way will hold their final worship service at the Federal Way Community Center on Sunday, March 28.  The members of NWCM-FW have corporately decided to focus their efforts on doing ministry in the form of Team Evergreen Washington (an organization whose goal is to alleviate the suffering of those in  poverty in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga movement) and WITH (a new community born from the passions of young people).  There are links to these organizations on the sidebar.

The people of NWCM-FW would like to thank everyone who broke bread, worshiped, served, gave and in one way or another participated in our community life while we were under the name of NetWork Christian Ministries.  From our first worship service at the Comfort Inn, to those Sundays at Mark Twain Elementary, to the past year that we've enjoyed in the facilities of the Community Center, all of us can safely say it was a blessed journey.  We've had ups and downs just like any family - but in the end, we chose to stay together even as we redefined the expression of our community. Most of the remaining congregation have joined forces with Word International Ministries, in order to still be grounded in a spiritual community while continuing to work with each other outside the bounds of the church.

May God richly bless you and all of us as we pursue the next phase of your journey with Him.

Mark Your Calendars!

LET'S BUILD!!

Team Evergreen's Annual Benefit Fund Raiser

Saturday, April 24, 2010  

6:00 - 11:30 PM

Seattle Filipino Community Center

5740 Martin Luther King Junior Way South Seattle, WA 98118

Mark your calendars. Team Evergreen Washington in Federal Way, in cooperation with AncopUSA, is holding its annual spring event to bring awareness and raise funds for the building of our first Gawad Kalinga village in the Philippines. It will be a night of good food, fun, auctions and dancing. Our theme is "Let's Build!" because that's what we aim to do!  

Dinner will be served with entertainment.  Tickets are only $35.00 ($20 for students when a valid Student ID is presented).  Spread the word and don't miss it!!!  To purchase tickets, please contact us at teamevergreenwa@gmail.com.

Do Something Now

Once again nature reminds us of its power as an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 hits the coast of Chile.  As of this time, the number of victims compared to the disaster in Haiti may seem small - but these are still individuals who have suffered loss and their pain on an individual basis is just as deep as the families who lost loved ones in Pot Au Prince.  And the need for help once again presents itself..
Once again, we urge everyone to find it in their hearts to pour out support through prayers and resources.  And once again, I am endorsing World Vision as an organization that can do the most with the donations you can give.  WV has been in the area for 30 years and is once again, first in line to offer assistance. Check out this news clip:  http://www.cnbc.com/id/35619260/site/14081545.
We, the members of NWCM in Federal Way, stand in prayer and solidarity with the people of Chile during this time.

Give Today

NWCM-FW stands with the people of Haiti during this time of grief.  You are all in our prayers as you struggle through this national crisis.  Please hang in there.  At the same time, we commend our government for stepping up to take the lead in assisting the Haitian people and we urge all Christ followers to put their faith into action immediately.  This is yet another opportunity to let our wallets agree with our teaching.
If you're not sure where to send help, NWCM-FW recommends World Vision and World Concern.  Both organizations are locally based (one in Federal Way, the other in Shoreline) and work very hard to make sure help is directed where it's needed.  They have been on site even before the earthquake struck.

Welcoming the New Year

Well, there goes another year.
As quick as it came, 2009 went by just as fast.  We had our share of challenges that we faced as individuals and as a community.  As with any group of people from different walks of life, drama was unavoidable - and we also had our share.  We reached some people with the good news of Christ's salvation and those who are already followers of Christ, we encouraged.  Nobody's perfect, of course, but hopefully, another year of following our Lord and growing in Him and serving in His Name has made us all better people and better ambassadors of His Name.

Some of our brothers and sisters moved on as they felt called by God to serve in other communities of faith.  Others felt their commitment to our local church solidify.  There were those whose service to God was elevated to new levels as they took on bigger responsibilities for the community.
2010 is here and along with it comes its own set of challenges and possible heartaches.  Through it all, we will continue to strive to become the people that God want us to be - standing side by side with each other and making His Kingdom an even greater reality here on earth as it is in Heaven.

Canned Food Drive Finishes Well

For the past 3 weekends, BASIC has been leading the charge to collect canned foods and dry goods from the Federal Way/Auburn neighborhoods for the Food Bank. The last collection run was done in the freezing cold last Saturday, December 12.
During this season of want, we realize that there are still many who are in need.  As we did last year, our youth group, assisted by several adult volunteers took to the streets of our immediate neighborhoods and collected literally vans full of donations from the community.  It turns out people do want to give, they just don't know how.  As the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, we at NWCM promote the idea that the church should be a channel for givers to connect with needs - and that's what the food drive did.

It is such a blessing to be a part of an activity that truly makes a difference in the lives of others and we hope that we can accomplish even more in the Name of our Savior in the coming year.  Thanks to our youth group for their leadership in this area and thanks to Fred Meyer, Safeway and Trader Joe's for supplying us with the grocery bags for this effort. Thanks to everyone who took time and effort to distribute notifications and collect the bags.  Most of all, thanks to those who gave.

BASIC Throws a Big Christmas Party

On Tuesday, December 15, the B.A.S.I.C. Youth Group threw their annual community Christmas Party at the Mark Twain Elementary School gym. By all accounts, everyone had a awesome time! In their own words, the organizers wanted something "simple" - but the party was anything but. Sure, the food wasn't complicated nor was the whole program too sophisticated - but the end result was fun and laughter, enjoyment and an appreciation for each other - isn't that was Christmas was all about anyway?

They started out with a sumptuous spaghetti and chicken meal (kudos to Sis. Eileen for making the spaghetti sauce - tasted great!), followed by creativity-practice; i.e. gingerbread housemaking using graham crackers marshmallows and other sweets. This one, the kids (of all ages) enjoyed. The teens were no match for the building skills of the under 12's. Adults joined in on the next part of the program - good old Bingo, but instead of letters and numbers, they used Christmas character pictures. They ended with a performance by the BASIC dance/drill team - an awesome performance that they had been preparing for the past 3 months. On top of all that, they managed to sprinkle the whole activity with messages of love, sharing and hope.
It only goes to show that you don't need anything fancy to enjoy the season - some good food, good friends, and just enjoying each other's company - that's what the season is all about.
Congratulations, BASIC.  And warm wishes for the holidays from all of us!