GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

5/26/10

1. We hosted District Assembly this last week. The good thing is . . . we impacted the Oregon Pacific District

   Terri Sharp is a full time volunteer, oversees iServe, and recruited over 250 volunteers for the event. She said: "It was a blast watching COTH "pour" out the love of Christ on EVERYONE!  All that volunteered that day made it the highest priority to receive and embrace the District crowd whole-heartily . . .It was AWESOME! The energy from all the volunteers was contagious."

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GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

4/5/10

1. We held 5 mid-week services during ‘Holy Week’ (the week before Easter) and averaged 325 people per service. What is amazing is how many people said their understanding & appreciation for the week skyrocketed. Praise God for the growth He brings to all who seek Him.
2. Easter Sunday was a great day, with people surrendering their lives to Christ, others making commitments, families coming together, people coming back to services who have been away a long time, 150 (or so) volunteers serving joyfully, and for 2,300 (or so) people attending.
3. The 24 hour prayer vigil was the closest thing to praying in the original Tabernacle one could ever experience. To have a little church in a little town offer this kind of Easter is truly amazing. God has to be pleased with all of us.
4. Jon Cox wrote of the prayer vigil, “Two hours of praying – wow, what an experience. What a great group of men. Completely honored to be in the company, and be a fellow Christ follower. God bless you, and this church, is all I can say. Love you all.”
5. Steven Sterrett writes, “Anita & I enjoyed and were moved by yesterday's Easter Service! The music, the skit (Wow!) and, of course the message was simply wonderful."

Ps. The deficit campaign was more than successful. Announcement to be made this Sunday in all 3 services so you won’t want to miss.

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

3/29/10

1. A couple in their 60’s said in all the years they have been Christians they have never been given the chance to learn about the week Jesus died like this current chance. They are planning to attend every night this week and see what they can learn.
2. The 400 or so people who were at Christ in the Passover last night were quite impressed with Yoel Ben David, the Jewish man who shared last night. The Q. & A. time could have lasted all night if we let it.
3. Our generosity was displayed again last night when the love offering for Jews for Jesus was over $1,200 and they sold nearly all their materials and are scurrying to get more things shipped to them for this tour.
4. Some of our ‘Helping Hands’ team could not attend the Christ in the Passover event because they were helping someone move, at the last minute. This church has such a great ‘servants heart’ and it shows with Helping Hands.
5. Our Student Ministries Team is taking the lead in the Monday night presentation for our whole church at 7pm. I love the team spirit that pervades our culture and can’t wait to see the teens and adults interact tonight.

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

3/22/10

1. Pastor Dale Collver heard of a need out in the community. He asked for our ‘Helping Hands’ team to unload some moving trucks. Nine of our people showed up and moved this family in, making an incredible impression and there is now another family being drawn towards COTH
2. Deficit is shrinking - $85K to $58K to $38K to $22K– that is the journey from 1/31 to 3/21. This feels like God has a ‘Stimulus Plan’ for our church and I pray it strengthens our faith to give to God and trust He will make up the difference.
3. First Federal Savings & Loan just awarded our Thursday Night Kids program a grant for 3 ‘therapy tables’ to assist us in helping kids overcome some of their hurts and hang-ups. When the banks are supporting us, you know there is a God! LOL. Thank those you know work with our kids and thank First Federal.
4. The Kingdom Builders Ministry builds a house, then sells it, using the money for short term mission trips. Even in this economy, it appears they have been able to sell the last house built. That is real good news.
5. The ‘Oregon Hunters Association’ is granting us $1,000 to buy all the fish we need for the ‘Trout Pond’ at our Sportsman’s Show on June 19th & 20th. Lets hear it for hunters and OHA!

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

3/16/10

1. Deficit is shrinking - $85K to $58K to $38K – that is the journey from 1/31 to 3/14. God really is having His way with our church which shows He is having His way with US!
2. The baptisms this past Sunday (7 took that step of faith) were quite moving as the testimonies were read. Mom’s & Dads rejoicing over their kids step of faith and a grown son rejoicing over his parents step of faith. God Rocks!
3. Several ‘first time visitor’ calls are showing us parents who have kids in our Discovery Zone Child Development Center are starting to come to the church that is taking such good care of their kids during the week. PTL!
4. Easter is near and what a deep and broad church to provide a way for each of us to retrace the steps of Christ to the Cross. Our entire staff will be leading us day by day beginning March 28th – I can’t wait to see what God’s Spirit will show each of us.
5. A volunteer named Janet Davidson has taken such a load off my shoulders this week (in regards to the Sportsman Show), I just have to praise her here. I am so proud of all our volunteers – what you do really does make a difference.

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

3/08/10

1. Our deficit has been reduced from $85,000 to about $58,000. WE have 3 weeks of offerings to zero it out. While 407 of us are giving extra the pastors are doing what they have done all year long - held the line on expenditures the best we know how. We will make it - We rock!.
2. Jon found Christ and COTH several years ago. His daughter, Monica, came to live with him last year and now she has surrendered to Christ. They took communion together yesterday for the first time as dad & daughter. This church has been key in the spiritual growth of this family. You all rock!
3. A week ago a wife in our church asked her husband to leave. Instead he stayed, they prayed, a pastor has helped them, and they are learning to love again. The Holy Spirit is being unleashed in their lives because they have sought His ways instead of their own. God rocks!
4. Pastor Jon Gross has years of large church experience and has come home to McMinnville to pour his life into COTH. To have his caliber of leadership donated to us is a 'God Thing' and we owe it all to prayer. Prayer rocks!
5. The short term mission team returns from Hawaii tomorrow. While there, they brought several visitors to the church services, improved the buildings, and raised enough money for Pastor Bill to buy all the chairs he needs to fill the sanctuary in that little Hawaiian church. All missionaries rock!

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

1/11/10

1. Yesterday I met with about 20 key leaders in our various Recovery Ministries. That team will take the whole world for Christ, not just Yamhill County. What a great group of people.
2. The Sportsman Show team is rolling out plans for a fantastic show on June 19th & 20th. What a great group of people to bring back a great way to connect people with one another.
3. We just hosted a Teen Bible Quizzing event where hundreds of teens from Oregon showed they are spending hundreds of hours learning the Bible. That makes me believe in the youth of today.
4. A dozen new volunteers have joined our Service Planning Teams to provide even greater worship and celebration services on the weekends. Volunteerism is alive and well around here.
5. Denise Wilson wrote in on Jan. 7th, “I love reading ‘Good Things’!! This week was especially good and so uplifting-thanks for all you do at COTH!"

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

1/4/10

1. Jim Fuller says, “One year ago I was a total crying wreck. Things in my life are way, way better. There is hope, love and peace in my life as I began my new walk with Jesus and with this godly church family."
2. Beth & Andrew Eddings say [about FPU], “We paid off a little over $20,000 in 18 months and have about one-third of our emergency fund funded. Dave's principles are challenging but they can be accomplished with some determination, teamwork, and a lot of prayer!"
3. Donna Mehlhoff writes to Pastor Ashley, “I wanted to tell you what a darling Mary & Joseph you have! That was the best Christmas program ever!”
4. Bill & Diane Landgraf traveled 1,865 miles this year delivering a dozen cookies to 261 visiting families. They say they are “Courageously following Christ with you [all].” We sure love the Landgrafs.
5. Tony Narveson says, “A huge thank you to all involved in Tree of Hope. Three of my grand-children were recipients this year and we are amazed at the generosity. The gifts were great and the kids were blessed. What you have done is awesome.”

1. Christmas comes once a year and we maximize its impact every time. Tree of Hope enabled us to give gifts to 692 people (each child on the list received 2 gifts).
   
2. Since Tree of Hope led us to give 19% of those to people in our church, that means 81% went to outreach families. That seems like a healthy ratio of caring for those outside the church.
   
3. The generosity of our people is not new but it still kind of rocks my world when we finish a big project like this. You all rock!
   
4. Our pastoral staff is top notch and I thank them for letting me see my son for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I have not been away from here on the 24th of Dec. since my mom died in 2001 so it was a nice gift to me.
   
5. Our pastoral staff is so top notch, they delivered “One of the best ever” Christmas Eve services in our history, with 1,500 people attending the two services. Now please join me in filling up Sunday mornings like you did Christmas Eve! We have the room!

GOOD THINGS are happening at Church On The Hill. Send stories to jmoen@hillchurch.com.

12/08/09

1. Denny Elmer: Is pleased a former employee found help at CR and has been attending church here for 6 months.
2. Gary Mahe: Is quite happy to see so many small groups truly ministering to one another.
3. Bob Blechman: Is amazed that we are growing in numbers, the giving is up and the 8:00am service is so alive.
4. Mark Lawrence: Is very impressed how we all ministered to & supported Cher Bailey through her tough times.
5. Chris Amerson: Is especially proud of our new Discovery Zone Child Development Center, what Hope on the Hill is doing, and how Iglesia de la Loma is reaching people.
6. Rick Robinson: He is very proud of how the entire Church Board is working together to lead this church.