Tuesday, October 20, 2009

For all you WCC Planning Center Online Peeps!


CHECK THIS OUT












Planning Center, now with Facebook Integration

We are very excited to introduce our newest feature, Facebook integration. For the past several months we have been learning about how to develop on top of the Facebook platform and thinking about the best way to do this integration. I am really happy with what we have come up with and I hope this helps your volunteers become more informed about when they will be serving. Let me go ahead and walk you through the integration process:

Install Planning Center Facebook Application

1.) Install the Planning Center Online Facebook App: You can install this by going to http://apps.facebook.com/planningcenter/ . We will shortly be adding a link to this from the Planning Center Online Dashboard & Schedule pages. Make sure you click “Allow”.

Facebook Planning Center Linking

2.) Enter In Your Login Information: Enter in your e-mail address and password and we will link all accounts with that information to your Facebook Account.

Planning Center Schedule On Facebook

3.) View Your Schedule: This will show you all the dates you have accepted or have pending plus all the times you are scheduled for. You can also accept and decline from within Facebook.

Facebook Planning Center Notifications

4.) Receive Facebook Notifications: Whenever you are scheduled to serve, a notification will appear to alert you.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Neighborhood Block Party

Hello Everyone!
This weekend is our first Neighborhood Block Party at Willamette.

It begins at 12:30 PM and concludes at 3:30 PM. And You're invited.

We will have great food, music and activities including: rock wall, bike safety clinic, bike stunt demonstration, I.D. tags for kids, face painting, raffles, and more. Paul's Bicycle Way of Life is even coming to help with repairs on your bike.

So here's a few details.
1. PARKING: The front parking lot on the campus will be roped off so you will need to park in the back.
2. DRESS: come casual and ready to enjoy the day.
3. BIKES: If you're up for it. Ride your bike to church or make sure you at least bring your kid's bikes for the parade and maybe even a tune-up.
4. BUDGET: We did receive a great response on Sunday for the budget. If you are able to help us complete this fund that'd be great. If you are able to offer your lunch money, that would do it! (I feel like a school yard bully.... "give us your lunch money!")
5. THERE YOU ARE! - remember this is the perspective we want to have as we welcome guests to our campus. Let's make people feel welcome, loved and valued!

Looking forward to sunday!
VAN

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Kids 1,2,3 - Outreach at end of the summer.

Here's a quick video that we put together to let you know what's happening with our Kids Revolution, Church G-Rated, and our all new... Neighborhood Block Party at the end of the summer.

Have a view. Join the team!
Van

Monday, June 22, 2009

College Gathering tomorrow night.

We've invited the college types at WCC to join us for dinner and movie.
Tuesday, June 23rd is our first gathering at our house.
You don't need to have read the book... you can just come!

Bring a coat just in case we sit outside by the firepit.
Chasing the Goose!
Pastor Van

Here's a trailer!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Youth Ministry Update

Summer Begins!
This is a quick video update on Youth Ministry at Willamette. Pastor Steve has been leading youth ministry during this interim time and overseeing the team of people ministering to our Youth and Gate Students.
Take a few moments and catch this update. A letter is enroute to you. If you didn't get the letter than simply email juneg@willamettechristian.com or call and we will get a copy to you via email or snail mail.

We love you! Thanks for your participation in the body here at Willamette.
Pastor Van

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Pursue 21 Feedback Survey

Hello All!
Pursue 21 has come to and end. We would love to get some feedback from you so give us a few minutes and fill out the "Pursue 21 Feedback Survey" located on the bar on the right! ----->

Thanks so much! We are looking forward to our next steps together!
Pastor Van

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Pursue 21: Day 9

A Video Blog for Day Nine. 

P.S. Sorry about the goofy screen capture on the video!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Day 7: How's it going?

Hello All,
We are into Day 7 of our Pursue 21 church initiative.  How are things going?  I'm sure there have been moments of challenge. I want to encourage you to not only maintain your fast but to utilize the those moments when your are thinking "boy, I sure wish I could have a cookie" or something like that, to pause and pray. Invite God to lead your life. Say "Lord, I want what you want more than what I want!" 

Keep up the good work! AND remember there are a couple of great opportunities for you to Life Journal. Every Sunday morning at 9:15 AM in the Hospitality Room off the Foyer, and also Wednesdays at 6:30 AM at Theo's Coffee House. It's located at 199 w. 8th Street.  It's on the corner of 8th and Charnelton inside the Strand building.  We had a great time last week. Please join us!

Here's an invite!
More later.
VAN

Monday, March 23, 2009

DAY TWO: The Cool thing about Fasting

One of the coolest things about fasting is it reminds us how "the natural" is so connected to "the supernatural." I'll always remember line from Jack Hayford years ago.. "spirituality and practicality were never meant to be polar from one another."

Fasting is one spiritual activity that is so very practical. It's challenging and it feels bad sometimes, but somehow it works to change things in supernatural ways.

God really does work in the context of our very human lives. In fact, it's where He does his best work.

So continue on! It will be worth it!
More later.
VAN

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Fasting Ideas: Non Food

Here's a few thoughts for things you can fast, other than food. Buckle your seat belts!

  • Television
  • Movies, entertainment
    Your morning newspaper
  • Facebook, myspace
  • Web Surfing
  • Video games
  • Your routine
  • other thoughts???

The key is to offer something that would cause you to stop, think and pray each time you would normally do it. My youngest child said she was going to fast being mean to her siblings! We are working with her to help her catch the concept a little better!

More later.
VAN

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What to fast: FOOD?

NEED SOME IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO FAST? Here's a few ideas from my mind to yours.

Partial Fast:
Here are a couple different partial fasts that you could participate in:

  • Daniel Fast (here's the blog on that)
  • Meats and Sweets (pretty self explanatory)
  • Desserts and Sweets (oooh, this is a tough one)
  • Carbonated Beverages/Coffee Drinks
  • Sun-up to Sun-down Fast:
    From 6am to 5pm, you would abstain from everything except water.
  • One Meal a Day Fast:
    Choose one meal and fast that meal each day of the 21-day fast.

Full Fast:
On this fast you abstain from everything except clear broth and 100% fruit or vegetable juices. Be sure to consult your doctor before going on this type of fast.

These are a few food ideas. Tomorrow I'll throw out some non-food ideas.

More later.

VAN

21 days straight?

A twenty one day fast. What does that mean to you? Does it mean you have to do something for twenty one days straight?

It might mean that for you, or it may mean that you will fast different things during this twenty one day period. We are cautious to not make this response to God a LAW or mere DUTY. We want you to be free to respond to God in the way he is leading you.

Remember whatever he calls you to do... do it! It's just better that way!
More later.
VAN

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The Daniel Fast

Hello all,

As we prepare for 21 days of fasting, I wanted to give you some information and ideas on how you might fast during these days.

The Daniel fast comes from Daniel 10:2 "at that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice foods; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."

This fast does require a little prep in making sure you have the right kinds of foods in the house. For a list of foods click on the link below:

There is also a little more backdrop into the Daniel fast at this link:

I hope this is helpful!

More soon.
VAN

P.S. One favorite story I've heard regarding the Daniel fast was about a man who felt the Lord had asked him to do the fast for 2 years. He was from DC and was fasting for LIFE (against abortion). As he neared the end of year two, he was preparing himself for a juicy steak on January 1st. He had asked the Lord if he wanted him to continue that the Lord would give him a sign...the sign came. He was invited to a New Years Eve party by a friend who introduced him to another friend... that friends name...yep you guessed it... DANIEL FAST. Thus he began year three! OH MY!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Pursue 21


Over the next few days, I'll be blogging about some different types of fasts. This will help you prepare for this wonderful opportunity coming up on March 22nd.
These 21 days will be life changing for you and for our church family.
More soon.
VAN

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Video from Sunday: God is God

We are talking on Unanswered Prayer and the hindrance it brings to our praying.
Here's a video we used to encourage the family.


More later,
VAN

Sunday, January 18, 2009

A Fresh Start

We began a new sermon series for the beginning of 2009. It's called a "fresh start". Our request is the same as the disciples... "Lord, teach us to pray."

There are hundreds of hurdles in the way of forward progress in our prayer lives. We've picked seven. It's good to know there is a way over them.

We're excited about the adventure that lay ahead for 2009.

Dare you to move!

VAN