My Story By Connie Wilson

I was not raised in a Christian home. There was not much that was positive about my growing up years. I met my husband Jeff in 1982 just before I left for the military. I served in the Army for 2 years and when I left the service in 1984 Jeff came back into my life. We were married 6 months later.

He came from a Christian background and he brought Christianity into our home. We had a

daughter and a son, and began attending Lake Tapps Christian Church in 1992. We began attending

church because I wanted my kids to have what I didn’t have growing up. I missed so much not

having a background in the church and not knowing God. It’s a healthy environment for kids.

Today’s times are so dark and discouraging

that it’s good to surround them with a

positive influence, and a foundation of

knowing God’s love. Jeff baptized

me, and both of our kids, Heather

and Nathaniel, at Lake Tapps. Our church

home became our family. The church was a

vital part of who we are – they were there for us through good times and bad.

I began teaching 3 year olds at Lake Tapps Christian Preschool in 1999. Teaching is my passion and

I love being a part of watching children learn. In 2001, Nancy Whitehair retired and I became the

director. When I became director there were 40 students and 4 teachers. Now we have grown to

120 students and 8 teachers. Seven years ago we added a Kindergarten program. God has certainly

brought us a long way!

STAY IN TOUCH @ LAKE TAPPS

Sunday service: 10:30 am

Pastor: Steve Wilhite pastorsteve@ltcc.org (253) 230-5717

Office Laurie Tormamen Administrator: office@ltcc.org (253) 863-8787

Director of Stephanie French Student Ministries: stephanie@ltcc.org (253) 376-4900

Faith TREK Lynne Tifft Directors: (360) 893-0275 letifft@gmail.com

Janie Ingroum (253) 863-0082 janiero@live.com

OfficeHours: Tuesday-Friday 9:30 - 3:00 PM

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8252 Bonney Lake, WA 98391

Location: 7605 Myers Road E. Bonney Lake, WA 98391

Website: www.ltcc.org

Volume 3 | No. 1 November 2010

SERVICE REPORT

NEW TO LTCCWelcome to Lake Tapps. It is good to have you with us. Our mission is to Honor God, FoLLow CHrisT and serve peopLe. We sing to God and read from His book because He’s good. We show commitment to Jesus through communion because He saved us from sin. And we do it all in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

Money: Members of Lake Tapps have committed to financial giving. As our guest, we do not expect you to give your money, instead we have a response card you may fill-out and place in the offering tray; jot down a prayer request, sign up for an event, it helps us serve you better.

Communion: All Christians are invited to remember the death and to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please come forward, take the bread and dip it into the goblet of juice. You have freedom to come alone, with your spouse, friend, even invite your kids to get a closer look. It is a time to repent, confess and pray to Jesus.

Children: Our preschool class is located directly across from the nursery. Kindergarten through 5th grade children attend Faith TREK classes upstairs. Drop your children off in their classroom before entering the service. They’ll play, sing, and learn in a Christ-centered environment. Because family is important to us, children in K-5th grade will join you for worship at the end of service.

WELCOME TO LAKE TAPPSa message from Pastor Steve

It’s clear by reading God’s Word that God wants His people to be connected to a church family. The word for church is used over seventy times in the New Testament but only four times does it refer to the universal church—in every other instance it’s describing followers committed to a specific church family.

Being committed to a church family is important to God. Today you have a wide variety of churches to choose from in Bonney Lake. Chances are if you’re reading this article, you’ve committed to Lake Tapps as your church family, but thanks to a growing Preschool and Kindergarten you may also be visiting today because you’re celebrating the life of your child. This month we’re featuring Preschool and Kindergarten Sunday, where three classes will participate in our Sunday Service. I’m thrilled to have family & friends here that may not have a church home, but I’m even more pleased that half of these students are committed to another church. I love Lake Tapps, I love it a lot. But God’s Kingdom is bigger and greater than this church; it includes all followers of Jesus. We don’t have a monopoly on God. It’s not a competition; it’s not about cross town rivals. This isn’t McDonalds vs. BK, or Lowes vs. Home Depot, or UPS vs. Fed Ex; this is the body of Christ. We’re on the same team, we work together, and we support one another. If you’ve got a church home, thanks for sharing your time with us this morning. We pray for you and with you. May your church prosper, may you be blessed by God, and may your influence spread as Jesus is lifted up. If you don’t have a church home, I encourage you to continue to check us out and see if Lake Tapps might be the church for you.

My family has broken the cycle of negative upbringing and started a new environment founded

on the love of Christ.

Community Groups Sundays: The Hradil Group

Mondays: The Mock Group

Tuesdays: The Hopkins Group

Tuesdays: The Tifft Group

Wednesdays: Student Community Groups (6-12th grade)

Fridays: The Wilhite GroupIf you are interested in joining an existing group, or forming a new group, please contact the church office at office@ltcc.org or (253) 863-8787.

Adult Sunday SchoolSundays 9:00 am | upstairs at Lake TappsAll adults are welcome to attend as we study the Bible each week. Childcare is available for children through 5th grade during this hour.

Sunday nightS (for 6-12 grade)

Sundays7:30-9:00 pm | Lake TappsEach Sunday students will encounter God through acoustic worship, imaginative listening, reflective journaling, individualized response and prayer.

Ladies’ BuncoFriday, November 56:00-9:00 pm | Lake Tapps All ladies are invited – it’s an easy game to learn! Please bring a snack to share. The cost is $5 for prizes. Contact Laurie at office@ltcc.org to sign up.

Men’s Retreat: Guarding and ProtectingYourHomeNovember 12-13Buck Creek in GreenwaterEvery warrior needs a battle plan – come learn more at our Men’s retreat. See Event Highlight below for more information.

Girls Only Overnighter

Friday, November 12

7:30 pm | Lake TappsLet’s get ready for some girl time! Girls in 6-12th grade should plan to be at the church for lots of fun activities! For information, contact Stephanie at Stephanie@ltcc.org or (253) 376-4900.

Merge Class (Membership class) Sunday, November 2112:00 pm | Lake TappsMERGE class is your next step to aligning yourself with God and Lake Tapps. If you’re interested in becoming a member at Lake Tapps, or just want to find out what we’re about, sign up for MERGE. Lunch and childcare are provided. Contact Laurie at office@ltcc.org

November at Lake Tapps

Men’s RetreatThe first recorded attack of Satan was upon the family, and he is still attacking families today. Though his ultimate defeat is assured, and his power over the Christian is limited, he can still influence followers of Jesus toward sin. Men are responsible for protecting their families. Every warrior needs a battle plan – come learn more at our Men’s Retreat.

Friday and Saturday, November 12-13 5:00 pm Friday through 4:00 pm Saturday Buck Creek Camp: 67404 State Route 410 East, Greenwater, WA 98022 Cost: $65 and includes all meals and lodging (scholarships may be available) No need to bring a sleeping bag.

To register, email Laurie at office@ltcc.org or sign up on your response card.

LAKE TAPPS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Story continued inside

EventHighlight

My Story

continued from front page…

Now I am a Grandma to sweet little

Payton, and I know that she is being

raised up to know who Jesus is. She’ll

know because our family will teach

her. My family has broken the cycle

of negative upbringing and started a

new environment founded on the love

of Christ. If I could give one piece

of advice to parents of young kids, it

would be this:

God gave these little

children breath – let them know

who He is.

Mission Update | Doug and Shelly Kallestad - Santiago, ChileOn February 27 an earthquake of a magnitude of 8.8 hit Chile. The quake and the tsunami caused by it were devastating. Our team and churches immediately went to work helping out with relief efforts. Our efforts continue but now are focused on reconstruction and helping some of hardest hit communities to rebuild their livelihoods and communities. One of those communities is Iloca where the tsunami virtually destroyed the entire town.

To date we have helped reconstruct over 60 homes, repaired five churches and provided

emergency aid to hundreds of families. There is still much to be done. If you would like to HONOR GOD • FOLLOW CHRIST • SERVE PEOPLE

help through donations,

short term teams or any other way

please let us know. There are regular updates on our progress and on how to help on our

website www.iamweb.org

In March we began the new year for our leadership training institute. All of this training

really has one goal in mind, which is to prepare more workers for God’s Harvest field: Just

like “D” now in a country of central Asia. In one of his

last communications he shared of his joy in being able

to baptize his new best friend. One more person with a

Muslim background, now a believer and disciple of Jesus

Christ.

These are his own words as conveyed to us:

“I cannot explain with words the joy in seeing him

surrender his heart to the Lord. Upon his knees he lifted

his prayer in his native tongue, with hands raised towards the heavens and all he could say…

repeating over and over again… forgive me, forgive me because I am a sinner… all of my

hear, all my life belongs to you now Jesus…I open my heart that you.”

Thank you for your love, your support and your partnership with us.

For His Glory,

Doug and Shelly

def: Detours require extra time, are often inconvenient, and usually catch us by surprise. We plan for detours at Lake Tapps, allowing space in our lives to sacrifice and SERVE PEOPLE. We may start with reluctant obedience but when it’s all said and done we’re glad we did it.we’re glad we did it.

Detouring is all about serving our community and meeting the needs of those around us. We’re excited to offer a great DETOuR opportunity to the people of Lake Tapps this holiday season. For the last several years we have participated in the Angel Tree program through Prison Fellowship. Angel Tree gives churches an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners. This is a great way to care for some of the most overlooked members of our communities. Angel Tree Christmas works by connecting parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts. Towards the end of November we will have gift tags available with a gift request from the child of a prisoner. If you select a gift tag, you purchase the gift, wrap it, and return it to the church. Volunteers will then distribute the gifts to the families. If you’re interested in more information, or volunteering to deliver gifts, please contact Mary Snyder at snydetime@comcast.net. It’s a great way to reach out to those in the community with the love of Christ.

def: When entering the freeway you bring your car up to speed and align, or merge, with the flow of traffic. As we HONOR GOD we align our lives with God’s ways. We merge our lives with what God is doing.

Sunday, November 21st Right after church Lunch and childcare provided

If you’re not a member of Lake Tapps, then attending our MERGE class should be your

next step. This class is taught by Pastor Steve and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about

our church. In MERGE class, we go over what God has done for us, why Lake Tapps exists as a

church, and when and where we fulfill our purpose. We’ll also talk about the different ways

people look for happiness: acquiring possessions, experiencing pleasure, or gaining prestige

and power. Ultimately, real happiness comes from understanding our purpose. We’ll hear a

part of God’s story, and hopefully see our role in God’s story. MERGE is the next step to

making Lake Tapps your church home, and we hope you’ll join us. To

sign up, email Laurie at office@ltcc.org or mark your

interest on your response card.

def: We’ve all been stuck in traffic as those in the carpool lane speed ahead to their destination. When we travel alone our progress is sometimes slow-going. When we say FOLLOW CHRIST we describe it much like a carpool. Our spiritual growth is accelerated when we live our faith with others, being continually loved, encouraged, and challenged by our church family. Grab your friends and get in the carpool lane. Jesus didn’t travel alone; why should you? Live your faith with others.

A Community Group is not your typical Bible study. It’s a

group of people you’ll confide in and sacrifice for; a group

of authentic friends. Not only do we learn and pray together,

we’re intentional about serving together. Our groups give

beyond themselves by serving Lake Tapps, their neighborhoods,

and even the world.

We have about 80 families who call Lake Tapps their home

church. We currently have around 37 families represented

weekly in Community Groups. Allen and Marina Hradil

have a group that meets on Sundays right after church. Dale

and Pat Mock’s group meets on Monday evenings. Allan and

Lynne Tifft, and Stu and Joanna Hopkins both lead groups that meet on Tuesdays. Steve and

Kari Wilhite’s group meets each Friday night. We also have just begun Student Community

Groups on Wednesday nights that meet at the church—there are groups available for younger

and older teens.

Community Groups are a great way to get to know people at Lake Tapps and we think you’ll

find that joining a group will make a huge positive impact on your life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Community Groups, please contact

Laurie at office@ltcc.org.

MERGE CARPOOL DETOuR