Modest would describe our expectations as we approached the first public 'unveiling' of Clear Creek Neighborhood Church.  As we planned for food we said there could be anywhere from 20 people to 100 people though we thought that 100 was nigh on to impossible.  The BBQ picnic included, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, a pasta salad and chips.  Friends, Brian and Peggy O'Rourke, agreed to provide some music for us.  The town park in Empire is a beautiful spot, as the pictures show.  We arrived about 4pm.  Ray and Suzanne Bothner, friends from Lookout Mountain, arrived with the grill just ahead of us.  Set up and preparations went smooth.  It was a beautiful high summer afternoon in Colorado.  People started showing up around 4:45pm and just kept coming and coming.  Many friends from Lookout Mountain were in attendance, but also many from Clear Creek County including, Empire, Georgetown and Idaho Springs.  We estimated it was about a 50-50 ratio of people from our sending church, Lookout Mountain, and those we know and many we didn't from Clear Creek County.  Total in attendance counting all the 'kiddos' was probably close to 70!  By any measure it was a great turnout and we were greatly encouraged.  Our sign-up sheet was full.  The only downside was the fact that those who had to travel back on I-70 east were stuck in the horrendous Sunday afternoon traffic.  We are sorry for our many friends from Lookout who had to endure that but we can never thank you enough for your amazing support of us! We are feeling quite encouraged about the "movement" we are seeing on this journey of faith.

Interview, part 1

This is the first of 3 interviews we did to introduce ClearCreekNeighborhoodChurch's beginnings and vision. Please "join" us and stay tuned for part 2 and part 3! 

Empire "Frog Rodeo"

Empire, Colorado.  Frog Rodeo Days.  This was the occasion for the first public introduction of Clear Creek Neighborhood Church.  Mary and I rode our tandem bicycle in the parade, throwing out candy.  And we didn't tip over!!!  Mary made t-shirts advertising who we were and the church.  We helped run a carnival game for the kids as well.  It was a fun day which included a conversation with the mayor of Empire.

Bill and Mary with their tandem

Bill with the Mayor of Empire and her hubby.

The frog races!!

We continue to move ahead, raising support, meeting with people attempting to find those who might be committed to being part of a initial group which form the foundation of a new church. God is doing amazing things, opening doors and bringing people to join us who have a heart for Clear Clear Creek County. More of those stories to come.

Clear Creek Neighborhood Church

We never would have believed that we would be part of starting a new church at this stage in our lives but it is gradually becoming a reality--in Empire, CO of all places!!  The pieces are coming together ie: a group of people who want a church, a building available, a supportive sending church, and it appears we have denominational support from the Presbytery of the West of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This piece is not yet official but I met with two leaders a few days ago who were very encouraging.
To put this in the category of 'Stones of Remembrance'...we were going an entirely different direction two months ago.  It was then I got a call from a friend in Empire about a vacated church building being turned over to the town of Empire with the question "would that Pastor Bill want to have a church there?"  We took the idea to the leadership of our home church, Lookout Mountain Community, and one of the elders said, "It sounds like a Macedonian call."
And now here we are!
Empire is a small mountain town of about 450 people.  It is on US Hwy 40 which traverses Berthoud Pass.  People who ski or mountain bike in Winter Park drive through Empire.
Clear Creek Neighborhood Church will start here but it has vision for all of Clear Creek County.  We will have some pictures on here soon so you can see the place.

Watch for 'stone' stories-- Ebenezer stones that is.

I can't believe we are doing this.  I guess it goes to disprove the old adage that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."  We are old dogs.  At least I (Bill) am an old dog so here goes our first blog post of significance.

Somewhere in our family history, on my mom's side--the Stam side--Ebenezer was a motto.  I will confirm with my cousin but I remembers seeing a plaque with that word on it.
Interestingly, as Mary and I have been reading through the book of I Samuel in the Old Testament in the Bible, we came across the origin of that family motto.  It is found in I Samuel 7:12.  The context is this.  The nation of Israel is in one of its many conflicts with the Philistines.  They have been defeated a couple of times.  The ark of the covenant was taken for a time and then returned.  Samuel instructs the people gather to Mizpah vs. 5.  The Philistines learn that they are gathered there and decide to go up against them and when the Israelites hear this they are afraid (v. 7).  Then we read that the "...the sons of Israel say to Samuel, 'Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.'"  Samuel does this and also offers a sacrifice to the Lord.  When the battle is set to begin 'the Lord thundered a great thunder' and confused the Philistines and the battle was over before it even began.  And then we come to vs. 12:  "Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'"  Ebenezer is the 'stone of help'.
Some years ago Mary started a note book of 'remembrances'.  She called it 'stones of remembrance.'  We think it is pretty cool that this ties into an old family tradition and one of the things we are going to do on the site is recall some of those 'stones' to trace how 'thus far the Lord has helped us.'  
Should be fun!!

Happy Summer family and friends. We are on our way to becoming bloggers! Stay tuned for further developments in our journey into cyber space!!!!