Service Times: 9:00 am, 10:30 am 
Small
GroupsEastwind
has a wide variet of bible studies at a variety of times and for a variety
interests being offered this year. Small groups are a great way to get to
know people and learn more about God's Word. Our groups are discussion-oriented
and enjoyable, whether you know a lot about the Bible or virtually nothing.
Please note there may be change in the schedule during the summer. Several
studies take a break, or just meet monthly.
Quick Links:
Small
Groups Schedule
Four Things People Hate about Small Groups
Eastwind's 101, 102, 103, 104 Series
Individual Bible Study/Small Group Information
Eastwind
Prayer Team
We have a prayer group that will meet on Sunday Mornings for 15-20 minutes
between 
the
9:00 and 10:30 services (starting Oct 2nd). This group will pray for each
of the services, and for all of the ministries that will take place on that
day. In addition, they will pray for upcoming events in the church, as well
as the special needs of particular individuals in the congregation. Prayer
is the most powerful and important ministry tool we have! If you’d
like to be part of this group, please contact Mark after church, or call
him at 387-0818.
Care
Givers Team Are you looking for a fun way to get involved at Eastwind,
make a difference in people’s lives and meet others? Join the Care
Givers Team! This team offers care in the form of visits,
card, meals, flowers, and practical assistance etc. for those who are in
hospital, sick or have lost a loved-one. Please contact Jennifer Peer (396-2450)
or Kristin Cobeaga (869-6323) if you have any questions. .
Four
Things People Hate About Small Groups
For a lot of people, the idea of joining a small group is scary. It is really common for people to express one of the four fears listed below as a primary reason for not attending a small group.
1. Everyone there will know more about the Bible than me, and I¹ll look like an idiot. That would be intimidating if it were true, but is isn't. The truth is, that there are many people in our church who do not have a church background, or never had the opportunity to learn much about the Bible. With the exception of our In-depth Bible Study, all of our groups include people who have little to no experience with the Bible. Sure, we all learn from those who know a thing or two. But often it¹s the fresh and unbiased perspectives of the unchurched that make our discussions really enthusiastic, and challenges those who've been around the Bible for a lifetime.
2. They're going to make me read difficult Bible words out-loud, and everyone will realize that I don¹t read well. This is a real fear for a lot of people. But in our small groups, participation is always voluntary. Group leaders don't "call-on" people to read or to give answers. If no one volunteers to read a passage out-loud, the leader will read for the group.
3. It's going to be weird. In small groups, people get all touchy-feely and talk about which kind of fruit their fellow members remind them of. You all dance around the room pretending to be butterflies, and hold hands and sway while singing "kumbaya"... Wrong! No doubt there are small groups like that. But our small groups emphasize practical and relevant discussions for practical and relevant people. We believe-in and value laughter. We drop the religious jargon and talk like real people. We discuss straightforward and down to earth issues. We respect your intelligence and honor your sensibilities.
4. They're going to drag stuff out of me that I don't want to tell, and I'll probably get embarrassed and start crying. In our groups, there is no hidden agenda to get you to reveal something you¹re not ready to tell, or to get you to "confess"something you're not proud of, or reveal something that you don¹t want known. As stated above, all participation is voluntary, and exerting pressure to get someone to speak is strictly out-of-bounds. People do become close in these groups, and often people do share things of a very personal nature after they have become comfortable with each other. But such revelations are never forced, and there is no expectation that you should have to share the intimate details of your life, unless and until you are good and ready.
Our “Eastwind Series” of short courses are offered at various times throughout the year to help you make steady spiritual progress one step at a time.
Eastwind
101: Introduction To Eastwind/Eastwind Basics
An introduction to the history, mission, goals and people of Eastwind Community
Church. (90 minute course/1 session) offered in January, April and September.
Eastwind
201: Finding Your Ministry
Discovering God’s teaching about Spiritual Gifts, discovering your
passion,
finding a place to serve in Eastwind Community Church, and starting new
ministries. (2 hour course/1 session) offered in February, May and October.
Eastwind
301: Deepening Your Faith
Learning to devote your life more fully to Jesus Christ, to trust Him more,
to
discover His will for your life, to deepen your life of prayer and personal
study. (3 hour course, 2 sessions and some independent study) offered in
March and November.
Eastwind
401: Sharing Your Faith
Learning how to lead someone to faith in Christ, relying on God to empower
your efforts, developing tactfulness, respect, sensitivity and patience
in your conversations about faith, and understanding and addressing the
objections of non-believers. (3 hour course, 2 sessions and some independent
study) offered in January, April and September (beginning in April 2006).
