Well, we’re just two weeks out from the CD release for “The New You”. Last week Authentic U performed at FireFest in Waverly, OH. Man it was awesome! The crowd was really into it and we were able to sell a lot of cds, which helps to not only get the word out about us but also get the message about Jesus out there! We were very blessed and thankful for the turnout and support.

Next up on Friday, August 14th is our CD release show. The show starts at 8pm and is FREE. It takes place at Eastside Christian Church. Hope to see everyone there! It will be a blast! Come ready to clap, sing and sweat! Peace!

Ken

A mission trip are a very eye opening experience. The one our student ministry took last week was no different. Our students did several different services this past week like VBS, yard work, house work, cleaned a warehouse and cleaned a camp. Our students had lots of memories that they brought home with them and they will have for the rest of their lives. My highlight of the week was talking with a gentleman maned Mr. Cain. I had the privilege of talking with him for a couple of hours while I was doing some electrical work inside his house. He was a man full of life experience and a man that had just recently came to be fully in love with God. His excitement about Christ was inspiring and the time I spent with him is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Mission trips to places also bring to light the fact that we need to be active in our own communities. The needs that we met in West Virginia this past week are need that can be met everyday here in Jeffersonville. Our community needs us as much as St. Albans needed us. Compassion should cause us to move and if it doesn’t then it isn’t compassion.

This trip was truly a blessing and the lessons learned will go a long way to help Eastside become a light that shines in the darkness arounf us. Thanks to everyone who donated time, money and prayer to make this trip successful.

David Parkerson

Yesterday I was pretty stressed and worried heading into service. It was a day where we were trying something new and experimenting. That always leaves an unsettling feeling before services. What we wanted to do was have everyone receive a small piece of paper in their programs. And at any time during the service, (worship, sermon, communion, invitation, etc…) you could write out a specific prayer request, bring it forward and tack it to a giant board on the front of the stage. We encouraged people to write down things they are thankful for, things they struggle with, people they are trying to witness to, people who are having marriage problems. An assortment of prayers were posted on the boards. Of course I was worried,”Will people bring them forward, will they understand what we are trying to do?” For some reason I always seem to have doubts and yet, God always delivers! By the end of second service, the two black boards were completely covered with an assortment of colored papers!

Here is the humbling part…I sat in the auditorium today for a while in silence. As I read through some of the prayers, it became overwhelming. It’s funny how we always seem to think the drama in our life is the worst. I know without a doubt after today….mine isn’t. There are people out there in the world… They are alone. They are hurting. They are struggling. They may be on the verge of giving up. So what are we going to do about it? I for one, am going to pray for more courage and guidance. We, as the church, need to be passionate and involved in the lives of those around us. Share Grace and love whenever we can, just as Christ did for us.

You just never know…………

Peace!

Ken

Well, I am assuming most of you have seen Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen by now. I actually got to see it before it was released in the U.S. I was vacationing in Mexico and caught it down there. Yes, it was in English! I don’t care what any of the critics thought, it was a blast! who wouldn’t enjoy 2 and half hours of giant robot aliens fighting each other?

The building is flying right along. They have poured all of the foundations and you can start to see the floor plan taking shape now. I can’t wait until the end of the month when they start putting the steel shell up. It has been an exciting and stressful journey. I am sure it will be worth the wait in the end.

I have been trying to stay focused as the we cruise into the middle of summer. Is anyone else easily distracted when it is 85 and sunny til 9pm? Yeah, that’s what I figured. We are going to be trying something different in service this Sunday, so I am excited about the potential impact on peeps.

I also just released the second CD by my original band, Authentic U. This is a ministry that God was really growing just prior to me coming aboard at Eastside. It has been difficult to write and be creative as far as songwriting goes. So I was pleased to finish,” The New You” and share it with everyone. Hope you guys enjoy it as well. AU will be doing some shows this summer, hope to see you! Peace!

-Ken