August 2017- Tamarindo Church Update/Announcements

Hey friends,

We hope this letter finds you all doing well. It’s been a couple of months since we’ve sent out an update so we’ll just jump right in to catch you up on what’s been happening here at Tamarindo Church.  

DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
Back in June, in an effort to create more awareness about our Youth Group, Tamarindo Church hosted Tamarindo’s first ever Youth Dodgeball Tournament.  Ashley did a great job getting the kids pumped up… and in organizing a really, really fun night for the kids.  Over 60 kids showed up for the event making for 11 teams that competed in the tournament.  Who knew dodgeball could be so competitive and so fun.  A great night was had by all.  Thank you to Ashley for heading up this event… and thank you to our youth leaders and to all of the volunteers who contributed to the success of the event!

NICARAGUA MISSIONS TRIP

A couple of weeks ago… a group of eight of us from Tamarindo went to Nicaragua to meet up with a team of 15 folks from the U.S. to serve those in need in Tipitapa, Nicaragua.  Part of what made this trip unique is that it wasn’t initiated by me, but by our friend John Williamson.  John a member of Tamarindo Church’s Board who lives in the United States.  After his family spent about a year in Costa Rica, John moved back to the U.S., but has taken an interest in continuing to see God’s kingdom advanced in Costa Rica… and Nicaragua.  That is part of how he ended up on our church board.  So several months back… John and I are talking, and he says that he has some friends and their families that he thinks would be interested in serving in Nicaragua.  So we set date for July, prayed, ask people to get involved… and God raised up 25 of us to do the trip.  As always, it was a very meaningful experience for all of the families and individuals came to serve.  And it looks as if we will be planning a trip again for next summer!  Another unique aspect of this trip is that this was the first trip that Stacey (my wife) has ever gone on.  Over the past 7 years, she has heard about our church trips to Nicaragua, the pastors, the church, and the community that we serve there, but has never been able to come.  This summer, she was  finally able to meet them face to face.  She had a great time connecting with folks there, and looks forward to participating again in the future.  Thank you to all who gave of their time and resources to help this trip to be a success!

BUILDING UPDATE
Over the past couple of months… we have, slowly but surely, been moving forward with the Building Project.  Back in June, the engineer we’ve hired was able to give some basic blueprints, and give us an assessment of cost for our design.  To be honest… we were kind of taken back by the cost estimate.  It was estimated at around $450,000… significantly higher than we were shooting for.  So… we went “back to the drawing board” as they say, and we were able to reduce the building size by 25%… while still maintaining the elements of the building that we saw as necessary.  We were even able to get the building down to a size where we would not have to undergo more costly inspections and permitting for environmental impact.  So in the end… we anticipate that this will bring the cost down by about 30%.  Later this month we will send out a separate email with that amount and with more information on the building project as things move forward.  In the mean time, we ask that you would consider partnering with us in our vision to see Tamarindo have a permanent church presence for years to come.  We look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming weeks.

THANK YOU

Back in late June and early July our family took our annual trip up to the States to visit family.  It was a much needed time for  just getting away with the kids and spending time with our parents and extended family. We are super thankful for the time we had together with family… but we are also glad to be back in Tamarindo.  We are very grateful for our church family here who kept the ministry going at Tamarindo Church in our absence.  And we’d like to say a special thanks to those who were thoughtful enough to adjust their schedules to be here in our absence.  And thanks as well to Mike Megginson for covering two Sundays preaching while we were gone.

And to all of YOU receiving this update… Thank you again for the many ways you contribute to the life and ministry of Tamarindo Church.  Our church would not be able to do this ministry without you.  Thank you… and we hope to see you next Sunday!
Peace,
Lyle & Stacey
ANNOUNCEMENTS

PIZZA FELLOWSHIP- Sunday, August  20th 


Join us on Sunday the 20th after Church for hanging out, pizza, and a swim in the pool at Monkey Bar/Tamarindo Best Western Vista Villas.  This is a great opportunity to connect with others in the church in a way that we just don’t get to do on Sunday’s after church service. Don’t forget your bathing suit and towel.  Hope to see you there!Directions From Church:  Drive toward Tamarindo.  You will see Best Western Vista Villas and Monkey Bar on your left

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MEN’S RETREAT- September 4-8
We are about a month away from our annual men’s trip, and as most of you know… we are headed down to Corcovado again to Playa Pan Dulce.  We had a great time last year… and we anticipate it’s going to be awesome again.  I hope you can join us.As you read further down in this email you’ll find more detailed info on the trip… but for now, I need deposits from those who are for sure going.

DEPOSITS/PAYMENT- One of the main things I need right now is deposits to confirm those who are going.  There are only 10 spots at this point… and seven are filled… so we have room for three more.  A deposit of $150 will secure your spot.  The total cost for the trip is $250… so the remaining $100 dollars will be due the Sunday before we leave on the trip.
You can make your deposit by paying Lyle cash at church… or anytime during the week.  Or you can make a bank transfer to our church account.  Our church bank info can be found if you click this link http://tamarindochurch.com/giving/
If you make a bank transfer, please let me know.  Also… feel free to just pay the whole amount in advance if your comfortable with that.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?- This year we will be headed to the same spot we went last year.  Casa Bambu http://www.casabambu-beach-house-rentals.com. We will be renting 2 or 3 beach houses on the beach by the well known surf break Pan Dulce… which is also great for snorkeling spear fishing.  We had some great fish tacos last year.  In addition, you’ll see scarlet macaws flying overhead all day, and we are near to Corcovado National park where we have the option to do some hiking. And we are also across the bay (Drakes Bay) from world famous surf break Pavones.  It’s an incredible spot… that’s why we’re returning to the same spot this year.

WHAT WILL OUR DAYS LOOK LIKE?- In addition to enjoying the surf, spear fishing, hiking, sea kayaks, etc.  We will be going through a video series from the No Regrets Men’s Conference.  Depending on tides and activity schedule, we will do one video session during the day, and one at night after dinner.  These times are pretty cool as the videos set us up for some meaningful conversation for what it means to be Christian men.  We had some great discussions last year.  In addition… If John is willing, you are welcome to join a session or two on centering prayer… which is a prayer meditation practice.  I know that was helpful for several of us last year to learn.

DATE– September 4-8.  Arriving Monday the 4th, departing Friday the 8th.  It is a pretty long road trip to get down there… and so we decided to make the most of our time there this year by extending the retreat by one day.

COST- It will cost $250 per person.  That includes all food, lodging and transportaiton cost.  If we need to rent a car due to lack of drivers… cost will go up $25/person.

DRIVERS- We will need at least 2… people to drive.  I (Lyle) will be one of the drivers.  If you are going and are willing to drive, please let me know?  We will cover gas cost for drivers.

RSVP- For now… if you are even thinking of going, please let me know so that I can get an idea of how many people to expect.  We have limited space, and I’d like to get numbers sooner than later on how many are going because, if we max out on people going, I can rent an additional house.  We already have 8 verbal confirmations, and we have room for about 4 more.  So be sure to reserve your spot soon.  Reserve your spot by contacting pastor Lyle at lyletamarindo@gmail.com

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TC Youth 

Youth nights at Tamarindo Church create an environment where teenagers feel welcomed and safe to be themselves.

Each week, we start with some crazy games together… followed by a time of digging into the Bible together to figure out who Jesus is and what He is all about.  All 6th – 12th grade students are invited!

TC Youth group normally meets every Friday night, 7:00-8:30 pm at Tamarindo Church during the school year… but we are sort of on a more “spontaneous” schedule in the summer! So be sure to “LIKE” our Facebook page for Tamarindo Church Youth.  Click here to go to our page.  TC Youth

For more information, contact Ashley Look: 8416-8807    Ashleylook9@gmail.com_____________________________________________

MUSICIANS WANTED 
We are seeking people with a musical and vocal talent to join our worship team. If God has gifted you with musical or technical talent, we want you to be able to use it for His glory! Our immediate need is for instrumentalists, primarily Bass and Drums. Other instruments are welcome to join in (i.e. keyboard, ukulele, etc.) but cannot be supplied by the church at this time. Here are the first few steps for becoming part of the worship team…
  • Prayerfully consider your involvement.
  • Contact Steve Page: tamarindochurch@gmail.com expressing your interest. The email should include:
    • Musical or technical experience and skill.
    • The reason you are interested in joining the worship team.
    • Steve and Pastor Lyle will review your information and schedule time when you can join us for an audition.
If you have questions please contact Steve Page at tamarindochurch@gmail.com.
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~ WOMEN’S GROUP
WHEN? Tuesdays@10am-11:30pm
WHERE? Meetings are at the Watson’s home.
For more info contact Stacey staceycostarica@gmail.com
or call 8706-7479
~ MEN’S GROUP–  New Time & Place
WHEN? Wednesdays @ 8:15am
WHERE? Come join us on Wednesdays 8:15 AM at Pastor Lyle’s hom.  If you would like to come early and hang out over breakfast or coffee, several of us meet early at 7:45.
For more info contact pastor Lyle at lyletamarindo@gmail.com or call 8868-0871
~ PRAYER REQUESTS ~
Did you know that Tamarindo Church has a page where you can share your prayer requests with us.  On this page you have the option to have us keep your requests confidential, or to have us invite others to be praying for you.
CLICK HERE to check out the new page and submit your prayer requests.

Tamarindo Church Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for……
VISION
that God would guide us in our vision and strategy for reaching and serving our community.MINISTRY TEAM
Thanks to God for our staff and volounteers who serve in many roles in the church.  Please pray that God would continue build a sense of unity and family among our core church members… especially our Board, our Pastor Advisory Group, and our Volunteer Team.

FINANCES
Please pray to our Father that he would meet our needs in the coming year through pledges and regular supporters!

OUTREACH
That God would create a spiritual hunger in our community, and that we would see many come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.  Please pray that our church members would be salt and light in the community to those who are not saved.

CHURCH PROPERTY
Thanks be to God, the sale went through and Tamarindo Church now owns a property for the construction of a church building which will help us to more effectively minister to our church and community. At this point we are in the concept and design phase.  Please pray that God would guide us in this process, and that our needs would be met for building the first phase of the church which includes the sanctuary, classroooms, youth room, and fellowship room.  Please pray that God would provide the $240,000 we need to raise to complete the initial phase of the project.

LYLE & STACEY
– For spiritual wisdom and direction as we lead the church.
– For Stacey’s job in real-estate… that she would find balance between family, ministry and work… and not feel over-stressed or anxious.  And that she would make enough to cover our children’s school tuition.

OUR FAMILY
For meaningful times together and healthy balance between family and ministry.  For our children Olivia and Wolfie… that we would raise them to know, love and serve our Lord.

SPIRITUAL PROTECTION 
Prayer of spiritual protection over our family and our church Ministry Teams…. guarding us from spiritual attack and oppression, and anything that causes dis-unity and divisiveness in the body of Christ at Tamarindo Church.