Update/Announcements- March 2018

Hey Friends,

Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Right now, I’m sitting in Hard Rock Cafe at the airport in Argentina getting ready to fly home to Costa Rica.  You might ask… “What are you doing down there?”  Well, this past week I was super blessed to have attended a Ministry Leadership Conference hosted by the International Baptist Convention (IBC).  For those of you who didn’t know already, the International Baptist Convention is a fellowship of international churches that have a heart for serving and reaching expat communities (like Tamarindo) for Christ.  Our church was planted five years ago in partnership with the IBC, and we continue to partner with the IBC in its mission.  As for my time in Buenos Aires, the IBC hosted a leadership Conference led primarily by pastor and author Tom Blackaby, son of Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God), and by Melanie Driedger, a professional counselor and speaker.  Tom spoke on topics related to  leadership challenges that come with pastoring churches, and Melanie walked us through the topic of shame and how it pervades so many areas of life and ministry.  I leave Buenos Aires super thankful to the IBC for providing this conference where we have been challenged, encouraged, and refreshed for ministry.  And I’m super thankful as well for our team of volunteers who ministered on Sunday at Tamarindo Church in my absence.  Thank you team!

COMING UP

Looking ahead into March, below are few “happenings” at Tamarindo Church that may interest you….

Mission Team
Next week… Houston’s First Baptist Church will be visiting our area again as they have over the past several years.  Unfortunately they will not be here over a Sunday, so we won’t see them in church. But you may see them around town serving… or just grabbing a meal somewhere.  On this trip, their team will be focused on helping the food bank in Huacas, volunteering with Las Playas Food Bank, working with families in need, hosting a VBS at a local elementary school in Rio Seco, and helping with childcare during our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for Tamarindo Church.  “THANK YOU” HFBC for loving on our community and our church!

The Passion of the Christ
In the Spirit of the Easter season, Tamarindo Church will be hosting a showing of Mel Gibson’s movie ThePassion of the Christ.  If you have never seen this movie, this will be a great opportunity to do so.  This movie depicts the severity of the suffering Jesus endured on the cross for our sin to bring us salvation.  After watching the movie together, those who come will have the option of staying after for discussion.  Find more information about the showing of this movie below in our announcements section.
CHURCH BUILDING & DRIVE UPDATE
Just a quick update on construction and fundraising for the new church building.  Behind the scenes of weekly church life, things continue to move forward with plans for construction of the church.  In meeting with the engineer a week ago, we finalized details on the building design and we have submitted the design to the college of engineers for approval and permits for construction.  If all goes as expected, it’s looking as if we will be breaking ground in April or May with hopes of completing the building by November… woohoo!  With regard to finances for the project, we have $80,000 more to raise to cover total cost for construction.  Please join us in prayer… that all of the permitting goes through smoothly, and that God will provide the rest of the funds needed for completion of construction.  For those of you interested in learning more about this project or how to give financially, please CLICK HERE.

Lastly, be sure to scroll down below for announcements and details on our upcoming Easter Sunday Cookout and Pizza fellowship.

Thank you all for giving of your time, talent, prayers and resources to support the life and ministry of Tamarindo Church.  We look forward to celebrating Christ with you this month as we reflect on the meaning of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

“I am the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
~ Jesus
Peace,
Lyle & Stacey

ANNOUNCEMENTS
PIZZA FELLOWSHIP-  Sun, March 11th 

Come join us on Sunday the 11th after Church for hanging out, pizza, and a swim in the pool at the 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 Sundays 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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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Thursday, March 22nd

Join us at Tamarindo Church for a viewing of the movie The Passion of the Christ.   This movie is a portrayal of the last 12 hours of Jesus life as recorded in the New Testament.  Due to the graphic nature of the crucifixion in this movie we advise this movie only for those who are 13 years of age or older.  This showing is open to the public, so please feel free to invite friends or neighbors who you think might be interested.  Also… keep in mind that this movie is subtitled in English, so don’t forget your glasses!  We will be showing this on the big screen, so that should help.
  • Date: Thursday, March 22nd
  • Time: 6:00pm
  • Place: Tamarindo Church
  • Cost: free
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EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATION & COOKOUT
Sunday, April 1st
Come join us on Sunday, April 1st for our Easter Sunday Service.  After the service we will be gathering at 12:30pm at the home of Jim and Christa Nivens in Playa Grande for a cookout where we will be chowin’ down on some tasty pork BBQ, grilled chicken legs, and hot dogs.  We are asking that everyone please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Please contact Jean Mixon at Jeanmixon@outlook.com to sign up for sides and desserts to bring …. or sign up on Sunday after church.

Directions
Printed directions to the Niven’s home will be provided at church on Easter Sunday.  Please make sure to grab a copy after service on your way out.

Fun for the kids!
In addition to the cookout, there will be a pool for swimming, a bounce house for jumping, and an Easter egg hunt for…. uh…  egg hunting.

Invite a Friend
Keep in mind that Easter Sunday is always a great service to invite friends who have not found a church home yet here in Costa Rica.  You never know where people are at spiritually.  I always remember that my wife Stacey came to faith in Christ because a friend invited her to Easter Service.  So… we’d encourage you to prayerfully consider inviting a friend to join us.

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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… 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!

Join us for Youth Group every Friday7 – 8:30 pm at Tamarindo Church! Join our facebook group “TC Youth” and follow our instagram account “tcyouthcr” to stay up to date on what’s happening! But be sure to “LIKE” our Facebook page for Tamarindo Church Youth to stay updated on any changes in schedule or special events.  Click here to go to our page.  TC Youth

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

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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 Lyle Watson: 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.
    • Pastor Lyle will review your information and schedule time when you can join us for an audition.
If you have questions please contact Lyle at tamarindochurch@gmail.com.

WOMEN’S GROUP
WHEN? Tuesdays@12pm-1:30pm
WHERE? Meetings are at the Watson’s home.
For more info contact Stacey staceycostarica@gmail.com
or call 8706-7479
MEN’S GROUP
WHEN? Wednesdays @ 9:00am
WHERE? Come join us on Wednesdays 9:00 AM at Pastor Lyle’s home.  If you would like to come early and hang out over coffee, several of us meet early at 8:30.
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 to build a sense of unity and family among our core church members… especially our Board, our Ministry Leadership Team, and our Volunteer Team.  Please pray that God would bless our ministry team with gifts of the Spirit to serve and lead well.

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 LIFE

This month we are hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  Please pray that our volunteers know they are super appreciated and that  they and their service play such an integral part of the life and ministry of our church.  May God be glorified in our time together.
CHURCH PROPERTY
Thanks and praise be to God in providing the initial finances needed to start construction of the church. At this time we are only $80,000 away from meeting our financial needs for construction of the church.  This final amount will allow us to complete the first floor of the church which will include the children’s church rooms, office, youth room, fellowship room, kitchen and bathrooms.  Please pray with us for God’s provision of this final amount.

LYLE & STACEY
For spiritual wisdom and direction as we lead the church.
For Stacey’s job in real estate… that she would find good balance between family, ministry and work… and not feel over-stressed or anxious.  And that she would earn enough to pay for 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 they would  continue to grow to know, love and serve our Lord.  For spiritual protection over our family.
 
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.