TC Updates/Announcements- April 2017

Hey friends,

We hope this letter finds you all doing well.  Looking back on the month of March, we had a lot going on at Tamairndo Church.  One of the highlights of March was that we had a visit from Houston’s First Baptist Church, who we have built a relationship with over the past three years.

HOUSTON’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

HFBC has a vision for serving our area, and each year they bring mission teams down and bascially ask, “How can we come along side Tamarindo Chruch to serve you and your community?” This year, they served in several ways.  First, their Mobilization Pastor, Jerrell preached for us on Sunday on how God has called and empowered us to reach our community.  Second… we hooked thier team up with the elementary school in El Llanito where they led VBS activities during the morning school hours.  Third, they helped paint walls and repair church benches got our friend Pastor Nelson… who pastors the Baptist Church in nearby Villareal.  Fourth, Missions Associate Kevin Spivey led us in a night of prayer for our church, for our community and for eachother.  And finally.. their team partnered with the Las Playas Food Bank in distributing food in our area.  Thank you HFBC for serving and blessing our church and community!  Looking forward to having you with us again.
CRIA ACADEMY MISSION TRIP
For those of you who didn’t know, over the past 3 years, Tamarindo Church has been leading high school students from CRIA Academy, a local international school, on mission trips to Nicaragua.  Although most of them are not churchgoers… they know and respect that this is a “Church” mission trip that we are leading them on.  I always see this as a great opportunity to not only serve them by providing an opportunity for them to serve the poor, but also as an opportunity to expose them to what Christian life and faith looks like.  After each day, we take time to reflect on Jesus’ teachings regarding our responsibility to care for the poor.  We lead them in a couple of worship songs.  We lead them in prayer.   We serve the poor along side them.  And they get to meet the local pastors on the ground who serve thier communities day in and out in Nicaragua.  They also get to hear the prayers of thanks to God by those who we build houses for and distribute food to.  It’s pretty awesome as I know that for many of them… this is the one time in the year when they get to see and experince the gospel in action.  Very cool.  Thank you to all who prayed for us during our trip.  There were many meaningful conversations that took place, and hopefully the seeds sown in their hearts and thoughts will one day bear fruit to God’s glory.
Also… for those of you who remember from last month… we were hoping to bless one of the pastors there with a pick up truck to replace his old one that broke down.  Well…. the money was raised and he now has a new (used) pickup truck!  Thank you yo all who gave to make this happen.  He was incredibly grateful to God and to you for your generosity.  Thank you!

BUILDING UPDATE
This past week we met with a builder and engineer and started getting the ball rolling with plans for building the church.  We will be having soil samples done in the next week or two, and we will also be meeting with someone to help us come up with computer renderings so we can get a better idea of what the building will look like and cost.  From what I understand, we may have the ability to pass this information along to you so you can see it as well.  We wil do our best to do that so you can share this journey with us.  Please keep us in prayer as we move forward with designs and permitting.  We will keep you posted as we plans progress.

EASTER SUNDAY
As Easter Sunday approaches, please keep in mind those friends and co-workers  who you know that don’t go to church.  Easter Sunday is one of those days when people tend to be most open to attending church… and an invitation from you just might be what makes the difference in them going.  I shared in a sermon this past month that it was because of one of Stacey’s dear friends, Julie, that Stacey came to faith in Christ 15 years ago… when Julie invited Stacey to an Easter Service.  I am so grateful to God that Julie made that invitation.. and for sure Stacey is too.  The story continues… I met Stacey here in Tamarindo 12 years ago because, when I asked if there was a church in Tamarindo (which their wasn’t), but that Stacey was the only Christian he knew in town. He said I should get in touch with her.  Crazy right.  God has done a lot in Tamarindo over the past 12 years…. praise God that he has raised up a vibrant church family that we can do life and faith with here in Tamarindo.  Anyway… your invitation to a friend to come to your church’s Easter Service might be the thing that makes an eternal differece in their life.  So be sure to reach out and invite someone for Easter Sunday, April 16th.

Thank you all again for your continued prayers and support of the ministry of Tamarindo Church.  The many ways you give and particpate in the life of our church allow us to continue to be here.  Happy Easter!

John 11:25-26
“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.
Do you believe this?”
~Jesus
Peace,
Lyle & Stacey

ANNOUNCEMENTS
EASTER SUNDAY- Sunday, April 16th 

Come join us for our Easter Sunday Celebration at Tamarindo Church on Sunday, April 16th… 10:00am as usual.  Our church service will be followed by a gathering at Best Western Vista Villas Monkey Bar.  All are welcome, so please feel free to come and join us at 12 noon for hanging out, pizza, and a dip in the pool to cool off.  Hope to see you there!

Directions From Church: Drive toward Tamarindo.  Drive about 1km and you will see Best Western Vista Villas and Monkey Bar on your left.
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HOME GROUP- Begins Wednesday, April 19th

Sometimes Sunday Church just isn’t enough.  Maybe your looking for a place where you can connect and grow in your faith in a more personal way with others?  Maybe you’d like to learn in an environment where you can ask questions and discuss what your learning with others?  If this is something that you’ve been looking for, then be sure to sign up for one of our home groups starting April 19th.

WHAT TO EXPECT?
When you arrive at 6:00pm, we will have a time of sharing appetizers and time to connect.  At 6:20 we will watch a 15min video together followed by 55mins of discussion and sharing.

Please read below for more information about the 8-week video series we will be going through entitled “Max on Life” by pastor Max Lucado.  We hope you can join us!


Why Me? Why am I here? Why did this happen? Can you help me understand? Where’s the lifeline? Where can I turn? Is there any hope?

We have questions. Real, important and challenging questions. Questions about family, finances, and forgiveness. Unsettling questions regarding illness, death and eternity. Don’t we crave answers to these questions that tug on the deepest parts of our hearts?

Max Lucado has received thousands of questions and wrestled with plenty of his own. In these eight Bible study sessions, one of today’s most trusted pastors takes on life’s most important questions. Here’s hoping that his answers to the questions of others will help you find answers to your own.

    Contact: To sign up for the course or if you have any questions,
please contact David Ihnen at walkinhim@aol.com .
    Date/Time:  Wednesday Nights beginning April 19th, 6-7:30pm
    Location: at the home of David and Audrey Ihnen, Villa Cerca del
mar #9 in Langosta.
    Group Leaders: David & Audrey Ihnen, Lyle Watson
    Cost: Free!

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WOMENS RETREAT

Hello Ladies, I would love to welcome you to our 2017 Women’s Retreat. I am so looking forward to this getaway up in the mountains in this wonderfully rustic Costa Rican lodge nestled on the side of Volcano Tenorio. It is a lush and beautifully rich location for us to get together and spend time with God. It is quiet, peaceful and restful, and they offer additional adventures in the rainforest such as waterfall hikes and horseback riding. We will be doing the IF:GATHERING 2017, lead by great bible teachers. Join us as we draw near to the Lord and soak up all He has prepared for us.

Date:  May 26-28
LocationLa Carolina Lodge
Cost: Approximately $160.  We are still working on pricing.
Reservations: To reserve your spot, please contact Stacey Watson staceycostarica@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.

This month at Tamarindo Church Youth Group has been full of good times, belly laughs, and great conversations. We listen to music way too loud, eat (probably too much) candy, and play some wild games and mixers.

Aside from the dodgeball and crazy games we play each week, we’ve really been digging into the Bible to figure out who Jesus is and what He is all about.  This month we will be learning what it means to Love God and Love Your Neighbor! Pray for us as we not only learn what it means, but put these commands into action in our lives and in our community!

I’d also like to mention that are really proud of our kids who played a role in the local BeachNuts Theater presentation of “The Jungle Book” These kids practiced for months, and the final presentation was AWESOME! It really is an honor to be a part of these students’ lives and watch them do what they love.

TC Youth group meets every Friday night, 7:00-8:30 pm at Tamarindo Church! All 6th – 12th grade students are invited!

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

Join our FACEBOOK group “TC Youth” to stay up to date with events!
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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 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.

FINANCES
Please pray to our Father that he would meet our needs in the coming year through pledges and regular supporters!  We are $20,000 short in pledges, but trusting God will meet our needs as the year unfolds.

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..

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 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.

SPIRITUAL PROTECTION 
Prayer of spiritual protection over our family and our church Ministry Teams…. guarding us from anything that causes dis-unity and divisiveness.