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PWOC Sunday 2011: Designated Offering September 10th and 11th

Leadership Development, News & Announcements

Sep 022011

Have you heard of PWOC Sunday? Have you heard of Designated Offerings in your local Chapel? Coming up on the weekend of September 10^th and 11^th, you have the opportunity to be part of something BIG! Did you realize that PWOC is found on three continents, eight regions and on over 130 installations around the world? The ministry of PWOC reaches over 8,000 women on a weekly basis on Air Force, Army, Navy/Marine and Joint bases across the globe, and PWOC International’s ministry is continually expanding!

Why is this weekend important to you? Because on this weekend, worldwide the offerings received in all Army Protestant chapel services are designated for the amazing ministry of Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) in order to support the International and Regional levels of PWOC. This offering is the primary source of funding used to offset ministry operating costs such as expenses related to the International and Regional conferences held each year, leadership training worldwide, website and communications development, and much more. From this designated offering, yearly regional grants are determined and distributed by the Director of Information, Resource, Management and Logistics (IRML).

What if you’re not at an Army installation? While September 10-11, 2011 is the date for the Army-wide mandatory designated offering, other branches are encouraged to request a designated offering for PWOC as well. Visit the Resource Library here to download an explanation for how to request a PWOC offering at your chapel: http://resources.pwoc.org/designated-offering.

You might be asking how you can be involved on this Sunday. We encourage local PWOCs to participate with their Chaplains at all Protestant services that weekend. Here are a few ideas for you to join in on these services:

• Lead worship

• Sing with the choir

• Do a skit such as Cardboard Testimonies: http://resources.pwoc.org/programs/archives2011

• Show the new PWOC Promotional Video: https://sites.google.com/site/pwoconlineresourcelibrary/designated-offering

• Insert PWOC Publicity flyers into the bulletins at each Protestant services and even the two weeks prior

• Act as ushers

• Do the Scripture readings

• Share testimonies of how PWOC has transformed lives and families

PWOC ladies are encouraged to participate in the services in any way allowed by the Chaplain.

Need some tools to help? Offered at the PWOC Resource Library (http://resources.pwoc.org/) are a few ways to communicate the message about PWOC to the chapel congregations. In the 2011 Your Kingdom Come Installation Program, you can find details of how to use Cardboard Testimonies on the PWOC Sunday to make an impact. These often take 10-15 minutes, and might be most appropriate during a portion of the time allotted for announcements and worship, before the Designated Offering. Remember to bring extra cardboard and markers, and invite those congregated to participate if they so choose. A bulletin insert is available for download to be used in conjunction with the Cardboard Testimonies.

Newly created is the PWOC Promotional Video for download here: https://sites.google.com/site/pwoconlineresourcelibrary/designated-offering This can be shown to the congregation to see the worldwide, life-changing ministry of PWOC. Along with this video is a matching PWOC bulletin insert that can be used for that weekend or even two weeks prior to promote the offering.

We need your help!

• Pray for the Lord to open up the hearts of those in chapels on September 11 to invest into the ministry of PWOC.

• Get the word out! The Designated Offering comes one time a year for the Army! This is an opportunity for the Chapel community to see the life-changing impact that PWOC has on the military families and women in their midst.

• Get involved with your PWOC Chaplain and plan a PWOC Sunday at every Protestant Chapel service on your military installation.

What a great ministry opportunity each PWOC has in showing the Chapel community around the world how the Lord is transforming lives.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

If you have any further questions, please contact the PWOCI Financial Liaison at financial@pwoc.org. Let us know how your PWOC Sunday goes with a follow up testimony at Testimony@pwoc.org.

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An Atmosphere of Intimacy, Simplicity, and Legacy

Leadership Development, President's Pen

Aug 102011

By Beth Mills

Are you ready? It’s almost time for Kick-off! Local boards have been to excellent WILD trainings where they were equipped with leadership skills, given tips and training for their board positions, and filled with fresh vision. We also shared a picture of what we will be as we continue to live out our four aims and as we discover the truths God is bringing to light in our new theme, “Your Kingdom Come!”

The vision for PWOC International:

We will be women who foster an atmosphere of intimacy, simplicity, and legacy.

Atmosphere sets the tone for everything we’re involved in from Bible study, to worship, ministry to children, even our communication on the website. An atmosphere of intimacy is one in which we focus on relationships, not just programs; where we live a Kingdom lifestyle, not just a religious routine; where we have encounters with God and one another, not just meetings. In an atmosphere of intimacy, we’ll live in authentic relationship with God, our families, one another, and our chaplains.

Simplicity doesn’t necessarily mean “easy”, although we do want to keep things simple and uncomplicated. However, simplicity is the opposite of duplicity. Simplicity is undistracted obedience to God’s Kingdom principles and His call on our lives. It requires us to seek the Kingdom first and aim for the bullseye. It may require us to lay aside “good ideas” in exchange for the “best ideas” in order for us to hit that bullseye.

An atmosphere of legacy promotes generational transfer. When our younger and older generations actually weave together, we draw out the gifts and abilities in each other. Fresh ideas and creativity paired with wisdom and experience are the recipe for a vibrant, healthy PWOC.

The atmosphere of intimacy, simplicity, and legacy is organic, not mechanical; it’s orderly, not methodical; and it’s intentional, not mandated.

Lord, in this atmosphere of deep relationship with you and the women you’ve called us to walk beside, we pray Your will be done in our lives as we set our hearts with on one purpose. “Your Kingdom Come!”

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Time to Get out of the Way

Leadership Development, Local Limelight

Jun 022011

After completing the W.I.L.D. training last year I sat in a Chapel classroom with two other board members and cried. I felt so overwhelmed and unprepared for the position I had been selected for as President of the Eielson PWOC. The weight of every woman on Eielson suddenly sat on my shoulders. I was very new to PWOC. I had been a part of our Women’s Ministry at our home church in San Antonio TX, so I was not sure where this overwhelmed feeling was coming from. I even met with our Chaplain to explain why I did not feel I was the gal for the job, leading other women in their walk when my walk was littered with junk and so many flaws. Who am I? How would I be used? Why would I be used?

We are daughters of the Lord, shortcomings, junk and flaws. We try and wear our “big girl” panties and do it our own way. Then we are surprised when we fall short. We need Christ every step of the way. I know this, I believe this, and yet time and time again I try and do it my way and consult with Him from time to time. I wonder…hum why do I feel overwhelmed? He did not intend for me to just check in, He wants to be leading the way and wants my complete submission as His plans have been laid out for each of us. Yet I compare our local installation with others and we need only 2 bible studies, we have monthly fellowship and we fit in a service project. Never feeling as though it was enough.

We need to get back to basics. God did not give His Son to save us from our sins for us to continue to do life on our own. Eielson PWOC is a small group because that is exactly what His intentions were for us this year. There is no shame or failure in being small. So, I do I feel those things…well because living in the flesh and not the Spirit messes with our life. Satan loves to do the dance when we are beating ourselves up. Because then he thinks he has a small or even a large victory! Well, I say get behind me Satan because I am a daughter of Christ and you have no place in this body! GET OUT!!

God is so patient with each of us. He waits patiently for us to get out of the way. I believe there is a reason we were so small. I believe He has been very intentional and His timing is perfect. There is a reason we do not have a selected board for next year because HE is still setting it into place. His timing is perfect and ours is not. There is a reason square pegs do not fit into round holes. I believe that it is easy for us to get caught up in meeting the expectation of others and we miss seeking His expectation for our lives and our ministry. We get caught up in the guidelines and rules and we don’t hear Him. We are….I am so worried about letting others down that I miss that I am not shining in the light of HIS glory.

As I stated earlier we do not have a board for next year. He breaks the pot, turns it back into clay and He shapes the clay. This is not an easy process but know HE is bigger. So big that He shows up at a small soccer field in Fairbanks AK to remind me that He has a plan for my life, for your life and for PWOC. There are seasons of brokenness that we go through so that He can rebuild us. It is uncomfortable and painful, however the reward is an amazing gift. He CAN make a square peg into a round peg when it is time. Are you willing? I am and He is patiently waiting for each of us.

Peace

Kim, Alaska Region

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. An the Father who knows all hearts knows that the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his won Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one – for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one -for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”

Romans 8: 26 – 34

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YOUR KINGDOM COME!

Bits & Pieces, News & Announcements, Resources

Jun 012011

It’s official the new theme has been launched and all the resources for you to use at your local installations are available. YAY!!

Now is the time! Our theme for 2011-2012 comes straight from the Lord’s Prayer—Your Kingdom Come! This will be a year of not only discovering God’s Kingdom principles, it will be a year of living God’s Kingdom ways.

Theme Scripture:

Matthew 6:9-13 (New King James Version)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory.

Hymn:

Praise and Worship Song:

“Let Your Glory Fall” by David Ruis , © Vineyard Music

For more worship song ideas click HERE.

Theme Artwork:

Your Kingdom Come theme art is centered on the Matthew 6:9-13 passage, the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples. The theme design draws from many principles found in this significant scripture.

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Rays of light, from our Father in heaven, come down from above.

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”

The light flows down from heaven above, intersecting with the earth that we inhabit. When our lives and our wills are surrendered to Him, the life we live becomes a beautiful relationship between the King and the one in service to Him. This connection between the light and the earth signifies living life in communion with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is illustrated by the dove, who is the power of God working in us, aligning the will for our life to that will which is in heaven. The globe represents our calling to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.

“Give us this day our daily bread” is portrayed in the subtle loaf of bread to the left of the rays of light, reminding us of that which provides us physical sustenance. Our daily bread also represents a spiritual truth as we daily require communion with the Word of God.

“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” The lily in the bottom left represents the forgiveness we receive and give. The white in the lily stands for our purity in Christ. It is accented in red, pointing to the blood of Christ, which makes

possible God’s beautiful plan of salvation and His gracious means of providing forgiveness for our sins.

“And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” The crown in the stained background, and the keys in the border represent The Kingdom of God and He who holds the keys to the Kingdom.

in the lily stands for our purity in Christ. the blood of Christ, which makes possible God’s beautiful plan of salvation and Hisgracious means of providing forgiveness for our sins.

Click HERE to access the resource library and get everything you need.

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Boldly Proclaim

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

May 252011

Submitted by Jenn Cook, PWOCI 3VP Communications

Webster defines a testimony as a public profession of a religious experience, but I would take it a step further to say it is a divine experience, orchestrated by the hand of God that begs to be proclaimed for all to hear…and we are called to do just that…proclaim it!

A Christian testimony tells your story, or of an experience that transformed you on your spiritual walk. A testimony can explain why you are a Christian; testify to a transformation, or how you overcame a battle through the power of Christ and for God’s glory! Luke gives an account in chapter 8 about a man who had been possessed with many demons. Jesus freed the man of this bondage by casting the demons into a herd of pigs, which rushed down a steep hill, into a lake and were drowned. What a sight to behold and in it, a man was delivered of his extreme bondage! However, the townspeople were filled with fear and asked Jesus to leave. This transformed man begged to go along and accompany him but Jesus said this to him, “‘Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.’ So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

He began proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Simple equation: BONDAGE + DELIVERANCE = PROCLAMATION. In this man’s case, it was a deliverance from bondage which made it possible to give glory to God for his freedom from captivity. For you it might be making it through a deployment’s hard day, the Lord healing your marriage, a spiritual or physical healing, or possibly the testimony of how you came to accept Christ in your heart. You might have a testimony of how your PWOC or someone in your PWOC showed you kindness, spoke truth in love or ministered the love of Christ to you.

The Communications Team wants to encourage you to share A Story for God’s Glory. When we hear the story of someone overcoming a struggle or testifying to the hand of God at work, our own hearts are encouraged. Our desire is to post these on our website at www.pwoc.org for other ladies to be encouraged and to give God praise for His power at work in and among us.

If you are interested in sharing, go to www.pwoc.org and click on the button “Testimonials” in the bottom carousel or email us at testimony@pwoc.org. We look forward to joining with you in proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus has done for you!

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Curtains Up!

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, Resources

Apr 272011

Submitted by Jenn Cook, PWOCI – 3VP – Communications

At midnight on April 4^th, the curtain was raised to unveil the new look of the PWOC International website at www.pwoc.org. For several months now, the Communication Team has been developing the new look and structure and we are excited to finally present the redesign to you! We hope you’ll share in our excitement by taking time to browse the site and take a look at all the content the new site offers. There’s information for everyone!

New to PWOC?

Read welcome letters from the International and Regional Presidents, learn the history, the aims, and read the PWOC mission statement. You can also find information on your region, upcoming special events, training opportunities and more.

Ready to Participate?

Brush up on the PWOC aims, meet the international and regional boards, find conference dates and locations, plus see upcoming events! Don’t forget to checkout the Resource Library. Do you have a great idea to share? You can contribute resources to be used by the ladies in the worldwide PWOC body!

Ready to Lead?

Find information on this spring and summer’s Wild training, Find information on your leadership position and useful forms in the new Resource Library. Publicity items, theme related material and much more are available for your use.

Moving Soon?

See the PWOC Installation locator under Connect to find the days and hours for your new PWOC. If the installation is marked with the Facebook logo, you can also meet the ladies of your new installation there and receive timely information on local events.

Need Encouragement?

With several posts a week, the blog entries provide voices of encouragement, exhortation, and devotion composed by women serving in PWOC locations around the globe. No matter where you find yourself, these brief entries will speak to you!

Our prayer is that the redesigned PWOC International website will be an effective tool and blessing to you. Please spread the word about www.pwoc.org and be on the lookout for new content coming soon!

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A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Preparation

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

Apr 202011

Submitted by Victoria Robinson

Live the Prepared Life. Preparation is an activity that is often attributed to God: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1Corinthians 2:9

It is also an activity that God wants for believers. Before the Boy Scouts had the motto “Be Prepared” God called His people to live the prepared life!

The ministry of Jesus was introduced by John the Baptist who declared: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” in Luke 3: 3-6.

Francis Frangipane has written:

“Repentance always precedes the coming forth of the living Christ in a person’s life. To prepare and make ready is the purpose of repentance. Let us understand this: John’s repentance didn’t just make men sorry, it made men prepared.”

What does this prepared life look like?

First we start with repentance. We must turn from anything that is keeping us from God’s best for us and purpose to live what we know is God’s will for our lives.

Second we see in 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Our minds are “prepared for action” when we are prepared to pray, preach or die!

Pray

There are public service announcements that prepare us on what to do if our clothes catch on fire, to “Stop Drop and Roll!” As PWOC leaders we need to be prepared to “Stop, Drop and Pray!” This comes by daily having our hearts set to “pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Preach

“But in your hearts always set apart Christ as Lord, always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

“Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary use words.”( Francis of Assisi) We must be prepared to preach with or without words.

Die

It is said that the person who has settled where they will spend eternity is truly the person who is prepared to live their earthly life. Paul said; “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

In John 14:2 we read the words of Jesus; “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Jesus is preparing a wonderful place for us. This is a powerful motivator to live a prepared life for Him!

Be prepared to pray, preach or die!

A familiar chorus gives us a prayer for the prepared life.

Lord Prepare me to be a sanctuary,

Pure and holy, tried and true

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living

Sanctuary for You

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From Death to Eternal Life

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, Seasonal teaching

Apr 132011

On February 17^th I attended an Ash Wednesday service at a local church to begin the season of Lent. The minister had burned the palm branches from the previous year, mixed them with water, and administered ashes on the worshipers’ foreheads with these words: “Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel.”

While not specified as a feast day in the Bible, the seasons of Lent and Easter are part of the historical Christian calendar. Our Aim 2 gives us freedom and guidance in teaching ladies the history and programs of the church along with Bible study.

Some Christians traditionally give up habits or drinks or foods during Lent; others focus on adding something to their observance. Working at an assisted living facility or a soup kitchen or homeless shelter – or helping other less fortunate people in the community – are ways to add acts of service to your Lenten activities.

The first two days of Lent this year were focused on my Dad’s last two days on this earth. After a yearlong battle with lung cancer, Mom and I were privileged to usher Dad into Glory on the evening of February 18^th. It is something that has changed me, and I hope that as I grieve in a healthy way, the change has been for the good.

I find it interesting – providential – that during a season of preparing my heart and mind to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that I have been in a period of intimate mourning. My focus during Lent this year has been death. As I witnessed those last struggling breaths, I thought about how Dad would see Jesus soon. I thought about what Jesus’ last day on earth was like. It wasn’t in the privacy and comfort of a home. It was public and controversial and bloody.

While our identity as Christians is all wrapped up in the Christ’s resurrection, this year I’ve been forced to consider the extent to which He went to seal and secure our eternal life, i.e. His physical departure from this earth. While His mother and friends watched. As they prayed and cried.

I’m sure they were changed as well. And what a glorious day it was when He came back from the dead!

I pray your Lenten season has been one of great reflection on Jesus. Look for blog entries that reflect that last week that Jesus walked on the earth – from His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the long road that carried Him to the old rugged cross. Come, be part of this journey that begins with death but ends in eternal life!

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Developing Life Skills

Local Limelight, Resources

Apr 012011

His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

2 Peter 1:3

Many women today are hungry for practical, hands-on skills, as evidenced by the resurgence in trends such as canning, bread baking, organic gardening, knitting and more. The women of PWOC have a lot to offer in these areas. In lieu of, or in addition to, a traditional monthly program with a guest speaker, consider hosting a “How To” workshop in a community location. This will provide an opportunity to serve the surrounding community, and let a broader audience meet the women of PWOC.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

_____________

Local limelight is published every Friday. For comments and submissions please email the Blog Manager.

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PWOC Resource Library

News & Announcements, Resources

Mar 302011

By Angel Mansberger, PWOC I Resource Coordinator

I have some inside information for you. Right now, your web manager is working diligently to rebuild our PWOC International website. With that new design, we will be introducing the PWOC Resource Library intended to provide a warehouse of information for leaders at all PWOC levels.

Dictionary.com defines a resource as, “a source of supply, support, or aid, especially one that can be readily drawn upon when needed.” As Resource Coordinator, I hope to provide easy access to valuable ministry tools so they can be readily drawn upon when needed. The body of PWOC is full of gifted women with fresh ideas. The Communications Team hopes to bring those resources to you.

I like to quote a famous line from the movie Field of Dreams. While walking through his cornfield, farmer Ray Kinsella hears a voice whisper, “If you build it, he will come.” I modify that quote to say, “If you build it, they will come…if they know about it!” A great idea or resource is of no value if we do not share it. I’m looking for:

Children’s ministry or watchcare ideas to build our PCOC resources
Publicity ideas
Deployment ideas
Anything unique your group is doing that is building community

Please email me at Resources@pwoc.org. I look forward to hearing how the Lord is working through PWOC around the world.

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