PO Box 293, Ephrata, WA 98823 509-754-6130 www.ccephrata.org _____________________________________________________________________________________________ April 6, 2015 Dear Congregation It is with heavy hearts that we inform you Pastor Dave Sturkey passed away Monday morning. This will shock some of you, hurt many of you, and raise many questions in your mind. The Session met Monday night to outline what we propose over the next several days to help provide comfort and support to Dave’s family and our church. Dave was recently diagnosed with a heart condition that required triple bypass surgery which was performed in Wenatchee last Wednesday. Dave went through surgery successfully with the support of Dee, his family and our church family. Because of his positive prognosis, he was released to come home Easter Sunday. Dave passed away in his sleep Monday morning at home. We are all experiencing great sadness at our sudden loss. In order to give you an opportunity to grieve together, a program is planned Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for singing, prayer and fellowship. Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. for those who would like to meet to pray with an elder or individually. No plans have been made for a funeral or memorial service at this time. We will keep you informed as we learn the details. Many of you will be asking what you can do to provide support. If you would like to send cards expressing your condolences, please address them to the church at PO Box 293, Ephrata, WA 98823. A fund is established to accept donations to help Dave’s family with travel expenses. Make checks payable to the church with “mercy fund” in the memo field. We ask that you please contact the church office instead of calling the family directly. Please respect the privacy of the family at this time. Sunday morning service will be at 9:00 a.m. as usual. We will not have Sunday School. Instead there will be an opportunity to fellowship together and pray with elders. We all have questions about why this happened but we serve a trustworthy and sovereign God. With the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, the Session will work to continue the momentum the Lord fostered through our beloved Pastor Dave. Lovingly and in Christ, Your Session Elders “To know and demonstrate God’s grace through his Son, Jesus Christ.”